Page 18 - Corvallis, OR Historic Preservation Plan

Historic Preservation Plan

4. \| K j | **5 Sustainable Building Materials
Historic structures were constructed with durable materials including
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wood, stone and brick. They were built for longevity, in a manner
& II that allows repairs instead of requiring replacement. The sustainable
nature of historic construction is best illustrated by the design and
r Slli li construction of a window. Older windows were built with well-
■ !■ seasoned wood from stronger, durable, weather-resistant old-growth
i III forests. Historic windows can be repaired through reglazing and the
patching and splicing of wood elements. Contemporary windows are
often difficult to repair, with replacement as the only option. If a seal
is disturbed in a new window, the best approach is to replace that
particular window, rather than repair the part and the damaged one
then goes into the landfill. On the other hand, a historic wood window
can be repaired more easily.

Building Energy Savings
Energy savings are not usually achieved by replacing original building
fabric with contemporary alternatives. Repair and weather-stripping or
insulation of original walls, floors and the attic is usually more energy
efficient and much less expensive than replacing original material.
As much as 50% of the energy lost in a house is from air infiltration
through the attic, poorly insulated walls and around the windows
and door cavities, and not through the glazing of windows and doors.
Proper caulking and insulation around windows and doors, combined
with adding insulation in attic space, will save energy at a higher rate
than by replacing single-paned wood windows with multi-paned
alternatives. Many utility companies are now advising customers that
the “payback” of replacing a window is much longer than other energy-
saving measures.

As Corvallis develops a more focused sustainability program, the
environmental benefits of preserving historic building materials
will become even more important. It is essential that preservation
advocates actively participate in policy development along these lines.

12 City of Corvallis