Starting New House Finally!

[rox]

Ah quit your wimpering, 10 days ah that's nothing.

KIDDING! KIDDING! Alan honestly i was kidding. Just wanted to yank your chain. honeslty your hosue is being bilt with minimul, really minimul problems. I mainly think this is to your credit, and of course your wife. Whent that foam insulation is keeping you nice and cool when it is blazing hot outside these past 10 days won't mean squat.

I really really enjoy your project and thank you for sharig with all of us.

 

[Alan L.]

Yea, Eddie my ears were burning and I figured somebody was talking about me.

Gsganzer, yes it is a Majestic BR42 and we did have the fresh air kit installed. It goes only about 24" to the back porch, so the fresh air does not have far to go. We debated some of the other models sold by the outfit in Lewisville, especially SHR36, which was taller and deeper, but we decided this was the right size. We are also hooking up LP to the unit for starting fires.

We debated getting the blower unit but we are pretty hot natured but love a fire, and I figured the heat from the blower would run me out of the room and I would probably never use it. Plus, I did't want to hear the blower while a fire is going. Not to mention its about a $500 option.

Rox, the 10 days wouldn't be so bad if we had not had other delays caused by weather and not being able to get the balcony done. Part of it that miffs me a little bit is that the framers don't want to come back until its their last trip, thus I am still waiting for the upstairs exterior doors to be installed. I cut some OSB and plugged the holes today.

Getting ready for the foam contractor coming next week, I used my shop vac to clean out all the tailings from drilling for electric and plumbing and other sawdust and litter in the walls, mostly on top of the bottom plate, under the stairs and fireplace, etc. Even though this will all be covered up I would know its in there.

We should have sheetrockers by end of next week and bricklayers the following week.

Anyone have GE Profile appliances? Mrs. Alan L. is leaning toward those now.

 

[rox]

I agree with you about the blower fans in fireplaces. i had 2 fireplaces with them on and i never used them, couldn't stand the noise either. Plus imho they never seemed to blow out that much heat, moe trouble than they were worth.

 

[Bird]

Alan, in this part of Texas, you probably don't need the blower fan in the fireplace, but I've got a brother-in-law in West Virginia who sure likes his. Of course, we're now in our third house with a fireplace and I wish we didn't even have the fireplace; it's just in the way.

I'm not familiar with the GE Profile appliances, and I used to be a fan of GE, but not anymore. If I were going to buy a GE appliance, I think that's one time I'd buy an extended warranty.

 

[gsganzer]

Alan,
My next door neighbor remodeled his kitchen last year and used all GE profile appliances.

The gas range had one bad burner with loopey yellow flames (a technician came out, adjusted it and said that's the way they should look). He finally got the burner replaced after a call to to the technicians boss.

The dishwasher had a leak in the pump (again a technician was called out and it was fixed)

The microwave had a board go bad and it had to be replaced.

We were all suprised that he batted 0/3 with his appliances. I've seen them in the stores and I thought they looked nice with some good features. I've always used Kenmore appliances from Sears and I've never had a problem with any of them. I'm 7 years on the dishwasher, stove and refrigerator and I haven't had a problem yet (as I rap on the nearest piece of wood).

 

[Bird]

The final straw for me with GE was the dishwasher that lasted 2 years before it sprung a leak. I pulled it out, took it out in the shop where I had room to work, found the pump was leaking, then learned that you can't buy just a pump; it comes as a pump and motor all as one assembly and costs way too much to be worth fooling with.

Just for what it's worth . . . . I've always heard that KitchenAid made good appliances, but always figured they were just too high priced for me. Well, this house we're in now has a KitchenAid dishwasher and a KitchenAid electric range with conventional/convection oven. There is no doubt that they are the finest dishwasher and kitchen range we've ever used, and the quietest dishwasher I've ever even seen. Only time will tell how long they last. We just bought the house a year ago last September and the appliances "appeared" to be brand new and unused. The odd thing is that the last two owners of this house were single men, and I obtained manuals and learned that the appliances are 1999 models. So they've lasted 8 years, although they may have only been used for a year and a half. However, they still, even after our use, look brand new.

 

[Alan L.]

Thanks for the feedback on the GE appliances. Seems I am finding stores about msot all appliances that they just don't make them like they used to. According to Consumer Reports most of the GE Profile appliances rate good on features and reliability, but I know their methods are suspect.

The Kenmore appliances have good ratings and frankly I have heard more good stories about them than any other brand. I'm pretty sure Bosch makes their dishwashers and other manufacturers make everything else. The biggest problem is that you can't (to my knowledge) get any kind of builder discount on them because you can only get them at Sears. I have found Sears to be a little pricey compared to the other prices we have at independent appliances dealers.

 

[jinman]

The final straw for me with GE was the dishwasher that lasted 2 years before it sprung a leak. I pulled it out, took it out in the shop where I had room to work, found the pump was leaking, then learned that you can't buy just a pump; it comes as a pump and motor all as one assembly and costs way too much to be worth fooling with.

Bird, you are scaring me...

I have a GE side-by-side refrigerator that has junk for an ice maker. I got the notice about it too late to make a claim, but these things let condensation inside and freeze up really badly. Then, the thru-the-door dispenser breaks and things go downhill from there. Mine actually works better since it broke. My daughter had to have her whole door replaced and a coworker has the same problem as I do.

Now...you tell me that my diswasher may start leaking. Sigh.....

 

[EddieWalker]

I have Whirlpool appliances without any complaints. Nothing fancy either. My theory is buy the low end models and expect them to last ten years and then toss them when there wear out. My experience with expensive applieances is they last just as long, but you expect more out of them and the disapointment factor is much higher when they fail.

As to Sears, it makes a huge difference if it's a franchise or not. Allot of the Sears in rural towns are owned as a franchise and the local owners can be either very good at service, or very bad. I've always heard about the very bad, but know it's not true in all locations. In my area, Sears isn't a place I'd recomend to anybody for appliances. When I lived in California, the Sears was HUGE and the service was very, very good. If you buy from them, be sure it's from a store that others recomend.

Eddie

 

[BillG_in_TX]

I'm pretty sure Bosch makes their dishwashers and other manufacturers make everything else.

Alan,

We just bought a dishwasher at Sears and found that Whirlpool makes most of the Kenmore models, although they also have some made by other manufacturers - like Maytag and Fridgidaire. They have only one Kenmore model (with various permutations) made by Bosch, which is the one we bought because we were looking for "quiet and efficient". It works great so far (4 months).

edit: As Bird points out below, Whirlpool is the main manufacturer of most Kenmore appliance lines. We just bought a Kenmore washing machine made by Whirlpool, and have had good luck for the most part with all of our Kenmore/Whirlpool appliances through the years. I knew that KitchenAid was a Whirlpool company, but didn't realize that they had bought Maytag as well.

 

[mjarrels]

Some advice... don't finance your appliances in with a mortgage. In ten years the appliances will be taking up space in the landfill and you will still be paying (with interest) for them.

mark

 

[Bird]

Bill, Whirlpool has been making most of the Kenmore appliances for many years. Whirlpool also owns KitchenAid and Roper, and more recently bought Maytag.

 

[jinman]

Bill, Whirlpool has been making most of the Kenmore appliances for many years. Whirlpool also owns KitchenAid and Roper, and more recently bought Maytag.

I had a Whirlpool gas dryer that refused to quit. I replaced the ignitor once on it in the 16 years I owned it (bough it used), and finally gave it away to someone who is still using the thing. It must be well over 20 years old.

 

[gsganzer]

Alan,
Go to the Sears scatch and dent store at Beltline and Josey lane in Carrollton ( i think its Carrollton).

You'll save hundreds if not thousands!! My FIL just bought a high end refrigerator there. He said they saved about $700. They still haven't found the flaw and all factory warrantys still apply.

 

[Bird]

Alan,
Go to the Sears scatch and dent store at Beltline and Josey lane in Carrollton ( i think its Carrollton).

You'll save hundreds if not thousands!! My FIL just bought a high end refrigerator there. He said they saved about $700. They still haven't found the flaw and all factory warrantys still apply.

I didn't know they still had the place at Beltline & Josey (yes, that's Carrollton), but I do know they have one in the Grapevine Mills Mall. Our daughter bought her clothes dryer there, and we went there when we bought this house, but they didn't have the kind of refrigerator we wanted.

 

[Alan L.]

Well that doesn't sound good for GE. I think the biggest reason Mrs. Alan L. wants the GE Profile is the appearance. The double oven is a very nice looking unit. The stainless steel fridge is about $2250 for a 25.5 side by side and has shelves that pull out and baskets in the freezer that pull out. The freezer and refridgerator are separate compressors. She basically does not want any other refrigerator.

The Frigidaire oven looks OK but does not have true convection oven element, just a fan. The Maytag oven is about $500 cheaper but looks it. The GE looks good and has glass buttons (plastic membranes that crap out).

We have not seen a Whirlpool or Kenmore oven that she feels she can live with.

Ideally we'd like to spend $3500 with tax but looks like its leaning more toward $5000 without the fridge.

I agree you shouldn't finance 10 yr appliances over 15 years, but I have worked to pay the land down to the point where we could afford to build, plus I'm going to run out of loan money anyway and will be spending $20K or so for furniture, new TV, TV tower, fridge, etc., so the built-ins will be part of construction costs for now.

Foam insulators are supposed to show up tomorrow (Thursday) and hopefully we'll get the sheetrocking done next week!

 

[Alan L.]

The foam constractor has been in the house for 2 days now. This is some of the handiwork so far. Sure is quiet and alot warmer in there. Still need to cut it off flush with the studs.

 

[EddieWalker]

That foam sure looks cool!!!!! What is the R rating?

Do you put sheetrock over it after it's been trimmed, or do you put on a vapor barrier?

Eddie

 

[Alan L.]

Eddie:

Sheetrock goes right over the foam. Demilec says no vapor barrier needed in this area. The wall is 1/2" foam board on the outside with a breathable Tyvek-like membrane on it, and all the joints are taped. Under that is OSB, then the foam.

This is an open cell foam with an R-value of 3.84 per inch, but its not the R value that is the value of this foam, but other factors: 1) The 3.84 per inch is real world R value at any temperature (other products achieve their rated R values only in the lab under perfect conditions), 2) The foam stops pretty much all air flow, fits the contours of every irregular space such as around outlets, between narrow stud openings, etc. 3) the foam seals cracks and openings where wires and pipes go. 4) the foam does not settle or decline in insulation value over time.

I hope it is really as good as what I've read. The closed cell foams acheive as much as R7 per inch, but are much more expensive and aren't as flexible and might pull loose from the studs as the temperture changes, introducing cracks in the envelope. Local contractors that use that stuff deny this, and I don't know what the real story is, but I couldn't afford it anyway.

Looks like sheetrockers will be here this week and hopefully the bricklayers too.

 

[jinman]

Alan, with that foam insulation, it will be like living in a styrofoam cooler. If you leave the fridge open or a cold beer sitting on the counter, it will stay cold for hours.

Very nice! I'm looking at things on your house and saying, "Darn! I wish I had thought of that on my house."