Historic Wood Windows: Repair or Replace

Historic WoodWindows : 

Historic WoodWindows Repair or Replace?

Your Wood Windows Need Work : 

Your Wood Windows Need Work The Dilemma: Repair or Replace?

Common Problems with Historic Wood Windows : 

Common Problems with Historic Wood Windows Painted shut Weights dropped Ropes frayed/ stuck Broken glass Hardware missing or broken Glazing chipped, broken Sash or frame rotted/ termite damaged

Historic Wood Windows vs. Modern Replacement Windows: The Issues : 

Historic Wood Windows vs. Modern Replacement Windows: The Issues Aesthetics/ Historic Integrity Longevity/ Maintenance Energy Savings Environment Economics

Historic Wood Windows: Aesthetics/ Historic Integrity : 

Historic Wood Windows: Aesthetics/ Historic Integrity Appropriate for the style of your home Original historic fabric of the home Custom sizes, shapes and styles difficult/expensive to replace in kind Appropriate historic profile, trim Fit openings that may be out of square “Historic wood windows are an important part of what gives your older building its character.”

Replacement Windows: Aesthetics : 

Replacement Windows: Aesthetics Match size, style, configuration, shape Inaccurate historic profile (muntins, frame) Original casings, sills, and mullions often removed and new details not historically accurate Bright, glaring white….

Aesthetics: Issues to Consider : 

Aesthetics: Issues to Consider Are my windows an important character defining feature on my home? Can I afford to replicate the features and details appropriate for my home ? Will the new windows detract from the home’s appeal? Do I want to remove original historic fabric from the home?

Historic Wood Windows:Longevity : 

Historic Wood Windows:Longevity Your wood windows already have a 75+year track record of service Infinitely repairable with standard tools Made of old growth lumber, often harvested locally “If your wood windows are 60 years old or older, chances are that the wood they are made of is old growth—dense and durable wood that is now scarce. Even high-quality new wood windows, except for mahogany, won’t last as long as historic wood windows.” - NTHP

Replacement Windows: Longevity/ Maintenance : 

Replacement Windows: Longevity/ Maintenance Replacement wood windows Fast growth wood Vinyl, metal, metal clad over wood Generally a 20 year max. life for replacement windows Springs give way, seals break, glass clouds Parts not repairable Lifetime warrantees refer to the life of the window, not your lifetime Easier to clean No painting (vinyl, metal) “No Maintenance”= Can’t be Maintained

Longevity: Issues to Consider : 

Longevity: Issues to Consider Will the replacement windows last as long as the repaired historic wood windows? Can I afford to replace the windows again in 10-20 years? Will I maintain the historic windows?

Historic Wood Windows vs. Replacement Windows: Energy Savings : 

Historic Wood Windows vs. Replacement Windows: Energy Savings Windows contribute only 10-12% of overall infiltration to the building envelope. Much more infiltration occurs at roof eaves, foundations and even through wall receptacles, dryer and plumbing vents and fireplaces It would take 40+ years to recoup the cost of the replacement windows through energy savings Studies have demonstrated that a historic wood window, properly maintained, weather-stripped and with a storm window, can be just as energy efficient as a new window

Energy Savings: Issues to Consider : 

Energy Savings: Issues to Consider Are there ways to retrofit my existing historic windows to improve energy efficiency? Are there other, more cost-effective ways to reduce energy usage in my home?

Historic Wood Windows: Energy Saving Ideas : 

Historic Wood Windows: Energy Saving Ideas Weather-strip your existing windows Lock your window sashes to pull tight Install screens and open your windows during temperate months in Florida (& turn off your AC) Install awnings, shutters, window treatments to shade windows and reduce AC load Install storm windows (interior or exterior) Seal wall penetrations, install solar powered attic fans, plant a shade tree…

Historic Wood Windows: Environmental Issues : 

Historic Wood Windows: Environmental Issues Embodied energy=energy to produce, transport & install existing windows Removing windows discards the embodied energy already utilized Lead paint

Replacement Windows: Environmental Issues : 

Replacement Windows: Environmental Issues Energy required to extract raw materials, manufacture, transport and install the new windows Replacement windows that contain vinyl or PVC are toxic to produce and create toxic by-products Little recycling value Aluminum, vinyl and glass are among the greediest materials in terms of energy consumption and resource depletion Each year, Americans demolish 200,000 buildings. That is 124 million tons of debris, or enough waste to construct a wall 30 feet high and 30 feet thick around the entire U.S. coastline. Every window that goes into the dump is adding to this problem.

Historic Wood Windows vs. Replacement Windows: Economics : 

Historic Wood Windows vs. Replacement Windows: Economics Cost to replace vs. repair Life cycle cost Ongoing maintenance vs. future full replacement Return on investment Net energy savings Resale value of home

Think before choosing to replace your historic wood windows… : 

Think before choosing to replace your historic wood windows…

Presentation prepared by: : 

Presentation prepared by: