Is hard wood necessary for windows?

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Slash

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We have obtained a very competitive quote from a window supplier. It turns out that the wood they use is pine, which I read somewhere on AAM, is a soft wood. My question is: is pine robust enough for windows and will it last (the supplier provides a 6 year guarantee). Or, is it like everything: you get what you pay for, and you are better off paying a bit more for a better product?

Thanks.
 
I don't think that it's necessarily the case that hardwood is better than softwood if that's what you're thinking?
 
yes, that's what i mean: is hardwood a better product (longer lasting, more durable, etc) than a soft wood? It certainly seems to be more expensive, anyway.
 
yes, hardwood is longer lasting, more durable and less work, respectively, than soft wood.....

but thats not to say softwood isnt more than adequate, if you are willing to take care of them...
 
Slash said:
yes, that's what i mean: is hardwood a better product (longer lasting, more durable, etc) than a soft wood? It certainly seems to be more expensive, anyway.
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I think it depends - and bear in mind:
On average, hardwood is of higher density and hardness than softwood, but there is considerable variation in actual wood hardness in both groups, with a large amount of overlap; some hardwoods (e.g. balsa) are softer than most softwoods, while yew is an example of a hard softwood.
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Hardwood windows will last a lifetime - softwood windows i.e pine/red deal will last aprox 5 to 10 years depending on the amount of care that they have been given and the amount of weathering that they get (sunshine can be as harmful as wind and rain).

It also depends on if you are going to paint them or stain (varnish) them.
 
We changed our softwood windows over the last 12 months or so, the first time that they had been replaced in 54 years.

As sydthebeat pointed out, you do need to take care of them with painting, in our case about every 4 years.
I should note that our house faces North-East, so the front gets the sun in the morning and the back of the house gets it in the afternoon/evening.
 
Billk, the quality of timber is not what it used to be - what is? Your windows were probably Pitch Pine - the softwood windows of today will never last like that no matter if they are well minded or not!
 
NHG said:
softwood windows i.e pine/red deal will last aprox 5 to 10 years depending on the amount of care that they have been given and the amount of weathering that they get
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Sorry but that is as far out as the proverbial lighthouse.

I have seen perfectly good softwood windows come out of houses that would have been fitted up to 60 years ago.

Maintenance is the secret.
 
Maintenance is key, as with any timber joinery but a few other things to consider are:

Pine is fine for external joinery, IF the pine is heartwood and comes from slow growing trees (Scandinavian forests). The growth rings are closer together and the resultant timber is harder and more durable. Trees planted in Ireland grow fast but consequently the resultant timbers are not as durable.

Softwood must be pressure treated using a VAC VAC process and exposed machined edges should be treated after manufacturing.

Some softwood species are more durable than others.

The finish coating is important and regular, periodic maintenance is essential.

Design of window profiles and use of aluminium glazing systems have eliminated mant pitfalls of the past.
 
Many thanks to everyone who replied. There is a lot of useful information in the replies.
 
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