Window restoration vs window replacement

Hello, community! I just purchased a 100+ Victorian home with all original windows. All windows are in working condition, operable, glass intact. The sashes are covered in probably 10 layers of paint, as well as the sill, which is peeling badly. It also seems that due to age the sashes are not sitting tight in the frame/jamb but move around, on some windows there are problems with the frames where some parts needs to be replaced. I got 2 quotes, one from folks that seems like know what they are doing, the quote was more that 1k per window. The other one was from a wood restoration company, at $200 per window. I’m afraid that the later quote is too low and not sure whether these folks know what they are doing and will be able to do things correctly. There are also storm windows in place. Was anyone successful in restoring the old windows? They definitely add character, but at 1k per window it’s cost prohibitive and I don’t want to throw away $200 per window either and face problems in a year. Replacement windows (Andersen 200 series) are at about $300 without installation. I would appreciate your thoughts on the matter and also recommendations on the wood restoration companies. And by the way, everyone think we are nuts for wanting to keep the old windows, I’m starting to doubt whether this is a good idea.

freespirit

in Doors & Windows 11 years ago

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cityrat | 10 years and 3 months ago

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I can’t understand how anyone can aesthetically tolerate “storm” windows as a way to keep old windows. If you have these nice old windows you’ve restored, then stick a window in front of them, you can’t really see them from the outside, you have a cheaper window (can’t be two over two, etc) stuck on the house, so what’s the point. Is this really a look people like?

ParkSlopePS | 11 years ago

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a typical brownstone double hung window would cost more like $800-1000 per window opening to restore- $200 per is way too cheap! Top and bottom sash have to be removed, stripped, repaired, possibly reglazed and repainted ( and re-installed) window track should be stripped as well, and probably the chain should be replaced. If the parting strip gets broken or damaged in doing this, then that must be replaced. Also, there might be a need for new weatherstripping to insure a good seal, so that’s another thing. Costs can and do add up, and can make this an expensive project- although one that well might be worth it. Besides the aesthetic appeal, many in the trade maintain that an original window can be more energy efficient that replacements.

leonardcooper | 11 years ago

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Well, if you were to take my suggestion, I would recommend to replace your windows rather than restoring it. A new window will definitely be much more enchanting and will give a great look and will also be much more reliable. The cost used to restore the same old windows might be less but the thing is they won’t last long and there will be some or the other problems. Mending loosening ends is not the solution to the problem. It is better to replace with a better option. I myself encountered this problem, therefore, I replaced them by contacting [value windows and doors](http://valuewindowsdoors.com/) who have wide range with affordable prices. Moreover, they offer quick and reliable installation service which is nominal as compared to any other company. I had to undergo various number of advises before I contacting them and at the end I figured out that it was a good decision to take.

ventilated | 11 years ago

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For DIY restoration, consider taking a workshop with John Leeke: http://www.oldhouseonline.com/window-repair-tips-from-john-leeke/ http://www.historichomeworks.com/hhw/education/seminars.htm Another good resource is Honeoye Falls Millwork in upstate NY: http://www.hfmillwork.com/

metalwork | 11 years ago

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Suriesh @ 917 443 0218\. He has many years experience and his prices is very reasonable. Let him know Core Solutions recommended his service for a good deal. Good Luck

freespirit | 11 years ago

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Thanks everyone for the suggestions. We did try doing one ourselves, but unfortunately we are not as handy as we thought we were:) That and the fact there are 33 original windows that need help, we simply have no time or ability to be doing the work ourselves. Also, although restoration is a preferred route, it doesn’t look that htere are a lot of places that are willing to take on the work. Any recommendations for folks doing the restoration are welcome. Thanks.

HansDelbruck | 11 years ago

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Hi, I am going with the restoration option on five of my original windows. Through all my research I found that a man named Bob Yapp in Chicago makes the most thought out arguments for keeping old windows when possible. He goes so far as to offer three day workshops on window restoration. The most interesting thing I have found is that some of these major window manufacturers purport statistics and percentages for energy savings of replacement windows without offering actual definitive studies. The replacement caveat for me: generally good windows have a 25-30 year warranty/lifespan. When doing the math on energy/ cost savings it seems to take the 25 to recoup, yet my original one hundred & twenty year old windows still work. Think about that. IF your original windows are in working/salvageable condition I think you should give some educated consideration to restoration. For me the addition of good storms is a bonus in the noise control department as my windows face the street. Research Bob Yapp, he is the expert. As an aside I would not slight anyone for going the high quality replacement route as I have heard very good things about Marvin and have owned quite a few Andersen products that have aged wonderfully over the last decade. Good luck!

cate | 11 years ago

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Your quotes are wrong. No way new windows are as cheap as you think. Restoring is definitely the cheaper, more attractive, long-lasting, and most energy efficient way to go, both in the short and the long run. We just replaced 15 badly warped vinyl windows with moderately priced Champion metal windows and windows plus installation cost $12,000\. We also got quotes for wood Marvins and installation: $40,000 for 15 windows. It won’t cost anything like that to restore the windows, but it’s hard to say how much it will cost without knowing the scope of work. We have a finish carpenter who is not cheap ($40 per hour) — he has done doors and interior windows for us, among other things — and I would highly doubt it will cost $1,000 per window to restore — $200 seems more like it. Just estimate the hours of work and multiply by a reasonable hourly rate. To see how it’s done, check out the book “Working Windows.” It’s really not that hard. I’m not handy at all, can only paint and use a drill, but this is one task I would feel comfortable taking on — if we only had our original windows. Google windows and Door Sixteen for inspiration to see what Anna Dorfman did on her Newburgh place. Properly restored original windows will last hundreds of years. The replacement ones give out rather quickly. The thing I hate most of all about replacements is that they are frames within frames within frames so they look awful and cut out a lot of light and window surface. There is also nothing quite so beautiful and satisfying (in my mind) as a wood window sash that glides up and down with just a flick of a finger. You are extremely lucky you have the original windows and the storms.

metalwork | 11 years ago

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I would go with catboot, and restore the windows, Suriesh @ 917 443 0218\. He has many years experience and his prices is very reasonable. Let him know Core Solutions recommended his service for a good deal. Good Luck

resident2 | 11 years ago

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One of the big questions with restoring the old windows: is the paint lead? In which case you should strip all the old paint off. This is one of the real issues with abating lead paint is friction points where it can become dust and flake. It is going to be extremely costly to de-lead all those windows. Then the storms; I have never seen old storms worth salvaging, so a good set of quality custom sized storms is going to cost a lot as well. I would go with all new windows; especially if you are planning on staying there for a while to enjoy them. And yes, spend the money for quality windows. $200 per window is barely enough to give them a good clean!

catboot | 11 years ago

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You are not nuts for wanting to keep them. I wish we still had ours… Windows can be restored to work like new. If I were you, I’d go the restoration route. 300 per window for replacement seems low to me. Good quality windows are expensive – and trust me, you want good quality. We have crap windows and they are literally falling out. Not fun.