Restoration / Repair Options
When your windows work poorly and inefficiently you have several options to make improvements. Your quickest and least costly option is to add plastic seals to the top and bottom of the sashes. V-Seal Stripswill decrease infiltration and draughts. Energy Conservation TipsYou can cover your windows in plastic wrap for the cold season. This will decrease conduction as well as infiltration. Application of clear or tinted window film is effective also, and fairly inexpensive.TAP Plastics Window films
Restoration of old windows can greatly enhance performance, appearance, and functionality. Patient homeowners can accomplish much of the work of repairing broken pulleys and ropes, installing weather seals, as well as re-glazing and sash weight cavity insulating. This work is somewhat labor intensive, but with diligence can yield good results. Craftspeople are capable of bringing even very badly damaged windows back to good service.Reclaiming vintage windows: Antique Homes
The newest innovation in windows is "Better Than Ever" Window Preservation by Jay Marco. This system is designed to allow retention of the original frame, sashes, glass, sills and aprons. In this system, the rope and pulley mechanisms are replaced with a track that incorporates a double weather seal system mated to the existing sashes. This is not a replacement system at all, but a means to completely preserve the authentic wood structures, while bringing the window unit to a new level of energy efficiency, convenience, and operation. Typically, conversion to "Better Than Ever" can be completed for half the cost of installing quality "replacements." This system is an excellent choice when preserving the aesthetic integrity of the home is as important as maximizing energy conservation."Better Than Ever" Window Preservation by Jay Marco
More Links to Restoration and Replacement Options
Window terms glossary: About.com
Defogging process for double pane windows: Window Medics International
Reclaiming vintage windows: Antique Homes
Repair of Historic Wooden Windows: Old House Journal
Saving Old Windows: This Old House
Wood window efficiency: Vermont Energy Investment Corp.
Double hung window repair kits: WindowRenu
Restoration and repair: Windowrepair.com
Reproduction wood sashes: Smith Restoration Sash
Restoration of historic wood windows: Landmark Services
Window repair/replacement options: Cambridge Hist. Comm.
Custom wood windows: Jim Illingworth Millwork, LLC
Guide to restoration/repair of wood windows: Terence Meany
Sash window repair hardware: Mighton Sash Window Hardware