Dear Home Work: We have an older cabin, with older wooden windows that leak a lot of air. We aren't sure if we should replace them or not. Suggestions?

Your most cost-effective choice is to replace your wooden windows with custom fit,

aluminum dual pane windows, according to Craig Antes, owner, BEAR CITY GLASS (585-2037). "Replacing drafty sin­gle-panes with dual pane glass can dramatically increase, or even dou­ble your efficiency."

Antes says most Big Bear cus­tomers choose aluminum replace­ments due to cost. However, for those who want to keep the authen­tic look of their original cabin, wooden window replacements are also available. The tab for wooden windows is considerably higher, but wood is actually a much more effi­cient window than aluminum.

When you are able to remove and replace the frame holding the panes of glass in the window (the sash), without structural changes, you save a bundle on labor and repair. The time to insert the actual window is much less, plus you eliminate interi­or wall and molding repair and replacement, as well as exterior patchwork to siding. You also elim­inate the need to repaint the inside and outside walls.

BEAR CITY GLASS says win­dow replacements presently account for nearly a quarter of their business. It's definitely an option residents and 2nd homeowners are choosing to upgrade their home efficiency.

From the archives of Big Bear Magazine, January/February 1996© Big Bear Magazine.