We’re still not to the pretty parts yet, but we are getting there. Amazing the amount of grunt work that goes into a whole house renovation. Sweating is a big part of that during these dog days of summer.
This past week wasn’t monumental, but we did start one more project that has to get done. The stair treads. I think we figured out a way to replace those stair treads without costing a fortune by adding pine treads and painting them. All of you who have been reading awhile know that I painted my old stairs in Birmingham and they turned out fantastic. I did that project with a hand miter saw, but power makes this a lot easier. Replacing treads with smooth pine and painting is the best solution for my current house and since we have all the power tools we need to do this one, it is not going to be a big problem at all.
We priced out pine stair treads at our local big box stores, but dad found a place up in North Georgia that had 12’ lengths for less than the shorter lengths we found at the other stores. He had it all figured out how to cut all the treads we needed out of 7 pieces and it worked out perfectly based on his calculations. We have around 25 treads to add, so this was a great solution.
We drove up there and brought ‘em back home with us a few weeks ago and now it was time to get started on them.
Dad began measuring each stair (since all measurements on things like this have to be accurate and houses are not all plumb and straight) for an accurate measurement for each one at a time and we cut them all.
The skill saw came in handy for these 1” treads.
We made sure every single one of them fit in well. I will putty, sand, caulk, and paint each one and they will be beautiful. I’m using the same Dark Brown that I used on my doors, Valspar’s Fired Earth.
We dry fit them all before we start nailing them. We will also be adding new risers too.
It took a lot of measuring and cutting, but we got them all cut in one day.
Using his square to draw a straight line for the skill saw.
These nasty garage steps will also get new treads and painted.
That will greatly help the garage to be better looking and I’m all for improving every spot I can.
We found that they were a bit too deep and needed to take off some from the backs of the stair treads to keep them from hanging over so far. The fronts are bull nosed and rounded.
He set up the table saw for this job and we ripped them all through on the same measurement to trim them down.
I caught them on the other side. Before long we had stacks of stair treads ready to paint and put in. That’s for a later day.
Another job we started was cleaning out the old flooring from the foyer floor. Years of rain leaking under this door created a mess of rotten plywood right by the door, so that had to be cut out so we can add new sturdy wood.
Dad cut out the old.
Using his saw he got it all out and ready for new.
It was really dirty under there, but all looked good, so I cleaned out some of the mess.
We took off the front door to get around better in there.
A peek at what’s down there. It’s a deep hole with gravel in the bottom and it was all surprisingly clean. A block wall is underneath, very sturdy. Just this wood needs to be replaced for our new floors.
He added a little more support with 2×4’s.
And he got a nice solid piece of plywood set back into the floor and it will be ready for new hardwoods now. We found out how the floor rotted when rain came along after we tore out the old floor. We came back over and water had seeped in from the door on both sides wetting the plywood, so that is how those things happen. Little by little over the years, that plywood will rot if any water is getting in.
Now that it’s all replaced and dry, I’m going to get a storm door for the front door to keep it that way.
In the meantime, I am sanding plywood and getting it ready to paint for our new risers. These should paint out smoothly with my trim paint.
Sheets of primed plywood.
My flooring arrived! Yippee!!
Confession time! Even though I try to take it all on, I am not Super Woman.
I have to tell y’all that even though I had great plans to try to do this ourselves and my dad was on board with trying it too, I threw in the towel and decided to hire this job out. We both have bad backs and I could envision this job taking SO long to do and creating all sorts of stress on both of us, so it was easy to come to that conclusion after we tried out a flooring gun and realized that stapling this engineered flooring was not going to be an easy task.
You all know I’m all about DIY, but sometimes you have to know your limitations and this is one of them. I did not want to kill both of us with this project, since we’ve got so many other things to complete. I’m glad I’m getting it done by a pro and it will take a load off my mind on this big project. I look pretty good on the outside, but I have a bad lower back, which translates into a hip that aches, and knees and joints that don’t bend like they used to. I don’t like to hear people whine about how bad they feel at times, so I don’t want to do it either. But, the truth is, this middle-aged gal can’t bend and move like she used to. It makes me completely frustrated some days, but don’t we all have to deal with getting older?! Now, when I squat, bend, and kneel down, getting up is not an easy task anymore. I took all that for granted when I was younger, but boy does time change all that flexibility. I’m not even kidding when I say I feel like an old lady many days.
I’m sure you thought we were crazy for taking it on and maybe I was a bit over zealous on this one. Sometimes it pays to spend the money and pay a professional!
I’ve got an installer coming out next Monday to start the flooring. I’m sure he’ll get it done in just a few days, where it would take us WEEKS to even attempt to get this finished. It’s going to be stapled and glued down. I was very blessed to get a nice discount on this beautiful flooring from Shaw Floors and it’s 3/8” hand scraped engineered hardwoods, the same flooring used in the HGTV Green Home. With 3 sizes of planks (3, 5, 7”), I’m so excited to see this floor go down in my house!
So, stay tuned for some exciting things happening really soon! If all goes well, I’ll have some new floors installed by the end of next week. And that will make me really jump up and down. There will still be plenty of things to do. I have to get electrical work done, as well as a plumber in to change out faucets in the bathrooms and showers. And I haven’t even tackled the bathrooms yet as far as patching and painting the walls or doing something with the vanities. I’m going to have to live with my vanities for awhile, but I will spruce them up. We’ll have to finish up those stairs, order the Ikea cabinets and get that whole kitchen installed, so I still won’t be moving in for awhile. I’m really hoping to be in by the end of September, but we will see how it goes.
YAY, it’s getting closer to being a finished house!
We had a great time celebrating my dad’s birthday over the weekend, so wanted to share a pic of my dad and mom. I can’t get them to pose too often, but this is a good shot of them.
My favorite newlyweds, Lauren and Philip, were home for the weekend. We loved having them home for a couple of days from New Orleans.
That’s my week, how was yours?
You have had some hard times, but you are very blessed with family. The picture of your parents just glows! Good decision of the flooring and what a great job on the stairs.
What a great trooper your Dad is. You are so lucky that he is there and so skilled in his trade. Your house is coming along quite nicely.
The end is soon.
awwww how super sweet is your daddy?!? i love watching him help you turn your house into a home filled with love! this post especially made me miss my father. :*(
best of luck as you continue this adventure!!! blessings, xo
What I’m finding for jobs at the box stores used to be considered ‘culls’ until recently.
Like your dad, researching and finding better product at better pricing elsewhere. It IS worth the time/effort. As your post shows.
Recently did my stair treads, they are oak under the carpet. Nice surprise. Yet floor is heart of pine. They were stained to match the pine. Risers painted the same BM-Lancaster Whitewash as the trim in the house.
Nice start to the day, more pics of your dad !
Garden & Be Well, XO Tara
Everything is coming along so beautifully, and those floors will be gorgeous! I hope I can transform my carpeted stairs soon with wood like yours. Does the painted finish hold up well on the treads? It would definitely be an easier option than staining.
Renee, my old stairs were holding up just fine with paint.
Rhoda….just knowing that the loving hands of your dad are all throughout the house must be a tremendous joy…I can imagine you walking up those stairs and your thoughts would be of your dad. As I read your posts on the house reno and can just imagine what you are feeling having him by your side..what an incredible gift and blessing……Loved your family pictures…in the end, it is all about your loved ones!
I love the flooring you selected. You are going to have so much fun decorating when all of the hard work is finished.
each week i’m sit in awe of your parents, especially your dad! he makes 85 look like a breeze!
smart move on bringing on the professionals for the floor! can’t wait to see the results!
Wow! you are ambitious! We live in metro Atlanta and my husband is a renovator.. he is excellent too! Let me know if you ever need his contact info~
Great post!
I too would hire the floor installation out. You guys have done so much I would not even think twice about having some things hired out. My goodness you all are so great at everything, this will be a good break. The floors are awesome! I love the different size planks. Your house is becoming your home. Great pic of your parents. They are so CUTE.
I always look forward to your house updates, Rhoda. I’m so glad you’re hiring out the floor- I was kind of worried about you and your dad on that one. Can’t wait to see it all done- the floor is going to make a huuuuge difference.
Rhoda….Thank God you are not super woman. I was getting a complex thinking that you could do it all, all the time! LOL! I agree, sometimes you need to know your limitations, and who cares if you don’t do all the DIY. You want to be healthy and in good shape to do and enjoy what you’re creating! I am seriously wanting September to get here so I can see the “finished” product. I know it won’t be fully finished, but you will be moved in (hopefully). Keep the posts coming. Love the picture of your mom and dad!
I look forward to every update on your home project! How wonderful to have your father at your side (or you at his) to know that everything is done right. You are so blessed, and the memories of your shared tasks will live forever.
Rhoda, just think of all the sweet memories this house will hold with the love and work that was put into it by your sweet Dad and Mom. Precious memories that can’t be replaced.
You are very smart to have the floor installed by a pro – it isn’t as easy as they claim. I love what you have picked out. Can’t wait to see it down.
Hugs,
Connie
Even though you are hiring out the floor installation, I still think you are Superwoman! I am amazed at what you know and how much you and your parents have accomplished.
Still so impressed with all you and your parents have done to this wonderful house! Can’t wait to see those new floors all installed, and glad that you aren’t trying to tackle them yourselves- it’s better to save your back and your sanity for the things that you wouldn’t dare trust to someone else, like decorating!
I am so glad you are hiring out to have the floor installed. That would have been a back breaking project, and now will be done so much faster. I love the quote “I can do anything, but I can’t do everything”
I think that applies here. I know you and your dad would have done a great job, but sometimes you just have to decide whether it is worth all your time and effort or just better to have someone else do it. Can’t wait to see how the stairs and floors look.
I completely understand! Every time I have to kneel on the floor and “help myself up” I curse my careless youth. Hahahaha.
Glad Dad is able to help where he can and glad you guys can call in a professional.
Great job on the house and we just can’t say it enough … we are soooooooooo Happy for you. God will truly give you Double for your Trouble. Amen and Praise God.
Staying tuned
Rhoda – your parents are such a blessing! I have no doubt they would do anything for you 🙂
I wanted to ask a question about the stairs – are you nailing the new risers and treads over the old ones? I have stairs to redo too and I thought about doing them the same way you are doing yours.
I have just started following your blog and love it – thank you!
Karen
HI, Karen, yes that is the plan to put them over the old ones. We think it will work out just fine. I’ll do a whole blog post about that when we do it! Thank you for coming by and visiting.
Seriously, are all your bloggy friends crazy, mad, head-over-heels, in love with your Daddy? I am!
My Old Man, as I have affectionately called him for years, is a wonderful man and I love him dearly. His talents do not include carpentry, which is okay. My brother does all that kind of stuff.
Your home is coming along wonderfully.
All my best,
Steph