The 12th annual International Preservation Trades Workshop (IPTW) was held in July 2008 in Barre, Vermont, with the theme “A Place for the Trades”. One of the sessions at the workshop focused on window restoration, led by Andy Roeper of Winn Mountain Restorations. Roeper’s session covered the common failures and related repairs in window restoration, using a number of old, damaged, or abused sash as examples. Participants had a chance to work with all of the materials involved and learn some of the tricks of the trade. The session emphasized restoration repair techniques that prioritize the preservation of original material.
Roeper founded Winn Mountain Restorations in 2006 after years of doing his own old house restorations. He combined a love for restoration with a thorough enjoyment for teaching, and he has taught week-long classes on window restoration in various locations. His current projects range from small residential projects to large public building challenges. His shop and residence are located in a large connected farmhouse that contains an ever-growing collection of old woodworking machinery used in his business. Roeper is a member of various preservation organizations, including PTN, The Timber Framers Guild, New England Window Restoration Alliance, Historic New England, and the New Hampshire Preservation Alliance.