Are Original Craftsman Windows Worth Keeping or Should I Replace Them?

What makes a Craftsman window worth a closer look?

Look for wood frames and the pattern of the sash: a double-hung window may have a multi-light upper sash, while casements open on hinges. Some original windows contain old-growth wood. The arrangement matters too. Pasadena’s historic district design guidelines, describe bands of double-hung or casement windows as a California Bungalow feature.

Stand back at the curb and notice how the openings relate to the porch and the rest of the facade. Then look closely at the sash, glass divisions, trim and hardware. Inside, notice how the windows frame the rooms. The National Park Service’s architectural character guide, recommends looking at a building as a whole, close-up materials and details, and interior features. Changes to sash can affect that character.

In Pasadena’s Bungalow Heaven, the city’s conservation plan describes a neighborhood where Craftsman homes are a substantial part of the district. Not every wood window is original, and an attractive window is not necessarily sound. Ask the seller what is known about prior work and request records if available. For the wider decision, read my guide to restoring or renovating a Craftsman you want to buy.

If you want to talk through a particular property, call me at (213) 262-5092 before you decide what to ask during your inspection.

What should I look for on a tour?

Start outside where you can safely see the sill and lower frame. Look for peeling paint, darkened or soft-looking wood, gaps in glazing putty around the glass, and signs that water may be sitting against the sill. Inside, look for staining, damaged trim and gaps around the sash. Note which windows appear different from their neighbors and which are hard to operate.

Do not force a painted-shut sash or disturb loose paint during a showing. Ask permission to operate accessible windows and record what you observe. A sash that will not stay up may have a broken cord; a stuck sash may have layers of paint in the way. Neither observation alone tells you the condition of the whole assembly. A window specialist can distinguish a localized repair from damage that reaches further into the frame.

Water deserves particular attention. NPS Preservation Brief 9, identifies moisture as the primary contributor to wood window decay. Ask where the moisture is coming from and how that cause will be addressed, as well as what work the visible damage needs. On a Pasadena bungalow tour, I would document the sill and sash of each suspect window rather than assume they all need the same work. Include the rest of the house in the wider inspection, too.

You can text me with the address if you want to discuss arranging the right inspections during your purchase.

How do repair and replacement compare?

Ask for an assessment window by window, with the proposed work written down. The NPS brief describes work ranging from routine maintenance to structural stabilization and replacement of parts. A failed cord, loose putty or worn weatherstripping can be discussed separately from a badly deteriorated frame. That distinction helps you compare the actual scope, rather than a label on an estimate.

The NPS brief suggests investigating exterior storm windows where feasible as a reversible way to retain originals. They are an option to discuss, not a promise that every opening can take one. Ask for a plan for drainage, access and appearance, and confirm any applicable review before installation.

The Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for Rehabilitation, favor repairing deteriorated historic features; when replacement is necessary, they call for matching design, color, texture and, where possible, materials. I use them as a starting point for questions to put to a contractor.

Repair and replacement costs vary with the condition and scope; request written estimates for both. The NPS describes feasible exterior storm windows as thermally efficient, but an assessment of the particular Pasadena home is needed to compare the options. For help weighing a specific home and its inspection findings, call me at (213) 262-5092.

When does Pasadena review window changes?

First, confirm the address and designation with Pasadena’s Historic Preservation office. Use the city’s Map My Neighborhood or historic resources database as a starting point, then ask staff to confirm what applies to the specific property and proposal. Age or Craftsman style alone is not a substitute for that check. Ask about permit requirements separately, too.

The city’s designation guidance, explains that landmarks and historic monuments receive exterior design review, while landmark district review covers exterior alterations visible from the street, among other work. A Certificate of Appropriateness is required before the building permit for applicable work. Staff review minor projects and the Historic Preservation Commission reviews major ones. Ask staff whether your particular repair, storm window or replacement needs review and what documentation they need.

In Bungalow Heaven, the district conservation plan lists street-visible window replacement or alteration on contributing houses for staff review. The city says staff review generally takes four to six weeks and Commission review six to eight weeks; confirm the path and timing for your project. Bring photographs, the location of each window, and a description of the existing and proposed materials and profiles. If damage is the reason for replacement, ask your specialist to document it. Do this before ordering windows or committing to a scope. Review does not guarantee approval.

If you are comparing homes with different designations, text me and we can work through the questions to bring to the city.

What should I do about old paint?

Before disturbing old paint on a Pasadena bungalow, arrange an assessment and a lead-safe work plan. The EPA renovation program covers paid work disturbing paint in covered pre-1978 homes, and 40 CFR 745.83 excludes window replacement from its minor repair exception. The California Department of Public Health recommends testing affected areas with a certified lead Inspector/Assessor before renovation. For the fuller lead-safety discussion, read whether to strip original Craftsman woodwork.

For help coordinating your purchase questions, call me at (213) 262-5092.

What should I settle before an offer or work starts?

For a Pasadena buyer, I suggest making a list of the windows that concern you and asking for a qualified inspection within the time available under your purchase agreement. Request the seller’s records, verify designation with the city, and ask the specialist for a written scope that separates repairable components from any proposed replacements. Use those findings and written estimates to decide what you can take on before removing your inspection contingency.

For an owner, start with the same record: photographs, condition, operating problems and a clear description of the desired result. Then get lead guidance and city direction before authorizing work. A plan for windows can sit alongside larger decisions about opening a floor plan or adding a second story, but each needs its own review.

Character is one part of a purchase decision, and condition is another. You can browse Pasadena homes as you compare possibilities.

If you want a sounding board for the next step, text me.

Sources

• City of Pasadena, Design Guidelines for Historic Districts, checked 2026-11-01
• City of Pasadena, Bungalow Heaven Conservation Plan, checked 2026-11-01
• NPS Preservation Brief 17, Architectural Character, checked 2026-11-05
• NPS Preservation Brief 9, The Repair of Historic Wooden Windows, checked 2026-11-05
• Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for Rehabilitation, checked 2026-11-05
• City of Pasadena, Historic Preservation, checked 2026-11-01
• City of Pasadena, Historic Designations and Property Incentives, checked 2026-11-05
• EPA, Renovation, Repair and Painting Program, checked 2026-11-05
• 40 CFR 745.83, Definitions, checked 2026-11-05
• California Department of Public Health, Hire a Lead Professional, checked 2026-11-05

To discuss a Pasadena home, text me.