- #1
drdodge
- 11
- 0
good evening folks,
Some of you will remember me from a couple years ago. I was laid off as a metrologist from GE after 15 years, due to down sizing, but that is another story (maybe for the lounge)
anyway, I have a very unique home. It is made of 8 inch styrofoam blocks (think cheap cooler). It was designed by an engineer and built as his "dream home" in 1989. It originally had stucko on the outside, then developed leaks, and was covered in spray ureathane and elastomeric (sp?) roofing compound to "solve " the problem. I am the 3-4th owner after the original person built it. (and my wife and myself absolutely love it)
I have owned it for 10 years, and unlike the previous owners, have actually learned to repair, and modify it. I upgraded the windows from the single panes to low E thermopanes using the "foam in a can" great stuff. I have also started using what I call (tounge in cheek) elastoglass to repair and strengthen the outside from holes (original simple elastomeric is pretty wimpy) using polyglass window screen and the roof coating.
I am pretty proud of where I have come on this but, I will tell you what is a real problem now.
I have a spiral staircase that goes up one floor, and it has issues. Appears as it was decked with scrap from the construction of the interior and is sagging real bad. Central post is round wood, ~6 inch, and is split 1/3 of its length at the top, bolts thru it and 10 stairs at slightly less then 360 around. I am renovating my house and would like to fix this but am kinda' stumped. Can not add verticles under the stairs as this would mess up "ergonomics" of the house. I'd re-deck it, but the main problem originated because the 2 x 10's that were cut to fit have all split at the post side because they are <2 inches at the post side, and am concerned it would just happen again.
I will try to get some pics on here. Additionally, I am doing the house all 1930's (2011) art deco, so could pull off anything "machine look" and have kicked around redoing the stairs in stainless steel, well, that is until I priced it, ...lol.
I live in the Houston, TX area, and anyone that would want to check it out in person, no pressure on the problem, just to see the house, I would welcome with a nice dinner, and an adult beverage (or two). Any input is most appreciated.
thanks
dr dodge
Some of you will remember me from a couple years ago. I was laid off as a metrologist from GE after 15 years, due to down sizing, but that is another story (maybe for the lounge)
anyway, I have a very unique home. It is made of 8 inch styrofoam blocks (think cheap cooler). It was designed by an engineer and built as his "dream home" in 1989. It originally had stucko on the outside, then developed leaks, and was covered in spray ureathane and elastomeric (sp?) roofing compound to "solve " the problem. I am the 3-4th owner after the original person built it. (and my wife and myself absolutely love it)
I have owned it for 10 years, and unlike the previous owners, have actually learned to repair, and modify it. I upgraded the windows from the single panes to low E thermopanes using the "foam in a can" great stuff. I have also started using what I call (tounge in cheek) elastoglass to repair and strengthen the outside from holes (original simple elastomeric is pretty wimpy) using polyglass window screen and the roof coating.
I am pretty proud of where I have come on this but, I will tell you what is a real problem now.
I have a spiral staircase that goes up one floor, and it has issues. Appears as it was decked with scrap from the construction of the interior and is sagging real bad. Central post is round wood, ~6 inch, and is split 1/3 of its length at the top, bolts thru it and 10 stairs at slightly less then 360 around. I am renovating my house and would like to fix this but am kinda' stumped. Can not add verticles under the stairs as this would mess up "ergonomics" of the house. I'd re-deck it, but the main problem originated because the 2 x 10's that were cut to fit have all split at the post side because they are <2 inches at the post side, and am concerned it would just happen again.
I will try to get some pics on here. Additionally, I am doing the house all 1930's (2011) art deco, so could pull off anything "machine look" and have kicked around redoing the stairs in stainless steel, well, that is until I priced it, ...lol.
I live in the Houston, TX area, and anyone that would want to check it out in person, no pressure on the problem, just to see the house, I would welcome with a nice dinner, and an adult beverage (or two). Any input is most appreciated.
thanks
dr dodge