I've got these older wood windows that desperately need some TLC, and I'm stuck deciding between painting or staining them. Painting seems like it could give me more color options and maybe better protection from weather, but staining looks so much nicer and natural, you know? Plus, I've heard staining might be easier to maintain in the long run. Anyone have experience with either one, or maybe tried both and have a preference?
I've done both painting and staining on my older wood windows, and honestly, staining looked great at first but faded quicker than I expected, especially on the south-facing side. Painting definitely held up better against sun and rain, but it was a pain to prep and repaint when it eventually chipped. Have you thought about how much direct sunlight your windows get? That might make a difference in how long either option lasts...
"Painting definitely held up better against sun and rain, but it was a pain to prep and repaint when it eventually chipped."
Yeah, painting can be a real hassle once it starts chipping—I learned that the hard way too. But honestly, I’ve had pretty decent luck with staining, even on the sunny side of my place. Maybe it depends on the stain quality or how often you reapply? I found that using a UV-resistant stain and giving it a quick refresh every couple years kept things looking good without much fuss. Just something else to consider...