Historic and adobe homes in Santa Fe
From the first city review to the last plaster return
Replacing windows in an old Santa Fe adobe, or in any house inside one of the city's historic districts, is two projects in one: getting the plan approved, then fitting units into walls that were never built to standard sizes.
We help with both halves, and we plan them in that order so nothing is ordered before the city has had its say.
How a historic-district window project usually comes together
- 1
Confirm the rules for your address
Whether your house is in a district, and how the city classifies it, shapes what review is needed. The city's Historic Preservation Division is the authority on this, and we help you find out early.
- 2
Assemble the application
We provide product specifications, profile drawings and photos of the existing windows, and suggest options that are likely to fit the guidelines for your home.
- 3
Order only after approval
Some projects are handled by city staff, others go to the Historic Districts Review Board. If the city asks for changes, we adjust the plan before anything is built.
The adobe details we plan around
- Wood lintels above openings, which we inspect before cutting anything
- Splayed or rounded jambs that soften the light coming in
- Mud or lime plaster that needs a different repair approach than cement stucco
- Deep sills of wood, tile or plaster, often the nicest part of the window
- Openings that differ from room to room, each measured on its own
Historic and adobe questions in Santa Fe
Can I use vinyl windows on a historic Santa Fe house?
It depends on your home's classification, which elevations are visible from the street, and the guidelines that apply. Wood and clad windows are the more common fit for historic facades. We'll share what we know, but the city makes the call.
My adobe house isn't in a historic district. Does any of this still apply?
The review part doesn't, but the construction part does. Thick walls, wood lintels and traditional plaster still need the same careful measuring and finishing whether or not the city reviews your project.
Will replacing a window damage my mud plaster?
Some plaster around the opening may need repair, especially if the old frame is set into it. We tell you that ahead of time and plan the patch to match the surrounding wall as closely as possible.
Can new windows keep the look of my divided-lite originals?
Yes. True divided lites and simulated divided lites with exterior grilles can both reproduce traditional patterns, and we can match the proportions of the windows you have now.
Keep exploring
More services in Santa Fe
Historic & Adobe Home Windows nearby
Start with a walk-through of your old house.
We'll look at every opening, talk through what review may be needed, and put a plan and price in writing.