Research

At FSA, we are never sated with our current knowledge or expertise; we always want to learn more, to be better. In 2009, the Boston Society of Architects awarded FSA a grant to perform a study and produce a peer-reviewed white paper, titled “A Comparative Study of the Cumulative Energy Use of Historical Versus Contemporary Windows.” In the study, we analyzed energy usage, longevity, and maintenance costs of wood windows paired with storm windows versus vinyl replacement windows. Our results demonstrated an astonishing and counter-intuitive truth: refurbishment of the original wood windows and addition of storm windows is always financially and ergonomically superior to the installation of vinyl replacement windows. The National Trust for Historic Preservation has used our report as a guide for historical window preservation.