Visited a Habitat for Humanity ReStore in Nashville and saw something surprising about old windows

I swung by a Habitat ReStore near my house in Nashville last Saturday just to browse. There was a whole stack of old wooden double-hung windows from the 1950s sitting in the back corner. A volunteer there named Bob told me they came from a church renovation downtown. He explained that those old windows were built with actual cedar sash and real brass hardware, not the flimsy vinyl stuff you get today. I picked one up and the frame was still solid after 70 years, just needed some glazing putty and paint. He said homeowners throw these out because they think replacement windows are better, but these old ones can last another 50 years with basic maintenance. I ended up buying two for $15 each to use in my workshop. Has anyone else had luck restoring old windows instead of buying new ones?

2 comments

2 Comments

dakota_fox12d ago

I read somewhere that old growth wood in those vintage windows is way denser and more rot resistant than anything you'd get at a lumber yard today. People don't realize that a little putty and paint can bring those things back to life for a fraction of the cost of cheap replacement units. That's a great score for $15 each, especially since the hardware alone is probably worth more than that.

shane_perry2912d ago

@dakota_fox you're out here making me feel bad about my brand new vinyl windows that are already starting to warp. Real talk though, that old growth stuff is no joke. My grandpa had a whole shed built from reclaimed lumber and that wood is like iron compared to the pine 2x4s they sell now. For $15 a pop those windows are basically stealing. Hardware alone could fetch $50-100 if someone's restoring a period house. Bet the previous owner just wanted them gone without paying a disposal fee. You gonna strip and refinish them or just clean em up and sell as is?