Cost to refurbish old windows

Check with the local authorities for the best, safest way to proceed, and be sure to work with contractors trained to handle toxic substances. But be forewarned that it can nick and scratch easily cutting boards are important.

Four years in, Fan reports, her soapstone counters have worn unevenly and dent from even dropping a can. Read more in Remodeling Soapstone Countertops.

Consult an expert or two : An official inspector can tell you the nitty-gritty of your house—before you start tearing down walls. Search for:. The rule of thumb with any remodeling project is to remember that it will cost more than you think—but this is especially the case with old houses like farmhouses. Consider having old windows repaired by an expert, not replaced. Rotted frames, deteriorated sashes and leaking air can generally be fixed in window restoration — even a rotting window isn't necessarily too far gone for restoration.

But sometimes a house's windows are really beyond repair, especially if restoring them wouldn't preserve any sort of historic element to the building. If your windows are 30 years old or younger , restoring them won't make much sense, aesthetically or historically. Photo by tuppus via Flickr Creative Commons.

If your house is in a historic district, like this Brooklyn brownstone, check if you're allowed to replace your windows. Restoring may be your only option. If you have the option to replace, adding modern windows to a historic home can be a nice way to bring the modern aesthetic in. This bumped-out window was added to a West Philadelphia kitchen by Hanson General Contracting for a more contemporary look and a little extra space.

Request a quote from a local window dealer. Sometimes new windows can have a historic feel. In this house, Schwartz and Architecture installed new windows in a fourth-floor dormer expansion yet retained the traditional aesthetic of the house.

Tell us: Are you going to replace or restore your windows, and why? See 42 comments. Explore Related Topics. Which Window for Your World? Shop Related Categories. People who liked this story also liked. The Facts About Historic Windows Unlike replacement windows where the whole window unit must often be replaced or factory repaired if an issue arises, historic windows can be repaired piecemeal.

Each individual piece can be repaired, restored , or replaced quite simply by the homeowner or local tradesman. Here are five other solutions you can use to make your older windows more energy-efficient. Asked by: Marquerite Wiederhold asked in category: General Last Updated: 7th February, How much does it cost to restore historic windows? Replacing windows is not always the best solution as new windows will only last about 25 years before you would need to replace yet again.

How do you seal old windows? Easy Fixes for Right Now V-seal weather stripping. Add this plastic weather stripping along the sides of the sashes. Rope caulk.

This soft, sticky stuff can be molded to suit the gap — and removes easily at the end of the season. Shrink film. Nail polish. Draft snake.

How do you fix an old window pane?