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Modern Replacement Windows with Traditional Style for Minneapolis Historic Homes

Minneapolis and other areas around the state of Minnesota such as Stillwater and Faribault are full of gorgeous older and historic homes.  And while many of these houses are gems that are well worth preserving, most of them suffer from the same issue:  old single-pane wood windows that no longer fit well in their openings and are very poor insulators. So the owners end up with drafty homes and high utility bills.  The first reaction if you’ve purchased one of these properties is to pull the old windows out and put in new energy-efficient ones.

But our answer is, “Not so fast.”  Often those old windows are still in good shape; they just need some help with keeping winter’s cold and summer’s heat out.  If the wood frames are still in good shape and the glass is intact, we usually recommend keeping the windows and adding Mon-Ray acoustic storm windows. That takes care of the energy efficiency issue and the draft.

But retaining the old windows isn’t always possible because they would require extensive repairs, and at times the owners prefer new replacement windows.  The first thing needed is to determine whether the home is in a historic district or homeowners’ association that has regulations regarding replacing the windows.  We’re used to dealing with entities like this, and we can usually offer solutions that will meet the desires of the owner and the specifications of the district or association.

A number of the companies we work with – including Marvin – offer lines of low-maintenance or maintenance-free, energy-efficient windows that replicate the look of the original windows.  Options include grills (also called divided light) that can be added to window styles such as casements or sliders that will give the look of a double-hung window but provide the ease of operation either of these styles do.  Marvin in particular has become an expert in historic window projects, having worked for for generations to provide solutions for these sometimes challenging projects.  They offer custom-crafted windows with wood interior frames and maintenance-free exterior cladding that can hold up to the harshest Minnesota weather.  A number of our other manufacturer partners have historically accurate replacements with modern technology as well.

If you’re the owner of an older or historic home and have questions about whether you should keep or replace your existing windows to increase the energy efficiency of your home, please contact us for an no-obligation consultation.  We’re confident we can find the right window solution for you and your home. 

Window Outfitters, Inc. is a licensed Minnesota replacement window and door company. We specialize in window solutions for historic homes. 

 

 

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Window Outfitters is a premier Window Replacement, doors, siding contractor and installer. As Contractor in the St Paul, Minneapolis, (Twin Cities) Minnesota (MN) metro, we proudly serve, but are not limited to, the following areas: Minneapolis Energy Efficient Vinyl Windows, Replacement Window Contractors Minnesota, Burnsville, Apple Valley, Lakeville, Savage, Bloomington, Edina, Richfield, Eagan, St Paul, Hastings, Minnetonka, Plymouth, Maple Grove, Eden Prairie, Farmington MN, Chaska, Shakopee, Chanhassen, Victoria, Mendota Heights Anderson Windows Minneapolis, Marvin Windows Minneapolis.

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