Recommendations for renovation

The many existing historical windows in Lviv are important elements of the overall appearance of the town. Their design is essential to the aesthetics of a building and to the environmental comfort of its residents. Even if a window is in a bad state of repair, with peeling paint or broken parts, the original wooden frames are often of a very high quality and in very good condition, and the window can usually be repaired. When it is, it meets all the modern requirements. Therefore, it should not be replaced.

Tips on renovating historical windows

1. WEATHERPROOFING
Problem: When the windows are closed, there are gaps in the frame that let in cold air, and outside sounds
Solution: A rubber seal can easily be installed in the window frame. This is a minor procedure that significantly improves heat and sound insulation.
NB. Rooms need to be ventilated to keep the fabric of the building in a good condition and provide a healthy living environment. Therefore, even in winter, windows should be left open for about five minutes every day.


2. INSULATING THE SPACE BETWEEN THE WINDOW FRAME AND THE WALL
Problem: Old double windows usually had a space between the window frame and the wall, which was often left empty. This leads to heat loss and the space becomes highly susceptible to moisture and mould.
Solution: Filling the space with mineral wool or injecting fine-grained non-moisture absorbent insulating material into them can eliminate the problems. Another suitable material that can be used to fill the space is natural hemp.

3. DOUBLING A SINGLE WINDOW
Problem: Double windows began to be installed in buildings in Lviv in the middle of the 19th century. Before then, windows were single frame units, which allow a large amount of heat to be lost to the outside.
Solution: By doubling the existing window frame, or by adding another window to make a window box, the thermal insulation can be significantly improved and the original single window can be kept.

4. INSULATING GLAZING
Problem: A lot of heat is being lost, even after carrying out the insulation measures described above.
Solution: Insulating glass, or even special heat- reflecting glass, can be installed in the window frames. This costs a lot less than replacing the window with an inferior substitute, and, moreover, maintains the property’s value as a historical monument.

5. IMPROVING SOUND INSULATION
Problem: On noisy streets, a lack of sound insulation can be noticeable, even with better double or box-type windows.
Solution: By installing an additional pane of glass that is 1-2 mm thicker or thinner than that of the existing glazing, amazing soundproofing improvements (up to 10 db) can be achieved. This is because panes of glass with different thicknesses vibrate in different ways.


6. PROTECTION AGAINST BREAK-INS
Problem: unprotected windows, especially on the ground floor, often provide little defence against break-ins.
Solution: To increase security, upgrade windows with lockable handles, safety glass and sensors connected to an alarm system.

Tips on the maintenance of historical windows

With careful maintenance, wooden windows can last a very long time.

TIP 1
Take care of the paintwork: check it for cracking or peeling; renew the paint or lacquer at regular intervals, making sure to first remove the previous coats; do not paint over metal fittings and moving parts. Oiling the hinges and handles once a year increases their durability significantly.

TIP 2
Pay special attention to the weatherboards. They keep rainwater away from the bottom of the window and are particularly exposed to the weather. Renew peeling paint and replace defective weatherboards immediately. Make sure their lower edge (the so-called “drip edge”) and any drip channels are in good condition.

TIP 3
Windows often become stuck and difficult or impossible to open. This might be caused by too many layers of paint, or loose hinges or defective fittings. These problems can be easily remedied by a professional at relatively little cost.