George & Elizabeth Noe Bathroom Remodel

Well, what a journey it has been...
I have seen a lot and learned even more while managing this job. We started out to do a simple gut and remodel of a master bathroom that was too small and also update an office bathroom that didnt have enough space. Simple, right, wrong. Never assume you know what is behind the walls or under the floors when working on an existing house. Not only did we find layers of paint holding up horsehair plaster but also found live knob and tube wiring in this house. Still very much in use, and very dangerous. As we had been told by the homeowner, as he recounted the history of the house as he had learned it, a section of the house had been burned out in the '40's. We found the evidence of this. As we were opening up the floor to rerun the plumbing for the new shower, we found a chase that extended down the main level and on into the basement. This chase had wood that had very visible char and flame marks, and also the soot could be found behind every board that we pulled off of the walls. The original scope of work included the moving of two HVAC units. One was in the office bathroom and was moved into the attic space above where it was. The other was adjacent to the master bathroom and was moved out and into a new closet space built into the the upper landing area. Mostly new duct work was installed as well. The discovery of the knob and tube wiring nearly put a hold on the project all together but the homeowners understood that the wiring was dangerous when used with most modern appliances because the lack of a ground wire. So we ended up rewiring half of the second story in order to eliminate as much of the knob and tubing as we could get to without gutting the entire house.

We also did closet remodels as well. The clients werent happy with the storage they had in their closets so we went with a built in closet system for them to optimize the space that they did have. Before they put the closet system in we paneled the entire walls and ceilings of the closets with tongue and groove cedar. This gave the closets the protection from moths and other pests along with the nice aromatic smell of western red cedar. The energy efficiency things we did were to install dimmers on the lights and also in the closets to install occupancy sensors to automatically turn on when you enter and to turn off when there isnt any activity in the closet for a specified time. This prevents energy waste by automatically turning on and off your lights when you come and go. Also the exterior walls that were exposed were sprayed with soy based insulation which will prevent heat loss through conduction, it also acts as an air barrier as well so it wont allow air to move through the walls around the windows.

New Anderson Patio doors were installed on the main floor. These doors are energy star rated not to allow solar heat loss or gain due to its Smart Sun Glass. Three sets of these doors were installed. Upstairs in the master bedroom and the bathrooms that are being remodeled, Anderson Sash replacement windows were installed as well. These have the same Smart Sun glass and are energy star rated as well.

The area where the HVAC unit next to the master bathroom was, became the walk in shower for the master bath. The adjacent bathroom to the master bath, which was exclusive to the guest room was gutted and is now as shared powder room. The office bath which had an old claw foot tub and a shower head above it, now has a tiled corner shower unit with an overhead rain-shower head and a waterless urinal along with a dual flush water saving toilet. The master bath has a main area that the majority is taken up by a huge jacuzzi salon spa whirlpool big enough for two. With a teak wood frame top and a waterfall tub filler valve, it looks amazing and relaxing without even stepping into it. Since this area was taken up by the tub, the vanity for the client was moved outward into the hall adjoining to the master bedroom, a wall was erected and a pocket door was enclosed within. The old door and doorway were removed and no evidence remains of them except that the pocket door was made from the previously existing swinging door. Custom wood vanities were crafted and topped with a greenish black stone with black under-mount sinks and satin nickel faucets.

Also while all of this was going on, we had the entire house wired for the clients home automation system. Now he can control all of his multimedia from any remote from anywhere in his home. The system also can control lights, has the ability to control cameras and his security system, so when traveling around the world he can make sure his lights are on or off and his alarm is enabled, all from his computer or phone.

A new front entry door made from tube steel and wrought iron will complete this phase of the remodel. More work is scheduled for the outside of the house and the deck and the outdoor spaces. So more updates will follow. Maybe not so long in between though.