THE PROCESS
The Window Restoration Process begins on site with safety on the top of the list. HEPA vacuums and plastic containment is how we handle the lead paint that may be disrupted when extracting the windows from their openings. Once the windows are extracted, the window opening and its channels are vacuum scrapped clean of any loose paint, primed and painted. The window pulleys may be removed for restoration. The trim stops can be milled, restored or may need no attention. If there is any rotted sills or missing pocket doors, this, along with any other issues, can be handled.
Window openings are boarded up with plywood or a heavy plastic. If a storm window exists, this step may not be necessary.
The majority of the work on the window is done back at the shop. Steam is the best method to remove the old glazing and paint. Once the sash has dried for 24 hours, hard scrapping and power sanding done on a HEPA downdraft table will bring back the brilliance of the old growth wood. Carpentry repairs are then performed on the window sash. Sometimes a meeting rail will need to be rebuilt, or the bottom rail on the lower sash will need rebuilt. The sash may just need some dutchman repairs and epoxy. No matter what it needs, Chris can take apart your window sash and rebuild each piece as needed. Once the sash is put back together square and pegged with a wood dowel, the sash will be sealed with a conditioning recipe to rejuvenate the dried out wood. This is a very important part of the process that is crucial to your sash being prepped for paint.
Chris can weatherstrip window sash or the window trim stops, as well as the sill and meeting rails. There are a few different weatherstripping options that can be discussed based on your needs.
Your historic wood windows will be sealed and then primed with a high quality oil-based primer. Once the primer is dry and hand sanded to 120 grit, your choice of top coat will be applied in two coats.
Chris uses glazing products and the same methods that our ancestors originally used when hand setting the glass and glazing. He does his best at saving any and all wavy glass and setting it back in its original sash. If panes are missing, 1/8 clear glass will be used, although wavy glass can be sourced at additional cost.
Depending on conditions, window restoration can range from 3-6 weeks from extraction to installation.
When installing the windows, Chris makes it normal practice to use the copper plated sash chain. This chain is strong, nice looking and easy to work with. Other options are available.
Wood window restoration is a very labor intense and time consuming process, but truly worth every penny. It would actually be an INVESTMENT, adding charming historical value to your home or building.
<VIA Window Preservation Alliance>
““Thousands of wood windows are ripped out of this country’s older and historic buildings each year and hauled to the dump. Four preservation organizations recently proclaimed their states’ historic windows are endangered…due to alarming destruction and replacement with aesthetically and environmentally inferior windows.” ”
“Chris restored wood windows in our 1920s West Philadelphia home. They all contained lead paint, so we were concerned about them as a safety issue. Chris was an excellent communicator from beginning to end of the process, and he clearly explained our options to make sure we were happy with the result. He was friendly, showed up when he promised, did the work efficiently, left the space cleaner than he’d found it, and charged us a fair price. The windows look terrific and operate smoothly, and it’s such a relief to have peace of mind about using them. We’re so glad we went with restoration instead of gambling on replacements that we might have to replace again in ten years. Would definitely recommend.”