Trying to figure out who actually builds decent wood windows anymore. My house is from the 1920s and I really want to keep the original look (the vinyl replacements just don’t do it for me, you know?). I’ve seen a few companies online—Marvin, Andersen, maybe Kolbe—but I can’t tell if they’re just marketing or if the quality’s actually there. Also, are there any smaller or regional manufacturers people have had luck with? I’m in the Midwest, so weather’s a thing too—cold winters, humid summers.
If anyone’s been through this recently, what’s your take? Did you go custom or stick with a bigger brand? Any regrets or surprises?
I went down this rabbit hole last year with my 1915 foursquare. Ended up going with Marvin’s all-wood line because I just couldn’t find a regional shop that would match the old profiles without tripling the cost. The quality’s solid—no regrets so far—but you do have to keep up with the finish, especially on the exterior. Curious if anyone’s tried Kolbe in a Midwest climate? I heard their weatherstripping is better, but haven’t seen them in person.
Curious if anyone’s tried Kolbe in a Midwest climate? I heard their weatherstripping is better, but haven’t seen them in person.
I actually put Kolbe windows in my 1923 brick bungalow about three years ago (Chicago burbs). Honestly, the weatherstripping is solid—definitely feels tighter than the Marvin units I had at my last place. Winters here are brutal and I haven’t noticed any drafts or frost buildup, which was a constant headache with my old wood sashes. That said, the finish on the exterior still takes a beating from all the freeze/thaw cycles. Even with Kolbe’s “low-maintenance” claims, I’m out there touching up paint every other summer.
Price-wise, Kolbe was a little higher than Marvin for me, but they were willing to match my weird divided lite pattern without charging an arm and a leg. If you care about matching historic details, that flexibility is worth something. Still, you’re right—regional shops do beautiful work, but wow, the quotes I got were wild. I’d say Kolbe’s a legit option for Midwest weather, but don’t expect to skip on maintenance just because of the brand.
That lines up with what I see on jobs around here. Kolbe’s weatherstripping is definitely a step up—less air sneaking in, which is huge in Midwest winters. But yeah, even the “low-maintenance” finishes need touch-ups, especially on south or west exposures. One thing I’d add: check the sill detail if you’re in a spot with a lot of splashback. Some Kolbe models have a deeper sill nose, which helps keep rot at bay, but you still want to keep an eye out for peeling or soft spots every couple years. Nothing’s truly maintenance-free with wood, but Kolbe holds up better than most in my experience.
- Appreciate the heads up about Kolbe’s sill design—rot is my main worry, especially after seeing what Midwest winters do to neighbors’ windows.
- I looked at Marvin’s “Ultimate” line too. They look sharp, but price was a gut punch. Noticed their finish isn’t as bulletproof as they advertise, either. A friend’s started peeling after four years on the sunny side.
- Tried tracking down local millwork shops. Found one in Wisconsin (can’t remember the name, sorry) that did solid work, but lead times were wild—like, 7 months. Upside: they matched the old profiles perfectly, and the wood felt heavier/drier than the big brands.
- Maintenance is just part of the deal, I guess. I’d rather repaint every few years than rip out rotted sills. But yeah, nothing’s really “set and forget.”
- If you’re handy, storm windows help a lot with drafts and protecting the wood, but they’re not for everyone looks-wise.
Kolbe seems like the lesser evil so far, but I’m still not 100% sold. Anyone else notice Marvin’s hardware feeling a bit flimsy lately?
Yeah, I’ve noticed Marvin’s hardware isn’t what it used to be. The crank handles on mine feel a bit cheap compared to the old ones from the 90s. I’m with you on the maintenance—repainting is a pain, but it beats dealing with rot. I’ve tried the storm window route too, and honestly, it helps a ton with drafts, even if it’s not the prettiest. Kolbe’s alright, but I wish someone made a window that actually lasted without all the fuss.
You’re not wrong about the hardware—Marvin’s older stuff definitely felt sturdier. I’ve had a few clients mention the same thing about the newer crank handles. Maintenance is a drag, but you’re right, repainting beats ripping out a whole sash because of rot. Storm windows aren’t glamorous, but they really do the job in old houses. I’ve seen some folks get good results with Sierra Pacific, though their prices make me wince sometimes. Honestly, nothing out there is totally fuss-free, but with a little upkeep, most wood windows can last decades.
I keep coming back to the energy side of this—does anyone else wonder if the newer wood windows are actually that much better than just restoring old ones and adding storms? I mean, I get the appeal of a fresh install, but I’ve seen 1920s sashes with decent weatherstripping and a good storm outperform some “modern” replacements in terms of draftiness.
Sierra Pacific looks solid, but yeah, the price is kind of wild. And I’m not convinced their wood treatments last as long as they claim... Has anyone noticed a real difference in insulation or noise reduction after switching brands?
I’m also curious about maintenance—are the new finishes really lower-maintenance, or is it just marketing? All the companies talk up their cladding or special coatings, but in my climate (humid summers, freezing winters), it seems like nothing is truly set-and-forget.
Honestly, sometimes I think a well-kept old window plus storms is still the most efficient setup for these houses. Maybe not trendy, but it works.
You’re not wrong—restored old windows with storms can absolutely hold their own, especially if the sashes are tight and you use good-quality storms. I’ve seen plenty of “high-end” new wood windows that still get condensation or develop drafts after a few years. The newer finishes are better, but in a climate with big swings like yours, nothing is maintenance-free. Honestly, sometimes the old-school setup just makes more sense, especially if you’re willing to keep up with paint and caulk.
- Gotta push back a little on the “old-school setup just makes more sense.” In my 1920s place, I did the full window restoration + storms thing, and yeah, it worked… for a while.
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— true, but I found the upkeep on old sashes got old fast. Paint chips, storms are heavy, and the hardware’s always needing something.“nothing is maintenance-free”
- Tried Marvin wood windows in another room—more upfront cost, but honestly, less hassle year to year. No sticking sashes, less draft, and the finish holds up better than my patch jobs.
- If you love the original look and don’t mind seasonal work, stick with old windows. But if you want to set and forget for a decade or two, some of the new wood options are worth a look. Just my two cents.