Oregon Caves Historic Structures Report

PART V
Interior Assessment and Recommendations (continued)

Windows (Interior)

The windows in the Chateau create a link to the surrounding natural world, with a character that matches the style of the structure. Double-hung sash windows, casement windows, fixed windows, and hopper windows are the four types found in the building. The window types are generally determined by the use of the room in which they are located. The windows are all original to the structure, with the exception of four fixed windows. Three of these were installed when the verandas were removed in 1958, two on the fourth floor and one on the third. The window to the north of the coffee shop door was altered when the space was remodeled, and a large fixed window replaced two double-hung windows in the same opening.

Fixed windows are the dominant type in all of the public areas of the building. The lobby, dining room and lounge area, coffee shop, and main staircase all have large fixed panes topped by a series of smaller panes. The arrangement of the smaller panes is dependent on the size and location of the window, with one row of small panes over the large pane in the dining room, lounge area, and the upper landing of the main stair, and two rows of small panes over the large pane in all the other instances. The exterior finish on the window frames is paint, which matches the verge boards and sills mentioned previously. The small panes have glazing putty on the exterior, painted to match the surrounding frame. The interior finish is typically varnish on both the sill and the frame.

Finish deterioration and degradation at a fixed window.

Slight problems exist in the fixed windows. The glazing is beginning to fail in most cases at the smaller panes, and is cracked or beginning to come loose. The interior finish is deteriorating at the bottom of the large pane in all cases. This deterioration is focused around the nails holding the frame in the opening. The nails are beginning to oxidize, resulting in wood degradation around the nails. The finish is failing at this point as well, and the failure is spreading outward from the nails. One window in particular needs mention. Due to the lean in the building, the frame of the lobby window that faces north (the only one that does) is out of square. The large fixed pane no longer fits within the frame, and small gaps have appeared at the top of the west end and bottom of east end. These gaps are currently filled with clear silicone caulk.

Missing glazing at a 6th floor fixed window.

Fixed windows occur in only one other situation within the Chateau. In the 6th floor guest rooms, in the center trapezoidal section of the building, two casement windows flank a multi-pane fixed window. These windows are painted at the exterior in the typical color, but are stained green to match the doors and other interior woodwork on the inside. These windows typically display signs of putty deterioration at the exterior, and finish problems occasionally on the interior at the sill level. The putty in the bottom panes has deteriorated more rapidly than the top panes, as they are more protected. Moisture is infiltrating these windows at the bottom rail, resulting in mildew or fungus growth in some instances. The fixed portion in room 302 has been either refinished or replaced, as the finish does not match the surrounding casements.

Inswinging hopper windows exist over existing doors to the exterior or at the location of historic doors onto the veranda. The main lobby door, french doors in the dining room, and historic veranda doors all have these windows. All retain their historic hardware, and are operable. The hopper above the dining room doors is missing some of the trim that holds the glass in place, as this window is constructed without exterior putty to hold the glass in place. The window at the historic location of the door to the veranda does have glazing putty to hold the glass in place, and it is in good condition. However, the interior finish is failing at the bottom of this window. The historic door location in the lobby is constructed the same way, and is in the same condition. The main lobby door's glazing putty is also in good condition, but the paint is beginning to blister.

Fungal growth at a 6th floor casement.

Casement windows are typically located in the guest room baths, and in the guest rooms themselves on the 6th floor. These, typical of the Chateau, are true divided lite windows. The exterior finish is paint, and the interiors are typically painted in the bathrooms and stained green in the main portions of the guest rooms. Two casements exist in the public areas of the building, at the upper landing of the main staircase. These two windows flank the central fixed window, and are painted at the exterior and varnished at the interior. The northern casement at this location has a broken pane. The original hardware typically exists on these casement windows, but it is causing damage to the frames. The windows are closed with the hardware in the locked position, and the wood frame is marred. Other casement problems are the glazing putty, especially in the windows on the 6th floor. These windows are also experiencing fungus growth and finish deterioration due to excess moisture. These frames, especially in rooms 301 and 306, are beginning to separate at the joints in the outside frame and intersections of muntins and mullions. Since these 6th floor casements swing inward, there is damage from the window hitting the radiator in room 303.

The bathroom casement windows are typically smaller, only 6-lite rather than 8 or 9-lite. These windows swing outwards, exposing the interior to the weather. Four of these bathroom casements have arched tops, and are present on the 6th floor in the north and south facing gable ends. Moisture in all of the bathrooms has caused the casement paint to blister, and the water trapped between the sill and the bottom rail has caused the bottom rail to deteriorate in room 202.

Double-hung windows dominate the rest of the structure. In the guest rooms, these are stained green to match the other interior trim and painted at the exterior. In the lower levels (floors 1, 2, and kitchen), the windows are painted on the interior as well. The double-hung windows have the original hardware and sash cords in place throughout the building, and are all operable. The problems that exist in these windows are typical throughout the building. The putty is cracking or missing in almost all cases, the latch hardware has damaged the muntins of the upper half, and the finish is deteriorating at the joints between the muntins and mullions and where the mullions join the meeting rail. Some of the interior sills have been refinished with a paint that does not match the historic stain, and in limited instances in the bathrooms and on the 6th floor the interior sills have suffered water damage and are deteriorating.

Recommendations for Treatment: Windows

As many of the windows exhibit similar problems, the work includes the vast majority of the windows in the structure. The following recommendations are made:

• Inspect and repair the glazing putty at each window. The putty should be painted after it has cured to match the surrounding frame.

• Re-finish the windows at the interior where the paint or stain has blistered or failed. The stain should match the original in color and hue.

• Sand and revarnish the bases of the fixed windows on the interior. The depth and color of the varnish should match the existing finish.

• Scrape and paint all exterior window frames. The paint color should match the historic color.

• Scrape and paint all interior bathroom window frames.

• Remove and re-glue all loose window frame elements. This work should be complete before other work is performed on the window.

• Replace the trim holding the glass at the dining room's hopper window over the french doors. The contour should match the historic trim, and the new pieces should be painted to match.

• Custom cut one piece of glass to fit the opening of the north facing lobby window. Install the new glass before other work is performed on this window.

• Scrape and paint all interior bathroom sills. In areas of decay, a dutchman repair is necessary to preserve the historic fabric.

• Hardware damage at the double-hung and casement windows should only be repaired using a dutchman repair. Wood putty or other methods of repair should not be used.

orca/hsr/hsr5b.htm
Last Updated: 22-Sep-2001