Bob and the mason discuss the chimney. Pointing out that we have two flues, one for the boiler in the basement and one for the wood stove. By code, the ceramic flue liners need to be surround by at least four inches of solid masonry (the chimney). The mason tells Bob how they are going to attach the pipe from the wood stove to the flue. Then the mason shows how easy it is to cut a four-inch cement block with a hydraulic jack. The mason and Bob then discuss the supports for the hearth, including a concrete table and a blue stone finishing floor.

John Martin from WarmZone is on hand to show Bob how the medium density fiberboard (MDF) faced with reflective aluminum shielding and precut channels for the Pex hot-water tubing comes together to create a layout for the in-floor radiant heat system. One key advantage to radiant heat is the comfort level, since it is steady heat that is evenly distributed and free from the blowing, particulate matter that can come with forced-air systems. Martin explains how the WarmZone system comes ready-to-install with complete layout diagrams and directions that make it simple for do-it-yourselfers. The panels are set in adhesive, with spacers to temporarily align them and line up the tube channels until the panels are nailed in place. The heat panels then become the substrate for finish floor coverings. Unlike gypcrete, which is a skim-coat concrete application, these panels add very little weight to the floor. Since it is a 5/8-inch product, there is also no need to alter existing door openings. WarmZone specifies a 3/8-inch Pex tubing to deliver the heated water. Martin fits and taps the tubes in place in the channels to complete the installation. Bob then looks at the heat distribution system with supply and return pipes that come directly from the boiler room below. WarmZone has specified three short runs and circuits, which will give steady even heat throughout the space even with the heat loss calculations they have figured. Michael Willburn from WarmZone shows Bob the preassembled boiler-room manifold board and radiant-zone board that are created match the application and arrive ready-to-install from WarmZone. WarmZone takes the information directly from the homeowner, creates the system to fit the job, and then ships it to the site. The homeowner or installer can do all the work without the aid of a plumber until the system is connected to the boiler, at which point a professional installer should verify the connections and operation of the system before firing it up. Initial costs are about double the cost of a traditional baseboard-heat installation, but the operational savings are approximately 30 percent annually.

Bob joins Steve Shelowitz from Williamsburg Parquet Flooring to observe the installation of the hardwood floors in the penthouse apartment. Before the floor is secured, a red rosin paper is laid over the subfloor. The underlayment prevents dust from traveling between the subfloor and the finished floor, and prevents wood-to-wood contact to reduce the possibility of squeaking. The Ash hardwood floors are first roughed into place to determine the layout. Joints are staggered for an attractive layout, and longer boards are placed in the room's most visible areas. The floor's finish is factory applied, and is guaranteed for 50 years of normal residential use.

Bob checks out the Shaw's Chateau wood flooring that David LaFossse and his crew are about to install in the great room. It's solid rock maple from Canada pre-finished with a clear, water-based finish. David starts the layout at the hearth as it's the room's focal point and to ensure he'll have full boards and full width around it. He makes a double border around the fireplace with a squared joint on the first row and a mitered one on the second. The first board of the field is placed up against the hearth border. The boards are picked at random based on their length creating a continuous piece from one end of the room to the other. Adding a spline gives the first board a tongue on both sides making it possible to lay boards in either direction. The crew lays out 100 boards at a time making sure that the joints are staggered before they begin nailing. One of the advantages of a factory pre-finished floor is that it is very resistant to abrasion and requires less maintenance than a traditional hardwood floor finished on site.

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