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Lead Paint Hysteria and the Destruction of Historic Windows.

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What we are witnessing today with lead paint is not thoughtful public health policy. It is a modern witch hunt—fueled by misunderstanding, enforced without nuance, and carried out at the expense of historic architecture. A small, legitimate problem has been inflated into a universal crisis. And as usual, the solution being pushed is the most [...]

The Problem with Brick Halfway Up a House

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Brick or stone halfway up the façade of a house is a common feature seen in all new construction and renovations today. This trend is not new but originated in Mid-century homes. If you look at many mid-century houses , you will notice a common feature: brick or stone covering the lower third — and [...]

Stucco Removal

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Historic preservationist Dan Miller and his wife Pat, freed their 1875 Italianate Victorian in Elgin IL, from a century of stucco turning an ugly home to something spectacular. It’s a scene that repeats itself in older neighborhoods across North America: a graceful wood‑clad Victorian, Craftsman or any style house entombed beneath an inch of cementitious [...]

Black Gutters on a White House – Good or Bad?

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Black gutters, black downspouts, black windows, and bright white siding – what’s going on with this new trend? The rapidly growing fad of black gutters, windows, etc., has taken hold, with many homeowners eager to embrace anything “new” for their houses, whether it’s truly an improvement or not. Mostly not. Like buying a fresh wardrobe, [...]

Old Houses & History Magazine

Welcome to the Old House Guy - Old House & History Magazine. Here are random articles and photos in no special order that I feel are, or possibly should be, of interest to owners and fans of old buildings and history. As I find new articles they will be added to the bottom.   Explore [...]