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jane
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jane's Discussions
Bouncy Floors
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Making Wood Shutters
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Proper Paint Color For Fixed Window
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jane's Page
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Shelley,
I deleted the post I sent yesterday because it wasn't quite right. I will try again here:
A floor squeaks because the layers slide past each other. the answers are to rebuilt the floor properly or try to keep the layers together. The screw…
Thanks, Sean.
I would have written the same thing. I also have a friend who 'repaired' his garage one wall at a time.
These were called 'cottage windows' and very popular. The upper sash might be plain, small paned, leaded glass, different stained glass patterns. Many variations were sold by Sears and Roebuck. As they were sold as a unit - large bottom sash and sma…
Of course, you are overly sensitive! We all are.
We know that we've kept our house in good shape, repaired, updated to technology so it's safe, AND kept its character.
They see that it doesn't look like 'House Hunters'. They also are not usually t…
no concrete walls for foundations before the 1920's.We didn't even know about Portland cement in the US until 1875, and then we used it for stucco.
If it was built in the 1920's the form walls - to hold the concrete in place when it was poured - wer…
I can't speak for all states and towns and especially building inspectors!
If you had other exits ( windows, balcony, porch, main stair, etc.) that met code the inspector might say it was fine. I have known of small circular stairs allowed to a libr…
How old is your house? Is it possible the stone was dry laid?
Lime mortar varies by location and date. It often used sand found right there on the property.
I can see some angled cracks. If you have diagonal cracks across a wall it indicates some…
just some notes
stair cases with a consistent rise and run are safe. Your body gets used to the step and does it automatically, both going up and coming down. The ones that are unsafe are those with differing depths and heights - very dangerous.
D…
Profile Information
- Tell us about yourself:
- architect, historian, farmer, volunteer, with extended family
- Tell us about your old-house experiences and dreams:
- have always lived in one, have worked on repair, reuse, expansion for more than40 years.
Began to write about old houses in 1989 when I realized I spoke English about architecture.
Just had article on original green published
Jane's Blog
Stucco, c. 1827
Not quite on the subject of mortar, but too good not to share -
Asher Benjamin's "American Builder's Companion", 6th edition, 1827, includes ornamental stucco patterns and instructions, with this footnote:
"The stucco is made of lime putty, mixed with pulverized marble, or raw plaster of Paris, with sometimes a little white sand and a little white hair, to prevent it from cracking. The mixture is then put on a dry wall for 24 hours, after which it is taken off and well beaten, and put on again.… Continue
Asher Benjamin's "American Builder's Companion", 6th edition, 1827, includes ornamental stucco patterns and instructions, with this footnote:
"The stucco is made of lime putty, mixed with pulverized marble, or raw plaster of Paris, with sometimes a little white sand and a little white hair, to prevent it from cracking. The mixture is then put on a dry wall for 24 hours, after which it is taken off and well beaten, and put on again.… Continue
Posted on November 20, 2009 at 11:19am —
Comment Wall (4 comments)
- At 12:18pm on November 30, 2009,
Demetra said… - Thanks Jane,
We're going to consider an approval process for this site.
I appreciate your suggestion.
Best - Demetra
- At 6:54pm on August 23, 2009,
Laura said… - Thank you SOOO much. We just had the house inspected today and it did GREAT. Do you think it is older than the date of 1900 listed on the paperwork? I think I will do some digging. Your comments were fantastic, and we are so excited. It has 2 staircases, the winding stairs are in the front, and there are some very narrow steep steps off the kitchen in the back.
- At 12:23pm on November 18, 2008,
John Leeke said… - Hi Jane, it's nice to "see" you again. Years ago I met your dad in Exeter, NH, I think he was showing me his barn book. He talked about your good works and after that you and I talked a few times.
I missed your talk in Bennington on "Original Green." I think you mentioned the Park-McCullough house. Have you seen the incredible early gravity ventilation system in that place? The place was a real jumble when I went through it back in the 1980s (or 70s?) I think I recall big wooden ducts that go up through the building with large air intakes at the cellar, etc. Did anyone ever figure all that out and put it back into operation?
John
www.HistoricHomeWorks.com
- At 11:39pm on October 7, 2008,
Phil said… - Jane -glad to see you on the new site. I have always enjoyed your OHJ forum posts. I also like your interesting blogspot blog too.
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