As many of you know, I am a professional historic preservationist but I have a heavy slant toward green, sustainable, and energy efficient practices. I am disturbed by all the window replacement going on.
Yes, new double-pane windows do insulate better than old single-pane windows. Unfortunately, new windows tend to have a lifespan of about 20 years (give or take 5 years in either direction depending on quality). With a respectable storm window, old windows CAN COMPETE with new ones in energy efficiency. Insulating window treatments like heavy drapes or cellular shades can also improve energy efficiency dramatically on any windows.
Advantages of old windows (specifically double hung windows with cords or chains, pulleys, and counterweights) are vast. They are easy and cheap to maintain and repair. They use no proprietary parts. They can outlast new windows by decades (the windows on my house are approaching 120 years of service and are NOT being replaced). Contrary to popular belief, these types of sashes can be easily removed for cleaning. These windows are extremely cheap and easy to care for.
Disadvantages of new windows include: being made from almost entirely proprietary parts, not being repairable or maintainable, and looking cheap.
A few months ago, I was down at my neighborhood glass shop having a new pane of glass cut for a window (cost: $22.00) when a man came in with an out-of-warranty Anderson sash that had fogged up. The seal between the inner and outer panes of glass had failed, moisture got between the glass and the whole thing fogged up inside. He wanted the glass shop to replace the glass in his window so he could see out of it again. Unfortunately, there are no good fixes for this situation (you cannot replace the glass) and the only solution is to buy a new sash from the manufacturer, provided you can identify the manufacturer, they are still in business, and they still make your type of sash in the color and size you need. He flipped when he was quoted a price of nearly $300.00. My sash was a similar size and I got a big piece of glass for it. Would it even be possible for me to save the difference between $300.00 and $22.00 in energy savings with just one sash? If so, how long would it take?
Is it possible for new windows to pay for themselves in energy savings in their usable lifetime? My thesis research indicated that it is unlikely. A better way to spend that money would be in maintaining the old windows and by buying a more efficient furnace/boiler.
A historic preservation professor once told me that there is no such thing as a "maintenance-free" building material. Only materials that are maintainable and maintenance-proof.
Sorry for the rant, but the C4C thread got me thinking about short-term savings that end up costing a ton later. Also, if you have these old windows and you can grab the sash and rock it back and forth, you don't need new windows. You only need to remove the stops (the pieces of wood that delineate the tracks in which the sashes go up and down) and move them closer to the sash and screw them back in place. It takes minutes and will save a boatload on heating and cooling bills.
Check out the following link. It's an interesting read on how historic buildings are far greener than most people think.
Clear as mud?
Dave
Yes, new double-pane windows do insulate better than old single-pane windows. Unfortunately, new windows tend to have a lifespan of about 20 years (give or take 5 years in either direction depending on quality). With a respectable storm window, old windows CAN COMPETE with new ones in energy efficiency. Insulating window treatments like heavy drapes or cellular shades can also improve energy efficiency dramatically on any windows.
Advantages of old windows (specifically double hung windows with cords or chains, pulleys, and counterweights) are vast. They are easy and cheap to maintain and repair. They use no proprietary parts. They can outlast new windows by decades (the windows on my house are approaching 120 years of service and are NOT being replaced). Contrary to popular belief, these types of sashes can be easily removed for cleaning. These windows are extremely cheap and easy to care for.
Disadvantages of new windows include: being made from almost entirely proprietary parts, not being repairable or maintainable, and looking cheap.
A few months ago, I was down at my neighborhood glass shop having a new pane of glass cut for a window (cost: $22.00) when a man came in with an out-of-warranty Anderson sash that had fogged up. The seal between the inner and outer panes of glass had failed, moisture got between the glass and the whole thing fogged up inside. He wanted the glass shop to replace the glass in his window so he could see out of it again. Unfortunately, there are no good fixes for this situation (you cannot replace the glass) and the only solution is to buy a new sash from the manufacturer, provided you can identify the manufacturer, they are still in business, and they still make your type of sash in the color and size you need. He flipped when he was quoted a price of nearly $300.00. My sash was a similar size and I got a big piece of glass for it. Would it even be possible for me to save the difference between $300.00 and $22.00 in energy savings with just one sash? If so, how long would it take?
Is it possible for new windows to pay for themselves in energy savings in their usable lifetime? My thesis research indicated that it is unlikely. A better way to spend that money would be in maintaining the old windows and by buying a more efficient furnace/boiler.
A historic preservation professor once told me that there is no such thing as a "maintenance-free" building material. Only materials that are maintainable and maintenance-proof.
Sorry for the rant, but the C4C thread got me thinking about short-term savings that end up costing a ton later. Also, if you have these old windows and you can grab the sash and rock it back and forth, you don't need new windows. You only need to remove the stops (the pieces of wood that delineate the tracks in which the sashes go up and down) and move them closer to the sash and screw them back in place. It takes minutes and will save a boatload on heating and cooling bills.
Check out the following link. It's an interesting read on how historic buildings are far greener than most people think.
Clear as mud?
Dave
