Curious if anyone’s tried those composite wood-vinyl hybrids—they seem like a possible middle ground, but maybe I’m just overthinking it...
I actually went with the wood-vinyl hybrids in my last place. They looked decent and didn’t get as hot as aluminum, but honestly, the dust still found its way into every crevice. The tracks seemed to warp a bit after a couple of years, too—not terrible, just enough to make sliding them annoying. Price was better than fiberglass, but I wouldn’t call it a miracle fix for desert heat or dust. If you’re planning to stay put, fiberglass is probably worth the hit. For a flip or rental, hybrids are “good enough,” but that’s about it.
the dust still found its way into every crevice
Yeah, that’s been my experience too. No matter what you pick, the desert finds a way in. I did hybrids in our old place and the tracks got sticky over time—just like you said, not a dealbreaker but kinda annoying. Fiberglass is pricey, but it holds up better if you’re planning to stick around. For rentals, hybrids are fine... just don’t expect miracles with the dust or heat.
I actually went with vinyl in my current place, and I know folks say it’s not ideal for desert heat, but mine have held up better than I expected. Maybe I just got lucky with the brand or install? Yeah, they do get a bit warped over time, but honestly, the price difference was huge compared to fiberglass. I do have to clean the tracks more often though—dust is just relentless out here. Still, if you’re on a budget, might be worth considering.