[MassHistPres] MassHistPres Digest, Vol 79, Issue 3 - Single-glazed wood windows

Sun Sep 9 13:16:45 EDT 2012

If I can be responsible for saving a single preservationist from using Brosco true divides (Boston-style) I would be more than satisfied.  12 years ago I replaced all 33 of my windows on my 290 year old home on the advice of a "highly reputable," architectural design consultant.  These windows are manufactured on a contract basis at different locations by different companies.  As a result, the quality and craftsmanship can differ widely.  Most of my windows completely rotted within a matter of years despite being prepped and maintained according to the spec's.  During the last two years, most of the components, I.e., trim, sills, internal parts have had to be entirely replaced such that I have spent three times the cost of the original windows.  I would be happy to provide photos of the rotted components used to reach an agreement with Brosco who provided minimal support in resolving the issue.  Caveat emptor!

D. Mauch: Sent from my iPad 7 WiFi 10G

On Sep 9, 2012, at 12:00 PM, masshistpres-request at cs.umb.edu wrote:

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> Today's Topics:
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>   1. vendors for single glazed wood windows? (Dennis De Witt)
>   2. Re: Demolition Alternatives (Diane Gilbert)
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> Message: 1
> Date: Fri, 07 Sep 2012 09:31:03 -0400
> From: Dennis De Witt <djd184 at verizon.net>
> Subject: [MassHistPres] vendors for single glazed wood windows?
> To: MHC MHC listserve <masshistpres at cs.umb.edu>
> Message-ID: <9DFB0585-D0DB-483B-9922-0DBD820A84C6 at verizon.net>
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> 
> Has anyone put together a list of vendors for single glazed wood windows?  
> 
> Here's a tentative list based on experience and a little googling.  Anyone want to add or subtract?
> 
> Boston Sash
> 
> smith restoration sash
> 
> Brosco -- .J&C adams
> 
> mathews brothers
> 
> Green Mountain Window 
> 
> avalon windows
> 
> grabill window.
> 
> woodstone
> 
> 
> Dennis De Witt
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> Message: 2
> Date: Fri, 07 Sep 2012 15:41:44 -0400
> From: Diane Gilbert <d.m.gilbert at comcast.net>
> Subject: Re: [MassHistPres] Demolition Alternatives
> To: "Harrigan, Timothy" <THarrigan at easton.ma.us>,    Untitled
>    <masshistpres at cs.umb.edu>
> Message-ID: <CC6FC638.22B2A%d.m.gilbert at comcast.net>
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> 
> Dear Tim,
> 
> I infer from your email that the Historical Commission conferred on this
> single-family home the ?preferably preserved? status.  Your delay calls for
> a year during which to resolve the fate of this property with the owner.
> That?s a long time considering you haven?t made any progress with the owner
> so far.  Collaboration is key especially when there?s the burden of money
> involved for one of the parties.
> 
> My questions are:  What?s the historical significance of this house and
> could you share a bit of its history and importance to Easton.  What?s the
> selling price? How much is it worth to the Town?  Is it rare?  One of the
> few examples left of a certain building style?  The year built?
> 
>> From what you?ve indicated, who can fault the owner for digging in his or
> her heels?  The historical commission has voted for a year-long demo delay
> and the only solution offered to the owner is that the owner take on the
> work [and it?s work] to obtain CPA funding to save the house.  Is anyone
> offering to help with this in an effort to show some good faith by the town?
> 
> Perhaps this owner doesn?t even live in Easton and is therefore far removed
> from local history.  You have to take that into consideration as you ask
> someone to wait a year before taking any action.  There are bills to pay and
> if this house is vacant, there are additional costs not to mention ongoing
> deterioration.   Unless you really have an entity who wants to step in to
> save this house and people need some time to figure it out, I would try to
> avoid a year-long impasse since you don?t have a willing partner.
> 
> If this house is so significant, it seems to me it needs a champion who
> would buy the property outright from this owner and that person or entity
> could then submit a proposal to CPC to restore, preserve or sell the home
> with a HPR.  Also to propose a combination of historic preservation and
> housing funds through CPA is a good approach.  Yet, it gets complicated.
> There?s ideal preservation and then there?s pragmatic preservation.
> Adaptive reuse of a historic house which comes with protections is the best
> of all possible worlds. No one [at least on this forum wants to see a rare
> and historic building demolished.  You don?t appear to be optimistic.  You
> need a reality check on this one.
> 
> ASAP, I would urge the historical commission to obtain an architect to do
> measured drawings and a conditions reports.  If this house is truly
> uber-significant, the measured drawings, photographs, and documentation
> would have to be done sooner than later and before you release the owner
> from this delay. Better to have recorded history than nothing. An
> archaeological assessment of the property might be worthwhile as well.
> 
> I am eager to hear from others.
> 
> Good luck!
> 
> Diane Gilbert
> Dartmouth Heritage Preservation Trust, Inc.
> Dartmouth, MA  02748
> 
> 
> On 9/4/12 2:47 PM, "Harrigan, Timothy" <THarrigan at easton.ma.us> wrote:
> 
>> Hello,
>> 
>> The Easton Historical Commission recently imposed a demolition delay on a
>> single-family home in need of fairly substantial restoration. The owner
>> inherited the home and is looking to divest, claiming that the carrying costs
>> are too high, and that potential buyers have come in either with reasonable
>> offers conditional on his obtaining a demo. permit, or with offers to purchase
>> and restore that are too low to accept. The Commission suggested he approach
>> the Town?s CPA committee for funding to purchase, restore and sell the home,
>> ideally with historic and housing funds, but he refused. In hearing this
>> story, are there any ideas that come to mind that might help us avoid a
>> year-long impasse, or any similar situations that we can learn from, whether
>> they ended well or otherwise?
>> 
>> Many thanks,
>> 
>> Tim Harrigan
>> Community Planner
>> Town of Easton
>> 136 Elm Street
>> Easton, MA 02356
>> 508.230.0645
>> tharrigan at easton.ma.us <mailto:tharrigan at easton.ma.us>
>> 
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