A close up view of the stained glass window shows off its intricate details.
With one window restored, that left one to be replaced. Unfortunately, the twin window on the front of the house could not be restored like the one on the rear of the house. Wind and weather coming off of the Hudson River were just too much for it. Replacement was the only option as far as the client was concerned.
The window shortly after being uncrated in the shop at the Right Path Windows & Doors.
And the owner of the property did an absolutely amazing job of sourcing a replacement that fit down to the very inch. This was no mean feat considering it wasn’t just any window, but rather was a round, antique stained glass window.
Just getting this huge window onto the workbench was no easy task, even for five men.
Shortly after having a conversation with the collector from whom she purchased it, this 500 pound beauty arrived at the shop.
This was not going to be a typical install. Given the size and the weight of this particular window, not to mention awkwardness of its shape, just getting it into the townhouse itself was going to be a challenge.
Never mind getting it up to the third floor which was technically on the fifth story wasn’t going to be the easiest task, either.
Then there was the issue that opening was 90 feet above ground. Neither scaffolding nor an aerial lift boom truck was going to be practical solution.
The project underway in the Right Path workshop.
Installation from the exterior was not an option. So, we did the only thing we could do. And that was to cut it into four pieces.
One piece of the window installation project.
There was a wide piece of wood that was like a mullion cover which we were able to remove.
First, we used a large circular saw for a precise cut and sliced into it from both sides. Then we finished the job with a reciprocating saw in order to achieve the depth of the cut where the circular saw blade couldn’t reach.
With the window now a manageable size and weight, installation should be a smooth process.
With that thought in mind, we pre-drilled holes for the threaded rod which would hold it together once in place.
Each section was re- assembled by creating a bedding of epoxy. The threaded rod was then used to bolt it all together. The mullion covers were then reattached.
And the antique window fit as if it had been custom made for this opening.
With scaffolding on the outside, we were able to fill all voids and install a flexible polyurethane brick molding for the exterior trim.
This window was ready to take on the elements for the next century.
The window after installation at 24 Thompson St.
Watch the project come together:
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The three story townhouse with15' tall ceilings located at 24 Thompson St in SoHo is the tallest of its kind downtown. And its twin antique wood stained glass windows were in dire need of either restoration or replacement.