Wood Restoration

Practical Preservation Podcast featuring Robert Chickey of Bespoke-Finish

Robert Chickey of Bespoke-Finish, his wood-finishing company, joined the Practical Preservation podcast to discuss information about his consulting business and his specialization in creating accurate, long-lasting wood-finishing work for restoration and preservation projects. We covered a multitude of topics including: His background in the construction industry and how dissatisfaction with modern techniques and finishes underscored …

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Maintenance is Preservation

Well, it’s that time of year again. The weather is warming up a bit as we move into the Spring Season. In the 19th century, before vacuums came into common use, early spring was a time to open windows and sweep homes from “top to bottom” to herald the coming of warmer weather. Your spring …

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Window Repair, Restoration, or Replacement

Window repair, restoration, or replacement is an unavoidable topic of concern in historic buildings. Windows in your historic property are like the eyes of the home. They are an important piece of the historical fabric of the location, and also play an integral part in energy efficiency of the property. Simultaneously, they are one of …

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Practical Preservation Podcast featuring Catherine Brooks of Eco-Strip

Catherine Brooks from Eco-Strip, the exclusive US distributor of the Speedheater Paint Removal System, joined the Practical Preservation podcast to discuss her company which allowed her to bring together her passion for the environment and public health.   The Speedheater is different from other heat-based paint removal systems because it heats the paint using  InfraRed …

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Porches, Doors, and Historic Preservation

At first glance, porches and doors may seem like no more than a way to get in or out of a home or business.   But there is much more to these architectural gateways.  They are frequently exemplary examples of carpentry that give us a peek into the artisanship of our architectural history and have …

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Practical Preservation Podcast featuring John Stahl of Next Generation Systems

John Stahl of Next Generation Systems joined the Practical Preservation podcast to discuss his epoxy system, preservation contracting experience and services, plus his window evaluation program of surveying, documenting, and providing recommendations to building owners. A Practical Preservation first – John launched his new product ‘on the air’ – cold weather epoxy for wood: Contact …

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Preservation in Progress: Wilmington Public Library

We recently completed a restoration project of some truly massive doors at the Wilmington Public Library in Delaware. The library was built in 1922 with the bold shapes and lavish ornaments of the Art Deco style of architecture popular at that time. We restored a pair 22’6’ tall, 10-panel White Oak and Mahogany pocket doors.  …

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Preservation Spotlight: Somerset Door & Column Company

We recently completed a historic porch restoration at the Harris-Cameron mansion in Harrisburg, PA.  Part of the project involved fabricating new wood columns to match a few existing column we were salvaging.  For that work we turned to Somerset Door & Column Company. For over 100 years, Somerset Door & Column Company has manufactured architectural …

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Put Plastic Windows to Shame

  Even if you decide I’m too long-winded, or that I’m preaching to the choir, to read this entire post – MAKE SURE YOU SCROLL TO THE BOTTOM to get your free copy of a report on how to make wood windows last for generations we recently wrote.   Why Save Historic Wood Windows? Did you …

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Historic Preservation in Progress at the Wilmington Library

Historic Preservation in Progress is a series of our posts where we show you how historic preservation happens, as it’s happening. Historic Preservation in Progress The Wilmington Public Library The Wilmington Library was built in 1922 and has remained a landmark on Rodney Square for ninety years.  Especially in recent years, due to heavy use by …

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