Tiling Tiles, long confined to the kitchen and bathroom, are set to invade and beautify the rest of the home Tiles have long been happy in the background, dutifully covering surfaces in kitchens and bathrooms without causing too much excitement. But lately, they’ve started pushing their way out of the background and into the spotlight — showing up all over the home in bold ways. “For as long as I’ve been designing interiors, tiles have been used in backsplashes in kitchens and on floors and shower walls in the bathroom,” says Marie Blackburn, principal designer at MLBdesigngroup, Seattle. “But they aren’t stuck in those two rooms anymore. They’re showing up in living rooms, around fireplaces and in outdoor areas to give the spaces an interior vibe.”
Staying on budget Not only can tiles have hugely different looks, they also can vary widely in price and how much maintenance they require. “The general rule of thumb is that the more exotic the material, the pricier it’s going to be — up to $70 a square foot,” Blackburn says. “So a rare limestone full of fossils is going to cost more than a simple ceramic square,” which can cost as little as $1 per square foot. She says one way to incorporate pricier tiles on a budget is to use them as an accent in a small area or design layout, instead of tiling an entire wall. And then there’s maintaining the tile. “If it’s a natural stone tile of any kind, you’re going to need the tile to be sealed
CTW
Flashy tile accents can glam up any space, like this recessed wall of shiny tiles that complement textured wallpaper in an ultra-modern living room. Tiles are showing up in living rooms, around fireplaces and in exterior spaces.
at installation and at regular intervals afterwards,” Blackburn warns. “How often depends on the frequency of use and type of stone. This is another topic you should bring up to the salesperson before you make your decision.”
The new look The biggest change isn’t just where the tiles are found, it’s what they look like. “There are two hot trends in tile right now,” Blackburn says. “The first is to have lots of texture — whether they’re carved, raked, etched or patterned in some other
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Page 2 Thursday, October 4, 2012 The Southern Illinoisan · Fall Home Improvement
kind of way.” The other trend is that, while tiles used to be small, these days they’re getting larger and larger. By decorating with largeformat tiles, 18 inches by 36 inches, for example, grout lines are minimized, making for a cleaner, more streamlined look. And while natural stone products (limestone, marble and granite) are still the most-used type of tile, other materials are gaining in popularity. “There are tiles made from leather, wood, cork and more,” says Bev Adams, founder and president of Interior Intuitions, Denver. “Because eco-friendly
materials are always desired, there’s also a surge in demand for reclaimed materials.” Adams recommends using more than one type of tile in a room to add interest to the space. “Mixing materials is really hot right now,” she says. “Don’t be afraid to combine glass with metal and ceramic. It’ll look great.”
Design decisions The overall design of a tiled surface requires more than simply choosing tiles. For example, how is the edge going to look? “If you’re using natural stone tiles,
• To subscribe: Call 618-351-5000 from Carbondale, Murphysboro and DeSoto; 618-997-3356, option 2 from Williamson County; or 800-228-0429, option 2, between 6 a.m. and 5 p.m. weekdays, 7 a.m. to 11 a.m. Saturday and Sunday.
you can just soften the tile edges a little bit and it will look beautiful,” Blackburn says. “But you can’t do that with other materials, like porcelain and ceramic. For those tiles, you have to buy special edge pieces.” Don’t forget the grout that will bring it all together. “Some grouts are less likely to stain or are easier to work with,” Blackburn says. “When you pick out tile, talk to the salesperson about what type of grout is best. The people who work in tile showrooms know a lot about specific kinds of tile and will be able to advise you on the best option.”
• To place a display ad: Call 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays, 618-529-5454, option 6; from Williamson County, 618-9973356; or toll free: 800-228-0429, option 6. • Materials: Content That Works, Associated Press and U of I Extension Service
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Fall Home Improvement · The Southern Illinoisan Thursday, October 4, 2012 Page 3
High-tech home
spa
suction cup docks or are freestanding, so they can rest on any shower ledge or corner.
patterns on a showerhead. New products offer an array of controls that allow users to customize their experience. Baths and showers now have computer panels where the user can program his or her spa experience. Kohler’s new VibrAcoustic tub ($4,000) synchronizes its jets with the vibrations of music that can be played through a smartphone, mp3 player or Bluetooth. Tubs with jet streams generally call for professional installation and a remodel. This can cost anywhere from $200 to $3,000, depending on the ease of access, local rates and the cost of the new fixtures. One easy way to get the essence of a spa without a total upheaval is to invest in a showerhead spa system. Some showerhead attachments can screw onto pre-existing heads, while others offer easy DIY installation directions. Check with a local retailer to ensure your shower can be adapted to fit the product. A simple showerhead with multiple pressure settings, from “wide rain” to “power massage” can sell for a modest $30. Expect to pay much more for advanced water controls. Moen offers vertical spa systems with multiple heads. The ExactTemp transfer vertical spa ($1,368.75) channels water with up to three times more spray power than regular showerheads.
New technology improves any bathroom experience, from singing in the shower to wrapping yourself in a toasty towel If there’s one room that screams relaxation, it’s the bathroom, where anyone can go to escape household hubbub and soak the worries away. These luxuries can come at a hefty price — thousands of dollars plus installation costs. We take a look at the high-end technology that can turn a bathroom into a spa haven, plus the affordable options that can make an impact without breaking the bank.
Waterproof radios Getting music to play in the shower might seem like the easiest task: Take your current music-playing device and put it in the bathroom. But even this simple device has hightech luxury options. For instance, the Sangean H201 Waterproof Shower Radio ($149.99) can also double as a travel radio for outdoorsy types. It offers the standard pre-set radio stations, timers and a clock. But it will also float if you drop it in the lake on a fishing trip, and there’s a built-in emergency LED flashlight for camping or inclement weather. Those who aren’t as adventurous and prefer to act as DJ in the shower have less-expensive options like the Jensen Universal Docking Shower Radio ($50), which can encase an iPod in its waterproof shell. Regardless of price, shower radios are easy to install. Most come with
Televisions One of the most dramatic technological features in a modern bathroom is the mirror television. They are more commonly seen in high-end hotel bathrooms, but are making their way into residential spaces. When a TV mirror is off, it’s indistinguishable from the rest of the mirror. When it’s powered on, it lights up a segment of the mirror so the TV image is displayed. Most models are wired into the home’s television cables and can be connected to alternative devices like DVD players or laptop computers. Green Bay, Wis.-based Séura produces the Enhanced series of TV mirrors. Such TVs “are designed to bridge the gap between technology and décor,” says Gretchen Gilbertson, co-founder and partner of Séura. “Our vanishing television mirrors offer a discreet and elegant way to bring information and entertainment into your personal spaces without clutter or disruption.” Prices range from $2,899 for Séura’s 10-inch TV, to $3,499 for the 19-inch model. DIY installation is possible. Other companies, including Smarthome, Mirror Media and Fontaine offer mirror televisions in the same price range.
Towel warmers There’s nothing quite like the luxury of a warm towel after a long bath. Towel warmers range in price, from $75 to upwards of $1,000, depending on the features. The luxury leader in this category is Mr. Steam, based in Long Island City, N.Y. Martha Orellana, vice president of the company, suggests asking a few questions before deciding on a towel warmer. Do you want a floor or wall mount? What type of finish do you prefer? Do you want contemporary or traditional styling? Do you want to turn the warmer on with a digital timer or a light switch? Depending on these features, the Mr. Steam products can cost from $75 for a single bar to $3,100 for the priciest model. Other brands offer less-expensive versions; the 10-bar system from Myson runs for about $160. Why go high-tech with your towels? “It’s all about the ‘Ahh’ feeling that you get from wrapping yourself in a nice, plush, cozy, warm towel,” Orellana says. “And you can get this feeling after every shower. It’s pampering yourself for a few seconds every day.”
Showers and baths There’s no spa experience without some sort of water pressure, be it jets in the tub or adjustable spray
Page 4 Thursday, October 4, 2012 The Southern Illinoisan · Fall Home Improvement
COURTESY SEURA
High-tech mirrors have LCD screens that are indistinguishable from the mirrored surface until the TV is turned on.
COURTESY SANGEAN
This Sangean radio works as a shower or travel accessory. It’s waterproof enough for the shower, inclement weather or if dropped in a body of water.
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Towel warmers and multi-spray shower sets add an element of luxury to the bathroom.
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Paint can be a dramatic,
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floor covering When it became clear that allergies would prevent Nancy B. Westfall’s infant daughter from having a rug in her room, the Atlanta-based artist turned instead to paint, a few stencils and a plan. Westfall used the baby’s bedroom floor much like she would a canvas, painting on it a diamond-shaped pattern that gave the space a custom look you simply can’t achieve with a kid’s area rug. Eleven years and another house later, Westfall remains a big fan of bringing floors to life with color instead of covering them up. You don’t have to be a professional artist like Westfall to do it, although proponents of painting the floor say it does require patience and nerve. Rachel Cannon Lewis, an interior designer in Baton Rouge, La., encourages clients to consider it. Painting a floor, whether it’s wood or concrete, can be more affordable than tile, carpet or other floor coverings, she says. And in homes that date back more than a century, painted floors are more historically accurate: Back then, people frequently painted their wide, plank wood floors to protect them from warping, Lewis says. Plus, painting just looks good. “I’m starting to think of the floor as the sixth wall,” says Lewis, who considers floors “an overlooked opportunity to get creative and introduce color.” (The “fifth wall,” by the way, is the ceiling). Painting floors yourself can be a lengthy process, Lewis says, primarily because the thin, oil-based paint she recommends requires multiple coats, with lengthy dry times between each one. Getting fancier by, say, creating a pattern with paint or a stencil, requires even more patience and precision. Even if you hire a professional painter, however, “You have to be willing to embrace the idea that it’s going to be a
AP
Bring floors to life with color instead of covering them up.
different solution than what most people tell you to do,” Lewis says. Painted floors are not as durable as some of the alternatives, especially in high-traffic areas, says Sidney Wagner, a Charleston, S.C., interior designer. “Over time, even with polyurethane, they will show scratches and the paint will scratch off,” she says. “However, a tip to help combat your floors from looking too shabby is to paint a contrasting layer of color underneath. So when that second layer of color comes through with the scratches, the marred floors will look planned with your color scheme.” Carol Charny, a Larchmont, N.Y.based interior designer, says that painting floors requires a bit of throwing caution to the wind. In the home interiors shop she used to own, Charny used black and white paint to make the floor look like it was covered with an area rug, complete with fringe. She warns that the margin for error grows with the complexity of the project. “You’re not going to paint an Oriental rug,” she says. On the other hand, the beauty of using paint is that, if something goes awry, you can cover it up.
Are your windows leaking air? Are they getting more difficult to open? Is the wood frame rotting? Homeowners choose to replace their windows for a variety of reasons, from energy efficiency to aesthetics. “It might be the seals have failed or the wood has rotted,” said Kerry Haglund, senior research fellow at the Center for Sustainable Building Research at the University of Minnesota. Or homeowners might be looking to replace leaky windows to keep heat or air conditioning in, or they might want added UV protection to protect furniture from fading in the sunlight. No matter what the motivation, new windows can be costly. “They’re too expensive to think you’re going to get your money back either in terms of energy savings or when you’re selling your house,” said Kit Selzer, a senior editor for Better Homes and Gardens. Still, new energy-efficient windows can make your home more comfortable in winter and summer, and more attractive. Haglund recommends choosing the most energy-efficient window you can. The cost for a new window can range from hundreds of dollars to $1,000 or more, depending on the frame, style — double-hung or casement, for example — and whether you choose single-, double- or triple-pane glass. Decorative elements can add to the price. A casement window might be be a good option in windy areas, said Gary Pember, vice president of marketing for Simonton Windows. “As the wind increases, they become more efficient because of the way they seal,” he said. A double-hung that opens only from the top might be a good choice for someone looking for increased security, he said. Older homeowners or those who think they’ll stay in their homes as they age might want to consider a window they don’t have to lift. Frames come in wood, vinyl, aluminum and other materials. Wood frames are more traditional, but require regular painting. “If you’re wanting something maintenance-free, you can’t get anything better than vinyl,” Pember
said. There are many options now for vinyl frames, including a variety of colors. You can also get a wood interior and a vinyl exterior. Selzer said aluminum frames are more contemporary, but also more expensive. Most windows sold today are double pane, although people in northern climates may choose a triple pane, Haglund said. “Single pane is still available in southern climates, though we don’t recommend it.” Windows must meet an area’s building energy code, she said. “Windows in the North are optimized to reduce heat loss in the winter, while windows in the South are optimized to reduce heat gain during the summer,” according to the government’s Energy Star website. “This explains why windows that are energy efficient in Florida will not necessarily be energy efficient in Michigan.” The Energy Star and National Fenestration Rating Council labels can help you compare windows. Consumers may be most familiar with the U-factor, which tells you how much heat can escape through the window. The labels also include information on how much light and heat from the sun is transmitted through the window. While Haglund urges homeowners not to scrimp on energy efficiency, she said there are other ways to save money short of full window replacement. A new window can be fitted into existing frames that are in good condition. Or, she said, you can replace just the sash — the part of the window that contains the glass. Again, this would only work if the frame is in good condition. If you decide not to invest in new windows, you can increase the energy efficiency of your existing ones: “Storm windows are certainly a good idea,” Selzer said. Use caulk to seal any leaks around the frame. And insulating draperies or other window treatments also can help increase comfort. “They’re so much more tailored and thinner than they used to be,” she said. “Old insulating treatments were very bulky. Now, they’re sleek and more effective.”
Fall Home Improvement · The Southern Illinoisan Thursday, October 4, 2012 Page 5
Bulbs 101 BY RON WOLFORD
U OF I EXTENSION SERVICE
Flowering bulbs are an important addition to any landscape or garden. The great variety of bloom color, flowering time, plant height and shape makes bulbs a good addition to the landscape. Bulbs can be classified as spring flowering bulbs or summer flowering bulbs. Another way to classify bulbs for use in Illinois would be hardy spring flowering bulbs and
tender summer flowering bulbs. Summer flowering bulbs (tender bulbs) are killed by cold temperatures. They must be planted in the spring when there is no longer a chance of ground frost. They need to be dug in the fall after the first frost that discolors the foliage and stored over the winter. The spring flowering bulbs (hardy bulbs) such as tulips, daffodils and crocus need a cold period during the winter to flower. These bulbs are planted and develop a root system in the fall and bloom during the spring. Temperatures are cold enough in Illinois during the winter to meet these cooling requirements. For instance, tulips require 12 or more weeks of cold temperatures. If spring bulbs are used for forcing indoors, be sure they have been pre-cooled or they will not bloom.
Blooming season Spring flowering bulbs normally start blooming in February with snowdrops and end in June with the alliums. The great variety of bloom color, flowering time, plant height and shape makes bulbs a good addition to any landscape or garden.
Obtaining bulbs It is important to select good quality bulbs for planting. Factors to consider are size and firmness. Larger bulbs produce larger blooms. Select bulbs that are firm and free from soft or rotting spots or other signs of disease. There are basically three sources for obtaining bulbs: mail order businesses, local nurseries and discount businesses. Normally, there is a larger selection of bulb varieties through mail order catalogs. The disadvantage of mail order is the buyer does not know what the bulb will look like until received. Therefore, always buy from companies that have good reputations and you or your friends have used in the past with good results. Once bulbs are obtained either locally or from a mail order source, they should be planted as soon as possible. If the bulbs cannot be planted immediately, keep the bulbs cool until they are planted. The preplanting storage temperature should be between 50 and 60 degrees. Keep the bulbs away from ripening fruits that may produce ethylene and cause flowering disorders, especially with tulips.
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Where did bulbs come from?
History and lore Crocus According to legend, Greek Gods Zeus and Hura loved each other so passionately that the land where they lived burst open with crocuses. Crocuses were brought to England from France by Jean Robin, a Director of Gardens in Paris. Crocuses came to the United States on ships by settlers.
Daffodils Daffodils were brought to Britain by the Romans who thought that the sap from daffodils had healing powers. Actually the sap
contains crystals that can irritate the skin. Greek mythology gives us the term narcissus. There was a young Greek named Narcissus. A nymph called Echo was in love with him, but Narcissus broke off the relationship. Heartbroken, she hid in a cave and died. Later Narcissus, who was very handsome and quite taken with himself, saw his face in a pool, and as he leaned over to see better, he fell in and drowned and became the flower.
Hyacinth According to Greek mythology, hyacinth got
its name when a young boy named Hyacinth was killed when a discus hit him in the head during a game. A hyacinth sprang from the cut in his head as he lay in the arms of the god Apollo, who was wailing in grief. Wild hyacinths have letter-like patterns on their petals which look like the “A” in Greek which indicates the sound of wailing. Hyacinths came to Europe from Turkey. A German doctor named Leonhardt Rauwolf collected samples of hyacinths when he visited Turkey in 1573. By the 1700s, hyacinths were popular. — U of I Extension Service
ART SERVICES
The spring flowering bulbs (hardy bulbs) such as tulips, daffodils and crocus need a cold period during the winter to flower. These bulbs are planted and develop a root system in the fall and bloom during the spring.
Spring flowering
bulb
Giant Flowering Onion How to Plant: Bulb; plant 6 to 8 inches deep and one foot apart in the fall Habit: Upright in foliage and flower Foliage: Bluish gray; strap-shaped; 18 inches long; 2 to 4 inches wide Flower: Pinkish purple; borne in dense globe-shaped cluster 4 to 6 inches across; flower stalk 3 to 4 feet tall; late spring to early summer Culture: Ordinary soil; full sun or partial shade; dramatic in flower plant in clusters of 5 to 7 bulbs; usually planted in back of the perennial border; long-lasting as cut flower
Page 8 Thursday, October 4, 2012 The Southern Illinoisan · Fall Home Improvement
What to know
Crocus How to plant: Corm; plant 3 inches deep and 4 inches apart in fall Habit: Upright; 6 inches Foliage: Grasslike; dark green; curved; silver striped down center of leaf; leaves shorter than flowers, then expand to 8 to 12 inches after flowering Flower: 1 1 /2 to 8 inches long; white, yellow, purple or striped; usually borne singly; close at night or on cloudy days; spring Culture: Plant in well-drained soil; full sun or partial shade; may be naturalized in lawns if foliage is allowed to ripen properly
Common Snowdrop How to plant: Bulb; plant 3 inches deep and 3 inches apart in fall Habit: Upright; 6 to 8 inches Foliage: 2 to 3 leaves; 1/4 inch wide; 6 inches long Flower: White except for green crescent around the notch of inner floral segments; external floral segments longer than inner ones; flower drooping; 1 /2 inch across; borne on slender stalk; very early spring; cultivars may have more green in flowers or be doubled Culture: Partial to full shade; moist, well-drained soil with high organic matter; naturalize in large drifts; propagate by dividing clumps immediately after flowering
Common Hyacinth How to plant: Bulb; plant 7 inches deep and 6 to 9 inches apart in fall Habit: Upright; 12 inches Foliage: 4 to 6 basal leaves; strap-shaped; margins upturned; 1 inch wide and up to 12 inches long Flower: Many flowers in showy, crowded, terminal raceme; individual flowers about 1 inch across; very fragrant; yellow, rose, pink, blue, salmon and white; midspring
Sequence of flowering
Early spring (weeks 1-4) Snowdrop, Danford Iris, Crocus, Siberian Squill, Striped Squill, Common Grape Hyacinth, Early Daffodils, Netted Iris
Culture: Full sun; good drainage; fertile soil amended with organic matter and sand; remove spent flower stalks; floral display gradually decreases each year dig and discard bulbs as necessary; flowers too rigid for naturalizing; many named cultivars available
Common Grape Hyacinth How to plant: Bulb; plant 3 inches deep and 4 inches apart in early fall Habit: Upright; 6 to 12 inches Foliage: 6 to 8 basal leaves; up to 12 inches long and 1/3 inch wide; dark green on lower surface; appear in autumn and remain green through winter; dormant in summer Flower: 12 to 20 flowers in terminal cluster on leafless flower stem; each flower urn shaped and drooping; blue or white; 1/8 inch long; early spring Culture: Fertile, sandy soil in full sun or partial shade; plant in masses for best effect
Daffodil, Narcissus, Jonquil How to plant: Bulb; plant 6 inches deep and 6 to 12 inches apart (smaller species bulbs require more shallow placement) Habit: Upright; 6 to 24 inches Foliage: About 3 /4 inch wide; up to 15 inches long; shiny green Flower: One or several flowers to a stalk; 6 lower segments white or yellow; trumpet long and tubular or short and cuplike, white, pink, yellow, orange and orange-red; flowers single or double; extremely variable Narcissus are grouped into 12 named divisions; early spring to spring Culture: Well-drained soil enriched with organic matter; divide every fourth year after leaves have died; easy to grow; remove faded flowers so they don’t set seeds
Mid-spring (weeks 4-8) Tulips, Early Tulips, Early Alliums, Hyacinths, Summer Snowflake, Medium-Cupped Daffodils
Late spring (weeks 8-12) Midseason Tulips, Late Daffodils, Late Tulips, Alliums
Siberian Squill How to plant: Bulb; plant 3 inches deep and 4 to 6 inches apart in early fall Habit: Upright; 6 inches Foliage: 2 to 5 grasslike, basal leaves; 6 inches long and 1 /2 inch wide; blunt tipped and bright green Flower: Deep blue; bell-shaped; 1 /2 inch wide; in loose cluster of 3 to 5; 1 to 6 flower stems per plant; early spring Culture: Fertile, sandy soil in sun or partial shade; useful under deciduous shrubs and trees; plant in large masses for best effect; tend to colonize over time; suitable for naturalizing in the lawn (foliage matures quickly before turfgrass needs cutting)
Tulip How to plant: Bulb; plant 4 to 8 inches deep and 4 to 8 inches apart in fall; deep planting (within reason) discourages bulbs multiplication and encourages goodsized flowers for several years; species tulips usually require shallower planting Habit: Upright or clumped; 6 to 30 inches Foliage: Usually basal; thick bluish green; untoothed; 6 to 10 inches long; Kaufmanniana and Greigii hybrids often have burgundy- or purple-mottled leaves Flower: Usually solitary; erect; saucer-shaped; total of 6 petals and sepals (except doubles); multitude of colors and flower forms (there are more than 400 named cultivars: common classes are Mendel, Fosteriana hybrids, Kaufmanniana hybrids, Greigii hybrids, Triumph, Darwin hybrid, Lily-flowered, Cottage, Rembrandt, Parrot, Doubleflowered and Species tulips); early spring to spring Culture: Well-drained, sandy, humus-rich soil in full sun or partial shade; plant in masses; bulbs may be moved or discarded in midsummer after foliage has withered; some gardeners plant new bulbs each year; remove faded flowers to avoid seed set
Fall Home Improvement · The Southern Illinoisan Thursday, October 4, 2012 Page 9
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Page 10 Thursday, October 4, 2012 The Southern Illinoisan · Fall Home Improvement
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Return
Quick tips Here are ways to upgrade without breaking the bank. Install extra lighting: “It doesn’t cost a lot, but it adds ambiance to the room, and there is lighting to fit any budget,” says Alan Zielinski, president of the National Kitchen & Bath Association and owner of Better Kitchens, Niles. Think about what’s most visible: “In the kitchen, it’s the countertops, cabinets and flooring,” says Danny Lipford, veteran remodeling contractor, home improvement expert and syndicated television host. Restain the grout: “It’s a popular DIY project that works amazingly well and makes your bathroom look much better,” Lipford says.
on Enjoyment
These remodeling projects will solve common homeowner problems, but can they boost home value as well as quality of life?
Kitchen and bath remodels are widely considered the best return on investment for homeowners. But designers caution that people should prioritize house updates that will make their lives more comfortable, especially if they will be staying put for a while. Alan Zielinski, National Kitchen & Bath Association president and owner of Better Kitchens in Niles, would prefer that ROI really be called ROE, or return on enjoyment. “Many homeowners are staying in place and upgrading their existing properties for their own enjoyment, not for resale,” he says. So what remodeling projects make sense to take on whether an ROI or ROE is more important?
We asked several remodeling experts for advice on whether these projects are truly worth the money. Problem: My master bath isn’t the spa-like sanctuary that I’ve always wanted. Bathroom remodeling offers a 68.7 percent return on investment, according to a National Association of Realtors survey; bathrooms are second only to kitchens in renovations that help sell a home. “For the most part, today’s projects remove the tub in its entirety, since bathtubs were always too small,” Zielinski says. “There should be a tub — not a Jacuzzi — in the house for resale value. In the life of a house, a Jacuzzi is used maybe 10 times and
requires a lot of maintenance. Instead, air tubs are recommended.” The bathroom update can have widely varying costs. Those who shop for bargains and frequent outlet stores can create a beautiful space with just $5,000. For those with bigger budgets, a luxurious marble bathtub can cost more than $5,000 alone. Other costs that can climb quickly: tile, vanities and luxury amenities, like heated floors. ROI: For a master bath remodel, “You could even expect an 80 percent return,” Zielinski says. Problem: My kitchen and dining room are closed off from each other. For many homes, the kitchen and dining room are separate rooms, but in
today’s newly constructed homes, great rooms are more popular. The open space makes it easier to cook and entertain family or guests at the same time, so the cook is not always in the kitchen. “An open kitchen remodel can cost approximately $50,000 to $60,000,” but homeowners can expect a huge boost to resale value, says Herman Chan, from HGTV’s “House Hunters” and “My House Is Worth What?” “Now, you’re not just cooking, you’re entertaining and socializing... People are willing to invest more money in that and pay for it as a premium,” he adds. ROI: Chan says homeowners will recoup up to 95 percent of the cost.
Problem: Forget the gym, I want to work out at home. Those who exercise a lot may want an at-home gym that will save time as well as money. But be ready to pony up. It would take $20,000 to convert a two-car garage into a state-of-the-art gym. ROI: “This is not a good return on your investment,” Chan says. “Most people spend seven years in a home and the next homeowner is going to want that garage, so you’ll have to put it back to a garage.” ROI is less than zero since you’ll have to pay for the conversion back when it’s time to sell. But don’t forget that an at-home gym has other benefits, like better health and savings on gym membership fees.
Problem: My energy bills are through the roof. New windows or doors can do the trick. They will improve energy efficiency and can offer greater privacy. Some windows offer energy-saving layers of insulated glass sandwiching argon or krypton, which are colorless, odorless gases that minimize the heat penetrating the window. Chan recommends dual-pane windows. The cost will be anywhere from $500 to $1,500. ROI: The National Association of Home Builders puts window/ door replacement ROI at 44 percent, not including the money saved on energy bills.
Fall Home Improvement · The Southern Illinoisan Thursday, October 4, 2012 Page 11
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Page 12 Thursday, October 4, 2012 The Southern Illinoisan · Fall Home Improvement