Trim and Finishes

Base Trim and Door Trim and Window Trim can (and are) all called trim. Also known as Baseboard (or Base Molding), and Door and Window Casing.

Finishes are simple varnish (3 coats with a light sanding inbetween each coat.)

More elaborate finishes would include a sanding sealer as the first coat, followed by 2-3 additional coats of varnish.

Varnish is an oil based material that will "amber" over time.
Polyurethane can be/is either a chemical based or a water based product that doesn't "age" the same as varnish.
You can put polyurethane on top of varnish but you cannot put varnish on top of polyurethane.

Staining wood enhances its already beautiful graining. Wipe on, Wipe off.

Gell finishes allow you to be more creative, especially when needing to match older wood finishes.

Painted wood trim always has an elegant look. Oil-based paints are slowly being worked out of the market. Latex is all that will be available in the forseeable future (no telling what a chemist will develop.) Latex is an acceptable (though not quite as lush) alternative option to oill-based paint.

Planning for a Project

In planning for a project, there are dozens of things to consider. Here are 10 of the first dozen:

1. Timing (such as "Will this be finished before our anniversary?")
2. Cost: Which is where a budget is necessary and a plan that details all the ingredients and a signed contract that specifies the exact costs.
3. Materials: Where will they be stored until needed.
4. Home-life disruption, such as a closed kitchen, or unuseable bath or basement.
5. Dust!!!!!
6. Noise!!!!
7. Pets are generally dismayed.
8. That dumpster.
9. Or a pile of debris waiting for removal.
10. Questions: What color for the switch-plates? Base and door trim finish? Did you order the lights, plumbing fixtures, faucets, tile, door knobs, cabinet hardware, flooring, and what type of window?

Windows

The Government Rebate on Energy Efficient Replacement Windows ends this month. There is still time to have windows ordered and installed. Give us a call. We'll stop out, measure and bid the job. You can then decide how best to proceed.

Client Download Pages

Added client download pages to the website: www.mjpconstruction.com.
Clients are able to access:
Generic Timeline Spreadsheet.
Selections/Colors/Finishes Worksheet
Change Order/Extra/Additional Work sheet

Plus, our Standard Contract and Minnesota Recision Law.

More to come.