Customer Reviews

The Old-House Journal Guide to Restoration

5 star:		(4)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
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1 star:		(0)

 

 

When we purchased and moved into our "remuddled" (the previous owners paneled over the fireplace in the living room) 126-year old home, we were completely overwhelmed. My husband and I took turns being stumped by all the things that needed repair. Then a friend told us about this book. I finally have answers to the questions I thought were unanswerable. I can tackle the calked-shut windows, the sagging staircase, and even the holes and cracks in the plaster. On some issues I even know more than the home improvement store people I used to seek out for help.

If you have a pre 1939 home, then you NEED this book. It is the owners manual!

The first house we bought was a 1920s-era Spanish Med Rev. It had been "updated" in a horrendous way in the 1980s and our first task was to undo the updates. The book has been an indispensable resource that helps us understand many of the basic principles involved in old house construction and trim work. Besides allowing me to perform DIY more effectively, it also has been very useful for understand when contractors do--and do not--follow the principles as they work on our old house. On one occasion, when a contractor started to do some work incorrectly, the book allowed me to discuss with him some aspects of the window trim that I wanted done differently. I've had this book for over 10 years and it is one of the most-used books in my collection. I don't want to lend it our because I'm afraid I won't get it back!

AS I HAVE EVERY ISSUE OF OLD HOUSE JOURNAL SINCE IT WAS FIRST PUBLISHED OVER 30 YEARS AGO I FELT OBLIGATED TO BUY THIS MAGNIFICENT BOOK.

NEEDLESS TO SAY IT'S ANOTHER WINNER AND WELL WORTH HAVING AS A SOURCE OF VERY VALUABLE INFORMATION.

I'VE BEEN INVOLVED WITH ARCHITECTURAL PRESERVATION FOR 35 YEARS - AND DESPITE CURRENTLY BEING A GENERAL BUILDING CONTRACTOR SPECIALIZING IN OLD HOUSE RESTORATION, THE GOOD PEOPLE AT OLD HOUSE JOURNAL ARE ALWAYS A WELCOMED FRIEND AND NEVER CEASE TO EDUCATE EVERYONE - EVEN THE PROFESSIONALS.

MOST HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.

My daughter was thrilled to receive this. She is restoring a house built in 1837.

Almost text book yet interesting and informative reading. Explains dating homes and styles. Covers everthing from roofs to foundations. The thing I liked best was the illustations of the right and wrong way to repair the structures archetically and asttectically period correct. I bought four books of this nature and would recomened this one the most.