Remodeling a home or a business is probably the ultimate in green construction. Here we have a chance to re-purpose, re-use and re-claim not only materials and products but also an entire structure. Lone Star Custom Homes got it’s start by reclaiming old and run-down homes in the historic districts of Indianapolis; Herron-Morton, Lockerbie and Chatham Arch.
This experience helped develop in us the sensitive nature required when taking on a remodeling project. We learned a healthy respect for the architecture as well as the original construction means and methods of these homes. We have completed remodeling projects from simple kitchen renovations to complex two-story additions sitting on basements and just about everything in between.
Original bell tower removed |
One of our latest projects involved this existing Italianate farmhouse. This home was built in 1881 out of sold brick, no wood framing. Needless to say, this was quite a challenge to our carpenters. The home is out in the country, situated on about 600 acres of woods and farmland. It had an addition on the back that was added back in the ‘60s and, truth be told, it wasn’t really all that well done.
Our task was to demolish the existing addition and construct a new two-story wing that matched the original. Now keep in mind that the original was over 100 years old. The brick on the house was made on site from clay dug up near by and hand carved trim adorned the exterior. The first thing we did was to remove the old bell tower and preserve it for later installation
The tear down begins
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Once the back half of the house had been emptied of fixtures, doors, trim, etc., the demolition bagan. Great care was used to separate the two half and still keep the original part of the home functioning. The electrical service panel was on an exterior wall that was to later become an interior wall. I have to give alot of credit to our electrician, Tim Edwards of Ace Electric for keeping track of everything and keeping the lights on!
Sorting through the old brick to reuse it |
Quite a bit of time was spent sorting through the old brick that was removed so that we could re-use as much as possible. To make up the difference we needed to have new brick made to match the original’s size, color and texture. We then needed to find the right kind of sand to mix with a custom colored mortar so that all of the masonry matched.
The homeowner was fortunate enough to have discovered an extra corbel in the original barn and we were able to use it as a guide to have new ones made to match.
Once the old addition was removed, we needed to excavate for a new basement. When the new addition was under roof could remove the rear brick wall of the house while temporarily holding up the second floor.
One of many anticipation points was seeing if the foundation walls and combined floor system that we built in the new addition would match the exact height of the remaining portion. This was critical, as new hardwood flooring was to run throughout, spanning this transition. There was absolutely no room for error! As the construction gods would have it, it was dead on.
The new addition included a main level master bedroom, family room, office, kitchen and three-car garage. The second floor was a large guest suite and full bath. All of this was heated and cooled by a ground loop geo-thermal system, the most energy efficient HVAC system available. Blown cellulose insulation in all of the exterior walls helped guarantee savings in energy costs. Off of the master bedroom was the master closet, designed and constructed to be the family’s “safe room” to guard against tornadoes, etc. All four walls were constructed of 12” thick concrete and rebar and extended from the footers to the roofline, with a secure crawl space beneath.
Re-installing the bell tower |
Almost a year later, after all of the cleanup and congratulations, we pulled the original bell tower out of the barn and replaced it on the new addition. It was as if it had never left.
Once we were finished and the landscaping had a chance to mature, it was as if this had always been there! A 19th century home . . . brought into the 21st century using green products and technology. Imagine what we could do for your home!
