jarchitect

BTW, were the cabs custom built or from a mfg? -Jim

jimrym@gmail.com

Love that horizontal look...very effective. -Jim

What a wonder piece of serendipity!

Very nice project. I especially like the tall side elevation...very Mondrian-esqe. -Jim

What a wonderful project! I love small, defined programs that allow playful approaches to design. This is a little gem and your ability to pack a lot into the small footprint and still have gobs of usable, light filled space is a true accomplishment.

This is truly commendable work. The transformation is quite remarkable and, I am sure, the experience was 'a long, strange trip' indeed! My wife and I had a very similar experience. (and we're still married!!!)

See:

http://finehomebuilding.taunton.com/item/4278/total-seattle-gut-second-story-addition

and:

http://finehomebuilding.taunton.com/item/5275/the-house-next-door

-Jim

Having gone through the same nightmare, (see House Next Door) I can fully appreciate the work that went into this transformation. Great job!

-Jim

I love the fact that you did so much great work without a permit. The 200 ft exemption is a part of the International Residential Code that is often under utilized. Nice going. -Jim

To those interested in sash replacement:

I used Vetter sash replacements. I knew early on I did not want to use vinyl. They are aluminum clad exterior and paint grade interior. You can get them with better interior finishes and also fiber clad exterior, I believe. They were a bit less costly than Anderson/Marvin. They have a website.

I chose to use sash replacements because the existing frame was ok and I didn't want to booger up the exterior trim. I could have used a full replacement window,but I was also concerned about sash/jamb thickness and too 'heavy' an appearance. The sash rides in a vinyl channel that is screwed onto each jamb. This reduces the opening by about 1/2" on each jamb...which is acceptable and less than noticeable than it would be with a whole window replacement.

I found them to be pretty easy to install once I got my rhythm down. I replaced roughly a dozen window, so I was able to capitalize on my learning curve. They say it takes something like 30 minutes to do...which is pretty optimistic. I figure it took about an hour per window once I was rolling. Scaping paint and filling holes also slows you down. I used only basic tools.

Some observations:

* I like the way they swing out for cleaning.
* The vinyl channel at each jamb cannot be painted and is white...so it will show if you choose dark interior paint.
* Take care to measure the angle of your sill...this is very important for good weather sealing.
* When you measure your openings, be careful and measure several times. You don't want to mis-measure. The width is easy 'cause the existing window is the the same as the replacement.
* The stops had tiny staple holes that needed to be filled prior to painting. I thought this sucked a bit. Again, check Anderson or Marvin here. They might have better quality control.
* Mine did not come with screens. I'm not sure if they are part of the stock package. I didn't worry about it because Seattle is not very buggy. (cause the summer's are so bleeding cold at night)
* I suggest calling around your area reps to see if there are some installation you can check out. Most home owners don't mind.

Some who are purists and have vintage houses don't like sash replacements because of the vinyl runners. I didn't have those issues in my cases. Good luck!

1Sensei:

Check out my webpage: www.jarchitect.net

I have a before photo on it. -Jim

Lovely work...I especially like the way the tv was integrated into the 'period' mantle casework. -Jim

Riverdale,

Thanks for the kudos. The windows were Vetter aluminum clad sash replacements on the lower floor and Vetter aluminum clad casements (made to look like double hungs) on the upper floor. I used the sash replacements on the lower floor because I was working with existing openings. They worked very well. -Jim