Historic Window Restoration by Westbrook in Seattle

The two part Article and videos below are from a historic window restoration project Westbrook Restorations did a number of years ago on the historic Moana Apts of the Capitol Hill Neighborhood in Seattle. I wrote this two part article about historic wood windows in Seattle’s history originally for the Dunn Lumber Company website containing a lot of information for professionals and homeowners. Thanks to Dunn Lumber for financing and sharing this valuable information. The Article explains what it takes to restore wood windows and what to expect if you are one of my clients. It shows a great general idea of the detailed work and level of knowledgeable practice it takes to restore historic wood windows properly. I love historic window systems, and this kind of restorative work gives me great satisfaction in using a practiced carpentry skill set that reaches back in history. I don’t think modern windows necessarily provide a better value than historic windows. There is a pretty high carbon footprint in manufacturing and replacing most modern windows, especially since they have an extremely short life span. Also Historic windows, if restored properly will add antiquity monetary value to your home or building. Heat loss can be reduced significantly with storm windows and proper spring bronze weather-stripping. So, if you have a home or building that has original wood windows from historic, vintage and even mid century modern, consider period replicating, restoring, and maintaining them. It might just be the best solution after all. Enjoy the Articles/Videos!

Part One

Evaluation & Extraction

Working on historic homes and buildings is a kind of archaeological trip back in time. Many of Seattle’s historic windows were produced in the era when the Wright Brothers were discovering the wonder of human flight. This was a time when industrious creativity, ingenuity, and craftsmanship were beginning to culminate into more universal building practices. As Seattle’s historic homes continue to age, they will require the expertise and experience of a knowledgeable master craftsman in order to maintain their historic and monetary value.

Evaluation

When it comes to evaluating historic windows, the first thing I like to do is assess the amount of decay on each window system, and determine how much of the window should be removed for repair. Can we repair the window just by removing the sash, or do we need to remove the entire system including the jambs? Removing the whole window will require the craftsperson to extract the more expensive interior and exterior trim, so it’s best to do that only when necessary. Be sure to preserve all window parts and pieces; this is critical for understanding the exact sizing of each window, matching new components, and determining if there have been modifications made over the years. In many cases, historic window modifications are performed incorrectly, which require an eventual fix. Setting up dust controls in the living space is also critical as it keeps dust down while being compliant with lead contamination regulations.

Extraction

Removing historic windows is a surgical process requiring precision on-site, in transfer, and in the shop. You’ll need a disciplined level of organization and a gentle touch! With that, it’s important to remember that agitation should be kept to a minimum, because plaster and mouldings are fragile, as are many of the window components. It’s best to gain knowledge about how installation was performed in the first place. From there, you can use your knowledge (along with a myriad of pry bars and specialty saws) to keep damage at a minimum. Paying careful attention to the original assembly during extraction will give you a better knowledge of how the windows were installed in the first place, and understanding how the 1900s-era craftsmen installed the windows will help you in your extraction and re-assembly after repair. Once extracted, I like to use a numbering system assigned to each piece. I also use a HEPA vacuum to clean as we work, because, again, this is more like surgery than demolition.

How long will these historic double-hung windows last? With proper restoration, we’ll have to wait another 100 years to find out.

Part Two

Restoration & Transportation

There is something special about historic windows that have survived more than a hundred years. Take the double-hung window as an example: It’s amazing that such a simple configuration of wood and glass can perform effectively for so long. As a master craftsman, it’s important to me to build things that last, and double-hung windows have certainly earned their place in history by withstanding the test of time.

Restoration

Once back in the shop after performing the evaluation and extraction, I’ll strip the windows sash, and jambs so they can be examined for repairs.

It’s helpful to think of these historic window systems as millwork, because that is exactly what they are comprised of. The quality of the wood is very important. Most of these historic windows are made from tight-grain fir, although I have seen historic double-hung windows made from cedar, oak, mahogany, and even cherry. Wood was a significant local commodity back in the day, so places like the La Conner Quilt & Textile Museum had sashes that were made of locally abundant cedar. Historically accurate woods should be used to restore the windows, like vertical tight-grain, fir.

One reason historic sashes last so long is because the joints were made open, without glue or sealers. Historic homes were designed to send moisture down and away from the building, so when repairing historic windows, it’s imperative that you deviate from the modern tendency to use glue or caulk in the joints. Pre-prime all components with a quality oil-based primer before assembly. This gives the wood an added layer of protection.

Replicating new components is accomplished through shop millwork and assembly. We use a numbering system to stay organized, which also keeps each window’s parts grouped together. The millwork must be custom-made, so restoring these windows requires a shop that is equipped to replicate the necessary components. Assembling the window should prove to be a smooth process for sash and jamb alike. The last thing we do is install the glass and apply a quality glazing putty.

Transportation

I like to take extra care when transporting historic windows. One reason is because of the lead that remains in the paint—I don’t want to leave a chip behind. Historic double-hung windows are also glazed, and the glass is fragile and breakable. To address these concerns, I like to wrap the windows in plastic bags and tape the bags closed. Having an upright transport rack in the back of your vehicle ensures that the sash will be transported securely, without undue stress on the windows.

There is a lot to know and learn about historic windows. A restoration should only be performed by someone who has the talent and the expertise to do the job properly. The historic homes and buildings in our community are emblematic of our heritage, and we all want to see them skillfully preserved.