Nostalgia for the Good Old Days
"They don't make (whatever) like they used to." You still hear that line now and then, for instance from old guys who think their '56 Buick -- or whatever -- was the greatest car ever. Here's some evidence, though, for the truth of that well-worn saying.
We did a total rehab of our house about 14 years ago, with a lot of new framing, replacement of the siding, and of all the trim wood around windows, doors, etc. But -- the exterior trim started going bad a few years ago, bad enough that I've had to get into replacing it piece by piece. This is happening, as best I can tell, because of the type of wood used by the contractor -- "finger joint" pine -- plus his neglecting to prime paint or otherwise preserve the wood before nailing it in place. I presume he used the finger joint wood because it's nice and straight, and virtually knot-free. It looked great when the job was finished, and for a few more years.
Now, as I work my way through the replacement process, I'm using solid pine or fir, and am prime coating each piece on all four sides and both ends before installation. And, of course, caulking the joints thoroughly. Still, it probably won't stand up for many decades as is the case with some of the old houses around town. I suppose I'm really conducting a multi-year experiment ... and, keeping my fingers crossed!
Nostalgia for the Good Old Days
"They don't make (whatever) like they used to." You still hear that line now and then, for instance from old guys who think their '56 Buick -- or whatever -- was the greatest car ever. Here's some evidence, though, for the truth of that well-worn saying.
We did a total rehab of our house about 14 years ago, with a lot of new framing, replacement of the siding, and of all the trim wood around windows, doors, etc. But -- the exterior trim started going bad a few years ago, bad enough that I've had to get into replacing it piece by piece. This is happening, as best I can tell, because of the type of wood used by the contractor -- "finger joint" pine -- plus his neglecting to prime paint or otherwise preserve the wood before nailing it in place. I presume he used the finger joint wood because it's nice and straight, and virtually knot-free. It looked great when the job was finished, and for a few more years.
Now, as I work my way through the replacement process, I'm using solid pine or fir, and am prime coating each piece on all four sides and both ends before installation. And, of course, caulking the joints thoroughly. Still, it probably won't stand up for many decades as is the case with some of the old houses around town. I suppose I'm really conducting a multi-year experiment ... and, keeping my fingers crossed!