Let’s face it, paying to repair a big old house can get expensive. A lot of us roll up our sleeves and end up doing a lot of the work ourselves to help make things more affordable. Doing it yourself can be fun, but for major projects, it’s not always feasible because of the time […]
I’ve discussed how to re-rope double-hung windows in a previous post, but folks are always looking for more ideas on how to make roping easier. So, here are four simple hacks I’ve developed to make re-roping windows a whole lot easier. Click here for more help on restoring your old windows, and if you need some top notch sash […]
Painting is one of the easiest things a DIYer can do. Without much practice, most people can do at least a halfway decent job of painting a room or some trim. But with a few tips, you can turn that passable job into a job you can be proud of. I’ve written extensively about painting […]
Historic preservation may seem to some like a high brow art form only suitable for the nation’s architectural treasures- the artisans and craftsmen working to restore George Washington’s Mt. Vernon or an immensely talented artist restoring some Renaissance age frescos. These things are all well and good and an important part of the preservation movement, […]
“Should I use oil or latex paint?” It’s a question I get asked a lot. Oil vs latex, the two paints are very different, and each has their strengths and weaknesses. In this post, I’ll try to help you figure out when and where each type of paint will excel so you can make the […]
Let’s face it, your home’s utility bills never seem to go anywhere but up. The electric companies steadily raise rates, even if the cost of fuels like coal, oil, nuclear, solar, or wind go down. It’s like the third thing you can never avoid. Death, taxes, and higher utility bills. There is some good news […]
Caulk is often a way overused item in old houses, but abuse doesn’t rule out proper use. And proper use of the right caulk can literally save your old house from big damage. In this post, I’ll not only show you how to pick the right caulk for the job, but also give you some […]
An attic is often the easiest place to add onto your house. No foundations or setbacks to worry about. Everything is already in place, you just have to transform an empty space into your vision. Create an extra bedroom, a master suite, a media room, a play room or anything you can imagine for much […]
I don’t know about you, but I am ready for Christmas this year. Work at my restoration company has been crazy with how much we’ve grown this year. And speaking of growing, my two boys Charley and Jude are growing up way too fast, which should make Christmas a ton of fun this year. So, […]
Sometimes builders installed their old wood windows without weight pocket access doors to save a couple bucks. While it didn’t seem like a big deal at the time, it creates a whole lot of work for us today when a sash rope breaks. Rather than being stuck with the typical alternative of removing the window […]
I was supposed to be posting on plaster textures this week but something happened this week that got me so riled up that I had to delay the plaster post. [Stands on Soapbox] Bondo. Bondo is a great product for patching damage to cars, but somewhere, sometime in the past, some painter or carpenter decided […]
Everybody pressure washes their house. But few people know that the way it’s usually done is NOT good for your house. You may just be going with the crowd, but in this case, the crowd is wrong, and you’re likely causing big damage that you have no idea about. Pressure washing is usually the first […]
