Curse Lifted

The Curse of the Window has lifted. Master Carpenter and Master Glass Atisan (aka mom and dad) came for a visit. In fact, Dad is still here. More on that later. We did the appropriate exorcism and the window came out, went back in with brand new tracks (Blaine Window Hardware....Thank you!) fit beautifully, and thanks also to Capital Lumber we finally found a match to the outside molding. We went to every hardware used building supply and lumberyard in the town. Dad even looked into having some milled. It can be done, but wow, very expensive.

Everytime we found the right width, it was not the right pattern, right pattern, wrong width. In the end, we found the right width, right pattern, and wrong thickness. So, we shimmed the inside of the molding and put a lattice strip under the outside of the molding. With some creative caulking, it looks better than it ever did. I have it primed and ready for the final paint job. Got the outside caulked, insulated, glazed the loose panes and wood puttied for a clean look, also ready for a paint job. I think it will be warm enough to do the outside paint job today! But am waiting until I finish another molding job around the top of the baseboards to do the inside job.

My baseboards are a two part construction of a 1x6 topped with a decorative 1 inch molding similar to a shoe molding but prettier. I am finishing fitting that today since dad is here with the mitre saw. Only 4 pieces to place.

We were jubilant to have the window finished. High fives all around.

Things I have learned about reconstructing windows.

• The order of the moldings is essential.
• Getting new tracks really helps an old window
• The positioning of the new window in the space is very important.
• Don't give up when looking for matching molding. It just might be out there.
• We all need to support our private lumberyards and hardware stores. They carry stuff that is essential to us rehabbers that the big box stores cannot carry because it is not economically feasible for them.
• Like all jobs, the more often you do a task the easier. This pull out of the window was simple and easy. The first time is always the hardest. I think Dad and I are going into the business now (hahaha) Father/Daughter Handcrafted Windows