John Leeke's Historic HomeWorks

    207 773-2306      26 Higgins St. Portland, ME  04103

[Home][Library][Restoration Reports][Seminars][Forum][Internships][Office][Workshop][Front Porch][Search] info.© 1994-2009 JohnC.Leeke

(Journalists & Editors:  Please call if you would like photo files, a photo op, or to arrange an interview with John or one of his trainees. 207 773-2306)

Save Maine’s Windows

Guide the Hand

 

Inform the Mind

Open the Heart

Workshops & Training:

Wood Window Workshops
hhwwindows2005g.jpg (79183 bytes)
Hands-on training for tradespeople, practical guidance for homeowners, conditions assessment and project planning for building owners.

Current Maine Schedule:

May, 2009

Learn more at:
http://historichomeworks.com/
hhw/education/seminars.htm
#HHWWindows

or call 207 773-2306

 

 

Publications:

Save Your Wood Windows

Learn how to avoid falling under the spell of the window replacement salesman. Covers traditional methods and the latest in modern high-tech materials and techniques.  Fifteen specific step-by-step treatments to repair weathered sills and deteriorating sash. 59 pages, 119 illustrations. $15. 

"....John's trademark hands-on, step-by-step instructions and famously lucid illustrations. ...photos in particular are marvels of clarity and veracity..."
 
     -- Gordon Bock, Editor-in-Chief, Old-House Journal

Available at:
http://www.historichomeworks.com/
hhw/reports/reports.htm

or call 207 773-2306

At the web site:

Discussion Forum

Ask questions, upload photos, get replies from window specialists across the country and dedicated do-it-yourselfers just like you:
http://historichomeworks.com/
forum/index.php

 

Online Live Video Conferences

Join John and others who are actively repairing and maintaining their wood windows. See putty glazing and other demonstrations. Talk with others saving their windows. Aug.18th, Sept.1st and every other Saturday at noon, throughout the year. 

It's free, see replays and log in live:
http://historichomeworks.com/
hhw/conf/vidconf.htm

 

 

Maine Window Stories

Lewiston Windows

John, I checked out your save the windows page. You are a man from my own heart regarding antique windows in antique homes. I am all for the latest in window technology in new homes (they really are much more efficient) but in old New England homes (pre-1920) I feel it is a travesty to replace the original period sash units with new "drop-in" (UGLY) windows. Even the best wooden windows of today do not capture the architectural feel of the originals.
Additionally, we all know that the dollars saved in energy consumption, after replacing 25 period windows with 25 new windows including parts and labor for removal and install is something like 10-20 years... vs the minimal cost of restoring the originals, which retains the historical integrity of our old homes.

Countless folks I know have practically laughed at me for being so naive as to "waste my time" rebuilding my old "leaky, inefficient, worn-out" original double-hungs and not just choosing the "simple" route of buying 22 new "inexpensive" vinyl windows. (that's approx. $7000-$10,000!!!)

My house, (as-if it isn't ugly enough now) would be even more ugly with those damned vinyl atrocities all over it!

They just don't get it. In contrast, here in Lewiston (a Mecca of old worn out brick factories and office buildings from 100 years ago) they are beginning to restore a few of the nicer old office buildings...  one of them is now the home of the Androscoggin County Chamber of Commerce. The windows were all replaced with period-looking replicas (at least they look period)... The building looks fantastic. Sometimes people get it right. I don't see any such "period" windows readily available to the general public for residential use. These things must have cost a lot, either that or all the originals were restored, which i doubt.

-- Mike Lachance, Lewiston, Dec. 2008

If you have saved a window here in Maine, let me know (johnleeke@historichomeworks.com) and I will post your story here. Tradespeople and do-it-yourselfers welcome.

Window Specialists in Maine

The following window specialists will be happy to repair and maintain your fine old windows without trying to sell you a houseful of cheap plastic imitation windows. If you know of a tradesperson or contractor who has done good work saving windows, let me know and I'll list them here.

Mike Lachance
Lewiston, ME
mike (at) tz250racing (dot) com
Phone: (207)333-7050
High quality restoration of 1860-1920 antique windows and storms, including rebuilding of frames, boxes, resizing sashes and storms, glazing, exterior and interior finishing, window frame work, sealing, wood repair.
Service Area: All of Maine, travel cost may be added south of Saco or north of Bangor

Greg & Leah Gordon
Highland Window Works
371 Camden Road
Hope, Maine 04847
Shop:(207)763-2796
HighlandWindowWorks.com
gordon (at) highlandwindowworks (dot) com
Historic Restoration, Practical Preservation and Aesthetic Creation of the Wooden Windows of Historic Homes, Cottages and Commercial sites.

Todd Devenish
Wooden Window Restoration Company
P.O. Box 483
Stonington, ME 04681
Phone: (207) 367-5599
Email: todd (at) woodsash.com
Window restoration

Nate Jung
3 Breezy Lane
Bath, Maine 04530
207-442-0584
nate (at) antiquewindowrestoration.com
www.antiquewindowrestoration.com
restoring antique windows to their original form and function

Richard D. Libby
The Olde House Doctor
495R Allen Ave.
Portland, ME 04103
207 899-2439office
207 653-4185cell
rlibby (at) theoldehousedoctor.com
rlibby10 (at) maine.rr.com
theoldhousedoctor.com
window and door repair, maintenance and restoration

Mark Bagala
Bagala Wood'n Window Works
56 Long Hill Road
Gray, ME 04039
Shop:
15 Newcomb St.
Portland, Maine
207 878-6306
bagala (at) gwi.net
Full window restoration service serving Maine. Sash can be shipped from anywhere to Mark's shop for refurbishing and shipped back.

The following tradespeople and contractors also do excellent window work:

Caleb Hemphill, Preservation Carpenter
3 Dunham Pond Lane
Falmouth, ME 04105-
207 878-9351
chemp (at) maine.rr.com
Preservation carpentry and historic window work.

 

 

 

Journalists & Editors:  Please call if you would like photo files, a photo op, or to arrange an interview with John or one of his trainees. 207 773-2306


John Leeke's Historic HomeWorks

    207 773-2306      26 Higgins St. Portland, ME  04103

[Home][Library][Restoration Reports][Seminars][Forum][Internships][Office][Workshop][Front Porch][Search] info.© 1994-2009 JohnC.Leeke