[MassHistPres] Holbrook window restoration

[Russel Feldman]

Jade Mortimer caught an error in my note on the benefits of window restoration versus replacement.  I led off calling the project a "window replacement" project when it was (of course!) a restoration project.  It's hard enough getting people to think clearly about this subject without switching the terms themselves!  I apologize to any of you who were confused by this - and thanks, Jade, for paying attention.


M. Russel Feldman, AIA, NCARB
TBA Architects, Inc.
241 Crescent Street
Waltham, MA 02453
(781) 893-5828 tel (781) 893-5834 fax (617) 429-5033 cell
(781) 609-3010 direct fax to email


TBA is accredited by the Better Business Bureau


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Message: 1
Date: Mon, 13 Sep 2010 12:01:00 -0400
From: "heartwood restoration" <jade at heartwoodrestoration.com>
Subject: Re: [MassHistPres] MassHistPres Digest, Vol 55, Issue 13
To: "Russel Feldman" <rfeldman at tbaarchitects.com>,
	<masshistpres at cs.umb.edu>
Message-ID: <982AFF33AA07472D89A423CF7ECA4381 at jadePC>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1"

perhaps i am missing something in your outline below mr. feldman...you make good and realistic points about the benefits of restoration over replacement but then say you were the designer of the window replacement project in holbrook...is there a typo  here or did the town deciders opt for replacement?

thanks....
......jade
jade mortimer
heartwood window restoration
hawley, ma
413-339-4298 p/f
  ----- Original Message -----
  From: Russel Feldman
  To: masshistpres at cs.umb.edu
  Sent: Saturday, September 11, 2010 11:19 AM
  Subject: Re: [MassHistPres] MassHistPres Digest, Vol 55, Issue 13


  Mr. Catalano,
  We were the designers for the Holbrook window replacement project that Ross mentioned below.  MHC was very supportive of restoration as opposed to replacement.  The windows were both typical and very large sizes, mostly but not entirely double hung.  We've often found that the original wood, properly prepared and stabilized, still has a longer life cycle than replacement units.  Our storm window treatment was a low profile exterior storm that has an extremely attractive final appearance but is not a combination storm - requiring some understanding by the users.  
  Depending on the current condition of sash, sill and frame, design costs run a little higher for this approach; the capital costs are similar or below the costs of replacement.  
  For an energy related federal grant you can make a very good case for the sustainability of reuse - new windows take energy and other resources to fabricate and transport.  The National Trust has some good statistics on that.  Wood window/exterior storm combinations have an energy performance that is comparable to replacement units depending on whether the wall is stone, masonry or wood, and what the size of the counterweight cavities are.  (That's actually the biggest energy impact trade-off for repair - whether you're able to insulate all or any portion of that cavity and where it sits in relation to the exterior surface of the building.)  This is particularly true when you factor in life cycle that measures both annual operating spending (for maintenance and energy), and capital investment in replacement.  The capital spending cycle has a big impact in making the case for a reuse option (which can continue to be maintained) versus replacement (which typically needs to be
  r
   eplaced in 10-40 years depending on the system).
  Please feel free to get in touch if you have questions.


  M. Russel Feldman, AIA, NCARB
  TBA Architects, Inc.
  241 Crescent Street
  Waltham, MA 02453
  (781) 893-5828 tel (781) 893-5834 fax (617) 429-5033 cell
  (781) 609-3010 direct fax to email


  TBA is accredited by the Better Business Bureau