I have a 20 year old home with wooden crank out windows. Many of these windows now need replacement (wood deteriorated and glass modules leaked). What is the best type of replacement window (wood, vinyl, aluminum)and the type (crank out, raise up, push open etc). Should the glass modules be double or triple glazed and is there any special gas or sealing technology that will allow these to maintain a seal despite the exposure to constant sun and warm/cold extremes. The entire rear of the house has a full SE exposure so there is constant direct sunlight for most of the day.
Answer:
Extruded, double hung vinyl, double glazed thermal windows are about as good as things get nowadays. They have all the pluses and will hold a seal at least as well as any other. Tripple glazing, I find, is too expensive for what you're getting.
