We had exactly the same problem. Our extension has 3 exposed sides while the rest of the apartment is part of an attached house (ie.attached to neighboring houses on both sides). Hence the rest of the apartment is not exposed to as much cold as the extension and is more able to retain heat.

We had to install larger radiators in the extension. Also, where we could, we covered the pipes running to the extension with foam sleeves to help them retain heat.

Posted by: das at October 17, 2007 2:51 AM in response to Heating question

Will any of these guys show up if only 2 windows are being replaced?

Posted by: das at October 17, 2007 2:57 AM in response to Window Replacement Recommendations

Thanks for answering. I got lucky.

For the benefit of anyone else out there looking, a friend turned us on to: http://www.countrywidelocksmith.com/shop/shopdisplayproducts.asp?id=33&cat=Progressive+Locks

The police locks are $150 each (as opposed to nokey which is $279).

But thanks again.

Posted by: das at October 18, 2007 2:33 AM in response to Police Fox Lock

To 10:10 - Yes, I will check on the legality and/or code aspects of using it. I am in Bushwick and I must say that I see razor wire on plenty of properties in the area. I have ideas for other solutions to the problem though (fencing, etc.)

To 6:09 - Intrusion onto personal property is trespassing and theft is criminal activity. Within the boundary of my own property, both pose a threat to my family and myself and are not to be tolerated.

If it is decided to be the most effective solution, posting razor wire 13-16 feet high would affect only the unethical individual who chooses to climb a wall to trespass and steal.

Posted by: das at October 18, 2007 3:12 AM in response to Razor Wire

Hi,

We ordered our coin-op washer / dryer online from Sears and have been happy with the operation. Very simple. They are basic machines (not digital) which is just fine so less can go wrong. Sears delivered them up to the 2nd floor. We have them on the landing of our 2-family so they can be used by all and so we have access for possible future servicing. They are more quiet than I expected.

Anyone that I asked said they would really appreciate being able to do laundry in the house and that the quarters are a minor inconvenience compared to having to go to a laundromat.

Here are the details:

Kenmore dryer, electric:
5.7 cu. ft. Coin Operated
Item #: 02664182000
$519.99

Kenmore washer, electric:
3.1 cu. ft. Coin Ope
Item #: 02627182000
$759.99

Posted by: das at October 20, 2007 1:53 AM in response to ISO Coin Operated Washer/Dryer

We have the same situation - concrete floors we'd like to paint and use as a finished surface. We don't have the finances for carpeting right now.

Also, we're hoping we can put a sealer or polyurethane on top of it to improve its wearability as a final floor.

Any suggestions would be welcome!

Posted by: das at November 17, 2007 9:29 PM in response to concrete basement floors

Hi poster,

I want to paint a concrete interior floor.

If you decide to paint yours, can you share info on the products you will use?

Thanks.

Posted by: das at November 18, 2007 5:19 AM in response to Basement Oil Spill

windows we are replaced 28 windows in our house in crown heights about a year ago - they were fast, clean and the price was good. talk to bruce (i think he was the one who did our quote).

Posted by: d8 at October 17, 2007 6:02 AM in response to Window Replacement Recommendations

OP here.

I think I need a pro to come take a look and evaluate. What kind of pro would you recommend?

I bought the place after the extension was put in. It goes the full 4 floors of the building but each of us has the same cold bedroom problem. The whole building is detached and the extension is over ground while the original is over a cellar.

But since all 4 floors have the same colder zone I think it's more the materials used in the extension and the larger window/wall ratio.

The baseboards are long and run along the interior wall, not under the window since that's where they put the a/c sleeve. So it doesn't seem to be that they're too tiny.

Many many thanks.

Posted by: guest at October 17, 2007 10:40 AM in response to Heating question

It sounds like they didn't insulate enough. Before calling anyone, you can poke some holes in your walls to see what's going on. I'm assuming it's sheetrock, so you can cut it w/o doing too much damage. I don't want to make you nervous, but the main concern would be freezing pipes.
Keyspan does an energy audit, but I'm not sure if they could detect the problem. It doesn't hurt to do, though!
http://www.energyguide.com/ha/welcome.aspx?referrerid=150&sid=461_all.jsp

Anyway, not to worry...you can blow in insulation. We rented the machine and did it ourselves, but you can find someone to do it for you.

Posted by: rh at October 18, 2007 12:43 PM in response to Heating question

please check again because www.nokey.com is $149 for a Police Lock.

Posted by: guest at October 19, 2007 10:23 AM in response to Police Fox Lock

Thanks rh. I have the insulation information in the offer so I can see if we can improve that. But the responses make me wonder if the baseboards are putting out enough heat (functioning as they should) or if we're losing heat.

Posted by: guest at October 19, 2007 10:35 AM in response to Heating question

Thank you Das - that is very helpful! -and good luck to everyone with their coins :) -amy

Posted by: guest at October 20, 2007 10:13 PM in response to ISO Coin Operated Washer/Dryer

thanks this was a very helpful post. I'm thinking about offering a coin-op washer dryer for my tenants so I checked out the Sears site with the model numbers you provided. The prices are significantly higher (dryer is $649, washer is $949). Did you happen to get them on sale or get a contractor's discount or something? Also, could you tell me who you got to do the vent work? thanks again.

Posted by: guest at October 21, 2007 4:29 PM in response to ISO Coin Operated Washer/Dryer