Before you replace your windows, consider the extent to which the new ones might change the way your house looks. As you decide, consider these guidelines from the National Park Service:
Try to understand the contribution of the windows to the appearance of the facade, including the pattern of the openings and their size, the proportions of the frame and sash, the configuration of windowpanes, muntin profiles, the type of wood, paint color, characteristics of the glass, and details such as arched tops, hoods or decorative elements.
Develop an understanding of how the window reflects the period, style or regional characteristics of the building, or represents technological development. Then search for a replacement that retains as much of the character of the historic window as possible.
I assume you want to replace windows to reduce drafts. But remember, you can spend thousands of dollars and your house may still be as drafty as it was before - except when you stand in front of the windows. We often blame windows for our energy problems, but much heat is lost in the space around them.
Hap Haven, president of SunHaven Solar, a Philadelphia company that does energy audits, says cold air can find its way in through the gap where the bottom edge of a windowsill meets the wall. A little dab of caulk will fix it, he says.
Now that I've finished the lecture, here's my recommendation: Go to www.toolbase.org and click on "Windows" at the bottom of the left-hand column. It should tell you all you need to know about energy-efficient windows.
Q: We recently had our carpets removed and refinished our hardwood floors. We now have beautiful floors, but they also squeak. Can you give us some ideas on how to fix this problem?
