Historic Preservation: Windows

We have, right under our noses here in Mt. Gretna, a great source of information on caring for our older homes. The City of Lancaster publishes a series of concise, yet very helpful, brochures on various aspects older homes, from painting to masonry to windows. Here, I will share with you a taste of the information from the "Caring for Wood Windows" brochure.

The author starts by reminding us that a home's windows and trim add significantly to a homes value, yet are often shortchanged by thoses with other motives. For example, window maufacturers benefit only when you replace your home's windows, rather than do routine maintenance or repairs.

The brochure then debunks several misconceptions. First, older materials are much more durable than modern materials--older windows, if properly maintained, can last hundreds of years. Modern windows, on the other hand, don't last any where close to that long, no matter how much you do to maintain them. Oh, the vinyl is around forever, but not the functioning window--the vinyl breaks down and distorts with exposure to the elements and there is no way to fix the "broken" element of the vinyl. The entire window has to be replaced. Second, roofs, walls, floors, and chimneys are the primary source of energy loss (80%), as opposed to windows (20%). And, of that 20%, the energy is lost because of unfilled gaps around the window, rather than through the window itself.

The tips that they give include:

1. Routine inspection of panes, glazing, paint, frame, etc.

2. Timely repair or replacement of the individual parts that need attention.

3. Use of proper splicing techniques or materials (like the Dutchman technique or wood epoxy)

4. Replacement only as a last resort and with same dimensions, design, and material of the original window.

5. Avoid contractors that do not have experience or a desire to save existing windows.

I can tell you from experience--we have hands on experience with all 5 tips, that that last one is really the toughest tip of all to follow. On one 100 year old house that we rehabbed, we had no choice but to replace the deteriorated windows in a bay. To preserve the historic/architectural details of the house, we had to order custom windows with a wood finish. Even though the manufacturer came out to measure the opening, he still sent us standard sized windows that would have required that we actually take the frame of the bay apart to install the windows that he sent, which were an inch too short in one dimension and an inch too long in the other dimension. Of course the manufacturer told us that he would give us a "rebate" and that his installers could certainly get these windows to fit if we let them do it. Thank goodness that we had time to let him come to the correct decision, and never stopped insisting that he deliver the custom sized windows that we ordered and paid for. Lots of times, it just doesn't work out that way, and you are stuck with what they decide you want.

Just write Lancaster and request the brochures, at:
City of Lancaster
120 North Duke Street
POBox 1599
Lancaster, PA 17608-1599