The Value of Historic Windows
As they say, a replacement window is still a hole in your wall.
There are a few misconceptions about the value and efficiency of historic windows. Namely, they boil down to, “Historic windows are not energy efficient.” We are working to change this perception.
Pre-1940 historic wooden windows were better built with better materials than today’s modern windows. They were built in parts to be easily fixed and rebuilt; they were not meant to be replaced, wholesale. To that end, most of your energy loss is through your exterior doors and your roof, not your windows.
With proper weatherizing, especially in warmer climates like the southeast, repairing historic wooden windows can be more cost-effective than replacing, and once weatherized they can be as energy efficient as replacements. In fact, retaining and repairing your windows is the sustainable option.
On this page, you will find a host of recent literature comparing the cost-effectiveness and energy efficiency of historic windows.