by Deanna Freer
Someone once wrote that a
window is the eye to a house. Like an eye, a window gets its character
from the detailing around it. Size, shape and spacing, type of sash,
number of lights, and the ornamentation surrounding the window, are
designed to give character to a house and complement the architecture.
For example, look at any house built prior to 1920. Most windows have
panes of glass that are long, rectangular and vertical. After 1920,
there was a period of construction that emphasized horizontal rather
than vertical windows. The reason that many of Revelstoke's historic
homes have these uncomplimentary horizontal windows is because past
homeowners wanted to keep up with the architectural trends of the 1920s
and had horizontal windows installed. As a result, the scale and
proportions of the building no longer flow.
Presently, the change
from vertical windows is still being practiced. The trend, though, is
for practical windows that can be easily opened, require minimal
maintenance and conserve energy. There are two main types of windows
found in older homes: double-hung and casement. Double-hung windows
refer to windows that have an upper sash that slides down in the frame
and a lower sash that slides up. A casement window is a sash hung on
hinges that opens sideways like a door. A homeowner who has trouble with
heritage windows does not always have to replace them with modern
windows. Sometimes all it takes is a little TLC to maintain an older
window and frame.
There are a variety of
reasons why a double-hung window no longer works. Reasons can include:
sash may be painted shut, sash cords or ropes may be frayed or broken,
hardware may be missing, the putty deteriorated, or the wood has rotted
away. These problems are easy to fix and do not need replacement of the
windows to solve the problem. In most cases, you just need a putty knife
to loosen the sash from the sill. If the hinges are worn out, casement
windows will drag across the sill. They can be made to fit better by
tightening the screws on the hinges. If that does not work, another
solution is to adjust the casement lock's striker plate.
If one compares the two
different types of heritage windows, double-hung is the most energy
efficient and are the best type of window for airflow. For example, in
hot weather, warm air rises to the ceiling and flows out the top sash
opening and the cool air comes in the bottom sash opening. This causes a
natural air flow.
Traditional wooden storm
windows are inexpensive, durable and provide adequate insulation. Storm
windows also compliment the look of heritage houses and protect your
older windows from the elements. The only draw back is taking them off
in the spring and replacing them in the fall.
If the problems with your
heritage windows are too great, replacement of the windows should be
closely matched to the historic ones. Replacement windows frames should
be of the same material (wood for wood) using the same sash and pane
configurations and other design details. But remember, retrofitting or
replacing windows should never be a substitute for proper maintenance of
the sash, frame and glazing.
If you would like more
information on double-hung or casement windows, please do not hesitate
to contact the Planning, Building and Licensing Department at (250)
837-3637.
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