Video: Green Reno of a Prospect Heights B'stone
Check out this video of the green renovation of a Prospect Heights brownstone. The contractor Blake Holden walks through the work-in-progress, displaying and discussing the reclaimed wood flooring, salvaged doors and, yes, blue jean insulation. Lots o’ fun. Greening a Brownstone [Yahoo Video]
Check out this video of the green renovation of a Prospect Heights brownstone. The contractor Blake Holden walks through the work-in-progress, displaying and discussing the reclaimed wood flooring, salvaged doors and, yes, blue jean insulation. Lots o’ fun.
Greening a Brownstone [Yahoo Video]
Thanks for the responses the Jillian’s video. I can actually go into a lot more detail about what makes this building green as opposed to just brown(stone) or “sludge” as one poster proposed. I am willing to do that for interested people who want to contact me.
As Jillian stated previously I am planning a geothermal heating/cooling system but have run out of time and money for it as of now. Hopefully I will do it sometime in the fall. I may to some solar panels to pre-heat water.
The stripping inside the house was done with “green” stripping solutions. I did have stuff dipped that was clearly down with toxic stuff. A money compromise for sure. But I used little wood (OSB and maple plywood) with dectable levels of formaldehyde…the cabinets have wood with soy resins and water based lacquer. I did use some 1/4 exterior grade plywood with some formaldehyde that I sealed with a water sealer to prevent off-gassing. All adhesives had very low or no VOCs. Floors were shellac and water based poly.
I also used a concrete block for the extensions that is called AAC that has good insulating value and works like wood. A great material that is widely used but not much in Brooklyn as far as I can tell.
As I said before I am happy to discuss this stuff with any interested people. Just contact me via email.
Oh, yes my wife also thinks I badly need a haircut, but my daughters like it so they win for now.
Blake
fyi: It’s in Prospect Heights, not Park Slope. I will ask Blake to post his contact info.
Thanks everyone for the dialogue. It is important to have these conversations in the green community. I shot and edited the video, and there are many things that Blake is considering, including solar. Currently, in NYC, there is a complicated solar permitting process that we should all be trying to change. Blake is putting in a geothermal system and already has the geothermal AC units installed,but has not completed the digging…. and in 5 min., we can’t address everything. Thanks again!
I’m from RiverWired, we produced these videos, and are very glad you liked them!
Hey, we can all try to do the best we can in our own budget. If you really want to open your mind to green and get angry at big oil. Rent the movie ” Who killed the electric car ?” Making all these small adjustments in our personal life toward “being green” is so small compared to our dependence on big oil.
the “plastic” tubing, commonly called PEX, used for radiant floor heat is not toxic. in fact, it’s approved for household plumbing and not just heating, you can safely drink water that’s piped through PEX. get a clue 2:14 dude.
10:32 here–I don’t know his number but I would suggest sending Brownstoner your contact info to forward on to Blake
Man, oh man, you’re a rough crowd! Give this guy a break. Some compromises are essential, otherwise building or renovating green will be only for the very wealthy. Yes, solar panels would be nice but they are currently extremely expensive and if he can realize significant energy savings through better insulation, more power to him. Stripping the molding may be a slightly toxic process but he’s doing it to avoid dumping the molding in a landfill — and hey, he’s preserving historic detail at the same time. Love the recycled maple flooring too. Anybody (10:32am poster) know how Blake can be contacted?
Stripping that moulding sure the hell aint green.