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Windows Design Dilemma

New windows or renovate old windows??

3 years ago

I'm having a dilemma. We just moved into our dream country home, but it requires many renovations. The first of which are the windows. They are original to the home (1977) and are wooden. I love the look but some of them are leaking and some are rotting out. How do I maintain the charm of the old wood but update to currents standards??

Featured Answer

jck910

3 years ago

I agree new windows. We have been replacing windows from 1969 and there are options for wood interiors with maintenance free exteriors

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Comments (6)

PRO
Patricia Colwell Consulting
3 years ago
New windows and BTW most are much more efficient that the ones in 1977
Bonnie Charles thanked Patricia Colwell Consulting
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Honestly we are in the finishing stages of building and used Anderson 400 series, the new ones seem to be and far less superior than the previous vinyl clad ones. We built eight years ago and also used Anderson 400 series and they are still in wonderful shape to this day (and two kids later). We haven't even moved in yet with our current new build and I can tell you this new clad (not sure if that's what you call it) but the frame of the window inside) is JUNK!! We have so many places where the surface has come off and now needs painted (like nearly one on every window, and we have 22 windows). I can't even imagine how these things are going to hold up in a few years of normal living and three kids. And yes we had the Anderson rep out and he just smirked and said to paint them. I spent 20k (to get the best quality window) and haven't even moved in and your response is to paint them?! Seems to me that the product is seriously lacking, unfortunately we got some of the first off the assembly line if the "new and improved" 400 series, our lumber yard didn't realize they changed specs and they were installed by our builder before we noticed. Personally I would look towards another brand and wouldn't think twice.
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I would evaluate the condition of the windows you want to put storms on. If they are poor it would not make sense to invest in a storm on them only to replace the window 5 years later. A quality storm window, especially black is not cheap to do either.You may want to live with odd looks for a few years vs dumping money into a a maybe tempory solution that you will redo in a fee years. Restoration with storms is a goood option also. Black is trendy but I don’t always see it meshing with a bungelow. you need an overall plan even though its not gonna all be done all at once.
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Bonnie Charles
Original Author
3 years ago
Good to know! I will look into that option! Thank you!
heritagehd07
3 years ago
We recently replaced our all wood double hung windows with the Marvin Elevate series (stained wood interiors with fiberglass exterior). They are not the least expensive option but we are very happy with the quality and installation.
maggie2
3 years ago
They still look quite good.. is there a possibility of having them repaired? I’d research those options if u feel it might be feasible. There seems to be some great options out there for refurbishing.

The cost of new windows, and I’d go wood/metal clad if you decided, is very high and vinyl ( ugh..) seems to be the industry standard now.. and those don’t compare at all to what you have.

The only problematic consideration is energy efficiency. The new tech around glass and gasses inside them etc.. have made the glass portion of the windows more insulative than ever before, that is certain. Sadly these great glass, comes often in a vinyl frame.. mistake..

I’m getting windows myself and face the same questions.. best of luck! Tell us what you decide! Beautiful home and setting btw!
PRO
Lampert Dias Architects, Inc.
3 years ago
last modified: 3 years ago
If you buy new windows with double glazing, it will make a great difference in your heating and cooling bills. We have been using Pella on many of our projects with aluminum cladding on the exterior in dark bronze and wood on the interior which we stain (not paint) .......There are other brands out there that offer the same product.

Also, you might want to have windows that open. Casement windows will look great and you can have fresh air on days when the weathre is good. That will also save on cooling costs.

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