Before. After. Golly.

Previously, I posted about the shocking condition of the double-arched window on the octagon tower. It looked fine from the ground…

 

…but a close encounter proved otherwise. The whole window needed to be removed and rebuilt, but there just isn’t the time with a looming Heritage Grant deadline. So…

 

…I fussed and caulked and filled and fussed. 

 

And…

 

…fussed and caulked and filled and fussed.

 

And…

 

…fussed and caulked and filled and fussed.

 

The lower portion of the drip cap was replaced in 2005 and had already rotted out. It was, literally, mostly paint with a hollowed out core.

 

So I fussed and caulked and filled and fussed.

 

While it all looks GREAT, the sun will cook everything and in a few years everything will not look great.

This is NOT how to restore. This is only how to buy some time.

Down the road I will have the entire window removed and rebuilt in a manner to last a century.

But, for now, things do look better!

 

 

 

10 Comments

  1. Leslie Harlow on April 26, 2020 at 7:13 pm

    Great work. Too bad you only perform face lifts on homes and not people.

  2. Leigh on April 26, 2020 at 7:18 pm

    The result of your attention to detail is glorious. The Heritage Grant panel chose well when they chose you, because you still plan on making the restoration properly when conditions are better.

  3. Cindy Belanger on April 26, 2020 at 9:34 pm

    That looks much better, even though it will last only a few years. For now it’s great. We had a handyman do some work on our house we call him the caulk king. But in a few years it dried up and fell out. Now we have the same problem and are looking for someone else to do a better job. Need a job? just kidding.

  4. Terri on April 26, 2020 at 9:34 pm

    That window looks amazing now! I know it isn’t finished as you usually do on the windows, but for now it’s way better than it was. Great before and after pictures! Go Ross! Go!

  5. Linda A. on April 26, 2020 at 9:45 pm

    You are good with “fussy”!!!! Wow! That turned out so much better than you let on! Maybe you will be bored one day 4 years from now and will be glad that window is still needing some intensive TLC. Better late then never. But for now, I give it two thumbs up!

  6. Mike on April 26, 2020 at 10:21 pm

    Your “buying some time” methods look better (and are likely better quality) that many peoples’ permanent repairs. The Cross House is a lucky old house…

  7. Sandra Lee on April 26, 2020 at 11:27 pm

    Cross House & all of us are blessed by you!

    You make the world a better place just by being in our world!!

    I am so thankful you are caretaker of Cross House & so thankful you can do all u do & wish to do!

    I pray for your health and well being!

  8. Jim Wolf on April 28, 2020 at 4:31 pm

    Love the blog and the house! Wondering why you do not have the original 1894 description of the house posted on the blog’s history? Or perhaps I missed it.

    • Ross on April 29, 2020 at 4:19 pm

      Hi, Jim!

      I do! And see my newest post!

      Thanks!

  9. Farleana on May 10, 2020 at 6:20 pm

    Beautiful Job Ross! Really love that color.. : )

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