Yeah, vinyl's surprisingly tough stuff. I've had mine about 7 years now—no UV spray either (oops)—and they're still going strong. Makes me wonder if fiberglass is really worth the hype, you know? Glad yours are holding up too.
Vinyl definitely holds up well, especially in humid climates. I've installed plenty of both vinyl and fiberglass windows, and honestly, fiberglass does have some advantages—like better dimensional stability and less expansion/contraction with temperature swings. But for most homeowners, the difference isn't huge enough to justify the extra cost. Vinyl's durability and moisture resistance usually check all the boxes, especially if you're not dealing with extreme weather conditions. Glad yours are still solid after 7 years...that's a good sign.
"fiberglass does have some advantages—like better dimensional stability and less expansion/contraction with temperature swings."
Definitely agree with this point. Fiberglass windows do handle temperature fluctuations better, which can indirectly help with energy efficiency over time. I've noticed vinyl can warp slightly in extreme heat, affecting the seal and insulation performance a bit. But yeah, for most climates, vinyl's moisture resistance and cost-effectiveness make it a solid choice. Mine have been holding up fine for about 5 years now, even through some pretty humid summers... fingers crossed they keep it up.
Yeah, fiberglass definitely holds its shape better in temperature swings. I've seen vinyl windows warp a bit too, especially if they're darker colors exposed to direct sun. Had a customer last summer whose south-facing vinyl frames started bowing slightly after just a couple years—nothing major, but enough to affect the seal and let moisture creep in. Fiberglass doesn't usually have that issue.
Still, vinyl's moisture resistance is pretty solid overall, especially compared to wood. Wood can swell and rot if it's not maintained regularly, which can be a real headache in humid climates. Vinyl might warp slightly under extreme heat, but at least it won't rot or need repainting every few years. Guess it comes down to priorities—if you're dealing with intense humidity and don't want maintenance hassles, vinyl's still a decent bet...just keep an eye on those sunny exposures.
I've had vinyl windows for about 8 years now, and honestly, humidity hasn't been much of an issue. But yeah, the warping thing is real—especially on the side of my house that gets blasted by afternoon sun. Makes me wonder if lighter-colored vinyl frames would hold up better over time...anyone tried switching to lighter shades and noticed a difference? Curious if color choice really helps or if it's more marketing hype.
I've heard lighter colors can help a bit—less heat absorption and all that. Probably won't eliminate warping entirely, but might slow it down. Either way, good to hear humidity hasn't been a headache for you...that's a win in itself.
Yeah, lighter colors do help a bit. When I moved into my place, the previous owners had dark wood windows installed, and man, those things warped noticeably after just one humid summer. Switched to vinyl with a lighter shade last year, and it's been way better—no warping yet. Not saying color solves everything, but it definitely makes a difference from what I've seen.
I get what you're saying about lighter colors helping, but honestly, I think the type of wood and how it's treated matters way more than color. My parents' house has had dark-stained cedar windows for over 15 years now, and they're still holding up great—even through some pretty humid summers. The key was they went with properly kiln-dried wood and made sure it was sealed really well from the start.
Vinyl is definitely lower maintenance, no argument there, but I've seen cheaper vinyl windows warp or discolor too if they're exposed to intense sun and humidity long enough. So yeah, color might help a bit with heat absorption, but I'd say quality materials and proper installation are probably bigger factors overall.
You're spot-on about kiln-dried cedar holding up well. I've seen similar results with properly sealed mahogany windows in coastal homes—humidity barely touches them if they're done right from day one. Vinyl definitely has its place, but you're right about cheaper options warping or discoloring. Quality and installation really do seem to trump color choices, at least from what I've seen on job sites over the years...
I've had great experiences with cedar too, especially kiln-dried stuff. Funny thing is, I've seen vinyl hold up surprisingly well, but only if it's the higher-end stuff. Cheap vinyl windows...man, seen those warp like crazy in humid summers. Definitely a get-what-you-pay-for situation.