Yeah, regular silicone was a bust for me too. I remember one winter morning, went to open the window and heard this awful cracking sound—thought I'd broken something expensive. Turns out it was just the silicone frozen solid and snapping loose. Switched to polyurethane after that fiasco, and it's been smooth sailing since. Vinyl's been decent here as well, but I'm curious if fiberglass frames might handle condensation better at altitude... anyone tried those?
"Turns out it was just the silicone frozen solid and snapping loose."
Haha, been there—nothing like that heart-stopping crack to wake you up faster than coffee. Good call switching to polyurethane; it's definitely more forgiving in cold climates. I've had decent luck with vinyl too, but fiberglass frames are a whole different animal. A buddy of mine installed them at his cabin around 9,000 feet, and he swears by them now. Apparently, fiberglass doesn't expand or contract as much with temperature swings, so condensation issues are way less noticeable. He did mention they're pricier upfront, but hey, fewer headaches might be worth the extra bucks. If you're dealing with altitude and moisture regularly, fiberglass could be your ticket out of window-installation purgatory... or at least cut down on those early-morning panic attacks.
"fiberglass doesn't expand or contract as much with temperature swings"
Yep, fiberglass is solid for altitude. Vinyl's decent, but I've seen it warp a bit over time up high. Fiberglass costs more upfront, but fewer callbacks and less stress...worth it in my book.
"Fiberglass costs more upfront, but fewer callbacks and less stress...worth it in my book."
Had vinyl windows installed at my folks' cabin a few years back—about 7,500 ft elevation—and they've definitely warped a bit. Not terrible, but noticeable if you're picky about alignment (dad sure is). Fiberglass seems like it'd handle the altitude swings better, wish I'd known that sooner. Anyone notice if aluminum frames hold up okay at altitude? Heard mixed things about condensation issues...
- Had aluminum frames at our place around 8,000 ft. Quick rundown:
- No warping issues, alignment stayed solid.
- Condensation was definitely noticeable in winter, especially mornings... had to wipe down pretty regularly.
- Frames got pretty cold to the touch—might bug you if you're sensitive to drafts.
- Switched to fiberglass last year, and honestly, it's been a nice upgrade. Less condensation hassle and feels warmer overall.
- Vinyl seems hit or miss at altitude from what I've seen. Neighbor's vinyl windows look fine, but my brother-in-law's warped noticeably after just two winters. Luck of the draw maybe?
- If your dad's picky about alignment (mine is too, lol), fiberglass might save you some headaches down the road.
Interesting points about fiberglass—I hadn't really considered that option before. We're around 7,500 ft and just moved into our first home last summer. The previous owners installed vinyl windows about three years ago, and honestly, they're holding up okay so far. But now you've got me worried about potential warping issues down the line...
One thing I've noticed is that condensation problem you mentioned with aluminum—we're seeing it pretty regularly on our vinyl frames too, especially in the bedrooms. Maybe it's just a high-altitude thing regardless of material? Or could it be related to insulation or humidity levels inside?
I'm curious if anyone's tried wood frames at altitude. I know they're pricier and need more upkeep, but I've heard they might handle temperature swings better. Could be worth it if it means fewer headaches long-term...
"Maybe it's just a high-altitude thing regardless of material?"
Yeah, altitude definitely plays a role, but condensation usually points to humidity or ventilation issues too. Before swapping windows again, I'd check insulation around frames and maybe add a vent fan...could save you some hassle (and money) down the road.
Totally agree on checking insulation first—seen plenty of folks swap pricey windows only to find out later it was just poor sealing around the frames. Also, don't underestimate the power of curtains or blinds...sounds silly, but they can actually help buffer temperature swings and reduce condensation buildup. Learned that one the hard way after a winter of wiping down windows every morning, lol.
Good points all around—curtains really do help more than most people realize. Have you considered humidity levels inside as well? High altitude areas often have drier air, but indoor humidity can still spike (cooking, showers, etc.) and cause condensation issues. Maybe a hygrometer could help pinpoint if that's contributing? I had similar headaches until I realized managing indoor moisture was half the battle...just something else to think about.
Good call on humidity—seen plenty of installs where condensation was the sneaky culprit. But honestly, at altitude, pressure differences and sealing quality usually cause more headaches than moisture alone. Still, can't hurt to check humidity levels...cover all bases, right?