Triple-pane definitely helps in mountain winters—been there, done that. Double-pane isn't terrible, but you'll notice fewer drafts and less condensation with triple. Plus, your heating bill might thank you later...just sayin'.
Went with triple-pane fiberglass about five years ago, and honestly, it's been worth it. Vinyl wasn't bad, but fiberglass held up better in the cold snaps—less creaking and shifting. Heating bills dropped noticeably too, so no regrets here.
Fiberglass definitely has its perks, but honestly, I've had vinyl windows for nearly a decade now in some pretty harsh winters, and they've held up surprisingly well. Sure, there's a bit of creaking when temps really plummet, but nothing major. Plus, the upfront cost difference was significant enough that I could invest in better insulation elsewhere—attic and doors—which made a noticeable dent in heating bills too. Fiberglass is great, but vinyl can still be a solid choice if budget's tight.
Good points overall, but a couple things to consider from my own experience:
- Vinyl does hold up decently, but I've noticed that after about 12-15 years in extreme cold, the seals can start to fail. Had a few windows at my parents' cabin that began fogging up between panes around year 13. Not catastrophic, but definitely annoying and reduces efficiency.
- Fiberglass frames expand and contract at rates closer to glass itself, so you get less stress on seals long-term. That might mean fewer replacements or repairs down the line, which could offset some of that initial cost difference.
- Also worth mentioning: fiberglass tends to handle UV exposure better. If your windows get a lot of direct sunlight (especially at altitude), vinyl can get brittle or discolored over time. Seen this firsthand on south-facing windows.
- Totally agree though—budget matters. If you're planning on staying put for decades, fiberglass might be worth the extra upfront investment. But if you're unsure or might sell within 10 years or so, vinyl makes plenty of sense.
Just my two cents based on what I've seen over the years...
Really appreciate the detailed breakdown—super helpful for someone like me who's still figuring this stuff out. Interesting point about vinyl discoloration; hadn't thought much about UV exposure at altitude. I'm leaning toward vinyl mainly due to budget constraints, but your experience definitely makes fiberglass tempting long-term. Guess I'll have to weigh upfront costs against future headaches... decisions, decisions. Thanks again for sharing your insights!
Thanks again for sharing your insights!
Went through a similar decision process myself last year. Initially leaned toward vinyl because the upfront cost was attractive, but a neighbor's faded and warped frames after just a few winters made me reconsider. Fiberglass does seem more resilient in harsh conditions, despite the higher price... tough call indeed.
Had vinyl windows installed about 8 years ago, and honestly, they've held up pretty well through some nasty winters. But I did take a few extra steps to help them out—like applying a UV protectant spray each fall and checking the seals every spring. Fiberglass might save you that hassle, but if you're willing to put in a little maintenance time, vinyl can still be a solid choice. Just don't go bargain-basement cheap... learned that lesson the hard way with my first set of windows.
Did you notice a big difference after applying the UV spray each year? I'm leaning toward vinyl for budget reasons, but wondering if the extra maintenance really makes a noticeable impact over time...
I've been wondering the same thing, honestly. Last winter was my first in our new place, and we went with vinyl windows to save some cash. Didn't do any UV spray or anything special, and I did notice a bit of fading on the south-facing side already. Makes me wonder if a yearly spray would really slow that down noticeably or if it's just inevitable with vinyl... Has anyone had vinyl windows long-term without much fading?
"Makes me wonder if a yearly spray would really slow that down noticeably or if it's just inevitable with vinyl..."
Had vinyl windows at our old cabin for about 8 years—didn't do any special UV treatments, and yeah, the south side definitely faded more noticeably. Honestly, seems like fading is pretty much unavoidable with vinyl, especially at higher elevations. Fiberglass might hold up better long-term...