Alward, the Berkeley remodeler, often works in homes built during the first decades of the 20th century. He says that though he will spec new manufactured windows, he prefers to replicate historical windows exactly, typically at a local sash and frame shop.
The cost, he says, is not prohibitive given that such a job would call for something more expensive than the cheapest replacements anyway.
“You can have a shop make a 2-by-3-foot double-hung out of good material using typical standard parts and profiles,” Alward says. “A window like that’s going to cost $300 or $400.” The same window by a brand-name manufacturer costs close to that as well, he points out.
Most important to getting the desired result, Alward says, is clear communication and oversight.
Alward and Kerr also often turn to the large recycled and salvaged parts market for hardware, components, or even whole window units. Salvaged parts tend to require additional cleaning, touching up, or repair before they can be incorporated into a restored or replicated window, and the salvage market is often difficult to navigate.
Factoring in all that time and effort, recycled parts aren’t likely to produce any net savings. But, Alward notes, price and convenience can’t always take precedence. “If it’s really important, you’ll do it and the client will pay for it.”
—David Zuckerman writes frequently on construction topics from his home in Brooklyn, N.Y.