Farmhouse window rehab project - windows worth saving

Submitted by parri on Wed, 09/15/2010 - 01:36

I wanted to share a project that I have been working on over the past couple of weeks, which is to give some badly needed TLC to the windows on our farmhouse.  Luckily for me, there are some really outstanding historical organizations in the area that have been conducting workshops in how to do this type of work using materials and methods that the pros are using to preserve old sash frame windows.  Old windows are worth saving, and one that is maintained and combined with a storm window in the winter can be just as energy efficient as a vinyl window, and last for the life of the structure unlike the newer replacement windows.

 

Here's the east living room window before and after, which was the worse one in the house.  The prior owners had not been putting a storm window on it, and the outer sill was starting to fail. I used Abatron wood epoxy system to stabilize the wood and fill in the gaps and build up spots where wood had weathered away.  I used my Kreg Kreg Jig (thanks Ana!) to build the temporary stormwindow, so that I could pull out the two sash frames, remove the old putty, take out the glass (didn't break - yay!), make repairs, put the glass back with fresh glaze, hang new sash cords, and put on a fresh coat of primer and paint (only where the wood doesn't have to slide!)

Side view of the house "before" window work.

 

The "before" side view of the houseHere's the "after" view with the temporary storm in place.

 

For the kitchen window, prior owners had blocked it in to move the kitchen sink to center on it on the inside.  I wanted to dress up the outside so it didn't just look like an afterthought.  I bought some decorative wood cutouts from Hobby Lobby (total $6 - yay!) and then did a little faux painting with a seamist green and metallic gold paint that I scored from the Habitat for Humanity ReStore (sealed with some outdoor urethane). Framed in the panels with some retangular molding.

"After" view of the kitchen windowAnother "after" view of the kitchen window

 

I figured if I don't like it, I can always go back next year and change out the panels for something else.

ktburo

Wed, 09/15/2010 - 03:28

Wow!  You did an amazing job on the windows!  If you would not have said these were the old ones all fixed up would have thought they were new!!  Great Job!

zoebird

Wed, 09/15/2010 - 21:13

really, it's awesome. :D it's so great to see such progress.

 

i think it's amazing how ana has drawn out--in so many of us--our own capacity to do this work, something that i always thought was reserved for a select few talented people.

 

and i admit, i'm sure there are people way more talented at it than i am or ever will be, but it still feels good that i *can* do it. :) and not just talk about it.

 

if i hadn't gotten a gig modeling for a figure drawing class next weekend, i would go to the workshop and start then. but, i need to make some cash, and it's a great way to do it! LOL 

 

anyway, i will make crates, i swear to goodness. my poor husband has to carry them across town though. we don't have a car. :D and the organic farm delivers them to the organic shop, which is across town (1.5 miles actually). luckily, he has decided that they are not that heavy. he's going to carry two, and we each are going to make 2 crates on our first day. 

anawhite (not verified)

Tue, 09/21/2010 - 17:19

Zoebird, I think there is amazing talent in YOU! Those windows are beautiful! Thanks so much for sharing!