When the Peter Woodbury House was purchased by the Swishers in 2004 they had a number of concerns about the integrity of the structure and the lack of modern conveniences. Specifically, the house had no insulation, no central heating, inadequate electric service for modern appliances, structural problems at the sills, structural problems at the back of the house including a rotted wall and bulkhead. Late in 2004 the Swishers began renovating and restoring the property and completed it in the summer of 2009.
STRUCTURAL CHANGES AND IMPROVEMENTS
The house was jacked up and the sills were replaced.
A new exterior wall was built to replace the wall at the back of the house.
The bulkhead was removed and the steps leading to the basement and the bulkhead were replaced.
A screen porch was removed from the left side of the house and a new addition was built for a new kitchen.
HEATING AND COOLING IN EACH UNIT
Low-e Majesty replacement windows from Harvey Industries were used throughout.
Icynene insulation was sprayed onto the roof and third floor walls.
Cellulose was blown into the walls that were not opened up due to renovations.
Fiberglass bats were used in the walls that required either interior or exterior reconstruction.
High efficiency Veissman boilers and Vitoden indirect water heaters were installed.
Heating systems have five zones.
Two zones control the radiant floor heat in the bathrooms and kitchens.
Three zones control the radiators on each of the three floors.
Unit 1 (left side) also has radiant floor heat in the dining and living rooms.
Each unit has central air conditioning
ELECTRIC AND PLUMBING IN EACH UNIT
200 amp electric service supplies each of the units.
Water service from the street was replaced.
Bathrooms and kitchens were re-plumbed with PVC drainage and copper or PEX supply and return lines.
DECORATIVE FEATURES
Each unit has four fireplaces.
The kitchen fireplace in unit 2 (right side) has a brick beehive oven and a cauldron for heating water.
The dining room fireplace in unit 1 (left side) is the largest in the house and it has a brick beehive oven.
New fixtures and appliances were installed in all bathrooms and the kitchens.
First period structural detailing was left exposed.
Additional architectural detailing, hidden during previous renovations, was uncovered and prominently featured.
Original paneling, doors, and door hardware was reused wherever possible.
Wide pine floors with beautiful natural grains can be found in many of the rooms.
The windows are a six over six design with vinyl exteriors and wood interiors.
Window interiors have been stained or painted to match room decor.
Historic colors were used throughout the interior and exterior of the house.
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