Wood or Vinyl Windows

manders27

I'm getting ready to replace the windows in my house that was built in 1948. They are currently wood windows and siding. Three of the window sills are rotting out. Should I replace with wood windows or vinyl. I've heard pros and cons on both. I don't plan on staying in this house for too many more years but want to put in what's right. What is the best option to go with?
Thanks

Tom Struble

well you heard the pros and cons...more important is what do you think?

manders27

I don't love the price difference and am worried about the vinyl windows going bad after a couple of years. However, my current wood windows swell and are hard to open and close.

Tom Struble

yes i understand,my personal opinion would be a clad unit from Marvin or the woodwright series from Andersen


i tend to not recommend vinyl units these days but again just my opinion

Just Bill

New windows will improve the comfort of the house as well as improve its' value. They will not pay for themselves as suggested by some salesman. Old houses deserve old looking windows, unless it is simply an older house. If there are three windows with bad sills, chances are there are others with rot not yet showing. This means new construction windows, not replacement windows. For the best value for wood windows, i like Andersen, 400 series first, but 200 for economy.

Another possibility might be replacement wood sashes like Marvin or Weathershield, tilt pac. You would still have to repair the bad sills.

There are quality vinyl replacement windows available, but not at big box stores.

For those doing the math........new high efficiency windows will save about 20-25% on HVAC bills, over single glazed windows. On a house with a $2000 annual bill, that saves $500 per year. One window will cost $400-1000 installed. How many windows do you have??

kwikfishron

You don’t say where you’re located. In the coastal pacific NW clad windows (even Anderson) are a poor choice and Vinyl is really the only durable option.

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vilafan873

I personally like vinyl windows. I previously had wood windows and every time it would rain, the windows would swell at the base and it would then be very hard to open/close them. I suggest going on some company websites and reading about both types of windows. I found one through Google search and it gives detailed information about both types of windows. http://www.vynexwindows.com

Hope that helps.

manders27

Thank you for all the comments so far. I live in Kansas City where it is freezing in the winter months and hot and humid the rest of the year.

Windows on Wash

As long as the aesthetics and historical agreement do not negatively affect the resale of the home, vinyl is tough to beat from an efficiency per dollar standpoint.

Vinyl is cheap and pretty durable if you get good vinyl. Bad wood or bad vinyl is just that.

+1 to the previous posters comments that you should not be looking at windows with an ROI in mind when it comes to efficiency. That is fool's gold math.

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1910NE

My old house had a several vinyl windows (still does) when we bought it, but the majority were original double hung with storm windows. Some of those vinyl windows have already failed, and did no better in the winter than the originals. And they are comparatively ugly..

Windows on Wash

As I said previously, there is good wood and good vinyl. Comparing cheap replacement vinyl to a more substantial wood window is not fair in either comparison.

I can show you one bad wood sample for every bad vinyl one and so on and so forth.

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BrendaSimons

Personally, I prefer wood ones. It's a natural product and let your room "breath" better. This will reduce the risk of mold and mildew appearance.

Tom Struble

huh?

Windows on Wash

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HomeSealed

.............. Where is Gary when you need him to bust out a few building science links.

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