HerRochester | Rochester NEW - Style | Democrat and Chronicle

Friday, April 27, 2007

Erase a Hole?

Has anyone tried this? It looks like a handy product. I wonder if it works? Let me know!!

Monday, April 23, 2007

Perpetual Home Improvement

Yes, it's been perpetual home improvement at the Hartmann residence this spring! We just finished our floors last week and installed our new chandelier this morning.
Watch this video, courtesy of 13 WHAM to see how you too can install a new chandelier!
http://www.13wham.com/content/cw/default.aspx

Sunday, April 22, 2007

Diary of a Fixie Chick: The Final Result

Well, here it is! Isn't it sooo beautiful? Not only do I love my new floors, but I love the fact that I installed them! Of course I had help from the pros. Lance and his crew (Kenny & Sammy) were amazing. They were patient with me as I learned the process. I was able to use many tools that I had never seen before, the angle finder, the jam saw, the hard floor stapler! I also learned what to do and what not to do during a project like this. Watch and learn, this is my approach to many things in life. Hopefully I can share my new knowledge with other Fixie Chix and DIY'ers that have the desire and aspiration to improve their homes. Don't forget to look to the May issue of Home&Yard Handbook, where you'll be able to see my Diary in print. It will be available at Wegmans, in the free publication kiosk on Monday the 7th!
Thank you for sharing this experience with me.
-The Fixie Chick

Finishing "The Job"

The final step in finishing a flooring project is to install the shoe molding. This will cover any gaps you may have between the new floor and the base molding. It will also reinforce the edge of the floor and give it that "finished" look.
I chose the bamboo flooring for a variety of reasons, I loved the idea that I was using an eco-friendly product in my home, I love the uniqueness of the bamboo grain and the durability of the surface. But honestly, it isn't any less expensive than a hard wood. So when it came time to choose the molding, I decided to go with maple, it was a lot less expensive and Lance showed me that after spraying it with poly-urethane, it yellows and will continue to yellow over time. It is much more noticeable in this image than it is to the eye. The match is really very nice.

Laying the line :Revisited

Remember last week when I showed you how the pros recommend laying the line, (which is where we start the installation) from the sub floor, NOT from the walls. Check out this picture! This is how uneven the line can be from a wall or door! Can you imaging how crooked the floors would look if we started from here?

Vapor Paper

In the previous pictures, you probably noticed the brown paper that was laid before each section of bamboo. This is a vapor barrier (or more accurately, vapor retarder). It helps prevent interior (or exterior) moisture from penetrating into and condensing when there is a significant temperature or vapor pressure differential from inside to out. This is especially important in northern climates, where there is often a great difference in temperature between the air in conditioned space and the air in unconditioned space. The vapor barrier is placed between the subfloor and the bamboo. Lance and his crew recommend laying the vapor paper in sections to avoid any rips or tears during installation. A vapor barrier must be continuous to work properly. There should be no tears.
Effects of not having a vapor barrier
* Moisture will pass through the floor by diffusion.
* Humid air may pass through surfaces and cause condensation where it reaches the dew point, often within the space between the subfoor and the bamboo.
* This can cause rotting of wood members, mold and fungus growth.
The guys suggested that we write our names on the vapor paper, just for fun. see...

Tuesday, April 17, 2007

Bamboo Guts

I wanted to show you how the bamboo fibers can split and peel when damaged by improper cutting and handling.

Mastering the Miter Saw

Working with bamboo flooring is a tad different than working with traditional hardwoods used for floors. Though it is an extremely hard material, it is made from fibers of bamboo grass. If not cut properly, bamboo can split and peel, somewhat like mozzarella or string cheese does. Lance, my flooring pro taught me the importance of using a sharp saw blade with a lot of teeth. Additionally, it is important to cut the bamboo slow and steady to avoid splitting and peeling of the planks. Miter saws are great. They actually let you tell them what to do. Once you measure your angles, you simply set your tilt and make the perfect cut. A miter saw is also used to cut the straight lines we use to differentiate the planks for visual interest.

Tools & Tunes

Today we're working the salsa. I highly recommend this music for any type of home improvement project, it's feel-good and keep-moving beat really make a job enjoyable!
On left you'll find another handy flooring tool. Commonly known as "Tile Snips", this tool is used to snip or break off tiny pieces of flooring for a precise fit without the need for the table saw.

Diary of a Fixie Chick 4/17/08

Here's a glimpse at our progress on Monday. Keep in mind, I am a Fixie Chick, not a photographer:) We completed almost half of the job, but the tricky angles slowed us down a bit. Remember what I said about having the proper tools? See the angle finder tool (left)?...essential to conserve time on a tricky job like mine. Angle finders can be hard to find, so if you find one in your grandfather's tool box, KEEP IT!

Monday, April 16, 2007

Laying The Line

Here is where we start what is called "laying the line". We do this carefully as it sets the level of the whole floor. In most cases, "the line" should originate from your sub flooring seam. Never measure "the line" from walls or doorways as they are almost never straight and will give you a crooked installation. We use finishing nails to hold the first row of bamboo.
The vapor barrier is laid out next to the first row of bamboo and now we can begin kicking in the bamboo and securing it with my new favorite tool...the hard floor staple gun.. Progress moves quickly now. The guys are selecting and cutting the planks for good color variation and staggering. They slide me a piece, and I "butt" it in with a rubber mallet and secure it with the gun. See...

Proper Tools and Good Tunes a Must

As with any home improvement project, having the proper tools for the job is essential. Of course you should have your favorite music jamming in the background. Thankfully our crew was able to agree on hip-hoppin R&B hits (maybe they were just being nice?)
The tool you see here is called a CRAIN saw or as the pros say, it's a JAM saw! This tool will remove the bottom of the door moldings just enough so that my bamboo slips right under. This eliminates the time and aggravation of trying to cut around the door molding and creates a much nicer finish. see...

Demolition

Lance showed me that by using a circluar saw to cut a square into the old flooring, I can measure the depth of the floor to be removed. We simply set the saw to that measurement and zip across, making long cuts in the old flooring. The old floor removes with ease. We had completely finished the demo in about an hour and a half!

BIG "NO NO"

Remember the gaps in my old laminate floor? Well, Lance the flooring professional found the culprit. As we were doing the demolition, he came across a few sections of the old floor that had been nailed to the sub floor. My old floor was a "floating floor". You should never secure a floating floor with nails.

Wrong Technique

This is the wrong technique for removing show molding from a floor that will be replaced. This will surely damage the base molding.

Correct Technique

Sorry, I missed writing yesterday. I was behind the 8 ball and busy cleaning out the food pantry for the "big day". Would you believe I found a box of cereal that expired in 2005? Don't eat the raisin bran:)
So, my flooring mentors arrived first thing this morning. The first order of action was to remove the old shoe molding. When removing shoe molding from a floor that will be removed, the proper technique is to gently pry the molding from the bottom, this will ensure we don't damage the base molding.

Friday, April 13, 2007

Diary of a Fixie Chick 4/13/07

Hurray! The flooring arrived yesterday! This will give the bamboo 5 full days to acclimate to the climate of my home before we begin the installation. Doesn't it look beautiful? I can't wait to tear out the old carpet from the dining room and finally have a hard surface where we most often eat. (I get grossed out by food droppings in my carpet.)
Monday morning we will begin the demolition of the old laminate flooring and carpet. We first have to remove all the shoe molding, being careful not to damage the base board behind. Starting on Monday, please return to this blog often as I will be posting my progress regularly...AND throwing in some great new tips and techniques I'll be learning along the way. Talk to you on Sunday!
-The Fixie Chick

Tuesday, April 10, 2007

Diary of a Fixie Chick 4/10/07

Wow, I never realized how much stuff I had jammed in my pantry and closets! Most of it is decor I have quickly put away from my toddlers reach, acclimating to my new life with baby boy! Some of the things I forgot even had and many times expressed "hey, I have been looking for that"! I have spent a little time each day for the past few, packing and moving items away for the installation of the bamboo floor next Monday. The most important to empty is the dining room, Lance will be bringing the bamboo tomorrow, and storing it in the dining room until we are ready to install next week. The reason the bamboo is coming almost a week ahead of installation is because hard flooring should always have an "acclimation period". Meaning, in my case, the bamboo needs to be able to expand and contract as necessary to adjust to the climate of my home. Allowing this time will ensure that we won't have gaps and shrinkage when the floor is installed.
I have to admit, this effort was a little overwhelming for me, but I took my time, I worked from top to bottom, and little by little I am getting in order for my project. This was a spring cleaning of the truest sense, but my feeling of accomplishment is worth the effort! Stay tuned, I'll be posting pictures of my progress every-other day for the next week. And wish me luck! This is my first experience with bamboo flooring! Talk to you Friday.
The Fixie Chick

Monday, April 09, 2007

Diary of a Fixie Chick

I have always disliked the flooring in my home, (just look at these images and you'll see why)! But I admit, I was a little intimated by the thought of such a major home improvement. Last year, I worked very closely with a few very skilled contractors on the renovation of my master bathroom. Though it was a lot of work, I am pleased with the result and very grateful for the new skills I learned along the way.
I decided that 2007 was to be my "year of the floor", so I set out at the BCB Home Fair Expo in February in search of a flooring contractor. My goals: to find someone who would help me select the ideal flooring product for my high traffic entryway, dining and kitchen area, to find someone who was willing to work along side me and teach me the proper techniques. And last but not least, someone who would let me use the power tools!
After talking with a few contractors and picking up many brochures, I was fortunate to meet Lance Testa, a local flooring contractor and member of the Better Contractors Bureau. With over 20 years in the business, this guy knows his stuff. After he agreed to allow me to work with him on my project, he brought flooring samples to my home, patiently took measurements as my 2 year old begged to hold his measuring tape, and in about an hours time, I had selected my flooring and hired Lance to teach me the ropes while installing the floor of my dreams!
As I am consciously trying to live "The Green Life", I chose bamboo flooring for my home. In this age of growing environmental concerns, bamboo flooring is the most preferred choice for consumers looking for "green" building materials. Bamboo flooring is the one of the most environmentally friendly flooring options you can select for your home. It is made from fast-growing bamboo stalks, a type of grass, not wood. Bamboo has the ability to grow in a variety of climates and is one of nature's fastest growing plants. It starts to re-grow immediately after it is harvested. It regenerates without need for replanting, and requires minimal fertilization or pesticides. Once bamboo flooring is installed, it requires fewer chemicals to clean and repair it. Bamboo flooring is also treated to be moisture and insect resistant without the use of harsh chemicals. For all of these reasons, the production of bamboo flooring results in a durable, attractive product at the least environmental cost.
Now the fun begins, please read my diary right here at www.herRochester.com where I will be regularly posting my progress, from demolition right through the complete installation, photos and all! And look to the May issue of Home&Yard Handbook to read my diary of this project. I'm sure we will all learn from my experience.

Thursday, April 05, 2007

Recycle with FreeCycle

Most of you know me as Brenna-the-Fixie Chick, today you'll meet my alter-ego, Brenna-the-Bargain Hunter. I have to admit, not much gives me greater joy than getting a "good deal" or better yet, getting something for free! So just recently I signed up to The Freecycle Network TM. It's a grassroots and entirely nonprofit movement of people who are giving (& getting) stuff for free.
The Freecycle Network was started in May 2003 to promote waste reduction in Tucson's downtown and help save desert landscape from being taken over by landfills. The Network provides individuals and non-profits an electronic forum to "recycle" unwanted items. One person's trash can truly be another's treasure! The network has expanded quickly and today there are almost 4,000 Freecycle TM Communities and over 3 million members worldwide!
It works like this:
When you want to find a new home for something -- whether it's a chair, a fax machine, piano, or an old door -- you simply send an e-mail offering it to members of the local Freecycle group.
Or, maybe you're looking to acquire something yourself. Simply respond to a member's offer, and you just might get it. After that, it's up to the giver to decide who receives the gift and to set up a pickup time for passing on the treasure.
If you are looking for something in particular, you can post a "wanted" message. You all know I LOVE free magazines, so I posted a wanted: "Current Home and Garden Magazines" message in hopes that someone will email me and supply with a big stack of my favorite thing to read!
The main rule:
Everything posted must be free, legal, and appropriate for all ages. Each local group is moderated by a local volunteer and membership is free. To sign up, go to www.fixiechix.com and click on join freecyclerochesterny and have fun!
For those of us who don't have time for yard sales or ebay, but just can't stand to throw things out, this is a great way to find a new home for your unwanted stuff and make the earth a cleaner place by keeping items out of landfills.
Till next time-
The Fixie Chick

Monday, April 02, 2007

Change a Light, Change the World

Change a Light, Change the World with Energy Star
Join fellow New Yorkers and Americans all across the country! Take the challenge and switch out your most used standard light bulbs to ENERGY STAR compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFLs). If you replace the 5 most used light bulbs in your home with ENERGY STAR bulbs, you will save up to $60 a year.
Save Money
ENERGY STAR light bulbs and fixtures save money because they operate more efficiently, thus reducing your electricity bill.
Save Time
Compact fluorescent bulbs need to be changed, on average, once every seven years, depending on individual usage. This means less time changing light bulbs, a convenience especially in hard to reach areas.
Help Protect the Environment
Products that earn the ENERGY STAR use less energy; that means less energy is generated by power plants, decreasing the amount of fossil fuels burned, which results in less air pollution.
Additional Features
ENERGY STAR lighting products generate about 70% less heat than standard incandescent lighting, which means they are cool to the touch and help reduce household cooling costs.
Replacement light bulbs can easily be found at home improvement centers, hardware stores, lighting showrooms, and other major retail stores, including on-line stores.
FACT: The average electricity rate in NYS is 13.5 cents/kWh
Source: Getenergysmart.org.
For more information, go to www.FixieChix.com -Links&Resources-and click on New York Energy Smart.

Things to do

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