- I actually went with vinyl windows last year, mostly because the price was way better than fiberglass or composite.
- Everyone warned me about vinyl not holding up, but so far—fingers crossed—no issues, even with all the salty air.
- I did pay extra for marine-grade hardware... maybe that's made a difference?
- Not sure how they'll look in 10 years, but for now, I'm happy and my wallet is too.
- Sometimes I feel like the upfront cost of fiberglass just isn't doable, especially with everything else that needs fixing.
- I actually went with vinyl windows last year, mostly because the price was way better than fiberglass or composite.
Paying extra for marine-grade hardware was a smart move. I’ve seen standard vinyl windows corrode pretty fast near the coast, but better hardware can really extend their lifespan. That said, I’m still a bit skeptical about how vinyl holds up long-term—UV and salt can be brutal. Still, if you’re not seeing issues yet, that’s a good sign. Sometimes the “fiberglass or nothing” crowd forgets not everyone has an unlimited reno budget…
Sometimes the “fiberglass or nothing” crowd forgets not everyone has an unlimited reno budget…
Yeah, the price difference made me hesitate too. I’ve got vinyl sliders that are holding up okay so far, but I do wonder if they’ll start to yellow or get brittle after a few years in the salt air. Anyone here had vinyl for 5+ years near the ocean and still happy with them?
I’ve got vinyl sliders that are holding up okay so far, but I do wonder if they’ll start to yellow or get brittle after a few years in the salt air.
Honestly, I wouldn’t write off vinyl just because of the “fiberglass or bust” crowd. I’ve worked on a bunch of houses along the coast, and while I’ve seen some older vinyl windows yellow or go brittle, it’s not a guarantee. It really depends on the brand and how much direct sun they get. Some of the newer vinyls seem to have better UV resistance now.
That said, I’ve also seen folks get 10+ years out of mid-range vinyl without major issues—maybe a little fading, but nothing that made them regret not going fiberglass. If you rinse the frames off every now and then to get the salt off, that helps slow down the wear.
Personally, I’d say if your sliders are still looking good after a few years, you’re probably fine for a while. If you do end up needing to swap them out down the road, at least you didn’t break the bank up front. Not everyone’s got the budget for the “forever” windows, and sometimes good enough really is good enough.
- Had similar worries with my place about 5 blocks from the ocean—installed mid-grade vinyl sliders about 8 years ago.
- Salt spray is brutal, but I just hose the frames down every couple months. No yellowing yet, but there’s a bit of chalky residue if I slack off.
- Sun exposure seems to matter more than salt for fading. The north-facing ones look like new, south side’s a little dull.
- Agree that “forever” windows are great, but not always in the budget. If yours are still working and not leaking, I’d ride it out. Swapping isn’t as painful as people make it sound, either... did two last fall and it was way less hassle than I expected.
Yeah, the sun beats up my windows way more than the salt, too. I’m about seven blocks from the beach, and I went with fiberglass frames about five years ago—pricier than vinyl, but they seem to handle both the salt and the heat better. Still, I get that chalky stuff on the sills if I forget to rinse them off now and then.
Honestly, the biggest hassle for me was finding someone who’d actually show up to install them. The job itself wasn’t bad, just a lot of plastic sheeting and noise for a day or two. If your current ones aren’t leaking or sticking, I’d hold off until you really need to swap ‘em. No window stays perfect out here, no matter what the sales guys say... but regular rinsing goes a long way.
Funny enough, my neighbor’s aluminum frames look terrible after ten years—pitted and corroded—so I’d skip those near the ocean.
- Fiberglass is solid—mine’s held up better than I expected, especially with all the direct sun.
- Vinyl was cheaper but got a little warped over time. Salt didn’t eat it, but the heat did a number on it.
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“my neighbor’s aluminum frames look terrible after ten years—pitted and corroded—so I’d skip those near the ocean.”
Same here. The house next door has old aluminum sliders and they’re basically fused shut now.
- Installers are hit or miss. Took me three tries to get someone who didn’t flake.
- If your windows aren’t leaking or drafty, I’d wait. Swapping them is a pain and not cheap.
- For cleaning, I just hose mine down every couple weeks. Keeps the chalky stuff away, mostly.
- One thing—don’t forget about screens. Mine rusted out way faster than the frames did. Stainless steel mesh is worth it if you’re close to the water.
If I had to do it again, I’d go fiberglass again, but only if the price isn’t crazy. Otherwise, stick with what you’ve got as long as you can.
Fiberglass has been a win for me too—mine’s pushing 8 years and still looks decent, even with the salt spray. I do wish I’d gone for better screens from the start though. The cheap ones rusted out after maybe two summers. One thing I learned: if you’re anywhere close to the ocean, regular rinsing makes a difference. It’s a chore, but better than dealing with stuck windows or corroded tracks down the road. If your current windows aren’t giving you grief, waiting it out isn’t a bad move. Prices jump around a lot, and good installers are worth their weight in gold... took me forever to find one that actually showed up when they said they would.
I get the rinsing thing, but honestly, I’ve never been great at keeping up with it.
Maybe I’m just lazy, but my old aluminum frames have held up okay with just some WD-40 every few months. Anyone else find fiberglass worth the extra cost? I keep hearing about it, but not sure if it’s hype or actually a game changer for salt air.“if you’re anywhere close to the ocean, regular rinsing makes a difference. It’s a chore, but better than dealing with stuck windows or corroded tracks down the road.”
Honestly, I’m not convinced fiberglass is all it’s cracked up to be for salt air. My neighbor splurged on fiberglass casements a few years back, and while they haven’t pitted like aluminum can, the seals started to go just as fast. Meanwhile, my ‘90s aluminum sliders are still kicking with the occasional WD-40 and a quick wipe down. Maybe I’m just set in my ways, but I’d rather deal with a little maintenance than fork over double for new frames that aren’t maintenance-free anyway.