Why You Should Never Replace Your Original Wood Windows
- HWD
- 3 days ago
- 4 min read
The Case for Window Restoration Over Replacement
At Historic Window & Door Co., we’ve seen firsthand how many premium modern replacement windows often fail to live up to their promises. Marketed for their energy efficiency, low maintenance, and sleek aesthetics, these windows conceal a serious flaw: From what we've seen the higher-end models with wood interiors are typically built with finger-jointed softwood cores— short segments of wood glued together, wrapped in a thin veneer or clad in metal. These cores soak up moisture once the exterior is breached, leading to rapid rot, mold, and failure.
When panes fog or seals fail, homeowners are frequently surprised—and frustrated—to learn that repairs aren’t even an option. Most manufacturers offer no solutions beyond full replacement. The result? A costly, wasteful cycle that stands in stark contrast to the time-tested durability of traditionally built windows.
Original wood windows were designed to last. Their beauty can be preserved, their components repaired, and their craftsmanship restored. Choosing restoration or traditionally built windows doesn’t just protect your home’s character—it’s often the smarter long-term investment.
Whether you’re researching window restoration in Madison, WI, or weighing options for a historic home in Milwaukee, we invite you to read on. We’ll show you why restoration beats replacement—every time.
Why Old Windows Last
Historic windows were crafted from dense, old-growth lumber—material prized for its natural resistance to rot, dimensional stability, and longevity. These windows were designed with maintenance in mind: every component can be accessed, repaired, or replaced with ease. When properly restored, they can endure for well over a century—even through the extremes of a Midwestern climate.
Unlike modern cladding, which conceals deterioration until it’s too late, paint acts as an early warning system. It’s the canary in the coal mine—subtly signaling when attention is needed, so minor issues can be addressed before they become costly failures.
Case Studies In Failure Of Modern Windows
As we've mentioned - modern windows aren’t built with restoration or repair in mind. In certain cases, we may be able to offer limited repairs or glass replacement, but only when the construction allows. That said, we want to be transparent: these fixes are temporary by nature. Because the underlying materials aren't chosen for longevity and the design is often prone to failure, any solution we provide is more of a stopgap than a true fix.
Here’s a glimpse behind the curtain:
🪟 Modern Window – Approx. 3 Years Old
This window was installed less than three years prior. Moisture found its way in, and the finger-jointed core is already rotting. Its structural integrity is compromised, and mold is beginning to take hold.
🪟 Modern Window – Approx. 10 Years Old
After a decade, this window has completely deteriorated. The entire core has turned to dust. This is not an outlier, the building is full of these with bottom rails falling off.
Why Choose Window Restoration?
If you’re weighing your options between replacing vs restoring wood windows, here’s why restoration makes more sense — economically, practically, and environmentally:
✅ Longer Lifespan
Original historic windows routinely last 100+ years - with regular maintenance they can last for centuries. Most new windows are marketed to last just 15–30 years — and many fail even sooner.
✅ Easy to Maintain and Repair
Unlike sealed, disposable modern windows, traditionally built wood windows can be re-glazed, re-painted, and repaired with standard tools and materials.
✅ Historical Accuracy
Restoration honors the design and craftsmanship of your home’s original architecture — from sash profiles to mortise joints. Historic window repair retains authenticity and often adds value to your property.
✅ Eco-Friendly
Restoration keeps perfectly good material out of landfills and avoids the carbon costs of manufacturing and shipping new products. It’s the most sustainable window solution available.
What We Do Differently With Our Traditionally Crafted New Builds
At Historic Window & Door Co., we bring a level of quality and integrity that most manufacturers can’t match:
We use solid lumber in our windows — not finger-jointed scraps.
We apply marine-grade epoxy to all surfaces for unmatched durability when cores must be used for stability (some doors).
We build and restore wood windows and doors that can be easily maintained for generations.
We serve discerning homeowners, architects, and preservationists across Madison, Milwaukee, and the surrounding region who understand that quality matters — and that original windows are worth saving.
Don’t Replace What Was Built to Last
Modern window companies often sell the illusion of permanence — but as the photos above show, even “premium” products can fail in just a few years. Original wood windows, when properly restored, offer better longevity, better performance, and far better aesthetics in our opinion.
If you’re considering window restoration in Madison WI, or anywhere in Southern Wisconsin, we’d love to talk. Whether you have sticky sashes, rotting sills, or cracked panes, restoration is almost always the better choice.
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