Attic Insulation
Typical Ice Dam Condition
Becky and I made a trip to South Bend last week and she pointed out the icicles on many of the houses and buildings. This led to a discussion on ice dams, which I discussed here previously. There’s another nice picture here.
It was one of those days where it was easy to see which buildings and homes had good attic insulation and which didn’t. The temperatures were just below freezing and it had been nearly a week since the last snow. Those structures with poor attic insulation stood out easily amongst the sea of white roofs.
The fact that heat rises makes it fairly easy to understand that the majority of a structure’s heat loss is through the roof. In most homes, adding attic insulation is a fairly economical way to save energy costs. When done correctly in conjunction with proper venting, it can prevent or cure ice dam issues as well. This is green that saves green!
Icicles are pretty, but they may well be the sign of underlying problems and potentially the precursor to water damage. Take a look at your home the next time you pull into your neighborhood. If your house has lots of pretty icicles and is the only one without snow on the roof, you may have an insulation deficit.
Bass Lake Shore Club BZA Hearing
We have been working with the new owners of The Shore Club to reopen the restaurant on the north end of Bass Lake. I remember going to The Shore Club for years and I’m excited that we’re involved with its rebirth!
Last Thursday evening we appeared before the Starke County BZA to request a Conditional Use Variance to allow the restaurant to reopen. It was heartwarming to hear the reminiscences from those there about past good times at The Shore Club. There was even one unsolicited audience member that we didn’t know who stood up and voiced her support!
The Variance was required because of the gap in restaurant use between the time the restaurant closed and now. The property is in a Residential District. The Variance was granted unanimously.
The new owners look forward to reopening the facility as a restaurant and banquet center. We will be doing interior remodeling and some minor exterior remodeling to bring it into line with ADA standards. The interior will be updated and modernized. There will be revisions to increase the parking for the facility as well. We are excited to be involved with this project.
Historic Renovations
We have completed many historic projects over the years. If you are considering a historic renovation project a 20% tax credit is available as an incentive to encourage you. The first step is to see if your proposed project qualifies. Here are the Secretary of The Interior’s Standards for Rehabilitation:
- A property shall be used for its historic purpose or be placed in a new use that requires minimal change to the defining characteristics of the building, its site and environment.
- The historic character of a property shall be retained and preserved. Ther removal of historic materials, or alterations of features and spaces that characterize a property, shall be avoided.
- Each property shall be recognized as a physical record of its time, place and use. Changes that create a false sense of historical development shall not be undertaken.
- Most properties change over time; those changes that have acquired historic significance in their own right shall be retained and preserved.
- Distinctive features, finishes and construction techniques or examples of craftsmanship that characterize a property shall be preserved.
- Deteriorated historic features shall be repaired rather than replaced. Where the severity of deterioration requires replacement of a distinctive feature, the new feature shall match the old in design, color, texture and other visual qualities, and if possible, materials.
- Chemical or physical treatments, such as sandblasting, that cause damage to historic materials shall not be used.
- Significant archaeological resources affected by a project shall be protected and preserved.
- New additions, exterior alterations or related new construction shall not destroy historic materials that characterize the property.
- New additions and adjacent or related new construction shall be undertaken in such a manner that, if removed in the future, the essential form and integrity of the historic property and its environment would be unimpaired.
Historic renovation is also one of the most green forms of construction. Finding a new use for a historic building may well save the structure from the landfill. Careful analysis should be conducted, though. Old is not always historic. Historic structures are notorious for construction cost overrun issues as well as operational costs that exceed those of new construction. As the project is considered, it must be determined if the project is being approached altruistically or for profit.
Nestrest: And now for something completely different…
So how do you get into your secluded, suspended sanctuary when you place it over water? In any case, I ran across this and thought it was interesting. If you have the right location and a big enough tree to support it; a wicker swing that looks like a Hershey Kiss and seats 2 or more? Cool! This is the Nestrest. It’s a hanging lounger.
This is a product by DEDON. If you’re interested in one and want to see more pictures, go here. If you understand the ostriches, let me know…
