Replace Wooden Windows?

Retiredin2009

My wooden double glazed windows are 30 years old and are in fairly good condition, they need a coat of wood stain though.
Since I won't be going on any cruises for the foreseeable future should I get them replaced with upvc windows, if I can get them replaced at present, or give them a coat of wood stain?

RelievedSheff

If they are in good condition then why replace them?

Just give them a good once over and restain them.

FreeBear

A tin of wood stain is going to be an awful lot cheaper than replacing, and you would still have change for that cruise.

As long as the frames are still sound, no point in replacing. Even if parts have started to rot, it would/could be possible to repair. If you do decide to replace with uPVC, depending on the age of the property, you might need to have lintels fitted on the outer leaf (assuming cavity walls). A lot of older properties relied on the timber frames to support the brickwork above the windows & doors, so this needs to be checked before the windows are ripped out.

reliability

Even if you were to replace them, why with uPVC and not with wood?
You'll be hard-pushed to find uPVC windows lasting 30+ years except for the very best quality ones and at that age they won't look as good as your wood ones will after a spruce-up and stain.