Historic Portland Home Window Replacement

All photos: Suzannah Stanley, Create Enjoy Blog
Product provided at a discounted rate by Pella Portland.

Suzannah Stanley, a local Portland, Oregon blogger with a penchant for DIY projects and home renovations, was searching for a front window replacement for her beautiful 1937 Tudor Revival-style home. The home features a large front window that fills the home with natural light but has suffered severe wood rot and fell into disrepair. Suzannah turned to her local window experts at Pella of Portland to find a new window that stays true to her home’s historic style and matches her budget.

The beautiful Portland Tudor-style home features a large picture window as the focal point on the home’s front façade. Copious amounts of serene morning sunlight pour in through the window and have made the room one of the family’s favorites. The original window had some wear and tear over the years. Broken window seals and water damage have caused the panes of glass to shift and rattle with strong winds. The water had also started to leak inside the home, damaging the sill and floor below the window and wearing on the wood’s varnish.

Suzannah worked with the local Portland team to choose the right window replacement. A representative visited her home and brought samples to ensure they found the best fit. She opted for a wood window that would match the windows throughout the rest of her historic home. Suzannah explained, “I reached out to several window companies and Pella was by far the most professional and enjoyable to work with. They were quick to get back to me and established one point of contact throughout the whole process. I was initially overwhelmed by the options, but my representative quickly helped me narrow it down once I described what I wanted and understood what would be best for the age of my home.”

Ultimately, the homeowner choose a Pella® Lifestyle Series picture window. The new window features an aluminum-clad exterior that protects from the elements and exclusive wood protection that resists the effects of moisture, decay and termite damage. The new window offers the long-lasting durability and beauty she was looking for. Being a DIY enthusiast, Suzannah opted to leave the interior trim unfinished, which she then stained later.

To keep a similar look to the old window, Suzannah chose to add between-the-glass grilles in a traditional pattern. Between-the-glass grilles are much easier to clean than the roomside grilles on her previous window. Tucked in between panes of glass, they create a smooth glass surface on the interior and exterior that is easy to clean and protects the grilles from dust and damage. The innovative grilles perfectly marry the historic aesthetic that matches the home with modern day conveniences.

The old front window had broken seals and water damage, leaking cold air into the home in the winter and allowing air-conditioned air to exit the home in the summer. While blackout curtains helped keep the draft out temporarily, they eliminated the room’s natural light. Suzannah considered window repair, but quickly learned of the high investment and chance of failure, which led her to choose a window replacement.

The new Pella wood picture window maximizes energy efficiency with two panes of insulating glass and strong seals. The Low-E glass reflects heat back into the room in the winter and reflects heat away from the home in the summer. Suzannah and her family are left with a more comfortable living room where they can enjoy time together and play.

“Working with my Pella branch felt like working with a local business. One point of contact who was very responsive, local project examples, expert local installers and an understanding of what's appropriate for historic Portland area homes. I could not get this service from some of the others I contacted. Pella was the clear choice for me!” said Suzannah.

The local installation team was able to install the new window and match the original interior trim and window style so that the replacement closely resembled the original. Suzannah continued, “When install day came, the installers were right on time and worked so quickly! The window is perfect and especially after some of the cold weather, wind, and rain we've had since. I am so happy I made this investment in my home.”

Ready to get started on your window or door project? Contact us to speak with our experts on the right product for your home.