Finally! Got my wood hoarder dream property.

Looks awesome. Seems like you do things right and big!

 

I discovered blown in cellulose in the living room while doing a bit of plaster repair. I imagine they blew it in when they did the vinyl siding in the late 90’s. How much of the house was done I’m not sure. I had walls opened up upstairs and there was nothing so probably just the first floor. I did spray foam the upstairs exterior walls while I had them open. Plan is to spray the rim joists and possibly basement walls before winter.

Yes, most windows are original. There’s a few replacements upstairs but still probably from the 50’s. That’s a whole other level of project that we’re undecided on right now. I have a buddy who is a glazier who does mostly commercial historical projects who I’ve been talking to about it. Ideally I would love to keep the original windows as they’re gorgeous and vinyl replacement would just kill all the character. I have to decide what my time is worth though because there’s 42 windows on this place, do I want to be a full time window restorer or dad/husband? Maybe replace upstairs windows as they’re smaller and less seen and slowly over a few years restore the downstairs. Either way it will be a slow and tedious process that I will have to tackle myself because financially it’s not possible to pay someone. My glazier buddy says they get 800-1000 per window to restore! That’s removal, stripping and sanding sashes and frames, painting, re glazing, new sash cords, the whole nine. Then about 500 to restore the wooden storms. So your talking 50k on the low end to restore all the windows. He said he could help me along but he’s busy with life just like the rest of us.

 

Took the day off so here’s todays project.

Deck and garage are coming down to make way for a new pole barn. I want to save all the 2x8’s from deck for a wood shed but taking this old trex off is slow going, screws are all broken. May have to just cut everything up, we’ll see. Crew of buddies is coming Sunday to get the garage down.

 

Nice place you have there, plenty to keep you busy.

 

You can say that again. Or a few thousand more times.

 

All three chimneys getting some attention in the coming weeks. The big one needs to be taken down to the roofline! Every time I look at the house from that angle I’m bothered by the lack of windows above and to the right of the middle chimney. I can see myself cutting some holes and putting some windows in one day. Why not make it 45 windows!

 

Also gotta get that smallish ash trunk down. Whats biggest size chain can a 395 can pull, probably going to need to get whatever size that is. 30” ain’t gonna cut it!

 

I agree looks like that’s west side also..
I never understood more windows on north side vs south side etc

 

What a nice house! It’s lucky to have you taking care of it and bringing it up to snuff!

 

Really nice looking house. That new basement access really fits in with the rest of the house. That stump should provide you with a bit of firewood for the cold times.

 

love it very nice place,

 

Up to 42" is all good, after that the chain can get dry if milling. I ran a 50" once w/ my 48" mill maxed out in maple and it cut w/o problem but I had to aux oil the bar.

Cool little sun room/green house!

 

Use of felling wedges should keep it from sitting down on the bar.

 

red neck that and tie a rope around the top and pull on it with the pickup….


YouTube that thang as well when you do…

 

g60gti If the actual window frames are in good condition you can get window sash and modern type window balances to do away with the weight and cord ones. Marvin window (in Warroad MN.) is just one of the companies that can do this for you and they likely have a contact regionally for you. This wound be the easiest way to rehab your existing openings and you could do them a few at a time. New sash with insulated glass and proper balances and weatherstripping will make a huge difference in your energy consumption and overall comfort levels. The replacements will look just like your current ones.

 

Chimney project started yesterday. Mason slowly picked some of the chimney apart, got a better idea of exactly what he needs. Apparently the chimney wasn’t built with the proper amount of support for the crown so that’s a whole new issue. Also, he said it’s the most mortar packed into a chimney he’s seen, probably just had extra and packed it where they could. Pretty slow going first day. Also bet he’s being extra careful trying not to put a piece of brick through the greenhouse below. Feel like I’m living in “the money pit” movie right now. Always something!

 

It is the price to pay for older homes. Bringing them up to your standards costs and never ends. You are lucky the home wasn't built from odds and ends. Good luck.