Charlton Hall

Project: Charlton Hall – Window & French Door Restoration

Scope of Work
  • Full restoration of over 70 wood window sashes and frames
  • Re-fabrication of 12 French doors
  • Conversion of original single-pane windows to insulated glazing units
  • Restoration of all brass window and door hardware
  • Surface refinishing of architectural exterior elements, including the front door and decorative trim

Points of Interest
  • Over 70 individual window units restored and modernized
  • Elegant brass hardware restored to its original luster
  • French doors custom-fabricated to match historic profiles
  • Window glazing upgraded to insulated Low-E units while preserving original appearance

Challenges
  • Maintaining the original muntin profile while converting to modern insulated glass
  • Matching hand-crafted detailing across more than a dozen unique French doors
  • Restoring fragile architectural woodwork without compromising its historic value

Materials & Techniques
  • Materials Used
    African mahogany, Low-E insulated glazing, solid brass hardware
  • Techniques
    Muntin bar modification, hardware stripping and polishing, epoxy patching, detailed wood carving
  • Tools Used
    Traditional machinery, custom blades, mortising tools, polishing wheels, industrial spray equipment
  • Waterproofing
    Sealed glazing, primed wood frames, topcoat exterior paint application
  • Installation Notes
    Frames restored in place; sashes and doors restored in workshop and reinstalled with aligned muntin bars and brass fittings
  • Glass: Low-E insulated glazing unit
  • Finishes: Benjamin Moore exterior white
  • Wood: African mahogany
  • Installation Notes
    Frames restored in place; sashes and doors restored in workshop and reinstalled with aligned muntin bars and brass fittings

History

Nestled on Long Island’s famed Gold Coast, Charlton Hall is a stately mansion. It was built in 1916. The design pays tribute to 18th-century British country houses. The estate reflects the opulence of its time. It also shows the architectural refinement of the era. There are numerous French doors, custom windows, and intricately detailed woodwork throughout.

Preserving a home of this caliber requires a commitment to both tradition and craftsmanship. These are the qualities that guided every step of this restoration project.


Building Information
Type of Building: Gold Coast Mansion
Location: Muttontown, Long Island, NY

Year Built: 1916

Restoration Completed: 2020s

Client: Private Residential Owner


Why the Work Was Needed

Many of Charlton Hall’s original windows and doors remained intact after a century of use. However, they were in need of extensive repair. The homeowner had a dual objective. They wanted to preserve the character of the home. At the same time, they aimed to upgrade its energy efficiency without sacrificing its architectural integrity. Right Path Windows & Restoration was selected to lead the effort based on our proven expertise in high-end residential restoration.


What we did

Restoration


Each sash was removed, labeled, and transported to our workshop. After that, we started by deglazing the original single-pane glass. Then we carefully modified the muntin bars. This allowed for the installation of Low-E insulated glazing units.

We cut the original muntin spines to retain the traditional divided-light appearance. Then, we installed simulated muntins with matching spacer bars inside the glazing unit. New bars were fabricated to mirror the originals. They were installed on the opposite face of the glass. This preserved the historic appearance with modern performance.

Our team removed all hardware components, stripped away layers of paint, mechanically polished each piece. Finally, a clear topcoat was applied for both aesthetic value and longevity.

Exterior Restoration


On the exterior, we restored the first-floor window frames. Additionally, we restored a full set of custom French doors. We rebuilt each door to match the home’s original design. We stripped the grand front door. We repaired and repainted it in Benjamin Moore exterior white. The elegant oyster-shaped architectural element above it received the same treatment. Additional decorative wood elements across the façade received the same meticulous attention.