Where was the moisture coming from? Interior condensation will ruin any window if it is not managed properly.

Thanks for the reply. The moisture was coming from the interior during our cold winters. We had an air exchanger installed some years later which took care of the issue but unfortunately the damage was done i believe.

I think the moisture got under the poly and then over the years even after we got it under control it started flaking off. More of it each year.

Unfortunately, there isn't much that any manufacturer will cover against that. That stinks to be certain, but at least you got it figured out. If you have that kind of persistent moisture in the home, it can create a whole host of other issues for the home and really make the home potentially dangerous.

Right, i am not looking for them to cover it only looking to clean up the damage and make it look nice again. Do you think painting them would be easier, last longer and look better then the stain/poly route?

It's hard to say without seeing or trying first. I would try again to stain/ poly them if all the wood work is stained. Painting can be more durable, I would use an oil based paint. Maybe post some pics?

However, you can also see where the damage was already done and continues for example int he corners. We had initially small formations of water in those areas and caused the wood to sort of discolor and bubble up. Also, near the window you can see where it is dark, that spot is where the heaviest moisture was and ended up stripping the poly from the window so the wood is now unprotected.

I think the extension jams (i think is what it is called) need to be replaced in this instance which is fine. The part where it is more challenging is that decorative piece. I did pull off some of these already and sanding them while still leaving the decorative edging is very time consuming trying to remove the residual poly and stain.

This is where i was i am trying to figure out do i buy new or is there a different way of doing this that i can freshen them up but not have to be so meticulous in getting all the poly off? Paint was my first thought but not sure if i will have the same or more issues if i do that or if paint will look bad that everything is polyed and stain?

maybe try something like mine wax poly shades to cover if it won't sand out? Painting would be viable but it is hard to cover the grain in oak. The deceptive piece would have to be ordered from Andersen. I would try sanding and restaining first, then something like poly shades next. You could paint the decorative part then maybe skin the jamb with thin oak maybe even a veneer.