[MassHistPres] Cost-Conscious Historical Renovations?

[Jonathan Feist]

Hello Jade,

Your organization sounds great! I like your list of ten reasons to  
preserve old windows.

Regarding reason (9):  "According to the Field Study of Energy Impacts  
of Window Rehab Choices conducted by the Vermont
Energy Investment Corporation, the University of Vermont School of  
Civil and Environmental
Engineering and the U.S. Army Cold Regions Research and Engineering  
laboratory the estimate first
year energy savings between a restored wooden window with a good storm  
window vs. a replacement
window was $0.60."

Could you point me to that study, online? I'd like to read the whole  
thing, before quoting from it myself. I'm glad that such good  
information exists, regarding this important issue.

Keep up the good work,

Jonathan Feist, Chair
Harvard Historical Commission




On Nov 19, 2008, at 11:00 AM, jade wrote:

> as a founding member of the new england window restoration alliance,  
> i would like to make you aware that we are ready, willing and able  
> to attend historic commission meetings to educate the board,  
> homeowners and building managers about the benefits of window  
> restoration over replacement...we offer these 1-2 hours sessions at  
> no cost, though we do ask to be reimbursed for travel or overnight  
> accomodations  when applicable...
>
> we are a very dedicated and personable bunch and share our knowledge  
> and experience in an easy to understand show-and-tell format...
>
> please visit our (very modest) website  
> www.windowrestorationne.org ...feel free to download our 'ten top  
> reasons' (created by alison hardy of window woman of new england)  
> and make copies (....you may also contact any member to retrieve old  
> wood sash  as we harvest and reuse the old glass...i also suggest to  
> homeowners who choose to replace their old windows to store the  
> windows in an attic or barn for future generations to re-install.....
>
> it's always sad to hear about homeowners who buy into the marketing  
> of vinyl window lobbyists...restoration is a tedious time consuming  
> effort  and hence a financial investment but, with proper maintence,  
> old growth wood windows will last another 100 years...my pricing is  
> often much lower than some of the well known window manufacturers.
>
> after receiving a postcard from nstar about rebates for new windows,  
> i contacted them to see what kind of rebate they offered folks who  
> choose to restore and add a storm...after numerous transfers and new  
> phone numbers, i fell into a void......
>
> http://coloradoenergy.org/procorner/stuff/r-values.htm
> http://www.acereport.org/pvc2.html
> http://forums.kitchensolutions.ca/showthread.php?t=186
> http://www.kilianhardware.com/sprinbronwea.html
> www.newenglandstorms.com
> www.spencerworks.com
>
> time to get back into the shop...
>
> jade mortimer
> heartwood building & restoration
> hawley, ma
>
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: Wendy Bawabe
> To: masshistpres at cs.umb.edu
> Sent: Wednesday, November 19, 2008 9:47 AM
> Subject: [MassHistPres] Cost-Conscious Historical Renovations?
>
> As a member of the Norwell Historical Commission, I'm frustrated  
> that our town has NO local historical districts to oversee and  
> regulate renovations of historic homes.  We are working on creating  
> local historic districts, but in the meantime I need to find  
> contractors/consultants who can suggest cost-effective options for  
> historical renovations.
>
> An antique home owner in the center of our town recently told me  
> that she is replacing all 33 of her (antique, wavy-glass) windows  
> with vinyl windows!  She said that she couldn't afford to replace  
> with wood windows (cost = $70K, she said), her current windows are  
> lead painted, and her heating bills were astronomical.   
> Unfortunately it's too late for me to make suggestions to THIS  
> homeowner (the work begins in 2 days), but in the future I'd like to  
> be able to suggest alternatives.
>
> Does anyone know of an historical consulting/contracting firm that  
> advises homeowners in cost-effective (but historically correct)  
> renovations?  It seems like all the historically-minded contractors  
> are very expensive.  Are historic homes only for rich people or can  
> the Average Jane renovate within a budget?
>
> I'd love suggestions,
>
> Wendy Bawabe
> Norwell Historical Commission
>
>
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================================
Jonathan Feist
jfeist at charter.net • 978-772-4864
Blog: Delights and Processes http://blogs.townonline.com/delight/
Writing about Music http://jonathanfeist.berkleemusicblogs.com/

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