Aloha,

We are purchasing a 1910 bungalow in the Pacific Northwest in great disrepair. Several of the original double-hung windows are broken and most are letting in a lot of draft. Our priorities in replacing them are:

1 - energy-efficient (double pane)
2 - keep the 1910 double-hung period-look in design
3 - remove coats of paint on the old interior sill and trim and return to stain
4 - stain the new interior sash to match the trim
5 - paint the exterior sash one color and the trim and sill another

Suggestions for types, brands, websites and issues of replacement windows?

Thanks!

René

Alhoa

If you look at some of the older message on this site, you will find that the preference is to keep your older original windows and work on making them more energy efficient. The original windows were designed so that home owners can do some basic maintenance and keep the windows for 100 years or more. Newer replacement windows will never pay back the costs and you may potentially be replacing the replacement in another 10 years. I was going to suggest using the search tool and searching the older posts but the search function seems to be having issues. Here is one older discussion

http://www.americanbungalow.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=28404

I went back into some of my older information and here's a list of links on saving and restoring your older original windows as opposed to replacing them

http://www.oldhousejournal.com/magazine/2006/april/sash-windows.shtml
http://homeenergy.org/archive/hem.dis.anl.gov/eehem/97/970908.html
http://www.oldhouseweb.com/how-to-advice/windows/historic-wood-windows/
http://www.preservationnation.org/issues/weatherization/
http://www.preservationnation.org/issues/weatherization/windows/windows-faq.html
http://www.apti.org/publications/Past-Bulletin-Articles/Sedovic-36-4.pdf
http://www.historichomeworks.com/
http://kilian.stores.yahoo.net/sprinbronwea.html
http://www.amazon.com/Working-Windows-Guide-Repair-Restoration/dp/155821707X

The book "Working Windows" will give you all the key points you need to know to work on your windows. John Leeke's Historic HomeWorks™ has a lot of preservation info as well.

The next two links are from my local neighborhood association
http://www.sierra2.org/scna_info/windows.pdf
http://www.sierra2.org/viewpoint_articles/november_2003/rehab.htm

You'll find some fanatical folks on the old house web discussion if you're interested in getting more "advice"
http://www.oldhouseweb.com/forums/

Personally, I am restoring my windows. I think that the older original windows are the eyes to an older home. I drive around my neighborhood and am heartbroken when I see good old growth wood windows yanked for cheap petroleum based replacements. It's easy to see what homes have replacement windows.

Good luck with your new bungalow. Post some pictures of your bungalow. We are voyeurs at heart...

Diane

I would keep your windows. If you want to buy any from 1910,

I have many windows for sale that come from my 1910 california bungalow. They have been carefully crated. The thing is that they are in storage in Bloomington, Indiana. Rebecca burchart

Mahalo Diane for all the links. Yes, I did try the search tool but it wouldn't find any posts no matter what keyword I used.

I will spend some time checking out the info you've provided. It's an interesting idea to try and keep the old windows and I certainly would like to explore it.