Hey everyone! We built our house in the woods of Pennsylvania back in 1999, and it's been quite a journey dealing with the weather here. We have Pella casement windows all around and two sets of Anderson sliding doors. The wood interiors are untouched, just clear urethane stain, but I've got some concerns.
Over the years, the casement windows have developed issues, especially with closing; every winter, I have to go outside to push them shut while someone inside latches them. Not to mention, after almost 26 years, my wood frames have taken quite a beating from the rain.
As for the Anderson sliders, they're facing south on our deck, so they get hit with all kinds of elements, leading to some separation in the cladding. I'm leaning towards repair instead of a full replacement, but I'm curious about the potential cost and hassle involved. Is repairing these worth it, and is it even feasible? We love how they look, but I worry we'll just be back in the same boat dealing with the elements.
If you're interested, I've got some photos and a video to share: [https://imgur.com/a/RwumvhA](https://imgur.com/a/RwumvhA). Thanks a lot for any advice!
1 Answer
I’d say consider replacing the casement windows. From your description, it sounds like there might be some hidden damage to the frames. Especially with all that humidity and rain, wood windows require a lot of upkeep. If cost isn't a major concern, you might want to switch to vinyl or a more durable material that can really withstand the weather.
As for the Anderson sliders, if they still glide well and aren’t warped, you might just need a simple fix. Check if the wood underneath is still okay. The separation you’re seeing with the cladding can be repaired too—just figure out how extensive the damage is first!
Thanks for your thoughts! I agree, the sliders do still move fine. Just one is a little harder than the rest. I was surprised about the vinyl issue—should I have expected that deterioration? They look brand new inside!