Building

If you are considering a remodeling project that requires design work, such as an addition, kitchen, or major bathroom remodel, one of the best ways to approach the work is to use a design/build company. By “design/build,” I mean a company that does both the design work and the construction. There are many variations...
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The ending of World War II brought profound changes to this nation culturally, economically, and architecturally. The ensuing baby boom, rising car culture, and new technologies all thrust America into a new era. The mid-20th  century in America would be a time of exceptional growth and expansion. The generation of Americans that lived through...
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Previously in this column, we discussed Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) in our entry titled A Little Place for Mom.  ADUs are often called “mother-in-law” apartments, and a major hurdle for homeowners in constructing one is the $7,500 to $12,000 in city systems fees imposed. The Portland City Council passed an ordinance on March 3...
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As more and more consumers ask for eco-friendly or green flooring, it is an easy choice to pick woods that make minimal impact on the earth and also create a healthier environment for you and your family. Knowing that timber is one of the earth’s only truly renewable resources, the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC)...
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Before you start a home or yard improvement project think about what debris your project will generate. Thinking ahead can save you money because much of what you think is trash destined for a landfill might be salvage for re-use or recycling. All building and remodeling projects in Portland with a permit value of...
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When most of us describe color we say that a house is blue or a room is yellow. A few of us get down to the level the house is light or dark blue or the room is pastel or bright yellow. Because so few of us get down to the undertone of a...
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In the previous two issues of Northwest Renovation, this column has reviewed two house styles from the American Colonial Period: The Dutch Colonial, and the Cape Cod. This issue will look at the most common house style resulting from this period, known simply as “The Colonial Revival.” Southwest Portland home designed by Ellis Laurence...
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Aging and disability are facts of life. If you live long enough you will end up needing modifications to your home — that is if you want to continue living in relative comfort. Face it, try as we will, there comes a time when we will not be able to enjoy the level of...
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Truth be told, after seeking out energy-saving appliances with a proven return-on-investment (that comes relatively quickly), most people aren’t that focused on being green when they decide to remodel or restore a home. But given a little education about the options — and if the price is right — home renovators will generally take...
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The American builders’ hardware industry has produced an endless array of architectural hardware over the years.  These are the light fixtures, door hinges, and door escutcheons, and of course the doorknobs that allow us to enter and leave our homes as we please. Over the past century and a half, companies ranging from small...
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