The Pros and Cons of Restoring and Replacing Wood Windows

Sustainability, historical accuracy and economics all enter into decisions about restoration or replacement
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Karin Tetlow

One common argument for replacement is the payback gained through energy conservation resulting from the improved U-values (BTU loss per hour) of modern windows. When the U. S. General Services Administration (GSA) Center for Historic Buildings, Office of the Chief Architect, analyzes different upgrade approaches, a number of quantifiable variables are included, which must be balanced against standards of stewardship and saving taxpayer money. As a rule, cost analysis favors replacement in kind of simple double-hung wood windows, such as those in the Department of the Interior Headquarters, says Rolando Rivas-Camp, FAIA, Director (see Sidebar: How GSA Approaches Restoring or Replacing Historic Windows). Skarmeas reports that he has rarely found a window replacement program that gives fairly substantial paybacks.

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1. Main entrance, Navy Yard Building 101, Philadelphia, PA, before restoration
2.VITETTA Headquarters facing the parade ground, formerly Navy Yard Building 101, Philadelphia, PA, restored by VITETTA
3. Interior, Navy Yard Building 101, Philadelphia, PA
before restoration
4. Restored interior, VITETTA Headquarters,
formerly Navy Yard Building 101, Philadelphia, PA
Photos courtesy of VITETTA

"We do not recommend replacing original wood windows for any historic building if the original windows can be saved," says Michael Holleman, AIA, Director, Historic Preservation, VITETTA. But when the firm restored the historic landmark former Philadelphia Navy Yard Building 101 and adapted it for office reuse and its headquarters, replacement was the only option. Constructed in 1910 in the Renaissance Revival style, the building housed administrative offices for the Marine Corps and was the barracks for enlisted men.

All of the original windows had been replaced with aluminum-framed windows in the 1950's. In poor condition and poorly crafted, with a mill finish instead of a paint finish like the original wood windows, and a configuration which did not correspond to the original division of the sash with muntins, the windows significantly changed the appearance of the building's facades, giving the structure a lifeless appearance. In addition, the windows were single glazed and thermally inefficient.

Also being a reinvestment tax credit project, the three-story VITETTA Headquarters needed to meet the Secretary of the Interior Standards. Given that the value of the tax credits were significant relative to the added cost of replicating the original windows and, as the existing windows needed to be replaced, the question became one of finding the right window system. After looking at a fixed versus operable sash, the firm decided on fixed windows because they were more economical, more energy efficient with lower operating costs, and required less future maintenance.

Getting the divided light and double hung look right was a major issue. The final choice was insulated glazing with adhered wood muntin bars and aluminum spacers behind the bars. The profiles of the sash and muntins were manufactured to match the original architect's drawings, as none of the historic windows remained.


Old Mackinac Point Light Station in Mackinaw City, MI restored by the SmithGroup
Photographer: Gregory A. Jones, AIA

 

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Originally published in Architectural Record.
Originally published in January 2006

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