PIONEERING EFFORTS
EARLY WINDOW RESTORATION HISTORY

In 1982, Gail Wallace's Company completed the first major window restoration project in Illinois. Most historic windows were replaced up until this time unless they were in such good condition that all that was required was painting. Restoration of windows with infirm wood or missing sections was not attempted.

Over 250 windows were restored for the St. Nicholas Hotel, a historic landmark located in Springfield, Illinois. The windows were stripped, holes filled, glazing redone, as well as extensive sanding and painting. The project involved multiple glazing methods such as retrofitting glass in existing sash, converting windows to insulating glass and reglazing originalsingle pane windows. The frames were repaired and painted.

Between 1983 and 1986, Ms Wallace completed historic applications for the Delaware Building, the Page Brother Building, which is part of the Chicago Theater Complex, the Manhattan Building and the Lakeside Press which later became known as Plymouth Lofts, all multiple story buildings in Chicago on the National or State Register.

The window restoration for the Delaware Building became a "Tech Note" and was incorporated into the "Window Handbook" published by the National Park Service. While all of the above applications were a good beginning, they were not a complete restoration process nor were the workmen who executed these projects focussed on historic restoration of windows.

REFINING THE WINDOW RESTORATION PROCESS

In 1987, Byron Wallace became the Technical Director of Restoration Work, Inc. and further developed the restoration process. His focus was to research and incorporate wood epoxy restoration techniques into the company services as well as further refining all of our other restoration steps.

At that time, w e became involved in developing a window restoration system for the Rookery, the jewel of the historic downtown office buildings in Chicago.

The team consisted of ourselves; Gunny Harboe, Architect for the project; and a team of architects from Columbia University's Preservation Program. All aspects of the window restoration process were scrutinized by the team, from stripping compounds, routing, glazing compounds, caulk, paint and epoxy restoration. The best restoration methods were selected and the result was that the 835 large, c ommercial wood windows were saved and perhaps more importantly, the method for all our subsequent work was developed.

The window restoration work was very well received and changed the thinking about windows on historic buildings in Illinois. The historic agencies would no longer allow windows to be replaced on buildings listed on a historic register. The Rookery project proved that large scale window restoration jobs are feasible and that original windows with original wood can be saved.

CONTINUING THE CHALLENGE

Restoration Works, Inc. has now completed many major projects listed on a National Historic Register or State Register. Many of these projects are listed under our References. The types of higher restoration skills that we have developed in the course of doing these projects are as follows:

WINDOW SYSTEMS
Knowledge of all types of older window systems, wood, construction methods, and hardware. We are familiar with all types of weatherstripping and balance systems including both the older systems and the latest technology.

The most common type of window we restore is the large, multi-lite, doublehung commercial wood window. However, we have done almost every type of historic window, including: 14' high large palladium windows; 12' high pivot windows; casements; double and triple hungs; awnings; hoppers; oriels; roundtops; gothic heads; radius corner; bowed; Queen Anne style; Lancets; and decorative windows such as Cameos; Fanlights; Wheels; Eyebrows; Foils; Oculus; and Lattice windows.

GLASS
We can provide any kind of glass for our clients and are able to cut glass of any shape or size. We are able to restore leaded glass with the appropriate caming, alloys and lead. We purchase insulating glass units that hold to a 5/16" sight line and are double sealed with a ten year warranty. If needed, we can make our own insulating glass for very delicate or unusual shapes.

MILLING
We have a shaper machine and miscellaneous saws to custom mill where required. We have developed an extensive collection of knives for older style brickmolds, interior stops and sticking for sash.

STRIPPING
We insist that the windows are stripped to bare wood to begin our restoration process to accomplish lead abatement, to provide for a smooth finish for the end product and to allow all of the infirmities in the wood to be evident. All Stripping is done very sensitively so as not to damage the wood.

EPOXY RESTORATION
We have used many brands of epoxy. We have chosen the West System because it is the most sophisticated and best meets our needs. We mix our epoxies to allow for different needed viscosities. We keep a range of fills so we can address any problem. If a stained finish is desired, we pigment the epoxy to blend in with a stained finish.

All sash receive three rounds of epoxy. The first addresses the structural requirements. All of the joints are pulled and redone. All old kerf cuts are filled since they are usually loose and worn. All major infirmities such as dry rot or missing sections of wood are epoxied and dutchmans are used where required. The window sash is squared.

The second round of epoxy addresses the aesthetics such as all of the holes, gouges, splinters and worn edges. The last round is done after glazing and addresses the fine lines such as the joint in the glazing stop.