At some point, most owners of historic buildings are faced with the question of whether to restore or replace their windows. In some cases, replacement is a matter of necessity; materials are simply too degraded to salvage or are impossible to reconcile with modern needs. In others, restoration is essential for preserving the economic, aesthetic, or cultural value of a historic property. Often, however, historic window restoration vs. replacement comes down to regulations, as Lick-Wilmerding High School recently discovered.
LWHS: A Private School With a Public Purpose
Lick-Wilmerding High School is a private college preparatory high school founded in 1895. In 1955, it moved into the Ocean Avenue campus, where it remains today. But LWHS has always been committed to progress.
Since 1955, the student population at LWHS has more than doubled and the world has changed. In recent years, the LWHS campus has undergone a transformation to better accommodate its growing student body and create a more vibrant, sustainable, and resilient learning environment. This included adding a third-story addition, renovating classrooms and laboratories, upgrading mechanical systems, and incorporating efficiency-focused technologies. The result is an innovative and inviting campus built to LEED Platinum standards.
In 2020, LWHS received a Livable Buildings Award from the Center for the Built Environment, which noted:
As investment in our older and urban schools is often lacking, the reimagining of Lick-Wilmerding High School offers many lessons on how to update obsolete facilities to current standards for learning environments and sustainability, while preserving key historic elements and connecting to the surrounding community.
It is that respect for history that makes LWHS particularly noteworthy. The new addition was set back to ensure the mid-century facade remains the highlight, preserving the character of the campus. And the facade wasn’t the only feature kept intact.
The gymnasium at Lick-Wilmerding High School has remained intact since the 1950s.
Historic Window Restoration vs. Replacement in the LWHS Gym
One of the most beloved features of Lick-Wilmerding High School is its gymnasium. An original part of the campus, it remains an invaluable part of daily life at the school. Over the years, however, the windows began to show the effects of time. They no longer operated to provide ventilation and the existing paint coatings failed.
LWHS considered replacing the wood windows with a modern glass and aluminum curtain wall system. But in San Francisco, historic window restoration vs. replacement is largely determined by the Historic Preservation Commission, which would require a variance to allow the windows to be replaced. Qualifying for the variance requires demonstrating that replacement is essential to correct specific performance issues, and the burden of proof can be high. If the variance is granted, the windows must be replaced in kind, eliminating many modern options. As a result, window restoration is often the best option for historic buildings. Rainbow was tasked with evaluating whether that would be the case at LWHS.
Repairing operating mechanisms, repairing deteriorated wood, and restoring the frames brought new life to the gymnasium windows.
The Restoration Process
After reviewing the condition of the existing wood frames and the original steel closure mechanisms, Rainbow was confident that the wood frames could be restored and the closure mechanisms could be repaired and restored to allow the windows to operate once again.
- Once scaffolding was erected on the exterior and interior face of the windows, the Rainbow team discovered that the steel mechanisms that operate the windows were corroded.
- After removing the corrosion, lubricating the operating mechanism, and fabricating replacement parts, the team was able to restore the operation of the windows.
- The windows were then deglazed, all deteriorated wood was repaired, and the wood frames were primed and repainted.
The project was completed ahead of schedule and under budget.
The success of historic window restoration vs. replacement is heavily dependent on the skill of the contractor.
A Partner You Can Trust
The question of historic window restoration vs. replacement can be complex. Partnering with an expert who can give you an accurate assessment of your windows and help you explore your options is critical to making the best decision. If you decide that restoration is the right approach, working with a team that specializes in window restoration and understands the challenges and regulations that come with historic buildings is invaluable.
With the guidance and skill of the Rainbow team, LWHS was able to bring functionality back to its gymnasium windows while maintaining the unique character and beauty of the building. As the school continues to evolve, keeping such elements intact can remind students that they are part of both a rich history and a promising future.
Rainbow is the premier historic window restoration company in the San Francisco Bay Area. Reach out to the Rainbow team today
The Rainbow Team is Northern California’s most trusted waterproofing and restoration company. We have the craftsmanship and expertise to handle any commercial or historic building envelope, masonry, or waterproofing project in the San Francisco Bay Area.
