Question 1

What does San Diego Sash Company do?

Accepted Answer

We build replacement wood window sash for historic homes and buildings, made as exact replicas of the originals. We serve all of Southern California — San Diego, Los Angeles, Orange, and Ventura counties — and take on large historic projects nationwide.

Question 2

Should I restore or replace my historic wood windows?

Accepted Answer

Most people assume restoration is the right thing to do. Often it isn't. Many original windows are held together by layers of paint with rot underneath, and restoring them means spending real time and money on a window that wasn't worth saving, then replacing it a few years later anyway. Some windows are worth restoring; many aren't. We'll tell you straight which is which.

Question 3

What does "replace in kind" mean?

Accepted Answer

We rebuild your window as an exact replica: same wood, same mortise-and-tenon joinery, same profiles, built on restored 19th-century millwork machinery, the way the original was made. It's indistinguishable from the original, except it's sound instead of rotted. Replacing in kind is preservation. You keep all of the home's character and none of the rot.

Question 4

Won't replacing my windows hurt my home's historic character or Mills Act status?

Accepted Answer

No. We are experienced in working with Mills Act and historic-designated properties require period-accurate windows, and an exact replica built with original methods and materials is what those guidelines call for. Matching original profiles is exactly what we do. Reach out through the estimate form and tell us what you're working with.

Question 5

Why wood instead of vinyl for an old house?

Accepted Answer

Old homes were built with real wood, and vinyl can't match the profiles, the proportions, or the way the originals were made. Vinyl also fails. It warps, it can't be repaired, and you're replacing it again in a decade. Real wood lasts, takes paint, and keeps the house looking like itself.

Question 6

How do you match my original windows so exactly?

Accepted Answer

We have thousands of templates from historic homes and build using the same methods the originals were built with: mortise-and-tenon joinery, real wood, and restored 19th-century millwork machinery. That machinery is the reason the profiles come out right — modern equipment rounds off the details that make an old sash look old.

Question 7

Why should i trust you with my historic home?

Accepted Answer

We have helped restore notable historic buildings in some of Southern California's most significant historic buildings, including the Hotel del Coronado, the Balboa Theatre, and the Spreckels Mansion. We've had a hand in nearly every major historic building in the region.

Question 8

Who builds the windows?

Accepted Answer

Shawn Woolery, the proprietor, trained under some of the most respected masters in historic window work and has over 20 years of experience. He leads a team of trained craftsmen who build to his standard. Other window and restoration companies source their replacement wood sash from us.

Question 9

Do you only work in San Diego?

Accepted Answer

No. You can be anywhere in Southern California and still hire us. We work in San Diego, Los Angeles, Orange, and Ventura counties. For large historic projects, we also take on jobs nationwide. Your windows are built to exact measured specs in our shop and delivered to you, so distance usually isn't the problem. The real question is whether the work calls for an exact wood replica.

Question 10

How much do custom wood windows cost?

Accepted Answer

Pricing is comparable to vinyl, and far less than restoring a window twice. Tell us about your project through our estimate form and we'll get you a number.

Question 11

Do you do on-site estimates?

Accepted Answer

Request an estimate through the form on our site and we'll follow up. For large and commercial projects we work directly with your architect or contractor. For realtors and agents, consulting, window reports, and surveys are $250 per hour within the City of San Diego.

Question 12

How long does a custom window project take?

Accepted Answer

Custom jobs take more time than turnkey jobs and it depends on the size of the job, how many windows we're building, and the complexity of the match. Once we see the scope, we'll give you a better answer, but lead times start at 6-8 weeks from the time we receive your deposit.

Question 13

Do you install the windows, or just build them?

Accepted Answer

We don't provide installation services directly. As a manufacturer, our focus is building high quality wood windows and sash. If you need installation, we're happy to connect you with trusted contractors we know have the experience and craftsmanship to install historic wood windows correctly.

Question 14

Can you make windows for homes that aren't in San Diego?

Accepted Answer

Yes. We're based in San Diego, and regularly serve California, Arizona and Nevada. We also take on large historic commercial buildings nationwide.

Question 15

We had our windows replaced through the Quieter Home Program, but they are failing and no longer seal well. Can you repair or replace them?

Accepted Answer

Yes. We can replace your Quieter Home Program windows. We specialize in manufacturing replacement wood windows and sash built to the original specifications of your existing units. If your Quieter Home Program windows have reached the end of their service life or are no longer operating properly, we can manufacture replacement units to the same dimensions and design, restoring the original architectural appearance and style of your home or building.No. We do not repair Quieter Home Program windows.

Frequently asked questions