Basement Windows Preserve West Chester Underground Railroad Home

West Chester, Pennsylvania is ranked as one the best towns in America with its rich history and vibrant culture. The city played a pivotal role in the Underground Railroad in the 1800s. As a beacon of hope, homes in the area were a place for slaves to seek refuge on their way to freedom. Residents take great pride in preserving West Chester heritage and accurately restoring their homes to their former glory.

This home was directly involved in the Freedom Trail and acted as a safe haven for these individuals. The current homeowners value the role their home played in this historical era, ensuring that any updates preserve the original details. They transformed their basement into a fully functioning living space that required window replacements to maintain historic accuracy. The old basement windows were drafty and inefficient, leading these clients to connect with Pella experts. Our team recommended Pella Reserve — Traditional windows for their unparalleled custom detailing.

To maintain the original look of the Pennsylvania home, the new basement windows keep the traditional design in mind. These replacement windows focus on the detailing, sash and grilles to suit the unique needs of this historic property. With intricate putty profiles and authentic hardware, these homeowners were able to customize their basement windows to seamlessly blend in with the stone walls.

Our putty profiles are a type of grille crafted to look the same as a putty knife application used in traditional windowmaking. They emulate classic angles, providing meaningful depth and realistic shadows to the replacements. With clean, simple lines, the windows enhance classical style while staying historically accurate. Using architect-inspired hardware helped the homeowners’ vision to be achieved with attention to detail. The basement living space is now complete with replacement windows that complement the heritage of this home.

Characterized by its fold-away crank, the awning windows’ hardware is inspired by the 1800s furniture and architecture. The window is hinged at the top and opens with rotating hardware to allow fresh air into the basement living space. Our Classic collection allows the West Chester homeowners to customize their hardware to beautifully blend with the traditional-style windows. Now, these residents take great satisfaction in the historical resemblance of their replacement windows.

These Northeasterners were looking to increase their energy efficiency with new windows while preserving the original style. These replacements increase ventilation in the basement, adding fresh air into the space. The added airflow helps to reduce the need for heavy air conditioning, offering potential energy savings. Plus, the new windows were professionally installed by our team, ensuring tight seals that minimize drafts and leaks. This nearly 200-year-old home embraces its original heritage while enhancing its modern capabilities. These residents are grateful for our team’s help in maintaining the home’s original features and honoring its past.