Historic Preservation: Indow Inserts in Frank Lloyd Wright Homes
Preservation Meets Performance: Indow Inserts in Frank Lloyd Wright Homes
Frank Lloyd Wright's architectural vision hinges on organic design, with his characteristic windows, whether the patterned leaded glass or the groundbreaking mitered corner windows, serving as essential light screens that dissolve the boundary between the interior and the natural world.
Though invaluable to architectural history, these original, single-pane windows present a trade-off, prioritizing aesthetic integrity over modern performance standards like superior energy efficiency, noise reduction, and draft elimination.
Indow window inserts provide a nondestructive, virtually invisible solution that honors the original design while dramatically improving a home's performance. This feat is demonstrated by their successful use in two distinct Frank Lloyd Wright masterpieces.
The Ross House: Honoring Leaded Glass
The Ross House in Glencoe, Illinois, a 1915 Wright home meticulously restored by architect John Eifler, required a solution to insulate its classic, single-pane leaded glass windows.
Eifler needed a modern efficiency boost without resorting to exterior storm windows that would visually compromise the iconic aesthetic. The answer was the installation of fifteen Indow inserts.
Key Preservation & Performance Gains:
Non-Destructive Installation: Using the patented Compression Tubing, the inserts press securely into the existing window frames without the need for any damaging tracks or magnetic systems. This was a critical factor for preserving the original, reconditioned wood.
Virtual Invisibility: The inserts proved so "pretty invisible" that the exterior window sash remained clearly visible.
Draft Elimination: The house became "much less drafty," significantly reducing furnace cycling.
Superior Acoustic Performance: The inserts' superior acoustic performance made the home quieter, even muting the noise from a nearby commuter train.
Insulating Wright's Mitered Corner Innovation
Wright's mitered glass corner windows represent a pinnacle of his design philosophy, created to remove all obstruction and amplify the connection to the outdoors. However, this single pane corner configuration is exceptionally difficult to insulate effectively against drafts and condensation.
In one such home, the owners sought to increase the windows' R-value without replacing the priceless glass. We worked with them to create a successful, customized installation method for fitting our inserts into this unique application.
The Technical Solution
The key was creating an aluminum F-bar that could be secured at the corner. This F-bar provided the necessary fourth vertical stop for the two converging inserts to meet and achieve the required compression seal.
This innovation effectively:
Insulates the challenging mitered corner
Eliminates condensation
Increases the comfort of the home
The inserts remain easily removable, ensuring the original, invisible corner aesthetic can be instantly restored during warmer months. For a deeper look at this process, read the original Save Wright article.
The Preservation Solution of Choice
For owners of architecturally significant properties, our window inserts offer a clear path to modern performance standards. As demonstrated in these two remarkable Frank Lloyd Wright houses, we deliver superior energy efficiency, draft elimination, and noise reduction while remaining virtually invisible and entirely non-destructive. This commitment to preserving the historic integrity of the window, including the original sash and glass, establishes our product as the premier solution for historic and landmark buildings.
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Indow For Your Windows
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Request a Free Estimate. We'll provide you with a preliminary estimate based on your basic window dimensions. It's quick and easy!
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Measure your windows with our easy-to-use laser measurement kit. We'll guide you through the simple process, ensuring a perfect fit.
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Customize your inserts to match your needs and your aesthetic, with tubing colors that seamlessly blend into your space.
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Transform your space with custom-crafted inserts shipped directly to your home, ready to fit perfectly in your windows.
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