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Why is it that one of the first pieces of advice given to homeowners who are trying to make their homes more energy efficient is to replace their historic wooden windows with double paned ones?
Here are some problems I see with this:
1. New double paned windows are often compared to poorly maintained wooden windows when energy eficiency comparisons are made, not to restored and well maintained ones.
2.Wooden windows could be made more energy efficient and workable if storms were added, and failed putty/ glazing was replaced, broken sash cords replaced with chain, sash weights were reattached, several layers of paint stripped down to reduce sticking, etc., etc. All relatively easy DIY tasks.
3. Wooden windows with a storm are actually supposed to be better insulators than double paned windows. Counterintuitive, but seems to be true.
4. The new windows often do not maintain the lite/ pane patterns of the old ones. And they look different, even if they are reproductions.
4. Old windows (and the same applies for cast-iron radiators, but that is a separate rant) end up in the landfill (how green is that?)

Anyways, I just wanted to vent.
My neighbor recently threw out all her windows and got white vinyl replacements. How is that supposed to be an improvement?

http://www.nps.gov/history/hps/tps/briefs/brief09.htm