ABOUT PORTALS
This is PORTALS WOOD WINDOW & DOOR. Wm. Murphy (Murph), sole owner. As a skilled craftsman and historical enthusiast I observe the condition of windows and doors everywhere I go. In my experience most windows and doors have been neglected for far too long and are in need of varying degrees of love. Often nailed or painted shut, ropes and weights tangled or missing, cracked glazing putty, failed weather-stripping or non-existent weather-stripping. Doors also need adjustments to maintain their proper function and energy efficiency. A PORTALS window/door custom restoration tune up solves these issues. I provide a unique mix of jamb and sash integrated compression bulb and brush weatherstrippings to windows and doors that greatly reduce drafts, dust, and energy loss.
I have 27+ years trades experience starting 20 years of age in Red Hook, Brooklyn, N.Y. after leaving home and from college in the northern Adirondack Mtns. Through friendly connections I was then offered an entry level position at a well respected high end interior architectural outfit in Manhattan known as Faro, Inc. http://www.farobuilding.com Starting there and since moving to the Bay Area in '02, I have climbed the trade ladder from the bottom as a laborer/runner, to sheetrocker/taper/painter, apprentice carpenter/framer, journeyman carpenter, installation foreman, job site supervisor, and to my current status as small business owner. For the 5 years prior to going out on my own in 2013, I was the lead installer/foreman for a custom installation team that focused exclusively on the mastery of craftsmanship necessary to rehabilitate historic wood windows and entry doors. I now provide this high quality craftsmanship personally.
Through my work I seek to preserve the original integrity of historic architecture while at the same time adapting older living spaces into the present with fully functional energy efficient wood windows and doors. Restoration and preservation of original historic building materials, especially in the case of the old rope and pulley double hung window, is of the utmost importance in a time where natural resources are rapidly depleting and historic architecture is being demolished. Restoration and preservation are always my primary goals, but unfortunately most original windows and doors I see these days 80 years plus require extensive and outrageously expensive surgery and/or are unsalvageable. A simple yet extreme lack of maintenance and neglect over many years in combination with more extreme environmental conditions over the last 2 decades forces rebuild/replacement more than 90% of the time. If you have 80-100 year old widows in "decent shape" looking to be "restored" you may be sadly surprised they cannot be saved. 80-100 years is a hell of a run and rebuilds are usually necessary at this age with given neglect.
I truly admire the craftsmanship of old construction and the quality of historic building materials, and I take extremely great pride in my craft. I am licensed by the State of California, EPA Lead Certified, and am fully bonded and insured. If you are thinking about new wood windows or doors, please give serious thought to restoring or replacing with historic wood replicas as opposed to inferior vinyl or aluminum inserts. I don't care how great Pella, Anderson, and Marvin think they are they are not as good as custom wood rebuilds. Although if you must pick one, Marvin all the way.
I look forward to sharing my craftsmanship with you!
Cheers! Murph NFA (~);}
I have 27+ years trades experience starting 20 years of age in Red Hook, Brooklyn, N.Y. after leaving home and from college in the northern Adirondack Mtns. Through friendly connections I was then offered an entry level position at a well respected high end interior architectural outfit in Manhattan known as Faro, Inc. http://www.farobuilding.com Starting there and since moving to the Bay Area in '02, I have climbed the trade ladder from the bottom as a laborer/runner, to sheetrocker/taper/painter, apprentice carpenter/framer, journeyman carpenter, installation foreman, job site supervisor, and to my current status as small business owner. For the 5 years prior to going out on my own in 2013, I was the lead installer/foreman for a custom installation team that focused exclusively on the mastery of craftsmanship necessary to rehabilitate historic wood windows and entry doors. I now provide this high quality craftsmanship personally.
Through my work I seek to preserve the original integrity of historic architecture while at the same time adapting older living spaces into the present with fully functional energy efficient wood windows and doors. Restoration and preservation of original historic building materials, especially in the case of the old rope and pulley double hung window, is of the utmost importance in a time where natural resources are rapidly depleting and historic architecture is being demolished. Restoration and preservation are always my primary goals, but unfortunately most original windows and doors I see these days 80 years plus require extensive and outrageously expensive surgery and/or are unsalvageable. A simple yet extreme lack of maintenance and neglect over many years in combination with more extreme environmental conditions over the last 2 decades forces rebuild/replacement more than 90% of the time. If you have 80-100 year old widows in "decent shape" looking to be "restored" you may be sadly surprised they cannot be saved. 80-100 years is a hell of a run and rebuilds are usually necessary at this age with given neglect.
I truly admire the craftsmanship of old construction and the quality of historic building materials, and I take extremely great pride in my craft. I am licensed by the State of California, EPA Lead Certified, and am fully bonded and insured. If you are thinking about new wood windows or doors, please give serious thought to restoring or replacing with historic wood replicas as opposed to inferior vinyl or aluminum inserts. I don't care how great Pella, Anderson, and Marvin think they are they are not as good as custom wood rebuilds. Although if you must pick one, Marvin all the way.
I look forward to sharing my craftsmanship with you!
Cheers! Murph NFA (~);}
Earth provides enough to satisfy every man's need, but not every man's
greed. - Mahatma Gandhi 1869-1948
greed. - Mahatma Gandhi 1869-1948
