Studio Build Documentation
- Thread starter miroslav
- Start date
Johnny Don't!
New member
Ah crap, that's right, I'm sorry: I keep forgetting yer going the Daniel Lanois route and rawkin' the one-space design; cool on you, man. Love that idea.
There are a few reasons for the suspended control room and floating floors (only the control room was suspended; the other rooms are just floating on Neoprene and springs n' such), the main one being that he not only leases the farm land around the studio (lots of big machinery passing by to and fro the other buildings around his barn), but there is also a large processing plant about 250 yards from him, so that means semitrucks and more loud machinery. He also does some fairly big name songwriting/production work, so the "fancy" design has a lot to do with marketing/bragging rights, as he wants to eventually be able to rent out the place to other bands/producers/labels/etc. This is also why the entire place is LEEDS-certified for being eco-friendly. When I was there, since he didn't have much gear to suck up much power, he told me the renewable energy systems he had installed were actually feeding energy INTO the local grid, so the local utility was paying him for that. Pretty interesting.
Depending on the floor surface you are going to have installed, you could have the contractor create a hidden channel under the final surface such that you could run the Mogami through the channel and then cover it with whatever surface materials are used, but don't secure the covering permanently (personally I'd use Velcro or something): then you can pick up the cover and access the hidden channel when/if necessary. That hides the snake cable but provides for lots of options. Just sayin'!
Keep us posted on the build, mate!
There are a few reasons for the suspended control room and floating floors (only the control room was suspended; the other rooms are just floating on Neoprene and springs n' such), the main one being that he not only leases the farm land around the studio (lots of big machinery passing by to and fro the other buildings around his barn), but there is also a large processing plant about 250 yards from him, so that means semitrucks and more loud machinery. He also does some fairly big name songwriting/production work, so the "fancy" design has a lot to do with marketing/bragging rights, as he wants to eventually be able to rent out the place to other bands/producers/labels/etc. This is also why the entire place is LEEDS-certified for being eco-friendly. When I was there, since he didn't have much gear to suck up much power, he told me the renewable energy systems he had installed were actually feeding energy INTO the local grid, so the local utility was paying him for that. Pretty interesting.
Depending on the floor surface you are going to have installed, you could have the contractor create a hidden channel under the final surface such that you could run the Mogami through the channel and then cover it with whatever surface materials are used, but don't secure the covering permanently (personally I'd use Velcro or something): then you can pick up the cover and access the hidden channel when/if necessary. That hides the snake cable but provides for lots of options. Just sayin'!
Keep us posted on the build, mate!
miroslav
Cosmic Cowboy
Funny you should mention Daniel Lanois. I have been a fan of his for a long time now, both as a producer and also as a performer...he sings and plays quite well, and is a good songwriter too...but I never considered his make-shift studios as an inspiration for my studio, but now I see the connection.
Most of his were just a lot of one room spaces, or he would set up in a typical house, use the living room, dinning, room etc...and it was all pretty much one space...but no formal control rooms, iso-booths and all that. He use to move around a lot, and would set up a studio for a 1-2 years, then move to another state and do it again. He's been in New Orleans, out in California, I think over in Europe, plus his early days up in Hamilton, Canada.
AFA the cabling and floor...I have really nice Brazilian Cherry hardwood floors going in, and they get nailed down to the subfloor...so having some kind of removable cover for cable access ain't happening...which is one more reason I'm most likely going to go with the floor snake idea, and just make them myself out of the Mogami...plus I'm probably going to also do the movable racks, so I'm going to have the "umbilical cord" out of the same Mogami...and everything will be on the surface rather than in the floor or walls. It's just the least intrusive and non-permanent install that also gives me a lot of flexibility, with the downside being that cables will at times run across the floor...but you know, there's not a studio on the planet that doesn't end up with cables all over the floor during sessions...so it's no big thing.
[EDIT]
Speaking of Daniel Lanois...in the current (Dec/Jan) issue of Tape Op magazine, there is an interview with Mark Howard, who worked with Lanois in his Hamilton studio and was also the guy responsible for setting up the make-shift studio in New Orleans...plus maybe a couple of there places, if I recall.
He doesn't have a favorable memory of Lanois, at least from an employee perspective. He claims that Lanois was somewhat of a taskmaster, and generally took all the credits, with some exceptions...but then, when you work for a big name engineer/producer, that's typically how it is...so maybe it's some sour grapes, and of course...we would have to hear Lanois' version of it.
I would work for free for Lanois for a year (maybe more) if I had the opportunity, as long as he provided good room & board...no credits required!
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miroslav
Cosmic Cowboy
DAY 45
Today was kind of a light work day...we had a bit of snow overnight. They closed off the gable and also did some door framing on my new bathroom.
Other than that...I finally met with the HVAC guy, and that was a very productive discussion, and he's able to do exactly what I want with the mini-split unit...we just couldn't decide where to put the outside compressor unit, as it had to be a minimum of 16' from the inner (evaporator) wall unit, and he said they could go up to 85' away if needed...but I think we're kind of set on the spot to place the outer unit.
The other discussion was what to do with my bathroom/foyer cooling, and he said that tying it into my existing central AC for the house wouldn't be a problem...they just need to cut away some sheeting from an outer wall...run the duct to there, and then run a thin duct in the wall that will come down into the new bathroom. The foyer will get cooling from the bathroom, since the central air return will pull the air in that direction.
I got my specialty wall receptacles for my audio power distribution...and was supposed to also meet with the electrician today so he can see what it is I have and what I want to do...but he didn't make it today, so I'll probably see him tomorrow.
Oh, we also kinda settled on my two exterior doors (front & back)...so they will be ordered in the next 1-2 days. I only have to decided on my studio door, but after some discussion with the contractor, and also my best friend who has been in the door/window biz for over 30 years now out in California...it makes the most sense to just go with a solid core inside door that has some kind of Masonite, and that would provide a good sound control door, which doesn't need to be 100% soundproof. Worst case...I end up adding a layer of something on the inside of the door if I need more mass, and they have the retro-fit studio door seals that can be added to any door if there is a lot of gap to deal with.
I'm also ordering the sub-floor material in a couple of days, and we may end up installing that sooner than originally planned...and hopefully ahead of my hardwood flooring delivery, which is at this point, on-hold until Dec 31st...but the flooring has arrived, and they are holding it at the store for me. I spoke with the delivery guy this morning and explained the hold until the end of the month...and he was real cool, told me to just give him a call when I'm ready...so unless the store guys make a big deal out getting it out by the 31st...I might have a bit more time to get the sub-floor done and have a nice finished, open room, ready for the hardwood to get delivered...but it won't get installed until the drywall is hung and painted.
Today was kind of a light work day...we had a bit of snow overnight. They closed off the gable and also did some door framing on my new bathroom.
Other than that...I finally met with the HVAC guy, and that was a very productive discussion, and he's able to do exactly what I want with the mini-split unit...we just couldn't decide where to put the outside compressor unit, as it had to be a minimum of 16' from the inner (evaporator) wall unit, and he said they could go up to 85' away if needed...but I think we're kind of set on the spot to place the outer unit.
The other discussion was what to do with my bathroom/foyer cooling, and he said that tying it into my existing central AC for the house wouldn't be a problem...they just need to cut away some sheeting from an outer wall...run the duct to there, and then run a thin duct in the wall that will come down into the new bathroom. The foyer will get cooling from the bathroom, since the central air return will pull the air in that direction.
I got my specialty wall receptacles for my audio power distribution...and was supposed to also meet with the electrician today so he can see what it is I have and what I want to do...but he didn't make it today, so I'll probably see him tomorrow.
Oh, we also kinda settled on my two exterior doors (front & back)...so they will be ordered in the next 1-2 days. I only have to decided on my studio door, but after some discussion with the contractor, and also my best friend who has been in the door/window biz for over 30 years now out in California...it makes the most sense to just go with a solid core inside door that has some kind of Masonite, and that would provide a good sound control door, which doesn't need to be 100% soundproof. Worst case...I end up adding a layer of something on the inside of the door if I need more mass, and they have the retro-fit studio door seals that can be added to any door if there is a lot of gap to deal with.
I'm also ordering the sub-floor material in a couple of days, and we may end up installing that sooner than originally planned...and hopefully ahead of my hardwood flooring delivery, which is at this point, on-hold until Dec 31st...but the flooring has arrived, and they are holding it at the store for me. I spoke with the delivery guy this morning and explained the hold until the end of the month...and he was real cool, told me to just give him a call when I'm ready...so unless the store guys make a big deal out getting it out by the 31st...I might have a bit more time to get the sub-floor done and have a nice finished, open room, ready for the hardwood to get delivered...but it won't get installed until the drywall is hung and painted.
miroslav
Cosmic Cowboy
The door I'm thinking of is already a heavier door, and I told them to treat it like an exterior door...so 4-screw hinges, and instead of doing a single long "security" screw, they will all be long ones. I just replaced 10 doors in my house, and even with the lighter interior closet doors...I used at least one long screw per hinge, on both the frame and the door. A bit overkill...but I wanted the doors to be firmly in place.
Odds are I will not need anything more added to the studio door...but it's an easy fix if I do.
Johnny Don't!
New member
Daniel Lanois is one of my all-time favorite producers, but in an odd way: I actually don't really like a lot of the bands he's worked with, especially after the '80's. He makes interesting choices in terms of artists he produces (in a three-year period, he did two albums for U2, two albums for Sinead O'Connor...and one for Dashboard Confessional. Whaaaaaat? Haha), but he makes my top-ten all-time producers list just for his work on Peter Gabriel's So. His production work on Us might be even better but So is an overall better album. Better songs. I mean, hell, So is in my top-ten all-time favorite albums, and that's saying A LOT.
Rick Rubin was heavily influenced by Lanois' "single-room, often-in-a-house" setup; I think the first album Rubin did that way was Bloodsugarsexmagik for the Red Hot Chili Peppers.
Just FYI, regarding the removable cover for the floor...your contractor should be able to make a removable cover of some sort out of the same material he's using to do the floor. It would be pretty much invisible unless you knew it was there. A friend a ways north of me in the northwest burbs of Chicago has this setup; he used light Velcro to hold the strips of flooring in place, and then he put magnets on the underside of the boards so all he has to do is run another magnet over those boards and they lift so he can pull them out. But he rarely does this, so it all might be moot anyway. ;-)
Personally, having started recording in the early 90's, I think a studio without some sort of cabling running along the floor, even in a control room, doesn't feel like a studio to me. Haha.
Rick Rubin was heavily influenced by Lanois' "single-room, often-in-a-house" setup; I think the first album Rubin did that way was Bloodsugarsexmagik for the Red Hot Chili Peppers.
Just FYI, regarding the removable cover for the floor...your contractor should be able to make a removable cover of some sort out of the same material he's using to do the floor. It would be pretty much invisible unless you knew it was there. A friend a ways north of me in the northwest burbs of Chicago has this setup; he used light Velcro to hold the strips of flooring in place, and then he put magnets on the underside of the boards so all he has to do is run another magnet over those boards and they lift so he can pull them out. But he rarely does this, so it all might be moot anyway. ;-)
Personally, having started recording in the early 90's, I think a studio without some sort of cabling running along the floor, even in a control room, doesn't feel like a studio to me. Haha.
miroslav
Cosmic Cowboy
My cable run would be under 25' of flooring...having that much removable flooring for cable access would be too much.
Also...the cable run would go perpendicular to the way the flooring planks are going...so that makes it impossible to have a single removable cover...and I'm not changing the direction of the hardwood just for a cable run.
And...there's the sub-floor...so the cable would not be between the hardwood floor and sub-floor...but below the subfloor...which means that would also need a removable strip. Way too much hassle.
TBH...most people think it's not a "real studio" unless it has a dedicated control room and at least one iso-booth.
That's why you see so many home rec guys taking very small spaces to begin with, and then breaking them up into even smaller spaces by creating control rooms and booths and tiny "live" rooms.
If a studio can exist without the dedicated control room...then I can have a studio where the cable isn't under the floor.
Trust me...when this build is done, it's going to be a fantastic studio space for a home setup.
miroslav
Cosmic Cowboy
miroslav
Cosmic Cowboy
DAY 47
Yesterday they got most of the sheeting done...there's just about 3-4 sheets left to go on...and three of my windows were installed, 2 on the side and my awning window which is on the end. The fourth window came in the wrong size (some miscommunication between the vendor and my contractor)...I should have the replacement in a couple of weeks, hopefully before the holidays, so until then it will get some plywood.
Also, half of the hurricane clips were installed for the rafters.
I also locked into my AC system today, and they should start roughing it in next week...a 22k BTUh 2-ton system. The rep said an 18k would have been OK, but I told him I have quite a bit of gear that will generate some heat, and that I wanted the room have good cooling...so he pushed it up to the next level.
The heat pump in the unit will warm down to -5 degrees...which is good enough for this area, especially considering that I will also have some hot water baseboard in the room. There was a -15 degrees option, but kinda overkill.
Today is a rain day...but I'm going to be out there running some drainage pipe for the gutters and also a French drain...it's going to probably be the last chance to do it now before the ground start to freeze since the temps will be in the upper 40s...then we have a long cold spell coming after.
Tomorrow and Monday the siding should get started on the fascia and soffits and so on...plus the Building Inspector is due on Monday to sign off on the framing/sheeting phase...then the electric and plumbing should start once the structure is kinda sealed, and we can run some portable heat in there.
I also need to start running my audio power line, networking, phone...so I'm looking forward to there being some heat in there...kinda hard working with wire when your hands are frozen.
Oh...my front & back doors have been ordered. I still need to pick out my studio door...probably just a solid 6-panel door, wood & fiberglass (like an exterior door), but a thicker one...1-3/4"...and there's also the bathroom door, but that will be just like the doors I installed this summer in the rest of my house, just solid wood, 6-panel, and then I'll paint it....well, I'm going to be painting all the doors.
Yesterday they got most of the sheeting done...there's just about 3-4 sheets left to go on...and three of my windows were installed, 2 on the side and my awning window which is on the end. The fourth window came in the wrong size (some miscommunication between the vendor and my contractor)...I should have the replacement in a couple of weeks, hopefully before the holidays, so until then it will get some plywood.
Also, half of the hurricane clips were installed for the rafters.
I also locked into my AC system today, and they should start roughing it in next week...a 22k BTUh 2-ton system. The rep said an 18k would have been OK, but I told him I have quite a bit of gear that will generate some heat, and that I wanted the room have good cooling...so he pushed it up to the next level.
The heat pump in the unit will warm down to -5 degrees...which is good enough for this area, especially considering that I will also have some hot water baseboard in the room. There was a -15 degrees option, but kinda overkill.
Today is a rain day...but I'm going to be out there running some drainage pipe for the gutters and also a French drain...it's going to probably be the last chance to do it now before the ground start to freeze since the temps will be in the upper 40s...then we have a long cold spell coming after.
Tomorrow and Monday the siding should get started on the fascia and soffits and so on...plus the Building Inspector is due on Monday to sign off on the framing/sheeting phase...then the electric and plumbing should start once the structure is kinda sealed, and we can run some portable heat in there.
I also need to start running my audio power line, networking, phone...so I'm looking forward to there being some heat in there...kinda hard working with wire when your hands are frozen.
Oh...my front & back doors have been ordered. I still need to pick out my studio door...probably just a solid 6-panel door, wood & fiberglass (like an exterior door), but a thicker one...1-3/4"...and there's also the bathroom door, but that will be just like the doors I installed this summer in the rest of my house, just solid wood, 6-panel, and then I'll paint it....well, I'm going to be painting all the doors.
miroslav
Cosmic Cowboy
The studio was/is primarily for my use...something I thought about many times over the years, about my options to build-out or to reassign the existing space in my house that was next to my current studio, in order to have more room. Doing this build-out was always the ideal way to go, and I envisioned many different ways to do it. I wish I had this opportunity 10 or better yet, 20 years ago...but it just wasn't possible, and this year it became possible, mainly do to the fact the my immediate family, my mother, father and sister are all gone.
I never got into it here too much on the forums before, but I'll give you the backstory now.
Before my dad passed away 15 years ago, he and my mother would spend their summers with me, winters in Florida. Then after my dad passed away, my mom continued. Also, my sister and her husband use to come visit often, and the room that was demolished to make way for this new studio, was a guest room that they would use. Then my sister passed away in 2016, she was ill for several years, and slowly faded away...but my mom was still doing the NY/FL thing. I was actually planning to create a comfortable one-story space for her to live here permanently (instead of building the studio), because she was getting to the point of needing more care and being alone in a condo in FL was not good.
Just as we were making plans to get her up here permanently, she was going to do one more winter in FL and then move for good up here... then last summer her health went downhill. She still went back, for one last time, but two weeks later I was on a plane heading to FL to bring her back. She ended up in the hospital and was not going to survive alone. I needed to act quick to bring back so I could take care of her.
I had to pack her up and move her in 10 days time. Got her back up here, she was OK for a few months, and then by Dec last year, she just got worse, lots of trips to the doctors, nothing...she had chronic COPD issues, and a pacemaker...last January after they did a second PET scan, it was clear that here lungs were going.
She spent her last 6 weeks in bed, with me taking care of her along with some hospice visits...and the she passed away at the end of February.
That was a really hard thing...watching her go day by day, and being the only one dealing with it 24/7, but I always told her I would not stick her in some home...and that I would stay with her and be her caregiver. I just didn't think she was going to go for at least another 2-3 years.
So the plan I had to build a space for her was no longer needed, and I toyed with the idea of selling the house and moving, now that my entire immediate family was gone...but then decided that I liked where I was, and this place was home, and the "ghosts" of my family are still here with me, and I didn't want to leave them behind. Not trying to sound weird...but the memories of my family are tied to this place, and I wanted to keep them close.
At that point I decided to go for the studio build...and I might as well now have my longtime dream come to life...rather then move and try to start it all over again at some different place.
That's how I got here to this build...but to answer the rest of your question...
...I do plan to and would very much like to have people over to record...and that has always been part of my thought process in planning this and getting it built. I just wasn't going to do a formal commercial type of studio build, because the one big open space is what I prefer...and yes, there will be drums set up (I think they will sound great in the big room)...my amps and guitars, of course...and I'm probably going to try to get either a baby grand or full grand piano in there, and leave my smaller studio upright down where it is, in the room which will become my new bedroom. That way I can have a place to flush out ideas without always going into the studio.The studio will have all the necessaries to handle a 5-6 person recording session when it's all finished and set up. I will most likely be building a bunch of gobos this summer, so that I can create partially isolated spaces, and make the most out of the big open room.
I am also going to wire in my adjoining foyer, which has a 12' vaulted ceiling, and it will have a tile floor with extended hallway...so I think it could possibly have an interesting live sound...or just toss some rugs on the tile, and deaden it up. That way I will have to possibility of one additional space isolated from the big room...but I live the single room approach, always have.
miroslav
Cosmic Cowboy
DAY 48
Today it rained on/off most of the day, but I was out there in the rain and well into the night putting in some drainage pipes along the far end of the building.
I put in two pipes...one is a solid pipe for the two gutters (yet to be installed) to drain into, and the second, outer pipe has holes on the bottom, to act as a French drain, since that end of the building has the high slope near it (the new driveway where I will need a retaining wall come spring).
It made sense to put some initial drainage now, before they come to install my mini-split AC unit, which will go on the on corner on a pad...and I wouldn't want to have to dig under it later in the spring. There will probably be another drain pipe on the driveway side of the retaining wall when it goes in.
It was a warmer day (though pretty wet)...so possibly the last opportunity to dig before the ground starts to freeze. This way when the install my gutters they can immediately connect them to the drain pipe...and those uphill sides of the building will stay dry.
I probably should have put in the pipes when they were backfilling...but at the time, the contractor said with a slab, it wasn't required by code to have footing drains and all that...so I made the mistake of going with that thought...DUH!...and then as soon as they backfilled, I saw that the top of the slab was almost at grade, so I knew I would end up putting in the drains...but now it's basically done.
I still have to drop in another 30' of pipe along my front wall, but I may let that go until the spring, since I already dug out along the wall and filled it all with stones...so it will drain pretty good as-is...but I want to add the French drain pipe, and tie it into the other one at the corner.
If it stays warmer for a couple of days, I may run to Home Depot and just grab some more pipe and do it now...but the next two days they will be starting the siding, so I don't want to get in their way.
Today it rained on/off most of the day, but I was out there in the rain and well into the night putting in some drainage pipes along the far end of the building.
I put in two pipes...one is a solid pipe for the two gutters (yet to be installed) to drain into, and the second, outer pipe has holes on the bottom, to act as a French drain, since that end of the building has the high slope near it (the new driveway where I will need a retaining wall come spring).
It made sense to put some initial drainage now, before they come to install my mini-split AC unit, which will go on the on corner on a pad...and I wouldn't want to have to dig under it later in the spring. There will probably be another drain pipe on the driveway side of the retaining wall when it goes in.
It was a warmer day (though pretty wet)...so possibly the last opportunity to dig before the ground starts to freeze. This way when the install my gutters they can immediately connect them to the drain pipe...and those uphill sides of the building will stay dry.
I probably should have put in the pipes when they were backfilling...but at the time, the contractor said with a slab, it wasn't required by code to have footing drains and all that...so I made the mistake of going with that thought...DUH!...and then as soon as they backfilled, I saw that the top of the slab was almost at grade, so I knew I would end up putting in the drains...but now it's basically done.
I still have to drop in another 30' of pipe along my front wall, but I may let that go until the spring, since I already dug out along the wall and filled it all with stones...so it will drain pretty good as-is...but I want to add the French drain pipe, and tie it into the other one at the corner.
If it stays warmer for a couple of days, I may run to Home Depot and just grab some more pipe and do it now...but the next two days they will be starting the siding, so I don't want to get in their way.
Chili
Site Moderator
Thanks for the backstory. It is nice to see the commitment to family. Don't see that too much anymore. Sorry, for your losses over the years, but cool to see you trying to do the best you can for your Ma.
I think the recording space will sound great. If I could swing it, I'd bring my band up to record. Hope to hear some great music come from that room some day.
I think the recording space will sound great. If I could swing it, I'd bring my band up to record. Hope to hear some great music come from that room some day.
miroslav
Cosmic Cowboy
My family was always good to me...we were all close. It's a bit weird now being the only one to carry all the memories, but I know they would expect me to move forward. When my sister took ill, I asked her once if there was anything she wanted from me, anything I could do for her...she said, "Live your life".
Hey...when the studio is ready, if you ever take a ride to NY, you're welcome to stop by.
Hey...when the studio is ready, if you ever take a ride to NY, you're welcome to stop by.
grimtraveller
If only for a moment.....
If I was going to try to demonstrate in story or anecdote, selflessness, to a group of kids, among others, that would be one they'd have to hear.
miroslav
Cosmic Cowboy
My sister was one of the most kindest people I ever knew. Everyone loved her. She could walk into a room of strangers and make friends with all of them in less than 5 minutes. She had a passion for life...she was always out and about.
Her illness crushed her...it took away from her that which she enjoyed the most, being the ultimate social butterfly.
I loved her dearly. We got along great all our lives. I think we had maybe 2 arguments, and one of them was when we were little kids.
She was the biggest supporter of my music and my studio interests...always pushing me to go for it.
She introduced me to skiing, and I became a fanatic, quickly surpassing her skills, but she was a good skier, and I always enjoyed going skiing with her.
She took me to Africa when she use to fly for Pan Am.
Back in out early 20's...we spent about a year and a half together in Europe, going to university (well, she went, I mostly partied).
When she was young, I use to chaperone her and her friend to NYC so they could go to ballet class...and I got to spend the day in downtown Manhattan, which was quite a lot of fun for someone in the late teens.
When it was obvious she was ill...I was miserable watching her fade away over the course of several years...but she stayed strong to the end.
I feel I do owe it to her to keep pushing with the studio...if she was still alive, she would be as excited about this new studio build as I am.
miroslav
Cosmic Cowboy
DAY 49
I didn't get a chance to take any pictures today...but there wasn't a lot of visible changes to the outside, since most of the work happened in the new bathroom and the hallway leading to the foyer. The bathroom framing was completed, and we had a last minute change of plans, and I decided to add a skylight to the hallway that leads from the foyer past the bathroom to the backyard. It will provide a lot of natural light to a much needed darker foyer. I had them open op the hallway all the way up to the vaulted ceiling...so the skylight will light both the hallway and into the foyer. It's going to look great...it was a good idea that just came up during some conversation with the contractor.
Other than that, I helped out by taping all the remaining exposed seams of the sheeting, since tomorrow the siding will start with the metal folding for the fascia, and after that the soffits will be covered with the vinyl siding...and I expect the walls will be mostly done by the end of the week.
The electrician is due Thur/Fri...and I think the HVAC guys should be here sometime this week to start roughing things in.
We have some sleet/snow Monday night into Tue...so that will cause some delays for at least one day.
I will be ordering the lumber for the sub-floor...and if all goes according to plan, my other contractor that installed my hardwood floor on my upper floor this summer...he will be here between Xmas and New Year's to get the sub-floor installed. The hardwood will be arriving by the 31st, but it will probably not get installed for at least a month...until the drywall is all done and painted...so I'll have 45 boxes (910 sq feet) of hardwood flooring most likely sitting in my living room so as to keep it out of the way during the remainder of construction...and to keep it in a controlled climate until I have heat going in the new studio.
I hope that as soon as they finish the siding, the HVAC guys will finish the AC installation, which will also provide heat...and then at some point the plumbing will come, and that too will provide more heat options when the hot water baseboard goes in.
I didn't get a chance to take any pictures today...but there wasn't a lot of visible changes to the outside, since most of the work happened in the new bathroom and the hallway leading to the foyer. The bathroom framing was completed, and we had a last minute change of plans, and I decided to add a skylight to the hallway that leads from the foyer past the bathroom to the backyard. It will provide a lot of natural light to a much needed darker foyer. I had them open op the hallway all the way up to the vaulted ceiling...so the skylight will light both the hallway and into the foyer. It's going to look great...it was a good idea that just came up during some conversation with the contractor.
Other than that, I helped out by taping all the remaining exposed seams of the sheeting, since tomorrow the siding will start with the metal folding for the fascia, and after that the soffits will be covered with the vinyl siding...and I expect the walls will be mostly done by the end of the week.
The electrician is due Thur/Fri...and I think the HVAC guys should be here sometime this week to start roughing things in.
We have some sleet/snow Monday night into Tue...so that will cause some delays for at least one day.
I will be ordering the lumber for the sub-floor...and if all goes according to plan, my other contractor that installed my hardwood floor on my upper floor this summer...he will be here between Xmas and New Year's to get the sub-floor installed. The hardwood will be arriving by the 31st, but it will probably not get installed for at least a month...until the drywall is all done and painted...so I'll have 45 boxes (910 sq feet) of hardwood flooring most likely sitting in my living room so as to keep it out of the way during the remainder of construction...and to keep it in a controlled climate until I have heat going in the new studio.
I hope that as soon as they finish the siding, the HVAC guys will finish the AC installation, which will also provide heat...and then at some point the plumbing will come, and that too will provide more heat options when the hot water baseboard goes in.
miroslav
Cosmic Cowboy
DAY 51
Not much done in the last couple of days...we had a snow/ice storm, mostly ice...so the work will continue tomorrow and into the weekend.
I hope to see the rest (or most of) my siding go up.
We did have the building inspector come by two days ago, on Monday...this was the require post-framing stage inspection...and everything was fine. The next inspection will come after the electric is done, but that's a different inspector...and then the building inspector will be back when the insulation goes on (after the electric and plumbing.
I also spent a few hours right before the storm hit to extend a couple of the drain pipes I had installed a few days ago. The temps were OK, and the ground wasn't frozen yet. That way the drains around the perimeter of the two critical sides are done. There will be some more in the spring, for the main stuff is in, and now the HVAC guys can go ahead and place the mini-split unit without me having to dig under it in the spring to run drains.
Speaking of the HVAC guys...they are due here tomorrow to start the rough work...probably just the installation of the in-wall vent for the bathroom, tied into my existing central AC...and maybe run the electric line for the mini-split, but the actual mini-split compressor and wall unit will wait until the siding is done.
I also ordered my two ceiling fans...they are 56" fans, with a modern, jet turbine look to them, 8 blades, 6 speeds. These are supposed to be some of the most quietest running fans even when on their fastest speed. It will be nice to have some air circulation in the big room without the need to always run the mini-split.
Not much done in the last couple of days...we had a snow/ice storm, mostly ice...so the work will continue tomorrow and into the weekend.
I hope to see the rest (or most of) my siding go up.
We did have the building inspector come by two days ago, on Monday...this was the require post-framing stage inspection...and everything was fine. The next inspection will come after the electric is done, but that's a different inspector...and then the building inspector will be back when the insulation goes on (after the electric and plumbing.
I also spent a few hours right before the storm hit to extend a couple of the drain pipes I had installed a few days ago. The temps were OK, and the ground wasn't frozen yet. That way the drains around the perimeter of the two critical sides are done. There will be some more in the spring, for the main stuff is in, and now the HVAC guys can go ahead and place the mini-split unit without me having to dig under it in the spring to run drains.
Speaking of the HVAC guys...they are due here tomorrow to start the rough work...probably just the installation of the in-wall vent for the bathroom, tied into my existing central AC...and maybe run the electric line for the mini-split, but the actual mini-split compressor and wall unit will wait until the siding is done.
I also ordered my two ceiling fans...they are 56" fans, with a modern, jet turbine look to them, 8 blades, 6 speeds. These are supposed to be some of the most quietest running fans even when on their fastest speed. It will be nice to have some air circulation in the big room without the need to always run the mini-split.