These photos are from DIY restorer Caleb Racicot and show his results in finding and putting back appropriate door hardware to his historic house.
It is not uncommon to find that historic hardware has been replaced with lower-quality modern hardware due to owners not understanding that the historic pieces are repairable (unlike the replacements). Often a loose set screw or need for a few drops of oil unnecessarily lead to replacement with new hardware that is not in character with the house. Fortunately, this change can be reversed!
Caleb describes the process as follows: 1. Finding the right historic hardware (based on the one original escutcheon in the basement door).
2. Cleaning the historic hardware and adding a light coat of boiled linseed oil.
3. Removing the block and caulk used to fill the mortise.
4. Removing the modern hardware
5. Filing the holes from the modern hardware, which were installed above the historic.
6. Removing the historic strike plate and its 80 years of paint.
7. Priming and painting the door frame.
8. Putting the hardware back, with the extra satisfaction of using the historic screw holes.
Historic hardware is covered in “Restoring Your Historic House, The Comprehensive Guide for Homeowners.” Caleb has a copy!
Signed and personalized copies of the award-winning and bestselling hardcover book are available from the author in our shop, YourHistoricHouse.com/shop/.
Our shop also carries select preservation and restoration titles by other authors.
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