Tag:Tips
Manufactured Housing Remodels
Some of the manufactured housing companies from the 50’s and 60’s were ahead of the curve on green building. Many of them used panelization (prefabricated wall sections) for their wall construction. Interior, non-bearing walls were often constructed using 2×2’s in lieu of the standard 2×4’s. This resulted in space savings, but created non-standard door jambs and generally required 1-3/8″ door thicknesses. Electrical box installations are tight and these walls are not suitable for chases in most cases. The narrow walls and narrow door jambs were followed by smaller than average casings, base and other associated trim.
There are many of these homes in the residential areas of Culver. I have no confirmations, but it is our understanding that most of these homes were purchased through National Homes out of Lafayette, Indiana. We were contracted to move a wall in one of these homes on Academy Road last month. This reminds us of a previous project completed on Fleet Parkway.
This project was a home purchased from a past client where we had completed several projects. The home was purchased by an Interior Designer and her family. She wanted to update the Master Bathroom, Guest Bathroom and Kitchen.
Along with this she wanted to change the existing trim throughout the house. She chose an oversized MDF trim for the casing and base which gave the walls more mass. This was added to all of the main floor rooms as well as the downstairs family room. We were able to collaborate with her on several methods of changing the trim such as the detail to the right (and the cap detail here) at the entrance to the dining room from the living room. This disguised one of the main openings where the narrow walls were obvious. The change was dramatic as you can see in these before and after pictures.
We provided a custom window seat at the main window in the living room providing a focal point for the room. This made a dramatic change to that room. There was also a dated white wrought iron railing system at the stairs into the room which we changed to wood following the theme of increasing the scale of accent elements.
The existing doors were a hollow core wood with stained veneer finish. These were changed to two panel (stacked) composite doors which were painted white to match the trim. The composite doors are heavier which required some reinforcing of the jambs, but the added weight made the 1-3/8″ thickness less noticeable. New hardware further enhanced the substantial feeling. An example of this can be seen in the master bedroom closet doors in the picture to the right. (Notice the size of the existing baseboard which was retained in this room.)
In the original floor plan, the master bathroom was small and was adjacent to a combination bathroom/laundry room that served the other two bedrooms. As part of the remodel, we expanded the master bathroom, stealing space from the laundry room. This expanded the master bath sufficiently to allow a separate shower and soaking tub (left). A furniture piece sink was used in this room. Tile floors were added with tile shower surrounds and a tile surround for the tub. Beadboard wainscot was added as well.
An existing closet was used to create a new guest bathroom to serve the other two bedrooms. This bath also included tile floors and wall details as well as similar beadboard wainscot. A custom cabinet was created to allow the sink to be installed over the area where the head space for the stairs to the basement encroached on this room. A tub-shower was installed opposite the sink. Custom clear glass shower partitions and doors were included in both rooms.
We also provided a custom cabinetry fireplace surround in the family room. The old cabinetry was removed and replaced with custom sizes. The red brick fireplace was covered in drywall and wood refreshing its appearance. The stained shelves were removed and reconstructed with the larger trim, recessed shelf strips, and custom shelves to match the cabinetry below. (See pictures below.)
Fireplace (Before)
Fireplace Stripped
DF Fireplace During 2
DF Fireplace Painted
DF Fireplace (After)
It was quite amazing what these changes did to transform the home. We are pleased and proud that we were allowed to be part of this project.
My Visit with Alan Steele of SBDC
Alan Steel
Marshall County Economic Development Corporation (MCEDC) has made arrangements with the Small Business Development Center (SBDC) to have Alan Steele come to the MCEDC office in Plymouth once each month to council existing Marshall County businesses and future entrepreneurs. The service has been offered for most of 2011 and has been reasonably well received with 16 businesses taking advantage of the service through September.
Earlier this month I decided to take advantage of the service myself regarding a business venture I am considering outside Easterday Construction Co., Inc. While I had some ideas of what I wanted to do, I knew there were gaps in my knowledge, since this would be a move into a new arena for me. I also felt that it was appropriate that I go through the experience with Mr. Steele since as Chair of MCEDC, I have been promoting the service to others.
The meeting was quite productive. The questions he asked were pertinent and thought provoking. At the end he explained several options for additional information he could obtain for me. I received the additional information within about 10 days. I would recommend the service for anyone that is considering a new business, expanding an existing business or just needing help with their current business. I think this is a seriously underutilized resource.
Letter from the FBI
Getting a letter from the FBI is a little like having a police car come up behind you on the highway. Even when you aren’t doing anything wrong, haven’t done anything wrong and don’t plan to do anything wrong… it makes you nervous. We received one of those letters today from the FBI talking about potential terrorist activity as we approach the 10th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks. The letter included a flyer with a list of potential indicators and best practices concerning construction sites. Most of them are common sense, but the reminders are good. I’ve scanned the flyer and included it to the right.
It is best we don’t forget, lest it happen again.
Germaphobia
I am surrounded by sickness here lately. Becky has been sick this week and is hacking and coughing and snotty when I go home. Will and Kathy are both hacking and coughing here at the office. Kathy has been making fun of me for wiping down my phone after she uses it!
For years I’ve been one of those people that wash my hands in the public restroom and then use the paper towel to open the door when I leave. Touchless is great, where everything is on sensors and my preference is for bathrooms without doors or with doors that open out, but that doesn’t always work. I’m not a big fan of the blower dryers for this reason.
Well, I’ve noticed that I’m apparently not the only one. More and more public restrooms have trash cans near the exit. (Keeps me from having to practice my basketball shot across the room!) I got a little vindication from Commercial Building Products magazine this month when I saw the picture here to the right. It came with the caption, “Mounting paper-towel dispensers near an exit door provides users the chance to protect themselves from any germs left behind by others. The conveniently located waste container makes it easy to keep used towels off the floor.” Good plan!
Outdoor Living Update
Progress is continuing on the outdoor living project previously discussed here. The perimeter walls are going up now. These walls are solid concrete retaining wall block. They are double sided allowing them to be dry stacked vertically and used as both the inner and outer wall finish. A separate cap stone will be installed where the wall serves a a seat wall. Around the kitchen area, shown in the progress picture to the right, a granite counter top will be installed once the stainless steel kitchen appliances and cabinets are in place. The stone floor progress can be seen in this picture as well.
We are currently waiting for the bar stool structures to be delivered. They will be installed using a cantilever support system by Seating Innovations that will be mounted to the floor behind the wall. It will then extend through the wall. The chairs themselves will be aluminum to simulate the stainless steel finish of the cabinets. The seats will be cherry. The seats do not come with an outdoor finish from the factory, so we will be getting them raw and field finishing them with a marine finish. It will require maintenance, but should be good for several years before retreatment.
We’re installing the ceiling at this time as well. We are using vinyl soffit material as the ceiling finish. The flexibility of the vinyl allows it to conform to the wood framework of the barrel ceiling. The ceiling is being installed using screws to allow for future accessibility. This will allow access to the attic area for additions or changes to the electrical system or sound system. Can lighting is being installed throughout along with some ceiling fans and chandeliers. There are also surround sound speakers planned for enhanced television viewing. There will be hurricane shutters that require periodic maintenance as well. When necessary, the ceiling can be removed to access the shutters and actually lower them for service if necessary.
