So happy we chose to restore our Ditmas Park 100+ year old windows

I hired Method Restoration, LLC to restore 13 original 1906 windows in my Ditmas Park home.  Three windows were stained glass and Method Restoration helped me work in conjunction with Sunburst Studio who restored the glass while Method restored the wood sashes and jambs. It took a while for me to decide to do this project because I had to decide if I would replace the original windows or restore them.  I must have spoken with Peter a dozen times as I watched him restore windows in neighboring homes. He is a delight to work with, understands the craftsmanship and value of original windows and knows how to bring out the beauty and strength of their original construction. I discovered that the cost of a new solid wood window, with proper installation including insulating the pockets where the weights once moved, would cost roughly the same as restoring them.  I just don’t like the look of new wood windows and they are simply not made to last as long as the originals. The original wood is denser and will last decades longer than new wood windows.  I decided that the doubl e pane glass in new windows are not necessarily better at insulating if the original window glass is fully repaired in the sash, reglazed and installed with weather stripping. Old glass has bubbles, waves, inclusions, varying thickness…all kinds of beautiful imperfections, and I love that too.  Peter and his workers were so pleasant to have in our home. They are clean, organized and professional.  The results exceeded my expectations.  These windows look extraordinary and I have no doubt that I made the right choice. Anyone not sure if they will restore or replace should come take a look at the end product. You will be as blown away as I am. [IMG_1505](//muut.com/u/brownstoner/s1/:brownstoner:lfZB:img_1505.jpg.jpg) [IMG_1707](//muut.com/u/brownstoner/s3/:brownstoner:c2al:img_1707.jpg.jpg) [IMG_1706](//muut.com/u/brownstoner/s3/:brownstoner:67M3:img_1706.jpg.jpg) [IMG_1343](//muut.com/u/brownstoner/s3/:brownstoner:dSLF:img_1343.jpg.jpg) [IMG_1208](//muut.com/u/brownstoner/s3/:brownstoner:5mDv:img_1208.jpg.jpg)

tag482

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brokelin | 4 years and 4 months ago

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Definitely a good thing to have done to your house. People often think that new is better – in windows, floors, and heating systems (ripping out radiators as old-fashioned) – but I much prefer the ease of opening and closing old wood windows with properly maintained weights to new replacement windows. And I also like they way they look better in old houses.

Studies have shown that with storm windows, properly maintained original wood windows are as good at keeping cold air out as replacement windows, and you may be right that they are also just as good without storm windows, as often the installation fit on replacement windows leaves a lot to be desired, leaving areas for drafts to come in around them, in my experience.

If you do find the need for more insulation in some rooms in winter, you can always get a few of those custom-fit removable storms that you pop into the window frame on the inside – they give you the added window insulation without permanently altering the look of your windows on the outside of your house.