• Old House Wood Windows
  Windows are an important architectural element in old houses. Here\'s to restore them.


• Ask The Old-House Doctor
  How can I revive my scuffed hardwood floors?


• Architectural or Historical Significance
  Evaluating the significance of windows is the first step in planning for window treatments.


• Ask The Old-House Doctor
  We're first-time buyers. Does sweat equity pay off?


• How to buy (and use) ladders
  Any fall can be serious, and a fall from the height of even a low ladder can mean a painful injury.


• Ask The Old-House Doctor
  Should you be concerned about the synthetic stucco (EIFS) on your house?


• Physical Evaluation
  The key to successful planning for window treatments is a careful evaluation of existing conditions.


• Routine Maintenance
  Repairs to wooden windows are usually labor intensive but relatively uncomplicated.


• Stabilization of deteriorated windows
  Even badly damaged windows can be repaired using simple processes


• Historic Window Repair
  How to repair or replace badly deteriorated windows in older houses


• Weatherization of historic windows
  Windows should be made as energy efficient as possible by the use of appropriate weatherstripping


• Replacing windows in older & historic houses
  How to choose replacement windows when retaining the originals isn't an option.


• Introduction: Preserving Historic Ornamental Plaster
  Ornamental plaster flourished from the mid-18th century to the early 20th century.


• The Ornamental Plaster Trade
  The people who made plasterwork -- and the forms they used.


• Causes of Ornamental Plaster Damage
  A primer on repairing plaster walls & ceilings, plus their ornamental trim.


• Stabilizing Deteriorating Plaster
  Treatments such as shoring, stabilization, and limited demolition.


• Ask The Old-House Doctor
  What to do about steel casement windows.


• Ask The Old-House Doctor
  Here's how to paint dark or worn kitchen cabinets.


• Ask The Old-House Doctor
  How can I add a second phone line for a computer?


• The Preservation and Repair of Historic Clay Tile Roofs
  The Preservation and Repair of Historic Clay Tile Roofs


• Roofing for Historic Buildings (Introduction)
  A weather-tight roof is basic in the preservation of a structure, regardless of its age, size, or design.


• Types of historic residential roofing
  Slate, clay tile, metal and wood shingles were among the most prevalent materials for pre-20th century roofs.


• Assessing problems with older roofs
  Older roofs can wear out - but they also can suffer from problems that can be corrected.


• Historic Roofs: Repair or Replace?
  Understanding weaknesses of roofing material also requires knowledge of repair difficulties.


• Replacing an historic roof
  With some exceptions, most historic roofing materials are available today. But you may need an alternative.


• Maintaining historic roofs
  Advice on upkeep for historic roofs, plus thoughts on stabilizing a roof before it can be repaired.


• If A Fire Strikes ... Escape Fast!
  Could your family survive a fire?


• Smoke Detectors For Your Home
  Face it: You need smoke detectors. Here are tips on what to look for.


• Hand Portable Fire Extinguishers
  Selection, Use and Maintenance


• Purchasing and Installing A Smoke Detector
  How to shop for a smoke detector, and where to install them.


• Repairing Historic Flat Plaster Walls and Ceilings (Introduction)
  Historical Background


• Repairing Historic Flat Plaster Walls and Ceilings (Part A)
  Common Plaster Problems


• Repairing Historic Flat Plaster Walls and Ceilings (Part B)
  Repairing Historic Plaster


• Repairing Historic Flat Plaster Walls and Ceilings (Part C)
  When Damaged Plaster Cannot be Repaired: Replacement Options


• Repairing Historic Flat Plaster Walls and Ceilings (Part D)
  Summary


• Repairing Historic Flat Plaster Walls and Ceilings (Part E)
  Plaster Terms


• COUNT RUMFORD'S LEGACY
  We remember him as Count Rumford, inventor of attractive, efficient fireplaces that produce lots of heat and little smoke


• CLEANING HISTORIC GLASS
  From The U.S. General Services Administration Historic Preservation Technical Procedures Manual


• Treatment for Condensation on Historic Glass and Storm Sash
  Adapted From The U.S. General Services Administration Historic Preservation Technical Procedures Manual


• Repairing Out-of-Plumb Pocket Doors
  From the U.S. General Services Administration, here is a step-by-step how-to article.


• Repairing Balky or Binding Pocket Doors
  From the U.S. General Services Administration, a step-by-step how-to on binding pocket doors.


• Repairing Pocket Door Hardware, Including Tracks & Stops
  From the U.S. General Services Administration, a step-by-step how-to on repairing pocket door hardware


• How to Bleach Stains on Wood Floors
  From the U.S. General Services Administration, a step-by-step how-to on bleaching floor stains.


• Spot Cleaning Stains on Wood Floors
  Guidance on removing spots, marks, grease and oil stains, mold or mildew, and wax or chewing gum.


• Preservation of Historic Adobe Buildings
  The traditional materials and construction of adobe buildings and the causes of adobe deterioration.


• The Preservation and Repair of Historic Stucco
  Successful stucco repair requires skill and experience. Here are pointers.


• Silencing squeaky stairs
  Tips on silencing squeaky wood stair treads. Several methods are described.


• Repairing a Wobbly Wooden Handrail
  Guidance on securing a loose wood handrail.


• Repairing Weather Checks in a Wood Window Sill
  Here's a how-to primer from the U.S. General Services' historic preservation manuals.


• How to Clean Stains from Marble
  There are ways to bring marble back to nearly its original brightness.


• Old-House Lumber & Framing Systems
  Balloon Framing Details


• Holding the Line: Controlling Unwanted Moisture in Historic Buildings
  Uncontrolled moisture is the most prevalent cause of deterioration in older and historic buildings.


• Intro: New Exterior Additions to Historic Buildings
  A new addition should be constructed in a manner that preserves the historic character.


• Making Historic Properties Accessible
  Access to historic properties open to the public is now a civil right. Here's how to do it right.


• Appropriate Methods for Reducing Lead-Paint Hazards in Historic Housing
  Almost every historic house contains some lead-based paint. Here's how to deal with it.


• The Preservation of Historic Signs
  Signs are everywhere. They identify. They direct and decorate. They promote, inform, and advertise.


• The Preservation of Historic Barns
  Barns evoke a sense of tradition and security, of closeness to the land and to the people who built them.


• The Maintenance and Repair of Architectural Cast Iron
  Guidance on approaches to the preservation and restoration of historic cast iron.


• Mothballing Historic Buildings
  When all means of finding a productive use for a historic building have been exhausted . . .


• Removing Graffiti from Historic Masonry (Intro)
  Identifying the Graffiti and the Masonry


• Removing Graffiti from Historic Masonry (Part A)
  Identifying the Graffiti and the Masonry


• Removing Graffiti from Historic Masonry (Part B)
  Graffiti Removal Methods and Materials


• Removing Graffiti from Historic Masonry (Part C)
  Testing


• Removing Graffiti from Historic Masonry (Part D)
  Health and Safety Considerations


• Removing Graffiti from Historic Masonry (Part E)
  Environmental Considerations


• Removing Graffiti from Historic Masonry (Part F)
  Barrier Coatings


• Removing Graffiti from Historic Masonry (Part G)
  Preventing and Controlling Graffiti


• Removing Graffiti from Historic Masonry (Part H)
  Summary, Selected Readings, and Development of a Treatment Plants


• Suggestions for Removing Graffiti from Historic Masonry (Part I)
  Suggestions for Removing Graffiti from Historic Masonry


• Preserving Historic Ceramic Tile Floors
  A description & history of ceramic floor tiles; summary of installation & maintenance techniques.


• Painting Historic Interiors
  Types of old paint; how to prep and prime; how to apply paints; what hazards to watch out for.


• The Repair, Replacement, and Maintenance of Historic Slate Roofs
  Learn how to repair & replace slate roofs, where slate comes from, how to maintain these roofs and more.


• Heating, Ventilating, and Cooling Historic Buildings
  Climate Control and Preservation, Planning A New System, Overview of HVAC Systems, HVAC Do's and Don'ts


• The Preservation and Repair of Historic Log Buildings
  A concise history and description of American log buildings, plus guidance on preservation and maintenance.


• Exterior Paint Problems on Historic Woodwork & Siding
  Purposes of Exterior Paint, Paint Removal Precautions & Techniques, How to Repaint Historic Buildings


• Applied Decoration for Historic Interiors: Preserving Composition Ornament
  Composition or "compo" was designed to deceive the eye. Here's how to save this interesting substitute.


• Rehabilitating Interiors in Historic Buildings
  Identifying interior elements; how to rehabilitate historic interiors; protecting interiors during work.


• The Preservation of Historic Glazed Architectural Terra-Cotta
  What it is; common deterioration problems; how to maintain, repair and replace it.


• Architectural Character: Identifying the Visual Aspects of Historic Buildings
  Use this story to identifying the visual aspects of historic huildings as an aid to preserving their character.


• The Cleaning and Waterproof Coating of Masonry Buildings
  Inappropriate cleaning and waterproofing causes deterioration. Here's how to do it right.


• Schedule of Normal Life
  Ever wonder how long various systems last in an average home? So did researchers at Freddie Mac.


• Estimated Remodeling and Repair Costs
  What do a variety of common remodeling jobs actually cost? From Freddie Mac, here are helpful numbers.


• A Glossary of Home Inspection Terms
  Buying a House? From Freddie Mac, here is a glossary of terms your inspector may mention.


• Understanding Old Buildings: The Process of Architectural Investigation
  The critical first step in planning a restoration is understanding how a building has changed over time.


• Ask The Old-House Doctor
  Are old houses really more expensive to own and maintain?


• Ask The Old-House Doctor
  How much should we budget for maintenance and repairs?


• Ask The Old-House Doctor
  Do you need to repaint your house -- or will a washing suffice?


• Ask The Old-House Doctor
  Are old fuse boxes a fire hazard?


• Ask The Old-House Doctor
  I need to fix a number of cracks in the plaster walls of my house. Any tips?


• Ask The Old-House Doctor
  The plaster walls in my house have loose spots. How can I fix them?


• Lead Contamination in the Home
  Lead poisoning is a threat, especially to young children. This story explores sources of lead in the home


• Wood Rot
  The key to preventing rot is to control the wood's exposure to moisture and to employ a treatment program.


• Quick Home Test Can Measure Radon
  If you're buying a house, ask for a radon check the same as you would a termite inspection.


• Fighting high energy costs
  Want to trim monthly energy expenses in your old house? Here are some quick tips.


• What To Look For When Buying New Appliances
  Energy efficiency outranks all features except performance when people shop for appliance, according to study


• How to Repair a Binding Wood Door
  Causes of a binding door may include paint build-up, swelling of the wood, loose hinges or worn hinge pins.


• Ask The Old-House Doctor
  Solving the bouncy floor problem


• Barn Kitchen
  A new kitchen that looks like it belongs in a barn.


• So Much for that '60s Look
  The rest of the house was filled with touches of the Craftsman era. Now the kitchen is, too.


• New Exterior Additions to Historic Buildings (Part B)
  Tips on preserving a building's historic character while adding on.


• New Exterior Additions to Historic Buildings (Part C)
  Protecting the Historical Significance: Making a Visual Distinction Between Old and New


• New Exterior Additions to Historic Buildings (Part D)
  Concluding Thoughts & Added Reading


• Choosing room-sized air conditioners
  Buying a bigger air conditioner might not make you more comfortable. Here's why, along with other money-saving tips.


• Quick Tips for Keeping Cool
  Looking to cut energy costs while still staying cool this summer? Start here


• Island Adventure
  A large custom-shaped island takes center stage in this newly improved family kitchen.


• Testing The Water
  Do you have a home well? Here are tips on how to make sure the water you drink is safe.


• Fighting Mildew
  What's a good way to remove mildew from outdoor surfaces?


• Water Quality: Making Sure It's Safe
  Water quality isn't something to be taken for granted, especially for people who have a well or cistern.


• Comparative Mortgage Calculator
  Use this mortgage calculator to compare payments for mortgages of different terms and interest rates.


• Something Old, Something New
  The challenge: Reusing an existing set of 30-year-old cabinets.


• Historic Tudor: Second Time's a Charm
  A 1970s makeover in this historic Tudor home had left this kitchen with too many flaws.


• Tudor Show Home Kitchen
  Part of a 26-room 1914 English Tudor, this fully-modernized kitchen is made to fit the Old-World style of its home.


• The Old-House Kitchen
  Scenes from 1930s and 40s Kitchens


• The Old-House Kitchen
  Scenes from 1930s and 40s Kitchens: Real Life


• Common types of American barns
  We look at Dutch barns, crib barns, round barns and more.


• How to maintain, preserve or repair older barns
  Before working on your old barn, study it thoroughly to understand its history and needs.


• Using old barns as housing
  Barns as houses aren't new; but converting one is a radical step.


• Barns: Additional resources
  From the National Park Service, here are pointers to additional information about old barns


• Barns: Personal Reflections
  Reminiscing about childhood hours in a grandfather's barn


• How to save a Maine ghost town?
  "An East Coast version of an Old West ghost town."


• An elegant study
  Here's a new room with handcrafted touches from the 19th century.


• Home is where the hearth is
  A first-person account of lovingly stripping and restoring a 100-year-old mantel -- complete with how-to tips


• Restoring a fireplace mantel (Sidebar)
  From Rose Thornton's school of hard knocks, tips on how to strip and restore a mantel


• Home is where the hearth is (continued)
  A first-person account of lovingly stripping and restoring a 100-year-old mantel -- complete with how-to tips


• Common nail sizes
  Can't remember which nail is how long? You're not alone.


• Concrete floor slabs on ground
  A primer, with illustrations, on the parts of a slab foundation


• Sears Modern Homes
  Part 3: How to spot and identify catalog houses


• The dangers of replacing too much historical material
  If historic features are deteriorated and missing, DON'T end up with an all new building!


• Loss of interior finishes
  If it was unpainted historically, DON'T paint it ... If it was painted historically, DON'T strip it!


• Loss of a distinctive rear elevation
  If it's a historically distinctive side or rear elevation, DON'T damage, destroy, or hide it!


• Porch alteration
  If the porch is a prominent feature, DON'T alter it!


• Window alteration
  If historic windows need to be replaced, DON'T install different looking new windows!


• Loss of a significant building site
  If landscape materials and features are historically distinctive, DON'T destroy them!


• Subdividing a large significant interior space
  If a large interior space is significant, DON'T subdivide it and DON'T destroy distinctive features!


• Inappropriate rooftop addition
  DON'T put on a new addition that changes the building's historic character!


• Montgomery County...Fair-ing Well
  A glimpse into a simpler time ... in the heart of the Washington, D.C. suburbs


• Montgomery County...Fair-ing Well (part 2)
  What is it?


• Montgomery County...Fair-ing Well (part 3)
  The historic fruitcake


• Montgomery County...Fair-ing Well (part 4)
  Checkers in front of the pot-bellied stove, and other memories.


• How to find a good appliance repairman
  It's Saturday morning ... and Mr. Washer is feeling unwell


• Montgomery County...Fair-ing Well (part 5)
  Boys with their toys...


• Hurricanes: How to prepare
  An average of five hurricanes strike the United States coastline every three years...


• Patching large holes in plaster with drywall
  When large sections of plaster are missing, drywall patches can be used as a base.


• Cleaning and stripping paint from plaster surfaces
  Guidance on cleaning and chemically removing paint from existing plaster surfaces.


• Removing efflorescence from plaster
  If you've got something looking like fluffy powder on your plaster walls, here is the cure.


• Ask The Old-House Doctor
  I'm searching for a recipe for making whitewash. Can you help?


• How air conditioning changed America
  It opened the South to development -- but spelled an end to the front porch.


• Clogged drains? Try these ideas
  Some tips from the American Society of Home Inspectors


• Wood siding how-to -- Intro
  An illustrated look at how to install clapboards and other beveled wood siding.


• Wood siding how-to -- Part A -- Installing bevel siding
  How to determine exposures, nailing patterns, etc.


• Wood siding how-to -- Part B -- Corner Details
  Corner details for installing clapboards and other beveled siding


• Cant strip to Crown Molding
  Our glossary of housing terms


• Dado to Ducts
  Our glossary of housing terms


• Eaves to Furring
  Our glossary of housing terms


• Header to Interior Finish
  Our glossary of housing terms


• Natural Finish to Outrigger
  Our glossary of housing terms


• Saddle to Suspended Ceiling
  Our glossary of housing terms


• Tail Beam to Turpentine
  Our glossary of housing terms


• Undercoat to Wood Rays
  Our glossary of housing terms


• Fireplaces: A construction primer
  A fireplace that draws improperly is no asset. Here are design & construction basics.


• The high-tech old house
  A primer exploring the basics of wiring a home for computers & other high tech applications.


• Air-Dried Lumber to Attic Ventilators
  Our glossary of housing terms


• Backhand to Butt Joint
  Our glossary of housing terms


• Gable to Gypsum
  Our glossary of housing terms


• Jack Rafter to Lumber Types
  Our glossary of housing terms


• Mantel to Muntin
  Our glossary of housing terms


• Paint to Putty
  Our glossary of housing terms


• Quarter Round to Rubber-emulsion
  Our glossary of housing terms


• A house restored
  Thinking about restoring an old house? "The return will be worth it," says Dee Weisz.


• Ken & Deb's Victorian
  Old House Web's publishers tackle an 1878 Victorian.


• St. Augustine: America's first city
  Founded in 1565, this city has been inhabited ever since. A tour of its houses offers a window to our past.


• St. Augustine: America's first city (Part 2)
  St. Augustine's oldest house


• St. Augustine: America's first city (Part 3)
  More houses in America's oldest city


• St. Augustine: America's first city (Part 4)
  The Ponce de Leon Hotel


• St. Augustine: America's first city (Part 5)
  How to get there, where to stay, what to see.


• Home Repair Schemes Can Be Costly
  Tips on avoiding con artists out to make a quick dollar


• Healthy indoor air
  Tips from New Mexico State University experts on how to make indoor air as healthy as possible


• Home is where the hearth is
  A first-person account of lovingly stripping and restoring a 100-year-old mantel -- complete with how-to tips


• Treating flood-damaged older and historic buildings
  Timely advice from the National Trust for Historic Preservation on saving flood-damaged buildings


• Touring Mr. Lincoln's House
  A U.S. National Historic Site in Springfield, Illinois, this is the only home Abe Lincoln ever owned.


• Touring Mr. Lincoln's House: Inside the home today
  A room-by-room visual tour of the house restored to its 1860 appearance.


• Touring Mr. Lincoln's House: Photos through the years
  Photographs and drawings from the 1850s onwardof Lincoln's only home.


• Touring Mr. Lincoln's House: Ways & Means
  Information on visiting the Lincoln Home National Historic Site in Springfield, Illinois.


• Touring Mr. Lincoln's House: Inside the home today (cont...)
  A room-by-room visual tour of the house restored to its 1860 appearance.


• Thanksgiving on the Nebraska Frontier
  Or, 'Why I don't like Sorghum or Onions,' as told by a settler of the Nebraska frontier


• Steve's House: An Introduction
  Follow along as Steve Ciccarelli renovates a turn-of-the century Victorian home in Virginia


• 2) Steve's House: An Introductory Tour
  Steve Ciccarelli offers a first-peek tour of the house he'll restore


• Wood floor repairs
  How to replace a damaged subfloor under tongue and groove wood flooring.


• Christmas as it once was
  It's 1939 -- and Miss Ella Bartlett recalls Christmases from her youth ...


• Let it shine -- safely
  Candles are as much a part of the holidays as mistletoe. Here's how to use them safely


• A house in good taste
  The siding job is a real treat, too.


• Christmas tree care
  Tips on caring for your Christmas tree.


• How old are America's houses?
  Our January 2000 poll asks OHW visitors the age of their houses. Here's how the results compare with U.S. housing in general


• Installing base and ceiling mouldings
  The simple secret to good work? Coping inside joints.


• 3) Steve's House -- The work begins
  It's mid-November, the house now belongs to Steve, and demolition is underway ...


• Gravity hot-water heating
  From a leading expert, everything you've ever wanted to know about hot-water heating.


• Gravity hot-water heating (continued)
  How to modernize a system, plus many more tips & answers


• Dust, debris and decisions
  The two upstairs apartments are gutted and work begins downstairs.


• Double-hung window construction
  Here's a brief story that explores how double-hung windows are put together.


• Christmas 1999: New walls, old hauls
  How the Ciccarellis spent their Christmas vacation. Hint: It wasn't at a ski resort.


• From the Bottom to the Top
  The Ciccarellis turn their attention to the cellar and the attic of the Victorian they are restoring.


• A postcard from the Indian River
  Meandering along Florida's Indian River, avoiding a northern snow storm


• Flues and Winter Blues
  The Ciccarellis discover that renovating their Victorian in the middle of winter is tough going


• Cold, wet nights
  Mistakes turn out to be blessings in disguise as the Ciccarellis tackle plumbing and framing


• Intro: Rehabilitation vs. Remodeling
  From the U.S. National Park Service, a condensed guide to rehabilitating historic buildings


• Part 1: Defining the terms
  Preservation, rehabilitation, restoration, reconstruction


• Part 2: The 10 Commandments
  Key rules to follow when involved in a restoration project.


• Part 3: Standards for Rehabilitation
  Introduction to the Guidelines for Rehabilitating Historic Buildings


• Part 4: Identify, Retain and Preserve
  Identify, Retain and Preserve: The keys to rehabilitation of historic properties


• Historic Exteriors: Preserving wood
  Wood has played a central role in American building during every period and in every style


• Preserving & restoring historic roofs
  Historic roofing reflects availability of materials, levels of construction technology, weather, and cost.


• OOPS! ANOTHER SETBACK...
  The Ciccarellis learn the hard way that every decision has its risks when one of their chimneys comes tumbling down.


• Preserving and restoring old windows
  Another in a series of stories based on guidelines from the National Park Service and the U.S. Interior Department


• VOICES OF EXPERIENCE:
  The Ciccarellis: "Don't renovate in the winter; don't live in the house you're working on."


• DEMOLITION AND DETAILS
  Steve and Corby Ciccarelli plug away at details and begin the last of the demolition that will eventually bring their Victorian to its original splendor.


• Porches and Entrances
  Entrances and porches are quite often the focus of historic buildings, particularly on primary elevations.


• Turning the Corner
  With the demolition finished, the fun of rebuilding Steve and Corby Ciccarelli's house begins


• Forlorn and Neglected No More
  Undertaking the loving restoration of a Victorian-Gothic in Illinois.


• Additions to Historic Buildings
  An attached exterior addition may radically change the appearance of an historic building and should be considered carefully.


• Historic Exteriors: Brick and masonry
  Masonry is among the most durable of historic building materials, but it is also very susceptible to damage by improper maintenance or repair, and harsh or abrasive cleaning methods.


• Historical mechanical systems
  The 19th Century brought central heating as well as piped water and gas. Here are suggestions on what to preserve -- and how.


• Repairing plaster walls
  What do do when you've got a hole in the wall (or ceiling)


• Historical architectural metals
  Highly decorative architectural metal features, such as cast iron facades, porches, steps, and hardware, are important in defining the overall historic character of the building.


• Removing Tub Appliques
  Whatever method you use, first test your methods in an inconspicuous spot


• Salvaging the Past
  Finding treasures for an old house at ReStore, a salvage yard


• A spring postcard
  Spring arrives in the North and the Mid-Atlantic ...


• Panoramic maps
  Victorian America comes alive in this fascinating -- and wonderfully interactive -- series of 1,500 sketches.


• Energy efficiency in historic buildings
  Cupolas, shutters, sun rooms, porches, and other historic features also play a secondary energy-conserving role


• Baby, You've Got Style
  New looks for the nursery


• An Introduction
  Meet Nancy Platteborze, who is trying to save an old house with love, hard work and an appreciation of history


• How it all began
  What led me to my 1700s New England Large


• Project Capsule
  A brief outline of Nancy's efforts to buy and restore a 1700s New England Large


• Removing Asphalt Tile Adhesive
  Black asphalt adhesive isn't easy to remove -- but can be done. Here's how


• Radon in the home
  Facts about a colorless, odorless gas that can cause cancer.


• Removing rust or iron stains from bathroom fixtures
  Iron stains can be removed by a weak acid solution


• About The Old House Web
  Who we are, why we exist ...


• Awards & Honors
  A sampling of the awards and kudos we've received ...


• In the News
  Here are excerpts from stories about The Old House Web


• Contact Us
  How to contact The Old House Web team


• OHW Publisher Ken Holmes' bio
  Still seeking a cure from the old-house bug ...


• Advertising & Sponsorship Information
  Reach a highly niched, national audience at a price you can afford.


• Our privacy policy
  We strive to protect your personal privacy. Here are the policies we follow.


• Penniless and Hopeless
  Cash-poor but willing to pay in sweat equity, Nancy begins the search for her fixer-upper


• Restoring the Spangler Farmhouse
  The National Park Service follows its own guidelines in rehabilitating and preserving this 1850 Pennsylvania farmhouse


• Search The Boards
  Search thousands of messages on our bulletin board using this page.


• Tigers and reindeer and hares, Oh my!
  A postcard from the past: Glen Echo's famed Dentzel carousel, Art Deco buildings and more


• Postcard from the past
  Now an cultural arts park, Glen Echo was once a popular trolley amusement park


• Postcard from the past
  Glen Echo returns to its roots as a cultural arts park


• Plastering: An (almost) lost art
  The plaster walls of this 1830 farmhouse are restored from top to bottom by master craftsmen


• Needs T.L.C.
  Just a bit -- like sills, walls, ceilings, a kitchen. Talk about your overwhelming beginnings


• New England Large
  A look at this style of house and the town of Newburyport in its heyday as a seaport


• You and Me, Baby...
  My house and I were in the same boat: We'd stay afloat or go down together. These were very, very dark days.


• Plastering: An (almost) lost art
  Part Two: Preparing the house


• Plastering: An (almost) lost art
  Part Three: The plastering begins


• Plastering: An (almost) lost art
  Part Four: The final white coat


• Fourth of July, long ago
  "At night everybody turned out to see the fireworks -- Roman candles and set pieces, like the flag...


• Old Fort Western
  Along Maine's Kennebec River, this 1754 house and fort illustrates life on the New England frontier


• Caulking windows & doors
  Close up energy-sucking gaps -- and save money immediately


• Ductless, Split-System Air-Conditioners
  Here's an approach to consider in older houses where ductwork isn't feasible or desireable.


• Sizing Residential Heating and Air Conditioning Systems
  New systems are more efficient than the ones they replace. Size them right for comfort and savings.


• Second Thoughts? Never!
  William Hathaway Chapman fulfills a quest in purchasing his ancestral home -- sight unseen


• The Quest for Enon Hall
  How an ancestral home found its way back into family hands


• A Journal of Enon Hall
  Looking at From the Outside In: A diary of the efforts to acquire a 270-year-old estate in Virginia


• The Enon Hall Restoration Journal
  The Chapmans see the inside of Enon Hall for the first time


• The Enon Hall Restoration Journal
  Enon Hall's previous owner dies; Williamsburg research


• The Enon Hall Restoration Journal
  The Chapmans spend their first night in Enon Hall


• Starting over
  Left in the lurch by her first contractor, Nancy and her 1700s house begin their recovery


• Just give me white...
  ...she mumbled to the lumberyard clerk. So how did this 1700s Colonial end up with its distinctive "muted mulberry" clapboards?


• Concealing Uneven Walls
  I spent over a day repairing holes and cracks in a bedroom's plaster walls...


• Removing old wallpaper
  I'd like to preserve my original wallpaper...


• Windows on the past
  Carlinville, Illinois celebrates the country's largest collection of Sears kit homes


• A solid old house for $25,000
  Location, price and a bit of history are selling points for this Sears kit home


• Tiny white tiles and big soaking tubs
  This Sears mail-order kit home retains many original interior features


• The Carlin, No. 3031
  From Sears' 1918 catalog, here is the description of the Carlin, described as a house "for better class workers."


• Ladder safety
  How do I keep a ladder steady and secure?


• Paint problems?
  Here are causes of (and practical solutions to) conditions that wreck exterior paint.


• Exterior finishes for wood
  How to choose among wood finishes -- and how to apply them successfully


• Toilet troubles
  How to fix a toilet that runs, leaks or won't fill


• Removing rust stains
  With care, you may be able to remove rust stains from bath and kitchen fixtures


• Masking tape residue
  Help! How do I remove this sticky stuff from my windows?


• Fixing gaps between moulding and walls
  Here's a quick trick to fix a common problem: Gaps between crown moulding and old walls.


• Hanging objects from plaster walls
  From light objects to things fairly heavy, here are techniques that will work.


• That '50s look revisited
  Strong colors create a 1950s look -- but with all the modern 21st century conveniences.


• An updated pantry
  An updated pantry in a 1918 Gothic home.


• Dating an old house
  Curiosity and persistence help uncover the history of this 250-year-old house


• Dirty floors?
  Here are some home-made floor cleaners from the MSU Extension


• Into the abyss again
  Forced into quick action by a misguided plumber


• Staples in wood floors
  How to safely get rid of those pesky carpet staples without ruining your floors


• Got ghosts?
  Or maybe just a really scary old house...


• Finding a reputable contractor
  Here are some tips on hiring competent home improvement professionals


• Tip-Offs to Rip-Offs
  Not all contractors operate within the law -- Here are some tip-offs to potential rip-offs


• Interviewing potential contractors
  Asking questions before you sign a home improvement contract can help prevent problems


• Understanding Your Payment Options
  Some tips on securing financing for home improvement projects


• Spotting scams
  Beware of door-to-door home improvement salesmen bearing financing offers


• Who, what, where, when and how much?
  Getting the details of your remodeling project into a written contract


• Completing the job
  Before you make that final payment, use this checklist to make sure the job is complete


• When jobs go bad
  Some tips on resolving problems with home improvement projects


• Roof Flashing Details
  Flashing is the last line of defense against leaks. Here's how to do the job right.


• Cleaning woodwork
  Some elbow grease and the right cleanser may be all you need to get that old woodwork shining


• Repairing & replacing asphalt shingle roofs
  From the field, as well as research labs, a story about the best current thinking about materials & procedures.


• How long things last around the house
  And what to do to repair and maintain them in the meantime


• How long things last (part 2)
  And what do to maintain and repair them in the meantime.


• Home Again
  "Growing up at Pleasant Plains was like living in a Tom Sawyer novel," recalls Philip Dodds of his childhood on an Annapolis, Maryland, farm.


• Getting rid of glue residue on wood floors
  Before getting out the chemical strippers, try boiling water


• Freeze and pop
  Using dry ice to remove vinyl floor tiles


• Accessories to maximize access and storage
  Concentrate storage within the universal reach range' and near its point of use


• Have a safe sleep!
  From OHW's archives: A globe-trotting couple transforms an old bank into a retirement retreat.


• Popping gutter nails?
  Here are a couple of quick solutions


• Gutters and down spouts
  How to maintain gutter systems -- or choose and install new systems


• Insulation: The Facts
  Part 1: Why -- and what -- you should insulate


• Insulation: The Facts
  Part 2: Does your home need more insulation?


• Insulation: The Facts
  Part 3: Determining the R-Value You Need for an Existing House


• Insulation: The Facts
  Part 4: Air leaks and moisture reduce insulation's effectiveness


• Insulation: The Facts
  Part 5: What kind of insulation should you buy?


• Insulation: The Facts
  Part 6: Can you do insulation yourself?


• Insulation: The Facts
  Part 7: Doing your own insulation: Where to begin


• Insulation: The Facts
  Part 8: If you have insulation done by a professional


• Insulation: The Facts
  Part 9: Taking it further


• Drafty windows?
  Close those gaps around doors and windows for big heating cost paybacks


• Formulas for cleaning fireplace surfaces
  Here are some cleaning formulas that work well with elbow grease...


• Scary Stories
  Tales of otherworldly happenings submitted by our readers


• Scary Stories
  Can dogs see things we can't?


• Scary Stories
  Mysterious appearances at the theater


• Scary Stories
  Final farewells from loved ones


• Scary Stories
  "There might be something in the basement that would surprise you..."


• Scary Stories
  A house with a really bad past


• Scary Stories
  Murder in the kitchen


• Scary Stories
  Visits from "Uncle Truman"


• Scary Stories
  Hospital Hauntings


• Home moisture problems
  The same practices that trap heat in the home can result in damaging levels of moisture


• Moisture problems
  Attic ventilation critical to correcting moisture problems


• Moisture problems
  Correcting problems with crawl spaces and other moisture sources


• Moisture problems
  Control condensation by caulking and weather-stripping windows


• Moisture problems
  Here's how to repair common causes of wet basements


• Removing paint from door hardware
  The solution is just a boiling kettle away


• Washington slept here!
  Tales of hardship at Valley Forge abound, but even in 1777 rank had its privileges


• Warped door veneer?
  A little glue and pressure can solve this problem


• Tightening up windows
  What to look for in weather-stripping and storm windows


• Making doors more energy efficient
  A do-it-yourself guide to weather-stripping doors for homeowners


• Weather-stripping
  A primer on types of weather-stripping, their advantages and disadvantages


• Insulating walls
  Factors to consider when evaluating wall insulation


• Energy Checklist
  These items play a major role in the amount of money you spend on heating and cooling your home.


• Cleaning marble
  Take three or four cakes of Ivory soap...


• Thanksgiving
  The year was 1619 and the English colonists gave thanks for their ship's arrival on the banks of the James River...


• Removing old glazing
  What's the easiest and most effective way to remove glazing from old windows?


• History reclaimed!
  The "Painted Ladies" of Lafayette Square in St. Louis arise victorious for the third time


• The Victorians of Lafayette Square
  St. Louis neighborhood an early victim of its own success


• Hard times for Lafayette Square
  Age of blight follows devastating cyclone


• Lafayette Square
  Rising victorious from the ashes -- for a third time


• Lafayette Square today
  "One of the best Painted Ladies neighborhoods in the country..."


• Visit Lafayette Square
  Annual Holiday Parlor Tour features "haunted" houses


• Stripping wallpaper
  A fuzzy paint roller and plenty of water are the keys to this method


• Housing Styles: The Bungalow
  The house of the common man becomes an American classic.


• Smoke gets in your eyes...
  Here are some common causes and solutions to smoke problems with chimneys, stoves and fireplaces


• Painting fresh plaster
  There's a trick to getting paint to stick to new plaster


• Lighting the National Christmas Tree
  A tradition with every president since Calvin Coolidge


• Kerosene heaters
  Considering buying one of these portable heaters? You need to understand some safety rules first.


• Buying a kerosene heater?
  Here's what you should look for


• Space heater safety
  Don't compromise your safety to save on fuel costs


• Thawing frozen pipes
  Frozen pipes and old houses, alas, sometimes go hand-in-hand. Here's what to do if it happens to you.


• Val-Kill
  "The greatest thing I have learned is how good it is to come home again..."


• Need to hang a picture on plaster walls?
  Here's a way to locate studs when electronic finders fail


• Take control of your thermostat
  You can save some money now, even without replacing your thermostat


• Buyers' guide: Programmable thermostats
  Will turning your thermostat down save money? Should you get a programmable model? Here are some answers.


• Details: A Colonial Cooking Fireplace
  Architectural drawings and photos, past and present, of a 1700s Maine cooking fireplace.


• Buyers' guide: Radiant floor heating and cooling systems
  Use this guide to learn more about the types of radiant heating systems - plus whether these systems make sense for you.


• If these walls could talk...
  Excavating history from layers of wallpaper in a New York tenement house


• A museum to tenement life
  History of 97 Orchard Street revealed in photos and bits of wallpaper


• Painting Wicker
  Use an old appliance box to contain spray paint


• Housing Styles: Italianate, 1850-1890
  Brackets and wide cornices distinguish these Victorian homes


• Do-it-yourself home energy audits
  You can perform a simple energy audit yourself -- and it's the first step toward lowering your energy bills


• Sealing air leaks
  Test your home for air tightness and save 10 percent on heating bills


• Newel posts
  Drawings and photos of a variety of styles, from Colonial to Victorian


• Inspecting pitched roofs
  Here's what to look for when inspecting an older roof for leaks, wear and other problems.


• Low-pitched roofs
  How to identify potential trouble spots on flat (or nearly so) roofs


• Decks, porches and balconies
  How to inspect for current or potential trouble spots.


• Finding wall studs
  In modern homes they're spaced 16" apart. But how do you find the first stud?


• Staining and laquering woodwork
  Guidance on staining and lacquering damaged areas of previously stained and lacquered woodwork.


• Water-based clear finishes
  Raising the grain first will help you get perfect results


• Site drainage issues
  How to inspect the grounds of your old house for drainage questions.


• Windows and doors
  Here's how to inspect these complex systems from the outside for exterior defects.


• Housing Styles: Queen Anne 1880-1910 (Part 1)
  Elaborate Victorians captured imaginations, hearts of Americans


• Housing Styles: Queen Anne (Part 2)
  Popular Turn-of-Century houses had towers, rich ornamentation


• Housing Styles: Queen Anne (Part 3)
  Virginia family trades modern home for this jewel in the rough


• Removing mineral deposits
  Household white vinegar can remove this whitish mess from faucets, sinks


• Carpenter Ants
  Often confused with termites, these pests are more a nuisance than a danger to your house


• The Seismic Retrofit of Historic Buildings
  Keeping Preservation in the Forefront


• Protecting your property from earthquakes
  Inexpensive steps homeowners can take to prevent property damage


• Background about this series of stories
  The Residential Rehabilitation Inspection Guide


• Melt the ice, but save the plants
  Alternatives to plant-damaging ice melters


• Ants in the house
  Warm weather brings ants in -- here's how to get them out!


• Stone foundations - cause for concern?
  Common in old houses, stone foundations can be a source of trouble ... and need regular maintenance.


• Housing Styles: Saltbox 1650-1830
  Practical style defined by sloping gable roof


• Inspecting historic properties
  How to choose a home inspector qualified to evaluate an older home.


• Washing window screens
  Clean screens in no time with this simple method


• Historic wooden shingle roofs
  The repair and replacement of historic wooden shingle roofs


• Historic wooden shingle roofs
  Tradition and history of wood shingle roofs in America


• Historic wooden shingle roofs
  Detailing and installation techniques


• Historic wooden shingle roofs
  Specifications for the replacement roof


• Historic wooden shingle roofs
  Roofing practices to avoid


• Historic wooden shingle roofs
  How to maintain a wood roof


• Historic wooden shingle roofs
  Finding more information on wooden roofs


• Replacing an historic wooden barn roof
  Park crews rehab historic Pennsylvania barn -- shingle by shingle


• Polishing brass
  Some suggestions on cleaning really tarnished old brass...


• Prettiest Painted Places in America
  Winners of the second Paint Quality Institute Contest


• The 'other' chimney - the one serving your furnace
  What you need to know about inspecting, repairing and maintaining your heating system's chimney


• Termites, ants and other wood-destroying organisms
  Fungi, ants, beetles and other pests can destroy houses -- new or old. Here's how to identify these pests.


• South of the Border
  Betcha' can't drive past 200 miles of billboards without stopping in to see Pedro...


• Reaching new heights
  Tips on using ladders safely


• Evaluating your home's wiring system
  Is knob and tube wiring adequate for modern living? Is your home's electrical service panel adequate? Here's a guide to inspecting older wiring.


• Vernacular Farmhouse 1700-1910
  Simple and functional, this house often has a characteristic "L" or "T" shape


• Caulking
  Is there a trick - other than a steady hand - to calking well?


• First things first
  Quality exterior primers provide many benefits


• Wallpaper repairs
  Here's help and hope for loose and blistered wallpaper


• Synthetic slate: Fabulous fakes
  These slate look-alikes are lighter on your roof -- and your wallet -- than natural stone.


• Vintage stoves and refrigerators
  Georgia business specializes in restoring appliances from the 1920s to 1950s


• Moisture, insects, structural problems...
  The basement or crawl space is often the most revealing area in an older building


• Sagging floors
  Serious flaw or charming old house character?


• Painting radiators
  An old sock can make short work out of tight spaces


• Cleaning brass
  Olive oil will help maintain a shine


• Linoleum floors
  Tips on cleaning, maintenance


• Air conditioning
  Inspecting cooling systems


• Alternative cooling systems
  Inspecting geothermal systems, heat pumps, evaporative coolers


• Victorian porch
  Step by step instructions for creating this sawn baluster porch railing


• Old boilers - a cause for concern?
  Condition, not age, a primary consideration in evaluating older heating systems


• Bulging, bowing and cracking
  Inspecting the construction and condition of retaining walls


• Site improvements
  Checking landscaping, stairs and walkways for safety, condition


• Best practices: Vapor retarders and air infiltration barriers
  An overview of techniques for cutting drafts and installing vapor barriers in old work (or new).


• What to do about bouncy floors
  Solutions for sagging, bouncy floors in older houses


• Summertime pleasures
  An historic porch emerges from layers of "improvements" at Enon Hall


• Ceiling fans
  Reduce air conditioning costs by using fans wisely


• ''Nothing is plumb, level or square''
  At the Smithsonian's folklife festival, master craftsmen talk about restoring -- and loving -- old buildings


• False Front 1860-1905
  Giving buildings an illusion of grandeur


• Wood roofs
  Care and maintenance of cedar shakes and shingles


• Finding the history in your home
  Researchers offers tips and techniques on researching old houses


• 200 years of history
  Viewing the past through the kitchens and parlors of five Massachusetts families


• Keeping windows open
  Candle wax comes to the rescue with sticky windows


• Gutters and downspouts
  Inspection and regular cleaning key to healthy roof drainage


• Florida's Kingsley Plantation
  Part I: "Very comfortable habitation..." on the St. Johns River


• Florida's Kingsley Plantation
  Part II: Anna and Zephaniah Kingsley


• Popping nail heads?
  Here's how to fix this common problem


• Life expectancy
  How long should the components and systems in your home last?


• Preparing for inspection
  Get the most out of your house inspection with some early preparation


• Home Inspection: Checklist #1
  Examining the site of a house


• Home Inspection: Checklist #2
  Looking at possible trouble spots on the outside of your home


• Home inspection: Checklist #3
  Examining the home's interior


• Home inspection: Checklist #4
  Examining structural issues


• Home inspection: Checklist #5
  Electrical system


• Home inspection: Checklist #6
  Checking the plumbing in a house


• Home inspection: Checklist #7
  Heating, ventilation and air conditioning system


• Determining the Purpose of Investigation
  The Process of Architectural Investigation


• Investigators and Investigative Skills
  The Process of Architectural Investigation


• Original Construction and Later Changes
  The Process of Architectural Investigation


• Looking More Closely at Historic Building Materials and Features
  The Process of Architectural Investigation


• Conducting the Architectural Investigation
  The Process of Architectural Investigation


• After Weighing the Evidence
  The Process of Architectural Investigation


• Keeping a Responsible Record for Future Investigators
  The Process of Architectural Investigation


• Conclusion: The Process of Architectural Investigation
  The Process of Architectural Investigation


• Advertise in our Guide to Suppliers
  Preferred listings: Effective, affordable, easy.


• Safe drinking water
  From the FTC: How to avoid testing scams


• Weather-stripping
  A do-it-