Chapter 2 Windows And Doors - New York City

Chapter 2Windowsand DoorsIn most historic buildings in NewYork City, windows, doors, and thearchitectural details surroundingthem were carefully designedas integral components of thebuilding’s character and design.Their historic appearance andrelationship to the building serveas the basis for LPC’s rules forwork involving the replacementand modification of windows anddoors (see LPC Rules, Section2-14, available on our website,www.nyc.gov/landmarks).LPC encourages repairingor upgrading yourhistoric windows. This chapterprimarily covers the replacementof windows and doors. If you arelooking for guidance on repairing orupgrading your historic windows,which LPC encourages, please seepage 2.27 for best practices.

Chapter 2 · Windows and Doors · In This Chapter, You Will Find:In ThisChapter,You WillFind:This chapter explains LPC’srules for the replacement andmodification of windows anddoors. Our goal is to help yousubmit a fully completed permitapplication for work that conformsto the LPC Rules so you can getyour permit more quickly.·LPC Permit Guidebook · 2.2Section AHow to Get Started2.3Section BLPC Rules and Criteria2.5Windows2.6–– Replacing Windows at Primary FacadesAcceptable Variations–– Replacing Windows at Visible Secondary Facades–– Replacing Windows at Non-VisibleSecondary Facades–– Modifying Window Openings andCreating New Window Openings at VisibleSecondary Facades–– Modifying Window Openings andCreating New Window Openings at Non-VisibleSecondary FacadesDoors2.15Entrances2.16Special Windows and Doors2.17Accessories2.20Section CTechnical Guidance and Resources2.21Glossary2.22Window Drawings2.25Window Glazing Calculations2.28Investigative Probes2.29Conditions Assessment2.29Best Practices for Repairing andRetrofitting Windows2.30Master Plans2.31–– Replacing Doors at Primary Facades–– Replacing Doors, Modifying Door Openings,and Creating New Door Openings at SecondaryFacades–– Replacing Entrance Infill–– Replacing Special Windows and Doors–– Installing Screens, Films, Storm Windows,and Storm Doors at Primary or Visible SecondaryFacades

Chapter 2 · Windows and Doors · Section A · How to Get StartedLPC Permit Guidebook · 2.3Section AHow to Get StartedBefore applying for yourpermit, you should:Find Informationabout Your BuildingThis will help you determine howthe LPC Rules apply.What type of building is it?Search for your buildingon the Discover NYCLandmarks map to determinehow the LPC Rules apply to yourspecific building type.See If Your WorkRequires an LPC PermitClick on your building to findconstruction date, architectand style, building andlandmark type, and a link to theLPC designation report withadditional historical background.What did it look like?Find historic tax photos fromthe 1940s and 1980s, availablethrough the NYC Departmentof Records & InformationServices NYC MunicipalArchives Collections. Repairing or replacinghardware such as hinges,knobs, pulley chains, andhandles. Patching or straighteningmetal components andpatching or partially rebuildingwood components; partiallyrebuilding wood window ordoor components.Maybe you don’t need a permit.A permit is not required for thefollowing work types: Ordinary maintenance, repair,and retrofitting. Replacing window/doorscreens and glazing. Installing interior stormwindows or clear films. Repainting windows or doorstheir existing color. Installing perimeter caulking,sealants, and weatherstripping.Unsure whether your workrequires a permit?Contact LPC at 212-669-7817 orinfo@lpc.nyc.gov.Additional information, includingguidance on finding historicmaps, can be found in the LPCResource Guide, ResearchingHistoric Buildings in New YorkCity, available at www.nyc.gov/landmarks.How big is it?Verify height and streetfrontage to determine the sizeof your building. Requirementsfor replacement materials varydepending on building size.Consider Establishinga Master PlanIf you plan to to installreplacement windows over time,apply for a master plan. A masterplan provides the opportunity toincrementally perform work. Onceyou have a master plan, futureapplications that conform to it canbe quickly reviewed since specificwork standards are establishedand approved. This type of permitgenerally does not expire.

Chapter 2 · Windows and Doors · Section A · What You Will NeedLPC Permit Guidebook · 2.4What You Will NeedA complete application typically requires the materialslisted below, but additional materials may be requireddepending on the work type. See Section B for a list ofall materials required for your work type.Basic Application Materials An LPC PermitApplication Form, filledout and signed by theproperty owner. Color photos of the entirebuilding and close-upsof the windows / doors /openings that showlocation and context ofproposed replacement ormodification work. Comparative drawings:––Elevation of existing(if historic) and proposedwindows and doors––Floor plans of locationsof existing and proposedwindows and doors––Section (horizontal andvertical) of existing (ifhistoric) and proposedwindows and doors atprimary facades only––Details of existing(if historic) and proposedwindows and doors atprimary facades only––Comparative drawingsthat show any changesto the size of existingwindow and dooropenings or creation ofnew openings Color specifications/paint cards at visiblefacades only. Material specificationsat primary facades andspecial windows only. If available,documentation tosupport matchinghistoric windows anddoors at visible facadesonly, including historicphotographs or drawingsof your building orsimilar buildings. An assessment ofdeteriorated conditionsis required for replacementof historic front doors,special windows / doors,and at individuallandmarks only. Two sets of Departmentof Buildings (DOB)filing drawings if theproposed work requires aDOB permit.

Chapter 2 · Windows and Doors · Section B · LPC Rules and CriteriaSection BLPC Rulesand CriteriaLPC Permit Guidebook · 2.5In This Section:Windows Replacing Windowsat Primary FacadesAcceptable Variations Replacing Windows at VisibleSecondary Facades Replacing Windows at Non-VisibleSecondary Facades Modifying Window Openings andThis is how the LandmarksPreservation Commission works:The LPC Rules establish criteriathat allow staff to review and approveproposals for certain types of work atlandmark properties. Permit applicationsfor work that meets the LPC Rules canbe approved faster. If the work doesnot meet the rules, staff may suggestalternatives that do meet the rules —or your proposal may be presented tothe LPC Commissioners for review at apublic hearing. LPC staff can guide youthrough this process. Visit www.nyc.gov/landmarks for more information.This section explains and illustratesthe rules and criteria for the mostcommon types of work involvingwindows and doors. See LPC Rules,Section 2-14, for more information.Creating New Window Openingsat Visible Secondary Facades Modifying Window Openings andCreating New Window Openingsat Non-Visible Secondary FacadesDoors Replacing Doors at PrimaryFacades Replacing Doors, Modifying DoorOpenings, and Creating New DoorOpenings at Secondary FacadesEntrances Replacing Entrance InfillSpecial windows and doors Replacing Special Windowsand DoorsAccessories Installing Screens, Films, StormWindows, and StormDoors at Primary or VisibleSecondary Facades

Chapter 2 · Windows and Doors · Section B · WindowsLPC Permit Guidebook · 2.6WindowsReplacing Windows atPrimary FacadesStaff can approve new windowsat primary facades if they matchoriginal or historic windowsin terms of configuration,operation, details, materials, andfinish. However, variations arepermitted in certain situations.See Acceptable Variations belowand on page 2.8.ConfigurationNew windows must matchthe original design in terms ofnumber, shape, organization,and relationship of panes(lights) of glass, mullions, andmuntins. Check historic taxphotos to determine historicwindow configuration.OperationNew windows must open, close,and function generally in thesame manner as historic windows,e.g., casement or double-hung.Variations are acceptable,depending on type. See AcceptableVariations below.DetailsNew window details — thedimensions and contours ofstationary and movable portions ofwindows and moldings — must beas dimensionally close to historicwindow details as possible.MaterialsNew windows must generallymatch historic windows.Exceptions are allowed basedon the size of the building andwindow type:For small buildings classifiedby LPC as six stories or lesswith street frontage of 40 feetor less, if original windows hada one-over-one configuration,replacements may be made ofother alternative materials.Other materials, including wood,metal, or fiberglass (but not vinyl),may be used for windows and brickmolds.For large buildings, classifiedby LPC as seven or more storiesor with street frontage of morethan 40 feet, replacementwindows may be made of otheralternative materials.Other materials, including wood,metal, or fiberglass (but not vinyl),may be used for windows and brickmolds.Required Application Materials Photos of building facades. Photos of windowsto be replaced. Historic 1940s tax photos,if available. Existing and proposedannotated floor plans orelevations showing locationof windows. Comparative windowelevation for each proposedwindow type, and historicwindows, if they exist, to showconfiguration. Comparative vertical andhorizontal section drawingsof proposed windows, andhistoric windows, if they exist,to show details.––Large-scale detail drawingsof heads, jambs, sills,meeting rails, mullions,muntins, and brick molds––Glazing calculations maybe required to ensurehistoric framing and glazingproportions are maintained.See Technical Guidanceand Resources for more onhow to calculate glazing Material specificationson drawings. Color samples. Conditions assessmentfor special windows andhistoric windows at individuallandmarks. See TechnicalGuidance and Resourcesfor how to conduct aconditions assessment.If LPC requires additionalmaterials after yourapplication is reviewed,you will receive a MaterialsChecklist from LPC staff.

LPC Permit Guidebook · 2.7Chapter 2 · Windows and Doors · Section B · WindowsLintelUpper SashHead JambMuntinMeeting RailsBrick MoldParting StripJambBlind StopSillDiagram showing the individual elements that makeup double-hung a window within a masonry opening.Note: The exceptions above do notapply to individual landmarks orbuildings with special windows.FinishNew windows must be paintedto match visual characteristics ofhistoric windows, including color,texture, and reflectivity of allexterior materials. See Chapter 1,Restoration, for a chart ofhistorically accurate colors bybuilding style.Lower Sash