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Accessible Home > Episode 6: Building the Railing System

Building a Porch Railing

Project: Accessible Home, Episode 6, Part 1

Carpenter Bob Ryley and George (from Crosswinds Enterprises) build a railing system of pressure-treated lumber and integrate it with the front porch columns.

Bob takes a tour of some of the grand old houses left over from Roxbury's heyday at the turn of the century. After a period of serious urban blight, this once-grand Boston community is making a dramatic comeback.

Back at the site, a few of the housing units have already been plastered, and some windows have been given custom sills.

Part 1: Building a Porch Railing: Carpenter Bob Ryley and George (from Crosswinds Enterprises) collaborate to build a porch railing for the accessible home. Looking on, Bob discusses the building codes that pertain to the rail and the materials used.
Part 2: Tour of Historic Roxbury Architecture
Part 3: Installing Custom Window Sills

This project follows an urban renewal story, involving grass-roots activism and affordable housing. Bob Vila reports on nine newly built three-bedroom homes, including one with accessibility for people with disabilities.

Also from Accessible Home

Episode 1 - Housing Project Introduced
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Description:
Bob introduces the nine-unit affordable housing project in Roxbury, MA, by touring the neighborhood with the community-based developers from Nuestra Comunidad CDC. Bob shows that here, as is often the case in urban construction projects, soil decontamination is taking place at the same time as foundation excavation. At another site, we meet Arnold Johnson and George Chin, contractors for the accessible hour the job, who show Bob around a unit that's already been framed.
Episode 2 - Framing and Shingling
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Description:
Framing is underway on the unit of the Roxbury project that will be accessible for people with disabilities. George and Arnold (from Crosswinds Enterprises) explain the panelization process and what it takes to get the job done right with a building crew that's as culturally diverse as the community. On the roof, Jack Vieira installs asphalt shingles and flashing, while George installs special blocking inside that will be used to securely mount some safety handrails.
Episode 3 - Installing Siding
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Description:
Arnold (from Crosswinds Enterprises) and Bob demonstrate the easy installation of a special kind of weather- and fire-resistant cementicious siding. In the basement, plumber Gerry Folan and electrician Brad Owens are both busy at work.
Episode 4 - Insulation and Door Installation
Episode 5 - Designing for the Disabled
Episode 7 - Landscaping and Stairs
Episode 8 - Installing a Tankless Water Heater
Episode 9 - Shower Stall and Drywall
Episode 10 - Accessible Fixtures and Elevator
Episode 11 - Energy Efficiency
Episode 12 - Lockset Installation
Episode 13 - Accessible Unit Tour

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