"Part of our goal for our home renovation is to help us deal with, well, getting older… We love our two-story home, and don’t want to give it up, but stairs are already a problem for my husband. Can you help?" Answer from Ross Sanders Dear Mary, Don’t worry, what you are facing is very common and is in fact becoming a trend amongst the baby boomer generation. With all of us living longer and more active lives, we find ourselves wanting to be independent as long as possible. However, mobility can become a major issue as we age and the homes we raised our families in for so many years may not be ideal for us anymore. Luckily, there are plenty of ways to address the needs of our aging populatio
"We’re looking at a cabin property near the Oregon Coast as a weekend getaway or future retirement home. What kinds of things should we be looking to upgrade and what pitfalls should we watch out for?" Answer from Ross Sanders Dear Esther and Bob, Congratulations on beginning the search for your dream retirement home. There are of course a number of things to consider such as location and views but as an architect, my main focus is on the structural elements of your perspective property. Some things to consider: - Foundation: Ideally the foundation will be concrete. If there is a basement, check for signs of water damage and look for a sump pit with pump to help deal with possible water infi
"I live in the Pacific NW and want to replace my old aluminum windows. I’ve heard that triple-glazing is the new thing for energy efficiency. What is it and how do I know if it is right for me?" Answer from Ross Sanders Dear Lance, Firstly, I commend you on your interest in making your windows more energy efficient. High efficiency and sustainable living are both passions of mine. To answer your question, double- and triple-glazed windows are insulated glass units in which an inert (non-reactive) gas like argon is trapped between two or three sheets of glass that are sealed together and set into a frame system for installation. The airspace between the glass sheets helps keep cold and heat o
"I want to remodel my kitchen, but I’m not a big fan of the look of granite counters. What other materials should I consider?" Answer from Ross Sanders Dear Sharon, While granite is very popular right now because of its visual interest and long-term performance, there are a variety of other materials worth considering. Quartz - My favorite countertop material is quartz as it is not only attractive but also comes in a broad range of colors. Quartz countertops come from natural stone that has been crushed and compressed with a resin to create a dense, durable, but beautiful surface. Additionally, quartz resists heat, stains, acid, almost anything you can throw at it. Wood - Polished and engine
