Repairs & How To

Repairs & How To

Why Preservationists Choose the Unico System

From Hemingway’s Home to Lincoln’s Cottage.

Repairs & How To

An Entry Door Makeover

When we finally got around to restoring the front door of our Victorian house, the effect was dramatic.

Repairs & How To

Skim Coating in Color

Plaster walls are like a thin skin applied over wood or steel lathe, so is it any wonder they yield as buildings settle or traffic vibrations wiggle them loose? While plaster is a remarkably resilient material, it’s inevitable that it will gain a few cracks over time.

Repairs & How To

A Do-It-Yourself Water Feature

A buried trough for water plants and soothing sound.

Repairs & How To

Mortise and Tubular Latches/Locks

Ask the Expert – Historic Hardware Q&A – What is the difference between mortise and tubular latches/locks?

Repairs & How To

Finding Sophisticated Architectural Salvage

It’s trendy to repurpose five-panel doors as headboards, and to up-cycle vintage hard-shell suitcases into dog beds. For restorers, the best use of architectural salvage is to replace missing architectural details that should never have been lost in the first place.

Repairs & How To

Plaster 101: DIY Repairs, Tools & Techniques

A look at the common problems with plaster in historic homes, and which tools and DIY techniques are most effective for plaster repair.

Repairs & How To

Where to Buy Scenic Wallpaper

Scenic wallpapers are on the comeback! Here’s a curated collection of some of our favorite places to find the perfect scenic wallpaper or panoramas for your classic home.

Repairs & How To

Lights Divided, Truly and Otherwise

It should be understood that conserving old windows is the “greenest” option: they are endlessly repairable and easy to upgrade for energy efficiency and comfort. For those buying replacement windows, find good news in recent aesthetic improvements.

Repairs & How To

Updated Insulation Savvy

Adding insulation to an old house means choosing the right product—for the right place.

Repairs & How To

Importance of Door Handing

Ask the Expert – Historic Hardware Q&A – What is handing and why is it important?

Repairs & How To

Measurements for New Door Hardware

Ask the Expert – Historic Hardware Q&A – What measurements do you need to know before purchasing a new set of door hardware?

Repairs & How To

Functions for Your Door Hardware

Ask the Expert – Historic Hardware Q&A – What function do you need for your door hardware?

Repairs & How To

When Hardware Is Shared

Who knew we shared fasteners through a party wall?

Repairs & How To

Turn Vintage Cabinet Knobs into Hooks

Repurpose salvaged cabinet knobs by turning them into a row of handy hooks.

Repairs & How To

A Fix for Foul-smelling Paint

The case of the foul-smelling can of paint, and a fix.