2012 Spring Home & Garden

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April 27, 2012 Sun Thisweek ADVERTISING SUPPLEMENT

Challenge yourself to DIY gardening this spring by Lauren Regnier Murphy News Service University of Minnesota, School of Journalism and Mass Communication

Minnesotans have traded in their bulky winter jackets for short sleeves as lawns turn a vibrant green and they prepare to take advantage of an early spring and gardening. This season’s challenge? Do-it-yourself. DIY garden projects are a great way to get your creative juices flowing, Eric Johnson of Minneapolis, author of “Garden Drama: Do-it-Yourself Garden Expressions and Inspirations,” said. “Gardening is about expressing who we are in our gardening space,” Johnson said. “I like to help people find that in themselves and then bring it into their garden.” One of the benefits of DIY is that you can create individual pieces that no one else has because they didn’t come off the shelf at a store, Johnson said. Creating unique projects can bring about a sense of selfsatisfaction. “Every time you use that thing (that you created yourself) … there is a sense of selfaccomplishment,” Bruno Bornsztein of St. Paul said. He created the website curbly. com, a blog with around 2 million page users per month, that focuses on home im-

provement, interior design, and DIY. DIY is sometimes about problem solving, Bornsztein said. “The benefit is that you’re actually taking the time to learn something and make something that you haven’t done before,” he said. “For me, that is fun.” Another added bonus to DIY is that you can save money, Johnson said, adding that he started from a “thrifty” point of view then realized that garden ornamentation brings focal points into the garden. “At the time I probably didn’t really have the money to go out and buy the pieces, so I wanted to start making them on my own,” Bornsztein said.

structions on how to do them. Johnson’s blog Garden Drama, www.gardendrama. com, is also a good starting point for ideas. He posts projects he has done and gives short descriptions of them. Pinterest, the social photo-sharing website, has a multitude of project possibilities. The website allows users to keep a collection of theme-based image boards where they “pin” images that link to websites, and there is an entire section dedicated to gardening. “I did this project that took off like wildfire online,” Johnson said. “Someone picked it up on Pinterest How to get started and it has been re-pinned like The Internet is a great crazy.” source for inspiration and ideas F o r for DIY garden projects. There DIY newcomare many blogs and websites ers, Johnson solely dedicated to DIY projects. said that you have to So, where do you start? be willing to be a beginner at first. Bornsztein’s blog, www.curbly. com, has a DIY section where us- e r s “Sometimes you have to kiss a lot of post projects they have done and give in- toads with DIY projects,” he said. “You

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Many of the materials involved in DIY projects can be found at hardware and home improvement stores, Johnson said. Craft stores, dollar stores and junk shops are also great places to look. “I’m a big fan of junk shopping at Salvation Army and Goodwill,” he said. Keep an eye out for Dumpsters and look through things that people are throwing away in their alleys, Johnson said. “Whenever you see someone throwing a mirror away, get it and put it in your garden,” he said. “They really create a sense of mystery.”

Simple projects Do you have one of those boring, 6-foot privacy fences in your backyard? Here’s how you can jazz it up in two easy steps with Johnson’s glass marble privacy fence project. Materials: • Glass marbles • Drill • Privacy fence See gardening, 3B

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gardening, from 2B Step 1: Drill a hole just slightly smaller than the size of your marbles, so the marbles will stay in place. Step 2: Insert the marble into the hole. Repeat this process in any pattern you want all over the fence. Johnson recommends drilling test holes in scrap wood to determine the right size of the hole before you start on the fence.

DIY Sun Jar Sun Jars are a great way to light up a garden. The sun charges them during the day and at night they light up. However, they can be very expensive. Here’s a way to make

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your own that doesn’t break the bank. Materials: • Mason jar • Solar garden light (can be found at the hardware store) • AA battery • Blu-tack reusable putty • Glass-frosting spray or tracing paper • Screwdriver • Utility knife Step 1: Take apart the innards of the solar garden light using a utility knife and insert the battery. Step 2: Put all of light’s innards into the Mason jar using blu-tack to keep everything together. Make sure that the solar See gardening, 10B

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April 27, 2012 Sun Thisweek ADVERTISING SUPPLEMENT

Is it time to add a half-bathroom? When it comes to renovating a home, homeowners expect to spend money. No home renovation or home improvement project is free, but some are less costly than others. The addition of a halfbathroom is a popular project among homeowners, and it won’t necessarily break the bank. If convert-

ing existing floor space into a half-bathroom, such a renovation can cost as little as a few thousand dollars, making the addition of a powder room one of the few home improvement projects where the value added to the home exceeds the cost of the renovation. Before deciding to add a half-bathroom, it helps to consider

some of the pros and cons to watch the big game in area. of the project. a basement home-theater • Problem-free:

Pros • Convenience: A halfbathroom is often added on the home’s main floor or in the basement or attic. This makes it more convenient for guests to use the restroom during a dinner party or when coming over

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bathrooms are smaller Half- because they don’t have a shower or bathtub. That means common bathroom problems like mold and mildew are not as big a concern as they are for full bathrooms. • More choices: Because mold and mildew aren’t likely to present a problem in a half-bathroom, homeowners have more options at their disposal when choosing floors and countertops.

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• Space: As their name implies, half-bathrooms are much smaller than full bathrooms. As a result, they tend to feel cramped. • Value: Though an inexpensive half-bathroom addition might recoup its value and then some at resale, the project won’t add as much resale value to a

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bath, from 4B home as a full bathroom addition might. • Loss of storage: If storage around the house is sparse, homeowners might be better off keeping the area designated for the half-bathroom as a storage closet instead of a bathroom. Once the pros and cons have been weighed, homeowners who want to go forward with the project should then check with their local municipality to ensure the codes and requirements won’t restrict their project. Size or window restrictions might curtail the project or limit what homeowners can do, which might change their minds on the project altogether. The addition of a halfbathroom often makes practical and financial sense. But before making any addition, homeowners must weight the pros and cons to make the best decision possible.

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Quick and easy ways to update your kitchen years ago, you are probably living with a design that’s no longer in fashion. For a timeless look, strip the dated wallpaper and replace it with a bright new coat of paint. Be sure to choose a color that nicely complements the floors, countertops and cabinets. For a modern take on wallpaper, look for mosaic tile collections that showcase beautiful tiles and patterns, providing texture for any wall in your home. For examWalls Wallpaper styles come and go. And if ple, Trend USA offers patterns ideally suityour walls were papered more than a few ed to give tired accent walls a fresh twist. STATEPOINT – For many families, the kitchen is the most important room in the house, topping the list of rooms where they gather most. And it’s almost always the busiest room when entertaining friends. But if your kitchen is outmoded or looking just plain drab, some easy, cost-efficient updates can make it more inviting, without undertaking a major remodeling job.

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Countertops Inconvenience is a major factor with a full kitchen remodel. But you can update the overall appearance of the kitchen by redoing just the countertops. A kitchen can be transformed in one day by replacing countertops with heat, cold and scratch resistant glass or granite. For an even more elegant look, consider opting for mosaic tiles, inspired by traditional Italian glass mosaics. See kitchen, 7B

Sun Thisweek ADVERTISING SUPPLEMENT April 27, 2012

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Appliances When is the last time you replaced your kitchen appliances? No appliance, however durable, will perform optimally forever. It may be time to evaluate if your products are really doing the job. Replacing major appliances like stoves and refrigerators might sound like an expensive prospect, but outdated products

are not always as energy-efficient as newer models. Swapping these items will not only give your kitchen a sleek new look, they might also save you money on utilities in the long run. According to real estate experts, kitchen updates offer homeowners the highest return on investment than any other home improvement job. So whether you’re planning to sell your home, or simply bring it into the 21st century, you’d be wise to start with the kitchen.

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April 27, 2012 Sun Thisweek ADVERTISING SUPPLEMENT

Energy efficient windows: a clear improvement? Warm weather is here and many consumers are looking to make home improvements while sticking to a budget. The Better Business Bureau of Minnesota and North Dakota advises consumers to balance cost effectiveness with energy efficiency, as more efficient windows, doors and skylights can make a big difference in energy consumption over time. Start by looking for products that carry the Energy Performance Ratings label from the National Fenestration Rating Council. The label can help determine how well a product will perform its key functions - helping to keep your home cooler in the summer and warmer in the winter, keeping out wind, and resisting condensation. By using the information contained on the label, builders and consumers can reliably

compare one product with another and make informed decisions. As with any home improvement project, it’s important to make sure you’re dealing with a reputable contractor and reputable materials. The BBB encourages consumers to consult with their home contractor to see that all energy performance materials carry this label. If you’re looking for a well insulated room, check the window’s U-Factor. During the cold winter months, you’ll want to make sure your windows are trapping heat. U-Factor ratings generally fall between 0.20 and 1.20. The lower the U-value, the greater a window’s resistance to heat flow and the better its insulating value. Is your room sunny and bright? The Solar Heat Gain Coefficient rates how much

solar radiation is admitted through the window. SHGC is expressed as a number between 0 and 1. The lower a window’s solar heat gain coefficient, the less solar heat it transmits in the house. Are you looking for a well-lit room or one that’s on the dimmer side? Visible Transmittance is an optical property that indicates the amount of visible light transmitted through the window. VT is expressed as a number between 0 and 1. A higher VT means more light is transmitted. Make sure your window doesn’t emit unwanted breeziness. Heat loss and gain occur by Air Leakage through cracks in the window assembly. The lower the AL, the less air will pass through cracks in the window assembly. Check to see that your window will be free from See Windows, 9B

windows, from 8B any water leakage. The higher the Condensation Resistance (CR) rating, the better that product is at resisting condensation formation. While this rating can-

not predict condensation, it can provide a credible method of comparing the potential of various products for condensation formation. CR is expressed as a number between 1 and 100. For additional tips on

1. Look for this label for assurance that this window has been independently rated using a procedure established by the NFRC. Although other labels may be present, the NFRC label is your best source of energy performance information.

home improvement, visit h t t p : / / w w w. bbb. o rg / u s / Consumer-Tips/. For more information on the Energy Performance Ratings label, visit www.nfrc.org.

2. This is the name of the window manufacturer. 4. Solar Heat Gain Coefficient (SHGC) is a measure of the solar energy entering the building through the entire window. A lower SHGC will reduce air conditioning costs and provide a more comfortable window to sit next to on hot days.

3. U-factor is a measure of heat transfer by the entire window (frame, sash and glass), either into or out of the building. A smaller Ufactor will provide a window which is more comfortable to sit next to on cold days. Try to purchase a window with the lowest U-Factor.

6. Air leakage is an indicator of window quality, the lower the number the less air will pass through the window assembly.

5. Visible Light Transmission (VLT) is a measure of the amount of visible light entering through the window. This measurement is not a percentage, but rather a rating between 0 and 1 with zero blocking out 7. This is the manufacturvisible light and one allowing all visible light to enter the room. er’s description of the labeled (A double pane of clear insulated glass has a VLT of .59) product.

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April 27, 2012 Sun Thisweek ADVERTISING SUPPLEMENT

Master Gardeners offer Tuesday Evenings in the Garden classes Tuesday Evenings in the Garden, an annual series of outdoor classes offered by Master Gardeners of Dakota County, will be offered May to November at the Dakota County Master Gardener Research and Display Gardens in UMore Park, 1605 W. 160th St., Rosemount. Classes run 6:30 to 8 p.m. on Tuesdays. The schedule includes: • May 29, A Match Made in Heaven – Elizabeth Spedaliere. Tomatoes and basil; tips for growing, preserving and cooking with this great tasting combo. Cost: $10.

• June 5, The Science of Pruning – Duane Brusehaver. Learn the proper way to prune trees and shrubs to keep plants healthy and promote healing. Cost: $10. • June 12, Bon Appétit! – Kay Schutte. This class explores cooking with edible weeds and flowers. Cost: $10. • June 26, Taming Garden Godzillas – Elizabeth Spedaliere. Learn strategies to help manage Japanese beetle and emerald ash borer in the home landscape. Cost: $10. • July 17, The Digital Eye – Jo Anne Sabin. Create better photos of your gar-

den and its wildlife with just a few digital photo editing techniques. Cost: $10. • July 24, Lasagna Gardening – Mickey Scullard. This no-dig method saves labor and creates an environmentally friendly vegetable or flower bed. Cost: $10. • July 31, The Well-Tended Garden – Faith Appelquist. Hands-on tips from an expert on plant care, insect and disease control, and extending bloom time. Cost: $10. • Aug. 7, The Sustainable Landscape – Janet Erdman. See the newly created sustainable garden and learn how native plants create a landscape that needs less care and preserves biodiverPhoto by Eric Johnson, special to Sun Thisweek sity. Cost: $10. • Aug. 14, Hypertufa Garden Art – Eric Johnson turned his privacy fence into a work of art with glass marbles. Cheryl Mann. Create a garden mushroom gardenING, from 3B Close the lid and voila! at www.apartmenttherapy. that has an aged, concrete appearance and is light weight. Cost: $25. You’ve now got your very com. • Aug. 21, Harvesting the Herb Garden panel is face up so that the own Sun Jar. Make sure sun can charge it. that the lid is made of glass Lauren Regnier is studying – Shari Mayer. For a fresh garden taste all Step 3: Cut out a strip and not metal so that the journalism at the University winter long, learn how to gather, dry and store herbs. Cost: $10. of tracing paper and insert sun can get through and of Minnesota. • Aug. 28, Fairy Garden – Kathy Bonit into the jar or use glass- charge it up. nett. Create an adorable, mini fairy garden frosting spray. This project was found

that can be used indoors or out. All supplies are included. Cost: $40. • Sept. 11, Seed Savers – Claudia Zweber. Collect seeds from the heirloom flower garden and learn how to harvest and store seeds. Cost: $10. Class size is limited; register by calling (651) 480-7700. Visit the Master Garden blog at http://blog.lib.umn.edu/mgweb/dakota for more information. In the event of rain, classes will be held at the UMore Park office across the street from the gardens. 2012 © Rainbow Play Systems, Inc.

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Hiring a home contractor: Do you know the red flags?

Whether you are looking to have your home windows replaced, new siding installed on your garage or a pool built for the summer months ahead, it’s always important to find a home contractor that you can trust. Better Business Bureau recommends following this smart shopper checklist before choosing In 2011, BBB received more than 6,000 complaints against general contractors, which was up 11 percent from the previous year. While there are many trustworthy and reliable contractors out there, there are always those unscrupulous few that end up charging too much and doing too little … or nothing at all. “You want a home contractor you can trust, so watch out for red flags from those just looking to make a quick buck,” said Katherine Hutt, spokesperson for the Council of Better Business Bureaus. “Be especially wary of doing business with a contractor who solicits business door-to-door. This could

mean that the contractor is not from a local, established business and is instead just passing through and trying to scam innocent consumers.” BBB advises consumers to follow this smart shopper checklist before choosing a home contractor: Be picky and have lots of options. Seek at least three bids from prospective contractors based on the same specifications, materials and labor needed to complete the project. Homeowners should discuss bids in detail with each contractor and ask questions about variations in pricing. The lowest-priced contractor may not be the best. Make sure they are certified and insured. Consumers should ask whether the company is insured against claims covering workers’ compensation, property damage and personal liability in case of accidents. Consumers should obtain the name of the insurance carrier and call to verify coverage. Ask whether the

contractor meets licensing and bonding requirements set by the state, county or city. Check with local authorities to find out whether permits are needed before proceeding with the work. The contractor also should be aware of any required permits. Get everything in writing. Ask whether the contractor will provide a lien waiver upon completion of the job. A lien waiver is a statement by the contractor that all suppliers and subcontractors have been paid for their work. Read and understand the contract before signing. Get all verbal promises in writing. Include start and completion dates in the contract. Remember the rule of thirds and follow it. Pay one third at the start of the project, one third when work is 50 percent completed and one third after completion. BBB has Business Reviews on more than 100,000 general contractors across North America, available for free at www.bbb.org/search.

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