Jackson Heights Life

I am considering changing my windows in the historic part of JH.  I was quoted $5k per window from a reputable vendor - the windows have to meet certain specifications that have to be approved by the landmarks commission and the windows are large, i.e., custom work.  The prices seems somewhat inflated.  On the other hand, I have no experience on the matter.  On that note, can anybody offer any insight?

I would love to know the answer. What I have heard is you have to "go through Landmarks"--maybe the vendor does that for you? And someone told me it could cost $10K per window! Which of course I cannot afford. But I have not really researched it. Also, I heard that we would have to put in windows with wood frames because that is what was originally in the building--even though long before the building was landmarked all the other apartments put in modern, aluminum windows--so it makes no sense that we would have to put wooden windows in that do not match the rest of the windows. Our wooden frames are splintering and disintegrating, our locks that attach to the wood frames are broken--really it seems crazy that we would have to spend that kind of money to update our windows.

Also DI Windows and Doors has done work in the historic district.  They do not do the landmark filing
718 229 6789

I have experience with windows and am happy to shed some light on the process.

1) Window replacements must be approved by LPC. They do have specific requirements, which are indeed complex and costly, but are designed to preserve the historic character of the neighborhood.

2) There is therefore a benefit to replacing the windows building-wide if that's needed/an option. It is also the most efficient option. There is an organization related to the LPC that offers financial assistance to historic buildings undertaking restoration work; it might be available to individuals as well. 

3) You might be able to get away if the windows you are considering replacing are in the back and not visible from the street. For facade windows, the best course of action is to follow LPC's requirements.

LPC has been known to issue serious fines and violations to projects that aren't in compliance, even when seem minimally offensive. I would therefore recommend NOT taking this option. For that reason, sane, respectable contractors would turn down a job that's not in compliance.

4) You will need to hire an architect to prepare drawings and filings for the LPC, though sometimes contractors offer this service. Presuming that this is a co-op, the board will also need to sign off on these plans.

Hope this helps!

Interesting discussion. It looks like for small buildings, one must match material for replacement windows well as the other criteria. However, what if you (and most of your neighbors) already have vinyl windows installed? Are these "out of spec"/in violation? Or perhaps these are grandfathered in? In that case, if one wants to replace their windows does one need to file the paper work - and if so, are the replacement windows meant to match the original historic windows? How confusing!

In what year did the historic district come into place?

It strikes me that many of the replacement windows were installed after the landmarking as they are all entirely uniform in look and style.

If there were no LPC rules in effect when the windows were installed why would everyone install virtually the same windows. I assume the new windows were costly to customize in terms of color and style.

Is this the wrong assumption?