Finally bit the bullet and replaced our 90s-era crank windows with Jeld-Wen casement ones last spring, and honestly, I’m kind of kicking myself for waiting so long. The difference in draftiness was immediate—used to have to stuff towels around the frames in winter, which was both ugly and embarrassing when friends came over. Now, hardly any cold air sneaks through.
I will say, installation took longer than I thought (installer blamed my crooked walls, which… fair), but the finished look is super clean. Handles feel sturdy, and they open way smoother than my old ones ever did. Only minor gripe: I wish the screens were a little easier to pop out for cleaning, but maybe that’s just me being clumsy.
Anyone else make the switch to Jeld-Wen casements and notice a big change? Curious if they hold up as well after a few years—mine are still pretty new.
- Swapped out my old sliders for Jeld-Wen casements about two years ago—definitely noticed the draft improvement right away, especially in our living room.
- Installation was a pain, mostly because my house is 80+ years old and nothing’s square. Took longer than the installer quoted, but not really the window’s fault.
- The hardware still feels solid, no issues with cranking or leaks so far.
- Totally agree on the screens... I’ve fumbled them more than once trying to get them out for cleaning.
- Only thing I’m watching for long-term is how the seals hold up—had a friend whose started to wear after about five years, but maybe that’s just bad luck.
Had a similar headache with install—my place is 90 years old and the frames were way off level. Took a lot of shimming and patience. I’m curious, did you use the factory jamb extensions or build your own? I found the factory ones didn’t fit right.
Yeah, I ran into the same issue with the factory jamb extensions—they just didn’t line up right with my old plaster walls. Ended up making my own out of poplar, which took more time but fit way better. Those old houses never make anything easy, do they?
Had a similar situation with my 1960s ranch—nothing in this place is square, so the installer had to do some creative shimming. I debated tackling the jamb extensions myself but chickened out. Kind of wish I’d tried now, since the factory ones look a little chunky against the old trim. At least the drafts are gone, though.
At least the drafts are gone, though.
That’s the main thing, right? The energy savings and comfort pay off way more than obsessing over every little trim detail... at least that’s what I keep telling myself after wrestling with my own window project. My place is a 1958 split-level and, like you said, nothing is square. I swear, every time I take a level to anything in this house, it’s like the original builders were just eyeballing it.
I actually did try the jamb extensions myself—figured I’d save a few bucks and get a cleaner look with the old woodwork. Let’s just say there was a lot of cursing and some creative use of caulk. In hindsight, maybe the factory ones would’ve saved me some headaches, but then again, I’m picky about matching profiles. I totally get what you mean about the chunky look against vintage trim. It’s not a dealbreaker for me, but it does kind of stick out if you’re used to that slimmer midcentury vibe.
On the efficiency side, though? No contest. My heating bills dropped noticeably after swapping out the drafty originals for modern casements. The difference in comfort is wild—no more cold spots around the living room windows in January. I know some folks get hung up on aesthetics (and hey, guilty as charged), but honestly, if you’re living in it day-to-day, feeling warm and not hearing every gust of wind outside matters more.
One thing I do wish: I’d planned ahead for the trim situation instead of trying to “figure it out as I go.” If anyone else is thinking about this swap, measure everything twice and maybe mock up how those extensions will look before committing. Makes a world of difference.
Anyway, even if the new look isn’t perfect, not having to tape plastic over the windows every winter is worth it for me.
You nailed it on the trim headaches—honestly, I see this all the time. People get fixated on factory jambs vs. site-built, but in these older houses, nothing lines up anyway. Sometimes you’re better off accepting a bit of imperfection rather than chasing “original” looks that just aren’t practical with new windows. I’ve had clients stress about matching profiles, then end up happier just having a room that’s finally comfortable. The energy savings are real, but yeah, those chunky extensions never quite blend in with old-school trim... guess it comes down to what bugs you more: drafts or aesthetics.
I get the comfort argument, but isn’t there a risk of going too far the other way? I’ve seen some folks rip out all the old trim just to get a tight fit, and then regret losing the character. Sometimes I wonder if it’s worth tweaking the install a bit more to save the original look, even if it means a little extra labor. Does anyone actually notice the energy savings as much as they hope, or is it mostly about peace of mind?
Does anyone actually notice the energy savings as much as they hope, or is it mostly about peace of mind?
Honestly, I had the same question before I took the plunge. My place is a 1950s ranch with some pretty quirky trim (think: “charm” with a side of draft). I was super torn about ripping out the original woodwork—my partner was all about maximizing efficiency, but I kept picturing our living room looking like every flipped house on HGTV.
Ended up going the “tweak and save” route. The installers grumbled, but we managed to keep most of the old trim—just had to patch a few spots and got creative with caulk. It took longer (and cost more in labor), but I don’t regret it. The house still feels like itself, just less breezy in January.
As far as energy bills go...yeah, they’re lower, but not jaw-droppingly so. Maybe $20-30/month difference through winter? Not nothing, but it’s not like suddenly heating is free. What I do notice way more is that it’s not an icebox by the windows anymore. No more weird drafts blowing my cereal spoon off the table in February. That’s worth something for sure.
Honestly, if you’re attached to the character, I’d say fight to keep it where you can. The peace of mind comes from not regretting what you’ve lost—energy savings are kind of a slow burn payoff anyway. And hey, if you ever sell, original details seem to matter to buyers who aren’t robots.
Anyone else have installers threaten mutiny when you asked to keep old trim?
I hear you on the installer drama. When I swapped out the windows in my ‘48 Cape, I got the same side-eye for wanting to keep the chunky old casings. One guy actually tried to convince me “nobody will notice” if they’re gone. I noticed. Ended up bribing them with coffee and donuts to take it slow and save what they could.
Honestly, I was hoping for a bigger drop in my heating bill too. Maybe 25 bucks a month, tops, and that’s during the coldest stretch. But the real difference is comfort. No more sitting on the couch with a blanket and a space heater just because I wanted to read by the window. I think half the value is just not feeling like you’re camping indoors.
If you love the old details, it’s worth the hassle to keep them. I do wonder sometimes if I should’ve just gone with storm windows and some weatherstripping, though… way less mess and drama.