Hardwood vs softwood windows

DirectDebacle

cyclonebri1 wrote: »

I thing the issue is the timber your windows were made from was 100 years old forest grown when it was used back then, today they use 10year old "saplings" of the fastest growing timber.

That may be part of the reason but quality materials and workmanship can still be found today. Modern wood adhesive is far superior to anything that was available to the Victorians. In addition to painting and dealing with failing putty, I occasionally have to deal with an opening joint due to glue failure.

There are plenty of houses around mine of the same period where the original windows have not survived. This is probably due to poor maintenance. Softwood will deteriorate rapidly without regular maintenance, particularly in exposed coastal environments. Hardwood is more durable but is not maintenance free.

The OP pays his money and takes his choice. Whether hardwood or softwood as long as they are well made and well maintained they should be in the house longer than he is.

I haven't yet seen an attractive plastic sash window.

cyclonebri1

DirectDebacle wrote: »

That may be part of the reason but quality materials and workmanship can still be found today. Modern wood adhesive is far superior to anything that was available to the Victorians. In addition to painting and dealing with failing putty, I occasionally have to deal with an opening joint due to glue failure.

There are plenty of houses around mine of the same period where the original windows have not survived. This is probably due to poor maintenance. Softwood will deteriorate rapidly without regular maintenance, particularly in exposed coastal environments. Hardwood is more durable but is not maintenance free.

The OP pays his money and takes his choice. Whether hardwood or softwood as long as they are well made and well maintained they should be in the house longer than he is.

I haven't yet seen an attractive plastic sash window.

I totally agree, but the cost of decent softwood will be very similar to a decent hardwood and by decent hardwood I don't mean Philippine Mahogany.
We had joiner near hear who used to buy salvaged deck timbers, 12 x 4's and tarred. He made and sold frames and sash windows from that.

And yes, plastic just doesn't seem right when made up into vertical sash windows