Small, unique, family-owned, intimate, and wildly busy, are the terms that best describe Portland OR-based Truax Builder’s Supply. Founded in 1946 as a wood window manufacturing and sales establishment, Truax today remains a family-owned business. A fire in 2004 led to the construction of a new showroom, but the company is still located at 10949 SE Division Street. Small in that it resides in two modest buildings with only 17 employees, Truax is not small in scope when it comes to... more

On average 25% to 50% of energy used in a home goes right out the window — literally. In most homes, windows provide the biggest openings between indoor and outdoor air, and they provide the biggest opportunity for valuable energy to escape. To assist homeowners with upgrading from old, drafty windows, the federal government is offering tax credits under a new act signed into law in late 2010. Available until December 31, 2011, the tax credit is for up to 10% of the cost, up to $500, but windows... more

My dream home appeared in the form of a beautifully restored 1923 Craftsman Bungalow in Northeast Portland. The modern upgrades in the kitchen and bathrooms were a bonus, but it was the wide eaves, the square column porch, the built-in cabinetry, and the leaded glass windows that drew me in and sealed the deal. To my own surprise, I was equally enamored with the cold air return vents. Made of intersecting solid oak slats to form a grid of rectangular openings, these “eggcrate-style” grilles are... more

Spring is here! So while planning and planting your garden, you may want to update your lawn furniture. Today’s gardens and patios are more than just a place to eat at the picnic table for the occasional barbeque. Gardens are outdoor rooms. Here in the Pacific Northwest the evenings are long and what a better way to enjoy those long evenings than sitting in a comfortable chair. One of the most comfortable and timeless chairs for your outdoor room is the Adirondack. From the chair’s origins in... more

Whether replacing damaged molding or adding decorative vintage detail, there are countless knife profiles to choose from. Do you associate the word custom with the word costly? Or, do you think of the word custom as choice? If you live in an older home there’s a good chance that all the moldings in your home are unique. Decades ago, profiles were cut on site using special hand planes with custom-cutting... 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

Can a person have a passion for hardwood flooring? Yes, and Tobey Parsons, owner of McGee Salvage located on the south edge of Scappoose, has it bad. Parsons’ main gig is reclaiming high-quality wood flooring from gyms, dance floors, old warehouses, buildings, and homes. “I get calls from schools all around the West to tear-out their old floor. Hardrock maple gym flooring has a lot of life still left in it and provides a great hard surface for homes. Just a few months ago we removed old growth... more

One day I asked Jon Hearron, Vice President and General Manager of W.C. Winks Hardware, what was the most common question asked by his customers. The answer came quick, anchoring. How do I mount this to that? With the help of Arti Lilien, Product Manager, he selected anchors that he felt the home and small business owner could use to fasten or hang items to a few common surfaces. Skill Level One hammer: Novice Five hammers:... more