I need to make a few storm sashes for my house and I have some 5/4 ash that has been rough sawn and air drying for several years. Everything I've found suggests redwood, cyprus etc. but there's not much of that growing in Ohio! Would I be better off payng shipping and getting softwood or can ash, oak or the other local hardwoods provide good results? I've made a few sashes from construction grade pine but I'd like to use something that will outlast me. Thanks for any input.
John