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Restoring Old Windows

Ryan Pirro from RestorationWindows.com joins Bob to explain how and why the old windows are being refurbished in the Rowley Victorian. Pirro says the number one reason for refurbishing is cost effectiveness. It costs much less to refurbish than to buy new, which would be three to four times the cost of restoration. Another reason to restore is how easily the windows operate once they are restored. Refurbished windows are also highly energy efficient, often more efficient than new windows. The completed window he show Bob was removed and repainted while the mechanicals were repaired. The old sash ropes in these double-hung windows were replaced with bronze chain that will last indefinitely. Double hungs are defined by two sashes � top and bottom � and sash weights in pockets on the side for operation. Sash-weight pockets are uninsulated and can result in heat loss, which is why some homeowners abandon sash operation. On these windows, they have replaced the parting bead on each side with Spanish cedar, which is highly rot resistant. They have also installed spring-bronze weather stripping in the track for smooth operation and a tight fit to block incoming drafts. The spring-bronze weather stripping is installed by hand to fit the window precisely. The bronze chain is attached to a spiral in the top of the window frame then drilled into a channel and guide hole in the window itself. Maintenance on refurbished windows includes applying furniture oil or preserver to the window channels for optimal operation and healthy wood. The weight boards are attached separately as access doors to the window weights should the sash cords or chains ever break. Average mechanical restoration of old windows is about $220 per window.
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Restoring Old Windows

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" We've got right hero from restoration windows dot com. But you're not just out there in cyberspace or graphics and windows now why does it make sense to us. Fix a double hung sash like that this not antique it's forty -- don't. Well the biggest reason would be cost effectiveness and if you were to replace this window. That compared a replacement window not true divided lights you're looking at about. Three to four times the cost of restoration during everywhere now yet yes -- another would be ease of operation. These windows when properly restored operate very easily and they keep the drafts out and they sure do these windows are just as energy efficient if not more energy efficient. Then and replace now has this one been already completed this one's completed here what we did is reached took this window out over the weekend. And prepped it for painting painted it and now we've installed it we've installed. It's bombs they solid bronze chains in place of these old sash ropes which tend to give out. A -- solid bronze chain will last indefinitely. We're out there the reason they call it a double hung window is that there's two sash and it's hung on a sash weight and fact we look right over here. Your assistant is just in the process. Three connecting that sash weight. Yes and putting it back in the sash pockets. Now a lot of times people stop using the sash which is not having insulation in those areas means that you do have a certain amount of heat loss. And that's I think most important when you've got very believed. Victorian sized windows in a very big house here we're just talking two small windows soil will be spent much -- an issue. Would the other components that you were pointing out here. So we've replaced it. The ropes with the new chain we've replaced the parting beam which are these thin vertical strips of wood here with a new piece of Spanish cedar when you Spanish cedar because it's a very rot resistant wood that's the parting -- is -- as -- minister -- yes. We've also installed spring bronze weather stripping. Which just passed through functions that blocks any draft from coming in but it also creates a smooth gliding surface for the window by centering the window you can see how easily this operates. Is it really really. And then on the bottom. If you have the same. Would you not spring weather stripping spring bronze register as it does have a little bit of give and it's just essentially a strip of metal that has this. Crimp -- it right so that it so we -- we adjust this by hand we flare it out so that we can adjust for. -- The lack of -- Space. The window OK OK and then the last thing you put in as a stop we have finished putting in the final trim to the point that's OK and here you have. From the other. And how do you actually attach the the sash is attached with a spiral these just spiral right on to change volume and that and then when they're installed. There's a pocket in the side of the window sash which. We take a screw. Citizens on the street you know -- yes we're talking about it goes right into that it fit right -- them and we put a screw right through that link of chain. From there. So that holds the spiral in place and it just doesn't go anywhere -- who has watched as he finished. The parting beam is never nailed right it just fits in place. Occasionally they do need to be now so we just predrill and put a small finished. Does it make any sensed it apply any kind of linseed oil or -- lubricant to these different components yes as proper routine maintenance with these windows you should take a furniture polish furniture preserver and spray the channels of the windows. Help lubricate the window as well as preserve the Wharton. Now that particular piece is original to the frame right yes. That's called a weight port and that's cut out to give access to those -- a window weights for when the ropes break right. All right so now we just reconnect the chains that. And we're back in business. So Ryan what's the approximate cost of you know an average size window restoration practice your average on the mechanical restoration on a window of this size. Is about 225. Dollars not -- OK thanks a lot thank you."

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