MYTH: Old windows are inefficient and must be replaced

Historic Preservation Myths and Misconceptions
This is part of an ongoing series by Christopher Marney, an ardent historic preservationist restoring the home at 205 Union Street, and member of the Schenectady Historic District Commission. Opinions are those of the author.

I hear this one all the time! Thankfully, it’s just not true. Historic windows are an invaluable feature of your historic façade. These windows are often constructed of old growth lumber and unique historic glass. Window restoration, like most historic preservation, is inherently sustainable and environmentally friendly. Windows almost NEVER need to be replaced yet we often run into property owners wanting to send them off to the landfill citing “maintenance” and “energy efficiency” concerns. Did you know that the U.S. Department of Energy estimates that air loss attributable to windows in most buildings is only about 10 percent? Most energy loss is through your roof!

Window manufacturers and installers have great marketing teams and are really good at convincing homeowners their historic windows are trash. Don’t fall for it! If you really want to make a difference in your energy bill focus on air infiltration and attic insulation. Unlike modern replacement windows, your historic windows were designed to be repaired, restored and accept replacement parts. They just need elbow grease and some low-cost weatherization, like spring bronze weatherstripping and a well-fitted storm window, to stop air infiltration. These windows can almost always be fully restored, with lead-safe practices, for a fraction of the cost of a replacement window. With a little care, these amazing windows will be comparable in energy efficiency to modern replacement windows and last another 100+ years without the unnecessary loss of historic character of your home. In many cases, replacement windows (especially inferior quality or vinyl windows) can actually decrease the value of your home when compared to properly maintained and restored historic windows.

For ‘dollars and cents’ minded folks, consider the following: a recent study by the National Trust for Historic Preservation found that the difference in energy savings between historic windows employing low-cost energy retrofit options and modern replacement windows is negligible – often only realizing 2.3% return on investment – even in a climate like ours. Given the average window replacement project is approximately $35,000, the estimated time to realize a return on your investment is approximately 43 years. Unfortunately, most replacement windows won’t last long enough for you to realize your investment. The life expectancy of replacement windows is 10-40 years. Once broken, replacement windows typically require full replacement perpetuating a cycle of waste.

My own home has three windows that were replaced with vinyl replacement windows by a previous owner. The vinyl is degraded, the double pained seals are broken, the screens have turned to dust, and the hardware is all broken. They now require complete replacement and cannot be more than 10-15 years old. So much for a “maintenance-free investment.” The short lifecycle of replacement building materials makes window restoration, like most historic preservation, the most environmentally friendly and sustainable option. This is before considering the environmental impacts of manufacturing new materials like vinyl.

Don’t believe me? Read the National Preservation Trust studies for yourself! They are eye opening. So I beg of you. PLEASE don’t throw away your historic windows. There are numerous resources available to help you navigate what to do with these aging gems! Window restoration is an excellent DIY project and there are numerous workshops in the area to learn the process. As always, please remember that changes to the exterior of your Stockade building require approval from the City of Schenectady Historic District Commission.

And even if you aren’t interested in doing the work yourself, there are local professionals who are quite affordable and do high quality work – including full lead paint remediation.