Mount Pleasant DC Forum

dsachdev · Joined: 20 Oct 2004 Posts: 406

So I have been considering replacing the FRONT windows of my house, and I am curious to know what companies, brands, etc people have used that are compliant - and how happy they have been with their choices.

Thanks
David

Nickel · Joined: 10 Aug 2004 Posts: 103

I installed Pella windows last year and am completely satisfied. At the price, I should be! The wood windows required by the MtP Historic District came prepainted and work very well. The biggest surprise about the process was getting the permits. I expected to land in some DMV-type third concentric circle of Dante's Inferno but was surprised to find a very efficient process in place. I was able to get both the HPD sign-off and the permit during my lunch break.

flydhest · Joined: 30 Jul 2004 Posts: 240

Nickel,
Where did you find out about the process and can you give us a description of it?

Thanks,

dsachdev · Joined: 20 Oct 2004 Posts: 406

And did you go straight to Pella, or use a different company to do the install?

ClancyMac · Joined: 16 Aug 2006 Posts: 213

Don't know if this was office that Nickel used, but I thought the DCRA Homeowners' Center (2nd floor, 941 N. Capitol, same floor as regular permitting but separate office) was great. DCRA regular permitting literally lost my building permit application to do renovations to my basement and then lied about it for 6 weeks. Finally, I discovered the Homeowners' Center. The woman in charge of it (Ms. Joseph) is helpful and pleasant and helped me get my building permit processed in a day.

You have to be the actual homeowner to go in though---they will not accept applications from an architect or contractor, though you can come in with those folks and they will talk to them after the initial paperwork is done.

jack · Joined: 23 Mar 2004 Posts: 4429 Location: 19th & Lamont

It's been many years, but I was able to have storm windows added on the interior of my old single-pane windows. That was less costly than replacing the windows, and of course there are no historic-preservation hurdles. Inserting and removing the storm windows is easy, since it's all on the inside. They provide an enormous reduction in heat loss.

This was done by a contractor through Hechinger's. I don't know where to go for them now.

-- Jack

Tom Bell · Joined: 08 Apr 2004 Posts: 109

I took measurements and photos of intact original windows on an adjacent house to Smoot Lumber in Alexandria. Told them I'm in a historic district. They know all about that. They developed a CAD drawing and specs from the manufacturer. I took all that to the permit offices. HPRB was delighted with the plan and signed right away. Only challenge was money. They're quite expensive, but they work great.

Nickel · Joined: 10 Aug 2004 Posts: 103

I went through http://www.kc-pella.com/. I forget the name of the salesman who came out, but he handles all of Mount Pleasant and surrounding area so he was very familiar with the Historic district requirements -- for instance, wouldn't sell me a new front doorr becasue they don't sell all wood doors. It was one of the lowest pressure meetings I've ever had with a salesman. He showed me the options and was very clear about the prices....didn't try to steer me toward the higher priced items and pointed out the deficiencies of some of the higher priced items. The best part was the crew who installed the windows were terrific. Their workmanship was better than I expected and they cleaned up nicely.