Window installation in Mount Airy
Mount Airy is known for stone twins and larger older houses, and installing windows in stone requires patient measuring and flashing.
The housing
Mount Airy sits in northwest Philadelphia next to the Wissahickon Valley, and many of its houses are twin homes built of local stone, along with Victorian and early twentieth century detached houses on tree-lined streets. The stone walls are thick, and window openings are deep.
What that means on install day
- Stone is not square
- Hand-set stone leaves openings that are slightly out of square, so installers shim carefully and rely on good sealing.
- Deep reveals
- Thick walls mean the window sits deep, and interior returns and sills can be wide. Make sure the trim plan accounts for them.
- Gutters and downspouts
- Water running down stone can reach windows. Check gutters and flashing at the same time.
Planning
- Confirm whether the address is in a historic area before ordering.
- Ask about full-frame installation if sills show rot.
- Plan for several visits: measure, order, install, trim.
- Ask that lead-safe practices be written into the contract for pre-1978 houses.
Large homes
A big house may have dozens of windows, and installation can be phased. Start with the worst problem windows and have the installer write the scope window by window so each phase has a fixed list.
Official local sources
These outside pages are worth a look before you hire anyone for work in Mount Airy.
Questions people ask
Do stone houses need special windows?
Not special products, but accurate measuring and flashing matter, and custom sizes are common.
Can I install windows in phases?
Yes. Many large houses are done one side at a time.
What about attic and dormer windows?
They are often small and hard to reach, so ask for them to be priced separately.