Drop us a line today for a free quote!
Why Restore?
Historical wood windows are made of old growth wood – the same wood that made up the uncut forests of our region prior to settlement. This wood came from trees that grew slowly over hundreds of years, they developed tight growth rings and high concentrations of resin. These attributes give old growth wood superior dimensional stability and rot resistance compared to wood that is available today. With maintenance, your original wood windows will last many lifetimes.
Your original wood windows are superior to replacement products due to their durability, maintainability, and historic character. With ongoing maintenance, original windows can stay in service for perpetuity. Keep your original windows to maintain your home’s historic character and keep this material out of landfills.
What We Do
Original windows were made of naturally rot-resistant old growth wood. They were made by craftspeople from materials that were intended to be maintained through regular service. With the additions of permanent weatherstripping and quality storm windows, original windows rival the energy efficiency of replacement windows at a significantly lower cost. Your original windows have lasted for many decades. With proper maintenance they can last for many more.
On-Site - Interior
Do you want windows that open and close smoothly and are tight against drafts? Our on-site services restore smooth operation to your windows by replacing broken sash cords, freeing windows that have been bound up in paint, and installing effective and permanent true-to-era weatherstripping.
On-Site - Exterior
Some deferred maintenance is most cost effective to address from the exterior with your windows in place. We offer limited seasonal exterior services to address some repairs efficiently while keeping project costs down.
Window Restoration
Do your windows need a combination of interior and exterior improvements, including interior refinishing? When simple on-site solutions aren't enough, we assess windows for full and partial restoration. These projects bring your windows back to the full functionality and clean look they had when they were new, with optional energy-efficiency upgrades.
Storm Windows
Storm windows play a crucial role in optimizing your window system. By complementing your primary windows, they create a double-glazed result, offering the original double-paned window solution. These additional windows act as a protective barrier against the elements, effectively safeguarding your primary windows. They extend the maintenance cycle, reducing the need for frequent upkeep.
Environmentally Sound
The greenest window is the one that is already built. When you consider embodied energy–the energy and resources that have already been spent when your home was built–investing in your original windows is the best choice from a reuse and carbon emissions standpoint. Keep your historic windows out of the landfill and in service for perpetuity.
We're often asked if we can "insulate" windows. The replacement window industry wants you to believe your original windows are inefficient and need to be replaced. This simply isn’t true. A tuned and weatherstripped primary window with an effective storm window will perform as well or better than replacement products.
Due to the high cost of replacement windows and replacement cycles of approximately 20 years, homeowners never break even when considering energy savings versus replacement window costs. Original window restoration offers the best value, eliminates waste, and allows you to steward your home’s character for yourself and future generations.
What Our Customers Say
Hayes did an amazing job our our original 1914 windows in our home in Saint Paul. We had seven refinished. I appreciate the time and care they took each step of the way. They were always prompt in answering our questions and guiding us through decisions that balanced both cost and integrity of the original windows. We worked closely with Emily, who was so thoughtful and thorough. We're so happy we chose to restore vs.…
I’m so glad we found Hayes Window Restoration to work on our 80 year old home’s two round picture windows. After taking a community ed class about repairing and restoring original wood windows, I learned the importance of restoring whenever possible. I also learned that, without any tools or experience, there was no way I was going to tackle all this myself. There aren’t a ton of businesses specializing in older wood windows and some…
Hayes restored a 1907 bathroom pocket window with two broken panes, replacing two panes with modern glass and moving one for balance. They also replaced a ~1907 wooden storm window with 10 panes that had seen better days. They also replaced the glass in a double hung window, and rehung one double hung window that I've been going to do for a couple (30) years. It all looks great. I recommend them.
If you value and appreciate the craftsmanship of your antique windows, I highly recommend working with Hayes. This has been a top-notch company to work with. I asked Hayes to take a look at 7-10 of my original, 1916-built, upper and lower sash windows for maintenance and repair. Every step of the process was timely and professional, from coordinating services with Leah, getting the estimates from Emily, initial repairs with Steve, and final installation with…
We hired Hayes to do a tune-up on the windows of our 100 year old craftsman. Our windows were frequently getting stuck, and some would not stay open. They did a fantastic job! The windows now open smoothly and stay open. Hayes was professional, fast, affordable and had great communication. Can’t recommend enough!