More Windows!
The large window sashes in the second-floor main bathroom have been restored! On the original drawings, the window was shown as vertical. But, for reasons unknown, it was installed horizontal. Most curious!
The small window sashes to the second-floor main bathroom have also been restored (left), as well as the HUGE sashes to the housekeeper’s room (right).
On the east facade, the servant’s hall window on the second floor (left) has been restored! See the second-floor window to the right? That is one of the two only remaining sashes (save some basement windows) that still need to be restored! The diamond-paned pantry window was done previously, as were the dormer windows.
I just cannot believe it. There are, I am pretty sure, 5,984 windows at the Cross House. And only TWO more need restoring!!!!!!!!
When I purchased the house in 2014, it seemed an impossible task. Soooooooooo many windows needing soooooooooo much work. I would get queasy in taking it all in. But, via my patented Baby Step™ method, somehow, someway, 99.9% of the sashes have now been restored.
It seems a miracle.
And most of the sashes are original. They have lasted 125-years and could last another 125-years. Modern replacement windows? They have a 15-year lifespan.
(All the above newly done sashes are part of the 2017 Heritage Trust Fund Grant.)
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That’s incredible! What’s the other window that still needs to be finished?
The big curved one, first-floor, tower.
You are SO inspiring, Ross. You cheerfully and with eyes wide open took on this hurculean task and continue, 5 years in, to delight and endeavor. Truly, your persistence and fortitude are just amazing. Thank you for sharing your journey and your passion with us. You make this “project” look not only plausible, but enjoyable!!
Congratulations on checking the windows off the list. Well done.
Thank you, Christine!
I do enjoy the work! It’s a constant inspiration to transform EEK to WOW!
Amazing!
What is the “babystep method” again? I believe I will have to start following it soon but I cannot remember how it works.
Hello A.H. Ross might be busy so here it is.
On 07 October 2018, Ross wrote:
… my patented Baby Step™ method: slow, incremental work. Every week, no matter what, some work has to take place regarding a window sash. Each sash is taken to the basement workroom, and each week a bit of work is accomplished on said sash. It doesn’t matter if one day just five minutes is spent on a sash. Or 15 minutes. Or two hours. Nope. All that matters is some effort is expended every week. And thus, somehow, like magic, 2,576 windows have been whittled down to five windows.
Wow, nice work! I’m impressed how quickly you got through them all, honestly!
That is TRULY a huge accomplishment, Ross. Congratulations! Do you think you will ever get around to counting them all?
Ross, your work is amazing. My brother will eventually have to undertake the task of restoring upper-sash diamond-pane widows (probably upwards of 15). He’s extremely overwhelmed, as I’m currently doing 3-over-1 sash windows and they’re a lot of work. Did you undertake any of the diamond sash yourself? If so, do you have any suggestions? If not, might you be able to share the approximate cost of having them restored professionally through the grant? Thanks!!
Hi, Matt!
1) Be patient! Just do a little very day.
2) Listen to an audible book while working! It really makes time fly.
3) Buy this brand of putty:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01GU35V72/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o03__o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
4) Use oil-base primer and high gloss oil-base finial coats.
Wow, great job Ross, 5,982 windows done only two more to go. But really, what you have accomplished in 5 years is amazing. Heck, what you accomplished this year is amazing. Keep up the good work.
I haven’t gotten a chance to listen to this podcast yet, but I’m thinking that you might enjoy it.
Congratulations on the window progress!!
Thanks Jackie, I watched the podcast on glazing windows and it was very helpful. Glaszing windows is my husband’s worse job. He’d rather do anything other than that. I’ll have to show him this and I might even try this myself.
This is why every time it is suggested I replace my original 1922 double hung windows I say no. Same goes for covering my siding with vinyl or aluminum or stucco. I call it bastardization.
When I went househunting, I wanted a house with character (i.e. old) that hadn’t been bastardized, at least not to the point it couldn’t be returned to original. I got lucky. I am the third owner. The Bishops built it in 1922 and added on and remodeled in 1949. Their nephew in Oregon inherited it sometime in the 70s or 80s and rented it out. Then he needed a quick sale to support his business and I bought it in 1987. The renters had been the only ones in the house after the Bishops. So I was the third owner and the third resident. The renters did nothing so all of the awful congoleum and carpet I removed was from the Bishops or maybe the nephew put it in prior to renting it out. But it had all of the original windows and floors. Only one original light fixture and that was broken when the house was tented prior to transfer of ownership. I should have taken it with me but the realtor said to leave it. Such a shame. A 5 arm 1920s chandelier with 5 custard shades. It was pot metal so no repairing it and one of the shades was broken when the arm was broken. I tried for a few years but no way to match them and never found five matching replacements. I finally sold the four remaining shades. I think the broken fixture might still be in the garage or I may have finally tossed it.