Now that I know there are a bunch of people with old houses, I thought I’d crowd source from the experts!
We have all our original leaded glass windows, including those with metal muntins and lites.
We have had a number of windows repaired because they wouldn’t open and needed the weights replaced, and the previous owners had reinforced the muntins for a couple of windows. Most of the windows have “triple tracks” so there is a storm (or screen depending on the season) to make it “double paned”.
Issues -
Cleaning: It’s impossible to clean the windows and professional window washers have flat out refused the job. Would love tips/tricks if any of you have this set up. This is my biggest gripe.
Drafts: Even with the triple track system, we have drafts in the winter, and I’m sure we are losing A/C in the summer. When it gets crazy cold, we put towels. H has weather stripped some, but they are still leaky. Any suggestions?
Note: Replacing the windows is a not an option. One, we love them, two, we are in a historic district with a historic designation so we would need to use wood replacements which would be cost prohibitive. The only windows we were able to replace were the 1950s single panes in the basement and our sunporch addition (not original to the house). The one basement window that was visible from the street was $8K. We have 30 or so windows in the house.
We have had the same struggles and tried numerous “counter measures” all of which have had marginal success at best.
For far less than $8k we invested in LL Bean “house fleeces” and vowed never again to discuss how cold our milk barn is. Dog seems thrilled as she loves the wind blowing through her hair while sitting in our family room and the rest of us surrendered.
We have our original 100+ leaded glass windows, had the sash cords replaced 25 years ago but many have broken, replaced the old metal storm windows, and were actually complimented on the condition of our windows by window cleaners about 10 years ago (I attributed it to protective grime). So I’m no help, none of our window moldings are painted, it’s the original chestnut. It’s better than my parents much older home, the storm windows had to be put on and off every year, stored in the garage. Had some really hot thanksgivings!
Ha! We have similar windows. My MIL completely cleaned them inside and out when we moved in. She stood on our porch roof! She was something back then. They haven’t been cleaned since. We moved in in 2006! I’ll half heartedly clean what I can every now and then, but the shutters stay shut pretty much all the time.
Drafts. Yup have them too. I have some stuffed animal snakes that the kids won at Busch Gardens stuffed against some double French doors to the screened in porch.
We have draft stoppers we had made on Etsy for the doors and there are afghans all over the house ; )
My H committed to washing the exteriors at least on the first two floors next spring. (It’s a three story house plus a basement so tall. Not a chance the outside of the third story will get done unless a professional finally accepts the job).
We’ve lived here for 6 years and I’ve only ever washed the interiors of the windows.
I have a picture somewhere of snow inside the house, which blew in under our french doors. If that wasn’t bad enough, it didn’t melt.
I also am no help on the windows (we have Victorian 2 over 2 windows in our 1790’s house). We do have storm windows we had made 25 years ago, which help but aren’t perfect.
One anecdote: a “new” window frame rotted out unbeknownst to us, and suddenly fell out of the wall. When I went to see about a replacement, the salesman said “Well what did you expect? The window was 30 years old!”. I goggled at him and then replied “But all my other windows are in great shape and are 150 years old!”
No great suggestions for cleaning sadly but
we bought interior window inserts from here
Our house also has exterior storms and is in the historic district so any other type of replacement windows would be very expensive. These have an edging of foam around the outside which is impressive at blocking drafts and they just pressure fit into the window. I was worried about measuring accurately at first but customer service was very helpful on the phone. Each insert is custom made to fit your window and prices vary depending on size. I was initially nervous about buying so just did a small order then was so pleased ordered for all the other windows. We store them in the attic during the warmer months and put them up when the chill begins.
We didn’t have an old house in Illinois, just a badly built one. There were several large single panel windows. We had to insulate them every winter with window film. It helped a lot although it was a pain to put up anew every winter.
I think what used to bother me even more than the dirty glass was the dirty and mildewed ledges on the windows. We did end up replacing out 1925 original windows shortly after moving in years ago. Now I’m a different house.
Can you use the windex outdoor spray stuff you hook up to the hose for the outside panes? And pair that with what you can wash inside by hand? We had lots of windows in that house too and while I loved the natural light I hated the time it took to wash the windows!
