When a person in the market for a new window replacement comes across an antique window, they often wonder if that is better or worse than a typical home improvement store window. The answer depends on the individual. Those who are looking for something rare and unique may find that an antique window fits their needs perfectly, while others might find it to be more trouble than its worth. In any case, here are some reasons why people choose to install antiques windows.
Aesthetic Appeal
Antique windows have been around far longer than most modern day options and will likely never go out of style because of this. While today’s styles come and go with each passing year, antique windows will always maintain a certain level of charm no matter when they came into the market.
Historical Elements
Sometimes it’s important for people to have windows that are historically accurate in order to maintain the integrity of their home. People who are restoring a house, especially one with historical significance beyond just being old, may find antique windows to fit this need well.
Unique Options
Antique windows come in all shapes and sizes so there is almost always an option available for any window frame shape or size someone might have. Even if an antique window doesn’t exactly fit, no one will ever know because there is such a wide variety of options on the market today.
Real WOOD Windows
Many of the options on today’s market come with plastic windows which are designed to look like wood. Other styles make it look like there is a half window inside a larger window that can be slid open. This, however, does not provide any benefits in insulation or security and is only a visual trick at best. Wood is still used by many homeowners looking for an authentic home improvement solution with all the same benefits as modern windows with no drawbacks in their functionality.
Authenticity
In some cases, people might view antique windows as being more “authentic” than something made in a factory for mass production purposes. While they tend to have been created from slightly older materials, this doesn’t really affect their functionality in a negative way and they are not prone to the same types of issues that can be found with duplicates.
Ease of Installation
Likewise, many people enjoy the fact that antique windows typically have been around for long enough to be completely trouble free as far as installation is concerned. They were created using tried and true methods that have stood the test of time since they were first introduced and really don’t need much special training to install. This makes them easy to use even if someone isn’t particularly savvy when it comes to home improvement projects.
On Point
Antique windows can be found in a wide range of styles and colors that are always true to their era. This can mean they blend into their environment very well adding depth and beauty that cannot be matched by newer options which only come in standard color schemes.
Customization
Because antique windows were created using techniques that wouldn’t be used today, the materials are not quite as advanced or customizable. For most people, this isn’t an issue because antiques work just fine at providing the protection necessary for most homes. However, homeowners who live in harsh climates may find it preferable to use customized window materials instead of something less advanced.
Wide Variety
Lastly, people choose to install antique windows because there is a wide variety of options available to them. For instance, if someone has a window that already exists and needs to replace the glass as part of their home improvement project, they can combine an antique look with modern convenience by using antique glass. In addition, many homeowners have been known to customize the frames of their windows in order to create more unique features for their home that cannot be found anywhere else.
Other Benefits of Antique Windows
One thing about antique wooden window frames is that there tends to be a difference between them and modern ones in terms of insulation properties, but this does not really affect their functionality in a negative way by any means. People who are looking for windows with better insulation options may be slightly disappointed, but most homeowners would never notice any difference in temperature between two windows simply because of these small differences.
The only real difference when it comes to antique window installation is that they tend to require at least a little more time and effort than newer ones do to get them up and running properly. But this is not really much different from other types of home improvement projects so it’s still something many people find worthwhile since the benefits outweigh the drawbacks every time.
As you can see, there are plenty of reasons why someone might choose an antique window over other styles on the market today even if they come with some minor annoyances associated with them. The benefits they provide are generally worth the effort required to install them properly, so no one should ever have any regrets about choosing window styles that work best for their needs and preferences.
In conclusion, each homeowner should weigh the pros and cons of installing antiques windows on a case by case basis before making a final decision about which type of window will work best for their particular situation.