esappenfield's Profile

I'd keep the historic windows. Even the best replacement windows never wind up looking the same - always seem a little off to me in a historic house. Plus, with the windows properly repaired (a lot of which you can do yourself) and good quality storm windows, you'll get almost the same R-value. See this article from Fine Homebuilding: Should I replace my windows?

John Leeke at Historic Homeworks in ME has great how-to videos for window repairs you can do yourself.

Depending on where you live, there may be historic tax credits available to help you pay for the repairs and storms and other work on the house.

Angel,
You're likely to find with your historic house, as with many of the era, that you'll get the most bang for your buck properly insulating the attic (where the majority of heat loss takes place) and tightening down gaps in windows/doors (weatherstripping works wonders, as do quality storm windows). Plaster walls are constructed on a lathe network that is different from modern stud-drywall construction and are meant to breathe and exchange moisture differently than modern construction. Many people have found that blown-in insulation contributes to moisture and termite problems in older homes with plaster walls.

The National Trust for Historic Preservation has extensive information and links about insulating historic homes:
http://www.preservationnation.org/issues/weatherization/resources/insulation.html

The first example of a remodel project in the Guidelines features all new cabinetry made of bamboo and recycled plastic. What about reusing the existing cabinets - reconfiguring, refinishing or refacing them? As per usual with the USGBC, their emphasis is on new green materials and technologies and not on reducing the consumption of newly manufactured items or reusing existing materials.