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Historic Preservation: What to do with Old Windows

© Kathryn Morse

You are the owner of an old building in the central business district of any Louisiana small town or big city. You need to remodel on the inside to meet the current needs of your business. The old windows, particularly those on the second or third floor are crumbling apart and leaking out your air-conditioned air. What do you do?

The temptation is to brick them in or fill them in with plyboard or any other material. Please do not do that. Have you visited Williamsburg or Philadelphia? Did you enjoy the atmosphere? Yes, you did. And a big part of the charm of those well-preserved areas are the original style of windows still in the buildings.

The original design of a building is usually the best looking design and should never be changed. Mixing and matching just doesn't happen in historic preservation. Always go with matching for an authentic look that you can feel comfortable and more important your customers and tourists will feel comfortable with.

I simply shudder when I see Victorian embellishments on a Federalist style building or Colonial-style windows installed in an 1920's building. And I get an eye tic when I see filled in windows. Here are some ideas to save those windows and the design and charm of your downtown building.

First, Repair Them Correctly

Many small towns do not have carpenters or contractors with historic preservation expertise. Get a phone book for Shreveport, Baton Rouge or New Orleans to find appropriate contractors. Or call the Center for Historic Preservation at Northwestern State University in Natchitoches for help in finding appropriate contractors and get the information a local contractor can use.

Retain the original pane size and replace materials using the same type wood or glass as was originally used. It will cost more, but will be worth your investment. And you can look into Historic Preservation Tax Credits. Tax credits are always nice!!!

But I Don't Want a Window There

That's O.K. You only need it on the outside. You can now cover your window and then throw up paneling or another wall cover to create your new windowless work or sales space.

One idea that is suggested is to purchase period appropriate drapes, curtains, shades or blinds. Install them, close them and then put up your paneling. Of these choices, for Louisiana I'd pick blinds. We get a lot of sun and heat and I think they would hold up better and retain a good look better over time.