The Department of Buildings wants me to show the state of the sidewalk before and after the job so that they can determine if I have to redo it. To do this I had to get an architect’s survey which costs $3000. To redo the sidewalk would cost me $1000. So I’m forced to spend […]
DOB Retards – the sidewalk fiasco Read More »
At the beginning of this job I had to buy my salvaged wood from Fine Lumber in Williamsburg. But now that the local job sites know about my project I get most of my wood from them. Here you see a nice selection of old cut prime wood. That’s my daughter.
I have relationships with the contractors in the neighborhood. These oak floors were perfectly fine but the owner wanted to replace them with cherry wood floors. Instead of put them in the dump I got them. The lower floors of a brownstone are dark so I like light floors to maximize the light.
Recycled Wood Floor Read More »
These studs were on their way to the dump until I intercepted the contractor and he let me take them.. I’m using them in the cellar where they will be in touch with the ground and where in the past there have been termite problems (thus no wood studs).
Recycled Steel Studs Read More »
On the 2nd street project we are doing a lot of underpinning and laying a concrete slab in the cellar. This requires a lot of concrete. Cement uses up a lot of energy to produce and creates a lot of CO2 Substituting up to 50% of the cement with fly ash is considered a more
What is Fly Ash? Why Its Called Fly Ash isn’t flying Read More »
It is so important to use healthy green house cleaning products in the house. The very same Wizz-Bang commercial products that can “kill germs” can also kill all the good germs in you. The following text was originally from ABC’s web site. There are many ingredients in your own kitchen or bathroom cupboard that could
How to Green House Cleaning Read More »
There is this cool concept called Bio-Biologie, formed by a German guy called Dr. Anton Schnieder, which looks at the house and its surroundings as a biological entity, almost as if it were alive. And like any living entity it needs certain things to remain healthy, which in turn keeps the inhabitants healthy. Many houses
Bio-Biologie Building Read More »
Because my architect and I did not see eye to eye we had to part ways, which meant he had to pull his application with the DOB. That would have been fine if my new architect kept to his schedule. But he didn’t and I didn’t get new plans submitted to the DOB before the
We are working again! Read More »
Sound is an important element in a house, usually how to diminish the sound between walls and floors. Soundproofing a house is an art and a science. There are many things that at first go against logic, but once you understand the mechanics of sound they make perfect sense. For example in one situation a
Good Soundproofing Sites Read More »
I discovered a great web site today called Radiant Heat Institute.com It is a godsend for a builder like me who likes to green build cheap. He has loads of practical info. Very good site. Here is from his site on how to build green: 1. Locate house with south orientation, +5 or – 5 degrees
Green Building Notes Read More »
