New York Times Reports on Historic Windows

“Old Windows Find a Following”, the article written by Katie Zezima in the New York Times, demonstrates that a new national conversation about windows has begun.

WPSC member Bob Yapp says, “I’ve restored thousands of windows over the years. I have never replaced a single window because I want my historic houses to be energy efficient without spending a fortune. I can’t get that performance with disposable replacement windows.”

Bob reports directly from the Summit:  “Here at the National Window Preservation Summit in Pine Mountain Kentucky, our new, cutting edge, window testing  data verifies what most people in historic preservation have known for years, old historic windows can cost effectively be made as or more energy efficient than new, disposable replacement windows.”

We are pleased that the conversation has begun on a national level.

National Window Preservation Summit

EXCITING NEWS ABOUT HERITAGE WINDOW PERFORMANCE

Emerging data from the inaugural National Window Preservation Summit testing & standards shows promising results. Full detailed report is scheduled for release in the summer of 2012.

The Window Preservation Standards Collaborative (WPSC) convened its first National Window Preservation Summit at the National Historic Landmark, Pine Mountain Settlement School site in Pine Mountain, Kentucky the week of July 22-29, 2011. Forty-five attendees from the four corners of the United States and Canada gathered with the Collaborative Founding Members David Gibney, Duffy Hoffman, John Leeke, Jim Turner and Bob Yapp.

Restoration and weatherization of historic wood and steel windows showcased a variety of techniques and approaches by each of the Founding Members, with ample time for field review and participation by advisors and participants. Performance testing began with a baseline evaluation and measurement of the pre-restoration condition of each window. Throughout the course of the week, additional testing of the restored windows was performed following defined scientific protocol. Initial results were collated and evaluated, allowing for refinement of restoration techniques, and further testing. Preliminary findings focusing on air infiltration revealed very promising results for the energy efficiency of restored historic windows, and underscored the enormous benefit provided by simple installation of a storm window system; a variety of commonly available or readily constructed storm windows were included in the Summit sampling.

This Summit represents an historic milestone in proving what window preservation advocates have long espoused: that historic windows are exemplary energy performers and that restoring windows is an undeniably sustainable approach, which now can be supported by building science. Coupled with the proceedings of the Summit will be future data on other beneficial attributes of heritage windows including thermal performance, day lighting, longevity and restorability.

The complete report will be included in a new publication slated to be available in the spring of 2013 titled, “Window Preservation and Weatherization Standards”. This book will be the first of its kind to provide a menu of window repair, preservation, restoration and weatherization techniques that will create a standard for specifiers, architects, property owners as well as federal, state and local government agencies.