Before you throw out your historic wooden windows, read this!

 

If you own a house built before 1960 with its original windows, count your blessings. Nothing will ever look as good or perform as well. Despite what you may have heard from the building and remodeling industries, new windows do not function better. They will not lower your energy bills. They may not even last until you have finished paying for them.

 

There are a lot of myths and misconceptions around old windows. Many historic windows haven’t been well cared for, leading new homeowners to perceive them as troublesome and difficult to restore or maintain.  

 

The truth is, when it comes to modern window manufacturing, they really don’t make them like they used to. This isn’t because window manufacturers are cutting corners or incompetent– the raw materials that went into old windows are simply no longer available. Old-house windows were built of higher-grade wood than what is available today, and were designed to be endlessly rebuilt. In other words, your historic wooden windows are an increasingly rare and valuable feature of your home that should be preserved whenever possible, rather than scrapped and replaced with inferior units that seldom last long enough to justify their costs (in many cases, less than 20 years!).

 

That said, restoring historic wooden windows is not an easy undertaking. In fact, it can be very dangerous if attempted by an amateur, and is learned only with great skill and after years of practice. If you’ve researched the local marketplace for contractors specializing in historic wooden window restoration, you’ve probably discovered that there frankly aren’t many options available. At Heritage Wooden Window Works, we’re the last of a dying breed. Serving the entire Ohio Valley region, including southern Indiana, southern Ohio, central Kentucky, and eastern Tennessee, our unparalleled team of skilled artisans and craftsmen offers complete wooden window and door service, including repairs, replacement, weather stripping, reconditioning, and restoration.

 

If you’re a homeowner looking to preserve the beauty and integrity of your historic wooden windows, we invite you to contact us today to schedule a site visit with one of our friendly representatives. Call us today at 502-473-9962 for more information.

 

For more information, please visit these links:

The Repair of Historic Wooden Windows

Exterior Paint Problems on Historic Woodwork

 

Why repair your wooden windows vs purchase new?

 

“My windows have gone from drafty and rattling in the frames in winter to tight and energy efficient. I estimate that I’ve saved 20% on my fuel bills the following winter after having them reconditioned…not to mention the money saved by repair rather than replacement of my 3 x 6 ft tall windows. “
– Robin Jones