houseowax's Profile
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July 7, 2008
HardiPanel Durability Question
I recently was presented with a photo from an interiors mag in which the homeowner glued smooth colored hardipanel (fiber cement panel) to a plywood subfloor. It seems like a good idea for a number of reasons, especially when compared to the price of hardwood or tile.
I am not that familiar with the product, however. The extent of my experience with fiber-cement is with clapboard and I wonder how these panels would survive as flooring. Anyone have first-hand experience with them that might advise?
Author's Comments
bklynbred, there's a florist on Myrtle and Hall called Root Stock & Quade that has beautiful selections. It is rather expensive compared to deli flowers, but there really is no comparison.
I still think CH/FG is too underserved to cater to specialized crowds ie gay bars and vegan restaurants. We still don't have a diner open past 7PM. I hope whomever takes over this space will do something simple and do it well.
Posted by: houseowax at September 17, 2008 1:51 PM in response to It's Official: L'Epicerie Est Morte
I'd reccomend finding what you want and calling DecoWare (www.decow.com) for a quote. I've used them a couple of times and have been very pleasantly surprised. A bit brusque on the phone, maybe, but I saved a boatload of cash.
Their showroom is basically worthless; don't bother. But after you know waht you want give 'em a call.
Posted by: houseowax at September 9, 2008 4:51 PM in response to Good places to buy shower sets
Agreed- Hot Bird is NOW!
Would love to see the bird land in Clinton Hill.
Posted by: houseowax at September 9, 2008 4:47 PM in response to Hot Bird Founder
Did you try Lowe's? I can't vouch, but they have a large selection of carpets and generally have a slightly higher quality/aesthetic level than HD.
Also - and I don't know about the week timeline - but try Better Carpet Warehouse on Atlantic around 4th ave. Be warned, though- their installers can be a bit lax; stay on top of them if you go with them.
Posted by: houseowax at August 28, 2008 11:24 AM in response to Where can we get carpet in a week?
I used to work at cabinetmaking. I would never attempt to spray cabs without the proper ventilation We had a whole room devoted to spraying with a high-powered dust collection system; I would imagine doing it yourself even in a plastic-covered room is just asking for disaster.
I agree, however, that using an oil-based enamel, slightly thinned and doing multiple coats while sanding between coats (coat, sand with 220, coat, sand with 320, thin paint slightly more and coat for third and final time) is the answer. It will be time consuming and require thoughtful application, but in the end the result will be spectacular and you'll be glad you took the time.
A side note- make some stands by driving long nails through pieces of plywood. These will allow you to get your cabinet carcasses off the floor but still allow you to paint the side resting solely omn the nails. When dry, simply sand the small dimples the nails left in the paint and touch-up.
Good luck- I personally love this sort of project but I realize that I'm in the minority.
Posted by: houseowax at August 28, 2008 11:21 AM in response to Painting kitchen cabinets with a sprayer
Funny- our movers (Flat Rate Moving) gave us the same rap. I thought we'd given them a decent tip, somewhere in the range of 18% and the head mover told us rather gently if somewhat condescendingly that they're used to a bigger tip. When I asked exactly how much bigger he kinda danced around it and raised his eyebrows and gave me a pitying smile as if I was a child with his daddy's wallet. Like an ass I gave him what amounted to somewhere around 23%.
Looking back on it, I felt as if I were strongarmed. Reading your post makes me think this is a common practice in the moving racket. At least my bathroom was spared!
Posted by: houseowax at August 27, 2008 6:11 PM in response to Follow Up Report: experience with Movers Not Shakers
As i understand it you cannot have a dog run within the confines of Fort Greene (or any) park and still maintain off leash hours. It's one or the other.
Some have suggested looking toward the Cuyler Greene park as a possible location for the proposed dog run. I think that's a perfect spot; the park is one of the lesser used and it's green spaces are already fenced-off, meaning that no-one would be displaced from their favorite green patch.
I wish you much luck; I truly believe that well-exercised dogs make the best neighbors ( and yes, next-door neighbor with the loud yapping and obviously bored poodle, if you're reading this, you may consider that a hint).
Posted by: houseowax at August 27, 2008 6:03 PM in response to Clinton Hill needs a DOG RUN!!!!!
Wow- I'd all but given up on this place. Whenever I ( or anyone else) would ask Thierry about it, he'd just roll his eyes and say nothing.
As far as 1001 Affairs- over n out, it appears. They've been shuttered for at least 2 weeks and i saw a "For Rent" sign recently. No great loss as far as I'm concerned, although at least it wasn't a barber shop, cellular store, nail salon...Fulton could use a bit of diversity.
Posted by: houseowax at August 14, 2008 11:31 AM in response to Choice Greene Coming Into Focus
I lived in Manhattan (mostly the E Vill) since 1986 and moved to Brooklyn in 2002. Initially I was thrilled with the neighborhood-y vibe and quiet streets. After a few years I find it frustrating and at time excruciatingly boring. Like most Manhattan transplants, I now have a baby and find myself sticking closer to home most of the time.
If I could have/afford the same amount of space (including backyard) in Manhattan I'd be back there in a hot minute.
I would love to have the amenities and service that one finds and expects in a typical Manhattan neighborhood.It would be a dream come true to be able to walk around the neighborhood with the baby and actually have something to do. It would be heavenly to be able to get a decent head of lettuce on the corner or cold medication without having to ride my bike to Target.
It comes as no surprise that the Flea Market, the one event that actually brings some life into this tired little hamlet, has the locals up in arms as if it's some sort of Bacchanalian frenzy descended on their otherwise torpid little burg.
Posted by: houseowax at August 12, 2008 12:03 PM in response to The Next New Brooklyn
I painted most of the doors in our house a satin black and I love it. The missus was unsure when I brought the idea to her, but after I finished the first one she was sold.
Reno looks great -been enjoying your blog every step of the way.
Posted by: houseowax at July 29, 2008 11:21 AM in response to Top Floor Apartment: Painting in the Hallway
Spectacular idea!
Posted by: houseowax at July 29, 2008 11:13 AM in response to Salvage Mobile
The place mentioned above is A&K Tile Studio.
I shopped for everything I needed online(mostly at fixtureuniverse.com) than contacted Decoware (www.decow.com) in Brooklyn. They beat every price I found and were quite easy to work with. We ordered a Toto dual flush toilet, Duravit tub and sinks, Kohler shower, Grohe faucet. I'd highly recommend them. Several of my friends have had good experiences with them as well.
I recently bought some tile from Classic Tile & Marble in Bay Ridge (1635 86th St). Not the greatest selection, but good prices and they had some really beautiful stuff on sale.
Posted by: houseowax at July 24, 2008 1:54 PM in response to Sources for bath reno supplies?
I can attest to the fact that Mr Porter was very aware of and distressed by the fact that the storefront was completed in a fashion not in accordance with his original plans. I know this because he is my neighbor and is prone to airing his grievances quite loudly and publicly to anyone within earshot. One morning I heard him wailing as if he'd been gutshot. "You HAVE to call Landmarks and tell them that the storefront isn't being completed properly- it's supposed to be wooden and they're doing this horrible brickwork....PLEASE call them and tell them".
Why he believed I would have any pull with the LPC remains a mystery to me...
Posted by: houseowax at July 24, 2008 11:54 AM in response to 109 Gates Avenue Revealed: Man, That's Ugly
I've lived around the corner from this monster for almost 5 years. Every day I passed it my frustration increased. Who or what is keeping the sole retail space in our immediate area hostage? Finally the plywood comes down and this is what we get? Dreams of a nice diner/cafe/grocery dashed- it's gonna take a LOT of undoing to make this one happen.
The architect lives directly across the street from this mess. It's a well known fact that he and his wife are sticklers for Landmarks compliance, so what happened?
In any case, i can't imagine anyone's gonna rush in to sweep up that headache. Looks like it won't be long before the plywood's back up...
Posted by: houseowax at July 23, 2008 11:55 AM in response to 109 Gates Avenue Revealed: Man, That's Ugly
houseowax wrote a review about Smoke Joint on July 22, 2008 2:26 PM
If they filled an olympic sized pool with their mac and cheese I'd eat to the bottom. Love the baby backs,too (although the Asian-style sauce is lost on me). Little Pig was great; I understand they'll still be serving sandwiches and salads for lunch. Furthermore, Ben and Craig are the greatest; they are exactly the sort of business owners that FG/CH needs- committed, competent and friendly.
Star Wars is a stupid movie title, so there's that.
The other day a fella popped by our house scouting for a new JJ Abrams TV project (or so he claimed) - in this case Brooklyn is supposed to stand in for Cambridge.
Posted by: houseowax at July 18, 2008 6:27 PM in response to I Hate Valentine's Day Shoots Seemingly Everywhere
I replaced my windows with aluminum clad wood windows. They look nice from the interior and since it's on the top floor you can't tell from the exterior that they're aluminum; they appear as painted wood. I used Pella - I ordered them custom from Lowe's. They were reasonably priced, although if you can use stock windows they'll be even cheaper.
Posted by: houseowax at July 16, 2008 11:05 AM in response to Windows -Wood or aluminum or other?
It's likely that the sheets of 'rock aren't secured to the joists well enough. Perhaps the person who hung them didn't use enough screws to distribute the load. They are pulling away from the joists and creating 'fault lines'. In all probability you'll have to screw them in more securely and re-tape.
There's not to my knowledge anyone who specializes in 'rocking and taping ceilings; any good sheetrocker should know how to do it properly.
Posted by: houseowax at July 15, 2008 5:39 PM in response to When ceilings show their seams
I live in Clinton Hill (where rumor has it there's a CRIME WAVE) and have had both a 4' tree ripped out of it's planter and a 6' length of copper drainpipe stolen in the past few months.
It's just depressing as hell to me. Not that I can't live without these items, but the fact that someone would actually come by in dead of night with a screwdriver to pilfer a short length of copper pipe. These are things that I'd like to take for granted. Naive, I know, but there it is.
I'll beat you to it: I should move back to Ohio.
Anyhow, I'd get a heavy planter and somehow secure the plant as well- a cable around the trunk just above the root ball which is then secured to something immovable.
Posted by: houseowax at July 14, 2008 11:46 AM in response to planter advice needed
Lil Pig is still alive; the plan is to absorb it into Smoke Joint's kitchen and share the dining room. There's going to be a full bar and Smoke Joint will take over the space in the evenings. So I guess the short form is that you'll still be able to enjoy Li'l Pig's offerings, but in a more limited capacity and pretty much strictly for lunch.
I think Smoke Joint is fairly delicious. Fette Sau's BBQ is mindblowing, but their sides are bad enough to kep me from wanting to go back. Have you tried Lookout Hill on 5th Ave yet? Good BBQ and good sides, but wound up a bit pricey as everything's sold by the pound.
Posted by: houseowax at July 14, 2008 11:38 AM in response to What happened to Lil Pig Market?
Dunno what your budget is, but if I could afford it I'd go for a set of this stuff. I saw it at the Brooklyn Design show and it really stuck with me
Posted by: houseowax at July 8, 2008 3:58 PM in response to Outdoor Furniture?
I'm almost 100% certain the James Hardie Co would not guarantee the product if it was used in any manner other than its intended. That's not really an issue with me, as that's a risk I'd willingly take. I'm just looking for an informed opinion as to whether or not this would be feasible or a nightmare that I'd soon live to regret. I'd definitely buy a single panel and wear-test it. It seems that it would be more durable than wood and it should certainly be waterproof as it's intended as outdoor siding.
Posted by: houseowax at July 7, 2008 12:19 PM in response to HardiPanel Durability Question
Responses to Author's Forum Comments
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Posted by: zloba00 at October 20, 2008 3:57 PM in response to Outdoor Furniture?
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Posted by: zloba00 at October 20, 2008 3:58 PM in response to Outdoor Furniture?
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Posted by: zloba00 at October 20, 2008 3:59 PM in response to Outdoor Furniture?
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Posted by: zloba00 at October 20, 2008 4:01 PM in response to Outdoor Furniture?
If you are willing to relocate to some other place, say Pennsylvania then you can try Cedar Store. They have stock of all outdoor furniture and patio furniture. They ship the furniture free of cost and also don't charge any sales tax. Also if you buy anything worth $90 or more than that, you don't have to pay anything for first 90 days.
I have many friends who bought outdoor furniture from this store and are very happy and satisfied with the quality and design of the furniture.
Try this company, their website is www.cedarstore.com
If you are still on a lookout, i would advice you to check them out once.
Posted by: mvp15102 at October 31, 2008 10:02 AM in response to Outdoor Furniture?
Doesn't look at all like Hardie Plank; in fact it looks exactly like clear cedar. Makes me wonder if they plan to leave it unpainted (a look I personally dislike, but whatever).
I question the quality of this job, actually- I noticed that the Tyvek was not properly installed. They simply cut holes out where the RO's for the windows are. This is improper; the Tyvek should fold INTO the RO. This oversight could cause potential water intrusion.Also I'm surprised to see that no fanfold insulation was used before the clapboard was installed; it makes for a smoother nailing surface and adds nominal insulation.
In fact,in my experience the windows and casings should be installed before the clapboard is affixed. How do they plan t install the window casings over the clapboard if it goes directly to the edge of the RO?
Anyhow, Grenier's house is so indescribably beautiful - I hope this reno will not cast a shadow on his if it's done poorly.
Posted by: houseowax at September 27, 2008 12:13 AM in response to Grand Avenue Haunted House Gets Its Siding