HISTORIC WOODWINDOWS

Repair or Replace?

Your Wood Windows Need Work

The Dilemma:

Repair or Replace?

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 Aesthetics/ Historic Integrity

Longevity/ Maintenance

Energy Savings

Environment

Economics

Historic Wood Windows: Aesthetics/ Historic Integrity

Appropriate for the style of your home

Original historic fabric Often built in custom sizes,

shapes and styles Craftsmanship 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

Match size, style, configuration, shape of originals

Many have inaccurate historic profile (muntins, frame size)

Original casings, sills, and mullions may be removed

Often installed using new details that are not historically accurate

Bright, glaring white….

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

“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

Your wood windows already have a 75+year track record of service

Made of old growth lumber Infinitely repairable with standard tools

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 Individual 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

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

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

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

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 Open and close blinds, shutters, etc. during the day Install storm windows (interior or exterior) Apply Low-E films, tint Seal wall penetrations, install solar powered attic

fans, plant a shade tree…

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

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 Cost to replace vs.

repair Life cycle cost

Ongoing maintenance vs. future full replacement

Return on investment Net energy savings Resale value of home

Be informed when choosing to repair or replace your historic wood windows…

Presentation prepared by: