A recent debate in the Denver Post has us wondering: do replacement windows belong in historic homes? Throughout New England, of course, are hundreds of historic homes, built during the earliest days of our nation. Many of these homes have been continuously occupied, and serve as residences for families of all sizes.
When these homes were built, window technology was not what it is today. Single pane, small windows, set carefully into wooden window frames, let in the light — but they also let in cold breezes, moisture, and environmental irritants.
Home replacement windows can eliminate many of these problems. Double or triple-pane glass vinyl replacement windows offer superior energy efficiency, as do fiberglass and wood replacement windows. Invisible pockets of inert insulating glass help minimize air penetration, resulting in a warmer interior living space. In older homes, tremendous amounts of air and moisture can enter the home through rotted sills, cracks and holes. Replacing and repairing these sills, essential to installing home replacement windows, can remedy this problem. Environmental irritants — an issue for anyone who suffers from allergies, asthma, or multiple chemical sensitivity — are kept outside by home replacement windows, which play a pivotal role in preserving the home’s structural integrity.
Yet many preservationists decry the use of replacement windows. Aesthetically, there are few windows that offer an exact match to the look of original windows. This is of supreme importance to preservationists, who feel that something essential is lost when home replacement windows are installed.
That brings one, of course, to the central question. Is the homeowner’s role one of preservation or are they planning to live in and make use of their home as a comfortable, enjoyable space? Is it possible to find a middle ground between these two, seemingly diametrically opposed points?
The answer may be yes. Manufacturers are introducing lines of replacement windows that feature classic profiles and styling, similar if not identical to common historical window styles. Many of these windows feature classic wood frames, double or triple pane glass, insulating gas pockets, low e coatings, and other energy efficient features.
Additionally, some home owners compromise, by keeping original, historical windows in the front of the home, facing the street, while installing energy efficient, convenient vinyl home replacement windows in the rear and along the sides of the home.
A comment made on the Denver Post story points us across the ocean for inspiration: “Buildings a thousand years old with new energy efficient and highly functional windows. It’s a no brainer!” It is possible to preserve old spaces and keep them functional, by embracing appropriate technology. Replacement windows are part of that matrix!
Wood home replacement windows are often the closest in look and feel to the original historic windows. However, vinyl replacement windows and fiberglass replacement windows are also viable options. It’s important to remember that earlier generations were not as concerned about historical authenticity as we currently are — the windows you might be stressing over replacing may or may not be original to the structure. Consult with an expert, should this concern you: if you’re going to be swapping out ugly, inefficient flimsy aluminum replacement windows from the fifties, you might be enhancing the look of your historic home rather than detracting from it!
Some thoughts on Replacement Windows:
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Barbara Campagna, Director of Architecture for the National Trust’s 29 historic sites, wrote in Preservation Nation, the news letter for the National Trust For Historic Preservation , a ‘tirade’ (her words) on Vinyl Replacement Windows. I suggest anyone contemplating an historic window replacement read the article.
http://blogs.nationaltrust.org/preservationnation/?p=233#comment-1504
Of particular interest is a comment in the article by Mike Jackson (Chief Architect of the Illinois State Historic Preservation Office); in which he characterizes replacement windows touting ‘no maintenance’ as:
“No Maintenance required” really means “can’t be repaired” – so they end up in the landfill much sooner than say a wood window which can be repaired and repaired and repaired, or recycled.”
First of all: consider this disclaimer to my point of view. I’m not a disinterested party. As President and CEO of The Woodstone Company, I’ve been manufacturing historic replicate wooden windows for 30 years.
That being said, there is always more to window replacement than meets the eye and much of it is over-simplified or ignored altogether by design, building and manufacturing professionals for a variety of reasons. I, on the other hand, while hoping to promote Woodstone services, would like to indulge your opinions on historic window replacement projects; not only to encourage my company’s services, but to provide you a forum on which you can expand your perspective.
Consider the following query. If you could replace your existing historic windows, be they the original landmark windows or subsequent replacement attempts, with accurately replicate high performance wooden windows, and cost was comparable over the longer term, would you be inclined to do so?
Again, consider Architect Jackson’s perspective…”… a wood window which can be repaired and repaired and repaired, or recycled”.
If you purchase a window with a ‘no maintenance’ moniker designed to last for 20 years and compare it to the cost of a more expensive landmark historic wood window designed to last for 100 years or more with efficiently planned maintenance, what cost/benefit considerations come to mind? How many times can you afford to replace a ‘no maintenance window’ and still remain true to the landmark historic details of a property on the historic register?
considerable register you get hands on