To refurbish or replace those one-of-a-kind windows?

By Susan M. Botich

Bungalow-style homes are architectural gems in the Carson Valley. Also known as Craftsman homes, these post-Victorian structures display a simple elegance in every aspect of their design.

One of the most distinctive features of Bungalow Craftsman architecture is the variety of their charming and artistic window designs, including double-hung and single-hung, transom, gridded, beveled glass, colored glass, textured glass and leaded-glass.

“There are only a handful of bungalow-style homes in Carson City,” said Mark Lopiccolo, general contractor and owner of Lopiccolo Construction in Carson City.

“However, Minden and Gardnerville have lots of them, especially in the downtown areas near the park,” Lopiccolo said. “You wouldn’t know it by looking at them from the outside. A lot of them have been stuccoed over. Then, you walk in and see how beautiful they are!”

Mark Lopiccolo and his father, Mel Lopiccolo, have been working together refurbishing Bungalow Craftsman homes for decades. Mel Lopiccolo is a leaded-glass expert and clearly loves his work. When it comes to deciding on what design to choose for a leaded-glass window, he may suggest what he thinks will work best, but he leaves the final decision up to the client.

“It’s really up to the customer,” Mel Lopiccolo said. “They may already have a design, or I can draw designs for them to look at, just to give them an idea of what’s possible. A lot of people know what they like once they see it but don’t know how to choose it on their own.”

Energy efficiency is often a reason for upgrading windows. Of course, the Lopiccolos understand this need but clearly prefer to hold true, as much as possible, to the historical integrity of any period home.

“You can never really compete with modern, double-paned windows for efficiency,” said Mark Lopiccolo.

But sometimes, he said, you can find a happy medium. Certain windows can be replaced with double-pane glass fitted into the original framework. These can be made to resemble an original gridded window by adding woodworking to either side of the glass.

Another option is leaded glass with clear glass panes placed over both sides. According to the Lopiccolos, the air between adds some thermal protection. Also, sealing the windows well from drafts by using modern products, such as vinyl sealers, said Mark Lopiccolo, can add significant thermal value without sacrificing the Bungalow-style.

“The kind of people who love the Bungalow Craftsman home love it for its style,” Mark Lopiccolo said. “It’s a kind of simplified Victorian, scaled down with clean lines.

“Lots of quality woodworking throughout is a particular feature of this type of  construction,” he said. “You don’t want to ruin that.”

As true enthusiasts for the historical value evident in homes throughout the Carson Valley, the Lopiccolos agree that, when upgrading windows, the most important aspect is retaining the art of the era.  

“The leaded-glass windows bring light and color into the home in a way that makes you just feel good,” Mel Lopiccolo said.

Now that’s irreplaceable.

© Copyright 2005 Susan M. Botich