Ruling teh World
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: Boston, MA
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I'm back with an update on my ongoing destruction/constructon project to turn a 100 year-old attic into my living space. You may remember Part One where I started my adventure.
At this point in time I've started the construction phase. All of the old wood is out, and everything that wasn't supporting the roof or floor has been trashed. It was a lot of work to pull out all the floorboards, but it was worth it. My dad and I decided that 3/4" sanded pine plywood wood be our best bet for the floor, considering our semi-tight budget. It was pretty hard to get 4x8 sheets up into the attic, but we managed (we had about an inch clearance in one spot). After we get everything screwed down, I'll re-sand most of it and put a nice, protective finish on it. I like the unique grain patterns in the plywood. I picked out some expensive but nice screws to fasten the plywood with. They are stainless steel with a square head, and I think they will accent the "semi-inductrial" look of the attic. I'll have to keep them in line so they look professional, but that's what chalk-lines are for. Here's a picture of them: The drywall is coming after the floor is down, and we're still waiting on an electrician to commit. Here are a few pictures I snapped today: Some of the plywood (not attached) with our miter saw and other tools This is where I had to brace the existing rafters to strengthen them. We're cutting out and framing a place in the wall for an AC. We could've used one today, it was soooo hot And some more plywood ready to take up to the attic. The bad side of the first board is showing, the finished side doesn't have knots. Any suggestions on how to decorate or finish this project? |
Lord of the Rant.
Formerly turtle2472 Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: Upstate South Carolina
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Those deck screws are nice, but they will strip if you don't keep the pressure on the screw gun/drill. Once the head strips on them, well, then you're screwed!
Looks like industrial is the route to head on decor. Plywood floors aren't going to leave a whole lot of other options in my book. Stainless accents with pine fixtures/furniture will leave the room pretty bright too. Louis L'Amour, “To make democracy work, we must be a nation of participants, not simply observers. One who does not vote has no right to complain.” Visit our archived Minecraft world! | Maybe someday I'll proof read, until then deal with it. |
Senior Member
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I am impressed World Leader Pretend. Things are going well. I know wood that has coloration like that all too well.
http://www.valsparatlowes.com/lowes/...onal_trust.jsp This site has paint colors that are marketed under a National Historic Trust brand. The colors are amazing and the contexts they let you paint with are very inspirational. The dramatic roof lines will be fun to play with. Last edited by hiltond : 2006-07-04 at 00:59. |
On Pacific time
Join Date: May 2004
Location: Moderator's Pub
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I'm sure whatever he bought would be the best possible choice that a human being could make in our current lifetimes. |
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*AD SPACE FOR SALE*
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: Cleveland-ish, OH
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Die young and save yourself.... @yontsey |
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Ruling teh World
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: Boston, MA
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*AD SPACE FOR SALE*
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: Cleveland-ish, OH
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im not knocking home depot its just the fact that their mark up on fasteners is RIDCULOUS. i love going there there and looking at some of the shit and just laughing. Die young and save yourself.... @yontsey |
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Ruling teh World
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: Boston, MA
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Actually, the screws will be visible on the finished floor, hence the need for "pretty" screws We are saving money (and our backs, 4x8 sheets of anything is hard to carry up three flights of steps) and just doing a 3/4" sanded ply as the entire floor.
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is the next Chiquita
Join Date: Feb 2005
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WLP, nice work! I like your idea of decor.
As for A/C, i think you may have made the decision already, but at least I want to tell you that if I were you, I wouldn't buy it at all. While it's great for cooling a room, it's too expensive in term of the utility bill and other maintenance associated with the A/C. I would much prefer to install window fans on both side to create air-stream through the room. This give you the added benefit of continually recycling the air as indoor air can be 1000x more polluted for less money. Nonetheless, have fun and best of luck! |
¡Damned!
Join Date: May 2004
Location: Purgatory
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You also might want to stagger the boards so you dont get 4 corners in one spot. If you've got a weak joist or not enough support the corners will bend downward and the upper veneer will crack and chip. So it goes. |
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Ruling teh World
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: Boston, MA
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Wow, thanks for the tips! I think that I'll sand it enough to get the footprints off We have been using the plywood to walk on while we build walls and supports, so some of them have gotten dirty.
About the finish 709, what type of varnish/coating did you use? Did you make it glossy or did you just put a sealer on it? |
Ruling teh World
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: Boston, MA
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I personally don't really mind the heat that much in the summer, and a couple of good fans would be fine for me. The problem is that the house itself doesn't have very good cooling, especially on the second floor. We decided (and we may still change our minds) that an AC in the attic would cool the air better, and the cool air would descend into the house and help cool in general. I just don't like the idea of a giant box coming on at night and making lots of noise --------------- I actually just got done in the attic tonight, and I screwed down 3 sheets of plywood! It looks pretty good, but I've been battling small cracks and broken screws I don't know what type of wood the original joists are, but it is REALLY hard! When my drill meets the old wood, usually the screw will snap. I have to dig out the head with a vice-grip and try again. It's starting to come together though... |
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Lord of the Rant.
Formerly turtle2472 Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: Upstate South Carolina
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On Pacific time
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Ruling teh World
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: Boston, MA
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Yeah, I started to pre-drill today and it's been going much smoother.
My main concern was about swapping bits all the time, but I found a smaller plug-in drill that I can use solely for pre-drilling. I've started to perfect my system, via trial and error. |
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