"I'd say material matters, but only if installation is spot-on...otherwise you're just throwing money away."
Couldn't agree more. We went fiberglass about three years ago, and while the windows themselves have held up fine, we had a similar issue with sloppy installation. One window wasn't sealed right, and after the first big storm, we had water pooling on the sill. Thankfully, it was an easy fix, but it taught me the same lesson—doesn't matter how good your windows are if the installer's cutting corners. Glad you got yours sorted out properly.
Totally agree on the installation point—seen it firsthand myself. A neighbor down the street went all-in on high-end aluminum windows, thinking they'd hold up better against the salt air. But the installers rushed the job, and within a year he had corrosion spots popping up around the frames. Turns out they didn't properly seal or prep the openings, so moisture got trapped behind the frames. He ended up having to redo half the job, which was a huge headache (and expense).
On the flip side, we've got vinyl windows that were installed carefully about five years ago, and they've held up surprisingly well. I was skeptical at first because everyone says vinyl doesn't last near the ocean, but honestly, they've been solid. I think it's partly because we made sure the installers took their time and sealed everything meticulously.
So yeah, material matters—but I'd argue installation quality might matter even more, especially in harsh coastal conditions.
We had a similar experience when we first moved near the coast. Went with wood windows because we loved the look, but man, they took a beating from the salt air. After just two years, we had peeling paint and swelling frames. Switched to fiberglass windows after that, and they've been great so far—though I think you're right, the installation made all the difference. Our installer was super careful about sealing everything up tight, and it's definitely paid off.