First reinforced gypcrete can be as thin as 1-1/2" however, the flooring it goes upon must be stable and often additional 3/4" plywood must be added, thus you end up with possible 2-1/4" of depth. Staple up is a viable option which usually requires transfer plates below, additional insulation to create barrier and is more labor intensive with the routing. Typically there is no noise associated with this method as long as expansion is allowed as PEX can grow several inches over 100Â. As long as holes through joists are big enough, swing joints are left and plates are secured well, I have never heard any noise from a sub-floor that has been glued and nailed. Note on an average home many times it requires at least ½" PEX for underfloor installs due to additional BTUÂs per lineal foot to transfer heat to conditioned area. Any contractor or distributor with experience in this and has a computer program can run the numbers that provide heat loss, tube sizes, lengths of circuits, GPM, water temp and more. While a warmboard is on the expensive side, is a great product when installed properly and usually allows lower water temps and smaller tubing, like 3/8" versus the staple up options. There is nothing wrong with ThermalTrack; it was developed as an option to warm board which was the first product on the market by Wirsbo, now Uponor. It usually comes in squares with routing options, and it is laid like a puzzle. Glue to floor and screw to joists is the key to a good install. Besides Warmboard type options there are even better applications such as Raupanel which are more money but can add value since temps can be even lower and floors quieter. This over all is the most expensive option since it involves a lot more aluminum for heat transfer and without buying there wood a person with a saw to rip all the sleeper boards. http://na.rehau.com/construction/heating...plumbing/radiant.heating/raupanel.shtml Being a former resident of the cold north, and having Radiant floor, there is no substitute. Besides the floor, the heating appliance is the next biggest choice, because unless you will be producing domestic hot water, the temps delivered to the floor will range between 75-135, depending on load, room, outdoor temps, flow, etc., so a condensing boiler is the perfect fit in this application to appreciate obtainable efficiencies.

DW has a pull-up mixer stand and enjoys it for two reasons: it provides additional counter space when she's baking (the black granite counter below is her baking station) and it keeps the mixer out of sight while not requiring her to lug it out from the pantry when needed. That said, she finds it somewhat difficult to operate. Surprisingly, she can pull it up fairly easily and it then automatically locks into place. But when it's time to put it away, the table holding the mixer must be lifted up slightly to disengage the locking mechanism. She typically asks me to do it. I grasp the table on either side, keeping my hands clear of the support brackets, lift slightly and then the mixer table can be easily pushed back down into the cabinet. Our KA mixer just barely clears the countertop as it descends back into the cabinet. Not sure if clearance would be a problem for some mixers or whether the table height can be adjusted. A slide-out drawer below the table holds mixer paddles, etc. Bob

Thanks, Marinagal! I think our decisions at this point is to consult an architect, not with this specific idea per se, but for his suggestions on adding light/air/views to the MBR. Thanks, Cam. That is pretty! CL Blakeley, I won't! Mabel, good idea. Snowfalls can be highly localized. LOL, Annie. We are about 10 miles inland, and it just seems to us the weatherguys always say. "it will turn to rain on the coast, with higher accumulations North and West of the area". We often get snow here, just 10 miles from friends in Westport who say "what snow". I guess since the ocean never freezes it can reduce snowfall? IDK Thank you, Krycek. Oldbat, I actually drink tea in the am, usually iced in the summer! And DH makes a ritual of going out for coffee and the paper, come to think of it. Sonic, excellent point! Aww, Eandhl, thank you. LOL, Rafor! To be fair, the other one was a tear down! But all in all we are happier with this choice. Eclectic cottage, your community sound so wonderful. And I agree about the vibe. We don't want a proper and formal house, in fact this house is more formal then what we planned to build or envisioned in our heads. At the end of the day, it is about relaxing and enjoying where you are, and in an odd way I think quirks and imperfections make a place homier ... Thank you, Rosie! JoaniePoanie, I am just terrible and wait and see, I confess. It is even worse here because I have been waiting almost a year trying to clear up that other property! KSWL, Thanks for the tip on water drainage! As for your idea of expanding the porch, goodness, what are you trying to do to my budget!? I better not tell DH your idea, he is a sucker for verandah space. As a side note, your point about the tradition of elevated areas from which to view the water was such lovely writing. : )

I have been playing w/ moving the back door in the middle of the wall. My back stoop would have to be moved over if I do that & I'm afraid this could push my budget way over. Unfortunately, a couple of years ago I had plans for adding a kitchen on & making my current kitchen a DR. As I was waiting for my permit, I got laid off work & put my kitchen on hold at that pt. I was out of work for a yr & 1/2, so had to use some of this $ to help me live. So, my budget has been dwindled down quite a bit. But, I'll research this & see if it's doable. Texasgal, it's actually very easy to post pics on here. I'm totally computer illiterate & if I can do it, anybody can it! Do a search for ""posting pictures & there's a thread that gives you very easy instructions. Unfortunately yes, it's very expensive to live here. Absolutely ridiculous. For my 750 sq ft home, my property taxes are outrageous! Not sure how much longer I'll be able to live here. May have to move out to the burbs just to survive. But, what I do love about Austin is the outdoor life. I'm big on cycling, obvious, & love the lakes to go stand up paddle board. I'm just 15 min's from townlake so am able to go after work in the eve's to get a good paddle in. Wouldn't be able to do that if Iived in the burbs!! Thanks again to all!