Older Akron Homes and Lead-Safe Window Work
Akron grew quickly during its years as the Rubber Capital of the World, and many neighborhoods are full of homes from the early and mid-1900s. Their windows need some extra care.
Request a window installerLead paint
Homes built before 1978 may have lead-based paint, often on windows, sills and trim.
Lead-safe rules
Contractors who disturb painted surfaces in pre-1978 homes should follow EPA lead-safe work practices and be certified for it.
What that looks like
Containment, plastic sheeting, careful cleanup and minimizing dust.
Out-of-square openings
Older openings may be out of square; careful measuring avoids gaps.
Sash weights
Old double-hungs may have weights in pockets that can be insulated during replacement.
Trim
Original trim may be worth keeping with an insert replacement.
Historic character
Choose grilles, colors and proportions that suit the home.
Storm windows
Storms are an option if you want to keep original windows.
Ask questions
Ask installers about lead certification and their plan for your home.
Next
See double-hung windows.
Children and pets
Keep children and pets away from work areas in older homes.
After the job
Ask how the installer cleaned up and verified the area.
Pockets and insulation
Old double-hung windows often have hollow weight pockets beside the frame. Filling them with insulation during replacement removes a hidden source of cold air that many older homes have lived with for decades.
Sills and stools
Interior window stools and exterior sills in older homes are often thick, solid wood. If they're sound, they can stay and be refinished; if they're soft or split, replacing them during the window job is easier than later.
Plaster walls
Older homes often have plaster rather than drywall. Removing trim can crack plaster, so ask how the crew protects it and who repairs any damage.
Paperwork
Certified renovators should give you the EPA's Renovate Right pamphlet before work starts in a pre-1978 home. Keep it with your records for the house.
More window replacement guides
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Replacements, repairs and new openings. Tell us what you need and we'll pass it straight to a window installer, who will call you to measure up and give you a quote.
- Replacement windows, repairs and new egress openings
- Akron, Cuyahoga Falls, Stow, Hudson and nearby
- Get a quote before any work starts
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