Glassos Countertop


I am thinking about installing a crystal white glassos kitchen countertop, and was wondering if anyone had this in their kitchen and could share their experiences with its durability?

Categories: Kitchen & Bath
By Frudo | 08/24/2010 9:05 AM | Comment

Clipless, Frameless Glass in Bathroom


The bathroom in this picture has a frameless, clipless glass panel. Even looking closely, I can’t see how the glass is attached to the tile.

I’m renovaing my apartment and really like this look. Does anyone know how it is achieved?

Thanks in advance for comments.

Categories: Kitchen & Bath
By Frudo | 08/06/2010 7:32 PM | Comment

How Long Does a Shower Screen Need to Be?


I’m renovating my bathroom and hope to replace the shower curtain over my tub with a glass shower screen, like in the picture.

However, the tub is only 5’6″ long as is bounded on 3 sides. If the shower screen is 3′ long, then (1) would it provide enough protection from splashing and (2) is 2’6″ enough room to get into the tub?

Would love to hear from anyone who has one of these things. The other option is to totally enclose the tub with glass and have a door, which I would prefer not to do.

By Frudo | 07/26/2010 10:57 PM | Comment

Calendared for Landmarks


I’m in a historic district that is calendared for landmarks, and is to be voted on shortly. I am about to get new windows. I called landmarks and they told me that, as long as I could prove that I had ordered the new windows prior to the actual landmarking of the area, then they would be grandfathered. However, I have an email from landmarks that basically says that even though I am calendared, I would need to file new windows with landmarks. The two are contradictory.

I would prefer to not file with landmarks – I want slightly different windows to the original windows of the building. However, I don’t want to buy them, then have the building be landmarked, and then not be able to install them.

Anyone done this before?

By Frudo | 05/19/2010 3:45 PM | Comment

Where to Buy Rigid Foam?


I’m at my wits end on where to buy fire retardant rigid foam insulation in NYC. I need it to be fire retardant because I don’t want to put a layer of drywall over it (I need those precious inches). I’m actually putting a built-in bookshelf right over the top of it, which will not provide the same fire retardation as the drywall. I only need 5 sheets. I tried to special order via Home Depot & Lowes, with no luck.

Any body know of a source? Specifically I was interested in Thermax insulation (by Dow) but really, any fire retardant stuff will do.

Categories: Insulation
By Frudo | 12/11/2009 10:38 AM | Comment

Woodworking tool shop in NYC


Does anyone know any woodworking tool shops in NYC? I need a Japanese saw, some good quality countersink bits and some specialty screws for this weekend, so I can’t order over the internet. I’ve already checked out the hardware stores like Homedepot, and they don’t sell these kinds of things. Any ideas? I’m in Manhattan.

Categories: Woodwork
By Frudo | 11/23/2009 9:48 AM | Comment

Bond for renovation work


The alteration agreement for my condo says that “We” (that’s me) “shall procure a bond or agreement in the amount of $2,000,000 from an insurance company acceptable to you, insuring you of full performance by us of our obligations under this Agreement”.

I called my insurance agent who got us our Condo policy, but they have never heard of this before.

Anyone have any ideas how I get one?

Thanks!

Categories: Insurance
By Frudo | 08/14/2009 3:31 PM | Comment

Toilet Stalls vs Water Closet


I’m renovating my bathroom, and I know I need to make sure it is ADA compliant, ie, accessible for disabled people. The ADA guide has a set of rules for “Water Closets” and another set of rules for “Toilet Stalls”. Does anyone know the difference? My toilet will be within the rest of my bathroom, not a separate room. Anyone know which set of rules apply to me?

Thanks muchly.

Categories: Building Code
By Frudo | 08/06/2009 5:41 PM | Comment

Recessed cabinet between studs


We want to build a recessed cabinet between studs.

Please tell me I don’t need a permit to cut holes in drywall?

The only reason why I would think you *might* is that I am effectively ripping out dryway, which has some fire retardation qualities, and replacing it with a wooden cabinet. Presumably if you re-sheated all your walls with wood, not dry wall, the DOB would not be happy.

My cabinet would be around 3 feet wide, and 10 feet tall.

Thanks!

Categories: Permits
By Frudo | 07/15/2009 3:40 PM | Comment

Landmarks building questions


I live in a condo in Manhattan that I just found out was recently landmarked, so I have two questions:

1. We want to replace our windows. The ones in our building are NOT the original. (V. ugly). (And yes, the building will allow us to replace our own windows). So does the landmarks commission look back at old pictures and make you replace with something similar to what used to be there? Or do we have more lee-way than that?

2. I also want to install a through-the-wall airconditioner. It’s on the side of the building, not facing the street, but you can still see it from the street (we’re on the 5th floor and the building next door is only 1 story high). Is this a big no no?

Thanks for your help!

Categories: Landmarks
By Frudo | 07/01/2009 4:27 PM | Comment