Author Topic: Home Improvements  (Read 15160 times)

Offline sguitarist18

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Re: Home Improvements
« Reply #60 on: September 21, 2015, 10:28:08 PM »
What extras are you happy about?

What kind of heating do you have - do you like it?

Offline ckmk47

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Re: Home Improvements
« Reply #61 on: September 21, 2015, 11:53:25 PM »
You should look into radiant heat.  It has to be put in by a radiant heat specialist - or at least someone with experience who's customers passed a winter and are happy- or it could be a disaster.
Pros: cost less to run. cozy, even heating throughout the room. warm floors. no radiators (blocking walls).
Cons: more expensive to install.  Has a long lag time from changing the thermostat to having the room temperature change.
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Offline sguitarist18

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Re: Home Improvements
« Reply #62 on: September 22, 2015, 07:55:45 AM »
You mean radiant floor heating? I've heard of it before, and just did some online research.

Do you use electric or water-heated?

I'd like to hear your thoughts, I guess my main concerns would be:

1) Can't use carpeting with radiant heating
2) Any repairs become very expensive.
3) Can it damage wood floors?

Offline elit

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Re: Home Improvements
« Reply #63 on: September 22, 2015, 09:21:25 AM »
You mean radiant floor heating? I've heard of it before, and just did some online research.

Do you use electric or water-heated?

I'd like to hear your thoughts, I guess my main concerns would be:

1) Can't use carpeting with radiant heating
2) Any repairs become very expensive.
3) Can it damage wood floors?
You can use carpet just have to make sure it's radiant heat friendly

Offline sguitarist18

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Re: Home Improvements
« Reply #64 on: September 22, 2015, 10:46:32 AM »
Isn't that kind of like putting insulation around your radiator?

Offline Sammy82

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Re: Home Improvements
« Reply #65 on: September 22, 2015, 11:51:01 AM »
I did a complete gut job when I bought my house 5 years ago (small cape) and I'm in the process of a large addition/extension job (adding 3x living space +full attic and basement) so I've seen a lot. I have a lot to offer. Not sure if I have time to go thru everything but I'll throw a few things out there and feel free to ask re other areas.
-First I have to agree with ckmk47- definitely try to plan for the future. Some areas that I did this is 1)when I put in a new boiler 4 years ago, I got one with a BTU that is capable of handling my future square area (I don't have to put in a new larger boiler now so I'm saving about $8k now) 2)5 years ago when I put in 2 bathrooms upstairs, I put them in a place that will now be in the right location for my extension (I don't have to put in new bathrooms now so I'm saving over $30k) 3)With my project now, I'm adding a 2nd floor and an attic. I'm making it a Masford roof (google it) so in 5 years if I want to add rooms, I have a complete floor to work with (another 1300sq feet). On a similar note, I'm also running electric and dead plumbing (including HVAC) up there so if/when I do finish the attic, I dont have to break any walls on the lower floors to do that work. On a similar note (again), I'm making a 7'x6' walk-in closet (aside from the regular closet) off of the guest bedroom which is back to back with one of my bathrooms. This WIC will also have dead plumbing so it will be easy to convert to a future bathroom, if I want. 
-In regards to heating I researched and came up with the following-up until now my house had radiators and baseboard. Now that I'm putting in a 2 zone HVAC system, I'm switching the heating to a hydrostatic system (google it) (costing me an extra $2.5k). The advantage of this is 1)the forced hot air is not dry and 2)it is supposed to be more comfortable and more efficient. Radiators/baseboard is good except that a few of the rooms are relatively small and I don't want to take up wall space. And I agree with sguitarist18 re radiant heat.
-When I did my work initially, my contractor convinced me that it is worth adding a master bathroom, even though it took up vital space from my bedroom (to the point that I wan't able to put more than 2 twin beds and a dresser in there). I think that was a very smart move and I don't regret it at all.
-If possible, use 12/2 wiring, even for lighting.
-If you're making an extension with a basement, give the basement at least an 8' ceiling with regular windows (even if you're not finishing now).
-DON'T get chinese kitchen cabinets. When I did my work 5 years ago, the Chinese sub-contractor told me that they are top of the line in China. Half a year later, three cabinet doors are warped (although no other doors warped since then so maybe it was just a bad batch).
-Personally, I'm hooking up a few things to wifi that will then be able to be controlled by my smartphone). This includes 2 thermostats (thank you DanDeals) and public area lighting (like the LR, DR, and hallways). Then I could set the shobbos schedules very easily (when I did my work 5 years ago, I installed a fancy timer switch for my living room but I never figured out how to use it but this is much easier supposedly).
-Run RG59 (cat5e network cable) all over the house. Way more than you currently need. Almost anything could be run off of it. I'm running my cameras, intercom, phones, alarm, and wifi through those cables. To give you an idea, I'm running a minimum of 5 cables to each room (intercom, camera, computer, phone and extra). No, each room will not have an intercom and camera but I want the capability to easily hook one up in any room in the future (for example if I put a baby in a room, I'll be able to easily plug in the intercom and/or camera to use as a monitor).
-If you are capable (somewhat handy), run the network cables yourself. You'll save a lot of money. Youtube is your friend here and it's really not hard.
-Simliarly, you could save a good 2 or 3 thousand dollars if you set up your CCTV yourself (as well as the alarm system). If you by the kits, they are really user friendly.
-You could save tens of thousands of dollars if you're able to do most of the electricity yourself. My contractor is including all outlets and a handful of fixtures but many don't include either. At a price of $125/piece (normal price charged by an electrician , it could add up very quickly. Depending on your local, you may need a licensed electrician to sign off on it.

That's all for now. I have a lot more but it's erev YT and things are starting to get busy.

Offline grodnoking

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Re: Home Improvements
« Reply #66 on: September 22, 2015, 12:07:17 PM »



-DON'T get chinese kitchen cabinets. When I did my work 5 years ago, the Chinese sub-contractor told me that they are top of the line in China. Half a year later, three cabinet doors are warped (although no other doors warped since then so maybe it was just a bad batch).


Our contractor had a friend I'm HK who made custom cabinets for big companies. We had cheery wood cabinets shipped direct from him. Costed us less then prefab because we cut out all the middlemen. Still in mint condition. Just make sure to get a small bottle of its stain because you're never going to get the same color stain as the one that it is made with.
I'm not who you think I am.

Offline Sport

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Re: Home Improvements
« Reply #67 on: September 22, 2015, 12:09:21 PM »


I did a complete gut job when I bought my house 5 years ago (small cape) and I'm in the process of a large addition/extension job (adding 3x living space +full attic and basement) so I've seen a lot. I have a lot to offer. Not sure if I have time to go thru everything but I'll throw a few things out there and feel free to ask re other areas.

Great info. I just bought a Cape with plans to renovate/extensions in 5 years or so. What size was your home before the extension ?

Offline Sammy82

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Re: Home Improvements
« Reply #68 on: September 22, 2015, 12:16:13 PM »
Great info. I just bought a Cape with plans to renovate/extensions in 5 years or so. What size was your home before the extension ?
~1000sqf

Offline sguitarist18

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Re: Home Improvements
« Reply #69 on: September 22, 2015, 12:20:08 PM »
Thank you - I'm going to re-read later and ask questions!

Offline somefield

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Re: Home Improvements
« Reply #70 on: September 24, 2015, 10:02:46 AM »
Now that I'm putting in a 2 zone HVAC system,
If you're putting in zoning check out Arzel, they are retrofit friendly and have the best warranty in the industry.

Offline Sport

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Re: Home Improvements
« Reply #71 on: September 24, 2015, 10:48:43 AM »
~1000sqf
Trying to get ideas for my extension and I've got some more questions, if you dont mind.
How many sqf was the 2nd floor before renovating ? 
Are you dormering the 2nd floor ?

Offline Menachem613

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Re: Home Improvements
« Reply #72 on: August 11, 2016, 08:45:22 PM »
Anyone with recommendations or comments on using a kitchen space planner/designer? I most interested in someone that can design a kitchen to maximize space but within a certain budget.

Offline Entrepreneur

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Re: Home Improvements
« Reply #73 on: September 20, 2016, 11:06:55 PM »
I have a GE sunsmart digital timer.  It is a 3-way switch (http://www.homedepot.com/p/GE-3-Way-Sunsmart-In-Wall-Digital-Timer-15312/202788253).  I have 2 separate light switches that controls the same light.

When I removed my old light switch, there were only 3 wires - White, Black, and Red.

The timer has 5 wires - White, Black, Red, Blue, Green

What wires do I connect to each other?

Thanks

Offline Chalil

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Re: Home Improvements
« Reply #74 on: September 20, 2016, 11:24:39 PM »
I have a GE sunsmart digital timer.  It is a 3-way switch (http://www.homedepot.com/p/GE-3-Way-Sunsmart-In-Wall-Digital-Timer-15312/202788253).  I have 2 separate light switches that controls the same light.

When I removed my old light switch, there were only 3 wires - White, Black, and Red.

The timer has 5 wires - White, Black, Red, Blue, Green

What wires do I connect to each other?

Thanks
If you only have 3 wires that means you took out the two-way switch not the 3-way switch which should have 4 wires and then you need to connect a neutral that would be the fifth wire

Offline Entrepreneur

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Re: Home Improvements
« Reply #75 on: September 20, 2016, 11:58:46 PM »
If you only have 3 wires that means you took out the two-way switch not the 3-way switch which should have 4 wires and then you need to connect a neutral that would be the fifth wire
Ok, so the other light switch should have at least 4 wires behind it?

Offline Chalil

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Re: Home Improvements
« Reply #76 on: September 21, 2016, 12:00:26 AM »
Yes one of the other two

Offline Mplace

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Re: Home Improvements
« Reply #77 on: September 25, 2016, 12:49:53 PM »
Yes one of the other two
if he has 3 light switches which controls one light, it's called a 4 way,
If only 2 light switches control a specific light, it's called a 3 way

In a 3 way switch set up, (2 switches) both switches should have more than 3 wires,
Unless the neutral+ground do not come down into the light switch box,

The only difference between the two light switches is one is the lead and one is the load, going to the light switch is he same


A 3 way can suffice on 3 wires as long as there is a neutral curent somewhere along the line..
What's your plan for yud shvat?

Offline Sport

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Re: Home Improvements
« Reply #78 on: September 25, 2016, 12:58:02 PM »
My cac fan doesnt turn off. Anybody know how to fix and if its a diy ?

Offline Mplace

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Re: Home Improvements
« Reply #79 on: September 25, 2016, 01:01:13 PM »
My cac fan doesnt turn off. Anybody know how to fix and if its a diy ?
hard to tell, probably a loose wire to the switch
What's your plan for yud shvat?