The definition of Gut Renovation
I hear the phrase “Gut Renovation” used again and again. Could someone please, clearly define exactly what is done during a gut renovation. Are all the pipes, floors and walls removed? Is there such a thing as a partial gut renovation? Thank you. I really want to have a clear idea of about renovations, what kinds of renovations etc.
ferney1c
in Brownstoner Renovation 11 years ago
3
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3 replies
greenmountain | 11 years ago
Yea but, my customers often want a “gut renovation” of just one part of there home, a kitchen or a bathroom. They don’t mean for me to tear out whole systems. They actually expect me to reinstall their same radiator or a replacement, but on the same riser, after I tile the floor and replace the plaster and baseboard, for instance. Depending on conditions, I may advise saving some original features. Unfortunately, the parts my customer wants me to save are the really expensive parts: wires and pipes. I may resurface or patch a really nice original wall of plaster and insist on getting a plumber and/or electrician, as an opportunity to upgrade and avoid trouble. In a whole house you may be gutting and renovating everything, but maybe not in just a room. I think you have to clarify the term with your contractor.
cate | 11 years ago
It means completely removing everything in a building down to the studs and can include removing the floors and all interior walls as well. There is certainly such a thing as a partial gut. People throw around the term “gut renovation” when they see merely some peeling paint. It is perfectly possible to replace a building’s entire plumbing and electric system without doing any gutting at all. You will merely cut some holes here and there, which you will then patch. If, for example, you have a bathroom and you want to replace all the tile, which runs halfway up the wall, then removing it is a “partial gut” because removing tile also removes the wall. The part of the wall that isn’t tiled will just stay where it is. If a house has plaster walls and they are cracked or the paint is peeling, usually all that is required is what is called a skim coat. There is no need to remove and replace the plaster with drywall, which is an inferior product. If a plaster ceiling is sagging, the remedy could be to anchor it back in place or, if it’s too far gone, remove it and replace it (either with plaster or sheetrock).
jcarch | 11 years ago
A full gut renovation involves stripping all the interior finishes, roof membrane, windows, and pluming/heating/etc. out of the building, so that you’ve got just the structural skeleton and left. Many ‘gut’ renovations are not full gut renovation. Things like stairs, windows, roofs are left in place depending on their condition and the owner’s budget. And many old building’s – if they’ve been well cared for over the years – don’t require a gut renovation, but more surgical alterations only where needed. jcarch ———————— James Cleary Architecture brownstoner.staging.wpengine.com/jamescleary