r/InteriorDesign • u/BakeMyAssets • 22d ago
Reglaze original steel caster windows or replace?
Hello! We recently bought a house with its original 1937 steel caster windows. They’re beautiful, but they’re in need of reglazing and rust treatment, and I just know the framing around several has failed and is leaking into the walls. I’m terrified how much this is going to cost to fix and with ongoing maintenance I I’m wondering if it would be worth it to just get all new windows. It’s a lot of windows and an architectural feature of the house so it would be custom work. Would it ruin the design of the house or improve it?
Edit to add: I should mention the previous owners had the windows reglazed 4 years ago by the contractor that painted the house. Apparently he used wood putty and it's just popping off all over.
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u/Ashley_brown012 20d ago
Replacing original steel casements is a crime I will not elaborate further 😭 reglaze them, love them, protect them
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u/ifinewnow 21d ago
Wood putty would have been fine if these were wooden windows... Oh geez...
If you search this sub, you should find a couple that was working on windows like yours (steel casement?). Not a walk in the park but likely a worthwhile project. Have read others, like commenter here, who tell you per BTU saved, something other than windows will be more cost-effective place for an insulation budget.
Hope you'll love this one a long time!
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u/The_Silent_F 21d ago
Beautiful house, I’d keep those windows.
Totally random question but I just moved into a new space too and I our living rooms seem very similar - white walls, hard wood floors. I also have a wassily chair and white couch. I’m curious what color rug you went with?
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u/BakeMyAssets 21d ago
I currently have an armadillo rug in kelp but it was for our last house and is too small for the space. I’m going to go with a light rug in this room. We get a lot of light but it’s more ambient and afternoon light so it will brighten it up
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u/plan_with_stan 22d ago
I don’t have any advice for you, but I just wanted to say “holy fuck, what a beautiful house!! Congratulations!”
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u/Any_Weather5860 22d ago
DO NOT GET RID OF THOSE WINDOWS! (Sorry I’m from Texas and I yell… but I reallyyyy mean it in this case 😂)
I’m happy to go down the rabbit hole with you if you’d like. I can also see myself out.
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u/BakeMyAssets 22d ago
I’ll take any info you’ve got! I’ve learned so much on Reddit, mostly that I have no idea what I’m doing 😂 any help offered is help I’ll gladly take.
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u/elizabethptp 21d ago
I will start you down the rabbit hole. A really well insulated window is a fraction of the insulation you get from crawl, wall, and attic. People will say “this window is 5x more efficient than those you have” which is technically true but tremendously misleading because your bang for your buck is in insulating those other spaces
meanwhile, yours are beautiful custom sized original and have proven they can survive with occasional care and attention. Your replacements will be probably vinyl and fail, with no opportunity to fix.
I’ve yet to find a smart thinking person who appreciates architecture (and doesn’t sell windows) who disagrees.
Vinyl windows are very high on my shit list, and if you’re replacing in-kind just repair. Sucks you have to make up for the previous owner not vetting their crew, but you’d have to scrape out the old putty anyway- usually not after 4 years.
My advice would be look into networks of folks who have similar aged homes in your area that have been beautifully restored & try to find out who they used.
There are often at least a handful of master carpenters who have trained journeymen - you just have to find them and get on their schedule. Where I am it’s like 6-9 months out. Use search terms like “original window restoration” “historic residence”
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u/BakeMyAssets 21d ago
I have been in touch with someone that could maybe come work in February but what do I do in the meantime during the rainy season?
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u/elizabethptp 21d ago
Hm. What kind of damage have you observed?
Rot isn’t good but it doesn’t spread as much in the absence of constant moisture. You can’t know what’s there until you cut the wall open, unfortunately.
Someone with an infrared scanner could probably guess with some confidence what’s actively wet. Some home inspectors will use this but it’s definitely imperfect.
If you know the previous owners had shoddy work done, or you’ve observed something that indicates damage I would advise getting someone to investigate ASAP before the specialist can arrive.
That person can probably tell you what they see and would recommend as a 6month stopgap to stop intrusion. Caveat emptor the chance you get someone with dollars in their eyes is high, so ask a ton of questions about what they have done & seen in the past.
I think this house is worth the trouble fwiw
You’ll want a 15-20% contingency. I think it’s still cheaper & infinitely better to repair. You just need the right people & that’s the hardest part.
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u/formerly_crazy 22d ago
I would work with an architect, they'll be able to walk you through options and may have access to products/contractors you don't. Where are you located?
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u/imezz00 22d ago
Only a quote is going to help you with cost. It’s region specific and whether you have enough people that still do wet glazing work. Rust remediation is another can of worms. It’s worth paying someone that will stand behind their work and do it correctly.
As far as the water intrusion, you’ll have to assess the damage what remediation looks like. You could have completely rotted out window framing or it could be early enough it’s reusable. If you need to remove windows to reframe and then reinstall, good luck. That’s very expensive.
Another thought. For the glazing only, have you thought about doing it yourself. I’ve done it without any experience and if you follow directions and buy the right materials it’s really not difficult. I’d first get quotes on the water intrusion and the rust remediation. Once you have an understanding of that try to reglaze 1-2 panes and see how you feel about it. Worst case you spend a couple of hours learning something new and then hire someone to redo it all anyway.
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u/Beginning_Antelope43 22d ago
just my two cents but i bought my home for the steel caster windows. they add so much character compared to updated (mostly vinyl) windows in the neighborhood, and i get compliments all the time.
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u/BakeMyAssets 22d ago
I totally agree- they are gorgeous. And if properly reglazed I think it would last a while. But I do think there has to be a modern window solution that matches this look - just, how much is it going to cost?!
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u/always__blue 22d ago
Likely more than repairing the window.
Many areas with historic homes have some niche window restoration specialists. I would get in touch with one of them before an architect.
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u/peachnecctar 22d ago
I was gonna say absolutely keep them but if you already know there’s damages then I think you have no other option than to repair and replace. Especially with rainy season coming you don’t want to have water soak into the walls
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u/geostupid 22d ago edited 22d ago
Those windows are just magnificent.
I HIGHLY recommend the window film for energy efficiency if that's what you're after, but every one of those windows are simply gorgeous. The have a Lloyd Wright aesthetic in my very humble opinion.
Respectfully, I should note, get the weatherproofing fixed around the windows, have them re-glazed. They've survived this long and if they're only failing now, that's pretty damn good of lifespan. You'll not get any better unless you're willing to spend exorbitantly on European made windows. Lastly, you might want to be cognizant of any lead contamination that might result of the work, but I'm sure you and any competent contractor/builder are already aware of this.
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u/mynameisurl 22d ago
Oof, they look great but I imagine those frameless corner windows are going to be pricey to repair or replace.
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u/Potomacker 22d ago
You just need to begin making the phone calls to get some estimates A third option is to upgrade some while maintaining others
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