What we are doing:

In what spare time we have, we decided to spend it (and our savings) on remodeling our rowhouse in South Philly. When we purchased our casa it was a 3 story, 5 bedroom, 1 bath that hadn't been touched in 50+ years. It's currently a 4 bed, 2 bath construction site with so much more to do it's hard to believe.

We use this blog to mark progress, say hi to friends and family, rant about the process of remodeling, and try to have some fun along the way.

- Bryan and Christina

Sunday, October 12, 2008

The subtle art of window trim

Today was my part 2 of the window trim work that was long overdue. After creating and installing the sills yesterday, I start out this morning AGAIN watching Tom Silva's trim video. I referred to that in my previous post, so if you haven't seen it and need to do any window trim then you need to watch it. I truly think that if he were to walking into your flooding basement, that he would be able to walk on the water to shut off your water at the meter. He's my Mr. Miyagi.

What I realized about trim today is that all you really need is a fresh 60t blade on your compound saw (especially when your old blade was really used for cutting up demo debris and hardwood flooring), and tons and tons and tons and tons of patience. I was good on the former all day, but the latter started to fade on me after about 5.5 hours of the work today. I won't go into the details, but I'm pretty sure I could be heard yelling some choice words down the block.

In the end I got in the casing trim and installed all of the aprons as well. That's really all there is to it. The tricky parts were in measuring the side pieces to be at least even with each other, and to nails those as straight and flush to the wall as possible. If the nailing isn't flush, then the mitered joint will leave a gap that you will try to work with for ever just to give up anyway with a sigh and that sad feeling of being bested by poplar.

A couple of the windows had that problem from bad drywall, curvy walls, or casing that I had to previously hand plane down (making some high spots along the length). I was able to make the best out of most of those areas, which was a win.

Whatever, this isn't a how to post, because I'm the last person that should be dishing that out in the area of...well...anything. In the end I still need to go back to each window and fill the nail holes.

Side note: I am also on the hunt for a product that I can use to fill 1/8th inch gaps in the trim on some joints. The standard wood fill (at least the Minwax kind I have) is too gritty. I need to find something that is more like a putty. If anyone who read this knows of such a product please don't be shy.

On Tuesday we're getting our baseboard moulding pieces delivered and so I guess next weekend I get to miter for another 12 hours. Only this time on my knees.

After proof-reading this post, I realize it lacks my usual flare for the random thoughts. I think the trim and the dragon slaying yesterday have sapped my strength. Lord knows the celebratory beers at the dragon feast last night didn't help matters. Ugh....

Oh, last thing. Once reason we made our sills so deep is so that the cats can lounge in the windows. It's really the one thing that they seem to enjoy that doesn't involve using clothes or piles of contractor bags as a toilet. So we've encouraged them to lounge and not pee randomly.(I don't think his peeing is random thing myself, I think he knows exactly that contractor bags= loud noises and dirt. Both of which harsh his mellow, so he just wants to make his wishes known- Christina) You'll se my man Marco test driving one of the windows this evening.

Good man. Now learn to use the litter box ALL OF THE TIME!

5 comments:

woodtreks said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
woodtreks said...

I like the trim detail. Nice. If you don't watch out, you'll get hooked on working with wood, and then who knows what things you'll want to build (besides your home). Anyhow, again, nice job. Keith (www.woodtreks.com)

Anonymous said...

How impressive! You have really become handy with tools!

Dad

Anonymous said...

Gosh...the place looks fantastic! MOM/Jane

Anonymous said...

You are doing a great job. Tom S. would be proud. RE: wood filler and an 1/8 inch gap, if you are going to paint the window casings I would typically just use joint compound. Sounds like you might / will have some around. It will shrink a little so you may have to hit it 2X but it is easy to sand and hide with paint. If you are going to stain and finish the casings got to Rockler.com as they have some pretty reliable products that I have used in the past. Keep up the good work!

Uncle Duane