Replacing Windows in Landmark District
I am going to replace the windows in the front of my PS Landmark District brownstone with Marvin all wood double hung. I know for a fact that these are landmark approved, but I have been given such a run around by the landmarks department, I just want to get them installed, rather than deal…
I am going to replace the windows in the front of my PS Landmark District brownstone with Marvin all wood double hung. I know for a fact that these are landmark approved, but I have been given such a run around by the landmarks department, I just want to get them installed, rather than deal with them. The main reason is that I want to get them in before the winter and official approval can take months, from what I’ve heard. Am I asking for trouble? I see plenty of newly installed, obviously nonapproved aluminum windows going up on landmark blocks, so I’m just wondering what gives.
There is another option to Marvin “Kolbe & Kolbe” Windows who are slightly less expensive & come with a Painted exterior 10 year warranty(Black in most of the Historic districts) They have been installed on 41 & 43 South portland for a Landmarks Conservancy project (even more demanding than landmarks) They advertise on this page Heights Historic windows & doors. They selll both the sash kits (windows only no frame) or full units brick to brick. They have done lots of work in The heights & I have seen there signs on Sidney Place & Tompkins Place in Carroll Gardens. Windows are georgeous.They can also handle Landmarks & have connections with some of the preservationists who like there product.
We also used Marvin’s double hung windows and were able to get Landmarks approval within a 3-4 weeks. Your window dealer will give you drawings with the measurements, etc. You will also need to take photographs of the existing windows and explain why you need new windows. Our wood in the original windows was so rotten that our windows hung lopsided. You also need to take pictures of the outside of the house with the old windows. You have to submit 2 sets of drawings – 1 of the new proposed windows and the 2nd of the old windows. I don’t remember exactly but the measurements must be wihin a 1/4 inch or 1/2 an inch of the originals. The Landmarks has a website with the specifications. You can just photocopy the original drawings from Marvin and white out those measurements and write in the original windows’ measurements. When I first submitted our drawings, the measurements were not within the specifications. We had someone very helpful at Landmarks who told me that outside window measurements are differents from the inside window measurements, etc. And I was able to make the correct changes. When you get approval for the windows, your permit comes with a nice history of your house. Good luck.
If you use one of the usual window installers they will handle all the paperwork for you, and I don’t think it will take that long. Also installation will take a few days, so this is possible even in the winter. As far as the aluminum windows in landmark blocks, if they are new you should report them. Most of them are probably old and predate landmarking.
I am currently in the process of instaling Marvin double hung windows ( tilt pac ), with eyebrow,for a client in a landmark brownstone building,that I am renovating– I have filed and recieved landmark approval. The house is in Midtown East,- Manhattan.
These are wood windows, and are often used for this purpose.
If you need further information email me at
Johnbfitzgerald@aol.com.
I am currently in the process of instaling Marvin double hung windows ( tilt pac ), with eyebrow,for a client in a landmark brownstone building,that I am renovating– I have filed and recieved landmark approval. The house is in Midtown East,- Manhattan.
These are wood windows, and are often used for this purpose.
If you need further information email me at
Johnbfitzgerald@aol.com.
In our landmarked house, for the same reason (time and aggravation factors) we went ahead and installed the windows without landmarks approval, but used compliant windows (identical to the originals we replaced: wood, with the “eyebrow” arch, etc), as you are suggesting. Haven’t heard anything yet (touch wood). You are likely in a different situation, though, because you have alerted landmarks to your plans and now are on their radar screen. All of that said, it’s hard to see what Landmarks arguments could be if you were to go ahead and install the Marvin windows. Conclusion being that it’s really a question of your appetite for risk, and taking on Landmarks with a very sound common sense defense.