Window Options for 1901 Home: Sash Horns and IGU’s
I have a 1901 Victorian farmhouse with original windows painted shut and broken weights. I’m going to do a lot of energy work on it so I’m debating replacing windows completely (or sash replacements) or doing my own repair/upgrades. My problem with the first option is they have sash horns (this is what they call them in the UK, it’s a decorative extension on the stiles on the upper sash) and I can’t seem to find a US manufacturer who makes windows that look like this. Is anyone aware of one or have recommendations for one that will not break the bank doing a custom sash? My other option is to do weather striping, install a spring based chain and replace the glass with a good IGU. My problem is I know how to source for the first two items, but have no clue where to get really good IGUs on a small quantity basis. Would love to hear others experience or recommendations. Thanks.
-Todd
(edited to add photo)
Replies
Todd,
Do you have a photo of this thing you call “sash horn?.
As far as your replacement, a good glass shop should be able to build to your order.
Edit: so that’s a sash horn…..
https://www.sashwindowsuk.com/blog/what-is-a-window-horn
I have seen these on old sash. Thanks for bringing it up!
I added a photo. I’m hesitant to use the local glass shop as they typically can’t pull the vacuum and bond/weld IGUs like the larger production places. Would like something that might last 25+ years
You might be better off just repairing the old windows and adding good storms. Martin Holladay has a good piece in FHB on this. https://www.finehomebuilding.com/project-guides/windows-doors/replace-old-windows
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I followed this advice on my own 1910 home with wooden sashes. There are two drawbacks that this doesn't solve:
1) the storm windows are really difficult to keep clean. The only way to do it properly is to remove the individual panes once in a while and clean them thoroughly. Its a lot of work!
2) the cavity with the sash weights in it has absolutely no insulation value. The storm does well to keep out drafts but I still get a draft through the weight cavity.
Installing the storm windows and fixing the sashes is a lot of work. You may as well just go ahead and fill the cavity with spray foam and replace the windows with new.
Those single pane sashes would be fairly easy to restore yourself. Invest in an infrared paint stripper from online, or a cheaper steam paint remover from lowes, and you could probably strip, reglaze, and paint a window per weekend (maybe more). They look too nice from this picture to replace.
If you go the IGU route, Cardinal Glass is the supplier to almost all window manufacturers. Many different coatings for all window orientations. Look them up on the Internet. I just replaced mine--not the whole window. A 2' x 4' IGU, argon filled, will be about $60. With their new technology, they give 20 year guarantees to window manufacturers but only 5 years to homeowners installing new glass.--windows have to be handled correctly. They don't sell to the public but a good general building supply store that sells a brand of window that use Cardinal glass, will be able to source Cardinal IGUs from their window company.--The same as if one broke a window.
The new IGUs made a huge difference. Give careful consideration to the coating(s) you choose. Here in Canada we heat our homes more than we cool them, so we want south facing windows that let in solar heat. Northwest facing windows only get hot afternoon sun in the summer, so those windows have to reject solar heat gain. (The sun sets too low in the sky to get any sun in NW facing windows during the winter.)