"pressure differences and sealing quality usually cause more headaches than moisture alone"
Exactly. Had similar issues here at 7,000 ft. Quick tips:
- Use expanding foam carefully—too much can warp frames.
- Consider pressure-equalized windows if budget allows.
- Double-check seals after big temp swings.
Humidity matters, but sealing and pressure are usually the main culprits up high... learned that the hard way.
"Use expanding foam carefully—too much can warp frames."
Couldn't agree more. When I first moved up to around 6,500 ft, I thought expanding foam was a miracle solution. Learned pretty quickly it's more like a double-edged sword... too little and you get drafts, too much and suddenly the window won't close right. I ended up spending a weekend shaving off excess foam just to get things back in alignment. Not fun.
Pressure-equalized windows sound great in theory, but I'm still not convinced they're worth the extra cost unless you're dealing with extreme temp swings regularly. Honestly, I've found that taking extra care during installation—like leaving just enough room for proper foam expansion and carefully checking seals after the first season change—goes a long way toward solving most pressure issues.
Humidity hasn't really been my main enemy either, but I've definitely noticed it can compound issues if your sealing isn't spot on. Seems like getting the basics right first usually sorts out the rest.
Interesting points, but I'd argue pressure-equalized windows can actually save you headaches down the line, even if you're not dealing with extreme temps. I've seen standard windows develop seal failures after just a couple of seasons at altitude—pressure differences can be subtle but relentless. Sure, careful installation helps, but sometimes investing upfront in specialized windows pays off by avoiding repeated adjustments or replacements later... just my two cents from years of trial and error.
Good insights there, especially about subtle pressure differences causing issues over time. I've mostly dealt with standard windows myself, and while careful installation usually does the trick, I have seen a few cases where seals gave out sooner than expected. Makes me wonder—do you think altitude alone is the main culprit, or could factors like humidity or sun exposure at higher elevations also play a significant role in seal failures? Curious if anyone's noticed patterns there...