[Master Brian]

I live in Kansas and in an old, 100yr old house. In the last few years we've seen a pretty big spike in earthquakes, most likely do to oil/gas fracking in the area. In any case, in the last week we've felt the effects of two 4.7m quakes and it has me thinking it's definitely time to start safe guarding the house.

Being as the windows are all original, most with original glass, I'm obviously worried about them breaking, falling and hurting someone....especially since about every bed in our house has to be under a window and we do have kids in the house. I'm looking for any input on securing these windows, etc. I've looked and believe I found a place or two that sells the film, 3m I believe, but wondering if there is anything else I should know about installing it.

My thoughts are to first get the upper panes, that are above beds, because the last two have hit at night and shook for several minutes. I'm not as worried about the lower panes of glass because the headboards pretty much cover those, but at some point I'll probably try to get to them as well. To put this into perspective, I have about 45 windows throughout the house, so it'll be a big job to get the important ones. The average window is about 30"+ wide and about 5' tall.

Do I apply the film on the inside or outside? Is there anything else I should do to protect the window from falling out of the frame, or is having them in a good bed of glazing enough? I do have storm windows on most of the house and on the north side those are all installed with LOW-E glass.

On another part of this, in the downstairs bathroom, we have a clawfoot tub, which sits under two windows, in order to maintain privacy, I've installed the privacy film that clings to the glass.....should I still install a safety film to those windows or will the cling help hold them together if someone's in the tub when a quake hits?

I realize 4.7 isn't that large yet to do much damage, but we are starting to see cracks in drywall/plaster and they seem to only be getting stronger and stronger. Earthquakes and Tsunami's used to be what Kansas was relatively safe from....now it's just the Tsunami's....heaven help us if those start coming our way!!!:wink2:

 

[Windows on Wash]

The film would be installed on the inside pane. The glass in the windows that are above the tub could likely be tempered which is safety glass. If not the privacy film should keep it intact as well.

 

[Master Brian]

I'm doubtful on the glass by the tub....I moved the tub from another wall to this wall. Not to mention, I'd be shocked if safety glass was used in 1915.

Being as it goes on the inside, the next question is....should it matter if it's cold outside (i.e. window glass cold) when I install it, or should I wait for a warm day? I'm also wondering about in the bathroom, as I have the privacy cling type film on the windows, could I use something like that over the safety glass film?


Thanks for the reply!

 

[joecaption]

It's far more likely the glass will just crack then it is to fall all the way out.
Given any thought on installing new replacement window, and filling those old window weigh holes with insulation.
You'll start saving money from day one on HVAC cost.
Google 3M window films.

 

[Master Brian]

It's far more likely the glass will just crack then it is to fall all the way out.
Given any thought on installing new replacement window, and filling those old window weigh holes with insulation.
You'll start saving money from day one on HVAC cost.
Google 3M window films.

Cracking is one thing, but if there is any chance it would shake loose and fall out....that's a risk that just isn't worth it. I've googled it to an extent, just trying to figure out where to go get it. I think I've tracked one place local. If I like it and can easily install I might order the rest online.

As for replacement windows.....No way would I ever re-coup any savings. Replacement windows are approx 20yr life span and if I were to actually save anything it'd take that long. Like I said, I have 40+ windows, replacements that are worth anything would cost well over $1000 per window (again average size is over 3'w x 5't) I have several that are in the 4'w range. That's over $40k in windows. I'd also argue the windows that I've worked on are probably very close to as efficient as most replacements.

I have considered removing the old weights and going with a lift that just fits in the pulley pocket and resembles a tape measure mechanism, but I haven't gotten there yet. That's another one of those things I wonder if worth the investment. Dangerously, I've watched enough "This Old House" and similar shows where they talk about pros/cons of both systems.

 

[joecaption]

Sounds like you've made your mind up already but you info is way off.
No way do they only last 20 years (should last forever).
Any I've bought that size and installed myself that where energy star rated cost about 1/3 that price.

 

[ddawg16]

Sounds like you've made your mind up already but you info is way off.
No way do they only last 20 years (should last forever).
Any I've bought that size and installed myself that where energy star rated cost about 1/3 that price.

Ditto

I installed 15 new windows (3 were replacements) in my 2-story addition. Vinyl inside...fiberglass outside...Low E, Argon...double pained....$700. Some of them were very special....as in crank out casement....

One window was 3x5....tempered glass....around $300

These windows will most likely last 40-50 years.

 

[Master Brian]

Ditto

I installed 15 new windows (3 were replacements) in my 2-story addition. Vinyl inside...fiberglass outside...Low E, Argon...double pained....$700. Some of them were very special....as in crank out casement....

One window was 3x5....tempered glass....around $300

These windows will most likely last 40-50 years.

I agree the mind is probably made up. I realized the price was probably more of an installed price, but my time is worth something and though I enjoy working on my old house, I don't need another project at this point. The 20yr number is what I see around my area. I've know several people that have very nice newer homes, built in the 90's, that have had to replace their windows because they were shot after about 20yrs. I will also say, replacements don't, in my opinion, look right in a 100yr old craftsman style house. I won't say they never look good, just more often than not, I don't think they look as nice. Part of the charm in owning an older house is the detail and to get that, it's going to take something that at the very least would replicate the wood look.

That said, my last house was built in 1874 and it had vinyl replacement windows. It was an old farm house that had been updated pretty heavily over the years and the replacements worked on that house.