Window Restoration: Managing Expectations
Many homeowners prefer to restore or rebuild their existing windows for various reasons. Some city preservation councils demand it while others want to preserve the integrity of the original windows, and lastly it may cost less to repair than replace. We do our very best when examining your intact windows, but once we pull the windows out we may encounter additional work.

At TMC Windows, Inc. we want our clients to have as much information upfront about window restoration as well as installing new windows so no one is disappointed. We developed the following guidelines to help in your decision process. We are always a telephone call away to answer questions at 847-864-8031 or email at info@tmcwindows.com.

The following is an example of what can be repaired in an existing wood double hung window. Remove existing window stop Remove lower sash, parting stop, and upper sash Remove pocket cover, sash weight and sash rope or chain Remove and replace existing pulleys Repair glazing or broken glass as required Replace sash chain or rope Replace existing weights and pocket cover Replace parting stop Apply appropriate weather stripping Refasten stops Replace sash locks   Additional types of wood windows that may be restored: casement, awning, glider and picture.

Windows restoration or rebuilding is not a clear cut process. At TMC we do our best to lay out the options and costs and the client decides how far they want to go. It requires some flexibility on the client's part as conditions are often uncovered during the process that have to be addressed and may or may not be covered in the original proposal.

Restoration is not energy efficient without the addition of interior or exterior storm window. The restoration process is focused on getting the old window to function as close to the manner it did when it was first installed. The processes involves removing decades worth of paint and caulk that, while preventing the windows from operating, acted as a fairly effective method for preventing drafts. Keep in mind that windows built in 1909 and restored in 2009 will still function as the original 1909 window.

Lastly, your windows will look great! Especially if the client opts to have the sashes stripped of the layers of paint and varnish, the details of the original window will be apparent again once the paint is removed. The top and bottom sashes will move up and down easily. The windows will lock. Broken and cracked glass will be replaced. Remember, it won't be perfect as they are not new windows.

Why Should I Restore and Not Replace?
Century old windows were constructed with old growth lumber. Old growth lumber is no longer available. The dense tight grain cannot be duplicated in plantation forests that produce the wood for replacement windows. Proper care and maintenance can keep nonrenewable old growth lumber out of the landfill for a long time.

Restoration preserves the character saving details of the home that cannot be duplicated in a replacement window.

Window sashes that have been stripped to the bare wood will have not only a smooth uniform surface to accept the new paint but more importantly the paint or stain will bond directly to the wood and not the layers of old paint etc. The result is a paint job that will endure the elements far longer than a standard paint job. Our new process of steaming off old paint is a highly effective method for preserving the wood and does not emit toxins into the air.

Interior Storm Windows
Interior storm windows are a cost effective way to improve the performance of old windows without altering the appearance of the window. They are available in a range of materials; vinyl and metal frames, glass and Plexiglas, with a variety of fastening systems that can be adapted to almost any situation. Screens are also available with most systems.

Wood Combination Storm Windows
Wood combination storm windows combine the traditional look of wood storm windows with the convenience of aluminum triple track storm windows. They consist of a wood frame around a metal track that allows the storm and screen panels to be changed to accommodate the season. This can be done from the inside and eliminates the need to remove the storm panel in the spring and replace it with a separate wood screen and back to the storm window in the fall. The movable panels are self storing.

Steam Stripping
Using a steam chamber to remove decade's worth of paint and rock hard glazing from old windows is valuable tool in window restoration. Using a steam chamber eliminates the need for chemical strippers that often require many applications to remove all the layers of paint. There is no chance of charring the wood as is common with the use of heat guns and the amount of toxic lead dust in the air while stripping window is dramatically reduced by the use of steam. In fact it's almost eliminated. Steam softens the glazing compound and that allows for the removal of removal of the existing glass in one piece. Not only is there the cost savings involved not having to replace the glass but the existing, unmatchable glass is preserved.

Steam Stripping in Action

1. Before Steaming, 2009	1a. Layers of old paint
2. The TMC Windows, Inc. "green" steam machine.	3. Steaming the 100 year-old window makes removing the original glass a simple task.
4. Layers and layers of paint easily scrap off after being steamed.	5. Ready for painting

Infrared Paint Removal
For certain applications, onsite work or materials too large for the steam chamber for example, infrared paint removal is the way to go. This method uses an electric tool that creates infrared heat to penetrate through the paint into the wood, so multiple layers can be scraped off with little damage to the wood. Unlike a heat gun or torch, the rays evenly heat the paint to no more than 600 degrees—well below the temperature at which wood ignites or lead fumes are released. It also works well on putty and varnish. Like with the steam the existing wood and glass are not damaged during the process.

The Chicago Fire Department has mandated that windows and doors in close proximity to fire escapes in older residential high rise buildings be replaced with fire windows and doors. Fire windows are meant to protect people on the fire escapes during an evacuation of the building by being self closing to contain the flames and resistant to explosion by the intense heat of a fire inside the building. They are very effective for those tasks. Because of that they are not weather stripped or sealed like a modern window replacement unit. Often the original window unit that was replaced by the fire window was inoperable but had been caulked and painted for years and was somewhat weather tight. Cold air and dust can infiltrate a fire window in ways that did not occur with the original window. In the summer time air conditioning is lost as well. Interior storm windows are an effective way to improve the energy performance of fire windows and doors.