Windows--Vinyl or Wood

[Surface Tension]

I wouldn't hesitate to put in a quality vinyl window.

Not all vinyl windows are made the same. Weather stripping being the most obvious but construction of sashes and jambs leaving multiple dead air spaces reduce transfer of of cold through jambs and sashes isn't an issue with a quality window.

One point of failure on wood windows and doors that I've seen start at the figure joints on jambs.

The wood used today is not the same wood from years ago with.

Swelling and warping from humility made weather stripping useless and many times took out the door sweeps.

Window seals broke.

The clad on doors and windows leaked and wood rotted from within.

If we back up to a time when storm windows were used that inferior window lasted forever.

The storm offered protection from the elements and gave enough of a thermal break to reduce condensation.

Vinyl can take the rain, snow, and heat. It might not be the best for aesthetics but it won't degrade like wood.

If your using wood extension jambs and casing on the interior it gives enough wood feeling and is a true no maintenance window that should last for decades. For the exterior finish you have a lot of options for trim.

[npsmokefan]

You are making the right choice. No reason a wood interior window will not last as long as it is installed correctly and the wood is finished with a quality product. I would look at using a Marine Spar Varnish on them. Holds up well to moisture and last. A poly will also hold up well to moisture but it leaves a dull finish on the wood. No reason moisture should be there anyway. The moisture would be coming from inside the home and should be addressed.

The list of windows you should look into

Andersen 400 Series (Full Frame or Insert Customizng option, Vinyl Clad Exterior)

Andersen A series (Full Frame Customizing Fibrex Exterior)

Eagle Windows(Andersen Company) (Full Frame, Insert Customizing, Alum. Clad Exterior)

Marvin Ultimate Casements (Full Frame or Insert Customsizing, Alum. Exterior)

Marvin All Trex(Integrity line) (Full Frame or Insert Customizing, Fiberglass inside and out. Viewed from inside you will see fiberglass on entire window)

[Gus]

I would make sure any clad window you get is of HIGH quality.

Our house, which we bought used, has aluminum clad Crestline windows in it which are all SHOT after 18 years. The cladding has separated from the wood core resulting in water penetration which has rotted out the bottoms of every window in the house. No evidence of any water leaking anywhere, but the windows are trashed.

For that reason alone, I'll never buy a clad window no matter who makes it.

[nonteepical]

and some vinyl windows are known to warp over time, thats why some are reinforced with aluminum.

[upnorth]

LOL I was hoping to get a consensus, of like go with wood or vinyl is the best I guess that no matter what best make sure I pick apart the final picks pretty well.

[jerkbait]

I love my Marvins. Clad exteroir wood interior. We have double hungs and the sash come out of the windoe for cleaning with ease. We also have a wall that faces the lake that has 10 windows in it and we can not even feel any cold air when we ar next to it.