flexiblefullpage
billboard
interstitial1
catfish1
Currently Reading

A brief history of windows in America

A brief history of windows in America

Historic window experts from Hoffmann Architects look back at the origin of windows in the U.S.


By Hoffmann Architects | June 28, 2013
It’s easy to lose sight of the significance of historic windows when all they seem to contribute to the building aesthetic is peeling paint, rotting wood, corroding steel, or broken glass. To appreciate the architectural worth of aging windows, we must look back, briefly, at their origins.
 
The earliest American windows were wood casement windows, hinged at the sides. By the early 1800s, sliding single- and double-hung windows had come into popular use. However, devastating fires in a number of U.S. cities during the late 19th century led to the widespread adoption of strict fire codes, which decreased the prevalence of wood windows.
 
At the same time, the Industrial Revolution brought about major advances in rolled steel, permitting the mass production of steel windows. These fire-resistant frames and sashes became the standard for factories and commercial buildings, as well as for larger residential and university buildings, while wood windows continued to dominate the single-family residential market.
 
Steel remained the primary material for industrial, commercial, and institutional windows in the United States well into the 20th century. The strength of steel permitted larger expanses of glass, which enabled the thin profiles and repeated window patterns of Art Deco and early Modernist buildings. Then, after World War II, aluminum windows gained popularity due to their lower price and non-corroding properties. Toward the end of the 20th century, wood windows also fell out of fashion, as many homeowners replaced the original windows on their turn-of-the-century houses with vinyl, both for its inexpensiveness and for its promise of minimal maintenance.
 
Unfortunately, the replacement of original wood or steel windows with cheaper materials can significantly impact building appearance. Aluminum, for example, is much weaker than steel, requiring bulkier frame profiles that can destroy the delicate look afforded by multi-pane steel windows. Likewise, vinyl may discolor and warp over time, making it a far less durable material over the long term than the original wood.
 
The good news for building owners is that options for treating deteriorated historic windows are plentiful. Energy-saving retrofits, repair, or parts replacement can restore existing windows to like-new functional condition. Should replacement be called for, it is often possible to locate or custom-make historic replicas that won’t compromise building character.

Related Stories

Retail Centers | Nov 15, 2023

Should retail developers avoid high crime areas?

For retailers resolute to operating in high crime areas, design elements exist to mitigate losses and potentially deter criminal behavior. 

MFPRO+ News | Nov 15, 2023

Average U.S multifamily rents drop $3 to $1,718 in October 2023: Yardi Matrix

Multifamily fundamentals continued to soften and impact rents last month, according to the latest Yardi Matrix National Multifamily Report. The average U.S. asking rent dropped $3 to $1,718 in October, with year-over-year growth moderating to 0.4%, down 40 basis points from September. Occupancy slid to 94.9%, marking the first decline in four months.

MFPRO+ Special Reports | Nov 14, 2023

Register today! Key trends in the multifamily housing market for 2024 - BD+C Live Webinar

Join the BD+C and Multifamily Pro+ editorial team for this live webinar on key trends and innovations in the $110 billion U.S. multifamily housing market. A trio of multifamily design and construction experts will present their latest projects, trends, innovations, and data/research on the three primary multifamily sub-sectors: rental housing, senior living, and student housing. 

Giants 400 | Nov 14, 2023

Top 90 Justice Facility Architecture Firms for 2023

DLR Group, Stantec, HDR, HOK, and Elevatus Architecture top BD+C's ranking of the nation's largest justice facility architecture and architecture engineering (AE) firms for 2023, as reported in the 2023 Giants 400 Report. Note: This ranking includes revenue from all public safety/justice facilities buildings work, including correctional facilities, fire stations, jails, police stations, and prisons. 

Giants 400 | Nov 13, 2023

Top 65 Airport Facility Architecture Firms for 2023

Gensler, Corgan, PGAL, and HOK top BD+C's ranking of the nation's largest airport terminal and airport facilities architecture and architecture engineering (AE) firms for 2023, as reported in the 2023 Giants 400 Report. 

Data Centers | Nov 13, 2023

Data center sector trends for 2023-2024

Demand for more data centers is soaring, but delivery can be stymied by supply delays, manpower shortages, and NIMBYism.

Education Facilities | Nov 9, 2023

Oakland schools’ central kitchen cooks up lessons along with 30,000 meals daily

CAW Architects recently completed a facility for the Oakland, Calif., school district that feeds students and teaches them how to grow, harvest, and cook produce grown onsite. The production kitchen at the Unified School District Central Kitchen, Instructional Farm, and Education Center, (“The Center”) prepares and distributes about 30,000 meals a day for district schools lacking their own kitchens.

Laboratories | Nov 8, 2023

Boston’s FORUM building to support cutting-edge life sciences research and development

Global real estate companies Lendlease and Ivanhoé Cambridge recently announced the topping-out of FORUM, a nine-story, 350,000-sf life science building in Boston. Located in Boston Landing, a 15-acre mixed-use community, the $545 million project will achieve operational net zero carbon upon completion in 2024.

Retail Centers | Nov 7, 2023

Omnichannel experiences, mixed-use development among top retail design trends for 2023-2024

Retailer survival continues to hinge on retail design trends like blending online and in-person shopping and mixing retail with other building types, such as offices and residential. 

Giants 400 | Nov 6, 2023

Top 110 Cultural Facility Architecture Firms for 2023

Populous, Gensler, HGA, DLR Group, and Quinn Evans top BD+C's ranking of the nation's largest cultural facilities sector architecture and architecture engineering (AE) firms for 2023, as reported in the 2023 Giants 400 Report. Note: This ranking includes revenue from all cultural building sectors, including concert venues, art galleries, museums, performing arts centers, and public libraries.  

boombox1
boombox2
native1

More In Category

Healthcare Facilities

Watch on-demand: Key Trends in the Healthcare Facilities Market for 2024-2025

Join the Building Design+Construction editorial team for this on-demand webinar on key trends, innovations, and opportunities in the $65 billion U.S. healthcare buildings market. A panel of healthcare design and construction experts present their latest projects, trends, innovations, opportunities, and data/research on key healthcare facilities sub-sectors. A 2024-2025 U.S. healthcare facilities market outlook is also presented.




halfpage1

Most Popular Content

  1. 2021 Giants 400 Report
  2. Top 150 Architecture Firms for 2019
  3. 13 projects that represent the future of affordable housing
  4. Sagrada Familia completion date pushed back due to coronavirus
  5. Top 160 Architecture Firms 2021