"Cheap vinyl windows...man, seen those warp like crazy in humid summers."
Yeah, seen that happen too—especially with south-facing windows. Curious though, anyone notice if fiberglass frames handle humidity better than vinyl or cedar? Haven't worked with them much myself.
Curious though, anyone notice if fiberglass frames handle humidity better than vinyl or cedar? Haven't worked with them much myself.
I've had fiberglass frames installed on the south side of my place for about seven years now. Honestly, they've held up surprisingly well. Before that, I had cedar frames, and while they looked great at first, the humidity eventually got to them—needed constant sanding and refinishing to keep them from swelling or rotting. Fiberglass hasn't warped or expanded noticeably yet, even in some pretty muggy summers. Seems like a decent middle-ground option if you're worried about humidity issues.
Good to hear fiberglass is holding up for you. I've mostly stuck with vinyl myself—it's been pretty solid in humid weather, but I have noticed some slight warping after a few really hot summers. Might give fiberglass a shot next time around...
Vinyl's usually pretty reliable, but yeah, extreme heat can sometimes push it to its limits. I've installed fiberglass windows a few times now and they've handled humidity and heat surprisingly well—no warping or weird gaps yet. Plus, clients seem happy with the insulation benefits. Might be worth trying out next time you're due for replacements...could save you some headaches down the line.
Fiberglass is definitely underrated. Installed them myself about three years ago, and they've held up impressively through some pretty humid summers—no sticking or warping at all. Vinyl was decent, but I noticed some slight bowing in direct sunlight after a few seasons. Fiberglass seems to handle temp swings better, plus the insulation's been noticeably improved. Good call mentioning them...they're pricier upfront, but probably worth it long-term for peace of mind.
Gotta agree fiberglass is solid, but honestly, vinyl gets a bad rap sometimes. Installed vinyl windows at my place about five years back, and they've held up pretty well through some nasty humidity. Sure, there's a bit of bowing if the sun hits them all day, but nothing drastic enough to worry me. Fiberglass does have the edge on insulation though—noticed my buddy's house stays cooler in summer without cranking the AC as much.
Wood, on the other hand...man, that's a whole different beast. Looks fantastic, but the maintenance is a pain. Had wooden frames in my old place, and humidity turned them into a sticky nightmare every summer. Sanding and repainting got old real quick. If you're after low-maintenance, fiberglass or vinyl is the way to go. Fiberglass probably wins overall, but vinyl's still a decent budget-friendly option.
Interesting points on vinyl and fiberglass, but are you sure wood's always that bad with humidity? I've had wooden windows for over a decade now, and with proper sealing and quality paint, they've actually held up pretty well—even in some pretty muggy summers. Maybe the issue isn't wood itself but rather the type of wood or how it's treated? Could higher-quality hardwoods or modern sealants make a difference? Just wondering if wood might deserve another chance here...
You bring up a really good point about wood quality and treatment methods. I've seen similar situations myself—my parents' house has wooden windows that have lasted ages, even through some pretty humid summers. But then again, I've also seen wooden windows warp and rot within just a few years at a friend's place. So maybe you're onto something with the type of wood or how it's treated?
From what I've read, hardwoods like oak or mahogany tend to handle moisture better than softer woods like pine. And modern sealants and paints have definitely improved over the years, offering better protection against humidity and moisture infiltration. I wonder if the issues people have had with wooden windows might be due to using cheaper softwoods or skimping on proper sealing and maintenance?
Also, installation quality probably plays a bigger role than we realize. Even the best materials won't hold up if they're not installed correctly—poor sealing around the frames can let moisture in, causing problems down the line. Maybe that's why some people swear by vinyl or fiberglass—they're often easier to install properly and require less ongoing maintenance.
Still, I wouldn't dismiss wood entirely. With careful selection of materials, proper sealing, and regular upkeep, wooden windows can definitely hold their own against humidity. Plus, there's something about the look and feel of real wood that's hard to beat...
Have you noticed any difference in energy efficiency with your wooden windows compared to vinyl or fiberglass? Curious if you've tracked that at all, since that's another factor worth considering when choosing window materials.
"Even the best materials won't hold up if they're not installed correctly—poor sealing around the frames can let moisture in, causing problems down the line."
Totally agree with this. When we replaced our old wooden windows with new vinyl ones, I noticed a huge improvement—but honestly, I think it was mostly due to better installation and sealing rather than just the material itself. Makes me wonder...has anyone tried hybrid windows (wood interior, vinyl or fiberglass exterior)? Seems like it could be a good compromise between looks and durability.