Chosen Wood Window Maintenance

FAQs & Resources

Chosen Wood Window Maintenance restores and preserves wood and steel windows for residential and commercial properties across the Pacific Northwest, combining meticulous craftsmanship, historic accuracy, and sustainable practices since 1998.

Get a Free Estimate

503-266-3830 (Oregon)

206-565-3113 (Washington)

office@chosenwwm.com

Monday-Friday 7:30am-4:00pm (PST)

Oregon

Washington

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I know if my wood windows can be repaired instead of replaced?

We generally encourage repair and restoration over replacement, as replacing original windows is often a poor economic and environmental decision.

If your windows have already functioned for 50 to 100 years, they are proven performers. Repairing them is a far better investment than purchasing a new window, which might only offer a 20-year warranty. With proper maintenance, restored antique windows can last an additional 50 to 100 years.

Our philosophy is to reuse what is good and replace only what is necessary. We focus on retaining the good components, which saves you money.

Key factors favoring repair include:

Material Quality: Vintage windows are typically constructed from dense, long-lasting old-growth hardwoods or fir, which are superior to the less-dense wood used in many modern replacement windows. Unlike “maintenance-free” vinyl or fiberglass windows, which often end up in a landfill within 20 years, wood windows are infinitely repairable with the right tools and knowledge.
Cost-Effectiveness: Window restoration can be substantially more cost-effective than full replacement. We can restore and upgrade many wood windows to match the performance of standard replacement windows at a fraction of the expense.
Architectural Fit: Your original windows fit your building’s unique architectural style and have expanded and contracted with the seasons. Replacement windows often have a rigid structure that can result in new gaps, drafts, and water leaks as the old house shifts.

Can you assess whether restoration or full replacement is the better long-term option for my home?

Yes, we absolutely can. We offer a full range of restoration options and work with preservationists and restoration experts to carefully assess your specific project.

The choice of restoration level or replacement depends on many factors, including:

The historical significance of the building.
The condition of the existing windows.
Your budget and energy requirements.
Any requirements set forth by a governing historical board.
Local building code or energy code requirements.

We are committed to maintaining the original design, personality, and features of your building, which is essential to preserving architectural integrity and property value. Restoration of original wood or steel windows can often result in a product that outperforms many of today’s replacement windows, offering a long-term, cost-effective solution.

We can conduct an in-depth survey of the existing windows and give you all the options available. We also utilize value engineering to provide cost-effective solutions that preserve original windows and maintain historical integrity over more expensive full replacements.

Do you offer on-site evaluations for historic windows, and what does that process include?

Yes, we do. Chosen Wood Window Maintenance provides free estimates for both residential and commercial projects.

Our process begins with an assessment and planning phase. During this on-site evaluation, our experts thoroughly inspect your windows to assess their condition.

This includes identifying any structural issues, rot, or damage that needs attention.

For larger or historic projects, we can conduct an in-depth window survey. This survey is critical for project management and planning, especially when working toward historical restoration goals set by the Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for the Treatment of Historic Properties.

Are your repair methods compliant with historic preservation guidelines or local landmark commissions?

Yes, our methods are designed to be fully compliant with the most rigorous historic preservation standards.

We provide full restoration for wood and steel windows for both commercial and residential buildings in compliance with the standards set forth by the Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for the Treatment of Historic Properties.
We offer full-service project management to achieve historic restoration project goals within these standards, with the goal of protecting and maintaining the original fabric and features of the overall window and building.
We have completed more than 40 major historic preservation projects to date, including notable structures like the Oregon Supreme Courthouse Building, University of Oregon Gerlinger Hall, and Portland Center Stage. We have also served as the window restoration contractor for award-winning restoration projects, such as the Grant High School Modernization (1923) and the Woodlark Hotel project, which involved buildings listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
The level of restoration we propose always balances preservation goals with practical considerations.
In fact, many laws exist that prevent historic building owners from changing out their original windows, and our products, such as SLIPs, offer a way to update efficiency while maintaining the original historic architectural components.

Can you match my existing window profiles, mouldings, and glass styles?

Will my windows be removed from the house during repair, or can you complete the work on-site?

How do you deal with lead paint or other hazardous materials during restoration?

Safety and compliance are top priorities. Our program adheres to the standards set by the EPA’s Lead Renovation, Repair and Painting Program (40 CFR Part 745, Subpart E) and OSHA’s 29 CFR 1926.62.

We are not a lead abatement contractor. However, we are fully capable of encapsulating lead paint.
We can also properly dispose of asbestos-containing glazing.
Our lead management disposal plans comply with both EPA and OSHA standards for all window restoration tasks performed either on-site or in the shop.

FAQs & Resources

Chosen Restoration Brochure

CWWM Shop Only Restoration

Employment Application

Historic Preservation Tax Incentives

SLIP™ Glass Types

SLIP Application Drawings

SLIP™ Brochure

Disclaimers

Window Components

Wood Window Restoration

University of Oregon SLIP Energy Report

SLIP Case Study