That cloudy look on trim really takes me back—my 70s ranch had it everywhere, especially after a humid week. I tried a gentle vinegar mix once... huge...

Funny, I actually went through the same back-and-forth—wanted to keep that old wood charm, but after scraping and repainting for the third time, I cav...

That’s a fair take. I’ve also found the “lifetime” claims don’t really match up with the reality of southern exposure—UV just eats away at most things...

Definitely agree on the sealant—makes a noticeable difference. I'd also suggest checking your indoor humidity levels. Lowering humidity slightly, even...

Definitely agree about installation quality being a huge factor—I've seen high-end fiberglass windows underperform because of sloppy installs, and con...

Totally agree with you—proper sealing makes a massive difference. Foam gaskets are decent for small leaks, but they're more of a finishing touch than ...

I've had decent luck with silicone too, but honestly, polyurethane has been my go-to for colder climates. Silicone can definitely hold up if you're me...

I completely agree about the dust issue—it's definitely a drawback. Regarding privacy glass, while the upfront cost is higher, I've found that the con...

Good points about budgeting extra, but I'd argue that 10-15% might still be a bit conservative, especially with older homes. Ran into some nasty rot i...

I totally get what you're saying about the fiberglass windows. They're great for energy efficiency (which I'm all about), but yeah, they just don't ha...