One of the most important things you can do to maintain your home’s value is to keep it in good repair.  Part of a good maintenance routine is to inspect any exterior wood siding or trim annually to make sure the finishes are holding up and to check for any damage that may have occurred from storms or insects.  Keeping an eye on your home’s exterior frequently will keep small problems from becoming huge repair issues.

Over a year ago we installed a new entry door for Marc and Nancy Cromie.  Part of the project included installing pergola rafters above the new entry door and also above the garage doors at the side of the home.  Over time the finish has somewhat faded and eventually moisture will start to permeate the wood.  The pergola rafters we made from clear cedar which is naturally resistant to insects and decay but it is also know to turn gray over time.

Even though Cedar is beautiful when maintained it is a soft wood and will tend to soak up sealants like a sponge.  It is a good idea to come back after about a year and apply another coat of finish to help seal out moisture and assist with fending off those pesky carpenter bees.

We recommend using a product called Cetol which is made by Sikkens.  It is an excellent product for first coat applications and also for maintaining exterior wood siding and trim.  It is famous for its use on wood garage doors which you can see was also a part of this project.  There are products that are less expensive but when it comes to maintaining the exterior wood on your home, spending a little more per gallon will pay off big dividends if you decide to sell your home.

When applying any product like this read the manufacturers application instructions prior to use.   Proper prep work is vital and will add to the life of the finish.  We always clean and sand any surface prior to applying any type of finish.  We use trisodium phosphate (TSP) for cleaning dirt and mold from wood surfaces.  TSP can be purchased at any hardware or big box building supplier.

You can tackle maintenance projects like this yourself or you can give us artisans a call and we will take care of it for you.  If you decide to take on the task just remember to review safety issues prior to starting your project.  Make sure you secure your ladder and that all equipment is working properly.  It is a good idea to have a buddy help.  It is always a good idea to work in pairs when ladders or scaffolding are being used.  If one gets hurt the other can help or at least call for help.  After all, if you can’t back sit later with an adult beverage in hand and admire your work, you haven’t accomplished much.

When Pam Harper decided to replace her carpet in her Signal Mountain home with #1 common red oak she got more than just new hardwood floors.  What she got was a living space that had been totally transformed.

Pam’s carpet, while still in good shape, was beginning to look dated so she decided to replace the carpet with a hardwood surface that would be easy to maintain and keep clean.  She also wanted to get back to the original style flooring of the home which is a 1930’s style bungalow.  To achieve this we use 2 1/4” wide oak flooring to match the original flooring which still remains in the front portion of the home.

The process of replacing the flooring starts with removing the old carpet and tack strips which secure the carpet around the perimeter of the room.  Next the subfloor is checked for areas that may need repair.  Once the subfloor has been inspected a layer of felt paper is laid down to help smooth out the floor.  The felt also provides a moisture barrier form any unconditioned spaces below.

The new oak flooring is laid perpendicular to the floor joists and the random length boards are staggered so the joints are no aligned. Once the flooring is laid it is sanded, stained and coated with 3 coats of polyurethane sealant.  This provides a finish that is both beautiful and durable.

Hardwood flooring provides timeless style at an affordable cost.   This grade of oak costs around $4.80 per square foot installed, not included prep work, and will provide more than a lifetime of enjoyment. Contact an artisan today regarding your new flooring project!