If you ever want to get that nice chaotic third world feeling then go hang out at the Department of Buildings. The Brooklyn one is good but the Manhattan one is even more insane. It goes a little like this. Lets say you want a tracking number to pull a work permit. Simple enough. Go […]
Department of Building Nightmare Read More »
In the constant quest for a greener insulation I have considered many options. – Cellulose is good but messy and dusty. – Isonyne spray foam or Demilec spray foam is good but not that cheap and quite honestly not as green as they say. It takes huge amounts of energy and petroleum to create the
Choosing Green Insulation – Consider Recycled Green Foam Board. Read More »
I love old bricks. They have great character. I got these from a job site. The contractor couldn’t believe I wanted to take them. He was actually insulted and called the whole thing “stupid”. It took me ten minutes to do. The bricks will cover a 100 square foot patio at 22 2nd street. No
I got the stupid bricks Read More »
I had a big argument with my architect because I wanted to use salvaged wood for part of the house and his mantra was: “If it is fixing something old you can use it but if you are building something new you need to use new wood.” Fixing some broken joists in a floor is
The Simple Hammer Test With 3 Types of Wood Read More »
I got some wood floors from a contractor friend. He is working for a customer who wants to get rid of perfectly good oak floors and replace them with cherry. God what a total waste! Waste of money, resources, forest etc. Waste helps keep the economy going…in a bad way. Unfortunately I only got in
Salvaged Wood Floors Read More »
I found a building company that was throwing out some perfectly good steel studs. The studs were just sitting behind a building so I asked if I could take them. They were like, “Why?” I was like, “Uh, to reuse them.” The were like, “But they are used.” “So? Are they damaged?” “No but they
Got some steel joists Read More »
I have become friends with a contractor who is remodeling a house down the block. The owner is totally gutting the place. Unfortunately I didn’t hook up with them until they were half way done so didn’t get to salvage everything. But we did salvage some good beams. They came out black but after some
New Shipment of Salvaged wood Read More »
I am happy that my 22 2nd street building is the 1st highlighted green project on Brownstoner.com! As far as I know Brownstoner.com is the most popular real estate blog in the world, but my non-NY friend quickly pointed out, “You New Yorkers always think you are the center of the universe.” The most popular
EcoBrooklyn is Listed on the most popular RE blog in the world. Read More »
Fibertec Fiberglass Windows in a living room Fiberglass as a building product has been around for years but there were some hindrances to using it in window frames. I don’t know the specifics of why but the hurdle has been overcome and more companies are making fiberglass windows. I’ve called around and it is still
What Is Fiberglass Windows and How Its Made? Read More »
I am currently working on 22 2nd street. It is a gut job. It is also being featured on Brownstoner.com as a Green Project of note, although I have not had a chance to check it out. Feel free to come by and see what we are doing, which is pretty much everything green.
