Question: We are ready to upgrade our windows, but comparing the bids is worse than apples and oranges, and it seems more like fire and ice. Besides the different materials to choose from, they talk about very different methods installation, with their prices varying greatly.

We live in a climate with lots of wind-driven rain and prolonged moisture. Like straw bail houses, some materials and systems work better here than others.

Choices include the frame material, installation system, types of glass and tinting options. First, choose the type of window you want; wood, wood-clad, fiberglass, vinyl or aluminum. Then make sure to have them installed properly.

For frames you have several choices or decisions to make: wood, vinyl, aluminum or fiberglass.

Wood windows

If you are replacing or upgrading to wood windows, they are usually the most expensive, but as usual, you get what you pay for. Unless they are clad, all of the rest of the materials will last longer and require less maintenance.

A wood window provides a great interior picture frame for our views and is paintable. However, new all-wood windows do not weather well here in the Northwest.

They need to have an exterior cladding to protect them in our wet climate. This metal or fiberglass exterior protects them from our rain and moisture. Trees are not as old and solid as they used to be — most are not built with exterior grade wood suited for our wet climate, and many of the construction techniques do not survive in the rain. So with our wind-driven rain demands, it isn’t very wise to spend that much money on a window that will rot if neglected for a few years, and require regular caulking and painting, on the western and southern weather exposures, every three to four years. Wood-clad windows only need to be washed. So avoid an all-wood window and buy a clad window.

On that note, we should always buy our wood patio doors as clad units, too.

Fiberglass windows are relatively new and are constructed with a very sturdy, rigid frame. They are available in many colors and are paintable, both on the interior and exterior. The interiors can have a wood veneer to provide the warm wood frame that so many of us like. These windows have held up very well to elements, and along with wood clad, they are expected to outlast vinyl.

Aluminum windows are still manufactured and have been upgraded since the condensation wonders of our past. They now provide a thermal break to prevent the cold transfer from creating condensation. As with wood windows, they can provide a strong architectural element of a house. Some frames, however, are too small and thin to operate well due to flexing.

Vinyl

The most common upgrade of windows is to vinyl thermal pane, due to their price. They work well for replacing the steel and aluminum windows of the last 60 years, but typically you may have only one of two choices of color, and they are not truly paintable. So pick a color and that is it until new windows, sometime in the next 40 years, as vinyl will not last as long as the other materials. Some have thinner frames and less expensive hardware, making them poor to operate over time; they often lose their shape when exposed to our hot August western sun.

Inserts

For older homes with original wood windows, there are manufactured inserts as an alternative, leaving the original frames in place — removing the operable portion of the window and inserting a new sliding unit with thermal pane glass. These are cost-effective and they somewhat respect the original architecture. They do lose some of the glass area, and usually the wood frames are too small to weather well over time.

Storm windows are still an option and should be considered when restoring older homes, keeping their architectural integrity. They can provide similar insulating capabilities, but require washing four sides of glass rather than two.

Keep in mind that all windows are not manufactured alike — a wide frame for improved stability and a larger gap between the glass panes, the warmer the unit. We hope to get a long life out of the new windows, which includes the ease of operation.

Installation

Replacement windows can be installed in two different ways: with a flange or glued and screwed. Original windows are installed prior to the siding, with a flange, providing a good seal to weather. Retrofit windows can be installed with this flange to provide a lapped weather protection, by removing some of the siding.

The least expensive installation simply pulls the old window and installs the new one without a flange or disturbing the siding.

Glued and screwed uses a window manufactured without a flange, or the flange is removed prior to installation. This system relies on caulking (glued) to seal against the elements and screws into the sidewall to secure. It is less expensive due to the ease of installation; however, it lacks a permanent seal to the weather. The caulking lasts only a few years, and when it fails, usually within five years when exposed to our southern and western weather, it can allow water to migrate behind our siding. Early failure is common, and who knows or wants to monitor their window sealant annually?

We should never rely on temporary caulking for waterproofing the exteriors of our homes — sooner or later it will fail, and water can cause great damage. Flanges, flashing and lapping of materials are needed to protect our homes from our area’s weather.

I’ve seen too many problems with water intrusion over the years to recommend the glue and screw method, even though there is a cost savings. I’d rather see some of the windows done right now and the others upgraded later, if cost-cutting is needed.

When the window is properly installed with a flange, some of the surrounding siding needs to be removed or cut back — usually a picture frame of trim around the exterior with metal flashing above the window. This system allows the trim or siding to lap the flange and provided a much-needed barrier to the water infiltration.

In a brick installation, it may be necessary to install a flangeless window; however, most brick homes are one story with ample overhang to protect the seam between the frame and the brick. They will require annual inspection and caulking replacement over the lifetime of the window.

Glazing

With strong western and southern exposures, it is always wise to have an ultraviolet lamination to protect us and our belongings. Various gases can be installed in the vacuum between the two panes of glass to improve their insulating abilities: argon is the most common. You should seriously consider these upgrades as money well spent.

Do keep in mind that some of the advertising is addressing climates far different from ours. Triple pane windows do insulate better and should make some difference in our heating bills, but it may not be enough to cover the extra costs, and the money would be better spent on air sealing and insulating your home.

Remember:

• Always require flanged installation with flashing above.

• When replacing original steel or aluminum windows, vinyl is the most cost-effective, but probably has the shortest lifespan.

• Never install wood windows without cladding.

• Coatings and gas-filled thermal pane improves the window’s efficiency and limits damage to our interiors.

Note to readers:

Houses, like our cars, require ongoing maintenance. We don’t seem to think twice when it’s time for the oil change or tune-up, but most of us fail to think of our homes the same way. They need regular attention, too, so when repairing and maintaining your home, let me know if you want further information or guidance.

Most of us have specialties, from sales to software, teaching to medicine, and research to legal; mine happens to be homes. I’ve spent over 30 years building, remodeling, repairing, inspecting, teaching and studying residential structures, so let me know if I can be of help.

Please feel free to contact me through e-mail or phone with your questions. I will attempt to answer all of your inquiries and we will print those that may help others. My longtime interest in homes and construction likes to be challenged; anytime I don’t have the answer, I enjoy doing research.

Steve Bryan owns Home & Building Services, Inc. and is an Island resident. He can be reached at steve@myhouseandyours.com or (206) 232-2473.