Welcome to My Renovation Journey

I'm documenting my journey renovating a 1950s house from the ground up, applying modern building science principles. Whether you're planning a similar renovation or just curious about building science in practice, this series will show you the real-world challenges, solutions, and costs involved in upgrading a post-war home.

The House

This 1950s home comes with all the typical characteristics of its era:

• Original construction methods and materials
• Single-pane windows
• Minimal insulation
• Outdated mechanical systems

Project Goals

Energy Efficiency

My primary goal is to dramatically improve the home's energy performance while respecting its original character. This includes:

• Upgrading insulation throughout the building envelope
• Installing high-performance windows
• Improving air sealing to reduce infiltration
• Modernizing HVAC systems for better comfort and efficiency

Building Science Integration

I want to apply modern building science principles to ensure:

• Proper vapor and moisture management
• Effective thermal bridging reduction
• Balanced ventilation for indoor air quality
• Durable assemblies that will last decades

Practical Approach

While modernizing, I aim to:

• Maintain original design elements where possible
• Keep costs manageable and techniques DIY-friendly
• Document the original construction for future reference
• Balance perfection with pragmatic solutions

Learning and Sharing

Throughout this project, I'll be:

• Documenting every step of the process
• Sharing lessons learned and mistakes made
• Testing building science theories in practice
• Creating a resource for others facing similar renovations

What to Expect

I'll be documenting:

• Planning phase: Research, design decisions, and permitting
• Demolition discoveries: What we find behind the walls
• Assembly details: How we're rebuilding each component
• Material choices: Why I chose specific products
• Cost tracking: Realistic budgets and actual expenses
• Performance results: Measured improvements in energy use

Why This Matters

1950s homes represent a significant portion of the housing stock in North America. Many homeowners face similar challenges:

• High energy bills from poor insulation and air leakage
• Comfort issues with cold floors and drafty rooms
• Outdated electrical, plumbing, and HVAC systems
• Uncertainty about how to modernize without causing moisture problems
• Limited resources on DIY-friendly deep energy retrofits

By documenting this renovation with real costs, real mistakes, and real solutions, I hope to provide a practical guide for others looking to upgrade their mid-century homes using modern building science principles.

Stay Tuned

Follow along as I navigate the challenges and opportunities of bringing a 1950s house into the modern era. I'll share detailed posts about specific systems, materials, and techniques as the project progresses.

Let's learn together how to make our older homes more comfortable, efficient, and durable!