[MassHistPres] Fibrex/Renewal Windows

[slater at alum.rpi.edu]

I checked the technical specifications on the Anderson website. These
windows can be installed as either a sash replacement or a replacement
unit. That is better than vinyl, which only come as replacement units
due to their lack of structural strength.

In my opinion, many replacement units are not appropriate in a historic
districts because they project outward like a storm window. The sash
does not sit on the window sill -- it sits in a channel. Also, the
opening gets reduced with the replacement unit -- if the window is
large, this might not be significant, but if you're replacing a narrow
window (maybe 20" wide) and you lose an inch or two on either side, it
will be noticeable. 

The Anderson documentation shows the replacement unit essentially
replacing an existing sill. It is usually highly inappropriate to
replace a window sill, because the historic sills usually extend past
the window opening. I doubt the Anderson sills do that. However, if the
sill isn't replaced, contractors will likely just install the unit on
top of the old sill, decreasing the glass area even more, and creating a
"sill on sill" effect which is not appropriate. 

The other thing to watch for is that they are marketed as "maintenance
free" and are designed to *not* be painted. This is a quote from their
website:

"Your new windows are manufactured of Fibrex® material with a low-luster
Perma-Shield® capping. There is no need to paint the window frame or
sash; however, should a change in color be desired please follow these
instructions in order to retain warranty coverage"

One of the biggest "tells" of replacement windows, particularly on
Victorian or brick houses, is that they are bright white. Many people
don't bother to paint the trim when they install white vinyl windows, so
it's not unusual to see a dark trim with a bright white window. That
looks horrible. In Springfield, most houses built before 1920 had dark
colored sashes. 

Although many historic districts do not control the color of paint, the
color of "materials" *can* be controlled (remember, the color of roofing
materials is often exempted, so that means that "paint" and "materials"
are two different things). I believe the presence of paint is also a
controlled feature -- if someone puts up new porch railings on a
"painted lady" but leaves them in a pressure-treated finish, that is
certainly an adverse change. 

I would suggest that if someone applied for these windows, paint should
be required to the exterior finish rather than "low-luster Perma-Shield®
capping". And if someone is going to paint, prod them into painting them
a color that matches the trim of the house.

Based on that, if your district allows windows to be replaced, and isn't
that picky about the material under a painted surface, it seems like
these could be appropriate under certain circumstances. They would
probably fly in Springfield if done right.

Ralph Slate
Springfield, MA