There are replacement window installations and then there are really strange replacement window installations. The center house of three contiguous row houses has had some rather uncommon surgery on its two primary windows in order to accommodate the installation of an under-scaled bow window. Removal of 2/3 of a structural brick pier between the windows necessitated the installation of a beam to support the remaining 1/3. The new window unit (bright white, no less) was then installed beneath the beam. I can’t help but wonder what this window looks like from the interior.
Equally strange is the fact that the severed top portions of the original wood sash have been kept in place – they now serve as de facto transom sash although they do not operate or relate at all to the three new windows below. Thanks to Chad for sharing this very special example!
The three houses, which appear to be c. 1880’s, have all had their front doors replaced. They still retain their handsome cornices.
A closer look at the three small windows which have usurped two originals (like those of the adjacent house to the right). When the door was replaced, jambs of different widths resulted – painting them a contrasting color only highlighted the error. Image courtesy Google Street View.
Decades of various kinds of replacements have eroded the architectural integrity of this block. At left, replacement siding obscures two beautiful cornices like those of neighboring houses. Image courtesy Google Street View.
And a great Home Depot door to match. :-/
They were no doubt selected by the same visionary!
Yeah, it would be interesting to know the thought process on that choice!
Assuming that there was a thought process involved! The best I can come up with is that someone got the window unit for free and was determined to make it work. It’s the only thing that makes sense. But the truth is probably more convoluted than that!