Category Archives: Remodeling

Shipping container modular ceiling installation [video]

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[please scroll down for the video] Samantha and I are considering shipping container (ISBU) construction for our garage and possibly our new house. We currently have an 8’x20′ container that we mounted our solar (PV) panels on top of and inside we have our batteries, inverter, etc.  We also use it as a simple storage container. But when taking the container concept beyond storage/utility into a more advanced structure, there are some issues. One problem with building with ISBUs is

Read more Misc Links, Off the Grid, Remodeling

Shed to office conversion!

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Misc progress report below: 2011.10.18 finished cleaning out shed and removing all existing fixtures/items 2011.10.19 reinforced west wall, installed 36″x36″ window Thurs 10/20 x Seal gaps with expanding foam Fri 10/21 x roofing felt x wood supports x Install foam Sat/Sun 22/23 Taking a break for a trip to play disc-golf in Winona and visit John in STL. Stopped by Lowe’s to pickup supplies including screws and trim. Mon 24th (x) Pickup poplar wood for trim (80%) Plywood up (80%

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PV photovoltaic skylights: energy production & UV reduction together

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Image source: OnyxSolar, please visit their site below… My long time buddy, and most excellent architect, John Odom forwarded me an interesting email about PV skylights. He tries to keep me abreast of the latest architectural trends and while “BIPV” or Building-integrated photovoltaics has been around for a while, it is DEFINITELY a popular topic today! Here’s a brief intro to the subject of BIPV and its components: Skylights – an integral feature of modern architecture We are probably all familiar with skylights

Read more Daily Updates, Gadgets and Tech, Household, Remodeling

Two ways to save at Lowe’s and Home Depot

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If you are starting a big remodeling project on your home or office here are a couple great ways to save money at Lowe’s and Home Depot! #1 Lowe’s 10% off “project starter” coupons I rarely go to Lowe’s without one of these coupons. It just does not make sense to buy without them! Save 10% on your entire purchase, up to $500 in savings per coupon (so you can use the coupon for up to $5,000 of stuff per

Read more Ask J.D., Daily Updates, Household, money tips, Remodeling

Air conditioning using off-the-grid solar [sample setup/install]

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Summary: brief article describing a setup for running a good sized air-conditioner using solar in an entirely off the grid environment. My family has lived off-the-grid for a number of years and generally it has been a wonderful experience. However, summers in Missouri can get rather warm so this year I set out to cool our entire house with AC. Previously only our bedroom was air conditioned and the other rooms had ceiling fans or stationary fans. Prior to the

Read more Daily Updates, Household, Remodeling

Projects this weekend

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This was a wonderful weekend at home. I worked on some fun projects and did some “business” work. Samantha played with some new toys (stroller, etc.) and cooked some delicious delights. Also, before the weekend got here, we had a lot of fun going out to eat with my mom and dad to celebrate my dad’s birthday! Even before that, we had a great Valentine’s day (which I still need to post an entry about…) But now back to the

Read more Computers, Daily Updates, Household, Remodeling

Alternatives to Drywall

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We’re planning on turning my office into the baby’s room. That means a couple things: #1 I need to find a new place to work, and #2 we need to redo the room to be more appropriate for a baby. Samantha already has a plan for #2, we’re putting in new carpeting and we’re going to paint the existing wood paneling. UPDATE: here’s the result of the painting over the wood-paneling 🙂 My new office is still up in the

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