The Portland Metro area is fortunate to have so many fine of examples of pre-WW II housing in such good condition. Today, more than ever, there is a renewed interest in restoring our architectural heritage, both outside and inside the home. The interiors of houses have always been especially vulnerable to the pressures of modernization. The one room in your historic house that is most likely to have undergone... more

There are many digital thermostats on the market today. These can be used to replace most conventional low voltage and millivolt thermostats. One of the advantages to a programmable thermostat is the ability to save energy and money on your utility bills. According to the the U.S. Department of Energy, a programmable thermostat can reduce heating costs by up to 35% and cooling costs by... more

Most painting projects produce some leftover paint. Since 1992, Metro’s household hazardous waste facilities have received over 900,000 gallons of surplus latex paint. While Metro is able to re-blend the majority of this paint into good paint for re-use, 20 percent of the paint Metro receives is no longer useable, according to Jim Quinn, Metro’s hazardous waste program supervisor. “All we can do with... more

The decision to do a major addition and remodel instead of moving is always an adventure. Many factors must be considered when weighing the pros and cons of undertaking the expensive and arduous endeavor of renovating the place where you live. Experiences vary, but universal truths do exist in Remodelania. In an effort to examine the process in a very personal way, Northwest Renovation found a couple in the... more

Windows are often considered the most characteristic feature of a home. They help to define its architectural style. So, replacing windows requires some attention to detail, but is a job that you, the homeowner, can tackle. Replacing old single pane windows with newer double paned energy efficient windows will keep you warmer in the winter and cooler in the summer. BEFORE Replacing windows from an Irvington Victorian built in 1881. The window to be replaced is 5’x5’, single hung, single... more

How to Stress a Marriage or, Should You Be Your Own General Contractor? Recently, my wife Kelly and I set out to answer that age-old question; should you serve as your own general contractor? We had just discovered that Kelly was pregnant, and it didn’t take a genius to see that we needed more room. We put our plans for a kitchen remodel on hold, and began planning a 1,000-square foot two bedroom/two bath addition. After... more

If you are like my wife and I all you know is that the heating oil for the furnace is pumped into a mysterious pipe in the yard. We didn’t give a second thought – as long as we had heat. But, when we sold our home, that tank was a major issue. Sales can fall through just because of an oil tank. The cost of taking care of the tank can exceed the cost of a whole new furnace, and even escalate into the tens of ... more

Color by the Size Color is the least expensive way to remodel a room to fit any lifestyle. Before beginning any interior painting project, size up the room — don’t just measure the area to be painted — but decide if the space should feel expansive or cozy. Color is a subtle, yet fundamental, design element. When used properly it changes the room from a space to an experience. Color and harmony... more