If you’ve fallen in love with the charm and character of an older home, you know how important it is to preserve its unique style—even when it’s time for upgrades. But let’s be honest: choosing new windows can feel a bit overwhelming. You want something energy-efficient and easy to maintain, but you also want to stay true to your home’s original look.
Wood windows will align with a historic home’s charm, but fiberglass windows offer much simpler maintenance and durability. Fiberglass windows are available in a finish that mimics the look of real wood, which may be the perfect solution for your historic house.
Read on to gain insight and make the best long-term decision for your home’s new windows.
Upgrading Your Home with New Windows
You’ve weighed the pros and cons of restoring your old windows and decided it’s time to replace them. If you live in a historic home, check with your local municipality for details on window replacement to ensure you stay within the guidelines to maintain your home’s character. Next, look for:
Energy-Efficient Features
When you renovate your older home with new windows, you’ll have every opportunity to boost its energy efficiency, saving you on utilities monthly, and preserving your HVAC unit. Energy-efficient windows increase your home’s interior comfort and save you on utility bills. A simple way to find energy-efficient features is to look for the ENERGY STAR® label.
Most historic homes have single pane windows that lack energy efficiency. They also may have gaps around them due to moisture intrusion or wear and tear. You can enjoy energy savings by including features like these on your new windows:
- Multiple panes – Two or three panes deliver greater energy efficiency for your home because the space between panes acts as an insulator, lowering heat transfer.
- Low-E coating – This coating is applied to window glass and reflects light, reducing heat gain each summer and heat loss each winter. A Low-E coating can decrease energy loss by 30% to 50%. This coating also helps block harmful UV rays.
- Argon or krypton gas – Adding invisible, non-toxic gas between your windowpanes can elevate energy savings and provide greater indoor comfort. These gases are more effective insulators than air and will minimize heat loss.
- Durable frames – Energy-efficient windows feature frames made of materials that minimize heat transfer—like fiberglass.
- Professional installation – A tight seal around your window frame will reduce air leakage and increase energy efficiency, making it vital that you have your new windows installed by an experienced team of professionals (like us!). Don’t be fooled by the temptation to “save money” and DIY window replacement. Get the best long-term results by hiring a qualified contractor.
Window Size
Older and historic homes often feature window openings that are larger or smaller than modern standard window sizes. Precise measuring is vital to successful window replacement in older homes. Ensure your contractor measures the height, width, and depth of each opening, and realize you may need to order custom windows to get the fit right.
Window Type
If your current window frames, sills, and jambs are rotting due to water penetration, you’ll need full-frame replacement windows. To install these, your contractor will need to expose your window openings down to the rough framing.
If your present window frames are in good condition, you may be able to retrofit them with insert replacement windows. These slip into your existing opening and are fastened to your current side jambs.
Complement Your Older Home’s Architecture with the Perfect Window Style
Design considerations have a big impact on the aesthetic of your new windows. The right style increases home value, making appropriate windows a smart investment.
- Cape Cod
Bay windows and double-hung windows are excellent choices for Cape Cod homes. - Classic Cottage
Double-hung windows are a perfect style to complement your cottage style property. - Colonial
Casement or double-hung windows are best suited for Colonial houses. - Craftsman
Casement or double-hung windows complement this Arts and Crafts style home. - Greek Revival
Classic double-hung windows are ideal for Greek Revival houses. - Victorian/Queen Anne
Large bay windows are a perfect fit for gathering areas within Queen Anne or Victorian homes. Double- or single-hung windows work well throughout the remainder of these homes, while specialty window shapes and arched windows are also great selections. - Ranch
Double-hung or casement windows are optimal for Ranch homes. A large front picture window is classic, and sliding glass doors into the backyard are also common. - Spanish Colonial Revival
Custom and arched windows are ideal for Spanish Colonial Revival houses. - Tudor Revival
Narrow, tall, double-hung windows or casement windows with diamond-shaped panes are ideal to complement this home style.
Why Fiberglass Windows Are a Great Fit for Older Homes
Maintain Your Home’s Architectural Integrity
Older and historic homes that feature wood elements can stay true to the original design even with modern replacement windows. How? EverWood is a fantastic fiberglass window finish that Infinity by Marvin offers. Its wood-grain interior finish replicates the look of wood but is made from an engineered material that won’t absorb moisture or decay. It can be stained to match existing wood, perfectly customizing it to your home’s features.
Enjoy Simple Upkeep
Durable Infinity by Marvin replacement windows feature a convenient tilt-inward function that makes cleaning them a breeze!
Enhance Your Property’s Authentic Beauty and Value with New Windows Installed by Our Experienced Team
Don’t risk the problems old windows can cause, like moisture intrusion, rot, and deterioration. Preserve your old or historic home’s structure with gorgeous new windows.
At Replacement Windows by Lakeside, we take time to understand your dreams and desires so we can offer multiple solutions for your budget. We exclusively install Infinity from Marvin fiberglass replacement windows and are recognized as an Infinity from Marvin Gold Partner. Infinity windows are made from Ultrex®—a durable fiberglass material eight times stronger than vinyl and almost three times stronger than wood-vinyl composite frames.
Our in-house crews prioritize quality control, and new windows are backed by our workmanship warranty and Infinity’s manufacturer’s warranty. Learn more about how our premium window services can increase your home’s beauty and value.
