We still have most of our original 1918 wood framed windows....so I'd say that if properly maintained, windows can last at least 90 years. I don't ever expect to replace these windows in our lifetime (we're late 40's). We also have new Marvin wood framed and I expect them to last at least until we both croak. They replaced vinyl which looked awful, horrible, terrible on our home. Everything that you have said about vinyl windows and a max of 10 year life is THE reason we didn't buy vinyl.

Hello, This is in response to alot of what I have read on this site. Here are the plain and simple truths about windows in general for just about everywhere in the United States. You need to ask yourself one simple question... Do you want to spend money on windows or do you want your windows to pay you? The real truth is that all dual pane windows are absoulete. The very best dual pane window on the market barely meets the Energy Star requirements. In 2013 all new construction windows are going to have to be triple pane. The dual pane window was patented in 1865. Do you need gas between the glass? FOR SURE! It IS the insulating barrier between the air temperature outside your home. A better question to ask yourself is... what is keeping that gas between the glass? The ONLY spacer system (spacer is what keeps the 2 or 3 panes of glass apart) that is designed to hold gas is the Intercept U-Channel spacer. **BEWARE** Any window made with a product titled "Super Spacer" is not designed to hold gas. It is a silcon foam rubber that applied with double sided sticky tape. Do you need to have insulated frames? Do you need to have insulated walls? Of course you do... it's standard building code to insulate house why not windows? It really is not expensive for a manufacutre to spray your typical hollow vinyl frames with an expanding insulating foam... why dont they? COST... they dont care how your windows perform as long as they meet the minimum energy requirements. Did you know that energy is going up at an average of 25% each year. That really means that your energy bills are doubling every 3 years. How many times does your energy bill have to double before you realize that your AC/HEAT is turning on 7-10 per hour! Why wouldnt you want to replace your windows with the most energy effcient window possible? You can save 50% on your energy bills... in writing. Dont you want your windows to be just as insulated as your walls? Triple pane with Kyrpton is R10 at the glass and R-23 at the frame. The truth is all dual pane windows are made EXACTLY the same... Ply Gem, Milgard, Simonton, Alin, Amerimax, Superior, Anderson, Xact... etc... need I keep going. All these windows provide the same insulating factors and roughly the same Air influtration stats. If you are really considering you windows with dual pane I would go for the cheapest thing that you can find becuase they are all sub-par. If you are looking to buy replacement vinyl windows and would like to know what the average homeowner is spending on replacement windows, or any other home improvement project check out... www.costvsvalue.com The average home owner on west coast is spending $12509 to have (10) 3' x 5' DUAL pane windows replaced. Price includes labor and removal. Thats $1250 per hole, thats about what you can expect from a quality company to have replacement windows installed. You could have a couple of guy work out of the back of thier truck do it for less but you WILL have bad results... If you pay peanuts you are going to get monkeys. Replacing windows is not a cheap project and homeowners should be aware that this a pricing purchase. I have seen windows got into homes that cost well over $150,000... Just for Marvin Wood... The idea is buy windows that are going to last a long time, a life time. I know way to much about the subject, but I can assure you that I do not work for penquin windows, nor do i work for Great Lakes windows. My Uniframe triple pane windows are the best INVESTMENT that I have ever made. (Please note... this was not spell checked nor prof read, my apologies if you cant understand my tying.)

Hi Mark, that's our biggest concern (and why I marked them.) Ironically, this island is probably going to be without power for a year, so no real rush on that. I'm thinking the doors closer to the living room should swing, so my dad can go in and just reach over to the lightswitch, as opposed to going in and having to go past the door, close it and then reach behind him to get to the switch. But, they wanted the other doors to open because they'll be flatter against the wall (covering the lightswitch...)

Charming house, and I'd want to keep the character. After much research, my daughter ended up with Anderson 400 Woodwright double hung windows for her 1950's house. She did 6 over 6 instead of 8 over 8 because her openings were a bit narrower than usual. We also looked at Marvin Integrity, but Anderson had a few features we liked better and were a bit better looking to us. They are wood on the inside but clad on the outside for no maintenance. It's a nice looking product. Of course, if wanting all wood, then Marvin makes a nice one. None of these are inexpensive.