August 4th, 2020 - November 10th, 2020
Part 1: Demolition, Framing and Insulation
Here the kitchen area has been gutted with the old oak flooring removed and the doorway to the closet opened up. This floor is extremely sloped (4 inches from one side of the room to the other) and this will be corrected with a new sub-floor. The opened up closet door will become the space for the fridge with the closet accessed from the office extended to use the newly made space behind the fridge.
This is a view of the same area from inside the closet. The new sub-floor is being installed to level out the main room so it is safe and level to walk on. The rear wall behind the fridge is being installed.
This is inside the washroom which was gutted back to the brick. Lots of mouldy drywall was taken out, multiple layers of linoleum, plaster and lathe. Framing has begun on the showers and closet area.
Another view of the washroom after demolition. The hung ceiling containing very poor insulation was removed and a new sloped ceiling is being installed. All of the walls in the washroom will receive spray foam insulation to stop any air leaks leaving the room and using icicles during the winter.
Another view of the kitchen area with all the old cabinets removed. New water lines will be fed directly from the basement and new drain lines are being installed so that the Hojo receives consistent hot water and the drains work well (which has not been the case for 25 years).
Here the sloped subfloor is being installed and flooring has been removed so new plumbing can be installed.
This is a view inside the washroom after the demolition and as the framing starts.
Here the framing for the new shower is being installed and the water lines are going in. All of the 100 year-old plumbing is gone. As we needed to remove two radiators in order to level the floor, the hot water lines are being connected to underfloor heating pipes which will provide warmth during the winter and be more efficient than electric heat.
Here the plywood flooring is being installed so that the main room is level. Framing and wiring can be seen for the fridge.
The plywood subfloor was installed.
The washroom is ready for the spray foam insulation. The raised floor can be seen in this image so there is now no step down from the main room into the washroom eliminating a tripping hazard.
Here the spray foam insulation is completed, creating an airtight insulation around the exterior wall of the washroom. The huge icicle that formed every year hung from the roof over this room so we did everything we could to prevent water vapour from seeping through the roof to stop the icicle from forming. In addition to the foam, vapour barrier was added.
This is the ceiling of the washroom. The extra space above the old ceiling has been opened up to create a vaulted ceiling so the room will feel much more spacious. The ceiling has been insulated with spray foam and vapour barrier.
Here the floor is opened up between the office and the washroom to run new drains from the kitchen area.
Part 2: Drywall and flooring
After the spray foam insulation had cured fully the waterproof drywall was installed in the washroom. The square hole high on the wall is for an extracting fan.
With the drywall complete in the washroom the tile backer board was installed in the shower unit. You can see in this image underfloor radiant heating pipes which replaces the washroom radiators which needed to be removed due to the floor height change.
Here is a view of the new storage closet being built next to the shower.
Here is a view from the office door towards the washroom. The eight inch step down into the washroom has gone, creating a much better and safer transition between rooms.
Here is the same view with the new red oak flooring being installed.
This is a view of the kitchen area with the new floor going down.
Here is the installation of the floor tile in the washroom. It is large format slate style tile with a good heavy non-slip texture.
Another image of the tile installation. We decided to have a “no-step” shower to avoid any tripping hazards in the washroom.
Part 3 - Cabinets and countertops
Following the insulation, drywalling and floor tiling, the cabinets were brought in for the new kitchen area.
Closet cabinets with drawers.
The cabinets are installed so that measuring is possible for the countertops.
Another image of the cabinetry.
Another view of the new kitchen cabinets showing the new island. The island built by Saigyo ino is now being used in the monastery kitchen.
Island countertop installed.
Countertops installed. The wooden contraption is holding the undercounter sink in place until the sealant and caulk dries.