More Windows!

1

In order to restore the windows at the Cross House it is necessary to remove them for long-ish periods. A good chunk of this time is waiting for the glazing to dry enough to paint. So, the house ends up with plexiglass covering the openings, which rather kills the beauty of the house.

So, behold, we are slowly getting some restored windows BACK in place, as evidenced by the second-floor tower window, right, and one of the smaller third-floor windows above.

Whoee!!

The window sashes have been painted in their original color: classic black.

Few people paint windows black today, and this seems unfortunate. Window glass often looks black, and this blends perfectly with black sashes.

 

9 Comments

  1. Kelly D on November 4, 2014 at 6:01 pm

    Looks great! I find my eyes are focusing more on the details of the house rather than the windows (which so often happens when people install new windows and they are all white!) Just lovely!

    • Ross on November 5, 2014 at 12:21 am

      Thank you, Kelly!

  2. tiffaney jewel on November 4, 2014 at 11:20 pm

    Pfft, plexiglass is totally chic!

    I could barely get that typed out with a straight face. It’s looking very good, and you can really only notice the plexiglass if you’re looking for it. Well done!

  3. Vicki on November 5, 2014 at 12:18 am

    Yay! Baby steps, right? I knew that sometimes older homes would have black window sashes, but I never realized there was a “science” to it. I totally agree with Kelly. The details of the house are definitely “more in your face” and those stained glass windows show up much better than if they were outlined in white.
    I’m sure I’m not the only one – but I would love to see this masterpiece when it’s all done. So, like when do you think I should start planning my trip?????????????? Maybe the OHD’ers could plan a SENIOR bus tour to Emporia, huh? Just kidding…great job!

  4. Traci on November 8, 2014 at 8:19 pm

    I’m with Vicki. Maybe have an open house, with special VIP passes for anyone affiliated with OHD. 😉

    • Ross on November 13, 2014 at 12:19 am

      Vicki! Traci! But OF COURSE all OHDreamers will get VIP passes! And Kelly will get the red carpet treatment!

      NOTE TO OTHERS: OHD (OldHouseDreams) is my favorite blog.

      • Kelly D on November 13, 2014 at 12:35 am

        Maybe one day! 🙂

  5. Traci on November 16, 2014 at 5:06 pm

    Hi Ross:

    Speaking of windows and since the temps have dropped, can you please post a blog on heating the Cross house? I read that Debbie and Bob (their website was so endearing) replaced the boilers, but has the house been insulated? And if so, what kind and how was it done?

    It looks like the attic is finished, so I don’t know if it can be insulated, and I believe putting insulation in plaster walls is destructive.

    For the sake of the house, do you just walk around wearing gloves and a parka? 🙂

    Thanks!
    Traci

    • Ross on November 16, 2014 at 8:33 pm

      Hi Traci!

      A bit down the road I will be doing a post on How To Heat A Huge Old House.

      For now though, an update:

      The Cross House is mothballed for the winter. Bob did put in four new high-efficency boilers (and I love them!) but the radiator system is a bit pulled apart. Even if it were intact, the house simply cannot BE heated. It is too pulled apart. Bob told me he was never warm in the house!

      I did have one of the AC towers converted to heat, so I could turn that on, and the top level forced-air system, and thus just bypass the radiators. But, again, I would really be heating the outside as, on a scale on 1 to 100, the “tight” factor of the house is about 6. However, I do have plans afoot to increase that to like 85 but this will take another year (or two) to accomplish.

      I might, might turn on Tower One just to heat the living room, library, and main level bath so we can continue working on these rooms during the winter.

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