The News Reporter
Spring
Home & Garden 2016
Welcome Home.
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The News Reporter is pleased to bring you Spring Home and Garden 2016. Whether you are looking to spruce up your yard, add value to your home with remodeling or replacing windows, or need maintenance tips, there is something here for everyone.
Spring Home and Garden 2016
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Spring Home and Garden 2016
Tips
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Clean with a brush or sponge.
to spruce up your outdoor spaces for the season
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“For your toughest jobs, add it to your pressure washer,” says Devlin. Helpful cleaning tips can be found at MeanGreenDegreaser. com.
hen the weather warms up, it’s all about relaxing outdoors. But it’s possible you’ve neglected upkeep on your home’s outdoor spaces during the chilly months of winter.
Routine Maintenance
To enjoy yourself more this season, take time to spruce up your yard. Here are some quick tips.
Perform routine upkeep to keep items from falling into disrepair or becoming overgrown or unkempt.
Do a Survey Take a walk around the perimeter of your patio, deck and yard to survey what needs to be cleaned, repaired or replaced. Did potted plants and lawn ornaments survive the cooler months? Are outdoor light fixtures functioning? Are fallen branches littering the yard? Make a mental to-do list. Deep Clean Like interior spaces, periodic deep cleans are necessary outdoors too. But don’t waste your leisure time. “With the right tools you can work smart, not hard,” says Jeff Devlin,
host on a popular home improvement channel. “A heavy-duty cleaner, such as Mean Green Degreaser, not only works indoors, but is ideal for my tough outdoor cleaning jobs.” Devlin recommends using the Super Strength multi-surface formula -- which is lab-tested to clean and remove
grease, grime, mildew, dirt, and oil more effectively than its competitors -- to clean and remove mildew from patios, outdoor furniture, concrete, composite and wood fences and siding, as well as to clean and degrease tools, lawn equipment and grills. Use it as a concentrated spray or diluted solution.
Sweep walkways and your deck regularly, especially if they are situated under trees. Promote a healthy lawn by mowing it regularly, never removing more than one-third of the grass blade. Keep gutters devoid of leaves and debris so that water does not collect in your yard or at the base of your home’s structure. Rinse patio furniture, umbrellas and awnings using water or a diluted cleaner. Spring is in the air. With a little effort, you can be prepared to make the most of it.
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Spring Cleaning:
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Eliminate Kitchen Counter Clutter B irds are chirping, flowers are blooming and the ever-daunting spring cleaning checklist is looming. As you take on tasks this year, make the kitchen a top priority.
In addition to a little extra deep cleaning, it could be time to rethink its organization. With a few inspired solutions, counters can be freed from clutter, allowing more space for food preparation and cooking. Cast Off and Get Creative The easiest way to make room in the kitchen is to clean out excess. Go through dishes, pots, pans, appliances and utensils. Consider giving away anything you haven’t touched in the past year or simply don’t like. Find creative ways to clear the counter. Use a Lazy Susan to store supplies in hard-to-reach corners. Reimagine a cake stand as a shelf to elevate favorite spices, salt, pepper and olive oil, while leaving an area around the base for additional storage. Rethink nooks and crannies, such as the top of the fridge, which could house a decorative display of cookbooks, bowls or baking canisters. Tops of kitchen cabinets can hold stainless steel or copper pots and pans, allowing for easy access when needed. Arrange by Use
tate, think about how often they are used. Everyday multi-tasking tools deserve a spot on the counter. Save space with versatile appliances like the Vitamix S55, a personal blender with four convenient
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Spring Tips to Attract Beautiful Birds to Your Yard
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hen hosting neighbors and friends for spring gatherings, your thoughts may dwell on accommodating guests. But how often do you consider your animal visitors? “During spring, flocks of birds migrate and are looking for places to refuel and rest,” says Spencer Schock, Founder of WindowAlert, makers of bird-friendly products for homes. “A few small tweaks to your yard, is like placing out a welcome mat.” Unfortunately, migration is not without peril or hardship, but Schock says turning your home into a refuge for birds can be fun and add beauty to your yard. He offers these tips to keep feathered travelers safe during their migratory journey. • Protect flight: Millions of birds die annually by striking glass, making windows a hazard to birds in flight. Try applying special decals that reflect ultraviolet sunlight to your home’s windows, particularly those windows that are highly reflective of open sky. The decals won’t affect your view because they’re virtually invisible to humans, but will help keep birds safe. For example, those from WindowAlert have patterns that give the appearance of slightly frosted translucent glass, but glow like a stoplight for birds. The brand also makes a high-tech liquid called WindowAlert UV Liquid, which can be applied between decals.
Such ultraviolet decals have been scientifically proven to keep birds safer. A 2015 American Bird Conservancy Study found that the more WindowAlert decals that were applied to a piece of glass covering the
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How to Get a Great Lawn in Less Time A
stunning lawn is the trademark of most proud homeowners. After all, the front yard is the first thing visitors and passersby see. But achieving and maintaining the perfect landscape can be time consuming without the right tools. Want more of your weekends back? Experts say achieving professionallevel results in less time starts with the equipment you use to do the job. Take stock of the tools in your garage or shed. Are they up to the task? If you’re spending too much time on the yard, it may be time to make some key upgrades.
“These days, it’s safe to say that zero-turn riding mowers have become the tool of choice among landscape professionals,” says Altmaier. Those from Exmark, for example, are available at various price points and offer great mower productivity, power and durability. For more information, visit www.Exmark.com. This season, give yourself more time and energy to enjoy the yard you so painstakingly maintain.
The right lawnmower, for example, “is not just an investment in the beauty of your property, it’s an investment in your quality of life,” says Judy Altmaier, general manager of Exmark, a leading manufacturer of mowers and other lawn equipment. “A faster mower means more free time, plain and simple.” With that principle in mind, here are a few insights about what to look for when replacing an older mower with a new, more efficient model. • Maneuverability: Between trees, flower beds and other landscape features, a mower should be easy to maneuver, so you can mow closer and spend less time with the trimmer. • Quality of cut: Not all mowers offer the same quality of cut. When choosing a new mower, take this factor into consideration, as well as the type of lawn and grass you have. • Durability: A durable mower will include features such as welded, fabricated cutting decks, commercial engines and heavy-duty welded, tubular steel unibody frames. For quick guidance, consider taking a cue from those who make a living by being more efficient in the yard – landscape professionals.
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A New Remodeling Trend is Adding Resale Value to Homes Whether you’re looking to sell your house or just want to make a smart update that’s worth your time and money, consider a design trend that is both attractive and proven to add value to your home: manufactured stone. “Manufactured stone is exploding in popularity, in both exteriors and interiors,” says Phil Wengerd, vice president of Market Strategies for ProVia, a leading manufacturer of home building products. The numbers agree. Manufactured stone veneer projects offer a 92.9 percent cost recovery, according to Remodeling Magazine’s Cost vs. Value Report, a detailed comparison of the average cost of remodeling projects with the value those projects retain at resale in 100 US markets. If you’re looking to make a home upgrade using manufactured stone, Wengerd says to consider the following trends: • Popular style: While homeowners once attempted to emulate materials available in the local natural environment, the elegant look of dry stack stone now dominates nationwide. The material features the look of smaller stones, providing an elegant natural look that’s versatile in both exterior and interior applications. • Exotic colors: Color blends continue to feature earth shades, however, more reds, purples and burgundies are being mixed in to complement colors in carpet, walls or window treatments. To respond to the demand, brands like ProVia`s manufactured stone are adding new stone color options.
• Versatile project ideas: As technology has made manufactured stone more accessible to the masses, today it’s showing up on more than just a home’s exterior. In interior applications, stone adds a dramatic frame for kitchen stoves and islands, and is used around bathtubs to create a spa-like retreat. It’s also a popular choice for masonry surface application in finished basements or for stone fireplaces. Exterior stone accents, like an outdoor kitchen, deliver plenty of wow-factor without the wallet cringe that a traditional stone-laying job would entail. For style and color inspiration, as well as free resources, such as a visualizer design tool and videos on installing manufactured stone veneer, visit provia.com/stone. Recapture home equity by seeking out projects and upgrades like manufactured stone, with a proven ability to add value.
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Add your personal style to your home
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ou may feel locked into the style you inherited when you purchased your house. But you have more power than you think to transform your reality home into your dream home.
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G
ive your interior spaces privacy and elegance by rethinking windows. In key rooms, consider replacing standard windows with privacy windows.
To make a big style impact, consider these upgrades and projects: Stunning Curb Appeal
D
on’t settle for a drab or standard home exterior, particularly when it comes to your roof. A beautiful, colorful update will enhance your home’s exterior design and boost curb appeal.
Decorative glass windows add character to a space because they become the view. They serve as their own artwork for the room with the added benefit of providing privacy in the home.
For long-term durability, consider a polymer slate or shake roofing product, like those from DaVinci Roofscapes, which are offered in 50 standard colors and a variety of striking color blends.
Those from Hy-Lite include square, geometric and oval shaped windows in both fixed and operable styles and in various sizes, so they can be used as a focal point in a room or to create a striking accent wall of windows. Create an eye-catching space in the kitchen with acrylic block windows, or complement your home’s architectural style with one of the fashionable silk-screened windows featured in their Home Designer Collection.
However, picking the right exterior color scheme and style can be daunting without guidance, say experts. “Many homeowners are afraid to shake things up with color because they don’t want to make a mistake,” says Kate Smith, a color trend forecaster with Sensational Color.
If you’re unsatisfied with your house, consider making key upgrades and replacements that will add elegance, beauty and a touch of your own personality.
Luckily, free resources can provide guidance and tips on understanding your home’s exterior features and how to play off them with color accents. For example, Smith has written a free 36-page guide, “FRESH Color Schemes for Your Home Exterior.” The guide explores color options for seven different home styles and eases the process of choosing color palettes to complement your home exterior. To download the free guide, visit davinciroofscapes.com.
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Clutter
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Continued from page 4... pre-programmed settings that can prepare everything from smoothies and whole-food juices to soups, sauces, vinaigrettes, frozen desserts and more. Plus, because of its compact size, it leaves plenty of room for other kitchen tasks. You can also arrange serving ware according to how often it reaches the table. Store items such as holiday dishes and platters in the back of cabinets or open shelving. Place everyday items like bowls and salad plates in easy-to-reach cabinets and drawers. Cooking utensils should be housed in a holder close to the stove.
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Work With Your Walls The usual kitchen organization employs drawers, cabinets, shelves and countertops. However, you can also work with your walls to make your kitchen more efficient. Apply hooks to hang pot holders and aprons, ensuring they are a safe distance from the stove. Install a pot rack, which will make room in cabinets for appliances that are not used often -- just make sure your walls or ceiling are strong enough to support the extra weight. To squeeze extra space out of your kitchen, hang magnetic strips for items like knives and kitchen scissors, freeing up drawers and removing the knife block from the counter. Spices can also be hung on the strips with the use of magnetic canisters. If you simply minimize what’s kept on countertops and reimagine everyday items, you can optimize the functionality of your kitchen, making it a more user- and guest-friendly destination.
Birds
Continued from page 5... departure point of a flight tunnel, the more birds avoided it (a net protected all the birds in the study from actually getting hurt, no matter where they chose to fly). • Bed and Breakfast: Birdfeeders come in all shapes, sizes and styles, and simply adding one to your yard can help beautify it and give birds the energy needed to continue their flight. Remember though, bird strikes are often a problem near bird feeders, as feeding birds are easily frightened and are apt to take wild, evasive flight; position feeders closer than three feet or farther than 30 feet from windows. If your feeder is close to the window, birds fly away from the house. Believe it or not, the safest type of feeder is the kind that attach to the window itself. You can also make your home’s outdoor spaces more bird-friendly filling your garden with the right plants and flowers for pollinating bird species. • Watch and record: Grab a pair of binoculars and a field guide book and take note of the types of birds you see and when. This will help you become better prepared for next season. In addition, consider becoming a “citizen scientist” by submitting your observations to The Audubon Society and Cornell University’s database at ebird.org. For more tips on making your home and garden a bird haven, visit WindowAlert.com. “By making a few simple modifications to your yard and home, you can assist birds on their long journey,” says Schock.
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Protect and Treat Your Family’s Skin from Bites and Itch this Season
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arm days mean picnics, ballgames and outdoor adventure. Unfortunately, all that sun and fun can introduce a greater risk of skin woes for you and your family.
“Whether you’re playing catch in the backyard or pitching a tent in the woods, you can help prevent certain issues from occurring, and if they do, be prepared by having a remedy on hand that can offer your family instant healing and relief from itching, burning and discomfort,” says Dr. Angela Lamb, dermatologist. With that in mind, here are some tips to prevent and treat the itch and irritation of the season: Cover Up
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ore bare skin means more risk for bug bites and stings, and exposure to rash-causing plants such as poison ivy and poison oak. When possible, wear long sleeves and pants. Loose-fitting, light colors can keep you cool on warmer days, even when covered up. When you get home, check clothes for ticks before heading inside. Be Aware
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e savvy outdoors and teach your family to avoid poison ivy, oak and sumac. If you spend time in areas where these plants grow, cover up and avoid contact. When you get home, be sure to wash skin and clothing that may have been exposed to the sap of these plants.
Ensure your yard drains properly during and after rain and empty kiddie pools and other standing water. Proactive steps such as these will prevent mosquitoes from making your yard a breeding ground. Treat Ailments
E
ven with preventive measures in place, bites, stings, scrapes and allergic reactions do happen. Make sure you’re prepared to treat discomfort.
For bites and stings, Dr. Lamb recommends a counterirritant such as After Bite, which stops itch and offers a skin protectant for temporary relief and faster healing. The kids’ formula is a gentle al-
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Protect
Continued from page 10... ternative for young ones or anyone with sensitive skin. Both contain soothing baking soda and offer an easy-to-apply, portable remedy for bites from a wide variety of insects. For instant and permanent relief from itching and pain associated with hives, rashes and redness, insect bites, minor scrapes, and allergic reactions from poison ivy, oak and sumac, Dr. Lamb recommends a new steroid-free anti-itch product for the whole family called The Itch Eraser. It is offered in a maximum strength gel and spray with antihistamine as the active ingredient, or a sensitive cream formula with baking soda for those who have sensitive skin. All three contain Vitamin E and Tea Tree Oil to heal and moisturize the skin while reducing redness and inflammation. So, get the bikes dusted off, the baseball mitts oiled and the camping gear out of the garage -- family fun this season is all about taking advantage of the outdoors. But don’t let skin irritations get in way of your good time! Take precautions and arm yourself with treatments for all your skin problems.
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What to Know When Repairing Your Lawn Mower
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very lawn mower requires routine maintenance to keep it running with efficiency and maximum performance. If a breakdown occurs or parts wear out, it’s much more cost-efficient to simply replace the worn parts than it is to buy a whole new mower. To keep your mower functioning optimally, consider the following. Regular Maintenance
F
ollow your manufacturer’s suggested maintenance schedule. Check your owner’s manual or your mower brand’s website for information on when and how to maintain your machine, including checking and changing engine oil and filters, hydraulic filters, belts, air cleaners, spark plugs and more. This upkeep on your mower can prevent unscheduled downtime and costly repairs.
example, extensively test every part and accessory for hundreds of hours to ensure they won’t compromise the safety, productivity or durability of the mower, or the quality of cut it provides. “There is great value in using genuine Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) parts, as opposed to cheaper “will fit” alternatives, when replacing belts, blades, filters, lubricants and other mower parts,” says Martin. To learn more about the differences between using generic replacements from an aftermarket company and OEM parts, visit www.exmark.com/OriginalParts. Whether you mow your lawn often or just a few times a season, be sure to take good care of your mower, paying attention to the suggested maintenance routine. It’s always better to prevent a problem before it becomes an issue. And doing so will improve the quality of each cut and extend the life of the machine.
Replace Parts Wisely “Modern mowers are designed to function as a system; they aren’t just a collection of parts,” says David Martin, customer service manager at Exmark, a leading mower manufacturer. While virtually any company can sell parts that are almost right for your machine, Martin advises using original parts from the mower manufacturer. Brands such as Exmark, for
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Tips to Keep Floors in Tip Top Shape W hether you share your home with dogs, cats, birds, turtles or anything in between, you are probably aware of the challenges of protecting and cleaning your floors. To make this chore as easy for you as it is for your nonpet parent peers, consider the following tips: Pets in Boots Outfitting pets with boots before going outside will protect their paws from pollutants, hot and cold surfaces, and potentially sharp items on the ground. It will also keep their feet and your floors cleaner. There are many brands and styles available, so shop around for a design that your pets will enjoy wearing. Post-Walk Clean-Up After walks or other trips outdoors, check your pet’s fur and feet. Keep a cloth by the door for a quick clean-up before animals settle in and get cozy on carpets. This will make maintaining floors easier as you go. Prevent Accidents Prevent pooch accidents by getting your dog on a regular walk schedule. The knowledge that the next trip outdoors
is on the horizon will make pets less likely to use the living room carpet as a toilet. If need be, you may want to consider employing a day-time dog walker to make trips outdoors a more regular occurrence. If you have litter box issues, keep the box clean to encourage dedicated use. Regular visits to the veterinarian can help ensure there are no health issues at play.
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Home Design Tips for Baby Boomers T here are about 76.4 million Baby Boomers in the US, according to the Population Reference Bureau. As this population ages, it will become important that features on their houses promote safety, are easy-to-maintain, and last a long time. Whether building from the ground up or remodeling a current home, take “aging-in-place” into consideration every step of the way. Here are some great projects to consider with strong payback. A Better Basement When building a new home, choose your foundation carefully. Not only is an uninsulated basement a major source of heat loss, but it’s throwing away potential space that can enhance your life. A “liveable basement” can be designated as a “grandkid zone,” an at-home office or crafting workshop. You can use a pre-cast insulated concrete foundation system, such those from Superior Walls, to create an energy-efficient damp-proof basement. This foundation will help reduce utility bills for long-term savings. Reinforced concrete walls create a permanent barrier against water, and pre-engineered access for wiring or plumbing features are a key element to whatever vision you have for this subterranean space. First Floor Privacy Many seniors opt to spend more of their time at home on the easyto-navigate ground floor. But don’t compromise privacy in pursuit of accessibility. Privacy windows can alleviate concerns you have about neighbors seeing you go about your business. For example, those from Hy-Lite
are offered in numerous styles and designs, including opaque decorative glass, acrylic block and true glass block windows. Silkscreen glass designs can complement the overall style of
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Floors
Spring Home and Garden 2016
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Design Continued from page 13...
Choose Flooring Wisely Until now, even the best prevention of stains and accidents has offered no guarantees. And shedding of fur, feathers and dander is hard to avoid. However, innovations in flooring are making it easier on those who love their pets but are not interested in forfeiting a clean, stain-free and odor-free home. Give yourself an advantage with a pet proof carpet, such as Mohawk’s SmartStrand Forever Clean carpet, which is designed to resist the challenges pets present. Compared to nylon carpet which absorbs up to five percent of its weight in liquid, this alternative has zero percent moisture absorption to resist stains and eliminate any residue that can be left in the fiber which can lead to a musty, dingy odor. (These features will also benefit those with kids.) It also offers a permanent spill and soil shield that makes cleanup of hair, soil and dander three times easier than with conventional carpeting. Protect Floors Financially
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Consider a pet-specific warranty for carpeting to better protect your investment. For example, Mohawk offers an All Pet Protection and Warranty on its SmartStrand Forever Clean carpeting, which is the only warranty of its kind that covers all pets and all accidents. More information can be found at mohawkflooring. com.
the home. From your master suite to your bathroom to the main rooms of your home, avoid prying eyes with this crucial component of stylish first floor living. Safe, Comfortable Bathrooms As mobility and coordination decline, slips and falls can make bathrooms a hazardous place. Think of the years ahead by seeking out bathroom features that are ADA compliant. “Taller toilets that are easier to rise from, pedestal sinks that allow wheelchairs and walkers access, and walk-in tubs that promote easy entries and exits, are all bathroom features people may need as they age,” says Jean Dimeo, a Certified Aging in Place Specialist. Brands like Mansfield Plumbing are accommodating the boomer population by offering selections of SmartHeight toilets, pedestal, under counter and wall mounted sinks. A popular product, Restore walk-in tubs, come with whirlpool and inline heater options to sooth aching muscles and joints. With many high-design fixtures and fittings available, a safe bathroom does not need to be just a utilitarian one. Durable Roof
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When choosing a roof for over your home, seek out longterm durability without compromising beauty. Slate and shake polymer roof products from brands like DaVinci Roofscapes are low-maintenance, offer lifetime limited warranties, and come in a variety of color options that have the authentic look of natural materials. Impact- and fire- resistant, these hardworking roofs offer boomers both peace-of-mind and long-term value.
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Smart Tips to Go Green G oing “green” has increasingly moved from a trend to a global initiative. But the best place for individuals to start minimizing their impact on the environment is in spaces where they spend the most time.
Here are some ways people are reducing their carbon footprints at home and work.
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Flooring For homeowners, there are many different types of green or ecofriendly flooring options today. For example engineered wood floors have a wood veneer, which uses far less material than solid hardwood floors. They’re also more dimensionally stable. Today’s modern laminate floor options are made from recycled wood fiber. There are many more eco-friendly options -- ranging from bamboo and cork to natural linoleum, sisal fiber area rugs, seagrass and coir mats (made from coconut husks) -- along with stones and tiles, carpeting and natural wood. These modern trends are offered by brands like Floor Coverings International, a mobile flooring franchise, which also offers greener options in traditional hardwoods. Their “Epic” option uses 50 percent less newly harvested wood than conventional flooring and is sourced from domestic forests. Epic (shorthand for Environmentally preferred, Peak performance, Installation advantages, Complete product offering) is certified at Cradle-toCradle Silver, eligible for LEED credits and meets GREENGUARD indoor air quality requirements. More information can be found at www.FloorCoveringsInternational.com and www.FlooringFranchise.com.
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Five Things to Look for When Replacing Your Home’s Windows
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Green
Continued from page 15... Lighting The lighting industry is going green. GE recently announced that it will stop selling traditional lightbulbs by the end of 2016. Residential LEDs -- especially ENERGY STAR rated products -- use at least 75 percent less energy and last 25 times longer than incandescent lighting. Widespread use of LED lighting has the greatest potential impact on energy savings in the United States. By 2027, widespread use of LEDs could save us more than $30 billion at today’s electricity prices. Luckily, pioneering companies like LED Source are actively retrofitting major chains and other businesses with LED lighting. As North America’s first franchisor of LED lighting, they are helping businesses go green and save money in the commercial, entertainment, and residential markets. More information can be found at www.ledsource.com. Shop Green
U
nlike some home improvements, window upgrades are complex, involving many moving parts. If you are in the market for an upgrade, don’t rush into a decision until doing some research and evaluating what will work best on your home.
Here are five things to consider when replacing your home’s windows, according to the experts at ProVia:
Continued on page 17...
Add Value And Save Money
A new green retail revolution is giving homeowners more earthfriendly choices. At the forefront of this movement are brands like SuperGreen Solutions, a franchised chain that offers a onestop-shop for a range of energy efficient solutions for commercial and residential customers, as well as expert advice and guidance through in-home consultations on the best products for each customer. They also offer rebate advice, tax credit guidance, sales, installation and after-sales service. More information can be found at SuperGreenSolutionsFranchise.com. There are many ways to get on board this important trend and go green. Start by making smart swaps and upgrades to improve efficiency and lower bills.
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Windows
Continued from page 16... • An energy efficient glass package: The right windows will protect your home and keep you comfortable all year long, limiting the sun’s rays from coming through and fading your carpet and upholstery, as well as preventing cold air from entering your home in the colder months. “Test your current windows by touching them. If you feel the outside chill and air coming through, it may be time for a change,” says Wanda Angel, Brand Manager for Doors and Windows at ProVia. Seek ENERGY STAR Certified high-performance windows, ideal for the weather extremes particular to your region. They should have multiple panes and feature technologies, such as the ComforTech Warm Edge Glazing System, which offers reduced heat loss, warmer glass temperature and reduced interior condensation. • Warranty: Windows can cost thousands of dollars. Protect your investment by opting for windows that come with a lifetime warranty that includes glass breakage and seal failure. A comprehensive warranty should also be transferrable to the next homeowner, such as those from ProVia. This feature can potentially increase your home’s value when you put it on the market. • Weather stripping: Prevent air infiltration through your windows with proper weather stripping. A bulb seal at the bottom of the window, which is a rubberized seal that compresses to the sill, combined with fin weather stripping on verticals and horizontals, will give you triple weather stripping that acts as a true barrier against drafts, keeping you comfortable and helping reduce utility bills. • Beauty: Your windows, like any exterior element on your home, should complement its architecture and add beauty to your house. While certain architectural styles, such as Colonial, once reigned, there’s a new trend toward American Craftsman homes. Forward-thinking window manufacturers are responding to the call by offering grid patterns, stain and paint finishes suitable for this growing need. Interestingly, a new window program at ProVia offers three new series of windows at a range of price points. The series includes ecoLite, Aspect, as well as Endure windows which come with top level innovations in window performance. To learn more, and to find resources on identifying the right windows for your home, visit www.proviaproducts.com. Make an investment in your home with lasting impact. Seek windows that offer comfort, functionality and beauty for years to come.
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Spring Home and Garden 2016
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Spring Home and Garden 2016
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Easy Time-Saving Entertaining Survival Tips
Spring Home and Garden 2016
| Page 19
Buy Your New Home Today Payments Cheaper Than Rent
The shopping, cooking, preparing and cleaning before and after guests all comes with the territory. But there are a number of easy ways to save time and better enjoy the company of friends and family. Home Prep and Cleaning With all the cooking and guests, things can get quite messy. These tips can help you keep the mess under control: • Scrub. Cooking, stovetops and ovens are bound to get dirty. Make a simple scouring solution using baking soda and water to help scrub off any baked-on grime. • Get extra laundry done quickly. Large capacity appliances, like the new GE topload washer, make it more convenient to do extra laundry from your guests. With the largest agitator capacity on the market at 4.2 cu. ft., these new ENERGY STAR washers allow you to do fewer loads of laundry with less time and hassle. • Pack things up. Do some guests cleaning to store away or get rid of extra clutter in your home. Less clutter means less to clean up after they leave. Food Preparation For tasty and easy meals, remember these three guidelines: • The freezer is your friend. Any foods that will withstand freezing and thawing can be made weeks in advance, allowing you to spend the time mingling with guests and preparing dishes that can’t be made ahead of time.
Continued on page 20...
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Spring Home and Garden 2016
| Page 20
Entertaining Three Ways to Maximize Space in a Smaller Kitchen
Continued from page 19... • Stick to the tried and true. If you want to introduce a new dish, make sure you have a few test runs of it under your belt before its big debut. Otherwise, use recipes you know will turn out great. • Say “yes” to guests. If your guests offer to bring something, don’t turn them away. Even something simple, like a bottle of wine, is one less thing worry for you. Hosting can make things busy, but you can make sure that preparation is less timeconsuming and less stressful so you can spend more time with visitors.
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oo often, the kitchen is the first room of a home to suffer the consequences of tight living quarters. But there’s no need to forfeit big-scale cooking in a small-scale kitchen.
Ditch the compromises and maximize the space you do have to make your kitchen work for you, and all your culinary aspirations. Cut the Fat
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Do a top-to-bottom inventory of your kitchen implements to assess what you need and what you can discard or donate. Sleek newer designs of certain appliances tend to take up less space than their clunky, older counterparts. They also offer more multi-functionality. For example, ovens that contain a warming drawer that can be used for slow cooking, potentially eliminates the need for a standalone slow cooker. Blenders that come with food processor attachments can help you de-clutter your countertop. A periodic audit of your kitchen can keep things running smoothly and efficiently. Space Efficient Appliances New appliance options designed for compact kitchens can help ensure that limited space is not a deterrent for those passionate about cooking. For example, Verona Appliances offer upscale, space efficient ranges at 24 and 30 inches with both gas and electric options. These ranges include features like space-saving drawers for pots and pans, multifunction ovens featuring a closed-door Offering a full line of “Quality Fresh Meats” broil, European convection fan, heavy-duty racks and a We sell to restaurants and offer discounts broiler pan, and to churches & other fundraisers. multi-functional warming draw“Great Meats -- Great Prices” ers with settings suitable Call Ricky Bullard or Tombo Lane
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Spring Home and Garden 2016
| Page 21
Continued from page 20... for proofing dough and slow cooking. For more information, visit veronaappliances.com. For a stylish, sophisticated option, consider the 24 inch Nostalgie Gas Range from ILVE, which comes fully equipped with the benefits of the brand’s larger ranges, but is small enough to fit into virtually any kitchen with a gas connection. Four high power BTU burners, a full width warming drawer and multi-function oven with convection bake and broil and a defrost mode can make cooking compactly a cinch. And powerful compact cooking can also extend to cooktops. For instance, ILVE also offers a 15 inch Gas Griddle Cooktop that works with accessories like a steam cooker, bain marie warming basin, cutting board and griddle top dome to cook eclectically and with flair in a tight space. More information can be found at ilveappliances.com. Creative Storage Your conventional storage options will only get you so far in a compact kitchen. Stretch your concept of storage to open up a world of new possibilities. Wall-mounted magnetic units can be a great place to store knives, pots and pans, freeing up limited cabinet space. Corkboard added to the backs of pantry and cupboard doors is ideal for hanging light utensils, recipes and notes. Shelving can be built under kitchen tables and kitchen islands. The possibilities are endless. For happier cooking, give your compact kitchen a functional makeover.
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Spring Home and Garden 2016
| Page 22
Tips to Make Spring Cleaning Safer and Easier
I
f you love the results of spring cleaning, but not the process, it could be that the methods and tools you’re using to get the job done are making the work harder than it needs to be.
example, the Spin Cycle Mop features two spinning mechanisms -- one to wash and one to dry -- so you don’t drip dirty water on the floors that you’re attempting to clean. Use microfiber cloths and dusters that hold onto the dirt they gather so you don’t leave a trail of dust as you move from room to room. These materials are machine washable, so your post-cleaning tasks are a cinch as well.
To get your to-dos done with less effort, consider these tips. Make it Fun Before you even get started, take steps to prepare yourself for an afternoon or day of chores. Turn on some music to motivate you. Open the windows to get some fresh air. Eat a solid meal so you’re fueled for the tasks at hand. You’ll already be in a much better mood.
For more cleaning tips, visit www.Casabella.com. The fresh feel that spring cleaning affords does not need to come at a great cost to your happiness. With a few tweaks to your routine, you can make it simpler and more enjoyable.
Avoid Harsh Chemicals One of the less savory aspects of cleaning can be the exposure of one’s eyes and skin to harsh and irritating chemical formulas. But it doesn’t have to be this way. In some cases, you can get the same results with natural alternatives and, at times, just water. For example, microfiber is designed to pick up and trap dust, dirt, fingerprints, and grime from furniture, woodwork, and cabinetry without scratching surfaces. Brands such as Casabella offer an array of cleaning supplies made of this material, including cloths, chenille mitts, mops and dusters, which offer deeper cleaning with just a little bit of water.
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Avoid Reaching Cleaning can be a pain in the neck -and back, and everywhere else for that matter. Treat your cleaning like a workout. Stretch your neck, shoulders and torso beforehand. Also, look for implements that reach so you don’t have to. For example, a versatile tool like the Everywhere Duster, with its washable microfiber head, pivots to work in hard-toreach nooks and crannies from floor to ceiling, such as window sills and molding. Work Smart Mopping can be a tricky task when you’re using a conventional mop and bucket. Rather than push an ever-increasingly dirty mop around your floors, seek out smart cleaning tools that work for you. A built-in washing spinner at the bottom of the bucket can help keep things cleaner as you go. For
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Make a Style Statement:
Spring Home and Garden 2016
| Page 23
Top Interior Design Trends on the Horizon
Y
ou likely set goals to eat right and save money. But what goals do you set for your home?
“Now is the perfect time to experiment with décor trends,” says Taniya Nayak, interior designer and DIY television personality. Here are six home décor trends Nayak predicts will soon be filling your Pinterest feed. Presswork Palette Generate conversation and set the tone for your space by incorporating text -- think monograms, family names or inspirational quotes. “Use various fonts and sizes to create different moods,” says Nayak. “Letters can be sharp and defined to create a contemporary and stylish aesthetic, or soft and casual for an elegant and timeless feel.” Nature’s Patterns For clean interior spaces with lots of detail, try simple designs inspired by nature, such as honeycombs, florals and leaves. “Pair these with neutral colors for a soothing atmosphere, or blow them up and paint them in a bright color for a bold statement,” says Nayak. You can also integrate natural patterns through accent pieces, such as light fixtures that have reflective metals to mimic sparkling water, or a textured jute rug. Digitally Defined “Geometric shapes and angles have become associated with technology; evoking creativity and innovative design,” says Nayak.
Incorporate this trend with geometric floor tiles in different colors. Or use pixilation for a modern, clean look. Pixelated artwork made up of monochromatic cubes can be simplistic and versatile. Fresh and Fab Multiple bright colors mixed together elevate the mood in any space. Paint a bold accent wall for an eye-catching statement. Or brightly paint a piece of antique furniture for an unexpected combination of modern and traditional. “When it comes to painting an accent wall or furniture, one of the most important tools you need is a premium painter’s tape, like FrogTape brand painter’s tape,” advises Nayak. Treated with PaintBlock Technology, FrogTape brand MultiSurface and Delicate Surface
tapes can be used on a variety of surfaces and help deliver sharp lines, so your handiwork looks professional. Textured Terrain From transformed wood pallets to worn leather or tin ceilings, aged raw materials offer texture and help give a space dimension. “Incorporate it into an application you wouldn’t typically think to use the material,” suggests Nayak. “For example, use concrete on a wall instead of the floor.” Home décor items can easily be made to look aged by adding paint and other finishes for a distressed look. Global Style Create a warm, friendly space with a parade of patterns from different cultures. “Don’t be afraid to mix multiple prints within a space,” says Nayak. “Tie these patterns together by carrying a similar color throughout each element in the room.” “When trying a new trend, make sure it accurately represents your style -- and remember you don’t have to go all out,” adds Nayak. “Any concept can be incorporated as little or as much as you’d like.”
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Spring Home and Garden 2016
Trouble...
| Page 24
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