I have installed Unico high velocity systems in a number of houses (two I lived in and numerous others, including some antebellum and pre-revolutionary houses) and would recommended it. It significantly reduces wall damage and preserves closet space (a common location for forced air duct work). using duct-board in unconditioned spaces to make ducts has some significant advantages. One is it s already insulated, but another is that the lower mass of the duct work reduces system losses to cooling the ducts. More mass meas more heat holding ability. Once the duct warms up, it takes more cooling energy to remove the heat from a heavier duct. Flex duct has some of the same advantages, but a higher pressure loss when air is flowing. It can be accounted for, but it meas more blower HP to move the air. The two customers who used high velocity for heating quickly found the weakness. Faster moving air and the stirring of the room air creates drafts. Not very important in cooling application (remember standing front of a fan to cool off?) but a real drawback for heating. If you put HVAC equipment in unconditioned space, one alternative is to turn it into 'semi conditioned' space by erecting a light weight insulated 'room' around the equipment. Simple lightweight framing and thick foam insulation.

We had a related problem trying to match gumwood to pine window casings. Because different woods absorb stain differently and have different color undertones you may need to have different stains for the two kinds of woods to make them seen the same. One might be cooler or warmer than the other. You will probably have to do some custom mixing from among the ready-made stains, and try them out on scraps of the wood you're planning to use. Remember also that whatever you put on at the end to seal or finish the wood may make it warmer or more amber in color.

It's been awhile since I made an update, but this is where I'm at now: Crown moulding is installed and painted. Double-curtain rods and sheer curtains are up, but talked to my aunt who mentioned that I should consider reinstalling them above the window to give the windows a longer sleeker look. Took down the art deco chandelier to have it cleaned and fixed, but I accidentally tipped it over while it was on the floor and it shattered into a thousand pieces. Turns out it was made of cheap pewter. So I found and installed a Turkish style chandelier I received from a seller in Turkey on Etsy. I also installed similar styled Turkish sconces (I'll be replacing the globes with more colorful ones soon). I pulled up the carpet from both rooms. I painted the fireplace insert black. I painted the ugly gold lamp stands black, and added new shades. Things still left to do: I'm still looking for a chandelier for the living room. Repair and refinish the floors (the floor needs a number of boards refilled). Figure out what to do about the gap between the floor and the quarter-round/baseboard that was revealed after I pulled the carpet up. Replace current projector screen with a floor-rising one so that I'm no longer covering 80% of the front window at all times. Install a picture rail about an inch and a half under the crown moulding. Update/add electrical outlets (which will include an upgrade to my breaker). replace carpet in the living room with a Persian style carpet that's approx. 9' x 12'. Replace couch and coffee table. Retile the front of the fire-place. Have a number of the cracks in the plaster repaired. Acquire and hang paintings and framed posters on the walls. And that's just the Living Room and Dining Room. Sigh...

Sorry with typos. The old library is going from a house to a retail business. Any thoughts are so very appreciated as we try and keep the historic character but need to display retail. ❤️🤠❤️