Renovating Old Houses: Bringing New Life to Vintage Homes

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Item # MB-85359  ISBN: 9781561585359




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"From foundations to finishes, George Nash packs each page with first-hand, practical insights about mending the bones and keeping the character of old houses—even better in this new edition." — Gordon Bock, Editor-in-Chief Old House Journal.

If you love old houses, you know that this emotional attachment demands a wealth of practical knowledge. That's just what George Nash provides in this old house owner's manual.

Drawing on years of renovation experience, Nash shows you what it takes to make an old house convenient and livable by present-day standards, while still retaining or restoring important historical details.

Renovating Old Houses will show you how to:

• Evaluate the structure
• Replace damaged framing
• Improve energy efficiency
• Repair foundations and chimneys
• Upgrade plumbing and electrical systems
• Select and install appropriate finish materials
• Rebuild old windows

Table of Contents

INTRODUCTION
Why Buy and Old House? | Conscious Renovation: Philosophies Defined | A Manufacturer's Warning and Limited Warranty

EVALUATING A HOUSE BEFORE YOU BUY
Where to Begin | Inspecting the Exterior | Inspecting the Interior Structure | The Mechanical Systems | The Heating System | The Electrical System | Checking for Pollutants | Real-Estate Matters

ORGANIZING PRIORITIES
Structural or Cosmetic? | Developing the Design | Approaches to Renovation | Hiring a Contractor | Architects and Designers

FOUNDATIONS
The Forces of Earth and Water | Solving Water-Infiltration Problems | Creating a Dry Cellar Floor | Exterior Drainage | Repairing Foundations Walls | Replacing Foundation Walls | Raising or Holding a House | Jacking the House | The New Foundation

THE HOUSE FRAME
The Evolution of American House Frames | Repairing or Replacing Rotted Sills | Replacing or Repairing Rotted Posts | Repairing Sagging Floors | Repairing Other Structural Elements | Epoxy Beam Repairs | Truing Up the House Frame

THE ROOF and GUTTERS
Wood Shingles | Slate | Cement-Asbestos Shingles | Metal Roofing | Asphalt Roofing | Valley Problems | Gutters

SIDING, TRIM, WINDOWS, and DOORS
Wood Siding | Getting Under Your House's Skin | Repairing and Replacing Exterior Trim | Nonstructural Epoxy Wood Repairs | Windows | Doors

PORCHES, VERANDAS, and ADDITIONS
Repairing Porches and Verandas | Shed and Garage Additions

INSULATION and VENTILATION
Ventilation Fact and Fancy | Energy Audits, Caulking, and Weatherstripping | The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly: Infiltration, Condensation, and Insulation | Vapor Barriers and Air Barriers | Insulation Theory and Practice | Pured and Blown-in Insulation

WALLS, CEILINGS, and FLOORS
What to Do About Plaster? | Alternatives to Plaster | Drywall | Repairing Stairs | Wood Paneling | Ceiling Treatments | Stripping Trim | Finished at Last: The Floors

THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Basic Electrical Theory | A Short History of Home Wiring | How It All Works | The Perils and Pitfalls of Old Wiring | Rewiring an Old House | Lightning Protection

HOUSEHOLD PLUMBING
How Plumbing Works | The Old-House Plumbing System | The Drainage System | Plumbing and Structural Changes | A Water-Pump Primer

House Heating Systems
Hot-Air Systems | Steam Heating Systems | Hot-Water Heating Systems | Replacing Boilers and Furnaces | Cast-Iron Radiators | Cooling Old Houses | Repairing and Restoring Chimneys

Afterword | Readings | Index

About the Author

George Nash has worked as a renovation contractor for over 20 years. Between house renovation projects, he has taught home design and construction courses, authored several books, contributed articles to Fine Homebuilding magazine, and operated a Christmas tree business in New York City.

Renovating Old Houses: Bringing New Life to Vintage Homes