Are you tired of repeatedly having to paint your home? If you want to break the re-painting cycle but don’t like the idea of vinyl or metal siding, then you owe it to yourself to take a close look at a protective ceramic coating that gives the look of a freshly painted home year after year. This specialized coating system is guaranteed for as long as you own your home, and has a 25-year transferable guarantee. You will never have to paint your home again. Going Green Rhino Shield Coating... more

When Patty Spencer looks through the windows of a vintage home, she wonders about all the others who have seen through the glass over the years. Were they watching the milkman’s horse cart tied to a metal ring in the curb? Were they looking for family members returning from work or from wars? As founder of Fresh Air Sash Cord Repair, Inc., Spencer also considers the individuals who handcrafted each window. “I wish I could sit down and talk with them — or work alongside them to see how they... more

The new kid on the block Old Portland Hardware & Architectural is making friends fast with quality house parts from Portland and other parts of the country. Northwest Renovation decided to pay them a visit and ask owner Bret Hodgert a few questions. We explored the showroom, finding many one-of-a-kind architectural gems and replacement hardware. Also new to the neighborhood is Portland Vintage Plumbing, owned by Brenda Wasco. Her shop is nestled in OPH&A, selling new, vintage reproduction... more

As owners of a 1938 bungalow, Garen and Michelle Horgen loved the charming look of their older home. However, like many owners of older homes they found their energy bills to be unacceptable. Knowing that their old single pane windows were a source of energy loss, they began searching for ways to make them more efficient. Instead of an easy solution, they found a hole in the remodeling market. They found new wood windows to be cost prohibitive, and what was affordable was incongruent to the style... more

ECOpdx started out four years ago selling their own custom line of furniture made out of local deconstruction and storm damage woods. Soon after they added the Tropical Salvage line of furniture made from 100% recycled handcrafted tropical woods pulled out of rivers and volcanic pits in Indonesia. Owned and operated by three friends, Darren and Patricia Morgan and Brian Kelly, ECOpdx is a business founded on the belief that quality craftsmanship and personal attention are the cornerstones... more

Spokane County, WA became the launch pad last July for the nation’s strictest ban on dishwasher detergent made with phosphates, a measure aimed at reducing water pollution. The ban will be expanded statewide in July 2010, the same time similar laws take effect in several other states. Among other states that have banned or are banning phosphates in dishwasher detergent are Maryland, Pennsylvania, Virginia, Michigan, Vermont, Minnesota, Illinois, Massachusetts, and New York. A bill on Capitol Hill... more

A short interview with the owner of Portland Vintage Plumbing, Brenda Wasco on what products she has to offer and why she opened her business. Why did you start Portland Vintage Plumbing? I have worked in the plumbing industry for 10 years, and can’t imagine anything I would rather do. I feel it’s an honor to work with customers that trust you with their home projects and joy to see the finished result. I love the whole process of the job, from picking out fixtures to keeping track... more

For this how-to we are using limited installation guidelines and photos for a Laurelhurst Fan. If installing a Laurelhurst Fan, a more custom installation brochure comes with the fan. We would like to thank the owners of the Laurelhurst Fan Company for providing this information. This basic overview should work with many wall mounted exhaust fans. Every fan has its own characteristics so check with the installation guide that came with your fan before attempting any installation. Safety Precautions There... more