Excerpts from "The World's Most Stable Decking Materials"

Spring is only a few months away, and if you are considering building a new deck this year you will definitely want to choose the right decking material. But with so many options available, how do you know you're choosing the right one? The following are excerpts from the informative and helpful article, "The World's Most Stable Decking Materials", which should help you make a more informed decision.



Western Red Cedar
Although cedar is a softwood, it is still very structurally stable. Both the tangential and radial shrinkage are quite low, and the differential between the two is very small as well:
Tangential Shrinkage: 5.0%
Radial Shrinkage: 2.4%
Cedar's other mechanical properties - strength, stiffness and density - are also relatively high, making this a durable species good for most decking projects.

California Redwood
California Redwood is another very stable decking material. The tangential and radial shrinkage values are even lower than those of Cedar:
Tangential Shrinkage: 4.9%
Radial Shrinkage: 2.2%
Even though these percentages are lower than those of Cedar, the differential is 0.1% larger, meaning it is slightly less stable than the other species - but not by much.

Ipe
The tangential and radial shrinkage percentages of Ipe decking are much higher than both Cedar and Redwood; however, the differential is much smaller, making it the more stable wood.
Tangential Shrinkage: 8.0
Radial Shrinkage: 6.6%
A 1.4% differential is great, and combined with Ipe decking's naturally high density, strength and stiffness, makes it naturally suited for decking purposes.

Merbau
Merbau is another hardwood with excellent structural stability. The tangential and radial shrinkage percentages are:
Tangential Shrinkage: 4.6%
Radial Shrinkage: 2.7%
These percentages are quite a bit lower than those of Ipe, and even though Ipe's differential is only 1.4%, a 1.9% differential is still very good. The low percentages combined with the relatively low differential makes this the most stable exotic decking choice. However, Merbau comes with an unrelated and unfortunate downside - read on to find out what it is.

For more information, read the entire article here.

Replacing or Refacing - Which Is Right for My Cabinets?

So you want to give your kitchen a facelift, and like any good Portlander you don’t want to spend too much money. Sounds like you’re in quite the pickle. Well, one good option for homeowners in Portland is to replace or reface your kitchen’s cabinets. Redesigning your cabinets can give your kitchen a whole new look without breaking the bank. But what’s the best route to take – refacing or replacing? Let’s look at the pros and cons of both techniques.



Refacing

Pros
Simplicity – It’s easier to just replace doors and drawer fronts than to install brand new cabinets.
Cost – It’s much cheaper to reface cabinets than it is to replace them, even when you have a professional do it.

Cons
Lack of Options – Because the bulk of the cabinets are already in place, your design options are limited.
Structural Issues – If you have very old cabinets, refacing them won’t help solve structural problems.

Replacing

Pros
Versatility – When starting from scratch, you have all the options in the world. Want a food cabinet right above the stove? Go for it! How about one long cabinet next to a dozen tiny ones? Not a problem!
Space Saver – Because you’re designing the cabinets for your own use, there is zero chance of there being any inaccessible or non-functional cabinets. This means more space for lighting, vents, and other essential kitchen fixtures.

Cons
Cost – Even in the DIY wonderland that is Portland, cabinet replacement can cost a pretty penny. If you have non-functional or structurally unsafe cabinets, you should consider replacement. If you’re simply looking for a kitchen make-over, then refacing them is probably a better way to go.
Time – Replacing cabinets can cost more than just your money. It is also a big time commitment. Make sure you understand the timeline before embarking on such a venture.

As you can see, there are pros and cons to both replacing and refacing cabinets. Portland home-owners would do well to consider all the options before making a decision.

Wood Flooring Weekly Specials

If you’re looking for great deals on high-quality hardwood flooring, look no further than the Stone+Wood Outlet Weekly Specials. This week’s specials feature beautiful Bangkirai, smoky Birch Chestnut, and Burmese Walnut. Here are the details:

Bangkirai Natural, 2 7/8”, was $3.49/SF, now only $2.99/SF!

Burmese Walnut, 2 7/8”, was $3.99/SF, now only $2.99/SF!

Hand Scraped Birch Chestnut, 5”, was $3.79/SF, now only $3.49/SF!



These prices are available for a limited time. For more information, or to view the different wood species in person, visit any of the following Stone+Wood Outlet locations:

3424 NW Yeon Ave., Portland
6777 SW Bonita Rd., Ste. 120, Tigard
9907 SE 82nd Ave, Clackamas

You can also visit Stone+Wood Outlet online at www.stonewoodoutlet.com.

Kitchen Cabinets: Custom vs. Stock

Stone+Wood Outlet recently added high-quality cabinets to their product line, but for many homeowners in Portland, cabinet design and installation can be a confusing ordeal. There are many different types of cabinets available, and each has its benefits as well as faults. The following is a brief look at two of the main types of cabinets - custom and stock - and a few of their pros and cons. Enjoy!




Custom

Pros
1. Better use of space.
Custom cabinets are built based on measurements of your kitchen, meaning they fit perfectly in the space in which they are installed.
2. More design options.
Since customs cabinets aren’t built until you order them, you have a lot more options as far as building materials and features.
3. Easier to coordinate.
The whole point of going with custom cabinets is to be able to match your new cabinets to an existing décor. In Portland, cabinets and kitchen coordination can mean the different between an abomination and a reason to celebrate.

Cons
1. Price
Custom kitchen cabinets can run a pretty penny, especially if you choose an expensive building material such as wood or steel.
2. Availability
The availability of certain items directly affects both the price and the amount of time you will wait for your new cabinet.
3. Wait
Because your cabinets are being designed specifically for you, you may have to wait for certain parts or supplies to be ordered and shipped.

Stock

Pros
1. Preassembled
Stock cabinets take the guess work out of designing a kitchen – what you see is what you get. If you like it in the showroom, chances are you will also like it at home.
2. Price
Even in thrifty Portland, cabinets can get pretty expensive. Luckily, stock cabinets are much more affordable than their custom counterparts.
3. Speed of installation.
Because custom cabinets are premade and ready to ship, you can go from store to installation in very little time.

Cons
1. Standardized sizes.
Since you have no say over the size and shape of these cabinets, sometimes it is hard to match them perfectly to your kitchen.
2. Lack of design options.
While some may see the limited styles as a plus, many find it restrictive. If you have a grandiose, complicated kitchen design project in mind, stock cabinets probably aren’t for you.
3. Plain appearance.
Stock cabinets are usually made from very reliable materials, but they come in limited styles. Stocks work best for someone who is looking for a sturdy, attractive cabinet that doesn’t feature any frills or gimmicks.

What To Look For In A Portland Cabinet Retailer

There are many cabinet retailers in Portland, and it's easy to feel overwhelmed when trying to pick just one. But separating the Portland cabinet wheat from the chaff isn't as hard as it seems. The best way to narrow down the options is to have a checklist of important features and services you expect from a cabinet retailer. If a company doesn't offer something on the list, out they go! Here are a few basics that are important to consider when shopping around. Enjoy!



1. Selection
Having a large variety of styles and colors of cabinets to choose from is essential. You want to make sure the look you decide on is the best for your home, and how can you know that to be true if you haven't seen a lot of different styles? Demanding a large selection from your Portland cabinet retailer will ensure that you pick a style you absolutely love.

2. Price
The best places to buy custom cabinets in Portland are discount outlets. Outlet stores carry the same high-quality cabinets home improvement and hardware stores carry, but at a fraction of the cost. You can even spend the money you save on cabinet accessories such as handles, stains and lights.

3. Customer Service
Make sure the retailer you end up choosing offers great customer service. Too many companies will happily sell you a product but refuse to offer any help with design or installation. Choose a Portland cabinet retailer that offers free layout and design help.

Don't let the large number of cabinet retailers in Portland overwhelm you! Stick to your checklist, take your time, and remember – Selection! Price! Customer Service!