Berwyn YES or NO... fill me in!!! (Chicago, Evanston: cabinets, live)

[Runuova]

Originally Posted by BRU67

The major updates were central A/C, cable TV, updated electrical service, new kitchen and bathrooms, and I remodeled the basement and attic. I also renovated the garage. And, of course, paint colors and decor. Beyond that, I tried to keep everything as original as possible, including the original windows, doors, flooring, etc.

Galleries « Berwyn: City of Homes

Mine is on slides 11-18 of the interior photos. They wouldn't put exterior photos of it on there because it has block glass windows in the basement. I'm working on fixing this so I too can be worthy of the purists' admiration This site also shows what others are doing to theirs.

It's also depicted here:

http://www.berwyninformer.com/Images...our/viewer.swf

These pictures are a few years old. You can compare the new IKEA kitchen to the old '50s retro kitchen, as well as the living room before my ex-wife decided to re-upholster our couches in silver and I had to repaint everything.

I love it! Looks so inviting!

[Runuova]

So what were your alternatives for central air with the radiators? I'm so curious as to the cost of your rehab. The kitchen is incredible!

[ToriaT]

Nice pics. shows what you can do with these old houses.

[BRU67]

Originally Posted by Runuova

So what were your alternatives for central air with the radiators? I'm so curious as to the cost of your rehab. The kitchen is incredible!

Central air is easy with the radiators -- just put the air handler in the attic (behind the knee wall) and then install the vents on the ceiling on the main floor. Some people put heating coils in them but I wanted to keep the radiator heat. You can also use a SpacePak system to get a little more room in the attic. The way my attic is laid out, I'm fine with a standard central A/C system.

As to cost, it widely depends on what you want to do, how much you can do yourself, and how far along the house is. My attic was cheap because it was already finished and it was basically just a paint and carpet job. The basement was more costly because I had to completely redo everything.

[tlm12283]

Before I knew about this website the word was invest in Berwyn and I didn't know why. It seemed like a duplicate of Chatham in Chicago except the people and the income. My father's aunt use to live there before moving to DuPage County. She lived around 81st and Wabash I belive. I really haven't been there since but I recall better kept homes than Berwyn as well.

The mystery will always be what makes some places more desirable than others or maybe it is not a mystery after all.

[Drover]

Originally Posted by Runuova

So what were your alternatives for central air with the radiators? I'm so curious as to the cost of your rehab. The kitchen is incredible!

There are ductless A/C systems you can install. This page at the This Old House website has a handy video that lays it out pretty well.

[ToriaT]

There are a number of things to recommend Berwyn as a place to invest and some downsides too. The housing stock is varied but classic Chicago two and three flats and bungalows, some quite elaborate with stained glass and wood trim. Many moving into Berwyn and fixing up the classic homes which are mostly priced right. Transportation to the city and proximity. Seems like there is easy access to shopping too. Problems might be gangs and crime but I don't know now if this is on the upswing or downturn.

[Runuova]

Originally Posted by Drover

There are ductless A/C systems you can install. This page at the This Old House website has a handy video that lays it out pretty well.

I've experienced those A/C units in hotels and have enjoyed them. I'm a fan of older homes, so it seems like a good solution for my NEED of cool air. Much cheaper than installing blow heat and duct work.

[Drover]

Originally Posted by Runuova

I've experienced those A/C units in hotels and have enjoyed them. I'm a fan of older homes, so it seems like a good solution for my NEED of cool air. Much cheaper than installing blow heat and duct work.

I don't know that it's much cheaper -- in fact cost can grow very quickly with a big house with lots of rooms -- but it does have its advantages. Such as, with a ductless retrofit, you are able to control the temperature by individual room or to only cool whatever room(s) you're using at any given time; whereas with a ducted A/C system the whole system is either on or off with only minimal individual room control via opening and closing individual vents. In fact I don't even know if ducts can be individually opened or closed in a mini-duct system like you find in many retrofits. With the ductless system each room has its own thermostat for precise room-by-room temperature control.

So BRU67, I presume you have a mini-duct retrofit? If so, is there any way to control which ducts are opened and closed, or is there some other way to control use and temperature from room to room?

[Vlajos]

Originally Posted by BRU67

Central air is easy with the radiators -- just put the air handler in the attic (behind the knee wall) and then install the vents on the ceiling on the main floor. Some people put heating coils in them but I wanted to keep the radiator heat. You can also use a SpacePak system to get a little more room in the attic. The way my attic is laid out, I'm fine with a standard central A/C system.

As to cost, it widely depends on what you want to do, how much you can do yourself, and how far along the house is. My attic was cheap because it was already finished and it was basically just a paint and carpet job. The basement was more costly because I had to completely redo everything.

Space Pack?