Parrish Construction

Archive for the ‘Materials- Construction’ Category

Q—I’ve heard that EIFS, synthetic stucco can cause mold problems. How can I tell if my house has EIFS, and should I be concerned?

Thursday, March 15th, 2012 Posted in Exterior Remodeling, FAQ, Materials- Construction, Waterproofing | No Comments »

A—Real and synthetic stucco look a lot alike, which isn’t surprising since they are both stucco. One way to tell is by pushing on it. Real stucco has no give and should be very rigid. Synthetic stucco on the other ...

3/3 Window Wonderland FAQ: What type of window frame is better: wood, metal, fiberglass or vinyl?

Wednesday, September 28th, 2011 Posted in FAQ, Home maintenance, Materials- Construction, Money-Saving Tips, Windows & Doors | No Comments »

A: Window frames come in metal, wood, vinyl and fiberglass. Wood is pretty, but needs refinishing and will eventually need replacing. Vinyl is inexpensive, needs almost no maintenance, but can have problems such as changing shape in hot climates. A ...

2/3 Window Wonderland FAQ: I’m selecting new windows for my home, but I’m confused by all the acronyms–for what appear to be rating systems. Can you help me sort out all the ‘E’s and ‘U’s?

Wednesday, September 28th, 2011 Posted in Construction Terms, Energy-Saving Tips, FAQ, Green Building Topics, Heating/Cooling, Insulation, Materials- Construction, Summer, Windows & Doors, Winter | No Comments »

A: Energy Star Acronym Guide for Windows, Doors and Skylights. In the EnergyStar standards set by the DOE and EPA for windows, doors and skylights, requirements change with the latitude. In the northern areas of the U.S., energy concerns are to ...

1/3 Window Wonderland FAQ: I want to save energy in my home by purchasing new windows. Generally, what sort of things should I consider regarding energy efficiency?

Tuesday, September 20th, 2011 Posted in Energy-Saving Tips, FAQ, Green Building Topics, Heating/Cooling, Materials- Construction, Summer, Windows & Doors, Winter | No Comments »

A: The salesman says the windows he’s selling are energy efficient. Probably true, but the question you should be asking is: are they the right kind of energy efficiency for the climate where you live and your particular home and ...

Greening Your Home: Consider the Source

Tuesday, August 9th, 2011 Posted in Flooring, Green Building Topics, Materials- Construction, Remodels/Additions, Roofing/Ceilings, Safety Hazards | No Comments »

© Snehitdesign | Dreamstime.comWe've all seen the infomercials and heard the warnings about toxic environmental hazards like asbestos and lead paint.  Staying educated about green building materials can protect not only the environment outside, but it can also create a ...

Q- Why Does a “Green” Home Cost More?

Monday, August 1st, 2011 Posted in Building Codes/Regulations, Building Trends, Construction Costs, Costs, Green Building Topics, Materials- Construction, ROI, Safety Hazards | No Comments »

A- It’s true that green houses can, but not always, cost more. Going green means several things, looking at products that are low in toxicity, products that are created with minimal impact, and sustainably produced, and with a responsible disposal. Because ...

Q—The brick planter box on our house has a white, chalky stain on it. We have tried scrubbing it off, but it keeps coming back. What causes it, and what can be done about it?

Tuesday, June 21st, 2011 Posted in DIY Home Improvements, Exterior Remodeling, FAQ, Freezing Temp. Problems, Historic Homes, Landscaping, Materials- Construction, Spring, Waterproofing, Winter | 1 Comment »

A—The white stain is called efflorescence, and is caused by salts that have been transported from within the brick and mortar by moisture in the brick, and deposited on the surface by evaporation. The stains are cosmetic, and not harmful. ...

Q—What is the liquid that I’ve seen concrete contractors spray on the surface of concrete sidewalks and driveways?

Monday, June 20th, 2011 Posted in Exterior Remodeling, FAQ, Landscaping, Materials- Construction, Structural Issues | No Comments »

A—The product you refer to is probably a curing agent. Its purpose is to retard the rapid evaporation of the water in the concrete through the surface. Curing is the process of setting or hardening during which the water in ...

Q—Our redwood decks that were beautiful when new have become stained, almost black. Is there any way to restore the original color? Should we use a sealer or finish to protect the redwood?

Sunday, June 19th, 2011 Posted in DIY Home Improvements, Exterior Remodeling, FAQ, Landscaping, Materials- Construction, Summer, Waterproofing | No Comments »

A—The stains on your redwood are most likely caused by a combination of dirt, mildew, iron stains, and the reddish-brown tannins that occur naturally in redwood. There are several options for cleaning that can result in dramatic improvement. Many old-timers swear ...

Q—We live in an old house. I’m pregnant, and concerned about lead based paint. How can I find out if our house has lead based paint, and how do I remove it?

Saturday, April 10th, 2010 Posted in Advice to Clients, Affiliations, Drywall Repairs, FAQ, Green Building Topics, Historic Homes, Materials- Construction, Paint, Safety Hazards, Ventilation | No Comments »

A—Many homes built prior to 1978 contain some lead in the paint. Prior to 1950, almost half of all paint contained large amounts of lead. In 1978, the Consumer Product Safety Commission banned the use of lead in paint for ...
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