Tuesday, December 27, 2011

Wood Floor Project Budgeting and Bids

Click to enlarge picture



Rough Sketch

Design criteria--

1) Long Lasting
2) Good Looking, and not too dark
3) Not slippery for dogs to run on
4) Non-scratching for 2 giant German Shepherds to "peel out" on
5) Warm to bare-feet
6) No "grooves" that will catch dog hair and dander
7) Low maintenance for future

steveo


Entire carpet, tack strip, staples, have been removed. Baseboard also removed and labelled and stored.

Job does not include replacing baseboard at this time, we may go with a painted baseboard.

The SCOPE does now include the steps risers and runs.  Figure on a 1/4 round on the sides of the steps.  The landing will stay ceramic tile.  Steps appear to be properly made and dimensioned, by installer Must make sure that finished product is equal in rise and run,  per code the deepest tread can be no more than 3/8" greater than the shallowest, The tallest riser can be no more than 3/8" higher than the shortest, and  nosing is required on the steps, 3/4 to 1-1/4".   Shim and adjust as needed.

Underlayment is plywood on wood joist, will be screwed down by others.    Basement is drywall ceiling so inaccessible for shimming.  

Owner wants no squeaks.  
Crew has placed 2000 screws to hold down existing plywood to floor joist, prior was just nails.

Flooring installer to double check all areas for squeaks prior to placing flooring.


Existing Hickory floor in kitchen and dining has been removed. This will likely be placed in future addition, it is stored in attic now.

There will be a granite surround in front of the fireplace


Any questions, Ask please.

Sunday, December 25, 2011

Incentives and Tax Credits

Focus on Energy, seems like additional incentive above and beyond State Tax Credits.

http://www.focusonenergy.com/Incentives/Residential/Renewable/default.aspx

Site Assessment Certification (only required for Wind), helpful for PV and SHW

http://www.mreacsa.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=51&Itemid=98

List of Assessors

http://www.mreacsa.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=31&Itemid=43&state=WI

Geothermal Heat Pumps

The current idea is to use an electrically driven geothermal heat pump for whole house heating.  The heat pump would use an "earth connected" heat loop, which may also entail pipes running to the bottom of the future pond.     I here that as a way of thinking, 300LF of pipe buried 6 feet deep ought to be enough to heat a house.    Mileage may vary in the frozen tundra.

http://www.wellowner2.org/2009/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=32%3Aq-what-if-i-cant-use-a-well&catid=51%3Ahome-heating-and-cooling&Itemid=51

Links, Just a place to store some useful links

http://milwaukeeconsumer.com/

Tuesday, December 20, 2011

King of Copper

Not many people know that 6000 years ago Wisconsin was the "King of Copper" even trading with South America by some evidence.  


http://copperculture.homestead.com/ManufacturingCopperImplements.html

Sunday, December 11, 2011

Pond 2 houses down

A successful pond, walking distance.   I am sure this owner will be very knowledgeable about pond design and operation, and available groundwater in the area.

Area DNR Maps for Pond Feasibility Study


It looks feasible, so far.   There are wetlands right across the street.   A deep pond would be essential for a water to air heat pump house heating system, and aircon.