A Surprise Transom

We have the windows, but there were a couple things to take care of before we got them in. The brick mold could have waited, but I want to be able to install it as the windows go in. So, more rounds of filling, sanding, hardening, sanding, and then we were ready to prime.

I was a little bit obsessive compulsive with filling in every little dent, split, and missing piece. I didn’t get all of them but I think that what’s left leaves me with 125 year old woodwork in good condition. Caulk will take care of a few additional flaws.

Then, there’s been more to do to be ready for the front door. We’re getting caught up on that now. Both sides of it are primed. And then, this is kind of crazy but I was planning on having a transom custom made along with the door jambs. I even thought of leaving it boarded up if I needed to cut costs. The door jambs are already an extra cost I’m dreading a bit.

Then I remembered that the inner vestibule door had an old transom that I took out when my mom gave me a stained glass panel.

Living room, front

How exactly did I go so long planning to have one custom made without thinking of the one that was under the basement stairs? It was in sorry shape, but just the right size.

So the plan was strip it, put clear glass in, add gold house number decals, paint it, and be left with something period correct ish that fit with the house. But then I stripped the sash and one side came out pristine, with a beautiful patina and wood grain. One of my rules is if wood comes out too pretty to paint, I don’t. Even if having it stained is weird and doesn’t make sense with anything else. And the reeded glass? I figure it’s a 1960’s change to the Victorian sash, and I’m thinking it’s a bit of South Philly weirdness that we should keep around. I ran out of glazing putty but here’s a preview. (It’s the other side that doesn’t look done yet.)

This is great because not only did I get a quick and easy restoration job, but it will be ready to go in the day the door goes in. No sad plywood transom for us!

In other news, my dad, the one who knows everything, is crazy busy. So, Tito and I will be doing the first ones all by ourselves on Saturday. We have a few more days to work out the details. Wish us luck!