Is there a good site for building restoration issues? Things like how to get 100 years of paint off plaster moulding on ceilings and walls, how to make casts of them after their cleaned up, so they can be duplicated, where to go to replace 100 year old embossed wallpaper, etc.
I build, but I prefer to restore, where possible.
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Old House Journal used to deal with such things ...
but I haven't really read thru one in a long time .. so not sure if they still do.
I'll also say ... I absolutely hated the Old House Journal the coupla times I tried it ... many years back. Maybe it's changed ... but way too much diy and weekend handyman info given out .... at the time ... I'd say more than half of what I read was completely wrong ... and at least a quarter more just plain opinion with no facts to back it up.
Maybe it's changed ...it could be a great site for the type of info you seek ....
but unless you find a pro slanted restoration site ... you're just gonna get what just happended for that guy last weekend ... and something that works once ... isn't always the right way.
Let us know what you find, will ya.
Jeff
Buck Construction, llc Pittsburgh,PA
Artistry in Carpentry
Old House Journal still looks like weekend handyman stuff -- and lots of ads for reproduction scrollwork, stencils, wallpaper, and hardware. I bought the current issue to check it out.
http://www.traditional-building.com seems to have more useful information, even though it's mostly ads, too. So much info that it's difficult to wade thru it all at times.
Thanks.
Thanks for the update .....
I just looked at a 100 some year old "pig pen" ....
a 25 x 35 barn/out building that the new farm owners want converted into an artists shop area ....
rule number one is to change as little as possible ...
so I may be needing some "restoration" info myself soon ....
JeffBuck Construction, llc Pittsburgh,PA
Artistry in Carpentry
An old barn? What fun! Is Pittsburgh north of the termites? ;-)
First thing I'd ask the owners is: Do you want the barnwood on the outside, so the place looks quaint as you drive up, or do you want it on the inside, where you can use it as paneling? A drafty old barn is more work than building a new one.
But I can understand the romance of an old building. I'm a shameless "old building hugger" myself. Restore, Reuse.
And it'd be an interesting design challenge!
Best of Luck!
Mike
Here's a place to start.
http://www.oldhouseweb.com
ShelleyinNM