Comments on: Going green while maintaining a building’s historic integrity

By: Connie Zeigler

Connie Zeigler — Mon, 01 Mar 2010 01:47:50 +0000

I don’t think anyone would say that refurbished single-pane windows perform as well as new insulated glass windows. What is important to know is that there are bigger areas of lost energy than windows. Replacing windows isn’t the place to start when it comes to greening an old house. Efficient stormwindows can help increase efficiency in old windows, as does repair. New windows may indeed perform somewhat better than old, but original windows are a very important part of a historic home and insulating and sealing all other leaks will make a bigger difference in overall insulation value than replacing windows will.

By: Ann Smith

Ann Smith — Thu, 11 Feb 2010 15:32:00 +0000

We live in a downtown historic district. Several of our windows were in very bad shape, and the IHPC gave us permission to replace with new wood windows. We also had a couple of windows refurbished by changing the glass, filling the weight pockets with insulation, etc. There is no comparison between the two. The refurbished windows still are very drafty, and the air and wood trim around them is noticeable colder than around the new windows. In addition, I don’t think any of our neighbors can tell we got new windows. They look great and are easy to clean. They cost about the same as the refurbishing process on the old windows.

I am very proud to be restoring an old home and supporting urban renewal, but I think we are doing historic homeowners a disservice by telling them that refurbished windows perform as well as new windows. That certainly has not been our experience.

By: Sandra Jarvis

Sandra Jarvis — Tue, 28 Jul 2009 22:46:57 +0000

Great article Connie!!

By: Mike Ehmer, Mike The Window Man & Co.

Mike Ehmer, Mike The Window Man & Co. — Sun, 26 Jul 2009 16:25:14 +0000

Connie. My son alerted me to your consulting firm, and that of CasaVerde. We should talk. I have been doing quality window restoration for over 25 yrs. We started on Mass Ave, S. Meridian, etal, during the brief period in the early eighties when there were substantial tax credits for historic restoration. That soon dried up, and we moved to the suburbs, restoring contemporary wood windows. After twenty yrs or so, that dried up with the emergence of quality vinyl and wood composite windows at a price that no longer made us competitive. It was my intent to return to the historic, and “established”, homes market, were we were beginning to have some success. However, I encountered some internal business problems, and took down the shingle.
Last Fall, I moved to Irvington, and met an old friend who encouraged me to re-start Mike The Window Man. At the moment, we are having only limited success… I assume due to the economy. However, I am not convince we are reaching our target market. We get the few jobs we have the opportunity to look at… getting the phone to ring has been a problem.
In any event, we should meet. I spent the mornings w/ my crew, and running errands to keep the job moving. I have a full plate early this week; however, I could be available later in the week.
I look forward to meeting you. And, doing the same w/ CasaVerde. Mike.

By: Adam Ehmer

Adam Ehmer — Fri, 24 Jul 2009 02:56:02 +0000

Good suggestions! My father, Mike the Window Man also does window restoration for historic homes in Indianapolis. His restoration techniques improve energy efficiency and prevent further deterioration of historic windows.

Are there any local nurseries that specialize in native plants to replace lawns?

By: Alex Griffis

Alex Griffis — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 20:35:29 +0000

Great article, Connie!