The Home Improvement Thread

[Sliver]

Sorry for the really grainy photo. I had to take it through a window.

Anybody know what this thing is right above the Nest thermostat? This is in a ground-level condo (with radiant floor heating if that matters).

[CroFlames]

I'd bet my house that is the control for the radiant heat.

[Misterpants]

FWIW, that's what our fireplace thermostat/control looks like. If you have a fireplace...

[Sliver]

Originally Posted by Misterpants

FWIW, that's what our fireplace thermostat/control looks like. If you have a fireplace...

We should name you MisterFancyPants. No, don't have a fireplace.

[CarlLester]

Anyone have any recent experience or a recommended contractor to install a gas line for bbq and patio fire table?

First quote came back at $3500 which seemed high based on my expertise (which is zero).

[PaperBagger'14]

Originally Posted by Sliver

We should name you MisterFancyPants. No, don't have a fireplace.

Do you have a clearer picture? Usually above a tstat is the furnace fan switch that is used as an air exchanger, but its usually just a regular light switch

[CroFlames]

Originally Posted by CarlLester

Anyone have any recent experience or a recommended contractor to install a gas line for bbq and patio fire table?

First quote came back at $3500 which seemed high based on my expertise (which is zero).

I had a quote done once as I wanted to bring a line to my laundry room. It was $3,300 about 5 years ago.

So I’d say you’re in the ballpark.

I will say that having the line in the backyard is awesome. Never refill another propane tank in your life.

[Sliver]

Originally Posted by PaperBagger'14

Do you have a clearer picture? Usually above a tstat is the furnace fan switch that is used as an air exchanger, but its usually just a regular light switch

Negative. Maybe it is an air exchanger...not sure. I get the place in a week, so I'll know soon enough.

[scotty2hotty]

Electric or Gas?

We want to install a fireplace and feature wall in our family room. I automatically assumed we’d be looking at gas, but after doing a bit of research, it appears there’s almost a 50/50 split between electric and gas advocates.
I always assumed electric was hokey looking ... but it seems they’ve come a long way.

So, what do you think? What would you do?

Pros and cons of both?

[Maritime Q-Scout]

Originally Posted by scotty2hotty

Electric or Gas?

We want to install a fireplace and feature wall in our family room. I automatically assumed we’d be looking at gas, but after doing a bit of research, it appears there’s almost a 50/50 split between electric and gas advocates.
I always assumed electric was hokey looking ... but it seems they’ve come a long way.

So, what do you think? What would you do?

Pros and cons of both?

We have electric in our living room, as do my parents, and in-laws.

The thing I like most about it, the fireplace can be on and it won't get too hot. If you have people over you CAN have the fire on and it won't be uncomfortable.

[I_H8_Crawford]

Question - if I wanted to replace a kitchen sink (undermount) - anyone have any idea of the cost of removal/installation of the new one?

I can easily find the cost of a sink, but no clue what I would be paying for labour - we talking a couple hundred, or $1K+ for labour?

Thanks!

[scotty2hotty]

Originally Posted by Maritime Q-Scout

We have electric in our living room, as do my parents, and in-laws.

The thing I like most about it, the fireplace can be on and it won't get too hot. If you have people over you CAN have the fire on and it won't be uncomfortable.

I never considered the heat factor. Great feedback. Thanks!

Clearly you like the look if you and your extended family all went with electric?

[topfiverecords]

Originally Posted by I_H8_Crawford

Question - if I wanted to replace a kitchen sink (undermount) - anyone have any idea of the cost of removal/installation of the new one?

I can easily find the cost of a sink, but no clue what I would be paying for labour - we talking a couple hundred, or $1K+ for labour?

Thanks!

I think you're supposed to stand in it and then get your landlord to replace it.

[topfiverecords]

Originally Posted by scotty2hotty

Electric or Gas?

We want to install a fireplace and feature wall in our family room. I automatically assumed we’d be looking at gas, but after doing a bit of research, it appears there’s almost a 50/50 split between electric and gas advocates.
I always assumed electric was hokey looking ... but it seems they’ve come a long way.

So, what do you think? What would you do?

Pros and cons of both?

One is fire and one is a space heater with a picture of a fire. One is cheap and one is expensive. Those two factors should be ruled on first.

[Ducay]

Originally Posted by topfiverecords

One is fire and one is a space heater with a picture of a fire. One is cheap and one is expensive. Those two factors should be ruled on first.

If the 'pro' to your electric fireplace is that it doesn't get hot, you've probably made the wrong decision or don't need one.

Electric fireplaces exist only to let people think they're "remodeling" their cold basement when theyre just throwing a few hundred bucks on a jankity looking fake fireplace that throws little to no heat. Go gas, wood burning, or a sealed wood burner if you're installing a fireplace. Otherwise, just do without

[DoubleF]

Originally Posted by I_H8_Crawford

Question - if I wanted to replace a kitchen sink (undermount) - anyone have any idea of the cost of removal/installation of the new one?

I can easily find the cost of a sink, but no clue what I would be paying for labour - we talking a couple hundred, or $1K+ for labour?

Thanks!

Installing an under mount sink should be less than an hour for a pro. Removing one though could be straight forward few hours or absolutely forever.

If it's going to be close to a grand in grief labor, replacing the counter top with the sink might be pretty close in price. Counter tops aren’t as expensive as some people think. Stone counter tops can be had for like $60-90 per sq ft including labour for removing old counter and installing new (also depends how nice the stone is). I did a 3 section kitchen with 5 pieces of stone (island, and two “L” shaped sections), a bathroom (“P” shaped piece), laundry room counter top (covers top of water and dryer) and a “C” shaped basement wet bar in quartz for less than $5K including labor slightly over a year ago. I was expecting to spend $8-9K so I was thrilled at that price.

[scotty2hotty]

Originally Posted by topfiverecords

One is fire and one is a space heater with a picture of a fire. One is cheap and one is expensive. Those two factors should be ruled on first.

The electric ones I was seeing definitely weren’t cheap. My first choice was gas regardless.

Originally Posted by Ducay

If the 'pro' to your electric fireplace is that it doesn't get hot, you've probably made the wrong decision or don't need one.

Electric fireplaces exist only to let people think they're "remodeling" their cold basement when theyre just throwing a few hundred bucks on a jankity looking fake fireplace that throws little to no heat. Go gas, wood burning, or a sealed wood burner if you're installing a fireplace. Otherwise, just do without

I thought you couldn’t do new wood burning installs anymore?

[Geraldsh]

Originally Posted by scotty2hotty

Electric or Gas?

We want to install a fireplace and feature wall in our family room. I automatically assumed we’d be looking at gas, but after doing a bit of research, it appears there’s almost a 50/50 split between electric and gas advocates.
I always assumed electric was hokey looking ... but it seems they’ve come a long way.

So, what do you think? What would you do?

Pros and cons of both?

If the power fails you can still use your gas fireplace.
Gas is cheaper than electricity but installation requires venting to the outside.

[Maritime Q-Scout]

Originally Posted by Ducay

If the 'pro' to your electric fireplace is that it doesn't get hot, you've probably made the wrong decision or don't need one.

Electric fireplaces exist only to let people think they're "remodeling" their cold basement when theyre just throwing a few hundred bucks on a jankity looking fake fireplace that throws little to no heat. Go gas, wood burning, or a sealed wood burner if you're installing a fireplace. Otherwise, just do without

It *is* possible to want a fireplace without it being a heat source.

When we bought our house there was a traditional fireplace in the living room. We have no intention of ever using it. We remodeled to cover the hearth, and put in a new mantle. We added an electric fireplace for the ascetic. We don't think it looks jankity, and do like having it on especially during the Christmas season.

To each their own.

However, just because a fireplace was originally used as a heat source doesn't mean that's it's only use.

We're happy, and like the idea of having it on when people are over.

There is a space heating component to it, but we rarely use that, it's just for the look.

I was going through Facebook and my phone to see if I had a good picture (I know I have but can't seem to find them) I'll upload when I get home.

[CroFlames]

I think it comes down to heat vs no heat.

Electric fireplaces are attractive but will never give you the heat a gas one does. And a gas one probably has way higher upfront costs.