Krol Posted October 1, 2011 Share Posted October 1, 2011 (edited) Would like windows in old bungalow restored, including the addition of screens. Also looking for someone to repair drywall cracks and baseboards following house leveling. Any suggestions of reliable contractors for either job? Edited October 1, 2011 by Krol Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mnicholls Posted October 3, 2011 Share Posted October 3, 2011 I used George (AKA sashguy) for my windows/screens and would recommend.http://www.sashguy.com/ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Krol Posted October 3, 2011 Author Share Posted October 3, 2011 I used George (AKA sashguy) for my windows/screens and would recommend.http://www.sashguy.com/Thank you. He's coming by the house tonight. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tiko Posted October 3, 2011 Share Posted October 3, 2011 We've used Carlos Cruz at 713-256-7499 a couple of times. Highly recommended. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scott08 Posted October 10, 2011 Share Posted October 10, 2011 Thank you. He's coming by the house tonight.Any update on this? You've got me intrigued, especially about costs. His website implies that it's much more reasonable to refurbish the windows instead of replacing them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SilverJK Posted October 11, 2011 Share Posted October 11, 2011 I'm curious as well about pricing. I've read a lot about repairing windows and there are so man things you can do to improve upon them (they typically have no insulation at all).If the price is reasonable, i might just pay someone to do it vs. DIY. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mnicholls Posted October 12, 2011 Share Posted October 12, 2011 We had 2 windows that were caulked shut for the last 30 years or so. I just pulled up my receipt. It was $220 to repair the windows and another $160 for new screens. I researched DIY as well, but am glad I didn't. Apparently,it's common for our windows to not have access panels for the weights, so he had to cut out access panels. One of my sashes needed to be repaired as well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Krol Posted October 12, 2011 Author Share Posted October 12, 2011 (edited) I'm curious as well about pricing. I've read a lot about repairing windows and there are so man things you can do to improve upon them (they typically have no insulation at all).If the price is reasonable, i might just pay someone to do it vs. DIY.Waiting on the estimate for the entire job, but preliminaries are $45 an hour with $20 to replace the ropes...said it should be about $65-80 per window, providing they are in good shape and just need weatherization, ropes, etc. He does cut a piece out to gain access to the weights and to redo ropes. It gets put back with screws so that you'll always have access to the weights for the future. He adds thin metal strip and wool for insulation. One window had rotted. He took that back to the shop for repairs on an emergency basis. The cost for that is $288. It involved construction of a replacement window for the interim while the other is being repaired, custom construction of a piece to replace the rotten portion and then all the other stuff above. He is backed up so rest of job will be couple of months down the road. He says once he's done the windows will be insulated and last another 200-300 years. Edited October 12, 2011 by Krol Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SilverJK Posted October 13, 2011 Share Posted October 13, 2011 Waiting on the estimate for the entire job, but preliminaries are $45 an hour with $20 to replace the ropes...said it should be about $65-80 per window, providing they are in good shape and just need weatherization, ropes, etc. He does cut a piece out to gain access to the weights and to redo ropes. It gets put back with screws so that you'll always have access to the weights for the future. He adds thin metal strip and wool for insulation. One window had rotted. He took that back to the shop for repairs on an emergency basis. The cost for that is $288. It involved construction of a replacement window for the interim while the other is being repaired, custom construction of a piece to replace the rotten portion and then all the other stuff above. He is backed up so rest of job will be couple of months down the road. He says once he's done the windows will be insulated and last another 200-300 years.Mine are all painted shut, missing ropes, probably broken pullies, some are missing weights, overall pretty crappy but normal for the 'hood. I'm guessing mine would probably be more in the $100+ per window range, for all 18 windows... i might want to learn how to do this myself. Can anyone post a picture of a fixed window? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
20thStDad Posted October 14, 2011 Share Posted October 14, 2011 I've done the ropes and pulleys before, it's not that hard. The pulleys and counterweights are probably still in there, you just need to open them up and cut new ropes/cables. Hopefully. When we did a bunch of windows on a 1920 fraternity house, we didn't need to cut any new wood, we were able to pry them open and then nail them back in place without damaging. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
silverartfox Posted October 14, 2011 Share Posted October 14, 2011 (edited) There's a really good book available:Working Windows: A Guide to the Repair and Restoration of Wood Windows by Terry Meany.The Old House Web Forum online has some lively and informative discussions about preserving old windows vs. replacing them with new ones. It's a website worth visiting for anyone who owns a home that's mid-century or older. Edited October 14, 2011 by silverartfox Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SilverJK Posted October 14, 2011 Share Posted October 14, 2011 I found some of the weights under the house when i had it raised... so i'm sure some are missing lol.Yeah, i've worked on them before (my brother had a 1930s cottage). I'll just take on one at a time, see how it goes. There is one window (basically the whole wall) off my dining room that is obviously not original (aluminum frame). I want to replace that one with a doublepaned modern window that fits the houses character more. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JJxvi Posted October 17, 2011 Share Posted October 17, 2011 Dan's Custom Woodworking can build and repair old windows and are located in the Heights (1322 1/2 Nicholson). I dont think they go out and do repair at the site very often, but they can repair sashes, build new windows to match the old ones and stuff like that. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OkieEric Posted April 25, 2014 Share Posted April 25, 2014 I hate to revive an old thread, but does anyone know of someone reputable who actually works outside the Heights that does on-site work? Sash guy apparently won't do it Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
txn4art Posted April 26, 2014 Share Posted April 26, 2014 I hate to revive an old thread, but does anyone know of someone reputable who actually works outside the Heights that does on-site work? Sash guy apparently won't do it I'm looking for someone to restore the large, original wood windows for a 1930's bungalow in the Eastwood area. Sashes are still in good shape but cords and a few panes need replacing. For various reasons, it's not something I can put on my DIY list. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Plum alley windows Posted November 20, 2019 Share Posted November 20, 2019 Hi there everyone, I own plum alley windowcraft, a full restoration sash company in Houston and I work on any home anywhere pre 1950. I’m happy to come out and give a quote to anyone interested. I have restored historic homes for 8 years and finally decided to focus on window restoration after seeing so many Good old growth sashes being torn out. If You cant swing the price, it’s better to do nothing than to put in replacement windows (as long as water isn’t coming in obviously!) please call me for a free quote. just FYI: some folks out there don’t go “all the way” and will cut corners to meet your budget like not redoing the glazing. This only costs more in the long run. My company takes sashes to my shop and strips the sashes to bare wood removing all lead paint, totally removes all old glazing and reglazes, primes, and paints the sashes before reinstall. New ropes for all weights as well. Interior and exterior trim can also be scraped to bare wood revealing the original detail work if requested. This is the only way they will last another 200 years. my website is plumalleywindows.com 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chrispy Posted December 3, 2020 Share Posted December 3, 2020 Plum Alley Windows, When things pick up after the holidays, I may hit you up for an estimate. My home is 97 years old- no telling when the last time the putty was replaced and definitely need some work done. I have to get the foundation leveled first but, after that, I hope to get some of the windows repaired. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Raymond Posted August 8, 2021 Share Posted August 8, 2021 The restoration of wooden windows, especially old ones, is a great topic of controversy between specialists and ordinary consumers as well. The fact is that there is no unequivocal opinion on this issue. Some consider the restoration of wooden windows unprofitable and even stupid, since the installation of new plastic structures is not much more expensive. Others, on the contrary, argue that it is not reasonable to change good solid wood windows to plastic. Do you know the prices for the restoration of window sashes? We also want to restore them, and not replace them with plastic ones. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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