Original Windows: When are They Worth It?

We work on a lot of historic houses and we are constantly making decisions about which historic or original elements to keep and which need to be replaced or updated.

These are difficult decisions, and it often comes down to what the owner prefers, but more often it comes down to what is the most efficient and long-term solution for the home.

Windows are a particularly difficult decision. Historic windows generally have a really nice aesthetic with divided lite glass panes and interior wooden sashes, and this is what gives a lot of homes “charm” or “character” which homeowners and buyers really appreciate. However those same windows are generally single paned (very drafty) and need a lot of maintenance on the exterior wooden sashes. But there are ways to achieve this look without sky high energy bills.

For this home addition, we used aluminum clad sashes with wood interiors for a maintenance free exterior. The glass of these windows is also insulated to make it more energy efficient. And while it has the look of divided glass panes, it’s an interior simulated divide - again, for energy efficiency.

The end result is a historic look with modern efficiencies.

But regardless of the fact that modern windows have come a long way in terms of aesthetics, there are some cases where they really just do not nail the historic look. When that’s the case, we take pains to restore original windows or use salvaged windows. In the case of this historic Fan home, the homeowner found old windows at an architectural salvage yard to use for a new window being created in the home. We restored them and installed them in a new masony opening.

Restoring and installing an original window is a multi-step process that includes:

Demolition. In this case, we had to remove a chimney where the window was going to be installed.
Once the chimney was gone, we cut out the bricks, slightly larger than our window opening needed to be.
We then built a new masonry arch for stability of the wall and for the original historic look.
We then installed the new window with new framing and insulation.

When we trimmed out this window, we made sure the interior trim matched the time frame of the house as well. We also milled a new wooden window sill and did masonry work on the exterior of the house to make the window look original. The final image is the salvaged window, stalled, caulked, puttied and ready for a final coat of paint.

Every decision in a historic home we renovate is thoughtful and in the best interest of the home’s design, history but also efficiency and sustainability. Our goal is always to give these houses a new life so that they will be around for another hundred years. Fortunately, we are able to do this in a multitude of ways - whether it’s modern materials or timeworn techniques.