From: macrakis@osf.org (Stavros Macrakis)
Subject: Re: Restoring old houses
Organization: OSF Research Institute
Distribution: na
Date: 23 Jul 92 12:53:03

In article <1992Jul23.140812.17887@alw.nih.gov> sullivan@alw.nih.gov
   (Jim Sullivan) writes:

   ...hardware stores... that have mouldings which are the same as in
   old homes.  Of course they cost a mint but they are available.

Around here, there are several millwork shops (J.P. Moriarty,
Anderson-McQuaid) which will produce any molding profile you want.
The price is high, but somewhat less than stripping for large
quantities, and the result is better as long as you're willing to prep
them carefully (good enamel undercoat).

   Here in MD there is a place called Old House Parts where they rip
   out parts from old houses and resell them to people restoring old
   houses.

Yes, salvage is a very good source.

	    I'm currently thinking of buying some double-hung windows
   which match the ones in my home to replace some jallocied(sp?)
   windows in an addition.  The cost will be $60/window!  And they
   have the antique glass as well!  Of course, they need a lot of
   paint scraping and work, we figure about 8 hours per window.
   Still, you can't get these windows anywhere else.

But window sash is not something I would get from salvage.  You can
buy new preprimed wooden double-hung sash with almost exactly the same
profile as old sash for very reasonable prices (also about $60, at
J.B. Sash and Door -- of course, you have to swat away the salesman
who is trying to sell you tilt-outs or Andersons or Marvins and
explain that yes, you really want wood sash with no plastic parts),
and all you have to do is paint.  The difference in profile really is
minuscule; the main difference is the thickness, so you need offset
parting beads.  And of course they are in perfect mechanical
condition, no rot, no looseness, no lead paint.  I considered getting
these with low-grade (antique-like) glass, but finally got the modern
glass.

   trim:... ornate, yet somehow more restrained than the new stained
   pine jobbies that are so popular today.

Yes, I wonder when the art of designing and specifying molding was
lost.  I have spent a goodly amount of time in the public library,
architecture school library, and bookstores looking for some reference
material on molding, and all I have been able to come up with is a few
old catalogues (reprint or original), which are a good source, but not
systematic.  Do you have any suggestions?

   Beware of "Historic" neighborhoods. ... laws requiring a lot of
   paperwork before doing anything that will change the house.

Well, I regret that our Historic district doesn't have strict enough
rules.  In particular, there's nothing to prevent people from
stripping exterior detail and installing fake (vinyl or aluminum)
clapboard.

   ...I have seen some nice trim work simply removed and discarded.
   I've seen old brass fixtures tossed due to tarnish!

Yes, this is sad.

   Find a place where you can have woodwork and doors dipped to remove
   old paint.  Saves a lot of work.

In the Boston area, the standard place is Olde Bostonian.  I think
it's $80 a door to strip completely (including scraping out crevices),
ready for priming and painting (or even varnishing if it is good
wood).

emolinar@stake.DaytonOH.NCR.COM (Elizabeth Molinaro) writes in
   <1202@stake.DaytonOH.NCR.COM>:

   ...the LESS the house has been "remodelled" the better off you'll
   be.  If you can find something that has only been remodelled once,
   after the War....

Sullivan disagrees:

   ...As long as the "remodelling" was done right, your better off
   since you don't have to do it yourself.  It is always cheaper to
   buy a house with a remodelled item than to buy it and refinish it
   yourself.

I agree with Molinaro, in fact I'd go further: I prefer it not be
remodelled at all, just maintained enough to limit damage.  True, a
lot of the 60's and later remodelling is particularly bad, but the
earlier remodelling often leave a lot to be desired in the electrical
system and kitchen layouts.  The house we bought had apparently been
remodelled in the 30's, but we undid ALL of that work (which converted
it from a single-family to a three-family).
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