Window installation in Allentown, PA
Allentown is the largest city in the Lehigh Valley, and its housing runs from dense rowhomes to leafy historic blocks.
The city
Allentown sits on the Lehigh River and is the seat of Lehigh County. Downtown and the neighborhoods around it have brick rowhomes and twins, and the city has three designated historic districts, Old Allentown, Old Fairgrounds and West Park, with a Historical Architecture Review Board. The city is also associated with the Liberty Bell, which was hidden in Zion's Reformed Church in 1777.
Installing windows here
- Historic districts
- Exterior changes in the three historic districts require a Certificate of Appropriateness. Check whether your address is in one and what the guidelines say about windows.
- Rowhome access
- Close lots and shared walls make planning access essential. Ask where the crew will park and how windows will enter the house.
- Older paint
- A large share of the city's housing was built before 1978. Ask for lead-safe practices.
Typical projects
- Replacing old wood or aluminum windows on rowhomes.
- Matching windows to a historic district's guidelines.
- Replacing windows after storm damage.
- Adding egress windows to finished basements.
Contacting the city
The City of Allentown's planning and codes offices can tell you whether your project needs a permit or a certificate. Ask early, before windows are ordered, and keep copies of any approval for your records.
Official local sources
These outside pages are worth a look before you hire anyone for work in Allentown.
Nearby areas
Guides that go with this page
Questions people ask
How do I check if I am in a historic district?
Ask the city's planning office. The Allentown historic district page lists the three districts.
Who applies for approvals?
Ask your installer; some prepare applications and others do not.
Are egress windows covered?
Yes, they are subject to the building code, and a permit may be required.