Been thinking about replacing my old wooden windows... humidity here is brutal, you know, and wood just swells and sticks. Imagine if I switched to fiberglass—would that actually hold up better or am I dreaming? Anyone dealt with this?
Fiberglass can definitely handle humidity better than wood, no doubt about that. But honestly, it's not some miracle material either. I've seen fiberglass windows warp slightly over time if the humidity is consistently extreme—especially cheaper brands. They're good, but they're not bulletproof.
Have you considered vinyl? I know some folks turn their noses up at vinyl windows, but in my experience, quality vinyl frames hold up surprisingly well in humid climates. Installed a set for a client near the coast about five years ago, and they're still going strong—no sticking, swelling, or warping yet. Plus, they're usually easier on the wallet than fiberglass.
Just something to think about before you jump straight into fiberglass...
I've had mixed luck with vinyl myself. Installed some mid-range vinyl windows in my sunroom about 8 years ago, and they've mostly been solid. But I did notice a bit of discoloration and slight brittleness on the frames that get direct sunlight all day. Granted, that's more UV exposure than humidity, but it's something to keep in mind if your windows will be getting blasted by the sun regularly.
On the other hand, my neighbor went with fiberglass about six years back, and they're still looking pretty good—even in our humid summers. I think the key is probably brand quality and proper installation. Cheaper fiberglass might warp, and cheaper vinyl might discolor or get brittle. If you go either route, I'd say don't skimp on quality.
Also, consider aluminum-clad wood if budget allows. I know wood sounds risky, but the aluminum cladding really protects it from moisture, and you get a nice solid feel. Had those in my old place and never had an issue with humidity or warping...just another option to toss into the mix.
I've gotta second the fiberglass recommendation here. Had vinyl windows in my kitchen for about 10 years, and while they held up okay, the humidity from cooking and our swampy summers definitely took their toll. They started looking a bit sad—yellowish tint, kinda brittle around the edges. Not exactly the look I was going for, ya know?
Switched to fiberglass about four years ago, and honestly, it's been night and day. They're holding up way better against moisture and heat. Plus, they don't seem to expand or contract as much with temperature swings, which is a nice bonus if your climate can't make up its mind (like mine).
Aluminum-clad wood sounds great too, but I've always been a bit wary of wood—even with cladding—because I'm lazy about maintenance. If you're more responsible than me (not hard to be), it might be worth a shot. But if you're looking for something low-maintenance that can handle humidity without breaking a sweat (pun intended), fiberglass is probably your best bet.
Fiberglass definitely has its perks, but I'd say don't write off aluminum-clad wood too quickly. Installed these in a client's home about six years ago, and honestly, they've held up surprisingly well—even in a kitchen with tons of cooking steam and humidity. The aluminum cladding does a solid job protecting the wood underneath, so maintenance hasn't been much of an issue. Fiberglass is great, sure...but if you're after that warmer look and feel of wood without constant upkeep, aluminum-clad might surprise you.
Interesting points on aluminum-clad wood. I installed fiberglass windows in my own bathroom about four years ago, thinking they'd be the ultimate solution for humidity and condensation issues. They've held up pretty well structurally—no warping or anything—but honestly, I was a bit disappointed with how they handle condensation. On really humid days, I still get some moisture buildup around the edges, which surprised me given all the hype about fiberglass.
A buddy of mine put in aluminum-clad wood around the same time, and I've gotta admit, his windows seem to manage moisture better than mine do. Plus, they just have that nice warmth and feel that fiberglass can't quite match. If I were doing it over again, I'd probably lean toward aluminum-clad myself. Fiberglass is solid, don't get me wrong...but it's not necessarily the miracle solution some folks make it out to be.
Interesting to hear fiberglass isn't quite the silver bullet it's cracked up to be. Makes me wonder if installation quality or even window placement plays a bigger role than we realize. Did your buddy's aluminum-clad windows have any special coatings or treatments? I've heard mixed things about aluminum and condensation, so I'm curious if there's something specific he's doing differently...