Performance Considerations for Historic Window Replacement and Repair

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Performance Considerations for Historic Window Replacement and Repair I S S U E 2/2020 VOLUME 37 NUMBER 2 Journal of architectural technology published by Hoffmann Architects, Inc., specialists in the rehabilitation of building exteriors. Performance Considerations for Historic Window Replacement and Repair Rachel C. Palisin, PE, LEED AP BD+C and Richard W. Off, AIA F rom the stained glass windows Determining a path for historic win- that welcome variegated light into dow treatment that balances aesthet- cathedrals to the steel-framed geo- ics and historic integrity with contem- metric designs of Art Deco and the porary performance standards can be bold leaded glass of the Prairie style, challenging, particularly if the windows windows have served to define the are architecturally significant. character of buildings and spaces since Through thoughtfully designed and ex- the advent of glazed fenestration. Not ecuted repairs, some historic windows only do windows estab- can realize performance gains that ex- lish the aesthetics and tend their lifespan and improve indoor ambiance of a structure, comfort. However, where deteriora- they form an integral part tion is advanced, or where there is a of the building enclosure. More than ornament, compelling need to modernize the as- windows serve a vital role sembly to meet current performance in protecting the building standards, replacement may be war- from the elements and in ranted. In such cases, careful consider- modulating the transfer of ation of materials and window design heat, moisture, and light is critical to respecting historic char- from exterior to interior. acter while meeting project require- ments. Decisions about wood frames As windows age, their versus metal or composite, insulating components become glazing versus single-pane, true divided subject to the ravages of lights versus applied muntins, and time and weather: sealant historical versus modern anchorage, crumbles, wood decays, Meeting performance demands while preserving building among other considerations, require metal corrodes, glass character presents challenges for historic window projects. expert evaluation of the available op- deflects. If not properly tions. Testing, both in the laboratory maintained, historic win- and in the field, is a valuable tool to dows are in danger of deteriorating verify performance and adjust the final to the point where they are no longer design to meet the unique demands salvageable. Even for those windows of the building and situation. that have been carefully protected over the years, performance demands By applying the principles of window may raise considerations for replace- design with a sensitivity to the treat- ment with materials that provide ment of historic properties, build- improved efficiency and durability. ing owners and project teams can Rachel C. Palisin, PE, LEED AP BD+C, Senior Engineer with Hoffmann Architects, oversees structural, thermal, and building envelope analysis to develop customized historic window solutions. Richard W. Off, AIA, Project Architect, has specialized expertise in the restoration and adaptive reuse of historic and landmark structures. JOURNAL develop window rehabilitation solu- Energy and Thermal Performance is required depends on the location tions that respect the original building and the use of the space, as there may The thermal performance of a win- fabric while providing lasting, reliable be scenarios in which a high SHGC is dow is typically defined by U-factor, performance. preferred to allow passive heating, or the measure of how much heat is lost a high VLT may be desired to maxi- or gained in an assembly by radiation What Are the Principles? mize daylighting to reduce usage of and conduction. The numerical value, electrical lighting and power. Although Many of the performance require- expressed in decimals, is the transfer there are some jurisdictions that do ments and standards that should be rate of heat divided by the difference not have specific energy codes, most considered when approaching window in temperature and is the weighted building codes have minimum require- replacement projects are governed by average of U-factors for the center of ments tied to occupancy and climate. code. For residential projects, includ- the glass, edge of glass, and window ing single-family homes and duplexes frame, as defined by the National Structural Considerations of not more than three stories, the Fenestration Rating Council (NFRC). International Residential Code (IRC) Chapter 16 of the IBC defines struc- The lower the U-factor, the better the tural requirements for windows, applies; for all other commercial and energy performance. (R-value, used to residential projects, the International primarily regarding lateral loads due to measure the performance of opaque Building Code (IBC) and International wind and other sources. To establish wall materials, is the opposite.) For sin- Energy Conservation Code (IECC) are a uniform design pressure, commonly gle-pane historic windows, which have the prevailing model codes. While given in pounds per square foot, the high U-factors, condensation may be replacement windows must comply project’s structural consultant uses a an issue, particularly in environments with the performance standards out- wind speed mandated by applicable with tightly controlled mechanical sys- lined in these codes, in many jurisdic- buidling code, with adjustment fac- tems that limit natural ventilation. tions, historic and landmark buildings tors that account for building height, are exempt, so long as such windows Other common ways to evaluate topography, exposure, and occupancy. are replaced in kind, matching his- energy performance with windows Windows and their anchorage must toric conditions. However, the IBC still are Solar Heat Gain Coefficient (SHGC) be designed to withstand these pres- requires that safety glazing be installed and Visible Light Transmittance (VLT). sures, along with any other loads to in potentially hazardous locations, such SHGC measures the amount of solar which they may be subject. The code as windows at enclosed fire stairs. In radiation that passes through win- also requires that window glazing itself general, performance requirements dow glazing, and VLT measures the have appropriate wind and/or other may be organized into three main cat- amount of visible sunlight that passes applicable lateral load resistance, and egories: energy/thermal, structural, and through the entire window assembly. this is typically established via deflec- envelope considerations. Whether a high or low SHGC or VLT tion requirements, which indicate that glass cannot bend beyond a given maximum to avoid breakage. Certain regions, especially those susceptible to very high winds, such as hurricane-prone coastal areas, also have windborne debris resistance requirements. During storm events, various forms of unsecured debris may become windborne and can po- tentially impact windows, break glass, create even more debris, and poten- tially subject the interior of buildings to wind loads that could destabilize the structure. Building height, configu- ration, and proximity to the coast are Samples of original hardware (top left) facilitate restoration and, where necessary, replacement. all critical factors when determining Existing historic hardware may be removed and restored (bottom left), then re-installed (right). wind loads on buildings. 2 VOLUME 37 NUMBER 2 Building Envelope Integrity require a specific window class for any Envelope requirements for windows particular situation, but it does require are essentially concerned with keep- an AAMA 101 certification, which ing air and water out of the building. demonstrates compliance with mini- The two main metrics for evaluating mum performance criteria. building enclosure performance are Evaluating Window Performance air leakage and water penetration Energy/thermal, structural and enve- testing, both of which test windows in lope standards can all be evaluated in pressurized chambers to determine some capacity through testing. First, a the extent of air and water that pass series of laboratory tests establishes from one side of a sealed window to the performance baseline, through another. Although the IECC outlines both manufacturer/fabricator qualifica- typical envelope requirements for win- tion testing and also performance mock- dows, such as maximum requirements ups, or window units constructed for air leakage, ratings set forth by the solely for the purpose of laboratory American Architectural Manufacturers testing, to ensure their ability to meet Association (AAMA) are considered For this landmark military building, window specified standards and requirements. security was a top replacement consideration. the industry standard for new win- Depending upon project specifica- dows. (Note that, as of January 2020, tions, samples and visual mock-ups they may also be subject to in-situ/ AAMA and IGMA have unified to might also be incorporated into the field testing to further evaluate their create the Fenestration and Glazing submittal process to better evaluate Industry Alliance, or FGIA.) ability to meet performance require- window appearance, including review ments, and the extent to which the According to AAMA, following a series of materials, finishes, profiles, and sight complete fenestration assembly can of performance tests, new windows lines, before installation. This is espe- meet specified criteria, not just inde- can be designated one of four perfor- cially critical with historic replacement pendent window
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