Special Features - Fall Home Improvement 2016

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Friday, October 14, 2016

Capital News | Fall Home Improvement

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Zuzana Schroner can thank her dad for planting the idea in her head that would change her life.

Schroner is the president of Moda The Bathroom Renovation Company Inc., a homebased business she started in Calgary with great success and is now looking to branch out to the Okanagan Valley from Penticton to Vernon.

Before starting the business in June 2009, Schroner was working as a paralegal. “I always had a desire to be an entrepreneur, because being in an office environment there are always issues around the politics of working with other employees and what not, so my dad said to me there will be something out there

that will come along that I can grab by the horns and run with,” Schroner recalled.

“My brother was involved in renovation work and I thought between the two of us a bathroom renovation company would be a perfect fit. There is not much connection between bathroom design and paralegal work, but I thought there was a need in that area for the kind of service I wanted to offer. Having a great work ethic along with the paralegal experience of paying attention to detail I thought would serve me well in my own business.”

Having immigrated to Canada as refugees from what is now Slovakia in 1989, Schroner said her parents and sibling fled communism to find a better future. “We appreciate all the

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Zuzana Schroner, President opportunities this country has to offer, “ she says.

Schroner says her concept behind Moda starts and ends with personalized customer service, from the first meeting with a client to discuss renovation options to making sure the job is completed as requested. She says the potential clients who invite her into their home to transform their outdated bathrooms into beautiful sanctuaries end up feeling like friends by the end of the process.

“I am with them every step of the process helping my clients make the right decisions and making sure that everything is done to their wishes in the end,” she said.

“We treat every bathroom like it’s our bathroom. We always have their best interests in mind. The biggest reward for me is the client’s thank you and seeing them so happy.”

Schroner says bathrooms, along with kitchens, are two of the most common renovation projects taken on by homeowners, because what is done can be reflected in the selling price of your house.

“One interesting aspect of bathroom renos is it involves nearly every aspect of a house from flooring to cabinetry to adding fixtures. And every bathroom in your house is a representation of you and your family. You can go a little crazy and spend lots of money or you can look for something different that doesn’t necessarily mean spending a lot of money,” Schroner said.

“The bathroom is generally where you begin and end each day so you want it to be a personally positive experience.”

Schroner says the ensuite bathroom is where you want to put the largest focus and spend a bit more money because you will get it back 100 per cent when it’s time to sell. “It is important because when a couple comes to look at your house, one of the first things the wife will look at is the ensuite bathroom, for the overall look and available storage space,” she said.

She says the main family bathroom generally should be designed with the idea of accommodating a steady flow of family and visitor traffic, and powder rooms can be a design expression and a little crazier or different from the larger bathrooms to give them a design personality all their own.

Schroner says the product options out there today offer a myriad of directions to go in bathroom design, but the flip side is how frustrating it can be to make decisions, which is where her expertise comes in to help her clients navigate that process.

Based in Kelowna as of the end of September, Schroner says she will continue to oversee her client base in Calgary while building up her business across the Okanagan.

Capital News | Fall Home Improvement

Tips to

Where to save and

create a Vintage Style Perfecting the trending look of vintage modern décor is all about striking the right balance between old and new. Although gorgeous versions of this style can be found everywhere, it can be difficult to know where to start. Get ideas for your next project with these creative ways to fashion vintage-inspired décor from Sharon Grech, colour and design expert for Benjamin Moore.

Antique it: Adding antiques or vintage furniture to your collection will warm up the clean, modern lines in contemporary design. “Buying vintage doesn’t have to break the bank,” Grech confirms. “Antique markets or garage sales are some of the best places to find older tables, cabinets, or chairs. Once you’ve found your pieces, give them new life with a fresh coat of paint and new fabric if necessary.”

You can create a weathered look with paint by sanding away any peeling or high gloss paint and picking a colour that works well for antiquing, like whites and brights. Use waterborne interior alkyd paint and a high quality synthetic paint brush. Grech recommends a paint from Benjamin Moore, which is ideal for furniture projects because it’s self-levelling and has a longer dry time, allowing you to achieve a high-end finish.

For the perfect weathered texture, al-

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Friday, October 14, 2016

splurge on home decor

low paint to dry and then sand some of it off using 80-grit sanding paper.

Focus on the legs, drawers, and edges.

Don’t worry about imperfections, which will make the furniture look like it aged naturally. For a finishing touch, update the hardware on cabinets or coffee tables — brass, nickel, or rubbed bronze finishes will keep it classic.

Focus on the bright side: Nothing says vintage like the right colour hues — but be careful not to go overboard. Grech recommends adorning the walls in Wythe Blue HC-143 or Fernwood Green 2145-40 to mix vintage exuberance with modern appeal.

If you prefer neutral walls, add pops of colour with bright retro chairs, patterned rugs, or art-deco inspired artwork.

Accessorize with vintage game and hobby pieces: Use vintage pop art to bring the family together and add to the theme. “Right now, it’s all about 1950s inspired furniture and games.

Record players, retro bikes, and ping pong tables are great collectibles, but are also fantastic for entertaining,” says Grech. “Old picture frames, light fixtures, and antique jars, vases, or bowls will also help add finishing touches to your room.”

We all know where to splurge and where to save when it comes to fashion — a good blazer is worth its weight in gold, while trendier pieces that go out of style are best bought at a discount store. But what’s the equivalent for home décor? Read on to learn what pieces are worth investing in and where you can save a few bucks.

Save — unique pieces. Cool, distinctive pieces can either cost a fortune or not much at all, so why splurge when you can save? Hunt for fabulous finds at garage sales, used goods stores or vintage shops.

Some treasures are perfect as-is, and some require just a bit of paint to reveal the diamond in the rough.

Splurge — kitchen backsplash. An attractive backsplash can make any kitchen stand out and look expensive. It’s also a relatively small area, so a pricier tile won’t break the bank but will be sure to stand the test of time.

Save — bed linens. These take quite a beating from frequent washing and aren’t visible to anyone but you and your partner, so don’t spend a fortune. Bed linens are also an item where inexpensive doesn’t have to mean lower quality — you can often find higher thread count sheets on sale, and since they’re covered by the duvet you can get whichever colour is left.

Save — greenery. Flowers and plants you have inside your home or out are vulnerable to the weather, how much sunlight they receive, and whether or not you can remember to water them. And flowers and plants are nice to change along with the season, with bright florals looking great in the spring and summer, richer tones for fall and poinsettias during the holidays. Freshen up your home quickly and economically by saving on greenery. Depending where you live, you can sometimes even pick outdoor flowers for free.

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Friday, October 14, 2016

Capital News | Fall Home Improvement

Drive through orchards bring back good memories

Last Tuesday I took my 95 year old dad, Art Hughes-Games, on a delightful drive through East Kelowna orchards.

He came to Kelowna in 1926 and is full of the history of the area.

Listening to his stories and remembering my own childhood, I am filled with gratitude to have lived here most of my life.

The valley is beautiful and filled with abundance. The climate is great for growing most of our food.

Our family had a quarter acre vegetable garden. Canned and frozen produce lasted us until the garden began producing the next year.

All four children helped. We all grew up to be gardeners.

Kelowna was small and mostly an agricultural community. Capri Mall was a pear orchard. There was a pig farm at Sutherland and Burtch. Rutland was a separate community of orchards and farms.

The fascinating pictures of fruit box labels on electrical boxes around town

gives a sample of the names of many old packing houses.

The present Cultural District was filled with packing houses including the Rowcliffe Cannery. They canned tomatoes among other things.

As well as fruit, lots of vegetables were grown to be shipped to other places.

Produce was loaded into freight cars that were barged down the lake to Penticton to link up with the railway.

Things have changed dramatically since the 1950’s. Much good farmland has been covered with houses, roads, parking lots, shopping malls and industrial buildings.

With cheap transportation we have come to expect to eat fresh produce, like strawberries, all year round. Most of our food is imported.

Public and government support for local agriculture has diminished.

Fortunately the Agricultural Land Reserve was created in the 1970’s. Without this all the arable land would likely have been sold and built on.

As transportation costs increase and

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Saturday, October 8th from 10am to 3pm, Kelowna Veggies (2570 Old Vernon Road) is offering the remainder of their crops to anyone who wants to come and harvest. Gleaners can take home half of what they collect. The other half will be donated to the Food Bank. Produce available includes various squash varieties, tomatoes, peppers, jalapeños, and eggplant.

Photo credit: Gwen Steele

water becomes scarcer for growing crops in places like California, imported produce will become very expensive or unavailable just as it was when I was a child.

Now is the time to make sure our farmland is preserved, programs are created to help young farmers get started, and older farmers get support to make their farms more efficient. We need to prepare for the future by creating and supporting strong local food production now.

I am grateful to see signs of change.

Our large Farmer’s Market makes fresh local produce more readily available and connects buyers to farmers.

Some schools have gardens. Children love to grow their own food.

Recently I’ve been excited to see a substantial increase in vegetable gardening, especially among younger people.

From a xeriscaping perspective, a vegetable garden is an excellent alternative to lawn and water-thirsty ornamentals. It does need water but with good soil, drip irrigation and a layer of mulch to hold in the moisture, the water is used efficiently and it provides the gardener with healthy, ‘free’ food.

Gwen Steele is executive-director of the non-profit Okanagan Xeriscape Association. Learn more about Gardening with Nature and plants for the Okanagan on the website at: www.okanaganxeriscape.org

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Capital News | Fall Home Improvement

Friday, October 14, 2016

Scott McGillivray contributor As a contractor and real estate expert, homeowners often look to me to provide advice on the best projects for their renovation dollars. While it’s important to first consider the purpose of the renovation (is it for yourself, for resale, or as part of an income-generating suite?), there are some renovations that have proven to be reliable investments over time.

Some of these include: Kitchens and bathrooms.

Renovations here top the list.

High-end finishes, like marble and quartz countertops and stainless steel or commercial grade appliances, are greatly coveted. Clever storage is desirable, along with home automation––a new and growing trend.

Bathrooms. This one is simple. The hottest bathrooms right now aim to replicate a spa-like experience. From colour and accessories to scents and lighting, transforming this room into a relaxation haven

www.kelownacapnews.com X5 will maximize its appeal.

Basements. Basement renovations are among the best ways to gain space without going the route of a costly addition, but the key is doing it right. Address moisture issues first and hire professionals for plumbing, electrical and mechanical work. Insulate with a water-repellant insulation made from inorganic materials to improve energy efficiency, and then focus on the finishes.

Insulation. Installing, topping up, or replacing insulation is one of the most cost-effective ways to increase energy efficiency and save money over the life of your home. For exterior walls, basements headers, cathedral ceilings, and attics, I recommend a product called Roxul Comfortbatt stone wool insulation for exceptional thermal performance. For interior walls and between floors, I’m a big fan of Roxul Safe ‘n’ Sound for its excellent sound dampening qualities. Both products are fire resistant up to 1,177˚C, re-

sistant to mould and mildew, and Greenguard certified to the highest level for air quality.

Smaller fixes. Know that you don’t have to spend a lot of money to realize a good return. Can’t afford a full-out kitchen or bathroom reno?

Consider painting walls and cabinets, replacing outdated hardware or fixtures, and installing new lighting for an impactful refresh. When it comes to living spaces, it’s amazing what a splash of colour, some new flooring, carefully selected accessories and strategic lighting can do for the look and feel of a room. Save a little extra by doing it yourself. With a positive attitude and some elbow grease, you can make a big difference with projects that require low to moderate know-how.

Scott McGillivray is the award-winning TV host of the hit series Income Property on HGTV Canada, a full-time real estate investor, contractor, author, and educator. Follow him on Twitter @smcgillivray.

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Capital News | Fall Home Improvement

As Okanagan prepares for future droughts, Osoyoos couple clinches $6000 Grand Prize to water wise their yard

Kelowna, B.C. – As people start turning off their outdoor taps and irrigation systems get blown out, the Okanagan Basin Water Board’s Okanagan WaterWise program is winding up its Make Water Work campaign for another year. But not before announcing this year’s Grand Prize winner of a $6,000 WaterWise yard upgrade – Rob Abbott and Felicia Taylor of Osoyoos.

“You’re kidding! I was just thinking about how we were going to redo our yard. That’s incredible,” said Abbott when called with the news. “I’ve been wanting to change our yard so that it is closer to the natural environment and using less water, so this is perfect.”

Rob Abbott was among about 520 Okanagan residents who took the challenge and pledged to Make Water Work more effectively and efficiently in their yards this summer.

Make Water Work (MWW) is an initiative of the OBWB’s Okanagan WaterWise program developed and delivered in partnership with local governments and utilities throughout the Okanagan. Its purpose is to tackle the largest discretionary use of water in the Okanagan – 24 per cent – on outdoor residential landscaping. The program provides tips and tools to local residents to make water work best in their yards, but also encourages people to visit the Make Water Work website and pledge to conserve for a chance to be entered to win a WaterWise yard makeover.

Looking back at this summer’s pro-

gram, Corinne Jackson, Communications Director for the OBWB and in charge of the MWW program, said she’s pleased with this year’s results.

“We were lucky this year. With the early, hot spring, and the early snowmelt, we were concerned about our valley’s water supplies and the potential for a repeat of last year’s serious drought,” Jackson said. “Unlike last summer though, we got some rain, and we had cooler temperatures, ensuring a healthier water supply for fish and crop irrigation, preventing the problems we saw the previous year.

“That said, we know droughts are a part of the water story in the Okanagan and we will be faced with them again. Encouraging wise water use by residents, and smart water planning by local and senior governments will help ensure we’re prepared,” Jackson added. To that point, this summer the Water Board worked with the Province of B.C. on its Thompson Okanagan Drought Response Implementation Plan and it continuing to work with Okanagan water utilities on local drought plans, she noted. Staff are also working with various groups on projects that help prepare for drought – and flooding – for example with wetlands restoration, and determining Environmental Flow Needs of fish.

“But we also need residents to do their part and get prepared. Make Water Work is an effort to reach out to this group and help them be part of the solution,” Jackson explained.

For his pledge and water conservation efforts, Abbott will now be visited by KelownaGardens.com who will provide $4,000 in service with a landscape audit, plus irrigation and/

or landscape improvements. Another $2,000 in materials is being provided through Bylands Nursery, ProSource Irrigation and Eco Turf Farms. All prizing has been kindly donated once again this year.

“I see water scarcity as a huge issue in the valley and my wife and I want to do what we can,” said Abbott. For his part, Abbott pledged this summer to ‘Water Plants. Not Pavement.’ And to ‘Leave grass clippings as mulch,’ helping feed his lawn, retain moisture and reduce evaporation.

But Abbott is happy to share his other water-saving tips. “I was also watering at night to prevent evaporation, and as minimally as possible, and was turning off the irrigation if it rained. I also hand-watered some of the plants instead of using irrigation.”

And, he has taken his water conservation efforts indoors too, he added, noting the low-flow showerhead he and his wife installed a few years ago, and more.

“Any effort by the Water Board and Okanagan WaterWise to make people aware is tremendous because we’re all in this together and I think people are looking at how to do their part.

“A contest like this draws attention, and I’m sure there are some who will enter who aren’t necessarily aware of our water issues, but who will end up learning about them,” noted Abbott.

In addition to awarding a Grand Prize, the community that collects the most number of pledges is crowned “Make Water Work Champions.”

This year, Peachland won the honour.

“I’m really proud of Peachlanders and I applaud them for participating and fulfilling their promise to conserve,” said a very pleased Cindy Fortin, who doubles as Mayor of

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Indeed, Fortin made it known that she and her Mayor’s Climate Action Task Force were planning to tap into Make Water Work come spring to bring attention to climate and water issues and they were going to push for strong participation from local residents. MWW officially launched in early May and two weeks later Peachland held its own event, providing WaterWise gardening demonstrations, giving away plants from the Make Water Work Plant Collection and signing people up to take the pledge. The mayor also wrote a number of articles which ran in the local media encouraging people to Take the Challenge, and they did.

“I think it made a difference,” added Fortin. “People were very receptive.

We even had people show up to our event from outside Peachland and we signed them up too.

“I think the 2015 drought was a real eye-opener,” the mayor said. “I know this summer was cooler and a bit wetter, but there’s no doubt that we’ll have more droughts in the future.”

As the Okanagan’s population continues to grow, the need for everyone to reduce their use is going to increase, Fortin added, suggesting tighter watering restrictions will likely be needed. Also, greywater reuse in new developments is now being encouraged as a way to conserve water on the landscape. Peachland’s special MWW event, she added, was an opportunity to show residents ways to keep yards beautiful and use less water.

“The whole situation with our water supply is very important to me because water is a finite resource and our most precious resource. We all continued page 9

Capital News | Fall Home Improvement

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Friday, October 14, 2016

Add value

Most remodeling work increases a home’s value.

When selling a home, potential buyers often look to the bathrooms as a statement of the home in general.

to your home with these renovations Homeowners choose renovation projects for a variety of reasons. Although many improvements are made to increase functionality and comfort of a home, several others are seen as worthwhile investments. These investments can add up to a higher resale value when the time comes to sell a home.

Certain projects have a history of providing a greater return on homeowners’ investments than others. The following renovation tips can add beauty to your home and generate great returns when you put the home up for sale. · Invest in your kitchen. Kitchen remodels are a safe bet when it comes to putting money into improving a home. Residents tend to spend a great deal of time in the kitchen, but a dated, poorly functioning kitchen can detract from the value of a home, even if the rest of the home is in good shape. It’s possible to recoup between 60 and 120 per cent of your kitchen remodel investment, especially if the kitchen matches up well with the rest of your home, so it’s important to make the right decision when choosing a company to do those renovations.“Over the years we have found that people like to deal with one company to take care of all their renovation needs,” said Bill of Premium Granite Works Inc. and Premium Cabinets.

“Our focus is on the removal of old countertops, installation of new granite or quartz counters, kitchen and bathroom cabinet refacing, adding wall

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spaces have become more desirable, especially as the “staycation” has grown in popularity. Decks and patios can make backyards more appealing.

The scope of your investment will depend on the size of the deck and design. Outdoor kitchens are a wonderful bonus to any home. Whether you like to entertain large groups of people or just enjoy spending time in the great outdoors, an outdoor kitchen not only extends your family’s living space, but it also adds value to your home. Another item to consider in your outdoor kitchen is the countertop space. You need something that will provide enough area to prepare and serve meals while holding up to harsh weather and extreme temperatures.

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pantries, island cabinets and modifiction of cabinets for over-sized fridges, and gas range stoves.”

Homeowners should know that a deluxe renovation may not be necessary, as relatively moderate improvements can create a whole new look for a kitchen. ·Put in another bathroom. Multiple bathrooms are an attractive selling point, particularly in older homes that may not have been equipped with more than one bathroom. Finding extra space for a bathroom can be tricky, but consider closets, areas under stairs or even taking some space away from another room. Or you may want to update your existing bathroom. “A bathroom remodel can literally pay for itself in its return on investment. It does not always happen that way, but if you pay attention to the details, you can make your bathroom work for you. Even if you have no plans on selling anytime soon, it will feel good knowing that your bathroom put work in for you already,” said Bill. Popular home-improvement television channel HGTV advises that half-bathrooms require at least 18 square feet of space, while full baths need 30 to 35 square feet for a stand-up shower or bathtub. · Add illumination to rooms. A dark home is a dreary home. Adding light can mean including more overhead and accent lighting. Under-cabinet task lighting is a nice touch. · Put a deck addition outdoors. Outdoor living

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Friday, October 14, 2016

Capital News | Fall Home Improvement

Fall maintenance pointers

How to keep your house in shape and help keep you warm this winter.

Clean gutters and downspouts. Make sure all drainage areas are unblocked by leaves and debris. Consider installing gutter guards to make the job a lot easier.

Use a screwdriver to probe the wood trim around windows, doors, railings and decks. Use caulk to fill the holes or completely replace the wood.

Lower humidity and cooler (not yet cold) temperatures make fall a good time to paint the exterior of your home.

Inspect your roof, or hire a licensed professional to examine your roof for wear and tear. If the shingles are curling, buckling or crackling, replace them. If you have a lot of damage, it’s time to replace the entire roof. Also, check the flashing around skylights, pipes and chimneys. If you have any leaks or gaps, heavy snow and ice will find its way in.

To prevent exterior water pipes from bursting when the weather gets below freezing, turn off the valves to the exterior hose bibs. Run the water until the pipes are empty. Make sure all the water is drained from the pipes, if not; the water can freeze

up and damage the pipes.

Have your wood-burning fireplace inspected, cleaned and repaired to prevent chimney fires and carbon monoxide poisoning.

Wrap water pipes that run along exterior walls with heating tape. It will save energy and prevent them from freezing.

Clean and replace filters in your furnace or heating system. Contact a licensed heating contractor to inspect and service your gas heater or furnace to avoid carbon monoxide poisoning.

Your local utility company will often provide this service for free.

If you use a hot water system for heating, drain the expansion tank, check the water pressure, and bleed your radiators.

Check the attic to make sure the insulation is installed properly. The vapor barrier on insulation should face down toward the living space. If it is installed incorrectly (with the vapor barrier facing up) then the insulation will trap moisture causing possible water problems. Cut slits in the vapor barrier to allow moisture to escape. To install attic insulation, unroll the insulation with the paper side out. Install small pieces of insulation between the joists on the attic floor. Be careful not to step between the joists.

The change in temperature and humidity and normal wear and tear can cause window seals to crack and shrink. Check your windows and doors inside and out for leaks and drafts. Caulk cracks or install weathCONTRACTORS • HOMEOWNERS • INDUSTRIAL er stripping around • ride on rollers • air compressors • compaction equipment windows and doors, in• bobcat loaders • electric jackhammers • garden equipment cluding the garage door.

• mini excavators • generators • plumbing equipment Replace screens with • lift equipment • pressure washers • pumps • space heaters storm windows and WE RENT EQUIPMENT FO • landscape equipment • stump grinders • survey equipment clean them if needed.

• welding equipment • wood chippers

Fall is the perfect time to divide or move perennials. Remove dead annuals and mulch hardy perennials. Annuals typically die when temperatures drop below freezing. But perennials often appear as though they too have bitten the bullet.

That’s because their top growth dies back, although in most cases the root ball is hardy enough to survive even extreme temperatures, especially if it’s covered with a layer of mulch.

The best time to mulch perennials is after the first hard freeze. Just make sure you don’t cover the crown or center of the plant, because that can lead to rot.

Clean garden tools before storing for the winter.

Trim dead branches out the trees to prevent them from coming down and causing damage in a winter storm.

Rake up the thick layers of leaves that settle on lawn surfaces. Large leaves in particular, especially when they get wet, can compact to the point where they suffocate the grass below and lead to all kinds of insect and disease problems. So it’s a good idea to routinely rake or blow them off the lawn

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Capital News | Fall Home Improvement

or, better yet, use a mulching mower to shred them into fine pieces.

Put the raked leaves in the compost pile or use as a mulch. Whatever you do, don’t waste fallen leaves because they’re an excellent source of nutrients and organic matter. You can also add them to flower beds to put a winter blanket on your garden.

Fall is a good time to aerate your lawn; it will allow moisture and nutrients to get into the roots.

When you’re done, spread fertilizer then grass seed.

This will be the ideal time to sow cool-season grasses such as fescue and rye - it will give them the opportunity to germinate and develop a good root system before freezing temperatures arrive. It’s also the right time to fertilize turf grasses, preferably with slow-release, all-natural fertilizer. When given adequate nutrients, turf grasses have the ability to store food in the form of carbohydrates during the winter months. That will mean a better-looking lawn come spring.

Pests love attics because they are full of nice warm insulation for nesting, and they offer easy access to the rest of the house. With gable vents that lead into the attic it is a good idea to install a screen behind them to keep those critters out.

Even after closing off those entryways, pests can still find a way in. The first place to check for any unwanted guests is under the kitchen cupboards and appliances.

Check carbon monoxide detectors and smoke alarms and put in fresh batteries. These are very important detectors to have in a home. A smoke alarm can save lives in a house fire. A carbon monoxide detector can also save lives if a home has oil

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or gas-burning appliances, like a furnace or water heater.

Carbon monoxide is an invisible, odorless byproduct of burning oil or natural gas, and it can be deadly. For just a few dollars, a carbon monoxide detector will sound an alarm if the levels get too high.

Always install carbon monoxide detectors according to manufacturer’s instructions. Generally they should be installed near each potential source of carbon monoxide, and within ear shot of the living and sleeping areas.

Water wise prize ▼ ▼ ▼ continued from page 6

need to be more water conscious. We are seeing serious water shortages in other parts of the world and living in a semi-arid region, we have seen drought. Rather than being hit by severe water restrictions, if we have the tools and knowhow to prepare, the better off we’ll be,” said Fortin.

“I think the 2015 drought was a real eye-opener,” the mayor said. “I know this summer was cooler and a bit wetter, but there’s no doubt that we’ll have more droughts in the future.”

As the Okanagan’s population continues to grow, the need for everyone to reduce their use is going to increase, Fortin added, suggesting tighter watering restrictions will likely be needed. Also, greywater reuse in new developments is now being encouraged as a way to conserve water on the landscape. Peachland’s special MWW event, she added, was an opportunity to show residents ways to keep yards beautiful and use less water.

“The whole situation with our water supply is very important to me because water is a finite resource and our most precious resource. We all need to be more water conscious. We are seeing serious water shortages in other parts of the world and living in a semi-arid region, we have seen drought. Rather than being hit by severe water restrictions, if we have the tools and know-how to prepare, the better off we’ll be,” said Fortin.

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5 benefits

Capital News | Fall Home Improvement

of building an eco-friendly home Environmentally friendly practices are trending everywhere — from our food to our clothing to our homes.

Improved practices in the construction industry today reflect the greening of building codes across Canada, and are seen in advancements in window daylighting, insulation, air infiltration, and new wall-building materials.

But if you want to reap all of the benefits of an eco-friendly home, choose methods and materials that are even more energy efficient than the minimums of building codes. If you want lowered energy consumption, more conservation, and increased property value, be sure to choose a

builder with a demonstrable record in eco-responsibility.

“A huge step forward is to replace the traditional wood framing of your house with what we call ICFs, insulated concrete forms,” recommends Keven Rector at Nudura, a leading name in this technology.

More than a win for the environment, an eco-conscious home also has the following surprising benefits for you and your family: 1. Maximum energy efficiency. With growing energy costs, building an insulated concrete form house is more energy efficient and can save you significant amounts of money on a yearly basis.

Walls that reduce outdoor air infiltration greatly optimize energy performance.

2. Safety from natural disasters. “Our advanced Canadian design combines two panels of thick (EPS) foam with the structural strength and thermal mass of concrete,” Rector explains. “The resulting envelope immediately gives your house wind resistance up to 402 kilometres per hour.” A home built with this concrete system is also fire resistant for up to four hours.

3. Less outside noise. If

you have noisy neighbours or live near trains or hightraffic areas, this one’s for you — ICF construction acts as an effective sound barrier, dampening sound vibrations and filtering out unwanted noise.

4. A more comfortable space. Outside cold can easily travel through a typical wood-framed wall, causing thermal bridging and creating uncomfortable cold spots inside your home. If you build the envelope of your house with concrete instead of wood, you can say good-

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bye to cold spots, drafts, and even mould.

5. A faster building time.

All new homeowners can’t wait to get into their new house, but construction delays often postpone move-in dates. But ICF construction takes up less shipping space, requires less manpower at the site, and the assembly is faster than wood framing. Timestrapped builders and eager homeowners benefit equally from this efficiency, taking you to that new-house smell that much sooner.

Capital News | Fall Home Improvement

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Inside and out, life can be loud

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Retreat from the hustle and bustle of the world by making your home, or specific rooms within it, a calm, relaxing sanctuary.

There’s a room in every house that could benefit from greater sound control, whether it’s a home theatre, music room, studio, home office, children’s play room, bathroom, mechanical, or laundry room. Insulating properly will allow you to enjoy your home that much more and achieve a higher level of comfort.

Experts suggest selecting a dense insulation with a non-directional fibre structure to combat airborne noise such as music, speech and foot traffic. A top choice among builders, contractors, and homeowners is a product called Roxul Safe ‘n’ Sound which is specially designed for your home’s interior walls, ceilings, and floors.

This insulation material cre-

ates an excellent sound barrier that effectively absorbs noise and reduces the transfer of sound waves from one room to another. Its resistance to fire is an added benefit that also adds passive fire protection to your home, a type of fire precaution that is part of the core of the building and will help control fire by limiting its spread.

Certain sound dampening measures such as carpeting might also help alleviate echo and reverberation, as will acoustic panels that prevent sound reflections throughout a room. With basic DIY skills, you can simply and affordably construct your own acoustic panels using a stone wool rigid board called Comfortboard 80, which is effective at reducing the intensity and propagation of noise. Find an easy-to-follow tutorial at www.roxul. com/diy.

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Capital News | Fall Home Improvement

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