Ben Hill County Courthouse Window Preservation Plan Proposed Project Summary For Ben Hill County Board of Commissioners 7/23/2015 Summary The historic wooden windows on the 2nd story of the courthouse are in need of repair. As we have already ordered vinyl replacement windows, the new vinyl windows should be installed temporarily. The existing wood windows should be removed and crated until preservation funds are obtained. The existing wood transoms should remain in place. The historic metal windows downstairs are in good shape and should be preserved as part of the historic character of the building. Theses windows should be scraped, primed, sealed, and painted to ensure a weather-tight seal. These metal windows should serve for another 100 years with very little maintenance. Suggested Plan of Work Phase 1 – Begin July 2015 1. Purchase Materials already made from Drawdy Roofing & terminate contract – Estimated Cost $19,625.30 2. Take bids for the removal of the historic wooden windows and re-installation of the new vinyl windows for the second story of the courthouse according to historic preservation guidelines– $275 3. Hire a contractor/subcontractor to remove the all 2 nd story wooden window sashes and install the vinyl replacement windows with oversight from our local Historic Preservation Commission – Estimated Cost $8,600.00 4. Crate and Store historic sashes for later Repair/Preservation once funding is obtained – Estimated Cost $1,500 5. Strip, Prime, Seal, and Paint 1 st Story Metal Windows – Estimated Cost $6,000 Phase 1 Estimated Total Cost - $36,000.00 Previously approved amount to spend $48,490.00 The above plan of work has been approved by the local Historic Preservation Commission and is part of a plan that follows the Secretary of the Interior’s Guidelines for the preservation of places on the National Historic Registry. Completion of the work in Phase 1 will secure the windows of the courthouse, and allow ample time to seek funding for future preservation work. The balance of the funds approved for the window project could be used to address the badly leaking roof.
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Ben Hill County Courthouse Window Preservation Plan ......sashes, 3 top sashes, and 3 transoms each. Openings 59, and 60 are double windows with transoms: 2 bottom sashes, 2 top sashes,
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Ben Hill County Courthouse Window Preservation Plan
Proposed Project Summary
For Ben Hill County Board of Commissioners
7/23/2015
Summary
The historic wooden windows on the 2nd story of the courthouse are in need of repair. As we have
already ordered vinyl replacement windows, the new vinyl windows should be installed temporarily.
The existing wood windows should be removed and crated until preservation funds are obtained.
The existing wood transoms should remain in place.
The historic metal windows downstairs are in good shape and should be preserved as part of the historic
character of the building. Theses windows should be scraped, primed, sealed, and painted to ensure a
weather-tight seal. These metal windows should serve for another 100 years with very little
maintenance.
Suggested Plan of Work
Phase 1 – Begin July 2015
1. Purchase Materials already made from Drawdy Roofing & terminate contract – Estimated Cost
$19,625.30
2. Take bids for the removal of the historic wooden windows and re-installation of the new vinyl
windows for the second story of the courthouse according to historic preservation guidelines–
$275
3. Hire a contractor/subcontractor to remove the all 2nd story wooden window sashes and install
the vinyl replacement windows with oversight from our local Historic Preservation Commission
– Estimated Cost $8,600.00
4. Crate and Store historic sashes for later Repair/Preservation once funding is obtained –
Estimated Cost $1,500
5. Strip, Prime, Seal, and Paint 1st Story Metal Windows – Estimated Cost $6,000
Phase 1 Estimated Total Cost - $36,000.00
Previously approved amount to spend $48,490.00
The above plan of work has been approved by the local Historic Preservation Commission and is part of
a plan that follows the Secretary of the Interior’s Guidelines for the preservation of places on the
National Historic Registry. Completion of the work in Phase 1 will secure the windows of the
courthouse, and allow ample time to seek funding for future preservation work.
The balance of the funds approved for the window project could be used to address the badly leaking
roof.
Window Preservation Plan for the Ben Hill County Courthouse
Prepared by: John William Mooney
Date: 7/120/15
To: Fitzgerald Historic Preservation Commission & Ben Hill County Commission
Objective: To outline a practical window preservation plan for the Ben Hill County Courthouse with
consideration for budget, historic preservation, and materials on hand.
History: The Ben Hill County Courthouse, completed in 1909, is listed will all other Georgia courthouses
on the National Register of Historic Places. The Courthouse features long lasting and low maintenance
galvanized metal for the majority of the exterior trim including the brick molding, crown molding, fascia,
etc. All of the original 1st floor window assemblies are built of the same galvanized metal. The 2nd story
window assemblies and transoms are wooden. All of the windows are simple 1 over 1 configurations
excepting a handful of windows that appear to have been divided for security purposes.
Present Condition Summary: Despite significant renovations and additions over the years, the majority
of the original windows sashes and transoms remain in place. The metal window assemblies on the 1st
floor of the building are structurally sound, but are in need of paint and sealant. The wood window
assemblies on the 2nd floor of the building vary in condition. Many of the exposed windows on the north
and east sides of the 2nd floor are failing. Almost all of the bottom sashes in exposed locations on the
second floor show some degree of rot and decay. Overall, the top sashes and those windows in covered
locations are in better shape. Many of the wood windows have been improperly repaired. However,
most, if not all, of the windows on the 1st and 2nd floor are in good enough shape to repair. Virtually
none of the windows require total replacement.
Project Status Summary: Ben Hill County has approved a $48,490.00 window replacement project.
Originally that project was intended to replace all of the windows and transoms with almond colored
vinyl double hung replacement windows. The project was intended to secure all of the windows and
add to the thermal performance of the building. The project has been temporarily placed on hold for
further evaluation. Before work was stopped a significant number of custom windows were
manufactured for the project. The total cost of those materials to date is $19,625.30. It is my
understanding that all of the windows and transoms for the 2nd floor of the courthouse are included the
materials already made.
Historic Preservation Considerations: As this building is arguably our most historically and culturally
significant community landmark, proper historic preservation practices should be followed. The
Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for Preservation were established to provide a set of standards by
which places listed on the National Register should be preserved and maintained. Preservation Brief #9
deals with the preservation of wood windows. Preservation Brief #33 deals with the preservation of
stained glass. Preservation Brief #13 deals with the preservation of metal windows.
The guidelines and best practices direct that original materials be preserved whenever possible and that
any replacement materials should be of similar make and design so that the historic appearance and
design of the window is maintained. Clearly in following with the guidelines established by the
Secretary of the Interior for maintaining places listed on the National Register, vinyl windows are not
acceptable replacements.
Budget and Scope Considerations: Typical historic window preservation projects estimates range in cost
from $800 to $1,200 per wood window assembly. Factors such as condition, complexity, and
accessibility influence the cost. There are approximately 46 wood windows on the second floor which
require some degree of reconstruction. As these windows are simple 1 over 1, and many of the covered
windows are in good shape, an average cost of $800 each is reasonable. Thus a 2nd story historic
window preservation project could cost about $36,800.00. The 19 transoms could cost anywhere from
$15,000 to $25,000 due to the added complexity and unknown condition and origin of the stained glass.
As the metal windows on the 1st floor are in good repair, a simple 1st floor window “paint and seal”
project could cost less than $6000.00.
Given the present budget of $48,490.00 minus the $19,625.30 that has already been spent, there is only
$28,864.70 remaining. Thus full preservation of the wood windows is not feasible at this time.
It is worth mentioning that the typical historic window preservation project happens in three stages.
First the historic sashes are removed along with the necessary trim and hardware and a temporary
closure is installed in the opening. Second, the sashes are stripped, repaired, reglazed, and repainted
offsite while the necessary reproduction trim is made. Third the sashes are re-installed in their original
openings and fitted with hardware and trim as needed and a final coat of paint is applied.
Recommendation: Form a project partnership with the local Historic Preservation Commission. Begin a
historic window preservation project with 3 phases.
Phase 1 – Weatherproofing - Estimated total cost $33,000.00
1. Removal of all of the historic wood window sashes
a. Each wood window sash on the second floor should be photographed and labeled. Each
sash should be carefully removed and crated. Hardware and sash pulleys should
labeled, removed, and stored with each sash. All trim should be salvaged.
2. Installation of temporary closures
a. Since vinyl windows have already been purchased, these windows should be installed as
temporary closures while the historic sashes repaired.
b. Care should be taken so as not to make any permanent alterations to the window
assemblies.
3. Painting and Weather Sealing of the Metal Windows
a. The first floor metal windows should remain in place. Scraping, priming, and sealing,
and painting these windows is recommended to achieve a weather tight seal.
4. Historic Stained Glass Transoms that are not failing should remain in place, failing transoms
should be replaced temporarily with vinyl replacement transoms
5. Additive Alternate 1: Windows for openings 1-11 and 57-63 repaired according to the
specifications below and made ready for Re-Installation. Repaired sashes should be crated until
1. Beige Storm windows could be installed to add thermal efficiency and protect the historic
windows. Care should be taken so that the storm windows have a minimal visual impact.
The addition of storm windows should not significantly alter the appearance of the windows
and building in general.
a. Storm window installation on all exposed wooden 2nd story windows. Estimated
Cost $7,000.00
b. Storm window installation on all covered wooden 2nd story windows and Transoms.
Estimated Cost $7,000.00
c. Storm window installation on all 1st story metal windows. Estimated Costs
$7,000.00
i. Wood blocking for attachment of the new storm windows should be
installed butted to the existing metal brick mold on the exterior of the metal
windows. This blocking should be attached in a manner that does not cause
penetrations into the brick or metal window trim. Anchoring the wood
blocking into the mortar joints with appropriate anchors is likely the best
way to secure the wood blocking. Care should be taken not to cause
permanent damage to any of the window components.
2. Interior Storm windows could be considered as an alternative for thermal efficiency without
exterior visual impact. However, this would not yield protection to the exterior weather
side of the windows.
Preservation: places a high premium on the retention of all historic fabric through conservation, maintenance, and repair. It respects a building’s continuum
over time, and through successive occupancies, and the respectful changes and alterations that are made.
Rehabilitation: emphasizes the retention and repair of historic materials, but more latitude is provided for replacement because it is assumed the property is
more deteriorated prior to work.
Restoration: focuses on the retention of materials from the most significant time in a property’s history, while permitting the removal of materials from other