Slate roofing demonstrates the power of nature that formed it, the industry that shaped it, and the craftsmen that laid it on the roof! Because of the craftsmanship, environmental impact, and expense, all efforts must be made to repair rather than replace. Slate roofs can last lifetimes, up to two hundred years! The National Park Service recommends a regularly scheduled maintenance program.
Tools & Materials:
1 ⅛” spring bronze
17 x ¾” coppered nails
Hammer
Tin snips
Measuring tape
Drill
1/16” twist bit
Needle nose pliers
5-in-1
Weatherstripping note: Spring bronze weatherstripping is installed before the sash installation. Spring bronze can be added to the upper rail, upper meeting rail, lower rail, and sash channels. Nailing flange should be installed toward the top on the upper meeting rail and toward the interior on all other pieces. 1 ⅛” spring bronze is most typically used for 1 ⅜” sash.
Procedure:
Prep the box by opening it, making a cut to the side, feeding the spring bronze out of the side, then taping the top closed.
Mark meeting rails on the jamb by measuring the sash or setting it into the opening and marking
Note: All nails should be installed toward the interior.
Measure and cut the spring bronze with tin snips to be ½” larger than the upper sash.
Cut a small curve on the meeting rail side to reduce snagging
Mark and cut for the upper sash channel pulley using either method below
Cutting and install a single strip from the pulley to the header
Cutting around the pulley using tin snip and installing a continuous piece
Pre-drill the first hole at the top of the upper sash channel with a 1/16” twist bit about ¼” deep and install the first nail.
Pull the spring bronze taut and straight. Repeat step 6 for the center then end.
Repeat pre-drilling and nailing every 1 ½-2”
Spring side may need one nail above the pulley to keep from catching.
Repeat process for the lower sash channel with cutting the end of the spring bronze to match the angle of the sill.
Repeat steps for the upper, lower and upper meeting rail with the additional notes
For the lower rail cut the spring bronze flush with the ends
For the upper rail cut the spring bronze ⅛” inside of the pulley channel
For the upper meeting rail the spring should be downward.
Check for daylight after sash installation. Close the daylight by running a 5-in-1 down the crease then bending the spring bronze out with the 5-in-1 until daylight is gone.
Spring bronze installation on a new jamb. Pre-drilling with 1/16” drill bit shown
Your vintage windows need to lock! But what is the right way to get them to lock? How do close the gap and how do solve the most common problems? In this field guide and the video below we walk you through how to install a traditional sash lock and lift on a vintage wood window - a simple way to improve the beauty of an old home.
Tools & Materials:
Measuring Tape
Pencil
Drill
3/32” twist bit
1/8“ twist bits
Flathead screwdriver - ratching screwdrivers will save your forearms!
Painter’s tape
Hardware Notes:
Lock & keep are most commonly centered or matched with existing.
Lift should be symmetrical and centered within a pane, when possible.
Lift placement should be measured from the profile edge, not the stool.
Windows 34”+ wide should have two locks and lifts installed to assist in smooth operation and pulling the meeting rails together for decreased air infiltration.
Procedure:
Old hardware holes should be filled with epoxy if they’re intended to be reused.
Mark twist bits for the screw length with painter’s tape
Find the center for the lock by measuring from the start of the profile on each side, dividing the measurement in half, and marking with a pencil on the lower check rail.
Align the keep centered on the mark with the based flush with the upper meeting rail. Pre-drill with a ⅛” twist bit
Install keep with provided screws using a flathead screwdriver
Align the lock centered with the keep and the exterior, flat surface flush with the edge of the lower meeting rail. Test to see if the lock will pull the meeting tight. Pre-drill with ⅛” twist bit.
Install lock with provided screws and flathead screwdriver
Find center for the lift by measuring on center in the glass opening and mark
Pro Tip: Raise the lower sash and mark center on the lower rail based on the lock placement.
Mark the height to be ½” below the lower rail profile edge.
Pro Tip: A scrap piece of parting bead is perfect for gauging 1/2'‘ below the profile.
Align the lift on the marks, you may be able to clamp with a pistol grip clamp
Pre-drill lift with 3/32” twist bit. You’ll notice that’s different than the lock pilot holes, as the screws are different sizes.
Install lift with provided screws and flathead screwdriver
Acceptable: Pilot holes are drilled to the appropriate size. When fastened, the lock pulls the check rails together. Screws are not marred and are installed by hand.
Unacceptable: Screws are marred, installed with drill, or head is sheared. The lock does not pull check rails together or secure the window.
This in-depth guide (to be completed later) will take you from setup and removal of your historic, double hung wood windows to their re-installation.
While this post focuses on the mechanical work of the window, you can check out our other field guides to finish your window;
Below is a quick reference checklist. Click the image for up-to-date changes.
This beautiful Tudor home nestled inside ok Oklahoma City's Crestwood neighborhood is the current owner's pride for the last 30 years. The owner takes meticulous care of the yard, replaced the roof with industry-leading GAF Woodland shingle part of their designer line. However, caring for two of these windows alluded him. On the front elevation, he has two incredibly unique window transoms. Under a steep roof gable and above a set of windows set a half quatrefoil wood window on the right and left. Inside the window, the sash is a fan pattern with washboard glass running horizontally. Because of the windows' shape, protecting them from a storm has been difficult, and repairing them has been almost impossible for everyone. The owner had called several window companies; all failed to offer a reasonable solution.
Our neighbor's solution was to call us at Old Home Rescue and set an appointment for a free consultation. Based on the consultation, we recommended a custom rebuild in our woodworking shop. We would save all the glass in our shop, pattern the old window for a new window, and recreate these to window sash with Accoya wood. Accoya wood backs their product with a 50-year warranty against rot and termites.We carefully removed the window, not only saving the glass but also the brickmould and casing trim. Each piece was numbered so that it could be patterned and replicated. In our woodshop, we rebuilt the windows as planned, sourced glass for broken parts, and finished with a new coat of Sherwin Williams paint. When reinstalled, the home was returned to its original historic beauty and ready for another 90 years!
Manufacturer: Old Home Rescue
Product Line: EverSash- Accoya Wood Sash Windows
Glass: Washboard
Glazing Bar: 3/4"
Putty: Hand Glazed with Sarco Type M
Paint: Sherwin William Industrial Pro Line
Old Home Rescue is Oklahoma's only renovation company focused on getting old houses RIGHT. We have restored and renovated homes and wood windows in Kansas, Oklahoma, Texas, and Missouri. Our award-winning craftsmanship is recognized nationwide. As a Craftsman Blog Rockstar, we are listed on HGTV's Restore and Revive and host the popular YouTube channel Old Home Rescue.
Old Home Rescue is proud to offer our renovation and repair services in Oklahoma City and surrounding communities like; Norman, Edmond, Shawnee, and Guthrie. We serve all of OKC, including nationally listed historic districts like; Mesta Park, Heritage Hills, Edgemere Park, Crown Heights, Putnam Heights, Gatewood, Lincoln Terrace, Paseo, Shepard, and many more. We work closely with Oklahoma State Historic Preservation Office, Norman, and Oklahoma City Preservation Commissions to ensure all products and services are approved and receive a certificate of appropriateness.
Old Home Rescue products and services will extend the life of your old home. Our renovations use the best products available, like Accoya wood, Sun Windows and Doors, James Hardie Siding and Trim, GAF Roofing, and Sherwin-Williams Paint. We never use vinyl or plastic replacement products.
We encourage you to become our NEIGHBOR by scheduling an appointment with a RENOVATION GUIDE and getting a customized RENOVATION PLAN.
Historic homes can go through many changes. When the houses are part of a historic preservation district, you can minimize these changes; however, when they are not, all bets are off! This fantastic property in northeast Oklahoma City is unique. It is a grand Georgian Colonial nestled on 5 acres in what was once the country. The elegance of the property is unmatched. However, the windows did not meet this level of refinement. Previous owners had long ago replaced the windows. The current windows are thin and flat and lack all of the historical character. To make matters worse, the previous contractor had covered up the ornate original brick molding with rolled-formed aluminum. When the owner called, he said the windows required a RESCUE!
Our neighbor's solution was to start with a renovation plan that included a 3D rendering of their home. With this, they were able to visualize how new windows could improve the house's overall beauty.
Based on the renovation plan, the neighbor chooses to replace all the windows on the carriage house and do a mock-up on the main house. We decide to begin on the carriage house first because it was already under renovation. We wanted to hold off on the main house due to the oncoming winter but went ahead with one window to create a mock-up. Mock-ups are great options when working on a large project with several preservation factors. Because the main house is full of original millwork that we wanted to preserve, doing a mock-up allowed us to test this process. Once the mock-up was complete, we could decide on the best window installation method and the finalized budget.
After researching all the top brands, we landed on Sun Windows and Doors for their high-quality products, attention to detail, and their Clad Architectural Double-Hung(CADH) wood window, specially designed for historic window renovation projects. To confirm Sun was the right fit, we visited the Sun Windows plant in Owensboro, Kentucky. We met Frank and Chris Anderson, the grandson and great-grandson of Anderson Windows, the original Sun Windows company. After touring the plant with Frank, we knew Sun was the right fit for Toad Hall and Old Home Rescue.
The final choice for replacing the windows was the Sun CADH window with factory-applied Georgian brick mold and the 1 1/8" sill. For the munitions or glazing bars, we choose the 5/8 "raised profile. The raised profile gives the depth of the window and completes the historical aesthetic.
Manufacturer: Sun Windows
Product Line: CADH- Clad Architectural Double Hung
Glass: 270 Advantage
Glazing Bar: 5/8" Raised Profile
Brick-mold: Georgian
Sill:1 1/4"
Color: White (Bone)
In the end, the windows fit perfectly, with only minor changes to the interior trim. We completed the carriage house and are looking forward to doing the main house soon!
Sun Windows at Toad Hall to be continued…
Old Home Rescue is Oklahoma's only renovation company focused on getting old houses RIGHT. We have restored and renovated homes and wood windows in Kansas, Oklahoma, Texas, and Missouri. Our award-winning craftsmanship is recognized nationwide. As a Craftsman Blog Rockstar, we are listed on HGTV's Restore and Revive and host the popular YouTube channel Old Home Rescue.
Old Home Rescue is proud to offer our renovation and repair services in Oklahoma City and surrounding communities like; Norman, Edmond, Shawnee, and Guthrie. We serve all of OKC, including nationally listed historic districts like; Mesta Park, Heritage Hills, Edgemere Park, Crown Heights, Putnam Heights, Gatewood, Lincoln Terrace, Paseo, Shepard, and many more. We work closely with Oklahoma State Historic Preservation Office, Norman, and Oklahoma City Preservation Commissions to ensure all products and services are approved and receive a certificate of appropriateness.
Old Home Rescue products and services will extend the life of your old home. Our renovations use the best products available, like Accoya wood, Sun Windows and Doors, James Hardie Siding and Trim, GAF Roofing, and Sherwin-Williams Paint. We never use vinyl or plastic replacement products.
We encourage you to become our NEIGHBOR by scheduling an appointment with a RENOVATION GUIDE and getting a customized RENOVATION PLAN.
