We switched to fiberglass windows last year since we're right by the coast and humidity was wrecking our old wood frames. Honestly, they've held up pretty well so far—no warping or mold issues yet. Curious if others had similar luck or maybe different experiences?
We put fiberglass windows in about three years ago, also near the coast. They've been solid—no mold or warping—but I did notice some fading on the frames facing direct sunlight. Nothing major, just something to keep an eye on if aesthetics matter a lot to you. Honestly though, compared to wood, it's night and day difference in terms of maintenance.
One thing I've wondered about is noise reduction. Our fiberglass windows seem quieter than our old wooden ones, but I'm not sure if that's just because they're newer and sealed better... Have you noticed any difference with sound insulation since switching?
I've definitely noticed a difference with sound insulation too, but honestly, I think it's mostly down to the better sealing and newer weatherstripping rather than fiberglass itself. When we swapped ours out, I made sure to check the seals carefully—any gaps or loose spots can really affect noise levels. Also, if noise is a big concern, you might want to look into laminated glass options... they're pricier but make a noticeable difference in blocking out street sounds.
"Also, if noise is a big concern, you might want to look into laminated glass options... they're pricier but make a noticeable difference in blocking out street sounds."
Totally agree with this. Laminated glass can be a game changer, especially if you're near a busy street or coastal winds are constantly rattling your windows. Fiberglass frames are great for durability and resisting humidity, but honestly, the real magic happens when you pair them with quality seals and laminated glass. I've seen clients amazed at how much quieter their homes become after upgrading—worth every penny in my opinion.
Laminated glass can be a game changer, especially if you're near a busy street or coastal winds are constantly rattling your windows.
Been following this thread since we're also near the coast and humidity is a constant battle. Good points about laminated glass—hadn't considered noise reduction much before. A few quick questions though:
- Does laminated glass add noticeable weight to the windows?
- Any issues with installation or needing special frames?
- Curious if anyone noticed a difference in energy efficiency after switching?
Still weighing options, but fiberglass frames sound promising so far...
We switched to laminated glass about two years ago, and honestly, I didn't notice any major weight difference during installation. Our contractor didn't mention needing special frames either, but we already had pretty sturdy fiberglass frames in place. Energy-wise, it's hard to pinpoint exactly how much it helped since we upgraded insulation around the same time. Curious though—has anyone found fiberglass frames holding up better against salt corrosion compared to vinyl or aluminum?
We've had fiberglass frames for about 4 years now, right by the ocean. Honestly, they've held up way better than our old aluminum ones did—those things looked like they'd been through a war after just a couple years! Vinyl wasn't terrible, but it started looking chalky and brittle after a while. Fiberglass seems to shrug off salt spray pretty well, and no corrosion issues yet. Energy-wise, we noticed a slight improvement, but like you, we did other upgrades around the same time so it's tough to say exactly...
Fiberglass definitely has its perks, especially with corrosion resistance, but I'm not totally sold on the energy efficiency angle. We swapped out aluminum for fiberglass about three years ago, and honestly, the difference in our energy bills was minimal at best. Could be because we already had decent insulation elsewhere, but still... I think sometimes the marketing hype oversells the efficiency gains. Durability-wise though, no complaints yet—just don't expect miracles on your electric bill.
Totally get your point about energy efficiency. I switched to fiberglass windows about five years back, mainly because we live near the coast and everything metal just rusts to pieces eventually. If you're in a humid, salty climate, fiberglass definitely holds up better—no peeling paint, no corrosion headaches, and way less maintenance overall.
But yeah, energy savings weren't really noticeable for us either. I mean, fiberglass windows do have better thermal properties on paper, but if your attic insulation or door seals aren't up to par, window upgrades alone won't move the needle much. It's like wearing a nice warm hat while stepping outside barefoot in winter—you gotta address the weakest points first.
If corrosion resistance and durability are your main concerns, fiberglass is a solid choice. Just don't count on it dramatically shrinking your electric bill...at least not without tackling insulation and sealing elsewhere first.
Good points overall, but honestly vinyl windows have held up surprisingly well for me right on the coast. Installed mine nearly 8 years ago, and no corrosion or peeling issues yet. They cost less than fiberglass too, so might be worth considering if durability and budget are your main factors. Agree 100% on insulation though—windows alone won't change much if your home's leaking air everywhere else...