Presentation discussing the issues faced when deciding whether to repair or replace the historic wood windows in your home.

1. Historic WoodWindows Repair or Replace?

2. Your Wood Windows Need Work The Dilemma: Repair or Replace?

3. Common Problems with Historic Wood Windows Painted shut Weights dropped Ropes frayed/ stuck Broken glass Hardware missing or broken Glazing chipped, broken Sash or frame rotted/ termite damaged

4. Historic Wood Windows vs. Modern Replacement Windows:The Issues Aesthetics/ Historic Integrity Longevity/ Maintenance Energy Savings Environment Economics

5. Historic Wood Windows: Aesthetics/ Historic Integrity Appropriate for the style of your home Original historic fabric Often built in custom sizes, shapes and styles Craftsmanship Appropriate historic profile, trim Fit openings that may be out of square “Historic wood windows are an important part of what gives your older building its character.”

6. Replacement Windows: Aesthetics Match size, style, configuration, shape of originals Many have inaccurate historic profile (muntins, frame size) Original casings, sills, and mullions may be removed Often installed using new details that are not historically accurate Bright, glaring white….

7. Aesthetics: Issues to Consider Are my windows an important character defining feature on my home? Can I afford to replicate the features and details appropriate for my home ? Will the new windows detract from the home’s appeal? Do I want to remove original historic fabric from the home?

8. Historic Wood Windows:Longevity Your wood windows already have a 75+year track record of service Made of old growth lumber Infinitely repairable with standard tools “If your wood windows are 60 years old or older, chances are that the wood they are made of is old growth—dense and durable wood that is now scarce. Even high-quality new wood windows, except for mahogany, won’t last as long as historic wood windows.” - NTHP

9. Replacement Windows: Longevity/ Maintenance Replacement wood windows Fast growth wood Vinyl, metal, metal clad over wood Generally a 20 year max. life for replacement windows Springs give way, seals break, glass clouds Individual parts not repairable Lifetime warrantees refer to the life of the window, not your lifetime Easier to clean No painting (vinyl, metal) “No Maintenance”= Can’t be Maintained

10. Longevity: Issues to Consider Will the replacement windows last as long as the repaired historic wood windows? Can I afford to replace the windows again in 10-20 years? Will I maintain the historic windows?

11. Historic Wood Windows vs. Replacement Windows: Energy Savings Windows contribute only 10-12% of overall infiltration to the building envelope. Much more infiltration occurs at roof eaves, foundations and even through wall receptacles, dryer and plumbing vents and fireplaces It would take 40+ years to recoup the cost of the replacement windows through energy savings Studies have demonstrated that a historic wood window, properly maintained, weather-stripped and with a storm window, can be just as energy efficient as a new window

12. Energy Savings: Issues to Consider Are there ways to retrofit my existing historic windows to improve energy efficiency? Are there other, more cost-effective ways to reduce energy usage in my home?

14. Lock your window sashes to pull tight

15. Install screens and open your windows during temperate months in Florida (& turn off your AC)

16. Install awnings, shutters, window treatments to shade windows and reduce AC load

17. Open and close blinds, shutters, etc. during the day

18. Install storm windows (interior or exterior)

19. Apply Low-E films, tint

21. Replacement Windows: Environmental Issues Energy required to extract raw materials, manufacture, transport and install the new windows Replacement windows that contain vinyl or PVC are toxic to produce and create toxic by-products Little recycling value Aluminum, vinyl and glass are among the greediest materials in terms of energy consumption and resource depletion Each year, Americans demolish 200,000 buildings. That is 124 million tons of debris, or enough waste to construct a wall 30 feet high and 30 feet thick around the entire U.S. coastline. Every window that goes into the dump is adding to this problem.

22. Historic Wood Windows vs. Replacement Windows: Economics Cost to replace vs. repair Life cycle cost Ongoing maintenance vs. future full replacement Return on investment Net energy savings Resale value of home

23. Be informed when choosing to repair or replace your historic wood windows…

24. Presentation prepared by: