Although they require more maintenance, there are a number of advantages of wood windows over vinyl clad windows:

• Superior longevity. Before you replace your 1930s wood windows with vinyl, ask whether the installer will give you a 100-year warranty.

• Wood windows match the historical appearance of your house.

• Wood window frames offer better insulation than vinyl frames.

• Wood can be easily painted and refinished.

• Wood windows can be easily fit with interior shades for an effective minimalist thermal management system.

• Older wood windows are made of irreplaceable, durable old growth wood.

• Wood windows increase the value of your home. [removed reference to Mills Act per city request. also, seem to have lost the link]

 

There are also drawbacks of vinyl windows that your salesperson might not tell you about.

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Despite these advantages, the major disadvantage of wood windows is that they need to be maintained to reach a century of use. The most important maintenance is periodic painting, which keeps the wood protected from the elements. In the event that wood rot occurs, people have had success using Bondo, but we recommend Abatron as an even better option. You can find it at Builders Moulding Supply West (across from Home Depot in Grantville).

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A common ailment of wood windows is that the upper sashes have been painted shut. This is unfortunate because during summer months being able to open the upper sashes releases rising warm air. To unstick a window, first try using a putty knife or sash saw to break the paint seal. If that doesn’t work, the windows can be taken apart to unstick and maintain the stashes.

 

Think of windows as a system, with the screens on the outside and curtains or shades on the inside. Windows in historic homes would have had wood screens that complemented the wood windows. Wood screens have several advantages over modern aluminum screens:

• Protect wood windows from the elements

• Can be painted to match windows and house trim

• Improve insulation by restricting airflow through window sashes

• Provide a historic wood appearance over replacement vinyl windows

• Can be fitted with historically consistent materials, such as copper, with better durability and visual characteristics (once corrosion dulls the copper sheen)

 

Coppa Woodworking manufactures and ships custom-fit wood screens at a fraction of the cost of new windows.

On the inside curtains or shades can keep the inside cool or warm depending on the time of year. Modern roller shades are an attractive low-profile option. These can be purchased from The Shade Store and other retailers.

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Much of the work of maintaining wood windows can be done by a DIYer. To learn more about repairing and restoring wood windows, including repairs that you can make yourself, view this video from Save Our Heritage Organization (SOHO). This National Trust for Historic Preservation Tip Sheet describes window terminology and provides other useful maintenance and weatherizing tips.

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The San Diego Sash Company has a number of videos about historic wood window manufacturing and the replacement process.