askjake

Rough carpentry, electrical and HVAC

Ben asks:

I am having a contractor open a walkway in a load bearing wall this week. However, he is only finishing the rough carpentry, and will not be moving the electrical outlet that ties to the upstairs as well, or the central vac connection. I am wondering if the moving of these mechanicals is harder after the contractor has completed his rough work, or if it will be of equal difficulty after rough work as it would have been before. And about the central vac connection, can that be flush mounted in the floor? The flooring will be 3/4" hardwood. Thanks! 

Ben

Jake's answer:

Ben,

Usually the rough carpentry is completed prior to the mechanical (plumber, HVAC and electrician) trades appearing on the job.  If some of the wires etc. have to be cut,  make certain to note how they were installed originally.  It’s not a bad idea to take some photos of the wall after it is opened up and before anything is moved out of the way – your tradesmen will appreciate this. 

Wainscoting a mobile home

Kim asks:

What kind of wainscoting can I not use in a mobile home?

Jake's answer:

Kim,

You can use any kind of wainscoting that you want. 

Vapor barrier on a barn

Question from Paul: 

Jake, Hope you can help me on this. I'm building a (28 x 32) wood pole barn. I was given some vapor bier from a friend of mine. I was not going to put any on, but this was free. I'm putting up 3/8 OSB board and on top of that a 7/16 fir board. this will give me about a 1" thick wall with the look I'm looking for on the outside. Do I put the vapor bier on before the OSB or put it in-between the OSB and the fir? waiting to hear your good advise on this. thanks, Paul

Jake's Answer: 

Paul, When we install siding, we install the OSB on the studs, then the vapor barrier, then the finish siding.  Make sure you put the proper side out, this should be clearly marked on the vapor barrier. 

Removing, while keeping, a window

Question from Marie: 

Hi Jake, 

We are planning to install built in cabinetry in our dining room. In order to do this we will be sacrificing a large 40"x60" window. We would like to panel over the window so you do not see it from the interior, but still see the window from the exterior so that the exterior wall still looks balanced. What can we cover the window with so that the paneling isn't seen from the exterior? I assume we cannot just leave the pleated, honeycomb shade between the new wall of cabinets and the window. What would you suggest? Thanks  

Jake's answer: 

Marie, 

We have covered windows in the manner you are suggesting. We took a pre-finished white board, like melamine (MyWhiteboards.com). On the interior side, you might have to install some cross braces behind the melamine board so the board does not warp. From the exterior, it looks like a shade is drawn. On the interior, remove the window trim and if necessary, install drywall flush with the window jamb. Then install drywall tape at the joints, tape, fill and sand. The down side of doing it this way is if the melamine board, because of heat or moisture, might not perform. If you are in a direct sun exposure, I don’t suggest you do this. Another option is to remove the window, install new siding on the exterior, install window trim as if there is window, then install shutters in between the trim so it looks as if there is a covered window behind the shutters. This will provide the relief you are looking for on the exterior.

Building a wall over the carpet

Question:  I\'m partitioning a large, upstairs, carpeted room to make a bedroom for my son. It will consist of one wall to create the bedroom, and an additional, perpendicular wall to create a closet. Can\'t I lag the 2 x 4 floor plates directly through the carpet, and into the subflooring? I really don\'t want to cut and reinstall the carpeting.

Jake's answer:  As I have said many times before, since it is your home you can do what ever you want to.  To be more direct to your question, yes, you can build on top of the carpet.  There really is no down side to it that I can think of.  There is a slight chance that the carpet may "crawl" but this is not very likely.