Windows into the past...

I've spent some time ruminating about windows lately. Vinyl inserts, wooden inserts, aluminum storms... there's a whole world of modern inventions out there, yet we are reluctant to use them in heritage buildings. It's such a wide ranging debate, and there are so many things to consider...

The heritage purists feel that "vinyl inserts" are not acceptable, even if the heritage style is mimicked. They are passionate about their beliefs and truly there are a lot of good arguments in their favour. Those who don't care about heritage at all will say "who cares? We own the building and can do what we want". If that attitude prevails we will have no heritage left to be passionate about. Then those of us whose beliefs lie somewhere in between... well, we just don't know what to do. We want to maintain our built heritage, but are we expected to turn our back on modern conveniences forever?

What are we protecting? Just the look, or the whole makeup of the building? The inside, or the outside? If we are replacing something within the walls that will never be seen, is traditional material still desired? Or only if it is something visible/exposed? There are so many issues.

Compromises have been made over time, allowing for modern materials but trying to maintain the heritage integrity as much as possible. We use engineered wood to stablilize a building, we use asphalt shingles on 150 year old rooves, most houses have power and phone lines coming to them, and many have an antenna or satellite dish. How do we determine which modern conveniences are acceptable, and which are not?

So as a middle-of-the-road type of person, I guess I have to ask why is it okay to have asphalt shingles on a 200 year old building, and seamless eavestrough, but not vinyl or fibreglass window inserts that are styled after the original windows? I truly am confused!

Debate is a wonderful thing, so please feel free to weigh in on the issue!