I'm in a 14-year old house with Weather Shield vinyl clad casement windows which are falling apart, leaking and in general, in pretty bad shape.

Based on information I've gathered so far, I'm pretty sure we're going to replace these windows with vinyl double hung windows, but I'm looking for a manufacturer who offers more than just white as the base frame color. In fact I've seen several mentions that there are a couple of suppliers of vinyl windows who offer simulated wood on the interior, which is what I need for several of my windows that have oak trim.

Does anyone have a recommendation re whose windows are the best for the price, and also any idea who the manufacturer might be that has the simulated wood interiors?

Thanks.

 

HWMoore,

My wife and I have just been through this process. We looked at several manufactures' vinyl product and Andersen's Fibrex. The Andersen product looks great, but the only contractor handling that product in our area wanted a fortune to install them. We stayed away from any clad window, whether aluminum or vinyl. I have heard too many horror stories about the wood underneath rotting or coming apart.

We probably would have installed vinyl, but the contractor we wanted waited too long to get us a price and missed the boat. While we were waiting, we discovered Milgard fiberglass. They are available in several colors and fiberglass is paintable. Another option available in the Milgard is a vertical grain fir veneer on the inside which you can stain or paint. These windows look far better than vinyl....more like real wood without the maintenance.

See if you can find a dealer in your area. I think you'll be impressed.

Good luck,