One of the most important goals of the early renovations was fixing the broken and non-functioning windows. Windows at the lighthouse are a major source of light as well as the lake breezes that keep it cool when it’s hot.
When I purchased the lighthouse, most of the windows were boarded up with plywood, so the first order of business was to remove the plywood to see which could be salvaged and which could not. Fortunately, all the windows on the first floor were basically intact, albeit with broken or non-existing panes. Not that stripping the frames, refinishing the original wood, running new sash cords and polishing the brass sash locks wasn’t a lot of work, but once completed, the eight first floor windows have been returned to their original splendor and look and function beautifully.
However, the windows on the second floor and in the tower were a different story. Not only were they in worse shape than those on the first level, the frames were also missing. As luck would have it, there was one window on the North side that had been hidden by plywood and was fully intact – including the glass – and able to be saved. That left eight windows on the second floor and three in the tower that needed to be replaced.
When renovating historic properties – especially one that is listed on the National Register of Historic Places – the overseeing agency (in this case, the Ohio State Preservation Office) helps guide you through the process. This is especially the case with restoration or changes that need to be made to the outside. It is particularly important to maintain the historical integrity of the outside, even while modernizing the inside. So when it came time for the window replacements, I had to match the design of the original double hung windows. They also had to be made using the same material as the originals – wood – rather than today’s more typical vinyl. And, the State Preservation Office had to approve the design of the replacement windows before production.
Sourcing custom replacement windows for a historic structure is both difficult and expensive. Not to mention that the lighthouse sits at the edge of Lake Erie and is subject to significant wind, rain, snow and the other brutal weather of NE Ohio. Therefore, choosing the right window manufacturer was a big decision. After some research, I selected Jeld-Wen. One of the main reasons I picked them was because they have a lighthouse initiative where they support the renovation of historic lighthouses with specially designed windows and doors. Based on that, I knew they had experience manufacturing windows for lighthouses and that was important to me. Jeld-Wen and its retail partner were happy to assist with the project and the regional Jeld-Wen representative even came out personally to measure for the replacement windows.
Once the new windows were manufactured and delivered to the lighthouse, they were carefully installed. Each fit perfectly and was trimmed out and sealed tightly. The transformation is incredible. Now the natural light streams in and provides all the light needed from dawn to dusk. The windows are easy to open and close, they have screens to keep out the bugs, and they tilt in for easy cleaning. My new Jeld-Wen windows are fully compliant with the state historical guidelines and have made a substantial improvement to the overall look and function of the lighthouse.
