Wooden windows came about because there was a need to ventilate the house. Wooden windows can be used to protect the interiors of the house from outside elements (e.g. bad weather) and at the same time, provide a means to cool the house down when there is hot weather.

As time goes by, more and more people began to place more emphasis on the design of the house. This was especially true in cities that were growing rapidly. Families became more and more affluent, and their needs evolved to become more and more sophisticated. Windows were no longer just openings that help ventilate the house. They became decorative items that helped enhance the overall look and feel of the home as well.

You only have to flip through the history books to find that windows from ancient times such as Rome, Corinthian (Greek), etc. come with elaborate designs. Each has their own unique characteristics.

Today, many of the styles still exist. And homeowners still like to adopt some of these styles in their homes. Wood is a popular choice of material because it can be used to recreate almost any type of style. Of course, the workmanship and skills do matter. In general, the higher the level of skills, the more sophisticated the designs. You may also have to pay more for complex designs.

Many people today still believe that wooden windows are not as durable as those made from other types of materials such as steel. Contrary to popular belief, wooden windows can be finished in such a way that make them last longer than expected.

First, the type of wood used for the windows is very important. Wood falls into two different categories - soft wood and hard wood. You would expect soft wood to be less durable. But they are easy to work with, and cost a lot less. Hard wood include wood such as Oak, Ebony and Cherry. They are very durable, and can last for many decades.

The choice of wood ultimately depends on your choice of design, your plans for replacement, and your budget. Since soft woods are easier to work with, they tend to be a better choice if you would like to have complex designs. But that does not mean you can't have sophisticated designs on hard woods. But since it takes a longer time to work on the design, you may have to pay a little more.

Also, if you have plans to replace the windows within a few years, then it makes sense to choose some type of soft wood. But if you prefer to have durable and hassle free windows that will last and last, and are easy to maintain, then hardwood windows would be a better choice.