Learned this the hard way when we first moved up here... thought we'd save a few bucks on windows, and ended up with drafts strong enough to fly a kite indoors. Upgraded last year—worth every penny.
- Seen this happen a lot... folks underestimate how much wind and temp swings affect windows at altitude.
- Triple-pane with argon fill is usually the sweet spot—pricey, but pays off in comfort and heating bills.
- Also, proper installation matters just as much as window quality. I've fixed plenty of "premium" windows installed poorly.
- Glad your upgrade worked out, though. Nothing worse than indoor kite-flying weather.
"Also, proper installation matters just as much as window quality. I've fixed plenty of 'premium' windows installed poorly."
Couldn't agree more on this point. I've seen neighbors spend a fortune on top-tier windows only to have drafts and leaks because the installers rushed the job or skipped steps. One thing I'd add—especially at higher elevations—is to pay close attention to sealing and flashing around the frames. Even tiny gaps can let in moisture or cold air, and at altitude, those small issues get magnified quickly.
Another tip from experience: don't overlook the window frames themselves. Wood frames look great but can warp or shrink with extreme temperature swings. Fiberglass or composite frames tend to handle altitude better, staying stable through seasonal changes. Learned that the hard way after replacing some beautiful but problematic wooden frames a few years back...
Glad your upgrade turned out well, though. Nothing beats finally sitting comfortably by the window without feeling like you're in a wind tunnel.
"Fiberglass or composite frames tend to handle altitude better, staying stable through seasonal changes."
Fair point, but I've had fiberglass frames crack slightly after a few harsh winters. Maybe aluminum-clad wood could be a decent compromise? Curious if anyone else has tried those at altitude...
Fair point, but I've had fiberglass frames crack slightly after a few harsh winters.
I've actually had pretty good luck with aluminum-clad wood frames at altitude. Installed them about five years ago, and they've held up nicely through some brutal winters. The aluminum exterior protects against moisture and cracking, while the wood interior keeps things cozy...might be worth considering!
I've actually had pretty good luck with aluminum-clad wood frames at altitude.
Interesting, I've heard good things about aluminum-clad wood frames, but my neighbor had a different experience. She put them in about six years ago, and while they held up structurally, she noticed condensation issues between the aluminum and wood layers after a few harsh winters. Maybe it was an installation thing or just bad luck...but have you noticed anything similar? Curious if altitude or humidity differences play a role here.
Condensation between layers can definitely be tricky. I've seen similar issues pop up occasionally, usually when there's a slight gap or imperfection in the seal between the aluminum and wood. Altitude itself shouldn't directly cause condensation, but temperature swings and humidity levels at higher elevations can amplify any existing sealing issues. It might be worth checking if there's adequate drainage or ventilation built into the frame—sometimes small adjustments there can make a noticeable difference.
Good points here, though I'd add that altitude can indirectly play a bigger role than you think. At higher elevations, temperature swings can be pretty dramatic—cold nights followed by sunny, warm days—which makes any minor sealing flaw stand out even more. I've had similar issues in my cabin at around 8,000 ft and found that adding weep holes at the bottom of the frame helped a lot. Small tweak, but noticeably less condensation after that... might be worth a try if ventilation adjustments alone don't do the trick.
Good tip on the weep holes—never thought of that. A couple other things I've noticed over the years at altitude:
- Triple-pane windows seem pricey at first, but they make a noticeable difference.
- Good thermal curtains help a ton with those wild temp swings.
- Honestly, sometimes just cracking a window slightly overnight does wonders... weirdly counterintuitive, but it works.
Triple-pane windows are nice, but honestly, I've found that good double-pane with proper sealing does the trick just fine—especially if you're on a tighter budget. And cracking the window overnight? Tried it once and woke up feeling like I'd camped outside... maybe I did it wrong, but I'll stick to my thermal curtains and cozy blankets instead. Different strokes, I guess!