You need to chose the refinisher then let them choose the wood they like working with. Pine is hard to beat for matching existing wood on remodels.

The second guy might be using a scare tactic, hard to say. Replacement windows leave both the interior and exterior trim in tact unless there is actual wood rot (not chipped paint). installing a replacement window into the existing window frame and using a good interior and exterior sealant along with foam insulation is tried and true method we all use. Of course, if there is existing wood exterior casing, we cap with aluminum. what brand of window was quoted?

Please post some pictures.

Hi! Random thoughts: I read somewhere to use brown or white craft paper to mock up windows, pictures and the like when trying to visualize a new layout, design, etc. It got me to thinking: can you find black painters tape? I’m in the same dilemma right now (black inside and outside windows), and so I think I’m going to try to find the darkest painters tape I can find, and literally put it up on some of my windows, so I can actually see the “black” as I look outside. (Ours are white right now). Another thought - I think it will also matter quite a bit if I do gridlines or not- and so I’m leaning towards not. I’m not an expert on home design and appropriate matching grid line styles - but from a laypersons view (looking outside from the inside) I’d expect just a black frame without black grid lines on the window will affect / help the visual quite a bit? But then there’s the outside looking in “black hole” issue during the day that I’ve read about… and I’m still processing that point… (sorry I don’t have an instinct on that yet). I’m just leaning towards no gridlines right now for the above reasons. Maybe someone else on here will comment about that? :) My personal goal? To be immersed by the outside (we live in the country and I enjoy the view) and I’m replacing / adding a LOT of windows & sliding doors… I am torn because I love the idea of the outdoors being framed, and the black windows giving artistic details and a confident expression like @oliveandwell so eloquently explained, but I ALSO love being pulled into nature, which is why we moved here… and I’m a little worried that I’ll see the “black frame” before I see nature outside, if that makes sense? In addition, we tend to have a more traditional design style but as we’ve aged we are leaning to a more streamlined look… and so the windows and the black will definitively place us in a different more modern style direction than before. Don’t get me wrong, we are excited to change it up a bit, but I’m just working through it visually and it’s harder than I thought! Hubby says, “don’t worry, you’ll run across some picture or something, and then you’ll just KNOW” (LOL) (hilarious) He’s cute. But. I DO know he’s right… I will. So have faith you’ll hear or see something soon, and you’ll just KNOW too! I’m not sure if my “tape” suggestion will help, (obviously don’t leave it on too long to protect your paint :) but I definitely can validate your confusion about black interior/ exterior windows and I’m glad you posted this topic! I’ll be keeping up with all the great advice as you make your decision - and I’d love to see final pictures someday too! :) Good luck!!