[Greenbuilding] [BULK] A Challenging Project

[Lawrence Lile]

Historic Renovation always represents a tough challenge for Green
building.  You get into a lot of conflicting design requirements. 

If they can't part with the existing windows, then storms are the only
way to go.  However, I'll bet that you could find some new windows that
would echo the old look. 

Insulating the walls could be accomplished with blown-in cellulose, if
you can find something to drill holes in to blow through.  You can drill
through exterior siding if it is to be replaced, interior walls if they
are sheetrock or plaster, or top plates if you can access them.  

Lead paint is great stuff, lasts forever, but it's gotta go.  

Heat could be from new boilers, and new radiators, or rebuilt old ones.
Steam is not common anymore, you could switch to a hot air furnace and
save a lot of money on installation costs. 

Good luck, this will be a hard project.  
 
 
Lawrence Lile, P.E., LEED AP


-----Original Message-----
From: greenbuilding-bounces at listserv.repp.org
[mailto:greenbuilding-bounces at listserv.repp.org] On Behalf Of Bryan
Fenoff
Sent: Monday, February 19, 2007 12:41 PM
To: greenbuilding at listserv.repp.org
Subject: [BULK] [Greenbuilding] A Challenging Project
Importance: Low

OK. 

I am embarking on a restoration of a 1920's Adirondak Lodj home.  It 
weighs in at a hefty 6500 sqft.  Inspection of the attic revealed NO 
insulation.  I would assume the walls are in the same state.  The heat 
system is steam powered by a room size oil boiler.  The windows are 
single pane and barely stay closed.  The roof is mostly slate with 
sections of composite shingle.  There are 3 cottages which require heat 
also.  Currently the main house heat is separate from the cottage heat.

There is also a pool on property that requires heat.

I am attempting to recommend some energy efficient green renovation 
methods to enable the owners to help seal the building envelope and 
minimize heating energy consumption. 

Doing a pure renovation is a high priority for the owners.  They are 
working to restore the home back to its original stature so ripping all 
the windows out and replacing with low e thermopane etc. widows is not 
an option.  The windows do have screens that hang from the exterior so 
one option would be to make an efficient storm window to hang in the 
same manner. 

I would like ANY suggestions of thoughts, products, and methods you may 
know that might assist my endeavor of working toward a green*er* home.

thanks,

bryan

PS...  there is lead paint top to bottom too...  and still holding 
strong after 90 years...  but must be dealt with.

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