Fall September 29, 2014
Home Improvement
Landscaping Indoor/Outdoor Lighting | Windows & Doors Home Improvement Tips | Decorating Ideas
2 | Fall Home Improvement | September 29, 2014
Tips on how to give your home an annual checkup (BPT) - There’s no better time than now to give your home the attention it deserves. Give it an annual checkup before cold weather arrives to help add comfort, save energy and cut home maintenance in the long-run. When inspecting your home’s windows and doors, here’s what to check: Inspect interior and exterior finishes: Over time, paint and stain can weather away. Flaking or peeling may mean that it’s time to refinish or replace the unit. When replacing windows or doors, consider factory prefinished wood or fiberglass options from Pella, or vinyl options that don’t need painting or staining, to save time and money. Look for damaged exterior surfaces or signs of leaks: Check your sprinkler system to make sure it’s watering your lawn and landscape, not soaking your windows or doors. Cracked or deteriorated wood may be a sign of water penetration. Leaks can linger and affect interior walls, floors or ceilings, so look closely for discoloration or other moisture signs. If you spot a problem, track its trail. For example, discolored trim around a window might actually be caused by moisture entering a ways away. With a leaky roof, water may run down inside the wall and appear at the window. Contact a professional for help in making home repairs. Clear windowsills and tracks of dirt and debris: Sand, leaves, insects or pine needles stuck in weather-stripping can affect the performance of your windows and doors. Open the windows and clean the opening with a soft brush, like a dry paint brush or vacuum attachment. Do the same for sliding patio doors. Try opening and closing: Open your windows and doors to make sure moving parts work, and units close properly. Replace worn or broken parts. Inspect weather-stripping: Re-attach loose weather-stripping around windows or doors, and replace material that’s ripped or torn.
September 29, 2014 | Fall Home Improvement | 3 Replace or repair broken locks: If locks feel loose or don’t work smoothly, replace them. Keep windows and doors locked when not in use. Locks help hold doors and windows tightly, to lock out rain, wind, snow and insects. Inspect weep and breather holes: Weep holes in the exterior of windows, allow excess moisture to escape, while breather holes allow air exchange within certain components. Clear blocked holes of dirt or debris with a wire or toothpick. Check exterior sealants and caulk on and around windows and doors. Pay attention to areas susceptible to rain, water and extreme sunlight. Remove damaged material and reapply sealant. In coastal locations, rinse exterior metal like exterior aluminum trim or cladding: Rinsing exterior metal parts three or four times a year can help extend the life of your windows and doors by minimizing corrosion from salt spray or fog. Feel for signs of air leakage around the window or door: Improperly installed windows or doors can be drafty, decrease energy efficiency, and allow unwanted moisture into your home. To help save on utility bills and keep your home more comfortable year-round, replace drafty old, leaky windows with new, ENERGY STAR-qualified Pella windows installed properly. Visit Pella Windows and Doors on Pinterest for design inspiration or Pella.com/news to connect with a Pella representative for tips on caring for your windows and doors, or choosing new replacements.
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4 | Fall Home Improvement | September 29, 2014 4 | Fall Home Improvement | September 29, 2014
Are you
spending home improvement dollars
on the wrong door? (BPT) - How often do you use the front door? Not often, right? When Americans come home from work or school, the front door now takes a back seat to the garage door.
“The garage door is used more often, it commands more curb appeal, and price-wise, it’s a great bargain,” says Jim Lett of ABE Doors & Windows in Allentown, Pennsylvania. A past president of the International Door Association, Lett sells both garage doors and entry doors. Lett says this major paradigm shift means more homeowners are investing in impressive garage doors with substantial curb appeal instead of front entry doors, which are used less and often shrouded in shadows.
The primary entrance A national survey by Harris Interactive reveals that the garage door is indeed the door used most often to enter U.S. homes. Forty-five percent of homeowners with garages say the garage door is the primary point of entry into their home. The front door came in a distant second at 35 percent. The front entry door is used so little, many homeowners no longer even carry a key to that door. The new house key to today’s home is the remote control to the garage door.
The battle for the front “For decades, garage door guys were jealous of the attention given to the front entry door,” says Gordon McGraw, owner of Overhead Door of Eugene-Springfield, Oregon. “But that’s changed.” Real estate agents used to tell people that the front door is the most important element to spruce up, because it’s the first thing visitors see, he says. “But that’s not true. A front-facing garage door is clearly much more dominant.”
September 29, 2014 | Fall Home Improvement | 5 September 29, 2014 | Fall Home Improvement | 5
Best door bargain in the house While the garage door is significantly larger, research shows it’s also more affordable. The average installed garage door sale is only about $1,500, while a much-smaller fiberglass entry door runs about $2,800, according to the Remodeling 2014 Cost vs. Value Report (www.costvsvalue.com). In that same report, the cost of an upscale garage door was only $2,800 compared to $7,300 for an upscale front entrance. “It’s crazy, but the garage door delivers five times the curb appeal, yet it costs less than a comparable front door,” says Lett. “I always encourage garage door customers to go for the upscale models. It’s well worth every dollar. You shouldn’t settle for a plain-Jane garage door.”
Unprecedented choices
now common for garage door dealers to offer dozens, if not hundreds of carriage house designs, the hottest new look. Visit www.garagewownow.com to see a wide variety of new designs from many manufacturers. Today’s garage doors are widely available in durable lowmaintenance steel, and some new steel doors have a paint finish that looks exactly like real wood. Besides steel, the industry also offers innovative designs in aluminum and fiberglass. Gorgeous custom wood garage doors are also available as a premium choice.
Welcome home Today, when America comes home, it’s not through the front door. In terms of use, convenience, and visual appeal, the garage door is the new front door of the American home.
The last 10 years have seen manufacturers introduce an unprecedented variety of dynamic new garage door styles. It’s
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6 | Fall Home Improvement | September 29, 2014
Three success tips
for converting an attic into living space
As home improvements go, converting an attic into usable living space has a high return on investment - about 84 percent at the time of resale, according to Remodeling Magazine’s Cost vs. Value Report. That’s if you use your unfinished attic to create a 15-by-15-foot bedroom and a modest 5-by-7-foot bathroom with shower. Create a larger, more luxurious and more elaborate space and the ROI could be even greater. If your family is bursting at the seams, the value of added space will be measured in comfort, convenience and peace of mind, rather than resale dollars.
Moving up - vacating your current, smallish home for a larger, roomier abode - was the American way before the Great Recession. Now that the economy is humming again, at least some of the people who stayed put during those lean years will be looking to move into larger, nicer homes this summer. High demand and low inventory, however, may leave many with nowhere to go. Some will rediscover a time-honored spacegaining technique: attic conversion.
As with any renovation project, achieving an attic conversion requires you to balance numerous factors, from budget and objective to space and architectural limitations. Some of your most-desired features - such as ample natural light or a full bathroom - may seem out of reach. They don’t have to be, though, if you rely on some time-tested techniques to maximize the space.
Lighting the natural way Typically, attics aren’t built with a lot of windows, and adding them may be difficult if the ceiling is sloped. Yet natural light is a highly prized feature in virtually any room, especially if you’re converting your attic into a bedroom, family room or other public area. Traditional solutions include adding dormers, which can be costly and time-consuming. What’s more, windows and dormers can eat up wall space, which is often at a premium in attics.
September 29, 2014 | Fall Home Improvement | 7 Skylights or roof windows can be a better option in an attic space. They require less time and cost to install than dormers and can easily live on slanted ceilings. Choose Energy Starqualified no-leak, solar-powered fresh-air skylights like those from VELUX America utilized in the O’More College of Design Alumni House, add solar-powered blinds, and you can achieve a light-filled attic room that is both beautiful and energy efficient. The cost of the products, including installation, are eligible for a 30-percent federal tax credit. And from now until August 15, there’s also a $200 cash rebate from VELUX on solar powered skylights. To learn more, visit www.whyskylights.com. Roof windows, which are less expensive than dormers, are another cost-effective attic conversion option. VELUX offers both a top-hinged model and a double-sash balcony model that open at the top and bottom to create a roof balcony that admits much more light than a dormer while offering access to the outdoors. Roof windows offer maximum ventilation plus the added advantage of meeting building code requirements as points of emergency escape and egress.
Heating and cooling
Attics are often the hottest or coldest room in the house, depending on the time of year and the quality of your home’s insulation. Creating a comfortable atmosphere in a converted attic requires expert planning. You may need to increase insulation. Because insulation has such a significant impact on a home’s overall comfort and energy efficiency, it makes sense to invest in the best you can afford. Spray foam is often a good option for converted attics because it can go easily between existing joists and create a tight air barrier without losing the inches of space required for thick fiberglass batt insulation. You’ll also need to consider how you will heat and cool the space. A heating, ventilation and air-conditioning system expert can help you determine the best approach. Skylights and roof windows can also play an important role in your heating and cooling conversion plan due to the chimney effect they utilize to exhaust rising hot air from an attic space while providing abundant daylight and fresh air.
Plumbing made easier
Adding a bathroom anywhere in a home is usually a good investment. Bathroom additions return about 60 percent of your investment at the time of resale, according to the Cost vs. Value Report. Creating an attic bathroom can be simple - if pipes are already present - or challenging if no plumbing exists in the space. One alternative to traditional plumbing is up-flush, which allows you to install sinks, toilets, showers and even bath tubs without engaging in major construction to accommodate traditional plumbing pipes. Up-flush plumbing cost less than traditional plumbing methods and is easier to fit into tight spaces - like the odd nooks that often occur in attics. With planning and the right materials, it’s possible to convert an attic into a living space that makes your home even more livable for your family while you’re staying in place. Plus, it will enhance your home’s value down the road when you’re ready to move up.
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8 | Fall Home Improvement | September 29, 2014
Keep growing with season-extending gardening tips for fall Some gardeners assume that when fall arrives and kids return to school, they’ll have less time to garden, and may experience less success from their garden plots. But cooler temperatures and fall conditions can actually make gardening easier and more enjoyable. Many of fall’s best-producing vegetables are also colorful, making them great additions to flower beds and containers. If you loved summer gardening, you can keep your garden growing right through fall. Here’s how to make the most of fall season gardening:
Size up the soil
Most vegetable plants require full sun for six or more hours a day, and because fall provides a bit less sunlight than summer, you may need to relocate your plot to make the most of shorter days. If moving your garden isn’t an option, you can still take full advantage of sunshine by planting veggies in containers or by creating a raised bed in a sunny spot.
(BPT) - Warm weather, continued care and robust plants have yielded a bounty of beautiful, fresh vegetables - and personal satisfaction - from your garden this season. As the weather cools and fall approaches, it is not time to hang up your hat, gloves and trowel for the year. Autumn provides optimum weather and ample opportunity to keep growing and harvesting delicious, healthy produce well into the season.
If you’ll be reusing your summer garden plot, remove any leftover debris. Don’t forget to pull up weeds before they go to seed. Fluff any compacted soil with a garden fork. Next, test the soil to see if any amendments are needed. Even if your soil is in good shape, adding a 2-inch layer of bagged compost or a balanced, natural fertilizer like Bonnie Plant Food can give plants a boost. Be prepared for frost. Keep materials on hand to protect plants when frost threatens, such as floating row cover, a cold frame or a cloche. On frosty, cold nights, move container plants to a protected spot. Not sure when frost will arrive in your area? Check out the USDA frost map on the Bonnie Plants website.
Pick your plants
While crops like strawberries and tomatoes have faded to sweet summer memories, many plants thrive in fall. To ensure a successful harvest, it’s important to pick the right plants and give yourself a jump start by using transplants, rather than starting off with seeds. Planting six-week-old transplants ensures you’ll have the best opportunity to take advantage of fall’s shorter season, and you’ll harvest sooner than if you plant from seed. Producers like Bonnie Plants provide garden retailers with transplants intended to grow well during the specific growing season and are suited for your geographic region. Seasonally appropriate transplants ensure you’ll have greater success in your garden. An added bonus of fall planting is that many cool crops are also packed with nutrition and are among the healthiest vegetables you can eat.
September 29, 2014 | Fall Home Improvement | 9
Choose hardy crops that can withstand light frost and temperatures as low as 25 degrees. Hardy Bonnie favorites for fall include: Broccoli - This versatile veggie is packed with vitamins K, C and A, and is a good source of folate.
Cabbage - A staple of Oktoberfest celebrations across the country, cabbage comes in several varieties, all of which are high in beta-carotene, vitamins C and K and fiber.
Kale - Some varieties of kale, like Winterbor Kale, actually taste better when kissed by frost. A prolific producer, kale thrives in fall gardens and is a good source of vitamins A, C, K and B6, as well as manganese.
Leeks - Prized by gourmets for their milder flavor, leeks are frost-tolerant in all but the coldest planting zones. The health benefits of all onions are well documented, and leeks also add a pop of bright color to culinary dishes.
Spinach - This nutrient-rich green does as well in fall’s cooler temperatures as it does in summer heat. Spinach will continue to produce throughout the season, providing a tasty source of vitamins A, C, K and E, as well as the minerals iron, potassium and magnesium. The end of summer doesn’t have to herald the end of your garden harvest and enjoyment, or a return to the grocery store produce aisle. With the right fall crops, you can achieve a satisfying, healthful harvest throughout the fall. Visit www. bonnieplants.com to learn more about fall gardening and cool-weather crops.
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10 | Fall Home Improvement | September 29, 2014
One simple home improvement cuts noise pollution while boosting energy savings
(BPT) - Whether it’s the neighbor’s lawnmower, lowflying aircraft, heavy traffic or loud music, noise pollution can hinder you from truly enjoying your home. Nowadays, a quiet place to relax and chill out can be increasingly difficult to find. Yet, a smart investment in the right materials can let you achieve both solace and silence in your home.
Noise pollution can noticeably contribute to issues such as cognitive impairment, language development problems, learning disabilities, mood disorders as well as social and behavioral issues, according to online medical resource, MedScape, While these conditions are more likely to occur in children, there is a chance that older residents can suffer due to noise pollution. Eliminating noise pollution can have a significant impact on motivation, education and overall mood. The wrong kinds of noise pollution upgrades can often mean homeowners spend a lot more than necessary and get a lot less in return. Building experts note homeowners are more likely to invest in soundproofing materials for their theatre or media rooms rather than tackle the issue of noise pollution holistically. Investing in heavy soundproofing drapes and double-glazed windows are a good start to minimizing external, airborne noises. But what about flanking noises? That is, those noises rumbling from piping and the water system within your home. One versatile option that addresses both airborne and flanking noise pollution is spray foam insulation. Spray foam insulation, like that available from Icynene, is ideal for targeting noise pollution while providing a range of other benefits. Conforming to any space when applied, spray foam insulation forms a thick, sponge-like barrier that blocks the chaos of the outside world and dampens the flanking noises from your home’s pipes improving the quality of life and health of you and your family. Installed by professionals, high performance spray foam insulation goes beyond just noise dampening. It fills every gap within the home’s walls and ceiling to stop air escaping as well as reduces the strain on your heating and cooling equipment. Spray foam insulation both insulates and air seals the entire building envelope letting homeowners cut their monthly heating and cooling bills by as much as 50 percent in some cases. As a long-term solution, spray foam insulation helps maintain a comfortable temperature year-round while helping to control noise pollution. The buzzing of a lawnmower and the late night house party can be a thing of the past thanks to a well-insulated home. More information on how spray foam insulation can help you effectively minimize noise pollution is available at www.icynene.com.
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September 29, 2014 | Fall Home Improvement | 11
home improvement
upgrades that will save you money
(BPT) - If you’ve sweltered throughout summer and have noticed your cooling bills increase every month, now may be the opportune time to consider some home improvement upgrades that will let you better manage your HVAC equipment while lowering your monthly expenses. Building industry experts suggest that creating a comfortable home shouldn’t mean homeowners have to compromise on which upgrades they complete or the materials used. Smart home improvement investments can mean homeowners are better protected from the elements while creating a greater level of comfort. There are three key home improvement upgrades that homeowners can do to improve the quality and comfort of their home.
Windows and doorways can account for up to 20
percent of the air escaping from the average American home, according to the U.S. Department of Energy. This significant amount of air leakage can often mean HVAC equipment will work overtime to compensate - meaning an increase in monthly expenses. Replacing your existing windows and doors with newer Energy Star-rated options can mean better energy efficiency resulting in lower bills as well as increased comfort. If your budget is tight, energy efficiency improvements such as weather-stripping and caulking to existing windows can also help reduce air leakage.
One of the easiest ways to optimize overall home performance is researching and selecting high efficiency,
green materials. Low-flush water systems, solar hot water systems and even small-scale geothermal energy systems along with Energy Star-rated appliances can significantly slash energy consumption and your overall carbon footprint while maintaining a comfortable, enjoyable living space for you and your family.
Although many homeowners might not realize it, a finished basement can make a noticeable impact on the overall performance of a home. The majority of basements in older homes, and even in some newer homes, are often just poured concrete with bare walls and floors creating a cold, unwelcoming space that moisture can seep into very easily. Investing in spray foam insulation, like that from Icynene, in an unfinished basement as well as throughout the entire home, ensures a greater level of comfort, moisture management and cost control. Spray foam insulation provides thermal insulating value as well as air sealing, meaning air leakage is significantly reduced allowing your HVAC equipment to perform optimally. Spray foam insulation both air-seals and insulates to stop air leakage from occurring, allowing homeowners to reduce energy consumption, effectively control their indoor environments and live greener. When installed, spray foam insulation expands to completely seal a home’s walls, floors and ceilings to prevent air leakage. Insulation experts from Icynene note that quality spray foam insulation can noticeably reduce heating and cooling costs, in some cases by up to 50 percent. More information on how spray foam insulation can help improve household energy efficiency and reduce air leakage is available at icynene.com.
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