To replace or restore: Character, efficiency among considerations when fixing old windows

Unless your home recently underwent renovations, you are probably unaware of what, with only gentle prodding, reveals itself to be a highly contentious debate among home-improvement authorities.

Herein lies all the makings of either a great Shakespearean tragedy or a successful national political campaign — passion, deception and resentment abound. The subject: windows. The debate: to replace or not to replace.

On one side are those like David Weaver of Weaver Glass LLC in Beverly and Brian Dobbins, owner of Len Gibely Contracting in Peabody, who argue that the thermal performance, durability and special features of a replaced window far exceed that of a restored window.

Dismissing such claims as empty rhetoric is the self-proclaimed Pane in the Glass, Scott Woods of Beverly; The Window Woman, Alison Hardy of Topsfield; and her friend James "Pat" Patrick of OldTownRepair in Marblehead — window restorers all.

Talking to these pros, it would seem energy efficiency, lifespan and price are, when it comes to the issue of replacing or restoring, in the eye of the beholder.

If you can no longer ignore that steady winter draft wreaking havoc with your thermostat and are venturing into the world of windows, some North Shore residents who have already weathered this storm might be able to help.

"There are certainly times when replacing is appropriate," said Beverly native Kevin O'Connor, who hosts TV's "This Old House" and "Ask This Old House." "(Nevertheless), there is really no conventional window today that gives you the exact look of those original windows."

When the O'Connors began renovating their 110-year-old, three-story, Queen Anne-style home a few years ago, they decided to replace some windows and restore others. In their unfinished attic, they cut nine large spaces and installed double-pane insulating glass wood windows, discarding the old, smaller ones.

The first and second floors, however, were different. There, the ornate original windows needed restoration, not replacement.

"There is just a certain feel — an element — to those original windows," O'Connor said. "If you want to preserve the historic look of the house, then restoring windows is the first choice to go for."

For such a task, The Window Woman's services were requested. Carefully working the wood to meet the O'Connors' expectations, Hardy restored the charming rectangular double-hung windows on the first floor as well as their strikingly curved arched companions on the second.

Although compared with replacements, restored windows can be, according to the television toolman, somewhat less energy efficient, he believes when fitted with storms the difference is slight and that people tend to "over-think the performance of their windows."

"The vast majority of heat loss and heat gain in a house actually goes through the roof structure, not the side walls," O'Connor said.

Hardy, who has also restored windows for the Hawthorne Hotel in Salem, agrees that proper craftsmanship produces a window that does not excessively tax the consumer in terms of heat loss and is often more reasonable when it comes to installation charges.

"Customers tell me all of the time that my prices are less than buying some replacement windows," said Hardy, who charges anywhere from $400 to $1,000 depending upon window style

"It is a green business," he said. "The manufacturers of vinyl windows produce waste that is undesirable, and when you tear out an old window to put in a replacement window you are generating a lot of trash that has to be handled somewhere by someone at some cost."

Of course, financial savings and ecological concerns may not catch the attention of all homeowners. Yet, it is nearly impossible to overlook a large truck with the words "Pane in the Glass" scrawled across it.

The slogan was what first intrigued Sara Maxson of Salem. Having recently renovated a house in New Hampshire with factory windows costing $400 each, Maxson was beginning work on her 1910 Bungalow-style house that abuts the Salem Common. She saw the truck, made some inquiries, and asked Woods to restore 21 of her drafty, painted-shut windows.

"I couldn't be happier," she said. "I only paid $350 for each window with storms included. The house is so much warmer now that everything closes. It is nice and quiet. I don't even hear it when it rains outside."

Woods bristles at the notion of an energy-efficiency rating being awarded to replacement windows but not his, demanding to know how people could believe that a sound-proof house could simultaneously allow heat to escape.

He claims that in addition to the energy savings of restored windows, the hanging devices for "the best commercial grade window (will last) a maximum of 15 years," while the pulley systems of older windows have been functioning flawlessly "since the 18th century."

Such assertions do not go unchallenged. Replacement experts Weaver and Dobbins were skeptical about the energy efficiency claim and dismissive of the inferiority gibe.

While both admit that in some cases a restored window might be more appropriate, they believe replacement windows offer energy savings, durability and easy access for maintenance.

"That's not really a fair statement," Weaver said in reference to Woods' claim about hanging devices. "Many balancing systems are out there (of varying quality)."

Added Dobbins, "The windows we install come with a 20-year guarantee from the manufacturer. If you get a quality product from a good company, I don't see that issue becoming a problem."

While the debate charges on, consumers beware, perhaps only one thing is certain: Both sides are equally passionate about their panes.

Energy Star certified thermal performance Not permitted in many historic districts $300 to $700 each (Standard double-hung window)

Cleaning made easy with tilt-in function Can sacrifice aesthetic beauty of house

No storms needed Replacing creates waste, and therefore isn't ecologically friendly

Restorers claim windows can be made as energy efficient as replacement windows Probably not suitable for houses built in the last 30 years $250-$1,000 each (Depending upon style and restorer)

Maintains aesthetic look of house Doesn't expand window openings and increase view

Photos

Heather Wallace, left, and Bobbie Owens of Window Woman of New England glaze an old window in a Topsfiled shop. The company, owned by Alison Hardy, specializes in the repair and restoration of wooden windows. Staff photo

Mike Russell removes a pane of glass from an old window frame at Window Woman of New England in Topsfield. The company, owned by Alison Hardy, specializes in the repair and restoration of wooden windows. Staff photo

Mike Russell removes layers of paint from an old window frame at Window Woman of New England in Topsfield. Staff photo

Mike Russell slides and old window frame into a steamer at Window Woman of New England in Topsfield. The steamer helps with the removal of old layers of paint. Staff photo

Window Woman of New England owner Alison Hardy specializes in the repair and restoration of wooden windows. Hardy says since she started the business in 2003, she and her small team of specialists have repaired close to 500 windows. Staff photo

Andy Frerk of Weaver Glass in Beverly demonstrates how to clean the panels in the newly installed windows in the O'Dell Avenue home of Dan and Theona Arsenault in Beverly as part of a window replacement project. Staff photo

An exterior view of the newly installed windows in the O'Dell Avenue home of Dan and Theona Arsenault in Beverly. Staff photo

Scott Woods of Pane In The Glass works on a customer's window. Staff photo