After spending some time planning (and recognizing that we will have to learn and plan as we go), we started our first actual "cut" into the house. We decided to remove the radiators (the house had 4 different HVAC systems when we bought it: a gas furnace, radiators/boiler, and two heat pumps) to allow for more flexibility with the floor plan, and to use a more energy efficient heat source (though we do love the feel of radiant heat). Nathan removed all nine radiators in about 4 hours, surprising both of us with how quickly they came out. He pried the sections of the radiators apart, which allowed him to remove them from the house in small pieces -- which is good, as a whole radiator can weigh about 500lbs. Behind this radiator in the master bedroom, we found a really beautiful combination of old wallpaper, layers of paint, and water damage from over the years. And, here are some pictures of the removal process! Nathan built a ramp out of the back of the ho...
We bought a house! And we are working on remodeling it! Since our friends and family live across the globe -- and since social distancing is likely to be the norm for a while yet -- we thought a blog might be a great tool to keep you updated on our progress, and to document the process for ourselves.