As a full service and licensed building contractor Lovejoy Window Works, Inc. has worked on some of Jacksonville's most recognizable historic properties.  During the course of that work we have restored many historic windows and where necessary built reproductions windows.  

Wood selection can be a challenge.....
In Florida it is not uncommon to find windows built from native species such as Cypress and Southern Yellow Pine.  When building replacement sashes we do our best to determine wood species, evaluating everything from grain patterns and yes, even smell.  However, short of sending the wood to a lab, for a true determination, wood selection is a judgement call.  I will say that we do, when necessary, select a species that provides the best natural preservative characteristics.  We have used Douglas Fir, Western Red and Spanish Cedar.  We have, when called for, used pine too but only acetylated (pressure treated with vinegar) pine.  

When restoring wood or historic steel casement windows we do our best to follow the Department of the Interior's guide to wood window restoration.