On modern homes, window glass seems to serve the single purpose of insulating the home from the outdoors, preferably as efficiently as possible. And while shelter has always been the primary function of glass, in eras past, it served many other roles within a house: framing a perfect view, conferring privacy, adding character.
Hardwood floors are one of the character-defining features of old houses, but over the years, they can start to show signs of wear and tear—and not in a good way. Fortunately, most wood-floor issues are easily fixable, whether through a simple patch or a new finish coat.
With all the buzz these days around cutting-edge “green” construction, it’s easy to forget that preserving old houses is one of the best ways to go green.
Much has changed since the early days of lightning protection, when it was widely believed that the glass balls adorning lightning rods were an indicator of whether the rods were functioning properly. We now know that the glass balls were purely decorative—in fact, the balls’ different patterns and colors were how installers advertised their businesses.
Our editors highlight new and classic articles, along with favorite products and current bookstore sales. This week, get to know some popular styles of vernacular architecture.
If your old house’s façade could use a little TLC, check out these three articles, which tackle everything from the best way to remove ugly vinyl siding tacked on by previous homeowners to cheap, period-appropriate ways to add extra oomph to your exterior.
Our editors highlight new and classic articles, along with favorite products and current bookstore sales. This week, everything you need to know about updating windows and doors.