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Waterfront Warehouse Rehab > Episode 7: Rooftop Work and Wood Floor Installation

Privacy Glass Installation

Project: Waterfront Warehouse Rehab, Episode 7, Part 2

On the roof, Bob and Chris Vila discuss the cooling units with HVAC contractor Isaac Chazbani. At the same time, welder Jimmy Canka installing an iron safety railing and glazier Alan Chi installs glass windows and doors in the roof deck entryway.

Next, Bob and John Sodano, the plumbing contractor, discuss the placement of the boiler. Bob then goes indoors to review installation of the Bellawood hardwood flooring with Stephen Shelowitz (Williamsburg Parquet Flooring). Shelowitz explains the finer points of Bellawood's flooring product. He details how the factory-applied finish is tested and how his crew installs the flooring.

Part 1: Safety Railing Installation
Part 2: Privacy Glass Installation: Bob meets with window installer Alan Chi of Finest Windows. Mr. Chi is installing the glass walls for the head house (the head house is the structure surrounding the stairs that lead up from the penthouse). Frosted thermal glass panels are being used for privacy, as the taller buildings surrounding the location can look down on the deck. The custom glass snaps into place, along with a rubber gasket, and silicone caulk in the corners prevents moisture from entering the enclosure. With the glass in place, a door rated for industrial use is installed.
Part 3: Installing Hardwood Flooring

Bob Vila heads to the DUMBO neighborhood of Brooklyn, NY, for this project involving an abandoned warehouse built in the mid-19th century. Bob's adaptive reuse will yield three ultra-hip apartments with commercial space at street level. Project manager is Bob's oldest son, Chris Vila, who helps guide this complete rehabilitation of a beat-up building in the city that never sleeps.

Also from Waterfront Warehouse Rehab

Episode 1 - Welcome to Brooklyn!
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Description:
Bob begins a project in Brooklyn, New York, in an area known as "DUMBO", or Down Under the Manhattan Bridge Overpass. With beautiful downtown Manhattan in the background, Bob delivers a brief history of Brooklyn's waterfront area. Next, he joins his son, Chris Vila, who is manager of the project, to discuss what's in store. Slated for three floors of residential space, the building will reserve its ground floor for commercial use. Jared Della Valle and Andrew Bernheimer chat with Chris about possible floor plans, while Bob talks with Jacker Beyer, of Beyer Blinder Belle, about restoring the façade.
Episode 2 - Demolition and Preservation in Brooklyn
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Description:
Bob and his son Chris tour a loft space in the nearby Sweeney Building. On top of stunning views of the Brooklyn Bridge and downtown Manhattan, the building boasts a "tar beach" rooftop deck.<br> <br> David and Jed Walentas of Two Trees Development communicate their vision for the area. Back on site, demolition is underway and preservation expert Bill Higgins, of Higgins and Quasebarth, tells us more about the history of the building.
Episode 3 - Interior Demolition, Water Taxi Tour, and Framing With Metal Studs
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Description:
Interior work and demolition are progressing simultaneously. Bob and his son, the project manager Chris Vila, review three weeks' worth of progress. Work performed to date includes removing an old elevator shaft and sandblasting exposed wood and brick surfaces. A new tongue and groove plywood subfloor is being installed and basic wall framing has begun. Also, Bob takes us on a water taxi tour to learn more about the history of heavy industry along Brooklyn's waterfront.
Episode 4 - Brick Façade Restoration and Window Installation
Episode 5 - Electrical Work, Navy Yard Tour, and Insulation Install
Episode 6 - Interior Construction and Skylight Install
Episode 8 - Marble Tile, Cherry Cabinets, and the Brooklyn Academy of Music
Episode 9 - Stone Countertop Installation and Interior Trimwork
Episode 10 - Noise Reduction and Security
Episode 11 - Roof Deck and High-Tech Bathroom Features
Episode 12 - Penthouse Interior Design
Episode 13 - Brooklyn Project Wrap-Up

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