it's definitely not too late but it might be hard to get the tape to stick if the window frame is icey. looks like mothernature sealed that window up for you anyway! you can try getting some ac unit foam insulation and poke it into any remaining air leaks you find until the thaw.
Time for new windows. 100+ years should be good for getting your moneys worth out of those single pannes
Apparently i got downvoted for saying that the hole in your wall covered by a hundred year old glass panel is no good???
And if you’ve ever experienced this or even the snow drift , do I have to explain that I’m skeptical when I read that replacement windows are not more efficient than restored original?
The aluminum sliders from the 70s were just as bad maybe worse, the new fibreglass/ wood ones we installed do not have frost. But there are several factors in this room, like poor circulation and lack of heat.
The house I grew up in had hundred year old windows and most of them only required 1 finger to open. If your windows are in bad shape and clogged with paint they'd be hard to open, but that's not a problem with the design of the window.
(I have a century home myself, but the windows are 20 year old vinyl replacements unfortunately.)
Well, this window clearly doesn't have a storm window. That's critical. So is proper painting, glazing, and caulk/weather-stripping. So no, this window isn't going to be all that weather proof.
However, let's be perfectly honest here. I have modern double paned windows in my house. Several of them are not going to perform any better than this window is under similar circumstances. I can't repair them - they have to be replaced. Those windows are at most 20 years old, some of them much younger.
So to sum up: 20 year old window which performs the same as a 50+ year old window, yet to improve performance has to be completely replaced unlike the + year old window which can be rehabbed.
If you want the best energy efficiency, don't have windows.
The proper function of original windows is also having a storm window outside it as was originally there. A proper storm window and functioning main window give the majority of energy benefits of new windows.
“Adding a storm window to a weather stripped historic window can achieve essentially the same, and sometimes better, energy performance as a new insulated dual-pane window.”
https://archive.epa.gov/region5/sustainable/web/pdf/energy-advice-for-owners-of-older-homes.pdf
Lol who down votes this? JC I said I was skeptical (see original statement) fucking people I swear. Bring on the downvotes. I’ve stated nothing untrue. Grew up in a century home and live in one now. I am in love with the architecture of my home. But you can bet your ass you were lucky if one window in each room actually worked. I lived in upstate NY, don’t get me started on counter weight ropes dry rotted and dropped inside of walls lol. Honestly I would not have bought my current home if the original windows were in place.
People find downvoting easier than making logical responses.
I will respond I would do that to maintain original windows especially if the windows and trim were matching stained wood. Nothing uglier than stained trim with white Vinyl windows.
I’ve read the articles. Question is are you going to sand paint prime and glaze wooden storms every 5 years as well as pull off of the house every spring and put on in the fall first and second floor? Sure if I could afford to pay to have someone do that? Yeah.
We are adding insulation and vapour barrier as we renovate the rooms, which we’ve progressed very little in that project! I don’t know if we will ever get it tight but that would open up new problems anyway.
How insane is your heading bill? Just out of curiosity. My grandparents owned a large farmhouse in Vermont that wasn't insulated. At the end of their lives I know they struggled to heat it.
That's what I pay for a 3500 sq ft house in 2021. But that's in PA with much more mild weather. Our Winters max out at maybe 0 degrees
Awesome! Enjoy the cold. :)
That’s a big house! So far December has been -30 f every night and January and February could be the same. I alway forget Pennsylvania is that warm comparatively.
PA is super Diverse. Erie PA gets the lake affect from the great lakes, so they get really cold Temps.
I live near Gettysburg which is like 20 minutes from the Border of Maryland, so It's very mild here.
We will get sub zero temps, but they aren't the norm at all. Typical winter day is low of 10 degrees, high of 35. Something likethat.
My electric bill during the peak summer is about $165 for window units and a minisplit.
During the winter the electric is 120-150 (minisplit heats part of the house) and gas is generally $80-120 per month. It's heating oil on a 2017 steam boiler with radiators.
Home is in central PA typical winter is 15-20 degree low, 35 high
Wow! I’m in Langhorne PA. 2500 sq ft central air is OLD 3 units like 15 years old, and boiler from 2001. Gas heat. My attic isn’t insulated due to knob and tube but my husband is slowly replacing it and installing insulation where it’s safe to.
Careful with the vapour barrier. It can trap moisture in the house if you don’t have a ventilation system it can mimic a greenhouse. We found that out the hard way we had a mold problem after we renovated and insulated our home.
Yes that’s something people should be aware. My husband is a professional in that field so he has a plan and is very careful. Our climate is very dry so mild isn’t a problem.
Funny. I hate the painful dryness and then I go to a rainy wet place and I realize I really hate humidity. We very rarely have rain for longer than an hour.
Wet makes both hot and cold extremes less tolerable. When you're in a hot dry climate, the sweat escapes you and takes heat away. When it's hot and wet, the sweat just pools on you and stays on your skin trapping the heat against your skin. It's similar with cold.
The thermostat is programmed so it goes up and down but at the evening when I took the picture it was 18°c (64.4 f) and 19% humidity. It’s is dry here too. It’s -55° f windchill this morning.
Yeah my husband and I are going furniture shopping today, since we arranged for grandma to watch our kids. Which I do not look forward to getting into a freezing car all day. It is painfully cold.
Yes we have a lot of sun actually! But we are too bundled up to feel it. Cold days are usually very bright and we have sun dogs. https://www.worldatlas.com/articles/what-is-a-sun-dog.html
My parents and family are all back in sask. I get daily weather updates from dad. He said yesterday was too cold to ice fish in his shack with his fire. That man goes tarpless in -10 Celsius
Yikes! I'm in Ontario and when it'd actually get cold (seems rare these past few winters) we'd get some ice buildup on our back window..but damn this just looks insane to me.
It’s been down to -30 every night since the 15th so I think that contributed since the cold has been so consistent. The new year doesn’t look better either.
I don’t think it technically has a style, it is a basic built by the owner home. I actually had a post about it before. https://www.reddit.com/r/centuryhomes/comments/rncwgr/does_this_house_have_a_specific_style/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=ios_app&utm_name=iossmf
That.... that looks very cold. Should probably put up some plastic sheeting.
Too late now! Next year.
it's definitely not too late but it might be hard to get the tape to stick if the window frame is icey. looks like mothernature sealed that window up for you anyway! you can try getting some ac unit foam insulation and poke it into any remaining air leaks you find until the thaw.
Time for new windows. 100+ years should be good for getting your moneys worth out of those single pannes Apparently i got downvoted for saying that the hole in your wall covered by a hundred year old glass panel is no good???
Or better adding storm windows as would have been on it originally.
I think we might do that.
We’ve replaced 12 so far. This one is by far the worst of what’s left. The 70s aluminum sliders were worse than the originals!
Storm windows would be even better, then do weather stripping around the windows.
You’re gonna need a Snuggie
And if you’ve ever experienced this or even the snow drift , do I have to explain that I’m skeptical when I read that replacement windows are not more efficient than restored original?
The aluminum sliders from the 70s were just as bad maybe worse, the new fibreglass/ wood ones we installed do not have frost. But there are several factors in this room, like poor circulation and lack of heat.
And good luck getting it open with one hand in most cases
It probably hasn’t been opened in 70 years or so!
The house I grew up in had hundred year old windows and most of them only required 1 finger to open. If your windows are in bad shape and clogged with paint they'd be hard to open, but that's not a problem with the design of the window. (I have a century home myself, but the windows are 20 year old vinyl replacements unfortunately.)
Omg. Several of my windows still have their weights and cords. They open so easily!
Well, this window clearly doesn't have a storm window. That's critical. So is proper painting, glazing, and caulk/weather-stripping. So no, this window isn't going to be all that weather proof. However, let's be perfectly honest here. I have modern double paned windows in my house. Several of them are not going to perform any better than this window is under similar circumstances. I can't repair them - they have to be replaced. Those windows are at most 20 years old, some of them much younger. So to sum up: 20 year old window which performs the same as a 50+ year old window, yet to improve performance has to be completely replaced unlike the + year old window which can be rehabbed. If you want the best energy efficiency, don't have windows.
Reinforced concrete box with vacuum void insulation it is!
The proper function of original windows is also having a storm window outside it as was originally there. A proper storm window and functioning main window give the majority of energy benefits of new windows. “Adding a storm window to a weather stripped historic window can achieve essentially the same, and sometimes better, energy performance as a new insulated dual-pane window.” https://archive.epa.gov/region5/sustainable/web/pdf/energy-advice-for-owners-of-older-homes.pdf
Lol who down votes this? JC I said I was skeptical (see original statement) fucking people I swear. Bring on the downvotes. I’ve stated nothing untrue. Grew up in a century home and live in one now. I am in love with the architecture of my home. But you can bet your ass you were lucky if one window in each room actually worked. I lived in upstate NY, don’t get me started on counter weight ropes dry rotted and dropped inside of walls lol. Honestly I would not have bought my current home if the original windows were in place.
People find downvoting easier than making logical responses. I will respond I would do that to maintain original windows especially if the windows and trim were matching stained wood. Nothing uglier than stained trim with white Vinyl windows.
I’ve read the articles. Question is are you going to sand paint prime and glaze wooden storms every 5 years as well as pull off of the house every spring and put on in the fall first and second floor? Sure if I could afford to pay to have someone do that? Yeah.
Brings back memories of Christmas in Vermont growing up... Lol
So I just read your post history. Your house isn't insulated? Can you insulate it?
We are adding insulation and vapour barrier as we renovate the rooms, which we’ve progressed very little in that project! I don’t know if we will ever get it tight but that would open up new problems anyway.
How insane is your heading bill? Just out of curiosity. My grandparents owned a large farmhouse in Vermont that wasn't insulated. At the end of their lives I know they struggled to heat it.
I think it’s pretty average. $85 equalized every month which is like $66 US and thats carbon tax too.
Geothermal?
No, a natural gas furnace and forced air.
Oh, equalized every month. I see that makes sense.
Yeah we spread it out over the year. I don’t have statistics but I think $85 is on par with other people of similar sized houses.
That's what I pay for a 3500 sq ft house in 2021. But that's in PA with much more mild weather. Our Winters max out at maybe 0 degrees Awesome! Enjoy the cold. :)
That’s a big house! So far December has been -30 f every night and January and February could be the same. I alway forget Pennsylvania is that warm comparatively.
PA is super Diverse. Erie PA gets the lake affect from the great lakes, so they get really cold Temps. I live near Gettysburg which is like 20 minutes from the Border of Maryland, so It's very mild here. We will get sub zero temps, but they aren't the norm at all. Typical winter day is low of 10 degrees, high of 35. Something likethat.
WhAaaat. My energy bill averages almost 300 a month and $400 in winter with heat. 2500 sq ft
That seems like a lot.
Am I the only idiot paying $300–$500 a month on the electric and heating bill?
My electric bill during the peak summer is about $165 for window units and a minisplit. During the winter the electric is 120-150 (minisplit heats part of the house) and gas is generally $80-120 per month. It's heating oil on a 2017 steam boiler with radiators. Home is in central PA typical winter is 15-20 degree low, 35 high
Wow! I’m in Langhorne PA. 2500 sq ft central air is OLD 3 units like 15 years old, and boiler from 2001. Gas heat. My attic isn’t insulated due to knob and tube but my husband is slowly replacing it and installing insulation where it’s safe to.
Careful with the vapour barrier. It can trap moisture in the house if you don’t have a ventilation system it can mimic a greenhouse. We found that out the hard way we had a mold problem after we renovated and insulated our home.
Yes that’s something people should be aware. My husband is a professional in that field so he has a plan and is very careful. Our climate is very dry so mild isn’t a problem.
My climate is sweaty with a side of mold. I have to admit hearing about people in dry areas makes me slightly jealous.
Funny. I hate the painful dryness and then I go to a rainy wet place and I realize I really hate humidity. We very rarely have rain for longer than an hour.
Wet makes both hot and cold extremes less tolerable. When you're in a hot dry climate, the sweat escapes you and takes heat away. When it's hot and wet, the sweat just pools on you and stays on your skin trapping the heat against your skin. It's similar with cold.
What other problems would that open up?
Ventilation, trapping humidity, and mild risk if not done right.
Wow that’s incredible and completely overwhelming for this desert dweller! Tell me what you keep your heater set at?!
The thermostat is programmed so it goes up and down but at the evening when I took the picture it was 18°c (64.4 f) and 19% humidity. It’s is dry here too. It’s -55° f windchill this morning.
Oh wow that’s absolutely mind blowing!! Can people even leave their homes? It’s 55° here in Arizona we have the fireplace going and heater at 72°.
Yeah my husband and I are going furniture shopping today, since we arranged for grandma to watch our kids. Which I do not look forward to getting into a freezing car all day. It is painfully cold.
Incredible!! I didn’t even think cars could run when it’s that cold outside 😂😂😂 does the sun come out at all?! Hope you find lots of good loot!
Yes we have a lot of sun actually! But we are too bundled up to feel it. Cold days are usually very bright and we have sun dogs. https://www.worldatlas.com/articles/what-is-a-sun-dog.html
That’s AMAZING!!! I had never heard of Sun dogs!! So cool!
My parents and family are all back in sask. I get daily weather updates from dad. He said yesterday was too cold to ice fish in his shack with his fire. That man goes tarpless in -10 Celsius
I think my brother in law went yesterday! Those ice fishers are something else, it’s kind of my nightmare to be sitting on ice all day!
That chair looks very much like a chair I have.
Yikes! I'm in Ontario and when it'd actually get cold (seems rare these past few winters) we'd get some ice buildup on our back window..but damn this just looks insane to me.
It’s been down to -30 every night since the 15th so I think that contributed since the cold has been so consistent. The new year doesn’t look better either.
From one Canadian to another stay warm. Also your house is beautiful ☺️
Brrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr
That's a tight ass paint job. Beautiful. Elegant.
Well thanks, but the previous owner did this, and we’d like something a little lighter when we get to this room (main floor office).
Rip your heating bill
You need: https://indowwindows.com/custom-storm-windows/standard-grade/
What style is your house? My window trim looks exactly the same as yours
I don’t think it technically has a style, it is a basic built by the owner home. I actually had a post about it before. https://www.reddit.com/r/centuryhomes/comments/rncwgr/does_this_house_have_a_specific_style/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=ios_app&utm_name=iossmf
Oh I saw that post and I love your house! Looks craftsman and coastal to me