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SPRING HOME IMPROVEMENT
FRIDAY, MARCH 28, 2014
THE NORTH PLATTE TELEGRAPH
Efficient windows look good, save money Wood, vinyl and fiberglass each have their own high points By HEATHER JOHNSON hjohnson@nptelegraph.com
Feeling a chill in your home even though the doors are shut tight and the heat is turned up? It could be time for new windows. “Drafts are one of the biggest indicators that a change is needed,” said Pete Johannes, territory sales representative for Pella Windows and Doors in North Platte. Sometimes, cracks and holes are visible. When they aren’t, it’s not difficult to detect them. “They can be found by holding a lit candle up to the corners of a window,” Johannes said. “If the flame or smoke flickers — there’s probably a draft. The same can be done with a lit cigarette.” Frost or moisture buildup between the panes is another sign that windows need to be replaced — so is old exterior wood that no longer holds paint well. “The paint will crack, which allows air to get through,” Johannes said. “Then of
Courtesy photo
Wooden windows are usually purchased for their beauty, sound resistance and energy efficiency. They do require some maintenance. Courtesy photo
Fiberglass window varieties have become popular in recent years. They hold up well, are energy efficient and don’t cost as much as the wooden kind. course, there’s always the energy bill. High bills could be an indicator that it’s time for new windows.” Once the decision to buy new windows is made, the next step is determing what kind to install. Each comes with its share of pros and cons. “Wood is one of the options to consider,” Johannes said. “Some varities have cladding to protect the exterior.” He said many people choose wood for its beauty, sound resistance and good R-value.
The downside to the wood is that it can be more expensive than other varities and does require some maintenance in the form of staining and varnishing. Vinyl varities are less expensive, according to Johannes, and they are easy to maintain. However, the aesthetic effect isn’t quite the same as with wood. “It’s also not as strong, is less durable and is not as energy-efficient as the wood,” Johannes said. “It lets the cold get through
easier. There are also fewer grill pattern options for vinyl windows.” Fiberglass often provides a happy medium between the wood and vinyl. The price is about halfway between the two. The windows have strong frames and can be injected with foam to improve the R-value. “They are definitely more efficient than vinyl, but less efficient than wood,” Johannes said. “They hold up better to hail than either wood or vinyl, and
Courtesy photo
Vinyl windows are less expensive than wood and are also easier to maintain. However, they aren’t as energy efficient. give the appearance of painted wood for less expense. It’s a pretty popular option. We’ve been getting a lot of calls for it.”
He recommends people seek professional advice to determine the type of window that will work best for them.
Start at the top — keep your roof in good shape By ANDREW BOTTRELL abottrell@nptelegraph.com
Making sure you have a stable roof is a key component to making sure your house sells. According to Barb Booth, past president of the Lincoln County Board of Realtors, its also an extremely important aspect of buying a home. “If you’re buying a house, the chances of having something wrong and you not knowing about it are good if you don’t look,” she said. Other than the obvious reason of not wanting leaks in your roof, she said it’s also important for insurance purposes. “We’ve had so many hail storms, and we’ve also had some high winds,” Booth said. “You want to make sure your insurance company is not going to come back and say, first of all you’re going to have a minimum of $1,000 deductible. Second, if they look at the roof and say its only good for five six years, they are not going to give you full coverage. If you do get a hail storm, it will be a $1,000 deductible plus some of
the price of the new roof.” Booth said its important to note that you might not have a leaky roof, but that does not mean the roof is in good shape. The leaking, she said, just hasn’t begun. Another reason to make sure the roof is good is that after making a large investment in a home, you don’t want to have a huge expense within five years of purchase. To help combat that, she recommends putting aside 1 percent of the purchase price when you buy the home for routine maintenance and $1,000 each year for more maintenance costs. “If you buy a home where you have five years on the roof, then you definitely need to put aside $1,000 per year, so that you’re ready when it needs to be replaced, because it will need to be replaced,” she said. “You don’t want to come home some day and find your couch and your TV is soaked because there was a leak.” The easiest way to combat that when purchasing a home is to hire someone to physically go into the attic and inspect or go up there
Replacing the roof on your home before you sell it can increase the value of the home, but it’s also beneficial to the people buying the home. Having a new roof will help new buyers obtain insurance for the home and avoid having a large upgrade project after just a few years of owning it. Courtesy photo
yourself. She said a roof could look in good shape from the outside, depending on the appearance of the shingles, but it might not be stable inside. “You need to do a physical inspection of that attic to make sure there’s no water up there,” Booth said. She also suggests that all home owners check their attic each spring after the last freeze to make sure there isn’t any water that has seeped in. “You want to go up in the spring and check the attic for any signs of moisture coming in. It may not be more than a couple of gallons at a time. That won’t come through your ceiling but at some point, it will come through,” she said. “At some point, that water is going to saturate the wood up there and come on down through your ceiling.” Unfortunately, Booth said she
knows from experience. “I was watching TV and heard water coming down. I looked over and there was a puddle on the floor. I went to get something to clean it up and saw a puddle of water on my dining room table. I finally saw the tiny hole that it made, and it was just a quart of water. I went into my bedroom, and one my pillows was wet.” An ice jam had caused some seepage during a winter and over the course of several years, it had amassed moisture in the attic, she said. It caused an entire rebuild of the ceilings in the home, and repairs to the roof. “I was gathering this moisture over a period of years when it finally came through in some spots. That’s not a surprise you want to have a year or two after moving into your house,” she said.
THE NORTH PLATTE TELEGRAPH
SPRING HOME IMPROVEMENT
FRIDAY, MARCH 28, 2014
D3
Decks and patios add living space, comfort and value to any home. They can be revamped for summer with just a little effort. Spring is the time to work on any cleaning or repairs. General maintenance and upkeep can help prolong the life of your deck.
Courtesy photo
It’s time to prepare the deck or patio for summer fun Maintenance can add years to your outdoor living spaces
He recommends dusting off and inspecting patio furniture, bird feeders, flower pots and other outdoor decor as it is pulled out of storage. “Check for mold and cracks and replace anything damaged,” Zirnig said. “Wipe down chair cushions and make sure you have a By HEATHER JOHNSON clean surface to work with hjohnson@nptelegraph.com before setting anything out.” Duke Deitz, manager of Barbecue season is just Bloedorn Lumber in North around the corner and for Platte, offered tips for more many people, that means permanent structures. backyard parties. “If you take a plastic According to local experts, quart milk bottle and cut preparing for the festivities a ‘U’-shape in the bottom, isn’t difficult. It just takes a it makes a great gutter little time and effort. cleaner,” Deitz said. “Decks Justin Zirnig is a sales should be swept then cleaned representative for the with either a pressure washKildare Lumber Company in er or mild soap, water and a deck brush.” North Platte.
Zirnig said pressure washers are the fastest method, however care should be taken to avoid tearing up the material on wood decks. He also recommends taking safety precautions when using pressure washers. Those include wearing closetoed shoes and not spraying people or animals because the water can penetrate skin. The water also should not be sprayed near power lines, service feeds, electrical meters, wiring or windows. Zirnig encourages people to follow manufacturer specifications on labels if chemicals are used for cleaning. There are some chemicals that can damage skin. “We use a lot of Penofin,” Zirnig said. “They have a
three-step system for cleaning wood that works really well. On a wood deck, the best option is to strip it, clean it, then use a brightener. It pulls the colors back out of the wood. Before sealing it, check for rot and repair or replace anything you can.” The final step is adding a finish. According to Zirnig, there are hundreds to choose from. The quality of stain, weather elements and amount of direct sunlight will determine how long the finish lasts. “When selecting a finish, you want to look at UV protection,” Zirnig said. “Decks on the south or west sides of homes take more abuse from the sun’s rays.”
Deitz suggests using a garden sprayer to apply the stain because it is a quick, easy way to provide a smooth and even coat of product. His recommendation is to reapply stain every couple of years. “When it comes to fixing up patios, it really depends on the material,” Deitz said. “If the patio is concrete, moss and mold can be killed with Clorox. If it’s stone or brick, you have to be careful because Clorox can discolor it.” He said any weeds should be pulled from between the bricks. Spraying the patio with a pressure washer, just like a deck, puts the finishing touch on any backyard cleaning project.
Your back yard is a haven for fun, hidden dangers Child-proofing outdoors is just as important as the care taken inside
for dangerous plants. Plants are a leading cause of poisoning among preschool children, the AAP reports. If unsure about any of the plants in the yard, contact the Poison Help Line at 800222-1222 and ask for a list of poisonous plants Telegraph staff reports common in the area. Teach the child to The temperatures never eat anything begin to climb, the from a plant, no matgrass begins to green ter how tempting it up and everyone wants may look. to get outside. Courtesy photo And if you use pestiAnd just out the back cides or herbicides on door is a haven for A fence around the back yard can help protect chilyour lawn and garden, family fun and togeth- dren and pets from traffic and strangers. read the instructions erness. carefully and don’t But keep it safe for tips to keep backyards allow children to play without walls for everyone. young children. Fenc- safe. on a treated lawn for Parents, says State n If your yard is not at least 48 hours. es can protect children Point media, should fenced, always have from danger. n When having a take extra care in a responsible adult They keep toddlers backyard cookout, be child-proofing their present to supervise sure to screen the grill backyards, something out of swimming outdoor play and teach so children cannot pools, hot tubs and that is just as importponds and keep them children the boundar- touch it. Explain that ant as the child-proofaway from traffic and ies within which they it is hot like the stove ing done inside. strangers. Fences are should stay. in the kitchen. Store State Point offers propane grills so n Check the yard these tips for a fun and also important for pet safety, keeping your safe backyard experipets in the yard and ence. other animals out. n Remove tree Be sure than fences stumps and level concrete footings to avoid and gates are functional and free of rust. tripping. “Rusty metal gate n Lawn debris, such hardware that no as rocks can become longer functions projectiles when properly or becomes a mowing the lawn. threat to children is a Remember that chiltop homeowner condren should not be We Make Lawn Care Easy For You! cern,” Jim Paterson, nearby when parents senior vice-president or groundskeepers • Fertilization of D&D Technologies, are using motorized • Weed, Insect & Disease Control told State Point meequipment. And store dia. D&D manufac• Residential & Commercial • Licensed Applicators potentially dangerous tures gate latches and equipment, tools and Free Evaluation & Estimate hinges made of ulchemicals away from tra-strong engineering the reach of children, Huebner’s Nursery, Lawn & Garden Center polymers. preferably in a locked 8th & Poplar Streets 532-6100 The American Acadgarage or shed. th Our 39 Year of Lawn Service in North Platte emy of Pediatrics has n A yard without a some other helpful fence is like a home
LAWN SERVICE
children can not touch the knobs, and be sure charcoal is cold before dumping it. n If there is playground equipment in the backyard, take steps to be sure it is as safe as possible. Cover the areas around the equipment with shock-absorbing material, such as rubber, sand or mulch 9-12 inches deep. Make sure swing seats are made of rubber, not hard wood or metal and don’t hang more than two swings in the same section of equipment support structure. The equipment should have ladders with steps instead of rungs for easier access, or rungs with more than 9 inches or
less than 3½ between them to keep children from getting stuck. Cover all protruding bolts on playground equipment. Slides and platforms should be no higher than 6 feet for school age children or 4 feet for preschoolers. During hot days, check the temperature of the slides and swings because they can get hot enough to burn skin. n Finally, remember than children’s skin is even more sensitive to the sun’s UV rays. Use sunscreen and have plenty of shady areas in the yard. Plant trees and watch them grow. Install a canopy or put in an umbrella with the patio furniture.
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FRIDAY, MARCH 28, 2014
SPRING HOME IMPROVEMENT
THE NORTH PLATTE TELEGRAPH
Pump up the sound with new technology Home stereo systems have become streamlined, wireless
zone of the house based on individual need. Others go with all-in-one audio systems. “A person will come to us with what they would like to By ANDREW BOTTRELL have in their space,” he said. abottrell@nptelegraph.com “We’ll visit with them on Ten years ago, the six-com- all levels. Maybe introduce them to things that they ponent stack for your 5.1 audio system was sufficient. might not have thought of.” Systems today are truly But if you haven’t looked wireless. For example, part at your options lately, you of his store in North Platte might want to check out all uses invisible speakers, the advancements in techwhich connect to a central nology. Mo Cabrera, the car audio amplifier wirelessly. They can be painted over or set in manager at Express AVL to the wall so people don’t in North Platte, said the notice them. options are endless now if “It’s a space-saving feayou’re looking to finally ture,” he said. “You can upgrade that home theatre paint over them without or install your first. losing sound.” “Equipment really is conHe called the new, wireless densed,” he said. “You used technology a convenience to have a six-piece center and said people need to use stack. Everything is more it to their advantage. streamlined now.” “It’s not there to make So where to start? Some people go big, Cabre- your life harder, it’s definitera said, and have their entire ly there to make it easier,” house wired for sound, with he said. different components in each There are also components
Andrew Bottrell / The North Platte Telegraph
As technology has increased, in-home stereo theatre equipment has become more streamlined, which means more convenience and flexibility for homeowners. Many companies sell all-in-one 5.1 or 7.1 systems that don’t require you to have separate components. like infrared blasters. The speakers are installed into walls or ceilings, and all that is visible is a remote control and a small infrared eye to communicate with the remote. “It’s as hidden as the customer wants,” he said. “We’d always go with a full stealth install. If that’s not an op-
tion, we have blue tooth too.” There are also options for every budget. Full 5.1 systems, meaning systems with three front speakers, two surround-sound or back speakers and a sub-woofer, begin at $399, Cabrera said. Larger systems with 7.1 — three front speakers, four sur-
round-sound and a subwoofer — are a little more, he said. And then custom installs can be a bit pricier, though he said they are worth it. “We also piece components together based on what the customer wants,” he said. “We can wire several zones throughout a house.”
High-tech toilet seats: No hands or paper required NEW YORK (AP) — Every so often a revolution transforms something truly basic, rendering the status quo somewhat, well, primitive. First came covered sewers, then indoor plumbing and flush toilets. Now, one bathroom at a time, another major shift in toilet hygiene is quietly underway. A new generation of toilets may one day make toilet paper — and the need to put one’s hands anywhere near the unspeakable — seem like chamber pots and outhouses: outdated and somewhat messy throwbacks reserved for camping trips. Unlike traditional toilets, the high-tech version washes from behind and — if desired — in front with water. Better models allow for temperature, direction and pressure control, and have retractable spritzing wands and automatic driers as well. The best feature warm seats, automatic
The Associated Press
This photo provided by Toto shows a rendering of an Ultra High Efficiency Dual Flush Cyclone Flush Engine of a high tech toilet, Neorest 750H. A new generation of toilets may one day make toilet paper — and the need to put one’s hands anywhere near the unspeakable — seem outdated.
motion sensors to raise the lid, buttons to raise the seat, nightlights, self-cleaning mechanisms, music to mask unpleasant sounds, deodorizer spritzers and other conveniences. “Paper just distributes the problem,” said Lenora Campos, a spokeswoman for Georgia-based Toto USA. Toto, the Japanese company that pioneered
the modern electronic toilet seat, has sold 34 million of them globally. “We wash most things with water and wouldn’t dream of wiping a dish or anything else with a piece of paper and calling it clean. So why should personal hygiene be any different?” Toto began marketing the Washlet in Japan in 1980. Now 74
percent of Japanese households have toilets of the high-tech persuasion, making them more common there than home computers. The concept of electronic toilets that cleanse with water — widely known as bidet toilets or Washlets — has spread internationally over time, and dozens of companies around the world, including Inax, Brondell and Kohler, are producing them. Although most popular in Asia, basic versions are becoming standard in much of the Middle East and South America, where cleansing with water has long been preferred to paper. They are finally becoming more popular in Europe, where “boudoir paper” was introduced in the 19th century, and in equally paper-centric North America. They have been a long time coming. In the U.S., “bidets were always seen as European, and an oddity of the French,” said Rose George, author of “The Big Necessity: The Unmentionable World of Human Waste and Why It Matters” (Metropolitan Books, 2008).
In addition to general squeamishness about discussing the way we clean ourselves, some in the U.S. worried about the high-tech toilets’ requirement that a grounded electrical outlet be nearby, or thought the early control panels made the toilets look clumsy. That said, the predecessor to modern high-tech toilets was actually invented in the United States, by Arnold Cohen of Brooklyn, who patented a pedal-operated seat he’d designed as a sort of sophisticated sitzbath to help his ailing father. He founded the American Bidet Company in 1964, marketing his product as an “American way to bidet” and “the first wash and dry toilet.” But the subject was considered too vulgar for ads. “I installed thousands of my seats all over the suburbs of New York, and we had offices all across the country,” said Cohen, whose company still exists. “But advertising was a next-to-impossible challenge. Nobody wants to hear about Tushy Washing 101.” The place where his invention really
took off was Japan. “I licensed to the Toto company and sent container after container to Japan,” said Cohen, whose patent later expired. Toto came up with a more sophisticated version and by 1980 had trademarked the Washlet. Sleek, electronic and no longer marketed as primarily a bidet, it became available in the U.S. in 1989. But it took another 20 years for mainstream American vendors like Home Depot and Lowes to embrace the technology and for prices to come down enough for average consumers. There are roughly 1.5 million high-tech seats in use in the United States, and millions more featuring more basic, non-electric, water-cleansing methods such as attachments and sprayers. Although high-tech toilets still account for a scant 1 percent of toilets in the U.S., Brondell and Toto both estimate growth in the high-tech segment at around 15 percent or more per year, and significantly higher than that in the last two years. And this despite minimal advertising.
THE NORTH PLATTE TELEGRAPH
SPRING HOME IMPROVEMENT
FRIDAY, MARCH 28, 2014
D5
Regular maintenance makes home last longer Telegraph staff reports
The National Association of Realtors says a house in worn condition can lose up to 10 percent of its previously-appraised value. On the other hand, proactive preventive maintenance can increase the value of a home each year by 1 percent. It doesn’t require a huge investment to improve the value of a home. In today’s busy world, it can be difficult to be motivated to tackle tasks around the house, but neglecting home maintenance is a mistake, according to the experts. “Regular home maintenance can benefit your family’s health, safety and pocketbook,” Elizabeth Dodson, co-founder of HomeZada, said in State Point Media. “Consider creating a home maintenance schedule to stay organized and motivated.” HomeZada is a digital hub that allows homeowners to track current and future remodel projects, furnishings, landscaping projects and home improvement projects all in one place. Homeowners who sign up at www. HomeZada.com will automatically receive comprehensive home improvement checklists and automated alerts and reminders when it is time to complete a task. Spring is an excellent time to begin and stay with a regular schedule to keep things in the home up and running properly.
door’s auto reverse feature. n Run water and flush toilets in unused spaces. Grime can build up in guest bathrooms and other unused sinks and water sources. n Check the water softener and add salt if needed. Suggested maintenance twice a year: n Test your water heater’s pressure relief value. This prevents mineral and corrosion build up which helps prevent leaks. n Give your house a deep cleaning. Keeping things clean and not letting dirt, Courtesy photo dust and grime build Keeping gutters free from leaves and other debris will up helps keep a home in improve drainage and extend the life of a home’s shin- good shape. gles. n Vacuum refrigerator coils. Suggested mainteman” suggests using a A refrigerator can nance for each month: degreaser purchased use up to 15 percent of n Inspect and possifrom an auto parts store a home’s total power, so bly change out HVAC mixed with hot water. keeping it running as Let the filter sit for a filters. efficiently as possible few minutes before While many experts is important. Coils get rinsing. suggest changing the dirty over time and can n Inspect fire extinfilters monthly, it is cause the appliance to guishers. not always necessary. use more electricity. Check that there For smaller families without pets or allergies is easy access to the Time to head extinguisher, that the changing filers every outdoors also gauge shows adequate 2-3 months should be Spring is also an fine. Inspect them every pressure and that the important time for extinguisher shows no month and if they are cleaning and preventive signs of wear and tear. dirty, change them. maintenance. Suggested mainn Clean the kitchen Experts advise the tenance every three sink disposal. homeowners take months: The handiest and n Test smoke and car- a close look at their easiest way to do this is home’s exterior after with vinegar ice cubes. bon dioxide detectors. a long winter. Is paint If the alarm sounds, Freeze vinegar in an ice chipping? Is there the batteries are good. cube tray and then run siding damage? Holes in Replace the batteries the ice cubes through the bricks? Take a close and test again. If the the disposal. The vinelook and make repairs alarm still doesn’t gar freshens the dissound, check to make as needed. Check the posal and the ice cubes sure there isn’t any foundation for cracks. sharpen the blades. corrosion on the battery Suggestions for n Clean range hood terminals. Clean and outdoor spring maintefilters. try again. nance: “The Family Handyn Test the garage n Check the exteri-
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or drainage. Puddles should not stand around the home for more than 24 hours. n Clean out the gutters. n Repair and replace damages window screens. n Get air conditioning system ready for summer. n Clear dead plants and shrubs from the house. n Check trees for interference with electrical lines. n Inspect the roof for any damage or leaks. As homeowners prepare for summer, add these suggestions to the list of summer chores. n Check grout in bathrooms and kitchens and repair as needed. n Inspect plumbing for leaks and clean aerators on faucets. n Take care of any insect problems. n Clean and repair decks and patios as needed. n Clean out debris from window wells, n Check and clean dryer vent and any other exhaust vents to the exterior of the home. And in the fall, homeowners should: n Flush the hot water heater and remove the sediment. n Winterize the air conditioning system and get the heating sys-
tem ready for winter. n Turn off and flush outdoor water faucets and flush outdoor hoses and store them. Winterize sprinkler systems. n Get chimney cleaned. n Check the driveway and sidewalks for cracks and have them resealed before winter. Water freezing in cracks causes them to expand. n Stock up on winter supplies of sidewalk salt, and have a good shovel ready for the snow. Winter is the time to concentrate on the interior of the house but don’t forget to check for ice dams and icicles. They can get heavy and cause damage to the house. n Tighten any handles, knobs and racks. Tighten anything that might have a loose screw. n Check all the locks and deadbolts on doors and windows. n Check the caulking around showers and tubs and remove the shower-head and clean out the sediment. This prolongs the life of the showerhead and helps with water pressure. n Check the basement. Dust, clean the windows and check for mold.
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FRIDAY, MARCH 28, 2014
SPRING HOME IMPROVEMENT
THE NORTH PLATTE TELEGRAPH
Finger-paint decor: Kids’ art adds personal touch By MELISSA KOSSLER DUTTON
The Associated Press
It’s a conundrum many parents face: what to do with the steady flow of drawings, paintings, collages and more that children bring home from school and camp? Which are the keepers and — besides sticking them up on the refrigerator with magnets — how can you display them creatively? “They caught me throwing some away, and they were not happy about it,” Mandy Rose of Carterville, Ill., said of her three children. Rose, who loves to decorate her house and writes about it at houseofroseblog.com, decided to combine some of her kids’ work with professional pieces and family photos in a montage on her dining room wall. She even commissioned one of the kids to create a finger painting for an eye-catching frame she had bought. “People always ask, ‘Did your kids make that?’” she said. “It’s a real conversation starter.” Children’s art absolutely has a place in home décor and can add a welcome personal touch, said Esther Sadowsky, owner of Charm & Whimsy, an interior design firm in Jersey City, N.J. “Sometimes my jaw drops when I see the work of my customers’ children,” she said. “Children’s art displayed in a house — it’s a home then.” Like Rose, she suggests displaying kids’ works in art groupings. She often lays out the pieces on the floor so she and her client can visualize how they fit together. “You can make a beautiful arrangement,” said Sadowsky, who has a painting she made
The Associated Press
This photo provided by Pottery Barn Kids shows the Butterfly Art Cable, a temporary way to display children’s art. Interior designers and others encourage parents to find a way to create a rotating gallery in their home for children’s art.
as a 12-year-old hanging in her own living room. Rose laid out the items for her “gallery wall” on the floor as well. She snapped photos of various arrangements so she could compare them, and went through her house to find frames in the same color palette to create cohesion in the grouping. Sadowsky has sent parents to big box stores or craft stores to buy inexpensive frames. It’s possible to find frames with precut mats for a more professional look. Do-it-yourselfers also can use construction paper or foam core to create mats for artwork, she said. In her children’s playroom, Rose strung wire between two hooks and allows the kids to pick and choose what they want to hang up. The setup allows them to highlight favorite paintings and projects until they make something they like better. Finding a temporary place
like that to display work makes sense, agreed Jeffry Cudlin, a professor of curatorial studies and practice at Maryland Institute College of Art in Baltimore. He routinely highlights the work of his 4-year-old son, Miles, at home to show him that the family values handmade art. Cudlin uses binder clips to hang Miles’ art in an ornate frame that usually hangs in his dining room; the clips mean he can rotate different pieces through the frame for an ever-changing display. Deciding which pieces to keep long-term can be a challenge, Cudlin said. He looks for work that includes loved ones or commemorates a special event. He routinely frames Miles’ work and gives it to family members who are represented in the drawing. He also finds that he appreciates many of his son’s drawings more after he asks questions about them. The
The Associated Press
This photo provided by Dynamic Frames Inc. shows how easy it is to quickly add art to the company’s cabinet-style frames. The frames open from the front to allow parents to slip in artwork without taking the frame off the wall.
art provides insights into how the preschooler views the world, and helps preserve his thoughts, Cudlin said. “His way of thinking about things — the way he experiences the world — you’re not going to get that back,” he said. Cali Sanker, education coordinator of the Ohio State
University Urban Arts Space in Columbus, recommends saving a child’s pieces from various ages to create an artistic record of his or her growth. “It is not only a special way to reminisce about your child’s younger years, but a special way of embracing how much they have grown,” she said.