The living room...here is what we have had left to do:
- baseboards
- crown molding
- windows (re-run sash cord that has broken, reattach weights, replace sills, and replace trim)
- finish trimming out fireplace/mantle
- mount TV above mantle
- build out cabinets and shelves next to fireplace
- hang chandelier
- place rug and furniture and RELAX!
- (I've probably left something out...)
We decided to start with the windows. The trim has been off of them for months and months! We had planned on replacing the weight/pulley system with springs so we could insulate in the openings around the windows, but decided if we could just use caulk and spray foam to stop any airflow, that would suffice. I insulated around the windows while David worked on making new sills and trim for each window.
We've delayed the project for a while because we had some big decisions to make - however we do the trim on these windows is how we'll eventually do the trim on all the windows around the house. So, the first window took us a bit longer than the rest should. Two of the weights on the first window we worked on were detached, so we had to reattach them. It was a simpler process than I expected, albeit a little stressful! We had to remove the bottom sash, so David first had to pull off the parting bead. Once we got that off, the bottom sash came out pretty easily. Unfortunately, it doesn't move up and down very well, so we used a planer, a putty knife, and some elbow grease to remove the paint from the track the sash is supposed to move up and down on. Made a HUGE difference!
Next, strung the cord through the pulley system and one of the weights, then tied a knot at the weight and at the appropriate length within the window box.
Once we had the cord attached at both sides of the sash, we made sure it would move up and down freely, then reattached the parting bead.
Then David measured and cut the rest of the trim and attached it. And voila! We have our new windowsill and trim in place and a functioning window!
Next we had to tackle the double windows on the front of the house. These proved to be more difficult because the weights were detached from the top sashes, so we had to remove both the bottom and the top sashes. By the time we got to the second window of this double set, we felt like old pros (HA!).
This project went much more smoothly than we anticipated, but was still pretty demanding. We didn't do everything that we'll eventually have to do to the windows (sand, paint, reglaze, etc.) - but at least they are functioning and we now have templates for the windows in the rest of the house.
And, not to be forgotten...we got the trim around both doorways as well!
Next up: cabinets, shelves, baseboards (which have already been milled and primed!), and 10 million other things. But...yay for progress!
We've delayed the project for a while because we had some big decisions to make - however we do the trim on these windows is how we'll eventually do the trim on all the windows around the house. So, the first window took us a bit longer than the rest should. Two of the weights on the first window we worked on were detached, so we had to reattach them. It was a simpler process than I expected, albeit a little stressful! We had to remove the bottom sash, so David first had to pull off the parting bead. Once we got that off, the bottom sash came out pretty easily. Unfortunately, it doesn't move up and down very well, so we used a planer, a putty knife, and some elbow grease to remove the paint from the track the sash is supposed to move up and down on. Made a HUGE difference!
Next, strung the cord through the pulley system and one of the weights, then tied a knot at the weight and at the appropriate length within the window box.
Stringing the sash cord through the pulley system.
We did this on both sides, then put the sash back into the window box and pushed the knots and cords onto each side of the sash.
We measured and marked carefully to make sure the cord was long enough to allow the window to move up and down as it should and to prevent the weight from hitting the top or bottom of the frame behind the trim.
Once we had the cord attached at both sides of the sash, we made sure it would move up and down freely, then reattached the parting bead.
Bottom sash, weights and the new sill and bottom trim all in place!
Then David measured and cut the rest of the trim and attached it. And voila! We have our new windowsill and trim in place and a functioning window!
Next we had to tackle the double windows on the front of the house. These proved to be more difficult because the weights were detached from the top sashes, so we had to remove both the bottom and the top sashes. By the time we got to the second window of this double set, we felt like old pros (HA!).
We had to remove the storm windows off the outside of the house to cut around the top sash, which had been painted shut. David says if we ever sell this house, we will put in our contract that you can't paint the windows shut! (Suffice it to say this was a tough task...)
With both the top and bottom sashes removed, we were able to plane and scrape the sides so the sashes could easily move up and down on their tracks. Unfortunately (probably many, many years ago), the windows had been painted shut and the tracks had been painted - a big no-no when it comes to keeping the windows functioning properly.
This is what it looks like behind the trim - with the weights and sash cords. When we removed the trim off the double windows, we found that four weights were detached, but two were completely missing. We put out an APB for 7-pound weights, and fortunately we have great friends who are renovating another old home in Murray - who just happened to have two 7-pound weights on hand! Thanks Josh and Ashley!!
After all the blood, sweat and tears, we finally have both windows functioning properly!
This is an exciting sight for us...TRIM on the windows!!
This project went much more smoothly than we anticipated, but was still pretty demanding. We didn't do everything that we'll eventually have to do to the windows (sand, paint, reglaze, etc.) - but at least they are functioning and we now have templates for the windows in the rest of the house.
And, not to be forgotten...we got the trim around both doorways as well!
I can't wait for this trim to be primed and painted to see how it makes the transom stand out.
Next up: cabinets, shelves, baseboards (which have already been milled and primed!), and 10 million other things. But...yay for progress!
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