Homeowners who invest in old homes often strive to maintain as much of the home’s original integrity as possible, from floor to ceilings and historic wood windows in between.

Many people have trouble deciding whether or not they need historic window replacement when their historic wood windows begin to show obvious signs of age, wear and tear. These problems may include historic sash windows that have rotting frames or are deteriorating, causing windows to shake and rattle.

Most home improvement professionals agree in that in order to maintain the architectural integrity of historic homes, homeowners should consider historic window replacement with new windows only as a last resort.

Repairing Historic Sash Windows

It may be surprising to know that repairmen often recommend repairing and weatherizing historic windows, rather than tearing out a historic sash window and installing replacement windows.

Instead of installing new house windows in a heritage home, there are several ways to restore historic wood windows. You may replace deteriorated parts with identical new ones, or splice new wood into existing historic wood windows and historic sash windows.

While it’s best to find a local carpenter or mill that specializes in this type of work, there are also national companies that can ship historic window repair supplies nationwide. With a little research, you may be able to find a sash replacement or a more modern component with the same appearance for your historic windows.

Maintaining Historic Wood Windows

If you’re looking to maintain a high property value, you’ll want to properly care for your historic wood windows. After all, the more house components that are authentic, the more your home is worth!

Rather than looking for new windows and replacement windows for historic wood windows, professionals recommend:

• Considering replacement windows only as a last resort
• Making repairs when necessary, using the least invasive techniques possible
• Regular maintenance to promote longevity.

New House Windows for a Historic Home

If you determine that you need to complete a historic window replacement project, you’ll want to find the best replacement windows. Look for a window supplier that specializes in old windows. To find the most appropriate materials for this special project, you may want to use these resources:

• Local historical associations
• Preservation-related magazines and supply catalogs
• The National Park Service
• Your state’s historic preservation office.

Although a homeowner may be upset at having to complete a historic window replacement, there are certain benefits to doing so. New windows with a historic look may:

• Be easier to open and close
• Be more energy-efficient
• Require less maintenance.