Tag: windows

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The Continuing Story of the Screen and Storm Windows

Christine

With winter fast approaching, mom and I took advantage of the mild temperatures on Wednesday to do a staining project we have put off since… oh, April? Wow. We’re really good at procrastination. These are the frames for the screen and storm windows for the small, square (-ish) windows in the living room, on the landing, the upstairs bathroom, and all three closets. Seven windows in all, with a screen and a storm for each makes fourteen frames. And the trim that goes with them.

We put in three solid hours, and I’m convinced we’ll need a second coat of stain because the pine is so thirsty. Mom disagrees. I think she’s just anxious to get them done. We ran out of daylight, plus we were tired, so the second coat and the poly finish will have to be done another day. It’ll have to be outside again, though, because I got a wicked headache from the smell. I can’t imagine doing this in the basement with just the windows open. I seem to mind this stuff more lately. I guess the fall allergies don’t help, either.

We did our best to keep Oliver out of the staining process, but I’m sure there a few golden retriever hairs in there somewhere. As you can see in the top picture, he was close by for the whole project.
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Curtains or Shades?

Christine

I had a nice fabric roller shade (from JCPenney, of course) on the old front door. It matches all the other roller shades in the living room, entry, and up the staircase. But I’m not sure I want to install the roller shade on the new window. See, I do need something up there, I just feel too exposed with nothing on this giant window, but I love the extra light it is letting in.

I’ve been thinking about new curtains for this area for nearly a year now. I did have golden colored sheers up, but they made everything too yellow. I’d like to get the Stripped Semi-Sheer Tailored Curtains from Country Curtains. In the natural color. And, I ordered one panel of these for the upstairs bathroom window, in white, and I really like the fabric. It is simple, but the stripe gives it a little texture.

I guess I really do know what I want, the question is just this: should I buy them all now, just order the door panel now, or put the old roller shade up and wait to order all the curtains at once?

Keep in mind, there are 7 windows, 2 sidelights, and 1 door panel to re-dress in this area, so it is going to cost me almost $300.

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Indelibly Stamped

Christine

I had a couple of days off work this week for the thyroid testing, and nothing else planned, so Mom and I got going on some projects that have been waiting for nice weather.

I collected all the screen and storm window frames that Bill left by each small square window and carried them to the front porch. This is where we do most of our dirty work, and that is why the porch always looks trashy, but it is a great place to work. We decided to mark each window and both frames with a little number.
I borrowed these neat little stamps from my dad. Just give them a little tap, and you have an impression.
And in no time, all fourteen frames were done, stacked, and ready for staining.
Now, we’ll just wait for Jack’s specially mixed stain…

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Framed

Christine

We got a visit from the screen and storm window fairy today. Bill called earlier this week to tell me that he is nearly finished with the frames. He’s brought them to the house , fit them in the windows, and made adjustments. One of these days mom and I will stain them, and return the frames to Bill and he will install the glass and screens. These are unique because they will be made to fit inside the small, square windows. A few screens came with the house, most of which I have put to good use, that Bill has used as a prototype for screens for the rest, and interior storms for all the small, square windows.
I also talked to Jack yesterday. He put a new piece of veneer on the future front door, but it didn’t look good, and Jack was not satisfied with it. Then he got sidetracked with another project (that probably pays better), but he said he will start on my doors again as soon as the other job is done. He expects that will be sometime in the middle of next week. Cool.

This timing isn’t too bad because Jack has to mix stain to match, both for the old wood on the front door, and for the new pine on the screen door/storm door. Hmmm… didn’t we just get something else made of new pine? That’s right! The new screen and storm frames from Bill.

Luckily I was not my usual flaky self when I was on the phone with Jack. I told him all about the frames Bill was going to bring today, and that we intend to stain them. So I asked Jack if he would make us a jar of whatever stain he blends for the storm door/screen door, so mom and I can spare ourselves the tedious process of matching stain. Yea!

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window hardware

Christine

I’m not sure what exactly to call this kind of window lock, maybe a loop-style casement latch? I think they look original, and are probably brass under all that age. These are photos of the nicest one.

These locks are on each of the seven small square windows: two in the living room, one on the landing to the second floor, one in the upstairs bathroom, and one in each of the bedroom’s closets. Some of theses windows hinge to the right, some to the left, and the two in the living room have hinges at the top.

The windows are supposed to stay propped open with casement stays, but I only have one casement stay that is left fully intact. Several are only missing the nut used to tighten the rod. And one or two of them are long gone, only the screw holes left in the wood as evidence that they ever existed.

I wanted to take a photo of the casement stay that is still intact, but I can’t find it. In the back of my mind I am beginning to remember a complete casement stay in a zippered gallon size freezer baggie. That must be the one I carried with me to the salvage places, to show them.

For a while, I was carrying a whole tote bag of stuff to show anyone who would listen. Do you know what this is called? Have you ever seen one? Do you have any like this? No? Can you recommend anyone else who might? Me schlepping around my bag of hinges and locks and knobs and escutcheons and screws, oh my.

So, does anyone out there know what this window lock is called and/or where I can get more?
And where I can get replacement tightening nuts for the casement stays?