Category: Windows

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Powder Room Window Trim

Last fall I finished the powder room window trim, much like in the upstairs bathroom. I’m satisfied with it, although a real carpenter would have a fit.

Powder room window

The problem with this window was that it needed a bigger jamb than was built for it. The jamb did not extend flush to the interior wall – it was 4 ⅝ inches inset from the wall. And there was a 2 ½ inch gap on the left side between the window and the wall framing, and a 1 ¼ inch gap on the right side.

Since I struggle with the proper names for window parts, here’s a pic that helps me remember.

My windows are single hung, so do not have the sash weights/pullies. On mine, only the bottom window sash opens, and the top is fixed. On a double hung window, both sashes open.

The question was how to create a jamb extension using hemlock (which looks like Doug fir) that I could buy at the HomeDepot. It was not straightforward because there was nothing dimensionally suitable.

I’m working without a table saw. I have a mitre saw and a jig saw and a circular saw. My circular saw smokes and I really ought to return it, but in any event, I don’t use it. So, try to figure out how to assemble a jamb extension where no pre-cut hemlock dimension exists. I ended up using two pieces that I glued and nailed together. After lots of custom trimming I got the jamb extended and trim on. I probably spent $130 on hemlock. It’s pricey, but mainly because I don’t really know what I’m doing.

The new hemlock jamb pieces did not match the old shellacked fir, so I stained them with a mahogany gel stain and then a coat of shellac. Everything is all a little darker than the window sashes. I’ll live with it for a while and see if I care in the long run.

Also, the stool does not extend past the apron, as it normally would. Again, that’s because the window itself was inset deeper than usual. But I think it looks fine.

The window also opens and closes as designed now. There is only one problem, which is that I could not get the original sash lock off, so I left it on but it doesn’t work, so I’ll have to use an old fashioned stick to keep the window “locked.”

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Updates in Bedroom

Final coats of paint are on. Fan and light installed. Window trim on. Space cleared out, mostly.

Fan purchased from Home Depot
Lovely windows with original trim. Vent covers purchased from Old Quebec Hardware (https://oldquebechardware.com)
A new ‘old’ window pull. Looks great!

The floor will have to wait until all the work is done on the main floor, because I intend to pull the walnut that is in the original part of the house and use it upstairs. Then, I will refinish the original fir on the main floor. That’s waaaaay down the line, so I’ll have to live with subfloor for a while in the bedroom.

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Update – or lack thereof

I know a blog with no posts is worth little. There isn’t a lot to talk about, however.

I have a builder who is treating my project like his hobby and dabbles at it a few hours a day for a couple of days a week. He does not have a full crew and brings ’round whomever he is able to rustle up that day. Many days nobody shows up at all.

When I talk to him about moving this project along, he sounds reasonable as to why things can only happen in a certain order and what the hang ups beyond his control are. He really does sound reasonable. But when I step back and see that this is a build that he started in JUNE, then the fact that he’s still puttering at it in DECEMBER is unbelievable.

I’m shocked at myself for allowing it to go on.

But, the updates for the last month: Most of the shingles have been installed. Not completely, of course. That would be too straightforward for this builder. But day by day someone comes and does a bit of work and the so far the shingles have taken 3 weeks. Apparently he has ordered a special material to cover the flat spot on the roof, which of course he couldn’t have ordered any time in the previous 6 months. But now he’s waiting on it.

The shingles themselves are beautiful. I’m glad I ordered them.

Carriage House

 

 

 

Now the builder is working on flashings, fascia, soffits, eavestroughs etc.

The HVAC appears to be done. I elected to go with 5 vents off my current furnace (3 on main, 2 upstairs), with in-floor heat in basement and in upstairs bathroom, as well as wall-mounted electrical heat. Had I been offered choices a few months ago, I probably would have chosen a high velocity furnace for the addition.

My main concern was having air conditioning on all floors.

The plumbing is roughed in. I had to take the advice of the plumber on where the toilet and sink HAD to go for the powder room, so we’ll see how that looks in the end. (I’m afraid I might be so renovation-weary that I make those “I don’t care – just do what you want” decisions).

The electrician is scheduled for next week. Then after that will be complete insulating and sealing up.

Very funny is that my end of the bargain – refinished windows – is not completed. When reglazing, the putty takes weeks to set, and I can’t paint the sashes until the putty is set.

Further, I have to build the window jambs, and I’ve been balking on that. I went to the hardware store and saw that fir for this project (8 windows) would cost $600 or so. It’s hard for me to just go and buy that. On the other hand, new wood windows would have cost $12,000, so I should just go and do it. I think another thing slowing me down is that I’m not a carpenter, so I’m not sure I’m making the right decisions on the wood or building the jambs correctly. Obviously they have to fit the actual sashes, so there is some customizing of the jambs as well. Plus, the sill has a downward bevel to it, in order to allow water to pour away from the window. Don’t know how to do that.

The stairs are still in the planning stage. Builder says he does not want to start those until after the building inspector has been by on the other parts. I’ve reiterated that I want the builder done before Christmas, so I expect we’ll come to blows shortly because there’s no way he can do all of what is left in the next three weeks.

Being a customer of a useless builder is no fun.

 

 

 

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Refinishing Windows

In the meantime, while waiting for the roof trusses and building to resume, I’ve been refinishing windows I took from my grandmother’s abandoned farmhouse. After being told I couldn’t use old windows in a new build, I discovered I could and have pushed for them. The builder is now happy to use them, and I’m happy to be using something of real value and to save myself the $12,000 new Loewen windows would have cost.

Five sets of double hung windows, two storm window frames, one bay window set, and two smaller ‘bathroom’ windows.

So, now the job of refinishing them. They’re in quite good condition – only the outside sills are greyed and need sanding. Otherwise, with a good wash, replacement of putty, and cleaned glass they could be installed right away. But, they are painted white on the inside and I want natural wood. So, I have to also strip the paint. Turns out it is likely milk paint and is proving difficult to remove.

Beautiful upper sash with intact glass.

I’m following John Leeke’s method and have ordered his book “Save America’s Windows”. I can’t get some of the materials he recommended

in Canada, so I’ve ordered Allback linseed putty and will use boiled linseed oil and turpentine to ‘condition’ the more exposed parts of the frames.

I’m removing the old, concrete-like putty with a Speedheater.

I can see this is going to take many hours of work. But I’ll enjoy it, knowing I saved these windows and will have them to add true character to my modern addition.