Window Restoration by Heritage Steel Window Repair
Many older homes in our area have steel windows on one side of the house and wood sashes on the other. We restore both. Old-growth wood sashes are worth saving: the timber is denser and more rot-resistant than most new lumber.
Our restoration work covers double-hung sashes, casements, leaded and diamond-pane windows, conservatory and sunroom windows, and the frames, sills and stops around them.
Rot Repair and Joinery
Rot usually starts at the bottom rail and the sill, where water sits. We cut out soft wood and glue in matching wood patches, called dutchmen, instead of filling with putty. Joints that have opened up are re-glued and pinned.
When a rail or stile is too far gone, we mill a new piece to the original profile in our shop.
Restoration Steps
Leaded and Diamond-Pane Windows
Leaded panels sag when the cement between the lead and the glass dries out. We re-cement panels, replace broken quarries and add reinforcing bars where panels bow. Badly damaged panels are taken apart and re-leaded.
Lead Paint Safety
Most windows built before 1978 have lead paint. We follow lead-safe work practices: containment, HEPA vacuums and careful clean-up, so your home is safe when we leave.
We serve Philadelphia, the Main Line, Bucks, Chester and Delaware Counties, South Jersey and Wilmington. Related services: historic window restoration, historic preservation, steel windows.
Why Restore Old Wood Windows in Philadelphia Homes
Victorian twins in Germantown, stone houses in Chestnut Hill and colonial homes in Bucks County often still have their original wood sashes. The wood is old-growth pine or fir, tighter grained and more rot-resistant than most lumber sold today, and the joinery was made to be taken apart and repaired.
A restored sash with new cords, fresh glazing putty and weatherstripping operates smoothly and seals far better than a neglected one. Paired with a storm window, it performs close to a new double-pane window, and it keeps the wavy glass and slim profiles that make an old house look right.
Restoration also avoids sending sound windows to landfill. Most of the materials we use are putty, paint, wood and cotton cord, which are easy to maintain and repair again in the future.
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.
Sash Tune-Up
- Sashes freed
- New sash cords
- Weights rebalanced
- Tracks cleaned and waxed
Sash Restoration
- Paint and putty removed
- Rot repaired with wood
- Reglazed, primed and painted
- Weatherstripped
Leaded Panel Work
- Panel re-cemented
- Broken quarries replaced
- Support bars added
- Frame repaired
Price List
| Service | Price | Unit |
|---|---|---|
| Replace sash cords (both sashes) | $120 - $220 | per window |
| Dutchman rot repair | $90 - $250 | per repair |
| Reglaze wood sash | $150 - $350 | per sash |
| New sill (wood) | $300 - $650 | per window |
| Lead-safe setup and cleanup | $150 - $300 | per room |
| Re-lead badly damaged panel | $1,200 - $2,500 | per panel |
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 Window Restoration Projects
Double-Hung Sash Restoration · Moorestown, NJ
Before and after: weathered double-hung sashes stripped, reglazed and repainted, with new sash cords so they open with one hand.
Sash Rot Repair with Dutchman Patches · Doylestown, PA
Rotted sash rails repaired with new wood dutchman patches glued and clamped on the bench, then primed and reglazed.
Leaded Diamond-Pane Sash Restoration · Haverford, PA
Diamond-pane leaded sashes with loose cames. We re-cemented the panels, repaired the frames and reinstalled them with new stops.
Conservatory Window Restoration · Princeton, NJ
Arched conservatory windows and French doors repaired: rotten sills replaced, joints rebuilt and new glazing putty throughout.
Window Restoration FAQ
Yes. New weatherstripping, rebalanced sashes and a good storm window bring old wood windows close to the performance of new double-pane units.
Whenever we can. Old cylinder glass is irreplaceable, so we remove and reset it carefully and only replace panes that are cracked.
Usually one to two weeks. We cover the openings with secure temporary panels while the sashes are in our shop.
Get a free window restoration estimate
Call (215) 555-0163 or send us photos of your windows.