The Kitchen Windows. DONE!

I am very pleased to announce that ALL the windows in the kitchen are restored!

The wood sashes have lasted for 123-years and there is no reason why they cannot last another century.

Contrast this with new vinyl windows, which have a lifespan of 15-years.

Even new wood windows will not last as long because new wood is a very different thing than the old-growth wood which the Cross House windows are made of.

 

The pantry windows were restored as part of the 2015 Heritage Grant.

 

The east kitchen window is restored! I am fascinated by the contrast with the surrounding unrestored, well, everything. This window, as with those which follow, are part of the 2017 Heritage Grant work!

 

The east window. Beauty, surrounded by Beast!

 

The huge pair of south windows. Restoring the exterior walls will be part of the 2017 grant work.

 

And the sashes are finally back in the servant’s hall! All restored and gorgeous!

 

The kitchen looks like a bomb has gone off in it but it’s a thrill seeing ALL its windows now restored and back in place.

 

 

 

12 Comments

  1. Sandra Lee on May 24, 2018 at 8:29 pm

    Progressing wondrously!

  2. Stewart Mclean on May 24, 2018 at 8:30 pm

    It is wonderful the way you are able to evoke such pleasure from every single milestone in the restoration of the Cross/MacTaggart house. Thank you for making my day too.

  3. Annette on May 24, 2018 at 9:32 pm

    They look so good. Clean windows, mowed lawns and flowers. The neighbours will be happy.

  4. Sarah on May 24, 2018 at 9:34 pm

    I get so annoyed with salespeople when they try to sell me new windows. They’ve made it 100 years, why would I replace them now?!

  5. john feuchtenberger on May 24, 2018 at 10:38 pm

    Working my way (still, after all these years) through the seemingly endless windows at my two houses under restoration, I am daunted by replacing the sash cord/chain and nailing a gazillion nails into spring bronze weatherstripping on each and every one. I rather do the full pocket weight/weatherstripping treatment to a couple of active windows in each room, and only restore the sashes, then affix and caulk in place the remainder. Do I see similar treatment in your impeccable kitchen windows? No sash cords/weights, I mean?

  6. Seth Hoffman on May 24, 2018 at 11:43 pm

    Looking great, as always!

  7. Kelly P. on May 24, 2018 at 11:46 pm

    N{CE JOB !!!

  8. Jakob on May 25, 2018 at 1:01 am

    Looking good! And 15 years is too generous en estimate on vinyl widows, I had a seller client on one of my listing replace half of his that had failed before the 10-year mark!

    Is that the ice delivery door in your second picture? Just how high up is that thing, and was there a ladder? I’m just imagining some poor schmuck lifting a big slippery block of ice over his head and dropping it on the porch.

    • Seth Hoffman on May 25, 2018 at 2:20 pm

      I believe Ross has a write-up on the icebox and outside ice-delivery door in the “Meet my…” section of the website.

      Our circa 1926 house has a ice-delivery door too, which is a fair ways above the ground as well. There is a ~12″ tall concrete step beneath it to give the ice-deliveryman a better reach.

  9. Kim on May 29, 2018 at 8:07 am

    Oh, Ross! The shiny black sashes look so sleek & smooth. For the exterior, do you use an oil base paint or an exterior gloss latex?

    • Ross on May 29, 2018 at 9:17 am

      Hi, Kim!

      On the sashes, I use oil-based primer and paint.

      I, too, love the gloss. It makes a huge difference.

      • Kim on May 29, 2018 at 10:05 am

        I had to think so. The joinery & even grain detail is visible where oil has soaked in. It will keep that wood in rock-solid condition for many, many years. You don’t get that depth of protection with latex.
        It might seem like a small detail but, it is important. Such attention determines the future. 💗

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