MaggieNF Posted January 12, 2021 Share Posted January 12, 2021 (edited) Hi! I've wanted to rehab a dollhouse for years...and about 2 months ago I found a beautiful gem for $20 on Facebook and I don't think I've ever bought anything quicker. Anyway, I've started the renovations, but I'm stuck as to the windows and doors. A couple of windows are missing, and the front door is gone. The windows and French doors that are there have discolored acetate. So, I'd love to put new winows and doors in altogether...but how? Some quick Googling has lead to me believe this is a risky move and very, very hard. Please tell me Google is wrong??? Help. (Tried to insert picture of same dollhouse but it's not letting me) Here's a link, if it matters any. https://images.app.goo.gl/K3YE1X5SscAjZfGG6 Edited January 12, 2021 by MaggieNF Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mid-life madness Posted January 12, 2021 Share Posted January 12, 2021 Welcome Maggie It can be done! A company named Dura-Craft is who made the house, and they are no longer in business. You could try to put new windows in, but they may not fit exactly. The easiest way would entail removing the trim that is holding the acetate in place. You can buy clear acetate sheets at Hobby Lobby and Miniatures.com. To remove the trim you need to use a heat source like a hot blow dry to soften the glue and a putty knife to gently lift the trim off of the house. You may be able to put a new door in the opening. Have you measured the opening and checked for replacements yet? 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shannonc60 Posted January 12, 2021 Share Posted January 12, 2021 Hi Maggie! You could make your own replacement windows and doors. Even cutting them from thick card would work. I use card for windows and doors as it’s cheap, available and easy to cut. I love the Duracraft houses. So pretty. Have fun! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
havanaholly Posted January 12, 2021 Share Posted January 12, 2021 Your house looks like the Newberg(by Dura-Craft), and the doors' and windows' parts were part of the kit (I have built the Dura-Craft San Franciscan and also their Cambridge), so if you're handy with a utility knife and have some sheets of 1/8" or thinner basswood(or chipboard, as Shannon suggests) and a cork-backed steel ruler and self-healing cutting mat, you are good to go. I you decide to go with ready-made components, carefully measure your openings and check out the HBS website (miniatures.com) tosee what you can find; you may have to enlarge or fill in some of the openings. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KathieB Posted January 12, 2021 Share Posted January 12, 2021 33 minutes ago, havanaholly said: Your house looks like the Newberg(by Dura-Craft) The link in the first post pretty much nails it as a Linfield by Dura-Craft. Nevertheless, it is a charming house. A rose by any other name, eh? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MaggieNF Posted January 12, 2021 Author Share Posted January 12, 2021 1 hour ago, havanaholly said: Your house looks like the Newberg(by Dura-Craft), and the doors' and windows' parts were part of the kit (I have built the Dura-Craft San Franciscan and also their Cambridge), so if you're handy with a utility knife and have some sheets of 1/8" or thinner basswood(or chipboard, as Shannon suggests) and a cork-backed steel ruler and self-healing cutting mat, you are good to go. I you decide to go with ready-made components, carefully measure your openings and check out the HBS website (miniatures.com) tosee what you can find; you may have to enlarge or fill in some of the openings. I've got the utility knife, corkbacked ruler and a mat...but up until the other day I honestly don't think I'd ever heard of basswood! A friend of mine that that does phenomenal dollhouse flips mentioned she made a door out of basswood and I made a mental note to check out what that was. See, told ya - newbie. Lol Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MaggieNF Posted January 12, 2021 Author Share Posted January 12, 2021 1 hour ago, shannonc60 said: Hi Maggie! You could make your own replacement windows and doors. Even cutting them from thick card would work. I use card for windows and doors as it’s cheap, available and easy to cut. I love the Duracraft houses. So pretty. Have fun! Definitely thinking that doing my own is going to be the way to go on this one. Wish me luck...not exactly the handiest girl around, haha. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
havanaholly Posted January 13, 2021 Share Posted January 13, 2021 Linfield, eh? It looks a lot like the photo on my Newberg box, but that's out in the workshop in a pile of kits and I'm in my nice, warm house. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shannonc60 Posted January 13, 2021 Share Posted January 13, 2021 22 hours ago, MaggieNF said: Definitely thinking that doing my own is going to be the way to go on this one. Wish me luck...not exactly the handiest girl around, haha. Go girl! Using cardboard is cheap. Practice, and cut a template to check fit and you’ll be fine! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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