Bathroom Tip Wednesdays

Today we are going to talk about some simple ways to save energy costs in the bathroom.

1. Install energy star fixtures. These are designed to conserve energy.

2. Install LED light bulbs. Just replace any that are not LED.

3. Use warm or cold water while showering. The savings really add up over the year.

4. Install motion sensors for lights.

5. Turn off exhaust fans 10 minutes after you shower.

We know that if you use this simple tips you can save energy and money in the bathroom!

Windows Siding Tip Tuesdays

Today we are going to talk about the different types of home siding. You can get siding in several different types of materials and these are:

– Wood Siding

– Vinyl Siding

– Fiber Cement Siding like James Hardie Siding

– Brick Siding

– Stone Siding

– Glass Siding

– Metal Siding

– Stucco Siding

All of these have pros and cons associated with them. We would love to meet up and give you a free estimate on different siding options!

Bathroom Tip Wednesdays

What are the different flooring options that are the best for your bathroom. These are in no specific order:

– Natural Stone Tiles

– Hardwood

– Ceramic or Porcelain Tile

– Cork

– Vinyl

We Love the look and feel of all of these and they make a great addition to any bathroom

Bathroom Tip Wednesdays

What are the benefits of a walk-in tub? We have one of these installed in the house and it is awesome. Perfect if you don’t like to climb over the tub wall. It also has jets and a heated seat. These are ideal for elderly as well. The model that we have has jets and a heated seat. The jets are great for improved circulation and can also help improve mobility. It also is really good for stress releasing.

Windows Siding Tip Tuesdays

We Highly Recommend getting an energy audit of any windows that you have around the home. Under insulated windows account for more than 70% of heating loss in homes. Double and Triple pane windows can help immensely with these type of energy loss. Call us today and we can get out to inspect your windows and see what it takes to get you some warmth!

Bathroom Tip Wednesdays

Today we discuss great ways to do very simple updates to your bathroom on a budget. One way to make a very simple change to the bathroom is to upgrade your current tiles. If painting the tiles or grout repair does not work, you can replace tile in small sections. maybe around the sink or bathtub. Even smaller changes can be a new toothbrush holder that matches the storage basket. Also some matching towels can make a drastic difference. Another big change is a fresh coat of paint to add some color to the bathroom.

Windows Siding Tip Tuesdays

Today we are going to talk about the different types of Hardie siding. This is from the website, “Re-siding with fiber cement is a smart investment in your home. Even smarter: Choosing fiber cement siding and trim from the industry leader, James Hardie.” They really have a large selection of styles and colors and these include:

HardiePlank® Lap Siding – Traditional and timeless. Sleek and strong.

HardiePlank® lap siding is not just our best-selling product—it’s the most popular brand of siding in North America, protecting and beautifying more homes from coast to coast.

HardieShingle® Siding – While they are most often associated with Cape Cod-style homes, shingles siding (also referred to as shake siding) can add instant character to any style home, anywhere. For the distinct look of cedar shake with less maintenance, choose

HardieShingle® siding.

HardiePanel® Vertical Siding- Re-siding your house with

HardiePanel vertical siding—or combining it with

HardiePlank® lap siding—is sure to add visual punch to your design. Ask us about any of these products from James Hardie today!

The Sky’s the Limit: Rooftop Living Ideas

You love your house, your garden, and your neighbourhood. But isn’t it time to see it all from a different perspective?

Summer in Oregon is here and the warm weather is made for entertaining and relaxing outdoors, but why not consider building a terrace for your barbecues and evening get-togethers that will really stand out: a rooftop deck.

Rooftop living spaces, no matter their design, offer great advantages. More space, more value for your home, and great views: there’s no feeling quite like standing on top of the world, on your own roof.

A rooftop terrace can add considerable curb appeal to your home, and it’s the perfect way to add a bit more square footage to your home, especially if space is tight. Adding a rooftop deck with elegant furniture, discreet screening, and potted plants maximizes your outdoor space and can offer a secluded space hidden away from prying eyes.

Rooftop decks are perfect for entertaining, for everything from Friday night cocktails to full-on garden parties with a twist. But they can also be a great way to create a rooftop garden without having to create a green roof entirely. They can be made to look as beautiful and useful as your backyard.

You can transform a flat roof into a rooftop deck or add a terrace extension to your existing roof structure.

Rooftop decks can be outdoor lounge areas, dining areas , or gardens. With rooftop lounges, the key to getting the look right is making the area comfortable, private, and relaxing. Rooftop dining areas need to be easily accessible from the kitchen if possible, with enough space to host family and friends for meals. Rooftop gardens, or even living green roofs, need to be carefully thought out to protect your roof from water leaks and wear-and-tear.

With smaller spaces, you can simply create a rooftop bar or small garden with simple furniture, a lovely little oasis that you’ll never want to leave.

When you’re ready, contact us at Keith Green Construction to make these dreams a reality.

The hidden danger of mold: what it is, where to find it, and what to do about it

Winter in Oregon can be a tough time for many living species, but for mold, wet winter months are the perfect conditions for the growth of dangerous mold spores.

Mold loves damp, wet places, and thrives in these humid conditions, quickly infecting your home.

Mold isn’t just unsightly (and smelly!): mold can grow undetected for years and slowly eat away at your home’s internal structures, affecting their integrity and destroying your home bit by bit.

More dangerously, some types of mold can produce mycotoxins that are toxic and can trigger several health issues, such as asthma, allergies, sinus infections, and headaches, warns the Center for Disease Control and Prevention.

Preventing mold from growing is the best way to keep your health and homes strong and healthy. Keep reading to find out what you can do to prevent mold infestation in your home.

What is mold?

Mold is a generic name for all sorts of fungi that grow and multiply: it only needs moisture and a food source like wood to grow.

In nature, mold serves a useful purpose: decomposition. However, in the home, mold can be dangerous for humans and damage your home structurally and aesthetically.

Many homes in Oregon have water damage from our wet seasons, and this provides ideal conditions for mold to grow. The small spores of mold quickly reproduce and drift through the air and around your home, and potentially into your lungs.

You may see ugly patches of black, brown, pink, or green growths on shower doors, walls, or other visible areas—or you may not be aware at all that mold is growing in your attic, behind the walls, or under your carpets.

Finding mold: 5 signs to look for

1. Uneven or poor attic insulation

Uneven, bulgy insulation in your attic can indicate the presence of water damage from roof leaks, and this can create perfect conditions for mold.

If your attic air circulation and insulation is poor, you won’t have proper ventilation and mold is likely to grow.

Mold spores can travel through very small openings, and can make their way from the attic down to the rest of the house. If you spot water leaks in your attic, it’s important to get them fixed before mold takes over.

2. Soft, spongy floorboards

You know that feeling in old houses when the wooden floorboards seem to give way under your feet?

It’s likely that a soft, spongy area on hardwood floors indicated rotten wood, which will need to be replaced. If you don’t replace spongy, wet floorboards, mold can continue to grow and spread.

3. Bubbling paint on walls

Have you ever noticed how paint seems to ‘bubble’ sometimes on a wall? This usually indicates water damage and internal moisture in the wall.

Painting over the bubbles won’t solve the problem: you need to find the source of the leak and fix it, and then remove the mold.

4. Visible signs of mold

Look carefully at walls, windows, and floorboards. Mold is commonly found in bathrooms, laundry rooms, and other areas where moisture is likely to become trapped.

Mold and mildew are often confused: the type of mold you have will determine how you get rid of it.

Mold can grow in patches that penetrate the surface of the material it’s growing on. Mold can be black, green, pink or other colors and tends to grow on walls and inside permanent structures. It’s fuzzy and slimy, with irregular shaped spots.

Mildew, on the other hand, is powdery, white or grey, smells strongly, and tends to grow on organic surfaces and materials. Mildew (a type of mold) typically remains flat on the surface of the material.

5. Unexplained physical symptoms

Have a persistent sinus infection, coughing, or itchy throat or eyes, and it just doesn’t seem to go away? If you’ve consulted a doctor and your condition isn’t improving, consider the possibility that your health issues are being caused by mold.

Make an inspection of your house, call in a professional if you need to, and mention the possible presence of mold in your home to your doctor.

How to get rid of mold

Mold is everywhere, but you can make your home inhospitable to it.

  • Fix water leaks as soon as you spot them and remove sources of excess moisture
  • Install a strong vent or fan in the bathroom (and remember to use it when showering)
  • Open windows when cooking and for 10-15 minutes every day if possible
  • Immediately dry and remove wet carpets, fabrics, furniture, and curtains
  • Make sure you have adequate ventilation in all rooms of your home
  • Clean out your gutters regularly to prevent leaks
  • Inspect your walls, attic, crawl spaces, and roof regularly for signs of moisture
  • Keep a little space between your furniture and the wall so air can pass between them
  • Use your air conditioning in humid weather and your heating in cold seasons

Call in the professionals

You can remove small amounts of mold and mildew with bleach and water (wear protective gear), but larger areas will have to be removed by professionals.

Check out the Oregon government factsheet or the Oregon Mold in Your Home FAQ to find out more or contact us at Keith Green Construction to find out how we can help prevent mold growth in your home.