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Christopher L. Yerke — Restoration Workshop

general contractor, woodwork

Portico restoration

The portico of the Spencer House had suffered considerable damage during the course of 106 years. The door, and elaborate door surround were originally executed in quarter sawn white oak. The interior siding and coffered ceiling were built of redwood and painted. All the wood had suffered damage due to neglect, weather and ill advised alterations and repairs. The art glass sidelights and transom were sagging severely. Honduran Mahogany, a preferable exterior wood choice, was used to recreate the entire portico interior. All profiles and dimensions were painstakingly duplicated to create and exact replica. The sidelights and transom were removed from their sashes, completely disassembled and re-leaded. The original sashes were refurbished, and veneered on the exterior in Mahogany. A new entry door was fabricated with a white oak interior to match the entry hall and a Mahogany exterior to match the portico. All interior ornament was saved from the original door and re-used to adorn the interior face of the new door. Copies of the original ornament were made in Mahogany for the exterior face of the door. The mahogany was died cordovan red and then given 9 coats of a renewable oil finish. Low impact maintenance of rubbing on a coat of oil twice a year is all that is required to keep it looking new.