Wood- framed windows have been used on buildings for centuries. The main types of wood used for this purpose are either softwood or hardwood. Hardwood comes from trees whose leaves fall off in season. They are not necessarily hard and some are even softer than some softwood types. Softwood on the other hand, never lose their leaves. They are not always soft as the name suggests, as some are known to be much harder than some hardwood types. For the most part, however, hardwood is stronger than softwood. The reasons why Hardwood windows last longer than softwood windows are as follows;

Most hardwood types do not rot easily as they are packed with oils. Water does not, therefore, penetrate such wood easily. On the contrary, most window frames made of softwood easily absorb moisture which makes them rot.

Softwoods are easily attacked by insects. The oil in hardwood repels such insects. Although some hardwood types can be attacked by insects, a coat of protective oil is sufficient to keep them safe. Their ability to hold paint makes it easy to coat them. Softwood on the other hand does not hold paint well and several coats must be applied.

Since softwood generally has less density, they do not hold joinery material well. This means that connection points loosen easily. Since these have to be re-tightened over again, the wood easily chips off. Being dense and packed with oil, hardwood dos not chip easily.

Softwood expands and contracts easily because of the effects of the weather and therefore cracks easily. The compact nature of most hardwood types makes them resistant to weather changes.

Softwoods last only a few years if they are not sealed with wood stain. When sealed, they can go for anything from fifteen up to twenty years. Painting softwood can make them decay faster because the paint locks in moisture. Teak is a hardwood type used on window frames. It can go for anything up to forty years if it is not coated with oil. When coated with oil, it can remain in good condition for well over a hundred years. It also does not need to be shielded when temperatures are at their lowest, especially during the winter period.

The price of hardwood can even be five times that of softwood. Its superior qualities, however, makes it last longer than softwood which deteriorates much faster. Hardwood windows are, therefore, a worthwhile investment.

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When wondering about Hard wood windows or soft wood windows which will last longer and why, you might find it useful to know what the differences and similarities are between the two. You might think it’s pretty obvious by the names, but this is not always the case.

It’s not always easy to understand what these two things are and how they are used. There are some hardwoods that are just as soft (if not softer) than most softwoods and some softwoods that can be harder than some hardwoods. For instance, the balsa tree is a hardwood, but its timber is softer than a lot of softwoods. The yew is a softwood, but its timber is harder than some hardwoods. It’s enough to boggle the brain sometimes.

Typically softwood is easier to work with, less expensive and easier to come by. Many people choose to use this kind of wood in their windows because of those things. Softwood trees are the trees that tend to stay green all year round. Redwood, pine, cedar, and fir a few of these kinds of trees. These trees are usually found in large groups that spread out amongst each other. Hardwoods are usually found hanging around with many other species.

Softwood may generally be used more often, because of the affordable cost, and if treated and cared for, it can last a long time, but hardwood tends to last a lot longer. Because these trees take so much time to grow, they’re usually much thicker and heavier than softwood. Hardwood timber that is used to make floors, furniture and windows can last hundreds of years and requires less maintenance than softwood.

There are some inexpensive hardwoods, but most of the time you will find the cost of this wood, to be much higher than soft timber. If you don’t have a lot of money in your budget, you may want to opt for windows made of softwood, but in order to make them last, you must be sure to give them the care that they need.

Softwood is great for small lightweight projects. A lot of people use this wood when building models. It’s easy to shape and mold. This wood is also very common in houses, but most people agree that when it comes to windows and other things that are required to last a long time, hardwood is the way to go.

So, if you’ve been asking about Hard wood windows or soft wood windows which will last longer and why, the answer you will most likely find is that although softwoods can last a while if they are cared for properly, hardwood is the wood that can last a lifetime, without having to pay a whole lot of attention to it’s care.

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Learning how to reduce your carbon foot print with sash window draught proofing this winter is one of the simplest and cheapest ways to save money on heating and cooling costs. Doing this will save you money, save energy and also help save the planet from excess carbon emissions. It’s a smart thing to do.

Besides being kinder to both the environment and your wallet, weather proofing the windows in your house will also add to its comfort. During the cold months the cold will be kept out and the warmth will be kept in. Your house will also be less draughty. In addition, tightening up the windows allows for less invasion of dust into the home and even does its part for reducing the level of noise allowed to enter your living space.

If you live in an older house with wood framed sash windows, either double-hung or single-hung, there’s no question that, as the years have gone by, they have lost some of their insulating abilities. These older windows were never exactly energy efficient in the first place, not like the modern multi-paned, gas filled units on the market today. But they’re still able to do the job to an acceptable degree, and improved draught proofing will make them all the better.

If you’re thinking about tearing out your current windows and having them replaced with modern alternatives you might want to reconsider. Unless a wood framed sash window is totally beyond repair it’s almost always preferential to recondition or rehabilitate it rather than replace it. In some areas, or if your home is listed on the historical register, replacement may not even be an option.

Something like draught proofing the windows on your older house make for a very easy and doable DIY project for nearly anyone. It isn’t too difficult or expensive and doesn’t take a lot of equipment, tools or time. Even hiring someone else to do the job should be well worth the modest expense, especially when considering the raft of benefits you’ll receive.

The first step in weather proofing windows is to pull off the trim and fill the voids with foam or caulk. The non-expanding type of foam should be used. If the window trim is not easily removed it can be caulked in place. Remember to caulk both edges.

Add weather strips to moving surfaces. Finally, clean out the old putty holding in the glass panes and put in some new putty. It’ll be easy to reduce your carbon foot print with sash window draught proofing this winter. It’s a great upgrade!

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