10/20/2026
🏡 RENOVATING AN OLD WALKERVILLE HOME — PART 2
🔨 The Walls Behind the Walls & Our Secret Window!
Well, the demolition has officially begun, and if you guessed MORE panelling, a combination of lath and plaster, wire mesh, and a mixture of fibreglass insulation... congratulations, you were right! 😂
But what we DIDN'T expect to find was an entire window hidden inside our wall!
First, let's talk about what we're actually looking at here.
Lath and plaster was a common construction method in older homes before drywall became the standard. Traditionally, thin wooden strips (lath) were attached to the wall studs, and layers of plaster were applied over them to create a solid wall. Some older homes also used metal mesh to help reinforce the plaster. It's a durable building method, but after decades of renovations, repairs, and settling, these walls can become cracked, damaged, or uneven.
Now, about that SECRET WINDOW!
At some point in our home's history, a previous owner decided to cover up an existing window rather than remove the entire opening. And we've decided we're bringing it back!
That means carefully opening up the wall, assessing the existing framing, cutting back and properly capping the surrounding materials, and installing a new, properly sized and sealed window. We'll also need to make sure the exterior is finished correctly with appropriate flashing and weatherproofing to prevent future moisture problems.
So, what's next for our walls?
Thankfully, we haven't uncovered the renovation nightmare we mentally prepared for! Our plan is to address any insulation gaps using appropriate low-expansion insulating foam where needed, remove damaged or loose plaster, and install new drywall to give the room a fresh, clean finish.
Of course, we'll be checking for any hidden moisture issues and making sure everything is properly sealed before closing the walls back up.
Here's your real estate takeaway: Older homes, especially in historic neighbourhoods like Walkerville, often have layers of renovations hiding behind their walls. Not every surprise is a disaster, but it's important to understand that what you see on the surface doesn't always tell the whole story.
And sometimes, those surprises turn out to be pretty exciting!
Stay tuned for Part 3: The Trim That Wasn't Actually Trim... and Was Apparently Installed With the Intention of NEVER Being Removed Again. 😂
