I totally get wanting to just swap out the old windows and be done with it—new ones are definitely quieter and more efficient. But I’ve actually had decent luck with restoring old wood windows instead of replacing them, especially in my drafty 1920s place. It’s not always just patching things up if you go a bit deeper: I took the sashes out, stripped off decades of paint, added new glazing and proper weatherstripping, and honestly, they’re now way less drafty than I expected. Plus, I kept the original look, which matters to me.
Not saying it’s less work (it’s a different kind of headache), but it can be worth it if you like the old windows or want to avoid tossing a ton of wood in the landfill. Measuring is still tricky though—old houses never make anything simple. But sometimes, a thorough restoration with good weatherstripping and storm windows can get you surprisingly close to modern efficiency without a full replacement. Just another angle if anyone’s on the fence...
You nailed it about restoration being a different kind of headache, but honestly, I think it’s way underrated. People get so caught up in the “new windows = instant efficiency” mindset, but that’s not always the full story. I’ve spent a lot of weekends wrestling with 1930s double-hungs—scraping, reglazing, cursing at ancient pulleys—but after adding proper weatherstripping and some decent storm windows, my heating bills dropped almost as much as my neighbor’s who went for full replacements. And I didn’t have to mess with the weird trim or lose the wavy glass that actually makes my place feel like home.
There’s also the landfill thing you mentioned. It’s wild how much perfectly good old-growth wood gets tossed just because it needs some TLC. Most new windows are vinyl or composite, which don’t last as long as people think (and good luck repairing them in 20 years). Not to mention, a lot of those “energy-efficient” windows only hit their stride if they’re installed perfectly—which is tricky in a house where nothing is square anymore.
I do get why people want to rip out and replace though. Measuring old frames is a nightmare and there are days when I’d pay someone just to deal with the sticky sashes. But for anyone even halfway handy and willing to learn, restoring can be surprisingly rewarding—and you get to keep the character. Storm windows are the real MVP here; modern ones seal tight and cut drafts way down.
One thing I wish I’d known earlier: invest in good weatherstripping from the start. The cheap stuff at big box stores just doesn’t hold up. And if you’re somewhere humid, watch out for rot hiding under old paint... learned that one the hard way.
Anyway, just adding to your point—restoration isn’t just patchwork if you do it right. Sometimes it’s actually the more practical (and greener) choice, even if it takes a bit more elbow grease upfront.