I'm looking into replacing some windows at home, and humidity here gets pretty intense sometimes. Wood frames look nice but I've heard they can warp or rot. Anyone have experience with vinyl or fiberglass windows holding up better in humid areas?
Vinyl and fiberglass both handle humidity pretty well, but fiberglass tends to have the edge in durability and resistance to temperature fluctuations. Vinyl can warp slightly if exposed to extreme heat over time—though that's usually more of an issue with cheaper brands. Have you looked into how fiberglass compares cost-wise in your area? Sometimes the upfront price difference isn't as big as you'd think, especially considering the long-term maintenance savings...
"fiberglass tends to have the edge in durability and resistance to temperature fluctuations"
True, but honestly, I've had mid-range vinyl windows installed for about 8 years now in pretty humid summers, and they've held up surprisingly well. No noticeable warping yet... maybe brand matters more than material sometimes?
I've had a similar experience with vinyl. Installed some mid-range ones about 10 years ago in my workshop—humidity levels there fluctuate like crazy, especially when I'm running the saw and generating heat. Honestly expected warping or sticking by now, but they've held up surprisingly well. Maybe it's partly luck, or possibly the installation quality matters as much as anything else... who knows? Fiberglass might have a technical edge, but vinyl's definitely exceeded my expectations.
Good to hear vinyl held up for you, makes me feel better about my choice. I chickened out on wood frames after seeing my neighbor's windows turn into a warped mess—humidity here is brutal. Fiberglass looked tempting, but vinyl was easier on the wallet. Fingers crossed...
Vinyl's a solid choice, especially if humidity's your main enemy. I've installed plenty of vinyl windows in coastal areas, and they've held up surprisingly well. Just make sure the installation is spot-on—proper flashing, sealing, and drainage channels are key to keeping moisture out. Fiberglass is great too, but honestly, for the price difference, vinyl usually does the trick. Sounds like you're on the right track... wouldn't worry too much about it.
Vinyl definitely has its pluses, but I'm curious why nobody's brought up aluminum windows yet. I've had vinyl windows in my home for years, and while they're decent overall, I've noticed some warping and discoloration over time, especially on the side that gets direct sun exposure. Aluminum might seem a bit old-school, but hear me out...
First off, aluminum frames have come a long way—modern ones have thermal breaks built-in, significantly reducing condensation. They're also surprisingly durable against humidity and salt air, which is why they're pretty common in coastal areas. Installation-wise, it's similar to vinyl: proper flashing and sealing are still key, but aluminum frames tend to maintain their shape better long-term. I installed aluminum windows in my workshop out back and they've held up impressively well, even during some pretty brutal coastal storms.
I'm not saying vinyl isn't a solid choice, just wondering if aluminum might actually give better longevity in humid climates, especially near salt water. Has anyone else had experience comparing the two over a longer period?
I've had both vinyl and aluminum windows in my place, and honestly, aluminum surprised me. Vinyl was fine at first, but after about 5 years, the frames facing south started looking pretty rough—warping, fading, you name it. Switched to aluminum with thermal breaks on that side of the house a couple years ago, and they've held up way better so far. Just make sure whoever installs them seals everything properly—otherwise you'll still get moisture issues.
"Just make sure whoever installs them seals everything properly—otherwise you'll still get moisture issues."
Yeah, sealing is definitely key. Had a similar experience myself—thought I'd save a few bucks by DIY-ing the caulking around my aluminum frames. Let's just say my enthusiasm exceeded my skill level... ended up with some sneaky leaks during rainy season. Curious though, has anyone tried fiberglass windows in humid climates? I've heard they're pretty resistant to warping and fading, but haven't seen many real-world reviews yet.
Fiberglass windows have been solid for me so far. Installed them about three years ago in a pretty humid area, and honestly, they've held up great. No warping or fading yet, and maintenance has been minimal—just a quick wipe-down every now and then. Definitely a step up from my old wooden frames, which were a constant battle against moisture and mold...