Picture this: it’s a chilly, fall Sunday morning. As the potent aroma of your fresh cup of coffee fills your lungs, you can hear the birds chirping. Still in your slippers and pajamas, you look out your side window and notice a blue cloudless sky and amber leaves rustling in a gentle breeze. In that moment, you rejoice internally that this is home. You are at peace. 

Now imagine this exact same morning, except you don’t have any windows. Not quite as picturesque, is it? You see, what some homeowners and developers don’t necessarily realize is how important windows are to the look and feel of a home. The right windows can transform a house into a sanctuary. They can keep you warm and block out the elements. They can turn a place to live into a place to love. 

The thing is not all windows are created equal, and they don’t all cost the same to install or replace. In fact, wood windows (one of the more common window types) actually offer window replacement alternatives that save you money and look great. In this blog, we are going to look at some of the pros and cons of wood windows, including wood window replacement cost and the overall cost of ownership. 

Pros and Cons of Wood vs Vinyl Windows

When thinking about the cost of something, you can’t just look at the initial price for it to be installed. Instead, you should consider the total cost of ownership, including maintenance, replacement, energy efficiency, and the value you are getting for your investment. That’s why before going into detail on the total cost breakdown of wood windows, it’s important to understand the difference between wood and vinyl windows. Aside from the difference in initial cost of wood windows vs vinyl, there are several other factors to consider. They include:

1. Durability– Generally speaking, wood windows tend to be more durable than vinyl, lasting for upwards of 30 years without the need for repairs. With that being said, wood windows can occasionally be susceptible to rotting or warping, whereas most vinyl windows have specific rot and corrosion preventing properties. If your wood windows happen to rot or warp, you can always just replace the damaged parts with our products at Fenster Components.  
2. Insulation- Both wood and vinyl windows are known for providing good insulation and being energy efficient. However, aside from regulating temperature, wood windows can provide better sound insulation than vinyl. They help keep what happens in the house private, and what happens outside dull white noise.
3. Aesthetic- For most people, the aesthetic of a wood window is preferable to that of vinyl. Wood windows provide that classic and timeless look, not to mention they can be painted or stained to match any color scheme you want. Vinyl, on the other hand, has limited customization options and just doesn’t have that same classic look. 
4. Replacement options- If you want (or need) to replace a vinyl window, you either have to do a full frame window replacement which can cost a lot of money, or a window insert that will ultimately shrink the size of your glass opening. Plus, a window insert won’t work on a damaged or malfunctioning frame. On the contrary, if you are looking to replace a wood window, you can actually replace just part of the window, called the sash. By using a sash pack (like the ones we sell at Fenster Components) you can cut wood window replacement costs to a fraction of a full frame replacement.       

Now that we have all of that covered, let’s look at some of the costs that come with wood windows, both upfront and over time.

How Much Do Wood Framed Windows Cost?

Wood windows tend to be a little more expensive up front than vinyl or other options.  According to HomeAdvisor, the average cost for windows installed is between 250-2000 dollars. However, it is impossible to say exactly how much a wood window will cost to install since the price will depend on the size and type of window, as well as the labor required to install it. On average, wood windows tend to run anywhere from $600 to $2,000 or more per window.

However, it is important to reiterate here that the cost of replacing a wood window is significantly cheaper due to the window replacement alternatives. So while a wood window might be more expensive brand-new, between the value it provides and the cost of replacing only the defective parts of it, the overall cost is actually lower than vinyl.       

Don’t Settle for Cheap Stuff—Get Better Value for Your Money with Fenster

Over the course of our 20+ years in business, our team at Fenster Components has seen and heard it all. We’ve had customers tell us about how they looked for the cheapest place to buy windows for their house, and how awful those windows turned out to be. What we’ve helped them learn is that just because something is cheap upfront, doesn’t mean it is the right solution for you. You get what you pay for in the window industry, and we believe that everyone deserves windows and service that help put their mind at ease.

At Fenster, we offer wood window repair kits that help replace just the parts you need, not the full frame. With our American-made replacement alternatives, you not only save money, but you can replicate the exact quality and aesthetic of your original window, even if it’s been discontinued. You worked hard for your home, so let us work hard for you. Reach out today to learn more about our window solutions for you!