Been having some trouble lately replacing windows at my cabin up in the mountains. The drafts just keep sneaking in, you know, and condensation is a real pain. Anyone got experience with installs at higher elevations? Curious if there's tricks I'm missing.
Had similar issues at my place a few years back—high altitude installs can be tricky. Honestly, I found that standard window seals just don't cut it up there. Ended up using spray foam insulation around the frames, and it made a noticeable difference. Condensation-wise, double-paned windows helped, but ventilation was key. Had to add some vents to keep air moving...it's a pain, but worth it in the end. Hang in there, you'll get it sorted eventually.
Did you find the spray foam messy to work with? Every time I've tried it, I end up looking like I'm battling a marshmallow monster... Ventilation's definitely underrated though—did you go roof vents or wall-mounted?
Haha, marshmallow monster is spot on—I swear that stuff has a mind of its own. Last time I used spray foam, I thought I'd be smart and wear gloves... ended up sticking to everything BUT my hands. As for ventilation, I've always leaned toward roof vents myself. Seems like they handle moisture better, especially in snowy or high-altitude areas. Wall-mounted ones can get blocked pretty easily with drifting snow or ice buildup.
Speaking of altitude, have you noticed any issues with window seals failing quicker up here? I've replaced a few windows over the years, and it feels like the higher elevation and temperature swings really do a number on them. Curious if anyone else has run into that or if it's just my luck...
Curious if anyone else has run into that or if it's just my luck...
I've definitely noticed seals going quicker up here. Had a window replaced two years ago, and it's already fogging up again. Pretty sure the altitude and temp swings just wear them out faster... or maybe I just got unlucky with a dud.
I've lived at altitude for years and haven't really noticed seals failing faster than usual. Could be more about the quality of the window or installation rather than altitude itself. Had some cheaper windows fog up quickly, but after upgrading to a better brand, haven't had issues since—even with the same temp swings and elevation. Might be worth checking into different manufacturers or installers next time around...
Interesting point about window quality—I hadn't really thought about brands making that much difference at altitude. Did you notice if the installers you used had specific experience with high-altitude installs, or was it more about the product itself? I've heard some manufacturers actually make windows specifically rated for altitude, but not sure if that's just marketing hype or genuinely helpful... Curious if anyone's had experience with those?
"I've heard some manufacturers actually make windows specifically rated for altitude, but not sure if that's just marketing hype or genuinely helpful..."
From my experience, there's actually something to it. I've installed windows both at sea level and up around 8,000 ft, and the altitude-rated products do seem to hold up better—less fogging between panes over time. Installers with experience at altitude definitely help, but the product itself is key. Curious now if anyone's noticed differences in sealing methods or materials at higher elevations...?
I've noticed the altitude-rated windows do make a difference too, but I'd say it's less about the materials and more about the manufacturing process itself. From what I've seen:
- Altitude-rated windows typically have pressure-equalized panes to avoid seal stress at higher elevations.
- Regular windows sealed at sea level can expand slightly when installed high up, weakening the seal over time and causing fogging or even distortion.
- Some manufacturers actually put tiny breather tubes in the frames during transport to equalize pressure, then seal them off once installed at altitude.
"Installers with experience at altitude definitely help, but the product itself is key."
Agreed on this, though I've seen experienced installers struggle with standard windows at elevation simply because the product wasn't designed for it. Had one job around 9,000 ft where standard panes started fogging within a year... ended up swapping them out for altitude-rated units, and no issues since. Lesson learned the hard way, I guess.
Interesting points about the breather tubes—I hadn't heard of those before. Makes me wonder, though, does altitude affect other window components too, like the hardware or weather stripping? I've noticed some of my window latches seem stiffer up here at around 8,000 ft compared to when I lived near sea level. Could just be coincidence or cheaper hardware, but now you've got me thinking...