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Preserving History: Window Restoration Workshops at the Sweet House

 

CHP hosted two window restoration workshops led by Bob Yapp, a world-renowned preservationist with over 50 years of experience. Bob has contributed extensively to historic preservation through his articles, books, and restoration projects across the country. He also hosted the PBS program About Your House with Bob Yapp and currently teaches hands-on preservation at The Belvedere School in Hannibal, Missouri, as well as in workshops nationwide.  During the three-day workshop, attendees learned the art of restoring original wood windows at the Sweet House.

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The Restoration Process

 

Participants worked through a meticulous, hands-on process to bring the Sweet House’s historic windows back to their original condition:

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  • Sash & Jamb Preparation – All sashes were removed and stripped to bare wood, as were the window jambs.

  • Structural Repairs – Wobbly sashes were squared up and re-pinned. Severe damage was repaired using new wood or a Dutchman patch (where rotten wood is cut away and replaced with sound wood).

  • Weatherproofing – Sashes were planed and routed to fit t-strip metal weather-stripping, while rubber weather-stripping was placed at key contact points to eliminate drafts.

  • Finishing Touches – The sashes and jambs were primed, original panes of glass were reinstalled, and participants learned the proper technique for puttying window glass before reinstallation.

 

Through their efforts, participants fully restored the Sweet House’s windows, ensuring they will last another 150 years. Each attendee also gained valuable, hands-on experience in historic preservation.

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The Case for Saving Original Windows

 

During the workshop, Bob Yapp shared a staggering statistic: 32 million window sashes end up in landfills every year. Until about 10 years ago, almost all of these were original wood windows. Today, nearly one-third of discarded windows are less than 20 years old.

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Bob cautioned against believing claims by window manufacturers that new windows are cost-effective or energy-efficient. In fact, the Federal Trade Commission has fined multiple companies for fraudulent claims of 30-60% energy savings. The truth? Glass provides light and airflow, but not thermal performance.

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A compelling fact: Bob has rehabbed over 160 historic properties and has never replaced a window!

At the close of the workshop, Bob remarked:

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“I’m grateful to be around people who understand and care about what we are doing. It does matter. And preservation doesn’t cost; it pays you.”

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CHP couldn’t agree more!

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Window Restoration for All Homes

 

You don’t need to live in a 150-year-old house to benefit from window restoration. Many newer homes have wood windows that can—and should—be preserved rather than replaced.

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For more information about Bob Yapp and to learn why replacing wood windows with disposable alternatives is a mistake, visit:  https://bobyapp.com/

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