Why Are Wood Windows So Crazy Expensive These Days?

I've seen those faux-wood fiberglass windows in person, and yeah, they're decent enough. Like you said:

"Up close though, you can usually spot the difference—something about the grain pattern just feels off."

Honestly though, after a couple years of sanding and repainting real wood frames... fiberglass starts looking pretty darn good.

Yeah, I hear you on that. I've installed plenty of both, and while wood looks amazing at first, the upkeep can be a real headache. Fiberglass might not have that perfect grain, but after your third weekend sanding frames...

"fiberglass starts looking pretty darn good."

I totally get the fiberglass appeal, especially after my own wood window saga. We bought an older home a few years back—beautiful wood windows, charming as heck, but man, the maintenance was no joke. One summer, I spent more weekends scraping and repainting than grilling burgers. Eventually, we swapped a few out for fiberglass, and honestly, from the curb you can barely tell the difference. Sure, wood has that classic charm, but fiberglass has given me back my weekends...and sanity.

I hear you on the fiberglass convenience, but do you think the wood windows you had were properly sealed or treated to begin with? I've seen plenty of older homes where the previous owners skimped on maintenance, making the next owner's life a nightmare. Fiberglass definitely cuts down on upkeep, but I'm curious if properly maintained wood windows would have been less of a headache for you. Or maybe I'm just stubbornly nostalgic about wood...

- Good point about maintenance—I've seen plenty of wood windows last decades when properly cared for.
- Problem is, even with regular sealing and upkeep, wood still expands/contracts with weather changes. Eventually, that leads to sticking or drafts.
- Fiberglass doesn't have that issue, so it's less hassle long-term.
- Still, I get the nostalgia...nothing beats the look and feel of real wood windows in an older home.

You're right about fiberglass being easier long-term—I've switched to fiberglass on most of my house and noticed a big difference in drafts and overall comfort. But I did keep wood windows on the front side facing the street, purely for aesthetics. The trick I've found to minimize the sticking and drafts with wood is investing in high-quality storm windows. They're not cheap, but they really cut down on the seasonal expansion issues and improve energy efficiency significantly.

Also, if you're going to go wood anyway, make sure it's sustainably harvested and properly kiln-dried. I've seen cheaper wood windows warp badly because the wood wasn't seasoned correctly. If you pay the premium upfront for high-quality materials and pair it with good storms, you'll reduce headaches down the road. It's definitely more maintenance, but for some homes, it's worth it to preserve that authentic look.

Totally agree about the storm windows—makes a huge difference. When I redid my place, I went with wood windows on the front too (historic district rules, you know how it goes...). At first, I skimped on storms thinking I'd save a few bucks, but man, did I regret it. Drafts everywhere and constant sticking issues. Once I bit the bullet and upgraded to quality storms, it was night and day. Still pricier than fiberglass overall, but worth it for the curb appeal and comfort factor.

Did you run into any issues with maintenance after installing your wood windows? I went the wood route too—love how they look, but man, the upkeep surprised me. Every spring it's sanding, repainting, and checking for rot spots. Storm windows definitely helped cut down on drafts and moisture, but I'm curious if anyone else found a good way to make the maintenance side of things easier...

Maintenance can definitely catch folks off guard, especially with wood windows. You're not alone in feeling a bit overwhelmed by the annual sanding and repainting routine. Storm windows are a smart move—I've seen them significantly reduce moisture infiltration and drafts, so good call there.

One thing I've found helpful on past projects is using higher-quality exterior-grade paints or stains specifically formulated for wood windows. They tend to hold up better against weathering, UV rays, and moisture penetration. Also, ensuring proper drainage around the window frames can help prevent rot from setting in prematurely. Have you checked if your sills are sloped correctly to shed water away from the frame?

Another option I've seen homeowners try is aluminum or vinyl cladding on the exterior side of the wood window. It maintains that beautiful wood look inside but drastically cuts down on the outdoor maintenance headaches. Might be worth exploring if you're open to a hybrid solution...

Wood windows have always been a bit of a love-hate thing for me. I get the appeal—nothing beats that classic look and feel—but man, the upkeep can be brutal. A few years back, I tackled a restoration project on an older house with original wood windows. Thought I'd save money by doing it myself, but after sanding, priming, and repainting every single window frame, I was seriously questioning my life choices, lol.

I agree that storm windows help a ton, but honestly, even with high-quality exterior paints, I found myself touching things up way more often than I expected. Maybe it's just my local climate (humid summers, harsh winters), but moisture always seemed to find its way in eventually. I did check the sills and drainage, and they were sloped properly, but still ended up dealing with some rot issues after a few seasons.

Eventually, I caved and went with aluminum cladding on the outside. I was skeptical at first—didn't want to lose that authentic look—but it turned out way better than I thought. From the inside, you can't even tell the difference, and maintenance dropped dramatically. Not saying it's perfect or anything; cladding can still get dinged up or scratched, and repairs aren't exactly cheap. But compared to sanding and repainting every year? I'll take it.

As for why wood windows have gotten so expensive lately... honestly, I think it's partly because fewer people want to deal with the hassle anymore. Demand drops, production scales back, prices go up—classic supply and demand stuff. Plus, quality lumber isn't exactly getting cheaper these days either.

Still, if you're set on wood, more power to you. Just know what you're getting into and maybe keep an open mind about hybrid solutions down the road.