Single glazed? Why would an architect advise you to use a window that is not energy efficient, especially in NY? Don't you believe that every citizen is somewhat responsible to save energy dollars to help reduce energy cost, consumption, and ease the load on our environment? A UV rating of at least .30 should be your goal when choosing a window today.

Even if someone can afford to waste energy, does that make sense for us?

Just curious.

Aluminum clad exterior is maintenance free and be can be chosen in many decorator colors. You would only choose a wood exterior if you enjoy repainting every 3-5 years.

Michael

Thank you for your reply. I'm going to go to a retail outlet today so I can look for myself. I will try to find out about the relative energy savings/costs betw single-glazed with storm door, vs. double-glazed, etc. Given that I am doing a lot of work in an old house, yes, energy considerations are very much a factor.

The difficult part about windows is the aesthetic considerations and convictions of the architect, being part of an historic area of turn of the century houses (though not actually legally a district), vs. a myriad of practical considerations. I need to understand more before I make a decision. For instance, I've read and heard many people say that aluminum-clad exterior is NOT maintenance free. I also simply don't understand the various strategies for storm doors/screen doors, etc.

The pressing issue at hand is actually for a bay window/door unit in the kitchen. This is an all new feature of the house. For these doors, the architect is suggesting single-glazed true divided light, etc., but the builder is suggesting double-glazed, etc.

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Just returned from a retail window outlet, and learned that single-glazed would not pass bldg code where I live, as of Jan 2005. !!!!

Just returned from a retail window outlet, and learned that single-glazed would not pass bldg code where I live, as of Jan 2005. !!!!

That makes perfect sense to me! And your architect is licensed in NY? And doesn't know the code?

As far as aluminum clad being "maintenance free", nothing in life is truly maintenance free. However, would you rather wash the outside or paint it? Consider how practical some opinions are and you'll soon be an educated window shopper.

Michael

There is a preservation brief on the National Parks Service page that offers lots of window suggestions. Only you can decide what is best for you and your home. You can best do this by doing some research and actually speaking with the codes office in your area. Does the window outlet sell single pane, true divided light windows? If not, I would double check any info they give to you. Codes for new construction often differ from replacement codes. Your architect may be correct in his suggestions and not in violation. There may be other considerations if you are restoring your home to original condition.

Check the Weathershield site for historic reproduction windows. They are available in a variety of pane solution which will meet the code requirements that were stated to you by the window outlet.

You may also want to check for air infiltration in your home and current insulation to help prevent heat loss through your attic and roof. Windows are only one area of energy loss. There are many ways to increase the R-value of windows. Double pane windows are not a panacea in an older home with other heat loss issues. It will take a more comprehensive evaluation to make your home truly energy efficient. Invest some time before investing your funds.

You may also want to post this on the Old House forum. You may find others there who have solved the problems while maintaining the original character of their homes.

i'm not a technical person but i can tell you that an historic house should be fitted with an all wood window. aluminum is inappropriate as the grills are usually not nearly as solid looking.

we are renovated a 107 year old home and had all the original windows cleaned and caulked... my husband did it himself since you can't find anyone else willing to go through all that! the outside of the window was painted with a special paint with a twenty year warranty. sorry i don't know the brand but there is further discussion on the home building forum.

we are now building new and will install all wood windows i,'ve never seen an aluminum or vinyl window that could match the appeal of all wood.

Unlike Michael, I am not amazed that your architect would spec single glazed divided lite windows.

I have occasion to meet and discuss window and door performance with architects and builders and other folks in the industry and I am no longer surprised by anything I hear or see or read.

There are many, probably most, architects who fully understand energy and basic building codes, there are others who don't fully understand them. Some of those want to learn the new codes and some of them seem of the opinion that the only idea that matters is their own "creativity" and be damned to anything that interferes with that.

I am sure any of our GC friends who visit these sites have met that type all too often!

Like Michael I agree that while some folks may prefer the aesthetic considerations of single pane windows, the energy performance - the pure waste of the indulgence - I believe is unconsionable. Has anyone bought gas in the past few days? That price is only going to go up in the future.

All that of course does not affect a decision to buy all wood windows or clad windows. That is a personal choice and there are many options available both ways. There are some very nice replacement windows - all wood - that have excellent energy performance numbers.

I also agree with corgilvr that in an older home windows are simply one avenue of energy waste. Money spent on improved insulation and weatherization is often a better investment than replacing windows...an energy audit will tell you what has to be improved.

But, IF a person is replacing windows, then there is absolutely no reason at all forgoing with a window that has the energy performance considerations of the turn-of-the century rather than a window that will maximize energy performance in today's world - and keeping as close to the original aesthetics as is possible - a compromise between efficiency and looks.

Good luck!

Just as a side note, we just finished renovating an 1862 farmhouse in New England with clad wood windows with simulated divided lights, and it's looks awesome. Don't be scared off by "historic" talk. Many clad products do a good job replicating authentic wood windows, unless you stick your nose right up to the glass. And how many folks do that? And they are much lower maintanence. I'd like to learn more about the "special" paint kateskouros was speaking of. The warranty on paints is usually so full of holes it's not worth the paper it's printed on. Be careful.
I've seen single pane, putty glazed true divided windows with low-E panels applied to the sash to meet energy codes.
I've also seen many historical boards accept several clad windows as meeting their strict criteria.
Don't limit yourself to anything so quickly. Take a look at several options, and weigh the pro's & con's of each.

Will you be replacing the exterior window trim as well? If so, I would recommend a Marvin single glazed all wood window with an exterior "energy panel". It will look authentic from inside and from the outside it will look similar to an authentic window with a storm window over it. Since it is difficult to see the exterior mullions becasue of screens I choose to make the inside look as good as possible. You should discuss this with Marvin to be sure they can still do it. I had to do it recently because the Preservation Committee insisted on single-glazed (exempt from energy code). However, all the Marvin sash have the exterior grooves for energy panels so the owner can add them later.

If you are not replacing the trim you might be able to remove the vinyl windows and (if the old jambs are still there) install a Marvin replacement window with the same sash configuration described above.