Windows Update - Not the Computer Operating System

We are ready for the new vinyl single-hung windows, which arrive on Monday. Several hundred pounds of cast-iron counter weights have been removed from the existing windows, as well as the pulleys. The weights could have been left in the wall, but recycling seems to make sense. The biggest challenge was getting the old upper sashes removed, as they were both painted and nailed in place. The inside trim is often left in place in such work, but I removed it for two reasons: to enable making the trim to fit the new windows better, as some of the old windows were significantly racked (probably installed that way originally), and we will remove interior wall surfaces where insulation upgrades and minor electrical upgrades are needed. Determining the presence and quality of existing insulation without undue demolition will take some thinking.

The windows were the first major decision about 'product' for the remodel that we have made. In making that decision, we pondered our overall philosophies regarding the remodel. We more or less agree on the following...

We generally don't plan to go 'bottom of the line' or 'top of the line', on the premise that we want something 'good' and we want something that is a 'good value'. We do go on the premise that this remodel will be the only one that we will do, and we want it to last as long as we remain in the house (they may haul us out of the house eventually in pine boxes). We may go to the high end on a few things that are really important to us, but don't feel that we can or should do that as a general thing. We also want to be 'green' as feasible. I'm also voting for choices that reduce maintenance when it doesn't otherwise compromise what we want.

Stay tuned....film at eleven.

Window Finesse

After reading all about windows and shopping around, we picked out our windows; Milgard "Tuscany." They are vinyl, which made me suck in my breath (think: "manufactured home"). But they are considered very good, low maintenance, and will have the highest rating, energy-wise. Anyway, all of the lovely old wood trim will go back up. We will use wood clad ones in the main part of the house.

Right now, Don is removing eleven windows, the first batch to be replaced. He takes off all of the trim – gently, gently! Also the cords, weights, and stop strips. Then he puts the windows back in a temporary mode, so our house isn't open to the elements while we wait for the new windows. Thus far, my part of the job has been to loosen painted-closed pieces and to pull nails out of the trim that we will use again (the trim, not the nails). I didn't know that there was so much finesse needed to pull out finish nails. They must be carefully pulled out from the back side, using pliers and a piece of wood as leverage. That way, no blemish is made on the front side and no wood putty is needed when the trim is refinished. There are a lot of details to this remodel thing.

Good-bye double hung windows (sniff!)

Nail Number ONE!

Finally!

Can you believe it, we pulled the first nail today! Don is measuring windows so we can order the new ones. So, off comes the trim. Let the dust commence!

The Garage is Finally Done!!!!

Table saw - before

Stuff - before

East wall - before

After years of having an out-of-control garage, and the occasional temporary 'shove aside' cleanups, the Scripter garage is 'in-depth' clean for the first time ever. This is a significant step in our remodeling process, as it was the last big step before launching into the real remodeling.

Our garage is really a shop / work area, and not a place to park a car, and that was factored in the final garage layout. Even after giving away or tossing LOTS of stuff, things were saved that apply to maintenance, our hobbies, and the remodeling--but now it is organized so that a needed bolt or electrical connector can be found. We may never need to go to the hardware store again! The space still looks pretty drab and uninviting, but I will add paint when I'm tired of doing other things. The concrete floor is slated for replacement down the road also, as it was a poor job when originally done, and the tree roots I dealt with last summer added to the problems.

Here are some before and after pictures of the garage (warning--some images may be objectionable to some viewers).

Cheers! from Don 

You can see the floor! - after

Work bench - after

East wall  & table saw - after

The Eldon desk

The “Eldon desk” is a little wooden desk that Don’s dad made for Sami. He had previously made one for each of his grandchildren. Sami really liked the desk’s simplicity so Eldon surprised her with one the next Christmas. The desks were made of scrounged material and Sami’s desk has a piece of wood on the underside that must have come from an old phonograph cabinet. Eldon painted around the 2x2½ inch RCA logo of Nipper the dog listening to “his master’s voice.” Of course the little picture will be preserved.

 

The Study

The room we call a “study” is continuing to get its face-lift. Twenty years ago, when we moved here, it was Carl’s bedroom. The walls were paneled in dark wood. After he moved, it acquired a hodge-podge of furniture; a hand-me-down futon from Emily, two file cabinets, two giant wood desks, both discards from our respective work places, two computer desks, cheap bookshelves and, on the walls, a variety of artwork and calendars. Somewhere along the way it got painted a bright blue. A while back, Don switched out his big oak desk for a small roll top desk that had been his father’s. As part of our remodel, to make the room more coordinated, we got Don a new computer desk and both of us new matching bookshelves. We have been wrestling with what color to paint the walls. We want a color that will help bring everything together and create a quite, calm mood. A tall order for a room that still has seven different oak tones (including furniture and floor), five different desks and two different filing cabinets, plus five different electric lights, and two big windows that cast all kinds of light and shadows on the grooved, angled, sloping walls. Oh yes, we want it to coordinate with the other rooms.

Obliterating the blue took two coats of white paint, using a narrow brush (because of the grooves). Here are three Benjamin Moore colors we are considering:

Rich cream – exactly what it sounds like

Amulet – a low-intensity, creamy gold

Dried Basil – a soft, dusty green, tending toward a khaki color

Everyone says the green is best, but my senses respond most positively toward the other two.

Progress

Slow... but we are making progress. Don spent much of the last five weeks recovering from a nasty flu. That slowed his garage cleaning down to a weak crawl. Instead we have been focused on our study. No actual remodel in there, but we have added a wardrobe, to fill-in for the big closet on the main floor that will be demolished and moved. We added new, bigger bookcases and a new computer desk for Don. All surfaces must now be cleaned and painted. Good-bye blue!

 Everything we do is inspected by Simon. He does not approve of changes in his house. We are thinking of giving him cat Valium to calm him down.

Daphne, on the other hand, is fine as long as the food dish remains full and her basket is kept warm.