Why Restore, Repair and Weatherize?

Your wood windows are an original and irreplaceable part of maintaining the historic integrity of the building.

Hang on to those old windows! Did you know that old windows are just as energy efficient as new windows? They are also a better investment. Even though they may require some maintenance, they will never require complete replacement as all replacement windows will. Replacement windows are not an investment that will last a lifetime (the way the old windows already did), because they are made of plastic

• Springs that will lose their spring
• Strings that will break
• Plastic parts that will fatigue and crack
  
• Double paned glass that will fail and cloud

Function
Many people assume that the only way to get their old windows to function and perform like new windows is to replace them. This is simply not the case. We can make your existing windows work like new at less cost.

No Dropping-No Sticking-No Drafts

Quality
Your original wood windows were hand built by skilled craftsman. Special care was taken to match window trim and sash profiles to other architectural features of your building. Their proportions were specifically designed to be appealing to the eye and to be integrated into the general appearance of the building.

Longevity

Your windows were made of old growth lumber from virgin forests. Old growth lumber is more dense and enduring and has a natural resistance to decay. There are many reasons why your windows have lasted a hundred years or more. You can expect a hundred more years with proper restoration or repair.

Tune-ups may require:

• Total disassembly of your windows.
• Planing and sanding if necessary (this will relieve tightness from the excess paint).
• A brand new rope, chain or balancer
  
• Reinforcement of all loose joints in the sashes. Caulking will be needed to keep the joints from deteriorating any further. Epoxy restoration may be needed for badly rotted joints.
• Replacement of parting beads that may be cracked, rotten or warped.
• Re-weighting. There should be no falling down or floating up in a sash. It should be suspended in space.
• Total lubrication of channels and pulleys, which should solve squealing and sticking.
• Realignment of locks and stops. Stops are vertical strips of wood, that are often held together by screws, which control the bottom sash. They should be perfectly lined up to allow the sash to have just enough clearance for free movement, but not too much. When they are totally closed, they should touch the top rail of the bottom sash to keep the assembly still. This will prevent rattling when the wind blows.
• Installation of weatherstripping if required or requested.This will also increase energy efficiency and make the window seem smooth.
• If the sashes are in poor condition because of dry rot or termite damage and are irrepairable, we can replicate and install new sashes which will match identically the old sahes and keep the look of the house consistent.