Parade of Homes

Fall 2014

Sat., October 4 - Sun., October 5 th

th

Saturday 10am - 5pm • Sunday 1pm - 5pm

Proud Sponsors of the Fall Parade of Homes GOLD SPONSOR

James Connett - Insulation & Fireplaces SILVER SPONSORS

MLAW Engineers • Armstrong Air • JMV Custom Homes

FREE

To The Public

Look for the Official Parade of Homes Yard Sign

OFFICIAL

Parade Home

Home Building & Remodeling

Please visit our website to see the progress of our latest projects and spec homes available.

Our New Model Home is currently being built at Our New Model Home is at 4600 Tonbridge Drive, located in South College 4601 Tonbridge located in South College Station in theDrive, beautiful Castlegate II Station in the beautiful Castlegate II Subdivision Subdivision. most recent project nowatunder OurOur most recent project now open Spring construction is Spring Creek Creek Townhomes, located within the new Townhomes, located within the new andexciting exciting Tower Tower Point and PointDevelopment.

Development!

“Making Your Vision Come True�

J.R. Torres, President & Owner 979-220-2325 | Giltor81@aol.com

www.newvisioncustomhomes.com 2 | October 3, 2014

Parade of Homes

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Parade of Homes

October 3, 2014 | 3

Table of Contents

Look for the Official Parade of Homes Yard Sign

OFFICIAL

Parade Home

Fall 2014

Crystal Dupre´

Linda Brinkman

Publisher

Advertising Manager

Geoff Moore

Jim Bob McKown

Realty Marketing

Creative Services Manager

Shauna Lewis

Aaron Beagle

Special Projects Editor

Section Designer

Fall Parade of Homes

7

Green Building

7

5 Essential Tips

8

Featuring 27 Houses

11

Green Improvements

17

Keep Your Family Secure

18

Index

19

Map

20

Hassle Of Moving

22

Exterior in Top Shape

24

Designer Look on a Budget

26

Cost of Convenience

28

Freshen the House

31

Ant Infestations

33

Cut Noise Pollution

34

Fireplaces Etc. offers a variety of products emphasizing elements of steadfast quality, functional design, and remarkable character.

Gas logs • Grills • Wood Stoves • Fireplaces • Chimney Cleaning • Service • Installation • Accessories

1711 Fountain Ave Bryan www.fireplacesetc.com • 979-775-1747 4 | October 3, 2014

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LOCAL BANK. LOCAL BANKERS. LOCAL HOME LOANS. When it comes to understanding this community, no one comes close to our experienced team of bankers.

If you’re in the market for a new home, we’d like to be the first—and last—place you stop. Dana and Mark are committed to finding the home loan that best suits your needs.

Call Dana or Mark today.

You’re new home is just a local call away.

Call us today at 260-2100!

VICE PRESIDENT deckhart@banktbt.com MLO ID#394255

MARK O. LIGHTSEY

ASSISTANT VICE PRESIDENT mlightsey@banktbt.com MLO ID#642661

Bryan/College Station

Originating Organization NMLS ID# 495002

Local bank. Local bankers. www.banktbt.com

Eagle_PoH/Copyright © 2014. All Rights Reserved. 4/14

DANA O. ECKHART

All loans subject to credit approval and collateral review. Rates, products, and programs subject to change without notice. Payments on loans with variable rates may increase after closing.

Member FDIC T H E B R YA N - C O L L E G E S TAT I O N E A G L E

Parade of Homes

October 3, 2014 | 5

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Mitchell Elementary School

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planned subdivision with wooded home sites will

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Homeowners seeking the comfort of a master

Sam Rayburn Middle School

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over 400 homes on 200 acres in a prime location.

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Greenbrier residential community is planned for

James Earl Rudder High School

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Situated between Miramont Country Club Community and Austin’s Colony, Greenbrier is just off FM 1179 at Thornberry in Bryan.

Rd

Choose Your Lot. Choose Your Builder.

Kroger

also appreciate the greenbelts, walking/jogging

Allen Academy

Boonville Rd D r.

trails, parks, convenience to shopping and access

re

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to schools, Rudder High, Sam Rayburn Middle

rc Bria

and Mitchell Elementary Schools are all within

Miramont Country Club

Target

cycling distance.

Contact Steve Arden, Realtor 979-229-7275 or steve@stevearden.com for more information.

6 | October 3, 2014

Parade of Homes

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Check out local homes at this year’s Fall Parade of Homes

By Michael Schaefer President of BryanCollege Station Home Builders Association On behalf of the Bryan-College Station Home Builders Association, I want to welcome you to the 2014 Fall Parade of Homes™.

Whether you are in the market for a new home or just looking for ideas, the Parade of Homes™ is the place for you to discover exciting new trends in construction and home design. This is an excellent opportunity to meet the builder personally and to learn how they can build you the home of your dreams.

This year’s Fall

Parade of Homes™ is sponsored by James Connett – Insulation & Fireplaces, Armstrong Air, JMV Custom Homes, MLAW Engineers, Guaranty Bank & Trust, Omega Builders, College Station Utilities and University Title Company. Homes will be open on Saturday, Oct. 4 and Sunday, Oct. 5. Hours on Saturday are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday, 1 to 5 p.m.

Admission to the homes is free to the public. To view the homes, look for the map in the Parade of Homes™ special section in The Eagle on Friday, Oct. 3 or visit the Bryan-College Station Home Builders Association website at www.bcsbuilders.org.

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The map will also be available in The Eagle on Saturday and at Parade Homes.

Another exciting and innovative addition to get you to the homes you want to see, as well as learn more about, is that you will be able to pull up BCS Home Builders Association’s interactive map by visiting www. bcsbuilders. org. You can also follow the blue directional signs and find the official red Parade of Homes™ sign, which will be located in the yard of each participating builder’s home.

Residential and commercial construction is evident as you travel in or around BryanCollege Station.

This year we are blessed to have 27 homes on display from 19 local builders.

The BCS Home Builder Association members are committed to building homes and neighborhoods where you can enjoy the great quality of life that is trademarked for this area. This year’s BCSHBA member participants include Blackstone Handcrafted Homes, Brazos Valley Construction, CGM Home Builders, Cathey Development, Gary Emola Construction, Hamilton Custom Homes, JMV Custom Homes, Magruder Homes, Mariott Homes, Matthew Brynn, Oakwood Custom Homes, Omega Builders, Pitman Custom Homes, Reece Homes, Rick Vernon Homes, Schaefer

Custom Homes, Spirit Design Build and Tradition Homes.

You can meet these builders in 13 of the finest subdivisions in the area, including Austin’s Colony, Carter’s Crossing, Castlegate, Castlegate II, Creek Meadows, Estates at Creek Meadows, Greenbrier, Indian Lakes, Pebble Creek, Saddle Creek, The Villages of Indian Lakes and Traditions. There is also a beautiful custom home on Leonard Road that you won’t want to miss.

These homes range from 1,986 to 5,500 square feet, are north to south, east to west.

With this type of variety to choose from, you are sure to find the right fit for you.

Take advantage of the beautiful fall weather.

We look forward to seeing you and hope you find your next home while touring the houses included in the Fall Parade of Homes™.

The Bryan-College Station Home Builders Association is a not-forprofit trade association, affiliated with the Texas Association of Builders and the National Association of Home builders, chartered in 1967 to promote and protect the building industry and its customers in Brazos County and its contiguous counties. Our mission is to cultivate a positive business environment in the building industry.

We are committed to responsible growth by providing citizens with safe, quality and cost effective housing while promoting a positive economic future for the counties the association serves.

Parade of Homes

What is green building and why should you consider it?

By Hugh Stearns

Even if preserving the environment is not high on your list of priorities, you may be interested in green building. This is because green building, when done well, delivers a well built home that reduces utility bills and requires less maintenance.

Even if you have an older, conventional home that uses lots of energy, you can use green building approaches to improve your home.

Green, or sustainable, building is building in a way that reduces energy consumption, minimizes the impact on the environment and creates a building that is safer for its inhabitants. Green building has been around for quite a long time.

Modern green building began to gain popularity after the 1973 oil embargo, and has continued to grow since that time.

Green building draws on a great deal that has been learned in the field of building science over the last 40 years. Much of this focuses on electrical and mechanical systems, but the biggest advances have come in the understanding of how the various components of a building fit together to create an integrated system. Green building seeks to carefully manage the flow of energy, air and moisture.

This understanding has helped improve all standards of building. The average code compliant house built today is many times more energy efficient than a house built in the ‘70s. And additional savings of 10 percent to even 100 percent above a basic code compliant home are possible with green building practices.

Many still think of

sustainable building as something that requires a hippy lifestyle. Nothing could be further from the truth. While there are some who choose to live in homes built from recycled tires and that reuse all waste water, the vast majority of green building fits seamlessly into typical homes and typical lifestyles.

In fact, for many, the “green” in green building is more about the color of money than the color of nature. Primary goals of green building are to reduce energy and water bills and the cost of maintenance. While some of the savings may require a little more upfront cost, there are many things that can be done that do not require increased investments.

So where do we start?

Green building, like all smart approaches to design, starts with consideration of the building site. How can we orient the home to minimize heat gain in the summer and maximize it in the winter? How do we make the best use of seasonal water supplies and prevailing breezes? Failing to take these things into account can cause these natural resources to work against you rather than for you.

Homes oriented with their long axis running east and west can easily shade summer sun while taking advantage of heating from the sun in the wintertime. In the Brazos Valley, our prevailing breezes come out of the southeast.

Windows designed to capture that breeze can help cool the house. Some

See Building Green page 11

October 3, 2014 | 7

5 essential tips to turn your new house into a home Tips to remove big stress from your big move

Moving brings great opportunities in the form of careers, social connections and new beginnings. However, the act of moving can create unnecessary stress and tension, which makes the process less than desirable. About 35 percent of Americans move every five years, according to the U.S. Census Bureau, which results in many people who are looking to simplify the process and turn their new house into a home.

Celebrity design expert and ADT spokesperson Sabrina Soto has the expert moving advice to make your house a home:

• Review everything being packed: If you

have items you won’t use or haven’t used in six months, put them aside. They are good candidates for selling at a garage sale, listing in online classified ads, donating to charity, or as a last-case scenario, throwing away.

Also, look for ways to reduce your load.

Canned goods may still have shelf life, but evaluate whether it makes sense to move or donate - it’s likely the latter. The same goes for other items you can easily and inexpensively purchase at a discount store when you arrive at your destination. As you approach moving day, be sure to think twice before loading up at grocery or convenience stores.

As you take inventory of 8 | October 3, 2014

everything in your home, be sure to clean, organize and sort the remaining items so they can be packed quickly and then easily found when you arrive at your new home.

• Get secured before you move:

Feeling secure and in control is an important part of transforming a new house into a home. An ADT Pulse home security and automation system gives homeowners the ability to not only monitor their home’s security, but also control functions such as adjusting lights, unlocking doors and controlling thermostats - all with the touch of an app. Plus, it can start working for new homeowners on day one, whether using it to grant access to trusted contractors and technicians or receiving alerts when deliveries arrive at the front door. In a new neighborhood and a new house, it will be a sigh of relief to know you’re in control both at home and while away.

headaches in the long run.

If you’re planning to move yourself, it’s important to take precautions and protect your belongings while the truck is being loaded and unloaded. Have a team of trusted friends or family help

you - the more sets of eyes, the easier it will be to keep track of your belongings.

If you need to keep the truck parked overnight, back the vehicle up to a wall or garage door, which will make it difficult for someone to break in.

• Make yourself a happy

place: Choose one room in your new home to be the room you completely unpack and organize on the first day. This gives you a restful sanctuary where you can retreat, even if the rest of your items are still in boxes scattered among the other rooms for several days to come.

• Document and share the

transfor mation: Use your smartphone or camera to document the change of your new home as your items are unpacked and placed. This allows you to see how your hard work has paid off.

With these tips, you can streamline your move and make it less stressful for you and your family.

• Keep organized on moving day: Walk

through the old home with your movers to identify how you’d like your items organized and packed.

Let them know you want the house packed room by room, which will make it easier to unpack and place everything into your new house. If you have anything fragile, be sure to note how you’d like those items to be handled, saving you plenty of time and

Parade of Homes

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ONLY 4 LOTS REMAINING

It’s more than an address... It’s a lifestyle!

A Master-Planned Community Nestled Around an 18 Hole Championship Golf Course Homesites Available!

Coming Soon!

Opened July 2014 4 lots still available in Phase 7C

Phase 7D is expected to open in Summer 2015

Experience surroundings as captivating as your dreams...the natural beauty of oak trees and Texas blue skies; elegant estates beaming with the warmth of families; whispery quiet woodland, trickling streams and rippling ponds...This is Pebble Creek. Stop by and see us during the parade at our sales office, 5102 Stonewater Loop, located in Stonewater Villages of Pebble Creek.

w w w. p e b b l e c r e e k . i n f o • 9 7 9 . 6 9 0 . 0 9 9 2 • d e v e l o p m e n t @ p e b b l e c r e e k . o r g 5102 Stonewater Loop • College Station, TX 77842 T H E B R YA N - C O L L E G E S TAT I O N E A G L E

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October 3, 2014 | 9

Foundations • Frames • Inspections Energy Audits • Forensics Our firm has designed over 300,000 single-family residential, multi-family, custom homes, and commercial projects. One of the reasons for our success has been the ability to tailor an engineering program to fit the needs of each builder, architect or homeowner.

“Serving Texas Builders since 1964 and growing...”

Tristan Fithen 979.5874129 BRYAN • COLLEGE STATION 1722 BRIARCREST DR • BRYAN

www.mlaw-eng.com

10 | October 3, 2014

Parade of Homes

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Building Green Continued from 7 may want rainwater harvesting, but even if you are not interested in that, landscapes can be designed that take advantage of water coming off the roof where it drains.

What if you already own a home that did not take these things into consideration? Well, there is almost always a cure such as a well-placed tree that blocks western sun in the summer but loses its leaves in the winter to allow sun into the home. And there are many improvements to insulation and hidden air leaks that can make an existing house more cost effective and comfortable.

There are also savings to be found in small changes such as switching to more energy-efficient lighting

and appliances, especially air conditioners, as the old ones need replacing.

But, as with all efforts that attract the attention of marketers, there is reason to keep a critical eye. In the green building industry, there are many questionable, or downright false, claims that get made.

This is known as “greenwashing.” One of the best-known examples is bamboo. Bamboo is an amazingly fast growing grass that produces very hard, durable and water resistant wood that makes a great building product. For these reasons bamboo is seen as very green. What is left out of all bamboo marketing is the fact that all bamboo sold in the United States is shipped from China, where it is being stripped in great quantities, denuding great swaths of ground. This is causing the loss of topsoil

and endangering many species, including panda bears.

But don’t let the questionable practices of a few marketing efforts discourage you from building a green home or making your existing home greener. Like with most things, knowledge and understanding will help you be a wise consumer. Talk to your homebuilder or remodeler about green building practices.

Quality builders are aware of developments in building science, including those of green building.

Hugh Stearns is the owner of Stearns Design Build, a green building custom home and remodeling company serving the Brazos Valley since 1993. For more information www.

StearnDesignBuild.com.

Parade of Homes this weekend features 27 houses

By Jimmy Pitman

Chairman of Fall Parade of Homes™ Committee, Bryan-College Station Home Builders Association On behalf of the Bryan-College Station Home Builders Association, I want to welcome you to the 2014 Fall Parade of Homes ™. On display this weekend will be 27 homes built by some of our community’s finest home builders. This event is a great opportunity to come and see the latest trends in new construction and interact with our local home builders.

Bryan/College Station has seen some incredible growth in 2014. This growth has brought us new ideas and technologies that are being incorporated into our local building community. We are also seeing new neighborhoods and new sections of current neighborhoods develop at a rapid pace that we have not seen in recent years. This new development

is also attracting restaurants and storefronts to open new locations throughout our community. All of these factors working together are giving residents of Bryan/College Station more options to choose from when deciding on where to live, work and play.

For the 2014 Fall Parade of Homes™, we are excited to launch our first mobile app. This free app will help guide and direct you to all the participating homes in the Parade throughout the 9 subdivisions. This can be downloaded through our website at www.bcsbuilders.org.

As a representative of the home builders participating in the 2014 Fall Parade of Homes ™, we thank you for taking time to visit our homes this weekend. We appreciate the opportunity to display our product and answer questions about the building process. Each home participating this weekend has a unique story to tell, and we look forward to sharing them with you.

College Station's newest roofing distribution center is now open.

Call or stop by today to find out why more professional contractors choose Southern Shingles!

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October 3, 2014 | 11

Richmon Homes Thanks For Voting Us the Best!

Certified Pride in Everything We Do! Best Home Builder

Best Home Renovation Co.

2012, 2013, 2014

From designing and building your new custom dream home to designing and renovation your existing home to look like new.

Richard and Monica Palasota give each customer individual service with unmatched quality and professionalism. That’s the way our familes have been doing business in the local area for over 100 years.

RICHARD PALASOTA 12 | October 3, 2014

Call 979-731-1134 or www.RichmonHomes.com 161 N. Earl Rudder Freeway, Bryan TX 77802 Parade of Homes

MONICA PALASOTA T H E B R YA N - C O L L E G E S TAT I O N E A G L E

E R E

A Gated Acre, Upscale Homesite Community

I  H  A

• Gated 24hour video surveillance with remote

SOLD

viewing SOLD

• All city utilities

SOLD

SOLD

available • Lake lots and

SOLD

SOLD

SOLD

rolling terrain.

EmeraldRidgeEstates.com T H E B R YA N - C O L L E G E S TAT I O N E A G L E

Parade of Homes

David Shellenberger Keller Williams Realty 979 229-4005 October 3, 2014 | 13

Over 30 Years Experience

www.schaefercustomhomes.net

14 | October 3, 2014

979.575.4180 Parade of Homes

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neW Wooded & WateRfRont pRopeRties 1 to 2+ acRes fRom $59,900

Download the Brazos Valley Real Estate Guide!

KingOaks.com/Guide

New Swimming Pool & Outdoor Kitchen • 60-Acre Nature Preserve Fishing Park & Pavilion • Miles Of Nature Trails • Community Events No City Taxes • No Timeframe To Build • Custom Home Community

Request a map and pRice list. call (800) 717-2381.

Just 4 Miles From Bryan-College Station

Obtain the Property operty Report required quir by Federal Law and read it before signing anything.No anything FederalAgency Agency has judged the merits or value,if value, any,of any, this property.These property materials and the features,facilities , and amenities described and depicted herein are based upon current development plans, which are subject to change without notice, and no guarantee is made that they will be built or, if built, will be of the same type, size or nature as depicted or described.

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Parade of Homes

October 3, 2014 | 15

Marcus | 979.229.7244

16 | October 3, 2014

Parade of Homes

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What a buyer wants: Green improvements that cut utility costs the improvement may seem minor, its impact can be significant; EnergyStar.gov says sealing and insulating ducts can boost an HVAC’s efficiency as much as 20 percent, and sealing air leaks and adding insulation can trim annual energy bills as much as 10 percent.

Replace old incandescent bulbs - When it

Going green is good for the environment, but it can also be good for a homeowner’s wallet - and that’s the aspect of eco-friendly improvements that seems most appealing to homebuyers. More than 80 percent of buyers said they would pay more for home features that saved energy and trimmed utility bills, according to a recent survey by the National Association of Home Builders.

That piece of information can be valuable to home sellers looking to get the best price for

their homes. Home improvements that also reduce utility bills - such as skylights and energy-efficient heating, ventilation and cooling systems - may be the investments that ensure a seller’s home will get top dollar and multiple offers.

If you’re interested in making energyefficient, cost-cutting improvements a selling point for your home, you can achieve the benefit with basic, moderate or impressive improvements. What you choose to do will depend on your budget, time-frame and perceived benefit in

T H E B R YA N - C O L L E G E S TAT I O N E A G L E

terms of a speedy sale.

Here are a handful of improvements, from basic to beautiful:

Seal and insulate - Ideally,

you’ve kept up on your home’s insulation and sealing all the time you’ve lived there. If not, potential buyers may be attracted by recent refurbishments to the caulking and sealing around windows, entry doors, garage doors and ductwork.

In most instances, homeowners can easily improve sealing and insulation on their own, without hiring a professional. While

comes to cost savings, replacing traditional incandescent bulbs with energy-sipping CFLs or LEDs is a costeffective way to trim electricity bills. Both types of bulbs use at least 75 percent less energy than traditional incandescents, and last 10 to 25 times longer, according to Energy. gov. While these bulbs cost more than regular bulbs, potential home buyers are likely to embrace the cost savings they’ll reap over the lengthy life of the bulbs. In terms of energy upgrades, it’s a relatively lowcost, high-impact improvement for a seller to make.

access their home’s temperature controls remotely from any Internet-enabled device. So if you’re in the office and realize you forgot to program the settings on your thermostat, you can communicate with the thermostat from your office desktop or your smartphone.

Sellers can realize savings too Upgrading or installing a skylight - While

many energy-efficient home improvements do their jobs behind the scenes, an Energy Star-qualified skylight is front-and-center, saving energy and beautifying a home.

A skylight appeals to homebuyers’ aesthetic senses and love of savings and they are especially well received in kitchens and baths where they provide not only natural light but

fresh air and privacy. A no leak solar powered fresh-air skylight, like those made by Velux America, can help reduce electricity costs by providing passive ventilation and natural light.

Solar-powered Velux blinds can improve a skylight’s energy performance rating by as much as 45 percent while making a strong design statement.

Solar-powered skylights and blinds, plus installation costs, can be eligible for a 30 percent federal tax credit. And for 10 weeks during the summer there’s also a $200 cash rebate from Velux on solar skylights. Visit www.whyskylights.com to learn more.

Real-estate industry watchers predict buyers and sellers will both be active this summer.

Making the cost-saving improvements buyers crave could help sellers move their homes faster and for the best possible price.

Install a wireless, programmable thermostat -

Connectivity is all the rage. When it comes to reducing heating and cooling costs by smarter thermostat use, wireless thermostats are the next big thing. Programmable thermostats have been available for years, and help reduce heating and cooling costs by automating settings to use energy wisely. Wireless thermostats enhance that functionality by allowing users to

Parade of Homes

October 3, 2014 | 17

Keep your family secure at home with these tips When it comes to protecting your family, your home is your fortress. It’s the place where your children fall asleep at night, tucked safely in their beds. It has the backyard where your pets roam freely without any danger of running into traffic.

And it’s the place where you can relax, knowing your family is secure.

There are some actions you’ll need to take to secure your fortress, but with a few adjustments to your landscaping, you can help keep your family and pets protected at home.

• Shrubbery Landscaping directly next to the house can provide a hiding place for potential intruders of the human, insect and animal varieties.

To discourage intruders of any kind, keep bushes smaller, spaced out and neatly trimmed if they are directly next to the house. This is a project to do both in the beginning of the summer and again in the fall before the frost hits.

• Lighting - In addition to keeping your trees and bushes trimmed, install lights - both on the house and around the landscaping of the yard. These lights will help illuminate any shadows that could hide potential intruders. Also, remember to keep the lights you shine inside your house to yourself. Prevent people outside the home from seeing what you have inside 18 | October 3, 2014

Parade of Homes

by closing the drapes at night. * Fencing Fences are great for keeping your children and pets away from traffic and other possible danger. If you have a pool, it will also keep them safe around the water. Fences require premiumgrade, adjustable hinges and latches to ensure your gate closes properly, stays latched, and doesn’t sag or drag over time.

MagnaLatch magnetic pool latches are specifically designed for child and pool safety. They have a patented latching system that prevents mechanical jamming that could cause gate failure. Combined with TruClose selfclosing hinges your gate will close smoothly and securely every time. If you prefer a standard gate lock, LokkLatch latches are designed with stainless steel

components that won’t rust or stain.

These gate hardware options from D&D feature a lifetime limited warranty, are easy to install and are available through fencing contractors and numerous retail outlets, including Lowe’s, Home Depot and Amazon. Visit www.ddtechglobal. com for a full range of gate hardware products and to find a retailer near you.

• Security systems - As a

final touch to keep an eye on your house at all times, install a security system.

You can find models that range from contacting a security company when the alarm is triggered to having video cameras that allow online monitoring from a smartphone.

With these home and yard safety tips, your fortress will be as secure as you can make it. So enjoy your home and relax knowing you’ve kept your family safe.

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Plan your weekend with our online interactive map at:

M AP IS ON PAGE 20-21 Map #

Builder

Subdivision

Address

Sq. Ft.

# Bed

# Bath

1

Gary Emola Construction, LLC

Austin's Colony

3076 Archer Circle

2068

3

2.5

2

Pitman Custom Homes

Austin's Colony

3048 Archer Circle

2169

3

2.5

3

Reece Homes

Austin's Colony

3040 Archer Circle

2201

4

2.5

4

JMV Custom Homes

Austin's Colony

3028 Archer Circle

2297

4

3

5

Majestic Homes

Austin's Colony

3017 Archer Circle

2237

4

2.5

6

Pitman Custom Homes

Cedar Ridge at Greenbrier

3308 Covington

2431

4

3

7

Magruder Homes

Cedar Ridge at Greenbrier

3316 Lewisburg Court

2679

4

3.5

8

Ridgewood Custom Homes

Cedar Ridge at Greenbrier

3317 Lewisburg Court

2620

4

3

9

JMV Custom Homes

N/A

4417 Leonard Road

5500

5

6

10

Brazos Valley Construction

Traditions

3220 Walnut Creek Court

3750

3

4.5

11

Cathey Development, Inc.

Carter's Crossing

8304 Raintree

1852

3

2

12

Tradition Homes

Carter's Crossing

2609 Forest Oak

1994

3

2.5

13

Magruder Homes

Carter's Crossing

8204 Carter's Cove

2084

3

2

14

Pitman Custom Homes

Carter's Crossing

2164 Chestnut Oak Circle

2102

4

2.5

15

Schaefer Custom Homes

Pebble Creek

1300 Royal Adelade

3916

4

3.5

16

Schaefer Custom Homes

Pebble Creek

1400 Mission Hills Court

3900

4

3.5

17

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Take the hassle out of moving your boxes to a new home Americans are on the move. More than 35 million Americans moved last year, according to the U.S. Department of Transportation. While relocating to a new place is exciting, it also brings its own set of worries, with packing and unpacking topping the list of stressors.

With careful planning and organizing, your move can be more celebratory than stressful - just follow these tips.

Select super supplies It’s no secret that high-caliber products produce the best results, so be sure to select good quality

22 | October 3, 2014

supplies to save you hassle, time and money during the moving process. When it comes to your valuables and your memories, don’t take risks - start with new, clean and sturdy boxes rather than relying on old, reused boxes. Make sure you have a variety of sizes on-hand.

When sealing boxes, something as simple - and frustrating - as losing the tape end on your packaging tape can waste time and cause unneeded stress. Choose a quality packaging tape, like Duck brand EZ Start packaging tape, which offers Frustration Free technology. This makes it easy to start with

every use and ensures you never lose the tape end. EZ Start packaging tape is available in clear, as well as a variety of fun prints, meaning it’s also great for organizing. Use it to color-code your boxes, assigning a different print to each room.

Organize, don’t agonize Packing isn’t just about putting your belongings in boxes and heading on your way. Getting organized at both ends of your move will save you, and anyone helping you, time and hassle once

See Hassle of Moving page 23

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Hassle of Moving Continued from 22 everything arrives to its new destination.

Before you pack, think about the musthave items you need to function on a daily basis to ensure you have them within reach. And, create a survival kit of items you’ll need for your first night - this way, you won’t be forced to unpack everything at once.

On top of your physical belongings, don’t forget to organize the things that make your home and life function. Fill out change of address forms early, and keep track of any important bills or paperwork that can’t be lost. Know who to contact to turn off utilities at your old

location and how to turn them on when you move into your new place.

If you already know how you’d like furniture arranged at your new place, create diagrams and written instructions for those helping you unpack.

Foresight here will help get your home looking “homey” much faster and prevent helpers from guessing where each item should go.

Have help on hand While relocating is exciting, it also means a lot of heavy lifting.

There’s no need to go it alone. Recruit friends and family to help with packing and unloading on moving day - often the promise of pizza and snacks is the only reward necessary for a hard day’s work. If

T H E B R YA N - C O L L E G E S TAT I O N E A G L E

you want professional assistance, hire a reputable moving company.

Make it easier on helpers by packing boxes smartly. Large boxes with heavy items are difficult to move and have a much greater chance of being dropped, damaging the valuables inside.

Instead of cramming many items into one box, pack heavier items, like books, CDs and dishes, in small boxes; light items, like pillows, drapes, clothes and linens, in bigger ones. For extra protection for easy-tobreak belongings, have some Bubble Wrap cushioning nearby.

Bubble Wrap comes in an array of sizes and formats to help safeguard delicate items. Wrap items bubble-side in for best results.

Finally, for ease of organization, clearly label boxes so you know where they go when you arrive. And, consider keeping a detailed list of contents to help keep track of your belongings.

While no move will ever be completely stressfree, organization, some assistance and the right tools can help alleviate many common moving frustrations. For more moving tips or for information about Duck brand’s line of packaging, mailing and moving supplies, visit DuckBrand. com.

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October 3, 2014 | 23

Keep your home exterior in top shape

homeowners, make sure to research and hire a professional roofer. Check to make sure your roofer is insured, licensed and certified. Ask for a written job estimate and references along with warranty information for both the roof you select and his installation services.

ENTRY DOOR TIPS

Feel like cheating?

Forget what the inside of your home looks like for just a bit and focus on your home’s exterior.

“The exterior of your home makes a lasting and daily impression on your friends and family, along with your neighbors,” says Mark Clement, professional contractor and host of MyFixItUpLife home improvement radio show. “While the weather is good, my advice is to get outside and fix up problem areas, work on the landscaping and invest in products that make your home’s exterior not only look great, but work great.”

Clement, who is in the middle of an ongoing renovation of his 100-year-old home in Pennsylvania, recommends assessing your needs and then diving in on projects.

“On the exterior of the home there are three big, critical 24 | October 3, 2014

areas I recommend people evaluate every year — the roof, the windows and the entry door. Those are key areas because, along with being visual focal points of the home, they help protect a house from severe weather. And, if you have problems with older windows, doors or roofing tiles, you’re looking at higher energy bills and growing problems that can affect your wallet long-term.”

ROOFING TIPS 1. Check your roof yearly (from a ladder or from a neighbor’s home with binoculars) to determine the condition of your roof. Look for problem areas, such as missing or broken shingles, along with roofing tiles that may be “flapping” in the wind. These are all indications that a new roof may be in your future.

2. Don’t forget to check the sides of your

roof. The southern exposure weathers significantly faster than the other sides of the roof, so make sure to carefully examine this one. Also, shallower pitches weather faster than steeper pitches.

So again, if your roof has a shallow pitch — like a shed dormer — make certain you can clearly see it to get a true indication of the condition of your roof.

3. If you’re in the market for a new roof, investigate polymer roofing tiles as a good option. These impactresistant slate and shake tiles are manmade in a wide variety of colors. Some tiles, like those from DaVinci Roofscapes® that Clement chose for his home, have a 50-year limited warranty and are ideal for all types of weather conditions, including hurricanes and hail.

4. Since the installation of a new roof exceeds the capabilities of most

1. If you can see light around your main entry door from the inside, the door is hard to close or lock, or the door itself is warped, it’s time to consider a new door.

2. Even if you can’t see light, air may be moving through gaps in the weather stripping at a surprising rate.

On a very cold or hot day, hold the back of your hand an inch or so away from the bottom and perimeter of your door. If you can feel air moving or a significant cold spot, that’s a signal your existing door could benefit from better sealing.

3. Determine what role you would like an entry door to play on your home’s exterior.

Do you want it to be a focal point with a splash of color? Is it important that you have decorative glass in the door system? Will you need vented sidelites to allow more light and air into your home?

Search the web for “Door Designer” and “My Saved Door” online tools to help visualize how a new door will look on your home.

4. Think about the weather conditions your home’s door faces along with your energy bills. If either

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run to the extreme, consider replacing your entryway with a high-performance fiberglass door (which has four times more insulation than wood doors). You can also request features such as the Tru-Defense® Door System from Therma-Tru Doors that features enhanced weatherstripping, corner seal pad, door bottom sweep and profiled sill that all work together to provide strength and stability in your entry door.

WINDOW TIPS 1. Evaluate the functionality and decorative appeal of your current windows. If you have condensation between glass panes, the windows are hard to open or close, your energy bills are soaring or if there are drafts coming in around the window units, then it’s time to seriously consider replacement windows.

2. Vinyl framed windows are the category of windows with the highest growth rate in the country. Why? These frames are extremely energy-efficient and some of the best have fusion-welded corners and multi-chambered construction. Plus, maintenance hassles are so low you’ll forget the horrors of rotting frames, scraping and repainting that come with wood windows.

3. Investigate your window options and stick with a national manufacturer that can stand behind a long-term warranty.

For his renovation project, Clement selected Simonton vinyl windows. The awardwinning company impressed him with

its 65-year history and return-on-investment with their ENERGY STAR® qualified windows.

4. Remember that a thermally-efficient window is sealed tightest when it’s locked. So, to keep your energy bills lowers, don’t just close your windows, make sure to lock them.

TRIM TIPS 1. If you have the opportunity to replace your entry door or windows, make sure to finish off the job with stylish window and door trim. Lightweight and easy to install, weather-resistant synthetic mouldings, shutters and entryway surrounds from Fypon® are a definite do-ityourself project for any homeowner.

2. Take an eagle’s eye look at your home.

Most houses have louvers placed high above the attic or garage space to allow ventilation in those areas. And, most houses have wooden louvers that can rot with time.

Replacing louvers with insect-resistant and rot-resistant synthetic louvers can improve the home’s appearance and functionality.

3. Wrap it up.

Clement recommends that if you have unsightly porch posts you can easily transform them into showpiece parts of your home by using Column Wrap Kits. The decorative synthetic pieces can be installed in less than 15 minutes around existing structural posts and columns to give an upgraded look to any home.

For more home improvement tips, visit www.myfixituplife.com.

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October 3, 2014 | 25

Create a designer look on a budget

Interior designers have a knack for pulling together furniture and accessories to create rooms with widespread appeal. But not every homeowner has the resources to hire a professional to help turn their interior from drab to fab. Fortunately, it doesn’t always take a pro to transform a home’s interior.

The key to creating a beautiful room is planning.

Designers do it and so should you. Measure the

26 | October 3, 2014

dimensions of the room and create a sketch of the area using graph paper or computer software. Be sure to plot any windows or doors on the drawing so that you will be aware of obstacles.

Homeowners unsure of what they want should browse through magazines or pictures on the Web for inspiration. Search for key phrases that describe your design style, such as Tuscan, farmhouse, country, colonial, etc. Then read up on the components

of these styles that define it. This will help you select items that fit with the style.

Once a particular style has been chosen, create a design board just like the professionals. Cut out swatches of fabric, select paint swatches, find magazine pictures that fit with your goal and arrange them on a piece of poster board. See how the items work together.

If you are unsure of colors, see which shades were used in the inspiring picture and determine if it will coordinate with your home.

When designing, identify or create a focal point in the room and build off of that. This may be a large window, fireplace, or even the entertainment center if it’s a family room. Place furniture around the

focal point and then move outward.

It’s also important to keep scale in mind. Large walls or tall ceilings will create plenty of wall space. A small print or wall hanging will be lost in such an area. Be sure to choose furnishings and accessories that fit with the scale of the room.

In other words, a huge sectional may overpower a small living room.

When choosing colors, make sure they are cohesive. Research the color wheel that artists use to help with designing the room. Some colors are complementary or opposites and still work together. Homeowners nervous about color should choose a color from fabric or furniture and use a few different shades of the same color in the room. Select an accent color that can be used on trim or as a spot of color

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on a pillow or accessory.

When plotting wall hangings or other decor, odd numbers often look more pleasing to the eye.

Experiment with different sizes of framed artwork or different shaped accessories for visual appeal. For example, a few rectangular shaped items with a circular clock and a conical flower vase can mix it up in the room.

This is where looking at magazine layouts can be extremely helpful.

Many stores sell items that mimic the look of higher-priced items. When copying a designer room, select pieces that are similar, but not necessarily the same brands. Consider shopping at second-hand stores or antique shops for discounted pieces.

With a little new fabric or stain, many items can look like new again. Shopping online also may enable shoppers to find items

more readily and see how they look in staged rooms.

When designing, it never hurts to think outside of the box. Items that were intended for outside may work well inside as well. Hanging lanterns or plant stands could be put to use in a rustic room. Save some money by making some items yourself. For instance, if you cannot find a particular throw pillow or drapery that fits with your style, go to a fabric store and purchase fabric to make your own.

Decorating doesn’t have to cost a fortune or look like you pieced odd items together. By following the guidelines of a designer room and selecting lower-priced items that mimic the shape and scale of similar accessories, it’s possible for any homeowner to create a room for less.

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October 3, 2014 | 27

The hidden cost of convenience

With so many different devices deemed necessary these days, people often are unaware of the amount of energy used and the costs associated with keeping these devices running. While there has been a lot of discussion on “vampire” devices, electronics that continue to consumer power even when in the stand-by position, it seems that many other everyday

hidden costs are overlooked.

Take a refrigerator that was purchased ten or more years ago. It may still be running today just as strong, and appear that is does not need replacing. But did you know that the refrigerator technology has improved energy efficiency features and offer better performing motors to help save

electricity? According to the California Energy Commission (www. consumerenergycenter. org), older refrigerators could be costing you up to $280 a year in electricity. A newer, more efficient model could pay for itself in a year or two.

Similarly, if you have an older television with the classic cathode-ray tube in it, even if just as a secondary TV in the bedroom, it still may be consuming more energy than you think. A study done by Cornell University found that a similar size LCD monitor compared to a CRT monitor used nearly 69 percent less energy (25 watts (LCD) vs. 80

See Convenience page 32

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See a David Weekley Homes Sales Consultant for details. Prices, plans, dimensions, features, specifications, materials, and availability of homes or communities are subject to change without notice or obligation. Illustrations are artist’s depictions only and may differ from completed improvements. Copyright © 2014 David Weekley Homes – All Rights Reserved. Houston, TX (HOUA55197)

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Find Your new Address At ours View over 2400 Brazos Valley properties at our interactive bcsrealtor.com.

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October 3, 2014 | 29

30 | October 3, 2014

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Cheap ways to freshen the house Most people want their living spaces to smell clean and fresh.

However, pets, aromas from the kitchen, cigarette smoke, and other things can make a home smell bad. Here are inexpensive ways to remedy all that.

• Find the source of the bad smell and eliminate it. This could be a garbage pail sitting in the sun or sink disposal that’s filled with food debris.

• Use a chunk of cedar or sandalwood in drawers and closets for a fresh woodsy smell.

• Simmer some cinnamon sticks and water in a pot on the stove.

• Dab a favorite essential oil onto a piece of fabric and stash it wherever you

want a pleasant smell — even in the car.

• Toss a used dryer sheet in the linen closet to keep sheets and towels smelling freshly washed.

• Grow herbs in a window box. When the breeze blows, the fresh smell of basil or rosemary will come into the home.

• Keep fresh flowers or plants inside the home. They’ll filter the air and provide a pleasant aroma.

• Use lemons to clean the sink and kitchen surfaces for a fresh, citrus smell.

• Bake some cookies or another dessert for a wonderful aroma.

• Place a tray of fallen pine needles on a cookie sheet sprayed

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with a little water into a warm oven. The pine scent will fill the house.

• Push cloves into an orange. Hang the clove-studded orange on a string and place in a corner. The orange clove scent will slowly fill the room.

• Open up the windows and let fresh air in.

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• Bathe and groom pets frequently.

• Use a favoritescented reed diffuser, which will lightly scent the house for weeks.

• Keep a pot of water with potpourri on a wood-burning stove or radiator for a wonderful scent.

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October 3, 2014 | 31

Convenience Continued from 28 watts (CRT)), including 40 percent less when in stand-by mode. With the energy difference in mind, it might be the last evidence you need to justify buying a new TV for the bedroom. A more everyday example that might not be considered as often is batteries.

Batteries power all of our portable devices, and without them, we are powerless to use them — quite literally.

Standard alkaline batteries may last a long time, but we constantly need a supply of them on hand and they can be expensive. When you stop to add up how many AA or AAA batteries a standard home uses (all those remote controls, wireless keyboards, mice and game controllers, not to mention the

loud toys for the little ones), the hidden cost of replacement batteries can surprise you. Luckily, there’s a solution that’s more efficient and costs less over time. Rechargeable battery technology has improved in the last five years that gets rid of many of the questions of using rechargeables.

One example of these batteries is the ‘eneloop,’ a pre-charged rechargeable battery that you can use out of the package and recharge up to 1,500 times, made by SANYO. It also keeps its charge, up to 85 percent after two years of non-use.

Because the eneloop is ready to use and has low self-discharge (meaning that it holds its charge for a long period of time), they are more appealing and more cost-effective than ever before. If they are able to meet the

demands of our remotes and alarm clocks, the only thing that holds us back is either not acknowledging the hidden costs associated with our portable power needs or our lack of awareness of the new technology that could save us money in the long run and lower the total cost of ownership of our favorite portable devices. We know rechargeable batteries are convenient for our cell phones, music players and readers, but we don’t usually stop to think about them for other everyday items.

When we become aware of hidden costs and how they affect our pocketbooks over time, we become smarter consumers and realize that a little up front investment can often mean less money paid out over time, saving us more money to buy the things we want.

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How to control ant infestations at home

Few things elicit the ire of homeowners more quickly than insect infestations inside a home. Though many types of insects can find their way into a home, ants tend to be especially skilled at such invasions, causing many a headache among homeowners hoping to send their uninvited houseguests packing once and for all.

Ants are attracted to food, water and shelter, making kitchens, bathrooms and laundry rooms ideal havens for these unwelcome critters to congregate. Such infestations can frustrate homeowners and make them uncomfortable in their own homes,

but curtailing an ant infestation need not be so difficult.

• Identify the point of entry. Upon discovering an ant infestation, homeowners should conduct a thorough inspection of their homes to identify where the ants are entering the home.

Ants are tiny and capable of crawling through the smallest of cracks or gaps, so every home is vulnerable to an ant infestation. Once you discover an ant inside your home, follow the ant rather than killing it, as foraging ants are typically sent from a colony located outside the home in search of moisture and food to

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bring back.

• Set the bait. Once you have identified the point of entry, you can then set some indoor ant bait. Employing borax, a natural mineral found in many common household products such as hand soaps and toothpastes, as their active ingredient, TERRO(R) Indoor Liquid Ant Baits use ants’ anatomy against them to curtail infestations.

Adult worker ants cannot digest solid food, which they must bring back to the colony for additional processing. Liquid ant baits exploit this physiology by making it easy for ants to transport the liquid bait back to the rest of the colony, where

more ants will ultimately succumb to the bait. In addition, as the worker ant carries the bait back to the colony, it’s also dropping a pheromone trail from the bait to the nest, ensuring that other ants will know where to find the bait, which they will hungrily seek out, making it easy for homeowners to eradicate the entire colony of ants.

• Expect to see more ants after setting the bait.

Baiting ants requires some patience on the part of homeowners, who should expect to see more ants appear in the hours after initially laying down the baits.

That’s because the bait is intentionally attempting

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to draw ants out and attract as many of them as possible, so the more ants you see in the first couple of days after laying the bait, the more effective that bait will be at eradicating the colony. Especially large ant colonies may take up to 10 days to curtail, but smaller infestations can usually be controlled within 24 to 48 hours.

• Address the outdoors as well. Nearly all ant infestations can be traced to a colony beneath the ground outside a home. Though ants prefer to invade the interior of a home where they can find food, water and shelter, that does not mean your home’s exterior is immune to such infestations, which can typically be found by searching for foraging trails that look like a line of traffic filled with ants. That line often leads directly into a home via windows, doors, exhaust vents, faucets, sliding glass doors, and along gutters and exterior walls.

TERRO(R) Outdoor Liquid Ant Bait Stakes provide an effective and long-term solution to control outdoor ant colonies. Just like the indoor baits, these stakes employ a specially formulated liquid ant bait solution that attracts

and kills all common household ants, including Argentine ghost ants, little black, acrobat, and pavement ants, among others. The Liquid Ant Bait Stakes have a snap off bait activation system that keeps the bait fresh until ready to use, while a see-through window makes it easy for homeowners to monitor the liquid ant bait so they know when it’s time to replace the stake. Simply place the stake along ant trails or any areas outside the home where ants have been observed.

• Maintain an environment inside the home that’s uninviting to ants. Once baits have been set and ant colonies have been curtailed, homeowners can take steps to make their homes less inviting to ants in the future. Clean kitchens regularly, quickly cleaning up spills or crumbs, and use an exhaust fan in bathrooms and laundry rooms to cut down on the type of moisture that may prove attractive to thirsty ants.

More information about TERRO(R) indoor and outdoor ant bait products is available at www.terro.com.

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One simple home improvement cuts noise pollution while boosting energy savings Whether it’s the neighbor’s lawnmower, low-flying aircraft, heavy traffic or loud music, noise pollution can hinder you from truly enjoying your home.

Nowadays, a quiet place to relax and chill out can be increasingly difficult to find. Yet, a smart investment in the right materials can let you achieve both solace and silence in your home.

Noise pollution can noticeably contribute to issues such as cognitive

34 | October 3, 2014

impairment, language development problems, learning disabilities, mood disorders as well as social and behavioral issues, according to online medical resource, MedScape. While these conditions are more likely to occur in children, there is a chance that older residents can suffer due to noise pollution. Eliminating noise pollution can have a significant impact on motivation, education and overall mood.

The wrong kinds of noise pollution upgrades can often mean homeowners spend a lot more than necessary and get a lot less in return. Building experts note homeowners are more likely to invest in soundproofing materials for their theatre or media rooms rather than tackle the issue of noise pollution holistically.

Investing in heavy soundproofing drapes and double-glazed windows are a good start

to minimizing external, airborne noises. But what about flanking noises?

That is, those noises rumbling from piping and the water system within your home. One versatile option that addresses both airborne and flanking noise pollution is spray foam insulation.

Spray foam insulation, like that available from Icynene, is ideal for targeting noise pollution while providing a range of other benefits.

Conforming to any space

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when applied, spray foam insulation forms a thick, sponge-like barrier that blocks the chaos of the outside world and dampens the flanking noises from your home’s pipes improving the quality of life and health of you and your family.

Installed by professionals, high performance spray foam insulation goes beyond just noise dampening. It fills every gap within the home’s walls and ceiling to stop air escaping as well as reduces the strain on your heating and cooling equipment. Spray foam insulation both insulates and air seals the entire building envelope,

letting homeowners cut their monthly heating and cooling bills by as much as 50 percent in some cases.

As a long-term solution, spray foam insulation helps maintain a comfortable temperature year-round while helping to control noise pollution. The buzzing of a lawnmower and the late night house party can be a thing of the past thanks to a wellinsulated home. More information on how spray foam insulation can help you effectively minimize noise pollution is available at www.icynene. com.

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tomlyneplumbing.com

979-229-9051

979-324-1200

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36 | October 3, 2014

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REAL ESTATE

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Our REALTORS can guide you on how to take advantage of what is proving to be the best time in decades to be involved in real estate.

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bcrbcs.com • 979.694.8844 Parade of Homes

700 University Drive E. Suite 108 College Station, TX 77840

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I

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