[MassHistPres] Wood Window Replacement

[James Hadley]

Here is what the American Institute of Architects, Committee on the 
Environment said about this issue  in March of this year:

"It was heavily discussed that when lifecycle costs and embodied energy is 
studied, window repair is often more cost-effective and sustainable than 
replacement windows. The sustainable benefits of waste reduction and the 
historic benefit of maintaining architectural integrity may balance the loss 
of increased energy efficiency of new replacement windows in the long run, 
especially since there often alternate methods of increasing energy 
efficiency without sacrificing the original window."

Commissions have to resist window replacements for the benefit of the homes, 
the homeowners and the ENVIRONMENT!
James Hadley AIA, Chair Orleans Historical Commission
----- Original Message ----- 
From: <rhayw12345 at aol.com>
To: <masshistpres at cs.umb.edu>
Sent: Tuesday, December 11, 2007 12:54 PM
Subject: [MassHistPres] Wood Window Replacement


> Good?Afternoon Everyone. I was wondering if you could offer any insight in 
> the replacement of windows in historic districts? Let me explain the 
> situation.
>
> The Medford Historical Commission has a resident living within the Marm 
> Simonds Historic District. She lives in one of the historic houses (The 
> Charles Brooks House, 18th Century) and wants to remove the wooden windows 
> and replace them with those which are more energy efficient. The windows, 
> to our knowledge, are not original to the house. Some do date to the 19th 
> century.
>
> The owner originally proposed to us to remove all the wooden windows 
> throughout and replace them with vinyl insert windows. The commission has 
> expressed concern about two issues. The first, and more important issue, 
> is how these windows change the appearance of the house. In my opinion 
> they alter the visual impact of a house by reducing the size of the 
> windows. The entire commission shares a similar interest in how it will 
> alter the look of the house. The other issue is the life span of these 
> windows. Vinyl windows are built to have an average life span of between 
> 10? and 15 years. If we were to approve these windows, it would impact 
> other decisions made within the entire district in the future (I.E. the 
> you approved it in that house line).
>
> We are currently researching alternatives to vinyl windows for replacement 
> windows. The owner has expressed addition concerns about cost. She has 
> mentioned refurbishment of these windows would be costly as the frames are 
> warped and have settled in some locations leaving large gaps. She has not 
> had a quote for restoring the existing windows.
>
> I have thus far researched the archives of this list and found it is a 
> well discussed topic. I have noticed that generally, windows which are 
> restored or just have both sash's replaced and have a storm window will 
> have just about the same energy efficiency as a normal vinyl replacement 
> window, but will last many more years if properly maintained. I have few 
> sources which provide any concrete proof to this and would hope that 
> someone may be able to help.
>
> With that said, I was wondering if you could provide me with any 
> information you had on window replacement and related information. This 
> information will be useful to us in making decisions down the road 
> concerning this same topic.
>
> Thank you!
>
> Ryan D. Hayward
> Medford Historical Commission
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