Spring Home Improvement 2011

Page 12 • spring home improvement • Albert Lea Tribune • Thursday, March 24, 2011

Thursday, March 24, 2011

Spring Home Improvement

Pondering a pond?

Plus:

• Tips for cleaning your air ducts • What’s new in landscaping • How to make a functional and comfortable home office

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Page 2 • spring home improvement • Albert Lea Tribune • Thursday, March 24, 2011

Albert Lea Tribune • Thursday, March 24, 2011 • spring home improvement • Page 11

Home transformation: Revamping your home with ceramic tile

Pondering a pond?

Creating a water feature is not as hard as you think

Vibrantly colored flowers, lush grass and stone pathways are wonderful accents for any backyard. But to truly elevate a backyard to the status of “garden,” few features make a bigger splash than a pond.

Ponds can create a focal point, serve as a restful oasis and add the soothing sound of water to an outdoor space.

Many homeowners may shy away from building one, thinking it will be too difficult to do themselves and too costly to hire a professional to build.

Yet creating a backyard pond doesn’t have to be difficult — if you prepare properly and use pond supplies that are intended to make the job manageable for most do-it-yourselfers.

“The key effort behind building a pond begins before you ever put a shovel to the ground,” says Doug Ward of TotalPond, makers of highquality pond supplies and water pumps. “Choosing the right spot for your pond, and planning carefully for how it will look, will help you achieve results that you can be proud of.”

Ward offers homeowners some advice for planning, preparing and

creating their own backyard pond:

Go big

For your first effort, you might think you should keep it simple, but playing it safe may not ultimately lead to optimum results. “The No. 1 complaint we hear from homeowners is that, while they love the pond they have, they wish they had built something bigger,” Ward said.

The size, shape and features of your pond need be limited only by your imagination, available space and budget. Your water feature can be a small pool of water with a simple fountain pump or a multi-level extravaganza of pools and waterfalls. Your design can be classic, contemporary, organic or a style that’s completely new — what you end up with will depend on your tastes. In fact, you don’t even have to dig a hole if you don’t want to. It’s possible to create an above-ground pond using pavestones and a liner.

TotalPond provides kits and supplies that make pond-building well within the abilities of most do-ityourselfers. The company groups

products into four easy steps to help you determine what is needed to create your water feature. Pro-grade quality pumps — including waterfall pumps — feature UV bulbs inside that kill bacteria, providing extra algaefighting help to keep the pond cleaner.

You can even incorporate a nice spray

and night illumination by selecting an advanced multi-purpose product such as the Pond Boss that pumps, purifies with a UV sterilizer, provides a spray and features LED lights. This product ensures the pond is oxygenated and 4Pond, Page 9

Transforming the look of the home does not need to be a costly, complicated process. And with an increasing focus on sustainability, homeowners are more concerned with using durable products that will keep their beauty and functionality for years to come. Revamping your home with ceramic tile is a great way to establish a contemporary look that will last.

The technical specifications and aesthetic applications that ceramic offers are affordable and do not necessarily involve major work. Ceramic tile is easy to clean and maintain, durable and resistant to most common forms of wear. The other notable feature is that tile comes in a multiplicity of shapes, colors, textures, finishes and weights. This range of options in ceramic floor and wall tile makes them the perfect ally for turning original design ideas into personalized spaces.

Tips to consider when working with ceramic tile: • When using ceramic tile to tackle a renovation project, make the material’s versatility work as much as possible for you. Plan the kind of ambiance you want to create in any given room and select colors and finishes that will help achieve it. Bright colors help enhance the light. Earthy and ochre colors transmit serenity. Blues, greens and browns can be used to create natural spaces while the contrast of black and white adds simplicity

and elegance. The possibilities are as boundless as the user’s imagination.

• The broad spectrum of this material’s design versatility has helped it become a popular decorative element.

The old-fashioned view of ceramic as a simple, functional product to be used only in very specific rooms such as the kitchen and the bathroom, has lost ground over the years as the material has become more versatile.

When working with tile, be open to the various propositions — metallic finishes, finishes that mimic the look of fabric and wood, relief work, new sizes and formats. Choose those that enhance the personality of the targeted design space.

• Combinations of finishes and textures help break up the linear nature of a room and make it more dynamic.

Relief and “volume” finishes, as well as large format tiles, enable you to change the apparent dimensions of a room and play with the light.

Imitations of wood and leather give a greater sense of comfort and create references to natural elements.

Because tile now provides such versatility and beauty, there is a growing quest to apply the qualities of ceramic to other spaces such as patios, porches and terraces, and even to other objects or furniture pieces, such as headboards, tables, benches, shelves, bookcases and inside closets.

These new applications mean that homes are developing a more personal and original feel and are becoming more practical.

Equally, screen-printing and digital

printing techniques have opened the doors of the imagination when decorating tiles. The development of these production processes enables the final look to be highly personalized, creating spaces that are unique and custom-made. Bearing in mind

the durability of ceramic, ease of maintenance and easy installation methods that enable spaces to be altered cleanly, simply and cheaply, it’s becoming clear that using ceramic tile is an efficient way to revamp your home creatively and affordably.

Living Room: Refinishing wood pieces can be a cheap fix Continued from Page 5 real one installed? You can evoke the warm, cozy atmosphere of a fireplace in a number of ways.

Purchase a small chiminea for less than $100 and invest in a pillar candle to place inside it. The candle will create a warm glow (and appealing aroma if you choose a scented one) with less fire risk than burning wood in the chiminea. Just remember to follow good fire-safety practices, and keep children and animals away from all open flames. Spend a little bit more, and you can construct your own faux mantel and place several pillar candles

in the hearth area of the mantel.

Furniture fixes

If your wooden furniture is still sturdy but suffering from scratches, dings, dents and watermarks, consider refinishing it yourself. One gallon of wood finish can cost less than $30, and cover a lot of wood furniture.

Or, you can check out used furniture stores, flea markets and yard sales in search of gently used items in better condition than what you have.

Another option would be to visit a big box store that sells unfinished furniture and do the finishing yourself.

Living large in your living room again is possible, and you don’t have to have the large budget of a home improvement show to achieve it. Some creativ-

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Page 10 • spring home improvement • Albert Lea Tribune • Thursday, March 24, 2011

Albert Lea Tribune • Thursday, March 24, 2011 • spring home improvement • Page 3

Get smart about your living environment

If you’re looking to purchase or remodel a home, you likely are building a long list of “must-haves,” “must-dos” and “must-includes” for your new space. There’s no question the housing market is in a different place than it was as recently as five years ago. Of course, a tough economy has been the prevailing factor, but other things — an aging population and a tough job market — are influencing how people are living today and possibly into the future. If you’re like most home seekers and remodelers, you may find that your requirements fall in line with these five growing trends: Bigger isn’t always better: As interest grows in living more efficiently, people are building smaller homes. In fact, new homes are now 7 percent smaller than they were the previous year, according to the U.S. Census Bureau.

Just my style: Homeowners are aiming to make their home fit their personal visions of the best investment on the dollar, and 20 percent of new homes are currently custom-built, according to the American Institute of Architects. This trend to customize is in part made possible by the parallel trend to build a smaller home. Smaller spaces free up dollars to put toward the products that fill it.

Color, decor and products that help make a home feel one-ofa-kind versus one-of-many are becoming king.

Multigenerational: Homeowners also are seeking spaces that accommodate residents

Updating landscaping can make a home feel quite improved

Five trends that will make your home truly your own

of all ages. One-third of baby boomers report they have adult children still living at home or likely moving back home at some point, and 8 percent of Americans report their parents already live with them or will in the future, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. With more people living under one roof — some possibly in diminishing health — you may be among the homeowners seeking products that will help ensure a healthier, cleaner environment. This may range from a programmable thermostat to help you bring comfortable temps to all ages, to an air filter to help keep germs and airborne particles at bay.

In for the long haul: As life expectancy increases, Americans are building homes that will allow them to “age in place.” Smart technology and system installations that will address future sight, hearing and dexterity-related limitations are becoming increasingly popular as a result.

Energy-efficient: As homeowner concerns about energy costs continue to mount, so too does their attention to home design and products that will help lower their energy bills and decrease their carbon footprint.

As a result, homeowners are showing increased attention to factors such as insulation and window quality.

In the end, there are many products and services on the market to help meet these homeowner needs, but there’s one you may have not considered, tucked away in your basement.

It’s your home heating, ventilation and cooling (HVAC) system, and it actually plays a role in meeting each of these growing homeowner trends.

• If it’s a smaller home you seek, HVAC manufacturers continue to rollout product solutions that offer you the size you need to fit your space.

• Heating and cooling alone accounts for half of the energy used in a home, according the Alliance to Save Energy, so it’s important to install an HVAC system that will deliver optimal performance. Some furnaces are equipped with technology that allows them to communicate with all other components of a heating and cooling system.

• If smart technology and a customized home experience are what you need, consider remote home energy management systems. With a remote access solution that provides home control from a cell phone or any computer with Internet access, you can adjust your home’s thermostat, even when you are not there.

• Your heating and cooling system can also help keep your home a clean and healthy environment for all ages. Many manufacturers offer whole-house air filtration systems, and some of these systems can filter up to 99.98 percent of particles and allergens from your home’s air.

If any of these home trends apply to the “must have” list for your new or remodeled home, your heating and cooling system might be a good place to begin in your planning.

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people’s yards into their meccas.

Leach said the newest trend in sod is hydroseeding, which is mixing grass seed and wood pulp and spraying it across the land versus laying sod. He advised people interested in any seeding or sodding to get that done by the end of June, because those who don’t have irrigation systems will spend a lot of time watering and maintaining it if they wait until July or August.

Performance Landscaping also grows most of its own trees. Leach said he has more than 200 ball and burlap trees alone. Maple varieties are also popular. He no longer grows ash trees, however, because of the emerald ash borer.

With spring just around the corner, many people around Albert Lea — and across Minnesota — are concerned about their basements flooding. Leach had one simple landscaping technique that could help prevent basement flooding in some cases.

“Over time, the dirt around the house settles, and water starts to run the wrong way,” he said.

Leach said in that situation, they pull the old rock out, put a new slope of dirt around the house — taking the slope away from the house — and cover it with plastic and new mulch or rock.

While Performance Landscaping also plants perennials at the sites of its projects, upon request, they are in no competition with local greenhouses as that is not their specialty.

People are making the most of what they have when it comes to their yard and landscaping.

“They’re not building or buying, so they’re looking at what they have and redoing that,” said Todd Leach, owner of Performance Landscaping. “The trend is making their yards more usable in the summer.”

Leach said installing fire pits, patios and waterfalls are a few of the key ways homeowners are sprucing up their yards. Installing fire pits down into the ground and building the patio around it with stone designs is very popular, Leach said. About 3-feet across is the standard size he installs.

He said waterfalls add a nice ambiance, especially in yards with steep slopes.

“You can really get creative if there’s a big drop, splashing it into a pond,” he said.

Leach said the biggest waterfall he’s installed to date included a 3-foot free fall where the water landed on field rock and flowed down to a pond.

From trees to fountains and patios with fire pits to do-it-yourself kits, Performance Landscaping can help with landscaping needs, big and small.

Performance Landscaping, located north of Albert Lea, has been beautifying the land around the lakes since 1974. According to Leach, his father, Jack, founded the company as a sod growing and installation business.

Eventually, the family firm grew into a commercial landscaping business. Leach said he’s traveled as far north as the Twin Cities and as far south as Des Moines, Iowa, to do commercial landscaping jobs.

Over the past 10 years, as the growth of commercial business has stalled due to the economy, the company has dived into residential landscaping. It still serves as a sod wholeSubmitted photo saler, growing about Performance Landscaping of Albert Lea has products that 60 acres of grass, but can help transform the outside of customers’ homes. also focuses on turning

Page 4 • spring home improvement • Albert Lea Tribune • Thursday, March 24, 2011

Albert Lea Tribune • Thursday, March 24, 2011 • spring home improvement • Page 9

Clean air ducts can make for a healthier home

By Linda Holst For the Tribune

Cleaning the air ducts in your home can result in much more fresh air being circulated through your home, and a company in Albert Lea can perform that service.

Homes have normal dust and dirt, but other reasons contribute to the need to have this service.

Craig Diegnau, owner of Indoor Technologies in Albert Lea, gives four reasons why homeowners need their air ducts cleaned. They are as follows: 1. If an occupant of the home has allergies or asthma.

2. If there’s new construction or remodeling in the home.

3. If a disaster has occurred, which resulted in fire or water damage.

4. When a new furnace is installed.

The cleaning of the home’s heat, ventilation and air conditioning system is a process that requires a qualified person. As a member of the National Air Duct Cleaners Association, Diegnau conforms to the standards of the association to provide quality service to his clients.

“The buildup of dirt and debris in the air ducts cuts down on the air flow of the heating and air conditioning,” Diegnau said.

Buildup can be as thick as 5 inches.

The contaminants in the buildup can include mold, fungi, bacteria, pet dander, construction debris, dust mites, hair and pollen.

Removing this buildup requires cleaning, which has two components.

First the contaminants must be loosened and then collected.

“The cleaning can take three hours,” Diegnau said.

The contaminants are removed with an agitation device to loosen the buildup from the surfaces. During the cleaning, the entire HVAC system is placed under a vacuum to prevent the contaminants from spreading throughout the house. The vacuum allows the very fine particles to be removed as they become airborne.

Diegnau’s truck has a storage unit that holds the debris removed from the home.

You should see no puff of dust from the vents when you return the heat or air conditioning to its running mode.

To maintain the cleanliness and efficiency of your HVAC system, purchase quality filters and clean and change the filters every two months.

Indoor Technologies is located at 308 W. Front St. in Albert Lea. Diegnau said an appointment can be scheduled within a week of calling 507-373-8814.

Delaying home projects could cost more in the long run

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Been to the grocery store lately?

Filled up your vehicle with gas in the last week? It’s not your imagination — many of the items you use most often are getting more expensive.

And near the top of the list of price increases are the building materials that go into remodeling projects and new home construction. The Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates the new home that cost $85,000 to build in 2003 would cost somewhere in the neighborhood of $113,000 to build now, due to residential construction costs jumping 33 percent since 2003.

“We’ve certainly seen it in our industry,” says Kent Blanchard, TAMKO Building Products vice president of roofing manufacturing. “These increased costs trickle down to the consumer as all of the raw material increases make the end-product more

costly to manufacture. I’m sure to the consumer it’s seemed more like a flood lately.”

Prices for nearly all the major building supplies have risen in the last several years, from concrete and asphalt to drywall and insulation. Increasing demand from developing nations like China and Brazil makes it unlikely any price relief will come any time soon.

This is leading to what some analysts are referring to as a projected “sustained rise” in construction project costs and will impact both new construction and remodeling markets in 2011.

Delay and pay ... more

It’s a catch-22 for homeowners who may be hesitant to invest in a building project in the middle of a difficult 4Projects, Page 8

Pond: Stay practical when designing the project Continued from Page 2 crystal clear by reducing bacteria and micro-organisms with minimal maintenance.

Stay practical

Let your imagination run wild within reason. Don’t forget that your location, regional climate, community restrictions, the architecture of your home and the purpose of your pond will all affect your pond-building project.

When choosing a spot in your landscape for your pond, keep these factors in mind: • Draw a map of your property so that you have a visual of its overall look — and how a pond will fit in with the rest of your landscape.

• Your pond is a living eco-system.

If you’ll be adding water plants, most need at least four hours of sun per day, so you’ll need to choose a spot that gets plenty of sun.

• Avoid placing your pond near trees or plants with invasive root systems. Roots can grow under the pond liner and cause damage. And if it’s under trees, falling leaves could block the filter and pump, and decomposing leaves are actually toxic to fish.

Designing and building pointers

Now that you know where you’ll place your pond it’s time to think about what it will look like, and to get down to the business of building it. Keep in mind that how you’ll use the pond, where it’s located and your lifestyle will all affect the design.

If you plan to have fish in your pond, you need to adjust the depth accord-

ingly; goldfish are usually OK in shallow water but koi will need a deeper pond. If the ground in your area of the country freezes in winter, you’ll want to make your pond at least 18 inches deep to protect it. If you live in a densely populated area or have small children, you will need to build a fence into your design for safety’s sake.

Before you begin digging, check your community’s bylaws and find out if any city ordinances govern pondbuilding. Also, be sure to contact your local utilities by calling 811 to ensure you don’t risk hitting any utility lines while digging.

With planning, the right products

Decks: Power washers can help clean without making you tired Continued from Page 8 thoroughly before you replace all the parts.

5. After everything is dry, rub the grill with vegetable oil. Any wooden parts can have linseed oil applied.

6. Reconnect the gas, making sure the connections and hose are in good operating condition.

7. Turn on the grill, heating completely before you cook to make sure any soap residue burns off.

Lastly the deck furniture needs cleaning before sitting down to enjoy the juicy hamburger.

Most deck furniture is made of a man-made material, such as plastic

or metal.

A power washer will clean the legs/ arms of the chairs and the table with very little sweat. But the grime and dirt of the seating material may need scrubbing. A pail of soapy water and some elbow grease will get those areas very clean.

These recommendations are just a guideline for some of the spring cleaning you may need to do. Refer to the manufacturer’s instructions for your own reference.

Enjoying the start of many warm summer days and the first smell of many hamburgers to be grilled will have made all the work worthwhile.

and a little elbow grease, you can create a water feature in your landscape -

and turn your backyard into a garden that you’ll enjoy for years to come.

Page 8 • spring home improvement • Albert Lea Tribune • Thursday, March 24, 2011

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Projects: Roofing can be a major renovation Continued from Page 4 economy, but who also know they will almost certainly pay more for the same project if they wait.

Industry experts recommend consumers not wait to tackle home improvement projects but start first with the projects that provide the most return on investment or address a pressing need.

Back to the basics

When it comes to essentials, there’s nothing more crucial to a home or its inhabitants than a roof over their heads. A new roof can be a major selling point and can help protect the rest of your home improvement investments.

Despite the recent rise in asphalt prices, asphalt shingles continue to be the most popular and cost-efficient roofing choice for the majority of residential buildings. The Heritage Shingle series is one of the most popular asphalt shingles across the U.S. for its durability, traditional wood shake appearance and recently extended limited warranty.

“They look good and perform well,” Blanchard says of asphalt shingles. “You can’t beat the combi-

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nation of performance, appearance and price of a good asphalt shingle.

They are the backbone of American roofing.”

Another option that may require greater upfront costs, but can reduce costs in the long-term are composite shingles. Composite shingles are made from a special blend of materials ranging from stone to plastic to create long-lasting, durable roofing options. Lamarite shingles by TAMKO can resemble stone slate or wood shake shingles and come in colors

rated by Energy-Star and the Cool Roof Rating Council for their ability to lower a building’s cooling costs.

Lamarite shingles also come with a 50-year limited warranty.

So whether planning to fix your leaky roof, add a deck for enjoyment or increase your living space, remember that an $85,000 house in 2003 costs $113,000 today. Regardless of the home improvement projects you are considering, it’s important to remember that the longer you delay, the more you’re likely to pay.

Getting the deck ready for the summer months

By Linda Holst For the Tribune

Spring is here! And the days to relax outdoors are around the corner. But before the rest and relaxation begins, the deck, grill and furniture need some sprucing up.

The foundation of the fun is the deck. Your deck is probably made of either wood or a man-made material.

Presuming your deck is made of wood, follow this procedure for cleaning.

1. Sweep off the deck and remove the debris that’s between the boards (a putty knife works great for this).

2. Clean the deck with a solution of water and laundry detergent or a commercial deck cleaner. Use a brush or push broom to scrub the deck boards.

Rinse the deck off with water using a garden hose. If the deck has mildew or algae, they need to be treated with a bleach solution. The solution consists

of one part bleach to four parts water.

Apply the bleach solution to the stain, and let it sit for a few minutes. Scrub the stain and rinse off with water.

3. Let the deck thoroughly dry before you reseal or stain it. Contact your local hardware store or home center for the right product.

If you didn’t clean the gas barbecue before putting it away for the winter, here are a few tips before cooking the hamburgers.

1. Disconnect the gas.

2. Take out the grill parts and soak in dishwashing liquid and hot water.

Scrub away buildup with a rag or plastic scrubber.

3. Tape over any gas openings and then clean the inside and outside of the barbecue with hot, soapy water and a rag.

4. Hose off the barbecue. Let it dry 4Decks, Page 9

Live large in your living room for $100 or less There’s a reason we call it “the living room.” We might all spend most of our time in the kitchen, but when we want to relax with family and friends to watch a movie, take in a TV show or just enjoy some good conversation, we head to the living room.

Between the kids playing trampoline on the couch or taking the “throw” in throw pillows literally, the family dog decorating the carpet with her hair, and the overall wear and tear the room gets, it may be hard to imagine living large in your living room anymore. The good news is, refreshing the room and making it a showpiece of your home again needn’t cost a bundle.

In fact, you can give your living room a facelift by making some key changes that each cost $100 or less.

From wall decor ideas to furniture fixes, here are some easy, do-it-yourself decorator moves that can update the look of your living room for less than the cost of a designer handbag:

Accessorize, accessorize, accessorize

Just as the right shoes and a bright scarf can add pizzaz to an otherwise so-so outfit, the right mix of accessories can add power and pop to your living room decor. Accessories can also help conceal a host of flaws, from worn-out upholstery to stained carpeting.

Hit a discount home goods store and replace tired accent pillows with new ones in bright colors. Add designer-inspired tiebacks to the same old drapes after you’ve freshly laundered them. Scatter plush throws around

the room. Cover carpeting that’s seen better days with an area rug that looks fresh, new and fun.

Back to the wall

She who wields a paint roller well (or is even just reasonably OK with one) has the power to completely change a room — for less than $30 a gallon. Paint is a fast, cost-effective way to make a lived-in room look move-in ready again. And since you spent so little redoing three walls, consider a wallpaper mural for the fourth.

Murals like those found at www.

DecorPlace.com can transform any room with a nature mural or images that evoke a tropical getaway, a vibrant cityscape, an undersea wonderland or a rustic Tuscan villa. On the website, you’ll find plenty of easy-toinstall murals for less than $100. You can use yours to create a focal point in your living room, accent an architectural feature, make a small space feel more open and airy, or add interest to an otherwise boring wall.

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Page 6 • spring home improvement • Albert Lea Tribune • Thursday, March 24, 2011

Albert Lea Tribune • Thursday, March 24, 2011 • spring home improvement • Page 7

Tips for making a functional home office

When you start a home business, you will probably set aside one room or area of your house to be your office.

This is the place where you’ll handle general business, customer relations, shipping and delivery of products and services, payroll and many other details that pertain to your company.

Of course, this room is also in your house, so you want to make sure it looks good in case you have customers stop by, or if friends or relatives stay over.

Setting up your office so that it is functional and looks nice is important, but because you’ll be spending a lot of time in there, you should make it comfortable as well. Here are some tips on how to make your home office functional, yet fun and stylish.

• If you have young children at home, designating your office separate from the rest of your house with a closed door, or a standing partition, can help your children learn that you are “at work” and not to be disturbed unless they have an emergency. If you plan to use your office space for family business as well after work hours are over, consider making a sign indicating you are busy working to hang on the door or partition.

• Your desk probably will be where you spend the majority of time in your home office, which means you need it to match your style perfectly. Your office chair needs to be comfortable, but you also want it to match the decor as well.

• Decorate your office in colors and materials that will help keep you operating efficiently, but also allow you to enjoy the time you spend working.

For example, yellow is considered to be a stimulating color, orange encourages creativity and green provides a calming influence. Depending on the energy level you would like to have in your office, consider using file folders, binders, pictures and wall paint to bring colors into your office that would enhance your professional emotions and behaviors.

• Keeping your home office picked up is key, especially if you pace while talking on the phone or while brainstorming a business idea. Make sure all your electronic cords are bundled and tucked away under your desk so you aren’t tripping over them while chatting with a client on the phone.

• Get organized with a cubby hole or filing drawer system, which will help keep the paperwork off your

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home office desk area and also help you find filed information quickly and easily if you were to have a customer catch you by surprise on the phone.

These items are available at office supplies stores.

As you get your company up and running in your home office, don’t forget to add little personal touches to make it feel even more comfortable.

After all, you might be spending a lot of time in your office.

Five weekend projects to spruce up your home this spring After a long, hard winter across most of the country, people are looking forward to the rites of spring. And one of those cherished activities is the great American remodeling project.

• Update flooring: If you just bought a home or you’re looking to update your current floor, you may face the task of removing old linoleum. To tackle the job, consider an oscillating multi-tool that includes a scraping blade accessory. Use the oscillating tool to scrape linoleum from the subfloor; use your free hand to peel back the old floor covering. Try to collect large strips.

• Add remodeling electrical boxes: The home theater room is a great place to gather the family. For a professional look with telecom or media wiring, outline and cut holes for remodeling boxes that can be placed in cabinets or walls and finished with an appropriate trim plate. To avoid studs, use a hammer to tap lightly on a wall to locate hollow areas between wall supports or use a high-quality stud finder.

• Remove trim, baseboards or molding: Removal of trim is a tough job if you want to save it for future use. The oscillating tool does a nice

job removing caulk and old adhesive, then allows the user to slide a blade accessory between the trim and the wall to cut nails and remove trim intact.

• Replace broken tile: Broken tiles happen — in foyers, kitchens and bathrooms. Spring is a great time to finally remove these long-broken pieces to have complete, perfect alignment again. Use a grout saw to remove grout from around the chipped tile. From there, you can use a pry bar or chisel to remove the old tile. If you can’t remove it as a whole piece, put a towel over the chipped tile and use a hammer to break it up. Remove the old adhesive to ensure the new tile can be placed level with adjoining tiles. Use a quality adhesive to place the new tile and apply grout, being careful to match the original grout’s color and texture.

• Repaint exterior trim: Now that the snow and cold temperatures have receded, it’s time to clean up your window and door trim. Scrape and refurbish paint and stained surfaces, checking for any loose or missing nails, screws or splintered boards.

In addition, use a power washer to remove dirt and debris from porches

No need to Rake!

for your

Let the mower do the work

Garden

Visit with the staff at the Seed House Garden Center.

Delicious food starts here!

• Bulk and Pre-Packaged Garden Seeds • Organic Seeds • Seed Potatoes & Onion Sets

• Residential and Commercial • Locally owned Sod Grower since 1974

M&S

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OUTDOOR EQUIPMENT

Intersection of W. Main and Hwy 13 (across from Nelsons) 373-3161 Hrs. Mon.-Fri. 8 to 5, Sat. 8 to 4

519 Prospect, Albert Lea, MN • 507-377-7705 Mon. thru Fri. 8:30-5:30, Sat. 9:00-2:00 17243 760th Ave., Albert Lea, MN

507-373-3057

sales • service • parts

or concrete surfaces.

Use eye protection and leather or construction-grade gloves. Experienced and novice builders should use

quality tools and accessories for better results. You only want to do the job once, so make sure your first effort is your best effort.

Page 6 • spring home improvement • Albert Lea Tribune • Thursday, March 24, 2011

Albert Lea Tribune • Thursday, March 24, 2011 • spring home improvement • Page 7

Tips for making a functional home office

When you start a home business, you will probably set aside one room or area of your house to be your office.

This is the place where you’ll handle general business, customer relations, shipping and delivery of products and services, payroll and many other details that pertain to your company.

Of course, this room is also in your house, so you want to make sure it looks good in case you have customers stop by, or if friends or relatives stay over.

Setting up your office so that it is functional and looks nice is important, but because you’ll be spending a lot of time in there, you should make it comfortable as well. Here are some tips on how to make your home office functional, yet fun and stylish.

• If you have young children at home, designating your office separate from the rest of your house with a closed door, or a standing partition, can help your children learn that you are “at work” and not to be disturbed unless they have an emergency. If you plan to use your office space for family business as well after work hours are over, consider making a sign indicating you are busy working to hang on the door or partition.

• Your desk probably will be where you spend the majority of time in your home office, which means you need it to match your style perfectly. Your office chair needs to be comfortable, but you also want it to match the decor as well.

• Decorate your office in colors and materials that will help keep you operating efficiently, but also allow you to enjoy the time you spend working.

For example, yellow is considered to be a stimulating color, orange encourages creativity and green provides a calming influence. Depending on the energy level you would like to have in your office, consider using file folders, binders, pictures and wall paint to bring colors into your office that would enhance your professional emotions and behaviors.

• Keeping your home office picked up is key, especially if you pace while talking on the phone or while brainstorming a business idea. Make sure all your electronic cords are bundled and tucked away under your desk so you aren’t tripping over them while chatting with a client on the phone.

• Get organized with a cubby hole or filing drawer system, which will help keep the paperwork off your

Seeds

home office desk area and also help you find filed information quickly and easily if you were to have a customer catch you by surprise on the phone.

These items are available at office supplies stores.

As you get your company up and running in your home office, don’t forget to add little personal touches to make it feel even more comfortable.

After all, you might be spending a lot of time in your office.

Five weekend projects to spruce up your home this spring After a long, hard winter across most of the country, people are looking forward to the rites of spring. And one of those cherished activities is the great American remodeling project.

• Update flooring: If you just bought a home or you’re looking to update your current floor, you may face the task of removing old linoleum. To tackle the job, consider an oscillating multi-tool that includes a scraping blade accessory. Use the oscillating tool to scrape linoleum from the subfloor; use your free hand to peel back the old floor covering. Try to collect large strips.

• Add remodeling electrical boxes: The home theater room is a great place to gather the family. For a professional look with telecom or media wiring, outline and cut holes for remodeling boxes that can be placed in cabinets or walls and finished with an appropriate trim plate. To avoid studs, use a hammer to tap lightly on a wall to locate hollow areas between wall supports or use a high-quality stud finder.

• Remove trim, baseboards or molding: Removal of trim is a tough job if you want to save it for future use. The oscillating tool does a nice

job removing caulk and old adhesive, then allows the user to slide a blade accessory between the trim and the wall to cut nails and remove trim intact.

• Replace broken tile: Broken tiles happen — in foyers, kitchens and bathrooms. Spring is a great time to finally remove these long-broken pieces to have complete, perfect alignment again. Use a grout saw to remove grout from around the chipped tile. From there, you can use a pry bar or chisel to remove the old tile. If you can’t remove it as a whole piece, put a towel over the chipped tile and use a hammer to break it up. Remove the old adhesive to ensure the new tile can be placed level with adjoining tiles. Use a quality adhesive to place the new tile and apply grout, being careful to match the original grout’s color and texture.

• Repaint exterior trim: Now that the snow and cold temperatures have receded, it’s time to clean up your window and door trim. Scrape and refurbish paint and stained surfaces, checking for any loose or missing nails, screws or splintered boards.

In addition, use a power washer to remove dirt and debris from porches

No need to Rake!

for your

Let the mower do the work

Garden

Visit with the staff at the Seed House Garden Center.

Delicious food starts here!

• Bulk and Pre-Packaged Garden Seeds • Organic Seeds • Seed Potatoes & Onion Sets

• Residential and Commercial • Locally owned Sod Grower since 1974

M&S

• Expert Installation • We make deliveries & pick ups

OUTDOOR EQUIPMENT

Intersection of W. Main and Hwy 13 (across from Nelsons) 373-3161 Hrs. Mon.-Fri. 8 to 5, Sat. 8 to 4

519 Prospect, Albert Lea, MN • 507-377-7705 Mon. thru Fri. 8:30-5:30, Sat. 9:00-2:00 17243 760th Ave., Albert Lea, MN

507-373-3057

sales • service • parts

or concrete surfaces.

Use eye protection and leather or construction-grade gloves. Experienced and novice builders should use

quality tools and accessories for better results. You only want to do the job once, so make sure your first effort is your best effort.

Page 8 • spring home improvement • Albert Lea Tribune • Thursday, March 24, 2011

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Projects: Roofing can be a major renovation Continued from Page 4 economy, but who also know they will almost certainly pay more for the same project if they wait.

Industry experts recommend consumers not wait to tackle home improvement projects but start first with the projects that provide the most return on investment or address a pressing need.

Back to the basics

When it comes to essentials, there’s nothing more crucial to a home or its inhabitants than a roof over their heads. A new roof can be a major selling point and can help protect the rest of your home improvement investments.

Despite the recent rise in asphalt prices, asphalt shingles continue to be the most popular and cost-efficient roofing choice for the majority of residential buildings. The Heritage Shingle series is one of the most popular asphalt shingles across the U.S. for its durability, traditional wood shake appearance and recently extended limited warranty.

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nation of performance, appearance and price of a good asphalt shingle.

They are the backbone of American roofing.”

Another option that may require greater upfront costs, but can reduce costs in the long-term are composite shingles. Composite shingles are made from a special blend of materials ranging from stone to plastic to create long-lasting, durable roofing options. Lamarite shingles by TAMKO can resemble stone slate or wood shake shingles and come in colors

rated by Energy-Star and the Cool Roof Rating Council for their ability to lower a building’s cooling costs.

Lamarite shingles also come with a 50-year limited warranty.

So whether planning to fix your leaky roof, add a deck for enjoyment or increase your living space, remember that an $85,000 house in 2003 costs $113,000 today. Regardless of the home improvement projects you are considering, it’s important to remember that the longer you delay, the more you’re likely to pay.

Getting the deck ready for the summer months

By Linda Holst For the Tribune

Spring is here! And the days to relax outdoors are around the corner. But before the rest and relaxation begins, the deck, grill and furniture need some sprucing up.

The foundation of the fun is the deck. Your deck is probably made of either wood or a man-made material.

Presuming your deck is made of wood, follow this procedure for cleaning.

1. Sweep off the deck and remove the debris that’s between the boards (a putty knife works great for this).

2. Clean the deck with a solution of water and laundry detergent or a commercial deck cleaner. Use a brush or push broom to scrub the deck boards.

Rinse the deck off with water using a garden hose. If the deck has mildew or algae, they need to be treated with a bleach solution. The solution consists

of one part bleach to four parts water.

Apply the bleach solution to the stain, and let it sit for a few minutes. Scrub the stain and rinse off with water.

3. Let the deck thoroughly dry before you reseal or stain it. Contact your local hardware store or home center for the right product.

If you didn’t clean the gas barbecue before putting it away for the winter, here are a few tips before cooking the hamburgers.

1. Disconnect the gas.

2. Take out the grill parts and soak in dishwashing liquid and hot water.

Scrub away buildup with a rag or plastic scrubber.

3. Tape over any gas openings and then clean the inside and outside of the barbecue with hot, soapy water and a rag.

4. Hose off the barbecue. Let it dry 4Decks, Page 9

Live large in your living room for $100 or less There’s a reason we call it “the living room.” We might all spend most of our time in the kitchen, but when we want to relax with family and friends to watch a movie, take in a TV show or just enjoy some good conversation, we head to the living room.

Between the kids playing trampoline on the couch or taking the “throw” in throw pillows literally, the family dog decorating the carpet with her hair, and the overall wear and tear the room gets, it may be hard to imagine living large in your living room anymore. The good news is, refreshing the room and making it a showpiece of your home again needn’t cost a bundle.

In fact, you can give your living room a facelift by making some key changes that each cost $100 or less.

From wall decor ideas to furniture fixes, here are some easy, do-it-yourself decorator moves that can update the look of your living room for less than the cost of a designer handbag:

Accessorize, accessorize, accessorize

Just as the right shoes and a bright scarf can add pizzaz to an otherwise so-so outfit, the right mix of accessories can add power and pop to your living room decor. Accessories can also help conceal a host of flaws, from worn-out upholstery to stained carpeting.

Hit a discount home goods store and replace tired accent pillows with new ones in bright colors. Add designer-inspired tiebacks to the same old drapes after you’ve freshly laundered them. Scatter plush throws around

the room. Cover carpeting that’s seen better days with an area rug that looks fresh, new and fun.

Back to the wall

She who wields a paint roller well (or is even just reasonably OK with one) has the power to completely change a room — for less than $30 a gallon. Paint is a fast, cost-effective way to make a lived-in room look move-in ready again. And since you spent so little redoing three walls, consider a wallpaper mural for the fourth.

Murals like those found at www.

DecorPlace.com can transform any room with a nature mural or images that evoke a tropical getaway, a vibrant cityscape, an undersea wonderland or a rustic Tuscan villa. On the website, you’ll find plenty of easy-toinstall murals for less than $100. You can use yours to create a focal point in your living room, accent an architectural feature, make a small space feel more open and airy, or add interest to an otherwise boring wall.

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Page 4 • spring home improvement • Albert Lea Tribune • Thursday, March 24, 2011

Albert Lea Tribune • Thursday, March 24, 2011 • spring home improvement • Page 9

Clean air ducts can make for a healthier home

By Linda Holst For the Tribune

Cleaning the air ducts in your home can result in much more fresh air being circulated through your home, and a company in Albert Lea can perform that service.

Homes have normal dust and dirt, but other reasons contribute to the need to have this service.

Craig Diegnau, owner of Indoor Technologies in Albert Lea, gives four reasons why homeowners need their air ducts cleaned. They are as follows: 1. If an occupant of the home has allergies or asthma.

2. If there’s new construction or remodeling in the home.

3. If a disaster has occurred, which resulted in fire or water damage.

4. When a new furnace is installed.

The cleaning of the home’s heat, ventilation and air conditioning system is a process that requires a qualified person. As a member of the National Air Duct Cleaners Association, Diegnau conforms to the standards of the association to provide quality service to his clients.

“The buildup of dirt and debris in the air ducts cuts down on the air flow of the heating and air conditioning,” Diegnau said.

Buildup can be as thick as 5 inches.

The contaminants in the buildup can include mold, fungi, bacteria, pet dander, construction debris, dust mites, hair and pollen.

Removing this buildup requires cleaning, which has two components.

First the contaminants must be loosened and then collected.

“The cleaning can take three hours,” Diegnau said.

The contaminants are removed with an agitation device to loosen the buildup from the surfaces. During the cleaning, the entire HVAC system is placed under a vacuum to prevent the contaminants from spreading throughout the house. The vacuum allows the very fine particles to be removed as they become airborne.

Diegnau’s truck has a storage unit that holds the debris removed from the home.

You should see no puff of dust from the vents when you return the heat or air conditioning to its running mode.

To maintain the cleanliness and efficiency of your HVAC system, purchase quality filters and clean and change the filters every two months.

Indoor Technologies is located at 308 W. Front St. in Albert Lea. Diegnau said an appointment can be scheduled within a week of calling 507-373-8814.

Delaying home projects could cost more in the long run

We fix & repair screens, windows & garage doors 311 West Main • Albert Lea, MN 507-373-1000

Been to the grocery store lately?

Filled up your vehicle with gas in the last week? It’s not your imagination — many of the items you use most often are getting more expensive.

And near the top of the list of price increases are the building materials that go into remodeling projects and new home construction. The Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates the new home that cost $85,000 to build in 2003 would cost somewhere in the neighborhood of $113,000 to build now, due to residential construction costs jumping 33 percent since 2003.

“We’ve certainly seen it in our industry,” says Kent Blanchard, TAMKO Building Products vice president of roofing manufacturing. “These increased costs trickle down to the consumer as all of the raw material increases make the end-product more

costly to manufacture. I’m sure to the consumer it’s seemed more like a flood lately.”

Prices for nearly all the major building supplies have risen in the last several years, from concrete and asphalt to drywall and insulation. Increasing demand from developing nations like China and Brazil makes it unlikely any price relief will come any time soon.

This is leading to what some analysts are referring to as a projected “sustained rise” in construction project costs and will impact both new construction and remodeling markets in 2011.

Delay and pay ... more

It’s a catch-22 for homeowners who may be hesitant to invest in a building project in the middle of a difficult 4Projects, Page 8

Pond: Stay practical when designing the project Continued from Page 2 crystal clear by reducing bacteria and micro-organisms with minimal maintenance.

Stay practical

Let your imagination run wild within reason. Don’t forget that your location, regional climate, community restrictions, the architecture of your home and the purpose of your pond will all affect your pond-building project.

When choosing a spot in your landscape for your pond, keep these factors in mind: • Draw a map of your property so that you have a visual of its overall look — and how a pond will fit in with the rest of your landscape.

• Your pond is a living eco-system.

If you’ll be adding water plants, most need at least four hours of sun per day, so you’ll need to choose a spot that gets plenty of sun.

• Avoid placing your pond near trees or plants with invasive root systems. Roots can grow under the pond liner and cause damage. And if it’s under trees, falling leaves could block the filter and pump, and decomposing leaves are actually toxic to fish.

Designing and building pointers

Now that you know where you’ll place your pond it’s time to think about what it will look like, and to get down to the business of building it. Keep in mind that how you’ll use the pond, where it’s located and your lifestyle will all affect the design.

If you plan to have fish in your pond, you need to adjust the depth accord-

ingly; goldfish are usually OK in shallow water but koi will need a deeper pond. If the ground in your area of the country freezes in winter, you’ll want to make your pond at least 18 inches deep to protect it. If you live in a densely populated area or have small children, you will need to build a fence into your design for safety’s sake.

Before you begin digging, check your community’s bylaws and find out if any city ordinances govern pondbuilding. Also, be sure to contact your local utilities by calling 811 to ensure you don’t risk hitting any utility lines while digging.

With planning, the right products

Decks: Power washers can help clean without making you tired Continued from Page 8 thoroughly before you replace all the parts.

5. After everything is dry, rub the grill with vegetable oil. Any wooden parts can have linseed oil applied.

6. Reconnect the gas, making sure the connections and hose are in good operating condition.

7. Turn on the grill, heating completely before you cook to make sure any soap residue burns off.

Lastly the deck furniture needs cleaning before sitting down to enjoy the juicy hamburger.

Most deck furniture is made of a man-made material, such as plastic

or metal.

A power washer will clean the legs/ arms of the chairs and the table with very little sweat. But the grime and dirt of the seating material may need scrubbing. A pail of soapy water and some elbow grease will get those areas very clean.

These recommendations are just a guideline for some of the spring cleaning you may need to do. Refer to the manufacturer’s instructions for your own reference.

Enjoying the start of many warm summer days and the first smell of many hamburgers to be grilled will have made all the work worthwhile.

and a little elbow grease, you can create a water feature in your landscape -

and turn your backyard into a garden that you’ll enjoy for years to come.

Page 10 • spring home improvement • Albert Lea Tribune • Thursday, March 24, 2011

Albert Lea Tribune • Thursday, March 24, 2011 • spring home improvement • Page 3

Get smart about your living environment

If you’re looking to purchase or remodel a home, you likely are building a long list of “must-haves,” “must-dos” and “must-includes” for your new space. There’s no question the housing market is in a different place than it was as recently as five years ago. Of course, a tough economy has been the prevailing factor, but other things — an aging population and a tough job market — are influencing how people are living today and possibly into the future. If you’re like most home seekers and remodelers, you may find that your requirements fall in line with these five growing trends: Bigger isn’t always better: As interest grows in living more efficiently, people are building smaller homes. In fact, new homes are now 7 percent smaller than they were the previous year, according to the U.S. Census Bureau.

Just my style: Homeowners are aiming to make their home fit their personal visions of the best investment on the dollar, and 20 percent of new homes are currently custom-built, according to the American Institute of Architects. This trend to customize is in part made possible by the parallel trend to build a smaller home. Smaller spaces free up dollars to put toward the products that fill it.

Color, decor and products that help make a home feel one-ofa-kind versus one-of-many are becoming king.

Multigenerational: Homeowners also are seeking spaces that accommodate residents

Updating landscaping can make a home feel quite improved

Five trends that will make your home truly your own

of all ages. One-third of baby boomers report they have adult children still living at home or likely moving back home at some point, and 8 percent of Americans report their parents already live with them or will in the future, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. With more people living under one roof — some possibly in diminishing health — you may be among the homeowners seeking products that will help ensure a healthier, cleaner environment. This may range from a programmable thermostat to help you bring comfortable temps to all ages, to an air filter to help keep germs and airborne particles at bay.

In for the long haul: As life expectancy increases, Americans are building homes that will allow them to “age in place.” Smart technology and system installations that will address future sight, hearing and dexterity-related limitations are becoming increasingly popular as a result.

Energy-efficient: As homeowner concerns about energy costs continue to mount, so too does their attention to home design and products that will help lower their energy bills and decrease their carbon footprint.

As a result, homeowners are showing increased attention to factors such as insulation and window quality.

In the end, there are many products and services on the market to help meet these homeowner needs, but there’s one you may have not considered, tucked away in your basement.

It’s your home heating, ventilation and cooling (HVAC) system, and it actually plays a role in meeting each of these growing homeowner trends.

• If it’s a smaller home you seek, HVAC manufacturers continue to rollout product solutions that offer you the size you need to fit your space.

• Heating and cooling alone accounts for half of the energy used in a home, according the Alliance to Save Energy, so it’s important to install an HVAC system that will deliver optimal performance. Some furnaces are equipped with technology that allows them to communicate with all other components of a heating and cooling system.

• If smart technology and a customized home experience are what you need, consider remote home energy management systems. With a remote access solution that provides home control from a cell phone or any computer with Internet access, you can adjust your home’s thermostat, even when you are not there.

• Your heating and cooling system can also help keep your home a clean and healthy environment for all ages. Many manufacturers offer whole-house air filtration systems, and some of these systems can filter up to 99.98 percent of particles and allergens from your home’s air.

If any of these home trends apply to the “must have” list for your new or remodeled home, your heating and cooling system might be a good place to begin in your planning.

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people’s yards into their meccas.

Leach said the newest trend in sod is hydroseeding, which is mixing grass seed and wood pulp and spraying it across the land versus laying sod. He advised people interested in any seeding or sodding to get that done by the end of June, because those who don’t have irrigation systems will spend a lot of time watering and maintaining it if they wait until July or August.

Performance Landscaping also grows most of its own trees. Leach said he has more than 200 ball and burlap trees alone. Maple varieties are also popular. He no longer grows ash trees, however, because of the emerald ash borer.

With spring just around the corner, many people around Albert Lea — and across Minnesota — are concerned about their basements flooding. Leach had one simple landscaping technique that could help prevent basement flooding in some cases.

“Over time, the dirt around the house settles, and water starts to run the wrong way,” he said.

Leach said in that situation, they pull the old rock out, put a new slope of dirt around the house — taking the slope away from the house — and cover it with plastic and new mulch or rock.

While Performance Landscaping also plants perennials at the sites of its projects, upon request, they are in no competition with local greenhouses as that is not their specialty.

People are making the most of what they have when it comes to their yard and landscaping.

“They’re not building or buying, so they’re looking at what they have and redoing that,” said Todd Leach, owner of Performance Landscaping. “The trend is making their yards more usable in the summer.”

Leach said installing fire pits, patios and waterfalls are a few of the key ways homeowners are sprucing up their yards. Installing fire pits down into the ground and building the patio around it with stone designs is very popular, Leach said. About 3-feet across is the standard size he installs.

He said waterfalls add a nice ambiance, especially in yards with steep slopes.

“You can really get creative if there’s a big drop, splashing it into a pond,” he said.

Leach said the biggest waterfall he’s installed to date included a 3-foot free fall where the water landed on field rock and flowed down to a pond.

From trees to fountains and patios with fire pits to do-it-yourself kits, Performance Landscaping can help with landscaping needs, big and small.

Performance Landscaping, located north of Albert Lea, has been beautifying the land around the lakes since 1974. According to Leach, his father, Jack, founded the company as a sod growing and installation business.

Eventually, the family firm grew into a commercial landscaping business. Leach said he’s traveled as far north as the Twin Cities and as far south as Des Moines, Iowa, to do commercial landscaping jobs.

Over the past 10 years, as the growth of commercial business has stalled due to the economy, the company has dived into residential landscaping. It still serves as a sod wholeSubmitted photo saler, growing about Performance Landscaping of Albert Lea has products that 60 acres of grass, but can help transform the outside of customers’ homes. also focuses on turning

Page 2 • spring home improvement • Albert Lea Tribune • Thursday, March 24, 2011

Albert Lea Tribune • Thursday, March 24, 2011 • spring home improvement • Page 11

Home transformation: Revamping your home with ceramic tile

Pondering a pond?

Creating a water feature is not as hard as you think

Vibrantly colored flowers, lush grass and stone pathways are wonderful accents for any backyard. But to truly elevate a backyard to the status of “garden,” few features make a bigger splash than a pond.

Ponds can create a focal point, serve as a restful oasis and add the soothing sound of water to an outdoor space.

Many homeowners may shy away from building one, thinking it will be too difficult to do themselves and too costly to hire a professional to build.

Yet creating a backyard pond doesn’t have to be difficult — if you prepare properly and use pond supplies that are intended to make the job manageable for most do-it-yourselfers.

“The key effort behind building a pond begins before you ever put a shovel to the ground,” says Doug Ward of TotalPond, makers of highquality pond supplies and water pumps. “Choosing the right spot for your pond, and planning carefully for how it will look, will help you achieve results that you can be proud of.”

Ward offers homeowners some advice for planning, preparing and

creating their own backyard pond:

Go big

For your first effort, you might think you should keep it simple, but playing it safe may not ultimately lead to optimum results. “The No. 1 complaint we hear from homeowners is that, while they love the pond they have, they wish they had built something bigger,” Ward said.

The size, shape and features of your pond need be limited only by your imagination, available space and budget. Your water feature can be a small pool of water with a simple fountain pump or a multi-level extravaganza of pools and waterfalls. Your design can be classic, contemporary, organic or a style that’s completely new — what you end up with will depend on your tastes. In fact, you don’t even have to dig a hole if you don’t want to. It’s possible to create an above-ground pond using pavestones and a liner.

TotalPond provides kits and supplies that make pond-building well within the abilities of most do-ityourselfers. The company groups

products into four easy steps to help you determine what is needed to create your water feature. Pro-grade quality pumps — including waterfall pumps — feature UV bulbs inside that kill bacteria, providing extra algaefighting help to keep the pond cleaner.

You can even incorporate a nice spray

and night illumination by selecting an advanced multi-purpose product such as the Pond Boss that pumps, purifies with a UV sterilizer, provides a spray and features LED lights. This product ensures the pond is oxygenated and 4Pond, Page 9

Transforming the look of the home does not need to be a costly, complicated process. And with an increasing focus on sustainability, homeowners are more concerned with using durable products that will keep their beauty and functionality for years to come. Revamping your home with ceramic tile is a great way to establish a contemporary look that will last.

The technical specifications and aesthetic applications that ceramic offers are affordable and do not necessarily involve major work. Ceramic tile is easy to clean and maintain, durable and resistant to most common forms of wear. The other notable feature is that tile comes in a multiplicity of shapes, colors, textures, finishes and weights. This range of options in ceramic floor and wall tile makes them the perfect ally for turning original design ideas into personalized spaces.

Tips to consider when working with ceramic tile: • When using ceramic tile to tackle a renovation project, make the material’s versatility work as much as possible for you. Plan the kind of ambiance you want to create in any given room and select colors and finishes that will help achieve it. Bright colors help enhance the light. Earthy and ochre colors transmit serenity. Blues, greens and browns can be used to create natural spaces while the contrast of black and white adds simplicity

and elegance. The possibilities are as boundless as the user’s imagination.

• The broad spectrum of this material’s design versatility has helped it become a popular decorative element.

The old-fashioned view of ceramic as a simple, functional product to be used only in very specific rooms such as the kitchen and the bathroom, has lost ground over the years as the material has become more versatile.

When working with tile, be open to the various propositions — metallic finishes, finishes that mimic the look of fabric and wood, relief work, new sizes and formats. Choose those that enhance the personality of the targeted design space.

• Combinations of finishes and textures help break up the linear nature of a room and make it more dynamic.

Relief and “volume” finishes, as well as large format tiles, enable you to change the apparent dimensions of a room and play with the light.

Imitations of wood and leather give a greater sense of comfort and create references to natural elements.

Because tile now provides such versatility and beauty, there is a growing quest to apply the qualities of ceramic to other spaces such as patios, porches and terraces, and even to other objects or furniture pieces, such as headboards, tables, benches, shelves, bookcases and inside closets.

These new applications mean that homes are developing a more personal and original feel and are becoming more practical.

Equally, screen-printing and digital

printing techniques have opened the doors of the imagination when decorating tiles. The development of these production processes enables the final look to be highly personalized, creating spaces that are unique and custom-made. Bearing in mind

the durability of ceramic, ease of maintenance and easy installation methods that enable spaces to be altered cleanly, simply and cheaply, it’s becoming clear that using ceramic tile is an efficient way to revamp your home creatively and affordably.

Living Room: Refinishing wood pieces can be a cheap fix Continued from Page 5 real one installed? You can evoke the warm, cozy atmosphere of a fireplace in a number of ways.

Purchase a small chiminea for less than $100 and invest in a pillar candle to place inside it. The candle will create a warm glow (and appealing aroma if you choose a scented one) with less fire risk than burning wood in the chiminea. Just remember to follow good fire-safety practices, and keep children and animals away from all open flames. Spend a little bit more, and you can construct your own faux mantel and place several pillar candles

in the hearth area of the mantel.

Furniture fixes

If your wooden furniture is still sturdy but suffering from scratches, dings, dents and watermarks, consider refinishing it yourself. One gallon of wood finish can cost less than $30, and cover a lot of wood furniture.

Or, you can check out used furniture stores, flea markets and yard sales in search of gently used items in better condition than what you have.

Another option would be to visit a big box store that sells unfinished furniture and do the finishing yourself.

Living large in your living room again is possible, and you don’t have to have the large budget of a home improvement show to achieve it. Some creativ-

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ity and the willingness to try some fun do-it-yourself projects can go a long way toward making your tired old living room look and feel new again.

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Page 12 • spring home improvement • Albert Lea Tribune • Thursday, March 24, 2011

Thursday, March 24, 2011

Spring Home Improvement

Pondering a pond?

Plus:

• Tips for cleaning your air ducts • What’s new in landscaping • How to make a functional and comfortable home office

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