![\"Olson](\"http:\/\/windowstandards.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/04\/OlsonHouseWindowCopy.jpg\")
<\/a>Olson House Window, Cushing, Maine (photo courtesy John Leeke)<\/p><\/div>\n
In the Fall of\u00a0 2010 several window specialists realized the time was right to create national standards for the repair and weatherization of old and historic windows. The Window Preservation Standards Collaborative (WPSC) now includes over one hundred and fifty other window specialists from across the country and in Canada.<\/p>\n
Why Now?<\/h2>\n
There is an immediate need for standards that include well researched energy data as well as a catalog of proven methods used to repair and restore historic windows. We cannot wait for years or decades for a standard to \u201cevolve\u201d since the replacement window industry is now actively destroying millions of historic and perfectly functional old windows every month. Obviously there is nothing green or environmentally sound about this tragedy.<\/p>\n
Urgent Action.<\/h2>\n
The quicker we put this effort into play, the less time the replacement window industry has to spend their tens of millions in marketing money to discredit this critical and objective effort. The window replacement industry\u2019s aggressive marketing has bamboozled homeowners, contractors and property developers into believing window replacement is the only option.\u00a0 Just because they claim their products are superior does not make it true. Act now or lose your historic windows forever.<\/p>\n
New Hope.<\/h2>\n
Over the last 30 years there have been a few window restoration experts, teaching, repairing, restoring and weatherizing historic windows. For years we all struggled to save windows. The scene has changed. From the National Trust for Historic Preservation to statewide preservation groups to State Offices of Historic Preservation to local preservation groups and Historic Preservation Commissions, saving historic windows has risen to the top of the agenda. Help us get the word out.<\/p>\n
More and more architects and property developers are interested in specifying the weatherization and repair of historic windows with little information on standards they can use to do so. Many tradespeople and contractors are starting to do this work, but don\u2019t always know the best methods and materials. It is our purpose to change this by providing standards for sustainable window restoration and definitive energy testing data for effective weatherization.<\/p>\n
The Book.<\/h2>\n
In the summer of 2013 the National Window Preservation Standards book was published and available for purchase. It\u00a0 catalogs specific methods for the assessment, maintenance, repair, preservation and weatherization of older and historic windows. Many detailed methods, procedures and materials will be included, as well as basic strategies for saving older and historic windows.<\/p>\n
National Window Preservation Summit, July 26-28, 2011<\/h2>\n
WPSC sponsored the first National Window Preservation Summit at The Pine Mountain Settlement School in Pine Mountain, Kentucky. The Summit was a critical research effort. Founders demonstrated the restoration & weatherization methods daily with comments by the advisers at the end of each morning and afternoon session. Energy testing was done to establish the efficiency of the various standards that were adjusted according to the Advisers comments and recommendations. We invited 35 key Advisers from across the country to attend. We also opened the Summit up to 15 Observers.<\/p>\n
Fundraising, Sales and Revenue<\/h2>\n
The WPSC has been raising $119,500 to properly support this project. Many organizations and individuals are contributing dollars, time and effort to support this project.<\/p>\n
Sales of the standards document support ongoing printing, fulfillment and future development of the standards project.<\/p>\n
Preservation Kentucky, our non-profit fiscal partner, will hold and disburse project monies to support ongoing marketing and development of the standards, to include support for the website, and a project to revise the standards after one or two years.<\/p>\n
You can contribute dollars. If you would like to make a contribution please call Betsie Hatfield, Executive Director, Preservation Kentucky at 502-871-4570.<\/p>\n
Preservation Kentucky, Preservation Trades Network and the Kentucky Heritage Council are partners in the WPSC project.<\/p>\n
For more information, please visit the Forum.<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Window Preservation Standards Older and historic windows can be saved with ordinary maintenance, repairs and energy saving upgrades. In the Fall of\u00a0 2010 several window specialists realized the time was right to create national standards for the repair and weatherization … Continue reading