Window installation in Allentown: what a careful job looks like
New windows only perform if the installation is right. This guide covers the parts of installing windows that matter in Allentown rowhomes, historic districts and cold Lehigh Valley winters.
Get installer quotesBefore install day
- Know whether your block is in a historic district
- Confirm who handles the permit
- Ask for lead-safe work on homes built before 1978
- Plan for the season and the sealant
Four things that decide whether an install goes well
The right method
Insert or full-frame installation, chosen for the condition of your frames and the walls around them.
Careful flashing
Tape, sill pans and sealant that move water to the outside and keep it there.
Insulation in the gap
Low-expansion foam or insulation around the frame so cold air cannot pass.
A real walkthrough
Checking operation, sealing and trim before the crew leaves, with the label still on each window.
Allentown facts that shape an installation
- A city with historic districts
- Allentown is the seat of Lehigh County and the third-largest city in Pennsylvania. The city has three historic districts, Old Allentown, Old Fairgrounds and West Park, where exterior changes need a Certificate of Appropriateness, and most applications go to the Historical Architecture Review Board.
- Rowhomes and tight lots
- Brick rowhomes with small yards and shared walls are common in the city, and access for crews and deliveries can be tight.
- Climate zone
- Allentown is in IECC climate zone 5A, a colder zone than much of southeastern Pennsylvania, so U-factor and air sealing matter. Ask installers to show the rating on the model quoted.
- Building code
- Pennsylvania's Uniform Construction Code is the statewide building code. Ask the city codes office whether your scope needs a permit.
- Lead paint
- Many Allentown homes predate 1978, and EPA's Renovation, Repair and Painting rule requires certified firms using lead-safe practices when window work disturbs old paint.
What to confirm in writing
- The product, size and glass package for every window.
- Whether the price includes trim, interior finish and disposal.
- Who applies for the permit and the historic certificate, if either is needed.
- What happens if rot or damage is found behind the old window.
- Who is on the crew and whether subcontractors are used.
Common questions
Do I need approval to install windows in an Allentown historic district?
Exterior changes in the three historic districts require a Certificate of Appropriateness application, and most go to the Historical Architecture Review Board. Check with the city before ordering.
Can windows be installed in winter in Allentown?
Yes, with planning. Sealants and foams have temperature limits, so see the winter guide on this site.
Do I have to be home during installation?
Someone should provide access, and be present at the start and for the final walkthrough.
Does this site install windows?
No. It is an information site that connects homeowners with a local window installer and is not a contractor.