Historic Window Restoration by Heritage Steel Window Repair
Windows in historic buildings are part of the record of how the building was made. Our historic window work follows the principle of repairing before replacing and replacing in kind only what cannot be saved.
We restore steel, bronze and wood windows in historic district homes, churches, schools and civic buildings, and we work with owners, architects and preservation staff from survey to completion.
Matching Original Profiles
When a sash bar or frame section is lost, we match the original profile. For steel windows we cut sections from failed units to read the exact shape, then source or fabricate matching steel. For wood we mill new stock with custom knives.
The goal is repair work that cannot be told apart from the original from the street, and that is documented so future owners know what was done.
Historic Projects Include
Churches and Institutional Buildings
Churches and institutions often have large steel or bronze windows with protective glazing outside stained glass. We restore the frames, vent sashes and protective glazing and coordinate with stained glass studios when panels need to come out.
Working in Historic Districts
Philadelphia's historic districts and many suburban townships review window work on designated buildings. Repair in kind usually needs less review than replacement. We provide the scope, photos and product details your application needs.
We serve Philadelphia, the Main Line, Bucks, Chester and Delaware Counties, South Jersey and Wilmington. Related services: historic preservation, steel windows, bronze window restoration.
Preservation Standards We Follow
Our historic work follows the Secretary of the Interior's Standards for Rehabilitation and the National Park Service Preservation Briefs on wood and steel windows: repair first, replace in kind only what is missing or beyond repair, and keep historic glass where possible.
For properties on the Philadelphia Register of Historic Places, exterior window work goes through Historical Commission review. We prepare the window survey, photos and repair scope that the application needs.
Typical Historic Window Problems
On historic buildings we most often find windows painted shut, putty that has fallen out, cracked or missing glass, rotted sills and rusted steel at the bottom rails. None of these require replacing the window. They are repaired one by one, with original material kept wherever it is sound.
Historic Window Restoration Prices in Philadelphia
Starting prices for 2026 in our Philadelphia service area. Your final price depends on the number of windows, their condition and access, and is confirmed in a written estimate after a free on-site visit. No work starts without your approval.
Condition Survey
- Every window inspected
- Photo for each opening
- Condition ratings
- Priority list
Repair in Kind
- Original frame and sash repaired
- Historic glass reset
- Missing parts matched
- Paint to approved color
Profile Matching
- Profile documented
- New sections fabricated
- Installed with originals
- Written documentation
Price List
| Service | Price | Unit |
|---|---|---|
| Historic district documentation package | $350 - $800 | per project |
| Custom wood profile knives | $250 - $500 | per profile |
| Steel section fabrication | $400 - $1,200 | per section |
| Mock-up window for approval | $600 - $1,500 | each |
| Protective glazing over stained glass | $450 - $1,200 | per opening |
| Completion report with photos | $200 - $500 | per project |
Prices include labor and standard materials. Lead-safe work practices are included on pre-1978 homes. Travel outside our usual service area may add a trip charge, quoted in advance.
Recent Historic Window Restoration Projects
Historic Steel Sash Section Survey · Philadelphia, PA
Cross-sections of a failed historic steel sash used to match profiles. Matching sections let us repair instead of replacing whole units.
Georgian Manor Sash Windows · West Chester, PA
Survey and restoration plan for the sash windows of a stone Georgian manor, prioritizing the original glass and frames.
Gothic Arched Sash and Leaded Lite · Germantown, PA
A pointed-arch window for an 1880s chapel building: new sash built to the original profile with the leaded lite reused.
Historic Window Restoration FAQ
Repair in kind often needs little or no review, but it depends on the district. We can prepare the documentation for your application either way.
Usually, yes. We match steel sections from salvaged material or fabricate them, and we mill wood profiles in our shop.
Yes. We regularly provide surveys, mock-ups and pricing to architects and owners' representatives.
With new weatherstripping, careful reglazing and storm windows, restored historic windows perform far better than their condition suggests, while keeping the original fabric of the building.
Get a free historic window restoration estimate
Call (215) 555-0163 or send us photos of your windows.