Case Study: Before and After Replacement of windows in a historical San Diego home

There is no easy cosmetic choice in updating windows in an older building, a juggle between preserving traditional architecture and modernizing the house to make it more comfortable, efficient and safe. In the recent past, our group has finished a complete replacement of windows in a Spanish-Revival house in San Diego built in the 1920s. The outcome rejuvenated the home as well as addressed performance problems which the homeowner had been struggling with over the years.

The solutions that provided beauty and performance are broken down below together with the before and after transformation, the difficulty of dealing with historic structures and the difficulty in working with such buildings.

The Home: A Mission Hills Spanish-Revival

This property had the following features just like many others in the historic neighborhoods of the area including Mission Hills:

• Original wood-frame single-pane windows
• Ornamental building features
• Stucco exterior
• Several rooms have arched openings.
• Neighborhood design strictness.

The initial windows became non-performing with time. The homeowner experienced:

• High heat loss during the summer
• Drafts during cooler months
• Noticeable street noise
• Interior glass condensation
• Inability to open and close multiple windows

They desired contemporary ease and functionality without taking away the traditional nature of the home.

The Challenge: How to Retain Older Beauty and Address Performance Problems

Older homes of San Diego have special windows problems:

1. Non-standard window sizes

Numerous older houses have tailor-made openings that cannot accept modern stock windows, and in many cases, they need to be replaced by having highly specific measures.

2. Preservation of architectural authenticity

Any replacement window should be in accordance with the historic design particularly where there is preservation overseeing a neighborhood.

3. Balancing materials

Old wood windows tend to rot or swell and homeowners desire the same look- without the work.

4. Ensuring better energy use.

The glass used on a single pane does not work well in the sun of the south of California, thus resulting in high temperature in the room and high energy bills.

In an attempt to solve all these issues, the homeowner selected custom vinyl windows that were to resemble the appearance of the original design much better but with much better insulation and lifespan.

The Solution: Special Vinyl Energy-Saving Windows

Upon an elaborate consultation and field survey, the ClearMax team suggested:

• Replacement vinyl windows produced to fit into the original size.
• Low-E, insulated-soundproofed, dual-pane window to minimize heat loss and keep out UV rays.
• Profiles on beveled frames imitating traditional wood windows.
• Noise reducing glass in noisier interiors.
• Materials that would be easy to maintain and which could be used in San Diego due to the coastal conditions.

In the case of the arched windows, our manufacturing partners designed curved frames that perfectly fit and did not alter the original design but enhanced performance.

Before and after: The Transformation

Before Replacement

• Warped wood frames
• Single-pane glass on its deathbeds
• Difficult operation
• We can feel the drafts and wetness on frosty mornings.
• Unstable indoor temperatures.
• Deteriorated flooring around the windows because of UV radiations.

After Replacement

• New, non-slippery, customized vinyl frames
• Low-E glass that is dual pane and highly insulated
• Reduced street noise by up to 40%
• Radical decrease in heat gain
• Greater comfort in all the rooms
• Original architectural appeal maintained
• Greater visibility and house price

The homeowners have confirmed that progress was felt immediately particularly in terms of comfort in the stability of the indoor temperature and reduction of noise.

Energy Efficiency Benefits

The upgrade did enhance home efficiency to a great extent. Dual-pane windows, with Low-E, the homeowner can now enjoy:

• Reduction in cooling expenses in high summer seasons
• Less strain on HVAC systems
• Fewer scars left by UV on furniture and floors
• Continuous comfort in the house.

With old windows, historic houses tend to lose conditioned air by means of the aging windows; with this kind of replacement, those spaces were sealed and strengthened the envelope of the home without changing its appearance.

The importance of replacement of windows in older homes of San Diego.

The historical neighborhoods of San Diego are full of elegant houses, yet several of them still have old fashioned windows that are not able to meet the energy requirements of modern society. Substitution with the correct materials and design will enable the homeowners to:

• Preserve integrity of architecture
• Increase home efficiency
• Improve sound insulation
• Boost resale value
• Lessen maintenance in the long term.

The trick lies in selecting individual solutions that are more adapted to the nature of the home and that the installation is correct.

Final Thoughts

The case study shows the importance of thinking of the window replacement in order to maintain the historicity of a house and provide it with modern comfort and efficiency. The beauty of the past, the comfort of the present, make sure that the right materials and design would make your restoration efforts a Spanish-Revival property, Craftsman bungalow, or a mid-century classic.

Prepared to turn your historic house into a modern one with windows that help maintain its classic design and functionality at the same time.

 Book a consultation or get an immediate quote at ClearMaxWindows.com.

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#WindowReplacement #SanDiegoHomes #HistoricHomes #EnergyEfficientWindows #HomeImprovement #BeforeAndAfter #ClearMaxWindows.