Four Brothers' Blog

  • Insulation

    7/28/2010 2:45:00 PM

    In order to conserve energy and maintain a sound-proof interior, a building must be adequately insulated. With this in mind, our designers developed a three-pronged strategy for insulating the exterior and interior walls at 753 using Icynene® spray foam, rigid foam, and fiberglass batt insulation. These materials along with their specific application in this particular remodeling project are outlined below.

    Icynene® Spray Foam
    As outlined in their website, Icynene® is a cost effective, expanding soft foam insulation for use in all types of construction. Its unique characteristics allow it to simultaneously insulate and air-seal the building.  Icynene® manufactures its ...

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  • Exterior Windows and Doors

    7/24/2010 8:08:00 PM

    The existing windows and exterior doors at 753 were all in rough shape and in desperate need of attention.  The windows were all single-pane glass, and of the weight and pulley variety.  (A lead counter weight concealed in the window cavity is attached to the window sash with a rope that runs over a pulley at the top of the window frame.)  Many window panes were smashed or missing and all of the wooden window frames were rotting.  Similarly, the exterior doors and door frames were in various states of decay and disrepair.   Therefore, it was decided early on in the design process that replacement windows and doors would be ...

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  • Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning

    6/17/2010 7:51:38 PM

    Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning (HVAC) can make or break a living space.  Done poorly, the most elaborate suite can become a stuffy box, while the next room over remains a breezy cooler.  Considering the importance of the HVAC system, we recommended equipment from the Carrier Infinity Series for the remodeling project at 753.  The Infinity Series is Carrier’s best air to air gas furnace and air conditioner.  As described on Carrier’s website, “The Infinity Home Heating and Air Conditioning System provides unparalleled control and an ideal balance of temperature, humidity and air quality. It’s a system so advanced, it ...

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  • Exterior Brick Work

    6/16/2010 6:12:00 AM

    As with many other aspects of this remodeling project, the exterior brick needed prompt attention.  While masonry products are some of the strongest materials in the construction industry (bricks and concrete blocks can last well over 100 years), they are not exempt from the tax of Father Time.  Mortar joints in particular are susceptible to the grind of the natural elements and typically need attention every 30-40 years. 

    At 753, the exterior brick work was divided into the following three scopes:

    1. Reconfiguring Openings:

      In both the first floor kitchen and the second floor master suite, our blueprints called for exit doors.  In both instances, this involved ...

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  • Plumbing Rough-ins

    3/25/2010 8:27:55 AM

    Much like the electrical wiring, the plumbing portion of a remodeling project is generally done in two phases: rough-ins, and final hookups.  (This two-stage process holds true in a project of any size, from small-scale kitchen and bath remodels, to large-scale house renovations.)  Rough-ins take place once framing is complete, but before walls are closed in.  Final hookups are completed near the end of the remodeling project, and involve connecting kitchen appliances and bathroom accessories to roughed-in plumbing pipes.

    The object of the rough-in stage is to run water supply lines, waste removal piping, vents, and gas lines to all ...

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  • Water Service

    3/8/2010 7:44:04 AM

    Like almost everything else we encountered to date in the remodeling project, the main water supply line at 753 was obsolete and out of compliance with building codes.  There were two primary issues that needed to be addressed:

    1.   The piping carrying water into the house was lead.  (Up into the early 1900’s lead pipes were commonly used for interior plumbing and to connect homes to public water supply lines, as was the case at 753.  Lead is now known to be a toxic metal that can cause serious health issues; particularly in young children.)

    2.   The water supply line was ½ inch in diameter.  (The ...

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  • Lighting Scheme

    12/23/2009 11:53:28 AM

    Light, or the lack thereof, plays a significant part in all of our lives. High-quality lighting can affect an individual’s quality of life and positively influence their mood. Conversely, poor lighting can cause frustration, contribute to loss of eyesight, and exacerbate depression. Therefore, it is of upmost importance to carefully consider all your options when planning lighting for a new or remodeled home. One must keep in mind that a well designed lighting scheme can transform a living space from ordinary, to magnificent!

    There are countless lighting fixtures available, with multiple styles and functions from which to choose; therefore, it ...

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  • Electrical Wiring

    12/22/2009 11:45:57 AM

    Once framing was complete, we were ready to run our electrical wires. In most remodeling projects (whether it’s a smaller kitchen or bath remodel or full house rehab), the electrical work is done in two phases: The first phase, often referred to as “rough-ins”, involves disconnecting and removing obsolete wiring, and running new. Wire is run from the main breaker panel through wall framing and ceiling and floor joists.

    At Fairmont, we were fortunate that we were not required to perform a “heavy-up”, which is often necessary when remodeling an older house. A heavy-up involves increasing the amperage (generally to ...

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  • Soundproofing

    12/18/2009 7:50:06 AM

    In large remodeling projects there is a delicate balance between day-to-day minutia, and the end goal; which presumably is to create the most comfortable and efficient living space, while staying within budget. Onsite personnel such as the project manager and carpenters are particularly prone to losing site of the bigger picture, getting caught up in daily responsibilities, and overlooking seemingly minor tasks in an effort to stay on schedule. Neglecting such details however, can adversely affect the quality of life for occupants in the future. Therefore, it is important to have an experienced designer or architect supervise the project to ...

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  • Fireproofing

    11/17/2009 8:54:13 AM

    During the 1960’s and 1970’s, several catastrophic fires in residential dwellings prompted changes in building codes.  Preventative measures, aimed at stopping and/or slowing the spread of fire through a house were introduced and enforced.  One such requirement is fireblocking, defined by the International Residential Code (IRC) as the following: Building materials installed to resist the free passage of flame to other areas of the building through concealed spaces.   The IRC stipulates that blocking (accomplished by nailing a piece of 2X4 lumber between each stud in the framed wall) must be installed as follows:

    1.     In concealed spaces of stud walls and partitions.

    2.     Vertically at the ceiling and floor ...

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  • Wall Framing

    11/17/2009 8:30:02 AM

    After much deliberation, the clients decided to go with the three bedroom floor plan outlined in Option 3.  (See Floor Plan and Design post for floor plans of all 10 layouts that were considered.)

    When framing interior walls, one of the most important and often time consuming tasks is “laying out” the walls.  Layout involves physically marking wall footprints on the sub floor as outlined in the construction blueprints.  One must not only consider wall location, but clearance must be maintained for doors, trim, light switches, and bathroom fixtures.  Such detail is generally not included in construction blueprints, but left up to the remodeler to determine.  While the ...

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  • Structural Framing

    11/3/2009 12:00:00 AM

    While the client pondered floor plan options, we forged ahead with the necessary structural framing.

    Once the first floor replacement joists were set on the bolstered foundation configuration (see Foundation post), and the subfloor fastened down, we were ready to get to work on the structure supporting the second floor.   Our first task was to construct a support system to carry the second floor joists since they exceeded their maximum span capacity.   The load bearing hallway wall, which bears directly down on the foundation support beam, was left standing through the central portion of the house, but the two sections of wall towards the rear and ...

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  • Floor Plan and Design

    9/14/2009 10:00:00 AM

    During the design phase, our in-house designers work closely together with each client to develop a plan that matches their functional and aesthetic requirements.  We then produce conceptual and construction drawings and help to select specific materials and finishes, while staying within budget.  This is one of the most important and time consuming portions of the entire remodeling project, and requires a coordinated effort between all parties involved.  (Often, design and materials selection takes longer than actual construction.)  We expedite this process by creating a Design Gantt Chart, in which tasks, responsible parties, and projected milestones are outlined.  Visit our General Remodeling, Processes page for more information on this process http://fourbrotherscarpentry.com/k_processes.aspx...

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  • Foundation

    9/14/2009 8:00:00 AM

    The most important part of any house is the foundation, which at 753 was in dire need of attention.  The existing foundation was a variation of the traditional “pier and beam” model.  Typically, a pier and beam foundation incorporates spot concrete footings (dug into the ground below frost level), upon which concrete or wooden piers sit.  These in turn hold up support beams, which carry the floor platform above.  One major advantage of a pier and beam foundation system is the crawl space under the house, which allows easy access to electrical and plumbing lines.  (Any homeowner who has had to jackhammer out a section of concrete slab to access ...

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  • Demolition

    8/26/2009 8:44:00 AM

    With our demolition permit hanging in the window, we were ready to start the dirtiest, but arguably most gratifying phase of the project: Demolition.  With a crew of four, we predicted demolition to be complete within ten days.  Ambitious? Slightly, but that was our plan.

    On day one, before the first dumpster rolled in, we knocked the majority of the lathe and plaster off the walls and ceilings in two of the front rooms on the first floor.  For those unfamiliar with lathe and plaster walls, they consist of thin strips of wood (nailed to framing on walls and ceilings), coated with a finishing layer of plaster.  In this country, ...

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  • Salvaging Materials

    8/20/2009 10:00:00 AM

    Four Brothers is a proud member of the U.S. Green Building Council (http://www.usgbc.org/), and we emphasize sustainable green building practices during all our remodeling projects.  A component in green building involves salvaging reusable and/or recyclable materials before actual demolition begins, and practicing “deconstruction” whenever possible.  (Think of deconstruction as “reverse construction”, where structures are dismantled carefully, with the goal of reusing materials later in the project.  For instance, at 753, old framing lumber will be de-nailed, and used in new framing or to build furniture.)

    We began the salvaging process by removing the working kitchen appliances, interior doors, and windows; all of which were either saved for reuse, or ...

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  • Permitting - Round 1

    8/17/2009 6:00:00 AM

    With the exception of minor interior repairs, homeowners and contractors are required to obtain permits for all remodeling projects.  (In the industry, this is often referred to as “pulling permits.”)  Permits are pulled at the Department of Consumer and Regulatory Affairs (DCRA), located at 941 North Capitol St. NE on the second floor.  If the job is small enough, you can generally “walk” your permit through in a day (or two, or three, depending on the mood of the public servant who happens to be on duty).  However, for larger projects where zoning and historic preservation are issues and multiple ...

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  • Project Overview

    8/10/2009 10:00:00 AM

    Just as Rome was not built in a day, a house cannot be rebuilt over night.  (Rome also was not destroyed in a day, and houses are not worn out over night, but rather; from years of wear and tear, rowdy residents, and the subtle grind of the natural elements.)  The District of Columbia is full of older brick homes such as 753, many built in the late 1800’s and early 1900’s.  According to tax records, 753 was built in 1915 – the same year the first stone of the Lincoln Memorial was put into place, World War I was barely a year old, and The Boston Red ...

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  • Introduction

    8/6/2009 10:00:00 AM

    Recently, Four Brothers began an extensive remodeling project on Fairmont Street in Northwest DC.  From the outside, number seven-hundred and fifty-three is a stately, two-story brick row house.  Step inside however, and what you’ll find is a jumbled mess (3,200 square feet of it), not to mention a thriving community of rodents.  Over the next 12 months, our team has been tasked with rescuing this old beauty by fully renovating the structure and remodeling the interior into two condo units.  Each unit will be equipped with a full kitchen and 2 ½ bathrooms.

    Because the house has fallen into such ...

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