Screen Door Update!
Almost three years ago, and after a relentless search, the long missing 1894 screen doors for the main entry returned to the house. Say hi to Kenny!
The doors though were in very poor condition, and for two years I just simply stored them in the basement. Then, I had Dr. Doug take them away to restore.
The doors have a solid wood inner core. This proved fine. There is a thin outer veneer front/back. This proved mostly OK on the back. This proved very bad on the outside after being beaten by the sun for a century.
Doug ended up replacing all the outer veneer, which is a little shy of 1/4-inch thick.
Today, the doors returned to the house for a final fit…
…and they mostly fitted! The two lower panels are original but are still missing their trim. Say hi to shy Dr. Doug!
The hinges are impressive. They are (or were) spring-loaded but three of the inner springs broke and the hinges are now just plain ol’ hinges rather than powerful spring hinges. I am fine with this as I do want want to hear the doors endlessly slamming against the door frame. Bang! Bang! Bang!
I have ordered bronze screening!
Doug has taken the doors back to his shop for a final adjustment. They will then return to me so I can stain and varnish the doors. Then install the screens!
The doors will then be reinstalled but will remain almost always in an open position so as not to obscure the stunning wood outer doors, or stunning beveled glass inner doors.
It thrills me to no end when lost bits are resurrected.
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That is lovely! What a great pic of Dr Doug!
I am astounded by your ability to find missing bits for that house. Where were those doors that you could still get them?
I second that question. I think I read about this sometime back, but I don’t remember. Please give us a refresher or repost the original story.
Here.
And here.
Astonishing development!!
Thanks for update Ross!
It will be lovely in the spring or fall to close those wonderful, restored, original screen doors and leave the entrance doors open so a fresh breeze can blow through the grand hall too!!
Gosh, I so want to get over to see all of this grandeur in person someday but still trying to find the time and means to get there!
Start sticking a few pennies in a jar. By the time all the craziness is over and it is safe to travel again, you might even be able to stay in the Octagon bedroom!
The difference in the hinges from the before and after IS impressive! WOW!!
It never fails to astonish me: the care people took to save bits of this house for the future. It’s such a pleasure to see them all come back, and come back to life, under your care. Can’t wait to see the screen doors back where they belong.
Dearest Ross:
You need a Yale and Towne Kelp dooorbell plate, to match the rest of that fabulous hardware suite.
STAT.
It is highly likely that the house always had a front bell tied in to the annunciator that you now know once existed in the kitchen.
Took me a minute to dig it up, but I knew there was one out there, currently one available from Urban Remains Chicago. I’ve made some major scores from them over the years. Great guy to do business with. His public Facebook page is pretty neat.
If you ask Santa nicely, maybe he’ll bring you one.
Oh, Cody!
My lust is great!
Ross, I need to know if you honestly think this would be an appropriate addition to the beautiful Cross House’s entrance or if you are being incredibly kind to Cody. You see, I have a couple of great connections to Santa’s elves and they tell me that the big man is very impressed with your accomplishments this year. He has been debating your gift this year and I might be able to make it happen for you and the Cross House. Let me know ASAP and I’ll see what I can do.
Randy, I never kid about great lust!
The Kelp ringer doorplate is the PERFECT addition to the main Kelp door set!
Now, you got me all tingly!
I made contact with the elves. I think there’s a good chance Santa will be good to you this year!
Sweet! You know you’re a home improvement geek when…
I didn’t even notice Dr. Doug initially. My first thought was “Wow, those are some seriously beautiful and girthy hinges!”
Looks great!
Ross, The doors look beautiful.
It is difficult to tell if the reeded trim below the screens was able to be saved. Is this still present or did the new veneer eliminate this detail?
Doug forgot the reed detail.
He’s now corrected that. Good eye, Colin!
I have very fond memories of the “banging” wooden screen door from my childhood. I absolutely love this sound. Mom would yell at us girls, “go outside and play and don’t let the screen door slam.” Ours was on a spring to pull and hold it tightly against the jam. …..oh how I wish I could hear the sound again! 💕
Me too. I would be restoring the “bang” personally, but I get it if it’s not part of Ross’s fond childhood nostalgia.
My big concern about the bang is the damage that will do o the doors over time.
Impressive work, Dr. Doug! Good eye, Colin!