Condo Renovation: Part 1

My wife, Sharon, and I recently bought a condominium in Orange Beach, Ala., where our family loves to vacation. We will use the condo a few weeks during the year and rent it out the rest of the time. But, first the interior needed an update from the 1990s to make it more attractive for our family and for potential renters.

In part 1 of our condo renovation, we tackled quite a few projects, including updating the cabinets and countertops, removing the carpet, demolishing the ceramic tile, installing crown molding throughout the condo, and hanging the wall-mounted TVs.

Check out Condo Renovation: Part 2 to see the the completed renovation.

Updating Cabinets and Countertops

The cabinet doors really dated the kitchen and bathrooms, so we replaced them with custom-built doors and hung them with concealed hinges. To make the updated cabinets the focal point of the kitchen, we added finger molding and crown molding to the top and built a matching panel for the front of the bar. We then painted all the cabinets and doors with an oil-based primer, topcoat (Dusty Road by Benjamin Moore), and glaze.

After creating a digital template for the countertop, we added supports to the bar for the granite countertops that would be installed later.

Installing Crown Molding

We used 16-foot pieces of crown molding, which was a little tricky getting inside the third-floor condo. To ensure snug-fitting joints, we cut cope joints on all the inside corners of the molding.

Watch Installing Crown Molding in a Room to learn more.

Removing Carpet

Carpet is not a durable or practical flooring choice for a home at the beach. Upon removal we found a layer of sand underneath the carpet and pad, the result of 20 years of foot traffic in the beachfront condo. In preparation for the installation of vinyl plank flooring, we cut the worn carpet into sections and rolled it up before disposing of it.

Demolishing Ceramic Tile

We wanted seamless flooring between the kitchen and living area, so we demolished the ceramic tile using a chipping hammer to pop the tiles and break up the adhesive. You can rent this piece of machinery for a day to make the job go much more quickly than doing it by hand.

Hanging a Wall-Mounted TV

The first step in mounting a TV to the wall is determining the proper location and height for good viewing. It’s also important to consider the location’s proximity to an electrical outlet and the outlet for cable, satellite or Internet signal, since you will want to extend these outlets into the wall directly behind the TV.

Most TV mounts have two main components. One part mounts to the back of the TV and the other attaches to the wall. Use this second piece to lay out the location of mounting holes on the wall making sure the bracket is level. It’s best to attach this bracket to studs within the wall. Using a stud finder and a piece of tape applied horizontally along the wall you can mark their locations. If you cannot mount the bracket directly on studs, use hollow wall anchors that are rated for the weight of your TV. Mark and cut holes for boxes adjacent to the bracket, so that they will be concealed behind the TV once it is in place.

Next, use a semi-rigid “fish tape” to run through the wall from the new holes to the existing boxes for power and TV signal. The “fish tape” will make it easier to pull the wires through the wall to connect the boxes and ultimately, the receptacles. When the new outlet is wired you can hang the TV on the mount and enjoy.

Watch How to Hang a Wall-Mounted TV to learn more.

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