We did something similar—replaced a couple of the worst offenders first, and it made a noticeable difference. Curious though, did you go vinyl or wood? We went vinyl for cost reasons, but sometimes I wonder about durability down the road...
We went vinyl too—mostly budget reasons and ease of maintenance. Honestly, they've held up pretty well so far (about 4 yrs now). Wood looks nicer, sure, but I hear it can be a headache with upkeep. Did your replacement help with drafts or noise much? Ours cut down noticeably on both, especially during winter...definitely worth it in my book.
We swapped ours out for vinyl about two years ago, mostly because I was tired of feeling like we lived in a wind tunnel every winter, lol. Definitely quieter now, and the drafts are way less noticeable. Wood does look great, but sanding and repainting every few years? Nah, I'm good...
We went vinyl about five years back too, mostly for the energy savings. Wood frames are gorgeous, sure, but the maintenance is a serious pain. Vinyl's held up pretty well so far, though I do miss that classic look sometimes...
We switched to vinyl about three years ago, and honestly, zero regrets. I totally get missing the charm of wood frames—nothing beats that classic vibe—but after spending way too many weekends sanding and repainting, vinyl feels like a mini vacation, lol. Plus, the energy savings have been noticeable on our bills. Maybe someday I'll splurge on wood again...but for now, I'm enjoying the extra free time (and cash) vinyl gives me.
Vinyl's definitely a solid choice if you're looking to cut down on maintenance headaches. I've installed plenty of both wood and vinyl, and honestly, the only time I miss wood is when I'm admiring someone else's freshly painted frames—then I remember all the sanding and scraping involved, haha. Quick tip if you ever do go back to wood: invest in a good primer and quality paint upfront. It won't eliminate the work completely, but it'll buy you some extra weekends before the next repaint rolls around...
- Good points on vinyl, but I've heard mixed things about durability over time.
- Anyone had vinyl windows installed for 10+ years? Curious if they warp or discolor noticeably...
- Wood seems like a hassle, but at least you know what you're getting into.
I've had vinyl windows for about 12 years now, and honestly, discoloration hasn't been a big issue for me. But I do notice some slight warping on the south-facing side of the house where the sun hits hardest. It's subtle—not enough to affect functionality—but noticeable if you're looking closely. Wood definitely has its charm, but yeah, maintenance can be a headache. Have you considered fiberglass windows at all? They're pricier than vinyl upfront, but I've heard they're pretty durable and don't warp as easily. Might be a decent middle ground if you're worried about longevity without the hassle of wood upkeep. Curious if anyone else has experience with fiberglass windows long-term...
Fiberglass is solid, but honestly, I've had aluminum-clad wood windows for about 15 years now and they've held up surprisingly well. Pricey upfront too, but zero warping issues and minimal upkeep—might be worth considering if you're looking long-term...
"Pricey upfront too, but zero warping issues and minimal upkeep—might be worth considering if you're looking long-term..."
Have you noticed any fading or finish issues on the aluminum cladding? I went with vinyl replacements about 10 years back—budget decision at the time—and while the insulation's decent, I've seen some color fade and minor warping on south-facing windows. Not terrible, but definitely noticeable now that a decade has passed. Wondering if aluminum-clad wood would've held up better in direct sun... How's the insulation performance been overall?