A historic 1886 home in the snow belt of Camden, NY with original wood windows, most of them painted shut. Add drafts, condensation and massive energy loss, and it’s a homeowner’s nightmare. Never mind the fact that the home also serves as a daycare center and home office.
That’s what prompted Jennifer and Paul Burgy to enter the New York Sash $25,000 Home Improvement Giveaway.
When we called Jennifer from the Home Show at Nexus Center, where the giveaway drawing was held, she was shocked to learn she had won the 2026 Home Improvement Giveaway. Soon after, we scheduled a visit to begin planning her home transformation.
The windows we replaced utilized an old pulley-and-weight system, a common feature in homes of that era. Hidden inside pockets in the wall, heavy counterweights connected by cords and pulleys helped operate the window sash. While innovative in the 1800s, these systems can become inefficient and difficult to maintain over time.
Beyond being difficult to operate, the original windows were contributing to uncomfortable drafts throughout the home. During Central New York’s long winters, cold air infiltration can make it difficult to maintain a consistent temperature. Condensation buildup and aging materials can also become ongoing concerns. For a home that serves not only as a residence but also a daycare and home office, comfort and efficiency are extremely important.
Our installation team removed the outdated windows, insulated the weight pockets, and installed premium fusion-welded, foam-filled double-pane replacement windows with argon gas. The result is a home that is more comfortable, quieter, and significantly more energy efficient.
One of the biggest priorities was preserving the character of the 140-year-old home. Historic homes have unique details worth preserving, even when comfort and energy improvements are needed. By carefully matching the exterior trim color and reusing the existing interior trim stops, we were able to modernize the performance of the windows while maintaining the home’s original charm.
For Jennifer and Paul, the improvements mean more than lower utility bills. Their family now enjoys a warmer home during long winter months, a cooler environment in the summer and windows that open and close with ease. As a daycare provider, Jennifer can also offer a more comfortable and secure space for the children in her care.
We love helping local people improve their homes. Our team is from here, lives here, and works here. Helping our friends and neighbors is what we do. Every year, we take that commitment a step further by giving away $25,000 in home improvement upgrades to a deserving local homeowner.
Because at New York Sash, improving homes isn’t just our business. It’s our way of giving back to the community that has supported us for more than 35 years.
Want to be next year’s winner? Enter for your chance to transform your home by stopping in our Showroom or visiting www.newyorksash.com/win
