I had some of my wood windows replaced with new vinyl windows. The problem is that in winter, they are very cold and cold air blows through; around the window edges/frame & molding, and the vinyl seperators between panes. And even the wall several inches around and below the window is unusually cold. The glazing itself doesn't seem to be unusually cold. The manufacturer's website says that those windows are supposed to have good thermal performance, so I suspect the installation. I do know that grey, expanding foam was sprayed around the windows. My old wood windows didn't have this problem, nor does another vinyl window I had installed earlier by another window company. Maybe not enough insulation, or vapor barrier not taped to window?
Answer:
You may be suffering all the features you mention. It almost certainly have to do with the installation. The caulking used could well be temperature sensitive and that may make it shrink back as temperatures drop. There are caulking compounds meant for this purpose and they are not temperature sensitive. Unfortunately, the window trim will have to be removed to confirm this. One of the questions you might ask the installer is whether they were installed under 'SAWDAC' principles. This is a non-profit organization that teaches contractors how to properly install windows and doors. They're on the www.
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