Most Frequently Asked Questions
about Wood Windows

Why should I try to save my wood windows?
One of the main reasons most homeowners chose their home in the first place was the way the house looks from the exterior. The windows are an important aspect of that character appeal. Windows can add a very distinctive and enhancing aspect to a house. The older the home the more important the ascetics concerning size, placement, and muntins.

In fact, the things that most people don’t like about their windows are that they are difficult to operate, drafty, and rattle. They love the looks but hate how they perform. Dublin Sash System keeps those wonderful ascetics and upgrade the energy efficiency of the windows at an affordable price. We can truly Save Your Old Wood Windows!

Why is wood better than vinyl for windows?
About half the residential replacement windows sold in the US are made of vinyl. At first glance, vinyl seems to make sense. Manufacturers are justified in their claims that it insulates well and never needs painting. But vinyl isn't nearly as rigid as other window materials such as wood and fiberglass. Worse, vinyl begins to soften and distort at 165 degrees Fahrenheit, a temperature that is easily reached in the space between a window and drape on a sunny day.

Although all window materials expand and contract as temperatures rise and fall, vinyl moves more than twice as much as aluminum, wood and fiberglass. Vinyl expands seven times farther than glass with each degree. That action can pop seals between the frame and the glass. Last year Environmental Building News, a newsletter for contractors and architects, evaluated all framing options used in windows and advised readers to avoid 100 percent vinyl window frames because of their durability problems.

Anderson Corporation, the worlds largest manufacturer of windows, has never made an all vinyl window for sale in the US. “Vinyl simply is not suitable for use on its own as a window material,” says Mike Compeau, a spokesman for the company. Vinyl windows have been on the market for only 15 to 20 years. According the Hakim Elmahdy, the chief window expert for the Canadian government’s Institute for Research in Construction, “There is not enough data or track record for these windows to say, yes they will last for 50 years.”

Noted Architect Robert A.M.Stern says,“ We won‘t spec a house with vinyl windows. We won't even use a vinyl-over-wood window. We only use windows that are framed in wood. And we paint them or stain them. We don't leave a natural finish. The paint seals the windows.“

Do historical societies approve of the Dublin Sash System®?
Historical preservation groups around the country are welcoming the Dublin Sash System with open arms. In New England, particularly New Hampshire, Vermont, and Massachusetts, Historical Preservation groups are specifying the Dublin Sash System as the renovation/restoration system of choice. Although there are preservation groups in some areas that are so restrictive that any upgrading is taboo, most groups welcome the diversity of options available when using jambliners and weather-stripping. Most historical societies are concerned that the exterior of historical properties remain the same. The Dublin Sash System maintains that look and still upgrades the window to higher energy efficiency standards.

Will my windows be more energy efficient after installing Jambliners?
Windows are comprised of three basic components . Each has a direct impact on the energy efficiency of the window.

1. Jambliner and weather-stripping system: This accounts for 50% of the heat loss in an old window and is usually a weight and pulley system that has no weather-stripping on either the horizontal or vertical surfaces. By installing a new compressible vinyl jambliner with silicone bulb weather-stripping at the horizontal joints we virtually eliminate any infiltration at these points.

2. Weight pockets: This area accounts for 30% of the heat loss in an old window. The cavities in the jamb that are used to house the weights are virtual wind tunnels that funnel air into the house. By filling these pocket with insulation we stop the movement of air and eliminate infiltration at these areas.

3. Glass: This aspect of the window is responsible for 20% of the heat loss in a single glazed window.

Will my windows tilt in?
Yes! By installing vinyl tilt jambliners in place of your old weights and pulleys, you can tilt you windows in for easy cleaning and remove them for simple maintenance.

Is this an expensive process?
On the average our system ranges from $100 to $140 per kit. The best way to get a price is to contact us and ask for a FREE quote specific to your windows.

Are new wood windows “better” than my old ones?
Windows made of old growth lumber are more stable, less prone to decay, and hold paint better than plantation-grown wood.

Saving objects made from such wood makes a lot of sense. In ancient forests trees grow slow and straight, fighting for light and nutrients. America’s older building are built from lumber that came from the virgin forests the early settlers found growing here. With up to 30 growth rings per inch, this clear and dense wood is superior in stability and decay resistance to today’s commercially available lumber.

Since most commercially available lands have been cleared of their original old growth, lumber companies now plant and harvest genetically altered trees to grow to maturity in 15 years or less. With growth rings of three to five per inch, this material tends to be less stable and more prone to decay. Plantation-grown material is less effective in holding paint, as it expands and contracts at a much higher rate.

Most people are surprised to find that just below the surface of a seemingly unsalvageable piece of wood is quality wood, sound and bright as the day it went in. A simple visual inspection does not tell the entire story. Inspecting with an awl or a pen knife will allow one to “see” beneath the wood surface. In many cases the decayed or damaged wood is only near the surface. Too often ancient but high-performance lumber gets replaced with inferior plantation-grown material.

Can I eliminate my old exterior storm windows?
Storm windows will add a slight increase in energy efficiency - you can remove the old exterior triple tracks and install an interior storm window which will increase energy efficiency dramatically. See here for more information.