We have a rather unique wall construction. House was built in 1947. Attached to the studs is a layer of "sheetrock" (about 3/8" thick) that has holes in it, about 3/4" diameter on about a 6" grid pattern. Over the sheetrock is what appears a layer of mortar, about another 1/4-3/8" thick. Over this is a skim coat of plaster. The result is a thick, super sturdy wall that is really smooth and insulates well against noise. What I'm hoping is that I can find someone who can duplicate this technology for a few walls that we need to add for a remodel. Any idea of how succesful I would be finding that in the Portland, OR area? Thanks! Biederboat

I just moved into a loft apartment that was converted from a factory building in the late 80's into about 40 apartments. I am on on the second of two floors and the apartment features one exposed brick wall, a completely exposed wood celling and one of the upper walls in the loft with fully exposed wood as well. I will likely be in this apartment for two years and want to make it as comfortable as possible. When I looked at the apartment I loved the wood and brick and the unique character it added to the apartment. Now that I am living here I have a few big concerns. First, the exposed wood on the wall in loft also has a ton of pink fiberglass and yellow foam insulation that is visible at the bottom of the joints, It is extremely dusty, dirt is in the cracks and openings, and it proved very difficult to clean at all. Second, the wood has a strange smell to, maybe like wet wood, that is becoming increasing annoying. Is there anything I can do to seal or treat the wood, prevent the smell, provide a small amount of protection from the insulation, etc. I am fairly handy but have never done any real wood work, only stained a few tables. Any help or guidance that you could give me would be extremely appreciated. Thanks