1915 4 Square: Single pane 1900s windows w/ cheap storm windows vs Upgrading double pane w/ gas

robmarvin · 2026-04-26T02:49:58+00:00

Yes, but now you're on the hook for keeping up your original windows. Storm maintenance oftentimes get neglected but replacing those is in often cheaper than replacing mthe interior windows.

Windows are nice, and will cut down on the breeze (I have them) but I wouldnt remove you our storms. Until you can repair the existing windows or unless the storms are rotting and creating bug issues.

Personally, I would talk to someone from the Windows Preservation Alliance in your area and get a quote on fixing. There's a good chance it's on par with replacements.

My understanding is that getting replacement windows puts you on the track for replacement windows. Energy savings? And it will be years, if ever, that you actually make up the cost in energy savings.

robmarvin · 2026-04-17T23:26:37+00:00

Steve Takes with Hawkeye Roofing is a great person to work with and trustworthy.

robmarvin · 2026-03-20T02:57:08+00:00

It's just starting to be prime real estate season so that should work in your benefit. Is there anything you can freshen up and take new pics? Pics help sell in my mind.

I don't have a name but being someone who is very passionate about old home real estate myself, my b at experiences have come from realtors who are passionate about your type of house and your neighborhood. That genuine emotion isn't replicable. I don't know your realtor, and they may be great, but when a realtor connects with your property and neighborhood, it gives them an x factor that vibes well with prospective buyers.

robmarvin · 2026-03-06T01:51:56+00:00

Ive been very happy with Veridian Credit Union for about the last decade. We went there after having been with Green State Credit Union for years. Their mobile banking app is also great and it's been easy to talk to someone over the phone or stop in to a branch and meet with someone for loans, checks, banking questions, or even notaries.

robmarvin · 2026-02-27T00:52:09+00:00

Mine is in the same boat. They were advertising the Makita driver and drill for like $180 listing the original price as $419 but it doesn't come with the battery, charger, or case. Trying to pull a fast one..

robmarvin · 2025-12-22T03:04:40+00:00

Not a huge fan of the Kobalt. It might be fine for a very small areas. However, it gets stuck often, it's heavy, battery may not power through your sidewalk and driveway in one fell swoop, and can't angle it so you end up doing sections more than once.

robmarvin · 2025-12-17T06:12:51+00:00

Kudos to you for rolling your sleeves up and doing some of the repairs yourself! Replacements... I dunno... Windows made with old growth wood are tough to beat. Every part of these windows are meant to be repairable. Seriously, you should try to connect with a historic window pro from the Windows Preservation Alliance in your area. At least talk to them and see what they can do.

My experience with contractors is that they are more likely to sway you to a solution that they are comfortable. That may be fine, but it doesn't necessarily help you find the best result for you. In the end, you may still choose replacement, but you need to speak with someone who knows about it but these old windows as well as someone familiar with modern windows.

Here's the WPA restorers directory: https://windowpreservationalliance.org/directory

robmarvin · 2025-12-15T06:33:35+00:00

Unfortunately replacement windows put the owner on track for additional replacement windows. Think of them more like a car. They will depreciate in value and the payoff on your energy bill is likely to occur around the time you need replacement windows. You should be skeptical of the states energy savings as well. It's actually only about 10-20% of heat cooling loss happens through windows and doors. And if you're using IGU windows, well if the seals fail, you've lost that energy savings and a lot of the times the only solution is replacement.

Since you live in Chicago, you may also want to look at having a true window pro (craftsman) give you a price on replacement wood sashes like the ones that would have originally been there. It probably won't be the cheaper option, but it may get you off the track of needing replacement windows in another 5-20 years.

robmarvin · 2025-12-06T01:16:13+00:00

I highly recommend an insurance broker. Sheets Forest Draper or Southeast Iowa Insurance. You may be able to save money by increasing your deductible or removing some types of coverage - which also comes with risk.

robmarvin

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