Been thinking about replacing some old vinyl windows with wooden ones, mostly because I love the look and feel of real wood. But then again, I keep hearing they're a pain to maintain. Like, sanding, painting, sealing...ugh. I mean, I don't mind a bit of DIY here and there, but I'm not exactly Bob Vila, you know?
My neighbor swears by wood windows—says they last forever if you take care of them and that they add value to your home. But my cousin had them and switched back to vinyl after a few years because he got tired of dealing with rot and repainting.
So I'm kinda stuck here. Thought I'd toss up a quick poll to see what everyone else thinks:
Poll: Wooden windows—yay or nay?
- Yay! Worth the extra effort for looks and longevity.
- Nay! Too much hassle, stick with vinyl or fiberglass.
- Meh...depends on climate and how handy you are.
Feel free to drop your experiences below too. I'm all ears.
"My neighbor swears by wood windows—says they last forever if you take care of them and that they add value to your home."
I get the appeal of wooden windows, especially from an aesthetic standpoint, but honestly, I think the maintenance concerns are pretty valid. When I moved into my first home, it had beautiful wooden windows that the previous owner clearly took pride in. But after just a couple of years, I found myself spending way more weekends than I'd like sanding, repainting, and sealing. It wasn't terrible, but it definitely added up over time.
One alternative you might consider is wood-clad windows. They're basically wooden frames with an exterior aluminum or fiberglass cladding. You still get the warmth and charm of wood on the inside, but the outside is protected from weather and rot. I've had mine for about three years now, and they've held up great without any real maintenance headaches. Might be worth looking into if you're on the fence...
Wood windows definitely have their charm, but yeah, the upkeep can be a bit of a drag. If you're set on keeping them though, here's a quick tip: invest in a good-quality marine-grade varnish. Sand lightly first, apply thin coats (2-3 usually does it), and let each coat dry fully before the next. It'll buy you more time between maintenance weekends...and maybe save your sanity too, lol.