Portland Home Magazine | Portland Home Improvements | Portland Home Fashion

JUNE/JULY 2010

PORTLANDHOME

VOL XXXVI • NO. 5 • EVEN

OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2015

PORTLANDHOMEMAGAZINE.COM

8 Instant Beautification–Convert Any Door Into A Beveled Work Of Art

10 A Convenient And Affordable Kitchen And Bathroom Makeover

12 - 13 One-Stop Shopping– Find Your Mobility Solutions Nurture Your Child’s Imagination With Beautiful Custom Art

14 - 20 Stop Waiting To Go Solar How Safe Is Your Chimney?

Losing Energy Dollars From Ductwork?

Keep Your Home Healthy– If It’s In Your Crawl Space, It’s In Your Home Discover A New Look For Your Concrete

22 - 32 Eco-Friendly Roofing Takes Portland By Storm Fall, Football Season, And Outdoor Kitchens How Many Decks Are You Going To Build?

The Beauty And Benefits Of Washougal Basalt Veneer And Hardscaping Materials Need A Change From Plain Or Damaged Concrete?

Maximizing The Life Of Your Cedar Shake Roof Enjoy The Outdoors All Year Long!

Cost Effective Recycled Concrete, Retaining Walls, Pavers, Stonework And Stamped Concrete Beautiful Garage Floors In One Day

ON THE COVER The beautiful home featured on the cover has been designed using Washougal Basalt's squares and rectangles thin veneer. Locally sourced, this quality basalt landscape rock and natural stone is exclusive to the Pacific Northwest, providing your home with a look that is truly unique. Extremely versatile, you can use Washougal Basalt for virtually any outdoor application, as well as for indoor design.

For more information about Washougal Basalt, you can visit the website at www.washougalrockquarry.com. You can learn about where to buy Washougal Basalt by viewing the list of local distributors on the website, or you can see their ad on page 34 and article on page 25. Photo by J. Cody Robertson

Staff Publisher Wally Hicks III Marketing Specialists John Davis ADVERTISING MAILING ADDRESS Affluent Target Marketing, Inc. P.O. Box 18507 Anaheim Hills, California 92817-8507 (714) 446-6280 FAX (714) 446-6294 (888) 612-7400 portlandhomemagazine.com The opinions expressed in the editorials are those of the writers and do not necessarily reflect the views of Portland Home. While every effort is made to ensure accuracy, we cannot supervise the way in which information found in Portland Home is used. Portland Home is produced bi-monthly by Affluent Target Marketing, Inc., P.O. Box 18507, Anaheim Hills, California 92817-8507. Reproduction without permission is strictly prohibited. All submitted materials, including images, logos, and text, for advertising and editorials are assumed to be the property of the provider, and Affluent Target Marketing, Inc. can take no responsibility for unintentional copyright infringement. Affluent Target Marketing, Inc. has the right to refuse advertising.

CIRCULATION VERIFIED BY U.S. POSTAL RECEIPTS.

homefashion

Instant Beautification Convert Any Door into a Beveled Work of Art magine having elegant beveled glass doors and windows in your home to beautify your surroundings, brighten your mood, and add light to your entryway. An ingenious new process now makes this possible with minimum intrusion into your daily life. Even better, it doesn’t take very long to fully install each panel—typically, a panel is installed in just a few hours.

These beveled panels are not only handcrafted works of art, they are a full one-inch thick, have a half-inch of double insulating air pockets inside them, and are triple-glazed for strength. The panels are made to exacting standards utilizing only the highest quality beveled leaded glass with pure zinc caming providing security, and ease of cleaning. Sidelights and transom windows can be easily installed to match the new look of the door. With the perfect union of old world tradition and today’s technology, beveled panels are a practical way for bringing light into your home while providing you with the comfort of insulation and safety. Various privacy levels are provided from 85% to full light.

The process is unbelievably simple. Whether solid wood, hollow core, paneled, steel, or fiberglass, any interior or exterior door or window can be converted with ease. A portion of your door or window is removed on the premises and then replaced with beautiful beveled glass inserts. At present, there is a variety of different designs to choose from or patterns that can be customized to your taste or existing architecture. As a finishing touch, stylish raised hardwood frames are added. Then the frames are painted or stained to match your doors and windows. The new conversions will not only enhance your lifestyle but will substantially add to the resale value of your home.

Brilliance, beauty, and durability are tastefully combined to add a touch of elegance and fun to your home. You can accomplish this for a fraction of the cost of replacement windows or doors and they come with a 10-year warranty. Your neighbors will think you spent a fortune!

At Elegant Entrys, it’s their glass and your door!

For more information or a free consultation, you can call Elegant Entrys at 360-600-4717. Elegant Entrys is a veteran-owned business. You can visit their website at www.elegantentrys.com

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OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2015 • PORTLAND HOME

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kitchen&bath

A Convenient and Affordable Kitchen and Bathroom Makeover

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f you are finally ready to tackle that kitchen and bath remodeling project, you are probably also coming to terms with how much money it’s going to cost. Of course, you can always cut corners and leave things out in attempt to appease your budget, however what’s the point of a remodel if the end result isn’t exactly what you’ve always dreamed about?

Fortunately, there are ways to attain that perfect kitchen or bathroom at an affordable price, without having to compromise a thing.

In a kitchen remodel, new cabinets easily take up the greatest portion of your overall budget. Not to mention, new cabinet installation can take weeks to months and your old cabinets will likely end up in a landfill. If this sounds invasive, expensive and wasteful to you, then it’s time to discover the benefits of refacing. Cabinet refacing only takes a few days to complete, and costs a fraction of the price to replace. Along with gorgeous cabinets that look and feel brand new, you will also save time and natural resources.

Essentially, any look that new cabinetry provides can be achieved with refacing. You can choose the style, wood species, finish and hardware, and professionals will remove and replace your old doors, drawer fronts, and other aspects to achieve a complete cabinet transformation. Additionally, genuine wood veneers are applied to all exposed frames and boxes,

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including inside of the frames (something that is often overlooked). The finished product will surpass your expectations—those old, worn-down cabinets will be beautiful once again.

Upgrades are easy to include, from complete drawer replacement, full extension glides, tilt-outs, lazy Susans, rollouts, and even crown molding. Cabinet refacing can also work wonders in the bathroom— transform old vanities and kitchen sink cabinets into stylish new focal points.

Another convenient way to give a kitchen or bathroom a revamped look is with new countertops. From the elegant touch of quartz or natural stone to the timeless look of granite, an upgraded countertop will be the finishing touch to your rejuvenated environment. A professional can help you make the right choice for your lifestyle—whether your focus is on convenience, hygiene, aesthetics, or durability.

The time has come to stop putting off the remodel that you truly desire. Improving the look and functionality of your kitchen space and/or bathroom is not an idea that’s out of reach—there are options for every budget, so discover your ideal solution today.

At Surface Solutions, your satisfaction is the ultimate goal. There are no high-pressure salesmen, and no hidden costs. Each custom project is designed with the utmost care, attention to detail, and sensitivity to your specific needs so your kitchen and bathroom remodel is done right the first time. For more information about cabinet refacing, countertop fabrication and installation, or more, you can call Surface Solutions, LLC at 503-369-1988. You can also visit their website at www.surfacesolutionsnorthwest.com. OR Lic. #197242.

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OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2015 • PORTLAND HOME

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homeinterior

One-Stop Shopping— Find Your Mobility Solutions s people age and circumstances change, not only can the home present serious safety and comfort issues, daily life and routine activities can also become difficult to handle.

Disease, injury, or age-related mobility issues can quickly change the way you or a loved one live from day to day.

Our homes are full of memories and love; therefore leaving your comfort zone behind is typically not a popular solution. All people have the right to a safe and comfortable living environment that does not compromise independence. Aging and physical changes do not have to put a damper on your quality of life.

However, while most people are aware that certain products can be added to homes of those struggling with limited mobility, where do you even start? Because there are so many options, the shopping experience alone can be overwhelming. For example, if you need to access all levels of the home without having to use stairs, how do you know whether you should choose a stair lift or home elevator? Or, you

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might need to get around more quickly, but can’t decide whether a scooter or power wheelchair would be the best option.

All of these dilemmas are common, and who doesn’t want to be educated and informed before making any final decisions about mobility investments? Luckily, there is a local solution that allows you to experience everything you need to know about the variety of different products on the market, in just one place.

Providing you with the ultimate one-stop mobility shop experience, you can visit a store that allows you to actually see, feel, and try various mobility products that are available to you. Inside, you will find actual working models of stair lifts, home elevators, and track lifts. You can compare different walk-in tubs and barrier free showers. You can even test out a selection of wheelchairs, walkers, lift chairs, scooters, and power chairs around the store, both indoors and out, to see what products are the most compatible for your unique needs.

Some featured products on display include Bruno® Independent Living Aids stair lifts, which are made in Wisconsin. Three stair lift units are on display for you to use, both straight and curved. For the bathroom, you can become familiar with Bliss walk-in tubs, as well as Best Bath Systems barrier free showers and walk-in tubs. A working Inclinator Company of America® home elevator is on display for you to operate at your leisure, and finally, a working 52-inch, wheelchair accessible Pneumatic Vacuum Elevator (PVE) vacuum tube elevator is on display. This unit does not require a shaft and is available both freestanding or through the floor. It is similar to the vacuum tube systems used by banks to move around checks and paper; only this unique elevator has been designed for people.

All In One Mobility, Inc. has been operating their incredible store for over 11 years. Helping you find the ideal solutions for you and your home, All In One Mobility sells, installs, and services everything they feature. You can visit their shop at 12833 NE Airport Way in Portland. You can also call them for a home estimate or for more information at 503-255-5005. www.allinonemobility.com. CCB #165310. WA-ALLONOM920KA. ONLINE AT PORTLANDHOMEMAGAZINE.COM

homeinterior Nurture Your Child’s Imagination With Beautiful Custom Art ith elements such as color, texture, and design, an artist can turn any uninspired area of the home into a room of imagination.

This is especially important for children because the world of play and exploration is so crucial to the growing mind. Harboring positive artistic energy can lead to problem solving, critical thinking, and the ability to express complex life experiences.

This is why a custom art creation for your home can be such a beneficial addition to your living space—providing both a beautiful aesthetic element and a thought-provoking aspect for your child’s environment.

With faux finishes, portraits, custom canvas pieces, and murals of any sort, a professional artist can dress up any room, including children’s bedrooms, play

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spaces, and even nurseries. No matter what your budget, there’s something for everyone when it comes to custom art.

Because these are walls your children will remember forever, custom art will provide a nostalgic memory for everyone. Imagine if your son or daughter could wake up in a spaceship every morning and look out to another astronaut? Or open their eyes to a garden landscape, filled with color and detail. There are virtually no limitations when it comes to creativity.

As a double major in Art and Design Education and Painting at Pratt Institute, Nicole Fontana can make empty flat walls come to life. Along with classical training in the fine arts, Nicole also spent a summer studying painting in Venice, Italy. If you would like to schedule a consultation, Nicole at Fontana Painting, LLC will meet with you to discuss your artistic vision. You can call her at 503-305-3805 or visit www.FontanaPainting.com.

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homeservices

STOP WAITING TO GO SOLAR— Why It’s Time to Make the Switch… Today! hen it comes to going solar, there are typically three main incentives available to the majority Oregon homeowners. However, customers who are unsure of moving forward (with a solar installation) typically base their decision on one of three premises: 1. They believe that the technology is about to take a quantum leap forward.

2. They believe that the price of the technology will continue to decrease.

3. They believe that the available incentives will increase.

Let’s address the first statement: the technology is about to take a quantum leap forward. The short answer is: maybe. If it does, it still won’t be commercially viable for at least five-to-ten years. Large leaps in technology typically are done on very small scales and ramped up as the ability to perfect the process on a manufacturing scale catches up with the technology. So, essentially, yes—the technology is improving, but not at the same rate that the incentives are disappearing.

Next let’s discuss the idea that: the price of the technology will continue to fall. To summarize, the energy companies are losing ground to distributed energy generation (home/business owned energy systems). As they lose ground, they are also losing revenues. To compensate for this, the utilities are actually increasing prices to customers at unprecedented rates and schedules. As utility prices continue to escalate, the manufacturers of solar technology have gotten wise to the absolute long-term value of their products and have started to price them relative to the cost of purchasing a lifetime of power.

Your choice is: you can either own your own power plant, get all

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available incentives, and never feel the pinch of energy price increases or you can continue to endure the never-ending price increases that are being seen ever more frequently from energy companies.

Finally, let’s consider the question regarding the premise that: incentives for solar are actually increasing. The short answer is: absolutely not. The Energy Trust of Oregon previously offered their customers up to $20,000. As of August 2015, the Energy Trust has reduced this incentive to $7,000 for PGE customers and $6,600 for Pacific Power customers. The State of Oregon tax credit is now requiring the installation of system sized no smaller than 3.53 kW to fully acquire their state tax credit. Not just two years ago, this minimum system size was 3.0 kW and, if we rewind the clock even a bit further back to 2010, the minimum system size to fully acquire the state tax credit was a mere 2.0 kW system.

Ignoring the consistent reductions in the incentives available could put a solar array financially out of reach to many potential adopters. At Dynamic Power Innovation, LLC (DPI Solar), the goal has been (and continues to be) to provide high quality power systems, assist customers down their path to energy independence, and keep all these things within financial reach. If you are still unsure of whether or not you want to move forward with your solar project, DPI Solar can help by offering 12 months of protected incentives to give you the time to truly consider the idea of going solar. During these 12 months, when the incentives reduce again, your incentive from Energy Trust will be protected from that reduction. You can call them at 1-800-864-3517 or visit www.dpisolar.com for more information.

Lic. #185494.

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homeservices

How Safe Is

YOUR CHIMNEY?

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hen you are cozy by the fire, snuggled up with a blanket and your loved ones, it can be very easy to get lost in the comfort of the moment. Because of this, most homeowners never even stop to think about the condition of their chimney. In fact, a chimney is an element of the home that most people consider to be virtually maintenance free—it’s a nice architectural component that plays an essentially automatic role in providing your family with ambiance and warmth. However, there is much more to a chimney than this.

The truth is, the real function of your chimney is to carry dangerous flue gasses away from your fireplace, wood stove, or furnace so that your home and family are safe. In essence, a chimney ensures that the air inside of your home stays breathable, in the same sort of way that windows and vents do.

Fireplace and wood stove chimneys need a special kind of care.

Dirty chimneys can cause chimney fires, which have been known to damage structures, destroy homes, and hurt people.

Additionally, the older the house, the greater the risk of a chimney fire occurring.

Lack of lining is one of the most common issues that professionals see when surveying chimneys. Any chimney that is not lined should not be used for any purpose, and linings wear out over time without homeowners even realizing it. Here are a few reasons why chimney linings are so crucial: Toxicity. Unlined chimneys may leak noxious gases into your living space.

Condensation. If used for gas, modern appliances have such low-temperature flue gasses that they produce huge amounts of condensation. With an unlined chimney, the condensation is allowed to adhere to the actual masonry. This ruins wallpaper in the house, and the freeze-thaw cycles in the winter will slowly demolish the masonry.

Fire. If the chimney is used for wood burning, the condensation can also help form tar and creosote. Creosote is the resulting

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residue that sticks to the inner walls of the chimney after smoke, water vapor, gases, unburned wood particles, and more exit the fireplace or wood stove and creates condensation. Both tar and creosote are extremely flammable, and they pose an unnecessary fire danger in your chimney.

Remodeling. When you make a change to the construction of a structure, the system must comply with building code standards.

Therefore, if you have a new furnace, boiler, woodstove, or insert, the chimney must be lined at that time.

When it comes to masonry issues, everything starts at the top.

Chimney and masonry damage is typically caused by weather, moisture, and water breaking down the mortar. To avoid masonry damage, professionals will keep things waterproof, fix the lining, and ensure that each component stays in good shape.

As a homeowner, you need to remember just one thing—clean chimneys don’t catch fire. Professionals can come to your home for a thorough evaluation, and bring your system completely back to compliance so that it’s safe and your home is protected.

Bridgetown Chimney & Masonry is your local chimney specialist. With over 30 years experience, Bridgetown’s professionals can help with chimney sweeping, fireplace repair, masonry repair, chimney cleaning, fireplace and chimney rebuilds, wood stove cleaning and installation, and chimney liners. You can call them at 503-754-8500 or visit www.BridgetownChimney.com. CCB #195781.

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“The average home in the U.S. loses about 25 to 40 percent of heated and cooled air through leaks found throughout the home’s air duct system.”

Losing Energy Dollars From Ductwork?

Seal In Your Savings From the Inside hat is the single most effective thing you can do to save on the cost of heating and cooling your home while creating a greener neighborhood? Recent reports cited by the US Department of Energy found the single most effective means of conserving home energy for many homeowners is air duct sealing. And, according to the EPA’s Duct Investor Calculator, duct sealing in a home with a three-ton system and 30% leakage with a reduction to 2% leakage can save 300 trees a year, plus 20% to 40% on utility bills. That’s a lot of green!

While all of these measures help reduce energy waste, recent reports cited by the U.S. Department of Energy found the single most effective means of conserving home energy for many homeowners is air duct sealing.

As surprising as this may seem, the evidence is clear. The average home in the U.S. loses about 25 to 40 percent of heated and cooled air through leaks found throughout the home’s air duct system. Even newly built homes are, more often than not, plagued by leaky air ducts—leaks that divert heated and cooled air from their intended destination, reduce the efficiency of your furnace and air conditioner, and ultimately increase your monthly utility bill.

So, how do you find and seal air duct leaks in existing homes without having to tear down walls or strip the insulation? After years of testing, scientists at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory came up with a solution based upon revolutionary thinking: If you can’t access the leaks from the outside of the ductwork, let’s do it from the inside.

The breakthrough sealant they developed is applied as a nontoxic aerosol mist that is pumped throughout the inside of the home’s air duct system. The aerosol particles, about the size of smoke particles, stay suspended in the air until they come across leaks in the ductwork. There they accumulate and bond together around the holes until the leaks are filled.

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The new aerosol technology, commercially called AeroSeal, is applied with the help of specialized software that controls the flow of the sealant and provides a real time progress report of the process. When the job is completed, the homeowner is given a printout report that shows the before and after leakage amounts and the overall reduction levels attained.

In addition to energy savings, effective duct sealing can have an immediate impact on home comfort and issues related to air quality.

Allergens such as dirt and pollen from outside the home are regularly sucked into the air duct system by the furnace or air conditioner. Leaks and gaps in the air ducts allow these allergens to bypass filters and spread throughout the house.

While a number of air conditioning and heating service providers in the greater Portland/Vancouver area offer ductwork testing for air leaks and provide an estimate of how much air you’re losing, when it comes to sealing, ENTEK Corporation is your local contractor that has the technology, product and training to accurately test and seal your ductwork from the inside out. A complete design/build heating, air conditioning and energy solutions company, ENTEK is dedicated to providing services that empower people to take control of their own living environment and energy use. Duct sealing with AeroSeal is just one of the many energy solutions ENTEK can offer—your entire house is a system that must be assessed in order to be truly comfortable and efficient. For more information and a list of all available products and services, you can visit their website at www.ENTEKhvac.com or call 1-800-633-1354. WA #ENTEKC*893WE – OR Lic #CCB4902

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homeservices

Keep Your Home Healthy— If It’s in Your Crawl Space, It’s in Your Home

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healthy home begins at the bottom.

Many homeowners often ignore their home’s sub areas, such as basements and crawl spaces, until moisture causes costly structural and health problems.

Neglecting these areas leaves your home open to a variety of pollutants. Crawl space encapsulation systems and basement drainage systems allow homeowners to address standing water issues to prevent future damage, and keep your family safe.

Dirt crawl spaces are never-ending sources of moisture. Even if the dirt’s surface seems dry, digging down a few inches reveals moist earth. Moisture ruins houses by providing a hospitable environment for mold, fungi, and insects that destroy wood framing. Moisture in a crawl space affects not only the floor system directly above it, but also the entire house.

Warm air in a heated building rises. As it rises, replacement air is sucked from the lowest part of the house – your house is actually sucking the ground. This natural air movement, called the stack effect, is how chimney’s work.

Consequently, whatever is in the air at the lowest point eventually flows up into the living sections. Up to 40% of the air we breathe on the first floor of our home comes from the crawl space.

To avoid moisture’s negative affects, a crawl space should be fully sealed and isolated from the ground and the outside. A new innovative and effective method has been tested and perfected in

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After

numerous locations throughout the country and is now available to Portland and southwest Washington homeowners – the CleanSpace® Crawl Space Encapsulation System ™ by Basement Systems Inc. This technique involves placing a 20-mil 7-ply sandwich of high- and low-density polyethylene with polyester-cord reinforcement on the dirt (or concrete) floor and up the walls. This pool-liner-like sheeting is made especially for this system and is treated with an antimicrobial finish that protects against mold and mildew growth on the liner. Lower energy loads, as a result of the encapsulation system, translates into a profitable return on the initial investment. It is strong enough to crawl on and store materials on, and is blue on the bottom and bright white on top to really brighten a crawl space, making it a relatively pleasant storage place.

Many crawl space foundations leak. Such cases require a drainage system appropriate to the details of the crawlspace. Basement Systems, the makers of CleanSpace®, designed a tripatented sump pump system, the SuperSump®, that works in conjunction with the liner to create an airtight seal to keep moisture and bugs out. The SuperSump features a built-in WaterWatch® alarm system to let you know if there is ever a pump or power problem before the crawl space floods.

Just remember that your crawl space, although often neglected until

it’s too late, is one of the most important spaces in your home. It can be a spawning ground for mold, bugs, smells, odors, and radon gas. The moisture generated in the crawl space can lead to structural damage in your home and loss of energy. While on the other hand, a clean, sealed crawl space can be an extra source for much needed storage while making your home a healthy and safe one.

To learn more about the CleanSpace ® Crawl Space Encapsulation System™ or other innovative crawl space solutions, you can call Interstate Pest Management at 503-636-0565 (Portland) or 360-693-5029 (Vancouver), email them at info@interstatepest.com for a free estimate, or visit them on the Internet at www.InterstatePest.com. They are licensed, bonded, and insured, and can fix your crawl space quickly with little or no disruption to your daily routine. The CleanSpace® encapsulation system comes with a 25-year warranty against rips and tears, and from having groundwater on top of the liner. CCB#127319.

Before

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OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2015 • PORTLAND HOME

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homeservices

Discover a New Look for Your

oncrete has officially overcome its previous reputation of being a “cold,” “prison-like,” and “industrial” flooring solution. With its ability to take on color and a polished sheen, coupled with its many benefits, concrete is quickly becoming a go-to flooring solution for discerning homeowners in Oregon.

However, concrete floors can still lose their luster with time, just like any other flooring. If your concrete is in need of a new look, professionals can refinish your floors with a wide variety of stains, epoxies, and textures so that you can restore the beauty to your living space, and even explore an entirely new look.

Innovative interior floor treatments are not only extremely scratch-, chemical-, and stain-resistant, but also great for turning a drab living area into a stunning work of art.

Professionals will work with you to choose the flooring finish that matches both your taste and functionality goals. Some refinishing options include: Acid stain. This option offers beautifully vibrant colors, boasting a mottled appearance with a highly variegated finish.

Fast stain. Offers a more flecked appearance in a highly variegated finish.

Water-based stain. This is a less vibrant option that offers a more muted look and slight color variations.

C

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Acrylic sealer. A relatively hard yet slightly flexible option that produces a uniform color.

Standard epoxy. A very hard, durable, and chemical resistant option that also produces a uniform color.

Metallic epoxy. This option produces a brilliant metallic effect, with a unique flow and color for each floor.

Terrazzo (light broadcast) or granite (full broadcast) epoxy. These contain color chips that are broadcasted into the liquid epoxy. A variety of colors and combinations are available.

Quartz sand epoxy. Using colored quartz sand, this option is a double-layer broadcast system.

No matter which finish you choose, the overall success of a fabulous refreshed floor relies on the proper preparation. The secret to a long-term, high-quality appearance is completely reliant on the surface preparation. Because of this, it’s crucial that a professional does not take any shortcuts and ensures that everything is done right the first time.

Additionally, improved technology provides a comprehensive finish that is extremely chemical and stain-resistant, not affected in any way by bleach, vinegar, transmission fluid, brake fluid, cleaning solutions, blood or body fluids, iodine, mustard, ketchup, red wine, ethanol, and other liquids that are common staining culprits. All you need to do to maintain your floor is mop as needed, and apply a new top sealer every 5–20 years (depending on the wear and tear).

Rock Solid Waterproofing has been providing flooring solutions in the greater Portland/Vancouver metropolitan area since 2006. Along with flooring, Rock Solid Waterproofing also provides services on decks, patios, roofs, foundations, basements and other specialty jobs. For more information, you can call them in Portland at 503-245-3313 and in Vancouver at 360-887-0421. You can also visit their website at www.rocksolidwaterproofing.com.

Oregon CCB #177980. WA CL #ROCKSSW926C6.

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exteriorslandscaping

Eco-Friendly Roofing Takes Portland by Storm

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s your greatest and most personal investment, it’s important to protect your home from the elements and the roof of your home is of primary importance in that consideration. In today’s environmentally conscious world, recycled building materials are also of primary importance. But going green with your home doesn’t mean sacrificing quality, aesthetics, and affordability. As an environmentally friendly alternative to traditional roofing systems, EUROSHIELD™ covers your home in style while reducing your carbon footprint. This roofing system offers function and durability as well as beauty.

EUROSHIELD™ roofing products were created 15 years ago with the goal of utilizing mountains of rubber tires that have been amassing on the landscape since the dawn of the automobile. Up until recently there has been little use for them. Years of research and development led to the creation of a unique formula, containing over 75% recycled materials, for the production of the finest synthetic rubber roofing products available on the market today. Between 600 and 1,000 rubber tires are used in the production of a EUROSHIELD™ roof for an average-sized home. Scrap material generated during the installation process can be collected and recycled again—virtually eliminating environmentally harmful waste.

Heat, wind, rain and snow will take its toll on any roof, but you can rest easy no matter what Mother Nature brings your way—

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EUROSHIELD™ roofing systems are rain, wind, hail, and fire resistant. As an added bonus, many homeowners comment on the difference the product has made in keeping their homes cooler in the summertime, and also about the superior sound-deadening qualities this roofing system has to offer.

EUROSHIELD™ offers two types of roofing systems; a thicker heavier panel that replicates either slate or shake and features a locking “tongue and groove” butt edge, and a thinner lighter panel that also replicates shake or slate, that is lower cost and faster to install. The primary advantage to the lighter product is its lower price point, bringing rubber roofing within reach of more homeowners, while offering a similar slate or shake look. The slate profile is designed to accurately replicate the look and texture of a traditional heavy chiseled-edge slate tile, but without the considerable weight and high cost associated with slate. The shake profile is the perfect choice for those who want the look of a wood roof without the worries of premature failure due to rotting, cracking and warping.

EUROSHIELD™ roofing systems are available in three standard colors: black, grey, and brown.

When it’s time to sell your property, your EUROSHIELD™ roof increases your home’s resale value by adding to the design, beauty, and durability, and in green Portland, eco-friendly features are always a plus.

For more information on EUROSHIELD™ roofing systems, you can contact Keith Green Construction, Inc., a certified installer, online at www.keithgreenconstruction.com, or by phone at 503-681-7912. Keith Green Construction, Inc. (KGC, Inc.), can answer any questions you might have.

You can also visit the product website at www.euroshieldroofing.com. CCB OR #109148, WA#keithgc948kh.

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exteriorslandscaping

Fall, Football Season, and

OUTDOOR KITCHENS all, football season, and “big game parties” will soon become part of our afternoon landscape. For many of us, the outdoor grill will be the tool of choice for these celebratory occasions, and often you’ll find that conversation and guests congregate around the areas where food is prepared. Many homeowners like to use both their decks and patios for cooking those favorite game time foods, and you may even wish for a break in the rain so that you have the capability to grill all year long. This problem can easily be solved.

There has been a huge boom in the outdoor living space industry with a demand for complete outdoor kitchens, and as a result, there is a huge new range of products and innovations that you probably never even thought was possible just 10 years ago. With a beautiful roof structure over your outdoor entertaining area, an outdoor rated flat screen TV, and a seating area fully equipped with an outdoor fireplace, the kitchen can be moved entirely outdoors.

Along with increasing the livability space of your home comes added home value, and a decent return on investment if the time comes to sell.

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Have you ever walked through a new “Street of Dreams” home? If so, you’ve seen that an outdoor living space like the one just described is becoming almost a staple in any new home design today. In fact, homebuyers are practically demanding it!

Living in the Northwest, we have pretty mild winters compared to a lot of the country, and, with the exception of occasional downpours, we can entertain outdoors almost all year around. This makes an outdoor kitchen and living space even more desirable. The same is true with construction—building that new outdoor living structure can still be accomplished during the non-summer months. It’s never to late to build!

Archadeck Outdoor Living has been building beautiful outdoor oases for over 30 years. This includes everything from decks, paver patios, sunrooms, and outdoor kitchens to roof structures—if you can dream it, Archadeck can build it. Each project is accomplished with the professionalism, integrity, and written warranties Archadeck is known for, and that will put a little smile on your face while you relax in your new outdoor living space. You can check out their website at www.westportland.archadeck.com. You can view their video and photo galleries while you’re there, and you can also call 503-925-8756 to set up a free consultation visit so they can discuss any ideas that you might have cookin’! CCB #204750

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exteriorslandscaping

How Many Decks Are You Going to Build? hy is it that decks, our Great Northwest-get-away place, only last a decade or so? Roof structures are commonly made of wood and they can last for centuries, so why not decks?

Chemically treated roof trusses are not common, why don’t they rot? What causes wood decks to rot? Where wood, moisture, oxygen, and warmth are all simultaneously required for wood rot to occur, if one limits the degree of wood’s exposure to one or more of these components does rot slow? Indeed, take away one of these components and wood rot stops.

What about the treated lumbers?

Treated docks fail, that proof is everywhere. Improvements to formulation and application made, including incising, and pressure, provides a means to maximize chemical penetration but cannot ensure lumber saturation, thus the inner core commonly remains untreated. Harder and stronger woods do not accept liquids well therefore; they are not commonly treated, only soft wood products. Soft woods have less structural strength and fastener holding power thus allowing screws or nails to lose hold prematurely.

Fasteners penetrate the wood to the inner core allowing water to infiltrate the untreated areas. The sun bakes the deck’s wood surface causing everwidening cracks allowing deeper moisture penetration. This causes even more moisture retention, ice breakdown, fastener breakdown, and rot damage while the chemicals themselves may promote fastener decay. Lumber joints, whether butted or laid together, remain wet for days allowing further diminishing of the deck integrity, until catastrophic structural failure occurs.

No, treated lumber only addresses the contact decay and insect infestation therefore is also not the fix one would desire.

What about the new plastic composite lumber?

Let us look at the facts. The deck top is not the primary reason for most deck failure. Deck surface boards are available for cleaning, oiling, staining, or treatment to inhibit inevitable decay and failing deck boards are replaced with little problem. Even with meticulous care of the deck top, neglect of the deck’s frame is inescapable. The unexposed deck frame fails as the wood joists,

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PORTLAND HOME • OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2015

posts, supports and fasteners rot. They rot where they hold moisture at joints and fasteners. Joist and beams, left exposed to nature, rot or lose hold of fasteners due to fastener rusting, freeze/thaw cycles, lumber core rot, or treated lumber’s poor holding power. Deck failures occur when the deck becomes unstable or unable to support a load, not because it looks ugly or it is getting too costly to maintain. Plastic lumber does nothing to increase the life of the supporting structure, and therefore is not the fix one would hope, only hides it.

Build it once, right.

1. Only use treated lumber where required by code.

2. Use Douglas fir framing lumber when possible.

3. Use factory recommended plywood.

4. Acclimate all lumber and plywood before installing.

5. Glue and screw the deck plywood.

6. Provide proper ventilation.

7. Allow positive water run-off.

8. Protect joists, fasteners and hanger from getting wet.

9. Use a proven waterproof product.

10. Complete a moisture survey (non-penetrating) of the perimeter, posts and deck field every two years.

11. Maintain siding, windows, doors, and post caulking and sealants.

12. Recover or replace membrane surface at serviceable life end.

Duradek Ltd. decks are protecting sundecks, roof decks, walkways, and porches, including their structures and have for over 40 years.

Duradek has the oldest, largest, and most experienced local waterproof vinyl deck authorized installer network available. Duradek membranes are thermal plastic, as such, cannot peel or flake. There is no need for recoating maintenance. Failures can mean much more than replacing your deck, where connected to your home, rot knows no boundaries. For more information, you can call Duradek Northwest at (800) 442-9215 or visit www.duradeknorthwest.com.

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exteriorslandscaping

THE BEAUTY AND BENEFITS OF Washougal Basalt Veneer and Hardscaping Materials ith the concept of stylish outdoor living on the rise, homeowners continue to seek ways to improve the curb appeal of their home.

Utilizing proper hardscaping techniques is one way to achieve both an increase in property value and a more enjoyable outdoor living space.

Washougal Basalt is an incredible natural product that will take your hardscaping to the next level. Locally sourced, this quality basalt landscape rock and natural stone is exclusive to the Pacific Northwest, providing your home with a look that is truly unique. Washougal Basalt is known for its beautiful color, durability, and exceptional hand finishing.

Stone veneer offers the beauty of full cut stone, but its thinner profile overcomes the need for the additional structural reinforcement that could be required with full cut stone. Washougal Basalt stone veneer is fairly lightweight, adheres to a vertical surface, and needs no footing for support. Because of these qualities, you can use Washougal Basalt for virtually any outdoor application, as well as for indoor design.

Decorative Washougal Basalt veneer is available in the color tones unique to its quarry of origin, giving your home and hardscape a special touch of style.

Transforming your existing landscape creates exciting opportunities to customize the patio, driveway, walls, garden, and front and backyards to reflect your personal style,

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complement the architecture of your home, and function to suit your particular needs and those of your family. Updating with a custom Washougal Basalt hardscape design can instantly turn a lackluster yard into a fantastic outdoor extension of your living space.

Try sprucing up outdoor entertaining and relaxation areas with block walls, a custom fireplace or fire pit that allows you to enjoy your outdoor space when the weather cools down, and more. Stone steps and walkways are a powerful presence extending from your patio or winding through the garden, creating distinct paths with one-of-a-kind visual appeal. Washougal Basalt quarried rock products provide the ideal method for infusing your outdoor living space with unique character and personality.

One of the greatest benefits of hardscaping with Washougal Basalt is that you get to enjoy a stunning element of your landscape that requires virtually no maintenance. You can create texture and depth with an element that doesn’t need to be constantly watered, pruned, and cared for the way living plants do, not to mention, you also save water.

For more information about Washougal Basalt, you can visit the website at www.washougalrockquarry.com. You can learn about where to buy Washougal Basalt by viewing the list of local distributors on the website, or you can see their ad on page 34.

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exteriorslandscaping

Before

After

Need a Change From Plain or Damaged Concrete?

Resurface with Decorative Concrete Coatings

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oncrete may seem like an unlikely canvas, but resurfacing with decorative concrete coatings can instantly transform boring or unsightly surfaces into a work of art. With a variety of possible applications including garage floors, interior floors, large commercial floors such as restaurants, and even waterproofing basement floors, decorative concrete coatings offer homeowners the freedom to create unique designs while adding dramatic visual appeal.

Resurfacing your existing concrete surfaces can be at least half the cost of tearing it out. Like other elements of your home, why replace it, when you can reface it? High-end, quality coating systems offer a resilient, flexible surface that resists chipping, mildew, oil, and rust. Easy maintenance, slip resistance, and extreme durability—four times the strength of normal concrete—make decorative concrete coatings the perfect solution for enhancing high traffic areas.

Resurfacing is faster and more economical than removing and re-pouring new concrete. This superior solution allows you to have the flooring of your dreams, without a messy process that disrupts the flow of your everyday life. Additionally, with an extensive selection of colors, patterns, and textures, there’s an attractive combination to fit any style and budget with minimum hassle and low-maintenance materials.

Homeowners have the opportunity to customize their concrete surfaces to coordinate with their home and complement their personal style in as little as one to three days, depending on the design and system

PORTLAND HOME • OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2015

installed. Concrete specialists will work with you to transform an oily, mildew, or rust-stained surface into a colorful, textured finish that will retain its elegant appearance for years to come, enhancing curb appeal while creating an eye-catching surface that will become the envy of the neighborhood. Combine stamped concrete with other decorative concrete applications such as staining for maximum appeal. Transform your garage floor and create an attractive living space that can be used for more than just storage, polish some life back into a large and busy space such as an office or restaurant, or reclaim your basement by waterproofing and rejuvenating the floors and turning it into an entertaining game room or a quiet reading area.

With non-porous, easy-to-maintain coating systems, you only have to reseal every five years, and with full-service specialists offering a written warranty as well as cleaning and sealing options, taking care of your concrete surfaces has never been easier or more convenient.

For more information or to schedule an appointment to view samples and color options, you can call NW Creative Resurfacing at 503-750-4330 or e-mail NWCreativeResurfacing@gmail.com. NW Creative Resurfacing uses products that have been time tested for more than 50 years. To view their online portfolio, you can visit their website at www.NWCreativeResurfacing.com. CCB #180848, WA #NWCRECR925JZ. ONLINE AT PORTLANDHOMEMAGAZINE.COM

Now, your concrete floors can look as beautiful as the rest of your home.

Specialty Coatings installs a wide variety of decorative finishes for your garage and shop floors. Our exclusive Acryli-Guard 4-coat flooring system can be installed in one day and you can drive on it in less than 1 hour. And it's guaranteed for life not to peel—even under hot tires!

These seamless coatings are easy to clean and will dramatically improve the appearance of your floor.

We also do commercial and industrial work. Call today for a FREE estimate!

(503) 644-7500

www.SpecialtyCoatings.us ONLINE AT PORTLANDHOMEMAGAZINE.COM

OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2015 • PORTLAND HOME

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exteriorslandscaping After

Before

Maximizing The Life of Your Cedar Shake Roof

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obody wants to spend money on a roof. Certainly it would be more fun to put that money aside for a new RV, boat, car, etc.—anything besides a roof!

Unfortunately, the simple economics are that once your roof is allowed to deteriorate beyond restoration process capabilities, you will spend from $300 to $450 per square foot to replace it. The vast majority of today’s cedar shake roofs carry a price tag of from $9,000 to $30,000. Under conditions commonly found in the Northwest, total deterioration can take place in less than 10 years.

The problem is, your roof gets “Oregonized.” When wood is exposed to the effects of sunlight and moisture, it changes both physically and chemically—commonly called weathering. First the color changes from reddish brown to silvery gray. This happens within the first year. Gradually the roof will take on a darker gray color, indicating it is being colonized by microfungi.

As the roof continues to age, wood-destroying organisms slowly degrade the shingle’s surface and edges. Debris from trees accumulates in the valleys and between the shakes. After each rain these areas remain moist longer, encouraging the growth of

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PORTLAND HOME • OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2015

other troublesome plants, primarily lichens and mosses. Your roof is now “Oregonized” and deterioration will rapidly accelerate.

Moss and fungus growing on your roof does double damage: (1) During rain, it retards the shedding of water, which promotes leaks. (2) When the rain stops, it prevents the surface from drying, and wood-rotting organisms begin to grow. The accumulation of leaves, needles, and other debris has the same harmful effects and increases the chance of fire damage.

Preventative maintenance and specialized treatment is a process and is the key to maximizing the life and beauty of your cedar shake roof. Be wary of roof cleaner contractors who solicit door to door or leave flyers promising quick fixes. Demand their license or CCB numbers as well as references, and choose an experienced roof cleaning company. Quick-fix solutions to revitalize your roof should be approached with extreme caution.

Pressure washing makes your roof look brand new, but the problem is that 6 to 36+ gallons per minute of water under 1,500 to 3,500 lbs. per square inch of pressure tears at the shingles, leaving them 1/8 to 3/16 of an inch thinner, removing years of life from your roof. Do not pressure wash.

The other most common method of restoring your cedar roof to its original luster is replacing the natural oils. Never do it!

These oils account for less than three percent of the cedar’s total mass, and that was when the tree was alive! Furthermore, petroleumbased products are oxidized and broken down fairly quickly and increase the flammability of your roof.

Taking care of your cedar shake is a responsibility; it’s a process—not an event.

Putting the care of your roof in the hands of a cedar shake expert is among the wisest dollar decisions you will ever make on your home!

There is a specialist who has pioneered a process that is neat, clean, simple, and safe.

This process won’t rot your gutters or stain your concrete, won’t harm your lawn or shrubs, won’t injure animals, is virtually odor-free, and, best of all, is guaranteed.

Cedar Tech has a completely biodegradable and environmentally compatible process that is time-tested on numerous sensitive applications, including the Inn at Otter Crest and the Leach Botanical Garden. To contact the experts and seasoned pros at Cedar Tech, caring for cedar roofs since 1991, you can call Kevin Stinson at 503-643-9303 or visit their website at www.CedarTechRoofCare.com.

Cedar Tech is licensed, bonded, and insured, with extensive references throughout NW Oregon and SW Washington. CCB #160333 ONLINE AT PORTLANDHOMEMAGAZINE.COM

exteriorslandscaping

2015 Street of Dreams

Enjoy the Outdoors All Year Long,

with a Motorized Patio Cover! inding the perfect outdoor patio or deck system that allows you to spend time outdoors any time you want can be a serious challenge.

Some enclosed patio covers keep you dry when it’s raining, but what happens when the sun comes out and you want nothing more than to relax outside and gaze at the beautiful sky? Finding that perfect medium, where you can adjust accordingly depending on both your mood and the environment, seems almost impossible for most homeowners—until now.

American Louvered Roofs provide you with the ambiance you desire at the exact moment you need it, allowing you to enjoy your outdoor living space virtually every day of the year. This system can open for the warm sun and natural light, and close when you want cool shade, or to keep you dry when it rains.

When you want to barbeque, the smoke can escape easily. When it’s hot outside, you can protect your home from the heat and reduce the temperature. When it’s nice and sunny, you can bask in the sunlight.

The choice is completely up to you!

American-made and designed, professionals can customize and install your state-of-the-art patio or deck cover. The ultimate outdoor living experience, American Louvered Roofs extend memorable experiences into nature ONLINE AT PORTLANDHOMEMAGAZINE.COM

while assuring your comfort. When you plan outdoor parties and gatherings, you will have confidence knowing that your louvered roof will provide infinite adjustability so your family and friends feel confortable at all times.

Available in three attractive standard color options to match your home with over 100 custom colors available, systems are crafted from heavy-grade extruded aluminum and powder-coated paint. Featuring a lifetime limited warranty, the high-quality louvered roof will give you years of trouble-free performance.

Engineered for extreme wind and heavy snow loads, the louvered roof system also lowers the temperature of your deck by 15-to-20 degrees, allowing you to save on your cooling bill. Standard remote control motorized operation makes for easy transitions, adding the ultimate in quality and comfort to your outdoor space.

Portland Willamette has been in business since 1946, and one of their newest products is the American Louvered Roofs. With years of experience producing the world’s most innovative solutions in architectural metals, American Louvered Roofs represents the best in your home so that you can add more cherished moments with the security of rain and sun protection. For more information about American Louvered Roofs, and more ideas on how to expand your living spaces and make the most of your home, you can visit www.newpatiocover.com or email cs@portwill.com. You can also call Portland Willamette at 503-288-7511. CCB #205943 OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2015 • PORTLAND HOME

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Cost Effective Recycled Concrete, Retaining Walls, Pavers, Stonework and Stamped Concrete Eye-Catching Yet Functional Solutions for Outdoor Living

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s families change, many homeowners find themselves feeling cramped in what used to be ample living space. With the kids getting older and the puppy now a full-grown dog, you’ll need more room. With real estate and new construction costs rising daily, now is a good time to utilize the existing space you have outdoors.

Outdoor living options offer endless opportunity for expanding your home beyond its four walls.

The starting point to creating outdoor living space is a patio or deck, and you’re not limited to the ground floor. If your house has the perfect space off an upper story, a custom deck is the only way to go. Choose a traditional all-wood deck or a wood deck structure with a concrete or stone surface.

For living space at ground floor, a concrete patio is ideal in the Pacific Northwest as wood decks will decay, are prone to moss, and can become slippery. Concrete patios are low-maintenance and visually appealing, with installation options available in a wide variety of finishes, including stamped concrete, which comes in an array of colors, stone patterns, and textures.

Concrete pavers are another option, available in many eye-catching colors and styles. For homeowners that want the underlying durability of concrete but a different look, stone and brick surfaces can be applied over a concrete installation.

If you think your outdoor area is hopeless because of sloping or other space issues, consult an experienced hardscape contractor that also specializes in retaining walls. They can add curb appeal to a front yard by bringing definition to your property and creating a more manageable landscape, as well as develop areas of your property that are sloped or otherwise unusable.

Installing retaining walls enables you to add patios, children’s play structures, and garden areas, making it easier to maintain while maximizing your square footage.

Constructed with a range of attractive products and materials like recycled concrete, stone, block, brick, and poured concrete, retaining walls don’t have to be an eyesore, in fact, quite the opposite. Gorge Stone, a stone veneer product that resembles local indigenous stone, can be used for retaining walls, fireplaces, and building siding for a more natural look. As a green product, recycled concrete walls provide the look of stone at about half the price while using a waste product that is neither manufactured nor quarried and often takes advantage of on-site recycling from a driveway, sidewalk, or patio that has been removed for replacement.

As part of any well functioning landscape, pathways and stairs allow homeowners to enjoy their yard year-round, while a well-constructed driveway adds value and curb appeal. Driveways, pathways, and stairs can be constructed with concrete in finishes that include exposed aggregate, stamped and colored, sand finish, or a standard broom finish, as well as concrete pavers, stone, and brick.

With the addition of features such as built-in barbecues and firepits constructed with brick or stone and fueled by natural gas for durability and convenience, you can transform your backyard into a functional and beautiful environment ready for friendly get-togethers and relaxing nights with the family.

For more information, you can call The Wall, member of the Association of Oregon Recyclers, at 503-735-9255 and e-mail info@bythewall.com. Serving Portland Metro homeowners since 1985, The Wall is a complete design-build company offering full-service design. They are also members of the Home Builders Association of Metro Portland and The Oregon Remodelers Association. www.ByTheWall.com. OR #54495, WA #WALL***991OO, Metro lic. #1363.

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exteriorslandscaping

Beautiful Garage Floors In One Day

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t used to take three to five days to install an epoxy three-coat flooring system in your garage. Typically, the floor was prepared and primed on the first day, a body coat installed on the second day, and a clear coat on the third day. Depending on the time of year, the coating then took anywhere from one to three days to cure before you could walk or drive on the floor. Now with AcryliGuard, a four-coat concrete flooring system can be installed in one day and you can drive on it within an hour.

Although this technology has been around for more than 30 years, this is the first time AcryliGuard has been used in the residential market. The material is basically a liquid plexiglass that is 100% solid and doesn’t contain any solvents. When the material is activated, its chemical structure simply changes from a liquid to a solid within about 30 minutes and doesn’t require any time to dry.

Like any coating system, the preparation of the concrete surface is the main key to success! Shot blasting (like sandblasting, but without the mess) is the best method to prepare concrete because it removes contaminants, opens the pores of the concrete, and increases the surface area 200% to 300%, allowing the coating materials to penetrate and anchor.

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PORTLAND HOME • OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2015

The biggest cause for coating failures in the Northwest is hydrostatic pressure. Since concrete is a porous material with microscopic air passages, moisture passes from the ground, through the concrete and into the atmosphere. The amount of pressure is determined by the volume and strength of the moisture. Most epoxies can withstand about three pounds of pressure before delaminating, whereas the AcryliGuard can withstand about 11 pounds, which provides superior adhesion and performance. This is due to the penetrating characteristics and strength of the primer. In fact, this product comes with a lifetime warranty not to delaminate—even under hot tires!

Unlike epoxies and urethanes, the AcryliGuard will never turn yellow or become brittle, which makes a coating more susceptible to chipping and cracking. One significant benefit of this flooring system is that it doesn’t become slippery when wet. This is why Fred Meyer uses this product in their produce departments. Most other coating systems require the addition of aluminum oxide for non-slip, which is effective, but makes a floor more difficult to clean.

AcryliGuard costs slightly more than a standard epoxy floor due to the fact that more material is applied to the floor. An

average epoxy system is between 10 and 30 mils thick (mil = 1/1000 of an inch), whereas the AcryliGuard system is approximately 80-100 mils thick. Considering the amount of material used and the life expectancy of the floor, AcryliGuard offers tremendous value with a low cost of ownership.

For more information on making your concrete beautiful or to schedule a free estimate, you can call Specialty Coatings at 503-644-7500 or see them on the web at www.specialtycoatings.us. CCB# 151176

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OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2015 • PORTLAND HOME

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