Home Improvement 2010
Wednesday, February 10, 2010 • 1
2 • Wednesday, February 10, 2010
Home Improvement 2010
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Home Improvement 2010
Table of Contents Going long for gutters.............................................................................................................4 Better than wood......................................................................................................................6 Going the distance with concrete..........................................................................................9 Daylight into the darkest places.........................................................................................12 Concrete inspires creativity.................................................................................................16 Selling his services...............................................................................................................23 Evergreen Electric … A long established company......................................................26 Built green from sill to roof.................................................................................................28 Back to the future..................................................................................................................31 Under one roof........................................................................................................................34 Good service and quality can be found at T.J.’s flooring................................................36 Olympic View Publishing Co. LLC • P.O. Box 1750, Sequim, WA 98382 Phone: 360-683-3311 • FAX: 360-683-6670 e-mail: patc@sequimgazette.com
“Home Improvement 2010” is a special section of the Sequim Gazette.© 2010 by Olympic View Publishing Co. LLC. Publisher: Sue Ellen Riesau • General Manager: Steve Perry • Circulation Manager: Bob Morris Special Sections Editor: Patricia Morrison Coate • Page Design: Mandy Kay Harris • Cover Design: Robert Morris
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4 • Wednesday, February 10, 2010 Sequim Gazette staff by Patricia Morrison Coate As a brand-new business, Straight Line Gutter Install and Service is betting on experience, high-quality products and competitive prices to enter the gutter and roof installation market. Owner Tracey Kellas has teamed with licensed installer Andrew Luquette, a Sequim native who’s been in construction since 1996. “I just felt it was a good time to start a business, especially with Andrew,” Kellas said. “He is very knowledgeable, has a good work ethic, an excellent reputation with contractors and has the knowhow. He’s also well-versed in roof pitches and what kind of gutters homeowners need, as well as repair work.” “I’ve seen a lot of inferior products being sold so we set out to start the company by offering an excellent product,” Luquette said. “I use different suppliers than most and use the highest grade of aluminium out there. It’s guaranteed to have fewer defects, waviness and rattling in the wind. We offer a superior product at a cost-effective price.” Straight Line Gutter will design gutter systems from the simplest roof lines to the most complex for residential and commercial clients. Luquette also can fabricate and install specialty work in copper, for example. Customers can order their gutter system in any of 30 colors of
Straight Line Gutter Install and Service Phone: 461-5564 E-mail: straightlinegutter@gmail.com
Home Improvement 2010
Going l o n g for gutters
Andrew Luquette fabricated and hung this continuous run of 58 feet of gutter on a new home. baked enamel. Straight Line Gutters offers free estimates. Gutters are an important part of a water-control system that allows for drainage away from exterior walls and foundations. Old, leaky or misangled gutters can cause problems inside and outside from water damage, costing in the thousands of dollars to repair. “There’s engineering on gutters called ‘engineered fall’ which is a ratio of measurements that
allows getting the correct angle for maximum drainage,” Luquette said. The pitch can’t be too steep or too flat. If homeowners take up the task of installing plastic gutters and downspouts from hardware stores, Luquette cautions that they can leak because they are separate pieces screwed together. “I fabricate everything from a continuous seamless gutter machine on site,” Luquette said. “I can make
Photo by Patricia Morrison Coate
any length so there’s no potential for leaking.” Most jobs are a oneday installation process. He recently completed a new construction job with a running length of 58 feet on one side. “I know a new gutter system is not a minor investment,” Kellas said. “We want people to get their money’s worth out of their system and not have to redo it five years later. Word of mouth is our biggest compliment.”
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Home Improvement 2010
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6 • Wednesday, February 10, 2010 for the Sequim Gazette by Sandra Frykholm In January, Greg Johnson, owner of Superior Stone Manufacturing, introduced a new product: a concrete fireplace mantel, with the look of natural wood. The response? “We’ve already sold about half a dozen,” Johnson said a week after the product was offered. The concrete mantel has a “native edge” along the front, like a slab cut from a tree, including the roughness of bark, and a knothole. The concrete mantel solved design problems people ran into with wood mantels, which have to be placed farther from the fireplace for safety. It can be set as close to the fire box as the homeowner wants, Johnson said. Superior Stone also manufactures hearthstone. Johnson has worked in various aspects of the masonry trade for more than 30 years. “I got into it out of high school,” he said. “I was intrigued with it.” At that time, he lived in California and worked on commercial construction projects. When he moved to Sequim from California about 20 years ago, Johnson mostly was involved in residential construction work and later owned a concrete statuary business. About two years ago, he opened Superior Stone, manufacturing various styles of stone for interior or exterior applications. Johnson’s sons Jason and Shaun now work with him. In fact, Shaun played a key role in the Superior Stone business. “Shaun found the business for sale on the Internet,” Greg said. “This is a natural fit for us.” The family business is anchored by Sandy Johnson, Greg’s wife, who keeps the books. Superior Stone uses a proprietary concrete formula to produce stone rated at 4,200 pounds per square inch. The product comes with a 50-year warranty. Styles include river rock, cobblestone, fieldstone, limestone and ledgestone. “We typically keep about 10,000 square feet in stock,” of the most popular designs, Greg said. They also produce capstones for lamp posts and similar applications. The Johnsons manufacture their stone in several popular color schemes but they also offer custom color. In addition, the color goes through the stone rather than being applied to the surface so pieces that are trimmed or cut to fit will match the rest of the stone. The stone can be cleaned with a soft bristle brush, water and a mild detergent. “Do-it-yourself sales is about half of our business,” Greg said. “We can offer do-it-yourselfers advice. It’s very user friendly.” Superior Stone has installation guidelines and employees will walk customers through the process. The stone is especially popular in updating fireplaces and for highlighting exterior features, from decorative posts to full wall applications.
Home Improvement 2010
Better than wood Wood-look stone mantel solves design problems
See Better, page 8 Above, Greg Johnson, seated, and his sons Jason, center, and Shaun, produce several styles and colors of lightweight manufactured stone at the Superior Stone shop at 170 West Sequim Bay Road in Sequim. A barbecue finished with Summit Ledgestone makes an inviting outdoor kitchen. (Photo courtesy of Superior Stone) Photos by Sandra Frykholm
Superior Stone Manufacturing 170 West Sequim Bay Road Sequim Phone: 461-5949 Fax: 683-6496 www.superiorstonemfg.com
Wednesday, February 10, 2010 • 7
Home Improvement 2010
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Home Improvement 2010
Better from page 6
The product is very lightweight, making it easier to apply than natural stone. Some of the styles come in small panels designed to fit together. “It takes away some of your fitting of individual pieces,” Greg said. While their primary business area is the Olympic Peninsula and Kitsap County, Greg said, “We do get some people coming from Olympia. We don’t go that far to install.” They have had customers from Seattle and Tacoma who usually find the company when shopping the Internet to compare prices. “The Web site is mainly where they are coming
This mantel looks like wood but actually is a manufactured stone that can be mounted closer to the fire box because it won’t burn. The mantel is a new product of Superior Stone Manufacturing on West Sequim Bay Road. Photos by Sandra Frykholm At left are examples of lightweight manufactured stone at Superior Stone in Sequim. Owner Greg Johnson keeps about 10,000 square feet of his most popular styles in stock. The product is manufactured in Sequim. from,” he said. At www.superiorstonemfg. com a large photo gallery shows samples of interior and exterior projects. The best view, however, is in the showroom
on West Sequim Bay Road, where samples of the various styles and colors line the walls and do-it-yourselfers can get installation advice from masonry professionals. Reach Sandra Frykholm at sandralfrykholm@ olypen.com.
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Home Improvement 2010
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Going the distance with concrete for the Sequim Gazette by Kelly McKillip Glamour isn’t the first thing that comes to mind when the subject of concrete pumping comes up, but according to line pumping specialist Brad Ulin, moving the heavy conglomerate to otherwise inaccessible places demands skill, strength, perseverance and a kind of finesse. Concrete line pumping is used when other methods such as boom pumping or wheel barrowing small loads of concrete are not feasible or practical. Pouring slabs in locations that are more than 170 feet from the road, areas with power lines that can be entangled by boom equipment, unstable hills and distant retaining walls are common situations where Ulin’s pumping machine can make
See Concrete, page 11
Concrete is received from one of the local distributors, in this instance, Sequim Redi-Mix, into Ulin’s machine and then pumped through lengths of hose to the work site. Photo by Kelly McKillip
10 • Wednesday, February 10, 2010
Home Improvement 2010
Wednesday, February 10, 2010 • 11
Home Improvement 2010
Concrete from page 9
the impossible, possible. After graduating from Forks High School, Ulin spent some time in college and diesel mechanic school before changing focus to the construction arena. Through his work as a college basketball referee, he met fellow ref Dave Blake of Blake Sand & Gravel and eventually went to work as facility operations manager for the family owned business. He loved the job and learned a great deal about managing construction materials but eventually moved to Seattle with his wife, Darci. There he worked as a concrete pumping dispatch manager until he felt he had sufficient expertise to begin his own business. Ulin, his wife and their son Alan moved back to Sequim where he started Ulin’s Concrete Pumping Company Inc. in April 2008. Serving the entire Olympic Peninsula, Ulin will excavate, handle form set-up and pump 1 to 200 yards of concrete as the job demands. Since concrete is not something easily removed, it is essential to work in concert with the contractor or homeowner to place the material correctly in the first place. Concrete is received from one of the local distributors into Ulin’s machine and then pumped through lengths of hose, depending on the distance to the job. Exposed pea gravel concrete is the most difficult to move because of the nature of the mix, although generally most jobs go smoothly. About one in 20 times a rock will plug the line, but from experience, Ulin knows which section needs to be unclamped to relieve the blockage. Proper cleanup is about 50 percent of the work and Ulin prides himself on leaving the job site pristine and maintaining his equipment. To date, he has not suffered any on-the-job breakdowns. Until recently Ulin has been a oneman operation, but the demanding physical work goes much faster and easier with two people. He has added an employee and eventually plans to have three or four machines manned by teams of two men each. His toughest job so far was pumping concrete 330 feet downhill to fill retaining walls
at Seabeck. When he is not pumping concrete or refereeing, Ulin volunteers coaching first- and second-graders in Sequim Youth Basketball. He also assists his wife in her part-time catering business. Ulin’s work ethic is what might be expected from a referee and coach. Ulin said he has carved out a specialty niche for himself so he does not unduly compete with his fellow construction professionals. He arrives on time to a job with appropriate equipment in good running order and does his part as a member of the team. He strives for a winning ending that includes a job well done, reasonable rates and a satisfied customer. Ulin welcomes inquiries about commercial and residential concrete line pumping and concrete work in general. He especially enjoys job facilitation and can recommend contractors who are honest and reliable. Reach Ulin’s Concrete Pumping Co. Inc. by phone at 360-775-5107 or by e-mail at bradulin@hotmail.com.
Brad Ulin of Ulin’s Concrete Pumping Co. Inc., waits for the signal to pump more concrete. Below, Brad Ulin of Ulin’s Concrete Pumping Co. (third from the left) works in concert with men from A.J. Webb Construction Co. and Sequim RediMix to lay concrete in a new sunroom for Sequim homeowners Larry and Janet Martin. Photos by Kelly McKillip
12 • Wednesday, February 10, 2010
Home Improvement 2010
Daylight into
the darkest places
for the Sequim Gazette by Jerry Kraft Most everyone has that one troublesome dark area in the home, maybe a walk-in closet or a bathroom or a long hallway. While you can, of course, simply install a ceiling light, many would welcome the warmth and gentle illumination of natural sunlight. That means either a window (not possible with most interior areas) a skylight or a solar tube. A solar tube is the generic name for a device that combines a lightgathering dome on the roof, a tube lined with reflective material channeling the light from the roof to the interior ceiling and a flat lens to distribute that light into the room.
Everwarm Hearth & Home of Port Angeles offers a trademark product called the Solatube and it is a very popular lighting option. “What makes the Solatube different from other products is the quality of the reflectivity inside the tubes,” said Kay Alger, business manager at Everwarm. She explained that the reflective material used in Solatubes has 97-percent reflectivity and actually was developed as a part of the space program. “We’ve gone with this company because we think it is the best product on the market,” Alger said. So what are the advantages of a Solatube over a traditional box skylight? For one thing they do not require a building permit because
The Solatube is a trademark brand of solar tube. Everwarm considers it the “best product on the market.” Photo by Jerry Kraft
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Home Improvement 2010 they are considered a window. Although homeowners can buy a kit and install a Solatube themselves, most opt for the experienced technicians from Everwarm. “The rare customers who have problems with leaks are almost always self-installed systems,” Alger said. Solatubes also are considerably less expensive than skylights and require a much smaller hole in the roof. The one-piece flashing around the dome not only seals against moisture but minimizes maintenance. Those domes also are made of a high-quality acrylic resin designed to withstand impact and increase clarity. The major advantage, though, is in the quantity of light a Solatube allows. Alger explained that the dome that is mounted on the roof has a number of optical enhancements to capture more light from all angles. Especially on the side of a sloped roof, a regular skylight gets significantly less light during early morning, late afternoon or during winter months. Because a Solatube captures the maximum amount of ambient light, it provides more illumination even on cloudy or rainy
days. For areas where there is an abundance (too much) of sunlight, the lens can restrict the amount collected and transmitted. Once the light is captured by the dome, the high level of reflectivity maximizes the amount of light that is delivered through the length of the tube, typically from the roof through the attic and to the interior ceiling. The tube does not need to be in a straight line, allowing for greater flexibility in the placement of the interior light. At the ceiling level, another lens attached flush with the ceiling can diffuse, disburse and filter the color of the light released into the room. Solatubes come in diameters of 10 inches, 14 inches and 21 inches. “A home would never need a 21-inch,” Alger said, “and rarely do you need a 14-inch.” The 10-inch will cover an area of approximately 200 square feet, the 14-inch approximately 300 square feet and the 21-inch up to 500 square feet, depending on such considerations as the height of the ceiling and the length of the tube. “It’s interesting how often people
See Daylight, page 15
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Home Improvement 2010
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Wednesday, February 10, 2010 • 15
Home Improvement 2010
Daylight from page 13
tell us they reach for a light switch when they have a Solatube, thinking they should turn it off because it’s so bright even late in the day or in a place where they’re used to it being very dark,” Alger said. The Solatubes can be installed with additional features such as incandescent lights for nighttime or integrated fans for bathrooms or musty corners. If a homeowner is looking for flattering natural light for a bathroom to replace harsh fluorescent or yellow incandescent light, then the Solatube is an excellent choice, especially for a bathroom not built off an outside wall. It is even possible to install a Solatube in a basement or on the first floor of a two-story house, so long as there is an enclosed passageway for the tube to go through. For dark hallways or out of the way closets, it is a natural choice. Solatubes are considered a “green” energy source and are eligible for “green points” in new construction. Although the technology of the solar tube has been around for 20 or more years, people often still feel a sense of discovery when they first see the abundance of light a Solatube can provide. The experienced people from Everwarm can show you their product line, give you an estimate on installation costs and send a crew to install a unit that can bring brilliant natural sunlight almost directly to any dark area of your home.
This dark corner at Everwarm is lighted entirely by a single, 10-inch Solatube. It’s an impressive display, especially on a cloudy day like the one when this photo was taken. Photos by Jerry Kraft
Kay Alger shows off the lenses mounted on the interior ceiling to disperse and filter the sunlight collected on the roof.
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16 • Wednesday, February 10, 2010 Sequim Gazette staff by Patricia Morrison Coate In use since Roman times, with examples still enduring, concrete is becoming more and more of a designer and architectural favorite. Todd and Jessica Crouch are owners of Crouch Concrete at Carlsborg — she manages the books and he is the creative and technical end of the business. The couple moved to Sequim and started their company in 1999 with Todd first doing foundation and floating work for other contractors. Yet he yearned to infuse more creativity into the product for himself and his clients. “I became interested in pursuing innovative, visual design so I started in my shed by hand making samples,” Crouch said. “My concrete has come a long way since then. A book inspired me about concrete countertops, for example incorporating fossils in them. It’s endless what you can do with liquid stone — you’re only limited by what you can
See Inspires, page 18
Home Improvement 2010
Concrete inspires creativity Crouch Concrete, Inc. 1265 Carlsborg Road, Carlsborg 683-1856 460-6884
Inlaid fragments of jade, stainless steel and ammonite fossils develop a subtle geological theme. Photo courtesy of Crouch Concrete, Inc.
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Wednesday, February 10, 2010 • 17
18 • Wednesday, February 10, 2010
Inspires from page 16
imagine. There’s something about the material that just makes you want to touch it.” Crouch’s background as a graphic artist serves him well in creating unique cast concrete structures inside homes such as bathtubs, shower surrounds, vessel sinks, countertops, bars and islands, floors and massive fireplace surrounds that pass for ones in historical English great houses. Crouch runs the business from his home at 1265 Carlsborg Road and invites customers into his shop to see his samples and those in a compendium of concrete possibilities. His work has gone into high-end homes in Seattle and the Southwest and he has published a classy decorative concrete portfolio to show customers. “The whole interchange is to guide them through the process and nail down some specific samples. One thing about concrete, you can’t pick up a sample in a store,” Crouch said. “Concrete is more
Home Improvement 2010 influenced by serendipity than other products are. My favorite part is the brainstorming and idea part with the customer.” His designs range from rustic to contemporary and the concrete finishes run the gamut from raw to polished. Customers may choose among stamps, stencils, inlays or acid stains in a wide variety of patterns and colors. Crouch can use stamps to replicate textured Roman slate, bluestone and a number of other patterns inspired by nature. Stencils, which leave a deeper imprint, create a grout line and repeat the pattern on a larger scale than stamps, resulting in a very realistic appearance. Acid stains can make concrete “stones” look more weathered and less uniform. Crouch said he encourages customers to think out of the box for their patios, sidewalks, porches and driveways with color, texture, acid stains and sandblasting. “They can have a really nice design without having to spend a fortune,” he said.
See Inspires, page 20
A lighter but strong product and specialty forms allow Crouch to cast a concrete bathtub.
Wednesday, February 10, 2010 • 19
Home Improvement 2010
Todd Crouch throws a color release agent to achieve a varigated finish in a stenciled piece.
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20 • Wednesday, February 10, 2010
Home Improvement 2010
Inspires from page 18
More of a concrete purist at heart, Crouch said, “I like concrete that looks like concrete. You can grind, color, stain, polish and sandblast it but I like it best when it’s not trying to imitate something else. ‘Honesty in materials’ is what I call it.” For all his artistic abilities, what would Crouch be in his profession without his technical skills in concrete casting? “Sometimes I feel like a chemist and an artisan,” he said. “Our concrete doesn’t come out of the back of a truck. We mix a very specialized concrete product that yields 9,000-10,000 psi (pounds per square inch) versus most sidewalks at 2,500 psi.” He’s experimented with moving to a greener product by replacing 2530 percent of the Portland cement with a post-industrial product called pozzolan. “It’s fun working with good designers and architects who, at heart, are artists. They’re always pushing the envelope — so how am I going to make this work? — but as a result, we’ve done amazing things,” Crouch said. “I like that part of the challenge. I really have a blast doing it!”
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Home Improvement 2010
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Wednesday, February 10, 2010 • 23
Home Improvement 2010 for the Sequim Gazette by Sandra Frykholm When you see Brad Griffith driving around Sequim, you see a marketing plan in action. Griffith’s white station wagon sports his Web site address in bold red lettering. His T-shirt is imprinted with Home Improvement and Maintenance, the name of the business he started after moving to Sequim 10 years ago. “A lot of guys like me aren’t doing Web sites,” Griffith said. “There’s a lot of different projects in there,” he said of the site, www. my-work-photos.com. Griffith said his marketing is “the way I’ve stayed alive in this economy. I wear one of these shirts every day.” The site also allows out-of-state people to find him and the site typically brings him one “really good job” each year, in addition to the smaller jobs. The site contains a collection of photos, often with before, during and after shots, of a variety of jobs Griffith has done. While many contractors prefer building whole houses or larger additions and outbuildings, Griffith is willing to do large or small projects. “I’m happy to do whatever they want,” he said. “I’m happy to stop when they want me to.” For some clients, he has done only the framing, or only the painting or finish work. He also installs cabinets and builds decks. Griffith has done some light commercial construction. “We have done quite a bit of commercial ‘face-lifts,’ updating roof lines, new windows,” he said. Construction is a long way from his roots. “I grew up and was in the printing industry in high school, college, until 12 years ago,” Griffith said. He spent most of his time in the darkroom producing glossy advertising. Eventually, he said, “I wanted to try sales. I liked that. I’m still selling now.” Instead of printing services, Griffith is selling his work as an all-around contractor. Griffith considers his own home some of his best work. He bought the house in 2005 and discovered that the building had been Sequim’s original creamery, which opened in 1914. He has remodeled it with care and has photos on his Web site showing the history of the building.
$elling his services Builder sells via Internet, car, shirt When Griffith bought the house, it was listed as having been built in 1985. Griffith was delighted to discover the background of the house and has visited with some of its former residents. “I’ve put a lot of effort into saving it,” he said. “I want to put it on the map again, so to speak.” One way Griffith shares his house with the community is by inviting Sequim Middle School teachers to use his outdoor courtyard as a lunch room, a break from the school campus. It’s a convenient arrangement since the house is directly across Hendrickson Road from the school. Griffith’s two children are teens now and he has become acquainted with the
middle school faculty through his children. Griffith also works with local Boy Scouts. “I teach engineering to Boy Scouts for merit badges,” he said. After learning his building skills “one stick at a time,” Griffith has worked on some unusual buildings. He worked on one house with 12inch thick exterior walls made of concrete and Styrofoam. Griffith added framing to the structure. “The inside had a lot of custom beams and brackets,” he said. Griffith sees his niche as “contractor services.” He helps his clients “get where they want to go.” If a client needs ideas, Griffith is glad to suggest some. His creativity is evident in his own home. He
Home Improvement and Maintenance PO Box 442 Sequim 582-3861/461-4686 www.my-work-photos.com designed his son’s bedroom to resemble a medieval castle and his daughter’s room has a beach theme, complete with sandbox. “I really like helping people,” Griffith said, and home improvement and construction projects offer that opportunity. Each job presents a
See Services, page 24
Brad Griffith’s car serves as an advertisement everywhere he goes, directing people to his Web site packed with photos of jobs he has done. His home, behind him, originally was Sequim’s first creamery, which opened in 1914. Photo by Sandra Frykholm
24 • Wednesday, February 10, 2010
Home Improvement 2010
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unique challenge, sometimes a problem to help his clients solve. In that sense, he said, “Every job is custom.” Reach Sandra Frykholm at sandra lfrykholm@olypen.com.
Brad Griffith, owner of Home Improvement and Maintenance, appreciates historical and pioneer buildings. Behind him, a collection of his photos of old houses and cabins is displayed in a vintage window frame on a wall in his home. Photos by Sandra Frykholm
Below, in the courtyard, a windfall tree decorated with old-fashioned lanterns adds a whimsical touch. After the tree blew down in a neighbor’s yard, Brad Griffith built it into his courtyard wall.
Wednesday, February 10, 2010 • 25
Home Improvement 2010
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26 • Wednesday, February 10, 2010
Home Improvement 2010
Evergreen Electric …
A Long Established Company
When decorator materials are needed, Like nearly every other construction-related Evergreen Electric buys from local business, Evergreen Electric has merchants. Its main source for been affected by the recession. electrical supplies is Consolidated However, the company will be the Evergreen Electric Electrical Distributors in Aberdeen. electrical contractor for 14 houses 272 Fasola Road Many calls about electrical in Port Gamble in the spring. In Sequim problems come from people who the meantime, local homeowners 683-4193/460-7963 have had “incompetent” installers, and contractors can look to the he said. Loose wires and bad concompany for small or large wiring nections are a frequent problem jobs. and should not be neglected, Balkan advised. If rodents have been in a building, be on the lookout for chewed wires ♦ Never pull a plug out by pulling on the or nests built on switches. Very old houses can cord. have damaged wires in the walls. Switches can ♦ Do not use electrical items in the bathroom go bad. It is best to take care of minor problems unless they are designed for use there. Keep before they cause serious trouble. them dry! Balkan says he constantly is getting new ideas ♦ Do not run wires under carpets or rugs. and he is tuned into new trends. The company ♦ Check cords before use. wires phones, TVs, speakers and computer ♦ Do not use damaged sockets. systems. All those jobs can be done in new ♦ Use correct wattage light bulbs. construction or remodels. Evergreen Electric is ♦ Make sure all outdoor electrical items are exploring solar energy and has a number of solar stored indoors. systems available. The company soon will be able ♦ Beware of moisture seeping into wires, plugs to install heated driveways. or appliances. It is likely that solar panels and other solar ♦ Cords or plugs that are overheating must be devices will become common in the Sequim replaced immediately. area. With the soaring cost of energy and solar ♦ Outdoor outlets should be covered. technology improving, energy from the sun should ♦ Your hands should be dry before handling be a good option. Today there is a wide variety electrical items. of practical and cost-effective solar applications Evergreen Electric and Balkan Builders can be for homes. Some engineers are per fecting reached at 683-4193. the use of solar shingles in order to make a solar roof. The companies that acquaint themselves with such resources are ahead of the game; they can offer customers many choices for their energy needs.
Electrical basic rules
Scott Balkan maintains a large warehouse.
Photos by Robin Pearne
for the Sequim Gazette by Robin Pearne Evergreen Electric has helped the community with its electrical needs since 1979. Scott Balkan, owner, was an apprentice and employee for his father, Mike Balkan, for almost 15 years. Scott took over the business after his father’s death. At present there are three steady employees working for the company. “We do jobs that require one hour or more,” said Balkan. “We do commercial, residential, remodels and small jobs. Small wiring jobs are not unusual. We do not do industrial. I am very successful and happy with my work.” Being a licensed electrician and owning an electrical company demand a lot of preparation. Two years of study and a very difficult journeyman’s test is required for a residential license. Four years of experience and study along with a test, is required for commercial work. Balkan qualifies for both. Balkan works out of his rural home where he has a large warehouse on the property. He also owns a successful contracting company called Balkan Builders. He is a licensed and bonded general contractor as well as a licensed electrician. His long experience in both fields enables him to combine various skills. Because of his varied background, Balkan is a versatile consultant and contractor. “If I don’t know how to do it, I have someone who does,” he said.
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Wednesday, February 10, 2010 • 27
Home Improvement 2010
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28 • Wednesday, February 10, 2010 Sequim Gazette staff by Patricia Morrison Coate If it’s “green,” Werner Beier wants it. He and Tom Baumstark are partners in Eco-Green Builders, Inc., and say they are the “only exclusively green builder going in the area.” “All the materials we use are either partially or wholly recycled or recyclable,” Beier said. In business since 2006, the company is on its second all-green house and looks forward to constructing more. But, Beier explained, “People are resistant to change. If more people would do it, green building could become cheaper than stick framing. One of the big myths is building green is much more expensive. The answer is it’s not. We provide in our construction very minimal costs over normal construction — maybe 5 percent.” Beier advised, “When another builder tells you it costs $180-$200 a square foot to build green, you are paying for him to learn how to do it and we already know how to do it.” When a client comes to Eco-Green with plans and a lot, hopefully the latter hasn’t been clear cut, an ecologically destructive practice. Instead, the company calls in Ecologic Land Clearing of Port Townsend which selectively cuts trees and mulches them back into the soil. Eco-Green also hires landscapers to prevent runoff by creating rain gardens. “When we do foundations, we do a minimum
Home Improvement 2010
Built green from sill to roof impact on the lot unlike most construction companies,” Beier said. “We do minimal digging and we don’t take anything away from the site.” Other than the footprint of the house, by the time Eco-Green is finished, there is very little impervious surface to impede precipitation returning to groundwater because it lays down pervious concrete for drives and sidewalks. The next step on the path of building green is the foundation. Eco-Green uses insulated concrete forms that have strength and superior insulation versus bare concrete foundations. Sections, with door, window and skylight openings cut at the factory are structural insulated panels (SIPs) joined with splines for a continuous envelope from sill to roof. Electrical chases are done at the factory so there’s no place for air to seep in. “We use SIPs because the energy efficiency is so much greater than stick framing — 58 percent by testing,” Beier said. Walls also are stronger and require more than twice as much force to twist them as compared to framed walls, he noted. “There’s virtually no waste — the waste pile we have probably could fit into a 32-gallon trash can.” Beier estimated that four people over five to seven days can install the entire shell with SIPs. “They take
Eco-Green Builders, Inc. PO Box 3028 Port Angeles 417-0626 www.ecogbi.com care of framing, insulation and sheathing all in one swoop.” Eco-Green’s roofing materials are made from 85-percent recycled polymer plastic, are 100 percent recyclable and carry a 50-year warranty. Moss cannot adhere to the plastic, which is a big plus on the Olympic Peninsula. The company’s choice in siding is a fiber cement product from Nichiha, a Japanese company. It’s made with coal-burning byproducts, formerly destined for landfills, and is available at Hartnagel Building Center in Port Angeles. To further secure the shell from air infiltration, Eco-Green installs Energy Star windows from Glass Services of Port Angeles. Inside, Beier said, “Our houses are far healthier than standard construction because we use no or low VOC glues, paints and stains. We also install an
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Home Improvement 2010 air exchanger that preheats incoming air, which is more efficient, and eliminates virtually all mold and allergen-carrying spores.” (VOCs are volatile organic compounds that off-gas fumes.) “Our flooring is bamboo and our countertops are by Richlite, made with recycled paper and a water-based resin,” Beier said. “It holds up comparable to granite at one-third to one-half the cost.” Edensaw Woods in Port Townsend supplies the product. As a matter of course, Eco-Green installs compact fluorescent lights, low-flow toilets and radiant subfloors by Warmboard. For additional heat, customers can select a freestanding, wallmounted fireplace that uses a bioethanol oil from renewable plant sources. There is no smoke, no smell and no ashes with it, Beier said. “With SIPs, you don’t need to put out a whole lot of heat to get warm. It’s an excellent substitute for wood and wood pellet fireplaces.” Baumstark handcrafts the home’s cabinetry with Euro-Ply, a plywood made with non-urea formaldehyde glue and recycled wood chips so there’s no off-gasing. Finally, Eco-Green goes the final measure by installing drywall over the SIPs for a finished layer. “Our Realtor says ‘we’re green at any level’ and we can build built-green at any size to any level of custom design,” Beier said. “I think many more people are looking for green-built products.” Eco-Green is a member of the North Peninsula Building Association, Built Green of Clallam County and Energy Star.
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Home Improvement 2010
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Home Improvement 2010 for the Sequim Gazette by Kelly McKillip In the 1960s, Jac Osborn, now the CEO of By Design Group, Inc., made a discovery that still serves his business and his customers five decades later. One day his father sent him to replace an absentee salesman in his general contracting business. New to selling, the young man approached the task equipped only with his construction know-how, integrity and sense of customer service that he had learned working in the family business since high school. He listened to the homeowner and offered suggestions. Much to Osborn’s surprise, the customer loved his ideas and wanted to sign a contract on the spot. Not long after, Osborn became one of the youngest licensed general contractors in California. He graduated from college, served in the military and worked in law enforcement in San Diego, all the while keeping a hand in the building trade that seemed like second nature. Since 1964, Osborn has built more than 100 custom homes and completed more than 1,000 remodels. By 2003, Osborn and his wife and business partner, Boni, were happily contemplating retirement in SunLand. As the couple began remodeling their home, they discovered that availble cabinetry fell far short of the mark for quality and price. Osborn went searching and discovered Hertco, a company in Ferndale that reflected his desire for great products at a reasonable cost. The people at Hertco had been looking for a reliable dealer to sell their quality kitchen cabinets on the peninsula. The Osborns said goodbye to retirement and hello to their new business venture, Cabinets by Design, which sold and installed cabinetry. Their reputation grew and in 2005, the Sequim Home Depot Store approached the Osborns to become their service provider for kitchen and bath installations, which they did for four years. Such was the demand for their services to design and build remodels that, by necessity, they added electrical, plumbing, demolition, reinstallations, dry wall and painting to their services. The company was renamed By Design Group, Inc., to include all the new ventures. The staff grew to eight employees. A consulting
By Design Group, Inc. 11 E. Runnion Road Sequim 582-1843
Back to the Future
Boni and Jac Osborn of By Design Group, Inc., are ready to assist with any home design or installation project. Photo by Joan Worley service and resource center were added and the showroom relocated to East Runnion Road in Carlsborg. Osborn pretty much has seen it all in the construction world. He knows quality, what works well, what things should cost and how to avoid problems. He has zero tolerance for design flaws such as tile countertops that end with odd-size pieces and mitered cabinet edges that are not prefinished and meticulously joined. Through his stable of reliable suppliers, he shops around for the best price and makes sure that if unacceptable materials are delivered they will be replaced without hassle. Because Osborn sells from a position of “inspiration, not desperation,” he can help his customers realize their dream project while remaining respectful of their budget. Customers may order and pay for items directly from suppliers, with or without Osborn’s assistance, and without charge, and he will complete the installation. His motto is “If you can buy it, we can install it.” Job costs are itemized and Osborn’s percentage is clearly indicated at the bottom of the bill. Boni Osborn is available to assist with the often overwhelming interior design decisions such as color choices, hardware,
Beautifu at the l cabinetry and Design a Center dazzling choic . e of
hardwar
wood species and stains. For the kitchen, high definition laminates that have the feel and look of expensive countertops are available at about one-fifth of the cost. The new undermount kitchen sinks eliminate dirt-catching rims. Pullout shelves and silent shut closures on cabinet doors and drawers are standard at no additional charge. If the customer’s heart’s desire is granite, Osborn says he can obtain the stone and most any other material at unbeatable prices. For installations, such design features as placing the dishwasher on the right-hand side of the sink for people who are righthanded and raising counters to accommodate taller homeowners often are overlooked details that add great convenience. For the bathroom, safety is an
e are o
Photo
See Future, page 32
n displ ay
by Kell
y McKil
lip
32 • Wednesday, February 10, 2010
Future from page 31
important element to consider. Grab bars, elevated toilets and other non-slip features help prevent injuries. Osborn offers senior discounts that go a long way in assisting them with these vital updates. Osborn hires reliable people who are mature, professional and courteous. Staff must pass rigorous background checks, be highly skilled and share his work ethic. Sena David runs the Design Center and Kevin Woods is the project manager. The Osborns are very pleased that their business helps support local families and sees the staff as carrying on the legacy of their family venture when they actually do retire. Being supportive of the community is a major part of the company’s business ethic. With any project, Osborn tells neighbors what they can expect and demands quality from his crews personally and professionally. He is available 24/7 for emergency repair problems so folks do not get soaked financially by businesses that take advantage of such situations. Osborn stops by the Sequim Senior Activity Center every two weeks to offer
Home Improvement 2010 his services and discounts. Michael Smith, executive director, says, “We appreciate Jac and his sponsorship of events like our potlucks, our recent concert fundraiser and his support of our newsletter. It is great to work with local businesses that give our seniors discounts on needed services, and that support SSAC financially.” The latest successful venture for the By Design Group is Designed to Sell. Local real estate agents were having trouble moving homes due to lack of curb appeal and sellers couldn’t afford to make improvements. Osborn began the service that spruces up houses on the market at no upfront charge to the homeowners. Customers are encouraged to come to the Design Center at 11 E. Runnion Road in Carlsborg between 9 a.m.5 p.m. Monday-Friday and 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturdays with plans or just to discuss ideas about designs and installations for any home, room or garage. Stop by Booth 53 during the KONP Home Show at Port Angeles High School on Feb. 27-28 and the North Peninsula Building, Remodeling and Energy Expo at Sequim High School on March 13-14 to meet and talk to the Osborns and their staff about your next home improvement project. So what can they do for you today?
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On display at the Design Center are high definition laminates that have the feel and look of expensive counter tops at about one-fifth of the cost. The new undermount kitchen sinks eliminate dirt-catching rims. Photo by Kelly McKillip
Wednesday, February 10, 2010 • 33
Home Improvement 2010
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pride themselves in timely scheduled installations and customer satisfaction. With Richerts Marble & Granite, Inc., you get only the highest quality of stone, craftsmanship and professionalism. With the combination of the most efficient, state-of-the-art equipment and the highest skilled specialists, they are able to produce and install a beautiful and high quality product Give them a call at (360) 683-5844 or stop by the showroom at 167 Business Park Loop (in the Carlsborg Industrial Park) to see how Richerts Marble & Granite, Inc. can help you add value to your home or business.
34 • Wednesday, February 10, 2010 for the Sequim Gazette by Jerry Kraft “Usually, you know when it’s time for a new roof when yours starts to leak,” said Garland Vaughan with a laugh. He’s been in this business for a long time and he’s seen a lot of roofs at just the point where they need to be replaced and many others that have gone well beyond that point. While few people happily would trade a vacation trip to Hawaii for new asphalt shingles, there are few things more important to the integrity of a home. A new roof is intended for a considerable lifetime, usually 20 to 30 or more years, so the choices you make in materials and application techniques will have long-standing consequences. So, too, will the choice of a contractor. Garland Roofing essentially is a one-man roofing business, although Vaughan does hire additional help as needed. Growing up in Port Angeles, he began helping local builders as a boy, then worked in shake mills on the West End for a number of years. He returned to Port Angeles, took college courses in building and maintenance and began working
Home Improvement 2010 with a small general contractor who did everything from foundation work to sheet rock. That was where he learned roofing. About seven years ago there was a big demand for roofing alone (probably the result of a large wind storm) and at that point he began his business focusing solely on roofing. “Most of my business is re-roofing,” he said, “and most of it comes from my reputation and word of mouth from past customers. You don’t get a lot of repeat business in roofing, but people do ask around about who does good work and that’s where most of my customers come from.” He said there also are a lot of other builders and former customers who refer business to him. T h e re i s a s t r i k i n g r a n g e o f materials available, from high-cost tile roofs and wood shakes to the most inexpensive and common three-tab asphalt shingles. Vaughan doesn’t like them. “I think many three-tab shingles are just wind-catchers waiting to happen,” he said. Vaughan prefers what is called a 30-year architectural asphalt. These shingles are built up until they are
Under one roof
Comfort and security for a long time about twice as thick as a three-tab and they are staggered to decrease their vulnerability to wind and to give them a more substantial look. The colors can resemble slate or even wood shakes. “The 30-year architectural really doesn’t cost much more,
especially for the difference in quality. It usually requires about one more bundle of shingles per square foot. I think it’s a bargain in the longrun.”
Garland Vaughan is a “little guy” among roofing contractors, but his experience and reputation have kept Garland Roofing a successful business.
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Home Improvement 2010 Once you’ve decided on the type of shingle you want to use, the next decision is color, which can be quite wide-ranging. Then the crew comes to work. Vaughan says the average roofing job takes his company about a week. He requires that the project be independently financed by the homeowner prior to beginning work. “Many times we have to replace wood on the roof that has rotted or been weakened by leaking,” Vaughan said, “and we may want to improve the ventilation before we start replacing the roofing.” Poor ventilation can result in leaking, blistering, turned-up corners,
wet insulation and rotting wood. Inadequate ventilation also can cause ice to build up, along with frost and other condensation, leading to rot and mold. A large part of preventing leaks has to do with properly installing the edge, base and sill flashing. “We almost always do a complete tear-off before we start putting on the new roofing,” Vaughan explained, “Not only do you get a better looking roof, but we can put down a good quality, heavy tar paper beneath it. Also, many manufacturers’ warranties only apply to a single-layer roofing job.” Garland Roofing is a “little guy” in terms of local roofing
The 30-year architectural shingle is layered much more densely and provides a significant value for only slightly greater cost over three-tab shingles.
24 Months T2380
Three-tab asphalt shingles are by far the most popular roofing material, but they also are susceptible to wind damage and leakage. Vaughan prefers 30-year architectural shingles. Photos by Jerry Kraft companies, but Vaughan has not had trouble finding business. “You have to be careful,” he said. “There are a lot of dishonest, fly-by-night companies who will come in and give you a great bid on a new roof, but you won’t be happy with the job they do. I think I have a reputation as an honest guy who does honest work and I guess that’s how I compete.” A new roof is a considerable investment and one that should last
36 Months ZG222
a long time. Whether you decide on wood shakes, tile or asphalt, you should spend a bit of time investigating the products that are available and the construction requirements for installation. Then find a roofing contractor with experience and a good reputation to do the work. That new roof will be on your home for decades to come and should keep everyone beneath it warm and secure.
42 Months BX2660
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Home Improvement 2010
Good and quality can be found at T.J.’s Flooring service for the Sequim Gazette by Robin Pearne T.J.’s Flooring is a family owned business specializing in good customer service, quality products and expert advice. Owners Tom and Terry Grubbs usually have five or six qualified and experienced installers working for the flooring store at any given time. The Grubbses have more than 30 years of experience in the field and still show excitement over new products. Tom Grubbs said, “I am always concerned about quality; home decorators have an advantage over the box stores when they shop here. They get a lot of personal attention, service and good advice.” T.J.’s Flooring has been in its present location for three years. Located at 114 N. Lincoln in Port Angeles, it is just off Front Street. The cozy store has a warehouse stacked with popular items and the storefront has a wonderful array of modern floor
coverings and samples. Carpets, laminates, tiles and cork coverings make it hard to choose from the many exciting selections displayed at T.J.’s. Grubbs says business is good despite the recession. Until recently, popular colors have been earth tones and were bland practical shades. Grubbs sees the younger generation going for the bright colors in carpeting and the light shades in laminates and tiles. The new colors offered in carpeting are vibrant and the carpet materials are soft yet very resistant to soil and crushing. Such colors are a wonderful contrast to the outdoor wintertime grays.
Tom Grubbs carries a wide variety of tile in popular sizes in his cozy store. Photos by Robin Pearne
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Home Improvement 2010 carpets are no exception. There are chemicals that are formulated to destroy household odors, pet odors, even odors from cigarette smoke. These chemicals, often woven into the carpet fibers, are harmless to the environment but absorb and decompose gases in the household. Numerous cleanings and excessive abrasion will not reduce the carpet’s odor-destroying abilities. The chemicals are self-renewing and stay in the carpet, adding value to your floor coverings and home. A new technology provides microengineered surfaces on carpet fibers that minimize soil adhesion. Anti-soil treatments no longer are harmful to the environment and can be found in good-quality carpets. Carpets are more durable and can be used longer because of added protection. Many companies use recycled materials, thus reducing waste and increasing efficiency. With these new techniques, they make better products with longer periods between replacements. All of these new methods help the landfills, reduce energy consumption and
create fewer greenhouse gas emissions. T.J.’s has a large selection of carpets with such advantages.
Enhance your home with laminates or cork
Laminates such as Pergo have become very popular and are hard to distinguish from real wood. They are more practical and durable than real wood and not as expensive. Grubbs pointed to a display of wood flooring products that were sanded. “Many wood floors have seams that catch soil, but they can be sanded smooth to eliminate that problem,” said Grubbs. “Wood floors are sometimes purchased for very expensive homes where only authentic materials are wanted. Laminates are much more practical and much less expensive. It is hard to tell the difference when looking at them.” The choices in laminate designs, colors and finishes is dazzling at T.J.’s. Some brands have a 25year warranty. The attached underlayments are a very important
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38 • Wednesday, February 10, 2010
Flooring from page 37
consideration. T.J.’s always offers good advice. Cork products make beautiful and practical floor coverings. They come in many lovely shades and patterns and are soft, quiet and durable. Grubbs explained that the cork trees are not harmed during the harvest of materials. Harvesters take only part of the bark so that the tree can rejuvenate. It seems that the process is a “win, win.” The tree is cared for and nourished; humans get wonderful floor coverings.
Breakage need not be a problem with tiles
There are new materials for tiles these days and they are not all ceramic. The materials that copy ceramic take half the time to install and can be used with or without grout. The synthetics have a warmer feel to them and they absorb sounds, making a more peaceful atmosphere in the home. Breaking these nonceramic tiles is almost impossible and they are much less
Home Improvement 2010 T.J.’s Flooring 114 N. Lincoln St., Port Angeles 360-670-5188 likely to shatter dropped items. The colors and patterns available seem limitless. The remarkable stainresistant materials usually come in 8-inch by 8-inch or 16-inch by 16-inch tile sizes. Today’s grouts also are different; they are more resistant to stain and wear than the old-fashioned products. Colored grouts show less stain from soil. It is important to use sealants to prevent cracking. A specialty store such as T.J.’s will give a customer the information he or she needs to make a good selection. Home builders who are concerned about quality buy from stores that specialize in floor coverings. T.J.’s can be reached at 360-670-5188 or e-mail to tgrubbyies@ msn.com.
TJ’s Flooring has samples of carpeting, laminates, tile and ceramics for designers and homeowners.
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Home Improvement 2010
Wednesday, February 10, 2010 • 39
40 • Wednesday, February 10, 2010
Home Improvement 2010