Timber windows - how high maintenance are they really?

[lostindubai]

We'll be renovating a 60s/70s build soon and I'd like to do it as ecologically as possible. I know PVC windows are easy to look after but this time I'd love to try timber windows. Dp is resisting though as he reckons they'll need regular repainting and he doesn't want the extra cost/hassle. I'm sure it can't be that difficult though. What do they really need?

Don't get Georgian windows. I once spent an entire summer repainting the windows of a small 3 bedroom house because they were such a fiddle to do. I swore after that never to have windows that needed repainting again.

We do have UPVC in this house, but the frames are wood coloured. The house is 20 years old and none of the windows look unsightly or mouldy.

We're about to replace our hardwood windows with coloured UPVC as mentioned ^^. This is despite maintaining them every year which is a pain and sadly has not stopped the frames from rotting and leaking - especially with all the rain that they've had to cope with.

We're in a conservation area and lots of the neighbours in our estate have had to replace their wooden frames. You can't really tell the difference between the coloured UPVC and the hardwood.

We've installed new hardwood sashes on two houses now, and I have NO idea why (cost aside) anyone would choose PVC over wood.

Our windows should be repainted every 7 years with microporous paint. Not much of a hassle really! And the thing is with PVC is that nice PVC is still pretty pricey and CANNOT be maintained even if you wanted to! This is what baffles me about why people choose it over wood- a scratch, or discolouration, or general wear and tear...tough. It will just look horrid. Wood you can always sand down and touch up or repaint.

Softwood sashes - even fairly badly maintained- in victorian and edwardian properties usually go for a hundred years. New hardwood ones will last a lot longer than that and are a worthwhile investment IMO, especially for ecological reasons.

PVC has an expected lifespan of 15-20 years absolute max and will spend a good chunk of that time looking a bit old and shabby.

I believe microporous paint- which allows the wood to breathe- is the key. Using traditional paint will often cause peeling and rotting and then require more frequent maintenance I think, which might be why some people have had worse experiences.

Sleepy you obviously didn't read some of the other posts, including mine. Then you clearly would understand why some people choose UPVC windows. For a start not all UPVC windows are white.