Bob and Jim Kogut talk about the custom inlays that are being inserted into the new vinyl flooring. Ed Janecek tapes down a sheet of white vinyl flooring and double cuts the piece through the already installed vinyl according to predetermined chalk lines. By keeping the straight edge over the piece that is going into the floor he avoids cutting into the piece and marring the product. Next he takes the tape off and removes the scraps and then removes the insert that he has cut into the floor. He cuts off some of the backing underneath as well ensuring a flush fit. Then Janecek spreads a latex adhesive product on the square. He sets the square piece in the corner and presses it out from there. Once the piece is in place Janecek uses a roller to flatten any bumps in the adhesive and to make sure the piece is secure. He uses a seam roller to tighten the seam and then a seam sealer with a solvent that fuses the two pieces together.

Bob Visits the Congoleum Corporation plant in Marcus Hook, Pennsylvania to see how vinyl flooring is made. They start with a felt backing made of wood pulp, polyester and latex on a tremendously large roll. The first step after unrolling is adding a layer of vinyl coating gel, then drying and re-rolling at this step the roll weighs eight to ten thousand pounds. The roll is then unwound and passed through a rotary engraving press. The one at this plant is one of the largest in the world. They can use up to six stations on their press to get a full pattern with multiple colors. The last step is adding a wear layer, which is a clear vinyl that is then dried and cured. In some instances a urethane layer is added to prevent scuffs.

Bob and Gregory Rochlin talk about the new workshop layout and show off a custom circular sawblade floor from Amtico.

Bob visits a rooming house near Boston in Roxbury, Massachusetts. A new concept in housing is being developed here, a grass-roots development corporation called Nuestra Comunidad (�Our Community� in English) is converting a antique abandoned buildings to single-room-occupancy or SRO housing for low-income and homeless people. The buildings are laid out with common living rooms, kitchens and bathrooms. By doing this they convert a building that would normally house six apartments to nineteen rental units.

Bob tours a basement recreation room that has recently been remodeled. The walls, ceilings, and floors have all be restored. The living room has been wallpapered and there is a new fireplace mantel. The kitchen has had a face-lift, also, with new wallpaper and cabinets. The bathroom was completely redone. It has new wall tile, a new fiberglass tub, new floor tile and new vanities. Bob meets Tom Lally, the electrician who is installing a very unique light fixture. It is a Paul Revere Lantern made to look like something from long ago. Tom demonstrates how to hang the fixture from the ceiling. Make sure the power is off! Mount the fixture by its bar and hook together the house wiring to the fixture wiring.

Bob meets Jim Kweskin of Fort Hill Construction who will serve as the project supervisor for the Brownstone remodel. Kweskin points out the salvage work that is taking place, including the removal of the pink sink. Mario Pagano of Pagano Plumbing removes the sink and tells Bob how unusual and desireable both the sink and faucet are to salvage specialists and remodelers. He also points out how improtant it is to save things during demolition. Bob reviews the demolition schedule with Kweskin and learns that asbestos tile was discovered in the kitchen, which meant calling an asbestos abatement contractor and slowing the demolition schedule by a couple of days. Kweskin expects demolition to be complete within a week.

Bob introduces Reggie Ray from Georgia-Pacific to discuss the laying of the sub-floor with southern yellow pine tongue-and-groove plywood. He discusses some of the advantages to using plywood over OSB, including fewer squeaks.

Bob meets lead carpenter Connor McKenna from Thorough Construction, who is working with the original floor joists in preparation for the hardwood floors. Bob remarks again on the hig-quality craftmanship of the original builders, but notes that the floor joists have been chopped up and hacked through for wiring, plumbing, or gas jobs over the years. McKenna explains that sistering the joists, or applying additional lumber to strengthen the existing timbers, will create a sturdy base and allow them to recreate a level floor. A laser level is used to project a level line throughout the apartment that will be followed for leveling all the new floors. McKenna applies panel adhesive to the tops of the new, sistered joists before laying four-by-eight sheets of Georgia-Pacific Plytanium Sturdifloor on top. This is a tongue-and-groove subfloor that is strong enough to serve as the only layer under hardwood flooring. Once affixed and locked in place, the Plytanium is nailed to the joists with traditional deck screws, never drywall screws, to create a stronger, better, quieter installation for the hardwood floors that will follow.

Bob enters the Brownstone apartment to find more evidence of 1940s updates in this turn-of-the-century row house. Curved ceiling shapes, a built-in bar, and chopped-up space show layers that were added during the conversion of the original building. Bob meets up with his son, Chris Vila, and reviews the preparations for demolition, which include permits, shutoffs for all the gas, water, and electricity, and removal of moldings and fixtures from walls. Bob asks if any detailing from the original Brownstone remain. Chris says there is nothing -- no moldings, mantles, or ceiling details. Chris does show Bob the hardwood floors buried beneath layers of vinyl and linoleum flooring. The goal will be to peel back the layers of this 2,000-square-foot apartment until just the original shell and structure remain.

Ryley gets with Steve Yates from Pergo to learn about Pergo features and installation tips.