Repairability

Repair is preferable to replacement because it is typically a more efficient use of resources and retains embodied energy within historic materials. Materials and components which are easy to maintain and repair are inherently sustainable.

Related Components

Component-Specific Considerations

  • Building assemblies that allow easy access to fast wearing components (e.g., weather stripping) and/or materials with similar life spans.

  • Bolted connections that allow for adaptability and easy repairs.

  • Multiple window layers (storm and primary window) combined into a single assembly, requiring less frequent replacement because there is no sealed gas unit, which often fails before the rest of the window assembly;
  • Wood-framed windows with single pane glazing and interior storm windows can be repaired periodically to improve performance and avoid waste associated with full replacement.

Related Materials

Material-Specific Considerations

  • Material that can accommodate localized treatment (e.g., patching and welding).

  • Long life expectancy of single glazed window units.

  • Ease of repair as plaster and stucco can be patched and refinished in-kind.