Day 3 - Demolition

Today was basically a Bloopers Reel ... a hilarious and infamous quote from Keekee:

"You aren't truly doing construction if you aren't making mistakes."

Enjoy the shenanigans, and scroll down for some information about LIGHT and WINDOWS ...

Today started the kitchen wall re-frame, some demolition, yardwork, and getting a quote from a window replacement company!

THE WINDOWS UPDATE

Maj and I really liked the Champion Windows sales rep and his demonstration of the efficacy of his brand versus their competitors. The company is based in the US, has a strong reputation and long history, they have the highest energy efficiency ratings, and they gave us a really stellar discount on the replacement of 8 windows (most which looked like they hadn't been replaced since the house was built, complete with so many layers of paint they weren't openable). Vinyl triple-paned windows are durable, would last a very long time, and would be covered by warranty. We were convinced !!! booked the window replacements, and set up a payment plan before he walked out the door.

But something about it all kept nagging at me. Firstly, I really want to use as many all-natural materials as I possibly can in the remodeling of this house, because of toxins and off-gassing and to honor the historic nature of the home. The new window frames would be made from PVC, which we know for a fact is NOT ideal for off-gassing and chemical toxicity. I liked the wood frame windows how they were in a way, paint and all. And the air-tightness of the windows was a boon for efficiency, but in all of my experience of treating mold toxicity in my patients who lived in modern, air-tight spaces, it set off a red flag for me. I didn't want to change the ecology of the house in any profound way. I think it's a part of what helped me to fall in love with it in the first place.

Plus, the exact same infrared light bulb he used in the demonstration of how much these triple-pane windows block ... was literally the same red & infrared bulbs I prescribe for my patients to buy to put inside their homes to restore their health! Our modern lifestyles, exposures to harmful blue lights (which includes the "eco friendly" LED lights everybody has replaced their incandescent bulbs with), and building construction -- all of it blocks the healthy light from the sun and impacts our bodies in subtle yet important ways. While Champion rep was proudly demonstrating the effectiveness of his windows to block infrared heat (it was very effective!), I was internally screaming, No! We need that stuff! Blocking it is responsible for so many negative health conditions!

Overnight that evening, I couldn't stomach the thought of blocking the very rays of light that I fell in love with when I first walked through the door of the house. I tried to stay open to it: what a great investment it would be to have replaced windows. What an upgrade. The resale value would increase. It would be nice to be able to open the windows and clean them with ease without having to walk outside. But I don't really actually care all that much about that stuff -- this is my home, I'm going to be spending a lot of time in here, and the windows themselves were a huge selling point!

Then, on a side note, I looked a little deeper into the Longmont Historical Landmark designation and their specific recommendations on windows, which follow the Secretary of the Interior Standards for the Treatment of Historic Properties. Turns out, because this is a national historic landmark, I am actually not permitted to replace the windows unless they are "Damaged beyond repair." I asked the Staff Liaison to Historic Preservation Commission (in an email), are layers and layers of paint, so many layers that I can't open my windows for ventilation, classified as beyond repair? The answer: no, and she promptly provided me with some resources on how to restore historic windows.

I'm going to be learning a LOT in this process.

So that discovery actually made it an easy out for me! Sorry Champion, truly I am, because I really liked the sales pitch and the rep was sweet!, but I'm going to stick with my original 125-year old wooden-framed windows that may not be "energy efficient," but they breathe. The let in natural, organic light without blocking the beneficial UV and infrared rays that our bodies have evolved to take in over thousands of years.

THIS HOUSE IS TRAINING MY INTUITION

Another phenomena that's happening for me throughout this process so far is this: it feels like I'm honing my intuition. It's as though I knew the windows were a no from the start, I just wasn't listening initially, or overriding the 'knowing' I felt. This home has a tangible quality that I'm just beginning to learn how to tune into and listen to. I'm so looking forward to what comes next!