Been dealing with window issues at our cabin up at around 8,000 feet. First thing we learned the hard way—regular windows don't always cut it when you're that high up. The pressure difference and temp swings up here are no joke. We had a couple panes crack during a particularly harsh winter, and condensation was a constant headache.
Anyway, talked to a local builder and he recommended going for windows with pressure-equalized glazing. Honestly, didn't even know that was a thing, but apparently it helps balance out the pressure changes. We swapped ours out last summer, and it made a huge difference. No more fogging up, and the drafts are pretty much gone too.
If you're building or renovating somewhere way up there, definitely look into these. They're pricier, yeah, but worth it in the long run, you know?
Curious if anyone else has found other good solutions or tips for windows at higher altitudes.
Pressure-equalized glazing can definitely help, but I'm wondering if it's always necessary at around 8,000 feet? I've worked on a few projects at similar elevations where we just went with high-quality triple-pane windows and made sure the installation was airtight. No cracking or condensation issues yet, even after some rough winters. Maybe it's more about proper sealing and insulation rather than specialized glazing...? Curious if others have had similar experiences.
I've been following this thread because I had a similar dilemma when we built our cabin at around 7,500 feet. We debated going with pressure-equalized glazing, but honestly, the cost difference made us pause. In the end, we decided to go with high-quality double-pane windows (triple-pane was just a bit out of our budget) and put extra effort into sealing and insulation.
It's been about five years now, and we've seen some pretty harsh winters—heavy snow loads, freezing temps, you name it. So far, no cracking or condensation issues at all. I think you're onto something about proper sealing and installation being key. We spent extra time making sure everything was airtight—used quality flashing tape, foam insulation around the frames, and even did a blower door test to check for leaks. It was definitely worth the extra effort.
That said...I do have neighbors who swear by their pressure-equalized glazing. They say it gives them peace of mind knowing their windows are specifically designed for altitude changes. But personally, I'm not convinced it's always necessary at elevations like ours if you're careful with installation details.
Maybe if you're building even higher up or in an area with extreme temperature swings it might be more critical? But from my experience so far, good-quality windows combined with meticulous sealing seems to do the trick just fine.
Interesting points about sealing and insulation—I agree that's often overlooked. We built at around 8,200 feet and went with triple-pane windows, mostly because we got a good deal at the time. They've held up great, but honestly, I sometimes wonder if double-pane would've been just fine with the same attention to sealing details. Did you notice any significant difference in indoor comfort or heating efficiency after your sealing improvements? Curious how much of a difference that extra effort really made...
Good points about sealing details. My experience:
- Double-pane with pressure-equalized glazing worked great at ~7,900 ft.
- Proper sealing made a noticeable difference—less drafty, lower heating bills.
- Triple-pane might be overkill, but if you got a deal, why not...
Double-pane with pressure-equalized glazing is definitely a solid choice at altitude. I've installed quite a few windows up around 8,000 ft, and honestly, triple-pane usually isn't necessary unless you're dealing with extreme cold or noise issues. But hey, if you snagged a good deal, no harm done.
One thing I'd add from experience: pay attention to the frame material too. Vinyl can warp or crack over time at high elevations due to UV exposure and temperature swings. Fiberglass or aluminum-clad wood frames tend to hold up better in mountain climates. Also, don't overlook the flashing and drip edges—water intrusion can be sneaky, especially with snow buildup and ice dams.
And speaking of sealing, make sure you use a quality expanding foam specifically designed for windows and doors. Regular foam expands too aggressively and can actually bow your frames, causing more headaches down the road. Learned that one the hard way...
Good points about the vinyl frames. I put vinyl windows in a cabin around 7,500 ft a few years back, and they started warping after just two winters—total pain. Switched to fiberglass frames and they've been solid so far. And yeah, that expanding foam thing... learned that lesson myself. Had to redo a window after the foam bowed the frame enough to mess up the seal. Fun times...
Fiberglass frames definitely seem to hold up better from what I've read. I'm installing windows myself for the first time next month—mountain property around 6,800 ft—and I've been researching like crazy. From what I gather, fiberglass handles temperature swings and UV exposure way better than vinyl. Also, for anyone DIYing it, the foam thing is real... use the low-expansion foam specifically labeled for windows and doors, and apply sparingly. Learned that from a buddy's mistake, haha. Fingers crossed mine turn out okay...
"fiberglass handles temperature swings and UV exposure way better than vinyl."
True, but have you considered aluminum-clad wood frames? Installed some at our cabin around 7k ft, and they've held up surprisingly well. Plus, they look awesome—vinyl can get kinda meh over time...
Good points, but just a heads-up from my experience:
- Aluminum-clad wood looks great, but maintenance can sneak up on you.
- Fiberglass might not be as pretty, but it's pretty much set-and-forget.
- Worth weighing looks vs. upkeep hassle, especially if you're new to homeownership like me...