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November 8, 2006
Bed Stuy Reno Kitchen: Someday, Some Way
This'll be one of your last chances to see the beautiful old brick wall in the ground floor of the Bed Stuy Reno house. This is where the cabinets, stove and fridge will ultimately go, even though our fearless renovators are feeling a little discouraged by the slow pace of progress in this particular area. What do you think that arch was for? Is it purely structural or was there an old brick oven or something in there?
The Lower Level Kitchen [Bed Stuy Reno]
Comments
Code requires those studs to be metal.
Posted by: Anonymous at November 8, 2006 10:08 AM
Boy does that look familiar. I propose that the arch was the top of a recess where a coal or wood stove was set back. Is that a flue I see at the top of the arch?
It's a good time to seal cracks and crevices to restrict the comings and goings of common pests like mice and waterbugs.
Posted by: Hal at November 8, 2006 10:14 AM
Could we get someone with some sort of official authority to explain the NY building codes as they relate to wood vs. metal studs? I see both being used all the time, but through experience know that walls with wood studs seem much stronger than those with metal. And as far as the fire argument goes, what good does it do someone to have the studs not burn if everything around them goes up in smoke?
Posted by: Drew Kilgore at November 8, 2006 10:48 AM
not 100% sure, but wood needs to be fire rated, but this may be a new code old code issue. Frankly no one should be using would studs in my opinion, recycling mainly. But if the builders are using the correct gauge stud it is as strong as wood and a hell of a lot straighter. Metal is cheaper and enough with the this old house wood is good mentality.
Posted by: jp at November 8, 2006 11:04 AM
Pity these "architects" could not do better than to cover up the brick wall. Exposed brick is an eye-catching detail that would've been better than the coverup with drywall and no doubt expensive but bland cabinetry.
Having followed their blog closely, I see that their aesthetic is more towards worrying about the centrality of their shower handle rather than not destroying old details (or creating new ones.)
Posted by: anon at November 8, 2006 11:19 AM
i think people are finding that wood studs have a lower embodied energy than metal studs, and are therefore more green.
Posted by: TT at November 8, 2006 11:27 AM
Metal studs are only code in commercial contruction. Wood is much easier to work with, especially when screwing in the drywall and attatching cabinets and counters
Posted by: Anonymous at November 8, 2006 12:30 PM
exposed brick is very 70s/80s chic, and a bit dark on a garden level too. Plus out of character for a period home such as this. IMO.
Posted by: lp at November 8, 2006 1:25 PM
NYC requires metal studs because of fire ratings. DOB does not change the rules for commercial construction and residental. The DOB changes code rules for multiple dwellings or other types of uses.
Posted by: Anonymous at November 8, 2006 1:40 PM
Exposed brick is fine in some contexts, but isn't this a kitchen? Don't be a hater, 1:19 -- these folks gotta have kitchen cabinets and a stove in here, and the only place those components are going is against a wall. Not to mention the fact that, um, exposed brick isn't exactly an historically accurate detail in a brownstone. As someone mentioned earlier, it's a much more recent trend. It's cool to see it before they seal it up, but sounds like covering the cool brickwork is the right choice in this context. Love the reno blog posts.
Posted by: shelz123 at November 8, 2006 6:24 PM
IF DOB REQUIRE METAL STUDS IN CASE OF FIRE THEN WHY DO THEY USE WOOD BEAME PLEASE EXPLAIN THAT.
Posted by: Anonymous at November 8, 2006 7:19 PM
whoever made that absurd comment about how metal studs are code in residential properly is hopefully not an architect...
Posted by: Anonymous at November 8, 2006 9:58 PM
too bad they have decided to cover the entire hole. It is a perfect place to tuck in a good stove. We have the same hole as do all the brownstones originally where the inital 1 ton stoves went, venting out the flue. So not only will they be covering the hole, but now they will have to find another place to put the vent if they want one for the stove.
Posted by: cc at November 8, 2006 10:51 PM
I'm not a hater in the pejorative sense probably meant, but I am continually surprised at the single-mindedness of renovators (and I like exposed brick in small quantities, 70's or no). I read these blogs as a curiosity, no more.
Let's see, we shouldn't have exposed brick and painted trim because it's not "historically accurate". But I suppose Viking stoves, central a/c, radiant floor heating, a hundred can lights in the kitchen and, in general, the excess that's used so often is ok?
Don't want to use bamboo floors supposedly because it's not accurate, but ok to use scarce cherrywood?
Where in these renovations, or, indeed, in this forum in general, is there a sense of stewardship? of sustainability? I mean, we (I sort of include myself) are people spending upwards of a hundred thou on renovations and never worrying about whether fixing the plaster is better than tearing up everything.
I think the level of concern that one of the renovators showed over a doorstop was the last straw. I guess I do not ever want to be that involved with the material aspects of life.
Posted by: anon 1:19 at November 9, 2006 4:41 PM
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