Concrete Building Process

There are three different ways a home can be built of concrete:

• Exterior Walls
• Interior and Exterior Walls
• Interior Walls, Exterior Walls, Ceiling and Floor

Benefits of Concrete Building

• Long Lasting – building homes with concrete is not a new concept. It has been quite prevalent for the last 30 years. The concrete sections interlock and connect to one another creating a reinforced locking system. These forms are then fitted with steel rods and filled with concrete. Even in the most extreme of weather conditions, the home or building is unlikely to become unstable. Concrete is a strong protector against fire and high winds. Additionally, rain and other common forms of precipitation in the NW and Portland does little to deteriorate the concrete.

• Energy Efficient – because of the triple insulated nature of the concrete blocks (concrete sections, steel pole and poured concrete), less heat escapes during the colder months, cutting down utility costs. Typically, wood siding has half the insulated value of concrete blocks, making heat twice as likely to escape. Concrete built homes are sometimes a nice alternative to wooden built ones because of the return on investment over time based on heating costs. A Portland concrete building specialist can provide further details on cost savings.

• Comfortability and Safety – the thickness of the block plus further concrete insulation creates 8″ of insulation, which deafens the outside sound,  making the house or building quiet and disturbance free. Additionally, because the concrete insulation is thicker than most alternative forms, it mitigates outside changes in temperature. So, while your Portland home might feel the brunt of 100 degree temperature in August, the home will remain less unchanged.
  Insurance companies are taking note of the soundly built concrete housing structures. Often, many homes with concrete formations enjoy lower insurance premiums because the house (1) structure is more secure (2) less of a fire hazard (3) can withstand high winds.

• Ease of Construction – older forms of concrete and outdated tools made it difficult to account for windows and complex angles in homes. New forms of expanded polystyrene concrete and innovative cutting tools have allowed for ease and precision. However, when considering the layout of the home or building, it is important to consult with a Portland concrete builder before beginning the build out. This is because the window and door formations must be in place before the inner concrete can be laid. Another benefit of using concrete in new construction starts is it can cut down on the overall build time of a new house or building.

Painters Portland pride themselves on providing professional work which lasts. Please contact us for a Free Quote.

Types of Roofing

Tile Roof

Tile

- is the most technological form of roofing to date because it incorporates recycled materials
styles – Spanish Tile, Flat Tile, Mission Tile, Pan Tile, Metal Tile
benefits – reduces heat transfers from the attic by up to 50% when compared to asphalt

Shingle Roof

Shingle

- is made of fiberglass matting and are coated with asphalt for protection
styles – come in a variety of styles and textures because of its popularity
benefits – versatile and economically sound. They represent 80% of the roofs in the United States

Flat Roof

Flat

- is the most complex and features a combination of PVC, TPO, EPDM materials
styles - flat with mostly asphalt service
benefits – subject to high levels of water retention but can equip solar panels for solar energy

Metal Roof

Metal

- combines metal interlocking, standing seam, metal shingles and copper
styles – comes in mostly large panels (can be customized) and varies in color, tone and type
benefits – can be costly but offer durability, longer life and is more fire retardant

Roofing can be especially dangerous and should only be carried out by seasoned professionals with years of experience and a glowing safety record. The majority of the residential roofs in Portland consist of the shingle roof variety and can be quite angled and dangerous to scale. A Portland roof specialist will quickly diagnose the condition of your roof and explain to you step by step what is necessary to repair the roof and the cost involved. A Portland roof professional will provide you a list of affordable options ranging from complete repair to addressing immediate safety concerns.

Portland House Painters pride themselves on providing professional work which lasts. Please contact us for a Free Quote.

Mario’s Painting Service – how to information on painting

Powell Paint Center -  has been a family owned and operated business since 1961. Over the years Powell Paint Center has grown to become Portland’s largest independent paint dealer by supplying quality products and quality service.

PDX Interiors – Portland Oregon is home to some of the most unique and innovative interior decorators and designers in the nation. Our rich artistic history along with our legendary urban planning lends a hand to creating useful and attractive designs.

HomeBlue: Find Interior Designers In Your Area

U.S. City Business Directory – Find what you are looking for fast and easy.

Loaded Web – Local Directory for OR

PDXYz.com: The Portland Oregon Area Business Directory – Serving the needs of Portland area business owners and business proprietors.

World Website Directory

Remodeling & Repair Directory

Removing the Old Finish

The first step on the path to making outdated wood like vibrant again is removing the current finish. Through a single use or combination of sanding, chemical compounds and heat guns, a Portland wood floor refinishing technician will carefully find the optimal stripping technique. Normally, we are working with antique furniture and/or trim which means low grain orbital sander is administered to the wood with even rotating strokes to ensure the original piece is left unaltered. Chemical strippers or “paint strippers” are used when paint or varnish covers the majority of the surface.

Wood Preparation

After the wood piece is devoid of old paint or varnish, it is left to dry before the next step-wood preparation. This is a critical step to the wood refinishing project because an experienced wood refinisher will use a variety of sand paper grits to find the optimal smoothness. A Portland wood refinishing professional will start with a high grain, like a 120 grit and work there way down to a 220 sand paper grit. Often times, wood which is not properly sanded at this point in the process will produce an uneven surface when the final varnish or paint is applied.
*Certain woods like mahogany and oak will require an additional a grain filler. Grain filler is a paste which comes in a variety of colors. The paste is slowly worked into the wood, dried and any excess is wiped clear.

Choosing and Applying the Proper Stain

Before selecting the right stain, a sanding sealer is normally applied to the wood to prevent the wood from absorbing the stain unevenly and reducing the amount of coats required. Stains choices are normally based upon matching the wood to the desired color and mitigating the contrast between other wood colors in the interior of the home. There are several types of stains to choose from.

Oil Based Stain – penetrates the wood without altering the surface

• Recommended – furniture, woodwork, doors, floors, cabinets, accessories
• Dry Time – 8 hours
• Coats – Normally 2. Additional coats can be applied for a richer color
• Application Tool – brush, cloth or foam applicator

Water Based Stain – environmentally friendly but often raise the grain of the wood

• Recommended – furniture, woodwork, cabinets, doors, accessories
• Dry Time – 3 hours
• Coats – Normally 1. Additional coats can be applied for a richer color
• Application Tool – synthetic bristle brush, cloth or foam

Gel Based Stain – offers excellent rich color but are more expensive

• Recommended – woodwork, furniture, doors, cabinets, accessories
• Dry Time – 24 hours
• Coats – 1-2 depending on the surface
• Application Tool – brush, cloth or foam applicator

Final Finish

The final coat serves to give the external structure a soft and natural finish. The finishing coat ranges from oil to water to laquer based. Oil is more durable and comes in variety of colors. Water based is softer and more environmentally friendly. Laquer is durable and gives an elegant finish. Each provides a different sheen or vibrancy. To learn more about the difference in glosses; visit the FAQ flat, high-gloss, satin and eggshell finish. A Portland wood refinishing expert will help guide your decision.

Water Based Polyurethane – is a clear and environmentally fast-drying finish used on most wood surfaces.

• Recommended – furniture, cabinets, floors and doors
• Sheens – Gloss, Semi-Gloss, Satin
• Dry Time – 24 hours
• Coats – 3
• Application Tool – synthetic bristle brush, foam brush, or lambswool applicator

Polyurethane – is a clear, hard finish that dries fast to protect and beautify interior wood surfaces.

• Recommended – woodwork, furniture, doors, cabinets and floors
• Sheens – Gloss, Semi-Gloss, Satin
• Dry Time – 4-6 hours
• Coats – 2-3 coats
• Application Tool – natural bristle brush, foam brush, or lambswool applicator

Lacquer – is a clear, protective finish for wood and metal.

• Recommended – woodwork, cabinets, furniture, interior doors, accessories
• Sheens – Gloss, Semi-Gloss, Satin
• Dry Time – 30 minutes
• Coats – 3
• Application Tool – high quality natural bristle brush

*Recommended Uses, Dry Time and Coats provided by Minwax Stains

Portland Painters pride themselves on providing professional work which lasts. Please contact us for a Free Quote.

What is Drywall?

Drywall, gypsum wallboard, sheetrock, wallboard and plasterboard as the common associated drywall names. Drywall is a construction material used to create walls and ceilings. It is used to create various kind of structures and is very easy to install. Incredibly durable and inexpensive, drywall is used to conceal beams, wrap columns and section off rooms. Additionally, drywall offers a safety feature of being fire proof.

Damaged Drywall

Replacing the Drywall

If damaged area is too large to be simply repaired with a texture, the entire piece of drywall will need to be replaced. To replace the affected area, a Portland drywall repair person will locate the two studs holding the piece of damaged drywall using a stud detector. It is important to remove the entire piece of drywall due to the way it is nailed to the wall and for future stability. A straight edge chalk line is drawn on the wall to make sure an even cut is administered to the wall. Nails, screws, compound and any obstructions are removed from the site. Next, a new piece of drywall is cut to the exact dimensions of the wall and nailed to the wall with screws and nails. Finalizing the drywall hanging includes taping and mudding the joints.

Texturing Drywall

Texturing the Wall

Texturing is accomplished by manipulating the joint compound. Most texturing jobs include patching small nail holes or wall scrapes. A Portland texture specialist will access the type of job and add the proper amount of joint compound. Essentially, joint compound is a “white substance similar to plaster used to seal joints between sheets of drywall, primarily in building construction. It is often referred to simply as “mud”.” [Joint Compound - Wikipedia]. The importance of getting the proper consistency of joint compound lies in getting the right balance of water and compound, creating a cream like concoction. After the compound is created, water is sprayed on the surface of the wall and a texturing sponge applies a small amount of compound. A small paint roller might also be administered to apply the compound if the damaged wall has a large enough hole.

If for any reason the Portland texture specialist did not apply the proper amount of joint texture, it can simply be removed and the whole process can start over again. The appeal of the compound is that it quickly dissolves in water and can be simply wiped clear with a sponge or cloth.

Once the compound has dried, the next step is to blend the edges of the compound with the prevailing wall, ensuring the thickness and consistency match exactly. It takes approximately 30 minutes for the compound to dry and turn from a gray to white. Once the compound is complete, a primer is applied to the wall before the final matching interior color is added to the wall. Depending on the hue of the wall, several paint applications might need to be applied before an exact match is reached. To read more on interior painting - Portland interior painting.

Portland House Painters pride themselves on providing professional work which lasts. Please contact us for a Free Quote.

Dry Rot, by definition is black mold or mildew on the surface of wood. While visually it might not appear to be damaging the wood, it is actually tiny species of fungi encasing the wood, digesting everything it its path. You can test for dry rot by firmly pushing against the suspect spot. If the force creates a slight indent and feels moist, then most likely dry rot is the problem.

Dry Rot should not go left untreated. If left untreated, it can cause thousands of dollars in replacement damages. Another reason to repair and/or replace damaged dry rot is dry rot can not be painted over. The moist wood cannot absorb the paint evenly. It will leave darkened spots and unequal coats of paint. Dry rot is particularly prevalent in Oregon and Washington.

Repair or Replace?

A member of the Portland Painter team will access the damage to determine whether small repairs can be administered or whether it is better to replace the entire section. If the problem can be repaired, a Portland Dry Rot repairman will scrape away the rot with a specialized tool and fill it with a wood filler. To mitigate the chance of the dry rot reappearing, a fungicide and wood oil treatment will be applied to protect the wood.

If an entire replacement is necessary, a dry rot treatment specialist will detail which pieces of wood need to be cut and removed. After the problematic area has been removed, the old wood is replaced with a pretreated, water resistant stained wood. To maximize protection, our Portland dry rot specialists will try to replace the wood when conditions are driest. Sometimes this is not always possible for Portland and surrounding areas during the Winter and Spring seasons but we will always look for the driest conditions.

Beaverton Interior Dry Rot

Dry rot is quite common in damp basements

Lake Oswego Deck Dry Rot

Dry rot has claimed this deck

Painting Afterward?

If the finishing touch requires a paint job, a Portland Painter member will service the wood with acrylic paints and primers which adhere to the pretreated service. The project should leave a beautiful shine and most importantly, last for years to come.

Painters Portland pride themselves on providing professional work which lasts. Please contact us for a Free Quote.

Neighborhood

Lake Oswego Neighboorhood Homes

Neighborhoods typically offer similar exterior colors

Choosing the right paint color which fits into general look and feel of your neighborhood is important. If you live in a conservative part of Portland or Vancouver, you may wish to consider a combination of lighter blues and grays, accented by a yellow or magenta. Take a drive around the neighborhood to generate ideas. By selecting colors which standout and do not fit the status quo, you may receive scrutinizing looks from your neighbors. Individuality is important but it is easy to go overboard. We’ve painted homes in every suburb and if you have questions, a Portland House Painters professional can give advice.

Existing Color

Exterior Home Paint Color

The light pink harmonizes with the gray roof

The existing color of the exterior of a home are often overlooked when embarking on a quest to go in an entirely new direction. It is important to choose colors which harmonize with the existing framework of the house, including the roof, mortar and other exterior elements (more information on exterior house painting). Often a homeowner will fail to take these existing colors into consideration before it is too late. Careful planning and preparation are keys to avoiding regrettable decisions.

Interior Colors

Interior Home Paint Color

Soft greens and whites give a welcoming feel

Selecting a paint color which fits the neighborhood feel plays a role in determining the interior color combination. Just as you would be cognizant of the exterior elements, it is also key to selecting colors which harmonize with the tangible interior characteristics of a home, including furniture, cabinetry, paintings and light fixtures. If deciding to upgrade the paint on the exterior and the interior of the home, the interior selection process should come second. You will want interior paint colors which not only integrate well with the outside but also make the interior warm and inviting. Specific to Portland, with the dreary weather and constant ominous clouds, brighter colors offer a great feel for interior paint works.

Please visit the common FAQ Portland Painting questions for more answers, including selecting the right paint for a NW home.

So when do you know when your home is in need of fresh coat of exterior paint or a change of color? Whatever your reason may be, a new coat of paint will increase value of your home and protect against the changing weather elements. Portland House Painters realizes your home is an important asset and proper paint allocation will keep it looking new for years.

Before beginning any exterior painting job in Portland, Portland Painters will meet with the prospective clients to access the condition of the exterior. Peeling and cracking are common with homes in the Portland OR / Vancouver WA area. If you house was recently painted and this is occurring, you may want to follow up with your previous painter to find out why. For more information on potential signs of poorly done work, see the Portland Painter Frequently Asked Questions . The siding, trim, windows and looking for rotting wood will give a better understanding of the exterior condition. To remove dirt, mildew, chipped paint and other unsightly elements, a thorough pressure wash of the property is sometimes necessary.

The other common reason for an exterior painting job is the home owner is ready for a change of pace and simply wishes to change the exterior paint color of their home. Portland house painters understands the exterior color of house is an extension of a homes personality and it as important to us as the home owner they get exactly the color they have in mind. It is sometimes important to consider the Portland neighborhood paint colors when selecting your paint preferences. Did you know most homes exterior surface is painted in a combination of three colors? We work closely with our clients to help select paint for the (1) siding (2) windows, doors, railings and accents and (3) trim, molding and eaves.  We will make exterior painting suggestions based on the color of the roof, mortar and other exterior color surrounding the home. Also a fresh coat of paint applied in the proper combination of colors not only enhances the charm but it may hide blemishes or structural issues. Ultimately, it is entirely up to the homeowner to decide the color choice but we are there in every step of the selection process guiding and offering support.

Portland House Painters pride themselves on providing professional work which lasts. Please contact us for a Free Quote.