They don’t have the track record of wood windows, but chosen and installed with care, modern vinyl products can compete

In many American neighborhoods, houses that are more than 100 years old still have their original double-hung wood windows. Although long-lived, wood windows have some drawbacks: They need to be repainted regularly (a complicated chore, because old layers of paint usually contain lead), they have energy-wasting single glazing, and they are difficult to seal against air leaks.

[To read more of Martin Holladay’s article from the June/July 2011 issue of Fine Hombuilding, click the link below.]

Will Vinyl Windows Last.pdf