We actually replaced a couple windows in our cabin last year with polycarbonate panels, and they've held up surprisingly well through some pretty harsh weather. Temps regularly dip below zero, and the wind can get brutal up there. I was worried about scratching at first, but honestly, unless you're constantly cleaning them with rough materials, it's not that noticeable.
One thing I did notice, though, is the noise. Polycarbonate seems to transmit sound differently than glass—rain and sleet hitting the windows sounds louder somehow. Not a dealbreaker, but something to think about if you're sensitive to noise.
Did you already look into how you'd handle sealing around the edges? We used flexible silicone sealant and left a bit of wiggle room for expansion, and so far, no cracks or warping. Fingers crossed it stays that way...
We went with polycarbonate on our shed windows a couple years back—totally agree about the noise thing, rain sounds like tiny drummers having band practice, lol. Silicone sealant worked great for us too, just gotta leave room for expansion or you'll regret it later... trust me.
I've been considering polycarbonate for our greenhouse windows, but hadn't thought about the noise factor until now. Does it get annoying enough to regret the choice, or is it something you learn to tune out after a while? Also, curious about how well it holds up in colder weather—any cracking or brittleness issues when temps really drop?
"Does it get annoying enough to regret the choice, or is it something you learn to tune out after a while?"
Honestly, the noise isn't terrible, but it can catch you off guard at first—especially during heavy rain or hail. I got used to it pretty quickly, but my partner still grumbles occasionally. As for cold weather, ours have held up fine through some pretty harsh winters (think single-digit temps). Haven't noticed any brittleness or cracking yet...but now you've got me wondering if that's just luck or standard performance?
- Took me a few weeks to tune it out, honestly...still jumpscares me once in a while during hailstorms though.
- Winters here hit below zero regularly, and no cracks or brittleness yet. Maybe these windows are tougher than we think? Or I'm just lucky lol
Interesting you've had no brittleness yet, even at sub-zero temps...makes me wonder if it's more about the frame material or the glass itself holding up better. Have you noticed any difference in drafts or condensation buildup compared to previous windows you've had? I've seen some newer window tech handle extreme cold surprisingly well, but sometimes they struggle with humidity issues indoors. Curious if that's been your experience too.
I've noticed condensation really depends a lot on indoor humidity control...more than just the windows themselves. When we upgraded to newer windows, I initially saw some condensation buildup, especially in the bathroom and kitchen areas. But once we started regularly using exhaust fans and occasionally opening windows briefly—even in colder temps—it improved dramatically. Draft-wise, though, the difference was immediate and impressive. No more chilly air sneaking in around the frames, which made a huge comfort difference indoors.
Actually, I'd argue the windows themselves matter quite a bit. When we moved in, humidity control didn't change much—we always ran exhaust fans—but swapping out our old single-pane windows for double-pane ones made condensation almost disappear overnight. Maybe your indoor humidity was just higher initially? Either way, good windows definitely play a bigger role than you're giving them credit for...at least in my experience.
Interesting point about the double-pane windows reducing condensation. I've noticed similar improvements myself, but I'm curious—did you happen to check if your new windows had any special coatings or gas fills like argon or krypton? Those can significantly affect thermal performance and condensation resistance, especially in colder climates. When I upgraded mine, the installer mentioned low-E coatings and gas fills as key factors in reducing heat transfer and condensation buildup. It made me wonder how much of the improvement was due to simply having two panes versus these additional features. Has anyone else here compared standard double-pane windows to ones with these extra treatments in terms of condensation and overall comfort?
I've actually wondered about this myself, because when I replaced my windows a few years back, I opted for standard double-pane units without any special gas fills or coatings. Honestly, the improvement was noticeable—less condensation and drafts—but it wasn't exactly night-and-day. My neighbor, on the other hand, went all-in with low-E coatings and argon gas fills, and swears by them. But here's the thing: when I've been over at their place during colder snaps, I don't really notice a huge comfort difference compared to mine.
I'm not saying those extra features don't help—they probably do—but I'm skeptical about whether they're always worth the extra cost in every climate or home situation. Maybe if you live somewhere extremely cold or have a ton of humidity issues, they become essential. But in moderate climates or homes with decent ventilation, standard double-pane windows might already get you most of the way there. Just my two cents...