[MassHistPres] MassHistPres Digest, Vol 37, Issue 1 Reading Town Hall Replacement Sills

[Robert Adam]

The comments that Jade has suggested are right. Window sills and other components according to the Secretary of the Interior's Standards should be replaced in-kind, not with plastic. The original material for the window is likely Eastern White Pine. Unfortunately it is difficult to find sound heartwood material today that will match. Substitute species such as Spanish Cedar and South American Mahogany are reasonable choices.
 
But, I would question the wholesale replacement of the entire sill. My experience is that window sills are likely to severely check or develop pockets of rot around ferrous fasteners and, generally do not require entire replacement.  Careful insitu repairs using in-kind wood "dutchmen" and/or possibly epoxy consolidation and prudent filling of checks along with  proper painting will continue the useful life of the original at generally far less cost.
 
The ripple effect of replacement can be significant including both additional exterior and interior work.  I suggest that each window be carefully surveyed to understand its condition and then develop an appropriate treatment.  
 
Robert Adam 
Preservation Services 
Shirley Center, Ma

--- On Tue, 3/3/09, masshistpres-request at cs.umb.edu <masshistpres-request at cs.umb.edu> wrote:

From: masshistpres-request at cs.umb.edu <masshistpres-request at cs.umb.edu>
Subject: MassHistPres Digest, Vol 37, Issue 1
To: masshistpres at cs.umb.edu
Date: Tuesday, March 3, 2009, 12:00 PM

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Today's Topics:

   1. Replacing exterior wooden window sills (DiFranzaDesigns at aol.com)
   2. Re: Replacing exterior wooden window sills (jade)


Good afternoon:
 
The Town of North Reading is considering replacing rotten exterior wooden window sills with a composite.  This replacement would be done on an 1875 Second Empire building.  Does anyone have experience using a composite in this way?  How does paint stand up on such a surface or does it require special paint?  I think the argument will be that it is more durable but is it REALLY more durable?
 
Thank you in advance for any thoughts.
 
Happy DiFranza, Chairman
North Reading Historic District Commission


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personally, i would suggest spanish cedar or pattern grade mahogany for this application...for preservation's sake;  for the dangers inherent in setting a precedent using a plastic product where the above wood species have proven themselves over hundreds of years...regardless of what manufacturers/marketers claim, vinyl and composites do require maintenance and are of inferior quality to wood that is properly maintained...
 
i understand why people want to go in the direction of composite use--it is marketed as easier to install and maintain and the claim is that it looks like the real thing...ask a firefighter if he/she would rather enter a burning wood structure or one with vinyl/composites...
 
what are the dimensions of the sills?  i can't imagine a 4" x 6" (or there-abouts) piece of composite would remain stable during extreme temperature changes and i know it won't stand up to uv over the long haul...
 
geez, do you think i have a bias???
 
jade mortimer
heartwood building & restoration
hawley, ma
413.339.4298
 
 
----- Original Message ----- 

From: DiFranzaDesigns at aol.com 
To: masshistpres at cs.umb.edu 
Sent: Monday, March 02, 2009 4:36 PM
Subject: [MassHistPres] Replacing exterior wooden window sills


Good afternoon:
 
The Town of North Reading is considering replacing rotten exterior wooden window sills with a composite.  This replacement would be done on an 1875 Second Empire building.  Does anyone have experience using a composite in this way?  How does paint stand up on such a surface or does it require special paint?  I think the argument will be that it is more durable but is it REALLY more durable?
 
Thank you in advance for any thoughts.
 
Happy DiFranza, Chairman
North Reading Historic District Commission


A Good Credit Score is 700 or Above. See yours in just 2 easy steps! 




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