09-29-2019, 03:53 PM
My house has original windows which were made about 60 years before the release of Windows. In some ways they're very nice and in some ways they're a bit frustrating.
They've forced me to define what I want out of windows - you want them to block the air OR allow air in, you want to see through them OR make them opaque (perhaps partially), and you want them to keep out the cold in the winter.
I'm not sure how many of those we'll be able to do successfully.
I think the current issue is around screens and blinds. ALL our existing screens (as illustrated on the right) have mounts for roller shades. I guess thats how they did it in 1920-something. There's still one attached. In my experience thin roller roller shades are almost universally cheap. Maybe I'm being picky but I'd like something nicer. Still, attaching them to the screens means that the screens need to stay installed and we don't open windows much for nearly 6 months of the year where I live.
Most of the screens haven't been used in many years due to the addition of air conditioning. Also, it appears that many of the storm windows haven' been off in many years and were frequently painted in place. Removal would require cutting through layers of paint. They even painted over the hardware that keeps the windows in. I can't help but take a dim view of whoever did this.
I'm willing to put effort into making the windows nice but need to judge where to draw the line.
I'm going to do my best to get the storm windows installed but I think there are a couple that are missing. (how the hell does that happen??) Then I'll get a thermal efficiency analysis. I guess I'm curious if anyone has found it necessary to upgrade old windows such as these for energy reasons. Obviously I assume newer windows are more energy efficient but thats just an assumption.
Two questions - any advice on window dressing? Any advice on thermal efficiency concerns?
They've forced me to define what I want out of windows - you want them to block the air OR allow air in, you want to see through them OR make them opaque (perhaps partially), and you want them to keep out the cold in the winter.
I'm not sure how many of those we'll be able to do successfully.
I think the current issue is around screens and blinds. ALL our existing screens (as illustrated on the right) have mounts for roller shades. I guess thats how they did it in 1920-something. There's still one attached. In my experience thin roller roller shades are almost universally cheap. Maybe I'm being picky but I'd like something nicer. Still, attaching them to the screens means that the screens need to stay installed and we don't open windows much for nearly 6 months of the year where I live.
Most of the screens haven't been used in many years due to the addition of air conditioning. Also, it appears that many of the storm windows haven' been off in many years and were frequently painted in place. Removal would require cutting through layers of paint. They even painted over the hardware that keeps the windows in. I can't help but take a dim view of whoever did this.
I'm willing to put effort into making the windows nice but need to judge where to draw the line.
I'm going to do my best to get the storm windows installed but I think there are a couple that are missing. (how the hell does that happen??) Then I'll get a thermal efficiency analysis. I guess I'm curious if anyone has found it necessary to upgrade old windows such as these for energy reasons. Obviously I assume newer windows are more energy efficient but thats just an assumption.
Two questions - any advice on window dressing? Any advice on thermal efficiency concerns?
