For this job, my crew has concentrated on repairing the rot and insect damage on the window sills and frames throughout the building. A secondary crew has been working on repairing any damaged window sash including fixing joinery and repairing and reglazing any broken or damaged glass.
The frame and sill repair starts with assessing the existing wood and removing any rotted or damaged sections. Specialized wood consolidant is applied to strengthen the fibers of the areas to be repaired before epoxy is added to fill any voids. In areas with severe rot and decay, new wood is spliced in and shaped to conform with the existing material.
After we received the restored window sash, our work turned to fitting and installing window weights, pulleys, and cords. Finally, the window sash were returned to their openings and adjustments were made to ensure smooth operation of both upper and lower sash. Lastly, the original locking hardware and decorative pulls were reinstalled.
There is still a lot of work to be done on the building but at least the unsightly plywood window covers that have adorned the historic structure for several years have been replaced by the carefully restored original windows. For the public that drives by the Fogg Library every day, our work represents a small but significant evolution of the project. Some pictures of my work can be seen below.
Removing rotted wood before wood consolidant and epoxy filler
Testing for moisture content to ensure proper epoxy curing
A section of this frame required making Dutchman repairs (new wood)
Another dutchman added to a basement window frame
Watch out Kai! Kai was glazing a window on the East elevation before his 2 wheel drive manlift got stuck. I bailed him put by putting a shim under the slipping wheel.
Stringing up new cord
Original weights being re-attached
lovely victorian hardware
and sash locks
The 35 original windows slide smoothly despite the high July humidity
Posts
