2016 Spring Home Improvement

Spring 2016 AND LAWN AND GARDEN

Special section to the April 30, 2016 Morris Sun Tribune

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MORRIS SUN TRIBUNE - HOME IMPROVEMENT

Saturday, April 30, 2016

Renovations help update 20-year-old Chokio home

Tiny rental replaced with upgraded single-family home

Steve and Mary Koch

Paul and Brent Bankord

Pages 3 - 7

Pages 8 - 12

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MORRIS SUN TRIBUNE - HOME IMPROVEMENT

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Renovations help update 20-year-old Chokio home Kim Ukura Sun Tribune After more than 20 years at their home in Chokio, Steve and Mary Koch embarked on a series of renovations to update and improve features that have been there since the house was built.

After installing refurbished bookshelves in their basement family room, the Kochs added a wraparound patio to the front of the house and replaced an aging deck with a new addition, complete with a fireplace and extra storage.

Steve, Mary, and their two sons, returned to Chokio in 1992 after a period in the Twin Cities.

After several years renting in the area, unable to find

a house that seemed like a good fit, they decided to build a home on a two-acre property on the west edge of town in 1995.

To help avoid water issues, the Kochs elected to build their home on the ground, then fill dirt in around the base to create a “basement,” rather than digging underground.

While this helped them avoid running their sump pump, it did mean the home needed quite a few stairs to get to the front door.

From the split level entry, visitors can head upstairs to the family room, dining room, and kitchen or downstairs into the smaller living room that spurred the first renovation project.

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MORRIS SUN TRIBUNE - HOME IMPROVEMENT

Saturday, April 30, 2016

Downstairs living room The Kochs had long wanted to install a fireplace in the small basement living room to help the space warm up when guests came to stay.

The first attempt, a freestanding fireplace, just didn’t look right in the space, so Mary sold it while Steve turned to Craigslist looking for other options.

The solution arrived in a set of refurbished oak cabinets being sold by a family in the Twin Cities.

The Koch’s hired Claassen Construction of Chokio to install the floor-to-ceiling pieces along the southern wall of the basement.

They fit nearly perfectly and provided a place to install an electric fireplace and new television set. Claassen Construction also installed black and white tile around the new fireplace.

“The tv cabinet was so tight when they went to put it up the corner was hitting the ceiling – they had to take the crown off to get it in there,” said Mary. “We were so lucky to get that.”

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Front patio Next, came a project to upgrade the front of the house.

The steps leading up to the front door were original to the house, cedar with a banister and white spindles.

But after 20 years, the facade was starting to show it’s age.

Mary said she turned to HGTV and home improvement magazines to come up with the design for their new entry stairs and patio, which were finalized and built by Dillon’s Lawn and Landscaping of Clinton.

The project had some challenges, specifically making sure the steps leading to the front door had landings that were big enough and in the right places to make coming to the door safe. From the stairs, the patio stretches across the entire front of the house.

The patio has a number of lights installed, some in the floor and others at the top of columns at each corner, set on timers to make them more energy efficient. Dillon’s also installed a propane line underneath the bricks for a future fire pit.

“We use this a little more than the deck because in the summertime the sun isn’t blazing – we can sit out in the front,” said Mary. It’s also better protected from the gusting winds that can come off the western prairie.

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MORRIS SUN TRIBUNE - HOME IMPROVEMENT

Saturday, April 30, 2016

Upstairs addition By 2014 the back deck was also reaching the end of its 20-year lifespan. The stairs were getting a little rickety, and the gravel-floored storage space underneath wasn’t functioning as well as it could have.

Mary said she and Steve had long debates about what to do with the space in a renovation. “He wanted to build and have more critter-proof storage, so I tried to convince him to do a pergola on top,�

Mary recalled.

Eventually, they decided to add a full addition to the house, creating more living space for large gatherings and an enclosed storage space underneath for lawn and recreation equipment.

Adding on to their main floor, working again with Claassen Construction, also made it possible to add another fireplace, something Mary said they’d long wanted to have in their home.

The addition – jokingly called “The West Wing� – also has a small deck built with help from Hooter’s Lumber of Chokio.

The deck is about four feet wide, that stretches around the outside.

This ensured there was space for the grill, which the Kochs use often, and safer steps down to the backyard.

The addition also helps shield the grill from the northwest wind, making it easier to use. The Kochs also opted to use blown insulation – a slightly

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PAGE 7

slightly more expensive option – to minimize drafts in the addition, which is heated mostly by the fireplace.

Inside, the addition includes a fireplace, custom-built cabinets, and a view looking west out on the prairie.

They also worked with Unger's Furniture of Morris to find carpeting the same shade as the rest of the house, which helps the space feel bigger, Mary said.

Mary also chose a special wall treatment for a statement wall, hand-painted wallpaper from Stoney Brook Wallcoverings out of Wheaton. The wallpaper can be applied in geometric shapes or as torn paper – a process Mary said was easy to do themselves.

Like most renovation projects, one keeps leading to another. Mary said they have plans to repaint, upgrade bathrooms, and keep trucking along on landscaping projects in the front and back yards.

“The rest of the stuff we’re not doing for us, we’re doing them for the next owners,” Mary joked.

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MORRIS SUN TRIBUNE - HOME IMPROVEMENT

Saturday, April 30, 2016

Tiny rental replaced with upgraded single-family home Kim Ukura Sun Tribune For many years, Paul and Brent Bankord were landlords for, unofficially, the smallest rental house in Morris.

The father and son partners purchased the single-bedroom, Depressionera rental at the edge of Morris around 2000, but water problems and the size meant it was problematic from the beginning.

In mid-2014, they decided to demolish the rental and build a new, single-family home in its place.

The family has experience with housing projects – both worked on building Paul’s home across the street and they’ve done several remodeling projects on other homes in Stevens County.

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They started demolition on the original home in October 2014, a process Brent said they probably wouldn’t do themselves on a future project.

“I had a Bobcat and thought I could take the whole thing down myself…

I should have hired that out because I didn’t really have the equipment,” he said.

“One of the surprises when we took it down was that it was more expensive to get rid of than we anticipated – it was $5,000 for the dump fees and $4,000 for the hauling,” added Paul.

They also began pouring concrete for the foundation that month. The Bankords elected to use insulated concrete forms (ICF) for the foundation. The casts, made from thermal insulation, are put together then filled with concrete, and help make homes more energy efficient.

MORRIS SUN TRIBUNE - HOME IMPROVEMENT

PAGE 9

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MORRIS SUN TRIBUNE - HOME IMPROVEMENT

Saturday, April 30, 2016

Building to the lot One of the challenges for designing the house was the size of the lot – like most properties in the city of Morris, the lot is 50 feet wide and 140 feet deep.

Additionally, the lot slopes down from the street, meaning “street level” back at the garage is significantly lower than at the curb.

After taking into consideration the 10 foot variances required on each side, that left just 30 feet to construct the front of the house – “We built the house to exactly what we could,” said Brent.

The home features an open living room and kitchen that make up most of the main floor, adjacent to two bedrooms and a full

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PAGE 11

bathroom. The top floor also includes two closets – one housing the washer and dryer – a pantry, and a small second half bathroom near the garage.

The basement includes two rooms, a second full bathroom, and a utility room.

Both downstairs rooms have egress windows, so they can be used as additional bedrooms. The egress windows also bring natural light to the rooms.

They situated the house so the deck, adjacent to the living room and kitchen on the main floor, would be in prime position to view the sunset and pond off behind the property. The view, said Brent, is one of the best features of the house.

Another challenge was making sure the house was level with the sewer hookups at the curb and the garage was level with the alley at the back of the property.

To fit everything together, they designed the garage with 12 foot ceilings and 10 foot garage doors, with a set of steps up to the main floor near the kitchen.

“We figured it worked out good because somebody could park a camper or service truck,” said Brent.

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Saturday, April 30, 2016

Smart features The home has a number of finishing features to make it a little special and more functional.

For example, the fireplace is designed to also have a wall-mounted television and entertainment system installed on the wall. Brent installed boxes and an in-wall pipe so that cords can be concealed in the wall and underneath the mantle. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We made sure to have everything sunk in so you can have your tv nice and close to the wall,â&#x20AC;? said Brent.

They also elected to use denim insulation instead of fiberglass to reduce sound carried through the walls and floor â&#x20AC;&#x201C; a benefit, given that the washer and dryer are both in a closet on the main floor. Denim insulation is also rodent and mold resistant, Brent said.

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Common mistakes made on home renovation projects Home improvement projects can turn a house into a home. Homeowners plan scores of renovations to transform living spaces into rooms that reflect their personal tastes and comforts.

Homeowners going it alone may find things do not always go as planned.

In fact, a Harris Interactive study found that 85 percent of homeowners say remodeling is a more stressful undertaking than buying a home. But homeowners about to embark on home improvement projects can make the process go more smoothly by avoiding these common pitfalls.

Failing to understand the scope of the project Some homeowners don’t realize just how big a commitment they have made until they get their hands dirty. But understanding the scope of the project, including how much demolition and reconstruction is involved and how much time a project will take can help homeowners avoid some of the stress that comes with renovation

projects. For example, a bathroom renovation may require the removal of drywall, reinforcement of flooring to accommodate a new bathtub or shower enclosure and the installation of new plumbing and wiring behind walls.

So such a renovation is far more detailed than simply replacing faucets.

Making trendy or overpersonal improvements Homeowners who plan to stay in their homes for the long run have more free reign when it comes to renovating their homes.

Such homeowners can create a billiards room or paint a room hot pink if they so prefer. However, if the goal is to make improvements in order to sell a property, overly personal touches may make a property less appealing to prospective buyers.

Trends come and go, and improvements can be expensive. If your ultimate goal is to sell your home, opt for renovations that will look beautiful through the ages and avoid bold choices that may only appeal to a select few buyers.

Not establishing a budget Homeowners must develop a project budget to ensure their projects do not drain their finances. If your budget is so inflexible that you can’t afford the materials you prefer, you may want to postpone the project and save more money so you can eventually afford to do it right.

Without a budget in place, it is easy to overspend, and that can put you in financial peril down Forgetting to the line. Worrying about properly vet all coming up with money to workers pay for materials and labor It is important to vet also can induce stress. your contractor, but don’t Avoid the anxiety by set- forget to vet potential subting a firm budget. contractors as well. Failing to do so can prove a costly

mistake. Contractors often look to subcontractors to perform certain parts of a job, and it is the responsibility of homeowners to vet these workers.

Expecting everything to go as planned Optimism is great, but you also should be a realist.

Knowing what potentially could go wrong puts you in a better position to handle any problems should they arise. The project might go off without a hitch, but plan for a few hiccups along the way.

Overestimating DIY abilities Overzealous homeowners may see a renovation project in a magazine or on television and immediately think they can do the work themselves. Unless you have the tools and the skills necessary to do the work, tackling too much can be problematic. In the long run, leaving the work to a professional may save you money.

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Saturday, April 30, 2016

Home trends to expect in the year ahead Trends in home remodeling and decor tend to come and go.

Something that is popular for a little while can fall out of favor when the next new idea comes along. New trends are always on the horizon, and 2016 may encourage homeowners to try something new.

Metallics and metals are back. Although stainless steel accents in the kitchen have long been popular, the glistening look of metal and metallic shades are back in a big way.

Inspired by the 1950s and

1970s, brass, gold and metallic finishes are popular right now.

Texture: Texture is a big component of interior design.

Furniture and accessories featuring faux fur and natural fibers are becoming popular.

Pieces adorned with cozy materials can seem more inviting.

Organic shapes, such as tables looking like the tree trunk they were cut from, also are expected to become more popular.

Artisanal touches in accessories: It’s all about getting back to basics, with homeowners

ture and pattern. Textiles will increasingly turn up on walls and in places they haven’t traditionally been seen. Patterns may lean toward floral, tropical and indigenous artisan weaving designs.

Pinks and blues: Expect to see pale pink and blue in various design applications.

The Pantone Color Institute released a blending of two colors, Rose Quartz and Serenity, as their 2016 Color of the Year.

This has impacted color trends through all areas of design, including home touches.

These colors pair well with mid-tones, like browns and greens, as well as the increasingly popular metallics.

Smart homes: Technology is changing the way people look at their homes. Waterresistant music systems for the bathroom, wirelessly operated Bluetooth devices that turn on lights or appliances from a smartphone and even fixtures that use technology to self-clean are New construction, turning up more concrete, siding, flooring, and more. shingles, roofing, decking Home decor trends are always changing, adding new life to homes and keeping armRichard Buro – General Contractor – Morris, MN chair interior decorators on their toes.

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desiring pieces that are oneof-a-kind and handmade rather than mass-produced.

Expect to see more accessories that are made by hand or in small batches, like pottery or handwoven textiles, as homeowners are increasingly turning to independent artists and artisans when decorating their homes. Homeowners can even support independent artists when choosing art for their homes. For example, YourArtGallery.com provides an online marketplace for artists to showcase and sell their work, and buyers looking to support independent artists can rest easy knowing that 90 percent of all image royalties go directly to the artist, a stark contrast to the roughly 50 percent offered by more traditional galleries.

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Offer excludes Nantucket™ Window Shadings, a collection of Silhouette® Window Shadings. Rebate will be issued in the form of a prepaid reward card and mailed within 6 weeks of rebate claim receipt. Funds do not expire. Subject to applicable law, a $2.00 monthly fee will be assessed against card balance 7 months after card issuance and each month thereafter. Additional limitations may apply. Ask participating dealer for details and rebate form. © 2016 Hunter Douglas. All rights reserved. All trademarks used herein are the property of Hunter Douglas or their respective owners. SPG16MB2

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MORRIS SUN TRIBUNE - HOME IMPROVEMENT

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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 night time retreat. 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.

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-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

Home Improvement Service Directory Concrete

Flooring

Raths Brothers Construction

Affordable Flooring

320-585-5112 | 320-585-6029

LondonPavers

Construction

The strength and durability of LondonPavers make them an excellent choice for any driveway, patio or walkway. LondonPavers offer a multitude of pattern options and come in four styles: cobblestone, paragon, rectangular and circular. With four solid colors and five blends, you can create the perfect look for your home or business.

Evink Construction, LLC 386 State Hwy 9, Morris 320-491-6797 evinkconstruction@yahoo.com

Hoffman Construction, LLC 411 East 6th St, Morris 320-250-0430 hoffmanconstruction@yahoo.com

KJH Builders, Inc. 26688 425th Ave., Hancock 320-392-5237

LondonStone & LondonLites

103 East 5th St, Starbuck 320-239-2136 | afc@hcinet.net

Lawn Care Boyd Lawn Co. 23290 State Hwy 29, Starbuck 320-287-3297 www.boydlawnco.com

Lumber Hoffman Building Systems, LLC 111 1st St. North, Hoffman 320-986-6288 hbs@hoffmanbuildings.com

Disposal

Hooter’s Lumber, Inc.

Engebretson & Sons Disposal Service, Inc.

61904 State Hwy 28, Chokio 320-324-7171 hooterslumber@fedteldirect.net

Morris | 320-589-3804

Electric/Wiring

Retaining Wall Systems— • Easy to install, no concrete footings required • Durable, structurally stable walls • Low voltage lighting system for a wall lit stairway or walkway

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.

Outdoor lighting enhances functionality of yards and landscapes while making such areas safer for homeowners and their guests once the sun has gone down.

Daly Electric, Inc. 45587 230th St., Morris 320-815-7837 | 320-589-7191

Messner Electric, Inc. 38424 County Rd 2, Hancock 320-392-5496 | messnerelectric.com

R. Hill Electric, Inc.

Morris Lumber & Millwork 49110 State Hwy 28, Morris 320-589-2331

Plumbing Mohr Plumbing & Heating 46400 East Hwy 28, Morris 320-589-1006

Needham Plumbing, LLC 320-748-7174 | 320-808-8347

320-324-7313 | 320-808-5957

These landscaping stones, lites and pavers available at:

CONCRETE OF MORRIS, INC. 1200 Pacific Avenue • Morris 001238142r1

(320) 589-3700

Electric

Water/Wells

Agralite Cooperative

Lee Well Drilling, Inc.

320 East Hwy 12, Benson 320-843-4150 | Agralite.coop

Hoffman | 800-533-2848 leewelldrilling.com

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MORRIS SUN TRIBUNE - HOME IMPROVEMENT

Saturday, April 30, 2016

Top spring home improvement projects Andy Lindus Forum News Service

es or damage from an ice dam problem. You should have a reputable contractor come out and inspect your roof for signs of disintegration, curling or peeling of your shingles. Your roof is one of the first lines of defense when it comes to severe weather.

I keep hearing meteorologists say spring is only 40 days away. It is hard to comprehend this notion for many of us Midwesterners due to the painfully cold and snow heavy winter we have had.

Don’t put off getting With spring just around the new rain gutters one corner here is a list of top more year home improvement projects If you don’t have any rain that you should consider having done as soon as the snow gutters on your home, it is completely defenseless thaws. against the raging rainstorms Roof replacement or that can occur in the Midwest.

If you don’t have gutters at repair This year’s record cold and all, you risk rain eroding the snowfall takes a toll on the soil around you home, which exterior of your home, espe- can leak into your basement. cially your roof. Your roof If you still have traditional could have received damage gutters on your home it is such as losing shingle gran- essential to clean out the ules, moisture seeping in organic debris that has accubetween the cracks and creas- mulated in them over the last

season to avoid overflowing.

If you are ready to experience the modern age of a onepiece seamless gutter system LeafGuard gutters are the only gutter system to receive the Good Housekeeping seal of approval.

Inspect your deck Beautiful cedar decks are very popular and are a point of pride for a lot of homeowners. Inspect your deck for any rotting or warped boards. Examine the stain on it to see how it weathered the cold winter and if you think your deck is in need of full replacement consider using composite decking. It has taken the deck industry by storm, now surpassing cedar decking installation, and requires minimal maintenance if any at all.

Spruce up your siding

Your siding plays an important role in protecting your home during the harsh winters just like your roof does.

If it is time for an update to add more curb appeal there are several options to choose from. Wood, vinyl and steel siding offer several benefits.

Weigh the pros and cons before choosing the material in which you side your house with. Keep in mind the maintenance factor associated with wood siding. You will have to paint the wood to maintain a fresh look.

Andy Lindus owns Lindus Construction, a remodeling company in Baldwin, Wisconsin. Read his home improvement AreaVoices blog at http://lindusconstruction.areavoices.com.