Fireplace shopping

Now that we know that our fireplaces are inoperable in their current state, and that we need new inserts for sure (and possibly a new chimney), we decided to go shopping for gas inserts.  We went to two fireplace stores and looked at these vintage gas fireplaces because they most closely resemble the 1890s fireplaces we have.

It seemed like a good idea except in person I hated these fireplaces.  When standing in front of them, they looked like toy fireplaces. The other part that bothered me were the fake coals or fake logs that were inside of them. The actual part of the fireplace where the flame is at is about 12" wide, so that meant the imitation logs were only about 8" wide.  Needless to say, I thought it definitely looked like a fake fireplace.

So we started thinking, since we are already tearing out the surround in order to rebuild some of the chimney, why don't we just expand the opening to fit a larger fireplace. Yes, we'd be losing the vintage feel of it, however, I think we'd get more use out of a larger fireplace like the one below. 

windows order...plus more change orders

Originally, the plan was to repair whatever windows we were able to and only purchase new windows for the locations where windows didn't already exist. Our existing windows would need to be repaired because they are original to the home, therefore, they are single pane, and in the winter they let a ton of cold air in, and rattle like crazy in the wind. We realized that it was going to cost too much money to repair our current windows to a point where they would be energy efficient, so we decided it would be best to get all brand new windows especially since all the walls were open, and it would be harder to replace later on. Additionally, if we are now opening up all of the walls and replacing all of the windows, we might as well spray foam insulate from the inside.  There goes another change order :/

We began researching a few different brands because we needed a company and window line that could make large custom windows. A few of our windows are 54 in x 81 in and not many window manufactures can make them that size. We decided to go with Pella Architect series because we thought the profile of the window resembled our current windows the best and because they could custom make our extra large windows.  

Of course the choices didn't end there. After selecting the brand and line, we needed to decide on color for the inside frame, outside frame and for the hardware. We went back and forth on various window options, but in the end we wound up deciding on Bright White interior with Classic White exterior, full sized InView screens with oil-rubbed bronze hardware.  Something like this (except the hardware is darker in person):

We learned that we have 51 windows in our house (!), but since we will only be replacing the windows on the first and second floor right now, our final count dropped down to a mere 38 for the order :)

The sooner we get the windows installed, the sooner walls can get closed up!  They take 4-6 weeks to come in, so we order at the end of October to keep us on schedule.

I got 99 Problems, and the Fireplace IS one!

We had a fireplace technician come out and take a look at our two fireplaces to let us know what was needed to make both fireplaces operable. The guy didn't have good news for us.  In fact, he had really horrible news for us.  Our fireplaces are basically fire hazards and need to be replaced.  However that wasn't the bad news since we kinda figured as much.  The bad news was that our entire chimney was in horrible shape and would need to be rebuilt from the basement to the roof.  One big problem with that is that according to code, your chimney needs to be 2 feet above the highest part of your roof. SAY WHAAAT?!?!?!. Our roof is so pitched it makes a black diamond ski slope look tame.  So of course, to rebuild a chimney of that magnitude it would cost a fortune...like one year's tuition at an out of state college fortune. 

We were told, however, that if we went with a gas-only fireplace then we wouldn't need to rebuild the chimney and it would knock off A LOT of money.  Looks like gas it is!

As you can see, it looks like the chimney was repaired at some point over the years.  Even with the addition to the chimney shown here, the chimney does not clear the top of the roof (picture is at a weird angle).  Imagine adding about 2 more feet to it!  The chimney would be pretty ridiculous looking.

Fireplaces

This is the fireplace in the parlor/living room

Here it is with the mantel pulled off and the insert taken out.

Here is a shot taken from inside the fireplace looking up the chimney

This is the fireplace in the master bedroom

Here it is with the insert pulled out

I suppose this was proof that they were considered hazardous. Inserts were needed because they were built without using fire brick.

Shot from inside looking up the chimney from second floor

Footings

Now that we were able to raise the floors 1.5 inches, we needed to install new columns. However, prior to installing new columns we needed to create larger footers to support these columns. The previous footers were only 12 inch X 12 inch and they started to give way when we started to raise the floor. 

Cut holes and poured concrete to create new footers

New Support Columns

Raise the roof...or floor

The crew tore up all of our existing hardwoods on the first and second floor (again, it was completely necessary and we could not salvage them).  We had anticipated that we would need to level the floor prior to installing new floors, however, we did NOT think the floors were 2.25 inches out of level. We brought in a structural engineer who determined that the middle of the house sunk due to the staircase.  He recommended raising the middle of the floor in it's entirety. The previous owners had installed three I-beams in the basement however they didn't care enough to actually level the floors prior to installing them.  So the engineer said the floors would be able to be raised by utilizing these beams.  

The crew used hydraulics and slowly started cranking the floor up.  The floor had been uneven by 2.25" and with lifting the floor they were able to move it up by 1.5 inches.  The rest of the deficit can definitely be made up in the subfloor.

The red laser is where the floor needs to be raised to

Kitchen with just sub flooring 

Kitchen view from Mudroom

Master Bedroom on 2nd Floor

2nd Floor Hallway

Basement - Raising the Floor

Basement - Raising the Floor

Demo has started!

The crew started demo on September 1st and they quickly starting removing drywall, old hardwoods, plumbing and some electrical.  After just a few short weeks you can already start to see how wide open the space is going to be.

Before anyone becomes upset about us removing the original hardwoods, you have to understand that they were too damaged and they were installed incorrectly therefore, there way no way to re-finish them so that they would last.  If we worked with what we had, we would have had to make repairs to the floors for years to come (which it already looked like the previous owners had tried to do!)  However, good news was that we were able to give away some of the old oak floors to be used in other home projects.

Family Room / Great Room - The room on the left is the sunroom

View from the kitchen looking through the half bath and into the Family Room

Entry Foyer

View from the hallway into the kitchen - Door on the left is the half bath

View from the mudroom in the kitchen

Plan for 2014 - Phase 3

So we haven't done much since we semi-finished our master bathroom and laundry room, but here we are in September of 2014 (2 1/2 years since we purchased our house) and we are FINALLY ready to renovate our first floor and pieces of the 2nd floor and basement. 

This was the renovation that was previously scheduled as PHASE 2 and planned for 2013 but was pushed back to PHASE 3.  As a recap, PHASE 2 was the master bath and laundry and now PHASE 3 is the first floor /second floor. This will be the biggest renovation for our entire house project. One of the main items on the list for this phase is the kitchen. Up until this point we have had NO KITCHEN.  People  always ask us,"What do you mean no kitchen?"  Well, it's exactly what we said, no kitchen.  Here is a picture of our "kitchen" below. As you can see, it's lacking a few of the essentials, a stove...a real-sized fridge...and cabinets.

We haven't used our first floor at all up till this point, and we've pretty much lived entirely on our third floor.  So this renovation will be very exciting for us since it will finally allow us to enjoy the rest of our home.  Here are our plans:

2014-2015 PHASE 3 Renovation - Scope of work

First floor
- Demo current powder room 
- Tear down and expand current kitchen
- Build addition and move current mudroom
- Knock out most of the walls in the back of the house to create open concept 
- Open up existing back staircase
- Tear down exterior wall and build half-wall leading to sunroom

- Build new powder room in first floor

- Waterproof entire backside of house and install sub pump

- Replace and level all of wood floor on 1st floor (floors are too damaged to keep original)

- Replace some windows (some too damaged to keep)

Second floor

-  Replace and level all of wood floor on 1st floor (floors are too damaged to keep original)

- Demo 2nd bathroom and run all plumbing (may not finish depending on funds)

- Build hallway closet at the top of back staircase

- Install tile in laundry room

- Raise handrailing and balusters on second floor landing. The handrail is about 10 inches too low

Existing 1st Floor Plan

New 1st Floor Plan

Some 3D renderings of what could be!

Want to know what's left? A WHOLE LOT .

2015-2016 PHASE 4 - Renovation - Scope of work

Completely re-side the outside of the house with cement board

Tear down and rebuild front Porch

Build back deck

Build Back Paver patio

Install new Paver walkway in front of house

Install Outdoor Kitchen

Install Outdoor Firepit

Install fence for backyard (remember when I posted that this was 10k alone?!?! Insane!)

Landscaping for the front and back

2016-2017 PHASE 5 Renovation-Scope of work

Renovate basement

2nd Floor Reno - Week 13

We now have a working master bathroom and a laundry room. All of the fixtures were installed in the master bath, however a few things still remain.  

For the master bath we still need two mirrors, three sconces, chandelier, towel bar, glass shower enclosure, hardware for the cabinets and shower door handle, and to install the rain shower head. OH and new windows plus some shutters for the windows. So although it looks like we are almost done we still have a long way to go.

Shower Bench, Toilet, and Vanity. As you could see the walls look bare. 

Shower fixtures. We still need to install the rain shower head.

New Washer and Dryer.  As you can see there is no floor, sink or cabinets yet. All things to come. We wanted to get these hooked up as soon as possible so we didn't need to continue taking our clothes over to my parents house.

Its finally coming together but still so many things left to do in order to make these two rooms complete.

2nd Floor Reno - Week 12

Now things are really starting to come together.  This week the marble countertop was installed, the vanity hutches were built above the counter, the marble backsplash was put up and the walls were painted.

Here's a closeup of the countertop and backsplash. The sinks were also installed :) For the backsplash, we repeated the brick marble that's on the shower walls and we topped it off with a marble chair rail.  

And here's the marble for the shower seat!

Everything looks so good! Just need all of the plumbing fixtures installed and we'll be in business! Adrian and I started cleaning so that we can move back in soon.  There's a LOT of dust everywhere.  Before the demo even started, Adrian and I thought we were so prepared. We closed every door and taped each of the doors off with plastic.  We rolled paper out on the floor and draped plastic over furniture.  That dust is crazy sneaky though because it still managed to get EVERYWHERE. Mental note for next time, tape off all vents so dust can't travel.

A few things need to still be completed in the laundry room as well.  Those photos will be posted soon. Keep checking back for updates!!!

2nd Floor Reno - Week 11

Shower is all tiled and grouted! Just need the marble for the bench.

The base of the vanity has been installed and we're selecting paint colors.  The four colors above the vanity are the same as the four colors on the lefthand wall.  They were on different walls so that we could see the options in both natural light and under artificial light.  The two green samples on the left are for the laundry room, and the two grey options are for the bathroom.  We selected #1 for the laundry room and #3 for the bathroom.

Trim was installed and painted white.