Vinyl Windows Restore Look, Function to 1940's Housing Development
ARLINGTON, Va., Feb. 20, 2009 – Kolbe's vinyl windows have been chosen for a historic renovation of Westover, a 70-year-old garden style apartment complex outside Washington, D.C.
Westover was originally built in 1939 to house the growing suburban population of Washington, D.C., and is undergoing an 18-month, $53-million historic renovation for all eight buildings and 153 units. All phases are scheduled to be finished in 2010.
As an historic property, Westover was closely scrutinized for esthetics, performance, and cost compliance by the owner AHC, Inc., general contractor C.M. Parker & Co. Inc., the U.S. Department of the Interior, and the Virginia Housing Development Authority. To comply with the various standards and incentives, Neale Architects recommended appropriate design and material choices including Kolbe's historically styled, ENERGY STAR® rated vinyl windows.
"We know the original 1940's windows were ordinary, wood, single-glazed, double-hung windows with rope balances," said Wayne Neale of Neale Architects. "These had been replaced in the late 1980's with aluminum-clad windows from the era."
Joel de Leon of Neale Architects added, "We tried to find an affordable window that more closely resembled the wood originals, and was agreeable to the Department of Interior and our client."
Joe Weatherly, project manager for AHC, said, "They put together several windows. The historic consultant picked the nicest, highest quality product, and approved Kolbe. It was very much a choice of style. We really like how it looked when it was installed."
The look of Kolbe's Inspiration Series' profile and mullions appealed to the decision-makers, notes de Leon. "The weightiness, the thickness of the mull, and the traditional proportions, all resembled the original windows' look more closely. Adding to this, the fact that they're essentially maintenance-free and within budget, truly raised the bar."
Weatherly noted, "The functionality is more important to me -- the insulated glass, the ENERGY STAR® rating."
To further match the desired look and opening, Kolbe manufactured two, double-hung windows as a single unit with a 6-inch mull, to give the appearance of being two separate windows. For easy installation of the new windows, the existing sashes are removed, the existing sill is cut out, and the new window slides inside and encapsulates the existing frame.
The renovation of Westover will also include new kitchens, baths, electrical, plumbing, hot water heaters, HVAC systems, and roofs, along with new landscaping to resemble the original 1940's site plan.
Kolbe and Kolbe Millwork Co., Inc. began in 1946 as a two-brother team and now encompasses a facility in Wausau, Wis., of nearly 1million square feet. For more information, go to www.kolbe-kolbe.com.
The Vinyl Institute represents the leading manufacturers involved in the production of PVC vinyl in the United States, and promotes the value of PVC and vinyl products to society.
For more information, contact:
Jeffrey B. Palmer
Director of Marketing & Communications
The Vinyl Institute
(703) 741-5669
jeff_palmer@plastics.org
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