best windows for landmark brownstone
We’re finally biting the bullet and replacing our south-facing windows in our landmarked brownstone. We want maximum noise reduction and energy efficiency. Currently, our windows let in lots of noise, lots of heat, and lots of cold. We have a fiberglass window in the back that we love, and some vinyl windows that we don’t….
We’re finally biting the bullet and replacing our south-facing windows in our landmarked brownstone. We want maximum noise reduction and energy efficiency. Currently, our windows let in lots of noise, lots of heat, and lots of cold. We have a fiberglass window in the back that we love, and some vinyl windows that we don’t. Can someone recommend a window type & brand as well as an installer that will work for a landmarked house? We are considering Park Slope Glass. We are willing to pay extra for windows that meet our criteria as well as Landmarks’. Thank you!
Marvin Magnum Double Hung — we used those, they’re fantastic. E-Z Tilt did the work, complete pros and reasonably priced (I priced with three others).
You can always call us!
http://www.Waterhousebuilders.com
I’d advise against using Park Slope Glass. I had a terrible experience with them – poor quality work, terrible communication, all round incompetence. However, I can’t recommend anyone to use instead as I haven’t had other window work done.
We replaced the windows in our house 2 years ago (also in a landmarked district.) I used Bill at E-Z Tilt Windows to restore my parlor windows (they had been bricked up about 2 feet from the floor.) I also used Bay Ridge Windows to replace the other front-facing windows. Both companies were great to work with and both recommended all wood, low-E Marvin windows.
Keep in mind that Bill will file with Landmarks for you for a fee (I think it was $1500) if you don’t want to take that on. Again, I liked both companies but found E-Z Tilt a little easier to deal with.
There should be lots of info on this subject in the archives. Good luck!
When we did a small job in our apartment, we need some glass and were told that Park Slope glass was overpriced. You might want to shop around…
You probably need an architect to do drawings of your existing window details for you…The window company can supply the new details, but LPC needs something to compare it to and they probably will not take your photographs as proof.
Landmarks is going to require a review of your proposed windows (model, sash type, material, glass type, color) prior to installation, so don’t purchase them before that. Generally speaking they require wood windows if that is what is historically appropriate for your building. No way they would ever allow either fiberglass or vinyl.
Here is a link to a guideline for what Landmarks would require:
http://www.nyc.gov/html/lpc/html/working_with/perform_work.shtml
Note that you wouldn’t have to obtain a Dept of Buildings permit for this work, so you don’t need to hire an expeditor, architect, engineer, etc. — you can do the application by yourself (if you have the patience).
Hub Construction on 18th Avenue installed a bay window for us about ten years ago. It seems to have held up well. Has anyone worked with them recently?
Beware, they were sold to another owner. I understand their work is shoddy and they are unreliable.