Should I insulate the walls of my old home?

Your historic house is drafty and cold. Your electric bill in the summer is rising. Your natural first thought and a questions we are often asked, “Should I insulate the walls of my old home?”

The wrong method can have a lasting negative impact on your home… and health.

Based on what we’ve seen assessing a number of homes and the National Park Service’s stance on it through their Preservation Briefs, we do NOT recommend insulating the walls of a historic home.

If the vapor barrier is not installed carefully and the correct products used, it can cause mold, mildew, rot, loss of paint adhesion and start the home down a path of rapid decline.

The pictures in the post are of an 1890s home in a Level 4 Wood Deterioration Zone that had holes drilled around the entire exterior, then was filled with insulation, and the holes plugged. This has caused water vapor to be trapped in the wall cavity and due to the region’s ideal conditions for rot, mildew and mold growth, the home is now covered in mildew as well as has a number of additional issues that will be difficult and costly to remedy.

If it is going to be insulated, it should be completed in conjunction with a full interior remodel or a full siding removal and exterior restoration. As to what products should be installed, that’s a post unto itself.

In addition to this, if you only insulate one room of the home, it can actually increase the pressure in the home, forcing air into other areas, causing additional issues. This means that it can be better for your home if you do not insulate the kitchen only during a remodel.

What should you do?

1. Insulate in between your floor joists following the guidelines for your region and home.

2. Insulate your attic.

3. Ensure your roof has proper ventilation.

4. Seal penetration in the floors, walls, cabinet, ceiling.

5. Add EnergyStar rated aluminum storm windows - Some may say weatherstrip your windows, but due to the cost of weatherstripping, labor to install and risk of damage, storm windows have a higher ROI with less risk.

6. Add a wood or aluminum storm door

7. Caulk/seal the joint between the baseboard and the floor.

Air infiltration is the biggest enemy of energy efficiency, and these 7 items create a more cost effective solution to decreasing the drafts in a historic home WITHOUT causing long term issues.

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Needing help with your historic home, building, or structure?

📞 405.549.9880

📧 info@oldhomerescue.com

Are Storm Windows Approved by Historic Preservation?

Living in a Historic Preservation Neighborhood often does not allow for window replacement or it is difficult and expensive to replace your windows.

As your curtains are blowing from the drafts, winters are cold and summers are hot in your home, you might be considering it though.

What if we told you there was another way… a cheaper alternative that decreased utility costs, made your home comfortable, and didn’t involve ripping our your very expensive windows that are a character defining feature of the home? The answer is simply, storm windows. Not window replacement. Window replacement costs thousands while storm windows cost hundreds.

So are they approved by HP?

• YES! IF THE GUIDELINES ARE FOLLOWED, STORM WINDOWS ARE TYPICALLY AN ADMINISTRATIVELY APPROVED ITEM IN HISTORIC PRESERVATION NEIGHBORHOODS.

• STORM WINDOWS ARE CONVENIENT, AFFORDABLE AND SUSTAINABLE ALTERNATIVE TO REPLACEMENT

• BELOW ARE THE HISTORIC PRESERVATION GUIDELINES FOR THE CITY OF OKLAHOMA CITY, CITY OF NORMAN, AND TULSA

Let’s take a look at Oklahoma City, Norman, and Tulsa

Oklahoma City

• “Adding storm windows over historic wood or metal windows is a cost-effective approach that preserves the original window and provides energy savings equal to new replacement windows.”

• Approval: Administrative Review

• 3.6.23: Storm window frames must have narrow perimeter framing that conforms to the primary window opening

• 3.6.24 Do not use unfinished or clear anodized aluminum frame storm windows

• 3.6.25 Storm windows my have an integral screen component

• 3.6.26 Interior storm windows are encouraged

• City of Oklahoma Contact Page

• Historic Preservation Guidelines

• Historic Preservation Application

• Neighborhoods: Heritage Hills, Heritage Hills East, Mesta Park, Jefferson Park, Paseo, Edgemere Park, Crown Heights, Putnam Heights, Shepherd

Norman

• “Increase the thermal efficiency of historic buildings by observing appropriate traditional practices, such as weather stripping and caulking, and by introducing energy-efficient features such as awnings, operable shutters, and storm windows and doors, where appropriate”

• Approval: Administrative Bypass

• The use of interior storm windows is encouraged

• 3.11.2a: Wood framed, full-light storms that are low profile and align with meeting rails of window

• 3.11.2b: Relatively unobtrusive, narrow-profile, metal exterior storm windows that do not obscure the window itself… and that are finished in a painted or baked-enamel color compatible with the sash color are allowed. Storm window rails are to align with the meeting rails of the windows.

• 3.17.1.a Unfinished or clear anodized aluminum storm finishes are not permitted

• City of Norman Contact Page

• Historic Preservation Guidelines

• Historic Preservation Application

• Neighborhoods: Miller Historic District, Chautauqua Historic District, Southridge Historic District

Tulsa

• “Did you know that properly repaired historic windows have an R-value that’s nearly indistinguishable from high-end replacement windows? Repair your original windows, install proper weatherstripping, and add a good storm window system…”

• Approval: Staff Approved

• A.4.4 to gain thermal efficiency, storm windows which maintain the appearance and allow maximum visibility of the original historic windows may be installed. Unfinished and clear-finished metals are not allowed

• Tulsa Preservation Commission Contact Page

• Historic Preservation Guidelines

• Historic Preservation Application

• Neighborhoods: Maple Ridge, Brady Heights, Buena Vista Park, Carlton Place, Gillette, Owen Park, Riverside, Riverview, Yorktown, Swan Lake, Tracy Park, White City and Stonebraker Heights.

OLD HOME RESCUE IS PROUD TO OFFER OUR SERVICES IN OKLAHOMA & MORE!

OLD HOME RESCUE IS OKLAHOMA’S #1 STORM WINDOW AND DOOR INSTALLER!

WE FOCUS ON CREATING ENERGY EFFICIENT HOMES WITHOUT WINDOW & DOOR REPLACEMENT.

We have saved windows & doors from being replaced in Kansas, Oklahoma, Texas, and Missouri, were listed by The Craftsman Blog as “Preservation Rockstars”, and have been featured on HGTV’s Restore and Revive. 

Old Home Rescue is now proud to offer our energy efficient window and door solutions in Oklahoma City, The Village, Nichols Hills, Norman, Edmond, El Reno, Yukon, Moore, Mustang, Tulsa, Enid, Ponca City, Lawton, Ardmore, Bartlesville, Warr Acres, Bethany, and more!

We serve all of Oklahoma City, including nationally listed historic districts like; Heritage Hills, Mesta Park, Crown Heights, Jefferson Park, Paseo, Shepherd and more.

We serve all of Tulsa, including nationally listed historic districts like; Maple Ridge, Brady Heights, Buena Vista Park, Carlton Place, Gillette, Owen Park, Riverside, Riverview, Yorktown, Swan Lake, Tracy Park, White City and Stonebraker Heights.

We work closely with Oklahoma SHPO and Local Preservation Commissions to make sure all products and services are approved and receive a certificate of appropriateness. 

Unlike most window replacement companies, we specialize in NOT replacing your windows! Old Home Rescue’s products and services are designed to extend the life of your current windows.

Our window solutions use the best products available, like MonRay aluminum storm windows and doors, QUANTAPANEL aluminum storm windows, Pella aluminum storm doors, Provia aluminum storm doors, Indow Window acrylic interior storm windows, InnerGlass interior air panels, Allied aluminum storm windows, and traditional wood storm windows and doors.

Our goal is to improve the energy efficiency of any space without the need for low quality, high cost, double pane replacement windows, and our services and products are very affordable when compared to the lifetime cost of window replacement.

We encourage you to become our NEIGHBOR by scheduling an appointment.

What to do After Hail or Storm Damage on an Old Home

Hail and storm damage is stressful for any homeowner; however, when you’re in an old home or a historically preserved neighborhood, this can be even more stressful as you’ll need to ensure repairs are handled properly, stay within historic preservation guidelines, and work with insurance companies to cover the true cost of restoration work. We know this, not only because we work with old homes, but we live in old homes too.

Hail damage to a historic home in Norman, OK in April 2021

Here’s what you need to know if your old home has hail or storm damage:

1. Document your entire home and property with pictures and videos

   • Hail covering the ground or any surface and its size

   • Take pictures of the damage from far away and up close

   • Take pictures of all parts or elevations of your home, even if you don’t see damages. A good contractor or your insurance may be able to find additional damage that you don’t notice.

2. Secure your home first

   • From leaking roofs to broken windows, the most important thing is to stop additional water from getting inside your home.

   • When boarding up windows, ensure that you or the company completing the work do not inflict further damage to the windows securing your home. This can happen by screwing OSB through the aluminum cladding of windows, compromising the window integrity.

   • Leaking roofs should have a quick fix completed until the roof can be assessed and repaired or replaced properly by a roofing contractor who understands old homes and their different roofing rules.

3. If there is no emergency at your home, contact a contractor who understands old homes to inspect the damage.

   • Find a contractor who understands old homes, old home construction, and historic preservation guidelines.

   • Not all contractors are the same. This is through no malice or fault of many contractors. New construction and old construction are not one and the same. The typical contractor understands new construction well; however, if those rules are applied to old homes, it can cause premature failure of roofing, siding, painting, and window products.

   • Following large storms, everyone becomes a roofer and many of these scammers will lie to you about their experience or promise things that are illegal.

4. Contact your insurance company to file a claim

   • With your pictures plus the contractor’s conditions report, you’ll have a much smoother process with your insurance claim process to put your home back together right.

   • After you’ve submitted your claim, an adjuster will likely be sent to your home to assess the financial damage. At this point, you can have your contractor on-site with the adjuster to talk about the damage.

Tips for Old Home Repairs after Hail or Wind Damage

• Broken glass on single pane wood window

• Glass can be easily repaired with the right products

• Wavy glass is often scare but can be salvaged in small quantities

• Reproduction wavy glass is not carried by most box stores or glass shops; however, Old Home Rescue works with suppliers to source replica glass

• Replacement flat (not wavy) glass should be 1/8” double strength glass. Often box stores carry 3/32” single strength glass, which is fragile.

• Use a quality glazing putty product.

• Consider adding a storm window for future protection

• Storm windows can come in wood or aluminum

• Your double-hung wood window can cost $1500-$4000 for high-quality replica windows; however, they can be protected with quality storm window that ranges from $400-$1000

• Not only will you have the protection of your primary wood sash window, but storm windows will create a more energy-efficient window as well as lengthen the maintenance cycle of your double-hung windows.

• Consider upgrading your roof to an impact-resistant shingle

• If you’re having your roof replaced, it may be a good time to upgrade to an impact-resistant shingle. If your home doesn’t have this type of shingle already, it may be an out-of-pocket expense for the upgrade; however, it could pay for itself by eliminating the need for a roof replacement by the next storm.

• Consider Removing the damaged aluminum or vinyl siding

• If your non-historic siding has been damaged, you may be able to work with your insurance company to follow historic preservation guidelines, which are considered code, to remove the non-historic cladding that could be causing rot and damage, if the damage is on more than 50% of a side to the home.

• Before you replace, make sure it’s being replaced correctly

• In the hundreds of homes we’ve worked on at Old Home Rescue, most of our work has centered around repairing bad repairs from the previous decade. Often the original construction and materials on the home are still in great condition, it is the repairs that have been completed incorrectly that have failed that we’re called out to fix.

Repair vs Replace: Traditional Windows

Repair or Replacement Guide to Wood and Steel Windows

Should I repair or replace my original windows? This is a widespread question. Window replacement companies without experience in historic restoration are quick to recommend replacement. Below is a guide to follow as you consider which choice is right for you.

Damaged Part: The benefit of traditional windows is they were built with repair in mind. They are made up of primary and secondary components. The direct parts are the jamb, sill, and sash. A skilled woodworker or welder can repair these primary components. Secondary components are the weatherstripping, glass, paint, and hardware. These parts can typically be repaired by a local home service company or DIY. Traditional windows can typically be fixed by only replacing parts.

Age: How old is the window compared to the serviceable life of the roof. Common functional lives are;

Lifespan of Windows

in years

Amount Damaged (Primary):  If more than 50% of the primary components are structurally unsound due to damage, rot, termites, or corrosion, appropriate replacement may be necessary

Amount Damaged (Second):  It is common for secondary parts to fail before the primary parts. These are typically the mechanical parts, hardware, weatherstripping, weights. It is not necessary to replace a traditional window due to missing or failed secondary parts.

Condensation: Windows do not cause condensation, nor can it be corrected by replacement. In most cases, modern windows will increase condensation problems.

Broken Glass: Glass is a secondary component and can be replaced without replacing the window.

Energy Efficiency:  Many people wish to replace their windows to improve the efficiency of their homes. However, studies have shown that traditional windows retrofit with weatherstripping out reform in comfortability and return on investment.

Investment Payback

Modern Windows: Modern windows are not typically designed to be repaired. Very few name-brand companies provide repairable windows. Repairable windows usually are only available in premium window brands with an established history.

Before determining whether to replace or repair your traditional windows, contact Old Home Rescue to survey your roof and prepare a repair or replacement plan.