I’ve run into the same thing with direct sun just wrecking finishes, no matter how diligent I am. I’ve tried everything from spar urethane to the pricier marine stuff, and honestly, after a year or two of full exposure, it’s all showing its age. UV film does help a little, but like you said, it’s more of a delay than a solution.
Engineered wood is interesting—less movement, sure, but that thin veneer layer is a weak spot. Once it starts to peel or bubble, there’s really no way to make it look right again. I had some window sashes with an oak veneer, and after three summers, the top edge was basically toast. Had to sand it back and paint instead of clear coat because the damage was too obvious.
I’ve started leaning toward oil finishes for interior faces and just accepting that the sun-facing bits are going to need annual attention. It’s not ideal, but at least it’s straightforward to touch up. Out of curiosity, has anyone experimented with those new hybrid coatings? The ones that claim to combine polyurethane durability with oil’s flexibility? I’m skeptical, but maybe I’m missing something.
Also, for those with older homes—do you notice the wood inside the windows holding up better than modern stuff? I swear the old growth pine in my 1920s frames seems to shrug off abuse a lot better than anything I’ve bought new. Wondering if it’s just nostalgia talking or if there’s actually something to it...
That’s funny, I’ve had almost the exact same experience with the old windows in my 1930s place. The original fir sashes are still solid after decades—just a little sanding and oil every few years and they’re good to go. Meanwhile, I replaced a couple with new “premium” units about five years ago, and those are already showing sun damage and some veneer bubbling. I keep hearing about these hybrid coatings too, but I’m not convinced they’re anything more than marketing... Maybe the secret really is just denser, slower-grown wood like they used to use?
I’m right there with you—the old fir windows in my 1928 bungalow are still trucking along, while the “modern upgrades” I put in ten years ago already look worse for wear. Here’s what I’ve noticed: the old wood just feels heavier and somehow... denser? Like, you can actually tell it’s from a different era. I’ve done the same routine—light sanding, a coat of tung oil, and they’re good as new. The new ones? I swear if you look at them funny, the veneer starts to peel.
As for those hybrid coatings, I tried one on a test sash last year. Looked great at first, but after one summer on the south side, it started flaking. Maybe I applied it wrong, but honestly, I think you nailed it—it’s the wood itself that makes the difference. Trees used to grow slower and tighter; now it’s all fast-growth stuff that just doesn’t hold up.
If anyone’s debating whether to restore or replace, my two cents: keep the old wood if you can. It’s more work upfront, but way less hassle in the long run.
You nailed it about the old wood. I’ve pulled sashes out of my 1930s place that felt like they were carved out of petrified forest—super dense, barely a nick after all these years. The newer stuff? I swear, my cat scratches once and it’s scarred for life. If anyone’s thinking of restoring: I usually go with a gentle scrape, then denatured alcohol to clean, and finish with oil or shellac. Takes a little patience, but you get to keep that character (and avoid the heartbreak of peeling veneer). Sometimes the “old way” just works better...
That density is wild, right? I remember stripping the paint off a 1928 double-hung—my carbide scraper barely left a mark, but the wood underneath looked brand new. Tried the same method on a modern sash once and ended up with gouges everywhere. The old stuff just holds up, even if it takes forever to sand smooth. Sometimes I think the patience pays off, even if my arms disagree...
That’s exactly it—the old growth stuff is basically indestructible. I’ve got a 1930s bungalow and every time I take on a window project, I end up cursing and admiring at the same time. The wood’s so dense it laughs at modern tools, but after you finally get through the layers, it looks like it just left the mill. Meanwhile, I tried refinishing a newer window (maybe late 90s?) and the wood felt like balsa in comparison—one wrong move and I’m filling gouges for days.
I get why they don’t use that kind of lumber anymore—cost, speed, whatever—but man, you can really feel the difference. The patience is brutal, though. My shoulders basically go on strike after an hour of sanding those old rails. But then again, the payoff is huge when you see how sharp they look afterward.
Curious if anyone’s tried some of those modern “wood look” sashes? I keep seeing them advertised as low-maintenance but still ‘real’ wood inside. Can’t help but be skeptical… seems like nothing beats the old stuff for longevity, even if you pay for it in elbow grease. Is there actually anything out there now that holds up like these old windows? Or are we all just stuck babying what’s left from the good old days?
I keep hearing people talk up the old windows, but honestly, I’m not sure they’re always worth the pain if you’re not super into the restoration hobby. I swapped out two originals last year for some of those “wood core” sashes (clad on the outside, real wood inside) and, while they don’t have that same dense feel, I haven’t had to touch them since. No sanding, no scraping paint every spring. Maybe they won’t last 90 years, but at this point I’ll take a little less hassle. Anyone else just get tired of the endless maintenance?
I get where you’re coming from. I used to spend weekends patching glazing and repainting sashes on my 1950s windows, and honestly, it got old fast. Swapped a few out for composite-clad units last fall—way less upkeep, and the thermal performance is noticeably better. I do miss the weight of solid wood sometimes, but not enough to go back to constant repairs. For me, low maintenance wins out over nostalgia most days.
Funny how you mention the nostalgia factor—I totally get that. I held onto my original wood windows for years, mostly out of stubbornness (and yeah, a little pride). There’s something about that old-school heft and the way they slam shut that just feels solid. But after the third winter scraping ice off the inside, I started eyeing those composite options too.
Swapped out half my windows last spring. The difference in drafts alone was worth it, and I don’t miss spending Saturdays with a putty knife and paintbrush. Still, I do kind of miss the look of the old wood grain—these new ones try to fake it but up close, you can tell it’s not quite the same. Maybe I’m just picky. Maintenance-wise though? No contest. It’s nice not having to worry every time we get a big rainstorm.
Guess it comes down to how much energy you’ve got for upkeep vs how much nostalgia you’re willing to put up with. For me, less work wins these days... my back thanks me every time.
I hear you on the wood grain thing—nothing really beats the real deal, at least in terms of looks and that satisfying “clunk” when you shut an old sash. I tried holding onto my originals too, but after a few years of repainting and battling the never-ending draft (not to mention the condensation party every January), I caved and went with those wood-clad composites. The inside’s legit wood, but the outside is all aluminum. I was skeptical at first, thinking it’d be obvious they’re not solid wood, but honestly, unless you’re right up close and poking around, they pass pretty well. Not perfect, but not bad either.
What actually surprised me was how much quieter the house got. I always figured old windows just rattled a bit, but swapping half of them out made it feel like I’d installed earplugs in the whole place. Energy bills dropped a bit too, which was a nice bonus. Still, I do miss the ritual of fixing up the old frames—there’s something oddly zen about glazing windows, at least until your back starts yelling at you.
One thing I will say: installation was a bit of a circus. My house is just old enough that nothing is square, so getting the new units to fit took way longer than the sales guy promised. Ended up having to trim some of the interior trim to make it work, which hurt my DIY pride just a little.
At the end of the day, I’m with you—less maintenance wins out, especially when it means no more scraping frost off the inside in February. Still stash a couple of the old sashes in the garage though... can’t quite bring myself to toss them. Maybe I’ll turn one into a picture frame or something.