is it neccessary to replace old double hung windows

I have just inherited a late 1800's home and would like to keep as much of the house original as possible. The windows are original that came with the house. I watched a remolding show that said if the windows were in good condition you could add weather striping and replaced the cotton cording with copper chain. First off how do I know if the window is in good condition and would it really work. I am limited on funds as this house has had little to no upgrades done since it was built. I plan to make this my family home for good. I am looking at about 32 windows that I would need to fix or replace.

 

Replacement vinyl windows would run from $100-$150 per window in my area and thats just the window. Installation is not difficult but it can be costly if you contract it out. It sounds like you have some historic value there and I would try to save the old windows. Check the sashes, sills and frames for rot. Probe them with a screwdriver to look for soft spots. If you find any rotten spots you may be able to dig the rot out and make repairs. I have done this several times using Bondo (the auto body filler) to fill the bad areas. It dries fast and is hard. Easy to sand, prime and paint. Good Luck!

 

The efficiency of wood windows that are over 100 years old is basically zero. To try to rebuild them to achieve some sort of efficincy will cost as much, if not more, than just retrofiting them with vinyls, and they still wouldn't be as efficient. The question that you would have to answer; is there any historical value to the house, other than just it's age? (Did Teddy Roosevelt ever live there?) For my money, if this were the house I were going to live in, I would retrofit the windows and do whatever else is needed to make it a comfortable and affordable place to live, but keep the interior and exterior as similar as possible to the original in appearence.

 

Why do people always want to save old windows. Unless you windows open and slide
easily, not rot or anything else, get rid of them. Retrofit windows which are insulated
will run you about $200 each installed, depending upon the size. Lefty is right. There are alot of old houses around, and most of them have changed windows. I am doing a complete renovation of a 1880 house now, and they wanted two windows replaced exactly as they were. They cost over $550 each to have made. Good Luck

 

I was just trying to get by as cheaply as possible. There are so many things like wiring and a furnace newer that the old oil furnance that need replaced, I just want to get done what I can afford. With 12 windows in the living room alone I will go broke fast.

 

I don't usually disagree vehemently with the community..guess there has to be a first time!

We've struggled for a year with this question: repair or replace...our home is 76 years old..and finally decided to refurbish.

There are many resources as to how to insulate, improve function, etc. If the whole frame is rotting, that is one thing, but why, in the world, would anyone recommend replacement of a window that has survived 120 years??

I guarantee a vinyl, aluminum or even a new Pella window won't survive like that!!..
Check out windowrepair.com, thisoldhouse.com,..many websites, books are available to help with this. In my recent (2 windows) experience this project is about tiny amounts of money (paint, wax, rope, etc) a lots of care and time.... Good luck. e-mail if you'd like!

 

Larry, from my standpoint, it comes down to dollars and sense. Windows that are old cost a FORTUNE in terms of your utilty bills. (that's the dollars). Cutting you utility bill by up to 50% and investing that monthly savings in other improvments to the house just makes good sense.

 

Larry:
If you would please read carefully my comments previously posted, you will not I said rot. Dry Rot. This cannot be fixed with paint or string or OLD HOUSE. The wood needs to be replaced. Then when you are done, you still have old thin glass. Lefty is right get new windows. It is kind of like still using a horse and buggy in todays
life style.

 

Heartogive,
Here's a thought for funding; see if your area has a preservation society that helps out with refurbishing old historical houses.
In this area, we have such a group and although they won't foot the bill for everything, they do lend a financial hand in cases like yours. As I said, it's just a thought. LOL

 

One of the nice things about the internet is that we all get a chance to express our opinions…. And I respect yours..as I hope you will mine…whether we agree or not….

I agree that if ALL we are talking about is dollars and sense, replacement windows may be cheaper (if your time is worth much) in the short run. As I restore my old house, it is clear that this is about more than just short-term dollars and sense. I could have easily purchased a brand new house…almost double the size…. for what I paid for my 1600 sf 1926 one…but that's not the point.

The other "reality" is the assumption that single pane glass necessarily is all that less efficient. The studies that I've seen..that are as scientifically based as those funded by window manufacturers..who are not exactly unbiased, is that single pane windows with tight weatherstripping and storm windows (yes, I know she doesn't have storm windows..yet) can be almost as energy efficient as contemporary double panes..and retain the historical integrity of the house…and last a lot longer than the new vinyl replacement windows.

I also totally agree about dry rot. If the window frame/sash has dry rot, that MUST be fixed..typically by replacement…and that is very, very expensive. Neither of us know the condition of her windows…and neither of us know the extent of the dry rot…perhaps even she, at this point, doesn't know.

Let's respectfully "agree to disagree"

 

Larry, I can appreciate what you are saying. In some cases, the time and effort of restoring the original wood windows might be warranted, depending on whatever historical value the house may have. But just because the house is 120 years old and still standing doesn't automatically make it a point of historical significance. If I had a house like that, I would probably upgrade most, or all of it's major systems, unless doing so would significantly lower it's value. The knob and tube wiring would go, the iron and cast iron plumbing system would be replaced, and yes, it would get vinyl windows.

Sure, wood double hungs that are perfectly sealed and have a storm window system in place that is equally well sealed will rival double glazed vinyls as far as air filtration. But adding 'low-e' glass will cut the heat transfer (through the glass) by up to 65% and the UV ray transfer by up to 95%. And 'low-e' glass just isn't an option if you stay with a single glazed window.