CityQuiet Windows Instead of a Replacement?
I am debating about what to do with our old windows. Right now we have storm windows and the old double hung windows. Do you think it would be better/more cost effective to add CityQuiet windows inside and leave everything we already have outside? I am trying to make the best and the most cost…
I am debating about what to do with our old windows. Right now we have storm windows and the old double hung windows. Do you think it would be better/more cost effective to add CityQuiet windows inside and leave everything we already have outside? I am trying to make the best and the most cost effective. We are in a landmark area, so fiberglass is not an option right now. LPC still has the 1970’s regulation and doesn’t really care about efficiency and common sense. Any opinions?
I think others have answered the Cityquiet issue – it’s a fine solution to noise but isn’t a solution to exterior windows in poor condition,nor is Cityquiet inexpensive.
I’m assuming you have wood windows at the moment. It sounds as if you’ve considered replacing the windows but prefer either a less expensive option than wood or don’t want the maintenance issues. LPC is more lenient with materials if the building is over a certain size; you might want to check the current regulations and/or email LPC.
unless you are solving for noise, wouldn’t go with Cityquiet. They are expensive and pretty institutional (hotel) looking. Prob. more cost effective to have someone rehab your existing storms and windows so they are more airtight, assuming your windows are in good shape. Otherwise just get new windows (not fiberglass or vinyl).
it depends on what problem you’re trying to solve. Noise? Air infiltration? other?
I just looked up City Quiet Windows. As far as I can tell, it’s just a regular window installed in your frame with some dead airspace between it and the existing window. I knew someone with two sets of windows who lived on a low floor on the corner of 57th and 6th in Manhattan. The apartment was super quiet — couldn’t hear the traffic below at all.
So you’d have three sets of windows.
Consider yourself lucky. The combination you have is the most efficient possible, according to government tests. If you’re having problems with leaks and such, have you tried caulking and glazing? There are many books on the topic of maintaining old windows. See many threads this week in the Forum on this topic.
There are tons and tons of threads on this topic. The LPC will approve exterior storm windows, per their 2003 guidelines (not 1970). A permit is not needed for interior storm windows so long as you meet their rules:
http://www.nyc.gov/html/lpc/downloads/pdf/pubs/rules.pdf
You are going to find that you will still need Landmarks approval. The last time I tried that on the owner’s insistance, it was not allowed. The owner did not wantt to fight it so we just replaced with windows that were approved. I wonder if anyone else had luck doing this.