Friday, April 25, 2008

Window Workshop Shows How to Repair Old Windows

This afternoon I took time off to attend a window workshop being given as part of the State Historic Preservation Conference being held here in Hutchinson. The workshop was a hands on experience and it was great. Really, really, great.



Left to right, Dennis Brown of Lawrence, Lloyd Armstrong of Armstrong Antiques in Hutchinson who lent his building for our workshop, and Mike Goans of Lawrence.

They applied liquid wood to strengthen it where it had started to rot and break away. Then they used wood epoxy to finish building it out. Cool process.

I was really fortunate that I got to do three different things they demonstrated. I was trying to hold back when they asked for volunteers but it seemed most of the people didn't want to get dirty. So, I got to mix wood epoxy and apply it, and to give window glazing a try. I think I can get that eventually. Greg tried that too.



We both own old houses. This is a skill we need! I especially need it since I had a window pane come out during a big wind storm this winter. Greg helped me do a quick jury rigged fix, because it was way too cold to deal with it then, but this summer I must get it handled. For real. I also have a window that's broken. Fortunately, it's not an old wavy glass one.

Another thing they showed us today was why we want to keep our old growth wood. I just KNEW I didn't want them replacing old wood, but I didn't know why. Now I do. Because when you look at the grain in the old versus the new it's a world of difference. Greg took tons of pix, which I'll hopefully get to share with you later.

I love hands on projects. That's how I learn. Monkey see, Monkey do. Monkey no get it when someone just tells me.

These guys were really good - obviously very good at their jobs.



I went to the banquet tonight, too. We sat with Amy, who we met just recently, and also with Chris from Oklahoma City. He was fun, too. I love getting together with people. I'm sorry I'm going to miss seeing Greg's girlfriend, Mia, when she visits next. I'm going to be out of town. But, it looks like Mark will be down and staying at my house, so that's nice. But, of course, I'll miss seeing him too. I just haven't worked out that being in two places at one time thing yet.

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5 comments:

Anonymous said...

Patsy:

That's great seeing the window workshop. Can you show us more photos?

John Leeke
www.HistoricHomeWorks.com

Patsy Terrell said...

As soon as I get Greg's pix I'll post some more. It was also videotaped and will eventually end up on YouTube I think.

Anonymous said...

I recognize Dennis and Mike. I think they were at my windows workshop in Boston in March of 2007.

John Leeke
www.HistoricHomeWorks.com

Anonymous said...

I recognize Dennis and Mike. I think they were at my windows workshop in Boston in March of 2007.

John Leeke
www.HistoricHomeWorks.com

Patsy Terrell said...

I don't know either of them. This was the first time I'd met them. This was part of the state Preservation conference. For those of us who own old houses it was a wealth of information!