Restoring Wood Windows :: A History Lesson & What Would Tom Silva Do?
The whole story here depicting the essence of mastery, maybe. I mean -- where the real skill comes in . . . with any, well . . . act. Like a writer...
All posts by jb bartkowiak
Restoring Wood Windows || Working on the Framing at a Wood Window Repair
And I am not kooky . . . really . . . like a Jehovah's Witness or anything, but I do believe that *every* day should be celebrated like every other day...
Down the Laundry Chute :: Echos of Yesterday
And now, I am not saying they are especially girly, but as I am into my third week here -- I reflect and realize that my all-time most favoritist thing about my...
Small Closet Redo :: Coming out of the Closet on the Coat Closet
There were a lot of small fixes needed for the coat closet next to our kitchen, including framing, insulation, electrical and the floor. In the process I installed cedar v-groove paneling. Read...
Testing Hardwood Floor Finishes in an Old House (Part 2)
The second floor at least has some wax on it, but applied only over a more original finish. I know this because in multiple locations when water is dripped upon it -...
Testing Hardwood Floor Finishes in an Old House (Part 1)
A few days later, Jeff hit me back; he had gathered some info from a couple places on the internet. He said, Well, I tried the water test like you suggested, and...
Do Your Part to Stop Bag Breakage :: On ReUsable Shopping Bags
I know for my family it has been difficult to remember our bags (purchased for 99c each) on food shopping trips. We try to work them into our regime; I mean --...
Lead-Based Paint in Homes :: Don’t Eat the Paint Chips
And actually it's a fate not too dissimilar to that of at least one other building product that I can think of. Yes, another naturally occurring substance that in its day was...
Make a Wood Molding Library :: What to Do with Scrap from Trim Jobs
Jot down the Wood Molding Profile, aka WM#, number (if you have it), add the sample's species and/or construction too (if you know it): FJ for Finger Jointed, PP for Primed Pine,...
Installing a Solar Thermal Set-up :: Inside the Pro’s Home
While there are certainly systems that can get you off of the grid, Bill's isn't one of them. Virtually all thermal/hot water systems are supplemental only, and they work in tandem with...
Installing Window and Door Cap Flashing :: Sealing Out Water on Wood Siding
One of the biggest challenges with saving the original siding on an 1889 farmhouse (well, other than dealing with 13 decades of paint) is ensuring against water entry at the windows and...
Replacement Window Options :: aka Window Shopping in 3 Steps
But the point being: If it's too much for a professional, someone who supposedly sells and installs windows, and they have difficulty navigating the maze of decisions, imagine how hard it must...