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A SPECIAL SUPPLEMENT TO The Leader, The Kanawha Reporter, Buffalo Center Tribune, Pioneer Enterprise and The Sheffield Press.

Outdoor Lighting Ideas Cost cutting tips Improving attic ventilation

March 19, 2014

Home Improvement tips Indoor painting Professionals help maintain home

Page 2 - Home Improvement March 19, 2014

Lighting sets the stage for outdoor fun

Tis the season for making changes in and around the home. The arrival of warmer weather renews homeowners’ vigor for various home improvement projects, and many have grand plans for interior and exterior renovations as they prep their living spaces for comfort, beauty and entertaining opportunities. While there are many worthy projects to pursue, adding outdoor lighting to a home can help increase its value and make the home safer and more attractive in the evening hours. According to the American Lighting Association, with a few updates to outside lighting, families can make even better use of their homes at night. Adding outdoor lighting is easier and less expensive than many homeowners may know, allowing them to transform an existing patio, deck or pool area into an enjoyable nighttime retreat. Pool parties, dinners on the patio or barbecues with neighbors become even more memorable when outdoor lighting is added or improved. But homeowners

who want to install or upgrade their outdoor lighting should consider the following tips, courtesy of ALA. * Improve navigation. Lighting is typically layered into a room or outdoor space in three ways: overhead, task and ambient. Even outdoors, where there are no typical boundaries and borders, those three layers are necessary. Outdoor overhead lighting should improve visibility on steps, paths and walking surfaces, especially where there’s a bend or an intersection. Task lighting can be used around cooking or gardening areas. Ambient light will cast a comforting glow around any outdoor space. * Enhance security. To improve visibility and security, combine a motion detector with a sconce to illuminate dark corners or entryways. Be sure to aim lights away from the door to improve visibility. Lanterns on either side of the door can give a home a warm, welcoming appearance and improve the safety of entryways. * Create outdoor rooms.

Outdoor lighting at the borders of a space is a great way to create barriers, both vertically and horizontally. Lights in a tree create something akin to a chandelier hung in the middle of the sky, and even accent lights in the general area of the edge of a patio, deck or porch will shine across the space and provide enough of a comfort level for people to understand where things are. * Reduce glare. Outdoor lighting that casts a glare can be blinding, as can light that’s too bright. Lighting along paths should be cast downward, with fixtures that are hooded. A variety of lighting options will create layers, allowing you to add or subtract as necessary. Exterior-safe dimmers also can provide flexible control over the level of light, as can movable fixtures added to a patio or porch. * Add decorative elements. Just as arbors, pergolas, patios and other outdoor elements help to enhance the style of an outdoor space, so, too, can lighting contribute to a well-

Outdoor lighting can play up the more decorative features of a yard, including flower beds. designed landscape. Lighting should play up decorative features of a yard and add the ambience that homeowners desire. Step lights make passage safe while also highlighting molding or trim details. An outdoor chandelier can make for a wonderful accent during dinnertime on the deck or under a pergola. Patio lights provide atmosphere as well as illumination for cooking outside. * Enhance views from inside. Outdoor lighting can

make the view from inside pleasant and enjoyable. Use a variety of lights, including spotlights on trees, lights dotted along pathways and accent lights on unique landscape features, to create an idyllic landscape visible from inside the home. Outdoor lighting enhances functionality of yards and landscapes while making such areas safer for homeowners and their guests once the sun has gone down.

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Home Improvement March 19, 2014 • Page 3

How to cut costs on your home improvement project Over the last several decades, more and more homeowners have embraced the notion that homes need not all be alike, and that an individual’s home can cater to his or her personal tastes and needs. The trend of modeling a home after one’s own tastes has extended beyond choosing furniture or other replaceable elements to structural changes and full-scale renovations, thus upping the financial ante for homeowners who want to turn their homes into places more in tune with their own personalities. When it comes to improving their homes, many homeowners associate cutting costs with cutting corners, which can put residents’ safety at risk. But there are ways for homeowners to save money on home improvement projects while still ensuring their homes are safe and sound. * Work with recycled materials. Homeowners about to undertake small-scale do-it-yourself projects can often save money by using recycled materials. Many homeowners do not go the DIY route when making larger renovations, but those that do also can save money by using recycled materials. However, homeowners should know that many contractors do not work with recycled materials in an effort to avoid liability should something go awry dur-

ing the project or after it is completed. But DIYers can benefit from using recycled materials, which can be purchased at various locations. For example, Habitat for Humanity, a nonprofit organization devoted to building homes for the less fortunate, operates its own ReStores, which are nonprofit home improvement stores that sell recycled building materials at a steep discount. ReStore locations can be found by visiting www.habitat.org. * Get your hands dirty. Labor costs on home improvement projects are considerable, but homeowners can cut these costs by doing some of the labor themselves. Even those men and women with little or no DIY experience can still chip in and save some money. Homeowners about to embark on a rebuilding project can chip in and do some of the demolition on their own. For example, when replacing sidewalks, homeowners can simply break up and remove the existing sidewalk on their own rather than paying their contractors to do such work for them. It’s best for homeowners to leave interior labor to the professionals, as they are more knowledgeable about how to find loadbearing walls and plumbing fixtures than the average weekend warrior homeowner. Homeowners who mistakenly take

out fixtures inside their homes in an attempt to cut down on labor costs might find such miscues are far more costly than simply paying for the labor from the get-go. * Remember how flattering imitation can be. As the old adage goes, “Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery.” Homeowners working on tight budgets can opt for imitation materials that appear and feel just like more costly authentic materials. When opting for imitation materials, homeowners should know that they or their representatives cannot falsely represent the materials as authentic when selling the home, no matter how much materials look and feel like the real thing. * Schedule projects during the offseason. Like many professionals, contractors have busy seasons and seasons that tend to be slow. These seasons can change depending on geography, but homeowners can save money by postponing projects until the slow season, when contractors are more likely to offer discounts in an attempt to stay busy and continue to generate income. Savings will vary depending on a variety of factors, but it’s not unlikely that patient homeowners willing to wait until the offseason to renovate their homes can save as much as 5 percent on the overall cost of the

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Homeowners willing and able to chip in on home improvement projects can bring the costs of labor down considerably. project. * Try not to customize. Though the driving force behind many home improvement projects is to create a dream home that caters to homeowners’ individual needs, going overboard with customizing is expensive. Larger-than-normal di-

mensions may seem like a great idea, but unless they’re absolutely necessary, they’re best avoided by budget-conscious homeowners. Building supplies are sold at certain dimensions because those dimensions are the most common. Altering these dimensions unnec-

essarily is only driving up the cost of the project, so it’s best to stick with stock sizes when money is tight. Home improvement projects are often expensive undertakings. But such endeavors need not break the bank.

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Page 4 - Home Improvement March 19, 2014

Improving attic ventilation benefits the roof and more

Homeowners are often interested in projects to improve the aesthetic appeal of their homes, particularly those that may increase the curb appeal of their properties. But some projects, including improving attic ventilation, can benefit a home even when they aren’t especially eye-catching. Attic venting preserves the life of a roof while improving the energy efficiency of a home. Although it may seem counterproductive to let air into the attic when you are sealing drafts elsewhere in the home, there is rhyme and reason to venting an attic throughout the year.

What is attic ventilation? Attic ventilation is a system of air intake and exhaust that creates a flow of air through the attic. In the summertime, air flowing through the attic will cool temperatures within the attic, preventing damage to the underside of roofing shingles and preventing ambient heat from traveling inside of a home. In the winter, air flow helps to keep the attic cool and dry. This prevents moisture that can lead to mold and rot issues from building up inside of the attic. Attic ventilation also prevents warm indoor temperatures and rising heat from warming up roofs dur-

ing the winter, creating the freeze-thaw pattern that results in ice dams. Improving attic air flow Many attics already contain passive ventilation in the form of vents or ventilation strips built into the edge of the roof. Other vents may appear in gables or eaves. Some homeowners prefer the addition of an attic fan to work in concert with existing venting. The spring season is an ideal time to have an attic fan installed because the weather is temperate, making it easier to work up in the attic. According to Natural Light Energy Sys-

tems, attic temperatures can exceed 160 F on hot summer days. Proper attic ventilation can reduce those temperatures by up to 40 F, prolonging the life of the roof. Attic ventilation also reduces the load on heating and cooling systems. No matter how much insulation is in an attic, some transfer of attic air will occur between the home and the attic, and that transfer makes heating and air conditioning systems run longer and harder to compensate. Homeowners who notice their HVAC systems running endlessly to keep the home comfortable can benefit from improved attic ventilation, as can those homeowners whose attics feature moisture damage in the way of rusty nails or moldy wood framing. An attic fan is often an effective remedy to these issues. Attic fan 101 The installation of an attic fan is best left to a professional, as it requires running wiring to the fan and it may necessitate cutting into the roof for venting. Many fans work with a thermostat and will turn on

Passive and active venting systems for attics help keep homes comfortable and energy-efficient all year long.

when the air temperature in the attic reaches a certain temperature. The fan will circulate the air, helping to keep the attic cooler and dryer. Also, the fan can help expel fumes from cooking or appliances from the home. Canada Go Green notes that attic fans can reduce energy bills considerably by making HVAC systems work more efficiently.

Keeping attics cool and dry may also reduce how frequently HVAC systems need to be turned on or at which temperatures thermostats in the home are set. Improving attic ventilation may not add much to a home’s curb appeal, but such a project can save homeowners money and provide year-round benefits.

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Home Improvement March 19, 2014 • Page 5

Home improvement tips learned the hard way ‘Tis the season for home improvement projects, and weekend warriors will soon be visiting home supply retailers to buy everything from paint to plywood. There are many advantages to making home improvements on your own, including the opportunity to test your mettle at projects big and small. Many a novice DIYer has learned the ups and downs of home improvement through trial and error. But the following are a handful of lessons first-timers can heed before beginning their maiden voyages into the world of DIY home improvements. * Measure twice, cut once. Perhaps this is the best-known mantra of home improvement, yet many still ignore it. Whether you’re anxious to get started or simply because you still cannot convert metric to standard formula, you must take the time to measure twice before cutting. Learning that you’re a hair too short later will be prove frustrating and time-consuming and often necessitates a last-minute run to the store for more materials. Always measure multiple times before making cuts. * Enlist a helper.

Having a partner helping with the work is the most efficient way to tackle a project. This person can assist you with heavy lifting or moving things or by holding the ladder or simply passing tools your way. He or she also can manage work while you make another run to the home center for more supplies. Having a helper around also provides companionship during tedious projects. * Lighten the load. You run the risk of injury, both to yourself and your belongings, if you attempt to move heavy items on your own. When moving heavy items, take steps to lighten your load. For example, empty or remove drawers from desks and dressers before moving them. Rely on sliding pads when moving furniture so items can be slid into place instead of lifted. Always ask a buddy to help move especially heavy items. * Prime before painting. Painting can be a time-consuming task. In an effort to save time, some people will look for painting shortcuts, and these may include skipping the priming portion of painting. Priming helps to cover existing paint color and

prevent bleed-through of stains or darker hues to the next coat of paint. Failure to use a primer could mean having to paint coat after coat, which can become costly and take up a significant amount of time. Always rely on a priming product, or look for a paint that blends a primer within to achieve better coverage. And while you are ensuring a proper paint job, remember to use painter’s tape or an edging product to help keep paint off of moldings and trim. * Use the right tools. The right tools make work safer and easier. Think about how much faster you can cut through a tree trunk with a chainsaw rather than a handsaw. Improvising or using the wrong tools for the job can cost you time and increase your risk of injury. * Turn electricity off at the panel box. Be especially cautious when working with electricity, turning off the current. This means shutting down the power on the breaker box. A live wire can provide a minor shock or lead to serious injury. Take the extra time to ensure the power is off before working with any exposed wiring.

* Expect the unexpected. Although many renovation projects go off without a hitch, you never know what you might uncover when you embark on repairs or remodels. Homeowners have come across all sorts of hidden problems when doing seemingly minor repairs. Removal of drywall may uncover insect damage in beams or indications of water infiltration. Some people take down old paneling, only to discover it was covering heavily damaged walls beneath. One repair project can run into another when home improvements are being made. Always leave breathing room in your budget and schedule extra time for unforeseen tasks as well.

Double-checking measurements is one way to avoid potentially costly home improvement project mistakes.

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Page 6 - Home Improvement March 19, 2014

Caution necessary when painting indoors

Few people might think of potential safety hazards when planning to paint the interiors of their homes. Though every home improvement project can lead to injury if safety measures are not taken seriously, painting is widely considered a project where do-it-yourselfers are at minimal risk of injury. But in addition to the injury risks associated with climbing up and down ladders to paint ceilings or out-ofreach corners, there are some health and safety concerns that painters must consider before beginning their projects. According to the Environmental Protection Agency, the majority of paints contain chemicals that evaporate in the air, and these chemicals can adverse-

ly affect human health. Problems associated with chemicals found in some paints include eye and throat or lung irritation, headaches, dizziness, and vision trouble. Professional painters exposed to paint vapors over long periods of time can develop problems with their nervous systems, liver and kidneys, and some chemicals found in paint have been linked to elevated cancer risk. Though painting is often an enjoyable home improvement project, painters still must take the following precautions to ensure their safety when painting the interior of their homes. * Read product labels carefully. Paints vary considerably with regard to how hazardous

they can potentially be, so it’s best to read paint can labels thoroughly regardless of how experienced you are at painting. Labels provide safety instructions specific to that particular paint, including suggestions to reduce hazards and advice on what to do should users develop any adverse health effects. It also helps to reread labels once the painting project has been completed. Labels often include instructions on how to clean or discard products and tools after use, as well as suggestions on where to store paints or other products used during the project that may be flammable. * Paint during the right time of year. Exposure to chemicals found in paint can be reduced considerably

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if you paint during the right time of year. Spring and fall make ideal seasons to paint, as the weather outside during these seasons is typically pleasant, allowing painters to open all of the windows without making conditions inside the home unfavorable. * Open all of the windows and doors. While it’s especially important to open all of the windows and the door in the room where you will be painting, it’s even better to open as many windows and doors throughout the home, making sure to push curtains and blinds back to let the fresh air pour in. Keeping all windows and doors (use screen doors if you are worried about animals or insects entering the home) open promotes ventilation throughout the home, allowing for constant airflow that will usher any potentially harmful chemicals out of your home. If necessary, place a box fan within a window frame to promote cross-ventilation. Never turn on the air conditioner as a substitute for fans and open windows, as that will not be pushing any air out of the home. * Seal paint cans tightly once the project has been completed.

Caution must be exercised when painting indoors.

At the end of the project, you may or may not have leftover paint. If you have a small amount of paint leftover that you do not intend to keep, contact your local government to determine the best way to dispose of the paint. You also can do this if you have empty paint cans but are uncertain if they can be discarded with normal household trash and recycling. If you have a substantial amount of paint left, be sure the lid is closed as tightly

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as possible, as vapors can leak through poorly sealed containers, putting the health of residents at risk. Once again, read the label to determine the best place to store leftover paint. Painting is widely considered a fun home improvement project. But if certain safety measures are not taken when painting the interior of a home, these projects can put the health of residents at risk.

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Home Improvement March 19, 2014 • Page 7

These professionals can 9DVW 6HOHFWLRQ RI )ORRULQJ /LIHWLPH VWDLQ DQG VRLO UHVLVWDQFH help maintain your home

Home repairs are inevitable. For the homeowner who also happens to be handy with a hammer, the occasional home repair is nothing to fear and something that many even enjoy. But there many homeowners who aren’t so adept at home repairs, and such men and women typically rely on trained professionals when something goes awry around the house. For those homeowners who either don’t have the time or the ability to fix issues that arise around the house, the following is a breakdown of three of the more commonly called on home service providers. * Electrician: An electrician specializes in addressing a building’s or home’s electrical wiring issues, stationary machines and the equipment related to those machines. Electricians can fix existing issues, but many also can design and install new electrical components and systems. The dangers of work-

ing with electrical systems are many, so electricians typically must be certified and licensed before they can practice their trade. Such danger is one reason why even those who are adept at fixing problems around the house might want to hire an electrician should an electrical issue arise. * Plumber: A plumber is a professional whose area of expertise is in installing and maintaining systems for drinking water, drainage and sewage. Though not all jurisdictions require a plumber be licensed before he or she can practice, many do, and it can take years of training and experience to master the skill of plumbing. Many people call a plumber when a toilet or sink backs up, but plumbers must have far more extensive skills as well. Plumbers must be skilled in a number of areas, including having an ability to read and understand a home’s blueprints, detect

faults in a plumbing system if the homeowner cannot install and repair fixtures and systems, and be aware of any legal requirements to ensure a home is safe. * Landscaper: Homeowners have increasingly looked to professional landscapers to maintain their home’s exterior and subsequently ensure their property value remains high. A typical landscaper offers his client an array of services, from cutting the grass to raking leaves to more complicated tasks that gravitate toward landscape architecture. A home’s curb appeal has been shown to vastly improve a prospective buyer’s impression of the house, and as a result many homeowners rely on a landscaper to take care of their property. Many landscapers an extensive knowledge of the science involved in tending to a lawn and how to help it weather the seasons without losing its appeal.

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Rick Titus in his 39th year of selling DQG LQVWDOOLQJ PRUH HIÂżFLHQW ÂżUHSODFH LQVHUWV Rick Titus of Clarion started his business, called “The Country Storeâ€?, in 1975 and even though he has moved into town now, he has no intention of retiring any time soon. “l enjoy and love doing this.â€? said Titus. “I’ve covered every corner of the state because I’m an expert, and that is not meant as a boast. I don’t think anyone else in the state does exactly what I do.â€? What he does, is sell and install the Fuego )ODPH EUDQG QDPH ÂżUH SODFH insert, which he believes are the PRVW HIÂżFLHQW LQVHUWV RQ WKH PDUket, for the money. However, it WRRN KLP DZKLOH WR ÂżQG RXW DERXW that brand. “I was living in Littleton, Colorado. and came across D EURFKXUH IRU WKH +HDWLODWRU ÂżUHplaces, which were made at Mt. Pleasant, Iowa,â€? said Titus.“When we moved back here 3 years later, I decided I was going to call them and become a dealer.â€? Titus was soon displaying the units at county fairs and got some business. But then in checking back with his customers, to his amazement, he found out they were sending most of the heat up the chimney. “I then tried selling other brands RI ÂżUHSODFHV OLNH 3UHZD\ DQG Majestic and found they were no better. These were touted to EH HQHUJ\ HIÂżFLHQW KDYLQJ IDQV and adjustable dampers, but they still were not burning like a wood stove, so I just kept looking. I was selling wood stoves, but not everyone wants a wood stove in their home.Then I found out about the Fuego Flame Fireplaces, which were as close to wood stove efÂżFLHQF\ DV \RX ZLOO ÂżQG 7KLV company made Zero Clearance ÂżUHSODFHV DQG DOVR PDGH IRXU different sized inserts, so now I could offer my customers a super HIÂżFLHQW ÂżUHSODFH RU LQVWDOO RQH RI the inserts inside of their existing ZRRG EXUQLQJ ÂżUHSODFH QR PDWter how large or small,â€? Titus said. But then it wasn’t long before he IRXQG D ÂżUHSODFH WKDW KDV DQ XQusual shape, like a two sided, or see-thru. or arched opening, and WKHVH LQVHUWV ZRXOG QRW ÂżW 6R KH decided to just make the inserts IURP VFUDWFK WR ÂżW WKHVH XQXVXDO ÂżUHSODFHV +H HYHQ EXLOW DQ LQVHUW WR ÂżW D IRXU VLGHG ÂżUHSODFH IRU %LOO Knapp in Des Moines. 7KH )XHJR )ODPH ÂżUHSODFH LQVHUWV FDQ PDNH DQ\ ÂżUHSODFH EXUQ XS WR HIÂżFLHQW DQG

needs no electricity while keeping 99% of the heat in the home. It burns slow like a wood stove while keeping the beauty of the ÂżUHSODFHV RYHUDOO DSSHDUDQFH DQG IXQ RI ZDWFKLQJ WKH ÂżUH 2QFH the insert is installed, the average ÂżUHSODFH FDQ KHDW WR square feet of a well insulated home, while using 2/3 less wood, and protects the home from runDZD\ ÂżUHV ,W FDQ EXUQ PRVW RI the night on just 3 or 4 hardwood logs, leaving you a nice bed of hot burning coals to ignite new logs come morning. “Some of my cusWRPHUV XVH WKH ÂżUHSODFH DOO winter long, and rarely hear their furnace kick on. Thus they save a tremendous amount of fuel each month. These inserts literally pay for themselves by saving the customers fuel,â€? Titus says. The inserts are made using 12-guage steel, which Titus said transmits the heat quicker because it’s lighter. Cool air from the house enters underneath the insert, and is then circulated up the back of WKH ÂżUHSODFH ZLWK WKH KHDWHG DLU exiting out the top, all without the use of a fan. The temperature of the air coming off this insert varies from 200 to 1000 degrees. Titus says, “You bake in your oven at 350, and you can feel that kind of heat coming out of the top of WKH ÂżUHSODFHV KHDW RSHQLQJ 0RVW KHDW FLUFXODWLQJ ÂżUHSODFHV GR QRW come close to putting out that kind of heat, for they send all their heat up the chimney.â€? The Fuego Flame inserts are installed using an insulated ceiling, which prevents the stove KHDW IURP JRLQJ XS WKH ÂżUHplaces chim- ney. The insert damper control is on the inserts face plate, so you can close the doors and then close the damper. The inserts also burn with their damper 95% closed, thus making the wood burn nice and slow. The twin glass doors are made using ceramic glass, which will take 1400 degrees temperature, so you never have to worry about breaking the glass with heat, and you get to enjoy watching the slow burning logs inside. These twin doors are easy to clean with very little effort. “Remember when you were a kid sitting around the FDPSÂżUH RU DW D IDPLO\ UHXQLRQ how much fun it is to sit around WKH FDPSÂżUH" :HOO \RX FDQ KDYH that same fun in your home with a

- photo by Les Houser, Wright County Monitor

UHDO ZRRG EXUQLQJ ÂżUH LQ \RXU ÂżUHSODFH DOO ZLQWHU ORQJ DQG HQMR\ WKH URPDQFH RI WKH Ă€DPHV and everyone could use more roPDQFH ULJKW" ,W LV DFWXDOO\ PHVPHUL]LQJ WR ZDWFK WKH Ă€DPHV and you don’t even have to say a ZRUG DV \RX ZDWFK WKH ÂżUH 1RZ you can have the romantic comfort of a campfĂŻre and enjoy all that warmth in your home safely DQG HIÂżFLHQWO\ ´ VDLG 7LWXV For those that can’t or don’t wish to burn wood,Titus offers super HIÂżFLHQW JDV ORJV DV DQ RSWLRQ +H started selling those in 1991, and WKH\ RIIHU WKH VDPH QLFH Ă€DPH effect, but without the work and cleanup from real wood. “I’ve got SHRSOH ZKR ERXJKW D ÂżUHSODFH from me in the 70’s and 80’s that are now having me put gas logs LQ WKRVH VDPH ÂżUHSODFHV ´ VDLG 7Ltus. These gas logs are capable of heating up to 1,000 square feet of the average well insulated home, so if you have a power outage, these gas logs will keep you toasty warm, and keep the pipes from freezing in your home. Titus has covered a large area of the Midwest in his sales and installation travels,“I have built and LQVWDOOHG XQLWV LQ ÂżUHSODFHV IURP Minneapolis to Kansas City and all over Iowa.â€? said Titus, “I’ve learned that if I go to a county fair, I get business from that area.â€? He also feels that word of mouth has been his best advertising, and that the personal attention he can offer gets the sales. “I do all the work myself,â€? saidTitus.“I don’t even charge for estimates when I come into your home. I feel an in home visit is the only way I can know exactly what the

customer needs.â€? Titus is also not afraid to tackle, or at least look at, any chimney problems including a cracked chimney. “I’ve Âż[HG RQH RI WKRVH PDQ\ WLPHV IRU someone,â€? said Titus. “I installed a stainless steel liner inside the chimney and made it safe and efÂżFLHQW ´ 7LWXV H[SODLQHG WKDW WKHVH inserts are not like others that you can buy, and that it takessometimetoinstallthem. “Thisisnotaq XLFNÂż[MRE ´VDLG7LWXV Âł,GRQÂśWMXVWVK RYHLWLQWR\RXUH[LVWLQJÂżUHSODFH FR llect a check and leave. Most of the other inserts on the market PDNH \RXU ÂżUHSODFH ORRN OLNH LW has a wood stove shoved into it, and they change the whole look RI WKH ÂżUHSODFH E\ SXWWLQJ D ELJ metal shroud around the insert. It takes me from six to eight hours to do this, but it will be done right and you’ll never need to do anything more with it.â€? Titus has even thought of people who like to cook IRRG RYHU D ZRRG ÂżUH Âł,ÂśYH GHYHORSHG D EDUEHTXH JULOO WKDW ZLOO ÂżW inside there,â€? saidTitus.“You can grill steaks or bake potatoes. It will work great for putting a dutchRYHQ LQ WKH ÂżUHSODFH WRR ´ )HHO free to contact Rick at The Country Store for more information. You can call either 515-532-3881 or 515-293-2455, or visit his webVLWH DW ZZZ ÂżUHSODFHVDWWKHFRXQtrystore. com, or email him at yahtitus@gmail.com. “We don’t know what the future holds for our electrĂŹcal system in this country,â€? said Titus. “If someone wants to control us, they could cut off the electricity, food supply, or disrupt our fuel. Everyone should have a way to heat their home without electricity.â€?

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HOME

IMPROVEMENT PROJECTS

Section 2

A SPECIAL SUPPLEMENT TO The Leader, The Kanawha Reporter, Buffalo Center Tribune, Pioneer Enterprise and The Sheffield Press. March 19, 2014

Energy Makeover Go Green Improve small shower Create paver walkway or patio Reface kitchen cabinets 驶Dream Home Projects始 Energy Makeover Go Green

Home Improvement Glossary

Page 2 B - Home Improvement March 19, 2014

Woodcraft Suggests Plan for year of ‘Dream Home Projects’

(MS) -- Spend some quality time with your house, and make a list of the pluses and minuses as if you were considering whether to buy it. Use this list to develop projects that will create your “dream home” over a year’s time. To help you, Woodcraft offers some ideas for projects and products. Project Ideas * Use paints, stains, dyes, finishes, and related products to reinvigorate the wood throughout your home, including doors, shutters, walls and furniture. * Add molding or other trim to give walls an upscale look. * Expand storage space with wall-hung or free-standing shelving in as many rooms and areas as possible, matching shapes, hardware and color to each room’s decor. * Replace or upcycle kitchen, bathroom or garage cabinets, as well as outdated bathroom vanities. * Add a wood deck, patio or porch to your outdoor area, and repair/revive or build outdoor benches and other furniture. “If the changes you envision involve unfamiliar tasks, do some research,” says Woodcraft product manager Ben Bice. “We offer books about home improvement topics, as well as ‘Woodcraft Magazine’ technique downloads and how-to videos for many products

online. Or get some expert advice at your nearest Woodcraft store.” Helpful Products * General Finishes Water-Based Milk Paints include a 28-color base selection of premixed acrylic paints that can be combined to create even more colors suitable for indoor or outdoor projects. Use the milk paint with the six translucent Glaze Effects to create eye-catching decorative finishes, such as distressing, antiquing or shabby chic. * General Finishes Gel Stains and Topcoat are easy to use -- simply wipe on with a rag and wipe off the excess. Stains are available in 12 shades, including the popular Java and Georgian Cherry. A perfect solution for attractive redesigns at an affordable price. * OneTime Wood Protector is a proprietary acrylate resin blend that penetrates wood’s cellular structure and cures it by exposure to UV radiation. It protects new wood, old wood, pressure treated wood, or wood that has had the previous coating removed -- for seven years! Great for outdoor wood projects such as wood shake roof, deck, chairs, picnic tables, fences and more. * Festool’s Rotex RO90 MultiPurpose Sander switches easily between three sanding modes -aggressive, random orbital finish sanding, and delta detail sanding

-- that will handle a host of tasks from stripping stubborn paint to creating a smooth finish. * Earlex Gemini HVLP Sprayer can be used as a cup fed gun to spray fine finishes and paints, or with a pump to push water-based paint/stain directly from the can via a 13’ hose to the gun for covering large surfaces. * The QuikBENCH Portable Workbench holds 300 pounds alone; add another to form a sawhorse to hold 2,000 pounds. Or connect several for a larger workstation. If you need a scaffold, choose the portable Vika Twofold Workbench and Scaffold. Both benches include power strips. * The EZ Pro Crown King Crown Molding Jig from General Tools works with a mitersaw to cut crown molding joints precisely without difficult angle calculations and compound angle cuts. * 3M PSA-Backed Veneer is real wood veneer permanently bonded to 3M Pressure Sensitive Adhesive. It can be applied to MDF, particleboard, plywood, and drywall with excellent results. The veneer is used for furniture repair, countertops, shelves, and architectural applications. * Fein’s MultiMaster Q Start Kit is equipped for sawing, rasping, scraping, removing grout, sanding, polishing, and cutting, all

Woodcraft product manager Ben Bice applies finish to a cabinet door, using a single QuikBENCH. The bench’s built-in power strip and uses for multiple benches are also pictured. powered by a 250-watt, variablespeed motor. * “Transforming Your Kitchen with Stock Cabinetry” is a 160page softcover book by cabinetmaker Jonathan Benson and his wife, Sherry Benson, a chef, that shows how to transform a kitchen using money-saving stock cabinetry and a well-thought-out plan. * Grex 18-Gauge 2” Nailer -Green Buddy is a precision nailer that fires 1/2” to 2” 18-gauge nails for trim and moldings, cabinet assembly, furniture and cabinet finish work, jig fixtures, light wood assembly and more.

* The Kreg Jig(R) K5 Pocket Hole System offers an easy way to use pocket hole joints in your furniture and home projects, such as decks and porches. * M1 Tape Measure features patented Sight Scribe that allows you to measure and mark without a pencil. Lock your measurement with the M1 blade lock, and take it wherever you need to mark. To learn more about these products and others that can help you update your home, visit your local Woodcraft store, call (800) 535-4482 or visit www.woodcraft. com.

Affordable High End Look with this Unique Product Achieve a high-end look at an affordable cost for all your interior and exterior remodeling or updating projects by using a unique product that overlays most of your existing surfaces. Countertops look like granite or marble with no seams and are heat resistant to 500° F. They are bacteria resistant, do not need to be sealed and are stain-resistant. The color will never fade and they are radon-free! The weight of Granicrete countertops with the overlay is comparable to laminate weight, which is much lighter than real marble and granite. Flooring, driveways, sidewalks, pool decks, patios and garage floors look like tile, wood, slate, travertine or flagstone. They can also be made to glow in the dark for safety. Showers and baths look like tile, travertine or stone. There are over 60 colors to choose from to design your one-of-a-kind remodeling project at a fraction of the cost. To see examples of this beautiful solution contact Hanson’s Countertops and Flooring.

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Home Improvement March 19, 2014 • Page 3 B

Give your home an energy makeover

Renovations that take inventory of energy use and strive toward efficiency have grown increasingly popular over the years. Homeowners fed up with high utility bills want to conserve costs, and there are a number of ways to revamp a home to be more energy efficient. The first step in a home energy makeover is to find out where your home is losing money. Certain municipal and environmental agencies offer home assessments, during which they will do a complete walkthrough of your home and highlight areas that can be improved. Private companies also perform energy audits on a home. They may be able to point out appliances, windows or landscaping issues that could be compromising the efficiency of a home. These people may have a more intimate knowledge of insulation ratings and window efficiency ratings than the average homeowner. In addition to having an energy audit on your home to save money on utility bills, a professional audit may make you eligible

for tax incentives and rebates. That can mean even more savings and may even increase the value of your home. Until a thorough energy assessment can be made, there are some easy and relatively inexpensive fixes any homeowner can undertake to help improve energy efficiency. * Clean air filters. Trapped dust and debris in a filter makes furnaces and air conditioners work harder. Once filters are free from dust, air can blow more smoothly through the system. * Plug leaks. Air leaks could be sucking energy out of your home and money out of your wallet. Once you find any leaks, you can use weather stripping and caulking to seal up breaches and save energy and money. * Invest in insulation. Install high-efficiency insulation in attics and between walls to prevent energy loss and keep more warm or cool air in the home. A well-insulated house requires less heating and cooling to keep the temperature indoors stable, and that translates to less money spent on utilities.

Conduct an energy audit so you will know which areas of your home can be made more efficient. * Swap out light bulbs. Switching bulbs from incandescent to more efficient LED or CFL bulbs can save money in the long run. By making a few simple changes, homeowner can increase their energy savings around the house. Investing in an energy audit and makeover can pinpoint key areas that need improvement.

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Page 4 B - Home Improvement March 19, 2014

Seven fast ways to go green today Individuals may not be able to reverse global climate change on their own, nor can one person working alone prevent a species of animal from becoming extinct. But collective efforts in which communities make concerted efforts to protect the planet have the potential to bring about significant change. Such efforts need not even be extensive. When widely adopted, the following ways to go green can benefit the environment in myriad ways, and each is rather easy to adopt. 1. Sort the trash. A substantial amount of household waste can be recycled, but too frequently people throw out things in haste. Cans, bottles, aluminum foil, paper bags, plastic bags, and plastic containers can be recycled or put to use in other ways. When you examine things that end up in the garbage, you may find that such items

have utility elsewhere. Take a few minutes to analyze if something can be reused before tossing it out. 2. Carpool to school or work. Carpooling greatly reduces wear and tear on vehicles and can reduce the need for costly repairs while saving fuel. Tufts University professor William Moomaw, co-author of the latest “Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change� report, calculated that if American commuters would carpool for just one day per week, they could significantly reduce America’s carbon emissions by 2050. Carpooling to school and work also cuts down on the number of vehicles on the road during times of gridlock, reducing the propensity for accidents and traffic jams. 3. Buy local products. Purchasing locally grown foods or products produced nearby reduces the need to transport

those products while cutting back on packaging as well. Visit farmers’ markets on the weekend to stock up on items used for meals during the week. This will greatly lower your energy footprint, and you won’t have to spend much time traveling for your meals. 4. Turn off a few lights. There is no need to have every room in the house illuminated, especially when those rooms are unoccupied. Consciously turn off the lights, televisions, radios, and other electronics after you leave a room to cut down on energy usage. 5. Plant native greenery. Trees, shrubs and other plants improve air quality while providing a home to wildlife. Plants produce oxygen and store carbon, helping to control greenhouse gases and keep the atmosphere cooler. Plant more trees or other plants around the house, which helps the environment and

adds some aesthetic appeal to your property. Choose native plants that will thrive in your climate. 6. Turn down the thermostat on your water heater. A standard water heater is set to 140 F, but many people do not need water that hot. Turn it down a few degrees, and you’ll save energy and reduce the risk of scalding. 7. Fix plumbing leaks. Leaky toilets can waste a substantial amount of water, some as much as 200 gallons per day. Fixing leaky toilets as well as any faucets around the house can help conserve energy and save money on your monthly water bill. Going green doesn’t involve a large investment of time or money. A variety of small changes can be effective when a good number of people do their part.

Leaky fixtures can waste significants amounts of water.

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Home Improvement March 19, 2014 • Page 5 B

Make the most of small bathrooms Renovating bathrooms is commonly at the top of home improvement to-do lists. Though some rooms around the house may remain timeless, bathrooms, like kitchens, show their age (and era) much more easily, which could be why homeowners are always on the lookout for new ideas. Although many people may dream about creating a spa-type oasis in their homes, not everyone is lucky enough to have a large bathroom, much less a large budget for a full-scale renovation. Small bathrooms are common, particularly in older homes, but they needn’t force homeowners to compromise on style when renovating. Small bathrooms may be a half-bath on a main home level or even a full bath, depending on the home. By thinking creatively, homeowners can maximize their spaces and redo bathrooms in ways that bring out their best assets.

* When space is at a premium, it’s best to look for fixtures and items that fit with the scale of the bathroom. Although you may want a large vanity and cabinet in which to hide all of your toiletries, this simply may not be practical -- taking up most of the bathroom real estate. Instead, look for elegant pedestal sinks that have a much smaller profile. They’ll also help you control the clutter in the bathroom because there won’t be anywhere to hide it. * Use optical illusions to make the bathroom appear more roomy. For example, lay tile diagonally to create the impression of space. A large mirror will reflect the room back and make it appear much larger than it really is. * Select lighter hues in paint colors and accessories. Dark paints and fixtures could make the room feel cramped. Dark colors are generally used to make spaces feel more cozy. In a small bathroom, it may make the space feel claustropho-

bic. Instead, think light and bright and the room will instantly feel more airy. * Minimize wall hangings and keep fixtures smaller. Filling the walls with knickknacks may contribute to clutter and make the space appear closed in. Use decorative items sparingly. * If possible, store towels in a closet outside of the bathroom. This way you won’t have to devote space inside the bathroom to a closet, leaving more room for other things. * While some people like the thought of a separate bath and shower, in smaller bathrooms this may not be possible. Instead, look for a combined shower and bath, or select a walk-in shower with a much smaller profile. * Windows are often welcome in bathrooms because of the ventilation they provide, but they could be a hindrance in smaller bathrooms because they take up prime wall space. Cover a win-

Buying your first home? Remodeling your home? Refinancing your current home?

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dow in a shower stall to free up space. Just be sure to install a venting fan to reduce moisture in the bathroom. * Maximize wall space if you need storage. Find cabinets that will fit beneath windows or be able to fit in thin areas between sinks and toilets. Over the toilet is prime area for cabinetry. * Consider a frameless shower. This is a partitioned area of the bathroom that’s set aside for the shower and is typically only cordoned off by a thin wall or piece of glass. Or a shower with no walls at all is the ultimate in space-saving. The entire bathroom floor is decked out in tile, and a portion is sloped toward a shower drain. * Think about installing a skylight if you prefer natural light, but there is no room for a traditional window. Thinking creatively can help turn a cramped bathroom into a spacesaving and well-designed room homeowners desire.

A frameless shower can take up less space in a small bathroom.

The Right Door - the Right Way

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Page 6 B - Home Improvement March 19, 2014

How to create a paver walkway or patio Creating a walkway or patio out of paving stones can add aesthetic appeal to a property. Pavers are less permanent than concrete and decking. As a result, it is easier to change the design later on if you want to give the space a new look. Homeowners who install their own pavers can save a considerable amount of money. Because installing paving stones can be laborintensive, landscape contractors may charge a premium for installation. However, this is a project that can be

tackled by the do-ityourselfer. 1. Measure and plot out the area that will become the path or patio. The area of the space can be figured out by multiplying length times width. This will help you determine just how much material you will need. 2. Visit the home improvement store or a supplier of stone and other masonry supplies to determine the style and color of the paving stones you will use home to save the hasin the project. Some sle of extra heavy lifthomeowners prefer ing and moving. to have the materi3. Using a shovel als delivered to their

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or a tiller, dig down and remove the grass to a depth of four to six inches from the area that will become the path or patio. 4. Fill in the area you dug out with a paver base material, using a tamper (either manual or power-driven) to tamp down the paver base until it is level and smooth. 5. Apply about one inch of paving sand to further level out the path or pa-

tio. This will be the material on which the paving stones are laid. 6. Begin laying the paving stones. Leave the appropriate distance between stones desired by your pattern. If the paving stones will not have any gap and serve as a continuous patio, leave only the smallest gap between them. 7. Spread more paving sand on top of the paving stones

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and, using a broom, sweep it over the stones and into the crevices between them to set the stones. 8. Create the rest of the garden design around the patio or pathway using gravel, plants and even edging material to finish the look. Over time you may need to sweep more paving sand over the stones to keep them secure.

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Home Improvement March 19, 2014 • Page 7 B

The basics of kitchen cabinet refacing Homeowners who want to give their kitchens a brandnew look without the expense or the hassle of a full-scale renovation often gravitate toward kitchen cabinet refacing. Cabinet refacing is less expensive and more eco-friendly than a full replacement of existing cabinets, and experts estimate refacing costs roughly two-thirds less than a complete cabinet renovation. Refacing involves replacing the doors and drawer fronts of existing cabinets during which the cabinet boxes are veneered to match the wood color chosen for the refacing, while the structure and layout of the cabinets remains unchanged. Essentially the kitchen footprint will remain the same as it was before the refinishing took place. Kitchens are popular rooms in the home and much of the renovation investment made in the kitchen can be recuperated at resale. Homeowners looking to put their

homes up for sale soon may find cabinet refacing is beneficial, as it is a relatively quick renovation that can reap big rewards. Homeowners have options when refacing their cabinets. While some projects, such as stripping off old paint and repainting, can be a do-it-yourself project, refacing cabinets may be best left to the professionals. Veneer work, which is often part of cabinet refacing, is not a skill one can learn overnight, and it often requires the hand of a professional carpenter. Many cabinets can be resurfaced successfully. Older cabinets are prime candidates, as they often are more sturdy than newer cabinets. In general, cabinets can be refaced as long as their substructures are sound. In addition to providing a new look for the kitchen, cabinet refacing is an ecofriendly project. By not demolishing existing cabinetry, homeowners are preventing

old materials from ending up in landfills while saving trees from being cut down to construct new cabinets. Refacing also reduces the amount of chemical products used in the building of new cabinets, including stains, adhesives and chemically treated wood. Homeowners can choose among wood, veneer, metal, and even glass doors as replacements in the kitchen. Coupling cabinet refacing with replacement of old appliances can completely transform the appearance of the kitchen in relatively little time. Many refacing projects go as follows. * Measurements are taken and technical drawings are made so that new cabinet materials can be manufacturered to the kitchen’s exact specifications. * Homeowners choose the type of finish they prefer for the new cabinetry. * Manufacturing takes place, and homeowners will schedule a time when the

Spring time is project time! Have questions about ďŹ nancing?

Cabinet refacing can transform the look of a kitchen, and such a project costs considerably less than complete cabinet replacement.

work will commence. * Existing doors and drawer fronts will be removed and recycled or disposed of. * If cabinet frames and boxes need to be repaired in any way, some refacing companies will take care of this. * Cabinet boxes and frames are covered in a matching veneer or plastic laminate. * The new doors and drawer fronts are installed, as are new handles, pulls and moldings to complete the look.

Many companies specialize in cabinet refacing. Homeowners should request estimates from potential candidates and review workmanship prior to hiring a particular company. Cabinet refacing is often a fast, relatively inexpensive renovation project. It can improve the appearance and functionality of a kitchen in a small amount of time, while also improving the value of a home.

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Page 8 B - Home Improvement March 19, 2014

Home improvement glossary Understanding the terminology used in the home improvement and construction industries can help homeowners be better informed and involved in projects around their homes. The following are some common industry terms.

Permit: A legal auFooting: Widened Backfill: Soil or grav- tution to determine fair el used to fill in against and safe trade practic- ground base of a foun- thorization to begin a dation to support foun- work project. a foundation. es. dations or piers. Pitch: The slope of inCuring: A process that Beam: Horizontal Framing: The struc- cline on a roof. framing member de- brings paint or masonsigned to carry a load ry materials to their fi- tural wooden elements Rebar: Steel rods that of most homes. from joists or a roof. nal, durable form. are imbedded in conGFI: A ground fault crete for stability. Drywall: A wall finButt joint: Lumber interrupter, pieces joined at the ish made from gypsum current Shim: A tapered piece plaster encased in a which is an electrical ends. device used to prevent of wood used to level thin cardboard. injury from contact and secure a structure. Casement window: A Estimate: The antici- with electrical appli- Stud: Vertical parts of window with hinges on framing placed 16 or one of the vertical sides pated cost of materials ances. 24 inches apart. making it swing open and labor for a project. Jamb: The exposed Fixed price contract: A like a door. Watt: A measure of contract with a set upright part on each side of a window frame the electrical requireC a u l k i n g : F l e x i b l e price for the work. ment of an appliance. or door frame. material used to seal a Flashing: Sheet metal gap between two surLevel: A tool to check or roll roofing pieces fit faces. to the joint of any roof for level or plumb surCode: Rules set forth intersection or projec- faces. by a government insti- tion.

Aggregate: Crushed rock used in many asphalt applications. Ampacity: The amount of current a wire can safely carry. Asbestos: A fibrous material that was once used widely in building materials but is linked to cancers of the lung and lung cavity.

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Painting • • • • •

Interior Painting Exterior Painting Texture & Knock Down Deck Staining & Sealing Power Washing

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Young Construction

641-430-0655 www.youngconstructionnorthiowa.com

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