House renovation - ongoing - Page 12 - DIY Chatroom

kimber · 10-18-2009, 01:23 PM

ack , I hope your not doing any outside projects today Dave, this weekend has been miserable

fantastic job though, really something to be proud of!

**Scuba_Dave** · 10-18-2009, 01:30 PM

Thanks, no work today - we have a wedding to go to
I hope it won't be a million dollar home, can't afford the taxes

In another area it might be, but not here

Tomorrow the old windows & wall come down

**Scuba_Dave** · 10-19-2009, 05:12 PM

The inside windows & old roof are out, I need to build a new ceiling inside
Going to use 2x4's to cover the 2', then install R19 for a total of R49
They had loose vermiculite (?) as loose fill insulation on the old ceiling
What a mess that stuff makes taking it out

The header is 2x9's ?? - really weird...they measure 8.5"
Very happy with the way this came out so far

Window area is all insulated & windows all sealed
I'm adding 2 outlets off a lightly used circuit
I've lost my plant window, I used the old shelf for all my plants
But with the garage/addition they were getting a lot less light

**Scuba_Dave** · 10-21-2009, 10:29 PM

Well one of my thumbs paid the price again
I did the demolition from the inside after building the new bay window
I was actually being very careful & everything was going great
All that was left was the remaining roof that had not been cut out
I pulled it...didn't budge...pulled harder...budged real quick...my thumb got banged between the roof & wall

Did some of the trim & most of the roof
Also started demo of the interior lower wall
I left most of it to keep the colder air out until I insulate the floor

Here's the outside

And the inside
Weird as it seems at some point a smaller window(s) existed & it was enlarged
The area that is a different color had 2 layers of 3/8" sheetrock instead of cement/plaster

Here's the "newer" insulation...wondering when it was Mfg ?
Just curious as to when the modification was made
(pic is upside down to be able to read insulation better)
There were newer boards on the outside as sheathing - not plywood
Older insulation is wool between a tar like paper (I guess also balsam wool)

**Scuba_Dave** · 10-21-2009, 10:36 PM

I was thinking the balsam wool had an R value of R7
I think I saw that on some of the paper
Did a search & that seems to be confirmed....

I've also decided to take whats left of the wall out on the right side of the windows
It's only abut 16" & I can install R15 & put up new sheetrock

TJ_in_IL · 10-21-2009, 10:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Scuba_Dave

Here's the "newer" insulation...wondering when it was Mfg ?
Just curious as to when the modification was made.
Older insulation is wool between a tar like paper (I guess also balsam wool)

When I tore out a wall in my house, I found similar stuff. This was in part of the house that was added in the 50's. So, that may help with a time line.

TJ

**Scuba_Dave** · 10-21-2009, 10:56 PM

My house was built in the 50's

Wierd thing is it almost looks like it was framed out for a door
But the front door is very close, so that would not make sense
But the rough frame opening is about 40" wide
Which is almost the exact RO of the old front door
I may ask one of the neighbors who has lived here since before the house was built

**Scuba_Dave** · 10-26-2009, 02:45 PM

Not much has changed visually...been cleaning up
Taking down the old wood sheathing where its not needed inside the new bay window
Insulated walls with R19, roof & floor have R30.
The roof will get an additional layer of R19
I ran 2 new outlets to the new wall - they are just about 5' apart
GFCI protected since this is the Dining room & has a ~4' opening to the kitchen
Existing outlets in the room are on a lighting circuit, so nice to have a 2nd circuit in the room

In taking the old sheathing down I see that there isn't ANY insulation behind the steel junction boxes
No huge surprise, but that means eventually I will be taking apart every wall to insulate

That won't be as bad as it sounds
The Dining room will be all re-insulated once the window area is done
The kitchen has a new garage on one side & new sunroom on the other
Front entry has a new 3 season porch that helps, one small side has a closet which I can rip open & insulate
Main room I am adding a 1/2 wall out front with R19
Front bedroom I will take the sheathing off before residing, then insulate
Back bedroom has a greenhouse that blocks the lower wall
Bathroom already has R13

So just one side of the front bedroom (cold) & one side of the back bedroom.
And 4 closets that are on outside walls
Easy.....

......

Cold air just flows in...............

**Scuba_Dave** · 10-26-2009, 03:47 PM

Well another "good" thing
I finally looked into the old 3" roof vent that is moving to the new roof
Its 2" cast in the basement, 3" cast on the 2nd floor then it goes to PVC before going thru the roof
What I thought was 3" cast was enclosed in plywood on the 2nd floor
I just peeled off the plywood & it is only about 27" of 3" cats before it ytansfers over to the 2" CI
So that will be much easier to rip out & convert to PVC

Tigwldr · 10-26-2009, 05:04 PM

Howd you get the hammer to stay on the roof like that? :D haaa haaa

**Scuba_Dave** · 10-28-2009, 09:57 PM

Well I thought I was done with electric just adding 2 outlets along the new bay windows
But I realized it woudl be nice to have (2) recessed lights there
So I plugged in my test recessed light & set it up for the wife to check it out
She likes the light....so I'll be adding 2 recessed cans
A switch with an outlet on the wall
And as long as I am at it I'll add another outlet for a plug in light pac for the built in cabinet I will be building

**Scuba_Dave** · 11-01-2009, 08:40 PM

Well with the time change & winter I need to connect some lighting so I can work out in the addition
I have some T-8 fixtures I can setup for now, each one uses about 96w
These are really nice with polished deep louvre grilles - a little dusty right now
Look like this except for a drop ceiling, went for maybe $2-300 new - free !!
They will eventually go out in the garage

Well 5 out of 6 of the lights work for now
Not bad for sitting in a crawl space for 2-3 years & then in my basement for 6 years
Mfg is GenLyte, they have the 18 parabolic louvers, made for use in an office environment w/computers
They have 3100K bulbs in them right now, but I have some 10k bulbs that I can put in

bronco2 · 11-05-2009, 09:31 AM

Nice work Scuba.

jackie treehorn · 11-05-2009, 11:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Scuba_Dave

I was thinking the balsam wool had an R value of R7

you have to pay good money these days to get a number like that!!

**Scuba_Dave** · 11-05-2009, 12:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Scuba_Dave

I was thinking the balsam wool had an R value of R7
I think I saw that on some of the paper
Did a search & that seems to be confirmed....

Quote:

Originally Posted by jackie treehorn

you have to pay good money these days to get a number like that!!

Actually the balsam wool is rated anywhere from R3.25 to R3.4 per inch
With 2-3 inches I had maybe R7
The house actually was warm with just the balsam wool insulation
Exterior sheathing is 3/4", then there was a layer of cedar shingles, then 1/4" insulation & vinyl siding
On the inside I have 3/4" thick walls - "cement board" then plaster over it
But I've been removing the shingles/insulation & vinyl siding