SEPTEMBER 2015
FallHome Home Improvement & Lawn and Garden
All New Home Decor and furnishing section ä Pg. 13
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2 - Week of September 21, 2015 - Manchester Newspapers’ Fall Home Improvement
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Manchester Newspapers’ Fall Home Improvement - Week of September 21, 2015 - 3
Home Improvement
Get your home fall- and winter-ready with 5 simple projects If boots, a warm hat and a tuned-up snow blower are the only items on your winter preparation list, your home maintenance plan may need a makeover. These simple home maintenance projects can help lower your energy bills, prevent more costly repairs and/or increase the lifespan of your home. 1. Heating and Ventilation Examine your fireplace and chimney system to ensure that no soot or creosote has collected. Any cracks or voids could potentially cause a fire. Before you turn the furnace or boiler on, replace the air filter and hire a professional to inspect the unit more thoroughly. These steps will improve the efficiency and life of your furnace and will ensure stable indoor air quality. 2. Seal Windows and Doors - If not properly sealed, windows and doors can be a major culprit for heat loss. To keep the warm air inside, inspect the weather-stripping around your home's windows and doors for leaks, rot or decay. Repair or replace structural framing, and caulk inside and out, if necessary. 3. Insulate well - One of the easiest and most
place and provide savings over the lifetime of your home. Comfortbatt can also be used to top or replace old attic insulation. Aim for an R-50 or a depth of 16 inches. 4. Backyard Care - Save your property from potential damage by trimming overgrown trees and shrubs to prevent ice-laden branches from thrashing against electrical wires and your home's exterior. Drain/shut off any exterior faucets and sprinkler systems to prevent freezing. Ensure rain or snow drains away from the house to avoid foundation problems.
effective defenses against heat loss is proper insulation. Prevent cold drafts from entering and the loss of heated air through basement headers, which, when left exposed, can make your furnace work harder. Look for a moistureresistant product offering high thermal performance, such as Roxul Comfortbatt insulation. This type of mineral wool insulation makes installation simple. All that's needed is a serrated blade or bread knife. Cut the batt to fit the cavity and press into place. The insulation will help improve energy efficiency as soon as it's in
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5. Roof and Gutters - Inspect your roof for shingles that are warped, damaged or even missing to prevent a future leak. Use roofing cement and a caulking gun to seal joints where water could penetrate, such as around the chimney, skylights or vent pipes. Make sure that your gutters and downspouts are securely fastened. Downspouts should extend at least five feet away from the home to prevent flooding. When it comes to preventative maintenance, a little time and effort can save thousands in energy costs and repair bills over the lifetime of your home.
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4 - Week of September 21, 2015 - Manchester Newspapers’ Fall Home Improvement
Lawn & Garden
Autumn projects for those old leaves Leaves cascading down from trees indicate the arrival of autumn. However, colorful and aweinspiring autumn leaves can be a hazard if left to lie on the ground too long.
crow for visual effect. Tie off with twine and display your scarecrow. n Bedding: Chicken owners can use fallen leaves as bedding in their chicken coops. Dry leaves also may create more comfortable and drier conditions for goats and other livestock. Goats may look to recently fallen leaves as a nutritious food source. Gather the leaves and let the goats munch before you further rake and compost the leaves.
Fallen leaves form a dense insulator to protect trees’ roots and prevent competing plants from growing. Decomposing leaves also provide nutrients for the tree. But wet leaves can be a safety hazard and leaves left on the lawn through the winter can pose a threat to the grass. These are just a couple of reasons why so much effort is placed on leaf clean-up in the fall. The following are some creative ways to recycle leaves that fall from your trees in the weeks to come. n Mulch: Shredded leaves can make for a great amendment to fertilizer for garden beds and even the lawn. Leaves lying on the grass can be mulched into small pieces with a mulching mower so they don’t choke the blades of grass. Leaves also can be broken down with a string trimmer, a leaf blower that has a vacuum function or a commercial shredder/chipper. Add the shredded leaves to a compost pile or use them to fill container plants before adding regular potting soil. n Insulation: Collect leaves to mound over delicate perennial plants and shrubs. The leaves will add more warmth to the soil and may help
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plants make it through harsh winters. Just remove the leaves slowly when spring arrives so that the soil underneath can get the sunlight and water it needs to thrive. Leave some leaves in the yard so that animals can use them as nesting material and line their dens for the winter. n Stuffing: Create whimsical scarecrows as part of your autumn decoration scheme. Gather older clothes that you no longer use and stuff the sleeves of shirts and the legs of pants with leaves, which are less expensive and easier to come by than straw. Use a few pieces of straw around the neck and hand areas of the scare-
n Decorations: Natural leaves can be used as decorations both inside and outside a home. String freshly fallen leaves together and wrap them around a grapevine wreath for a rustic door decoration. Leaves can be placed in clear vases and put on display for a inexpensive way to showcase some autumn color. Preserve favorite leaves with a lamination machine or by sealing them between heated sheets of waxed paper. Cut out the leaf shapes and use for them hanging window decorations. n Recreation: Leaves have long been favorite toys for children, who eagerly await jumping into large piles of fallen leaves. Fill paper bags with leaves and draw a target on the front. Let kids test their skill aiming for the targets. Children can camouflage their clothing with leaves and masking tape and have a more intense session of “hide and seek.”
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Manchester Newspapers’ Fall Home Improvement - Week of September 21, 2015 - 5
Home Improvement
Earth-friendly tips for autumn Autumn is upon us and with the change of seasons comes the fall to-do list that must be completed before the arrival of winter weather. Many outdoor jobs are best completed before temperatures drop, while others can be tackled indoors to help save energy and prepare for increased time spent inside the home.
Outdoor cleanup Autumn means leaves are falling from trees and littering landscapes. Cleaning up leaves can be a timeconsuming task, but it's necessary to promote the health of lawns and other plants. Grass that is completely matted down with leaves can become starved for light and moisture, and lawns may even rot when forced to spend winter beneath fallen leaves. One eco-friendly timesaver is to shred leaves with a mower (a manual mower is preferable) and leave them as topdressing for the lawn. As long as the grass blades can be seen within the leaves, the lawn should be fine. Shredded leaves will decompose and add necessary nutrients and organic matter to the soil naturally. Leaves also can be used in annual flower and vegetable gardens to improve the soil. Mulch made from shredded leaves can be placed on the soil around trees and shrubs. This
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Clothing donations It's time to pack away summer clothing and once again fill closets and drawers with sweaters and jeans. Before packing away your summer wardrobe, conduct an inventory to determine if there are any items you no longer use. Donate these items or use them as rags when cleaning. Keep some short-sleeved shirts accessible so you can layer them under sweatshirts and sweaters. The heat from layering will be trapped against your body and keep you cozier, reducing your reliance on HVAC systems to stay warm.
Home repairs Check the roof for any missing shingles. In addition, look for spots where animals or insects may be able to gain entry into your home. Seal these areas and repair any leaks. This will make your home more efficient later on, when winter hits its stride. Remove window air conditioners for the winter. If they can't be removed, seal them with caulking or See EARTH-FRIENDLY, pg. 11
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6 - Week of September 21, 2015 - Manchester Newspapers’ Fall Home Improvement
Home Improvement
Heat your home more efficiently With colder weather right around the corner, many homeowners are once again giving thought to their home heating needs and if it is possible to heat their homes more efficiently. The United States Department of Energy reports that more than half of the energy used in a typical home goes toward heating and cooling costs. With energy costs continually on the rise, many homeowners want to make the most of their heating systems and use the heat in the most efficient manner possible. A heating system is most effective when the home is free from drafts. Before investing in a new furnace or considering other drastic changes, determine if a few simple repairs can help your heating system perform more efficiently. Check around doors and windows for drafts that could force heating systems to work harder, and seal any leaks you find. This also will help in the summer when you are trying to keep the house as cool as possible. Determine if cold air is infiltrating the home elsewhere, such as from around pipes leading to the outdoors.
Caulking or foam insulation can remedy the situation. Adding extra insulation in garages and attics also can help. The DOE says if insulation is less than R-30, the home probably can use more. If after increasing insulation your home still feels drafty, it may require additional insulation in the exterior walls. Invest in a quality thermostat. Many modern room thermostats allow homeowners to set different temperatures for different times of day, and some even allow homeowners to establish a different heating schedule for the weekends. Programmable
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thermostats allow homeowners to keep their homes cooler when unattended or during sleeping hours. The heat can be programmed to turn on or increase in temperature when residents are expected to return home after school or work. While homeowners are improving heating efficiency, they should reverse the direction of ceiling fan blades. Having the blades spin clockwise will draw down the hot air that rises to the ceiling and allow it to better flow through the home. In addition to these suggestions, homeowners can employ these other energy- and cost-sav-
ing measures. n Reuse oven heat. After cooking a meal in the oven, open the oven door and let the residual heat escape into the kitchen and the rest of the house. Note, it is not safe to heat a home with the oven, and the oven should be turned off before opening the door. n Add a little humidity. Moist air tends to hold heat better. Add some humidity to dry indoor air, particularly if the relative humidity of the home as measured with a hygrometer is below 25 percent. Houseplants and home aquariums can add some warm moisture to the air and reduce reliance on heat. n Limit use of exhaust fans. After showering or cooking, keep the exhaust fan on for as little time as possible so that warm air is not drawn out of the home. Heating a home efficiently means reducing drafts, programming the thermostat and making the most of other ways to warm up.
Manchester Newspapers’ Fall Home Improvement - Week of September 21, 2015 - 7
Home Improvement
Paint-free ways to brighten your home Autumn is a beautiful time of year marked by pleasant temperatures and colorful fall foliage. But as vibrant as nature can be in the weeks after summer has ended, homeowners know that the shortened days of autumn mean less light inside their homes, which can become dreary even in the weeks before the arrival of winter. Many homeowners pick up their paintbrushes in an effort to make their homes more colorful. But homeowners need not embrace their inner Picasso to brighten their homes’ interiors. The following are a handful of paint-free ways to add some splashes of color to your home this fall. n Bring nature inside. Flowers and plants can make colorful additions to a home’s interior. Flowers tend to be aromatic, which can make a stuffy house, in which windows need to be kept closed a lot more pleasant. Plants and flowers also can improve indoor air quality. Several studies, including one published in the Journal for the American Society for Horticultural Science, have shown that houseplants improve indoor air quality by filtering out volatile organic compounds, or VOCs, that can be harmful to human health. That’s especially important come late fall and winter, when homeowners typi-
cally shut their windows and keep them shut until spring, making it difficult for fresh air to enter a home. n Invest in some colorful throw pillows. Natural sunlight brightens a room come spring and summer. But sunlight is increasingly scarce as fall turns into winter, and rooms that do not boast too many colorful accents can quickly grow drab as summertime sunlight dwindles. Instead of buying new furniture, invest in some colorful throw pillows to give a room a more vibrant look. Patterns can be mixed and matched to provide some contrast and transform a room from somewhere to spend time into a sight to behold. n Paper the walls. While many of today’s homeowners prefer paint to wallpaper, those who want a less permanent solution to brighten up their homes may want to consider removable wallpaper. Such paper is less expensive than traditional wallpaper, and many do-it-yourselfers find removable wallpaper is easy to both install and remove. Choose a colorful pattern that can turn an otherwise plain wall into a potent palette that adds some life to your home’s interior. Because removable See BRIGHTEN, pg. 21
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8 - Week of September 21, 2015 - Manchester Newspapers’ Fall Home Improvement
Lawn & Garden
How to spot an unhealthy tree deep cracks and cavities may be indicative of a structural problem. Multiple cracks and cavities also serve as red flags.
Perhaps because they can live for so many years, trees have a way of falling down homeowners’ landscaping priority lists. Trees also tend to be big and strong, so it’s no surprise that they often are overlooked in favor or other areas of a lawn and garden that don’t seem so strong in the face of Mother Nature. But trees are susceptible to damage and disease, and homeowners who learn to recognize symptoms of such problems can prevent them from escalating and reduce the risk that the trees will cause damage to their properties. The following are just some of the ways homeowners can determine if their trees are unhealthy. Homeowners who suspect they have a tree that poses a safety risk should contact a professional tree service for an immediate inspection and steer clear of the tree until an inspection has been performed. n Check around the base of the tree. The base of a tree may offer some telltale signs that the tree is unhealthy. Soil that is cracked or raised at the base of the tree may be indicative of a tree that has started to uproot. If you recognize any cracking or if the soil is raised, look at the tree to see if it is leaning. If the soil is cracked or raised because it is uprooting, then the tree might have already started to lean in the
n Look for dead wood. It may sound simple, but dead wood poses a threat to the tree and anyone who happens to spend time in its vicinity. Dead wood snaps easily, and falling dead wood can harm anyone unlucky enough to be beneath the tree when the dead wood snaps. Dead wood branches won’t bend in the wind, and such branches frequently fall off of trees when strong gusts of wind come along. Dead branches either won’t have leaves or the leaves will be brown (dead pine branches will have brown needles).
Unhealthy trees may need to be removed from a property before they cause significant damage. opposite direction of the cracking or raised soil. n Examine for fungus. The growth of fungus on the tree trunk or close to it may be a sign that the tree is rotting or decaying. Fungal growth, such as a sudden population of mushrooms, around the base of the tree is another sign of decay. If the
wood behind fungal growth crumbles easily, then homeowners should call a professional tree service, as the fungal problem on the tree has likely already been festering for quite some time. n Look for cavities on the trunk. Cracks and cavities on a tree may not be an emergency, but especially
n Weak connections. Unhealthy trees often have weak connections between their branches and their trunks. If branches don’t appear to be strongly connected to the tree bark, call a tree service to determine a solution. The tree might not be on its way out, but you may have to take steps to strengthen the connections so branches are not at risk of falling. Unhealthy trees can pose a significant safety hazard on a property. Homeowners who learn to recognize the signs of unhealthy trees can do something to prevent dying trees from damaging their homes.
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Manchester Newspapers’ Fall Home Improvement - Week of September 21, 2015 - 9
Home Improvement
5 simple tips to increase energy efficiency and savings Fall and winter can be tough on your home and your wallet. As temperatures drop, chances are your furnace will be working overtime. This results in two things greater energy consumption and higher heating bills. In fact, costs associated with heating and cooling a home year-round typically comprise two-thirds of the average energy bill.
energy loss. Also, over time, some types of insulation can settle and compact, allowing heat to escape through gaps. Experts recommend topping up or replacing attic insulation with a dimensionally
Try these easy DIY projects to help cut down on energy loss and expenses:
stable batt insulation. Aim for an R-value of at least R-50 or a depth of roughly 16 inches. 3. Insulate basement headers and walls. Uninsulated basement
headers are common, especially in older homes. They can act as a gateway for heated air to escape. Fixing the problem is fast and easy. Simply cut the insulation to fit the cavity and compress into place. Doing this throughout your basement will prevent heat loss and can potentially save hundreds of dollars each year. 4. Caulk around windows. Cracks and crevices are a source of heat loss. They can also be an entry point for water/moisture, as well as for unwelcome insects. Preventative maintenance, such as caulking, can improve energy efficiency and prevent costly repairs.
1. Replace worn weather-stripping around doors and windows. Worn weather-stripping can create drafts and let heated air out, stressing your furnace and compromising your comfort. Replacing it takes little time and is a low-cost, high-impact solution.
5. Change your furnace filter. Make it a point to check your furnace filter monthly, always changing it when it's dirty. This will improve the performance and efficiency of your furnace, saving you money.
2. Top up or replace old insulation in your attic. A poorly insulated attic is a primary source of
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10 - Week of September 21, 2015 - Manchester Newspapers’ Fall Home Improvement
Home Improvement
How to improve indoor air quality as winter approaches With fall soon to give way to winter, many people will soon be spending more time indoors. Winter weather can be harsh, and it can be difficult for fresh air to make its way into a home once the warmer temperatures of summer and fall give way to the cold days of winter. Poor indoor air quality can cause multiple problems. According to the Environmental Protection Agency, poor indoor air quality can increase a person’s risk of developing pneumonia, and it also may aggravate existing respiratory conditions such as asthma. The EPA also notes that long-term exposure to indoor air pollution can increase a person’s risk for heart disease, respiratory diseases and even cancer. Because indoor air pollution can be so devastating, many homeowners look for ways to improve their indoor air quality, especially before the arrival of winter, when residents of the home figure to spend such a significant amount of time indoors. Fortunately, homeowners can take many steps to do just that.
When a vacuum cleaner seems to be leaving some dust behind, take out the mop and, with just a little water, address the areas where dust is still lingering.
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n Clean with soap and water. Soap and hot water can still clean a home effectively, and this age-old combination might be the healthiest way to clean as well. Many household cleaning products contain potentially harmful ingredients that can introduce toxins and irritants into a home. Avoid such cleaners and solvents when cleaning a home. If stains prove too stubborn for soap and water, be sure to open windows when using potentially harmful cleaners indoors. n Purchase an air filtration system. Air filtration systems vary significantly in size, cost and func-
tion. Some systems are designed to remove specific pollutants, and may not be effective at removing additional indoor air pollutants. Larger models tend to be most effective at filtering pollutants like dust, but such units are more expensive than smaller units. If your home is especially dusty, then a large filtering system may prove a worthy investment. n Open windows and doors when possible. Introducing outdoor air into a home is a great way to improve indoor air quality. Of course, opening windows and doors might not be feasible in the middle of winter. But take advantage of any such opportunities when they present themselves. For example, after cooking a big meal, open the kitchen exhaust fan to allow fresh air into the home. Such fans are not large enough to cause a significant temperature drop in the home, but they can directly remove contaminants from inside the home, like those that might be emitted from gas stoves. n Insist guests and residents remove their shoes. Chemicals can find their way into a home in a variety of ways, and you and your fellow residents or guests may be tracking them into your home on your shoes. Keep a doormat inside all entryways, and insist guests and residents remove their shoes before entering your home. This reduces the amount of potential pollutants brought into your home and also makes cleaning the home that much easier. n Break out the mop. Vacuum cleaners can be effective at picking up pollutants inside a home, but See AIR QUALITY, pg. 11
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Manchester Newspapers’ Fall Home Improvement - Week of September 21, 2015 - 11
Home Improvement
Air quality Continued from page 10 they also can leave things behind. When a vacuum cleaner seems to be leaving some dust behind, take out the mop and, with just a little water, address the areas where dust is still lingering. Water should be enough to do the trick, and, unlike some cleaning products, water won’t be introducing any additional harmful pollutants into the home.
n Smoke outside. Smoking inside a home is inviting trouble, especially during those times of year when the windows cannot be opened. Secondhand smoke is a significant source of indoor air pollution, as cigarette smoke is known to contain more than 4,000 chemicals. Smoking indoors, whether an area is well- or poorly-ventilated, can be dangerous to smokers. Exposure to secondhand smoke puts adults and children alike at risk of several diseases, including asthma and cancer. If you or your fellow residents or visitors must smoke, do so outdoors.
Earth-friendly Continued from page 3 tape and cover them with an airtight, insulated jacket. If you have forced-air systems, move furniture away from the vents so that air can
flow better around the home and keep it comfortable. Check weatherstripping around windows and doors and make the necessary adjustments. Installing additional insulation also can help reduce energy consumption. A few tips can help homeowners prepare for autumn in eco-friendly ways.
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12 - Week of September 21, 2015 - Manchester Newspapers’ Fall Home Improvement
Home Improvement
How to stay within your home improvement budget and it can cost a pretty penny to make that mold go away. If you go into the project expecting such hurdles, then the financial sting of addressing them won’t prove too great a burden. But if the mold catches you and your budget completely off guard, you might be forced to overextend that budget or make sacrifices elsewhere in order to complete the project. Build some contingency money, including permit and permit fees, into your home improvement project to safeguard against such unforeseen issues.
Home improvement projects range from small scale undertakings that can be tackled in a single weekend to large remodels that can take several months to complete. While no two projects are the same, every home improvement project demands that homeowners dip into their pockets and spend some money. Much like the scale of projects varies greatly, so, too, do the financial commitments required of homeowners to make those projects a reality. But no matter the size of the project, homeowners can find ways to stretch their budgets without sacrificing the quality of their improvements.
n Do your homework. Before you decide to make changes to your home, it’s best to first do some research into any potential projects you’re considering. Many homeowners have decided to dive into a project before they fully realize its scope and cost, and going in blind can bust a budget, turning what might have seemed like a relatively simple project into a money pit. Understanding just what a project entails and how much it’s likely to cost can give homeowners an idea of what they can afford and where they might be able to stretch their budgets. For example, if you want to replace your kitchen countertops but can’t afford engineered quartz countertops, you might be able to find a less expensive alternative, such as tile, that you like just as much. But it’s best to research such alternatives before you decide to replace your existing countertops. If you can’t find a less expensive alternative, you might want to postpone the project until you can grow your budget. But starting the project without first grasping its true cost is a recipe for disaster, so do your homework before you find your toolbox and start working. n Build unforeseen expenses into your budget. Another way to stay within your budget is to include budget-busting unforeseen expenses into the budget from the get-go. Whether you’re doing the project yourself or paying a contractor, nearly every home
n Get to work. If you’re hiring a contractor, speak to him or her before signing a contract to see if there is anywhere you can pitch in to keep the labor costs low. You might be able to pitch in during the demolition phase, saving the cost of paying your contractor’s workers to tear down walls or remove debris you can just as easily remove yourself. Another way to pitch in is to do the end-of-day cleanup yourself. Any role you play with regard to labor will likely need to be negotiated upfront, but you can sa ve yourself a substantial amount of money on labor if you’re willing to get your hands dirty. n Determine if piecemeal is the most affordable option. Sometimes it makes sense to tackle one project
Homeowners willing and able to pitch in on their home projects can save themselves a substantial amount of money on labor costs. improvement project will present some unforeseen, and costly, hurdles. For example, you might find mold inside the walls when you’re converting a basement,
at a time, while other times you might want to combine projects to save on the cost of materials. For instance, if your ultimate goal is to install wood flooring throughout your home, determine if it makes more financial sense to install the flooring all at once rather than doing one or two rooms at a time. You might save by buying all of your materials at once rather than buying a small amount of materials several times over the next several years. Home improvement projects often go a long way toward making a home more enjoyable for its owners and inhabitants. And while such projects can be costly, homeowners who stay disciplined can still get their dream homes without busting their budgets.
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Manchester Newspapers’ Fall Home Improvement - Week of September 21, 2015 - 13
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14 - Week of September 21, 2015 - Manchester Newspapers’ Fall Home Improvement
Lawn & Garden
Winterizing 101: How to prepare your yard for winter Changing seasons can be tough on a lawn. Always exposed to the elements, lawns can fare especially poorly upon the arrival of winter, a season known for its harsh and unforgiving weather. Even the most perfectly manicured lawn can suffer at the hands of winter weather, causing homeowners to sit idly by and hope spring arrives that much sooner. But as punishing as winter weather can be on a lawn, homeowners are not without recourse. Much like homeowners can take steps to help their lawns survive sizzling summer heat waves during the warmer months of the year, they also can take steps to help their lawns make it through the often stormy weather synonymous with winter. n Don’t procrastinate. Putting off the process of winterizing a lawn can put that lawn in jeopardy. Lawns will turn dormant the closer you get to winter, and they may reject the nutrients found in fertilizer as a result. Those nutrients will prove valuable once spring weather returns, so start the winterization process in early fall so the lawn has sufficient time to absorb nutrients and strengthen itself for the seasons to come. n Treat trouble spots. Summer can be even harder on a lawn than winter, espe-
cially for those lawns located in regions where heat waves and drought are common. In such instances, certain spots on the lawn seem to be hit harder than others, and those spots should get special attention when winterizing the lawn. Check the soil’s pH levels before fertilizing or applying any treatments. Such a test will reveal which spots need the most attention, and treating trouble spots now will make spring lawn Removing debris, including dead leaves, care that much eas- from a lawn before the arrival of winter ier. weather can help prevent suffocation. n Aerate the property. Aerating can help a lawn recover after a long summer and help it survive the potentially harsh months that lie ahead. Aerating, which involves puncturing the soil or removing cores of soil from the ground, can restore a lawn
to health by improving its drainage and allowing more water and air to reach the roots of the grass. Aerating also makes it easier for nutrients to penetrate the soil, which encourages a healthier lawn over the long haul. Aerators can be purchased or rented, but homeowners uncomfortable with the process may want to enlist a professional to tackle the job. Parents of small children who spend lots of time in the yard may need to aerate their lawn more than most, as heavy lawn traffic compresses the soil, a potentially harmful process that can be reversed via aeration. n Take steps to strengthen the roots. Aerating promotes stronger roots, but
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homeowners might also want to find a winterizing product with potassium and phosphorous, both of which can strengthen roots. Different types of lawns will respond differently to certain winterizers, so discuss your options with a lawn care professional who can help you find the right fit for your property. n Remove debris from the lawn. Debris left on a lawn over the winter can prove very harmful. Piles of debris left scattered around a lawn can suffocate the blades of grass, leading to longterm damage and a potentially unsightly lawn come the spring. In addition, piles of debris might make good homes for organisms that can damage the lawn. As fall moves into winter, periodically remove all debris, including leaves and branches fallen from trees. n Make the lawn off-limits once the temperatures dip below freezing. A lawn should be off-limits once the ground freezes. Stepping on grass that has frozen will leave noticeable footprints, and walking on frozen grass can kill the turf. When winter arrives, people should avoid using the lawn as a shortcut into and out of your home and stick to driveways and sidewalks instead.
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Manchester Newspapers’ Fall Home Improvement - Week of September 21, 2015 - 15
Home Improvement
How to safely remove ice dams from your home's roof Ice dams on roofs damage thousands of homes every winter. They are caused when warm air in the attic melts the underside of the snow on the roof. That's usually because of inadequate insulation and airflow in the attic. The water from the melted snow then sheds toward the eaves. The temperature at the eaves is much lower, however, and as a result, the water refreezes at the roof's edges. As the water refreezes, ice dams begin to form on the roof. The ice dams can become very thick, from several inches to even a foot. Once ice dams form, additional water from melting snow on the roof can begin to back up underneath the lower shingles. Eventually, the water finds its way into the home, onto ceiling edges and inside surfaces of exterior walls. Dark spots form on the ceilings, and wall paint begins to bulge with trapped water. In addition, puddles begin forming on the floor. The best way to prevent ice dams on a roof starts back during the construction of the home. A roofing underlayment, such as Grace's Ice & Water Shield, should be installed along the roof edges and valleys before the installation of the shingles. In addition, the homebuilder can increase the heel height of the roof rafters or truss over the exterior walls. By increasing the heel height, more space is available in the attic near the eaves for supporting additional insulation without restricting
If left unchecked, ice dams can lead to damage to your walls, ceilings, window sills and carpet. airflow from the soffit vents. Also, the builder can extend the roof rafter or truss tails farther out from the exterior walls of the home so that any water that may get under the shingles will simply drip out the bottom soffit areas and not get into the home. Moreover, the homebuilder can make sure there is sufficient attic insulation and ventilation so that the attic temperature stays nearly as cold as the outside air. The colder the attic, the less likely snow will melt and form ice dams on the roof. Although these construction recommendations for preventing ice dams on roofs are great Monday morning quarterback suggestions, they offer little
help for those who currently are dealing with roof ice dams. If ice dams already exist on your roof, you have limited options, and climbing up on your roof and hammering them off is not one of them. If you were to chip the ice dams, you might punch a hole through the shingles, cause them to tear and remove some of the aggregate from the shingles. Your best solution for removing ice dams is to fill long tubular socks or nylon stockings with three to four pounds of a nonstaining and noncorrosive ice melt product. Place them over the ice dams and up the roofline, effectively running the stockings perpendicular to the ice dams. The socks hold
in the ice melt so that it doesn't run off too quickly from the roof. As the socks become soaked, the meltwater becomes saturated with the ice melt. As the ice melt-saturated water drains from the roof, it melts channels into the ice dams, allowing the water to drain more easily from the roof. Place a stocking every few feet along the roofline to create a number of drainage channels in the ice dams. If you have gutters, position the socks so that they extend over them. Before applying the ice/snow melt socks onto the ice dams, you may want to remove some of the snow near the roof's edge so that you can place the socks in direct contact with the ice dams. Use a snow rake or a snow shovel to do this. Note that working on ladders that are in direct contact with ice dams and non-stable surfaces is extremely dangerous. Make sure that the ladder is well-anchored to the ground and that it is leaning at an angle that is sufficient enough to prevent it from kicking out on you or sliding. You may want to call in a second pair of hands to help keep the ladder stable while you work on it. As an alternative to the ice meltfilled sock approach, and to avoid climbing ladders, you may want to look for roof melt tablets, which can be tossed from the ground onto the roof. They work similarly to the ice melt sock approach for removing ice dams on roofs by melting drainage channels into the ice dams.
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16 - Week of September 21, 2015 - Manchester Newspapers’ Fall Home Improvement
Home Improvement
Home improvement projects perfect for this fall Home improvement projects can add value to a home and do-it-yourselfers know the sweat-equity that goes into such projects can give homeowners a greater sense of pride in their homes. But no two home improvement projects are the same, and homeowners should know that certain projects are best tackled during certain times of the year. Fall is a great season to work on your house, as the weather is often at its most agreeable once the summer heat has gone and before winter weather
arrives. The following are a handful of fall-friendly home improvement projects for homeowners looking to improve their homes.
n Roof repair Whether you’re repairing or replacing the roof, fall is a great time of year to dust off the ladder and get some work done on your roof for a variety of reasons. First and foremost, fall is ideal for roof work because you won’t have to be up on the roof with the summer heat
bearing down on you. This can make the project move along more quickly, which is especially beneficial if you are paying laborers to work on the roof. The fewer hours workers are fixing your roof, the less you will be paying in labor costs. In addition, fixing up the roof in the fall ensures those winter storms, be it rain or snow, won’t find their way into your home via leaks. A leaky roof in winter is hard to fix, as the roof surface could be treacherous in the winter and
winter winds can make it dangerous to be up on the roof at all. Addressing leaks in the fall can prevent damage to your home’s interior, which can mount up if a leaky roof is not addressed until the following spring.
n Window work When the weather outside gets frightful, poorly insulated windows can allow cold air into the home. That often
See HOME, pg. 17
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Manchester Newspapers’ Fall Home Improvement - Week of September 21, 2015 - 17
Home Improvement project during the summer or winter.
Home
n Fixing the floors
Continued from page 16 has a trickle-down effect on finances, forcing you to turn up the thermostat in an attempt to offset the cold air pouring into the home. Whether you need your windows replaced or simply need to patch up any leaks, a proactive approach to leaky or older windows in the Fall is an ideal time of year projects. fall can save you from unnecessarily high heating bills come the winter. Addressing leaky windows also makes a home more comfortable for its inhabitants. Fall is the ideal time to address a home’s windows because the temperature outside tends to be pleasant. This means you likely won’t have to make much of an effort to offset the elements, and open windows in the fall won’t make your home’s interior very hot or cold like they might if you were to tackle the
Wood flooring is a hot commodity for many homeowners. But not all flooring can be added to a home at any time of year. That’s because certain types of flooring employ adhesives that need temperatures inside the home to be within a certain range, and that range is often within 70-degrees to 80-degrees F, which makes fall a great time to install such floors. Colder temperatures can to tackle home painting make it difficult for the flooring to dry and bond, which will prove problematic down the road. What’s more, many people entertain friends and family come late fall and into the holiday season, and it can be difficult to do so if you are busy installing new flooring.
scheme around the house can give a home an entirely new look and feel. But paint can be pungent and the aromas may last if it’s applied at a time of year when it can’t dry while the windows are wide open. Paint fumes inside a home can make the home uninhabitable, but painting at a time of year like the fall, when you can keep the windows open during and after the project, can help air the home out. But interior painting isn’t the only
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n Painting projects Painting is another home improvement project that seems tailor-made for fall. A fresh coat of paint or a new color
painting project homeowners can tackle in the fall. Many exterior paints are temperature-sensitive and need the temperature outside to be above 40-degrees F. Paint that freezes won’t dry properly, and homeowners might be left with a costly and unsightly mistake on their hands. Fall temperatures tend to be amenable to both interior and exterior painting projects, just be sure to check the weather forecast before making your first brush stroke.
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18 - Week of September 21, 2015 - Manchester Newspapers’ Fall Home Improvement
Lawn & Garden
Important advice on how to prevent winter soil erosion Acres upon acres of landscape may be under siege this winter, and not by foraging animals looking for food. Soil erosion is a significant problem when the temperatures dip, as snowstorms and wind can blow unprotected soil away. What's more, when warmer weather returns, even more soil may erode from spring melt and runoff. Unprotected soil that is exposed to wet and windy weather can quickly deteriorate. Especially harsh winter
weather can cause soil to break down, subjecting the soil to erosive forces. Soil loss is wasteful and can compromise landscapes, leaving lawns and gardens susceptible to further damage. To combat poorly performing gardens, landscapers may have to rely more heavily on chemical fertilizers and supplements, neither of which is an especially eco-friendly alternative. Rather than reacting to the problem of soil erosion, homeowners can take proactive steps to protect soil
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before winter weather has a chance to wreak havoc. Composting can protect and improve soil conditions throughout the winter season. Some people see gardening as a spring and summer activity. However, by making gardening a year-round effort - and choosing plants for all seasons - homeowners can protect landscapes and provide hardy habitats for wildlife. Speak with a landscaping professional about which plants are hardy enough to survive through the fall and winter seasons. Certain ornamental bushes and shrubs can thrive in colder temperatures. Root vegetables, such as carrots and potatoes, are viable in the winter months. Many people plant flower bulbs in early winter to protect the soil and to enjoy vibrant color upon the arrival of spring. If your goal is to plant a placeholder for spring crops or plants, cover plants, such as rye, are an ideal winter protection crop. Rye will remain rooted into spring and then can be mulched into a soil amendment. Another solution is to use leaves and other compost matter to cover naked soil until planting resumes. The compost will be heavy enough to stay in place and will add healthy soil nutrients, including potassium, phosphorous and nitrogen, as it decomposes. Place a breathable soil fabric on the compost to help slow decomposition. Soil fabric also can be used elsewhere to protect soil and plants
Homeowners can take steps in the fall to prevent winter soil erosion. where thick layers of compost may not be practical. Some home landscapers and gardeners may overlook the importance of preventing soil erosion during the winter. But preventing such erosion can protect resources and guarantee a landscape that is ready to thrive when spring planting season returns.
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Manchester Newspapers’ Fall Home Improvement - Week of September 21, 2015 - 19
Home Improvement
Five ways to increase home fire safety An average of seven Americans die each week as a result of house fires. Most fires occur in residential buildings between the hours of 11 p.m. and 7 a.m., when occupants are most likely to be asleep. Your first line of defense is fire preparedness. Here's five things you can do to increase your chance of survival in a fire: n Install smoke alarms on every
story of your home and outside sleeping areas. Be sure to test them monthly, clean them every six months and replace batteries in spring and fall. Having working fire alarms can cut your chance of dying in a fire in half. n Have a fire escape plan for your family and practice it. A small fire can spread rapidly - you may only have minutes or seconds to escape. When going over the details of your escape plan, check windows and doors to ensure all open easily. Know your local emergency number (911). Never stop to gather belongings or reenter a home after safely outside. n When renovating, consider using fire-rated, noncombustible products. Your choice of insulation, for example, can be vital. Stone wool insulation, like that produced by Roxul, resists temperatures up to approximately 2,150 F. When directly exposed to fire, it will not off-gas, contribute to toxic smoke or promote flames. Fire-resistant building materials can give you extra time to escape when seconds count.
Remember to check all smoke alarms regularly.
n Purchase a multi-use fire ladder for each bedroom in your home and practice using it. A fire ladder may be your only escape option if flames block critical exits.
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n Place fire extinguishers on every level of your home, especially in high-risk areas like the kitchen, near fireplaces and in the garage. Use only for small, contained fires that are not spreading rapidly. Know how to operate your extinguisher before an emergency occurs using the PASS method: Pull pin, Aim low, Squeeze lever and Sweep from side
Home Improvement
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to side. The safest option is always to evacuate your home and call for help. Fire prevention measures are a serious matter in every home. Find out how to keep your home and family safe at nfpa.org or improve your fire safety knowledge by visiting the Roxul website.
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20 - Week of September 21, 2015 - Manchester Newspapers’ Fall Home Improvement
Home Improvement
Secure window seals to eliminate costly cold air drafts When your window seals aren't a tight fit, they let cold air into your home and waste energy when your heating system has to work harder. That will cost you. So assess the seals on all of your windows, including bay windows, to see whether you have any problems to fix. A window clearly has a problem if you see condensation on the glass panes, a sure sign that you don't have a tight seal, but many seal issues are less obvious than that. A simple way to test each of your
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windows is to move your hand around the outside borders and middle pane edges to feel for cold spots or breezes. Some experts recommend slowly moving a lit candle or incense stick around the rims of your windows, but be sure to keep curtains and sheers clear of any flame or ember as you do so. If your candle's flame flickers or your incense stick's smoke blows in a different direction, that's the site of a seal issue.
n What Causes Window Seal Failure?
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Most often, age is what causes window seals to fail. Weather seals installed several years ago may have dried out and become inefficient, or they may have become damaged when you had your house siding cleaned with a pressure washer or your house painted. You may just have a buildup of dirt or leaves or a dead bug stuck in the window tracks, pushing the seal out of position.
n Cleaning Your Seals Vacuum your window tracks and seals regularly to remove debris, dirt and dead insects. Next, spray your window tracks with an all-purpose cleaner, and let it sit for a few minutes as it works on dirt and grime. Then take a specialized window track cleaning brush (available on Amazon.com for less than $6) and scrub away all buildup. Wipe the tracks completely clean, and dry them with a paper towel before closing the window.
n Repairing Window Seals Some seals do need to be replaced -for example, old seals that absorb water, causing mold issues, and completely dried-out or flat stripping. As a weekend project, you can repair old or damaged seals on your windows. To do this, know which type of seal you're replacing or repairing. Do you have weatherstrips, or is it caulk? Full and complete removal of either is essential to creating a complete seal with new product. Don Vandervort, founder of the home
improvement website HomeTips, advises using a putty knife to remove any existing seal or caulk around the interior trim of the window and clean the surface. If you are removing caulk and choose to re-caulk your window edges, Vandervort says, "use a caulking gun to apply new silicone or silicone-impregnated latex caulk," which is readily available at home improvement stores. If you prefer the look and process of weatherstripping over caulk, consider the two main types of weatherstripping used around windows. Self-stick tapes: Made of rubber, foam or vinyl, these strips are backed with adhesive covered with a peel-off backing. Simply cut the strips to length, peel the adhesive, place them and press them to secure them. This choice, according to Vandervort, is ideal for "metal or vinyl windows where nailing isn't an option, especially where the parts of doors or windows press together rather than slide against one another." Vandervort says: "The highest-quality and longest-lasting of the self-stick tapes is ethylene-propylene-diene monomer rubber. EPDM rubber retains its elasticity and insulating qualities even after years of exposure to subzero temperatures. Another good choice is highdensity foam, which is also durable and long-lasting. Closed-cell foam is waterproof, weather-resistant and inexpensive, but it does break down and will
See DRAFTS, pg. 21
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Home Improvement
Drafts
tubular gasket or rubber tubing with a metal-reinforced flange for nailing.
n When You Need Professional Help
Continued from page 20 need to be replaced regularly. Open-cell foam can be compressed the most to seal even the narrowest of gaps, but it is only for indoor use, as it quickly degrades when exposed to the elements." Nail-on strips are ideal for wood windows, says Vandervort, because they don't depend on adhesives, which can lose their sticking power over time or in heat. Where gaps are large, use a vinyl
Truly damaged or aged windows can be replaced with new, energy-efficient windows, which may qualify for a tax credit. New and improved windows completely eliminate seal issues and, in some instances, also provide your furniture and wood floors with protection from ultraviolet rays. It's a big investment, but it saves you money in energy costs and improves your home's resale value.
Brighten
accessories are working in concert to make a room more colorful.
Continued from page 7 wallpaper does not require a significant financial investment, you can experiment with various colors or change things up each month if you so desire.
n Rug it out. A patterned throw rug is another accessory that can effectively brighten a room without much effort or financial investment on the part of homeowners. When choosing a throw rug, find one that’s colorful but does not clash considerably with existing furnishings, as you don’t want the rug to draw attention for all the wrong reasons. You have more freedom with regard to rugs if you’re furnishing an empty room, as you can choose whichever rug you look and then choose additional furnishings based on the rug.
n Add some artwork. Another way to add color to the walls inside your home without dusting off your paintbrush is to hang some colorful artwork. Paintings that feature bold colors tend to draw your immediate attention when you enter a room, and that quality can make you forget the room is not benefitting from natural light. If you want to go the extra mile, find a painting that features colors which match throw pillows or other accessories in the room. This way your walls and your
Homes tend to darken as late fall turns into winter. But homeowners can brighten their homes in various ways, even if they prefer not to paint.
Manchester Newspapers’ Fall Home Improvement - Week of September 21, 2015 - 21
Ceiling fans also a help in winter Though ceiling fans are most associated with warm-weather seasons, most can be effective throughout the winter months as well, helping circulate warm air throughout a room in much the same way they circulate cool air during the warmer months. Most of today's fans have a switch near the motor that alters the direction in which the fan turns. When a ceiling fan is used in the summer, its blades push the air downward, moving cool air around the room. The air blowing around
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22 - Week of September 21, 2015 - Manchester Newspapers’ Fall Home Improvement
Home Improvement
Now is the time to prepare for winter storm season Mother Nature seems to like getting dramatic these days, unleashing early blizzards, windstorms, hail, torrential rain, sleet and arctic blasts all across the country, now quite often in regions that are not used to such intense weather. Last fall, the Northeast experienced a tremendously damaging early blizzard that hit when the leaves were still on the trees, snapping limbs and cutting out power for days. And the cold weather boosted home heating bills to the point of pain. So let’s take last fall and winter as a warning that Mother Nature could whip up some dangerous and damaging weather again this year. But this time you’ll be well prepared with preventive steps that can save you from having to deal with home damage and sky-high energy bills during the dead of winter. Take these steps to weatherize your home now:
n Clean your gutters. For safety, hire a professional gutter-cleaning service that also can inspect your gutters for needed repair. A clogged gutter could lead to a flooded basement when the snow melts, costing you thousands in cleanup and perhaps carpet replacement. n Turn off outdoor water faucets. It’s not enough just to turn them off; shut off the water supply to them, if possible, and cover them with an insulated outdoor faucet “sock” to keep the connected pipes from freezing, breaking and leading to leaks or floods later.
n Insulate water pipes that may be close to freezing temperatures. A plumber can help you assess the pipes under your sink, in your bathrooms, in the basement and elsewhere. If there is not adequate wall insulation, say, between an exterior wall and a bathroom wall, the water pipes beneath your vanity could freeze, expand, burst and cause very expensive flooding.
n Install carbon monoxide detectors or replace all the batteries in your existing ones. It’s wise to have these lifesaving detectors working optimally year-round, and it is especially important during storm power outages and floods that may create a CO2 situation in your home. Gas log fireplaces and portable heaters can give off carbon monoxide and cause tragedies when high-quality detectors are not used in a home. Also install top-quality fire detectors. Call your local fire department to schedule a free fire safety home inspection, in which their fire safety expert will assess your home and suggest products and placement for detectors.
n Weatherize your windows. New energy-efficient windows are often made of two layers of insulating glass, and some states allow a tax write-off for their purchase. Older single-pane windows let in cold air, which could cost you heating bill money and perhaps get bad enough to freeze pipes. If you cannot afford new windows, consider installing storm windows. Caulk around windows, and if
necessary, install large plastic insulation sheets over the entirety of drafty windows, using a hairdryer to seal the sheet according to package instructions.
n Install a programmable thermostat. It will not only keep your home’s temperatures comfortable but also kick on while you’re away for a vacation or the holidays, warming up your home and preventing frozen pipes.
n Install quality insulation. Either hire insulation experts or take a free seminar on insulation installation at your local home improvement store. Choose from energy-efficient or organic insulation materials, and apply generous amounts in your attic and crawlspaces to keep your home’s heat in, which will help tremendously if you lose power for a few hours during a winter storm.
FALL PROJECTS!
cracks, expand and create large cracks and gaps that will cause you to have to repave your entire driveway later. The same applies to pathways and in-ground pool surface areas.
n Store firewood far from the house. Keep chopped wood at least 50 feet from your home to prevent termites and other insects from infesting your home and necessitating a costly fumigation project later.
storms, you might light a fire in your fireplace for light and heat, or just to enjoy the coziness. But be sure to have your chimney inspected for breaks in the brick flue, blockages such as animal nests, proper flue range of motion and the buildup of dangerous creosote that can cause house fires and other problems. This may be a pricey repair job if structural damage is found, but it’s a matter of life and death to get the cracks repaired -- or your fireplace will be unusable all season.
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n Have your furnace inspected,
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Home Improvement
Manchester Newspapers’ Fall Home Improvement - Week of September 21, 2015 - 23
Replace home siding to reduce heating and cooling costs Few home improvements can contractor who takes shortcuts or tors may try strategies like a promtransform a home more than the improperly installs the siding may ise of a considerable discount if you installation of new siding. Replacing void a manufacturer's warranty. 'act now' or scare tactics that your siding can be a costly venture, but Always ask family members and home is unsafe in its present condithe right siding will maintain its friends for recommendations before tion. appeal for years to Be sure the contraccome. tor carries general liaUpdated siding can bility insurance as well improve home's energy as workers' compensavalue by enabling owntion insurance for their ers to save on heating subcontractors. Ask for and cooling costs. A a license number as new design and color well and verify its accualso can improve a racy. home's property value and set it apart from Select a durable neighboring propermaterial ties. According to the Professional Builder's Siding comes in all Home Exteriors Survey, types of materials exterior design and from wood to plastic to materials used are a top fiber cement - but vinyl priority for new home is among the most popubuyers. lar due to cost and availProject costs depend ability. Research how on the size of the home as well as which siding Vinyl siding can completely transform the look of a home and make it well particular brands of siding stand up to material homeowners more energy efficient. conditions and which choose. Considering are the least likely to new siding is a major renovation, it pays to get the job choosing a contractor, and check out crack, warp or discolor. Find this done right. each prospective contractor's work information from online reviews or for yourself. Interview more than through consumer advocacy groups. one contractor and compare both Also remember, vinyl and other synChoose a qualified contractor their costs and what they offer. Ask thetic materials have improved and It is important for consumers to plenty of questions of the contrac- can now mimic the look of many do their research when it comes to tors, and avoid those who try hard- other materials for a fraction of the siding materials and contractors. A sell methods. Questionable contrac- cost.
Calculate how much you need Before you price out siding with contractors, estimate how much you will need for your house. Consumer Reports suggests multiplying the height times the width of each rectangular section of your house in feet, going by what you can measure from the ground, to determine their areas. Multiply the approximate height and width of gables and other triangular surfaces and divide each total by two. Then add all the totals. To allow for waste, don't subtract for doors, windows or other areas that won't be covered. Finally, divide the total square footage by 100 to estimate how many squares of siding you will need. A square represents 100 square feet. Knowing how much you need can save you money.
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24 - Week of September 21, 2015 - Manchester Newspapers’ Fall Home Improvement