home appeal SUMMER 2017
home / garden / renovation
Northwest Lancaster Co.
townlively.com
Preparing a Deck or Patio for Entertaining Rescue Plants from the Summer Swelter Renovations for Weekend Warriors: Five Quick Projects Outdoor Lighting Solutions Conquer the Summer Heat While Saving Energy Published by Engle Printing & Publishing Co., Inc.
BRING INDOOR COMFORTS OUTDOORS PREPARING A DECK OR PATIO FOR ENTERTAINING A functional and beautiful outdoor space can become an ideal place to entertain guests. Establishing and maintaining that space are essential when planning another year of fun in the sun. There are many things homeowners can do to ensure their entertaining space is safe and functional. Homeowners can also include some landscaping and decorating components in their preparatory plans to make the space as comfortable and aesthetically appealing as possible. Here are a few key tips for readying the yard for entertaining possibilities. Expand on these basics to customize an area for a home’s unique needs. • Check the area for any needed repairs. Prior to the first entertaining session, look over the deck or patio to take note of any flaws that may present safety hazards. Are there any loose railings? Are all screws and nails flush so they do not cause tripping? Are there any cracks in concrete or loose patio blocks? Be sure to remedy all of the repairs needed to ensure guests will be safe. If there are any questions about structural deficits, consult with a contractor. • Hire a reputable contractor. If homeowners are just laying the groundwork for a new patio or deck, it is important to get the necessary permits and then hire a person who
has been properly vetted. Check qualifications and licensing before hiring a contractor and ask to view a portfolio of his or her previous work. Word-of-mouth recommendations from trusted friends and family members are helpful, and savvy shoppers can also use online services to read reviews of his or her work and double-check qualifications by contacting the Better Business Bureau to see if any complaints have been lodged. • Think about closing in a portion of a deck or patio. The use of a canopy, netting or even greenery to protect an entertaining space can help minimize weather-related damage to outdoor furniture. Netting will
keep a good number of biting insects at bay when the weather is warm and humid. Having a bit of concealment also can create a private space that isn’t easily viewed by neighbors or passersby. • Plan well-defined areas. Just as rooms serve different purposes inside of the home, outdoor areas can be separated according to usage. Establish a sitting nook where guests can gather and talk. Have a bar or serving area where refreshments are made and served. Make sure there is a shaded area for when the sun is too uncomfortable to make sitting outside enjoyable. Similarly, have a sunny area where people can soak up a few rays or dry off after a
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dip in the spa or pool. Don’t forget to establish a spot for the kids to converge with scaled-down amenities. • Consider a fireplace or fire pit. For centuries, people have gathered around fire for socialization and as a means to warm up. Having a backyard fireplace, pit or chiminea is a conversation-starter, a decorative focal point and a functional tool to extend the number of seasons in which outdoor entertaining can take place. Place the fire wisely and with concern for safety. It should be out of the way of foot traffic, but central enough so that it can be a gathering point. • Invest in quality outdoor furniture. Today’s yards are extensions of a home’s interior. There are many different outdoor sofas and chairs that are as stylish as they are comfortable. These pieces can be matched to the decor inside the home for a cohesive look. • Accessorize. Consider the creature comforts of indoors and mimic that outdoors. Don’t shy away from hanging artwork on an exterior wall or using urns or pottery to decorate the space. Weather-resistant materials ensure everything from clocks to televisions can be used outdoors. Think about having an entire set of serving dishes and other entertaining items for the outdoors.
CHOOSING THE RIGHT OUTDOOR FURNITURE Finding the right furniture to match any outdoor area, be it a deck, patio or poolside lounging area, is essential to making the most of this special area of the home. When shopping for outdoor furniture, consider the following: • Weight: Unlike furniture inside the home, outdoor furniture will be moved around quite frequently, for reasons such as protecting it from inclement weather or changing seasons. As a result, the weight of the furniture bears importance. While homeowners don’t want furniture that’s so lightweight that it will blow away any time a strong gust of wind comes along, it’s a good idea to choose furniture that isn’t too heavy. This makes it easier to move should a storm suddenly appear and will also make the end-of-season storage process easier. • Comfort: The whole idea behind an outdoor entertaining area is to have a relaxing place to spend time outside. So, homeowners should be sure to choose furniture that is comfortable and can handle the elements. Metal furniture, for example, might be durable, but such furniture can also get very hot if out in the sun. • Versatility: Many homeowners enjoy changing their home’s interior decor from time to time, and it can be just as enjoyable to do the same to a home’s exterior decor. Homeowners can look for furniture that can be accented with a variety of stylish accessories, so they can change the look of an outdoor entertaining area easily. • Protection: Protecting exterior furniture from the elements should be a priority. When shopping for outdoor furniture, homeowners should figure out if protective covering is available or if it will need to be custom-made. The latter alternative can be quite expensive, so budget-conscious shoppers might want to consider more generic furniture that comes with standard protective coverings to make it more affordable.
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Many people consider summer the most enjoyable time of year, as the summer sun and warm breezes make the season perfect for rest and relaxation. But the months of June, July and August, which are often characterized by rising temperatures and stifling humidity, can be tough to endure as well. When summer heat becomes especially uncomfortable, humans can head indoors and beat the heat in air-conditioned buildings and homes. Plant life is not so lucky, and homeowners may need to take steps to help the plants on their properties survive the summer heat. There are several ways homeowners can protect their greenery. • Monitor soil moisture. Soil moisture, or a lack thereof, can help homeowners determine if their plants are struggling to survive the heat. To check soil moisture levels, homeowners can use a ruler or even a finger, sticking either two inches into the ground where the soil is suspected of drying out. If the soil is damp two inches below the surface, then plants are likely retaining enough moisture to withstand the heat. If the soil is dry two inches below, then homeowners may want to give the soil a deep soak. • Keep an eye on container gardens. Containers may have an especially difficult time staying moist in the summer heat. That’s particularly true for containers that sit in direct sunlight. Homeowners should water container gardens daily during summer heat waves, being sure to adhere to any local water restrictions. • Lay down mulch. Mulch helps insulate and protect soil during summer, when soil can quickly dry out. When applied correctly (ideally before summer temperatures get too hot), mulch helps the soil conserve moisture and prevents weed growth. Weeds can rob soil of the water it needs to promote strong root systems, which can help plants get the nutrients they need to withstand summer heat. Mulched soils also do not experience the fluctuations in temperature that nonmulched soils can experience during summer heat waves, helping plants to grow evenly. • Move plants when possible. Plant location can affect their chances of surviving summer heat. Driveways lined with flowers or other plants may look nice, but driveways exposed to the sun can radiate heat at temperatures that exceed that which is noted on a thermometer. If possible, homeowners should move plants to locations on their property that are less exposed to the heat and/or less likely to be affected by the heat. Move container plants beneath trees on hot days, and consider summer heat waves before planting new flower beds. northwest lancaster co. home appeal [4] summer
renovations weekend warriors: FOR
Five Quick Projects To Make A Lasting Impact
Some home renovation projects require the expertise of professionals, but there also are many ways for homeowners to improve their homes without hiring a pro or spending too much money. The following are a handful of DIY renovation projects homeowners can tackle in a typical weekend. ➻ Closet conversion: Ample closet space is a big plus for home buyers, but upon moving into a new home, many homeowners may find they don’t need as much closet space as they initially thought. Guest room walk-in closets, in particular, may prove to be underutilized resources. Such closets often come with built-in shelving, and therefore, they make ideal spaces to convert to mini home offices or study areas for children. Installing an extra shelf to serve as a desk area for remote working or homework stations won’t
take up much of a Saturday or Sunday afternoon, and before they know it, homeowners will have a fully functioning workspace. ➻ Accent wall: Accent walls can liven up a space by breaking the color pattern of the walls in the room. Accent walls also can be used to divert attention to a particular design element in a room, such as a painting or an elaborate wall furnishing. Painting an accent wall won’t take very long, but such a project can give a room an entirely new look and feel. ➻ Driveway: If weather permits, repaving an asphalt driveway can be an ideal weekend project, especially if an existing driveway has endured its fair share of wear and tear. Many driveways can be paved anew in a single day, but larger driveways or those that have endured an extraordinary amount of wear and tear may take a couple of days. ➻ Storage and shelving: Much like some homes come with an abundance of storage areas, others fall short of homeowners’ needs. If a home falls into the latter category, adding some shelving or finding some new furniture pieces that can serve double duty as storage areas is a weekend project that can help clear up some space. Homeowners can purchase some wood shelving from a local furniture retailer to mimic the look of traditional built-ins or replace existing single-use furniture with newer items capable of serving multiple functions, including storage. ➻ Art: If the rooms and hallways in a home are bare or in need of a new look but the budget is tight, homeowners can try their hand at spicing things up by creating some personalized paintings. Parents can encourage children to create their own colorful masterpieces and then frame the finished works and hang them on the wall to enjoy an inexpensive and homemade “art gallery.”
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Outdoor Lighting Solutions ’Tis the season for making changes in and around the home. The arrival of warmer weather often renews homeowners’ vigor for various home improvement projects, and many have grand plans for interior and exterior renovations as they prep their living spaces for comfort, beauty and entertaining opportunities. While there are many worthy projects to pursue, adding outdoor lighting to a home can help increase its value and make the home safer and more attractive in the evening hours. According to the American Lighting Association, with a few updates to outside lighting, families can make even better use of their homes at night. Adding outdoor lighting is easier and less expensive than many homeowners may realize and allows them to transform an existing patio, deck or pool area into an enjoyable nighttime retreat. Pool parties, dinners on the patio or barbecues with neighbors become even more memorable when outdoor lighting is added or improved. Homeowners who want to install or upgrade their outdoor lighting should consider the following tips. • Improve navigation. Lighting is typically layered into a room or outdoor space in three ways: overhead, task and ambient. Even outdoors, where there are no typical boundaries and borders, those three layers are necessary. Outdoor overhead lighting should improve visibility on steps, paths and walking surfaces, especially where there’s a bend or an intersection. Task lighting can be used around cooking or gardening areas. Ambient light will cast a comforting glow around any outdoor space. • Enhance security. To improve visibility and security, combine a motion detector with a sconce to illuminate dark corners or entryways. Be sure to aim lights away from the door to improve visibility. continued on next page
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Lanterns on either side of the door can give a home a warm, welcoming appearance and improve the safety of entryways. • Create outdoor rooms. Outdoor lighting at the borders of a space is a great way to create barriers, both vertically and horizontally. Lights in a tree create something akin to a chandelier hung in the middle of the sky, and even accent lights in the general area of the edge of a patio, deck or porch will shine across the space and provide enough of a comfort level for people to understand where things are. • Reduce glare. Outdoor lighting that casts a glare can be blinding, as can light that is too bright. Lighting along paths should be cast downward, with fixtures that are hooded. A variety of lighting options will create layers, allowing homeowners to add or subtract as necessary. Exterior-safe dimmers also can provide flexible control over the level of light, as can movable fixtures added to a patio or porch. • Add decorative elements. Just as arbors, pergolas, patios and other outdoor elements help to enhance the style of an outdoor space, so, too, can lighting contribute to a well-designed landscape. Lighting should play up decorative features of a yard and add the ambience that homeowners desire. Step lights make passage safe while also highlighting molding or trim details. An outdoor chandelier can make for a wonderful accent during dinnertime on the deck or under a pergola. Patio lights provide atmosphere as well as illumination for cooking outside. • Enhance views from inside. Outdoor lighting can make the view from inside pleasant and enjoyable. Use a variety of lights, including spotlights on trees, lights dotted along pathways and accent lights on unique landscape features, to create an idyllic landscape visible from inside the home.
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Here Come The Warm-Weather Insects ... Is Your Yard Ready? H
omeowners know that the arrival of spring also marks the re-emergence of insects. While not every insect is harmful, if an infestation grows considerably or if insects begin to move from the outdoors into a home, it may be time for homeowners to call in a professional. The Entomological Society of America points out that homeowners cannot count on bitterly cold winters to help control the numbers of insects in their yards. Insect ecology is affected by various factors and is not solely dependent on temperature. Furthermore, what occurred one year certainly may not be repeated the next, as homeowners who have had various insect infestations in their yards can attest. One year a yard may be overcome with ants, while the next year it may suffer through an earwig infestation. The first step homeowners looking to curtail insects in their yards can take is to determine if the insects they see
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are genuine threats to their lawns. Some bugs emerge and swarm early in the season, but then gradually disappear as spring turns into summer. Other insects may come out of hiding if a homeowner is doing a lot of yardwork or construction around a house. Homeowners should practice a wait-and-see approach to determine if it really is an insect problem or just stirred up activity. Homeowners also must decide if it is bearable living with the insects. If insects are not doing any damage or if they can be controlled relatively easily, calling the professionals might be avoidable. However, if critters like termites and certain species of wood-eating insects are invasive and damaging the yard, it may be time to take action. Anyone concerned with the side effects of pesticides and insecticides can first try to remedy the problem naturally. Sometimes it’s just a matter of making a yard less hospitable to insects. Remove leaves and clean up debris close to the house, as these can both encourage infestations. Piles of rotting wood or leftover firewood can be a food or shelter source for a number of insects. Inspect water spigots for leaks and improve suspect drainage on the property, as these things can be welcoming to bugs that like moist surroundings. Remove standing water whenever possible to eliminate spots for mosquitoes to incubate larvae. Natural remedies also may do the trick. Mint, bay leaves, catnip, and garlic can repel insects like roaches and ants. Citrus can be a natural flea deterrent. Some homeowners have had success planting marigolds around their yards to serve as a natural bug repellent because the flowers produce a scent that many insects find repulsive. Thai lemon grass plants also can be used to keep mosquitoes at bay.
Remember, natural predators, such as birds, bats, spiders, and larger insects, feed on nuisance bugs. Keeping these helpful predators around may be an effective and natural way for homeowners to control annoying pests. If an insect problem seems out of control or if homeowners need a professional opinion about the damage being done to their home or landscape, they should consult with an exterminator. Licensed exterminators have the training and expertise to assess insect concerns and create a plan of action that will minimize the risk to inhabitants of a home and nearby wildlife. An exterminator will know what it takes to treat insects and maximize the chances of removing the problem promptly and effectively.
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STAY COOL, SAVE MONEY:
How To Conquer The Summer Heat While Saving Energy When attempting to cool their homes, many homeowners’ first instinct may be to adjust the air-conditioning thermostat. But there are also other, more energy-efficient methods to cooling a home. According to the International Association of Certified Home Inspectors, as much as half of the energy used in homes goes toward heating and cooling. The following are a handful of ways to make heating and cooling a home more eco-friendly.
Insulate
cooling homes. Many insulation materials work by slowing down the way heat moves through materials and into spaces. Proper insulation can provide effective resistance to the flow of heat, meaning it can help block hot air from flowing into the interior of a home. Insulation will help reduce the amount of work a cooling system will have to do to cool a home thanks to the interrupted flow of heat.
Replace air filters
Air filters trap dust, debris and other microscopic particles so they are not Insulation often is associated with warmth, and rightfully so, as it is used to circulating in the air or clogging up vents. Over time, air filters can become so protect a home from cold weather. However, insulation also is effective at bogged down with dirt that air cannot move through a home very easily, forcing cooling systems to work harder. Simply replacing the filters can help cooling systems work more efficiently.
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Fans help to circulate air throughout a home and create an effective draft. Ceiling fans are usually most effective at circulating air throughout a room. The larger the blades, the more air can be offset by the fan. Many fans operate quietly and effectively. In some locations, fans may be all that is needed to cool a space. In others, fans may work in conjunction with air-conditioners to enable homeowners to raise the thermostat by about 4 degrees.
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