Surly's blog
What's wrong with PolyVinylChloride?
By Surly
I have been seeing a trend with the Greeneys wanting to stay away with PVC citing it's bad for the environment. Specifically vinyl siding. They also say aluminum and copper are good alternatives. I'm no expert but I know that the process of making aluminum and copper uses ridiculous amounts of power not to mention the mining of bauxite and copper. I'd love to have copper siding on my house but I'm guessing it's cost prohibitive. Also, if you want replacement windows your choices are wood or...vinyl. If you want to fix up your house, the s.o.p. on this area for the... »MORE
Energy efficiency in my home?
By Surly
When we buy our new home (1977 single story ranch on a crawl space, 1440sq. ft.) I live in NW Indiana, we have 100deg. summers and -20deg winters for reference. I will have to do a few upgrades. I want to make the home as effiecient as possible to reduce the amount of fuel we use and keep the house as comfy as possible. Of course, I'm thinking of the environmental issues as well. Does anyone have some cool ideas as to "greening" up my house? The furnace is old (nat. gas foced air) so that will be the first to... »MORE
Getting a little closer...
By Surly
...to buying/selling. We got some new carpet installed today in the living room of our tiny little house, on the advice of our realtor. It looks so much better. Isn't it funny that when you do things to the house that look so nice you wonder "What took us so long to do this?". We are putting out house on the market next week, pre-approved for the loan on our not so dream ranch and hopefully we will be moved in by Fall. I can't wait. My wife and I have been here in this little (730 sq. feet) house... »MORE
Determining Home Value?
By Surly
We are selling our first house. We've got a couple interseted in our house but it's not really "on the market". I wanted to do some work first, but not repairs just updates, etc... If I was to put it on the market I'd for sure call my realtor and work with him. If these folks are to buy the house I will sell the house directly to them sans realtor. The potential buyers are in sort of a hurry and I need to come up with an asking price. I've got a ballpark idea, but it's one big ballpark.... »MORE
My new freshly (trash) picked chair
By Surly
While driving home Teus. I spied this cool chair in the trash. A quick check for damage and stinkiness and in the wagon it went. The Wife actually digs it too. The butterscotch vinyl is not very nice and the wood could really use a re-fin but free is a great starting price for a chair. I don't think its anything super rare, the wood looks like pine and there are no markings visible. If anyone knows anything about the chair please leave a comment. »MORE
Just flew in from Tampa
By Surly
No, I won't say it.... Anyway I flew to Tampa from Chigago on bidness. Tampa Int'l Airport is a cool modern designed airport. I spent about two hours sitting on some Eames Tandem Sling Seating by Herman Miller. I know that sounds like a plug but man I wish I had a row of these cool chairs in my (next) house. As I was untieing my shoes anticipating security I noticed these cool rows of chairs. I new I had seen them before and I planned to do a search later to find out the manufacturer. Well, after security I... »MORE
Because we (they) can
By Surly
Because we can is a design firm that does mostly offices and lobbies (from what I gather). They are doing great things with plywood. I found the site through Coop's blog. The coolest thing are thier own personal wall desks. We are crunched for space and anything that uses space efficiently really excites me at the moment. Check em out at http://www.becausewecan.org/node/268My first post, BTW »MORE
