The 1947 house we’re buying has the original steel frame casement windows. These have had storm panels painstakingly applied over each pane. Could this treatment have made them efficient enough to retain, or does the metal frame mean that, at today’s energy costs, we should replace them with something modern? The walls are apparently solid masonry; suggestions about brands of replacement windows (any style) are welcome. Fred in Denver
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Greetings Fred,
as a first time poster Welcome to Breaktime.
This post, in response to your question, will bump the thread through the 'recent discussion' listing again.
Perhaps it will catch someones attention that can help you with advice.
Cheers
'Nemo me impune lacesset'
No one will provoke me with impunity
Hello Fred -
I don't know what style your house is, but there was a similar question here not long ago (2 months?). It involved a Tudor style house, with windows that were important to the design of the home. IIRC, there were several posters that recommended replacement windows that "worked" well in the setting. Check the archives.
It's difficult for anyone to tell you how energy efficient the windows are without seeing them , etc. Can you post some pictures? If the storm windows are really as good as you seem to think, you might be able to get by with them. How tight do the steel windows close? Are the storms covering the entire frame or only part of it?
Many/most window guys would tell you to replace them even with the brick walls. if you do replacements, do some homework on what's going in. There are a lot of differences and some real garbage is sold.
Good Luck.
Don K.
EJG Homes Renovations - New Construction - Rentals
Here's my thoughts on those windows after having replaced many for homowners.
If they still operate well and the storms do the job that they can..........and in fact the walls are solid masonry..........why? Window replacement with quality costs pretty big $'s. You might have 4-500 easy in each opening and that's if you do it yourself. Replacing mtl casements in masonry is probably the hardest as you can't just pull sash and insert units to the existing jambs. The masonry walls will be cold, or warm depending on climate and time of year, can dbl pane ins. glass really raise the R value to money returning rates over your time in the home? Tough question at this time of skyrocketing NG costs.
If they don't work well, then for convenience it would probably be worth it so you could use them in the manner they were intended.
Just another opinion tho, one to consider.
edit: I'm sorry fred, welcome to Breaktime.
A great place for Information, Comraderie, and a sucker punch.
Remodeling Contractor just outside the Glass City.
Quittin' Time
Edited 12/22/2005 9:19 pm ET by calvin
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