Carolina Cabin: Homeowner Debi Chard encountered some unusual problems in the restoration of her 1880's cottage, not the least of which was the discovery that part of her house was being supported by a tree stump. Located across the harbor from Charleston, South Carolina, Chard's home was a blend of architectural styles due to its many additions over the years. With the help of contractors, electricians and her own creative problem solving abilities, Chard has returned the home to its charming origins.
Civil War Cabin: Since the additions over the years to their original two-story cabin in Appomattox County, Virginia, didn't stand the test of time, homeowners Ken and Jane White decided to strip the cabin down to it's original two rooms and build up from there. The cabin has been in the family since before the Civil War, so authenticity ranked high on the White's list. They enlisted the help of contractor Allan Howerton and wood chinking expert Pat Woody, and the experts used modern solutions to achieve a timeless look.
Tips, Terms and Tradesmen
In The Details: Wood Picker
Chuck Neely sees gold in old barns. As vice president of Antique Building Products, Neely supplies customers with heart pine, oak and other hardwoods by dismantling old barns with his crew of wood pickers.
How-To: Make Paint Stick
When it's time to paint your home's exterior, you want to make sure the paint job will last a long time. Follow these tips from Jon Cesafsky for properly preparing wood.
Start by cleaning the house with a solution of equal parts bleach and water. Let the house dry for 24 hours, then blast loose paint away with a power washer equipped with an oscillating head.
After allowing time to dry again, scrape away remaining paint and sand to get rid of fuzzy texture caused by the power washer. Treat bare wood with synthetic boiled linseed oil or an oil-based paint conditioner. Finally, slather on a thick coat of oil-based primer and caulk seams and cracks to keep water out.
Terms
- Ridge iron - A metal ridge cap that sits atop a roof.
- Bay stall - A seat built into a bay window. They're common in Queen Anne Victorian homes.
- Splay casing - Window casing that angles so its opening is larger near the wall than it is near the window.
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