What is the Best Paint for Your Money?

How do you know which paint is right for your house? Well, that depends on what your project is for. Are you staying or selling? Do you need or want low or no VOC (volatile organic compounds). All paints appear to look the same but can massively differ in price. Although the cheapest option may seem attractive, the more expensive paints are higher quality, come in more brilliant colors, will last longer, and optional one coat/primer applications.

All paint has certain ingredients. The more pigments the more it will retain its true color over time. Binders help hold the paint together and also will resist cracking, peeling and blistering. The more liquids a paint has the more it will evaporate. Cheaper paints contain more liquids. Additives give paint extra durability or resistance to mildew.  Depending on the how much of each ingredient is in it will affect the color as well as the quality.

Some company paint lines offer their own colors, like Devine paint and Benjamin Moore’s Aura series, that can't be duplicated (at least not very well) in other brands' without high-quality materials.” Some brands are better at hiding flaws, some on flow and leveling, and others on adhesion. Each brand has its own unique balance of characteristics. If you want to play it safe, choose the top-quality item from the brand you're interested in.”

If you haven’t bought paint in years you may be sticker shocked. Good quality paints can run an average of $55+ per gallon with a $.75 mandatory recovery fee for EPA disposal.  Keep in mind a high-quality paint coverage will be superior, and typically covers the surface in fewer coats, saving you time too.

Buying a really good paint isn’t the whole solution to getting the best results. It’s all in the preparation, if you don’t prep properly even the best paint won’t last. Make the most of your investment and ask a professional guide you.

Homeowners Beware Of Scam Artists

We’ve seen it before, but it’s worth a repeat warning. Beware of contractors who are unlicensed and/or misrepresent themselves as professionals in their field. Case in point, recently a new homeowner purchased a home and was outside viewing her property with Don when a man stopped by and claimed to have been the previous owner’s landscaper. He appeared to know a lot about the property, sprinkler systems, etc. and offered his services to her in checking all the systems and cleaning up what had been neglected for so long.

Red Flag #1: When asked for a business card he casually said he didn’t have one on him at the moment. So, there was no way to check his license legitimacy since there was not a number to look up. See Oregon State Contactors and/or Landscape Contractors Board to confirm an active license.

Red Flag #2: He was driving an unmarked vehicle with no visual business representation. He didn’t even have landscaping equipment in his vehicle.

Red Flag #3: He asked for $500 up front to start the project, with no paperwork and no receipt.

As a consumer, do your due diligence in checking up on these scam artists who will gladly take your money without doing the work.     

How Do You Thrill A Teenage Boy?

PLAN



  Give him his own bathroom. Okay we’re pretty sure it’s not #1 on his wish list, but it may rank within the top 10. Once a Jack-n-Jill bathroom shared with his sister, we reconfigured the layout to create a private bathroom for the homeowner’s 14 year old son. The original shower and toilet room was partitioned off from the sink areas. We simply removed those walls, closed up the hall to the sister’s bedroom, which became her new walk-in closet, and created one large space, adding a floor to ceiling linen cabinet in the empty space next to the toilet for oodles of extra storage.

 

BEFORE

 

The tile selections were inspired from one of our website gallery bathrooms that the homeowner’s saw and loved. Dark “Bedrosin” 12” x 24” tile flooring was laid in a subway pattern with chocolate colored grout. The shower floor is a mosaic 2”x2” travertine, walls ZERA Walnut 12” x 24” tile laid vertically. To add visual interest one stripe of glass & stone mosaic was laid on one end of the wall and inside the soap niche. The 4’ x 5’ shower is enclosed with a Euro Frameless glass floor to ceiling panel and door. And what’s fair is fair, a 14” Kohler Rain Shower Head was installed, mimicking his sister’s new bathroom. We’re told this is one of his most favorite features.

 
For additional masculine elements the Hutton Collection espresso colored vanity with Italian Crema Marble top, and Dillon Collection sconces & towel bars are from Restoration Hardware. When designing a bathroom for a teenager, it makes sense that the space will grow with them. 

 
  

Are You Just Blowing Hot Air?

The Truth About Bathroom Exhaust Fans

Bathroom exhaust fans play a great role in determining the quality of the house’s ventilation system. Its main function is to remove moisture, not just funky smells and condensation on mirrors. You need to understand that too much moisture at home can cause damage to the structure of your house including the walls and also the ceilings. Furthermore, the moisture will also let bacteria, mildew, molds, and insects grow faster which can lead to health problems of your family members. Here are some things to consider about bathroom exhaust fans.

Check your existing fans. You can test your existing fans are good enough in drawing the air or not. Use a piece of toilet paper and place it up towards fan’s grill. If you find that the fan holds the tissue stay tight on the grill then it means that your fan is working just fine. It’s also possible your current fan can be ineffective in dealing with the function due to age or dust accumulation. You may want to consider replacing it, new fans these days are more energy efficient and effective in moving the air circulation inside the house and removing the moisture.

Proper venting is another crucial factor. Venting into an attic space will only create more moisture issues in the attic. Venting to the outside is ideal.

“In selecting new bathroom exhaust fan, it is suggested for you to get the quietest, most energy-efficient, and please consider the size that meets your need.  To make it simpler for you to compare the fans, you can use the HVI ratings that can be found on the packages. The good ones should have 0.5 sones or less of the rating. The fans should also consume about 20 watts when they are working.” (BathBlogs.com)

Exhaust fans are like faucets, to be used daily. So rule of thumb, get a good one, it can save you money in the long run. If you’re uncomfortable replacing it yourself, refer to a professional contractor who can determine if your existing electrical can handle the desired exhaust fan and venting is set up properly.