Since the last post, we have been chugging along, in the cold, and now have the mechanical systems all roughed in. The HVAC (Heating, venting, & Air Conditioning) technicians and the plumbers are the first trades in. These trades, historically, fight for space in the walls and mechanical “chases” and need to be coordinated before they begin.  Their systems are largly comprised of rigid piping, but there are some adjustments and alternate routes that can be taken, if need be, for one anothers sake.  After they are complete the electricians and Alarm/AV techs come right in and begin their work.  They are always the last trades in before insulation,  as they have the greatest flexibility in the location of their devices and routes of their wires.

While this is going on the masons are on the outside of the home, reconstructing the original historic chimney.  There is certain criteria that is very important to the historic “value” of a home in a designated historic neighborhood…. Original materials such as wood siding and windows, roof lines and shingle type, keeping the window and door openings in their original place and size, and also the height, size, and shape of the chimneys.

This window location was in an undesirable location for the layout of a bathroom on the 2nd level. So we deleted it. We were able to win the case with IHPC (the indiana historic presevation commisssion), that the rear elevation of the home had been remodeled and was not "historic"

The original siding and chimney

Electrical installation

Recess lighting

New kitchen wall and wiring - notice the window beyond. It had leaded glass and was very important to the historic comminssion to keep. So we cleaned up the sashes and glass, and "blacked them out" from the inside. They will be insulated and walled over, and disappear for all intents and purposes, on the inside.