Thu Feb 19, 2004
Heating my house, not the attic
I received my first heating bill a few days ago and it was huge. I finally realized it was for two months, which just so happened to include some of the coldest weather in recent Oregon memory, but the bill was still high for a house my size. I think I was wasting quite a bit of energy heating my attic, as I did not have a cover over my attic entrance. I've been wanting to solve this for awhile, but simply hadn't gotten around to it.
So I finally put together a foam-insulated cover with 3 layers of 1.5 inch ridgid foam insulation (total R-value over 20) inside a plywood frame. The shape is a little funny in order to allow the ladder to pass through, but it should cut into my heating bills, even if only until I can find a better solution.
Bathroom Window, Finally
This afternoon I finally installed the bathroom window, which is quite large and located right in the shower. The trim looks huge, which is, I suppose, the idea. People often install privacy glass in a shower window, but this window has the best view of the entire house (a nice shot of Mount St. Helens on clear days) and my backyard is fairly private. And I'm an exhibitionist, of course.
Actually, I'm not sure how I'll handle the blinds/privacy situation yet.
Wed Feb 04, 2004
Misery
Had a tough day working on the bathroom. I did install some of the wood trim and beadboard, which look great. But I also had problems removing the sink (in order to install beadboard behind it) and ultimately had to cut through the water supply pipe. The problem now is that there isn't enough pipe left to make another connection. That means I'll need to get into the wall (e.g. break through the sheetrock) in order to solder on a new copper supply line for the faucet. Ugh. Oh, and it also means that I'm without running water for a day or so.
The Tiling Crew
My brother and mother installed my limestone kitchen countertop tile today. It will need to be sealed, grouted, and resealed before it's ready for a sink and regulary kitchen duty. I think it's very attractive.
Mon Feb 02, 2004
Hardwoods
I hunted down some maple trim boards today from which I intend to make my kitchen counter edge. Because of the thickness of my countertop, a "regular" height piece of counter-trim isn't adequate (and is commonly oak, anyway), so I bought trim designed to function as a backsplash. It's 3.5 inches wide (I'll rip it to about 2) by 1/2 inch thick and cost $3 per foot! This hardwood shop had just about every wood you can imagine - African mahogany boards (perhaps 1x6) that were near $10 per foot. There was, of course, a time when this stuff was more available.
Sat Jan 31, 2004
I have my Kitchen Tile
My special order limestone tile arrived today at Lowe's, so I picked it up this evening. I haven't opened the boxes yet, but expect everything is fine. I'm glad I have a tiny countertop given that the tiles were over $6 each (a bargain by solid surface countertop standards, I know).
No schedule yet on their installation, other than "hopefully soon." I have to confess that I'd like to get the kitchen sink in and operational.
Fri Jan 23, 2004
Kitchen Counter On Order
After much fussing about, two different tile purchases, and much changing of opinion, I ordered my (final) kitchen counter surface today: honed limestone in a meduim dark, almost mauve, color. It's neither cheap nor really expensive, and is both beautiful and a little bit weird.
The 12x12 tiles should arrive early to mid next week.
Mon Dec 29, 2003
Periscope Depth
I finally moved into the house a few weeks ago but don't yet have Internet access. But I'm still alive and will post more as I get settled and connected.
Tue Dec 09, 2003
Hot Date
The heating company didn't show up today to finish my job and fire my furnace. Not a huge deal but something I'd like to get taken care of, as I hope to move in soon.
I did install about half of the new attic floorboards, some of them late into the evening with the help of my remarkably good-natured girlfriend (to whom this sort of thing is neither fun nor interesting).
Posted on 1/23/04
More Attic Work
I spent the late evening hours (just got home) in my attic, finally laying down the rest of the insulation. I expect to add a second layer of insulation tomorrow and then screw down the new/old floorboards.
While in the attic, I noticed two small leaks, both at the point where plumbing vents exit the roof. I'll need to patch those up soon.
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