Doors and Windows - Vinyl vs. Wood window

Is a wood replacement window really so much better than a vinyl? We are looking at installing Alside Excalibur replacement windows (with a nailing flange) in our home, but have been hearing that wood replacement is a much better way to go. Also how difficult is it to rebuild the sill, and also put and extension jam in. This will be my first window job, and hopefully the last major project that I will be undergoing with our home. Any good web sites or diagrams would be appreciated. Thanks

If you like to paint and do maintenance, then wood is the way to go. If you like wood interior for aesthetics, then I would recommend a vinyl exterior window with wood interior. Several manufacturers have samples you can see: JeldWen, Peachtree, Pella, Andersen and others. Otherwise a completely clad window is a good option for temperature stability, racking, and ease of opening and closing.
If you have to remove your present jamb extensions, don't discard them, as they may fit the new windows. If not, then after the windows are installed, measure from the window to the finished wall and rip pieces of 1x lumber and install top, bottom, then sides. If you have to make ears for the lower one, then, of course cut it longer (at least longer than the trim molding is wide), and scribe a line with it sitting in place, using a compass at the width of the space between the wood butted against the wall and the window itself.

when i am fitting a new constuction window with a nailing flange, where do I insulate? Do I insulate from the inside of my house around the rough opening and the window frame since the outside access will be covered my the nailing flange. Also what is the best type of insulation to use foam or...............?

Yes, you insulate the perimeter of the window from the inside. As far as what to use... that's up to you, whether it be fiberglass insulation or foam.

Personally, I don't feel that fiberglass does a good job, since it only "slows" the air, and doesn't stop it. But if you choose to use foam, be sure to select a type that is for "windows and doors" which states it will "not overexpand". I believe that Great Stuff has a blue can that is meant for windows. As for me, I prefer to use Dap Latex window & door foam because of its low pressure and it's ability to foam even a 1/8" crack.

I will be starting the project on Friday, so I will give you all an update next week. I am sure I will have more questions.

It sounds like you are actually installing 'first windows' not replacement windows. A replacement window is what the home improvement industry refers to and overcharges for a process of removing the existing sash and installing new windows using most of the origninal mounting. It is often finished by wrapping the external sill and trim in vinyl.

If you are installing first windows, you are better off. It takes a little more work but in the end its worth it for your budget. My first attempt at this type project was somewhat easier because I was replacing the original window as part of a bathroom remodel where the entire space was stripped down to studs. Subsequent windows were in rooms where the drywall was not removed. I just had to be more careful in the removal stage not to cause more work later.

In our addition, the builder used Anderson 200 series windows so I wanted to use the same windows for other parts of the home. (We are replacing 40 year old Andersons.) They are wood interior with a vinyl exterior. I'm half way through replacing the original construction windows. I'm very thankful that the original construction carpenters were careful to frame 'square' house.

For what its worth, this project will come in at 25% of what the average quote to put 'replacement windows' in. Its worth the sweat equity. Money saved for other projects.

Good luck. Tree.

I'm getting ready to replace a few windows also. Please keep us informed on your progress T. The wooden sills on my 20+ yr old Coradco windows have rotted out, so I plan on installing new Andersons. Not sure whether I'll use the 200 series or 400's. I'm only going to do 5 this year.

Eastcoastrocker:
I used 200 series because I didn't care about the tilt in feature to wash them. There may be other compelling features of the 400 series but my budget forced me to the 200's. I used composite brick moulding and trim on the exterior in order to keep future rot issues in check.
Tree

Windows went in perfectly. Fortunately our rough openings were square so once we removed the old windows, and cut back the dry wall so it was flush with the rough opening all is we had to do was shim it, square it and nail it into place. We insulated with window expandable foam, which work beautifully. Now I have to rebuild the sills, and window casing and wrap the outside. Oh yeah we had to remove some siding to get the window in but that was simple enough. But as everyone knows one job leads to another we found that now that our bathroom window is sealed we need to install a bathroom fan becaus efter the first shower we had condensation dripping down the walls (we never had that problem before) next project install a bathroom fan. Look for me in that forum. Project time to this point: 8 windows, 2 people, 10 hours. So far a savings of over $1,000 and we don't have replacement windows, we have NEW construction windows.

Well i just learned to case windows or (wrap them, what ever you call it), I wasn't expecting to do that.