Most windows last about 15 to 30 years, and a quality vinyl or fiberglass window can stretch to 40 or more. But age is only half the story, and condition is the real tell. A window that fogs up between the panes, gets drafty, or sticks when you open it is telling you it is done, sometimes well before that 15-year mark. Around Portland, our wet winters and big temperature swings are hard on windows and push them toward that point faster.
This guide covers how long each type of window really lasts, why ours wear out faster in the Northwest, and the clear signs it is time to act. When yours start showing them, our team handles window replacement across the Portland metro and Southwest Washington.
How Long Do Windows Last? By Material
Lifespan depends mostly on the frame material and how well the window was installed. Here are the typical ranges:
| Window material | Typical lifespan | Good to know |
|---|---|---|
| Vinyl | 20 to 40 years | Low maintenance, the most common choice today |
| Fiberglass | 30 to 50 years | The longest-lasting, very stable in our climate |
| Wood | 15 to 30 years | Beautiful, but needs regular sealing or paint to get there |
| Aluminum | 15 to 30 years | Strong, but conducts cold and can feel drafty |
One more number that matters: the sealed glass unit inside a double-pane window, the part that keeps the insulating gas in, usually lasts about 10 to 20 years. That is the part that fails when a window starts fogging up, often before the frame itself wears out.
Why Windows Wear Out Faster Here in the Pacific Northwest
Our climate is hard on windows. It rains more than 150 days a year around Portland, and that constant damp works on wood frames and on any gap a sloppy install leaves behind. Then the daily temperature swings, cold wet mornings to warm afternoons, make the glass expand and contract, which slowly stresses the seals that keep double-pane windows efficient. Direct summer sun does the same. So a window on a Portland or Beaverton home often shows its age sooner than the same window in a milder, drier place, which is exactly why a proper, weather-tight install matters so much here.
5 Signs It's Time to Replace Your Windows
You usually do not need a calendar to know. The window tells you:
- Fog or moisture between the panes. This is the big one. It means the seal failed, and you cannot wipe it away because it is sealed inside the glass.
- Drafts you can feel. If you sense cold air near a closed window, it is leaking energy.
- Hard to open, close, or lock. Sticking and warping mean the window has moved out of true.
- Rising heating bills. Old or single-pane windows let your heat walk right out.
- Warped, rotted, or water-stained frames. Damage lets moisture and air keep getting in.
Seeing these signs on your windows?
We do free, no-pressure window assessments for homeowners across the Portland area, and we will tell you honestly whether you need replacement or just a repair.
Licensed, bonded & insured · Milgard-certified · 20+ years in the Portland area · Flexible financing
What Foggy Windows Really Mean
Foggy or cloudy glass that you cannot clean is the most common window complaint we hear, and it is a clear signal. A double or triple-pane window seals an insulating gas between the panes. When that seal fails, the gas escapes and damp air seeps in, leaving that milky, foggy look between the glass. You cannot fix it with a rag, the moisture is sealed inside.
The seal itself cannot be repaired. On a newer window, sometimes just the glass unit can be swapped out. On older windows, or when several are fogging at once, replacing them is usually the better long-term call, and you get back the energy efficiency you lost when the seal went.
Repair or Replace?
- Lean toward repair (reglaze the glass unit) if the window is fairly new, the frame is solid, and only one is affected.
- Lean toward replacement if the windows are older, several are fogging or drafty, the frames are damaged, or your energy bills keep climbing. New windows fix the problem and cut the drafts at the same time.
And if you are replacing them anyway, it pays to pick efficient ones. See how to choose energy-efficient windows for Portland to lower your bill and claim the Oregon rebate.
How Gorilla Works Replaces Windows
A window only performs as well as its installation, which is where a lot of drafts and leaks actually come from. Here is how we do it:
- Energy-efficient, Milgard-certified windows built for Northwest weather.
- A weather-tight install with proper flashing and sealing, so the new window does not leak air or water around the frame.
- Clean, careful work by a licensed, bonded, and insured crew that respects your home.
- Flexible financing so you can replace failing windows now instead of living with the drafts.
See the full details on our Portland window installation page.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long do windows last?
Most windows last about 15 to 30 years. Vinyl typically lasts 20 to 40 years, fiberglass 30 to 50, and wood 15 to 30 with regular upkeep. The sealed glass unit in a double-pane window usually lasts 10 to 20 years, which is why fogging often shows up first.
Does Portland's rain or the temperature swings make windows fog up?
Mostly the temperature swings. Foggy glass means the seal on a double-pane window failed and let moisture in. Our constant damp does not help, but it is the daily expand-and-contract from cold mornings to warm afternoons that wears the seal out over the years.
Can I replace just one foggy pane instead of the whole window?
Sometimes. On a newer window in a solid frame, a glass shop can swap just the sealed glass unit. On older windows, or when several are fogging, replacing the window is usually the better long-term fix and brings back the energy efficiency you lost.
Do I need a permit to replace windows in Portland?
Permit rules vary by city across the Portland metro. A straight like-for-like replacement is usually simple, while changing the size of the opening is more involved. We handle the permitting when a job needs it, so you do not have to chase it down.
When should I replace my windows?
When you see fog between the panes, feel drafts, struggle to open or lock them, notice rising energy bills, or see warped or rotted frames. Any one of those is a sign, and a few together means it is time.
The Bottom Line
Most windows last 15 to 30 years, but do not go by the calendar. Foggy panes, drafts, sticking sashes, and climbing energy bills are your windows telling you they are done. Catch it early and you stop losing heat and money.
Gorilla Works Exteriors proudly serves Portland, Gresham, Beaverton, Hillsboro, Tigard, Lake Oswego, Happy Valley, Milwaukie, Troutdale, Vancouver WA, and Camas WA. Call (971) 343-4964 or request window installation.
