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spring home IMPROVEMENT ARTICLE INDEX 4 5 6 6&7 8 9 10 11 12 12 12 13 14 14&15 16&17 17-19
IMPROVEMENTS FOR 2012 SHOP OFF SEASON DID YOU KNOW? IS IT TIME TO ADD A HALF BATHROOM? PROJECTS REQUIRING A BUILDING PERMIT ASH BORER QUARANTINE THE BASICS OF PROPERTY TAXES RESOLUTIONS FOR HOME HOME INSULATION SPRAY FOAM MOLD CONTROL AIR LEAKAGE TOP EFFICIENCY INNOVATION PATIO CLEANUP BUILDING A DECK PLYWOOD & MDF DIFFERENCE FENCE ETIQUETTE
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JOURNAL GAZETTE & TIMES-COURIER
Publisher CARL WALWORTH Advertising Director TAMMY JORDAN ART & DESIGN Cover & Layout Designer ALEXANDRA MEYER
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Mattoon/Sullivan Retail MELODY PARKS 238-6837 Charleston/Arcola Retail ALICIA ROBERTS 238-6834 Effingham/Arthur Retail KIM NUNAMAKER 238-6838
Advertising: To place a display advertisement, call (217) 238-6835 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. weekdays or email advertising@jg-tc.com To place classified advertising, call 238-6828 or 345-7085 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. weekdays
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Now is a great time to plan for even small seasonal improvements that can save you energy and money and add comfort to your home.
With the deepfreeze factor at its annual high, the potential benefits of making energy saving improvements really hit home. Yet saving energy and money and adding comfort to your home should always be in season. Industry experts at Icynene (icynene.com) recommend you put these home improvement tips on your 2012 calendar: Winter •Install affordable plastic window-sealing kits, especially where you feel drafts. •Install foam gaskets behind electrical outlets and switches to reduce air leakage. •Close the fireplace damper tightly when it's not in use. If you use your fireplace regularly, consider adding a well-designed insert. •Replace or clean furnace filters at least once every three months. Spring •Consider larger home improvements, like replacing windows that are best completed when the weather is nice. Consider adding spray foam insulation (like innovative Icynene) to your attic or in other areas of your home where the summer heat can infiltrate. You can start saving up to 50 percent in energy costs all year long. • Is your air conditioner old or on its last legs? Before things heat up, consider investing in an energy efficient Energy Star-
rated unit. Consult an expert to ensure the size of the unit is properly matched to the needs of your home. Summer •Add window coverings to block sunlight during the day, so your air conditioner doesn't have to work as hard. •Replace inefficient incandescent lighting with more efficient compact fluorescent or LED lighting that also produce less heat. •Check your hot water tank. If it's warm to the touch, it might need some extra insulation. Check your home improvement store for inexpensive pre-cut tank jackets or blankets. Fall •Check insulation levels where you can, like the attic or the floor of a room over the garage. If you didn't get to it in the spring, install spray foam insulation to seal around openings and penetrations that let air flow in and out of your home. •Use caulking, sealant and weather-stripping to create a barrier against air and water around doorframes, windows and baseboards. Choose the right caulking for the surface. •Insulate your hot water pipes to reduce heat loss. It may enable you to reduce the temperature setting on your hot water tank.
You can have it both ways. The Wood-Ultrex Series combines the unmatched performance of an Ultrex fiberglass exterior to protect against the elements with the traditional look of a handcrafted wood interior. It’s the perfect blend of classic styling and advanced construction technology designed to give you windows that look beautiful and stay beautiful for decades.
Wood-Ultrex Inswing French Patio Door Nothing says “welcome home” like an elegant Wood-Ultrex Inswing French door from Integrity. A door height of up to 8 feet offers gorgeous, unobstructed views and the rich pine trim can be easily stained or painted to match your interior. The durable Ultrex exterior stands up to the changing seasons and offers strength in the high-traffic threshold
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Shop Off-Season For Major Improvements An often overlooked side-effect of the recession is that many people cannot afford to move and have decided to stick with the home they have and make desired improvements. Thanks to off-season discounts, some months of the year may be better than others for renovations. The home improvement industry is not much different than any other. When demand is high, prices are generally at their peak. When demand is low, prices are lowered to entice shoppers to buy. Right now, many homeowners may be thinking of certain improvements, such as the installation of a pool or deck, or even replacing an air conditioning system in advance of the warm weather. But it could be financially savvy to wait until the warm weather is gone to do so. Many pool companies and stores discount their inventory considerably after September. That's because this time of year in most of the country is when the weather starts to change and people are less likely to think about a dip in the pool. With the arrival of the new school year, many others are focusing less on pool fun and more on carpools and sporting events. Furthermore, in an effort to capitalize on both the summer and winter seasons, many pool stores double as Christmas tree and accessory outlets come the colder months. That means they'll need to clear out their showrooms and stock
areas of pools prior to delivery of Christmas merchandise. You may land a considerable discount on the pool package. Furthermore, if you have room in a garage or shed to store the pool equipment and assembled materials, you can wait until the next season to hire an installer to set up the pool when you desire. As you are thinking about turning down the thermostat and enjoying a blast of cool airconditioning, it might be wise to think about the performance of your furnace, too. While HVAC professionals and home improvement chains could be charging top dollar for a new air conditioning system, they may offer discounts on furnaces because they're simply not in demand this time of year. If you find an affordable furnace, store the furnace until the time is right to have it installed. The holiday season tends to be a slow time for home-improvement contractors simply because most homeowners are thinking more about shopping and entertaining than knockdown, tear-out jobs. Waiting until the end of the year for some major renovations could be advantageous. The spring and summer are prime times for outdoor entertaining, so the addition of decks or elaborate landscaping may come at an elevated price. However, once autumn arrives, the same services may be much cheaper, depending on the job
and if the contractor can secure materials at a discounted price. If you can hold off on that new deck or patio until after September, it may be in your best interest. However, if a winter installation is in your design, you may find yourself actually paying more in labor costs if inclement weather delays the installation. Here are some other ways to save off-season. • Explore wintertime reductions on air conditioning systems. • New appliance models released could mean year-end reductions on that model year. • Purchase bulk topsoil and other landscaping materials in the winter when this industry is slow. • Many pests enter a dormancy during the winter, so exterminators may discount for termite reduction during the winter and early spring. • Fireplace installation or chimney masonry work could be discounted during the summer months. • The spring season is an ideal time for roofing projects, although some contractors will work in the winter, too. Roofing companies are often tied up during the summer months and may ask for premium charges. Keep in mind that summer is a prime time for any and all improvements. Beat the prices and the wait time by shopping offseason for your renovations.
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When the weather is ripe for a dip in the pool or turning on the A/C, it might behoove savings-minded homeowners to think about a furnace replacement.
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Did You Know?
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Women make up a fast-growing segment of the home improvement market. According to research by Sears, Roebuck & Co. and Investor's Business Daily, 53 percent of married women are responsible for basic household maintenance and repair. Women also comprise 50 percent of all residential buyers at major home improvement stores and generally spend more than men when shopping. Women also make 85 percent of all remodeling decisions around the home. As a result, more retailers cater to female shoppers in their home improvement promotions.
JG-TC
March 2012
IS IT TIME to add a half-bathroom?
When it comes to renovating a home, homeowners expect to spend money. No home renovation or home improvement project is free, but some are less costly than others. The addition of a half-bathroom is a popular project among homeowners, and it won't necessarily break the bank. If converting existing floor space into a
half-bathroom, such a renovation can cost as little as a few thousand dollars, making the addition of a powder room one of the few home improvement projects where the value added to the home exceeds the cost of the renovation. Before deciding to add a half-bathroom, it helps to consider some of the pros and cons of the project.
Pros Convenience
A half-bathroom is often added on the home's main floor or in the basement or attic. This makes it more convenient for guests to use the restroom during a dinner party or when coming over to watch the big game in a basement hometheater area.
Problem-free
Half-bathrooms are smaller because they don't have a shower or bathtub. That means common bathroom problems like mold and mildew are not as big a concern as they are for full bathrooms.
More choices
Because mold and mildew aren't likely to present a problem in a halfbathroom, homeowners have more options at their disposal when choosing floors and countertops.
Once the pros and cons have been weighed, homeowners who want to go forward with the project should then check with their local municipality to ensure the codes and requirements won't restrict their project. Size or window restrictions might curtail the project or limit what homeowners can do,
Cons Space
As their name implies, halfbathrooms are much smaller than full bathrooms. As a result, they tend to feel cramped.
Value
Though an inexpensive halfbathroom addition might recoup its value and then some at resale, the project won't add as much resale value to a home as a full bathroom addition might.
Loss of Storage
If storage around the house is sparse, homeowners might be better off keeping the area designated for the half-bathroom as a storage closet instead of a bathroom.
which might change their minds on the project altogether. The addition of a half-bathroom often makes practical and financial sense. But before making any addition, homeowners must weight the pros and cons to make the best decision possible.
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Projects that might require a building permit All too many homeowners have experienced the joy of completing a home improvement project only to learn upon completion that the project is not in adherence with local laws. That realization, while heartbreaking, is often the result of a homeowner's failure to secure a building permit prior to starting the project. Homeowners who secure a permit before the onset of a project will know what they can
and can't do and can rest easy knowing that an approved plan complies with engineering principles and local laws. Another disadvantage to forgoing the permit process is the potential perils such a decision cause when homeowners want to sell their homes. Projects completed without a permit might hurt a home's resale value, and such projects are not often covered by homeowner's insurance policies,
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meaning damage to areas of the home where an illegal project was conducted won't be covered. While homeowners should always check with their local municipality before starting a project, it might help to know the following are a few of the many home improvement projects that typically require a permit before they can go forward.
• Porch • Retaining walls • Roof change (i.e., flat roof to sloped roof) • Roof replacement • Room addition • Room remodel • Siding • Sliding glass door (if area is increased) • Skylight • Spa or hot tub installation • Windows, new or replacement (if area is increased)
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Coles County Region Is Included In Emerald Ash
Borer Quarantine By Marsha Overton; University of Illinois Extension Master Gardener
Well, we have gone through another month. So far this year is flying by. Also, so far, we have had a fantastic winter. I know there are some of you who are really missing the snow, but I am not one of them. Not this year, anyway. I just want to get on with this winter and say, "Hello spring." I do want to thank all of you who got your reservation in for our Spring Into Gardening seminar. It is great to have the kind of responses that we have had with these events. Of course, this is what our program is all about, bringing educational ideas to you the public. I am looking forward to seeing all of you on Feb. 25. I have a different kind of article this week. I have talked about the emerald ash borer, just hoping that it would not get into our state or area, but that is not the case.
It is definitely here, so I decided to bring some information straight from the people that know. So please read the following article and hopefully you will not have to deal with this borer. The Illinois Department of Agriculture has added all of 14 counties and part of two others to its emerald ash borer quarantine. The expansion became necessary after the treekilling beetle was detected this summer in four new counties. Traps placed throughout the state to track the spread of the beetle captured its presence in DeWitt, Marion and Stark counties. Alert IDOA staff spotted the fourth infestation in Effingham County while traveling to Marion County to investigate the discovery there. "This is the eighth and largest amendment to the original EAB quarantine that was enacted after the beetle was
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discovered here in 2006," Warren Goetsch, IDOA Bureau Chief of Environmental Programs, said. "The boundary expansion is so significant because two of the detections this summer were in southern Illinois nearly 125 miles from the closest, previously-known infestations." In addition to DeWitt, Marion, Stark and Effingham, the counties added to the quarantine in their
entirety are Clark, Coles, Cumberland, Douglas, Edgar, Fayette, Macon, Moultrie, Piatt and Shelby. Portions of Bureau and Marshall counties, not previously included in the quarantine, also were added, bringing the number of impacted counties in northern, central and south-central Illinois to 39. Other counties under quarantine are Boone, Champaign, Cook, DeKalb, DuPage, Ford, Grundy, Iroquois, Kane, Kankakee, Kendall, Lake, LaSalle, Lee, Livingston, McHenry, McLean, Ogle, Putnam, Vermilion, Will, Winnebago and Woodford. The full quarantine order and detailed information about the EAB program can be accessed on the Internet at www.IllinoisEAB.com. The quarantine is intended to prevent the artificial spread of the beetle through the movement of infested wood and nursery stock. Specifically, it prohibits the
March 2012 removal of the following items from quarantined areas: * The emerald ash borer in any living stage of development. * Ash trees of any size. * Ash limbs and branches. * Any cut, non-coniferous firewood. * Bark from ash trees and wood chips larger than one inch from ash trees. * Ash logs and lumber with either the bark or the outer oneinch of sapwood, or both, attached. * Any item made from or containing the wood of the ash tree that is capable of spreading the emerald ash borer. * Any other article, product or means of conveyance determined by the IDOA to present a risk of spreading the beetle infestation. The emerald ash borer is a small, metallic-green beetle native to Asia. It does not pose any direct risk to public health, but does threaten the ash tree population. Its larvae burrow into the bark of ash trees, causing the trees to starve and eventually die. Since the beetle was first confirmed in the Midwest in the summer of 2002, it has killed more than 25 million ash trees. The beetle often is difficult to detect, especially in newlyinfested trees. Signs of infestation include the presence of metallic-green beetles, about half the diameter of a penny, on or around ash trees, thinning and yellowing leaves, D-shaped holes in the bark of the trunk or branches and basal shoots. Anyone who suspects an ash tree has been infested should contact their county Extension office, their village forester or
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9 the IDOA. EAB was first confirmed in Illinois in Kane County. How EAB arrived in the state is unknown, but the IDOA suspects it was transported here in contaminated firewood. To prevent future such occurrences, the department encourages Illinoisans to purchase only locally grown nursery stock and locally cut firewood. I encourage all of you with ash trees to examine them carefully. We have one ash and so far so good - it is a wonderful shade tree and one I certainly would hate to lose. Another problem a lot of you are having is with the deer. Of course you do realize that we are in their territory and not the other way around. Anyway, I wanted to shed a little light on this subject. So many times I hear people say they think deer have been chewing on their trees. How can I be sure? What can I do if they are? Damage by deer is not hard to identify. Since both mule deer and white-tailed deer lack upper incisors, deer browsing often leaves a jagged or torn surface on twigs or stems, whereas a rabbit or rodent browsing leaves a clean surface. In addition, deer tracks are very distinctive. The height of damage from the ground often rules out any other mammal other than deer. Deer are often observed "in the act" of causing damage. The only sure way to eliminate deer damage is to fence the deer out, however, that is often costprohibitive except for orchards or private gardens. A dog on a long run can keep deer out of the limited area. There are a variety of contact (applied directly to the plant) and area (applied near the plant) repellents available. These include "Hinder," "Thiram," "Deer-Away," human hair, bone tar oil, Naphathalene (mothballs), hot pepper sauce and blood meal. Remember that success with repellents is measured in the reduction, not total elimination of damage. This column is based on information and materials at the University of Illinois Extension office, located at 707 Windsor Road, Charleston, 61920; phone 345-7034; or check us out on the Web: http://web.extension.illinois.edu/ ccdms/ . Marsha Overton is a University of Illinois Extension master gardener and copresident of the Pleasant Prairie GardenClub.
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The Basics of Property Taxes
Paying property taxes is a necessary side effect of home ownership. Across the United States and Canada, residents are required to pay property taxes based on an assessment of their homes' value. Taxes on land and the buildings on it are one of the biggest sources of revenue for local governments. In the United States, property taxes are not imposed by the states, but by the smaller governing bodies in cities, towns, townships, counties, and other jurisdictions. In Canada, property taxes, or milliage taxes, are levied by the jurisdiction in which the property is located. They may be paid to a federated state or a municipality or the national government. Sometimes multiple jurisdictions may tax the same property. Although the taxes are mandated by a higher governing power, the rate at which you pay taxes could be based on a very local assessment of the area in which your house is located and the current market conditions. An assessor will visit a home -usually prior to purchase -- and make a determination on the percentage of tax to be paid depending on the condition of the home, the improvements that have been made and the climate of the economy in your particular town or city. Property taxes are usually calculated by taking the assessed value of your home and multiplying it by the tax rate that has been determined by your local government. While no one can "legally" escape paying property taxes, there are several ways to have them lowered. Getting your home re-assessed is one such way. Individuals who have
reached a certain age may be eligible for certain discounts on property taxes. But this may require a very low income to qualify. There are also some tax credits or homestead exemptions that may qualify you for a limited assessed value on the property. According to data from the Tax Foundation and Forbes, areas of New Jersey, New York and Illinois boast some of the highest property taxes. Residents of Hunterdon County, New Jersey paid on average $8,600 a year between 2005 and 2009. Those in Lake County, Illinois pay around $6,500. People living in Westchester County, New York can plan on spending $8,400 per year. Statistics indicate that homes located in Ontario cities in central Canada have the highest property taxes. Toronto residents, for example, pay an average of $3,900. In this tough economy, lowering property taxes (which are generally rolled into the mortgage amount for ease of payment) could substantially
reduce bills. As many as 60 percent of properties across the United States are overassessed, according to the National Taxpayers Union, a nonprofit group that promotes lower taxes. If you suspect your property taxes are high, here are the steps to take. • Get a copy of your property tax assessment from the local assessor's office and doublecheck all the information contained to see if it is correct. • Check the assessments of five comparable homes that have sold in your neighborhood in the last three years. • An independent appraiser can also provide you accurate information at a cost. Make sure he or she is licensed with the National Association of Independent Fee Appraisers or by the American Society of Appraisers. • It's not possible to lower the property tax rate, just the assessed value of the home through an official appeal. There may be fees associated with this appeal, however. Some home improvements will increase the value of your home and, in turn, your property taxes. Here are some of the most common culprits: - extra stories to the home - outhouses, like a guest house - sports courts, like tennis - installation of an inground pool - improvements to fencing - addition of a garage or another room on the home A change in the status of a neighborhood can also give rise to higher property taxes. An influx of new residents or new construction of stores and homes can have a major effect on the assessed value of your home. forward.
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RESOLUTIONS
Many people feel a new calendar year symbolizes a fresh start. Perhaps nothing illustrates that better than the popularity of New Year's resolutions, which people make in an effort to improve their quality of life both in the year ahead and the years that follow. Popular plans include resolving to lose weight or quit smoking. But homeowners can make resolutions for their homes as well. The following are some resolutions to ensure your home has as good a year as you do over the next 12 months. * Clear away clutter. Spring is the season most people associate with clearing a home of clutter, but the immediate aftermath of the holiday season marks a great time to begin tidying up. During the holiday season, homeowners often arrive home to a mailbox filled with holiday catalogs. In addition, extra rolls of wrapping paper, packaging tape and holiday cards can transform a normally neat and airy home into a cluttered space with little room to breathe. Instead of waiting for spring to clear out clutter, resolve to spend some time each month getting rid of any
unnecessary items. Not only will less clutter make a home less stuffy (particularly during winter when the windows are closed), it will also make spring cleaning that much easier. • Reduce the energy bill. Few people are in a position to scoff at ways to save money, and reducing energy costs is a great way to do just that. This year, resolve to turn the lights off when you leave a room, lower the temperature on the thermostat during daytime hours when no one is home and consider alternative methods of saving energy as well. Most homeowners might be surprised to learn their set-top cable or satellite boxes, when coupled with a digital video recorder, are quite possibly gobbling up more energy than their refrigerator. Such was the findings in a 2011 study conducted by the Natural Resources Defense Council, which found that a highdefinition cable or satellite
March 2012
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for home
set-top box, when combined with a DVR, used more kilowatt hours per year than a new Energy Star rated 21 cubic-foot refrigerator. While few
homeowners are likely willing to give up their cable service or DVR, you can ask your service provider for Energy Star 4.0rated devices to help reduce
energy consumption. * Grow a green thumb. A lawn is the first thing passersby notice about a home. No matter how beautiful the home itself is, if the lawn is not wellmaintained that is what most people are going to remember. This year, resolve to grow a green thumb. Though spring and summer are considered the seasons for lawn care, winter is not necessarily a bad time to get started. Clear away any fallen branches and rake away the last of the leaves, which can be used to create a compost pile that can benefit the lawn throughout the year. Depending on the type of grass you have, late winter and early spring can be a great time to fertilize. * Make your home safer. Improving safety around the house should not have to be a New Year's resolution, but for busy homeowners it's easy to overlook safety around the house. This year, resolve to make your home safer and keep it safe
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and secure. Have the home tested for radon if you haven't already, and inspect all smoke and carbon monoxide detectors, replacing any ones that are no longer operating at full capacity. If there are any safety hazards around the house, such as a loose step or handrail on the staircase or a leaky gutter that makes it easy for ice patches to form after winter rain or snowstorms, then address these issues before they cause serious injury. New Year's resolutions don't just apply to humans. Make the most of this year's fresh start by making your home a happier, healthier and safer place to live this year and in the years to come.
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Home Insulation is a Smart Investment While investing in retirement is top of mind for many of us, there are other investments that can pay off over a longer period of time, like insulation. Home improvement specialists tell us that we can protect our home investment, too, with a spray foam insulation like the popular-selling, Icynene. This type of insulation can provide a complete air seal with optimal R-values, delivering up to 50 percent in monthly energy savings. More information on this topic is available online at www.icynene.com.
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SPRAY FOAM INSULATION COMBATS MOLD If you worry about mold in your home and are trying to find solutions, you can take one simple step to help prevent it from happening. Mold is commonly found in houses that have poor wall insulation. As moisture builds up, the interior of the walls can slowly rot. This gives off a foul smell and reduces the overall stability and quality of a
property. You may need to completely strip your walls to effectively repair them. Such a repair can be expensive, but in order to prevent this situation from occurring, you can choose an alternate kind of insulation for your home. Spray foam insulation, like Icynene, is a good choice, especially for preventing mold. Unlike other
insulation, spray foam protects your walls against moisture by forming an air barrier. Prevention of mold, dust, dust mites and other common airborne irritants will improve the quality of the air in your home and ultimately the investment value of your house. More information on this topic is available online at icynene.com.
How to control air leakage and energy loss in your home
energy loss in check with a mini energy audit of your home that includes these three quick stops:
plumbing vents, basement rim joists (where the foundation meets the wood framing), recessed lighting, windows and doors.
Keeping your home at a comfortable temperature becomes an increasingly expensive proposition with steadily rising energy costs. With the full force of winter upon us, you can keep air leakage and
#1 - Check for drafts Air leakage (especially in the basement, on the main floor or through a windward-facing wall) can make your home drafty, uncomfortable and difficult to heat, no matter how much you turn up the thermostat. Address air leakage by plugging the biggest leaks first, such as in the attic and around electrical holes,
#2 - Check your insulation If you have conventional fiberglass or cellulose insulation, settling and sagging can compromise its performance and lead to a big hit on your energy bills. Look for gaps and signs of moisture problems in your insulation, especially in the attic, in the basement and in the room over the garage. If you're planning home improvements or an addition, consider installing an insulation/air barrier (like innovative Icynene) for complete air sealing and energy savings of up to 50 percent over conventional insulation. More information about your insulation options is available online at www.icynene.com.
#3 - Check your furnace How old is your furnace? If it pre-dates 1992, it might only operate at about 55 to 78 percent efficiency. A new Energy Starqualified furnace can operate above 90 percent efficiency as a result of more efficient heat exchangers and electronic ignition.icynene.com.
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Advances in home automation, insulation and appliances have become increasingly affordable and accessible to more homeowners, saving them energy and money.
Our homes are a great measuring stick of how far we've progressed in the past 20 years, especially when it comes to their efficiency in terms of saving us energy and money. Here are the top three innovative technologies that can improve the efficiency of our homes:
Home Automation * It wasn't that long ago that an automated home was a focus of science fiction. Today, adding the convenience and control of our indoor climate, lighting, electronic media and home security is increasingly affordable and accessible through home PCs, smart phone and tablet applications. With home monitoring systems, you can track energy and water usage in real time, spot key sources of energy loss and make immediate adjustments. Insulation * If your home is more than 10 years old, there's a good chance it has fiberglass or cellulose insulation behind its walls. While these were once the insulations of choice, there are many holes in these technologies. Since they are difficult to install perfectly and can sag or settle over time, they can leave gaps and seams. It's like leaving a
window open 24 hours a day in the freezing cold. * Experts remind us that insulation advancements (like those from leading innovator Icynene) have brought us spray foam insulation options that won't settle, sag or leave any gaps. Spray foam acts as an air barrier and can deliver up to 50 percent energy savings over older insulation options, while making our homes healthier, quieter and more comfortable. You can compare insulation options at www.icynene.com. Appliances and HVAC * Appliances and heating/cooling systems are essential in American homes -and not surprisingly, they are constantly undergoing improvements. New energyefficient refrigerators use less than half the energy of models that are 12 years old and use 75 percent less energy than those produced in the late 1970s (Source: National
Resources Defense Council). * If you have a conventional natural-draft furnace made before 1992, it might only operate between 55 to 78 percent efficiency. Upgrading to a new induced-draft condensing furnace can increase efficiency to above 90 percent as a result of more efficient heat exchangers and electronic ignition (Source: Mother Earth News).
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patio clean-up
for seasonal entertaining
Outdoor entertaining is a primary component of the warmweather season. Individuals flock to their backyard patios and decks to barbecue or simply soak up a little sun. Over the course of the fall and winter your patio may have experienced some wear and tear. Or if the patio is several years old, it may need some maintenance to improve its appearance for the new season. Maintenance often depends on the material used. Before starting, figure out what your patio needs and stock up on the supplies. Many patios are poured concrete, and a simple pressure-washing could be all that's needed to revive the look. Pressure washers can be rented or purchased. If there are cracks or chips in the patio, some minor patchwork may be able to fix unsightly problems. There are fast-dry patching kits. If the patio is especially damaged, it may be in your best interest to simply replace the patio or cover it with a different material, like wood decking. Some patios are constructed from paving stones. Pavers are usually installed atop a thin layer of sand and then more sand is brushed into the seams between the pavers to set them in place. Over time, the sand may become dislodged causing the pavers to wobble or even grow uneven. Taking the time to brush new sand over a paver patio can keep the stones stable. Because pavers are not a solid surface, weeds can grow in between the stones. Hand weeding and the application of a weed-killing product can help with keeping weeds at bay and from being unsightly. This year, maybe it's not about refreshing the patio but installing one instead. Although many homeowners choose to make the installation of a patio a do-it-yourself project with fine results, if you have a large yard or an intricate design, you may want to price out masons. These contractors could have relationships with suppliers of
concrete and patio pavers, which could save on the cost of materials for the job. Plus you will have the benefit of knowing the work was done correctly. Now is also the time to wash the cushions to your patio set to enhance your patio decor. Do so on a sunny, warm day to allow the cushions to dry adequately so they won't develop mildew or mold staining and odor. If the cushions look dated or beyond repair, this season could be a good time to head to the store and purchase a new set. Nothing refreshes a patio more than bright colors and attractive accessories. While new planters filled with flowers could do the trick, coordinate patio colors with new upholstery for outdoor furniture, throw pillows and a new patio umbrella to complete the look.
Things to know before building a deck Statistics from the U.S. Census Bureau Housing Survey indicate that homeowners annually spend billions of dollars improving outdoor living areas. One of the most popular ways to do just that is to add a deck to a home. Decks are beneficial in many ways. Grillmasters love decks because they make the perfect place to set up a grill and
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a table and cook for family and friends. Those who simply love being outdoors find decks the perfect place to relax and soak up some sun or idle away the evening hours. But homeowners who want to build a deck should know a few things before that process begins. • Permits are necessary. Unless the deck is going to be
especially small, you will likely need a permit to build it. Before buying any materials or consulting any contractors, make certain you know which permits you need and how to get them. If the proper permits are not secured before the project begins, you might have to tear down the whole project and start all over again. Continued on Next Page
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• Decks don't have to go on the back of the house. If the back of your house sits in the blazing sun all day, then it's probably best to build the deck elsewhere, and that's perfectly alright. So long as the property and permits allow, decks can be built on the
spring home IMPROVEMENT side of a home as well, and putting a deck on the side might be more comfortable. • Decks don't have to be made of wood. It's easy to assume all decks are made of plain wood. However, decks can be made out of a wide variety of
materials, natural or synthetic. Pressure treated wood is perhaps the most popular material for decking because it's not very expensive. But manmade materials that are a mixture of recycled plastic and wood bits or sawdust are also
March 2012 popular because they require no maintenance. But homeowners should know that manmade materials can get hot in the sun, which will require those enjoying the deck to wear shoes. • Expect to do some digging. If you're going to build your own deck, expect to do some serious digging. Local building codes will dictate how deep you will need to dig for the pier footings, which support the deck's weight. Just how deep you'll dig depends on your climate's specific frost line, but it's safe to assume you'll get a workout in when digging. • The deck can have multiple levels. Though many people associate decks with one level, it's possible to have a multi-level deck if you simply don't have enough room to build a deck that will be big enough to meet all of your needs. A multi-level deck can break up those long flights of stairs while ensuring you will always have somewhere to go to escape the sun on a hot day. • You will want to protect the deck. Decks are a costly
15 investment, and you will want to protect that investment. If you're building a wood deck, keep in mind the sun will beat down on the deck for most of the year. You can protect the deck by painting it. Paint provides sunscreen for the deck, stopping the sun from breaking down the material. Once you've finished painting, apply sealant, whether it's oil- or water-based. • Don't forget fasteners. Fasteners will hide the screws for aesthetic appeal. But not all woods and fasteners are the right fit, as certain woods are only compatible with certain fasteners. Find out which fasteners make the right fit ahead of time. Because fasteners conceal the screws, they also make it possible to go barefoot on the deck. A deck makes a great addition to many homes, but homeowners should learn as much as possible about decks and what goes into building them before making any decking decisions.
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Plywood
&
March 2012
For decades plywood was the go-to inexpensive wood of choice for many home-repair projects. In fact, it was actually the first manufactured wood product available. Then the term MDF, or medium-density fiberboard, started making its way onto
home-improvement shows and among do-it-yourselfers, making it a popular material in recent years. Still, many people do not know the differences between these types of wood products. Plywood is constructed by gluing several layers of thin
JG-TC wood veneers between two pieces of wood to create a solid sheet. Experts say there is an odd number of veneer layers, and each one is attached at a right angle to the one below to add strength to the plywood. Continued on Next Page
MDF: What's the difference?
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There may be knots or irregularities in the plywood because it is made of actual slices of wood. It comes in a variety of strengths, depending on the thickness of the plywood. Thickness can vary by sheet depending on the manufacturer, so each sheet may not be consistent. MDF is formed with wood fibers or shavings mixed with glue or resin. Under heat or pressure, the MDF is made into a solid material. Because MDF is not made from slices of wood to form veneers, it will not have the traditional graining or knots associated with wood. This can be an advantage or disadvantage depending on how it is ultimately used. MDF is often easy to cut, drill and manipulate because users will not have to work around grain or knots. But users should be careful to drill pilot holes before attaching MDF because it can split. Due to machine creation, MDF is generally uniform in thickness, which makes it consistent for many uses. It is important to note that sanding and cutting of MDF can cause the release of formaldehyde. Safety goggles and a mask are a must when using this product. Plywood is more readily used for walls, ceilings and subfloors because of its strength. MDF is widely relied on for building cabinets, crafts, shelving and trimwork.
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•Decks don't have to go on the back of the house. If the back of
your house sits in the blazing sun all day, then it's probably best
to build the deck elsewhere, and that's perfectly alright. So long as the property and permits allow, decks can be built on the side of a home as well, and putting a deck on the side might be more comfortable. •Decks don't have to be made of wood. It's easy to assume all decks are made of plain wood. However, decks can be made out of a wide variety of materials, natural or synthetic. Pressure treated wood is perhaps the most popular material for decking because it's not very expensive. But manmade materials that are a mixture of recycled plastic and wood bits or sawdust are also popular because they require no maintenance. But homeowners should know that manmade materials can get hot in the sun, which will require those enjoying the deck to wear shoes. Continued on pg. 19
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SCHROCK BUILDERS
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March 2012
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spring home IMPROVEMENT Continued from page 17 •Expect to do some digging. If you're going to build your own deck, expect to do some serious digging. Local building codes will dictate how deep you will need to dig for the pier footings, which support the deck's weight. Just how deep you'll dig depends on your climate's specific frost line, but it's safe to assume you'll get a workout in when digging. •The deck can have multiple levels. Though many people associate decks with one level, it's possible to have a multi-level deck if you simply don't have enough room to build a deck that will be big enough to meet all of your needs. A multi-level deck can break up those long flights of stairs while ensuring you will always have somewhere to go to escape the sun on a hot day. • You will want to protect the deck. Decks are a costly investment, and you will want to protect that investment. If you're building a wood deck, keep in mind the sun will beat down on the deck for most of the year. You can protect the deck by painting it. Paint provides sunscreen for the deck, stopping the sun from breaking down the material. Once you've finished painting, apply sealant, whether it's oil- or water-based. • Don't forget fasteners. Fasteners will hide the screws for aesthetic appeal. But not all woods and fasteners are the
March 2012
19
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A deck makes a great addition to many homes, but homeowners should learn as much as possible about decks and what goes into building them before making any decking decisions.
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