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Historic Windows 101

$350.00

This two-day workshop introduces homeowners to the fundamentals of historic window restoration, including how traditional wood windows function, how to assess their condition, and how thoughtful repairs can improve durability and energy performance. Through demonstrations and discussion, attendees will gain a clear understanding of window disassembly, paint and putty removal, glazing, repairs, and long-term maintenance. Participants will learn to evaluate which repairs are appropriate to undertake themselves and which may be better deferred or contracted out. By the end of the workshop, homeowners will be better equipped to care for their windows responsibly, safely, and efficiently.

The curriculum includes current Lead Safe Guidelines for window restoration, emphasizing practical methods to reduce lead hazards while preserving historic fabric. 

All participants will go home with their own basic window repair kit.

All workshops begin at 9:30am on the first day of the program.

All participants must be 18+ years old.

This two-day workshop introduces homeowners to the fundamentals of historic window restoration, including how traditional wood windows function, how to assess their condition, and how thoughtful repairs can improve durability and energy performance. Through demonstrations and discussion, attendees will gain a clear understanding of window disassembly, paint and putty removal, glazing, repairs, and long-term maintenance. Participants will learn to evaluate which repairs are appropriate to undertake themselves and which may be better deferred or contracted out. By the end of the workshop, homeowners will be better equipped to care for their windows responsibly, safely, and efficiently.

The curriculum includes current Lead Safe Guidelines for window restoration, emphasizing practical methods to reduce lead hazards while preserving historic fabric. 

All participants will go home with their own basic window repair kit.

All workshops begin at 9:30am on the first day of the program.

All participants must be 18+ years old.

Instructors

Rob Cagnetta

Rob Cagnetta graduated from Roger Williams University’s Historic Preservation program in 1991 and founded Heritage Restoration, Inc. (HRI) in 2001 to maintain, restore, retrofit, and enhance historic buildings. With more than 35 years of hands-on experience in historic restoration, his work spans 18th-century timber-framed buildings through early 20th-century commercial structures. HRI’s workshop fabricates and restores complex building components, including windows, doors, and moldings, and its crews have reconstructed and restored buildings from the 17th through the 20th century with a consistent focus on preservation, function, and longevity. In 2022, Rob and his wife, Mara Cagnetta, purchased Sutherland Welles, LTD and relocated production to Rhode Island, continuing the company’s legacy of producing 100 percent pure polymerized tung oil finishes. Rob is deeply committed to education and training, having taught at Roger Williams University, the Rhode Island School of Design, and numerous workshops. His work has been recognized with multiple preservation awards, including the Askins Achievement Award from the Preservation Trades Network, and he serves as a Director of the Window Preservation Standards Collaborative (WPSC).