Resources for stewards of historic properties
Here we provide information for property owners to consider when maintaining, repairing or considering the replacement of their wood windows. We strongly suggest that you maintain the your historic wood windows and repair them as needed. There are many opportunities within the community to learn the skills needed to do this maintenance and repair yourself. In addition to the resources provided here, Clatsop Community College's historic preservation program teaches classes and workshops on topics such as Wood Window Restoration, Wood Window Component Replication, and Storm Sash Fabrication, LCPS occasionally holds window related workshops for the community. Local and regional craftspeople are available for hire.
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Basic maintenance of historic wood windows includes wiping down the painted surfaces, wood, glass and hardware with appropriate cleaners.
Correctly cleaning your windows can remove and prevent mildew. For glass and painted woodwork, at least once a year, wipe with a solution of 1/2 cup bleach to 1 gallon of water. Afterwards, rinse by wiping with a fresh damp cloth. Make sure that all surfaces dry completely after rinsing. You may use a fan to provide increased airflow to the surface for thorough drying. For unpainted woodwork, try a similar solution but using white vinegar instead of bleach. 
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Depending on the difficulties you are experiencing with your windows (and your comfort level with do-it-yourself projects), you may be surprised at what you can accomplish yourself!
There are local workshops and classes you can take to learn the skills needed to do all levels of window restoration. We have many books available that detail that guide in maintaining and restoring old wood windows, and you can also learn many window repair skills online. For example, here are links to excellent videos by Stacy Grinsfelder, showing how to: Restore a Window Jamb Glaze a Sash Window Paint a Window Sash If you would like a current resource list of local craftspeople who repair wood windows, please email us at [email protected]. |
To make the most of your historic wood windows you may want to consider weatherstripping, screens, and perhaps either interior or exterior storm windows.
Exterior storm windows were often an original part of a home and how it was built to function. Traditional wood sash storm window provide extra protection from cold and wind. They were built specifically to suit and fit your home. Wood sash storm windows are still built to meet your specific needs or they can be constructed of bronze or flat finished anodized aluminum, or baked enamel, which complement or match the color, detail and proportions of the building. Interior storm windows are a more modern invention. They provide insulation from the cold and from outside noise while maintaining the view of your windows on the exterior of your home. Properly installed weatherstripping can make historic wood windows extremely energy efficient. There are many different types of weatherstripping. For full details, see The Window Sash Bible by Steve Jordan. |
Replacement...the last resort
Click here to watch Brent Hull's short video, "5 Great Reasons to Keep Your Historic Wood Windows."
If you are considering replacing your original windows, please note that if your home is designated as a historic property within the city of Astoria, it often requires a Certificate of Appropriateness (COA) from the city's Preservation Officer or the Historic Landmarks Commission, prior to removal of your old windows. Astoria's Historic Properties Ordinance outlines the process for obtaining a COA and the criteria that need to be met. Please contact the Community Development Dept. at Astoria City Hall for more information.
If you are considering replacing your original windows, please note that if your home is designated as a historic property within the city of Astoria, it often requires a Certificate of Appropriateness (COA) from the city's Preservation Officer or the Historic Landmarks Commission, prior to removal of your old windows. Astoria's Historic Properties Ordinance outlines the process for obtaining a COA and the criteria that need to be met. Please contact the Community Development Dept. at Astoria City Hall for more information.
The following information is from the City of Astoria's
Historic Landmarks Commission "Guide to Residential Windows"
GUIDELINE
Windows should be retained and repaired whenever possible. The repair and weatherization of existing wood windows is more practical than most people realize. Wood windows which are repaired and property maintained will have greatly extended service lives while contributing to the historic character of the building.
REPAIR AND MAINTENANCE
Window repairs can be labor intensive, but are typically not too complicated. If you are considering window replacement, the money will be better spent on repairs to existing windows. Routine repair normally includes five steps: 1) removal of excess paint, 2) removal and repair of the sash (including reglazing if necessary), 3) repairs to the frame, 4) weatherstripping and reinstallation of the sash, and 5) repainting.
Even badly deteriorated windows can be restored. Wood which is split, checked, or rotting can be stabilized by applying consolidates or wood putties. For windows that cannot be stabilized, replacing parts of the original window may be necessary.
ENERGY EFFICIENCY
Most heat is lost between the window sash and frame. Appropriate weatherstripping should be an integral part of of the repair process. The use of insulation in the window frame cavity and the installation of sash locks will also reduce air infiltration.
Exterior storm windows should be considered because they are thermally efficient, cost-effective, reversible, and allow the retention of original windows. Although interior storm windows appear an attractive option for achieving double glazing with minimal visual impact, there is potential for condensation damage.
WHEN SHOULD REPLACEMENT BE CONSIDERED
Replacement of original windows should be a last resort after all repair possibilities have been explored. If the condition of the window is so poor that replacement is the only option, match replacement windows to existing windows as closely as possible in terms of size, materials, and configuration of window panes. Vinyl windows are not an approved material in historic homes, and replacing windows with munitions requires either external muntin, or a true divided light window. Internal or "between the glass" munition are not approved.
Despite widespread misconceptions, replacing old windows with new, double glazed windows will not save money, will not significantly increase the energy efficiency of a house, and will probably cost more in the long term. New windows are very expensive, and it takes many years - often longer than the life of the window - to recover the costs in energy savings. A repaired wood window with new weatherstripping and a storm window will cost less, and last much longer than a new window.
HISTORY
Windows are one of the primary character-defining elements of a building. They come in many sizes, shapes and types, which differ depending on the style of the building. For example, Queen Anne style buildings can have tall, narrow, arched windows set in pairs, while Craftsman style buildings have wider windows set in groups of three or more.
Historically, large sheets of glass were expensive to produce, so the earliest windows had small panes. As glass production improved, costs went down and larger panes were used. Ultimately, the number and arrangement of the panes, such as one-over-one or nine-over-nine sash, became the overriding design component.
ADDITIONAL READING
Preservation Brief #9: The Repair of Historic Wooden Windows. Washington D.C.: Technical Preservation Services (TPS) Heritage Preservation Services Division, National Park Service. US Department of the Interior. Rev. 1981.
Preservation Brief #3: Conserving Energy in Historic Buildings. Washington D.C.: Technical Preservation Services (TPS), Heritage Preservation Services Division, National Park Service. US Department of the Interior. Rev. 1978.
The Secretary of the Interior's Standards for Rehabilitation and Guidelines for Rehabilitating Historic Buildings. Washington D.C.: Preservation Assistance Division. National Park Service, US Department of the Interior, rev. 1983.
Historic Landmarks Commission "Guide to Residential Windows"
GUIDELINE
Windows should be retained and repaired whenever possible. The repair and weatherization of existing wood windows is more practical than most people realize. Wood windows which are repaired and property maintained will have greatly extended service lives while contributing to the historic character of the building.
REPAIR AND MAINTENANCE
Window repairs can be labor intensive, but are typically not too complicated. If you are considering window replacement, the money will be better spent on repairs to existing windows. Routine repair normally includes five steps: 1) removal of excess paint, 2) removal and repair of the sash (including reglazing if necessary), 3) repairs to the frame, 4) weatherstripping and reinstallation of the sash, and 5) repainting.
Even badly deteriorated windows can be restored. Wood which is split, checked, or rotting can be stabilized by applying consolidates or wood putties. For windows that cannot be stabilized, replacing parts of the original window may be necessary.
ENERGY EFFICIENCY
Most heat is lost between the window sash and frame. Appropriate weatherstripping should be an integral part of of the repair process. The use of insulation in the window frame cavity and the installation of sash locks will also reduce air infiltration.
Exterior storm windows should be considered because they are thermally efficient, cost-effective, reversible, and allow the retention of original windows. Although interior storm windows appear an attractive option for achieving double glazing with minimal visual impact, there is potential for condensation damage.
WHEN SHOULD REPLACEMENT BE CONSIDERED
Replacement of original windows should be a last resort after all repair possibilities have been explored. If the condition of the window is so poor that replacement is the only option, match replacement windows to existing windows as closely as possible in terms of size, materials, and configuration of window panes. Vinyl windows are not an approved material in historic homes, and replacing windows with munitions requires either external muntin, or a true divided light window. Internal or "between the glass" munition are not approved.
Despite widespread misconceptions, replacing old windows with new, double glazed windows will not save money, will not significantly increase the energy efficiency of a house, and will probably cost more in the long term. New windows are very expensive, and it takes many years - often longer than the life of the window - to recover the costs in energy savings. A repaired wood window with new weatherstripping and a storm window will cost less, and last much longer than a new window.
HISTORY
Windows are one of the primary character-defining elements of a building. They come in many sizes, shapes and types, which differ depending on the style of the building. For example, Queen Anne style buildings can have tall, narrow, arched windows set in pairs, while Craftsman style buildings have wider windows set in groups of three or more.
Historically, large sheets of glass were expensive to produce, so the earliest windows had small panes. As glass production improved, costs went down and larger panes were used. Ultimately, the number and arrangement of the panes, such as one-over-one or nine-over-nine sash, became the overriding design component.
ADDITIONAL READING
Preservation Brief #9: The Repair of Historic Wooden Windows. Washington D.C.: Technical Preservation Services (TPS) Heritage Preservation Services Division, National Park Service. US Department of the Interior. Rev. 1981.
Preservation Brief #3: Conserving Energy in Historic Buildings. Washington D.C.: Technical Preservation Services (TPS), Heritage Preservation Services Division, National Park Service. US Department of the Interior. Rev. 1978.
The Secretary of the Interior's Standards for Rehabilitation and Guidelines for Rehabilitating Historic Buildings. Washington D.C.: Preservation Assistance Division. National Park Service, US Department of the Interior, rev. 1983.
LCPS LENDING LIBRARY BOOKS
AND ADDITIONAL ONLINE RESOURCES
AND ADDITIONAL ONLINE RESOURCES
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BOOKS AVAILABLE FROM OUR LENDING LIBRARY
The Window Sash Bible: A Guide to Maintaining and Restoring Old Wood Windows by Steve Jordan, 2015. Old Windows Made Easy: The Simple Way to Restore Wood Windows by Scott Austin Sidler, Austin Enterprises, 2014. Working Windows: A Guide to the Repair and Restoration of Wood Windows, 3rd Edition, by Terry Meany, The Lyons Press, 2008. Old Windows in Depth: The Complete Window Restoration Handbook by Scott Austin Sidler, Austin Enterprises, 2018. ONLINE RESOURCES Window Preservation Alliance www.windowpreservatinalliance.org Historic Preservation Education Foundation has many FREE downloadable publications designed to promote the importance of historic windows and provide practical guidance. PDF DOWNLOADS Saving Windows, Saving Money: Evaluating the Energy Performance of Window Retrofit and Replacement, National Trust for Historic Preservation Preservation Green Lab, 2012. Repair or Replace Old WIndows: A Visual Look at the Impacts, National Trust for Historic Preservation. Window Repair and Weatherization Guide: A Handy Guide fir Owners of Portland, Oregon Homes, Bosco-Miliagan Foundation/Architectural Heritage Center with support from the Irvington Community Association, Portland, OR, 2012. |