Design Review Board

Level 1: Minor alteration of an existing building/structure

6-E-16-DT

This proposal is a revision to the previously approve Certificate of Appropriateness (10-B-15-DT) for the Ely Building. The applicant is proposing to replace the existing wood windows (non-original) with aluminum clad wood double hung units from Pella.


Location
406 W Church St

Applicant Request
This proposal is a revision to the previously approve Certificate of Appropriateness (10-B-15-DT) for the Ely Building. The applicant is proposing to replace the existing wood windows (non-original) with aluminum clad wood double hung units from Pella.

Staff Comments
This building is within a national register historic district, so the guidelines recommend replacement windows with the same pane configuration, material, glass size, muntin arrangements, profiles, and trim. The existing windows are wood one-over-one, however, they are not original. The proposed windows will also be one-over-one but will have an aluminum exterior finish instead of wood.

Applicable guidelines:

Section 1.C.4. (WINDOWS)
Appropriate window appearance is significant in finishing a rehabilitation project. From a preservation standpoint, the first and best answer when determining a treatment for windows is to repair rather than replace them. If that is not possible, replacing only deteriorated portions is the next best alternative to total replacement. It is possible to replace window sills, rebuild all or parts of window sashes, and replace window glass, making original windows energy efficient and functional.
GUIDELINES:
4a. Repair rather than replace historic windows.
4b. Replace windows if repairs are not possible with matching windows, including duplicating design, operation, material, glass size, muntin arrangements, profiles, and trim.
4c. Insert windows with the same pane configuration, materials and size as other buildings of the same general construction date, if no original windows are present.
4d. Maintain the relationship of solids to voids with new construction that is similar to other buildings in the district, including the typical width, height, spacing, and horizontal alignment of windows.

Case History