Windows: Restore or Replace?
We’re trying to decide whether to restore or replace our 4 over 4 (original?) wood windows on a landmarked c. 1850 brick townhouse. they’re in poor condition and would require glass replacement and lead abatement but we’ve been told most anything can be restored for a price. we’re also concerned about their energy efficiency. We’d…
We’re trying to decide whether to restore or replace our 4 over 4 (original?) wood windows on a landmarked c. 1850 brick townhouse. they’re in poor condition and would require glass replacement and lead abatement but we’ve been told most anything can be restored for a price. we’re also concerned about their energy efficiency.
We’d love to hear from both sides on the replace vs restore argument
(and any recommendations for the work would be more than welcome)
thanks!
thanks to you all!
If your windows aren’t in total disarray, they might be worth saving and will cost much less than buying new ones. You’ll need to make sure all the sashes are free of rot/fungus and then, stripped and patched and glazed. Yasanari at Brooklyn Artisan renovated our old double hung windows. He did very good job, is professional, and was able find and restore all the old brass hidden behind 100 years of paint. He can be reached at info@brooklynartisan.com
If you can’t, or don’t want to install storms on the exterior, you can look at city quiet (citiquiet.com) windows. They’re essentially interior storms made to prevent sound transmission. They would work very well for heat transmission as well, although it’s probably more expensive than storms. They do allow you to open the windows from the inside after they’re installed.
I definitely recommend restoring the windows. They will be the best looking and best-working option, and probably the cheapest too, especially in the long run since they’re easily reparable. Almost any window can be fixed. Removing the old paint is standard procedure.
Some people use interior storm windows instead of the outside ones for ease of install and removal and because some people don’t like the look of exterior storms, though they don’t bother me, especially wood ones. Just another option, and one that doesnt require any landmarks permits. You can always do those interior shrink-wrap systems in the winter until you’re ready to decide what kind of storm windows you want to buy/make.
Tom Byrnes at builders distributor can help you though the landmark process, and make you familiar with the products they approve. 800 564 4206 approvedwindowsales.com
We lived in a landmarked rental in Chelsea that had storms. They worked very well but washing windows was a real pain as you had two sets to clean for every window opening.
The arguments for restoration are pretty compelling, particularly if you look at the big picture (and don’t make money as a window manufacturer). The waste-stream generally analysis favors restoration, and the old windows can be made much more energy efficient. You can usually retrofit double glazing, but just as important is weatherstripping and getting a weather-tight seal, fixing sash weights and the like.
@anotherposter: The LPC will allow exterior storm windows but you’ll need to get approval. You’ll probably have to show that they’ll basically be invisible.
http://www.nyc.gov/html/lpc/downloads/pdf/pubs/workguide.pdf
Will landmarks allow the addition of storm windows on the front of a building? I agree that that’s the way to improve efficiency, but I’d also like the inner windows to actually look nice and be functional as opposed to being un-openable and detracting from the beauty of the other original details. : /