Staining Southern Yellow Pine Fl


Has anybody successfully stained Southern Yellow Pine flooring? What did you use?

Our 109 year old floor in the kitchen is a bit beat up. We want to sand it and seal it with poly, but stain it darker first to help hide the imperfections and inevitable dirt in the kitchen. Have successfully refinshied this floor with water-based finish elsewhere in the house.

Thanks.

By renomandru | 01/30/2010 6:24 PM | Comment

Brick Facade Cleaning


Can anybody recommend a brick facade cleaner? Any idea of what that costs? 18′ wide and 2.5 stories tall.

By renomandru | 09/18/2009 6:33 PM | Comment

Glaxed Window Inserts?


Looking to replace the single panes of glass around the interior door of my entryway with glazed units with tempered glass.
These would be essentially frameless double pane inserts. Any recommendations for a Brooklyn supplier?

Thanks!

By renomandru | 07/29/2009 11:15 PM | Comment

Solar powered attic fan


Does anybody have any experience with solar powered attic fans for a flat townhouse roof? There are tons on-line, but it is hard to tell what is junk. Ideally, the fan could operate off of both solar and commercial power for when the sun does not shine and be controlled by a thermostat. Also, my roof faces north, so I may need to adjust or remotely locate the solar panel. I imagine 500 CFMs would be more than enough for the 600 sq. foot roof.

By renomandru | 04/15/2009 11:17 PM | Comment

Basement Quandry


I need advice, please.

My basement of my legal 2-family has not been legally designated a basement, but I believe it qualifies as one. Just barely. The survey does not refer to it and there is no C of O, so I believe the DOB has not categorized it.

How can I get it legally designated as a Basement so that I can file for changes including a full kitchen and full bath?

I suspect this needs some finesse as ceiling height from unfinished floor to floor joist is exactly 7′ and the basement is about 51% above the curb level. Counting stairs down or referencing grade at the windows would not lead to a favorable ruling as the curb level is considerably lower than grade.

Who can I turn to get the verdict I need?

Also, what is DOB’s take on part of the basement being lower (increasing ceiling height but putting that part more than 50% below curb level)? At what point does it would it be considered a cellar? By the way, the rear of the basement is at garden level.

Categories: Building Code
By renomandru | 03/02/2009 7:51 PM | Comment

Need Odd Size Basement Doors


Does anybody have a local source for custom-sized doors for under the stoop (two ext. doors, one only 6′ tall) and the top of the basement staircase (26″ wide)?

The exterior doors should have some tempered glass but be high-security (presumably metal) but also well designed to deal with the elements.

I would like the basement stair door to have a 60 min+ fire rating and be a security door, so I guess I need a metal jamb that can slip over my wooden jamb.

Thanks!

By renomandru | 02/22/2009 12:21 AM | Comment

Paint color scheme help


We am struggling to pick woodwork and wall colors for the common areas of the house. We have tackled all the tough renovation subjects but are paralyzed on this one.

Can anybody recommend an interior decorator who can come to the house and in one sitting help us commit to a color scheme so we can complete the renovation?

We have preserved most of the original detail and are looking for classic, if not necessarily historical colors.

The on-line schemes are helpful, but the choices are overwhelming and after so many months of work, we really want a self-assured consultant to spend an hour or two with us on-site.

Categories: Painting
By renomandru | 10/15/2008 4:09 PM | Comment

Kitchen Cabinet Alternatives


I need about 10 well-constructed kitchen cabinets and am close to giving up on the standard channels. “Semi-custom” run-of-the-mill compromise is over 1K a cabinet and better quality cabinets seem to be 2-3K each. This just floors me when I think I get get pretty good appliances at this price. Not that I need 10 36-wide counter-depth fridges.

Any recommendations for cabinet builders that will build quality (dovetail 3/4″ drawers, 3/4 solid shelves, 3/4 frameless plywood construction, 3/4 solid wood doors painted maple, full overlay, Blumotion slides)? Would travel to PA Amish country if I knew who to contact for the right craftsman and cut out the middleman. Plan to instll myself, but would consider a turn-key installation with a local cabinet maker.

Any suggestions would be much appreciated.

Categories: Kitchen & Bath
By renomandru | 02/19/2008 7:26 PM | Comment