Skip to content
Join our Newsletter

Vancouver Heritage Foundation Weekly: Why Wood Windows Matter

Vancouver Heritage Foundation is a registered charity supporting the conservation of heritage buildings and structures in recognition of their contribution to the city’s economy, sustainability and culture.

Vancouver Heritage Foundation is a registered charity supporting the conservation of heritage buildings and structures in recognition of their contribution to the city’s economy, sustainability and culture.

"Windows are the most visible, yet commonly under-appreciated components of older and historic homes and buildings."

This quote from the National Trust for the Historic Preservation sums up the real challenges facing wood window retention on heritage projects, in Vancouver and across North America. Common misconceptions about replacement windows, energy consumption, green building components and cost have made it all too easy to send old wood windows to the landfill or relegate them to art projects. If you've ever been in a building with restored wood windows vs new replacement windows, you can really see the difference (mind the pun). If you love wood windows, the fascinating mechanisms behind them, the scale and view that they often provide, plus the sheer architectural value they bring to a space, why not learn a bit more about their retention in heritage projects around Gastown, downtown and East Hastings Street?

Vancouver Heritage Foundation's second Brown Bag Lunch and Learn is Wednesday, October 15th from 12-1:30pm with Keri Briggs of Vintage Woodworks who will present the Challenges Facing Wood Window Retention on Heritage Projects. The talk will focus on recent Vancouver projects including retention efforts at the Gastown Hotel and the Rice Block, the full restoration of wood windows at the Captain French lofts and challenges at 1021 West Hastings, the former Quadra Club. Join us at BCIT Downtown, 555 Seymour, Room 481. Register in advance here or walk up the day of (cost is $12 including tax).