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Welcome to Save America’s Windows. Learn how to care for your old and historic windows.

Mortise & Tenon podcast listeners:  Welcome! you can get the Save America’s Windows Book right over here:  Get the Book

What you will find in the menu items above:

News & Blog:  Recent developments here at the website, and out in the greater world of window preservation.

Forum:  Ask technical questions and get how-to advice about window work, post replies, seek guidance, help others, keep in touch. The forum is where I develop and write up new topics and methods for the next edition of the book. So, this is the place to find the latest on new techniques, methods and materials for window work.

Videos:  View all the videos mentioned in the book, and more!

Live Video Conference:  Talk live online with folks from around America who are saving their windows, via video, voice and text chat. You get direct immediate answers to your window questions at these monthly meetups.

Get the Book:  Order your own personal copy of the book right here.

Not sure what to do with your old windows? Leave a question or comment at the bottom of any page on this website.

take care, work safe and keep in touch

— John

20 Responses to Home

  1. Lee says:

    You might want to say a little more on your blog page on spring bronze weatherstripping about use of Malco TNP2R (or similar trim nail punches).
    http://saveamericaswindows.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=13&t=9
    While the retaining clip is certainly great in theory, I bought this tool on your recommendation and TNP2R is REALY large for the 3/4in nails either Kilian hardware sells separately or that MD includes with their spring bronze kits. In fact as it arrived, it was too large for the retaining clip to work even with the much bigger 2in and 2.5in hardwood trim nails (either new ones made by Maze, or the original ones I pulled out of my 1915 woodwork).

    I was able to remove the retaining clip and carefully bend it just so until now it would hold even the small 3/4in nails. However you might want to point out that this tool MAY NOT work with small-head trim nails right out of the package. The head of the TNP2R nail punch is so much larger than the head of the nail, I wonder what it’s going to look like in practice (making an indentation in the bronze/wood much larger than the nail head). You might also want to mention the clip can be replaced with part TNP2CL.

    I just downloaded the Malco catalog and found there is a smaller version TNP3S (without a retaining clip). (see p. 45)
    http://www.placide.ca/pdf/catalog/Malco_catalog_EN.pdf
    An Amazon review says even the TNP3S is kind of large for the nails used to attach spring bronze weatherstripping.
    http://www.amazon.com/Malco-Products-TNP3S-Small-Punch/product-reviews/B000IKNQ80/ref=dp_top_cm_cr_acr_txt?showViewpoints=1

    Thanks John. I’m still glad you let me know about this tool, but it’s been very frustrating for it to arrive and find it’s not very well suited to spring bronze nails. It took 1 & 1/2 hours of online research before I finally discovered enough about the tool that I found the smaller version plus found the TNP2R retaining clip is removable (so that it can be gently bent and modified).

    Lee

    • johnleeke says:

      Lee,

      Thanks for the detailed report on your experience with the Malco nail punch.

      I find that the Malco nail punch does work with the 7/8″ bronze nails as supplied by Accurate Metal Weatherstrip Co. (Accurate #660103). It holds the nails well and sets them just slightly below the surface of the surrounding weatherstrip without distorting the weatherstrip.

      I’ll update the info at the Forum to include your experience.

      Do you have a copy of my Save America’s Windows book? If not, I’ll send you a copy at no cost to you. If you do have it, let me know if you would like a copy of any of my other publications: http://www.historichomeworks.com/hhw/reports/reports.htm

      Take care, work safe and keep in touch.

      John

  2. Hello John
    Hope your summer has been busy. How were the Workshops?
    I’m hoping to find a discussion on a particular solution to excessive sash
    lateral play between jambs. While flange-type weatherstripping might help
    to guide the vertical track, it lacks the lateral compression of spring
    bronze to eliminate the play. I don’t think this is an uncommon occurrance
    but don’t know where to look. Ideas?

    Thanks!
    Arch Weathers
    Historic SashWorks, LLC

  3. John Leeke says:

    Arch, I’ve started a discussion on this over in the Forum. You can check it out right here:

    http://saveamericaswindows.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=9&t=5215

    John

  4. Donald P Kingston says:

    Mr Leeke
    I would like to email you a story from Hammond Indiana in the local paper. nwitimes.com 02-22-16 page A1. Towards the end of article the mayor states new carpet new windows and modern wiring. I hope you have time or someone of your knowledge and abilities could look at these and sway them to keep and repair the original windows if possible.
    Thanks for your time
    Don Kingston

  5. Brenda Eskenazi says:

    John
    Do you know who can restore 1940’s steelcase windows on a Mediterranean house in Oakland California. I have looked all over and I am about to just rip them out and replace them with wood windows.
    Brenda

  6. Emily says:

    Hi John,

    We recently bought a colonial house in NJ built in 1762. The house is mostly original although I’m not sure about the last time someone replaced the windows. They need serious help, some more than others but a lot have rot. They still have the wavy glass so I don’t want to ruin a good thing by trying to muddle through a repair without training. Would you be running any seminars or workshops on window restoration? I think if my husband and I had a better hands on experience and guidance we could tackle the job ourselves, one at a time. Neither of us is good at learning from reading books… a little slow that way. Thanks so much,
    Emily

  7. Liz Portwood says:

    I bought some beautiful casement windows with half rounds several years ago from a house that was going to be razed in Atlanta. We had planned a renovation using them, but have since moved and I am trying to either find a new home for them or figure out a way to make an affordable playhouse. I need to move them this week. Thanks, Liz

  8. Oliver says:

    Hi John,

    Do you use the Silent Paint Remover, the Speedheater, or something else? My research on a infrared paint remover has left me more confused and am wondering which you prefer?

    Thanks,
    Oliver

  9. Lou Lariviere says:

    John, is there a sealer for wood double hung windows that have weights, ropes and pulleys?

  10. JoAnn says:

    What edition is your book?
    Thank you,
    JoAnn Elliott

    1941 duplex with original windows

  11. Joseph Walbran says:

    The rectangular pull scraper by Stortz you like: how to avoid it scratching the glass while cleaning the putty from the rabbet , after the steambox process?
    Thank you. Joe

    • johnleeke says:

      To avoid scratching the glass during putty removal:
      ==> Clean any grit off of the glass before putting the sash in the steam box, or before any scraping. Dust off the glass with a soft-bristle brush, mist the glass with a water-detergent solution and wipe with a soft rag.
      ==> Right before scraping use a spray bottle to mist the glass with a water-detergent solution, which acts like a lubricant.
      ==> While scraping lay the long edge of the scraper gently on the glass, and put most of the pressure towards the putty.

      More on deglazing over at the Forum:
      http://saveamericaswindows.com/forum/viewtopic.php?p=5210

  12. Marc Perry says:

    We live in a 1927 house designed by Okie, which Thomas Edison had built for his son. Unfortunately over the years renovations knocked it out of contention for the Registry, but I would like to renovate the existing wooden windows in the house. While I work very slow die to work, kids, ect I was able to remove one window so far, stripped down, reglazed, new ropes, cleaned up hardware and our back together. My problem is now after cutting through the multiple layers of paint that had sealed the window shut, the window rattles in it’s place. I have been trying to figure out what to do to seal this window but also keep it in working condition. Any help and recommendations is greatly appreciated. I have your book but couldn’t find anything in there.
    Thanks again for the info!

  13. shawn Bolster says:

    Hello
    I am in El Reno, about 20 miles from OKC and am in need of guidance and assistance with the windows in the 120 year old victorian we just purchased. The majority are painted closed and 5 need immediate attention as the glass has pulled away from the wood. I am physically unable to take the windows out, and need someone to do that. Would love to watch and learn so that I can do it too. :)
    Appreciate any help.

    You may contact me at 702 808-3512

  14. Timothy R Gaffney says:

    Dear Mr. Leeke,

    I’m beginning to restore the windows in my 1910 foursquare house in Miamisburg, Ohio. I ordered Save America’s Windows after watching several of your YouTube videos and reading various posts on your website. Your videos are so helpful, especially as they allow me to watch (and re-watch) your techniques, that I don’t know how much more I will learn from your book. But the videos alone are worth its price. Thank you for making them.

    Tim Gaffney

  15. Barbara Bass Orf says:

    How do I find someone that can repair windows in a historic home in Virginia

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