Preservation of the craftmanship that was used to build your home or commercial property is not as difficult as one would think. In many cases, restoration is less costly than typical encouragement from contractors who want to replace.
A good example of this is plastering vs. covering old cracks in walls and ceilings with drywall. A good plasterer can bring back the original artistry and features at much lower cost.
Windows are another issue to spend some timedoing your homework. Window companies are quick to point out a laundry list of why their new products are superior. But listen to an old-time carpenter before you decide. The money you save by repairing windows can be substantial and more effectively invested into wall and attic insulation that will produce the same or greater energy savings.
The key to preservation is to learn from others!
Resources
Listed below are current websites that may be helpful as you plan your restoration work. Please note that the Guild does not endorse any of these but merely provide them as websites to explore:
Bob Vila https://www.bobvila.com
Historic Directory – https://www.preservationdirectory.com
National Park Service – https://www.nps.gov/tps/standards/four-treatments.htm
Dumptsters.com – https://www.dumpsters.com/blog/how-to-restore-a-historic-building
Old House Online – https://www.oldhouseonline.com
The Craftsman Blog – https://thecraftsmanblog.com
Real Homes – https://www.realhomes.com
True Value – https://www.truevalue.com
Traditional Building – https://www.traditionalbuilding.com
Cincinnati Historic Homes – https://cincinnatihistorichomes.com
Costimates – https://www.costimates.com/g/best-home-improvement-websites/
Remember to work with Sandusky City for building permits, resources and available funding for building repairs and improvements:
Building Department – https://www.ci.sandusky.oh.us/departments/building
Code Compliance – https://www.ci.sandusky.oh.us/departments/code_compliance
Housing Repair Funding – https://www.ci.sandusky.oh.us/departments/development
Preservation How To’s
Windows
5 Reasons to Your Keep Historic Wood Windows:
Window Restoration from Start to Finish | This Old House:
How to Replace Window Sash Cords – Sash Weight to Cord:
Doors
How to Restore Historic Pocket Doors | This Old House:
How to Restore Antique Hardware with Meegan Czop:
Historic mortise lock repair. Getting your historic hardware working!:
How To Fix A Sagging And Rubbing Door That Won’t Close! 5 Tips & Tricks That Works! DIY Tutorial!:
Floors
How To Sand & Refinish Hardwood Floors:
How to Patch Hardwood Floor | Every Step:
How To Replace Subfloor In An Old House:
DIY: How to level a uneven, wavy, or sloping wood floor:
Walls/Ceilings
How to Repair Plaster Walls | This Old House:
How to Fix a Plaster Wall Crack (small cracks):
How to Patch a Plaster and Lath Ceiling | Ask This Old House:
Renewing an Old Broken Ceiling Rose:
Watch This Before Fixing Cracked Plaster Ceiling Rose:
Bathrooms
How to Refinish an Antique Tub | This Old House:
Amazing 100 Year Old Quarry Tile Restoration | How To Clean Quarry Tiles:
How to clean tiled floors:
Restoring Our Victorian : Episode 7 – Vintage Bathroom Makeover. 2 Weekends & $500 – Part 1:
$500 Vintage Bathroom Remodel : Restoring Our Victorian Episode 8:
Old Electrical Wiring
Expert Electric About Knob & Tube Wiring: