GLASS BLOCK WINDOWS IN THE EAST ROW

We have a proliferation, if not a downright epidemic growing here in Newport's East Row Historic District: glass block in basement windows. The East Row, a large neighborhood, as you all know, was built predominantly from the 1880s through the 1920s, a period before glass block windows were ever used as original construction elements on these residential and commercial structures.

So what's the problem with glass block windows in the historic district? Many residents believe they help with security, others feel they let more light in their basements, some offer they replace drafty, worn-out basement windows. They may in fact conquer all these issues by sealing off the basement entirely, creating what property owners feel makes their properties "maintenance-free." At the risk of being redundant, I'll repeat myself as I do almost monthly in the newsletter: there is no such thing as a "maintenance-free" building, whether it's a period Victorian mansion or a brand new tract house.

The first item that needs to be addressed is that they are not appropriate. According to the East Row Historic District Design Review Guidelines: "Installation of glass block in foundation windows is not permitted on front or readily visible side facades. Wrought iron or wire security grates are an appropriate alternative for security purposes." So all the windows you see in the East Row were put in without approval. Generally the comments I hear from property owners is that they didn't feel they needed a Certificate of Appropriateness permit to change their basement windows. The fact is, changing any window is subject to review.

The second thing is that putting in these windows has its inherent problems. The "drafty old windows" in old house basements actually serve a purpose: they allow a small amount of air to circulate to remove moisture from basements. When houses were built in the East Row they didn't have all the things in them we do today to add moisture to these basements spaces, particularly clothes washers and dryers - thus windows that allow some air circulation helps remove this moisture. In addition, basements are always prone to moisture build-up because they are below grade. Finally, central air conditioning systems have forced many East Row houses to be closed up all year round; these grand houses were designed for cross ventilation, and work well with windows open all summer long. These three conditions and the addition of glass block windows have caused instances of black mold growth on floor joists and the underside of floor boards because all this moisture added to these spaces had nowhere to go. The basements were sealed up too tightly. (I am aware that these units are available with vents, but these would have to be kept open on a regular basis, summer and winter to allow this moisture to escape.)

If you have already installed glass block windows, please use some type of wrought iron or wire security grates to soften them, preferably painted black. In addition, it does help to paint the mortar between the blocks with black paint as well. They are very harsh and are ill fitting to such a great collection of historic buildings.

John Paquette is the Historic Preservation Officer for the City of Newport. He can be reached at the City Building via phone: 292-3666, or e-mail: jpaquette@cityofnewportky.org.