General Specifications & Standards
Installers are experienced and knowledgeable of all current methods and trade conversion techniques.
All sashes are removed from inside of building by Window Restorations of CT personnel to ensure proper numbering and ultimate return to proper openings. At time of removal sashes are marked for resizing according to weather stripping tolerances.
All original window stops numbered and reused unless otherwise specified. Window stop edges kerfed (saw cut) and wool pile installed. Eliminates wood-on-wood friction points.
Window conversion performed on premises in self-contained trailer to mitigate dust, debris, etc. from the site when possible. It may also be performed off-site, at our dedicated window restoration workshop in Berlin, CT. Work may be required due to any number of reasons, including window size, complexity, epoxy consolidation, painting requirements, geographical location and onsite parking availability.
When restoration work is performed onsite, in a WRofCT/Bi-Glass trailer, or other, all window openings without storm windows will be temporarily covered by ‘WRofCT’, as required, to prevent heat loss or damage from inclement weather. Sashes are generally replaced at end of each day.
When restoration work is performed offsite due to complexity, extensive epoxy repair, parking restrictions; or for other restoration work, such as paint removal, de-leading, priming or finish painting – ALL window/door covers required must be provided, installed and removed by general contractor (GC) or others in a manner acceptable to architect. Window Restorations of CT will remove such covers to perform its onsite work if they are removable from inside the building.
Existing sash (and interior muntins) retained. Sashes and exterior muntins modified by our skilled craftsmen by cutting away existing putty or equivalent, increasing the width and depth of rabbet joint with patented Bi-Glass Router Guide Tool in strict adherence to their specifications, and installing necessary muntins, etc. to bring window back to original design.
Conversion & Epoxy Consolidation Standards
Existing wood sash shall meet conversion standards as to: joints strong and complete, surface repairable with exterior rated epoxy. Sash or sash parts determined unusable at time of initial inspection or during conversion (rotted, decayed, and/or more than 15% moisture content as measured by Sonin Moisture Test Meter) and deemed repairable will be epoxy consolidated using WEST System, or FLEX-TECH elastomeric wood repair compound. Incidental epoxy consolidation (up to 2 cubic inches) included in bid price.
Window sash structural repairs to be made by Bi-Glass.
Any repair or epoxy consolidation required beyond incidental on window parts integral to the Bi-Glass conversion (i.e. sashes, window stops, jamboards, weight pocket covers and blind stops) shall be performed at a unit cost of $75 per unit (1 unit = +/- 4 cubic inches) with prior customer approval or covered by a job epoxy consolidation allowance.
The two bottom corners of the lower sash often (+/-70%) require epoxy consolidation and Dutchmen due to deterioration over the years where the end grains on the stile tenons have acted as wicks and drawn water up the stiles where some of it stays and rots the wood. A Dutchmen 5/8″ thick x +/- 1″ wide x +/- 5″ long (or the entire length, if required) is epoxy consolidated into each lower corner. This repairs the rot, stabilizes the sash corners and provides a solid base for the weather strip kerf. Included in bid price.
Any window sills requiring epoxy consolidation or replacement shall be performed by Bi-Glass at a unit cost or by others prior to Bi-Glass work.
- Minor epoxy consolidation repair $75 per
- Major epoxy consolidation repair $175 per
- Complete sill replacement or full epoxy consolidation $375 per
If necessary, any new replacement sash parts, or entire sash replacement duplicating the original sash as close as possible done by Bi-Glass at an agreed upon unit cost with prior customer approval.
Any replacement, repair or epoxy consolidation required on other window parts not integral to the Bi-Glass conversion on interior or exterior window parts (such as window stool, interior casing trim, exterior window trim, brick moulding, etc.) shall be performed by Bi-Glass at a unit cost, or by others.
Glass Specifications – An Example:
All Cardinal 270 soft coat Low-E double-pane insulated units @ 7/16″ DSB with a warm edge seal.
R Value w/o Argon 2.6 R Value w/ Argon 3.0
U Value w/o Argon .38 U Value w/ Argon .33
SHGC .42 Visible Transmittance 72%
Glass is one piece double-pane unit. Selected interior metal spacer bars (dark in color) between the two pieces of glass to match selected interior and exterior muntin configuration may be required on large windows to prevent center of glass from touching during extreme weather changes and creating “Newton’s Rings”. IGU must be a minimum of 1/2″ to accommodate interior metal grids.
Tempered (safety) glass according to state code and as specified in bid.
Glazing Specifications
Interior glazing using Norton Glazing Tape (black).
Exterior wood glazing stop installed in bed of siliconized acrylic sealant with supplemental nailing (glazing putty or compound eliminated).
Exterior muntins fabricated to closely match the original muntins for angle and reveal and applied to exterior glass with Norton exterior rated glazing tape (black) to follow interior muntin configuration. Some small expansion spaces are left at the muntin joints and then filled with a flexible caulk. This is necessary to insure full adhesion between the glass, glazing tape and muntins both at installation and then after installation to allow for slight muntin expansion and contraction during wet periods.
Exterior glazing stop and muntins fabricated from C & better select pine and primed with white primer/paint combination.
Painting & Prep Specifications
Existing wood sash must meet conversion standards: joints strong and complete, surface repairable with exterior rated epoxy. Sash or sash parts determined unusable at time of initial inspection or during conversion (rotted, decayed, and/or more than 15% moisture content as measured by Sonin Moisture Test Meter) and deemed repairable will be epoxy consolidated using WEST System, or FLEX-TECH elastomeric wood repair compound. Incidental epoxy consolidation (up to 2 cubic inches) included in bid price.
Window sash structural repairs to be made by Window Restorations of Connecticut.
Any repair or epoxy consolidation required beyond incidental on window parts integral to the single-to-double pane conversion (i.e. sashes, window stops, jamboards, weight pocket covers and blind stops) shall be performed at a unit cost of $75 per unit (1 unit = +/- 4 cubic inches) * with prior customer approval or covered by a job epoxy consolidation allowance.
The two bottom corners of the lower sash often (~approximately 70% of all window restorations we perform!) require epoxy consolidation and dutchman due to deterioration over the years where the end grains on the stile tenons have acted as wicks and drawn water up the stiles where some of it stays and rots the wood. A dutchmen 5/8″ thick x +/- 1″ wide x +/- 5″ long (or the entire length, if required) is epoxy consolidated into each lower corner. This repairs the rot, stabilizes the sash corners and provides a solid base for the weather strip kerf. Included in bid price.
Any window sills requiring epoxy consolidation or replacement shall be performed by ‘WRofCT’ at a unit cost or by others prior to restoration work.
- Minor epoxy consolidation repair $75 per *
- Major epoxy consolidation repair $175 per *
- Complete sill replacement or full epoxy consolidation $375 per *
If necessary, any new replacement sash parts, or entire sash replacement duplicating the original sash as close as possible done by ‘WRofCT’ at an agreed upon unit cost with prior customer approval.
Any replacement, repair or epoxy consolidation required on other window parts not integral to the conversion on interior or exterior window parts (such as window stool, interior casing trim, exterior window trim, brick molding, etc.) shall be performed by ‘WRofCT’ at a unit cost, or by others.
*All prices subject to change.
Want to Know more about what we do?
Restore and improve the energy efficiency of your important, historic wood windows with Window Restorations of CT, formerly Bi-Glass of Connecticut.
Why do people seek to restore old windows instead of replacing them?
1. Sustainability. The window already exists and most components have lasted a century or more without any deterioration.
2. Historical Preservation. The original windows might be required to be preserved or replaced with custom wood windows. The most cost effective option for these detailed windows is restoration with Window Restorations of Connecticut, or ‘WRofCT’.
3. Old-Growth Lumber. Naturally grown old-growth lumber is a far superior product compared to today’s plantation grown lumber. Finished surfaces hold up far longer with old-growth lumber giving you better value for your investment.
4. Energy Efficiency. Dense old-growth lumber with low-e double-pane glass will dramatically reduce your heating and cooling costs throughout the year. Additionally, we replace the hidden window weights with industry standard insulation, dramatically increasing the efficiency.
5. Easy of Restoration. We work in residential properties, commercial buildings, religious buildings, classrooms and dormitories. With each job comes a unique installation challenge we’re prepared to deal with. We plan our jobs months and sometimes years in advance. When we’re on site, you can sit back and watch the transformation take place, window by window.
6. Get rid of ugly storm windows, cheap vinyl replacements, fix broken and loose window panes, reduce drafts, noise, pollutants, and much more!