I don't know what Lauren Walsh's situation was, but based on the information given by the original poster, you need an architect.

Posted by: nyarchitect at May 7, 2008 3:57 PM in response to Cost of Conversion: General Estimate

As others have said, Landmarks does not prohibit switching to double-pane. However, in addition to the cost issues that others have pointed out, design is also an issue. Designing/fabricating insulated windows in a style similar enough to the originals can be prohibitively expensive or near-impossible. I've run into this type of situation, for example in renovating a Manhattan Park Avenue penthouse (barely visible from the ground, but carefully scrutinized by Landmarks nonetheless). What I did, and what, if possible, the building should do, is put in laminated glass windows. The extra layer(s) of glass add a little bit of thermal and acoustic insulation. Not as good as double-paned, but better than single-pane.

Posted by: nyarchitect at May 8, 2008 5:49 PM in response to landmarked approved windows

$150/sf sounds like a good budget number to me. Could be less if you can minimize the amount of work required. Could be higher if you're putting in custom work.

Posted by: nyarchitect at May 8, 2008 5:52 PM in response to Cost of Conversion: General Estimate

It all depends on the extent of the renovation. If your changing the C of O for the building, you'll spend 12-15K just on city fee's and expeditiers. If you are talking about a gut reno of the three floors I believe $150/sq.ft. is a start.

Posted by: andrix at May 7, 2008 4:47 PM in response to Cost of Conversion: General Estimate

$150/sf sounds like a good budget number to me. Could be less if you can minimize the amount of work required. Could be higher if you're putting in custom work.

Posted by: nyarchitect at May 8, 2008 5:52 PM in response to Cost of Conversion: General Estimate

I like the idea of restoring the existing single-pane windows. I also understand the actual heat savings from single vs double pane windows, if the casings are insulated, is quite minimal and takes a long long time to recover the cost if your windows were being changed simply for energy-efficiency reasons. Double pane windows do insulate somewhat for sound, however. If you're simply worried about energy savings, better to concentrate on the attic and the highest-efficiency furnace possible. (plus turn the heat down and wear a sweater!)

Posted by: newcolonist at May 10, 2008 11:58 AM in response to landmarked approved windows

re:11:58

try invisiblestorms.com

Posted by: guest at May 13, 2008 2:25 PM in response to landmarked approved windows