The wealthy plan for three generations. The poor plan for Saturday night.”

While one certainly does not need to be wealthy to choose custom windows nor poor to pick stock windows, this quote suggests a question that may be worth asking prior to making any significant purchase for one’s home: Does this purchase call for short-term savings or long-term investment?

Custom windows typically offer a long-term investment opportunity while stock windows typically offer short-term savings.

Stock windows are often cheaper because they are mass produced in limited sizes and styles and use less expensive materials and construction methods. For instance,

• Stock windows are constructed using a spring valence for up/down operation
• The wood specie used isn’t highly resistant to destructive climates
• The mould casing is usually fabricated out of pine designed for brick homes
• Joinery (how parts are joined together) may be inadequate for heavy long-term use
• Glass may not be sealed to prevent rot from condensation and water intrusion
• Stock replacement windows may not match existing windows

So, these considerations should be kept in mind when stock windows are considered. Many brands may offer up-front savings, but some brands may not provide good value.

Custom windows, on the other hand, may offer an excellent long-term investment opportunity. However, simply because windows are custom made does not necessarily ensure that they are a good value. There are important things to keep in mind when selecting a millwork shop to build custom windows.

The following considerations have been historically proven to withstand destructively damp climates. Central City Millworks in New Orleans follows these historically proven methods and recommends them for similar climates.

• The most reliable, long-term operation system is the hidden weight, pulley and sash cord system
• The best rot resistance wood for Window sash and jamb is provided by Spanish Cedar
• Glass frames (muttins) should be primed prior to the glass installation
• Glass should be set in a bed of silicone to prevent moisture intrusion
• Correct joinery (the way the window frame is joined together) should be used
• Custom replacement windows can be fabricated to match sound existing windows

For the reasons listed above, custom windows may be more expensive up-front, but could last generations longer than stock windows precisely for those reasons. It’s worth covering that list of reasons in more detail.

First, the hidden weight, pulley and sash cord system is undeniably old fashioned, but is unsurpassed for reliable long-term ease of use. The typical failure simply requires replacement of the sash cords. This is easily accomplished, if access panels have been built into the jamb of the window, by accessing the weights and replacing the sash rope.

Spanish Cedar is by far the best available wood to resist the ravages of damp environments. Historically, New Orleans windows were made with locally available indigenous cypress from old growth forests. This cypress had a natural protection from termites and rot, unlike new growth cypress that does not possess the natural protection that Spanish Cedar provides.

Glazing all glass the proper way ensures long-term prevention of moisture intrusion. The first line of defense is to prime the raw wood before the glass is placed in the wood frames (muttins). Secondly, setting the glass in a bed of silicone is critical for long term protection of the window from condensation on the interior of the glass. If the wood is not primed and the glass not sealed on the interior by silicone, then moisture has an entry point and acts like a cancer to attack the wood from the inside.

One of the most important considerations for window reliability (and wood millwork in general), is correct joinery. The connection of the wood-to-wood joints of moving sashes is critical because they need to be strong enough to hold the weight of the glass but narrow enough to allow maximum entry of light. The time tested mortise and tenon joint is the highest strength wood joint for window sashes, however some mill shops will use dowel joints to speed production. The American Woodwork Institute (AWI) rates the mortise and tenon joint as superior joint to dowel joints. Other mill shops use a butt joint with a large screw to hold the joint together. However, the AWI does not consider this an acceptable joint in any millwork since the screw is set in the end grain (parallel to the grain of the wood) and will not reliably hold.

And when doing price comparisons, be sure to determine whether the quoted price includes:

• The interior and exterior casing
• Priming of all bare wood
• Installation of the glass
• Installation of the window

In conclusion, if your choice of windows is driven by cost savings, then stock windows may be satisfactory for your needs if you at least consider the quality points offered in this article. On the other hand, if your home is likely to be in your family for generations and/or you want to add resale value…then custom windows are for you.

Whatever size windows you want, whether round or rectangular, short or long, standard or odd-sized, the artisans at Central City Millworks have the equipment and the expertise to make a window to fit your dreams.

Just make a wish, and we will make it come true: double sash, triple sash, or even our specialty…an entire wall of windows!