Jane's Home: Surprise: You're Replacing All of the Windows!

Wednesday, December 29, 2010

Surprise: You're Replacing All of the Windows!

Before beginning the renovation, Jane and Van planned to have all of 308's original, double hung, wood windows repaired and repainted, figuring their replacement was unnecessary.

The first hit to this plan came when removing the upstairs window air conditioning units. Apparently when these units were installed decades ago, half of the windows were discarded, therefore removing the units left the windows permanently half open. So brand new, custom windows were ordered for the affected windows.

The second hit to the plan to keep the windows came when further inspection revealed that many of the windows were beyond repair: wood had dry rotted and the ugly-but-necessary storm windows had outlived their useful lives. The benefits of low UV, efficient, beautiful new windows outweighed the benefits of keeping the old windows.

The undesired expense of replacing all of 308's windows has paid off: the new windows look great, operate well, don't require storm windows, and provide better protection from all of the elements.

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Renovation Overview

1. Overhaul of Kitchen, Breakfast Room and Sunroom - several walls will be taken down, and these areas will all be combined into one big, open room. The kitchen will feature granite countertops, wood floors, wood cabinets, recessed and undermount lighting, a custom hutch with interior LED lighting, a marble backsplash, and stainless commercial grade appliances. The sunroom will receive all new exterior windows and doors and a heated travertine floor.

2. New Paint Throughout - the entire interior of the house will be repainted -- ceilings, walls, doors, and closets. Prior to this massive paint job, all of the old wallpaper will come down, and the plaster walls will be patched as needed.

3. Refinished Hardwood Floors Throughout - all of the wood floors in the house will be sanded and stained.

4. New Powder Room - the old front hall closet and kitchen pantry will be combined to make a powder room. The powder room will be accessed off of the front hall through a new doorway.

5. New Air Conditioning and Heating Zone for the Upstairs - the second floor of the house will receive its own air and heat separate from that of the first floor. New insulation will be blown into the attic.

6. Plantation Shutters - All existing window coverings throughout the house will be removed. With the exception of the new sunroom, all windows on the first floor will be fitted with custom three inch plantation shutters.

7. Carport Attic Upgrades - The attic above the carport will receive heat and air, will get a new dormer and entrance, and will see its former entrance converted into a decorative Juliet balcony.

8. Sound System - speakers will be built into ceilings and walls throughout the house. A central audio/visual closet will control everything.

9. Fire and Burglary Alarm - The house will be wired to ensure its residents' safety and the security of their possessions.

10. Chandeliers Cleaned and Re-Wired - The house's handful of crystal chandeliers will all be removed, cleaned, and rewired.