Table Of Content“…EASY TO FOLLOW AND ENCYCLOPEDIC IN ITS BREADTH” —The Washington Post
R E N OVAT I ON 5
TH
EDITION
COMPLETELY REVISED AND UPDATED
Michael Litchfield & Chip Harley
5
RENOVATION TH
EDITION
Topic? i
COMPLETELY REVISED AND UPDATED
5
RENOVATION
TH
EDITION
Michael Litchfield & Chip Harley
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Text © 2019 by Michael W. Litchfield and George Harley
Photographs © 2019 by Michael W. Litchfield and Ken Gutmaker, except where noted.
Illustrations by Vincent Babak, © 2019 by The Taunton Press, Inc.
All rights reserved.
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The Taunton Press, Inc., 63 South Main Street, Newtown, CT 06470-2344
e-mail: [email protected]
Editors: Carolyn Mandarano, Peter Chapman
Copy editor: Diane Sinitsky
Indexer: Cathy Goddard
Cover design: Jean-Marc Troadec
Interior design: Carol Petro
Layout: Laura Lind Design, Barbara Cottingham, Lynne Phillips
Illustrator: Vincent Babak
Photographers: Michael W. Litchfield and Ken Gutmaker, except where noted
Cover photo: Rodney Diaz, Fine Homebuilding
Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data
Names: Litchfield, Michael W., author. | Harley, Chip, author.
Title: Renovation / Michael W. Litchfield and Chip Harley.
Description: 5th edition, Completely revised and updated. | Newtown, CT :
Taunton Press, Inc., [2019]
Identifiers: LCCN 2018049603| ISBN 9781631869594 (hardcover) | ISBN
9781631869600 (paperback) | ISBN 9781641551045 (MOBI) | ISBN 97816415501021 (pdf)
Subjects: LCSH: Dwellings--Remodeling. | Dwellings--Conservation and
restoration. | Dwellings--Maintenance and repair.
Classification: LCC TH4816 .L57 2019 | DDC 643/.7--dc23
LC record available at https://lccn.loc.gov/2018049603
Printed in the United States of America
10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1
The following manufacturers/names appearing in Renovation are Malco® TurboShear™, Mapelath™, Marmoleum®, Marvin Tilt Pac®,
trademarks: AccuVent®, Acousto-Plumb®, AdvanTech®, Ahrens® Chamber- Masonite®, Mastercut®, Medex®, Medite®, Metabo®, Microllam®,
Tech 2000™, Airkrete®, AlumaFlex™, American Aldes®, Aqua Mix® Milwaukee®, Miracle Sealants® 511 Porous Plus®, MiraTEC®, Mohawk®,
Sealer’s Choice®, Ardex Feather Finish®, Autodesk AudoCAD®, Azek®, Moistop Corner Shield®, Multi-Strip™, Murphy® Oil Soap, Mylar®,
Bahco®, Basement Systems®, BaySeal®, Bazooka®, Benjamin Moore® Natural Cork®, Nibco®, OSI® Pro-Series®, Paint Shaver®, Panasonic™,
Natura®, B-I-N®, Bituthene®, Black & Decker® Workmate®, Bondo®, PaperTiger®, Parabond®, Parallam®, Peacekeeper®, Peel Away®, Perform
Bostick®, Build It® Green, Caesarstone®, Carborundum®, Carlisle Wide Guard®, Pico® Wireless, Plaster-Weld®, PL Turbo™, Plyboo®, Polyken®
Plank Floor®, Cedar Breather®, CertainTeed Winterguard™, Channellock®, Foilastic®, Power Lite®, ProTrim®, Quikrete®, Q-Lon®, Ram Board®,
ChoiceTrim®, Citistrip®, Clear Lam®, Climatek™, ColorSnap®, Ready-Strip®, ReStore®, Rev-a-Shelf®, Rhodia®, Rock-On®, Romex®,
COPALUM®, Corian®, Crack-Pac®, Crescent®, DAP®, DELTA®, Roto-Split®, R-Wrap®, Safecoat®, Sawzall®, Senco® DuraSpin®, Shaw®
DensGlass®, DensShield®, DeWalt®, Diablo®, DMF Lighting®, Dow®, Floors, Sheetrock®, Sherwin-Williams®, SierraPine®, Silestone®,
Dremel®, Dropbox™, Duct Blaster®, Dumpster®, DuPont™, Durabond® Simplex®, Simpson Crack-Pac®, Simpson Strong-Tie®, Skilsaw®, Skype™,
90, Durapalm®, Durock®, EcoSeal™, Elmer’s® Glue-All®, Smart Strip®, Snap-On®, Sto®, Structurwood®, Sturd-I-Floor®, Super
EnergyComplete™, FasCap™, Fastrip®, Federal Pacific®, Festool®, Glue®, Super Jumbo Tex®, Suppress®, Surewall®, Surform®, Swanson®
Fix-It-All™, Flood® Floetrol®, Flood® Penetrol®, Formica®, Fortifiber®, Speed® Square, TEC™, Teco®, Teflon®, Tergitol™, Thorobond®,
Fypon®, GacoFlex®, GAF Weather Watch®, Gammon Reel®, Genie®, Thoroseal®, 3M® Fastbond®, TileLab®, TimberStrand®, Titebond®,
GenieClip®, Genie Lift™, Goof Off®, Google Maps™, Google SketchUp™, TopNotch®, Torx®, Triton™, TruExterior®, True Value®, TrusJoist®,
Gorilla Glue®, GreenHomes® America, Greenlee® Nail Eater®, TurboShear®, Tyvek®, Ultraflex®, U-Sand®, Velux®, Vise-Grip®, Vulkem®
Grip-Lok®, GRK Fasteners™, Habitat for Humanity®, Hackzall®, Hafele®, 116, Wall-Nuts™, Watco®, Weld-Crete®, Weldwood®, Weyerhaeuser®,
HardieBacker®, HardieTrim®, Henry 208 Wet Patch®, Wire-Nut®, Wonder Bar®, WonderBoard®, W. R. Grace Ice & Water
Hole-Hawg®, Homax®, Home Depot®, Home Slicker®, HomerWood®, Shield®, Zinsco®, Zinsser® DIF™, Zinsser® Jomax®, ZipWall®, Zircon®
IKEA®, iPad®, Kilz®, Kleer®, Kohler®, Krazy Glue®, LaHabra®, Lauzon®, StudSensor™, Zodiaq®
layfastSBS®, LeadCheck™, LevelQuik®, Lift Off®, Lincoln Logs®, Lion
Miter-Trimmer®, Lutron®, Maestro Wireless®, Magic Trowel®, Makita®,
About Your Safety: Homebuilding is inherently dangerous. From accidents with power tools to falls from ladders, scaffolds, and roofs, builders risk serious
injury and even death. We try to promote safe work habits throughout this book. But what is safe for one person under certain circumstances may not be safe
for you under different circumstances. So don’t try anything you learn about here (or elsewhere) unless you’re certain that it is safe for you. Please be careful.
“Many hands make work light.”
This book is dedicated to the many
hands that have helped ours along the way.
Acknowledgments
O
ne spring day in 1972, I bought my first All told, more than 500 people have helped me create or
home, an old Vermont schoolhouse built in update the information in these editions. So once again, I
1826 that was standing at all because of its have a lot of people to thank.
massive oak post-and-beam frame. Its roof Sally and George Kiskaddon of Builders Booksource in
was shot, its foundation was caving in, and its new Berkeley, CA, have been champions of all five editions of
owner had more enthusiasm than sense. (Or money. Renovation. Their independent bookstore has perhaps the
The old place cost $6,000, and I had to borrow most of widest and deepest selection of design, construction, and
that.) Once I realized what I had gotten into—and that code books anywhere, and they will gladly ship orders.
no books were complete or clear enough to guide me—I Among architects and designers, I would like to thank
started peppering local builders with questions, and they, Glenn Jarvis, Robin Pennell, and Jon Larson of Jarvis
good souls, shared what they knew. Architects, Oakland, CA, for generously sharing projects,
More than 45 years later, I’m still at it. contacts, and insights; Russell Hamlet of Studio Hamlet
In intervening years I had the good fortune to help on Bainbridge Island, WA, for always exceeding my expec-
launch Fine Homebuilding magazine and so got access tations; Fran Halperin of Halperin & Christ, San Rafael,
to talented designers, builders, and tradespeople across CA, for her exquisite taste; Jerri Holan, FAIA, Oakland,
North America. The first edition of Renovation was CA; Stephen Shoup of BuildingLab, Emeryville, CA, for
published in 1982, not long after Fine Homebuilding hit his friendship and great insights into green building prac-
the stands, and the information-gathering model was the tices; thanks also to BuildingLab’s Hide Kawato for many
same for both: Find the best people, go to their job sites, kindnesses. Revising this edition also gave me the chance
and work as hard as they do, to photograph and record to reconnect with old friends Carolynn and Gregory
the process. Schipa of The Weather Hill Company of Warren, VT.
About the same time, Chip Harley got his California Scores of builders are listed below. But special thanks
contractor’s license, after learning the business from the to those contractors whom I relied on again and again:
bottom up. Chip was drawn to tools and building as far Dave Carley of Bainbridge Island, WA; Eric Christ of
back as he can remember—as were his brothers Duffy Halperin & Christ, San Rafael, CA; Dean Rutherford of
and Tom—so in 1984, they launched a construction com- Rutherford & Singelstadt, Richmond, CA, and his wife
pany in Berkeley. Over the years, Chip and his crews have Marty, both great souls.
remodeled more homes than they can remember, dealing These people contributed significantly to individual
with common and unique problems along the way. chapters: Reading a House: Roger Robinson of First
In 2002, when I was about to revise the third edition of Rate Property Inspection in Oakland, CA, and co-author
this book, I went looking for a technical editor and found of House Check: Finding and Fixing Common House
Chip. Three minutes into the conversation, it was ap- Problems (The Taunton Press, 2003); Brian Cogley of
parent that he had an encyclopedic knowledge of build- Cogley Property Inspections, Oakland, CA. Planning
ing and could explain it all simply. It’s a rare gift. I have Your Renovation: Taya and Stephen Shoup, Carolynn
called him on-site scores of times, and though I could and Gregory Schipa, Fran Halperin, Sharon Low, San-
hear saws whining, hammers thudding, and guys yelling dra Almador Mora, David Glaser, Russell Hamlet, Dave
in the background, Chip always answered my questions Carley, Robin Supplee, Mike Derzon, Beth and Gary
calmly and in great detail. Sumner. Tools, Building Materials: Warren White and
Chip’s knowledge is remarkable, but his generosity is Dave Yungert of Truitt & White Lumber in Berkeley, CA,
typical of many of the builders I’ve met over the years— once again let us cherry-pick and photograph their latest
people who are good at what they do love to talk about it. releases. Roofs: The insulation crew of Abril Roofing:
Jose Bustos, Francisco Padilla, Francisco Vargas, Raul and Victor Estrada Martinez. Finish Carpentry: Chris
Foyfan. Doors, Windows, and Skylights: Bill Essert of Rogers of BuildingLab is a great talent, as are restora-
Wooden Window in Oakland, CA, and Manuel Morgado tion carpenters Jim Spaulding of B.C.E. in Alameda, CA,
of Truitt & White were extremely gracious with their time and John Michael Davis of New Orleans, LA. Thanks for
and contacts. The talented crews doing the work: Ray all your help. Painting: Greg Scillitani and his capable
DeMuro and Joe Gonzalves; Franco Arellano, Claudio crew, Greg and Scott. Wall papering: Peter Bridgman is
Matute, and Ioane Serguetasi of Wooden Window; J. considered to be one of
Luis Perez of Brooks Weitzman; Tim Thorvick and Eli the finest installers of wall coverings in the San Fran-
Chavez of BuildingLab. And Gary Schroeder, at the top cisco, CA, area. Flooring: Pawel Bajer of Tegan Flooring.
of his game, in skylights. Exteriors: Les Williams of L.A. Also to Mark Clarine and Jeff Molina of Floor Dimen-
Williams Copper Gutters, Oliver Govers, and my old sions, shown installing resilient flooring and carpeting,
friends from Holland & Harley, Jesus Beltran and He- respectively.
berto Mendez. Structural Carpentry: Rick Collins and Thanks to the good people at The Taunton Press who
his wife, Nicole, principals of Trillium Dell Timberworks helped me in myriad ways or who will, in the course of
of Galesburg, IL; Rick’s masterful big-timber restora- things, produce this book. At Fine Homebuilding and
tions are inspiring. Mike Guertin, John Michael Davis, Green Building Advisor, thanks to Brian Pontolilo, Chuck
Bob’s Iron in Oakland, CA. Masonry: Chad Corley of The Miller, Dan Morrison, Rob Wotzak, Martin Holladay, Joe
Quikrete Companies and Sally McKnight of the Irish Lstiburek, Andy Engel, Mike Guertin, and others whose
Sweep, Alameda, CA. Foundations and Concrete: Mike insights or photos I drew on. On the book side, thanks to
Massoumi of Impact Construction, Albany, CA. Electri- Lynne Phillips, Barbara Cottingham, and Sharon Zagata.
cal Wiring: A thousand thanks (one for each question) to I am delighted that illustrator Vincent Babak returned
Michael McAlister, my co-author on three editions of Wir- for the fifth edition and very grateful that Muffy Kibbey of
ing Complete (The Taunton Press). Also, Troy Mittone of Berkeley, CA, Art Grice of Seattle, WA, David Milne of To-
Oakland Electric. Plumbing: Martin Kelleher of Kelleher ronto, Ont., Scott Hargis of Oakland, CA, and David Sim-
Plumbing for the latest on PEX plumbing systems. Albert one took the beautiful house portraits in chapter 2. On the
Nahman, Mario Hernandez, and Cesar Enrique Ruano copy side, Scott Gibson made this a much better book.
of Albert Nahman Plumbing, Oakland, CA. Thanks also Carolyn Mandarano shepherded this edition through pro-
to Ron Kyle. Kitchens and Baths: Catherine Moncrieff duction and was a treat to work with. Finally, in 40-some
& Stuart Brotman of Bowman’s Gate Design, Marciel years of book writing, I have never had an executive editor
Dornelio, Steve Kirby, and Les Baker of Baker Granite who was the equal of Peter Chapman. If I ever get caught
& Marble. Energy Conservation and Air Quality: I am in a hurricane at sea, I want Peter at the helm.
very grateful for the help of Scott Gibson, who, along And so on to the home front. Chip says of his wife,
with David Johnston, wrote Green from the Ground Up Allyson Page, “I sometimes borrow her strength to keep
(The Taunton Press, 2008); Donn Davy of Green Home going. My world revolves around her and our daughters,
Savvy; Mike Rogers of GreenHome America. Also Don Ronnie and Lucia.” In the same vein, I would like to
Cain, Edward Joachin, and Rolando Ceja Valadez of SDI express my great joy, deep love and unbelievable good
Insulation. Finish Surfaces: Steve Marshall of The Little fortune that Jeannie is part of my life, and that the
House for the soundproofing sequence and his crew: world’s best dog was part of the bargain.
Jose Rodriquez, Javier Santiago, Roberto Padilla Lopez, —Mike Litchfield
Benjamin Santiago. Tiling seems to attract colorful char- Point Reyes, CA
acters, including Dan Blume, Josue “Blanco” Zazueta,
Table of Contents
4 chapter 3:
introduction
Tools 51
chapter 1:
Tool Safety 51
Reading a House 6
Tools to Own 53
The Roof 9 Tools to Rent 64
House Exterior 12
Interiors 14 chapter 4:
Building Materials 68
Mechanical Systems 18
Environmental Hazards 21
Standard Lumber 68
Salvage Lumber 71
chapter 2:
Engineered Lumber 71
Planning Your
Framing with Steel 74
Renovation 23
Structural and Nonstructural Panels 75
A Home for the Long Run 23 Metal Connectors 78
Clarifying Your Goals 24 Bolts 84
Documenting What’s There 26 Adhesives, Caulks, and Sealants 86
Getting Help with Your Renovation 29
chapter 5:
Developing a Renovation Plan,
and Getting It Drawn 31 Roofs 90
Making the Most of Your Renovation 35
Roof Safety and Equipment 90
Creating Lasting Value: Five Case
Preparing to Install a New Roof 92
Histories 36
Roof Flashing 96
Asphalt Shingles 101
Wood Shingles and Shakes 110
A Medley of Roofing Types 113
chapter 6: chapter 8:
Doors, Windows, Structural Carpentry 194
and Skylights 116
Understanding Structure 195
Ordering Doors: An Overview 116 Framing Walls 195
Installing an Interior Door 119 Demolition 206
Installing an Exterior Door 124 Reinforcing and Repairing
the Structure 211
Installing French Doors 131
Stair Repairs 217
Installing Hardware 133
Structural Remodeling 222
Weatherstripping Door Frames 136
Keeping the Weather Away:
A Primer on Flashing 139 chapter 9:
Choosing Windows 142 Masonry 234
Refurbishing Old
Terms, Tools, and Tips 234
Double-Hung Windows 156
Working with Brick 237
Installing a Skylight 159
Chimneys 244
chapter 7:
chapter 10:
Exteriors 166
Foundations
Water-Resistive Barriers 168 and Concrete 258
Exterior Trim 170
An Overview 258
Siding 176
Jacking and Shoring 263
Fiber-Cement Siding 183
Minor Repairs and Upgrades 269
Stucco Repairs 185
Replacing a Shallow Foundation 272
Rain Gutters 190
Concrete Work 279
A Mat Slab Foundation 282
Damp Basement Solutions 284
