A woman's work

A woman's work

Street of Dreams 2009

Have you checked out the Street of Dreams yet? This is the last week of the show, and it's something you don't want to miss. The Street of Dreams went upscale urban this year, and features 9 amazing Penthouses in 4 Pearl District buildings. Don't miss out! For more info, check out: http://www.streetofdreamspdx.com/home/home.php

*Hang on to your tickets and receive discounts at several Pearl District retailers. Have fun!

Exciting News!

I am so excited...The REX (Reuse Everything eXperiment) Project is having a second open house! Aspen Siding and Windows is proud to be part of this amazing project. Come check out our work!

Who: Shannon Quimby

What: REX Project- A Portland home deconstructed and rebuilt using all of the old matierial.

Where: 2030 SE Rex Street Portland, Oregon 97202

When: September 19th, 2009

Why: Due to high demand Shannon will be opening the house for the projects 2nd open house.

Come check it out, and enjoy a hands on tour though the entire home. Connect with "green" contractors and vendors in Portland, and learn how to save thousands of dollars by reusing and recycling construction materials. Cost is $5 at the door and will support Oregon Brew Women's Soccer. See you all there!

24J, oh how I love thee...

24 J is a project that Aspen Siding and Windows finished last month. It is located on NW 24th and Johnson (hence the name 24J) in the Nobb Hill area of Portland. These quaint condos have such a great character to them, and fit in so well with the Northwest Trendy,and Urban Sophisticate vibe of the area. Great job Aspen!

It's Friday...

I have a really exciting day planned today. I'm headed out this morning on a job tour to get some really amazing pictures of project we have completed in the last few months. We have done some really cool jobs, from hotels to interior remodels. Keep an eye on our website- www.aspensiding.com for new pictures! Have a great weekend everyone!

Remember the REX Project?

Last year, Aspen Siding and Windows was fortunate to be a part of the first ever attempt to reuse 100% of an old dilapidated home into a new home construction project. HGTV's Shannon Quimby explains her REX Project...




Looks like the house will be open again for tour on September 19th. Details coming soon!

Cool article ladies...

Female construction company owners receive award

Knoxville (WVLT) - When you think of construction crews, you probably don't think of women--especially in terms of the owner.
Well there's a mom in town who owns a construction company with her daughter and they're building a big business. We caught up with them today to find out what it's like to be a woman in this industry.
Their slogan is "women rock"...And they do...Nicely Construction and Excavating sells rock and dirt and hauls it to construction sites in Knoxville.
"It's my mom's company and we're really proud of it," Whitney Nicely said.
That's right, it's owned 100 percent by women. Kathy Nicely started the business 5 years ago with her 23 year old daughter--a 4th generation owner--but the first women.And now after 2 years of hard work, received certification by Women's Business Enterprise Council.
"I was really really excited I called everybody in the family and had a celebration dinner," Whitney said.
The certification means more business including a better chance at government jobs. As women though, many of their customers are often confused about who's in charge.
In keeping with their namesake, the Nicely's are generous to their employees.
"They treat you like family instead of an employee. That's what I like about them," worker Andrew Gray said.
And the men work side by side with female drivers.
"Women is stepping up, they're right there beside men, doing their deal. I don't have a problem with it," Gray said.
Gray says there's one big bonus for working with these women.
"They're not bad lookin," Gray said.
But all jokes aside, with 25 dump trucks and 10 heavy machines--business is running good. There's just one problem.
"Fuel right now and insurance really got us in crunch, but other than that we're busy and that's good," Kathy said.
Good news for this mother daughter team who hopes for generations to just keep on trucking. Nicely Construction is currently working on several local projects including the Smart Fix 40 road construction project.

Via:http://www.volunteertv.com/home/headlines/19753169.html

Reporter: Lauren Davis

I was down at Cascade Station PDX yesterday snapping some pictures of the Marriott and Hyatt hotels we just wrapped up. As I was leaving I noticed a brand new Carhartt store in the complex across the street! To my surprise most of the mannequins in the window were women, and had some pretty stylish gear on. Remember the pink jacket I blogged about a few months ago? It's there! Check it out...

10243 NE Cascades Pkwy Portland, OR 97220(503) 546-4699

The power of TWITTER!!

Today Martha Stewart tweeted the phone number to her live XM radio show and asked people to call in with questions. The timing could not have been better, as I am stuck for ideas to create a circus themed trade show booth for the Metro-multifamily Housing Association Spectrum trade show in September. I called the number, and within 10 minutes I was talking LIVE with Martha Stewart! She directed me to the nearest Michael's craft store, and got my creative juices flowing... Thanks Martha!

Say what???

Siding terminology can be confusing, but once you are familiar with some simple words it all seems to make sense. Here are some commonly used terms...


Backer Tab: Provides support for non-insulated 8" siding at panel overlaps (joints), and behind panels at corners to ensure a smooth installation.


Butt Edge: Bottom edge of siding/soffit panel or accessory piece opposite the nailing slots. Locks onto the preceding panel.


Channel: Area of accessory trim or corner post where siding/soffit panels are inserted. Also refers to trim itself, and named according to letter of alphabet it resembles (i.e., J-channel, F-channel, etc.).


Course: A row of panels, one panel wide, running the length of the house from one side to the other or, in the case of vertical siding, from top to bottom.


D4 Profile:Two four-inch wide horizontal traditional planks per single panel of siding.


D5 Profile: Two five-inch wide horizontal traditional planks per single panel of siding.


Drip Cap/Head Flashing: An accessory installed with vertical siding to ensure that water drips away from panels and does not infiltrate them; it is also used as a vertical base.


Dutchlap or Shiplap: A more decorative variation on the clapboard style where the face (or width) of the board is beveled for added dimension.


Eaves: The lower, level part of a roof overhanging a wall.


F Molding (or Trim): Molding used for trim that is in the shape of the letter F, used to trim the edge soffit just above the vinyl siding, on the wall side.


Face: The part of the vinyl panel that is visible once the vinyl is installed Face Nailing: Action of fastening directly onto the face of panel, rather than using the nail hem slot. Generally not used in siding installation.


Fascia: The trim piece nailed to the ends of a series of rafters or trusses to tie them together at the lower, level end of a roof. The fascia supports the sheathing on the edge of the roof as well as the front edge of the soffit.


Fascia Board: The exterior finish nailed to the fascia that is nailed to the rafter or truss ends that runs horizontally around the roof on which the gutters are mounted. The fascia board forms a drip edge for rain water, as well as hides the end of the roof sheathing and soffits.


Flashing: A type of sheet, usually a metal like aluminum, used at intersections of building components to prevent water penetration, flashings are commonly used above doors and windows in exterior walls and are used under the siding to prohibit water penetration.


F-channel: A manufacturing component of vinyl or aluminum siding systems which have a channel that the planks fit into, used around windows and doors to make a weathertight seal.

Furring/Furring Strip: A wooden or steel framing material, usually 1" x 3", used to provide an even nailing base. To “fur” a surface means to apply these strips.


Gable: The upper triangular-shaped portion of the end wall of a house.


Inside Corner Post:Provides a means of joining at inside corners where siding butts both sides.

J-Channel: Also J Molding (or Trim): Molding used for trim that is in the shape of the letter J, used to trim the edge of siding on all sides of windows and doors, at rake edges of gables and in other miscellaneous situations.


Lap: To overlap ends of two siding panels to allow for expansion and contraction of siding product.


Lap Siding: Technique for installing horizontal siding boards. Each piece of siding is 'lapped' over the piece below it to provide a waterproof covering for the house.


Nailing Hem (or Flange): The section of siding or accessories where the nailing slots are located.

Outside Corner Post: Provides neat appearance outside corners for vertical and horizontal sidings. Receives siding from both sides. Deeper post is used with insulated siding, and narrower post with non-insulated siding.


Positive Lock: ensures that the panels can be locked together, but can also easily slide back and forth for ease in installation. This ensures that the panels stay permanently affixed during adverse weather.


Plumb: A position or measurement that is truly and exactly vertical, 90° from a level surface.

Profiles: The actual siding panels are called profiles. Some commonly sized profiles are D4, D5 and Dutchlap.


PVC: Polyvinyl chloride is the material used to create most vinyl siding.


Rake: The edge of a sloped roof forming the overhang beyond the wall of a gable roof or other sloped roof.


Soffit: The underside of elements of a building, such as overhangs, staircases and beams. Also referes to the material used to enclose the horizontal underside of an eave, cornice, or overhang. Some soffit panels may also be used as vertical siding.


Square: Unit of measure for siding equal to 100 square feet (or a 10-foot by 10-foot wall section).


Square Feet:(also known as Exterior Square Feet) Exterior Square Feet is a term used to denote the total amount of siding material needed for a particular siding job including material waste.


Starter Strip: Baseline accessory which secures the first course of siding to the wall. Used with horizontal and vertical siding.


Tongue and Groove (T&G): Tongue and groove, a connection system between components, like wood, in which the tab or tongue of one board is placed into the grove at the end of another board.


Wall Cladding : Another term for siding.


Wall Sheathing: Sheets of plywood or wood planking used to cover the wall framework of the house. This is the material that the siding is nailed to.


Weep Holes: A small hole in the bottom butt edge of the vinyl siding panel, or other accessories, allowing condensation to escape.


Windload Pressure: Is a measurement of how well a panel might perform in high wind areas.

Window Head Flashing: Possible alternative to J-channel to receive siding over doors and windows and as a base flashing on vertical siding installations.

Frog Prince

A construction manager was crossing a road one day when a frog called out to her and said, "If you kiss me, I'll turn into a beautiful prince." She bent over, picked up the frog and put it in her pocket.The frog spoke up again and said, "If you kiss me and turn me back into a beautiful prince, I will stay with you for one week." The construction manager took the frog out of her pocket, smiled at it and returned it to the pocket.The frog then cried out, "If you kiss me and turn me back into a prince, I'll stay with you for one week and do ANYTHING you want." Again the CM took the frog out, smiled at it and put it back into her pocket.Finally, the frog asked, "What is the matter? I've told you I'm a beautiful prince, that I'll stay with you for one week and do anything you want. Why won't you kiss me?"The CM replied, "Look, I'm a construction manager. I don't have time for a boyfriend. But a talking frog, well... that's just plain cool!"

Written in stone...

Here are a few pictures of recent projects by Aspen Siding and Windows. Stone work dramatically changes the look of a home in a beautiful way. Many of our customers opt for stone along with their new siding do increase the curb appeal of their home. I think it adds a touch of elegance. Great work guys!

Kickball!

We had our best, most exciting game of the season last night. Ending in a tie, the game was nothing short of nail biting.

www.Recesstimesports.com

Window replacements, tax credits...OH MY!

I have posted this on all 3 bogs today. Not because I don't have anything to blog about, but it's a question I hear everyday... "I want to replace my windows with energy efficient ones, but how do I go about getting the Federal tax credits?" I read through tons of material, looking for a very simple explanation, and I think this spells it out pretty clear. If it doesn't, call me at the office (503)624-9060, and I will give you an even simpler version :).

As part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 recently signed into law, there are several energy conservation incentives for homeowners, including a never better opportunity to install replacement windows.
There are lots of good reasons to consider replacing windows. Energy-efficient windows can help lower your monthly energy bills, while making your home more comfortable to live in. High-quality replacement windows can also add to the resale value of the home and result in an immediate reduction of heating and cooling bills. Replacement windows also require little maintenance and can add to your home's curb appeal.
Taxpayers purchasing replacement windows in 2009 and 2010 that meet specific energy efficiency requirements, they are eligible for 30% of the amount as a tax credit. This credit is capped at $1,500 for the years of 2009 and 2010.
To be eligible for the tax credit, windows purchased must be equal to or below a U Factor of 0.30 and a Solar Heat Gain Coefficient (SHGC) of 0.30. U Factor is the amount of heat transferred through a material. The lower the U-value, the slower the rate of heat flow and the better the insulating quality of the window. Solar Heat Gain Coefficient (SHGC) is the percentage of heat gained from both direct sunlight and absorbed heat. The smaller the number, the greater the ability to reduce solar heat gain into the home.
Both U Factor and a Solar Heat Gain Coefficient qualifying stats should be available from the replacement window manufacturer as well as be stated on the window's NFRC (National Fenestration Rating Council) label.
Other requirements for the tax credit include:

• Purchase of the qualified windows must be made during the taxable year for which the credit is being claimed.


• The credit is only allowed on the price of the qualified windows themselves, not on installation costs, onsite preparation, assembly or sales tax.


• The credit is allowable only for qualified window units placed in service in 2009 and 2010.


• Homeowners need to save their receipts for their windows purchased along with all window labels and stickers to apply for the tax credit.
  

When selecting a local contractor for your window replacement project, you should also carefully research the company they purchase their windows from. Things to look for include:

• Manufacturer with a long, solid history of producing top-quality products.


• Strong warranties on products


• Companies that offer low maintenance products.


• Manufacturer high industry reputation, reflected by awards won and strong approval by builders and remodelers who purchase their products every day.

For additional information on replacement window tax credits, go to the following manufacturer and government websites:
www.simonton.com/taxcredit
http://www.recovery.gov/
http://www.federalhousingtaxcredit.com/
http://www.irs.gov/

Clear film shoot pics!

Here are a few photos of our film shoot with Clear. The company gave our project managers some really cool, super durable, light weight laptops to use for 6 weeks prior to the shoot. It went really well, and the laptop notebooks were great! Clear with WiMAX is super fast and allows the guys to do everything they did in the office, on their job sites. Pretty cool stuff. (I didn't get to be on film, so I took lots of self portraits with my own camera :)

Now we're talking!

For women in the trade, and all those handy DIY-ers. I want the pink one! Check out http://www.tomboytrades.com/ . After leaving a corporate job at IBM, Tomboy Trades' founder Marissa McTasney enrolled in a skilled-trades course for women, with the aim of starting her own construction company. She spotted a gap in the market on her first day of school. When she and her classmates went out to buy work boots, she was surprised to find they only came in tan and black: men’s shoes in female sizes. According to salespeople, McTasney wasn't the only one disappointed in the limited choice of working gear for women. Not one to pass up an entrepreneurial opportunity, she found a manufacturer in China and developed steel-toe boots in pink, green, blue and red. Matching tool belts, safety glasses and hard hats soon followed, as did retail partnerships with Home Depot and Zellers, a Canadian department store.
Tomboy Trades is now looking for retailers outside Canada, and also mentions that franchising plans are in the works. In a wider context, professional female construction workers and amateur handywomen are still an underserved market.

Back to work...

I hope everyone had a fun and safe 4th of July weekend! I've got a crazy busy week...tomorrow a film shoot with Clear the Mobil Internet service. Our Project Managers have been equipped with Mobil laptops so they have access to their computers on the job sites! Exciting stuff!

Send your appliances on vacation too!

Before you leave on vacation, take a few minutes to turn off and unplug equipment. You’ll save energy and avoid safety hazards. You might want to read your meter before you leave and when you return — it’s a good way to spot any hidden energy wasters.

What to unplug, turn off or turn down before leaving

· Lights: Turn off all lights except for one or two fitted with compact fluorescent bulbs. Put these lights on timers that can be set to random patterns to discourage potential prowlers. Photo sensors or motion detectors are good ideas for outdoor lights.
· Air conditioning: Turn it off. Close window coverings to help keep heat from building up in your home while you’re away.
· Heating: Turn it off. (If it’s very cold outside, however, and you’re worried about pipes freezing, let your faucets drip and just lower your heat to 55 degrees instead of turning it off completely.)
· Water heater: Turn off your water heater at the electric breaker panel if you are going to be away for more than a few days. If it is a natural gas water heater, turn it down but not off.
· Refrigerator: If you’re leaving on an extended trip of a month or more, you might want to empty, clean and unplug your refrigerator to save energy. Prop the door open to prevent odors. Other appliances: Many appliances draw energy even when they’re turned off. So, unplug your television, VCR/DVD player, stereo computer, washer and other appliances. You may need to reset the clock on VCR/DVD players or clock radios when you return. For safety’s sake, don’t overlook small appliances that are best left unplugged when unattended — items like toasters, coffee makers, irons, curling irons, hair dryers and electric tools.

Angie's List Podcasts | Restore your double-hung windows

Angie's List Podcasts | Restore your double-hung windows

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Kickin' it old school...

Literally! Aspen has a kickball team, and we rock! There is nothing funner than a group of adults acting like they are in 3rd grade again. We registered through http://www.recesstimesports.com/ check it out!

Let's chat...

I had the opportunity to attend a HBA remodelers round table breakfast this morning. It was basically a room full of remodelers discussing issues they deal with owning or working for a remodeling company. In all honesty, I learned more in that hour than listening to a speaker for 3. It was casual conversation, "real" conversation, there was no one there telling you what the answer was, just guys sharing best practices to improve their business. What an amazing concept....get together with a bunch of people that do what you do and share ideas! Hmmmm...doesn't take a rocket scientist, just a few highly motivated remodelers. Can't wait for the next round table!

Headed to the West side...

Here are a few pictures from Aspen's Quail Hollow project. We are in the process of wrapping up Quail Hollow South and moving across the street to the West side. These town homes are amazing, the owners are great and the views in this area are breathtaking! Aspen is replacing the siding, windows, doors and decks, and they look great! Andy and his crew are such a talented team. Nice work guys!

Just checking in...

Coming soon...The latest pictures of our hotel projects at Cascade Station PDX. These are going up fast, stay tuned!

The key is education...

Education is key to motivating mainstream consumers to make sustainable choices. Not everyone is interested in energy efficiency, not everyone cares about our planet (unfortunately), and not everyone can see that in the long run the cost of "going green" pays you back in so many ways. In the remodel business, the trick is to have and provide customers with simple information that will not overwhelm them. Many of them don't even know there are choices out there. I know in this economy low-cost is the biggest seller, but what people don't understand is the future savings. Windows for example: It's going to cost a small amount more to install energy efficient windows in the beginning, but with wonderful programs like Energy Trust of Oregon, and Federal Tax credits, you actually get back more than what you would save by installing a "cheaper" window. Many manufacturers at this point are offering their own rebates too. The important savings really come after the checks are signed, and the rebates come back to you. Its the energy savings in your home. With proper installation you will see a decrease in your monthly bill almost immediately. Who could ask for anything more....green for you AND green for the environment!
Check out http://www.energystrust.org/ for details on their incentive programs.

24 J

I love the NE 23rd area of Portland. The area is amazing and is known for it's trendy feel and amazing homes and structures. Aspen is currently on a project called 24J, a super trendy condo project going up on Johnson and 24th. Here are a few pictures of the project in it's early stages. Can't wait for the final pics!

What do you do?

I wish I had a nickel for every person that asked that question. I guess it's standard...what you do is who you are right? Well, kinda. I believe you add your own "flair" to what ever you do. My official title is: Marketing Coordinator, and honestly probably one of the funnest jobs ever (besides personal shopper). If I had to sum up what my largest responsibility is, it would be- to get our company name out there, talked about and trusted. In order to do that I have to meet people, and to do that I have to attend some really cool events. Aspen has become extremely involved in area Chambers, as well as organizations such as the HBA, NARI, ORA and several more. Each event is different and each have a different purpose. My purpose is the same in each...to meet new people. So, if i could sum it up in a few words...Marketing Coordinator = Social Butterfly. I am definitely fit for the position. :)

PS-Today I attended a lunch about gender differences in the work place. I came back to this office with tons of ammunition! Women are smarter...the speaker/doctor said so! Stay tuned for some posts on that!

You can't wear jelly sandals on a job site anyway...

Just Say No to Jelly Accessories this Summer
The season’s hottest trends aren’t always the most sustainable.


By Jessica RootBrooklyn, NY, USA

One of my most vivid memories of my eighties-era childhood are Jelly sandals. They were fun, colorful and practical in the sense that with a quick rinse or wipe, they could look clean and good as new.
Turns out, they’re making a comeback and a big one at that. Spotted in The New York Times’ Moment blog, jelly style accessories will be making a splash this summer, arriving in a variety of colors from a variety of high end designers—from sandals by Chloe, Givenchy, Michael Kors and Ralph Lauren to a $2000 quilted tote bag from Chanel.
But it’s not just the price tags that are obscene, behind all the colorful fun is a darker side. And that’s the fact that these jubilant looking jellies are made from a whole host of harsh and heinous materials inconducive to a sustainable planet. Plastic by nature isn’t biodegradable and the Chanel bag is touted as having a “layer of pool-friendly PVC.”
PVC is polyvinyl chloride and it's hardly human-friendly or eco-friendly.
If a pair of sandals are on your summer shopping list, hit the thrift shops for a cute vintage find, opt for some green gladiators or sexy, sustainable sandals from supermodel Gisele Bundchen.

More on Eco-Friendly Accessories:How to Go Green: Fashion AccessoriesMake a Pair of Sandals from a TireTop 10 Green Revolutionary Labels You Should Be Wearing!

Tweet Tweet!

I AM MAD ABOUT TWITTER! I'll admit, when I first heard about twitter, I was like...WHAT? But now I'm a believer! I love checking in on some of my favorite people and businesses and seeing what's up. For example, I started following Re-direct guide (a local guide to living green in Washington and Oregon) today and they tweeted this really cool earth friendly tip-

Recipe for green, non-toxic furniture polish: 2 parts olive oil and 1 part lemon juice. Yup, it's that simple folks!

TWEEEET!

The great thing in the world is not so
much where we stand, as in what direc-
tion we are moving.
~Oliver Wendall Holmes

Have a wonderful weekend!

I hope you all have a great weekend. It's been a busy week and I'm ready for a break. Crystal and I will be attending a member meeting for NAWIC (National Association for Women in Construction) meeting in the next few weeks to see if we want to join. I am pretty excited about it. I will leave you with a few pictures I snapped of a project in Tualatin we just wrapped up. This is an amazing home, and our remodel division built this fantastic deck. Looks like they are ready for summer! Enjoy!

Reduce, reuse, recycle...be happy!

Reduce, Reuse, Recycle at Work
We must bring the philosophy of "reduce, reuse, recycle" with us to work. While businesses in the region are ahead of the nation with high rates of recycling, they do make about half of our trash, so if we are going to reduce our region's waste, businesses must play a critical role. By reducing waste, we can save natural resources and energy, prevent pollution and help extend the life of our landfills.
The first step is to reduce, and the simplest place to look is at your paper use. Strikingly 25% of the garbage that businesses throw away - more than 120,000 tons annually - is common paper that is fully recyclable.
Even in the "digital age" we consume enormous amounts of paper, or mashed bleached tree pulp, most of which is used once or twice and then tossed or recycled. The greenest paper is no paper at all, so keep things digital whenever possible. The more you do online, the less you need paper. Keep files on computers instead of in file cabinets, cutting down on clutter and improves organization of information. Try to review documents onscreen and don't print until you have the final version. When you do print, print double-sided. Use misprints or old documents for scratch paper and put paper recycling bins for paper at every desk and by the printer. Close the loop by buying post-consumer recycled paper, it takes 60-70% less energy to produce than paper from virgin tree pulp.
Coffee cups and one-time use take out containers fill up office trash bins fast. So go buy a coffee mug and start bringing lunch to work in reusable containers. If you cannot stop craving the neighborhood joint's food, ask your co-workers to place a large order (more efficient than many separate ones), or consider walking there and eating at the restaurant instead of trucking waste back to the office.
If your work isn't recycling, encourage them to change. In both the Portland Metro region and SW Washington garbage haulers must provide recycling services when requested. The same common items that are picked up at your curb at home can be recycled in the office. Once you have talked to your hauler and set up bins, spread the word. Most people would much rather recycle items than thrown them away; they just need to know how. Put up posters by the bins, clearly labeling where items should go then send an e-mail and share the news at a staff meeting. If you want hands-on-help evaluating your businesses waste and finding even more solutions, don't hesitate to call Metro in Portland, 503-234-3000, and in SW Washington, Clark-County Public Works, 360-397-6118. They provide free consultation and depending on your business, construction for example, there might be much more you can do.

via: http://www.1thingnw.com/

Remodel Betsy Johnson Style!

I love remodels, I love pink, and I LOVE Betsy Johnson. So if I ever get a chance at my dream home...these are the pictures I will show the contractor. :)