I've done both paint and stain on my wood windows, and honestly, stain has held up way better for me. Paint always looks great at first, but after a couple of harsh winters and hot summers, it starts peeling like crazy. I got tired of scraping and repainting every other year.
Switched to stain about four years ago—went with a decent-quality semi-transparent one—and it's been holding strong. It fades a bit over time, sure, but nothing like the peeling nightmare paint gave me. Plus, when it does fade or wear down, you just clean it up a bit and slap another coat on top without all the scraping hassle.
One thing I'd say though: prep work matters big-time with stain too. Make sure the wood is clean and dry before applying it. Learned that the hard way when I rushed through one window...ended up blotchy and uneven. Had to redo it properly later anyway.
But yeah, if you're sick of dealing with peeling paint, stain's definitely worth trying out next time around.
"Paint always looks great at first, but after a couple of harsh winters and hot summers, it starts peeling like crazy."
Haha, been there... spent way too many weekends scraping flaky paint off my windows. Switched to stain myself, and honestly, life's too short for peeling paint drama. Stain all the way.
I get why stain seems easier, but honestly, paint isn't always the villain here. A few years ago, I was scraping and repainting constantly, too—super frustrating. Then I upgraded to better primer and high-quality exterior paint, and it's been night-and-day different. No peeling or flaking in three winters now. Plus, the thicker paint layer actually helps seal drafts better, which means lower heating bills... always a win in my book. Just something to consider before giving up on paint completely.
Interesting point about the thicker paint layer helping with drafts—hadn't really thought about that angle before. Have you noticed any difference in how the wood underneath holds up over time with paint versus stain? I've seen cases where paint traps moisture, causing hidden rot issues down the line... wondering if you've run into anything like that or if the better primer and paint combo prevents it.
"I've seen cases where paint traps moisture, causing hidden rot issues down the line..."
Yeah, that's exactly what I've experienced on my porch windows. Even with a solid primer and high-quality paint, moisture eventually found its way in through tiny cracks or imperfections. Didn't notice until I saw some bubbling and peeling—by then, the wood underneath was already softening. Stain seems to breathe better, at least from what I've seen. Might not help much with drafts, but honestly I'd rather deal with that than hidden rot.
Totally agree about stain letting wood breathe better. Had a similar issue with painted window frames in my kitchen—looked great at first, but after a couple winters, moisture got trapped and the wood started getting mushy underneath. Switched to stain and haven't had that problem since. It might not seal drafts as well, but honestly, I'd rather reseal or caulk occasionally than deal with hidden rot again...that was a headache.
Interesting points about stain, but have you considered the type of paint you used? I've had similar moisture issues with standard latex paints, but switching to a breathable microporous paint made a huge difference. It lets moisture escape without trapping it underneath. Maybe your paint wasn't the right kind for exterior wood? Stain definitely has advantages, but a quality breathable paint can sometimes offer better protection against UV and weathering long-term. Just curious if anyone else has tried microporous paints...
Haven't tried microporous paint yet, but now you've got me curious. I went with a standard exterior latex last summer and already seeing some bubbling from moisture... rookie mistake, I guess. Might have to give breathable paint a shot next time around.
I've noticed similar bubbling issues with standard latex paints—especially on wood windows exposed to heavy moisture. Microporous paints seem promising because they allow moisture vapor to escape, reducing internal pressure and preventing blistering. Definitely worth considering for better longevity.
Microporous paints sound good in theory, but have you seen how they hold up over several winters? I've heard mixed reviews about moisture still causing trouble underneath... Wonder if a breathable stain might actually be more reliable long-term.