Jackpot - and a rad question.

[stefanbolduc]

I was talking to one of my customers today and he informed me that they are converting an old elementary school into lofts. He will be gutting it completely. I asked if I could go in on a weekend and take what I wanted and he has no problem with that at all. The school is well over 100 years old. There are desks, doors, windows, trim, hardwood floors, cast iron rads etc. I haven't worked out the details but I am looking forward to going in with a truck and a lot of recip blades.

I can't believe he thinks it's all worthless junk ... one man's junk, another's treasure I guess. I'd hate to see it all go to landfill.

Regarding the rads, how difficult would they be to hook up in my house. I currently have a new hotwater baseboard system that the previous owner installed. It seems to me that they both run on the same principle ... my concern is getting enough water through that monster. Just to clarify, I will likely only want to hook up a few and not replace all my new baseboards.

[geoff]

Its too bad they don't want to even try to incorporate some of the school's interior features into the lofts. I would totally live in a old-fashioned classroom-style apartment.

[stefanbolduc]

I completely agree ... and they would actually save money and the environment.

Seems he also has another old heritage building that has the same fate ...

[Schag]

I'd love to have a great big old chalk board.
Too bad I'm no where near you.

[geoff]

Ooh. I didn't even notice that this was in Nova Scotia. Can I come??

[Sacto Diane]

School gym floors are known for having some fabulous wood floors and worth looking at. I've seen some fantasic maple floors recovered from gyms. Also the old bleacher seats if the school has them has been known to reveal some wide old growth boards worth grabing.

Diane

[cs]

I’ve seen some fabulous work done with recycled chalk boards: made into slate tile, countertops etc… but your question was about the rads. Nobody has mentioned Heatinghelp.com, so I will. It’d be a good place to start. Is the system at the old school a hot water system or is it steam? If it’s steam, the radiators may not be convertible, even if they were originally sold for use in either type of system. 100 + years of steam use will fuse solid the unused plug in a single-pipe steam system - and you will need to create a loop for a water system. If it was a two-pipe steam system it should be easier. But, look, even if it’s a coming from a single pipe steam system,… they’re free! Give it a shot.

Chris
http://www.saracenihouse.com

[bookish]

I used to attend some of those old schools and recall sitting in my 7th grade class one day thinking what a great studio apartment my classroom would make.

[S Melissa]

They converted an old high school in Ypsilanti MI a few years back to Senior apartments - fab! The built-ins were left, as were the old floors and doors where possible. The drinking fountains were all recessed into the walls, which were tiled with Pewabic tiles - beautiful. Made a great project and was supplemented with federal funds if I recall because it was for Seniors/historic restoration project. Great use for the old schools. Too bad that's not happening to this old building - seems to me taking out the "character and integrity" of the place will diminish it's value to everyone. Maybe you can talk to him about it.

[Greg]

I don't know anything about the rads, but man, I'm thinking about renting a U-Haul and heading to Nova Scotia! What a deal.