We swapped out our old wooden windows for fiberglass ones last year cuz the humidity here was just wrecking them. Honestly, they've held up pretty good so far, no warping or mold issues yet. Curious if others had similar luck or if it's just beginner's luck on my end...
Fiberglass is definitely a solid choice for humid climates. I swapped mine about three years ago, and they've been holding up great—no warping, swelling, or mold yet. Just make sure you keep an eye on the seals every now and then. Even fiberglass windows can have seal issues over time, especially if they're exposed to constant moisture. A quick check every season and resealing if needed usually does the trick.
"Just make sure you keep an eye on the seals every now and then."
Good point about the seals—definitely something people overlook. I installed fiberglass windows about five years ago, and they've been solid overall, but I did notice some minor condensation issues around year three. Turned out the caulking had worn down slightly in a couple spots. Quick reseal fixed it right up, but yeah, regular checks are key. Still beats the constant swelling and sticking I had with wood frames, though...
I've had vinyl windows for about two years now, and they've held up pretty well through some humid summers. But yeah, the seals are definitely something to watch. Last summer, I noticed a bit of moisture building up inside one of the panes—turned out the seal had started to fail already. Luckily, it was still under warranty, so the company replaced it without hassle. Still, it made me realize how quickly things can deteriorate if you're not paying attention.
I considered fiberglass initially but went with vinyl mostly due to budget constraints. Curious if fiberglass would have avoided that issue altogether or if it's just inevitable with any window type after a few sticky summers... Guess I'll find out in a few more years!
Fiberglass isn't bulletproof either, honestly. Had mine about four years now—no warping yet, but one window did develop a minor seal issue last summer. Still beats wood hands down, but nothing's totally humidity-proof forever, I guess.
Yeah, fiberglass holds up pretty well overall, but like you said, nothing's totally immune. I've seen a few vinyl windows handle humidity surprisingly well too, though some cheaper ones can warp or fade. Had a vinyl one at my folks' place that lasted nearly a decade without issues, even through some brutal summers. Wonder if anyone's tried aluminum-clad wood? Supposedly combines the best of both worlds, but I'm still skeptical about long-term performance...
- Had aluminum-clad wood windows installed about 8 years ago—still holding strong through some pretty humid summers.
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Totally get the skepticism, but honestly, they've been surprisingly solid for us."Supposedly combines the best of both worlds, but I'm still skeptical about long-term performance..."
- Only minor issue was some fading on the south-facing side, but structurally they're great.
- Definitely pricier upfront, but seems worth it so far...
I've gotta say, aluminum-clad wood windows do look great and hold up decently, but from my experience, vinyl windows have been the real champs in humid climates. Installed some about 12 years ago on a rental property—zero fading, no warping, and maintenance has been practically nonexistent. Sure, they don't have that premium feel of wood, but if practicality and longevity are your priorities, vinyl might surprise you...especially considering the price difference.
"vinyl windows have been the real champs in humid climates"
Good points on vinyl. Curious though—anyone here tried fiberglass windows long-term in sticky weather? Heard they're durable and energy-efficient, but wondering how they stack up against vinyl after a decade or so...
I've had fiberglass windows for about 8 years now in a pretty humid area (think swampy summers and plenty of rain). Honestly, they've held up great—no warping or fading, and energy bills are noticeably lower. But...they were pricier upfront compared to vinyl. If you're planning to stay put long-term, fiberglass might be worth the extra cash. Otherwise, vinyl's probably the smarter practical choice—cheaper and still gets the job done.