SAVING MONEY, OR THROWING IT OUT WITH THE WINDOWS?

I’m fortunate that, as both a Home Inspector and a Structural Pest (termite) Inspector, I get to look at all sorts of different homes and structures. Although I can appreciate them all, I think I have sort of a soft spot for older vintage homes and structures. Many times they have all sorts of issues, which makes them more work for me to inspect and prepare the report, but the fact that these vintage buildings have stood the test of time is remarkable and commendable. I admire the quality of the materials used to construct them, especially the lumber and wood materials. We can’t even begin to find that kind of quality material today at the home centers and lumber yards we have to shop at. And then, there’s that incredible architecture of yesteryear that you just have to appreciate.

Many of these vintage homes are in the sections of town that have become somewhat affordable, which makes these older homes attractive to first time home buyers or investors for rentals. As I always invite my clients to accompany me during the inspection and I attempt to give them as much advice and tips as I can, we will almost inevitably get around to what the energy use of the home will be because it was built so long ago before energy was a real cost factor. Most clients zero in on the windows as THE place where they think the house will loose the most heat, and they might be partially right. A home that was built 70, 80 or more years ago most likely will have wonderful, beautiful wood casement windows and/or double hung wood sash windows. A lot of times these windows have been neglected and have areas where they are severely weathered or decaying, missing their putty glazing, have broken sash ropes/weights or are just plain inoperable because they have been painted closed over the years. Because of these issues and the perception that the wood windows are relics and totally inefficient, my clients usually are quick to tell me that they will be replacing all of the windows with dual pane vinyl, aluminum, you name it, new windows. This thought process is bolstered by slick advertising in many venues by window manufacturers and installing contractors. Replacing the wood windows is almost always the absolute worst, wasteful thing to do!

After listening to my clients tell me their terminal plans for these wonderful vintage wood windows, I try to lay out a few facts that they most likely have never heard or thought of, as they probably would not have the opinion about the wood windows that they do. The first thing, although probably the least important reason, that I explain is that changing out all the windows with new dual pane windows will have a miniscule difference percentage wise in making the home more energy efficient as compared to other procedures such as installing adequate insulation in the proper locations of the structure. Then I relate to them that these wood windows are very repairable and can be rather easily retrofitted to be nearly as efficient as the new dual pane windows are. If saving money is their goal, I point out that they are shooting themselves in the foot by replacing the windows over refurbishing them as the replacement process will cost way more money usually. And, many times the people that install the new windows don’t do it properly and the new windows become leak sources that allow water to enter the walls resulting in huge problems over time. And finally I explain to my clients what I feel is the most important reason, and that is that the wood windows are part of the vintage homes’ architecture and pleasing esthetics. Installing new windows changes the entire look, feel and charm of the home. If the home has any historical value what so ever, the replacement of the windows will immediately diminish the historical value not to mention the monetary value of the property as well. I also bring up the fact that if they are concerned about sustainability issues, what is more sustainable; refurbishing and getting extended use out of the existing time tested, beautiful wood windows, or, ripping them out, sending them to the landfill/dump and purchasing new windows that come from the whole material and energy consuming manufacturing and transportation process. What do you think?