Rowhouse Windows

The defining feature of a rowhouse is that it is connected to its neighbors. That means, that for at least part of the house, there can’t be windows on the sides. Many rowhouses only have windows along the front and back facades, but the deeper houses usually have a jog in the floor plan where the back half of the house also has windows on the side that look out onto an alley. No matter where the windows are in your rowhouse, they are always critical because they bring in light and fresh air. Read on to learn more about windows and the role they play in comfort at home.

Most windows in Philadelphia are called double hung windows. A double hung window slides up in front of the top sash when you lift it. What a lot of people don’t realize, is that the top sash can also slide down - hence the double in double hung. Newer homes may have casement windows, where one sash opens more like a door, folding out towards the outside. The window below is an inswing casement we installed on a whole house remodel. While common in Europe, you don’t see many in America. That’s a shame, because they last longer and seal tighter than outswing casements. They can also tilt in at the top for ventilation.

It’s not unusual for a rowhouse in Philadelphia to have windows that are over 120 years old. These wood windows are glazed with single panes of glass and use chains (or ropes) and lead counterweights hidden in the wall to hold the window in place when lifted. These windows can be restored, but should be paired with storm windows for energy efficiency. Since that takes away some of the charm of the old windows, we often replace these with a wood window that had at least two panes of glass (no more storm window needed) and is clad in aluminum on the exterior. The wood they used 120 years ago held up much better over time. For low maintenance with today’s wood, we recommend the clad windows. Fiberglass is another good option and even vinyl windows can be long lasting if installed properly and of a high quality. No matter what you choose, buy the best window you can. While many original windows abound in Philly, there are also many “replacement” windows that have been replaced over and over because they were low quality aluminum or vinyl.

What does is mean when we say a window needs to be installed properly? Here are some things to look for: It doesn’t matter how energy efficient the window is if air is able to leak around it. When windows are removed, the old counterweight pockets should be insulated and air sealed, and all gaps around the window should be sealed with foam, or better yet, tape made for this purpose. Water often gets into and on top of windows. This can introduce water into your windows or walls, which you don’t want. Head flashing (metal above the window on the exterior) should be installed behind the siding. Below the window you want a pan so that water that gets under the window is directed back out to the outside. All the wood around the window should be protected from water damage using tape.

But what if your windows aren’t bringing in enough light? While skylights can solve this problem, they often require structural work, and bring in heat as well. The light circle in the ceiling in the photo above is a solution we use a lot on rowhouses. A tubular skylight has a collector on the roof that directs light through a reflective tube to a diffuser in the ceiling. We have used these to bring light from the third floor all the way to the first!

Thanks for reading. If you have a question about your windows, or anything else in your house, use our contact form to reach out and I’ll be happy to see if we can be of assistance.