Home renovations can breathe new life into an old house. This article will cover how the 2nd Chance House project team stripped the old house down to a shell on demo day. We will also look at their home renovation ideas, cover the challenges they may encounter, and discuss how they intend to use sustainable techniques every step of the way.
Loctite believes in Second Chances. We are working with Habitat for Humanity to breathe new life into a condemned house through our 2nd Chance House project.
Renovation is one of the most efficient ways to reinvigorate older homes. Old home renovation projects also help preserve the rich history and charm of such structures and the neighborhoods within which they are located.
However, home renovations generate a lot of waste. The EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) says that over 146 million tons of waste — including construction waste — are in landfills across the United States. Loctite is pushing to change this by championing sustainability in job sites.
To get the 2nd Chance House project off the ground, the team had to demolish parts of the dilapidated structure. Instead of throwing away the resulting waste, some will be recycled and repurposed.
During demo day, the team stripped the entire house down to its bare bones. Each team member also talked about what they had planned for their projects and how they would use sustainable techniques to achieve their goals. The team members also discussed some of the main challenges they may encounter along the way.
Here’s how it all went.
A team of skilled and talented DIY influencers will work on this epic project. Each individual is tasked with a specific project. On demolition day, the team members got the opportunity to gameplan their visions for the project:
1. Remodeling the primary bedroom. Clayton Juarez will transform the attic into a comfortable and spacious primary bedroom. The new space will have a walk-in closet, full bath, and cozy little nook.
The seasoned third-generation builder plans to start by framing out the entire space. He is also psyched about redoing the bedroom’s ceiling. Insulating the interior side of the roof will boost the structure’s energy efficiency. Afterward, Juarez plans to install vaulted ceilings. An addition that he says will make the room feel more spacious.
2. Refurbishing the fireplace. As a house built in the 1920s, the structure has an incredible fireplace. However, Jessie Ecker is excited about transforming this existing element into a focal point for the entire house.
Having turned her house into a modern showpiece, Jessie intends to use her DIY skills and experience to remove the brick around the existing fireplace and replace it with a new mantle and other eye-catching components. This will help transform this essential element into an eye-popping feature.
Jessie will also use waste laths (and other pieces of wood) from the demolition work to create a cool piece of artwork for the family that gets the house. The piece will be used as a crowning jewel on the fireplace.
3. Renovating the kids’ room. According to Sydney Lorence, renovating a kids’ room can be very challenging. She says this is because most people don’t know what to do or where to start. Fortunately, she is a passionate DIYer with a lot of experience under her belt.
Sydney clearly knows how she will transform the room into a fun and exciting space for children. She wants to create a personal space the kids will love and enjoy. The builder will draw her home renovation inspiration from the kids. She plans to learn about them before she starts working on the space.
Various issues come to light as the home renovation team starts knocking down walls and tearing up floors. They got together at the end of the demo day to discuss some of the challenges they may encounter.
- Getting everything done on time. The 2nd Chance House project is scheduled to be completed in one year. As demolition work starts and the dust starts flying, the team realizes they are racing against time. There is a lot to be done in a short amount of time.
- Addressing the hidden mechanicals. Another member of the team, Chris Johnson, highlighted the hidden elements of the renovation as another hurdle to be overcome. These elements include everything from plumbing to electrical work.
- Fixing the house’s glaring insulation issues. During demo day, the team discovered the house had massive insulation issues. This was expected, given that this is a 100-year-old house, but no one expected it to be this bad. The team must find effective ways of bringing the structure up to code. Proper insulation will also boost the house’s energy efficiency.
The 2nd Chance House project is not just about renovating a rundown home. It’s about extending the life of a structure that’s rich in history. Once completed, the renovated home will house a new family. The occupants will create new memories in their new home, extending its history.
The Cleveland, Ohio, area is undergoing a renewal of sorts. This project not only promises to provide a new and updated shelter for a deserving family but also works to underline and support the city’s renewal efforts.
Loctite and the entire team working on the project are excited to play a part that will impact a family and the surrounding community as well.
Loctite is committed to promoting sustainability in old home renovation projects. In addition to using our eco-friendly products, we will use sustainable techniques to minimize waste throughout the 2nd Chance House project. If you are planning a home renovation project, check out our products by visiting our Where to Buy page.
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