Any time you consider making a change to an older home, it’s important to be careful about the products and the style of the products you use in order to preserve the appropriate architectural elements as well as the home’s potential historic integrity.
Some homeowners worry about making upgrades to their historic property because they don’t want to detract from their home’s value, but putting off necessary home improvements can lead to bigger, and more expensive, structural problems down the road. Sometimes it’s important to replace features and fixtures as old parts of your house break down. Old windows, for example, can start to leak, and that can lead to problems like wood rot and mold. Here’s what you need to know about replacing the windows in your old or historic home.
Just because windows are old doesn’t mean that they must be replaced. In fact, old windows can be an asset to your historic home if they’re in good condition. Signs that your windows need to be replaced include:
The easiest way to tell if your old windows need to be replaced is to get them evaluated by a reputable window professional who can tell you whether your windows need a simple repair or replacement.
If you own a historic home, it’s best to work with a company that will replace your windows with a product that you can be proud of. The value of your historic home depends on the value of its fixtures and parts – including the windows.
When you’re choosing a good window company to replace your windows, this advice can help:
The style of window that you choose will make a big difference in the appearance and thus the value of your home. To preserve its architectural integrity, it’s vitally important that you choose a window style that matches the architectural style of your home.
If your old Colonial originally had double hung windows throughout, replacing them with sliding windows just wouldn’t look right and would de-value the home.
Most older homes had true divided lite windows, meaning small rectangles of glass were mulled together to make one sash of the window. Today’s windows use more efficient window grilles to mimic the look of true divided lite windows.
One of the ways that you can match the style of the window to your house is by experimenting with a grille pattern that coordinates with the appearance of your house. Your window installer and dealer can help you choose a grille pattern that’s appropriate for your home.
Don’t wait to replace the windows in your old or historic home, especially if your current windows are leaking. To find out more about getting new windows, contact Renewal by Andersen of Long Island. Use the toll-free number (866) 609-5033 or fill out the form on this page.
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