No, nothing is absolutely maintenance free, everything requires some level of maintenance. A more correct term to use in this instance would be "low maintenance". Any timber window (hardwood or softwood) will require occasional cleaning (like all windows) and eventually the factory applied finish will require recoating (probably after 3-5 years- depending on the coating, exposure conditions and colour). all that siad timber windows are enjoying a renaissance- they have excellent environmental credentials, they are sustainable, energy efficient and just look far superior to any PVC product. In time PVC will probably be outlawed for use as a window frame material- it cannot be recycled and there are no effective ways to dispose of it at the end of its life.