European/Canadian Windows


We have some cheap vinyl windows that probably date from the 1980s in our SS brick house. They annoy the wife to no end, and she keeps asking about replacements.

I’ve read somewhere that American windows, even good ones like Marvin and Pella, are junk compared to some windows that come out of Europe or Canada.

Any comments? Brands? Distributors? Anyone put in windows like these?

Categories: Windows
By denton | 10/19/2010 9:45 AM | Comment

Torchdown Roofs


I thought it was illegal to do torchdown on a wood deck roof? Would there be any legitimate use for this propane tank on a roof other than torchdown? Copper flashing, for example?

Categories: Roofers
By denton | 10/07/2010 10:45 AM | Comment

Address Numbers, what size?


Hi all, some of you have been following my front door blog, we’re just about finished, Nathan at southslope.woodworks has created a great custom storm door for us.

The last piece of the puzzle is the semi-circle piece over the door. Nathan has provided the hardwood-faced plywood semi-circle that’s now primed and installed, the plan now is to cover it with a dimensionally more accurate piece of plexiglass. I’m gonna paint the back of it white, then we want to spray on numbers for the front. Using special plastics paint, of course.

The question I have is, how big should the letters be? The semicircle is 19″ high x 35″ wide at the base.

I have the capability as a amateur photog and graphic designer to print 17″ x 22″ type to be used as a stencil, and, after printing out a few dozen samples, Mrs. D and I agree on Roger Slimbach’s Adobe Minion Bold, which is my fave text face (not bold, obviously).

Is there a standard to print address size on this? How big, or how small, would you go?

Categories: Doors
By denton | 09/21/2010 7:38 PM | Comment

What Did You Pay for Your Roof?


Hey all, just got finished putting in a new skylite and roof hatch, and the guys who did it keep reminding me that sooner or later I need a new roof, cuz there are 2″ of layers of stuff on mine that will have to be stripped off.

The guys that did it, I completely trust as to quality of work, I have worked with them for years on major projects.

I asked the owner today for a very ballpark price for a new roof, he said about $20 psft. Using the best high end stuff, he assured me.

This is a 16′ x 65′ rowhouse. There will definitely be parapet wall work (new camelback), the usual penetrations, etc.

How does that line up with your experience in doing a whole new roof?

Categories: Roofers
By denton | 08/27/2010 10:45 AM | Comment

Outside Doors w/ Medeco Locksets


Hey all:

New door installed, hence these are available. These are all over the South Slope and a few other nabes. Storm door is 29″ x 80″. Inner door 31″ x 78″.

Inner door in excellent shape, could be painted. Storm door could use a bit of TLC, but fully functional.

Both doors have expensive Medeco locksets. I have keys and cards.

No reasonable offer refused, denton@speakeasy.net. I can help you load. I’m in SS/GH.

Categories: Doors
By denton | 07/18/2010 5:41 PM | Comment

Exterior Doors


Who’s doing exterior doors these days?

I’d like to replace my 1960s vintage metal door/storm door with something nicer, preferably a step above Home Depot.

This is in the South Slope, no historic issues, just need a really solid heavy wood door and accompanying storm door, to keep the fuzz away from the meth lab.

Anyone know of a good contractor who can assist with sourcing and sizing the door, and installing it?

Current door is 30″ x 80″.

Categories: Doors
By denton | 06/04/2010 3:48 PM | Comment

Low Voltage Halogen Fixtures a Fire Hazard?


I have four ceiling fixtures each containing four MR16 bulbs and fixtures. In the last few months, five of the light bulbs have stopped functioning, and changing out the bulbs has not worked. I figured the sockets burned out.

The fixtures are only a couple of years old, and we almost didn’t buy them cuz they were the most expensive fixtures we bought during our reno, at $250 each.

So I asked my neighbor, a Local 3 electrician, to have a look and replace all the sockets if need be.

Turns out is wasn’t the sockets, it was that the crimped connections had burned out see circled items in photo). My electrician said they were actually on fire, and he was surprised I hadn’t smelled them.

Here’s the thing, I also had to replace my intercom transformers, and he has stated now a few times, that low voltage fixtures like these are much more dangerous than 110v as they don’t trip the breaker when they fail, he explained why but I didn’t quite grasp it.

But looking at the way these crimp connections got toasted, it makes me wonder if I shouldn’t go back to brass chandeliers.

What do you think?

Categories: Lighting
By denton | 05/14/2010 6:59 PM | Comment

Lesbian Bar Rec Needed


What’s a good lesbian bar? With an array of beauties? As opposed to flannel clad, tool belt wearing ready to make me their bitch, crew cut Sallys.

Several inquiring minds want to know.

Brooklyn preferred, but Manhattan an option.

Categories: Decorative
By denton | 05/04/2010 6:10 PM | Comment

Skylight Code Question


I have a leak that’s coming from the dunnage installed to hold my rooftop AC compressors. Finally got around to water-testing this past weekend and confirmed, so I’m going to retain someone to fix the issue.

At he same time Mrs. D has been complaining about the hatch that leads up to the roof, it’s one of those heavy wood tin-covered ones that you have to unhook and push out of the way. So we want to get a more modern spring-loaded one that she can open all by herself.

Last but not least, I’d like to replace the old copper-and-wire-glass skylight with a Velux or similar. The current skylight is vented. I assume the vent is part of the fire code in that it allows smoke and gas to be vented in case of fire.

I’d just as soon replace with a non-vented one so I don’t have to close off the vent in the winter with bubble wrap (thanks to the stoner that recommended that!).

Must I install a vented skylight?

Categories: Building Code
By denton | 05/04/2010 10:44 AM | Comment

No Electrical Final Inspection


Hi all:

Friend of mine recently completed a fairly extensive Alt 2 reno, and she has the following problem. She’s a designer by trade and so handled the job mostly on her own, no architect oversight on a day to day basis). The reno was finished, her expeditor filed the papers, and she received the signoff from the DOB.

Months later, she found out almost by accident that there was no final electrical inspection. On the DOB website, it’s still showing as open (so how does the DOB issue a letter of completion with an open electrical inspection anyway?)

She called both the GC and the electrician of record several times, and after saying they would take care of it, are now not taking her calls. And she’s really freaking out cuz someone else told her that if there was an electrical fire her insurance won’t pay with no inspection.

What should she do? And when if ever does the DOB complain to the homeowner about the lack of inspection?

Categories: Electricians
By denton | 04/28/2010 7:33 AM | Comment