Never ending windows

[BungalowMo]

Matt...are you just nailing in plywood in the open spot while you do the window work?

Are you doing any framework resto along with it? I've only done 2 windows & all of my wood framework needs stripping & sanding & the linseed mix and a few layers of shellac too.

Just seems to take forever. Plus the fact that I've done a bathroom resto & porch work in between.

Anywho....You have been such an inspiration! Your place looks absolutely amazing & I love the colors you chose.

[mattswabb]

I rip 2x4's to 1.5"x1.5" and cut the length about as long as the opening. I then screw them to where the interior sash stops were and then 1/2 plywood on the inside. This allows me to work on the entire outside without anything in the way. There is a bit of the inside sill exposed but if it is going to rain I'll protect it.

On every window I do both sashes removing the glass and all exterior paint. Almost all the sash interior surfaces are in good shape and match the patina of the inside of the house. So I only touch up what is needed. I strip the exterior jambs and prime and paint. Then paint the storms. All new ropes and spring bronze.

My wife picked the colors.

[mattswabb]

Finished #38 today. 2nd floor window and my tools in the basement. I've been doing this for 3 years now and still I cannot remember all the tools that are required to install a window. I probably did an extra 10 trips to the basement to grab something I needed. When I filled my tool tote before I started I could see the bottom and when I took it downstairs when I was done I could barely fit it all in. I need a tool checklist.

I took #39 sashes out this evening. I only need to do the top one. The ropes were missing and 2 years ago we had the window up and it stayed without a support. We did this for months and one day it dropped and shattered. I did that sash then.

[Gothichome]

That colour (Behr calls it Elderberry) seems to have been a popular colour for decades, our 1880 Gothic was original painted that colour as well. Same colour I'm returning it to.

[mattswabb]

#39 is done and 40 is underway. Almost to the halfway point.




#40

[mkeller234]

You have probably described your methods before, but I am curious. Are you using a razor blade to remove the old putty? How did you strip the wood on that bump-out so quickly? Heat gun?

Sorry for all of the questions! You seem to be doing top notch work, at a professional pace. I'm completely envious.

[mattswabb]

On most of my windows I'm only working on the outside surface and leaving the inside as is. The inside patina matches and most only need a touch up or cleaning. So no steam box putty removal.

I use a 3" putty knife and torch to heat the putty. I heat a short bit at a time and use the putty knife to shield the glass. Then use a steel scrapers to clear away the putty. No carbide on the glass. It will scratch it. I work small areas and try not to heat the glass too much. I can remoe the glass from a lower sash in about 20 minutes and the last upper i did with 20 panes took about 1.25 hours.

For paint removal on the house I use scrapers. 90% of the work is with my carbide scraper then 5% with my steel scrapers and the rest with sanding.

No heat. I don't want to burn the house down.

[mattswabb]

This is my now favorite scraper

http://www.amazon.com/Bahco-625XXX-Prem ... co+scraper

And my other one I use a lot. This one has the curved and pointed scraper.

http://www.amazon.com/Hyde-10450-Contou ... nt+scraper

[mattswabb]

I haven't finished #40 (close) yet but started on 41 and 42 today. On these 2 the lower sashes are about 2/3 of the window height and the uppers used to be leaded glass and only 1/3 of the height. They were stolen in the 70's and then replaced with standard single light sashes. There were 10 of these in total and 3 survived. So eventually we plan to get them remade.

The lowers in the front of the house on the first floor have rediculously thick glass. One of the lowers I did today had a piece that was broke. I taped it up when we moved in and today bought a new piece of glass. It was 24x40 and .288 thick. The glass supplier didn't carry this exact size so I bought a piece of 1/4" glass, $42, wow. I figured that was thick enough and I'll check the sash weight and compare it to the weights and adjust if necessary.

Follow up: turns out the thinner glass was 1lb lighter and no need to adjust any weights. 27lbs compared to 28 for the other that is original.

[mattswabb]

And I'm at the halfway point. #40 is done.



I worked on the jambs on the next 2 and the paint was alligatored and on there so well. I got one stripped and it kicked my but. I covered the other in smart strip and Saran Wrap for tomorrow and hopefully that one will be easier.