Renovation is addictive. Bro as soon as you get through with this project, you will forget all the frustrating moments and look for another renovation project
@@ChrisHytha Yeah do this. You can flip rowhomes, but unlike normal soulless flippers, you can actually care about preserving the architecture and make money on the YT videos of the process!
You absolutely forget the lows once it's done. I started a small bathroom update and ended up fully remodeling down to the studs. There were lows, but it's so nice, I don't mind at all. And the $aving$...
I’ll be curious to learn where in the process you enjoyed & did best at versus not. I learned well after leaving architecture that I’m better at the front end of a project but decrease in both as the project went on. Maybe consistent with most architects?
this is very a high production episode, really grabs my attention. Love re-watching the progress, as well as the architectural breakdown! Great job!!!!
I had a good laugh when you said you were renovating a 150 year old house and the budget was 50k. Happy to see someone putting in the effort to preserve/revive these old homes and I loved the concepts you made.
This is one of if not THE best video you’ve ever made. I’ve followed from day 1 and yet had the best time watching through this recap. Exciting times ahead!!
@@ChrisHythaI’d only ask that you add a time stamp of some sort: week #, date. Oh & hold the text on screen for a few seconds later. Love the chapters!
Thanks for your support! Last video got like 100k new viewers unfamiliar with the project so AI thought it was fitting to consolidate the whole story of how we got here
@@ChrisHytha you should make this video the featured video on your channel page so when someone new comes in they are greeted with the last progress summary video (assuming you'll make more of these in the future)
Since day 1, it's been absolutely splendid seeing your growth with this project and within yourself. I love your artistic visons so very much and am beyond inspired by you!
thank you for sticking with the filming for youtube. i hope that these video compilations give you clarity on this ever-convoluted situation. it's a joy to see the realness. best of luck
The absolute insane level of detail in this video is incredible. It has also convinced me that buying a old row home in Philadelphia is a terrible investment but great for TH-cam content.
@@ChrisHytha I can CLEARLY see that. Such a shame too. You're basically indirectly proving that it is literally a TERRIBLE idea to even think about purchasing a rowhome in Philly and that most of these homes (even pre-existing) should be knocked down. I can't imagine how many people are living like this and not realizing their home can fall over at any moment. Scary really.
@@ChrisHythaanother reflection video idea: if you had known the issues you encountered, how would you have reconceived the architectural design? Would you have considered removing the back and/or middle additions (assuming they were additions) & building a new addition? Etc. Maybe something to include in the Philadelphia row house anatomy series-I really want it LOL😉
Your videos are getting better and better, this one was killer will all the animations. It gave me a really good understanding of how your house is split up. Thank you!
This was honestly one of the most engaging and interesting progress videos I’ve ever watched. Your combined skills are going to make you such a success on this platform. Thanks for making us part of your journey!
very nice visualization and story telling to cover all that's happened. watched all your videos but this is so well done it adds to your older videos rather than just covering them again
Glad you watched! I set out to make this video more than just recycled clips, lots of effort went into telling this story, and how I ended up making the big decisions to set the course for this project. It was fun looking back!
LFG!! Nothing beats the feeling of borrowing hundreds of thousands of dollars for something you immediately start hitting with a hammer...I been there brotha!
If anyone hasn't bought his highrise book, do it. It's a beautifully done book. Gave mine to my sister-in-law, so now I have to order another! Lots of cool info in there and the shots are amazing!
Had the "pleasure" of renovating a smaller house on the south side of Milwaukee in the early 2000s, it was about 1000 sq feet. Like you I did much of the work myself. I bought the house for $43k, invested about $20k, and sold for it $80k 2.5 years later. BTW, I lived in it for most of he process. I say all this because when I was able to walk the final project and see my handiwork, it was the best feeling ever. Keep the end goal in mind and picture the day you'll be able to relax in this space and listen to a proper violin solo! I'm loving this series and wish you nothing but the best.
Its a crazy adventure coming from a contractor/ Philly home owner (Point Breeze). Never know what you are gonna find in a 100+ year old house. We found newspapers in perfect condition from 1940's acting as underlayment in our last flip. Was like a tine wrap reading all stories about World War II and hosues for sale for $3000 lol.
@ChrisHytha Did one property found a safe buried in a closed up window box in the basement. Was REALLY hoping to find a long lost copy of the Constitution or something but it was empty. Later found out the house was a speak easy in the 20's -30's hence the safe.
Loved the recap, with the added info on permitting and becoming a GC. Your editing skills and overall production is amongst the best I've seen on TH-cam!
Oh man, that before/after walk up the stairs at the end of the video was killer! Been loving every single video so far. ITs crazy to see the amount of progress in the build so far
The violinist was worth it! And wow, the quality of these videos is astonishing. Keep it up and best of luck with everything! Kind regards from Denmark
I absolutely LOVE all the 3d renderings you’ve shared- from start to your proposed project completion. It’s super interesting to see your vision as things have progressed!
Ahhhh permits. At least you are the architect so you save cost there along with doing your own demo. It’s hard work but you learn from the past and wondering why things were done the way they did. I had to fix an interior door the other day because the hinges were coming out of the frame. As an interior designer and working for an architect I am glad for the knowledge but it’s a curse too. This looks like a fun project. I know from my own experience with an addition I’m working on.
@@CluelessEngineer I used a mix of Revit, Rhino, Twinmotion, and adobe aftereffects. There is no one tool, just an idea, then leverage whatever tools you need to make that idea happen
Hey Chris, as you mention in your insulation segment, it can be quite tricky going from and old naturally ventilated house to a modern enclosed style house. You are absolutely correct about old houses being able to breath, and you as you said yourself, just insulating with mineral wool, removing the house's ability to circulate air would contribute to mold, due to a plastic vaporbarrier and mineral wool being dead static materials. Mineral wool would just get wet and stay wet. If you like the idea of a breathable house, that is well insulated and extremely fire safe, hygroscopic materials might be something for you to consider. Wood fiber insulation, breathable and absorbs and releases moisture depending on the relative humidity of the air. Wood fiber insulation has soft fibers and consists of more mass (kg per m3), which means that it absorbs and dampens the sound very well. Also very fire resistant due to the moister content, which makes it smoke, rather than burn. On the interior wall use a diffusion-open steam brake, which is also self-regulating, moisture can dry inwards in the room, thus helping to dry out unwanted excess moisture. and on the exterior wall use a wood fiber asphalt wind barrier, which will reduce cold bridges due to additional insulating properties. 12 mm Windproof corresponds to almost 10 mm of standard mineral wool. In Denmark, where I am from, it's approved, but I don't know about the US. But again, its something to look into.
I have stripped and remodel a few houses, and at the halfway point often wonder what the F did I get into. But once you break its back and start rebuilding and see new lumber-bricks going in its a great feeling.
Loved the fleshed out animations, discussions of wall sheathing tech, etc. As someone with very limited understanding of construction and how buildings actually work, they really helped clarify the last 4 months and made this video super interesting to eatch, even though I've been here most of that time for the weekly videos.
Just found you. This is awesome. Not only what you are doing, but the production value of this video. Putting an unexpected live violinist in there...chef's kiss! Keep it up...from a small DIYer doing projects in my Sears Kit Home up here in Lehigh Valley. :)
Really liked how you showed the diagram of the house. Makes it so easy to understand what you are doing. Think you made the right decision about the middle part!
This is an exceptionally old Philadelphia home, showcasing a fascinating glimpse into the city’s architectural history. The central section was likely the original structure, framed in a style rarely seen today. Originally, the house would have had a front yard separating it from the street, with the three-story front being a later addition. In homes from this era, it’s not uncommon to find remnants of a privy pit in the backyard. In some cases, it may even be located beneath the kitchen, which also appears to be an addition to the original home.
@@ChrisHytha@ChrisHytha, here is an example of a home that could have been your middle section before the front was added. (it in now demolished) www.google.com/maps/@39.9344229,-75.1596481,3a,75y,0.64h,87.67t/data=!3m8!1e1!3m6!1sZMlYFnIEOM_SxthufCLpPw!2e0!5s20120601T000000!6shttps:%2F%2Fstreetviewpixels-pa.googleapis.com%2Fv1%2Fthumbnail%3Fcb_client%3Dmaps_sv.tactile%26w%3D900%26h%3D600%26pitch%3D2.329050318096435%26panoid%3DZMlYFnIEOM_SxthufCLpPw%26yaw%3D0.6448169553469922!7i13312!8i6656?entry=ttu&g_ep=EgoyMDI1MDEwMS4wIKXMDSoASAFQAw%3D%3D
@@ChrisHytha Here is an example of an original home with a front yard set back behind newer row homes built in the front yard. www.google.com/maps/@39.9344229,-75.1596481,3a,75y,0.64h,87.67t/data=!3m8!1e1!3m6!1sZMlYFnIEOM_SxthufCLpPw!2e0!5s20120601T000000!6shttps:%2F%2Fstreetviewpixels-pa.googleapis.com%2Fv1%2Fthumbnail%3Fcb_client%3Dmaps_sv.tactile%26w%3D900%26h%3D600%26pitch%3D2.329050318096435%26panoid%3DZMlYFnIEOM_SxthufCLpPw%26yaw%3D0.6448169553469922!7i13312!8i6656?entry=ttu&g_ep=EgoyMDI1MDEwMS4wIKXMDSoASAFQAw%3D%3D
@ You’re absolutely right-Philadelphia has countless old homes, each with its own history and quirks. As a team with extensive experience working in these homes, we’ve seen a lot, but framing like this is definitely not something we come across often. Wood-framed structures like this were largely replaced by masonry construction a long time ago due to fire safety concerns, which is why they’re so rare today. It’s always fascinating to uncover the craftsmanship and unique features of these historic properties while upgrading their electrical and HVAC systems to meet modern needs.
Great video I normally skip recap videos. Editing is supreme and the 3d modeling of your house is not only so so helpful, but totally unique to your channel. I hope this recap will bring you many new viewers. Kudos Edit: me, mom and sister all twisted our ankles on stairs like that in an old Butte, Mt home. So be very careful keeping them
as a philly renter i always wanted to buy a rowhome in the city. Your videos have been really educational and have showed some insight as to what to expect 😅 keep em coming!
What a brilliant recap, Chris! Thank you. Your production values and humour make your episodes thoroughly enjoyable. I look forward to your updates every Tuesday morning. I know you'll have moments when you wonder if this was a good idea. It was. Your home will be beautiful and it will be worth it. Plus, the experience you're gaining will be invaluable to your career as an architect. Look at the growth of your channel...amazing but not surprising at all.
I just bought a house that turned 100 in 2025. Just removed my first ceiling today, and to my happiness it’s in perfect condition under there. Just have to put isolation and close it back up. Having a lot of fun with you’re project, hope mine won’t turn into something like yours🤞🏻 Keep up the work in the new year! But at least here in the Netherlands I can do my own work :) and waste disposal is free is I bring it with a trailer.
30k views in 12 hours! Clearly something’s working. Awesome watching the channel grow. Hopefully you don’t lose your enthusiasm as the grind of it sets in.
I love the journey I have watched you go on since day 1. I appreciate your art and it has helped me finally decide to pursue architecture as my career as I graduate high school next year :). Thanks Chris! I definitely think I’ll get your book.
I admire your combination of realism and persistance. Most people, I believe, would escape to denial or resignation. I'm sure your house is going to be spectacular. 😊
Great summary so far. Especially liked the structural drawings showing the 3 parts of the house, what you found, and what you decided all compiled in one video.
Excellent overview of the project so far! Interested for sure, seeing how this plays out. Beyond content, the work you put into the videos, is top notch. Thoroughly enjoying this series.😻
Nice to see the overview and all the issues in review. I think the back sitting, dining, plant room is a great idea; love the nook kitchen idea. Can't wait to see your final plans. BTW, I love the Deco book I got for Christmas; you're a real artist!
it has already been 4 months! time really do fly when you have fun! I love the detailed 3D rendering you used to show the different issues and future plans!! I F*ing love this, keep it up chris!
The $100 investment at the end of the video was a perfect closure. Sitting here assuming it was just stock music playing only to cut to her "performance" was a great idea. I would have loved to see her face when you were explaining the shot before hand. "... ill on the floor above dropping pieces of the wall i tore out... " 😁
That was so informative. Just like a course in doing a major renovation! Your drawings help to make it much clearer. Very few channels do that. All that and somehow you make it entertaining too. Congratulations on having the patience to demolish that chimney!!! What a job.
Great recap and editing Chris, the channel is growing! Keep up the great work. I love these weekly drops. When it's all said and done you're going to have a phenomenal "Renovating a house in an hour" (or 2? so much great footage) compilation video.
I absolutely love the recaps! This is a great reminder of where you’ve come in this incredible project! End of each month recap would be awesome! You’re incredibly talented!
So much progress. Great job Chris! Thank you for explaining more about the architecture and what happens behind the scenes when renovating. For as someone who isn’t studying/working in architecture this is truly interesting and I get to learn so much through your videos.
I just came across your channel and can't wait to see what you do to the house! I actually own a home that's just as old and have found many treasures too. My favorite was newspapers under old flooring with articles about Nixon being a Senator, glass marbles, and a closet made from crates stamped the the Pennsylvania Rail Road. I am happy to hear how the brick houses were meant to breathe. I will be watching to see how you tackle putting up new walls and ways to add some insulation to a 100 year old home.
You are doing a great job and the new layout looks so much better. I also love the animations in this episode. The additional money sure hurts, but it will pay off and you are learning so much for for the future
Though I’ve been able to see your work up until now,this video was a great encapsulation of your progress and very interesting to see. What a lot you have achieved,marvellous ! Very best wishes to you for great advances in the coming year❤
A wonderfully entertaining and well-produced summary of the job so far - I really enjoyed watching it. I've seen all of your videos so far but was still engrossed by the progress, the process and the production. As ever, the row home thumbnail caught my eye and I knew I couldn't miss it. Bravo and good luck with the next stage.
Houses made entirely out of brick are soooo much easier. Every time I watch videos of renovations in the US on TH-cam, you can find so many structural issues... The biggest issue I usually find in brick houses in my country is usually humidity in the foundation (my house have that, btw) which I control with a humidifer. The thing is, of course, you can control it, not eliminate it though 🤷🏻♀️ Glad to hear the stucco will be gone, that place would look so much nicer with a new outside look.
That was a really great summary of the progress that you've made so far, Chris. You've come a long way in the last four months regarding becoming a popular and likeable TH-cam celebrity, so I hope that it doesn't all go to your head, and you remain the humble and grounded person that you are! Looking forward to further progress on your project. Hang in there! 😉😁
Thanks for the recap, sometimes it is easy to forget where (we) started. I imagine this helps with getting more subscribers too (yeah) as the more the merrier the bank acct will be. Keep plugging, If I was 20 years younger and lived in Philly I would be there helping.
Great summary video of the progress up until this point. I've been following you since you started this project. I hope everything goes smoothly from here. Can't wait to see what it's like when finished.
I rennovated a 100 year old, classic colonial home in Ohio i was lucky because the pipes froze during an exceptionally cold winter so a major part of renovation was covered financially by my insurance. Becaues I did 90% of the work i was able to upgrade the materials and the plans...... it turned out way better than i expected..... with that said i ran into all the same problems you had in your renovation. .... keep up the great wrok
Aaahh, a refreshing new video!😊. I was looking forward to it! Im really excited to see how everything comes together. I really love the plans for how the kitchen, staircase and skylights will be, this will be a showpiece build, especially for a row home! I'm working on a complete electrical rewire in a house right now, removing all the knob and tube and replacing it all. It's so much easier when the walls are opened up like yours. lol!
have you thought about insulating your walls with hempcrete? it's breathable and together with creating a caustic environment helps conserving whats left of the beams. fire ratings are pretty good as well, probably saves you from redoing the cladding. biggest plus: lots a material for new videos :)
One of my most major pieces of advice for you is to strip the stucco everywhere. You'll thank me later. Stucco will prevent the walls from breathing and cause rot. In the process, you'll fix the termite-riddled sheathing under the stucco.
@@ChrisHytha One more point to ponder - don't screw around reinforcing screwed up structural framing. Replace it. Also, get rid of the chimney all the way down to the basement - you'll want/need the space. Once you demo the middle section with the massive termite damage, make sure you firm up and do whatever necessary repairs to the foundation as well. Another thing, don't even think about re-pointing the brick yourself - hire someone(s). Brutal, dusty job that you don't want to be onsite to deal with. (Ask my lungs!) By the time you're done, I sure as hell hope you replace 100% of the plumbing and electrical. Also, you need to consider duct spaces if you're going to do a forced-air heating/cooling system. Haven't seen any sign of that in your design and it's going to take some of that lovely central atrium space to get enough hot/cool air up to that third floor.
I think you’re on the right track with replacing the entire center section of the house. Also, as a fellow old house owner, I would really, really hope you’re able to add some interesting architectural details to both the front of the house, and the interior. Keep up the great work!
Renovation is addictive. Bro as soon as you get through with this project, you will forget all the frustrating moments and look for another renovation project
I hope so!
@@ChrisHytha Yeah do this. You can flip rowhomes, but unlike normal soulless flippers, you can actually care about preserving the architecture and make money on the YT videos of the process!
As someone with OCD I realized that renovating wasn't for me. The house ended up gorgeous but it took forever. Definitely not addicted lol.
You absolutely forget the lows once it's done. I started a small bathroom update and ended up fully remodeling down to the studs. There were lows, but it's so nice, I don't mind at all. And the $aving$...
I’ll be curious to learn where in the process you enjoyed & did best at versus not. I learned well after leaving architecture that I’m better at the front end of a project but decrease in both as the project went on. Maybe consistent with most architects?
Oh, I loved the violinist while the ceiling came tumbling down. Chef's kiss.
Creative direction question: violinist in front of falling debris or behind?
this is very a high production episode, really grabs my attention. Love re-watching the progress, as well as the architectural breakdown! Great job!!!!
Thanks for following along!
I had a good laugh when you said you were renovating a 150 year old house and the budget was 50k. Happy to see someone putting in the effort to preserve/revive these old homes and I loved the concepts you made.
This is one of if not THE best video you’ve ever made. I’ve followed from day 1 and yet had the best time watching through this recap. Exciting times ahead!!
Cheers! Glad you enjoyed it. This one took 2-3x as long to edit 😅
@@ChrisHythaI’d only ask that you add a time stamp of some sort: week #, date. Oh & hold the text on screen for a few seconds later. Love the chapters!
Oh how far you've come, Chris. Been here since episode 1! Can't wait to see where this goes!
Thanks for your support! Last video got like 100k new viewers unfamiliar with the project so AI thought it was fitting to consolidate the whole story of how we got here
@@ChrisHytha you should make this video the featured video on your channel page so when someone new comes in they are greeted with the last progress summary video (assuming you'll make more of these in the future)
@@ChrisHytha I’m one of those who found you on your last video, excited to follow your journey from Philly :-)
Since day 1, it's been absolutely splendid seeing your growth with this project and within yourself. I love your artistic visons so very much and am beyond inspired by you!
thank you for sticking with the filming for youtube. i hope that these video compilations give you clarity on this ever-convoluted situation. it's a joy to see the realness. best of luck
The absolute insane level of detail in this video is incredible. It has also convinced me that buying a old row home in Philadelphia is a terrible investment but great for TH-cam content.
Hahaha if it wasn't for TH-cam this house would be a big loss
@@ChrisHytha I can CLEARLY see that. Such a shame too. You're basically indirectly proving that it is literally a TERRIBLE idea to even think about purchasing a rowhome in Philly and that most of these homes (even pre-existing) should be knocked down. I can't imagine how many people are living like this and not realizing their home can fall over at any moment. Scary really.
@@ChrisHythaanother reflection video idea: if you had known the issues you encountered, how would you have reconceived the architectural design? Would you have considered removing the back and/or middle additions (assuming they were additions) & building a new addition? Etc. Maybe something to include in the Philadelphia row house anatomy series-I really want it LOL😉
Congrats working on contractors license, great idea, will help a lot. Working hard.
Your videos are getting better and better, this one was killer will all the animations. It gave me a really good understanding of how your house is split up. Thank you!
They were fun to make too!
@@ChrisHytha it’s really impressive dude. I’m always envious of creatives, keep up the good work!
i really hope your vids go viral. GL dude.
I hope so too!
This was honestly one of the most engaging and interesting progress videos I’ve ever watched. Your combined skills are going to make you such a success on this platform. Thanks for making us part of your journey!
And thank you for following along!
very nice visualization and story telling to cover all that's happened. watched all your videos but this is so well done it adds to your older videos rather than just covering them again
Glad you watched! I set out to make this video more than just recycled clips, lots of effort went into telling this story, and how I ended up making the big decisions to set the course for this project. It was fun looking back!
Just found your channel last week and now I feel fully caught up on season 1 of your home renovation. In the full for the rest of this ride!
Thanks for following along!
LFG!! Nothing beats the feeling of borrowing hundreds of thousands of dollars for something you immediately start hitting with a hammer...I been there brotha!
If anyone hasn't bought his highrise book, do it. It's a beautifully done book. Gave mine to my sister-in-law, so now I have to order another! Lots of cool info in there and the shots are amazing!
Thanks for your support! That book was a labor of love
Had the "pleasure" of renovating a smaller house on the south side of Milwaukee in the early 2000s, it was about 1000 sq feet. Like you I did much of the work myself. I bought the house for $43k, invested about $20k, and sold for it $80k 2.5 years later. BTW, I lived in it for most of he process.
I say all this because when I was able to walk the final project and see my handiwork, it was the best feeling ever. Keep the end goal in mind and picture the day you'll be able to relax in this space and listen to a proper violin solo!
I'm loving this series and wish you nothing but the best.
The entire insulation section of this video was incredibly informative! Thank you.
Its a crazy adventure coming from a contractor/ Philly home owner (Point Breeze). Never know what you are gonna find in a 100+ year old house. We found newspapers in perfect condition from 1940's acting as underlayment in our last flip. Was like a tine wrap reading all stories about World War II and hosues for sale for $3000 lol.
It's crazy indeed. These houses are full of suprises
@ChrisHytha Did one property found a safe buried in a closed up window box in the basement. Was REALLY hoping to find a long lost copy of the Constitution or something but it was empty. Later found out the house was a speak easy in the 20's -30's hence the safe.
We moved away from Point Breeze, right off 21st and Oakford about a year ago… Miss it dearly. I miss Philly entirely.
@@tylerhemmings great city!
Loved the recap, with the added info on permitting and becoming a GC. Your editing skills and overall production is amongst the best I've seen on TH-cam!
Thank you! 20 weeks of weekly uploads were great practice for making this vid top notch
This was the best illustration and explanation of insulation I've ever seen. I learned so much
Oh man, that before/after walk up the stairs at the end of the video was killer! Been loving every single video so far. ITs crazy to see the amount of progress in the build so far
It was fun to look back into the archive of videos to put this together!
The violinist was worth it! And wow, the quality of these videos is astonishing. Keep it up and best of luck with everything! Kind regards from Denmark
Thank you! This vid was the longest I have spent editing. Worth it!
I absolutely LOVE all the 3d renderings you’ve shared- from start to your proposed project completion. It’s super interesting to see your vision as things have progressed!
Ahhhh permits. At least you are the architect so you save cost there along with doing your own demo. It’s hard work but you learn from the past and wondering why things were done the way they did. I had to fix an interior door the other day because the hinges were coming out of the frame.
As an interior designer and working for an architect I am glad for the knowledge but it’s a curse too. This looks like a fun project. I know from my own experience with an addition I’m working on.
Wow!
I LOVE Your new 3D house model! 😍
Thank you! Had lots of fun making those visuals
How did you make those bro. What's the program? @@ChrisHytha
@@CluelessEngineer I used a mix of Revit, Rhino, Twinmotion, and adobe aftereffects. There is no one tool, just an idea, then leverage whatever tools you need to make that idea happen
Great recap. Crazy to see how far the videos have come in just 4 months
It was fun to take a trip down memory lane looking back at the footage
Hey Chris, as you mention in your insulation segment, it can be quite tricky going from and old naturally ventilated house to a modern enclosed style house. You are absolutely correct about old houses being able to breath, and you as you said yourself, just insulating with mineral wool, removing the house's ability to circulate air would contribute to mold, due to a plastic vaporbarrier and mineral wool being dead static materials. Mineral wool would just get wet and stay wet.
If you like the idea of a breathable house, that is well insulated and extremely fire safe, hygroscopic materials might be something for you to consider.
Wood fiber insulation, breathable and absorbs and releases moisture depending on the relative humidity of the air. Wood fiber insulation has soft fibers and consists of more mass (kg per m3), which means that it absorbs and dampens the sound very well. Also very fire resistant due to the moister content, which makes it smoke, rather than burn.
On the interior wall use a diffusion-open steam brake, which is also self-regulating, moisture can dry inwards in the room, thus helping to dry out unwanted excess moisture.
and on the exterior wall use a wood fiber asphalt wind barrier, which will reduce cold bridges due to additional insulating properties. 12 mm Windproof corresponds to almost 10 mm of standard mineral wool.
In Denmark, where I am from, it's approved, but I don't know about the US. But again, its something to look into.
Hello! I am watching this series as a preview to my own row home reno and am wondering if you have any feedback on using hemp for insulation?
Is the wood insulation you mention similar to our cellulose insulation? It is derived from wood pulp & has the kind of properties you describe
This video is so enjoyable. Can't wait for more!
Thanks for watching!
Structural figures are a big help in following along even though I've rennovated a half dozen homes.
I find it fascinating learning what things cost
Your editing style is top tier!
Thank you!
I have stripped and remodel a few houses, and at the halfway point often wonder what the F did I get into. But once you break its back and start rebuilding and see new lumber-bricks going in its a great feeling.
I can't wait to start seeing the new lumber go in
I’m glad you have invested in some PPE. I started cringing watching you do demo work wearing just a paper mask!
Loved the fleshed out animations, discussions of wall sheathing tech, etc. As someone with very limited understanding of construction and how buildings actually work, they really helped clarify the last 4 months and made this video super interesting to eatch, even though I've been here most of that time for the weekly videos.
Glad you enjoyed this one! Thanks
Nice retrospective. I liked the section on insulation. These homes do bring some challenges! I think it’s going to be really nice in the end.
Just found you. This is awesome. Not only what you are doing, but the production value of this video. Putting an unexpected live violinist in there...chef's kiss!
Keep it up...from a small DIYer doing projects in my Sears Kit Home up here in Lehigh Valley. :)
Thanks for your support!
@@ChrisHytha ...also from a former broadcast journalist and TV producer (so my video comment has some weight)! ;)
Really liked how you showed the diagram of the house. Makes it so easy to understand what you are doing.
Think you made the right decision about the middle part!
Thanks! I had so much fun with the animations
@@ChrisHytha maybe leave the prices on the screen a bit longer as they were hard to read before they disappeared
This is an exceptionally old Philadelphia home, showcasing a fascinating glimpse into the city’s architectural history.
The central section was likely the original structure, framed in a style rarely seen today. Originally, the house would have had a front yard separating it from the street, with the three-story front being a later addition.
In homes from this era, it’s not uncommon to find remnants of a privy pit in the backyard. In some cases, it may even be located beneath the kitchen, which also appears to be an addition to the original home.
Very interesting, I always thought the front was built first, but you may be right
@@ChrisHytha@ChrisHytha, here is an example of a home that could have been your middle section before the front was added. (it in now demolished) www.google.com/maps/@39.9344229,-75.1596481,3a,75y,0.64h,87.67t/data=!3m8!1e1!3m6!1sZMlYFnIEOM_SxthufCLpPw!2e0!5s20120601T000000!6shttps:%2F%2Fstreetviewpixels-pa.googleapis.com%2Fv1%2Fthumbnail%3Fcb_client%3Dmaps_sv.tactile%26w%3D900%26h%3D600%26pitch%3D2.329050318096435%26panoid%3DZMlYFnIEOM_SxthufCLpPw%26yaw%3D0.6448169553469922!7i13312!8i6656?entry=ttu&g_ep=EgoyMDI1MDEwMS4wIKXMDSoASAFQAw%3D%3D
@@ChrisHytha Here is an example of an original home with a front yard set back behind newer row homes built in the front yard.
www.google.com/maps/@39.9344229,-75.1596481,3a,75y,0.64h,87.67t/data=!3m8!1e1!3m6!1sZMlYFnIEOM_SxthufCLpPw!2e0!5s20120601T000000!6shttps:%2F%2Fstreetviewpixels-pa.googleapis.com%2Fv1%2Fthumbnail%3Fcb_client%3Dmaps_sv.tactile%26w%3D900%26h%3D600%26pitch%3D2.329050318096435%26panoid%3DZMlYFnIEOM_SxthufCLpPw%26yaw%3D0.6448169553469922!7i13312!8i6656?entry=ttu&g_ep=EgoyMDI1MDEwMS4wIKXMDSoASAFQAw%3D%3D
Wouldn’t say exceptionally old there are thousands of houses in Philly like this
@ You’re absolutely right-Philadelphia has countless old homes, each with its own history and quirks. As a team with extensive experience working in these homes, we’ve seen a lot, but framing like this is definitely not something we come across often. Wood-framed structures like this were largely replaced by masonry construction a long time ago due to fire safety concerns, which is why they’re so rare today. It’s always fascinating to uncover the craftsmanship and unique features of these historic properties while upgrading their electrical and HVAC systems to meet modern needs.
I so enjoy your channel. You are moving along with good humour and grace! Plus you are a very good teacher. I look forward to 2025’s adventures.
Great video I normally skip recap videos. Editing is supreme and the 3d modeling of your house is not only so so helpful, but totally unique to your channel. I hope this recap will bring you many new viewers. Kudos Edit: me, mom and sister all twisted our ankles on stairs like that in an old Butte, Mt home. So be very careful keeping them
I made sure to add some new content too! Thanks for your support
as a philly renter i always wanted to buy a rowhome in the city. Your videos have been really educational and have showed some insight as to what to expect 😅 keep em coming!
Good luck on one day doing the same! Hopefully with less issues tho
This thumbnail is my favorite.
That actually house is a few houses down from my current apartment, one of my favs too
What a brilliant recap, Chris! Thank you. Your production values and humour make your episodes thoroughly enjoyable.
I look forward to your updates every Tuesday morning.
I know you'll have moments when you wonder if this was a good idea. It was. Your home will be beautiful and it will be worth it. Plus, the experience you're gaining will be invaluable to your career as an architect.
Look at the growth of your channel...amazing but not surprising at all.
Thanks for your support!
What a cool project you have here.
I am really looking forward to this!
Thanks for following along!
LOVE THIS VIDEO! Excellent review and you make it really easy to follow. I love the way you write and edit your videos. 👍
Thank you! This one took some extra effort
So happy to get an episode right as it comes out! Love watching your journey!
Thanks for following along! This video is the most time editing so far. 3 days of 12 hour work putting it together! Enjoy
Been following since episode one. Love your positive mindset bro, house is going to look wicked when it’s done 🤙🏼
Cheers, thanks for your support!
You're a very talented guy. Thanks for sharing with us.
I just bought a house that turned 100 in 2025. Just removed my first ceiling today, and to my happiness it’s in perfect condition under there. Just have to put isolation and close it back up. Having a lot of fun with you’re project, hope mine won’t turn into something like yours🤞🏻 Keep up the work in the new year!
But at least here in the Netherlands I can do my own work :) and waste disposal is free is I bring it with a trailer.
Good luck with your project! Glad it's in better shape. Thanks for following along
Your editing skills are getting really good! Love the new 3d models
Thanks! The model was so fun to render out. Took awhile though, well worth it
30k views in 12 hours! Clearly something’s working. Awesome watching the channel grow. Hopefully you don’t lose your enthusiasm as the grind of it sets in.
I love the journey I have watched you go on since day 1. I appreciate your art and it has helped me finally decide to pursue architecture as my career as I graduate high school next year :). Thanks Chris! I definitely think I’ll get your book.
That's awesome to hear! I absolutely loved architecture school. Good luck!
I admire your combination of realism and persistance. Most people, I believe, would escape to denial or resignation. I'm sure your house is going to be spectacular. 😊
Thanks for following along!
Great summary so far. Especially liked the structural drawings showing the 3 parts of the house, what you found, and what you decided all compiled in one video.
Thanks for making my old car engine rebuild project look easy by comparison!😊
Excellent overview of the project so far! Interested for sure, seeing how this plays out. Beyond content, the work you put into the videos, is top notch. Thoroughly enjoying this series.😻
Thank you! Extra work went into this instalment, proud of how it turned out
Excellent video!! Keep rocking!!
“When I bought the house, I waved all inspections - wouldn’t advise that”
LOOOL at least you’ve learned a lot of new skills from that 😂
I was ready to just jump into it, who knows if I would have got the place otherwise
Nice to see the overview and all the issues in review. I think the back sitting, dining, plant room is a great idea; love the nook kitchen idea. Can't wait to see your final plans. BTW, I love the Deco book I got for Christmas; you're a real artist!
Cheers! Thanks for your support, and glad to hear you're enjoying the book!
the exposed real brick is beautiful
it has already been 4 months! time really do fly when you have fun! I love the detailed 3D rendering you used to show the different issues and future plans!! I F*ing love this, keep it up chris!
Thanks for your support!
The $100 investment at the end of the video was a perfect closure. Sitting here assuming it was just stock music playing only to cut to her "performance" was a great idea. I would have loved to see her face when you were explaining the shot before hand. "... ill on the floor above dropping pieces of the wall i tore out... " 😁
It was a hilarious process to film that shot, and AI was so glad she was down to do it
That was so informative. Just like a course in doing a major renovation! Your drawings help to make it much clearer. Very few channels do that. All that and somehow you make it entertaining too. Congratulations on having the patience to demolish that chimney!!! What a job.
Great recap and editing Chris, the channel is growing! Keep up the great work. I love these weekly drops. When it's all said and done you're going to have a phenomenal "Renovating a house in an hour" (or 2? so much great footage) compilation video.
For sure! And getting the story down from the first 20 weeks will be a huge help for that full vid at the end
I absolutely love the recaps! This is a great reminder of where you’ve come in this incredible project! End of each month recap would be awesome! You’re incredibly talented!
Thanks for your support!
Your animations in this video were immaculate, and your weekly uploads make Mondays worth waking up for.
Cheers, glad you enjoyed!
Hey, what a great lil recap! Can't wait to see more of the renovation as it moves forward :)
This is an excellent recap! These videos are always the highlight of my week. Love what you're doing.
So much progress. Great job Chris! Thank you for explaining more about the architecture and what happens behind the scenes when renovating. For as someone who isn’t studying/working in architecture this is truly interesting and I get to learn so much through your videos.
Really cool work! You documenting your process has been so helpful and informative for so many of us. Cheers :)
I just came across your channel and can't wait to see what you do to the house! I actually own a home that's just as old and have found many treasures too. My favorite was newspapers under old flooring with articles about Nixon being a Senator, glass marbles, and a closet made from crates stamped the the Pennsylvania Rail Road.
I am happy to hear how the brick houses were meant to breathe. I will be watching to see how you tackle putting up new walls and ways to add some insulation to a 100 year old home.
You are doing a great job and the new layout looks so much better. I also love the animations in this episode. The additional money sure hurts, but it will pay off and you are learning so much for for the future
Thanks for your feedback! Excited to one day move in
Looking forward to the next episode 😊
Though I’ve been able to see your work up until now,this video was a great encapsulation of your progress and very interesting to see. What a lot you have achieved,marvellous ! Very best wishes to you for great advances in the coming year❤
Thanks for following along!
Sending this to my sister who lives in phili 😊
A wonderfully entertaining and well-produced summary of the job so far - I really enjoyed watching it. I've seen all of your videos so far but was still engrossed by the progress, the process and the production. As ever, the row home thumbnail caught my eye and I knew I couldn't miss it. Bravo and good luck with the next stage.
Cheers, thanks for your support! Really leaned into the story telling in this one
Top notch production quality. Looking forward to more "House of Theseus" instalments.
I forgot all about termites! Nasty bugs. Good thing you got rid of them! Great progress, keep up the good work 😊 we will keep watching!
Thanks for your support! Termites make for great content. It would be too easy without them!
Thanks for the recap on your project. So good to hear that you got approved and you can move forward. Good luck.
Thanks for following along!
Houses made entirely out of brick are soooo much easier. Every time I watch videos of renovations in the US on TH-cam, you can find so many structural issues...
The biggest issue I usually find in brick houses in my country is usually humidity in the foundation (my house have that, btw) which I control with a humidifer. The thing is, of course, you can control it, not eliminate it though 🤷🏻♀️
Glad to hear the stucco will be gone, that place would look so much nicer with a new outside look.
By far one of the most interesting video series. Keep up the great work.
Cheers, thanks for your support!
What a great summary!
I salute you C. Hytha!
can't believe I haven't come across content like this before. Great to see. Doing Gods work saving that building
That was a really great summary of the progress that you've made so far, Chris. You've come a long way in the last four months regarding becoming a popular and likeable TH-cam celebrity, so I hope that it doesn't all go to your head, and you remain the humble and grounded person that you are! Looking forward to further progress on your project. Hang in there! 😉😁
I'll stick to my roots!
Fantastic video and great storytelling! I’m hooked!
Thank you!
Thanks for the recap, sometimes it is easy to forget where (we) started. I imagine this helps with getting more subscribers too (yeah) as the more the merrier the bank acct will be. Keep plugging, If I was 20 years younger and lived in Philly I would be there helping.
Great summary video of the progress up until this point. I've been following you since you started this project. I hope everything goes smoothly from here. Can't wait to see what it's like when finished.
I rennovated a 100 year old, classic colonial home in Ohio i was lucky because the pipes froze during an exceptionally cold winter so a major part of renovation was covered financially by my insurance. Becaues I did 90% of the work i was able to upgrade the materials and the plans...... it turned out way better than i expected..... with that said i ran into all the same problems you had in your renovation. .... keep up the great wrok
You’re very good at making your videos. Always entertaining and interesting ❤️👍
Thank you! Lots of work went into this one
@@ChrisHythaI can tell 👏👏👏
YURRRRRRR lets go early post for me because ive been up all night totally worth it
Enjoy all the renderings and diagrams! Had fun putting it together
@@ChrisHytha it was a fun watch cant wait for more
Aaahh, a refreshing new video!😊. I was looking forward to it! Im really excited to see how everything comes together. I really love the plans for how the kitchen, staircase and skylights will be, this will be a showpiece build, especially for a row home! I'm working on a complete electrical rewire in a house right now, removing all the knob and tube and replacing it all. It's so much easier when the walls are opened up like yours. lol!
great animations, nice recap and very funny violinist bit…carry on!
have you thought about insulating your walls with hempcrete? it's breathable and together with creating a caustic environment helps conserving whats left of the beams. fire ratings are pretty good as well, probably saves you from redoing the cladding. biggest plus: lots a material for new videos :)
One of my most major pieces of advice for you is to strip the stucco everywhere. You'll thank me later. Stucco will prevent the walls from breathing and cause rot. In the process, you'll fix the termite-riddled sheathing under the stucco.
Already on it! Stucco on wood is no good
@@ChrisHytha One more point to ponder - don't screw around reinforcing screwed up structural framing. Replace it. Also, get rid of the chimney all the way down to the basement - you'll want/need the space. Once you demo the middle section with the massive termite damage, make sure you firm up and do whatever necessary repairs to the foundation as well. Another thing, don't even think about re-pointing the brick yourself - hire someone(s). Brutal, dusty job that you don't want to be onsite to deal with. (Ask my lungs!) By the time you're done, I sure as hell hope you replace 100% of the plumbing and electrical. Also, you need to consider duct spaces if you're going to do a forced-air heating/cooling system. Haven't seen any sign of that in your design and it's going to take some of that lovely central atrium space to get enough hot/cool air up to that third floor.
Happy New Year🎉
I'm looking forward to all the progress coming in 2025!
Go Birds!💚🏈
I think you’re on the right track with replacing the entire center section of the house. Also, as a fellow old house owner, I would really, really hope you’re able to add some interesting architectural details to both the front of the house, and the interior. Keep up the great work!
This is 100/10 for content! Keep doing what you are doing sir! Love following this journey. Great story telling.
Thanks for your support!
An excellent review, my friend!!
Awesome work, Chris!
Great recap, been watching since the start, can't wait for more! I also got your hard copy book as a gift for my buddy, he likes it!
Thanks for getting a copy!!