Repairing an old-growth redwood gutter, Marin County, CAAs mentioned earlier, I have been in the building restoration business most of my working life.
One thing that I have found baffling all these years is the use of the word "restoration".
Restoration, I have discovered means so many different things depending on the context.
In the early days of Clem Labine's Old House Journal, as opposed to the Restore Media's version of Old House Journal (post 1999 or so) restoration was defined mostly as "fix'n up the existing original material". Trade shows geared to historic restoration called themselves Restoration & Renovation and mostly attracted those interested repair and preservation of original building materials.
To make matters even more confusing there is the "restoration and waterproofing" industry which mostly deals with brick and stone re-pointing and re-roofing trades.
Then, of course there is the flood and fire restoration businesses as well ( bless them ).
So, back to historic restoration:
Today restoration trade shows and publications have changed the definition of restoration mostly to expand their market share and sell more advertising and trade show booth space. Today restoration is more "traditionally inspired new construction products and services"
So what's wrong with that you say?: Well, nothing really except one of things that attracted me to historic restoration in the first place was the notion that building materials could be fixed and put back in service rather than the typical "rip out and replace" approach.
Inspecting windows at Stanford University's Historic Main Quad
In my early days of contracting I was continually amazed to see how durable a 150 year old window sash was/is. This window was built with excellent craftsmanship from old-growth lumber harvested from America's ancient forests.
In my early days of contracting I was continually amazed to see how durable a 150 year old window sash was/is. This window was built with excellent craftsmanship from old-growth lumber harvested from America's ancient forests.
Even though this old-growth window was continually abused by neglect, it held on strong year after year providing it's owners with shelter from mother nature's worst and provided a Monet like view of the outside world through it's wavy, seedy, reemy, hand blown glass. That's history!
For more on old-growth visit: http://www.advancedrepair.com/architectural_epoxy/oldgrowth.htm
Today we have PVC "restoration" windows and composite "historic" porch posts.
So what's wrong with that you say?: Well, nothing really except perfectly repairable, durable, original materials are discarded into landfills and replaced with materials that are currently not repairable and have a service life of approximately 25 years.
The sad thing is most people today do not realize they have a choice. The media and trade shows we rely on for information are sending a very conflicting and different message. The big three window companies are not telling you to repair! Your local lumberyard is sending the same message: "rip it out and replace it with new"
So my message to you dear readers of this blog is: "It's best not to ask a barber if you need a haircut" There are viable, realistic options to you and your old buildings that are contrary to the market based approach. Be a little leary of restoration products that require the use of a crowbar, sledge hammer, sawzall and dumpster!
Let's respect the original building materials for what they can provide rather than have provided.
In the next several blogs I will discuss in more detail the pros and cons of window restoration ( or should I just call it window repair ? )
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2 comments:
Just discovered your fine blog, hoping to see more. I am deep into my own repair/restoration work on my home, an 1830's Federal-style farmhouse in central Ohio. I am currently focusing on rotten window sills. These babies are big: 3" thick by 42" by 9". Your comments about old growth ring true. The old stock is red oak, but years of water intrusion and some inattention to paint and caulk have led to some bad rot. I am experimenting with both replacement and repair. Replacement problems: difficulting in removing old stuff, and finding new stock. Repair problem: is the old wood too far gone for epoxy? How to decide? I have been trying an epoxy consolidator--some claim it will work on soft, detoriated wood. Then epoxy putty. You seem to require good wood before using consolidator....comments? Some epoxy critics claim repairs last 5-8 years before failing. My latest experiment in replacement--you probably won't approve--is trying Azek boards laid up to appropriate thickness--in process now.
Please keep your blog alive.
Marc
Good for you, John! I appreciate your philosophy that new is not always better, especially when referring to wonderful old American buildings and homes. I don't have much energy or money, but I am determined to reglaze the windows of our 104 year old home. (I want the angles to be so perfect that they would win an Olympic glazing competition!)
many newer homes will not be standing in 100 years, and are downright tacky looking. Even new window products- including the high-end products- do not seem to have the same look or quality as these fine old classics.
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