2. Windows Need Work?
The Dilemma: Repair vs. Replace
Assess overall condition
Painted shut
Weights dropped
Ropes frayed/ stuck
Broken glass
Glazing chipped, broken
Sash or frame rotted/ termite
damaged
3. Historic Wood Windows vs. Modern
Replacement Windows: The Issues
Aesthetics/ Historic Integrity
Longevity/ Maintenance
Energy Savings
Environment
Economics
4. Historic Wood Windows: Aesthetics
Appropriate for home style
Retain historic integrity/
original fabric of your home
Custom shapes and styles
difficult/expensive to replace
Appropriate historic profile
“Historic wood windows are
an important part of what
gives your older building
its character.”
6. Historic Wood Windows: Longevity
Your wood windows already have a 75+year
track record of service
Infinitely repairable with standard tools
Made of old growth lumber
“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.”
7. Replacement Windows: Longevity
Replacement wood windows
Poor quality of wood rots in Florida’s climate
Vinyl , metal, metal clad
Generally a 20 year max. life for
replacement windows
Not repairable (No Maintenance=Can’t be
Maintained)
Springs give way, seals break, glass clouds
Replacement windows are called “replacement”
for a reason. Manufacturers often offer lifetime
warrantees for their windows. What they don’t
make clear is that 30% of the time, a
replacement window will be replaced within 10
years.
8. Historic Wood Windows vs. Replacement
Windows: 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
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.
According to studies, it can take 240 years to recoup enough
money in energy savings to pay back the cost of installing
replacement windows
Opening your windows during temperate months in Florida
(and turning off your AC) provides better energy savings
More cost effective energy savings ideas include
awnings, shutters, window treatments… plus
insulation, caulk/seal, solar attic fans…
10. Replacement Windows:
Environmental Issues
Energy required to construct new windows
Replacement windows that contain vinyl or PVC
are toxic to produce and create toxic by-products
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.
Aluminum, vinyl and glass are among the
greediest materials in terms of energy
consumption and resource depletion
11. Historic Wood Windows: Economics
Cost to replace vs.
repair
Life cycle cost
Maintenance vs.
future replacement
Return on
investment
Energy
Resale value of home