RobCrampton

This is an important Article that you are writing. We did the full remodel as documented here.

http://community.seattletimes.nwsource.com/archive/?date=20060729&slug=personalspace29

http://realestate.msn.com/slideshow.aspx?cp-documentid=13108136

http://www.popularmechanics.com/home_journal/home_improvement/4222096.html

Jenny wants to keep the upstairs windows old. I want to save energy. Price of 'old looking' wood double hung windows were $300 in 2004, I used these downstairs to match the dimensions of the corresponding upstairs windows. The upstairs windows are much bigger and would be at least $600 today. We have 8 of these 1901 wood single pane double hung windows in place.

Here is what I did.

During remodel:

1. Upper windows of double hung painted-sealed shut.
2. Outside weights that correspond to the upper windows removed, hard foam 2 inch insulation put in place and spray foam sealed (window safe non violent expansion spray foam)


After major remodel:

3. Remove single pain glass, Routed out the sash from the outside to make it deeper. Put 2007 low e double pain glass into 1901 hand made sash. held in with paint-able caulk.

4. weather stripping in winter


I have done a large picture window, the tops of 2 large double hungs, and the bathroom top and bottom small double hung. The bathroom needed new heavier weights for the bottom sash to accommodate the extra weight of the double pain glass which I bought for $.50 with a trade in of the smaller weights at the local recycled building supply(Re-Store,Seattle).

A rule of thumb for old double hung's that a window sales guy told me is that 1/3 of the energy is lost through the window, 1/3 through infiltration around the window and 1/3 through the place where the weights are. I think my cost was $45 for the upper double hung and $180 for the picture window. The picture window would have been prohibitively expensive as it has a stained glass top section(see pic).

http://www.popularmechanics.com/home_journal/home_improvement/4222096.html?page=5

Spent 3 hours getting the 2 uppers in.


I think that I can achieve a majority of the energy savings at a small fraction of the cost and very little loss of historic look. The dinning room double hung windows still have the bottoms single pain and the difference whe you feel them on a cold (or hot) day is immense. If you look closely you can see the inner aluminum edge (between the pains) and the outside finish is not exactly like the old glazing, it is not as deep. The casual observer cannot see this.

An even better job could be done by getting rid of the other weight and better sealing. I will be doing more of these soon and may be taking some IR pictures to see how it works for a local presentation. I am an engineer and like to get the numbers. If you want any pictures let me know.

Robert S. Crampton Ph.D.
rcramp@u.washington.edu