I try to get my larger projects completed by end of June to better enjoy the summer and here it is July and I am way behind!
My current project is the restoration of a large attic dormer window with 20 True Divided Lights.
During the winter I noticed rain entering the window lights, so I had someone cover the entire window (minus a 2 inch gap at the bottom for air circulation) with plywood. This looked ugly but was not easily visible from the street. This was just a way to temporarily protect the window until the warm weather when it could be repaired.
The window glazing failed. The window is in an out of the way location so I never noticed any problem until it was too late. The last painter I used was a very bad choice for this issue should have been found and fixed by him when the house was painted.
Once the warm weather arrived there were many projects to do and finally this window. The window was removed and put in the garage to be restored and re-glazed.
In this photo you can see the rotted wood on the lower rail of the window. Small areas of rot on the lower corners of the stiles were repaired with a wood filler made by Conserve – a wood epoxy filler. However, for such a large area as you see in the photo above, a Dutchman repair seemed like the best option.
The problem was deciding on what type of wood to use to patch this old pine window. Modern pine is not much different from cardboard and would never hold up. My answer was to use Thermally Modified Poplar. Basically soft wood is cooked and the result is a strong, weather resistant wood that smells like beef jerky that will last a long time.
Here is my Dutchman repair before trimming off the bottom. The piece of thermally modified wood is 2 feet long and 1 1/4 inch thick. Two pieces were glued together for me to get the desired thickness. For this special order, I paid $32.00. I was instructed to glue the Dutchman repair with Marine Epoxy. (Note it is brown from the cooking process – the bacon scent filled the car on the ride home.)
Here is an article in PDF format that tells you all about Thermally Modified Wood.
About Thermally Modified Wood .
Remember, wood windows are made to be repaired. Learn about wood windows here .
My next step is glazing. Then I can get this window out of the garage and get my jeep back inside with the top down and doors off and enjoy the summer!
This looks like a great product which I’m sure I can use soon, once I check on it’s availability here in the Midwest. It would be great if they made shakes out of it. Do you know of any such product for roofs?. I’ve searched your site for posts concerning roofing material and historical correctness, but found nothing.
We’re looking to reroof our 1934 half-timbered cedar shake bungalow very soon and am confused as to what style roof to use. Currently it’s asphalt shinge. Real shake is too expensive and I’m not sure what was originally used on this type of roof. The house is painted. Any thoughts?
CTD
There is no info on roofing on the website – yet at least. I would imaging it would be expensive using this wood for roofs but then again the piece I needed was a custom sized order.
Shingle, asphalt, asbestos – there were quite a few options at the time. I would search for Sears and other catalog houses for a similar house and see what roofing material was used. The will have photos and sometimes list roofing options.
Ya this window were looking ugly but now after repair it looks nice and now you don’t face any problem.
Our Old 1913 bunglaow was.double brick built . we have really ruff winters many years reaching 20-40 below and the wind is worse, We would love advie on how to make it warmer with out runing the out side. andy ideas
We also cant find anyone who will help us contractoers say they are just not interested. so you know a old house Guy who can do th ework here in Idaho we are in the idaho falls area
thank you
My advise to old home owners is that if you need help locally look at my listing of window people here. http://www.oldhouseguy.com/window-restorers/ Call and ask them for a referral. Otherwise contact your State Historic Preservation Office, ask them for a listing of qualified preservation architects. Call and ask for advise and a referral.
Ken, how are you liking the thermally modified wood, a few years down the line? I am thinking of using it for building window sash. It seems like the right product and maybe a bit cheaper than accoya. Does it hold paint well?
Has held up great. Unfortunately the guy that did the work closed up. I would do it again though.
I came across 18 1x6x12 and 24 1x6x8 thermo modified ponderosa pine boards. Except that they smell funny and are lighter than other boards I paid so little for them It is the perfect amount to trim out the inside floors and doors on a 1930 bungalow remodel I am in. Is there a reason why I would not want to use this wood inside. Also plan to prime and paint white. What do you advise.
Love the smell but it is not dangerous and if it were, painting would encapsulate it just like asbestos.