Careful Assessment & Materials ExpertiseHistoric Windows Preservation
Preservation Over Replacement 
Since our inception, historic preservation and preventative maintenance stand at the core to our commitment to protecting a client’s home. In many instances, improper handling and not caring for these beautiful pieces of history cause them to decay.
Assessment
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Formulation
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Expert Cleaning
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Preservation
Assessment · Formulation · Expert Cleaning · Preservation
Structured Precision, Every Step
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Assessment
We initiate each engagement with a focus on your historic window’s condition.
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Formulation
Careful formulation is done onsite based on the metals and glass in your window’s sash.
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Expert Cleaning
We specialize in guiding clients on the intricacies of historic design, compatible materials, and maintenance care plans.
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Preservation
We schedule long term, routine maintenance that is then manageable for clients to do right by their historic windows.
Honoring Historic Architecture Windows More often than not, we have seen more instances of improper care or lack thereof, which cause much of the architectural beauty and historic windows simply replaced or dishonored. In the 22 years of caring for and preserving beautiful glass, clients are too often misled to believe that there is such a thing as “maintenance free,” and steered quickly to vinyl windows in nearly every case. There simply isn’t such a thing. A home is a living, breathing entity, and needs to be properly maintained, just like our health.
Are there instances where replacement windows is appropriate? Yes. However, much of the wear and damage to windows is preventable with expert care and a maintenance plan.
Historically, hand-rolled glass melded together and carefully held together by leather cames have stood the ages been witness to world wars; we do not make art like this these days, and should be cared for with expertise. If done right, these windows, metal, and glass will be there long after the vinyl frames have yellowed and warped in the sun.
Lead Oxidation and Came Chemistry
Historic architectural windows are made up of a matrix of glass, held together by cames, made up of various metals depending on when they were made and by whom. It is the reason why we must assess the material and formulate accordingly, to preserve their structural integrity. Over time, a patina develops to protect the metal. Most modern-day window cleaners and homeowners are not equipped with the chemistry knowledge to handle these types of windows with care, resulting in corrosion. In other words, ammonia in windex and other popular cleaning agents are detrimental and lead to white, powdery metal “rot.” This is not segmented - as the entire sash works together as one system, it weakens the entire window sash.
Pretty Porch DC is trained in material science, dedicated to prioritize the preservation of the building, long term. There are two parts: window installation must be done correctly, else it will fail. A properly installed historic window which has been maintained properly can exceed its projected lifespan by decades.
What to expect with our care...