Start with conditions, not a product
Installation method, flashing, sill condition, frame material, glass package, trim restoration, and solar exposure matter as much as the unit itself.
Build a complete scope
- Existing conditions and likely cause
- Preparation and protection
- Materials, compatibility, and installation details
- Permits, testing, cleanup, and restoration
- Exclusions, warranty terms, and change-order process
Elgin context
Elgin's housing stock splits into two eras worth knowing before ordering replacement windows: the 1880s–1920s homes in the Elgin Historic District and the 1886–1920 Spring/Douglas Historic District, added to the National Register in 2002, that were framed around original double-hung wood sash and non-standard opening sizes, and the later infill built after the Elgin National Watch Company's 1864–1969 run ended, which mostly took standard-size openings. Confirming which era a given house falls into is the first step in scoping a window-replacement project here.