Our 20 year old Weathershield vinyl clad wood casements are shot. The vinyl is badly distorted on both the frame and the components surrounding the glass. Our house is a two story, with brick on the first floor and vinyl siding on the second.

Are we candidates for double hung replacement windows? I was thinking no because of the conditions of the window frames, as well as having to remove siding on the second story. After spending a good deal of time reading posts on this forum, I'm no longer sure.

Can someone recommend a manufacturer local to the northeastern Illinois area that has good/great quality windows. Looks like finding one of those versus using the well known, heavy into expensive advertising national firms could help keep costs lower. Also, I'm afraid of vinyl clad let alone all vinyl because of the performance of the Weathershield windows. Should I be?

Thank you.