Demolition

Staircase• We’ve been itching to rip the nasty, boring, beige carpet off the stairs for the past few days. The stairs were covered in boring, beige carpet.  To make matters worse, there was absolutely nothing hanging anywhere along the wall of the stairs, so the only thing we had to focus on was the sad carpet.

Walls• Taping and finishing drywall is kind of a struggle. Mostly with the inside corners, but not for us. The temptation is to try to work on both sides of a corner at once. While working one side, the edge of the taping knife or the wet drywall compound (mud) that can build up on its edge will mess up the mud on the other side. It can lead to an even bigger mess at the point where the wall meets the ceiling and the corners come together.

Flooring• The bulk of the floor came up in about three or four hours, but since the circular saw doesn’t cut all the way to the wall, we had to do some more old-fashioned demo work to get the floor by the walls out. Having the middle already removed made that easier too, though.

Windows• Replacement windows are designed to slip within existing window jambs (the framed opening of a window) after the old sashes (the frame that holds the glass pane or panes of a window) have been removed. This is the simplest way to upgrade your windows, and you won’t have to add new trim or flashing because they were installed with the old window. New windows can breathe fresh life into an older home, and they are one of the deciding factors in the longevity of any new structure. Successful window installation is possible, but the approach you take depends on whether you’re replacing old windows in an existing structure or installing windows in a new building.

Lights• We now have a recessed lighting in the ceiling and it really helps even out the lighting room. Plus, getting rid of the semi-flush light fixtures makes the ceiling feel taller.