“ High end vinyl” will give you the best efficiency and the best bang for the buck so to speak. Vinyl is a great option in terms of durability and energy efficiency provided its a higher end brand. Some higher end brands are Okna, Soft !ite, Sunrise.

Wood windows do require maitenance and could be difficult to operate if you dont. They are also somewhat of a challenge to tilt in for cleaning.

"wood pella windows as the gold standard for energy efficiency and quality"

Just to let you know, Pella is about the worst in those regards. Avoid Pella. As to wood vs vinyl, certainly there is an aesthetic factor, and a wood-clad Marvin or Kolbe window will be beautiful. It is up to you whether that is worth the increased cost upfront for the windows (both Marvin and Kolbe wood clad windows are very costly), and the decreased efficiency. Many people think it's worth it - or Marvin and Kolbe wouldn't sell so many of them. And many people think it's not worth it, and Okna and Softlte vinyl windows are excellent. You need to go to showrooms and see them for yourself.

You also need to decide on things like casement vs double hung - casements tend to be more energy efficient, but double-hung may be more suitable for your 1968 house. Also, double pane or triple pane - what part of the country do you live in, what is the climate?

Edited to add: I have Marvin wood-clad casement windows. No problems with sweating, spacers or seals. Sweating is often due to the homeowner having the humidity too high indoors in winter. Also no problem with cleaning whatsoever other than the screens are a PITA to remove.

@RoyHobbs I'm in Chicago suburbs. So cold winters, hot humid summers.

If you want the best looking windows then go with wood. If you want wood then Marvin is the best production window made in USA with Kolbe (Wausau Wisc) and a few others there as well.

Forget the metal vs non-metal spacer garbage, it's 99% hype based on non-metal marketing. The best spacer on the market is Cardinal's Endur stainless steel, a metal spacer. Marvin uses it as does Kolbe, and even Pella (not an endorsement of Pella).

If you want to maximize energy performance then look into premium vinyl as pointed out above. DO NOT consider cheap vinyl (or cheap wood either).

Wood window energy performance isn't necessarily bad, it just in general isn't as good as what is possible with vinyl.

Near Chicago triple pane is definitely an option you might want to consider.

"Wanting to get thoughts on if this is normal or not"

I am yet to understand how Pella is on anyone's list as the best at anything. Allegedly CR does not bow to advertisers but my opinion is that is the only way Pella gets any kudos, it must be pay for play..........................

@oberon476 thanks, does the wood clad with aluminum cause sweating and deteriorate the wood faster? Or was that another marketing ploy?

Also, what type of wood should be used if I go with wood? Marvin has an abundance of choices.

Lastly if I did decide vinyl, do you have a brand that you think is more quality than others?

“Vinyl is a great option in terms of durability and energy efficiency provided its a higher end brand. Some higher end brands are Okna, Soft !ite, Sunrise.”

”Okna and Softlte vinyl windows are excellent.”

“if I did decide vinyl, do you have a brand that you think is more quality than others?”

@Michael Scouten - see first 2 quotes^^

@millworkman - I don’t think CR is pay to play. I think they are as slow to change their thinking as it would be to turn the Titanic. CR is just coming around to ”newfangled” quartz composite sinks, have only this year allowed that some European manufacturers make good appliances, or that brands other than American Standard or Kohler can make bathroom fixtures - these are all after 30+ years of being entrenched on those things. It is not surprising that they still think Pella today is the Pella of 30-40 years ago.

Oberon476. Would you mind helping me with an issue I’m currently having with the windows I had installled. I don’t know how to navigate thru this website or send messages so if you email me at sieterayos@rocketmail.com.

Cintia,

I have sent you a private message via Houzz. You can find it by clicking the bell in the upper right corner between the heart and the shopping cart.

Just click on my message to respond.

Let me know if that worked. If not I will send an email.