This week we coordinated the installation of a residential elevator in a home for a client. The house has living areas on two floors. To make it easier for the client to access the upper level an elevator was desired. The Vision EC model by Nationwide Lifts was selected for this application.

The nice thing about this style is that it does not require the construction of an enclosed hoistway. The elevator has the power unit attached to the wall and the cab rides up and down on that unit. We had to cut an appropriate sized hole in the ceiling of the main floor, providing the access between the floors of the home. This was not difficult work, but did involve some structural modifications. The hole in the floor is protected by a 'plug' that rides on top of the cab. When the cab is on the lower floor the 'plug' fills in the floor opening, allowing traffic to cross the elevator hole. I suspect the cab will be stored on the upper floor most of the time and brought down to the main level when it is needed. A permit from the State of Minnesota is necessary for an elevator installation.

The elevator has constant power hydraulics to raise and lower the cab. With this type of hydraulics the cab ride is completely smooth without any bumps or jerks. While we do not install a lot of these units, it is something to consider for people that have difficulty climbing stairs. In most cases it is far more cost effective to install a residential elevator like this as opposed to moving to a new one level home.

Posted by Ray Cox at 10:57 AM | Link

 

Framing is well underway on the 'outdoor living room' we are creating for a client. The architect did a very nice job detailing the project, keeping the feel and materials the same as the home. With several large windows, the room will allow full views of the exterior. Our work includes installing a gas fireplace in the room. We are installing a hip roof on this addition which will tie in well with the hip roof on the existing home.

This room is not connected directly to the house itself. It is accessed from the house by the deck around the room. While it is not really part of the living area of the home, we are taking care to insulate the room well so that it can be used into the spring and fall months. The fireplace will be able to heat the room quickly when necessary.

Posted by Ray Cox at 5:04 AM | Link

 

Our workers have been keeping busy at the Whistle Stop Tavern and Grille in Lonsdale. We   have been working in the kitchen area to get it ready for the new ventilation hood. Kitchens have quite a bit of equipment.freezers, stoves, hoods, coolers, etc.---that all require special mechanical and electrical connections. We are also creating new restrooms and have set the ceramic tile in those areas and are ready for fixtures.

 

It takes quite a bit of coordination to get things set properly, but when all done, the owners will have a great cooking area as well as fine new public spaces.

Posted by Ray Cox at 1:41 PM | Link

 

We started a couple of small projects for Three Links Care Center yesterday. The first one involves erecting a steel structure for their new Cottages Care Center. We were not the general contractor for this project, but were asked to complete this steel work for the contractor. The work involves erecting steel columns and beams in the center area between the two halves of the building. This will end up being a glass enclosed atrium that should function very well for the residents of the facility.

The second project deals with a moisture problem they have had at their existing facility. Water tables and soil types in Northfield fluctuate greatly. When soils become water logged water tries to find its way into below grade areas. Below grade foundations must be protected against water intrusion into finished work spaces. In this instance at Three Links the waterproof material originally installed on the exterior wall surface had deteriorated to the point that it was no longer keeping water out.

Our work involves excavating down to the footings and installing a foundation drain. We will also install a new waterproofing membrane over the foundation wall, along with an insulation and protection board. About 4 feet below grade we are also installing a small storm sewer pipe. This 8" pipe will convey water from the gutter downspouts to the common storm sewer system on the property. This is not glamorous work but it is needed maintenance to protect the facility and keep it in good repair.

Posted by Ray Cox at 4:35 AM | Link

 

Our work has moved along nicely at the Whistle Stop Tavern and Grill in Lonsdale. As I noted in an earlier posting, this is the former municipal liquor store location in Lonsdale. The remodeling work is creating nice new areas to serve the public. We have progressed to the stage where acoustical ceilings are being installed and painting is being completed. It won't be long until we are packed up and off the job...letting the Lonsdale area folks enjoy food and beverages in the 'new' Whistle Stop.

Posted by Ray Cox at 5:42 AM | Link

 

We are working on an addition to a home we constructed several years ago. Part of every construction project involves an examination of water runoff issues. It is important to control silt and sediment that will try to runoff construction sites. As everyone learns more about keeping our lakes and waters clean we understand how important it is to control construction site runoff. On this project it has been fairly easy to control the runoff using simple sediment filter fabric....the black fence in the photo. This area is surrounded by lawn and prairie grasses which also filter and slow down runoff.

On some of our larger construction projects we create temporary settlement ponds and direct site drainage to that area. The goal is to keep silt and sediment on the site where we can deal with it. Construction site runoff may also contain cement and other materials that should be allowed to settle out on the site rather than run off to adjacent lands.

Posted by Ray Cox at 5:33 AM | Link

 

Last week I traveled south of Northfield to Kasson. Along the way I passed the wind turbine farm in Dodge County. It is quite an impressive feature to see all those turbines cranking out electricity in the middle of farm fields.

I couldn't help but think about what a huge positive impact wind turbines, and renewable energy, is having on the Minnesota economy. With a blade manufacturer building blades in Pipestone we now have a significant number of manufacturing jobs related to wind turbines. And of course every wind turbine needs hundreds of cubic yards of concrete, thousands of bolts, hundreds of electric connections, and lots of general construction work. In the coming decades Minnesota is going to be challenged to find and develop industries that will allow it to perform at the level it has been performing. Renewable energy products can really help our industrial development.

Posted by Ray Cox at 4:29 AM | Link

 

Our work has continued at the Whistle Stop Tavern and Grill in Lonsdale. Part of our work involved adding another exit. When a building like this is remodeled there are often building code issues that must be addressed. In this case an additional exit was required. Since the door will be an exit only we were able to use a door that will not have any access from the outside, and will have a panic device to open the door on the inside.

We have also filled in the concrete trenches that were cut to allow the under floor plumbing to be installed. Much of the floor will be covered by new quarry tile. We have hung much of the drywall on the walls and it is being finished. Before long the construction mess will only be a memory for the owners!

Posted by Ray Cox at 1:04 PM | Link

 

On Tuesday of this week we started excavation on an addition to a home we constructed about 7 years ago. At the time the home was designed the owners were considering this room and deck, but decided to hold off on the work. We constructed the home without it, but they really wanted the amenities to enjoy the outdoor area around their home. They worked with the original architect for the home and came up with a plan slightly different from their original plan.

A room like this needs a foundation for proper support, but the owners didn't need a full basement. The site also slopes quite a bit so we lowered the foundation to provide protection from frost. This allowed us to create a foundation with an area under it for storage. This will create a good area for off season storage of outdoor furniture and other items typically kept on the deck during nice weather.

Posted by Ray Cox at 6:42 AM | Link

 

Two weeks ago we started doing some remodeling work at the Northfield National Guard Armory on Division Street. It is a nice big old brick building that has served people well and needs some upgrades. Much of the work involves updates to the mechanical systems. We are busy cutting openings, installing grilles, enlarging ductwork chases, etc.

The Armory is home to some of the Northfield YMCA programs. We are doing all we can to make sure the construction work isn't too disruptive to their activities. Lots of children participate in the Y's programs every day.

When we remove mechanical systems we keep the iron and steel as clean as possible so it can be recycled. There were many radiators to take out of the building. We also have removed many, many feet of steel pipe that will head off to the recycler to be made into new steel products.

Posted by Ray Cox at 11:15 AM | Link

 

A week or so ago we started a nice remodeling project at the Whistle Stop Tavern and Grill in Lonsdale. It is located at 110 Railway Street and is the former municipal liquor store. The city constructed and opened a new municipal liquor store last year. The Whistle Stop continued operations in the former liquor store location. As a result of good patronage from the Lonsdale community the owners decided to expand and remodel the facility.

 

Our work for the food preparation area involved cutting out sections of the concrete floor. We coordinated our work with the management to allow the Whistle Stop to remain in operation during the construction period. This required us to start our work early and take care to keep things as clean as possible. The area is split into two halves so dust control is fairly easy. Noise control is a more difficult issue.

We are framing walls and installing the hollow metal door frames now. Wiring will be completed before long, followed by drywall wall surfaces.

If you are in the Lonsdale area stop by and try the food at the Whistle Stop Tavern and Grill!

Posted by Ray Cox at 11:35 AM | Link

 

On the bathroom remodeling project we are working on the bathroom is in a teenagers bedroom. The owners needed wanted to find a way to create more storage space. It is tough to give up bedroom floor space by creating more closets. After looking things over we decided to focus on space in the attic eaves of the home.

With a steep roof pitch, there is attic space on each side of the bedroom. The structural roof system is wood trusses on this home. We cannot cut any of the roof truss members. What we decided to do is cut open the area in between the trusses. This will allow us to create a space 22" wide by 80" high. We made the space just over 24" deep and installed drywall and insulation on the perimeter walls. We then will build cabinets to slide into the openings.some for hanging clothes and some with drawers below. Stay tuned for photos of the completed work.

Posted by Ray Cox at 6:03 AM | Link

 

We are working on a window replacement project for a home in Northfield. The home is about 50 years old and needed some window upgrades. We worked with the owner and selected Marvin window and door units. They are a very good choice for such work as they produce an excellent wood window with a metal clad exterior. The owner liked the crisp, clean look that metal gives and the interior wood will be stained and finished to match existing trimwork.

By carefully measuring and ordering the windows we were able to reuse all the interior trim and disturb very little wall area. This process allows us to provide a top quality complete window unit in the existing openings. The new windows have very tight seals and include high performance glazing.

Many window sales people advocate for insert windows that sit right inside the existing jambs. This can be a good application, but it also reduces the amount of glazed area of the window. Replacing the complete window unit with a new window also allows us to fully insulate the gaps around the window, both inside and outside, creating a tight, properly sealed window installation.

Posted by Ray Cox at 2:23 PM | Link

 

Today the Northfield Senior Citizen's 'popcorn crew' came to our shop and collected the popcorn wagon. The popcorn wagon is a nicely restored old wagon that needs to be kept out of the winter weather. Northfield Construction Company provided a secure, dry storage area for the wagon over the winter. Now that warmer weather is here it won't be long before the wagon is out on Bridge Square again.selling popcorn for all to enjoy. If you visit Northfield be sure to stop by and sample the popcorn!

Posted by Ray Cox at 10:50 AM | Link

 

We've started a bathroom remodeling project. The home was constructed in the early 1970's and it was time for some updating of the two upstairs bathrooms. We pulled all the materials out of the first bathroom and had the mechanical and electrical work revised to accommodate the new fixtures. We expanded into a nearby bedroom a bit to create a walk-in closet.

It was interesting to see how air had passed through the exterior building insulation behind the acrylic shower stall. The home has 2x6 walls, but there was no vapor barrier installed behind the shower unit. When it was removed you could clearly see how air had been moving through the insulation, pulling dust from the home with it. The yellow insulation was discolored from the air flow. In these photos we have covered the old insulation with a new polyethylene vapor membrane and taped and caulked the seams and edges to prevent air flowing where it shouldn't be flowing.

This shows how important it is to have a properly installed vapor film on the warm side of walls. If a home doesn't have a vapor membrane the drywall finish can act as a membrane if it is treated with the proper paint finishes and sealed at all openings. However, when there is no drywall over the insulation, as in this instance, air can really rush through the insulation. In conditions like this the insulation is not doing its job at all.

Posted by Ray Cox at 2:11 PM | Link