[MassHistPres] Wooden Windows

[Alison Hardy]

There has been a lot of information back and forth on this list about replacement windows and the availability or lack thereof of good, energy efficient windows.

It's very easy to conclude that windows are beyond saving when they are coated in layers of paint, parts are falling or have fallen off, they don't open or close completely, etc. Most contractors don't want to have any part in dealing with old windows preferring to just chuck them and put in new. 

In my experience of restoring several hundred sash, there are few that are beyond restoration. So far I've only come across one pair of barn windows, casement style, that was beyond saving. Actually, the only thing left of them was the side rail that was still attached to the hinge. Other sad, mouldy, rotted windows have come in, some in pieces, and once you remove the horrible layers of paint the wood is usually quite fine, the joints go back together as they were originally built, and using parts from other antique windows or high quality epoxy the windows can look as good as they did when they were new. With weather stripping they can be made quite efficienct. And, with high quality storm windows they are far better than any new windows on the market. They not only look better (or actually correct for the house) but they can be serviced and repaired in the future unlike modern windows which are designed to be replaced at the slightest failure.

The cost for repairs and restoration can range from as low as $60 to replace sash cords to make the window operational to $600-700 to completely restore a 6 over 6 window including paint and weatherstripping. A good quality storm window will run about $200 for a normal size window. Sure, triple tracks are ugly, but they are reversible should anything better come out in the future, and they preserve the building and the comfort of the inhabitants. 

My hat is off to the Salem Historic Commission which has begun insisting that homeowners get a quote on repairs and restoration before they will consider approving replacement windows. This exercise has enlightened many homeowners that restoration even exists, they learn more about their building, and generally get a new appreciation for windows as part of the building system. Half the time the "drafts" people blame on their windows are the result of poor sealing of the outside trim or air leaks at the house sill. You can put in any triple pane high E rated window and it's not going to solve the heat loss problem if the building isn't snug. 

I would urge all historic commissions to consider directing homeowners to look into window restoration and repairs. There are speciality companies (like mine) that will do the work or many handyman services can perform the work as well. Market economies will dictate that if a service is in demand someone will rise up to meet that demand. Unfortunately there are more people selling replacement windows than repair services. It's the quick buck vs the right thing. 

Alison Hardy
Topsfield Historic Commission
Window Woman of New England