Do You *Need* to Replace Your Windows?

As everyone knows, for all the bad things that have befallen Detroit, there has been at least one positive side to the decline: unlike cities that boomed through the 80s and 90s, our city isn't filled with ugly postmodern architecture (with the one exception that is fairly tasteful One Detroit Center (aka Comerica Tower). The beauty of the pre-depression skyscrapers that line the streets of the downtown are a treasure, and I think will not be topped by buildings in any other city ... at least if the currently vacant towers are saved in the next decade or so (Broderick Tower is being rescued!).

Save the windows if possible!

There's another group of pre-depression buildings that also need saving: homes! I am not so naive to believe that too many more currently vacant homes in the Detroit area are going to be bought and restored; in fact I pray that most will be demolished rather than sit and rot further, being burned on devil's night, and being host to every manner of criminal activity. However, for those of you that live in pre-depression homes in the Detroit area, there are some things you should do, and some things that you should not do. Most importantly, don't replace your windows unless you really have to! Those beautiful single-glazing, hardy wooden windows are beautiful and you shouldn't replace them with aluminum or vinyl or anything else if they can possibly be restored to working order. Old windows can in fact achieve solid energy efficiency if you make sure they seal properly, have good weatherstripping and don't have any leaks the glass fits into the sash. No, they won't quite compete with a brand new low-E coated, double or triple glazed vinyl window. But it won't cost you much to restore the old windows, either (but do remember to protect yourself from lead).

Old House Journal has a nice article about the sensibility of restoration vs. replacement, which is recommended reading for those of you with an old house in need of a solution for worn out windows.  Planet Green has a story also worth reading, about the overall environmental questions involved---although the idea that any old window, no matter how badly worn, no matter how built, is better than a new window is the product of enthusiasm for the thesis, not proof, as far I can tell. Still, a good read.

Ultimately, if you need to replace your windows, it's probably a good idea (if you aren't doing it yourself) to consider the big, well-reputed window companies in the area that actually manufacture their windows in the Detroit area (rather than reselling who-knows-what); I suppose that means Wallside (if you want a cheaper but somewhat lower quality window) and WeatherGard Windows (if you want something on the "premium"-ish end of the spectrum)---the choice really comes down to budget and expectations.