Multitasking

We have been removing the back addition, removing the rotten front porch and rebuilding it- And the beat goes on with striping (so to speak)very consistently.

Check out the ventilation and the air scrubbers!

In the meantime, we are taking the demolition down to the brick in order to repair and ultimately to  insulate with the latest in 21st century technology. We are using both open and close cell foam and we will discuss it in great detail in future posts.  

Below is the first floor powder room.  It's going to be the Alice in Wonderland powder room  because it is so small and the rest of the house is so grand.  The juxtaposition in scale is really amusing  and we are going to celebrate it.  

We are also preparing to do more select demolition in the areas that we are keeping.  Here is the commercial elevator that is leaving...It's a big deal to get rid of this baby and while it isn't fun to pay for the removal of something like this, it will make all the difference in the ultimate floor plan and it's a lot safer to be rid of it...

In preparation for insulation on the third floor, all of the original pine paneling is being removed and numbered so we can put it back just the way it was.  We will insulate with spray foam insulation and make a huge difference with energy efficiency.  The floors have all been protected and there's always a trusty hepa-vacuum around for clean-up at the end of the day...

This is the cedar room and selective demolition is happening here as well.  There was a fair amount of damage to the wood, so we are repairing and supplementing after insulation.

And the entire house is being rewired, replumbed, new gas lines, with all new mechanical systems and ductwork...







Hello Water Management!

We are rebuilding the front balcony and in addition to phenomenally accurate carpentry, water management is a major focus.  The goal is to direct water away from the house so the roof and built-in gutter systems are the vehicles to that.  The framing for the built-in gutters is additionally sloped so the water moves through to the downspouts. Here is our cracker jack framer Bruce making sure that it is all done just right.

There are redundant waterproofing systems that are incorporated underneath the new roofs.  Grace "Ice and Water Shield" is applied to the roof sheathing and the built in gutter framing.  This ensures that any water that might get past the finished roof system will not continue into the framing.  Instead, it will be whisked way on a built-in gutter water slide and down the gutter.  Whee...

Now, comes the pretty part.  Ed is our copper man and his work is amazing (even prettier than he is).  Here he is installing flat-lock copper over the Grace "Ice and Water Shield" in the built-in gutter.  It is a shame that everyone won't be able to see this first thing because it is gorgeous and pretty costly but it is the best material for the job even when it can't be seen.