bergenbabe's Profile
Author's Posts
June 27, 2008
Door Refinisher
I am in the process of getting estimates for refinishing my parlor floor entrance doors. They are alligatored with old paint and need quite a bit of attention. I spoke with Joe Salem of WoodTone and also East End Wood Stripper. Their prices are high, does their work attest to this? Thanks
December 27, 2007
appliance repair
I had a great appliance repair person but he no longer wants to come to downtown Brooklyn(traffic, parking) Does someone have the name of a reliable, knowledgeable repair person. Please do not mention Wright Management I have found them devious.
October 28, 2007
marble refinishing
Does anyone have any experience refinshing marble mantles. I want to clean them (they have not been painted) and give them a honed finish. I am interested in anyone who has done this themself and can recommend procedures or in the name of contractor who has done good work.
October 3, 2007
upholster
I am looking for a good upholster , preferably in Brooklyn. I have several large items that need work,
September 14, 2007
Marble cleaning
Has anyone successfully cleaned white marble mantles? Mine are unpainted but need to be cleaned and honed down some. Marble refinishers seem a bit expensive. Any suggestions. Thanks
Author's Comments
The seal is broken. Call Mega to view problem and compensate.
Posted by: bergenbabe at October 3, 2007 3:27 PM in response to condensation
The seal is broken. Call Mega Glass and show them, they should replace if it is under warranty.
Posted by: bergenbabe at October 3, 2007 3:29 PM in response to condensation
Michele of Gowanus Nursery is wonderful. She has a very interesting collection of plants and has a good color sense but more important she is a real plant person wanting each plant to be happy. She honestly looked for some vacant lots for my invasive meadow rue. You should at least visit her nursery on Summit St. near Columbia, she is a Brooklyn treasure!
Posted by: bergenbabe at October 3, 2007 3:40 PM in response to Garden Help
Yeah, he's a character but he and more importantly his father and grandfather go back a long way with the building department in Brooklyn. Stick with them.
Posted by: bergenbabe at October 25, 2007 1:30 PM in response to Scott Schnall
If the plaster molding, medallions are beautiful, you should try to give them a proper setting. I can recommend a duo who do plaster restoration that is exquisite and possibly not a great deal more expensive than sheetrock ANT (Thad) 646-831-8319
Posted by: bergenbabe at October 26, 2007 4:02 PM in response to When to Repair Plaster or when to Sheetrock
Antonio Gomez, clever, honest and reasonable (347) 400-0908
Posted by: bergenbabe at November 27, 2007 1:39 PM in response to The scream and scramble method is not working
I agree, Empire Pest Control is great. Ed will tell you more than you really want to know about any bug but he is especially good for termite infestation. Nice fellow also
Posted by: bergenbabe at December 6, 2007 5:18 PM in response to Termites Got Me Down
Your engineer gave you erroneous advice. The beams must be wood when replaced to allow movement not steel as advised. This is information was passed on to me by every engineer and architect I ever consulted. Perhaps you should consult someone more knowledgeable.
Posted by: bergenbabe at December 10, 2007 12:11 AM in response to main beam (girder) replacement
Seock Roy of Lamp 25 was recommended to me. He did a great job and seems to be totally comfortable repairing old fixtures such as mine. is number is (646) 486-2039
Posted by: bergenbabe at December 17, 2007 3:35 PM in response to Old light fixture rewiring?
Responses to Author's Forum Comments
Whoa! I had a similar question about windows for my coop. Good thing I didn't ask! I'll just remember not to ask questions about renovating brownstones on Brownstoner.
Posted by: guest at April 28, 2008 8:16 PM in response to New Windows
8:16, ask your board first.
Posted by: denton at April 28, 2008 8:27 PM in response to New Windows
denton:
My coop board agreed to do the windows and the front facade early last year. Arranging the financing of all this took longer than expected, but we finished that months ago, and at long last we are going to have someone measure the windows this week.
We have a four story 1890s brownstone in Prospect Heights. We have delegated the research on this to our downstairs neighbors, and below is a quote from an email I received from them:
"I got an estimate from company that carries Marvin Infinity Ultrex Double Hung Windows
Bronze Exterior, White Interior
Low-E w/Argon Insulated Glass
Half Screens, White Hardware
They are Plexiglas windows. Which is a relatively new material in window making industry so we don't have any idea how they will perform in the future. They get reasonably good reviews and we can get tax deduction since they have e argon gas. The company gets mixed reviews but enough good ones that we can take a chance on it, if we decide to go with these windows.
"The second company as well as the company I am getting an estimate from carries half aluminum/half wood windows. This is the best combination on the market. The wood is the best insulator but does not do well with weather element, so aluminum is on the outside and wood on the inside. It’s been on the market for a long time. This combination is about 2-2.5 thousand more (for the whole building) than Plexiglas and we would have to paint the wood inside ourselves after they are done. The good news is that we can pick our own colors. I am also not sure about tax deduction. I will get back to you on this.
"If you or any of your friends have experience with different windows I would appreciate the feedback, since I would like real life experience before we can make this decision. From what I understand that it takes on average 2 months from the date that the windows are ordered to the installation."
Posted by: guest at April 28, 2008 8:44 PM in response to New Windows
plexiglas = plastic = scratching.
Posted by: denton at April 28, 2008 9:08 PM in response to New Windows
8:44 what does it come out to per window and how big are the windows . I agree with Denton on the plexiglass issue...stay away from them. "Clear as glass" is a phrase time tested.
Posted by: daveinbedstuy at April 29, 2008 9:47 AM in response to New Windows
Looking at the Marvin Infinity website, I think the wrong word is being used in the quoted email in the 8:44 post. It's pretty clear from the website that the FRAMES are FIBERGLASS, not Plexiglass. There's no mention on the site of anything but real glass for the vision lights and I find it inconceivable that an insulated argon-filled light could be physically accomplished using plexiglass anyway. They make a pretty convincing argument on the site for the advantages of fiberglass frames.
Posted by: johnife at April 29, 2008 10:20 AM in response to New Windows
Johnife...thanks...we nee more commenters to take TOEFL before posting. I knew they couldn't be offering plexiglass for these windows.
Posted by: daveinbedstuy at April 29, 2008 10:30 AM in response to New Windows
I totally second the recommendation for Antonio Gomez. Our intercom hasn't worked for years. In 15 minutes he fixed it and charged a very reasonable price. He's also very nice.
Posted by: guest at June 16, 2008 2:39 PM in response to Intercom Repair
I used Heights Woodworking to rebuild 3 stair runs in my upper west side home. They were fantastic:clean, quick and they showed up every day until the work was complete.
Posted by: guest at June 17, 2008 11:51 AM in response to Fixing a Brownstone Staircase
soxco replaced my stairs. excellent,clean, easy to deal with. very happy.
Posted by: buckygirl23 at June 17, 2008 12:41 PM in response to Fixing a Brownstone Staircase
Do yourself a favor contact ANT, Thad (646) 831-8319 You will never regret using them, they are simply the best , You may contact me personally for reference
Posted by: bergenbabe at October 3, 2007 11:51 AM in response to Plaster Repair