The Maple Floor Fiasco
We found about 500sq.ft. of 5 inch wide maple plank flooring in a dumpster. It had a very slight warp to it due to it not being installed correctly. But with a little sanding we could get rid of that.
So we happily installed the flooring.
Despite our good intentions there were complications….
1. Maple is not a [...]
Sound Proofing and Heat Transfer Subfloor
We have a floor with a high ceiling which means we can lay the pex tubing on top of the subfloor instead of hanging the tubing beneath. The pex tubing takes up valuable space and you can only lay it on top of the subfloor if you have the ceiling height.
Having the tubing on top [...]
Eco Brooklyn Featured at MNN.com
Above: A tomato plant growing out of the sidewalk at the green show house. You can’t get more local than that!
MNN.com, a pretty cool “Mother Nature Network” featured Brooklyn as a green destination of the week. Eco Brooklyn was mentioned in the article:
“Brooklyn residents can now stretch out in new green-friendly living quarters through Eco-Brooklyn [...]
Adding Solar gain and recyclables to Facade
Above: Facade with planter and recycled joists.
Originally the top facade of the building had a lot of rotted wood. And there was a great view. So in the heat of the summer I tore down the wall and planned on adding a wall of glass. It would have been magnificent.
But then as the cooler [...]
Installing the concrete slab
We have a cellar half of the ceiling on the south side being open so that large amounts of light stream in and make a very nice living area.
First we dug out the cellar 3 1/2 feet:
While digging we found a giant stone which I decided to keep and put under the stairs, much to [...]
Brooklyn on a Crisp Winter Day!
As seen from the stoop of the green show house. Nice!
Laying the foundation for the concrete slab
We have completely dug down the cellar by 3 and 1/2 feet. Then we put a vapour barrier and 3 inch insulation which we taped at the seams. Then we put down the salvaged fencing from the back yard to act as strengthener for the cement. On the fence we tied the pex tubing for [...]
Wood Flooring courtesy of Corcoran
Only in USA are dumpsters so full of wonderful stuff. And you can’t get fancier than a Corcoran dumpster. There is one in front of the Corcoran condos on President St in Carroll Gardens. I had the good luck to check them out today and found 1000 sq.ft. of once used wide plank maple flooring!
The [...]
Soundproofing between floors
After some research we noticed that one of the most effective ways to reduce impact noise between floors was to put a recycled tyre product between the floor and sub floor. It creates a vibrating cushion that absorbs the impact, thus deadening the sound.
The only problem is that this product is costly. And costly is [...]
Fiberglass Windows
I paid a lot of money for fiberglass windows for the Brooklyn Green Show House.
Despite the cost, the fiberglass frame part I LOVE. I think this is the way to go. I really love them and once they are nicely painted and repaired I will be very happy with them. When it is cold outside [...]