Landmarks approval for aluminum windows?
We are putting new windows in our landmark house in PS and have already been approved for Marvin wood double hung. Though wood does look better, we would rather put in aluminum clad(same dark green as our cornice) to reduce the cost and headache of maintaining them in the future. Our neighbor across the street…
We are putting new windows in our landmark house in PS and have already been approved for Marvin wood double hung. Though wood does look better, we would rather put in aluminum clad(same dark green as our cornice) to reduce the cost and headache of maintaining them in the future. Our neighbor across the street (also landmark) just installed Marvin alum clad in black. He says that they are Landmark approved and, upon questioning our laison with Landmarks, were told they probably were approved because they already had alum windows. How is it possible that just because they already have alum windows that they are able to replace with aluminum? Any ideas? Also, what would happen if, despite approval for wood windows, we went ahead and installed the Marvin aluminum clad?
thanks, 7:56, appreciate your input.
And, anon 1:12, I don’t consider installing Marvin alum clad wood windows a half-assed job as they are pricier than the wood. And when you look at wood windows that are not maintained properly, i.e. chipped and peeling paint, they look a lot worse than custom colored alum clad wood windows that perfectly match the Landmarks approved cornice color. Try sticking to the question. No one wants to hear your brand of advice.
People, do some research before you speak (or type)! Landmarks now approves certain aluminum clad wood windows. Ask them, and they will be responsive.
Your neighbor probably had a really, really good architect fight for the aluminum windows with the LPC. Why don’t you just go over and ask them how they did it?
So, anon 1:12…I guess you think that the middle class should be gentrified out of the Slope by now. After all, that original poster should be off in Staten Island by now, with all the other hoi polloi, where he can have all the aluminum windows that he wants. I hate to encourage this off-topic tangent, but this elitist attitude couldn’t be ignored.
If you can’t afford to maintain the property and keep with the landmark approvals you should sell your prime real estate and but something you can afford. Sorry but doing a half a$$ed job on the house you inherited is not cool.
Your neighboors may have fallen under the maintenance exemption or they may have somehow gotten a hardship exemption. You should go with the wood though, it’s not that hard to paint it every few years. If your middle class shlubs you probably don’t have a problem with touching a paintbrush. 🙂
It might be possible for you to get a hardship exemption, but you need to prove your income is low enough. But if you qualify for an excemption you might also qualify for a grant from Landmarks, although in that case they really will insist on windows that look like the originals.
I hear what you are saying, 12:42, but we inherited this house. While we are thrilled to own prime real estate, we are mere middle class shlubs who own a money pit. We are worried about the cost and difficulty of long term maintenance of wood windows. Again, the mystery to us is why the house across the street was APPROVED by Landmarks for alum windows. What is the difference? The neighbors house surely did not have aluminum windows when it was built a hundred years ago.
Thanks for your input.
Do what they approved. 12:42 is correct. I own a landmarked house in Ditmas. I know the pros & cons and bought the house fully accepting all that it entails. There’s major upside in doing what they approve. The fines have teeth so don’t screw around.
Not to be snide, but it’s a little late to start complaining about all the problems with owning a landmark property after you own it. You should have researched this before you bought it. Sorry if this sounds rude but it is true. You can put whatever windows you want into a non landmarked property, why did you buy a landmarked property?