[MassHistPres] Repairing/Replacing Sun Room Windows

[Richard Smith]

We ask for documentation that windows are not repairable, especially close-up photos.  Often what the homeowner assumes is decay is just paint failure, and replacement of glazing compound and repainting with proper prep  can revive a supposedly rotted sash.  Window restoration firms can also work miracles with epoxy to repair actual decay, and they can add weatherstripping to historic windows.  

 

One thing homeowners should understand is that replacement sash and windows with insulating glass and plastic parts have a pretty finite life span, and when they fail they can’t be repaired, only replaced.  The historic windows can always be repaired, and even missing pieces can be replaced with new material milled to match.  Often the replacement windows only approximate the appearance of the original windows, and many manufacturers do not do a very convincing job of making muntin details match the sash they are inserted into.

 

 

Richard Smith

Swampscott Historic District Commission

 

From: MassHistPres <masshistpres-bounces at cs.umb.edu> On Behalf Of jworden at swwalaw.com
Sent: Tuesday, March 12, 2019 8:56 PM
To: jbd at framinghamma.gov; masshistpres at cs.umb.edu
Subject: [MassHistPres] Repairing/Replacing Sun Room Windows

 

Jennifer,

We always require that the owner get a bid from a window restoration company before allowing replacement. We can provide them with as list of such companies, if they don't know of one.

John Worden

Arlington HDC



------- Original Message -------
>From : Jennifer B. Doherty[mailto:jbd at framinghamma.gov]
Sent : 3/12/2019 11:09:18 AM
To : masshistpres at cs.umb.edu <mailto:masshistpres at cs.umb.edu> 
Cc : 
Subject : RE: [MassHistPres] Repairing/Replacing Sun Room Windows

Hello,

We have an historic district property owner here in Framingham who is looking for advice regarding their early 20th century sunroom windows. They are 12/12 sash with small transoms at the top. They are in poor condition, and the property owner believes they need to be replaced.

 

Do any other historic district commissions have guidance on repairing these windows? Or, do you have any good examples of replacement windows?  

 

Thanks in advance,

Jenn

 

Jennifer B. Doherty | Historic Preservation Planner

Community & Economic Development


City of Framingham

150 Concord Street,  Room B2

Framingham, MA  01702-8325

(508) 532-5455

 <mailto:jbd at FraminghamMA.gov> jbd at FraminghamMA.gov 

 

One Framingham - Focused on the Future 

Please be advised that the Massachusetts Secretary of State considers e-mail to be a public record, and therefore subject to public access under the Massachusetts Public Records Law,M.G.L. c. 66 § 10.

 

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