- Couldn’t agree more on muntin width—review boards can be sticklers.
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True, but sometimes I’ve seen decent results with composite if the profile’s right and you paint them up. Not perfect, but it can fool most folks from the sidewalk.“Custom wood is pricey, but you get what you pay for—especially if you want to avoid the ‘plastic-y’ look some new windows have.”
- That “herniated window” feeling… yeah, been there. Swapped out some 80s aluminum sliders once—night and day difference.
- The price stings, no way around it. But honestly, I’ve had clients who tried to save a few bucks with off-the-shelf options and ended up replacing them again within five years.
- At least with custom or well-made replicas, you’re not fighting warped sashes or sticky locks every winter.
- If it helps, after a season or two of smooth operation and no drafts, most people forget about the invoice (well... mostly).
“If it helps, after a season or two of smooth operation and no drafts, most people forget about the invoice (well... mostly).”
That’s been my experience too—pain fades, especially when you’re not fighting with a window every time it rains. One thing I’m still curious about: has anyone managed to get review boards to sign off on painted composite? I’ve heard mixed things in my area. I do like the idea of “fooling most folks from the sidewalk,” but does it hold up close up, say, when you’re cleaning or repainting down the line?
Painted composite can pass from a distance, but up close it’s a mixed bag. I’ve seen review boards in my city go either way—sometimes they’ll approve if the profile matches the original wood, but they get picky about sheen and texture. Honestly, once you’re cleaning or touching up, you notice the difference. The surface just doesn’t take paint like old wood does. If authenticity matters, I’d lean toward wood, even with the extra upkeep.
You nailed it about the paint—composite just doesn’t hold up the same after a few years of sun and weather. I tried touching up a spot on mine, and the difference was obvious. If you’re in it for the long haul and care about those little details, wood’s more work but worth it. Just gotta stay on top of the maintenance.
If you’re in it for the long haul and care about those little details, wood’s more work but worth it.
I get what you’re saying about wood, but I’ve got to admit, sometimes I just don’t have the energy for all that sanding and painting. I tried keeping up with my old wood sills, but every spring it’s like—surprise, another spot peeling. Composite’s not perfect, but at least I’m not out there every year with a paintbrush. Still, nothing beats how real wood looks up close… guess it’s a tradeoff, right?
- Totally get the “another spot peeling” thing—
. Been there with my 1920s place.every spring it’s like—surprise, another spot peeling
- Wood looks amazing but I kept running into drafts and cold spots, even after all that upkeep.
- Switched to a composite/wood hybrid last time. Looks close enough to original, but less hassle and way better insulation.
- Not as “warm” as old wood, but my heating bill dropped and I’m not out there scraping in March.
- Guess it’s always a tradeoff between authentic look and just...not freezing.
Guess it’s always a tradeoff between authentic look and just...not freezing.
That’s the truth. I really wrestled with this when I redid my windows. The wood looked great, but I swear I could feel the wind coming through in January no matter how much caulk I threw at it. Tried one of those “historic” vinyls with woodgrain—honestly, not fooling anyone up close, but from the street it passes. My only gripe is the hardware just doesn’t feel as solid as the old stuff. Still, not having to paint every other year? Hard to argue with that.
I get where you’re coming from. I went down the rabbit hole with “historic” replicas too, and honestly, half the time I’m not convinced the extra expense is worth it. I had a local guy swear up and down that his custom wood sashes would be airtight, but by February I was stuffing towels on the sill again. The look is great, but man, the drafts are real.
Switched to fiberglass with a wood interior last year—cost me a small fortune, but at least I can sit by the window in January without shivering. Up close, you can spot the difference if you know what to look for, but most folks don’t notice. I do miss the weight of the old hardware though. There’s something about that solid “clunk” when you close a real wood window that these new ones just can’t fake.
At this point, I’ll take comfort over authenticity if I have to pick one. Maybe that makes me a sellout, but I’m tired of fighting with paint and weatherstripping every season.
There’s something about that solid “clunk” when you close a real wood window that these new ones just can’t fake.
Totally get this. I put in some “vintage style” vinyl windows last year, and while they look the part from the street, they definitely don’t have that satisfying old-school feel. On the bright side, I haven’t had to chase down a draft with a hair dryer since. The trade-off is real—sometimes I kinda miss cursing at stuck sashes and peeling paint... almost.
On the bright side, I haven’t had to chase down a draft with a hair dryer since.
I hear you on the drafts, but I kinda lean the other way. I replaced two original wood windows with new wood-clad ones (not cheap, ouch), and honestly, they’re pretty darn close to the real deal. Still get that solid “clunk” and no more stuck sashes. Downside is, I’m still babying them with paint and touch-ups... guess I just can’t let go of the maintenance habit.