Vdubber

Hi Pokz1981, Been a while since I came onto renotalk. Its nice to see your blog and updates and I must say the wood tiles you did for your balcony is looking great! How long more for your place to be ready?

Looks like I will have to hide in the rooms too on those hazy days. Wow, 30k difference for the same requirement seem drastic. I have only gotten 2 quotes for comparison. Trying to negotiate for an overall discount, hoping not to sacrifice on build quality. Or in the worst case, break the reno into 2 phase with certain cabinetry having to put on hold.

I agree, but I cannot afford it now. The quotations for my reno just got in and I almost fainted. haha. Also in my case, with and open balcony and stairwell, I doubt aircon will really be feasible.

Hi 3Dyms, Thanks for your warm welcome and suggestions. I am also going with the very open concept with not walls separating kitchen, balcony and living. Like you I will also have an air-con compressor up in the balcony area to power the upper level rooms. For the lower level I will only be using ceiling fans. I foresee only using air-con on those very hot nights for sleeping and wont really be using the living room at those hours. Thus I am hoping to get the same roller shutter as Adidaem's as they have a setting with tiny gaps opened. I hope that will be enough to dissipate the heat generated.

Good luck with your stair change! Cheers mate! Do keep in touch.

Hi Linglun, I reckon the letter of undertaking is to take legal responsibility for having the floor to parapet height below the regulation? I shall check with ID the exact purpose of this and let you know. Wood tiles are certainly not cheap too. I look forward to seeing your completed photos in the future to see the effect. Thanks.

Hi Adidaem, Thanks for taking time to share your thoughts. I have long been a beneficiary of your legendary blog! Kudos to your very informative and inspiring write ups. What you have pointed out are all very valid considerations and make much sense now that I think about them. My only concern is if I choose the flat route, won't the floor material change create the undesirable effect as shown in your unit's "before reno" living room photo? I recalled reading somewhere too where you showed pictures from " Loft of Love" where it's owner also had a floor change from tiles to parquet, which I too find not so nice. I was hoping with some level change that it may break up that "line". I have only till October to make up my mind which treatment to go with. Btw, I really like your balcony roller shutter with the option of 2 settings. Would you kindly share with me the contact? Much thanks mate.

Nice hearing from you Linglun. That was certainly a very nice unit, if not for the triangular shaped rooms, I would have loved to put in an offer. Nice as it may be, I doubt they will sell it to me anyway as owner was expecting 150K COV. My ID have advised me that the minimum requirement for parapet is 1 meter. So with the raised deck, I will have to do a new railing at the balcony to raise its height to suit. Also I must sign a letter of undertaking before approval will be even considered. Wood tiles are great for easy maintenance, but will the feel be the same to the feet? Do you mind sharing with me the wood tile cost per sq/ft? Thanks.

Thanks. Here's wishing everything go smoothly for you! Cheers.

Photo example taken from property guru for a raised deck balcony;

Polls: To raise or flatten the balcony deck? In my design brief to ID, I had spec for an extended raised timber deck for my balcony. I was trying to create a very open feel of a semi outdoor space inside an apartment. I had seen from photos of another EM doing that and took a liking to the idea. My ID strongly disagree with my concept citing, "We are not convinced the raised timber deck extending to the toilet is ideal for the design circulation for the unit. We feel visual separation between the toilet and interior space is already apparent with the use of different flooring finishes without raising the level, and the spaces are better integrated if they are on the same floor level. Nevertheless we will design (although reluctantly) for the raised timber deck all the way to the toilet since you had strongly requested for it." Now I have mixed thoughts, should I listen to the professionals who spend all their working time planning space for others? Or should I go with my own preference since I will be living in it? Any thoughts and comments from fellow forumers here will be much appreciated.

I would have thought this wall belonging inside the balcony void would have been considered internal facade. Shall just have my ID try getting approval, if it happens its a definite plus. If it doesn't, it doesn't. In fact, during one of those house hunting viewing. I have seen a unit in Tampines changed it. Legal or not? I am not sure. I will only change if its approved. Thanks.

Tilt Window Sketch;

Hi Vanessa, Thanks for your reply. I have been following your blog closely and must say you have a really nice place in the making! Plus your food blog leave me envious and wanting to try my hand at cooking. You have just pointed out a very valid point which did not even cross my mind. I reckon I am too overwhelmed with this reno process that I am missing out many details. For better privacy, perhaps frosted tilted window then?

Question to fellow forumers, Have anyone ever gotten HDB approval to change the upper floor toilets' small ventilation windows to a full height casement window? I am hoping to bring in more light into both the bathrooms as shown in the below sketch; Uploaded with ImageShack.us