More than 80% of all decks in the United States are built entirely or partially with pressure-treated wood. While the market for composite, low maintenance, decking materials continues to grow, the posts, beams, and joists are usually made from pressure-treated wood — known for its structural strength. This is just a preview...Read the rest... Read More →

If our grandparents heard about carbon footprints, they probably would have been looking down at the carpet for tracks. Today we are looking at airplane tickets to the Midwest, and wondering how many trees need to be planted in order to give back what we are taking. This is just a preview...Read the rest... Read More →

Working near electricity can make even the bravest soul a bit squeamish. No one enjoys getting accidentally “zapped,” especially if your project doesn’t involve any electrical work at all. There are times, however, when basic household repairs can place one close to live wires (example: behind a wall) whose precise location just can’t be foretold. This is just a preview...Read the rest... Read More →

Regional Water Providers Consortium The Regional Water Providers Consortium is a group of 24 water providers and Metro that serves Clackamas, Multnomah, and Washington Counties. Since 1996, the Consortium has been working to develop and implement regional water-conservation programs that help educate the public about water-related issues. This is just a preview...Read the rest... Read More →

Whether restoring an older home, or adding old world character to a newer home, using architectural salvage is both “green” and beautiful. Finding and using salvage treasures can both be fun and frustrating. Here are a few tips that will minimize the frustration: This is just a preview...Read the rest... Read More →

Flooring Cork, bamboo, recycled and reclaimed fir, reclaimed Hard Rock Maple gym flooring and hardwoods are all examples of sustainable flooring products harvested from deconstruction or renewable resources. These products are available to installers from local sources. Some companies specialize in salvaged wood floors. This is just a preview...Read the rest... Read More →

Americans love to paint. Each year they buy an average of 2.3 gallons of paint. A 2007 Environmental Protection Agency study estimates that about 10% of the house paint purchased annually ends up as leftover or unused. In Oregon and Washington State about 2.322 million gallons of paint is leftover annually. This is just a preview...Read the rest... Read More →

In the past few years “green” eco-friendly buildings have been receiving a lot of notice. Most of this attention has been directed at constructing new green buildings. But those wanting to restore an older house or business are also finding more products and services available to them. This is just a preview...Read the rest... Read More →