There are big differences between vinyl windows and wood windows - they differ in performance, cost, aesthetics, and reaction to climate.

Although vinyl windows are improving in quality, they are primarily designed as inexpensive replacements to traditional wood windows. Vinyl windows are "no" maintenance products since the vinyl frames don't warp, crack, split, shed paint, etc. In that regard they're a good value.

On the downside, vinyl windows don't look much like the wood windows they're intended to replace - that may or may not be important to you. They can't be painted or stained to match the siding, trim, or interior woodwork of your house, and overall they generally don't have quite as high an insulating value as wood framed-windows. In very hot or very cold climates, vinyl windows can expand and contract, breaking the seal between the glazing and the frame. When that happens, it can't be fixed. Vinyl windows aren't made with traditional muntins and therefore can't come close to imitating the look of historic windows. It's for all of those reasons that architects rarely if ever use vinyl windows in their designs.

Wood windows have the advantage of traditional appeal and the ability to be painted or stained to match other architectural elements. They are, however, more - sometimes much more - expensive than vinyl. Wood windows are also more susceptible to environmental damage, peeling paint, etc. They do require occasional maintenance. However, wood is a much better insulator than vinyl.

Personally, I would never waste my money on vinyl windows. In my experience, you get what you pay for...that's why they are cheaper. Plus, you'll be replacing them in 10 or so years. There's loads of discussions on the Windows Forum.

Your house is too nice for vinyl windows : )

Thanks squirrelheaven. For the most part our windows are in good shape. They just have to be painted every couple of years on the outside. I really do like the look of wood, but as we get older, I get more lazy it seems. Funny now that we're older I think about these problems, never crossed my mind in my younger days. The main reason for replacement was for insulation and maintenance. They seem to be very drafty in the winter, but is this true of most windows that have been in for many years?

How old are the windows?

An upscale neighborhood near here has the double-paned wood windows (with insulating gas or whatever it was back then) with the grid inserts. They're maybe 15 years old but kind of drafty and such, and being replaced. They may not be great windows to begin with, though. But, I expect today's versions have better insulating properties. They do have wood windows with cladding protection on the exterior, for some of the maintenance issues.

The seal between the panes can "break" in wood windows, too. Has anyone heard reports on windows made of that Azec-type material that looks like wood, but is maintenance free? I saw an ad for it in "This Old House" magazine. All our windows will need replacing in the next few years because the seal has broke in 50% of them, and they get fogged up when the temp gets really cold.

Our home is 16 yrs. old and squirrel that sounds exactly like our windows. I'm sure they weren't the best to begin with. Previous owners and actual builders of the house were what I call cheapskates. This is a very bare bones house, but 10 years ago when we bought it, it was very affordable for us. That was going to be my next question, about wood on the inside and vinyl on the exterior. Ia it really possible to get a window that has great insulation? Someone please tell me that has what I would call a "Cadillac" window -- if there is a big difference? Do they block out the cold and heat?

We have bought 3 fixer uppers in 24 years, and replaced the windows with Marvin windows. They're pricey, but make a tremendous difference in the appearance and indoor climate of the house. They're wood, but you can have them clad on the outside. We just replaced all our drafty, rotting 40 year old windows with Marvins that are clad with aluminum on the exterior. The exterior cladding comes in a variety of styles, so you can pick a style that is appropriate for your house. Picture in link below.

Here is a link that might be useful: our house remodel

Here's a more recent photo of our windows, now that our house has siding.

Here is a link that might be useful: windows

We also used Marvin for our replacements - wood inside, clad outside. Our windows are 17 years old already. They are very large double hungs, tilt in but are a PITA because of the sash weight. The jam liners are fragile and we've had to replace many - without benefit of warranty because although Marvin makes a good product they do not stand behind their products. I say that not only as a homeowner with the product but as the wife of someone in home remodeling/repair. My DH has done battle with Marvin on behalf of customers (who had installation done by other companies) for years and it's never pleasant. The key to any window installation whether you do new primes in an old house or replacements is EXACT measuring. In his 20+ years in this business my DH is regularly astounded at the lack of measuring skills shown by window installation companies and then the unbelievable makeshift work done to make it 'fit'.

Is your home frame or masonry? Are your sills in good shape or rotted out? How about the outside trim? Replacement windows replace sashes and jams only. A prime window replaces everything including inside and outside trim (plus necessary plaster/drywall repair inside and exterior siding/masonry) and includes custom sizing to fit the exact opening.

****awm03**** wow wow wow - what a gorgeous setting! There are so many people here I can never keep straight which house goes with which ID so maybe I've seen your house before and just not connected it with you. Your pictures bring back a lot of memories - we pretty much stripped this house to the studs, in and out, more than once in various remodels, updates and additions. My hat's off to you - you've got a winner there.
Deb

we have vinyl installed for a long time now, so far we are happy with that ...... if you cant afford any other vinyl will be a best option then.

Here is a link that might be useful: Wall Decor

I probably would be sorry if I went with all vinyl, because I really do like the look of wood. I don't even have a clue what the price would be, and we're looking at 22 windows in this house and this includes two palladium windows. I'm sure my jaw would drop and my heart would pound when I got a price. This may be a project that needs to be put on hold for a few years. Still have one in college and maybe, just maybe a wedding next year. I guess it's time to buy some paint and have at it. BTW, has anyone used the paint that is supposed to be like vinyl?

We're in the process of replacing all the doors and windows in our 27-year-old log home. The original windows are custom-made, custom-sized wood windows, so replacing them isn't cheap. We wanted wood window replacements, but the cost was just too high, and we'd still have to stain the exterior every time we stain the house (every 2-3 years). We ended up choosing Milgard's wood-clad fiberglass windows. They're made completely of fiberglass, but are clad with fir on the inside. We have stained the interior surface to match our other trim and log walls. The exterior color choice was limited though. We chose a dark brown, and although it doesn't match our log walls or doors, it still looks OK. One advantage of fiberglass is that the exterior can be painted; we just haven't done that yet and probably won't bother.

As far as insulating value, we've already noticed a big difference in both heating and cooling (although we don't have air conditioning; the house just stays cooler), and there are no drafts or light leaks. We've replaced only a few windows and doors so far, but we will get the same product for the rest.

Exterior:

Interior, before staining:

Here is a link that might be useful: Milgard wood-clad fiberglass windows

the pictures posted by uxorial is a good example .... these look great, i think you should make decision on this

Here is a link that might be useful: Door Handles

Last year I replaced with the Marvins - wood inside and clad outside. I know they are a bit more expensive than others but I think the labor of installing is the biggest expense.

Thanks, Deb, for your kind words. I wracked my brain for years over what to do with this unattractive house, and now it's turning into something we love.

Back to windows, if I had to do it over again, I would have gotten single hung windows (bottom sash opens only) instead of double hung. I didn't check the price, so may be wrong in assuming they are less expensive. But they certainly would have been easier to paint (we're doing the painting on the interior ourselves).