Baltimore Historic Windows

Historic windows require plenty of care and maintenance to look as they did upon their original installation, and many homeowners would prefer not to replace them if possible. As timeless, physical remnants of a historic home’s past, original windows are relics that deserve your careful consideration when it comes to treating them. In other words, caution and care should be exercised when planning to repair, restore, or to replace them entirely. 

However you decide to treat your home’s historic windows, the most important thing you can do is to hire a professional and trusted replacement window company that is highly trained to care for your home. ACM Window & Door, a window installation company in Baltimore, respects and understands the architectural importance of older and historic homes, and has years of experience working to help homeowners make the best choices for their care and maintenance. In this article, we are going to look at some of your window installation options for antique windows—and why replacement can often be a better alternative to restoration and repairs.

Repairing Historic Windows

For those that honor their historical value and that are willing to compromise on the value they offer, it is often difficult to fathom replacing them. If you’re concerned about preserving your home’s original construction materials, you’ll need to commit to repairing and restoring them whenever necessary. Repairs to historic windows should be handled carefully by a window contractor that understands their architectural importance and fragility. If the windows have been well-maintained and the problem is small—like cracked glass or broken sash, these can be repaired and restored without having to consider a replacement. Older windows will need repair work completed often.

Pocket Replacements and Restoration

However, windows that are in poor condition can need more intensive restoration work to look as they might have looked when they were originally installed. Many historic homes feature wood constructions and wood windows, which will need heavy restoration work done every fifty years or so. Even rotting wood window frames made with excellent quality lumber can be taken apart, repaired, repainted, and re-installed. The sashes will have their paint stripped and reconditioned to repair any rot or weak wood. The windows will have any damaged glass replaced and weatherstrip added in if needed. With the proper amount of maintenance and careful attention, these can last for over 200 years or even longer. 

Pocket replacements can be done instead of a full replacement which will help to preserve the home’s original frames, trim, siding, and casing. This is usually done to replace single-pane, outdated window products with energy-efficient double- or triple-pane products which are far superior in functionality and efficiency.Choosing to Replace Historic Windows

Sometimes, historic windows just can’t compare to newer windows in energy-efficiency and performance—and replacing them can offer a wealth of important benefits that add value to the home. Unless they’ve been meticulously maintained and show no signs of water damage, they will most likely have to be replaced. 

A professional contractor will help you evaluate your window’s needs and determine what kind of a replacement is necessary. If a pocket replacement is not sufficient and will not appropriately address the window’s needs, a full replacement will be necessary. This is usually the case when the frame is damaged beyond repair or if you’d like to change the size or type of window you’re having installed. In all cases, a professional contractor can help you choose the products that will maintain or even improve the appearance of your historic home.To replace a historic window, the entire unit will need to be removed to make way for complete custom windows with double or triple-pane glass insulation, frames, and window stops. Fortunately, these windows can be made to closely resemble historic windows with stunning accuracy, but with the low-maintenance, exceptional performance you want out of newer, more modern engineering.

Evaluating the Cost: Repairing, Restoring, and Full-Replacement of Historic Windows

Window replacement may seem like a costly expense, especially when you want to save your historic windows. But having them repaired can cost just as much, if not more, than brand-new windows. Repairs will only put off the replacement for a while until it becomes necessary, which could be sooner than later. In addition, repairs won’t improve energy-efficiency like high-quality replacements will, such as MARVIN windows that offer the most features and benefits for saving money and energy inside the home. In addition, the care and maintenance that historic wood windows require can be expensive. Replacing them with premium fiberglass and aluminum materials will dramatically cut down the cost of maintaining, repairing, and restoring wood windows over the years.

In any case, whether you’re repairing or replacing your home’s historic windows, you should always have it done by a professional remodeling company for best results. A professional team will know just what to do to preserve the beauty of your windows, whether you’re fixing them or finding new ones that look like they were installed at the time of your home’s original construction. 

Keeping Up Appearances

The biggest downfall of having your historic windows replaced is that you’re losing an original and classic home feature that most hope will last forever in perfect condition. Even if they are, windows manufactured even just a decade ago can’t deliver the same performance that a high-tech, state-of-the-art window produced with the latest technology will. Replacing them may take away a part of your home’s original construction and materials, however, replacing them will improve the structure, energy-efficiency, and performance of your home.

The biggest misconception that many consumers have is that you cannot get the same great looks from new windows. Professional window manufacturers can create custom windows that look nearly identical to your classic windows so that you get the same great looks but with the added protection and energy-efficiency. 

For example, ACM Window and Door Design is proud to help homeowners preserve the beauty of their historic Maryland homes with products that perfectly reflect the beauty and grandeur of the area’s most classic styles, including Greek Revival, Queen Anne, and Cape Cod, among others. 

Historic Window Replacement In Baltimore

With more than 35 years in business, ACM Window and Door has been providing the greater Baltimore area with industry-leading customer service and the highest quality products and materials. Our commitment to fine craftsmanship is unparalleled and our superior window and door installations can be seen all over the Baltimore area. As a “Best of Houzz” winner and an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau, ACM has been one of the window replacement leaders in Baltimore for years. If you’d like to discuss the future of your classic residence, give us a call now or fill out our online form for a free estimate in your home.