Solid Wood Historic Replacement Windows Built in Virginia

Washington DC Historic Window Craftsmen

by Gepetto Millworks | Jul 5, 2016 | Wooden Windows

Washington DC Historic Window Craftsmen Gepetto Millworks

Begin your renovation by familiarizing yourself with your local’s architectural style and how your home fits in. The period in which it was built does matter although Gepetto Craftsmen can match any construction style from 1600 and onward. Learn about the types of windows, doors and details that were used in the original construction – you may be surprised that the original construction methods were more sturdy, stable or energy efficient than today’s homebuilding techniques.

Northern VA Historic Window Craftsmen

Hire an experienced Architecht

A historic building consultant can save you time and energy in the early stages and give you confidence in your choices as you start out. Keep in mind that previous remodels over the years may have hidden the original details. Visit your local historical society to see if there are records available to help you learn about your home and community. You may uncover hidden gems as you restore your house to its original design or the gem may be created in your hearts and minds as you fall in love with your own home. Wooden details and accents bring organic warmth and a centering style to any interior modern or historic.

Antique Wooden Window Restoration Services Virginia

Removing your home’s original windows inevitably destroys the character of a historic house. New windows were designed for new houses. And while there are companies that make windows that look like historic ones they are still quite quite right. Lacking this major architectural element almost guarantees a lower resale price for a historic home. Don’t fall into the trap of thinking newer is better. On an old home this is rarely the case.

Historic Wooden Windows Barnwood Facing

Historic windows only require a couple construction details to perform as good or better than new windows. Firstly quality weatherstrip will produce the largest thermal gains. Secondly, they must be properly maintained with paint to prevent rot and other naturally occurring maintenance concerns. And lastly, you should consider adding historical storm windows to provide the multiplier for energy efficiency and an airtight seal. You can add a second ‘storm’ pane on the inside to preserve your home’s appearance from the street and minimize any recurrent drafts that may be seeping in around the windows. Quality restoration contractors will focus on the internal walls to provide airtight sills and winterizing especially in the temperate Virginia climate.

If you choose solid wood, historically accurate windows from Gepetto you will have windows that last centuries, retain your home’s value and meet even the toughest energy-efficiency standards in the market today.

Historic Renovation : Windows

by Gepetto Millworks | Feb 24, 2016 | Architectural Millwork, Historic Restoration, Wooden Windows

Custom wooden windows restored to meet Historic Tax Credit stipulations are a specialty in the Gepetto shop. We have a steady stream of historically accurate windows passing through the shop so much that we have a dedicated window guy! If you need historic tax credits to make sure your project stays on budget, get a quote now: Historic renovation tax credits provide more than an authentic living experience they keep the craftsmen employed locally building handmade windows with authentically aged glass. Solid wood doors that will last another 100 years. Architectural millwork is our specialty, and we excel at historic restoration projects from the 1600’s through the 1900’s. Contact us about the specific piece you need to finish your renovation.

Historic Wooden Window Builder Richmond VA

Gepetto Millworks based in Virginia supplies historically accurate wooden windows for large scale renovation of historic buildings across the south east. We have supplied the Spartansburg SC area’s Montgomery Building in downtown, the Bull Street District in Columbia South Carolina, and Richmond VA’s tobacco row, Mainstreet, Shokoe Bottom, The Fan, and Museum District with custom made all wood joinery windows. Our window builds have been extensively tested and while historically accurate include weather stripping made of modern materials that meet and exceed all environmental and durability tests they have been subjected to. Single pane, hand glazed windows have worked in the south for over 200 years, and there’s nothing better than the test of time.

Southern Plantation Historic restoration contractor

by Gepetto Millworks | Mar 28, 2011 | Built-in Storage VA, Custom Cabinetry, Historic Restoration, Kitchen Renovation, Molding and Trim, Project Spotlight, Richmond VA Woodworkers, Williamsburg VA, Wooden Windows

Historic Virginia Plantation Restoration Contractor

Historic Wooden Staircase Restoration Contractor

Rift or quarter-grain cuts are best. These cuts are the most stable. Flat grain often expands and contracts seasonally at twice the rate of quartered stock.

Historic Mantle and Trim Manufacturer Virginia

With that said, here are 10 things to keep in mind when determining which approach will work best for you:

1. Identify the factors that will shape your decision. Deciding whether to restore or rehabilitate your house, and to what extent, involves understanding its history; its architecture; and the present condition of its materials, finishes, and systems. You should also consider your household’s lifestyle and what personal needs the finished house must accommodate. More broadly, local historic district designations, local building codes, property insurance, and other regulatory or financial considerations will impact the path you take.

2. Review the house’s history. Who lived in the house and when? Did important events occur there? Did either (or both) scenarios have historical significance? If so, you could consider restoring the house to that period to help interpret its history.

Historic Home Renovation with Modern Kitchen

Install plain sawn lumber with the heart side up. Flat lumber will wear better with the heart facing up. If there’s cupping, the edges will stay flat, and only the center will hump slightly.

Virginia Historic Mantle and Trim Supplier

3. Know what “restore” means. To restore a house means to return its interior and exterior appearance to a particular date or time period. Strict restorations—ones that eliminate everything not present during the period chosen—are rare for homes, with most owners opting to maintain modern systems (plumbing, anyone?) and sympathetically designed changes, such as later additions, that add to the house’s history.

4. Know what “rehabilitate” means. To rehabilitate a house means to make it useful and functional for contemporary living while preserving important historic and architectural features. For example, a rehabilitated old house would always include modern electrical, mechanical, and plumbing systems, a modern kitchen, and other attributes typical of present-day homes.

Use traditional joinery. Component repairs should be made using traditional joinery instead of non-historic methods like a wholesale epoxy casting of a missing part.

Virginia Historic Home Restoration Supplier

5. Choose your approach. The major difference between restoring and rehabilitating is to either exactly duplicate a particular period or concentrate on preserving a sense of the changes that have occurred over time. For example, if an Italianate-style house had lost its wood eave brackets, a restoration project would duplicate them in wood as they originally appeared, while a rehab project would add new brackets of a compatible design in an appropriate substitute material (ex. fiberglass).

6. Evaluate existing alterations. Consider the quality, design, materials, and craftsmanship of the original house as well as the changes that have occurred over time. Compatible interior and exterior changes of the same or better quality than the original house, even if done in different styles or materials, should probably be kept and restored. Conversely, you should probably remove any poorly designed or executed changes.

9. Take care not to falsify the history of the house. This might seem counter-intuitive, but you actually do want to be able to tell additions apart from the original. That way, the house’s history is visible and transparent. Also be careful not to design additions that make the house appear to date from an earlier or later period, or alter the house’s details to an extent that suggest a different architectural period.

10. Look to the experts. For a more detailed list of recommendations, check out the Secretary of Interior’s Standards for the Treatment of Historic Properties. This jam-packed resource from the National Park Service includes guidelines on preserving, rehabilitating, restoring, and reconstructing historic buildings.

There’s no right or wrong answer when it comes to determining whether you should restore or rehabilitate your historic home. Let your property, capabilities, and needs help guide your decision, and chances are you’ll arrive at an accurate, appropriate solution.

The Glen Roy Estate was renovated and restored with the fine wood fabricated pieces by Gepetto Millworks.

We built most of the wooden construction, which was restored from a gutted historical property including:

cabinetry
kitchen design
wardrobe style kitchen storage
fireplace mantles
bathroom storage
laundry hideaway
china display shelving
custom closet design (NYC theme)
skylight

Glen Roy Plantation is a pristine 3-story, Georgian Revival home, which was completed in 1852. The intact interior features Greek Revival detailing and includes twelve fireplaces, forty windows, fifteen foot ceilings and a widows walk. The house sits on sixty acres with 500 feet of waterfront along the Ware River. There are also extensive lawns and gardens and numerous outbuildings including an 18th century library and a late 19th century carriage house. The property also features a stable, garage, swimming pool and dock.

Authentic Historic Restoration Wooden Windows

by Gepetto Millworks | Jan 3, 2011 | Architectural Millwork, Historic Restoration, Wooden Windows

Gepetto Craftsman have years of expert, hands on experience restoring wooden windows from projects across the mid-Atlantic area.

authentic antique glass
Historic Restoration standards
Wooden Windows and Sashes
partial restoration
energy efficient glazing

We have experience with partial restoration and remake to fit specialty jobs.

historic restoration windows

wooden windows and sashes for custom restoration

beautiful historial window restoration project by virginia small business

wooden sash restoration by local VA company

Historic Restoration wooden window shutter fabrication by local Virginia craftsmen

wooden sash restoration by local VA company

wooden sash restoration by local VA company Historic Restoration wooden window shutter fabrication by local Virginia craftsmen

Historic Restoration wooden window shutter fabrication by local Virginia craftsmen

Antique glass historic wooden window handmade renovation

Historic Restoration wooden window shutter fabrication by local Virginia craftsmen

Antique glass historic wooden window handmade renovation

Request your quote or start your project here:

Richmond VA
Chesapeake Areas of Virginia & Maryland
Historic Williamsburg
Glouchester, West point
Newport News – Hampton – Norfolk – Virginia Beach
Washington DC: Montclair, Manassas, Rockville, Silver Spring, Fort Washington, Waldorf
Charlottesville – Lynchburg – Appomattox – Roanoke

Historic Window Renovation Services

by Gepetto Millworks | Feb 6, 1998 | Wooden Windows

Historic Window Renovation Services

Architectural Integrity of Wooden Windows

by Gepetto Millworks | Feb 6, 1998 | Wooden Windows

Architectural Integrity of Wooden Windows

Preserving historical architecture presents a unique set of challenges, particularly when it comes to the integrity of wooden windows. Wooden windows, intrinsic to the aesthetic and structural integrity of historical buildings, demand meticulous attention to detail and technical expertise in preservation efforts. This discourse aims to critically examine the challenges and methods surrounding the preservation of wooden windows in historic buildings, emphasizing the importance of maintaining authenticity while ensuring longevity.

Historical Significance of Wooden Windows

Wooden windows stand as quintessential components of architectural heritage, embodying the craftsmanship and design ethos of their respective eras. From the intricate muntin patterns of Gothic Revival windows to the elegant simplicity of Georgian sashes, each style reflects the cultural, social, and technological contexts of its time. Furthermore, wooden windows serve as portals to history, offering insights into construction techniques, materials, and architectural preferences of bygone eras.

Challenges in Preservation

Preserving wooden windows in historic buildings poses multifaceted challenges stemming from their susceptibility to environmental degradation, structural instability, and the impact of modernization. Exposure to fluctuating temperatures, moisture, and UV radiation accelerates the deterioration of wood, leading to rot, warping, and loss of structural integrity. Moreover, misguided renovation practices, such as indiscriminate replacement with modern materials, compromise the authenticity and historical value of the windows.

Technical Analysis: Material Selection and Treatment

Effective preservation strategies for wooden windows necessitate a comprehensive understanding of materials and treatment methods. Traditional materials like oak, pine, and mahogany, prized for their durability and workability, remain preferred choices for historical accuracy. However, modern advancements offer alternative treatments such as epoxy consolidants and wood preservatives, which mitigate decay while maintaining the original appearance and texture of the wood.

Structural Assessment and Repair Techniques

Assessing the structural integrity of wooden windows requires a nuanced approach that combines visual inspection, non-destructive testing, and historical research. Techniques such as infrared thermography and acoustic emissions analysis provide valuable insights into hidden defects and weaknesses, enabling targeted repair interventions. Preservation carpentry, employing traditional joinery techniques and authentic materials, ensures sympathetic restoration while retaining the historical character of the windows.

Integration of Modern Technologies

Incorporating modern technologies into preservation efforts offers unprecedented opportunities to enhance the longevity and performance of wooden windows. High-performance coatings and sealants, formulated to withstand harsh environmental conditions, provide robust protection against moisture ingress and UV degradation. Additionally, the adoption of energy-efficient glazing systems and weather-stripping solutions improves thermal performance without compromising the authenticity of the windows.

Case Studies: Successes and Challenges

Examining notable preservation projects reveals both successes and challenges in the conservation of wooden windows. The meticulous restoration of the wooden windows at Monticello, Thomas Jefferson’s iconic estate, exemplifies best practices in historical preservation, where meticulous research, skilled craftsmanship, and adherence to authenticity converge to ensure the integrity of the windows. Conversely, instances of misguided interventions, such as the wholesale replacement of original windows with modern replicas at the Woolworth Building in New York City, underscore the importance of informed decision-making and preservation ethics.

Washington DC Historic Window Craftsmen

Hire an experienced Architecht

Historic Renovation : Windows

Southern Plantation Historic restoration contractor

Authentic Historic Restoration Wooden Windows

Historic Window Renovation Services

Architectural Integrity of Wooden Windows

Historical Significance of Wooden Windows

Challenges in Preservation

Technical Analysis: Material Selection and Treatment

Structural Assessment and Repair Techniques

Integration of Modern Technologies

Case Studies: Successes and Challenges

Virginia Window Restorers

Historic Replica Windows Made to Order

Southeast US Window Rehabilitation

Wooden Window Fabrication