Hi Everyone.
I have a bunch of old wooden windows on my house that I would like to replace.
My inside walls are plaster, outside is beveled siding so its fairly easy materials to work with.
My windows are wooden single hung with the pulleys and weights etc. most of them operable.
I assume I have to pry the trim off the inside and outside.
flash and waterproof the sill.
put the new window in
flash and waterproof
trim and caulk to my liking.
I am sure there are some articles and old posts about this. I would love some pointers and thank you.
Replies
Keep in mind that inserts are a good approach if the frames and exterior trim are in good condition and you just want to update the sashes and seals. I helped with this in a house in Iowa (flood recovery) and the windows really turned out nice. (Unfortunately I didn't get the brand name, but they were nice-looking windows, all vinyl and aluminum, and they fit perfectly.)
It may not be the right forum but there is a camp that advocates the preservation of original windows in an older home. There are numerous studies that you can achieve the same energy savings by repairing and weatherizing your original windows rather than rip and replace. Additionally the retrun on investment (ROI) by replacing your original windows can be as much as 40 years.
I may be a bit biased as I help teach a window preservation workshop locally and lean to preserving the original fabric of a house if conditions warrant.
Diane
Interesting, let me know more about.
I am not really looking for it to pay off through energy savings although that is a plus.
what is the weatherization process for old wooden windows like??
Some info sources
I went back into some of my older information and here's a list of links on saving and restoring and weatherizing your older original windows as opposed to replacing them. Not all inclusive but it’s a start
http://www.oldhousejournal.com/magazine/2006/april/sash-windows.shtml
http://homeenergy.org/archive/hem.dis.anl.gov/eehem/97/970908.html
http://www.oldhouseweb.com/how-to-advice/windows/historic-wood-windows/
http://www.preservationnation.org/issues/weatherization/
http://www.preservationnation.org/issues/weatherization/windows/windows-faq.html
http://www.apti.org/publications/Past-Bulletin-Articles/Sedovic-36-4.pdf
http://www.historichomeworks.com/
http://kilian.stores.yahoo.net/sprinbronwea.html
http://www.nps.gov/history/hps/TPS/briefs/brief09.htm
https://www.finehomebuilding.com/PDF/Free/021210040.pdf
http://www.ohp.parks.ca.gov/pages/1054/files/july2008windowstipsheet.pdf
http://www.state.nj.us/dep/hpo/4sustain/windowsave_b.pdf
http://history.utah.gov/historic_buildings/information_and_research/windows.html
This one has several different articles compiled into one PDF (some repeats of above)
http://www.preserveri.org/files/uploads/EHH_Windows_Handouts.pdf
The book "Working Windows” by Terry Meany will give you all the key points you need to know to work on your windows. It’s oriented to the DYI that have little experience working on old wood windows so it may be too basic. I recommend this book for the homeowners that come to the workshop.
http://www.amazon.com/Working-Windows-Guide-Repair-Restoration/dp/155821707X
John Leeke's Historic HomeWorks™ has a lot of preservation info as well.
http://www.historichomeworks.com
The next two links are from my local neighborhood association
http://www.sierra2.org/scna_info/windows.pdf
http://www.sierra2.org/viewpoint_articles/november_2003/rehab.htm
Personally, I am restoring my windows. I think that the older original windows are the eyes to an older home. I drive around my neighborhood and am heartbroken when I see good wood windows yanked based on what I consider false promises. I a neighborhood of historic it's easy to see what homes have replacement windows. I have 100 year old sashes with wavy glass that are in great shape. I have a few replacement sashes but maintain the original appearance.
Granted it’s not a one size fits all. I know of situations where replacements are warranted. Not everyone has the patience and time to spend repairing and maintaining older wood windows.
Diane
Yeah, your basic options are:
Remove entire window and replace with a new one.
Use an insert.
Rebuild the existing windows.
In terms of labor and speed the inserts are apt to be 5-10x faster than the other options. Whether full replacement or rebuilding is faster/less labor depends on how much you must tear up to do the replacement vs how bad off the existing windows are.
When doing full replacement your two big challenges are simply finding a window of the right size, and dealing with the flashing and other weather sealing issues. It helps if you pay extra for custom-built units to more or less the exact size, and units which are detailed to provide some help with the flashing issues.
Re rebuilding, most old (sash cord style) windows are built to be taken apart, and simple rebuilding (aside from sash issues) is not that difficult. You remove the interior trim (may or may not be necessary, depending on design), remove several "stops" holding in the sashes, open the sash weight pockets to remove the weights and stuff with fiberglass (or perhaps fill with foam), install spring balances, reinstall sashes and stops. But generally you want to go with some sort of seal on the sashes, so instead of the old stops there are several other options (though I don't know which are available these days -- they seem to come and go). The sashes themselves of course will need at best scraping and repainting, and may need to have the glazing compound replaced. Worst case you'll have to fashion new parts for some sashes (quite doable with a table saw and a router table), or replace entire sashes.