Windsor Terrace Reno

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December 4, 2007

Blending in..

Up until recently, whenever we had someone coming to the house we would tell them address and add "You can't miss us, we're the house that looks the worse". The rusty cornice, peeling windows frames and shoddy storm windows gave away the disrepair that lurked on the inside. In the grand scheme of other things that were wrong with this place, it was a minor problem. After nearly a year of looking at it, it stopped bothering me quite so much.

The windows got replaced a while ago and they really improved the overall look but the rusty cornice remained. I figured we'd have to wait until the interior work was finished before I'd see the exterior pretty. But one day the scaffolding was up and two guys were tirelessly scraping away whatever paint had clung on over the years. As the flakes of old paint rained down on my at the front door, I was excited to see the progress later that day.

Voila! We are well on the way to looking like all the other houses on the street. On a block where virtually everyone seems to take great pride in caring for their home and keeping it looking good, thats something to be proud of.

We wavered a little on the black paint at first since most people seem to pick lighter colors. Now that I can see it painted, I love it. Its so shiny and beautiful, I just want to stare at it all day.

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Comments

Who did you use to paint the cornice?

Posted by: guest at December 4, 2007 12:02 PM

We are using one contractor for virtually everything (except for HVAC and roof). I don't want to give a recommendation until our job is complete since its too soon to give a thumbs up or down.

If you are looking for someone now our neighbors across the street just redid their cornice and used Sespa (I think thats the name). Don't know if they were happy with them or not but they seem to have done a very nice job.

Posted by: Mrs. Limestone at December 4, 2007 12:52 PM

I walk by these houses everyday. The houses are incredible. Nice to see an owner taking pride in their home.

Posted by: guest at December 4, 2007 4:30 PM

where did you get your windows? we need to replace all of ours as well and i like the look of yours.

Posted by: guest at December 7, 2007 1:09 PM

We have a wooden cornice that needs repainting/TLC and I was thinking of doing it myself next spring. I know you can rent the blue pipe scafolding, but do you need to have a permit? I know painting in general doesn't. Someone said there is a thirty foot rule, or three sections. Anyone know?

Posted by: guest at December 8, 2007 7:57 AM

For my taste and experience in a Limestone facade nothing better than a "creamy", "pastel" color like; it totally blends in with the Limestone.
Black it's Ok in a Brownstone facade.Again that's my taste.

Have your painters using independent Live Lines and Harnesses.
The pipe frames should be anchored to the facade.
Make sure the primer and paint are for exterior (it lasts longer).

It's looking great.Good luck with your reno, it's a big step.

Posted by: guest at December 18, 2007 5:53 PM

Definitely a matter of preference - I like the constrast of the darker color with the light stone and how it works with the trim of the windows. But thanks for posting!

Posted by: Mrs. Limestone at December 19, 2007 9:38 AM

You say it's so shiny,what type of paint are you using? semi or high gloss

Posted by: guest at December 19, 2007 6:32 PM

I believe its semi-gloss but Im not 100% sure. I know we had a little bit of a discussion on this issue as the contractor thought flat might look better. I knew I wanted glossy but we may have split the difference with semi.

Posted by: Mrs. Limestone at December 20, 2007 9:56 AM