Projects – Page 9 – projects on the go

half-inch ply

2025113020241217 by Allan

I’ve changed my mind. I decided to go with 1/2″ plywood rather than 5/8″ for several reasons.

1. The house has to be jacked up on one side. It’s drooping. If I use 5/8″ ply, it won’t bend over top the ‘hump’ in the floor.

2. The house has to be jacked up on one side. When it is, I need a little more flexibility in the structure of the flooring.

3. 5/8″ is too dang heavy. I have to cart it all up to the 2nd floor!

Logic Lumber was good about exchanging it. And there it sits, wait to be used.

Also, the furring continues.

proboard, plywood, flooring

2024121820241216 by Allan

First comes the proboard (a type of medium density particle board) and 5/8″ plywood from Logic Lumber.

Next, the flooring from End Of the Roll.

That’s the easy part. Now I have to try to jamb it all up in the top floor of the house. Yay.

furring 2x2x & 2x3s in kitchen

2024121820241215 by Allan

I have finally put up the first furring boards to increase the insulation cavity in the walls. 2x3s are used in the one wall to accommodate the kitchen sink plumbing. 2x2s are used elsewhere.

finally – bare walls

20241214 by Allan

So I finally have the plaster, lath boards, panelling, etc. off the walls in the kitchen. <phew>

Next: Kitchen wiring, insulation, vapour barrier, drywall.

After that: Flooring. Then kitchen cabinets.

In the mean time, …

… a lot of cleanup. So far, 29 contractor bags of plaster, lath, insulation, etc.

more cleanup, dump run, new kitchen (in boxes)

2024121420241213 by Allan

Okay, so I was going to start the furring boards and insulation today, but the whole suite needed cleanup.

first insulation furring boards

2024121320241212 by Allan

I’ve cleaned up as much as I have to to start insulating the walls and ceilings. I’m adding 2×2 and 2×3 furring strips to the studs to increase the wall volume for insulation. In one wall with plumbing along it, however, I have to furrow out 2.5″ (2×3) to accommodate a 2″ pipe.

The first furring strip was put up, and the second followed.

siding, GPS insulation, frozen barrels

20241212 by Allan

I cleaned up a bit at 520. I organized the remaining GPS insulation panels, wooden siding, old lath boards in an old wash tub, etc. There are two frozen rain barrels there, one on its side. It’s impossible to lift it up. If things get warmer, it’ll drain.

Rockwool, 2x2s, more lath & plaster removal

2024120220241201 by Allan

I dropped by Rona to get some insulation and wood. I decided on Rockwool because it

has a higher fire rating than fibreglass
is made mostly from recycled stuff (volcanic rock basalt and slag)
has better R-value than fibreglass

But it is more expensive. How much more? I haven’t done much in comparison, to be honest, as I need the extra fire protection. This house is, after all, balloon framing.

new windows again

2024112520241121 by Allan

New windows arrived again today! This time, for the rear of 520. Four triple-pane Jeld-Win windows.

Unfortunately, it’s also the first day of real snow. Installation will have to wait.

kitchen lath boards removed

20241110 by Allan

Sunday today. The main floor tenants were home. I hope I didn’t make too much noise.

I removed the last of the lath boards and old flooring (all remaining five layers) from the kitchen today. I cut the remaining flooring into squares to aid in removal. I set the circular saw to 2mm or so less than its total thickness and carved away. Unfortunately, I gave myself sore sinuses doing it. But it is done.