Installing New Cast Iron Radiators

"Runtal" are the brand cast iron radiators we have selected for the harder to heat areas of Christian's old farmhouse. Runtal Radiators developed the first Europanel European style panel radiators in Switzerland over sixty years ago and their thin (2" thick) style with a flat front are sleek and modern looking. Christian and Bill have just completed the first installation of a wall panel in his new enclosed front porch. It will put out 3,360 BTU's and is 17" X 36" with polished chrome valves used for the installation.

We have also installed these radiators in the coat room, kitchen and master bedroom changing room.

This image via "Runtal".

Hand Planed Walls

Bill's last trip to Old Farm was a long weekend spent cleaning up, preparing and painting the original hand planed tall walls upstairs. These boards are very wide since the British militia were not allowed to tax wood or items upstairs in colonial homes. One wall like this was built to give the children a place to sleep with riser walls inside as well. The wall color is Benjamin Moore's "Decorator White"

At one time there was a ceiling installed above the door which we have removed and we will soon complete the tall walls with similar; wide old boards we have found. I stripped the hand made door and will only paint the new board above it, leaving some of the original paint on the old wood.

The same boards on the inside are painted Benjamin Moore's Linen White for some contrast in the room... 

Installing Hydronic Floor Heat

New Year's Eve was spent installing Pex tubing into thermal heat plates fastened to 5 1/4" "sleepers" (3/4" plywood strips screwed down between the Pex valleys). The tubing is laid out on 6" centers which is closer than usual since it is in a bathroom, and the curved return Pex boards were found at "Radiant Engineering" in Montana.

We decided not to use the thicker; extruded metal transfer plates which were much more expensive, because having more metal surface on the floor like this is very efficient with 1/4" Wonderboard on top. Silicon was used under the Pex tubing for a more solid install. Happy New Year!