Apartment Renovation

Description

Apartment renovations can significantly enhance the quality of life for residents while adhering to modern standards and regulations. Starting with lead testing and abatement, repairing or installing new plasterwork, drywall, molding, interior doors, flooring, and ceilings not only improves the aesthetic appeal but also ensures structural integrity and a healthy environment. For more comprehensive modernizations, installing new electrical panels, lighting fixtures, and ventilation fans will improve safety and energy efficiency while ensuring proper air circulation and reducing moisture buildup. Renovations must comply with ADA standards, where feasible, to accommodate residents with disabilities, incorporating features like appropriate door widths and lever handles for ease of use. Specifications should strive to be sustainable and environmentally responsible, selecting low-VOC materials to improve indoor air quality, while emphasizing the importance of durability, ease of maintenance, and overall tenant well-being. Tamper resistant receptacles (TR) are required in all rooms except bathroom and kitchen.

Baseline

Materials

Use low- or no-volatile organic compound (VOC) caulks, paints, primers, coatings, and adhesives as defined by SCAQMD Rules 1113 and 1168.
Use composite wood products that emit no formaldehyde per the requirements of California 93120 Phase 2.
Use non-vinyl, non-carpet floor coverings throughout a building.
- Alternatives include bio-based tile (“BBT”), engineered wood and wood laminates, linoleum tile, ceramic and porcelain tile, and rubber tile products. [PACT]
- Recently approved products: Ecco Floor: Ecco 720 Digital Print HDF; AquaProof; Nu Solutions NuWud Classic Collection; Essence Oak Premium Hardwood Flooring; Forbo Marmoleum Modular. [PACT]
For developments that have existing hardwood floors, teams should evaluate preserving and refinishing existing floors wherever possible. For developments with hardwood flooring that has been covered with vinyl tile, evaluate removing vinyl tile and refinishing hardwood floors. [PACT]
Vinyl wall bases cannot be specified in apartments. Preferred alternatives to vinyl include formaldehyde-free MDF and solid wood. [PACT]
Interior hollow core doors should typically be replaced in kind. Hinges should be replaced or stripped before reinstalling door.
Hardware should match throughout units. [PACT]
Where exposed wiremold is used to install new light fixtures, it should be designed to be visually unobtrusive. All existing lighting fixtures should receive LED bulbs. [PACT]

Safety

Identify lead hazards and abate them according to EPA and HUD guidelines.
Install one hard-wired smoke detector CO alarm with battery backup for each sleeping zone.

Stretch

Consider floating floor options with underlayment to improve the feel of flooring for residents and the energy performance of residential units. [PACT]
Where feasible and desired by residents, identify opportunities to introduce new overhead lighting fixtures, wall sconces, and/or ceiling fans in developments that do not have them. [PACT]
Provide balanced mechanical ventilation (supply & exhaust) for all residential units. System(s) can be centralized or unitized (per unit or per floor), or any combination as appropriate, in residential buildings. [PACT]
Provide in-unit supply registers in all bedrooms and living spaces. [PACT]
Provide mineral wool insulation for sound deadening between apartments. [COMPMOD]

Strategies

Optimize Performance, Operation & Maintenance of Buildings, Systems & Assets

Utilize Healthy Materials & Health-Promoting Building Systems

Ensure Accessibility & Inclusion

Prioritize Sustainable Materials, Technologies & Practices

Last Updated on October 16, 2024 at 1:44 pm

Specifications

06 10 00 – Rough Carpentry

06 20 00 – Finish Carpentry

09 22 36.10 – Furring and Lathing

09 23 00 – Plastering

09 29 10 – Gypsum Board Assemblies

09 65 00 – Resilient Flooring

09 90 00 – Painting