Thursday, October 1, 2015
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Essex Free Press
2015 Fall Home Improvement I 1
WHAT’S INSIDE... How to green up your home improvements.............. Pg. 2 Top 10 environmental benefits of a natural lawn..... Pg. 2 Inexpensive ways to boost a home’s curb appeal...... Pg. 3 5 best ways to winterize your home............................ Pg. 4 The Power Of The Shower.......................................... Pg. 5 Combat moisture issues when choosing insulation..... Pg. 6
How to handle cramped quarters........................ Pg. 7 The Power Of The Shower................................ Pg. 5
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2 I 2015 Fall Home Improvement
Essex Free Press
I Thursday, October 1, 2015
How to green up your home improvements Canadians are avid home improvers. Did you know that, according to some reports, spending on renovations in this country has been the fastest growing part of residential investment – above new home builds and resales? But along with this trend, more and more homeowners aren’t just looking for visual upgrades, they want to go green too. If you are also wondering about quick and easy improvements to upgrade your home while reducing your environmental footprint – here are three: 1. Make eco-friendly upgrades – For instance, while older shower heads can use up to 26 litres of water per minute, the newer water-saving models provide the same pressure while cutting the H2O used to as low as 5.5 litres per minute. The same goes for newer dual flush toilets that can save as much as 65,000 litres of water per year. Replace older fluorescent and incandescent bulbs with LED alternatives. This will reduce your environmental footprint while also reducing your utility bills. 2. Choose sustainable materials – An easy way to update a house while being environmentally-conscious is to use sustainable materials. Try giving your home a facelift with a fresh coat of eco-friendly paint. While green paint options used to be a costly alternative, now many large brands offer a comparatively priced environmentally friendly option. Make sure to look for low- or zero-VOC (volatile organic compound) products. 3. Dispose of your construction waste properly – From the used batteries in your power tools to the old dry wall you’ve just replaced, each item needs to be disposed of properly. To recycle hazardous household waste, check
your local municipal website for detailed information. For old, single-use and rechargeable batteries, visit www. Call2Recycle.ca to find one of 7,000-plus collection sites across Canada. Those were just three of the easiest steps to ensure that
all renovations help both our pocket book and the environment. But don’t stop there. Keep looking for countless additional ways to improve your home while also reducing your environmental footprint.
source: www.newscanada.com
Top 10 environmental benefits of a natural lawn Faced with a brown lawn during summer dry spells and winter, when lawns naturally go dormant, some homeowners have made the switch to synthetic turf. However, before considering this expense, take into account the many benefits that a natural green space provides: 10. Thick lawns with deeper roots absorb water, reducing water run-off. 9. Lawns hold the soil particles to help prevent soil from water and wind erosion. 8. Grass acts as an air purifier by trapping and
removing pollutants from the air that are then broken down by the root system, especially important in urban areas. 7. Healthy lawns, trees and shrubs can cool the temperature around a home by up to 8°C. 6. Lawns produce an amazing amount of oxygen. A 50 by 50 foot lawn releases enough oxygen for a family of four every day. 5. A thick healthy green lawn provides a soft outdoor space for people to rest, read or picnic. 4. All grasses have the ability to go dormant when water intake is reduced, like during the driest parts of the summer, and while the ground is frozen throughout the winter. They bounce back healthy and green when the rains return.
3. Healthy lawns are one of the safest surfaces for children to play on or for baby’s first steps. 2. A healthy lawn has the same cooling power as three or four air conditioning units, without the energy costs. 1. Perhaps the number one reason not to replace
your natural lawn with synthetic is that on hot days, your lawn will be up to 39°C cooler than dry, synthetic turf. More information is available at: fertilizercanada.ca/ greenerworld.
source: www.newscanada.com
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Thursday, October 1, 2015
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2015 Fall Home Improvement I 3
Essex Free Press
Inexpensive ways to boost a home’s curb appeal
Maintaining plant life on a property won’t cost homeowners a lot of money, but such an effort can add substantial curb appeal to a home.
Curb appeal can go a long way toward making a home more attractive to its inhabitants as well as prospective buyers once the house is put on the market. Improving curb appeal is a goal for many homeowners, and while many projects aimed at making homes more aesthetically appealing can be costly, there are ways for cost-conscious homeowners to improve their properties without breaking the bank. • Put your green thumb to use. A well-maintained landscape can dramatically
improve a home’s curb appeal. Pay attention to the plants, shrubs and trees throughout your property, watering them during periods of little rainfall and trimming them when necessary so your lawn does not look like an overgrown, neglected suburban jungle. Professional landscaping services can help you maintain your property, but even if your budget does not allow for such an expense, you can still make sure your landscape adds to your home’s appeal by keeping a watchful
Make the best choice for your mortgage protection An alternative to consider Using an individual life insurance policy to protect your mortgage offers numerous advantages. It’s important to note the difference between an individual and group insurance policy. With mortgage life insurance, you’re a member of a group -- a collection of people who have mortgage debt with the same lender. The lender or insurer may cancel a group policy at any time, and that means you could lose your coverage. With an individual life insurance policy, you’re in control, so you’re the only person who can cancel or alter your policy. Another benefit if you choose the life insurance route: the value of the death benefit doesn’t decrease as you make mortgage payments. A life insurance policy with a face value of $100,000 will be worth that much as long as you make the premium payments. The final choice is up to you. Weighing your options will help you get the most out of your money. Contact Randy Thiessen at Sun Life Financial to discuss your options. Phone 519-996-3959 or e-mail randy.thiessen@ sunlife.com © Sun Life Assurance Company of Canada, 2011
eye on the property and addressing any issues that arise. Maintain your lawn through the colder months of the year as well, making sure no one walks on the grass when frost has settled, as doing so can produce dead spots throughout the lawn. • Redo your front door. While their eyes may initially be drawn to a well-manicured lawn, prospective buyers will eventually find their way to the front door. If your door is especially old, consider replacing it. If your budget does not allow for such an expense, you can still give your home’s front entrance an entirely new look by installing some inexpensive molding around the door before
giving the door a fresh coat of paint. Molding around the front door can make an entrance more impressive, while a new coat of paint can make a home feel warmer and more vibrant. • Plant flowers. Another inexpensive way to make a home more appealing is to plant some colorful flowers around the property. Line walkways with flowers native to your region, as such plants will last longer than exotic alternatives that may not be capable of adapting to the local climate. In addition to lining walkways, hang window boxes filled with colorful flowers or plants outside naked windows. Doing so can make windows seem larger and add some color to your
home’s exterior. Another creative way to make use of colorful flowers is to place a few planters at the foot of your driveway and painting the numbers of your address on the planters. This can be both effortless and inexpensive, but it can instantly make a home more inviting to prospective buyers. • Spotlight certain parts of your property. Many homeowners focus on improving the curb appeal of their property during the daytime hours, but you can take steps to make a home more appealing at night as well. Solar
spotlights placed around trees and other attractive features in your yard can shed light on those areas of your property you’re most proud of, even after the sun has gone down. Solar spotlights won’t add to your energy bill, as they are powered by the sun, and they can make certain accents on your property stand out at night. Improving curb appeal may sound like a significant undertaking, but there are many ways budgetconscious homeowners can make their home’s exterior more appealing without going broke.
source: Metro Creative
Energy saving tips during the winter season
Shorter days and colder nights are around the corner, so now is the time to ensure that your home is winterready. Weatherproofing your home will help prevent heat from escaping through leaky doors and windows. Here are some tips from Hydro One to help you manage your energy use and capture potential savings throughout the cold winter: • Fill the gaps. Check the trim on windows for gaps between the frame and your house. As much as 13 per cent of your home’s heat loss could be escaping through the gaps. If possible, stuff insulation between the window and frame or try caulking around the window. • On sunny winter days, trap warm air inside by opening window coverings to let the warmth of the sun in. Once the sun goes down, close window coverings to keep the warmth in. Think of your curtains as insulation for your windows. • Another inexpensive option is to build a barrier against cold by sealing your windows with indoor plastic sheeting in the winter. All you need is a hair dryer, double sided tape and some inexpensive plastic sheeting. • If your doors aren’t properly fitted, air is leaking outside. Rubber weather stripping can be an easy way to seal the door by creating a skirt on the door frame. • If you have a fireplace that you never use, consider getting it sealed as warm air is sucked out if the damper is open. If you do enjoy sitting by the fire, make sure you turn down your main thermostat. Fires can actually draw heat from the room up the chimney so your furnace has to work even harder. Valuable coupons for energy savings products along with additional tips are available at www.HydroOne. source: www.newscanada.com com/SaveEnergy.
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4 I 2015 Fall Home Improvement
Essex Free Press
I Thursday, October 1, 2015
5 best ways to winterize your home It’s a tedious job, but cleaning your gutters before winter hits will prevent long term damage
Avoid being left out in the cold this winter by preparing your home sufficiently ahead of time. The experts at HomeStars are sharing five important tips to keep your place toasty, cozy and safe during the frigid months ahead, as follows: 1. Clean up outside: No one likes to do this,
but cleaning the gutters before winter hits will help prevent icicles and ice damming. Consider installing gutter screens so you don’t have to climb a ladder. Clear out shrubs and annuals in the garden to avoid a mess come spring and consider planting bulbs for a spring surprise. 2. Clean inside too: Just like spring cleaning, fall cleaning will help you get rid of unwanted dust build up. Since your windows aren’t open as much, it’ll help improve your home’s indoor air quality. 3. Seal it up: Run your hands around the windows and doors of your home. If you feel a draft coming in, seal it by weatherstripping the window or door where it meets the framework. To seal cracks, use caulking on the interior and exterior of the window or door trim.
4. Reverse the ceiling fan: If your home has a ceiling fan, reverse to the clockwise position to make sure the air is blowing up in the winter. This pushes the warm air off the ceiling and onto the cold walls. 5. Replace your furnace filters: Regular filter maintenance will help keep your furnace running longer while saving you money on heating bills – and saving money is always a good thing. Additional tips, including information on hiring local contractors is available at www.HomeStars.com.
source: www.newscanada.com
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2015 Fall Home Improvement I 5
Essex Free Press
The Power Of The Shower: Freshen Up Your Space With These 5 Tips
No matter when you choose to clean up, there are a number of ways to easily transform your shower space into a productive – and relaxing oasis. Here are five ideas to help set the mood and maybe even change your daily outlook, all of which can be completed in the time it takes for you to lather, rinse and repeat. 1. Clean Up Your Space. Starting with a clean, wellorganized shower sets the tone for a truly relaxing experience. Declutter
the shower by installing shelves or storage pieces. Some shelves and accessories pull double duty and feature bath safety elements, like grab bars, to make your shower safer and clutter free. 2. Home Spa Experience. If you’re looking to maximize relaxation time in the shower, try replacing your existing showerhead with an option that offers multiple spray settings like the new Magnetix hand showers from Moen
Canada. A powerful magnetic dock allows for easy release and replace of the showerhead, even with your eyes closed, so there’s no need to interrupt your Zen. Magnetix features six high-performance spray options, ranging from massage to combinations of soft and forceful, fullrinse sprays. 3. Think about functional designs. Sitting down in the shower is another way to relax while you scrub. For ladies, a shower seat will reduce the strain put on your back and neck while shaving, and at the same time can help prevent falls. If you’re short on space, look for a model that folds down to provide a seat when you need it and then neatly tucks away when you don’t. A curved rod is another great addition for smaller showers. There are curved rods in a variety of styles and finishes to perfectly match any décor, providing up to
seven inches of additional space inside the shower. 4. Beautify Your Surroundings. Adding a bit of greenery can perk up any room, so why not the shower? Try adding plants to give the illusion of a lush outdoor experience. A philodendron is a perfect option because it doesn’t need soil and can thrive in smaller containers.
Bringing in aromatic plants can also help calm the mind. Try adding a few sprigs of eucalyptus or lavender. As the shower fills up with steam, the fragrance will carry throughout the room. 5. Don’t underestimate the power of your shower. In a hectic world, we all need to take a minute and pamper ourselves
whenever possible. Starting with a relaxing shower will help you tackle anything your day throws at you – or have you prepped and ready for a good night’s sleep.
source: www.newscanada.com
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6 I 2015 Fall Home Improvement
Essex Free Press
I Thursday, October 1, 2015
Combat moisture issues when choosing insulation as well many years after installation as it does the day after the project is complete. This means that the insulation needs to stay consistent over time––any sagging, compressing or rotting will compromise the safety and comfort of your home. To combat these potential problems, look for insulation that does not absorb water, but repels it. Stone wool insulation, like that produced by Canadian manufacturer Roxul, is a good choice. Water resistance is
important year-round, but especially in summer when humidity levels rise and in spring and fall when rain and moisture levels can increase dramatically. It’s vital that your insulation won’t compress or sag within the wall or ceiling cavity, because when insulation materials compress and sag, they leave gaps, compromising the thermal performance of the wall. Cold, heat and sound can pass through much more easily, creating a living space that’s less comfortable and more
expensive to heat and cool. Another important consideration when choosing insulation is mould resistance. Materials, like stone wool resist mould growth, and that is essential to the health of your home and family. Because mould feeds on organic matter, selecting an insulation that is composed of nonorganic materials is ideal to prevent rot. Keeping moisture and mould at bay with a quality insulation will contribute to a safer
indoor environment and provide energy savings and comfort benefits that can last for the lifetime of a home. Scott McGillivray is the award-winning TV host of the hit series Income Property on HGTV Canada, a full-time real estate investor, contractor, author, and educator. Follow him on Twitter @ smcgillivray.
source: www.newscanada.com
Fall clean up? What to do with leftover fertilizer by Scott McGillivray We insulate our homes primarily to keep them warm in the winter and cool in the summer. As a result, most of us evaluate insulation based on its thermal properties, which is definitely important to consider. However, there is another aspect of wall and ceiling insulation that should be considered before making a final decision, and that’s moisture. If you choose the wrong insulation, moisture can seriously damage its
long-term performance, drastically reducing the benefits it offers to your home. Although wall and ceiling cavities may be out of sight after a home is built, they are very important spaces in residential construction and remodeling projects. They play a critical role in managing the interior temperature, noise level, air flow and mould levels. It’s important that the insulation in the walls and ceilings works just
The fresh, crisp air of fall is often enjoyed during backyard clean-ups and weekends of tidying the garage. Feeding your lawn before a long, winter is important, and can continue as long as there is no frost. If you are left with extra fertilizer at the end of the season, do you know what to do with it? The experts at Fertilizer Canada have some advice: Use it Best practices for lawn and garden care advise feeding your lawn every other month beginning when the ground is no longer frozen and stopping with that important last application in the fall. The extra nutrients will provide food to keep grass healthy during the coldest weather and boost root growth to reach deeply stored moisture reserves. Share it All living things need food, including lawns and
gardens. If you have leftover fertilizer at the end of the season, share it with family, neighbours, friends, or a community group. Thick, healthy green space provides a safe place for kids and pets to rest and play. Store it Keep any leftover fertilizer sealed in its original container in a dry place for use next season. If moisture gets in, you may have lumping of the fertilizer, but that can usually be fixed by breaking up any clumps before placing in the spreader next spring. More information is available at fertilizercanada. ca/greenerworld.
source: www.newscanada.com
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2015 Fall Home Improvement I 7
Essex Free Press
How to handle cramped quarters
Apartment living has its advantages. Without a mortgage to pay, many apartment dwellers feel more free than homeowners who still have decades of payments left before they can pay off their homes. And when apartments need fixing, such responsibilities fall on the shoulders of the landlord instead of the tenants. But apartment living has its downsides as well, most notably that apartments are often much less spacious than homes. Cramped quarters can make apartment living uncomfortable, but there are ways apartment dwellers can make even the most confined living spaces seem more roomy. • Clear the clutter. The easiest and perhaps most effective way to conquer cramped living quarters
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is to remove clutter and work diligently to avoid its accumulation once it’s gone. Only buy new furnishings when you need them to replace existing items, and resist the urge to treat dressers, coffee tables and dining areas as storage areas for junk you won’t use or mail you have not opened. • Purchase some multi-purpose furniture. Multipurpose furniture, such as storage ottomans or bedroom benches that include storage areas for bed linens or bath towels, can be an apartment dweller’s best friend. When buying a new bed frame, look for one that has built-in storage drawers so you have even more space to store bedding and other items. Such pieces add both aesthetic appeal and serve practical purposes for apartment dwellers with limited closet space. • Wall-mount your television. While today’s televisions are nowhere near as bulky as their predecessors from decades past, many apartment dwellers still place their televisions atop bulky television stands. But you can create more space in your entertainment room by wallmounting your television. Renters may be hesitant to mount their televisions for fear of losing a substantial chunk of their deposits, but the majority of today’s mounts won’t do much more harm to the walls than more traditional wall hangings. • Make use of your vertical space. Shelving units and bookcases can be great allies to apartment dwellers because these items make use of an apartment’s vertical space. Many apartment dwellers underutilize their vertical space, but items that go up instead of out can create more room in an apartment and allow homeowners to keep items they may otherwise have to discard. • Reconsider your work space. Men and women who work from home may find their work spaces take up considerable chunks of their apartments. But how many items in your work space do you still need? Many professionals no longer print documents, so if you still have space allotted for printers you might be able to redo such areas without affecting your workday. In addition, large desks were once sought after because they
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made perfect homes for desktop computers. But if you now use a laptop or tablet when working from home, you likely don’t need as much desk space as you once did. Downsizing to a smaller desk and work area can open up a substantial amount of space without affecting your ability to work from home. Smaller living quarters are a disadvantage to apartment living, but you can take several steps to make your living source: Metro Creative spaces less cramped.
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