We went through something similar a couple years back. Wanted wood for authenticity, but the quotes were eye-watering. Ended up finding reclaimed windows at a salvage yard—needed elbow grease, but totally worth it.
"They needed some refinishing and TLC, but he saved a ton of money and ended up with something really unique."
Exactly my experience too...plus, there's something satisfying about restoring them yourself.
Totally agree on the satisfaction factor...plus, reclaimed wood windows can actually be pretty energy-efficient if you take the time to properly seal and weatherstrip them. A bit of extra work upfront, but your heating bills will thank you later.
Reclaimed wood windows are definitely worth the effort if you ask me. When we bought our old farmhouse, it had these gorgeous original wood windows—beautiful craftsmanship, but drafty as all get-out. At first, we considered replacing them entirely with vinyl because the quotes for new wooden ones were staggering. But after some research (and a good bit of stubbornness on my part), we decided to refurbish and reseal them ourselves.
I'll admit, it was a bigger project than I'd bargained for. Lots of weekends scraping paint, sanding frames, and carefully applying weatherstripping. But come wintertime, the difference was night and day. Our home stayed warm without cranking the furnace constantly, and our heating bill dropped noticeably. Plus, there's just something satisfying about keeping the original character intact instead of tossing it away for something modern but generic.
So yeah, they're pricey upfront if you're buying new—but salvaging older ones and giving them a little TLC can pay off big-time down the road.
"Lots of weekends scraping paint, sanding frames, and carefully applying weatherstripping."
Haha, sounds like my idea of a good time...not. But seriously, spot-on advice here. If anyone's tackling this, just remember: patience is key. And coffee—lots of coffee.
"patience is key. And coffee—lots of coffee."
Haha, definitely agree on the coffee part. Also, don't skimp on quality weatherstripping—makes a huge difference in energy savings. Proper sealing cuts drafts and lowers heating bills noticeably...worth the extra effort.
Good point about weatherstripping—I learned that lesson the hard way years ago. But honestly, even with proper sealing, wood window prices lately are nuts. I get they're durable and look great, but the sticker shock makes me think twice...maybe three times. Switched to fiberglass in my last reno and haven't regretted it yet. Looks decent, holds up well, and my wallet thanked me later. Still miss the charm of wood, though.
Totally agree on the fiberglass switch—smart move. Wood windows have always been pricier, but lately it's like they're pricing them as if they're made from unicorn tears or something. I mean, sure, they're gorgeous and have that classic charm, but the maintenance alone can be a headache. I've seen plenty of homeowners fall in love with wood, only to curse the sanding, repainting, and sealing a few years down the road.
Fiberglass is definitely underrated. It doesn't warp or rot, and honestly, most people can't even tell the difference from the curb. Plus, you can get them in finishes that mimic wood grain pretty convincingly these days. Still, I get the nostalgia factor—nothing beats the feel of real wood when you're up close. But unless you're restoring a historic home or have money burning a hole in your pocket, fiberglass or even vinyl is usually the smarter bet.
Yeah, fiberglass is practical, but wood still has its place. Replaced mine about 10 years ago—went with wood for the front rooms and fiberglass everywhere else. Looks great, but honestly...the upkeep is getting old fast. Lesson learned, I guess.
"Looks great, but honestly...the upkeep is getting old fast. Lesson learned, I guess."
I totally get where you're coming from on this. Wood windows definitely have their charm and can add a lot of character to a home, but the maintenance factor isn't something to underestimate. When I renovated my place, I went through a similar dilemma. Ended up choosing fiberglass for efficiency and ease of upkeep, but I still admire the look and feel of wood whenever I see it in older homes.
Don't beat yourself up too much about the decision though—wood does have its benefits, especially in terms of aesthetics and historical authenticity. And, honestly, 10 years is a pretty good run without major regrets. If the upkeep starts feeling overwhelming, there are some newer sealants and finishes on the market now that can extend maintenance intervals significantly. Might be worth exploring when it comes time to refinish again.
- Agree on the upkeep hassle—wood windows look great but they're definitely needy.
- Consider aluminum-clad wood next time...keeps the wood look inside, cuts down exterior maintenance big-time.
- Bit pricier upfront, but saves headaches later.