A City With Deep Roots and Every Age of House
Rochester Hills is a young city with an old history. Settlers arrived in 1817, the area was organized as Avon Township in 1835, and it did not become the City of Rochester Hills until November 20, 1984. Today it is home to about 76,300 people in Oakland County, with Oakland University programs within its borders.
That long history shows up in the houses. A window project in Rochester Hills might involve a house from the Avon Township days, a mid-century ranch, a subdivision colonial, or a newer home. Each calls for a different conversation about installation method, style and, in some cases, city review. This page walks through the questions that are most particular to Rochester Hills.
Rock Solid Exteriors is based on Hayes Road in Clinton Township, a drive west along M-59 to Rochester Hills.
Historic Districts and Designated Properties
Before anything else, find out whether your home is historically designated. According to the City of Rochester Hills, the city has two main historic districts, Stoney Creek and Winkler Mill, plus approximately 30 individual, noncontiguous properties that are designated and regulated under the city’s historic district rules. The city’s Historic Districts Commission reviews exterior work on those properties, and the city lists some minor work that may be eligible for administrative approval.
Windows are among the most visible parts of an older house. If your home is in one of those districts or on the designated list, talk to the city’s Planning and Economic Development Department before you order anything. Replacement windows for a designated home may need to meet design expectations, and approval can take time. We would rather build that into your schedule at the start than discover it after windows are on order.
If your home is not designated, none of this applies, and you have the full range of replacement options.
Older Homes: What Changes the Plan
Homes built before the 1980s bring a few issues that newer houses do not.
- Lead paint. For homes built before 1978, EPA rules require contractors who disturb painted surfaces to use lead-safe work practices. Removing old windows and trim nearly always disturbs paint, so we plan for containment and cleanup from the start.
- Wood windows and sills. Original wood windows can be beautiful, but sills and the bottoms of jambs often rot, especially on the sides of the house where sun and rain hit hardest.
- Out-of-square openings. Houses settle. A new window must be shimmed and sealed carefully in an opening that is no longer perfectly square.
- Storm windows. Many older homes have aluminum storms over the primary windows. Those come off as part of the job.
Insert or Full-Frame: Our Honest Recommendation
When insert windows work
If the existing frames are solid, dry and reasonably square, an insert window is the efficient choice. We remove the old sashes, leave the frame and interior trim, and install a custom-made window inside. It costs less and keeps original casings in place, which many owners of older homes appreciate.
When full-frame is worth it
If sills are soft, if you can see water staining on the wall below a window, or if the frame is badly out of square, we recommend removing the window down to the rough opening. That lets us repair wood, add proper flashing and insulate the cavity before the new window goes in. It costs more, but it fixes the actual problem instead of covering it.
Many older homes end up with a mix. We evaluate each opening separately and explain the reasoning in the estimate.
Styles to Match the Character of the House
We install vinyl replacement windows from MI Windows and Doors, available in double-hung, single-hung, casement, awning, horizontal slider, picture and specialty configurations, including bay and bow windows, with a range of exterior colors and wood-grain finishes. We also install ProVia windows, so you can compare options from both manufacturers at the estimate.
- Double-hung windows suit traditional homes and are the natural replacement for original wood double-hungs. Grids can be added to echo the original pane pattern.
- Casement windows fit mid-century and contemporary homes and offer a tight seal when closed.
- Picture windows anchor living rooms in ranch homes and let in maximum light.
- Bay and bow windows can restore depth and character to a front elevation.
- Awning windows work well for basements and bathrooms, where you want ventilation during light rain.
- Sliders fit wide, short openings on lower levels.
Comfort and Efficiency
Older windows lose heat through single-pane glass, loose sashes and uninsulated gaps around the frame. When comparing replacement options, check the U-factor on the NFRC label, where lower means less heat loss. Michigan sits in ENERGY STAR’s Northern climate zone, and windows there need a U-factor of 0.22 or lower to meet ENERGY STAR Version 7.0. Just as important is sealing the gap between the new window and the old framing; on older houses that cavity is often empty.
The Installation Itself
Craftsmanship matters most on older, irregular openings. One customer wrote about our installation team:
Joe and his team did an outstanding job with the installation. They paid meticulous attention to every detail
Briana S., Google review
On installation day we protect the work area, set up lead-safe containment where it applies, replace windows one at a time, insulate and seal each opening, finish the trim, and clean up before we leave.
About Rock Solid Exteriors
We have been improving southeast Michigan homes since 1997, with a 4.4-star rating across about 500 Google reviews. Estimates are free, financing is available on approved credit, and veterans receive a 10 percent discount. See our warranties page for coverage. In Rochester Hills we also provide roofing, siding and concrete services. For more on our window work, visit our metro Detroit window replacement page, or see nearby service in Troy and Shelby Township.
Rochester Hills Window Questions
Does my Rochester Hills home need historic review for new windows?
It may if it is in a designated historic district, such as Stoney Creek or Winkler Mill, or is one of the city’s individually designated properties. Check with the city’s Planning and Economic Development Department before ordering.
Are replacement windows safe for a house with lead paint?
Yes, when the work follows EPA lead-safe practices, which are required for pre-1978 homes when painted surfaces are disturbed. We plan containment and cleanup for those projects.
Can I keep my original interior trim?
Often, yes. Insert windows leave the existing frame and interior casings in place when the frame is sound.
Do new vinyl windows look right on an older house?
They can. Choosing the right style, grid pattern and exterior color makes a big difference, and we will help you match the character of the home.
Request a Free Window Estimate
Call (844) 757-6543 or request your estimate online. If your home is historically designated, mention it when you call so we can plan the timeline together.
