Window Maintenance and Services
Historic windows are known for their durability, but regular maintenance is essential to keep them functioning and looking their best. While originally designed for homeowner care, some tasks require expert help.
We’re here to assist with even the trickiest repairs, especially when stubborn windows or surrounding architecture demand technical expertise. Avoid costly mistakes—reach out to us before starting your project. Here are common issues we can help with.
Interlocking Metal Weather Strip and Leaky Window Solutions
Window Realignment
Re-String Sash Cord and Restoration of Other Balance Systems
Broken or Loose Glass Repairs for Vintage, Pattern, Leaded and Stained Glass
Hardware: Repair, Restore, or Replace
Interior Storm Windows
Interlocking Metal Weather Strip and Solutions for Leaky Windows
While interlocking metal was retrofitted into many windows in the 1890s, the US Department of Energy knows of no other material that makes a seal as durable and yet frees the units to operate without binding. Our source of this material is still Accurate Metal, which has worked since 1890. The new owners provide the material in brass and zinc.
Window Realignment
Several things can cause historic window sash to become misaligned and prevent proper operation. It may be as easy as cutting loose sash that has been painted shut, or it may be as difficult as dealing with a shifting in the foundation of the house, requiring a modification of the opening.
Often this misalignment is first noticed when windows no longer close and lock properly.
Re-string Sash Cord and Restoration of Other Balance Systems
Smooth, balanced operation is possible for nearly any historic window, depending on its current condition, configuration, and sealing elements.
Repairs may involve restringing sash cords, adding interlocking weatherstrips, or full restoration, including removing old paint layers. Whatever the need, we can ensure your windows open and close with ease.
Broken or Loose Glass Repairs for Vintage, Pattern, Leaded, and Stained Glass
One of the best things about historic windows is that every part can be fixed if it breaks. Broken or loose glass and glazing can be replaced just like every other part of a window. With the variety of glass types in historic homes, we do our best to keep a supply of salvage material at hand.
If your window glass is falling out, don’t let the replacement people convince you it can’t be fixed. It can!
Hardware: Repair, Restore, or Replace
Broken or missing hardware is a common problem for historic windows. Sometimes we can find salvage that is similar to previous historic styles, but it all depends on what you have.
Sometimes the hardware just needs stripped and cleaned so that it works properly but getting new hardware is sometimes needed.
We can use an aging solution to make new hardware look similar, resembling a more vintage appearance.
Interior Storm Windows
Interior storm windows offer unique solutions for various needs. Installed inside the window opening, they have both advantages and tradeoffs.
Pros include easy cleaning for upper-floor windows and a hidden design for feature windows. They’re also one of the few energy-efficient options for outward-swinging windows.
However, interior storms don’t protect exterior window surfaces from weather, requiring more frequent paint and glazing maintenance. Consider these factors when choosing interior storm windows.
Window Maintenance and Services
Historic windows are known for their durability, but regular maintenance is essential to keep them functioning and looking their best. While originally designed for homeowner care, some tasks require expert help.
We’re here to assist with even the trickiest repairs, especially when stubborn windows or surrounding architecture demand technical expertise. Avoid costly mistakes—reach out to us before starting your project. Here are common issues we can help with.
While interlocking metal was retrofitted into many windows in the 1890s, the US Department of Energy knows of no other material that makes a seal as durable and yet frees the units to operate without binding. Our source of this material is still Accurate Metal, which has worked since 1890. The new owners provide the material in brass and zinc.
Several things can cause historic window sash to become misaligned and prevent proper operation. It may be as easy as cutting loose sash that has been painted shut, or it may be as difficult as dealing with a shifting in the foundation of the house, requiring a modification of the opening.
Often this misalignment is first noticed when windows no longer close and lock properly.
Smooth and balanced operation can be achieved in most any historic window. The amount of work involved depends on current conditions, the configuration of the window, and what sealing elements are already in place.
It may be as simple as restringing the sash cord, it may be further improved with interlocking weatherstrip, and it may be even further improved with full restoration and the removal of previous layers of paint on the sash and jambs.
One way or another, we can get your windows to open and close again.
One of the best things about historic windows is that every part can be fixed if it breaks. Broken or loose glass and glazing can be replaced just like every other part of a window. With the variety of glass types in historic homes, we do our best to keep a supply of salvage material at hand.
If your window glass is falling out, don’t let the replacement people convince you it can’t be fixed. It can!
Broken or missing hardware is a common problem for historic windows. Sometimes we can find salvage that is similar to previous historic styles, but it all depends on what you have.
Sometimes the hardware just needs stripped and cleaned so that it works properly but getting new hardware is sometimes needed.
We can use an aging solution to make new hardware look similar, resembling a more vintage appearance.
Interior Storm Windows can be a solution in a number of situations. Since they are installed on the inside of each window opening, there are pros and cons that should be considered.
On the plus side, being able to clean your storms entirely from the inside can be an advantage for upper-floor windows that are to be left painted shut. On feature windows, they can be desirable because they are hidden from view. Interior storms also present one of the only solutions for energy efficiency on windows that swing outward.
The main tradeoff with interior storms is that they offer no protection to the exterior surfaces of the windows from the weather. This means that the owner will need to be diligent in completing paint and glazing maintenance, probably more often than windows with no storms.
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