[MassHistPres] Large school windows

[SCeccacci at aol.com]

If they are weight balanced windows, even very large  windows shouldn't be 
difficult to operate if they are maintained and in  good working order.  
 
A window survey done in the schools that still have original windows  in 
place might show that repair and maintenance to make the window sash  and 
frames weather tight is cheaper while it also preserves the  historic appearance 
of the buildings.  
 
Susan McDaniel Ceccacci
Historic Preservation Consultant
 
 
In a message dated 2/4/2011 10:17:35 A.M. Eastern Standard Time,  
slater at alum.rpi.edu writes:


I do  appreciate the sentiment that original windows are preferable to 
replacements,  however the reality of the situation is that these windows will 
be replaced;  the best we can do is affect their design.

Does anyone here have any  specific experience with 1900-1930's era school 
windows (i.e. door-sized  windows) being replaced, and if there are any 
design techniques that could  maintain the look of the window but make it easy 
to  operate?

Thanks,

Ralph



in honor of reagan's  centennial celebration, i will
>begin with a quote "there you go  again"...'you' meaning those who would 
suggest
>replacing old windows  because they might be difficult to open...
> 
>the rope, pulley,  weight balance system is the simplest and longest 
lasting
>mechanism for  operating sash of nearly any size...replacement components 
for
>windows  installed during the year of reagan's birth are still available  
today
>and the average diy homeowner can manage repair or replacement on  their
>own...parts for 10-20 year old replacement windows are, for the  most 
part, no
>longer available...
> 
>i recently visited a  library in natick to inspect 6' x 10' 
windows...where the
>ropes were  still in place, lifting the bottom sash was easy...10 years 
ago,  they
>had top notch replacement windows installed on one floor...the  glass 
seals have
>failed and the sash are difficult to open...that is  but one example of 
the many
>instances where municipalities have rued  the decision to replace rather 
than
>restore large old windows...read  the fine print on the replacement's 20 
year
>limited warranty...the  glass is warranteed for 10 years...only in the 
first two
>years will  manufacturers pay for labor and material...after two years, 
they,  at
>their determination, supply the replacement part but you must supply  the 
labor...
> 
>a properly balanced sash in conjunction with  finger lifts makes for simple
>operation. i take no responsibility for  tiny first graders who may 
discover the
>joy of opening a sash to the  delight of her/his peers and dismay of the 
teacher...
> 
>years  ago, natural air conditioning was achieved by opening the top sash 
to  let
>warm air escape and the bottom sash to allow relatively cool  air
>infiltrate...there is a simple piece of hardware that can be  installed at 
the
>top of the top sash and a pole with a hook to simply  lower and close the 
sash...
> 
>please see the examples  below....
>  
>http://kilian.stores.yahoo.net/saslifbyphel.html
>http://kilian.stores.yahoo.net/ivno118winpo.html
>  
>ralph, i wish you the best in your attempts to TEAR DOWN THAT  MYTH!!
> 
>.....jade
> 
>jade l.  mortimer
>heartwood window restoration
>hawley,  ma
>413-339-4298 p/f
>----- Original Message ----- 
>From:  Ralph Slate 
>To: MassHistPres MA 
>Sent: Thursday, February 03,  2011 10:33 PM
>Subject: [MassHistPres] Large school  windows
>
>
>As part of an energy efficiency program, the  city of Springfield is 
>contracting for the replacement of windows in  several of its older 
>(1900-1930) schools. Some of the windows had  already been replaced over 
>the years, others are original to the  building. The city is proposing to 
>replace what used to be large (not  sure the height, but probably 7' or 
>8' opening), double-hung windows  with a three-panel approach, the top 
>1/3 being fixed, with a smaller  double-hung window installed below it. 
>It would be a significant  visual departure from the original design 
>because it would appear as  three separate panels rather than two.
>
>Their argument was that  8' double hung replacement windows would be too 
>hard for teachers to  open. I asked if they had specific complaints in 
>the city about this,  and the architect admitted that they did not, nor 
>did they do any  research about it, but they had feedback from other 
>communities so  this is what they proposed.
>
>Does anyone have any comment on  this? Any alternative approaches? Any 
>corroboration of the "too hard  to open" claim?
>
>Thanks,
>
>Ralph  Slate
>Springfield, MA
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