Home Improvement

DECEMBER 2018 | MODERNWELLNESSGUIDE.COM

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An Independent Supplement by Mediaplanet to USA Today

Home Improvement & Safety

“Queer Eye” star Bobby Berk shares how he spreads happiness through his interior design work

LEARN how to decide whether or not DIY is a good idea for your next home-improvement project DISCOVER what experts are calling the biggest challenges facing homeowners today

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Learn how “Jeopardy!” host Alex Trebek stays mentally sharp and physically fit.

Page 6

in this issue

Discover how designers are working to reduce energy use.

Page 8

Browse more stories online, including how water affects the cycle of poverty.

Online

Protecting Your Family From a Violent Home Invasion Jordan Frankel, commonly known as the Security Sensei, opens a window into the mind of a home intruder. How prepared are you?

Ever y 15 seconds, a burglar y takes place in the United States.

Home invasions are also on the rise. Knowing how to react could mean the difference between life and death.

Assessing the difference A c c o r d i n g to h o m e s e c u r i t y expert Jordan Frankel, burglars t yp i c a l l y s t r i k e h o m e s t h a t appear unoccupied to avoid confrontation.

“Burglars target homeowners while they are at work, shopping, etc.,” explains Frankel.

“The criminal will enter forcibly through a door or possibly a window. The intruders must ransack the home to find valuables and cash. This takes time, creating attention, especially if the alarm system is blaring away.”

A home invasion involves illegally entering a private, occupied dwelling to commit a crime, using fear, intimidation and the element of surprise. The culprits want to be in and out in minutes, sometimes pulling a gun on the family pet or even a child.

“Home invaders are brazen, and will stop at nothing to complete heinous crimes,” warns Frankel.

“They have no regard for human life. Injuring or murdering a family is simply a means to an evil end. They’ll case a home for weeks, learning the family ’s

“Purchase security door braces, use longer screws on entry door hinges, keep your garage locked, install outdoor motion detection lighting and apply a specially developed clear film to windows, making them difficult to shatter.”

patterns and habits. Usually they show up in teams of 2-5 individuals, forcibly entering through multiple doors simultaneously.”

Don’t risk it Frankel, who has 20 years of experience in the industry, says never hunt or confront an intruder, and use a firearm only as a last resort.

Also, install a security system with silent panic buttons, and consider building a safe room or convert a walk-in closet into a hiding space.

“A properly designed safe room can withstand violent attacks from home invaders or crazed individuals,” explains Frankel.

“It’s a place where individuals, families or friends can protect themselves from harm during that nail-biting period between

the trigger of an alarm and the police arriving on scene. Many safe rooms contain hidden materials that have the ability to stop or slow down a bullet.”

Purchase security door braces, use longer screws on entry door hinges, keep your garage locked, install outdoor motion-detection lighting, and apply a specially developed clear film to windows, making them difficult to shatter.

Request your home be omitted from Google Maps. And don’t think a break-in can’t happen to you.

Frankel adds, “The very nature of a home invasion, which transcends race, class, education and geography, reminds us that no one is immune from this increasingly lethal attack.” n Cindy Riley

Publisher Cara Introcaso, Rebecca Levine, Brenda Choi Business Developer Stephanie King, Joelle Hernandez Managing Director Luciana Olson Designers Chris Espino, Tiffany Pryor, Keziah Makoundou Copy Editor Lauren Hogan Director of Sales Shannon Ruggiero Director of Business Development Jourdan Snyder Director of Product Faye Godfrey Lead Editor Mina Fanous Production Manager Josh Rosman Production & Social Media Coordinator Bria Mastroianni Cover Photo Matt Monath All photos are credited to Getty Images unless otherwise credited. This section was created by Mediaplanet and did not involve USA Today.

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PHOTO: MATT MONATH

“Queer Eye” Star Bobby Berk on What Interior Design Means to Him

Before reaching international fame, “Queer Eye” star Bobby Berk had long been in the business of boosting others’ happiness through home design.

B

obby Berk got his start in the design world by forgoing an education in interior design and working in retail at Restoration Hardware and Bed, Bath & Beyond. In 2006, he started his own business, Bobby Berk Interiors + Design, which has locations in New York City, Miami, Los Angeles and Atlanta.

“I found that the remodeling aspect of it and the design aspect of it made me way happier than the sales part of it, and that’s honestly what led me to pursue [interior design],” says Berk.

Although Berk has renovated a variety of spaces on his Netflix

show, his favorite spaces to design in a home are kitchens and bathrooms because of the options for creativity they can afford.

“They’re kind of like fashion,” Berk says. “You need your outfit, you need your accessories, you need your jewelry. That’s countertops and cabinets and hardware and faucets and appliances. You really get to pick so many different things that go together.”

Focusing on the client Still, Berk takes a client-first approach to every one of his projects, just as he does when helping transform lives on “Queer Eye.”

For instance, he says, “If they’re a cat mom and their cats are the most important thing to them, I’m going to design that home around what’s going to make their cats the happiest — because that’s what is going to make [the client] happy.”

It comes down to what changes will help meet the client’s emotional needs, Berk says. He gave the example of client Cory Waldrop, who was featured on season one of “Queer Eye.” Initially, Berk planned to renovate his basement, where Waldrop spent the majority of his free time with his friends. But when Berk realized

the real issue was Waldrop wasn’t spending enough time with his family, he opted to renovate the upstairs of the police officer’s home instead.

“Ultimately, if you prioritize the thing that means the most to the client — what the client is most passionate about — that’s going to have the most positive and large impact on their day-to-day life,” Berk says.

Finding your passion In addition to filming season three of “Queer Eye,” which is set in Kansas City, MO, Berk has plans to tackle remodeling and renovations

in cities including Las Vegas, Phoenix, San Diego and San Francisco.

Berk emphasizes the importance of learning how to utilize software, as well as the importance of investing in education, to jump-start a career in interior design. A passion for helping others through designing homes is also key.

“It’s all about mental health,” he says. “If your brain is not functioning the way it should, if the things around you are making you feel sad and depressed, it affects everything else in your life.” n Melinda Carter

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3 Qualities That Make Metal Roofs the Ideal Choice “Metal roofing has long been a favorite of agriculture, and is fast becoming a preference for residential use,” says Dale Walton, manager of residential product marketing for CertainTeed Roofing. Metal roofing is increasingly becoming the choice for eco-minded homeowners. And, because of its longevity (often lasting 50 years or more) and low maintenance needs, it has a much higher return on investment than traditional roofing.

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How “Jeopardy!” Host Alex Trebek Stays Mentally Sharp and Physically Fit

2. Quiet And that beloved cliché of rain clanking against a tin roof? Walton advises that it doesn’t apply to today’s metal roofing.

“A contemporary metal roofing system, properly installed, is no louder than any other type of roof system. A solid deck under the roof, an insulated attic space and ventilation all play a role in reducing the acoustic transmission of the rain into the living space.”

3. Stylish The metal roofing frequently seen today, called “standing seam,” is constructed from flat vertical panels. This look, though, is often not complementary to modern or classical architecture. As a more fitting alternative, metal is stamped into panels which mimic the color, dimensionality and texture of traditional roofing profiles such as wood shake, slate and barrel tile. These architectural metal roofing designs are ideal for practically any building type. n Liane Bonin Starr

PHOTO: COURTESY OF JEOPARDY! ®

1. Durable “There’s no denying the durability of metal, and when you couple that durability with minimal maintenance and cool roof technology, you are hard-pressed to find a better roofing material option,” Walton says.

Walton adds that metal roofing provides excellent hail protection and, when compared to roof types such as wood shake, is safer due to metal’s high resistance to fire. These benefits can make a big difference in the price of insurance premiums in areas where hailstorms or wildfires are issues.

This five-time Emmy-winning game show host is an avid fan of home improvement, and he’s now advocating for senior health and opening up about tips for graceful aging.

A

lex Trebek offers a humble reflection on what’s brought him 35 years of success as the host of one of television’s most popular game shows.

The answer?

“Probably my desire to please the audiences,” he shares. “To be faithful to them and to always portray a good, positive image — the image of a host who is trying to help contestants do their very best and succeed on the program.”

Staying sharp In late 2017, Trebek took a break from “Jeopardy!” to undergo surgery to remove blood clots on his brain. Happily, he made a full recovery. Now, the trivia whiz is sharing his story about screening for early-onset Alzheimer’s after noticing memory lapses, and urging others to consider testing, too.

“Alzheimer’s has certainly come to the forefront of diseases that we should be very concerned about these days,” he shares. “If you are tested

early and found to be susceptible to Alzheimer’s and demonstrating some of the early signs, your doctor can recommend certain medications that will help.”

There are also ways to slow the progress of the neurodegenerative disease, Trebek suggests, including mental exercise. “I started doing crossword puzzles and it has helped immensely,” he says.

Keeping fit Trebek remains physically sharp thanks to his love of at-home DIY, a passion that was stoked early in life. “My father, who was a chef, would try to do some repairs, but he wasn’t very good at it,” he laughs.

“However, on my mother’s side, all of her brothers — and there were five or six of them — were involved in the building trades. I learned a lot watching them do their work.”

Clearly home improvement is in the blood; the father of two was thrilled when his daughter, Emily, took an interest in real estate, and now he lends his sage advice to her home-flipping efforts.

When asked if he’s the owner of a smart home, the fact whiz jokes that he doesn’t have any high-tech devices: “I do not have anything that I talk to.” But he has taken caution to weather-proof his home. “As we’ve discovered in the past week and a half here in southern California, a fire can destroy my house just like that. It’s not impervious to nature’s wrath,” he says. “But it is constructed with a view to minimizing some of the dangers out there. I’ve got a stucco finish, not a wood finish, so that will help prevent embers from igniting blazes on the property itself.” n Emily Gawlak

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Cork Flooring: A Sustainable Alternative to Vinyl

Want flooring that looks great, fits your budget and stands up to everyday life without worrying about its impact on the planet or our health?

While vinyl flooring is a popular choice thanks to its durability and price-point, it is far from green.

We now know there are clear connections between the toxic substances in vinyl products and health problems in people who have prolonged exposure to them.

But you don’t have to sacrifice durability or style for a healthy indoor environment. Cork is a natural and sustainable material with many of the same positive characteristics as vinyl, without the harmful effects on the environment and our health.

Why cork?

The unique honeycomb structure of cork is the secret to its performance and makes it an ideal material for flooring. Cork’s natural flexibility allows it to adapt to pressure, increasing the life span of the floor, providing durability and walking comfort. And because it’s a natural insulator, it can actually help to reduce energy costs and muffle sound.

The next generation cork flooring includes all of these benefits and takes it up a notch by being waterproof and carbon-negative. n Erin Reith, Director of Marketing, Greenhome Solutions

Designers, Construction Workers and Individuals Are All Working to Reduce Energy Use While the design and construction industries are striving to build using as little energy as possible, people at home can do a lot to reduce their own energy use.

“Net zero building” is a buzzy phrase in the design and construction world, but what does it mean? The most widely accepted definition is: generating enough energy on a building site to “zero out” the amount of energy the building uses. There are two steps to getting to zero. First, reduce the energy demand as much as possible so not as much needs to be produced. Then, add renewable-energy generation to cover 100 percent of the demand. This is typically done through solar panels but could be any renewable-energy source such as wind or hydro.

Future of energy use As part of the transition towards net zero and away from the old energy-consuming environment, designers are taking inspiration from nature. This design style is called “biomimicry.” The idea is to create buildings that function more like living trees, harvesting all the energy and water they need to operate on their own site. For example, the Net Zero Plush Electrical Training Institute in Commerce, CA is now in the process of completing net-zero energy modeling for its facility. It is a national leader as a landmark net-zero building that harvests more energy from the sun than it uses. It’s also home to a micro-grid, energy dashboard, electric vehicle charging stations, battery storage and a massive solar panel array.

“The idea is to create buildings that function more like living trees, harvesting all the energy and water they need to operate on their own site.”

Reducing energy at home People don’t need to design buildings to reduce energy demand. People at home can take simple steps to use less energy. Good home insulation keeps the inside air in and the outside air out, which greatly reduces your heating and cooling load. Replacing inefficient single-pane windows with double- or triple-pane windows acts like insulation for your windows. Window coverings are also great for reducing heat loss in cold climates and reducing heat gain in warm climates. In warmer months, open windows can passively cool the house with a natural breeze. Thermostats don’t need to be at 78 degrees in the winter or 65 degrees in the summer. Adjustments by even a few degrees can have a big impact on energy use. And finally, many people leave electronics plugged in which uses energy. Installing a “vampire switch” will eliminate phantom loads from standby power. n Drew Shula, Founder & Principal, Verdical Group

PHOTO: DAN BAWDEN, CAPS, CGR, CGP, GMB OF LEGAL EAGLE CONTRACTORS IN HOUSTON.

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6 Tips for Creating a Senior-Friendly Bathroom With roughly 10,000 baby boomers retiring each day, we are seeing a growing preference among many Americans for staying in their own home as they grow old.

One way to help seniors “age in place” is to ensure that their home has universal design elements. This is especially importa n t i n t h e b a t h ro o m . T h e s e six ideas for updating older bathrooms will help to ensure independent living for as long as possible.

Randy Noel Chairman, National Association of Home Builders

1. Widen doorways To make doorways wheelchairaccessible, they should be at least 36 inches wide instead of the standard 30 inches. Doorknobs should also be replaced with lever handles. Another pos-

sibility is to design a pocket door if there is limited clearing space.

2. Design a roll-in shower T h e s e s h owe r s h a ve a w i d e opening to allow easy wheelchair access. Grab-bars, a folding bench and a handheld shower nozzle are also ideal for helping anyone who might need to be seated while showering.

on a slip-resistance product that is safe to use on natural surfaces and doesn’t substantially change the floor’s look, color or feel.

3. Use lever-style handles Elongated lever-style handles are much easier than rounded knobs for people with arthritis — or for anyone — to use.

5. Raise the toilet Toilets should be 2.5 inches higher than standard and there should be bracing in walls around the toilet for installation of grab bars. The toilet paper holder should allow rolls to be changed with one hand. A toilet night-light motion sensor will help people safely locate their toilet in the dark and help prevent falls.

4. Provide traction control for slippery floors Polished marble floors in a bathroom are an accident waiting to happen. Install peel-and-stick floor strips in the shower and on the floor just outside it, or spray

6. Install a wall-mounted sink and pull-out shelves This allows a person in a wheelchair to pull right up to the sink, and sliding shelves are a practical alternative to bending and digging into a cabinet. n

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Advice for Prospective Home Buyers Rick Sharga, the CMO of Vylla, shares insight into how the homebuying experience has changed, and what home buyers should know when looking into financing.

How has the home-buying experience recently changed?

The internet has had an enormous impact on the home-buying experience over the past decade, mostly by making information available. Now, most home buyers begin their search online before contacting an agent. Technology has also begun to make the loan application process easier — many lenders allow borrowers to submit their loan applications online from any device.

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The Property Brothers Share 5 Key Tips for New and Aspiring Homeowners

PHOTO: COURTESY OF THE PROPERTY BROTHERS

What advice would you give prospective home buyers when it comes to finding financing?

It’s really important for home buyers, particularly credit-challenged buyers, to explore all of their options, especially in today’s rising price/rising interest rate environment. The good news is that non-bank lenders generally offer the widest range of loan products that are intended to help borrowers with credit challenges buy a home. Anyone thinking about buying a home should work with a lender to find out if they qualify and see how much they can afford.

How can technology improve the home-buying experience?

Finding a home and financing a home are usually disconnected activities. There’s a lot of paperwork and running around by home buyers who need to secure various services and sign documents during closing. And while technology has made the home-search process better, it can also overwhelm buyers with information. The next generation of technology solutions needs to drive the convergence of the home-finding and home-financing processes, which will dramatically simplify things. The home-search process should center around the customer — what type of home the consumer is interested in and what the consumer can afford. And it should make the entire process available to buyers, sellers and real estate professionals on demand – whenever and wherever they might be. n

Buying or renovating a home might not be as simple as it looks on TV, but Drew and Jonathan Scott want everyone to know that it’s within reach. Keep these simple tips in mind, and you’ll start your journey with confidence.

D

rew and Jonathan Scott are well-known from their hit series “The Property Brothers,” in which they help clients create sanctuaries from neglected pieces of real estate. Here are five tips the brothers shared with us for new homeowners in 2017 and beyond.

1. Be realistic about your finances “Sit down and really examine your present and future financial situation,” cautions Drew. “If you know that you’re about to have a baby in nine months, you should also know

that life is going to get a lot more expensive. Plan accordingly.”

When looking for your new home, Jonathan warns consumers to avoid being distracted by bells and whistles. “It’s easy to say, ‘Well, I love this walk-in closet so much that I can ignore that it’s backed on a nuclear power plant,’” he jokes. “Approach it like a business. Buying a home is likely the biggest investment that you’ll ever make.”

2. Don’t charge it One of the biggest surprises first-time homeowners face is learning that you

need more money up front than the down payment. “If you are looking to put your entire down payment or a major home renovation on a credit card, you should not be dealing in real estate,” Jonathan states. “It’s a terrible idea.”

3. Be bold with design Most aspects of buying a new home come with a hefty price tag, which is why Jonathan suggests taking advantage of free resources whenever possible. “Create an inspiration board.

Spend several hours on Pinterest or Google Images and look at thousands of images,” he recommends. “Pull out what speaks to you, whether it be crown molding or a color palette.

Anyone can be good at design — you just have to look at the right places for your influence.”

What’s trending in design this year? “Color is back in a big way,” Drew states. “We like to enrich a room with rustic flair or character pieces. Mixed metals are very popular again as well.”

4. Know (and trust) your lender Whether applying for a mortgage on a new home or tapping into a home equity line of credit to fund home improvement projects, a lender can help keep you and your family on track. “A lot of people are afraid to talk to lenders, because they think that they’re out there to trick them, but that’s not the case,” Drew explains.

“If you’re organized and have your tax returns, your list of assets and debts, and a letter of employment, it’s very easy and efficient to work with a lender.”

5. Trust the professionals Tackling a home renovation on your own may seem like a great idea, but it’s not always realistic. “There is value in spending money on professionals — the quality of a professional’s work and the value of your time,” Jonathan states. “Bring in a professional that knows what they’re doing.” Drew continues, explaining: “People watch shows like ours on HGTV and then think that they know everything it takes to do a renovation.

Understanding all that’s involved isn’t as easy as you’d see in a 45 minute TV show.” n Mediaplanet Editorial

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Between home-improvement shows and internet site, there’s no shortage of remodeling inspiration.

But how do you know when it’s time to call in a professional?

The magic of TV can obscure the technical know-how required for several home-improvement projects, especially as many reality shows condense an 8- or 10-week project down to 30 minutes. Understanding which projects are DIYfriendly and which should be left to a remodeling professional are key for your safety and enjoyment.

First, ask yourself if you’re trying to save money. Before beginning any project, take the time to map out all of your costs, including materials and any tools required to complete the project. Don’t forget to factor in your time as well. If you are new to home improvement, consider the cost of correcting any mistakes. Will doing the project yourself still provide cost savings?

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Choosing Between Professional and DIY for Your Home Next, understand the local building codes and permit requirements. There is no onesize-fits-all when it comes to local building codes, so check with your municipality. Some jurisdictions require that the work be completed by a licensed and bonded professional in order to meet code.

Codes and permits may seem like a burden, but they are in place to protect your property and your life — especially when it comes to

structural, electrical and plumbing renovations.

Most importantly, consider whether it is safe for you to do this project by yourself. If you are not familiar with roofing or do not have fall-protection restraints, you might want to skip a roofing job. Some jobs can be fatal if not performed correctly or could result in property damage. Never enter into a DIY project that could jeopardize your safety or life.

The good news is that there are DIY-friendly jobs that can be completed easily. Here are three ways to update a room without risking safety: 1. Painting One of the easiest ways to update your home is by painting the walls, cabinets and trim. With a wide variety of paint products available, there’s a color for every room and design style whether

traditional, modern or somewhere in-between.

2. Light fixtures Replacing existing light fixtures can also make a big difference in the way a room feels. As long as new wiring is not required, a light fixture can be replaced with relative ease. Be sure to follow all manufacturer guidelines.

3. Window treatments Another easy way to update a room is to change the window treatments. Blinds can be installed top down or bottom up for privacy and are available in a variety of materials including wood, fabric or metal. Fabric drapery panels can add a level of elegance to any room and provide warmth in the winter and protection from the sun all year round. n David Pekel, M.C.R., President and CEO, Pekel Construction and Remodeling

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Experts on the Biggest Challenges Facing Homeowners What is one of the largest challenges that homeowners face?

Scott Toal: The rapid advancements in technology, materials and design make it challenging for homeowners to keep up with the market when investing in their own homes. Trends in design, which once had lifespans calculated in decades, are now changing in a matter of years. As home tech advances more rapidly, updates to the home that could be obsolete in a few months are becoming a real possibility.

Brett Jurgens: Homeowners simply don’t know enough, or have enough, information about their home. Without a baseline of knowledge or data, homeowners are subjecting their homes, and everyone and everything inside, to potential danger.

Tom Seeger: Our clients are looking to make their kitchens more current without spending money that they would not recover when they sell. With so much awareness of the most current looks and colors that they see on HGTV-type shows, they are very conscious of what they want their kitchen to look like. Doing it in an affordable way is key. It is essential that it is durable and lasting.

Dan Steward: Choosing the right home inspector who uses the modern technology available today to detect some of the most harmful materials in the home, such as mold and radon, is essential. This is a fragmented industry with many independent inspectors and some franchised companies.

How can homeowners protect and invest in their largest asset — their home?

Scott Toal President, Federal Brace

Brett Jurgens Co-Founder and CEO, Notion

the home inspection that could be used to fairly negotiate a better price if you are a buyer. For sellers, have a home inspection done prior to putting the house on the market. Find small things that can be quickly and inexpensively repaired before they come up from the buyer’s end. We also recommend homeowners have their homes inspected every five years, whether they are planning to sell soon or not.

What new advancements for the home are you most excited about?

Tom Seeger Owner, N-Hance Wood Refinishing

ST: The best way to view investment in your home is from the standpoint of quality. The bottom line is that quality is not trendy and is not a fad. Quality provides life-long service, retains value and is attractive regardless of the current trends in the market.

Whatever component, upgrade or update you are planning for your home, be sure to consider it from the quality standpoint first.

BJ: Lack of innovation in home insurance is causing homeowners to be under-insured, and insurance companies are seeking solutions to change the current landscape.

These solutions can detect movement in the home, change in temperature, water leaks and potential fires — a smart-home sensor encompasses all of these solutions.

Smart-home sensors that can track for these

Dan Steward President, Pillar To Post

home-altering events also allow insurance companies to provide better coverage to homeowners, arming them with data and notifications that can protect their home from potential home-altering damage.

TS: Kitchens have become the focal point of the home. Investing in moderate kitchen-renovation projects produces one of the best returns on the value of the home. Moderate kitchen projects involve professionally refinishing the cabinets. If that doesn’t achieve the desired update, the cabinet doors and drawer fronts can be replaced with a simple shaker style, and all components can be finished to match.

DS: One great way to invest in your home is to make sure nothing is missed during

ST: Application of new technology, internet of things and home automation are opening up new horizons in home design.

Advancements in green technologies are encouraging sustainability and incorporating new materials/methods in building design. As we move forward, the places in which we live will become more efficient, more responsive and, hopefully, more “homey” than ever.

BJ: Beyond the tools that simply keep homeowners more informed about their in-home activity, I’m really interested and excited about technology that minimizes power consumption, like smart lightbulbs and AC/heating tools. These tools currently exist, but I believe they will push the boundaries further to help homeowners continue to save on energy costs — and to help protect our environment.

DS: In the area of environmental matters — which consist of mold, indoor air quality and radon — we are trying to look at a holistic approach to give homeowners a healthy environment in which to live. The honing of these disciplines to perfection constitutes a whole new area in home inspection. n