Double-hung wooden windows lend aesthetic appeal to an older home and can last for generations. But with age, they can begin to rattle, stick and become drafty.

Replacing them with newer vinyl windows may seem like an obvious choice, but it's not your only option. Many window specialists offer restoration services that can preserve an old window's classic look while improving its functionality and energy efficiency.

Not sure if restoration is right for your wooden windows? Consider this:

• Wooden windows built before World War II were typically custom-made for the house. Exchanging them with standard vinyl replacement windows can drastically affect the look of your home.

• Excess paint and broken pulley systems are the most common problems with wooden windows, but they are easily fixed. Stripping and refinishing the wood, as well as replacing the rope in the pulley system with a chain, can make your window work like new.

• Rotted wood doesn't necessarily mean window death. Restoration specialists can usually repair it using epoxy that can be sanded and painted to blend with the rest of the window.

• Properly maintained wooden windows and storm windows work together like the two pieces of glass in a double-paned window. By adding weather stripping to wood windows and storms, they can achieve similar energy ratings as double-paned replacement windows.