New Single Pane Windows Permitted in Historic Districts?
The front windows in our landmarked brownstone were replaced years ago (prior to the creation of the historic district) with windows that don’t match the original configuration. We have a very clear photo from the 1920s showing the original windows, and we’d like to have them replicated. The windows are fairly typical double-hung units, except…
The front windows in our landmarked brownstone were replaced years ago (prior to the creation of the historic district) with windows that don’t match the original configuration. We have a very clear photo from the 1920s showing the original windows, and we’d like to have them replicated. The windows are fairly typical double-hung units, except that the upper sashes originally had over 40 individual lights. We’d like to get true divided lights for the upper sashes (costly, I know), but if we do that, the only way to match the aesthetics of the originals is to us single pane glass. If we use double pane insulated glass, the muntin bars between the panes would have to be almost twice as thick to support the additional weight, and the wood grid would look disproportionately thick compared to the small squares of glass. My question is this: Does the NYC building or energy code require double pane insulated glass, and if so are there landmarks rules that trump the code and permit the installation of new single pane windows designed to match the originals? I can’t seem to find anything helpful online. Thanks.
I would be happy to discuss this further with you. AirFlo Window Contracting Corp. designs, builds and installs custom ‘historically correct’ windows for Landmark designated properties.
Please take a look at our website:
airflowindows.com
and give me a call at:
718 875 8600
Regards,
Gary Nebiol
AirFlo Windows
As I understand the 2010 NYSECC and NYCECC, properties residing within Landkark Districts are exempt from meeting U-Value and SHGC prescriptive values.
The short answer is you can use single pane glass.
Regards,
Ross Adler
Adler Windows
If you are interested you can look at http://www.albanywindowrestoration.com and call or email with any questions. I will be in Greenwich Village in the next few weeks. Devin Dascher,principal, Albany Window Restoration Co.(518) 322-8444
Typically NYC Historic Districts are later nominated for state and federal historic district designation. Our (PLG) HD has both of these additional designations, so I’d think it likely that Park Slope, which received the NYC HD designation several years earlier than us, also has the state and national designations. I’m sure that either the Park Slope Civic Council, or the Historic Districts Council would know for sure.
Thanks, Jock. Would a brownstone located in a NYC historic district (specifically the Park Slope historic district) be considered a “building certified as a contributing building within a National or State historic districts” or a “building certified as eligible for such designation”? The historic district was designated by the a city agency, so it’s unclear to me whether it qualifies.
National- and State-designated historic buildings, buildings certified as contributing buildings within National or State historic districts, and buildings certified as eligible for such designation are exempt from the NYCECC (ECC 101.4.2). If you need an architect, give me a call. Good luck!