[MassHistPres] Restoring windows and lead paint issues

[jade]

today's lumber is mostly farm/forced grown wood...it is far inferior to lumber available even 75 years ago...new window frames--whether all wood or vinyl/aluminum clad--are made with finger jointed wood as is a lot of the trim...a new window made from spanish cedar or mahogany and with mortise and tenon joinery will offer a century or more of service if properly maintained...of course the product's longevity will be reflected in its price...

looking at the long term scenario, restoration of windows from the 1940's and before is by far the best investment, financially and environmentally...

jade mortimer
  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: Marcia Starkey 
  To: Dennis De Witt ; MHC MHC listserve 
  Sent: Tuesday, December 29, 2009 11:35 AM
  Subject: Re: [MassHistPres] Restoring windows and lead paint issues


  Is wood window sash an acceptable compromise to reduce the use of synthetic 
  materials, promote beneficial industries and forest management? (you can 
  always tell these folks from western Mass.)
  Marcia Starkey
  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: "Dennis De Witt" <djd184 at verizon.net>
  To: "MHC MHC listserve" <masshistpres at cs.umb.edu>
  Sent: Monday, December 28, 2009 9:56 AM
  Subject: Re: [MassHistPres] Restoring windows and lead paint issues


  > Jeff's comments are consistent with a couple of affordable housing 
  > projects I have seen.  I would also note that, if there are good tight 
  > storms in place, the space can be occupied, even in the winter, with the 
  > sash temporarily out.
  >
  > Dennis De Witt
  >
  >
  > On Dec 28, 2009, at 9:44 AM, Jeff Levine wrote:
  >
  >> As someone who has gone through the lead abatement process in more than
  >> one house, here is what I have heard from lead inspectors (not the
  >> contractors, but the ones that do the initial and final inspections.)
  >>
  >> If the window or door is shown to be bare of wood when the process is
  >> complete, they will pass the item as abated, whether or not there is
  >> remaining lead in the wood from a chemical process. They should make a
  >> note in the final inspection report that the item was stripped to bare
  >> wood so a future inspector would understand that new paint does not
  >> invalidate that abatement. It is not complicated nor is it discriminatory
  >> against retaining old windows or doors.
  >>
  >> These were both reputable inspectors who seemed to know the law and
  >> practice backward and forward. Unfortunately, the practice changes
  >> constantly so there is no guarantee that notes on the inspection report
  >> will count in the future as "abated", but you have to hope that future
  >> inspectors would be reasonable. I have found that inspectors tend to 
  >> trust
  >> reports from past inspectors, so I personally am not worried about it.
  >>
  >> The more complicated part of removing old windows to abate is that it
  >> usually takes longer than just popping in a new window, so it may
  >> complicate getting back into the unit. If its vacant for a month or two
  >> that may not matter, but often units are already occupied and therefore
  >> every day out of the unit is another day in a hotel, with friends, etc.
  >> With small kids that can be a big hassle, and therefore often owners
  >> choose to replace rather than strip. In the long run, stripping is often
  >> the better choice if residents are willing to deal with the extra
  >> inconvenience.
  >> ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  >> Jeff Levine, AICP
  >> Director
  >> Department of Planning and Community Development
  >> Town of Brookline
  >> 333 Washington Street Third Floor
  >> Brookline, MA
  >>
  >> 617-730-2130 (v)
  >> 617-730-2442 (f)
  >>
  >> Email:    jlevine at brooklinema.gov
  >> www:  http://www.brooklinema.gov/Planning/
  >>
  >> Please remember the Secretary of State considers email a public record.
  >>
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