Contact info for Architect David Johnson
Shouldn’t take much to install it. Not sure what the relevance is between the window and the brick building… I would do it. Call me at 347-276-6528 Levi SoHoAppliances
levicapland
in Architecture 13 years and 11 months ago
2557
Please log in, in order to post replies!
2557 replies
rh | 13 years and 4 months ago
Well, at least it worked out in the end and the windows are doing their job. 🙂 Yes, come Spring it will be time to deal with the door situation. Fun.
dnk | 13 years and 4 months ago
rh, last year we put in Marvins (radius tops) in the front, and Andersons in the rear. I wish I read your post before we proceeded. In the end everything worked out, but managing the installation was a nightmare, and the place we purchased the windows from (ProBuild in Brooklyn) was absolutely horrible. Now that the windows are in, and the surrounding area is packed with insulation we notice the difference too. And we’ve also got to tackle the exterior door situation — in our case, it’s the parlor, a beautiful original door, but the outside air pours right through the gaps.
Drew1 | 13 years and 4 months ago
i work with both window manufacturers and find them both to be good companies. the difference is Marvin is there for you after the installation for service and warranties. Any questions feel free to ask
rh | 13 years and 4 months ago
The windows are great! Big differece from our old windows when we could actually feel the draft. We did notice this winter that it was chilly when the temperatures dropped and we had to keep the heat on most of the time, but that was because we didn’t have a radiator in our hallway. It’s a garden/parlor duplex and the main problem was garden level where we don’t have the best exterior door (that’s next) and we keep our interior doors open. Now that we hooked up a radiator, it’s toasty and we don’t have to run the heat as much.
Guest User | 13 years and 4 months ago
We change ours once a month. The filter says once every three months, but the former super in our building said once a month as did our inspector. Given that we have forced air heat, we prefer to change the filters monthly. We also have a humidifier with the system and those filter, or whatever you call them, get changed once a year.
dnk | 13 years and 4 months ago
rh, I just read your terrific blog post. One question: you had them installed over the summer. Now that we’re in winter (and we’ve experience something like 1.5 halfway cold days), how have the windows held up? Have you noticed anything?
GreenThinker | 13 years and 4 months ago
you do have a choice of mini split indoor units that aren’t wall mounted. There are also, Floor mounted, Ceiling Cassette, Ceiling Suspended, and Concealed Duct systems.
rh | 13 years and 4 months ago
Hey Hostile, I feel your pain. I was in your position last year. Loads of questions on the forum trying to find a way to save money, but at the end of the day I had to swallow that bitterest pill and cough up the dough. My blog post (with link to past article) goes over window and contractor options. Hope it’s helpful to ya: http://reclaimedhome.com/2011/08/09/new-windows-installed/
m926bk | 13 years and 4 months ago
Agree with many of the posts above (emily roebling, edkopel, greenman). Much has been written about how, given the life expectancy of contemporary windows and the high cost of window replacement, you’ll never recoup the costs in energy savings. Interior storm windows- specifically the buffer spaces between the old exterior and new interior windows- are good insulators and they don’t require LPC approval. Additionally, old windows aren’t drafty just because they are old- the materials that create a good seal (like perimeter sealant and glazing putty)- only last so long, and they can be replaced. If you are looking for a quick, cheap fix for drafts, or are looking to extend the life of your current windows, start by resealing them.
BrooklynButler | 13 years and 4 months ago
Whoever told you that is wrong. Replacing windows is an expensive project–you’re easily looking at about $1,100 per opening. If it’s something you’re looking to do for energy efficiency, you will almost never recoup the replacement costs in energy savings. There are things you could do to help your windows along for a few years, until you’ve saved for the replacement. Do you know if your sash-weight pockets are insulated? Do you need additional weatherstripping or caulking for the sashes or frames? If you have the historic sashes, you might also consider a storm window. They’ll protect the historic wood sashes from further exposure, and give you an insulation value that’s very close to what you’ll get from a double-glazed unit. Finally, I don’t know what condtion your sashes are in, but have you considered restoring them? I know of one person who does this in Brooklyn: Jim Hicks, 917-575-8545
brucef | 13 years and 4 months ago
Comparing the efficiency of high velocity versus mini-splits, the win goes to mini-splits. Unico works with most conventional condensers, which are available in high SEER models. So far, so good. They are efficient in ther air handling and fan sytems, still good. Where mini-splits wins is the multi-zone layout. The ability to not cool an unused space trumps any efficiency created by an extremely high SEER condenser (and most mini-split condensers are pretty good).
ryancohn | 13 years and 4 months ago
My dad and his brother did this. There’s a HUGE tax incentive if the purchase monies are from an inheritance, but the building has to be before a certain year. Something to do with urban renewal. But it doesn’t have to be in a bad area or anything. I can find out more if you want.
brucef | 13 years and 4 months ago
Dave suggests a high velocity system, which deserves consideration. We install Unico high velocity systems (but not in NYC) that are the best of the lot. The equipment is pricey, because they don’t have muitple grades. A high velocity system is more akin to central air, in that there is one air handler and one condenser, and the cooled air is distributed via a medium sized trunk, with branches that we call spaghetti. The registers are small (6″ round) and depending on the size of a room may require 2-5 registers, The spaghetti can be pulled thru a stud wall (2″X4″) and would work best on a top floor where you had a crawl space to run the trunk and reach the corners of the rooms below. Because the volume of cooled air is less thana conventional system, it is pumped at a “higher velocity” and is cooled more than usual. This can lead to a whooshing sound, anything up to a jet taking off. They are better than they used to be, but one should hear a system in operation before considering it if that sort of thing would bother them. There is limited ability to balance the system as there is only one zone and one large return. It requires a location for the air handler with a drip pan and condensate path to a drain. As in all things technical, the devil is in the details. I would call it difficult to get good techs to install a nultizone mini-split system, who could think outside the box, especially in terms of non-exterior wall placements. I would call it extremely difficult to find a Unico crew willing to fish the spaghetti thru existing walls without disruption and damage to existing period details. Instead of finding an unobjectionable route for one line set per space, they would have to hide a 10-12″ square trunk, plus 2-5 separate registers. I like Unico and in fact have it installed in my own home. It is a quality product and in our case we had enough of the walls and floors apart to install without affecting extensive woodwork.
Drew1 | 13 years and 4 months ago
Yes replacing landmarked windows can be expensive, there are other options like inserts or tilt-paks but they will not give you the energy efficiency you are looking for, only a ‘brick to brick’ replacement will help with that. i would be more than happy to try to provide you a fair price, Andrew@FerrisConstruction.com
pantski | 13 years and 4 months ago
Thanks for your replies. To answer your questions: our apt is on the 3rd and 4th floors (top 2) of the building, in the back. So I’m pretty confident that we’d be able to put the condenser units on the roof. But, daveinbedstuy, you’ve hit on my concern: the ductless/split systems (at least those that i’ve seen) are ugly and surprisingly large…and there really isn’t anywhere on our walls (due to bay windows, and windows overall) that we could put it without obliterating crown molding as well as the molding around a window or two. Which is why I was thinking that through-the-wall would be an option, if we could do that beneath the windows (cutting through wood molding, where we could possibly have a carpenter build some sort of cover, so that the a/c may not even be visible). I’ve read good things about the high-velocity mini ducts, so should probably consider that as well. Can people recommend anybody who could advise on either option? thanks
gdsingh13 | 13 years and 4 months ago
Thanks to all. Seems like I am in for it.
agdipierro
in Architecture 13 years and 4 months ago
Your query lists your location as Brooklyn Heights. If you are in a coop/condo within the Landmarked Brooklyn Heights Historic District, installing any air conditoining equipment beyond through the window units may be difficult. If you install a central system (ductless or ducted), you will need either an opening to the exterior (either to a vent or a condenser) to discharge the heat energy. You need a professional to look at this. Ed Kopel Architects, PC.
agdipierro
in Architecture 13 years and 4 months ago
As an architect, I have done several elaborate Landmarks window replacements for cost conscious clients. You cannot simply take aluminum windows and clad them in wood unless, of course, that’s what you’re replacing. But that doesn’t mean that the window replacement needs to be complicated or expensive. You should contact an architect, have him look at the windows, and make his recommendation. Landmarks-compliant wood windows will likely cost upwards of $150 per square foot.
daveinbedstuy | 13 years and 4 months ago
Don’t pay attention to those two jack a s s es^^^^^^^. Search through the archives here. There have been many discussions here on this subject and a slew of recommendations.