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Removing Antique Woodwork

FLSeminarian | Posted in General Discussion on March 15, 2022 12:57pm

Potential clients were walking around outside their 100+ year old house and thought “Those are really nice stained glass windows in out dining room. Why can’t we see them from inside?” Whoever had done a remodel had just put furring strip on the plaster walls and sheetrocked right over them. Their initial response was to just cut through and tear away the sheetrock, which leaves raw holes around the windows.

My plan is to cut back the sheetrock far enough to allow me to remove the old trim, replace the sheetrock, fur out the window frames and reinstall the trim. I expect that the trim is probably a little brittle.

My memory is that sometime in the last year I have seen an article on the technique for removal of antique woodwork. Does anybody remember that? Was it here, JLC, or somewhere else?

Thanks.

Reply

Replies

  1. calvin | Mar 16, 2022 05:26am | #1

    Can’t remember any tip but…
    100 years old probably means no cut nails.
    An oscillating tool, utility knife, and a Red Devil flat bar with plenty of patience is what I have used. Remove in the reverse order of the install, or if possible, loosen and remove the whole casing assembly as one.

    Because of the new drywall, you probably have to extend the jamb out from the original. Depending on the original reveal of the casing to jamb, your extension could be a problem. Might be wise to consider placing your extension flush with the original casing inside edge first, then installing the whole shebang onto the original frame.

    You have a picture of how ornate the original might be? With luck you can remove it as one pc.

    edit: Are you still having problems signing into the forum?

  2. User avater
    2sheps | Mar 16, 2022 08:49am | #2

    I'm not sure I get the picture correctly but it may be possible to cut the drywall back to the outside edge of the casing and use a backband to frame the drywall opening.
    Not sure what the sill situation is however. That may remain a problem.
    Just a thought.

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