Many small towns in North American cities have homes that are over 100 years old which is old for a North American home. Historic homes are generally classified based on their age, architectural style and if they have any notable history, like a famous person owning or visiting it.
Local communities value their heritage and prize examples and reminders of architecture that has a recognizable architectural style, for example, Victorian architecture from the mid to late 19th century based on the period that Queen Victoria reigned (1837 to 1901).
Often the style of the home’s windows played a large part in it’s architectural significance. For example, windows with a curved top or cathedral top or with an opening transom were highly coveted by architects because these details represented wealth and status for the owner.
Inspecting Windows on a Historic Building and what to look for:
- Is the window finish intact or has the painted finish degraded?
- If the painted finish is failing has the wood begun to rot?
- If the wood has begun to rot can individual pieces be replaced?
- Is the sealant between the glass and wood watertight or leaking?
- Is any glass panels cracked or missing?
- If the glass is broken or missing was the original glass panels modern “float” glass or artisan handmade glass, recognized by imperfections in “flatness” or “seeds” which are bubbles created during the hand-blown flat glass manufacturing process.
- If the windows are double hung with balancing hardware, are they working (opening) or are they painted shut? If your historic home does not have AC then you want your windows to open for ventilation during the summer season.
- Will the reproduction window company provide integral mullions to separate glass panes or will the mullions be surface mounted?
- Will the wood window contractors re-caulk the window perimeter and seal around the glass to wood surfaces?
It is important to understand first what is working and what needs repairing and if the window components can be repaired or they must be replaced.
Experienced wood window contactors will have had experience with historic windows and will know that the inspection results must be shared with the local historic committee and / or building department. It is important to understand the difference between “Restoration and Renovation”.
Failure to work with the local historic committee or building department could result in a stop work order or fines with significant delays to your project.
Approval Process
There are wood window contractors that specialize in reproduction windows and doors for historic homes. Remember that even though you are working with a company representing themselves as reproduction specialists you should get the proposed windows or repair work approved by the historic committee and / or building department with a physical sample.
You want to hold the approved sample to check against what the window company delivers to verify you get what you paid for and what the historic committee and / or building department approved.
