Blog entries from Dean Brenneman tagged Green Remodeling

When Bad Things Happen to Good Homes #3

Dean Brenneman — Tue, 14 Apr 2009 05:00:00 +0100

#3 IN AN OCCASIONAL SERIES:

It looks like that 1960's contemporary in Chevy Chase is going to get a new roof and a new lease on life! I am very happy for the homeowners, because the roofing contractor has agreed to tear-off his new roof as well as the old roof beneath, and replace everything from scratch, to my specifications. That's the right thing to do and I applaud him for stepping-up -- particularly because it is going to be very expensive for him.

Even so, Read More...

When Bad Things Happen to Good Homes #2

Dean Brenneman — Wed, 18 Mar 2009 05:00:00 +0100

#2 IN AN OCCASIONAL SERIES

Well, I was up on the roof of that 1960's contemporary in Chevy Chase, MD again yesterday, and the problem is MUCH worse than I imagined. In addition to water vapor questions, we now know that the roof is actively leaking at every skylight (there are ten) and at the chimney.

In every case, the problem is faulty "flashing" - the material (aluminum, copper or bituminous membrane) used to protect joints between the main roofing matRead More...

Remodeling in Phases - Make a Master Plan First

Dean Brenneman — Tue, 17 Mar 2009 05:00:00 +0100

I am often asked if it makes sense to remodel a home in phases; and the answer is an unequivocal... it depends.

On one hand, there are some great deals to be had today while the remodeling market is depressed; you'll get more for your money now than you will later when the market recovers. And it always costs more to build a project in parts than it does to build it all at once. Think "economy of scale".

One the other hand, there's plenty of siRead More...

When Bad Things Happen to Good Homes #1

Dean Brenneman — Sat, 28 Feb 2009 06:00:00 +0100

#1 IN AN OCCASIONAL SERIES

I was up on a client's roof in Chevy Chase the other day (this is what an architect does for relaxation) when I ran into my old nemesis - the phrase "That's how we always do it", and I was reminded yet again of the infinite ways that homes can be tragically damaged by ignorance - even by those who are well meaning.

Houses are complex; they are living, breathing organisms that stretch, shrink, vibrate, and sweat - just like people.&nbRead More...

An Alternative to the Tear-Down (the New-Old House)

Dean Brenneman — Wed, 25 Feb 2009 06:00:00 +0100

You've seen it. In almost every older neighborhood someone is tearing-down a modest home to make way for another McMansion, insensitive to the scale of the surrounding homes, and sticking out like a sore thumb. Putting aside the social implications of this "screw the neighbors" attitude -- and forgetting about the incredible waste of resources -- these folks are just plain missing the opportunity for a much richer living environment.

InsRead More...

Engaging the Landscape

Dean Brenneman — Mon, 19 Jan 2009 06:00:00 +0100

Our client - a single female professional - purchased an old rambler on a hillside lot overlooking the Potomac River; but the house practically ignored the landscape. It made no attempt to take advantage of the extraordinary site - in fact this house could have been in a subdivision just about anywhere.

In expanding and re-considering the design of this home, we took the opportunity to create a cottage that reaches out into the landscape and enfolds the homeowner in nature. Ample windowRead More...

They Don't Build Them Like That Anymore!

Dean Brenneman — Sun, 11 Jan 2009 06:00:00 +0100

THEY DON'T BUILD THEM LIKE THAT ANYMORE!

I love that phrase. It usually escapes from a new client, when we are touring another client's just-finished renovation. Sometimes we're admiring an exquisitely crafted stair railing or mantelpiece. Or it might be a lovely paneled portal or a fabulous cast iron grille. My personal favorite was a pocket-screen-door, that disappeared into the wall, next to a front door. In each case,Read More...