Replacing Deteriorated Woodwork

CSI Division
Division 3 - Concrete
Section
Architectural Woodwork
Last Modified

Technical Procedures Disclaimer

Prior to inclusion in GSA’s library of procedures, documents are reviewed by one or more qualified preservation specialists for general consistency with the Secretary of Interior Standards for rehabilitating historic buildings as understood at the time the procedure is added to the library. All specifications require project-specific editing and professional judgement regarding the applicability of a procedure to a particular building, project or location. References to products and suppliers are to serve as a general guideline and do not constitute a federal endorsement or determination that a product or method is the best or most current alternative, remains available, or is compliant with current environmental regulations and safety standards. The library of procedures is intended to serve as a resource, not a substitute, for specification development by a qualified preservation professional.

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We’ve reviewed these procedures for general consistency with federal standards for rehabilitating historic buildings and provide them only as a reference. Specifications should only be applied under the guidance of a qualified preservation professional who can assess the applicability of a procedure to a particular building, project or location. References to products and suppliers serve as general guidelines and do not constitute a federal endorsement nor a determination that a product or method is the best alternative or compliant with current environmental regulations and safety standards.

PART 1–GENERAL

1.01 SUMMARY

  1. This procedure includes guidance on wood restoration work including repairing existing woodwork by removing damaged or deteriorated material and replacing with new to match existing.
  2. See 01100-07-S for general project guidelines to be reviewed along with this procedure. These guidelines cover the following sections:
    1. Safety Precautions
    2. Historic Structures Precautions
    3. Submittals
    4. Quality Assurance
    5. Delivery, Storage and Handling
    6.  Project/Site Conditions
    7. Sequencing and Scheduling
    8. General Protection (Surface and Surrounding)

These guidelines should be reviewed prior to performing this procedure and should be followed, when applicable, along with recommendations from the Regional Historic Preservation Officer (RHPO).

1.02 REFERENCES

  1.  AWI Quality Standard: Comply with applicable requirements of Architectural Woodwork Standards, published by the Architectural Woodwork Institute except as otherwise indicated.

1.03 SYSTEM DESCRIPTION

  1. Performance Requirements: Submit written program for each phase of restoration process including protection of surrounding materials on building during operations. Describe in detail materials, methods and equipment to be used for each phase of restoration work.

1.04 QUALITY ASSURANCE

  1.  Mock-Ups: Prior to start of wood restoration work, prepare the following sample panels in building where directed by RHPO. Obtain RHPO’s acceptance of visual qualities before proceeding with the work. Retain acceptable panels in undisturbed condition, suitably marked, during construction as a standard for judging completed work.
    1. Wood Repair: Prepare sample panels for each type of woodwork indicated to be patched, resurfaced, modified or replaced. Prepare mock-up panels on existing woodwork to demonstrate quality of materials and workmanship.

1.05 PROJECT/SITE CONDITIONS

  1. Existing Conditions:
    1. Installer shall advise Contractor of temperature and humidity requirements for woodwork installation areas. Do not install woodwork until required temperature and relative humidity have been stabilized and will be maintained in installation areas.
    2. Maintain temperature and humidity in installation area as required to maintain moisture content of installed woodwork within a 1.0 percent tolerance of optimum moisture content, from date of installation through remainder of construction period. The fabricator of woodwork shall determine optimum moisture content and required temperature and humidity conditions.
    3. Determine that surfaces to which finishes are to be applied are even, smooth, sound, clean, dry and free from defects affecting proper application. Correct or report defective surfaces to Contracting Officer.

PART 2–PRODUCTS

2.01 MATERIALS

  1. New or Replacement Materials:
    1. Wood Moisture Content: Provide kiln-dried lumber with an average moisture content range of 6% to 11% for interior work. Maintain temperature and relative humidity during fabrication, storage and finishing operations so that moisture content values for woodwork at time of installation do not exceed the above range.
    2. Replacement Wood: Match species, grade, grain pattern, and other special characteristics of existing woodwork.
  2.  Clean, soft cloths

PART 3–EXECUTION

3.01 PREPARATION

  1.  Surface Preparation:
    1. Condition woodwork to average prevailing humidity conditions in installation areas prior to installing.
    2.  Back prime woodwork on all surfaces which will be concealed with one coat of wood primer. Schedule delivery to allow time for application and drying of Back prime coat before installation of woodwork.
    3. Remove miscellaneous hardware, nails, etc., from all existing woodwork as required to provide a first class installation of new or replacement woodwork.
    4. Prior to installation of new architectural woodwork, examine shop fabricated work for completion, and complete work as required, including back priming and removal of packing.

3.02 ERECTION, INSTALLATION, APPLICATION

  1. Carefully remove at locations indicated any damaged or deteriorated woodwork. Unless indicated otherwise, replace the entire length of the existing damaged piece to the next butt joint.
  2. For partial replacement of existing pieces, use a neat, well-fitted level cut with grain aligned in transparent finished wood.
  3. Install new pieces as described below:
    1. Install the work plumb, level, true and straight with no distortions. Shim as required using concealed shims.
    2. Cut to fit unless specified to be shop-fabricated or shop-cut to exact size. Where woodwork abuts other finished work, scribe and cut for accurate fit. Before making cutouts, drill pilot holes at corners.
    3.  Standing and Running Trim: Install with minimum number of joints possible, using full-length pieces (from maximum length of lumber available) to the greatest extent possible. Stagger joints in adjacent and related members. Cope at returns, miter at corners, and comply with Quality Standards for joinery.
    4.  Anchor woodwork to anchors or blocking built-in or directly attached to substrates. Secure to grounds, stripping and blocking with countersunk, concealed fasteners and blind nailing as required for a complete installation. Except where prefinished matching fasteners heads are required, use fine finishing nails for exposed nailing, countersunk and filled flush with woodwork, and matching final finish where transparent finish is indicated.
  4.  Finish replacement woodwork to match adjacent woodwork surfaces. See 06400-05-R and 06400-10-R for guidance.

3.03 ADJUSTING/CLEANING

  1. Upon completion of this work, all floors, walls, and other adjacent surfaces that are stained, marred, or otherwise damaged by work under this section shall be cleaned and repaired and all work and the adjacent areas shall be left in a clean and perfect condition.
  2. All completed work shall be adequately protected from damage by subsequent building operations and effects of weather. Protection shall be by methods recommended by the manufacturer of installed materials and as approved by the RHPO.
  3. Repair damaged and defective woodwork wherever possible to eliminate defects functionally and visually; where not possible to repair properly, replace woodwork. Adjust joinery for uniform appearance.
  4. Clean woodwork: Dust and damp wipe woodwork with a soft cloth dampened in clean water; dry rub with soft cloth to maintain the polish, rubbing along the grain of the wood.
  5. Stain and Spot Removal:
    1. Stains may be cleaned by prompt damp wiping with cloth dampened in clear water or rubbing with cloth dampened in solvent. Dry the wood with a soft cloth.
    2. White spots may be removed by rubbing them with a small amount of linseed oil.
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Last updated: Mar 26, 2024
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