QC-Home & Garden Guide_May 25 by Postmedia Saskatchewan

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Home&Garden 2018 Regina Summer

Guide

Your local guide to renovating, gardening, decorating and more!

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How to hire a renovation contractor

Home&Garden 2018 Regina Summer

Guide

CONTENTS How to hire a contractor

Expert tips for landscaping your new yard

Chef’s essentials inspire innovative kitchen

Fixing foundations in Regina’s shifty soil

How to achieve a beautiful back yard

Smart home technology is eco-friendly

Hard water proves hard on your wallet

Do these ﬁve things before you reroof

Incorporate Scandinavian style into decor

All blinds are not created equal

EDITOR Jeannie Armstrong

DESIGNER Lesley Cockburn

WRITERS Andrew Livingstone Wendy Livingstone

THIS SECTION WAS CREATED BY CONTENT WORKS, POSTMEDIA’S COMMERCIAL CONTENT DIVISION.

If your home needs a refresh, consider opting for the services of a licensed and qualified contractor for projects that are beyond your DIY skills. Use these tips to select the right one: • Find a contractor you can trust and are comfortable with. Check out the renovator thoroughly. Ask lots of questions when you meet, talk with previous customers, and visit past or current projects. Don’t underestimate the importance of a comfortable personal fit so that you feel they are easy to talk with and are responsive. Find out what services the contractor offers. Many professional renovation contractors also provide design and planning services that add value to the process. A true pro will point out opportunities for improving your design and any alternative that can save you money or improve the overall quality of your project. • Make sure you have a detailed written contract. A professional contractor will always provide a complete written contract that spells out everything, including their warranty. Never settle for anything less than this. Working with a contractor who does business the right way means

For a successful renovation project, it’s important to establish good communication with your contractor. P hot o: neWs Canada

not having to lie awake at night worrying what the final costs will be, or if the job will even get finished. A cash deal with no contract is no deal at all. • Know what to expect. Ask a lot of questions before any work begins. Who will be at your home for each portion of the work? How will your day-to-day living be impacted? Should you consider moving out during any portion of the construction process? What if you want to make changes? The more you know upfront about the whole process, the less anxious you’ll feel. • Take an active role throughout the project. The best renovation results come from good communication between you and your renovation contractor.

Ask for regular updates and know how to get hold of the contractor if you have questions or concerns. Be prepared to spend time going over drawings, monitoring the project’s progress and fully discussing decisions. • Don’t expect a problem-free renovation. The bigger the project, the more likely you’ll run into the unexpected, such as existing deficiencies hidden in the walls, delays in special orders or bad weather. Be flexible and understand that some things are beyond the contractor’s control. T h e C a n a d i a n Ho m e Builder’s Association offers free information on how to hire a contractor the smart and safe way. Find more information at www.getitinwriting.ca.

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Expert tips for landscaping your new yard by Andrew Livingst one

Landscaping can be challenging in any region, but Regina property owners are further limited by the availability of materials and the extremes of our climate. With some guidance from an expert however, landscaping can enhance a property both aesthetically and practically. Fortunately for those creating or revising their properties, landscaping fashion is not as fickle as other aesthetic domains. “It’s been pretty consistent over the last 10 years,” said Brandon McGillivray, who owns and operates Cherry Lane Landscaping. “It’s the creativity of the design part of things that’s consistently improving.” McGillivray said that light, orange-red colours are currently quite unfashionable: “Darker colours seem to be more so a hit in the last three years as opposed to the lighter, sandier tones that definitely were popular in the mid-2000s.” That is one of the reasons why McGillivray prefers to work with dark stones, such as the Rundle Rock that has recently become accessible

Regina homeowners are opting for more creative designs in landscaping. Ph oto: Ch e rry Lan e L an d s CaP ing

from Canmore. “It’s different, it’s sharper corners, it’s not the regular, smooth, round rock that we get in Saskatchewan, and it’s dark in colour – consistent grey. It really accents shrubs that have colour,” said McGillivray. “It is still a lot more money than what you would find here as far as rock goes.” So, those who are content with lighter earth tones and smoother shapes will probably prefer to reduce their costs with locally-sourced rocks, which can be enhanced using surrounding

shapes. “Rock looks best when it’s shaped throughout a yard with brick – when brick borders a rock bed, that’s what really makes the rock look good,” McGillivray said. “It’s just not really alive until you add some shape to it.” With dark or light earth tones as a foundation, homeowners can bring more vivid colour into their yards using vegetation. Some plants that thrive in wetter or warmer areas cannot survive in Regina, but there are still many that thrive in this part

of the continent. Nevertheless, landscapers here should consider how their properties will look throughout the year. For the summer, McGillivray is fond of the hardier grasses. “Karl Foerster grasses and low-maintenance grasses are a pretty popular thing nowadays, because they’re so easy to maintain, they don’t require a lot of moisture and they look beautiful,” he said. “They grow straight, almost like a wheat sheaf. In the very bottom of it, it’ll have green

grasses, and then golden wheat sheaves grow straight up … They look very good amongst rocks or anything that can display the gold and green that they offer.” For the winter, McGillivray recommends ninebarks and dogwoods. “They’re both very hardy in a zone 3, which is what we have in Saskatchewan, and dogwoods look beautiful in the winter because they have maroon sticks that show after the leaves fall off,” he said. “When winter is half of the year, it’s kind of nice to have something that looks good throughout the winter months. And ninebarks are really nice in the summer when they bloom too – almost a dark red or burgundy colour.” Of course, evergreens are always a popular option for year-round colour, though McGillivray cautions that cedars do not always thrive here. “Instead of cedars, I like using junipers: they grow really well in our zone 3, and they look beautiful in the wintertime,” he said. “Things like junipers, and spruce and pine all look beautiful in the winter as well as in the summer.”

If a landscaper intends to cultivate vegetation, fresh topsoil is typically a wise addition. “We’re quite fortunate with how much dirt we have here: we have pretty good soil when it’s all mixed together,” said McGillivray. “It’s always good if you’re doing grass to try and have around four inches of topsoil or more.” Building up the earth around a home also protects its structure. “We do have water drainage issues because we have such flat terrain in Saskatchewan, so it’s always good to make sure your highest elevation is at your house,” McGillivray said. “If you were to bring up your grade, make sure that the material that you use – hopefully yellow clay – is packed down nice and firmly so that you can get as much material in as possible.” Ultimately, McGillivray says that landscaping is a difficult task that may prove overly challenging for amateurs. “Building a yard is quite a complex process, and there’s not a lot of people that would build their own home. It definitely takes some research to do it properly.”

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Chef’s essentials inspire kitchen innovation When award-winning chef and culinary visiona r y M i c h a e l Vo l t a g g i o was remodeling his West Hollywood home, he purposefully selected kitchen essentials that facilitate restaurant-level culinary innovation in a residential setting. Chef Voltaggio’s home kitchen couples superior functionality with style, integrating handpicked fixtures and tools of the trade necessary to establish an environment that inspires an elevated culinary process. MINDFUL MISE EN P L AC E

One of the most important lessons a chef learns is the concept of mise e n p l a c e – Fr e n c h f o r “everything in its place” – to streamline organization and enable efficiency. With expert forethought and understanding of the importance of countertops as a prep canvas, Voltaggio incorporated creative cabinetry and storage solutions into his home kitchen, creating a clean, structured environment. To maximize space, he used his favoured methods, such as a vacuum pack

machine to clear freezer space, and stackable containers to organize ingredients and increase efficiency. Infusing versatility wherever possible is also ke y to a high-functioning kitchen. Voltaggio incorporated a rolling cutting board island to provide more prep space when needed, and to be used as a serving station while entertaining. TOOLS MEET TECHNIQUE

Se a m l e s s i n t e g rat i o n of carefully selected everyday essentials will ensure an at-home chef is se t up for success in the kitchen. Voltaggio’s personal kitchen is no exception, being fully equipped with must-have tools such as a c ustomized knife se t made to ensure comfort and secure handling, an immersion circulator for commercial-style sous vide cooking, and a Japanese mandoline to slice consistently sized portions for a professional meal aesthetic. Each tool should serve a purpose, enhancing individual technique and empowering the user

to cook at restaurant-level quality. S O P H I S T I CAT E D F U N C T I O NA L I T Y

As an anchor fixture in the culinary process, the faucet serves as a key essential for function and design in Voltaggio’s kitchen. The Solna Articulating Kitchen Faucet with SmartTouch Technology by Brizo is inspired by a sleek, Scandinavian aesthetic, bringing crisp lines and beautiful simplicity into any kitchen. Akin to the industrial feel of a commercial kitchen, the faucet’s design offers a full range of motion, a magnetic docking system and innovative touch technology that allows simple water activation ideal for fast-paced kitchen environments. Merge functionality of this calibre with sleek design elements to create a contemporary, commercial-inspired setting in the comfort of a residential kitchen space.

When remodelling his West Hollywood home, award-winning chef Michael Voltaggio wanted to integrate purposefully selected essentials into his kitchen’s design. P hot o: BP t

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Maintaining a source of creative inspiration will ensure at-home cooks are constantly evolvi n g a n d r e fi n i n g t h e i r

Michael Voltaggio was the winner of season six of the popular cooking competition reality show, Top Chef. P hot o: BP t

culinary skills. A musthave essential for Voltaggio is the ever-present stack of cookbooks, offering new and unexplored recipes of classical chefs and contemporaries alike. A dedicated place to take notes also enhances a chef ’s ability to ideate while experimenting in the kitchen. Build in space for a chalkboard or whiteboard to plan and curate recipes, enabling real-time improvisation and setting a foundation for restaurant-worthy culinary creativity. (BPT)

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Fixing foundations in Regina’s shifty soil by Andrew Livingst one

It’s no secret that the soil in Regina presents a problem for homeowners and home builders, as the unstable gumbo can cause foundations to tilt and crack and allow water to seep into a home. Fortunately, a basement can be righted, repaired and reinforced even against Regina’s soil conditions. “It’s just very elastic dirt. It’s always on the move – constantly,” said Terry Paun, who owns and operates RSR Construction with his wife, Terry. “The best way to describe it is that it’s just like building on bubblegum. It’s so soft, and the moisture content is so high … Especially in the cold winters, when it freezes, the amount of movement is just crazy.” The problem has only been exacerbated by more recent conditions. “Now, the dry weather is causing the foundations to drop, because the moisture’s coming out of the ground,” said Paun. Not surprisingly, some basements are simply constructed to be stronger and more stable than others. “It comes down to who the contractor is who built the home,” said Paun. “A lot of builders don’t build on piles, and they should. I know that it’s an expense, but, in the long run, it’s something that the customers should be requesting … Some use really heavy rebar, and they don’t have many issues, and others use next to nothing, and they just come apart like you wouldn’t believe.” Consequently, Paun advises prospective home buyers to pay special attention to the

foundations and even enlist their own assessment from a professional with direct experience. “Sometimes, the home inspections are covered up,” said Paun, though he says that some inspectors do not even recognize foundational weaknesses. “Every year, we’ve got customers that have been ripped off by somebody trying to hide faulty basements.” In the event of water inflow to your basement, the foundations themselves may not be to blame, however, and the problem may be solved through other adjustments. “Sometimes, it’s as simple as grade-correction outside,” said Paun. “You’ll find a lot of people that, when it sinks, they don’t fill it up, and they should, because, the deeper that it goes, the more water is flooding in.” If the foundations themselves are indeed at fault, they may require new or better underpinning to stabilize the home from beneath. “If it’s a matter of half the house dropping, then it would be a matter of underpinning with screw piles, and then we basically lift the house up,” said Paun. “We put a pile every eight to nine feet, and we use bottle jacks to lift those.” New technology has made the process of underpinning easier and more accurate. “It’s got to be done all together so it’s an even lift. That was the problem with bottle jacks: you have to have a man basically on every jack,” said Paun. “So, we’ve gotten away from that and we’ve bought a new system that actually lifts the whole thing evenly and all at once.”

On the other hand, if the basement walls are buckling without an overall shift in the foundations, then bracing will be a more appropriate remedy. “If it’s cracking – just a matter of some basic heaving – sometimes it fractures because of the weight of the dirt, which pushes the walls inward,” said Paun. “That causes the basement to fracture horizontally and vertically. If that’s the case, you can just brace it if it’s not that severe.” Like underpinning, this often requires a great deal of digging. “If it has a lot of deflection in the wall, then we usually recommend excavating, and we straighten the walls out and then brace,” said Paun. With the exterior basement walls exposed, an extra layer of waterproofing can be added to stop moisture before it even reaches the structure. “There’s a good half-dozen different manufacturers, and they all have different thicknesses,” said Paun. “We excavate around the home, put the blue skin up, and there’s a dimpled membrane that goes over top of it as well. It’s like a backup, but it also protects the membrane from getting rocks or sticks poking holes in it.” In every case, Paun emphasizes that an engineer must be consulted before any action is taken. Many of the issues that he encounters are caused by a lack of foresight by previous builders, and an engineer helps him to fully assess a problem and consider the potential consequences of every solution. “We’ll do the initial survey and then go through an engineer,” he said.

Faulty foundations may require new or better underpinning to stabilize the home from beneath. P hot o: R SR ConStRuCt ion

With the exterior basement walls exposed, an extra layer of waterproofing can be added to stop moisture before it even reaches the structure. P hot o: R SR ConS tRuCt ion

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How to achieve a bountiful back yard by Wendy Livingst one

Imagine growing , ser ving – and eating – plump juicy tomatoes, crisp green lettuce, and tiny crunchy carrots that have a fresh taste unlike any from the supermarket. Producing vegetables in your own garden can be extremely satisfying, but it does require some knowhow: Mother Nature often needs a little help to create the ideal growing conditions. While you can’t change her plans for the weather, there are many steps you can take to help your plants reach their fullest potential. Denise Mlazgar of the Regina Horticultural Society (RHS) says that, first and foremost, you must choose a good location. “ You need an area that would receive a minimum of eight hours of direct sunlight a day,” says the RHS’s past president and member

of the board of directors. The second consideration is soil. Regina’s clay soil is not ideal, especially for root vegetables or tubers, so Mlazgar recommends lightening it by working in a six-inch layer of compost or well-rotted manure every year. “Good s o i l g r o w s g r e at v e ge tables,” she says. For raised beds or containers, she strongly discourages using the soil from your yard but recommends instead a mixture of equal parts topsoil, perlite, compost and peat moss, or use a commercial product such as Pro-Mix. “It has all the components, so it’s ready to use. It’s a bit more expensive, but it’s well worth it in the end,” she says. The best soil helps to retain moisture while allowing drainage in a way that’s beneficial to roots. Determining the water requirements in a good soil – regardless of the weath-

er – can be done with a simple test. “I put my finger in the dirt,” says Mlazgar, “and if it sticks to my finger, I know that it’s wet enough, and if it’s dry and crumbly, I water.” She recommends watering early in the morning so that the plants can use the moisture throughout the heat of the day. Also, plants that are damp overnight are more susceptible to fungus and blight. Use of a mulch, such as grass clippings or wood chips, will help reduce evaporation. Once the location has been determined and the soil is ready, it’s time to plant the seeds. Plants that require 75 days or less to harvest can be planted directly into the soil and will have time to ripen during Saskatchewan’s short growing season. Those that require more, such as broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower, tomatoes, peppers and celery, should be started indoors.

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Vegetable gardening is an activity the entire family can enjoy. P hot o: Get t y ImaG es

“As far as what to plant,” says Mlazgar, “grow what you like to eat. Read the package – it will give you lots of information as to whether it’s a kind that you would like, days to maturity, how deep to plant the seeds and how far apart to put them.” Cool season vegetables,

such as beets, carrots, peas, parsnips, spinach, onions and those in the cabbage family, can be planted from early to mid-May while the ground is still cool. Warm season crops, such as beans, corn, cucumber and squash, will get a better start in warm soil, so it’s best to wait until at least

the May long weekend to plant them. Although Mlazgar considers seed packages to be a valuable resource, experience has taught her to disregard one piece of information provided. “You can space your plants much S e e b o u n t i f u l o n page 9

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Smart home technology is eco-friendly b o u n t i f u l F r o m page 8

further apart than they say.” Planting them close together creates more work later because they then have to be thinned out, she says. Rows can also be fairly close together as long as you can access your plants. Alternately, they can be planted using “square-foot” gardening, which involves planting in patches rather than rows. This can be very appropriate when planting in raised beds. Another handy tip for planting in small spaces such as pots is to select determinate tomatoes (which grow to a certain height and then stop growing and produce fruit) rather than the indeterminate varieties (which never stop growing

and require pruning in order to help them produce fruit). Also, determinate tomatoes can often be harvested earlier. Further space-saving can be achieved by training vine-like plants, such as cucumber, peas, squash and melons, to climb up netting or trellises. No matter how much space is available, it will help to reduce competition for nutrients and water. Planting your garden away from trees, removing weeds without delay, and thinning crops that look crowded will give your plants their best chance to thrive. By following the preceding tips, in a few short months, you could soon be enjoying produce that might even make the Jolly Green Giant envious.

More and more families are shifting to a greener lifestyle, and if you’re one of them, you’re always looking for ways to reduce your impact on the environment. Consider this: The average household spends $1,300 on energy expenses each year. Installing a smart home system like Iris or Google Home Mini can help you reduce those costs by putting you in total control of the connected devices in your home and making your home more energy efficient. Consider these tips for using smart home technology to make your home more eco-friendly: • Control your home’s temperature from anywhere. Installing a smart thermostat connected to your home automation system can help reduce your energy costs by 15-30 per cent each year.

Smart thermostats allow you to program your thermostat based on your daily routine so you can conserve more energy when you aren’t at home. This way you’re not wasting additional energy heating or cooling an empty space. • Water effectively. Unnecessary watering can waste more than 6,000 gallons of water per month. Installing a smart irrigation system can help you avoid unnecessary watering by automating the watering of your lawn based on weather conditions. You can make final adjustments as the season goes on to ensure your lawn stays fresh and your water usage is manageable. • Dim your lights. Accidentally leaving the lights on in a room you’re not using is obviously a waste of energy. At the same time, you may

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also be wasting energy simply by using more brightness than you need. Most people don’t need their lights to be on at 100 per cent. Installing a smart dimmer is easy and allows you to adjust your lights based on your needs and preferences. Once it’s installed, try setting your lights to 80 per cent of their previous usage. You probably won’t notice the

difference in the room, but you’ll certainly see it on your energy bill. From your appliances and your laptop to your smartphone, you use technology every single day to make your life easier. So why not utilize it to live a more eco-friendly lifestyle? To learn more, visit www.lowes.com/smarthome. (BPT)

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Hard water proves hard on your wallet Hard water, which contains high levels of calcium and magnesium, can be found in nearly 90 percent of North American homes. These minerals cause scaling, a build-up that clogs waterlines and plumbing forcing appliances to work harder and operate less efficiently. The scale may also harbour bacteria. The only way to truly remove the hard and soft scale from household water systems is by installing saltbased water softeners. The environmental and cost benefits of salt-based water softening are significant. Hard water scaling

can cause your showerhead to lose up to 75 per cent of its flow rate in just 18 months. Hard water also interacts negatively with soap, reducing its cleaning power. Soft water is up to 12 times more effective at cleaning dishes than increasing the amount of detergent used. According to the Water Quality Research Foundation for washing machines, the most important factor in removing stains from clothing was water softness. Reduction of water hardness was up to 100 times more effective at stain removal than increas-

ing the detergent dose or washing with hotter water. In fact, soft water can reduce soap use by as much as half. Hard water can also reduce the efficiency of water heaters and increase electricity costs by as much as 48 percent, according to the Battelle Memorial Institute. Hard water scaling doesn’t just harm your appliances and wallet, it can harm your health as well. The piping used in home plumbing, whether it is copper or PVC, has very smooth interior surfaces that don’t permit bacteria to settle and grow. How-

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Do these five things before you re-roof Is it time to replace your roof ? According to the National Roofing Contractors’ Association (NRCA), the following findings are indicators that shingles may have reached their life expectancy: • Shingles that are buckling, curling or blistering; • Damage around chimneys, pipes and other penetrations; • Excessive amounts of shingle granules in your gutters. Granules give shingles added weight and protect them from ultraviolet rays. The NRCA recommends that homeowners hire a professional roofing contractor to perform a roof assessment. An annual inspection will help identify potential problems. Most roof systems need to be replaced every 20 years, according to the NRCA. When choosing a roofing company to replace your shingles, follow these five steps:

1. CheCk C o n t r aC t o r q ua l i f i Cat i o n s

Choose a local, reputable contractor. These contractors should have the best knowledge of local building codes, state codes and required certifications and licenses. Ask the contractor to see their certificate of insurance before stepping onto the roof. Consider going the extra mile and choosing a contractor certified by the manufacturer of the shingle the contractor installs. Improper installation is considered one of the major reasons roofs fail prematurely, so finding a contractor with knowledge and experience in the correct application of a particular product is of the utmost importance. 2. Determine l ayov e r o r t e a r off

Many times, contractors will push for a removal of all existing shingles, or a tear off, over adding an-

other layer of shingles on top of an existing roof, a layover. Although a complete tear off is more expensive due to increased labor costs, there are some advantages. “When you tear off, you get a chance to look at the roof deck and repair any deteriorating wood or substrate,” said Rick Taylor, longtime roofing contractor and a trainer for shingle manufacturer TAMKO Building Products Inc. Typically, doing a layover is more economical, although homeowners need to discuss relevant factors with their contractor, including local building code requirements and implications for the manufacturer’s warranty. 3. researCh the wa r r a n t y

It is important to understand the warranty specific to the roof product you have installed. Educate yourself on requirements for installation, including

whether a shingle layover is applicable (as mentioned above). “Some shingle manufacturers won’t warranty the roof unless it is a complete tear off,” Taylor said. “TAMKO is one that actually does have the option to warranty a laminated shingle applied over one other layer of 3-tab shingles.” Other warranty concerns to consider include proper installation, the required steps to register your roof after installation and the time period allowed for transferring that warranty to future owners of the home. 4. assess v e n t i l at i o n n e e D s

Inadequate roof ventilation is another major culprit behind premature roof aging. There are a variety of options for roof ventilation; however, it is generally recommended to incorporate proper ventilation into the original re-roof, rather than add it

The Heritage line of asphalt shingles by TAMKO Building Products Inc. P hot o: BP t

later. The recommended ventilation depends on the size and architecture of the home, but when done correctly, the air inside the attic should be near the same temperature as the ambient temperature of the air outside it. 5. CheCk the w e at h e r

It may seem obvious, but a simple check of the weather before starting a roofing project could prevent a big headache

later. Avoid starting a project with wet plywood or underlayment, or when the forecast indicates a strong chance of rain. Also, many manufacturers of asphalt shingles do not recommend installation in below-freezing temperatures or in excessively high temperatures. Careful consideration of these steps during your next home exterior project could save you from costly and lengthy rework years later. (BPT)

Interior & Exterior Residential and Commercial Painting Call or email Fred today for a quote.

Office: 306.352.2944 Cell: 306.535.8391 ArtisticPainting@hotmail.com

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Incorporate Scandinavian style into decor As homeowners look for ways to refresh their spaces, Scandinavian style has become e ver more prominent and popular among designers and interior decor experts. The clean, modern, minimalist aesthetic shows up in interiors and exteriors, from streamlined furniture to low-maintenance landscaping. Here’s how to achieve a Nordic look in your own home: “Slow design” and minimalist décor — Perhaps the most common association with Scandinavian style is minimalist decor. Less is more when it comes to decorating, and the concept of “slow design” focuses on fewer, higher quality pieces collected over time. Melding indoors and out — Scandinavian style incorporates materials

that meld indoors with outdoors — natural woods, slat walls, leather accents and greener y. “Cottage culture” architecture style draws on these influences and makes interiors feel like cozy cabins in the woods. Func tional furniture — Storage and good looks — Another key aspect of the Nordic style is hardworking, functional furnishings. A piece can be beautiful and als o h av e u t i l i ty — l i ke eye-catching shoe racks and shelving, or built-in bed storage that creates a unique frame. Cool, natural tones and light woods in flooring — Scandinavian style incorporates natural tones of whites, grays and light browns. Pale wood and whitewashed floors create a clean, spacious

look. That look can be achieved with oak and maple styles, as well as wood-look tiles and laminates with wood graining. Retailers like Lumber Liquidators, who regularly publish seasonal trends reports, have an array of cool-toned flooring options to choose from, such as Dream Home X2O Mi s ty Mo r n i n g O a k , a water-resistant laminate with a soft seashell tone and realistic oak graining. If homeowners want to be on trend with Scandinavian style in their home, the key is updating with clean, modern and lighttoned accents. Functional furniture will help you organize your space and efficiently use the room. Finish off the room with sunny wood grain flooring and your Nordic look is complete. (BPT)

Scandinavian style draws its inspiration from nature ‒ combining elements of natural woods, slat walls, leather accents and greenery. P hot o: BP t

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All blinds are not created equal by Wendy Livingst one

Spring is a great time for new beginnings, like giving one’s home a fresh, new look. Window coverings can be the focal point of a home’s décor, and replacing them can be one of the best ways to rejuvenate any room. Sometimes, however, the overwhelming selection of window coverings can make it difficult to know where to start. “The way that we help our clients select is to ask lots of questions to try and help narrow it down,” says Sharon Dean, manager of Regina’s Budget Blinds. “The most important things are that the window coverings are aesthetically pleasing in your home, functional for your family’s needs and, of course, fit within the right budget.” The function of window coverings could be to provide insulation, to reduce glare or to darken the room. For insulation, Dean recommends cellular blinds, also called honeycombs, which trap air in horizontal channels, thus significantly increasing the R-value of the window. “There are a lot of window coverings that can help with energy efficiency and making sure furnaces and air conditioners aren’t working overtime, but the cellulars are the main ones,” she says. The next consideration is appearance. You want something that looks nice, so we

want to match the home’s décor, whether it’s more traditional, or a rustic or a modern home,” says Dean. “Shutters, for example, can go in traditional heritage homes and really pop in that sort of space, but they can also be made with a wider louvre and we can put them in a really modern space as well.” When window coverings are purchased from a business such as Budget Blinds, a professional designer provides an in-home consultation, helping to ensure that the best choices for style, materials and colour are made. Another advantage of dealing with a company that specializes in window coverings is that the products are made to fit the window height and width perfectly. Standard window coverings may be left with too much length and are often cut along one side to fit the window’s width, creating a rough edge. An in-home consultant is also able to make recommendations on which safety features are best suited for the client’s unique circumstances, so that dangling cords don’t pose a strangulation risk for children and pets. All blinds are made with built-in safety features such as break-away devices that come apart when pressure is applied and can easily be popped back together, and a tension device can be used

When window coverings are purchased from a business such as Budget Blinds, homeowners benefit from an in-home consultation with a professional designer, which helps to ensure that the best choices for style, materials and colour are made. Su ppl i ed phot o

to secure the cord out of children’s reach. “The entire window covering industry is governed by Health Canada,” says Dean. “They are all considered to be 100 per cent pet- and child-safe.” Home owners may also choose to upgrade to cordless window coverings, which is the recommendation of Health Canada. With today’s home automation advancements, no one ever needs to touch a window-covering cord. All types can be controlled by a switch on the wall (similar to a light switch) or by a

phone app, or they can be integrated into any home automation system. “If clients already have a speaker system or a lighting system, then we can integrate with that so people are just using one app on their phone to control their heat, their lights, their security system and their window coverings,” says Dean. Another advancement in window coverings relates to their maintenance. While window coverings were once difficult to clean, it’s now a much simpler process. “There was a time when

people thought they had to take them down and or a company had to come in and take them down and take them away to clean them. People used to put blinds in their tub and give them a bath,” says Dean, “but all window coverings are made much easier to clean. Most of the time, we recommend just the soft attachment on a vacuum cleaner and do a light vacuuming or even spot cleaning with a damp cloth.” Dean says that, regardless of the type of window covering chosen, all are composed of material that is chosen for

its durability and are made to last for the duration of their manufacturer’s limited 25-year warranty. Budget Blinds also carr i e s i t s o w n fi v e - y e a r, no-questions-asked warranty, whereby any window coverings will be replaced with an identical product, even if the damage was caused by the actions of children or pets. “Most people forget that it is guaranteed, and they are happily surprised when we say, ‘No problem, you have this guarantee and we can ship you a new one.’”

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FRIDAY, MAY 25, 2018

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Never leave the lights on again. With SaskTel smartHOME powered by SecurTek, you can turn your lights on or off with your laptop, tablet, or phone. Take control at sasktel.com/smarthome. Detect or Automate package is required to use the smartHOME app. Automate package is required for home automation functionality.

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Introducing

Our new Residential Repaint Division, providing expertise on all interior, exterior painting, wood finishing and wall coverings.

ESTABLISHED IN 2003 WE PROVIDE HOMEOWNERS WITH OUR PROFESSIONAL SERVICE. P: 306.529.2470 (message manager) F: 306.525.4878 E: gord@skylinepainting.ca

FOR A FREE ESTIMATE, PROMPT RESPONSE. 10050992-01_1_1