The Craftsman
Scott Sidler
My name is Scott Sidler and I'm crazy about historic old houses. Join me as I blog about my experiences restoring these beauties, tips for caring for your own historic home, and creative DIY projects.
Recent Posts
seasonal, maintenance
In the Know: Preventative Maintenance Checklist
By Scott Sidler on May 20, 2013
Image Credit: 100abandonedhouses.com Maintaining an old house can seem like a full-time job at times. Old homes were built with materials and in a manner that requires regular maintenance. While this maintenance requires time it... Continue reading
diy, repair
The 7 Best Products for Patching Wood
By Scott Sidler on Apr 22, 2013
Sometimes it’s nail holes and sometimes it’s rotten wood, but your projects will often require you to patch wood. In this post I’ll help you determine the best materials (and there are tons available!) to... Continue reading
windows, repair
How To: Replace Broken Glass in Old Windows
By Scott Sidler on Mar 25, 2013
Whether it’s an errant baseball or a tropical storm, windows are bound to break on occasion. Before you call in a window specialist to make the repair, consider doing the job yourself. After all, if... Continue reading
flooring, maintenance, how to
How To: Care for Hardwood Floors
By Scott Sidler on Mar 04, 2013
We do a lot of hardwood floor refinishing at Austin Home Restorations, and I often get asked by clients how they should care for their newly refinished wood floors. There is a specific timeline of... Continue reading
diy, how to
How To: Install Trim Like a Pro
By Scott Sidler on Feb 25, 2013
Installing trim properly requires an eye for detail and a few specific tools and techniques. The best historic trim and moldings were installed in a seamless way called “coping” that hides joints while still allowing... Continue reading
architectural history
Mission Style
By Scott Sidler on Feb 19, 2013
In areas of the country like Florida, California, Texas (and other Southwestern states), the Mission style, sometimes called Spanish Eclectic, was hugely popular in the early 20th century. This style was gaining in popularity early... Continue reading
repurposing
Dismantling History: Salvaging Old-House Materials
By Scott Sidler on Feb 11, 2013
Last week I helped my friends at Florida Victorian Architectural Antiques with the salvage of four early 20th-century homes on the banks of Lake Eola here in Orlando, FL. We were busy removing any parts... Continue reading
architectural history
Is Your Home on the Historical Cusp?
By Scott Sidler on Jan 28, 2013
Photo by Scott Sidler I have a lot of friends and clients whose homes fall into something I like to call the Historical Cusp. They don’t live in a house of any particular historical significance,... Continue reading
how to, exteriors
How To: Pressure Wash an Old House
By Scott Sidler on Jan 21, 2013
Using a pressure washer on an old home is not as simple as you might think. While it may be a great way to clean dirty siding and prep for new paint, if not done... Continue reading
how to, finishes, doors
How To: Restore an Antique Door
By Scott Sidler on Jan 18, 2013
As anyone who’s ever owned or loved an antique home knows, their beauty and uniqueness are only exceeded by one thing – the number of problems that need to be fixed. This can be tough... Continue reading
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