Comments for 1889 Bay-and-Gable Victorian

Comment on Installing an Antique Mortise Lock by bayandgablevictorian

bayandgablevictorian — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 01:50:24 +0000

Hi Marlene,
The mortise lock is an original and was found at a local antique shop outside of Toronto in the town of Cobourg. It is something to just keep an eye out while searching about. Reproductions can be purchased from some online stores like House of Antique Hardware or Old House Parts.
B&G

Comment on Installing an Antique Mortise Lock by Marlene

Marlene — Mon, 19 Oct 2009 02:37:21 +0000

Where did you get the reproduction hardware?

Comment on Stained Glass Queen Anne, or “Cottage” Style Windows by Michael

Michael — Wed, 14 Oct 2009 20:09:31 +0000

Thanks for this post – enjoyed the history lesson! Windows look great!

Comment on Installing an Antique Mortise Lock by bayandgablevictorian

bayandgablevictorian — Wed, 14 Oct 2009 06:07:32 +0000

Johnathan,
Mortise locks are fairly simple durable mechanisms. With a little exploration, it should not be too difficult to assess if there is a bent cylinder or a worn spring that will need to be adjusted or lubricated.

Attaching a modern doorknob meant for a bored door onto a mortised door can be very difficult and best avoided to maintain the character of the original door and lock. If, however, you mean that the knob plate is loose due to stripped threads in the wood, then you could use either epoxy wood filler or glue mixed with sawdust to refasten the screws to get a solid fit.
B&G

Comment on Installing an Antique Mortise Lock by Johnathan

Johnathan — Mon, 12 Oct 2009 01:26:59 +0000

I recently purchased a home with fantastic wood work and solid oak doors. All of the doors have mortise style locks and I am running into two problems:
1. I don’t know how to assess issues with the lock, and once assessed, I don’t have resources that teach how to repair, and,
2. Attaching doorknob casings to the door is difficult because the mortise block prevents drilling screws deep enough to remain solid.

If you have any resources, please share.

Thanks,
-J

Comment on Refinishing an Antique Door by Roncie Vic

Roncie Vic — Sun, 04 Oct 2009 21:00:38 +0000

Fantastic post, couldn’t agree more. And your door looks amazing.

Comment on Ugly Things Done to Old Houses or “Old House Atrocities” by Roncie Vic

Roncie Vic — Sun, 04 Oct 2009 20:52:29 +0000

Great post! Hilarious because it’s so true.

Comment on Ugly Things Done to Old Houses or “Old House Atrocities” by Deborah

Deborah — Fri, 25 Sep 2009 22:42:00 +0000

How about a Victorian (presumably) brick row house covered in aluminum siding??? Does anyone know how that siding might have been installed and if I buy the poor house and attempt to tear it off, will the brick be full of a million holes? So sad and on either side of this little treasure, unscathed facades. Any tips?

Comment on Ugly Things Done to Old Houses or “Old House Atrocities” by bayandgablevictorian

bayandgablevictorian — Fri, 19 Jun 2009 02:41:27 +0000

Dear Lucy,

Drop ceilings, siding over top floor windows… oi, big stops on the way to ugly house. At least the linoleum is a historically accurate building material! Sounds like you will bring the house back in time (and it does take time!).

B&G

Comment on Ugly Things Done to Old Houses or “Old House Atrocities” by lucy

lucy — Thu, 11 Jun 2009 13:32:26 +0000

66 points…. However, I didn’t see any points for painted woodwork…blah. Some of it is even textured with sand or some crap. What about removing upstairs windows and covering them with vinyl.. and dropped ceilings.. shouldn’t I get some extra points. Or what about 5-6 layers of linoleum in the kitchen and upstairs hallway?
Why do people do these things to their home? WHY!!!
You give me hope, at least I’m not over 100.