Replacing Old Windows in a Historical Home

Old windows in historical homes add to the look of the home when they are the original windows, but like everything else in this world these old windows breakdown and stop working like they should.   When you are faced with old windows that are no longer doing their job, you really have only two choices – fix the damage or replace the windows.

Research Restrictions before Replacing Old Windows

In some places the historical homes are protected by codes to preserve the historical look of an old neighborhood or the home itself.  These codes restrict what you can and cannot do to your home, and in most cases you will have to file a request to make any changes to your historical home.

To find out if your home has any restrictions on it check on the local level with the planning and zoning commission.  Next, check with the State Historic Preservation Office for your state to find out if the state has any preservation laws that you need to know about.

Finally, if there is Federal money attached to the property that you own there may be Federal restrictions as to what you are allowed to do to your home.  You can find more information on this through the National Register of Historic Places or through the National Park Service.

Try to Fix Old Windows First

To preserve the look that the old windows add to your historical home always try to repair them first.  This may mean just adding a coat of paint, caulking where drafts are coming in through, or adding weather stripping.  If worse comes to worse you can replace the glass panes in the window frames and still be able to preserve the overall look of the windows.

Replacing Old Windows

When all of the fixes you have tried just aren’t working, it may be time to replace the windows in your home.  Remember, you may need to get permission to do this as this is making a major adjustment to your historical home.

Before you ask for permission though, first, talk to replacement window companies. Renewal by Andersen can help you pick out windows that won’t change the look of your historical home.  They can also help you restore the windows to how they looked when the home was first built if other replacement windows have already been installed in the past.  You should have all of this information and what you plan to do before asking permission to make any changes.

Choosing to replace old windows with ones that enhance the historical look of your home will have a better chance of being approved (if needed) than ones that create a more modern look on a historical home.

Schedule a free in-home consultation with a Renewal by Andersen team member to learn more about what our award winning team can do for you.