Spring Home Improvement

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April 6, 2012

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2 • Community Advocate • Spring Home Improvement • Friday, April 6, 2012

Using Tile and Stone to Renew a Space Courtesy of Rooms With A View

the projects on your spring home improvement list may be, there are many resources available to help inspire you.

Researching some design ideas before heading out is a great way to make your selection process move faster. One great resource is www.houzz.com, available online or as a free downloadable app for your electronic devices. On Houzz you are able to create “ideabooks” and search for images based on the project, style and even geographic location.

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pring is a season that inspires New Englanders to shake off the winter chill and spruce things up, whether it be outside in the yard or throughout the interiors of the home. These projects can vary in complexity but all have the same purpose; to renew the space for the upcoming warmer months.

Home improvement projects involving tile and stone can range from a simple bathroom vanity backsplash to a full kitchen renovation. Take a look around the space - is the traditional brick fireplace hearth in need of an updated look? Are carpeted surfaces tired and ready to be exchanged for new hardwoods? Is the master bathroom Jacuzzi taking up valuable real estate that would be better utilized as a walk-in shower?

The options available in tile continue to expand giving those looking to update endless opportunities to create layouts with high style. While marble, travertine and other

The proper use of tile and stone can revitalize tired spaces.

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Community Advocate • Spring Home Improvement • Friday, April 6, 2012 • 3

Garden Tools: Doing it right requires the right tools

B

uying yard tools sounds simple enough.

It isn’t.

How much you know about what you need, what you should pay for what you get, how to use what you get and how to maintain that new mower, hose, shovel, rake or trowel depends on how much time you’re willing to spend educating yourself about the myriad products on the shelf that are designed to keep your property well-groomed.

“The Internet is a great source,” said garden tool industry veteran Jeff Koenig, marketing manager for Ames True Temper, the oldest manufacturer of non-powered lawn and garden tools in North America. “The biggest mistake people make is not educating themselves and buying by price, not the task at hand. You get what you pay for.”

A garden buff himself, he knows by experience that for most people, “a beautiful lawn or landscape doesn’t happen by snapping your fingers.” Buy the right tool for the job “and you’ll be proud of the end result.”

What should be on your must-have list? Here are the basics: *Round point shovel: You’ll be using this more than you anticipate, so don’t scrimp on price. Look for one with a virgin steel blade for flexibility and a D-shaped handle. You’ll have more leverage when you dig and a better angle. Cheap shovels are made of recycled steel and have straight blades, which can be awkward to use. *Garden spade: These come in a variety of styles, from ones with straight edges to ones that are fork-shaped.

The latter type is useful to break up compacted soil, ac-

ing mower or zero-turn-radius mower may be a better choice.

Hills and inclines can shape your mower purchase decision, and so can the thickness and coarseness of your grass, said well-known lawn and garden tractor and mower manufacturer John Deere. The company recommends sharpening, as well as balancing, blades at the start of every mowing season.

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tools need to be kept clean.

“Always clean your tools after use,” Koenig advised. Hosing them off is the easiest way, he said, adding that it’s also important to make a routine of filing shovel edges every spring, before the gardening season starts. Spraying steel parts of your tools with a protective coating of WD-40 also will keep those garden tools in good shape.

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cording to the National Gardening Association. Versions with five tines are best to move mulch or break up straw, the association noted. A spade with a straight edge can make easy work of edging flower beds and digging trenches. *Hand trowel and rake set: You can buy these separately, but often they’re sold as a matching set, one to dig and the other to scratch and remove weeds and loosen the soil to plant bulbs. *Pruner: You’ll need a hand pruner to snip small branches and flower stems and pruning shears to lop off thicker shrub and tree branches.

Test different ones before you buy. Weight, shape, safety locks and even the size of your hand can determine whether the pruner will be comfortable to use without fatigue setting in. *Long-handled hoe: Like garden spades, garden hoes come in several shapes and sizes, the most common being a flat- and square-bladed goose-necked tool that can help you loosen and rid your

garden of weeds and create rows to plant seeds. *Long-handled rake: Think more than one when it comes to long-handled garden rakes. There’s the traditional flat-edged rugged steel version, which can break up clumps of soil and make smooth work of garden beds. The leaf rake, which is lighter and has many tines, will make quick work of gathering all those leaves that you missed last fall. Some ergonomic versions allow you to adjust the rake head to a comfortable level. On others, you can adjust the tine tension, making it easier to rake light, dry leaves and heavy, wet ones. *Hose: Choose a thick wall hose. Such hoses tend to be more kink-resistant and provide longer service. A higherquality hose also generally has a higher psi (pounds per square inch) rating and larger brass couplings for easy handling and a secure fit on spigots. *Lawn mower: If you have less than 1/2 acre, a walkbehind mower will do, but if you have more acreage, a rid-

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4 • Community Advocate • Spring Home Improvement • Friday, April 6, 2012

Hot tubs: Relax in style

I

f you think the idea of relaxing in an outdoor hot tub sounds appealing, you’re not alone. Hot tubs are being installed in many homes; and today’s hot tubs are just as likely to be called spas.

“Hot tubs and saunas are slowly becoming household items, and many consider them to be the best investment they’ve ever made,” said Norm Coburn, president of New England Spas.

According to the International Hot Tub Association, the term “hot tub” originally referred to wooden, barrelshaped tubs, which became popular in the late 1960s.

Early hot tubs were fairly simple. They basically held hot water and had enough room for just one or two people. However, when the industry began building tubs of molded fiberglass or with thermoplastic shells, they were given the title “spa” to differentiate them from their wooden cousins. They are now generally large enough to hold several people com-

fortably.

Unlike a swimming pool, which can be used only during warm weather, hot tubs and spas can be enjoyed yearround, Coburn noted. The hot water (102 degrees, plus or minus 2 degrees) raises

your body’s core temperature, so you normally do not even feel cold leaving the tub in the middle of winter. “They can even be installed in cold weather, but we do need a clear path for delivery and a working garden hose to fill the

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“You can install a Baja hot tub anywhere,” said Warren Stefferson, vice president of Baja Products. “They come with custom covers to keep debris out of your hot tub when not in use. We’ve had customers install our portable spas as a sunken or seemingly in-ground spa in a deck. Your deck can get wet, of course.

Any area around your hot tub can get wet just from people entering and leaving it, so it’s always important to keep that in mind when finding a location for your hot tub.”

If you plan on installing an outdoor hot tub, you might want to add shrubs, screens or fencing to provide a little privacy.

Just like swimming pools, hot tubs need to be kept clean.

“There are a variety of ways to maintain your hot tub,” Stefferson said. “We have the KleenH20 system, which

means that your hot tub virtually cleans itself. Our tubs have ozonators, which keep the water sanitized, balanced and crystal clear. We also have dispensers for chlorine or bromine. However, there are many other alternatives available.”

Because they are small, hot tubs’ circulation systems can have their efficiency lowered by even a little amount of debris. Use a leaf skimmer often, and vacuum or use a spa wand several times a week. You also will want to clean out the debris-free baskets every three or four days. Drain the spa as needed to thoroughly clean the inner services, which may accumulate calcium or algae buildup.

“It’s not difficult to care for them,” Coburn said. “Just a few minutes a week will keep the water clean and healthy.”

The benefits of hot tubs and spas are worth the time and money it takes to install and maintain them, Coburn said. “Hot tubs are great for stress reduction and relaxation, arthritis pain relief, rehabilitation of sore and/or atrophied muscles, increase of range of motion, back pain relief, better sleep and increase of circulation and respiration.” He added that hot tubs may reduce blood pressure, increase endorphins and provide benefits to Type 2 diabetes patients.

“Hot tubs have huge medical benefits,” Stefferson agreed. “Plus, hot tubs or spas are wonderful for relaxing each night after a long day of work and for entertaining on the weekends, and they are fun for the whole family.”

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Community Advocate • Spring Home Improvement • Friday, April 6, 2012 • 5

Patio Upgrades: Real remodels require experts

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urning your patio into luxury outdoor living space is easier than you think. With some serious planning, new and affordable all-season materials, equipment, furnishings and accessories, you can convert that tired concrete slab into an attractive getaway, just steps out the back door.

It’s not a job for amateurs, experts say, if you want to do more than spruce up what you have with some flowerpots or a new chaise lounge. A real makeover such as adding an outdoor kitchen, new stone flooring, an outdoor fireplace and/or other upscale amenities requires forethought and detailed plans, industry sources say.

In addition to underground utilities, rethinking seating needs and/or redoing landscaping, homeowners wanting to upgrade outdoor living space need to consider future expansion or existing structures such as a pool.

“Nothing is worse than finding out a few years after you spend thousands of dollars on your patio that you didn’t leave enough room to expand for additional seating, or that part of the patio has to be removed to install a pool or hot tub because of site constraints.

Plan for future site amenities even if you don’t plan to build them for some time,” advises architect Christopher Colby, principal and founder of Spire Architecture and Design.

“Typically, the construction of these projects is not for the weekend warrior. Items such as gas piping for grills or fire pits require the expertise of a plumber. Lighting and electrical outlets would require the expertise of an electrician. Depending on the code requirements of the town where you live, inspections for such items may be required by a licensed contractor as well,” he points out. Some local municipalities also may require site plans and/or drawings.

“While there is a lot of information and do-it-yourself TV shows out there to assist the average homeowner with designing outdoor space, there are also a lot of pitfalls if you choose to do it all on your own,” warns Ramsey Prince, founder of Ramsey Jay Prince Designs and The Merchandise Mart. “Contact an interior designer or landscape architect, because it is too easy and too

While there is a lot of information and do-it-yourself TV shows out there to assist the average homeowner with designing outdoor space, there are also a lot of pitfalls if you choose to do it all on your own.

costly to make huge mistakes simply because you didn’t know better. In the end, you’ll be happy you consulted a team of skilled professionals.”

A cosmetic upgrade can be easy as a few hundred dollars, says Prince, “but be prepared if you’re doing any sort of contracting work such as gas lines, electrical, hauling or excavation. These projects will price out just like a home remodeling project.”

“Manufactured patio pavers for example can cost as little as a few dollars a square foot at big box supply stores to $15 to $20 a square foot for higherend brick/stone pavers,” notes Colby. “Typically, the most expensive items will be related to specialty items that require infrastructure such as gas piping and electricity.

Usually associated with these installations are the higher priced items such as custom stainless steel grills and other cooking equipment, fire pits and torches. Basic outdoor kitchen patios with manufactured pavers or stamped concrete, such as a stainless grill set in a masonry counter system can start at $7,500 to $10,000 depending on styles and finishes. After that, the sky is the limit!”

Some higher-end patio kitchens include wine coolers, crisper draws for fruits and veggies, trash compactors, built-in icemakers, bars, cocktail carts and blenders.

These upscale patios may have special heating and cooling equipment canopies, misters, gas-powered tiki torches, fireplaces and even outdoor

television sets.

Natural materials, such as stone, weather the best, Colby believes. “Manmade materials like brick and concrete work well, too. Stainless steel is an obvious choice for grills and refrigerators. Woods that

weather well -- such as mahogany and teak -- are good choices for pergolas and decking,” he points out.

In harsh weather like winters or rainy seasons, homeowners should remove and store away furniture, cushions and any

other decorative items.

“The best way to approach what materials to use is to remember that they will be exposed to the weather 24/7/365 and select only materials that can withstand the test of time,” Colby says.

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6 • Community Advocate • Spring Home Improvement • Friday, April 6, 2012

Magnificent Molding: A little thing that goes a long way

L

ooking for a budgetminded makeover? A little bit of molding can change the entire look of a room without breaking the bank.

“Adding molding to your space adds drama and dimension - and it’s a project that many people can do on their own in a weekend,” said interior designer Marlaina Teich, founder of Marlaina Teich Designs.

Think of molding as the icing on the cake. Around doors, fireplaces and windows, this little plank adds a lot of pizzazz.

“Moldings make a room,” said Steve Gray, owner of Steve Gray Renovations. “If you have two rooms side by side and one room has crown molding, large window casings and baseboards, that room gets all of the attention. It’s warmer and richer.”

Choose the right location, pick the right finish and be mindful of scale and you have a no-fail project that’s sure to add value - and style - to your home.

Entryways, hallways and stairways are great places to start. Such areas are small enough to tackle in a weekend yet see enough traffic to justify the expense. “The foyer sets the tone for the rest of the home and should be the first space to consider,” Teich said. “It’s the space that welcomes visitors and is the first impression that your guests will have.”

For a bigger bang for your buck, focus efforts on the dining room and family room.

“These are the areas we want to show off to our friends and family,” Gray said. “These are the most dramatic rooms of the home, the rooms that can make a difference when it comes time to sell.”

Pay particular attention to fireplaces, bay windows, grand staircases and other architectural focal points - and don’t forget the ceiling. “Who wouldn’t want to look at a really cool ceiling with large wood beams and crown molding?”

Gray said. “It all starts with a great plan and top-quality materials.”

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Community Advocate • Spring Home Improvement • Friday, April 6, 2012 • 7

Magnificent Molding: A little thing that goes a long way Continued from previous page

below a traditional chair rail, wainscoting resembles paneling with extra depth and texture. Wainscoting typically is installed with complementary chair rails and baseboards. *Architraves: Also known as door headers, architraves are a smart and stylish way to add elegance to an entryway.

With a thick profile, they also can be placed under windows or added to fireplace mantels. *Plinth blocks: These decorative pieces are placed where the baseboard meets a casing, generally at the bottom corner of a door or at the base of a fireplace. *Keystones: These angular blocks or headers are centered over doors or windows, sandwiched between casings, to add an extra layer of style. *Rosettes: Like plinth blocks and keystones, these decorative accents add extra dimension and style while finishing off the corners of window casings and the top edges of door moldings.

Most wood molding requires a coat of stain before it is

Adding molding in a room adds a touch of class.

installed. For a contemporary look, opt for rich wood tones, such as mahogany or cedar.

“For a modern look, espressostained molding and doors are sophisticated and fresh,” Teich said.

If you plan to paint the trim, look for pre-primed MDF molding, which is lightweight and more resistant to dings and dents than traditional wood products -- and stick to neutral hues. Classic white trim is always in vogue.

“It’s a can’t-go-wrong look,” Teich said. As with any accent, be sure to consider the scale of the space.

Substantial wood accents, such as stacked crown molding and chair rails with bold profiles, add elegance and charm, whereas skimpy molding can look cheap or unfinished. For a bold statement, go big - even in small spaces. “Baseboard and crown molding should not be skimpy - nothing less than three inches,” Teich said.

“Four-inch to 5-inch molding will really make an important statement in any space with at least eight-foot ceilings.”

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8 • Community Advocate • Spring Home Improvement • Friday, April 6, 2012

Quick and easy fix-ups that make your home sell faster

I

n any economy, homeowners have to decide when and why to make improvements to their property. In this economy, widely described as a buyer’s market, those decisions are even more critical. Realtor Fritz Pfister shares suggestions for low- and no-cost home improvements that will help your house sell.

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Really clean sells even better. should you have older or inefficient shelving and hanging systems. In today’s society, you don’t need more than three feet for long hanging clothing.

Double racking maximizes space.” Also, Pfister continues, “You must be able to see 75 percent of all closet floors. If you haven’t worn something in six weeks, you’re not going to wear it in the next six weeks, so pack it, sell it or donate it to charity.”

Make the color scheme of your house neutral. Walls should be whites, eggshell, light taupe or some other nondescript color.

Anything that reflects a strong theme should be removed.

Plain colors allow prospective buyers to imagine their own colors and decorating style.

Edward Tandy, owner of Tandy Handy handyman service, often sees houses that need more than a little sprucing up.

He recommends tidying up unruly shrubbery, fixing front doorknobs that don’t work, fixing chips and freshening front door paint, replacing dark and dull hardware, straightening crooked shutters, fixing loose bathroom tiles, and more. He also provides needed repairs, such as broken stairway spindles, and addresses such safety issues as broken steps and soft sub-flooring.

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cause the potential buyer to be alarmed needs to be addressed -- even really small things, such as a light switch that doesn’t work properly. Some buyers will think, ‘Oh, man, this place has wiring problems,’ turn around and walk out.”

When it comes to paint colors, Tandy agrees with Pfister.

“No wild, crazy contemporary colors or any decorating style that is out of the mainstream.”

Many of these suggestions can be done by the homeowners, but some, especially the custom repairs, call for the help of a handyman. In that case, advises Tandy, look for someone with broad experience, references, liability insurance, and a professional and trustworthy appearance.

“You’ll get a gut feeling,” says Tandy. “Ask yourself, ‘Can this person be trusted in my home, maybe even with a key?’

Make sure you are comfortable with this person.” And, Tandy adds, be sure to get a written estimate for any larger work to be done.

Finally, says Pfister, “Be proactive and have your home inspected by a professional home inspector. Fix any item that is reported to be a safety issue or defect prior to placing the home on the market.

When you are proactive, you eliminate surprises and control the person who performs the work and the cost to make repairs.”

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Community Advocate • Spring Home Improvement • Friday, April 6, 2012 • 9

Design Rule 1-2-3: The right colors

W

henever I tell people I am an interior designer, invariably they say, “I know what I like, but I am completely confused about how to pull it all together,” or, “Oh, one day when I can afford to hire a designer, I will call you.”

Creating a room that feels designed isn’t rocket science.

It’s actually quite simple. I am going to share with you -- my “1-2-3” rule for the basic design of any room.

No. 1: Select a beautiful color for the walls. Everyone down deep inside knows what colors he generally prefers. Take inspiration from anywhere and everything. It can come from the color of a favorite shirt, your car or the color of the sky at a particular time. My suggestion is this: Whatever that color is, select a pale, light version of it. For example, if the color you love is orange, consider using a soft peach or light apricot color for the walls. This will introduce the color palette of your preference into the room without overwhelming it. Of course,

any woodwork or millwork in the room can be painted in another color. My favorite color for millwork is a soft white that is not too stark or bright. As with most things in life, the novelty of painting a room in a color that is too vibrant will wear away, and you’ll be left with the desire to repaint the room.

No. 2: Stick to two main upholstery fabrics. The colors and prints should be complimentary. One fabric can be a solid, whereas the other fabric might take on a print, such as a floral, plaid, animal spots or stripes.

If you like a simpler and more tailored room, use the solid on the principal upholstery items, such as the sofa or a pair of club chairs. The other printed fabric can be used on smaller chairs or benches. If you prefer a bolder look, do the opposite; use the printed fabric on the larger main upholstered items, and keep the occasional pieces solid.

No. 3: Bring in up to three other colors/prints/motifs to the room. This is your opportunity to personalize and jazz

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If you follow designer Joseph Pubillones’ “1-2-3” rule when designing your room, you won’t go wrong with your color scheme.

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These additional colors can be introduced in pillows, rugs and accessories. You also can spike interest in a room by

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Following this simple “12-3” rule should take the mystery out of designing a room. Creating a successful room doesn’t necessarily mean that every item in the

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10 • Community Advocate • Spring Home Improvement • Friday, April 6, 2012

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The keys to making visitors feel right at home

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hen guests come to visit, make them feel right at home with a well-appointed, newly designed guest room. It’s become a growing trend for family and friends to stay in the homes of those they visit, rather than stay in a pricy nearby hotel, and homeowners are taking that clutter-crammed extra room and turning it into a space that welcomes all.

Empty nesters say their adult children’s former bedrooms, as well as craft rooms and rooms intended as home gyms (but became a dumping ground for holiday decor, clothing and other items) have long been on their “transform this space” list.

You don’t need a $10,000 budget to make a comfy, cozy guest room. With just a few new purchases and a coat of paint, your spare room can rival the nicest bed and breakfast suite. Here are the top tips for your guest room creation project: - First, clear everything out of the room. Follow professional organizer and author Julie Morgenstern’s advice, and set up large plastic bins labeled with “donate,” “recycle,” “sort” and other instructions that work for you, such as “move to the attic” or “give to my children for storage in their homes.” As you’re sorting through everything in the space, you might find decor treasures to display elsewhere in your home.

- Focus on the flooring. A professional carpet cleaner can steam the room’s carpets, making them look like new. Or you might wish to tear up old, outdated, worn carpets to reveal the hardwood floor beneath.

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Make guests feel right at home with a well-appointed guest room.

Soap coating, these floors can look new. An oversize area rug can be purchased new, perhaps on sale, or you can use an area rug that you have in storage.

- Paint the walls and ceiling.

A pristine white ceiling gives a polished look to the room, as does matching white crown molding that you or a handy friend can install. Choose a soothing wall color, such as a cappuccino, a darker pink or even a Tiffany blue, to work with your existing decor items.

- Decorate your walls. Pick a few pieces of coordinating artwork, new or existing in your home, and invest in new, matching-color frames such as all white, all brushed nickel or all black. When frames match, the room looks more unified. Sabrina Soto, professional room stager says of decorative vinyl “cling” wall

decor, “Those old-fashioned, ‘Home Is Where the Heart Is’ kind of sayings in script are a little cheesy.” Instead, perhaps apply just a few cling Victorian roses in the upper corners of the room or a green garland swirl above the doorway. Less is always more.

- Treat your windows. Insulation is your first task, to remove drafts and keep the room warmer or cooler, depending on the season. Clean all parts of the windows, and add a modern curtain rod with decorative finials, as well as fresh, new shades and curtains. Add the pretty touches of coordinated curtain tie-backs that hook onto hardware easily installed next to the window frame, behind the curtains.

- Make a comfy bed. Guests want to sleep on a newer, supportive bed, so test yours out.

Then choose stylish bed linens that coordinate with the room’s and curtain’s colors. Soto says, “In the guest bedroom, be sure to use bedding that is machine washable” for easier preparation and cleanup before and after your guests’ visit. Add plenty of supportive sleeping pillows and decorative throw pillows in matching or coordinating pillowcases to create a cozier effect that home stagers say invites a sense of relaxation.

- Clear off counter space. This is not a room in which to display your collections. Keep your countertops and bedside table surfaces minimally decorated, and set out a small silver platter or plate in which your guests can place their personal effects. If there is a television in the room, place the remote next to the bed.

- Set out a linens and toiletry basket. In a large basket, provide freshly laundered, fluffy rolled towels and washcloths, along with a selection of aromatherapy body lotions and other pampering products for guests’ enjoyment as they make themselves at home.

- Clear the air. Guests appreciate having clean, allergenfree air to breathe, so place a small, portable air purifier in the room a few days before their arrival. Be sure the filter is cleaned and the machine works silently. An air purifier is far preferable to scented candles, potpourri or room sprays, which can bother some guests’ allergies or sensitivities.

- Provide a nightlight. They cost less than $5 at home decor stores, and the slight glow of light in their room, or in the connected bathroom, allows your guests to get up and move around safely in the middle of the night if they must.

Community Advocate • Spring Home Improvement • Friday, April 6, 2012 • 11

Hard-to-sell home improvements

L

arry Singer and his wife recently sold their 110-yearold two-story frame home after living in it for the past 25 years. They did need to fix the roof, but Realtor Fritz Pfister advised them to let certain other old-home things go, such as replacing a few windows that were painted shut.

“When you look at a 100-yearold home,” Pfister told the Singers, “you expect to see that sort of thing. There will be other things buyers are more concerned with.”

Otherwise, says Singer, “We did some cleaning to spruce the place up and make it look presentable. We didn’t need to paint. The walls were already ‘bland,’ whites and eggshells.”

Fresh neutral paint is a seller, according to Pfister. But other fix-ups, improvements and remodels don’t generate high return on the investment. Here are a few tips Pfister tells his clients: “When considering remodeling projects for your home, invest wisely,” begins Pfister, who has developed a winning combination of home preparation and pricing through thousands of contracts over the past 24 years. “The most important rooms in your home when you sell are, in this order - kitchen, bathrooms and closets.

“Kitchens are expensive. So, if you know you will be selling within three years, a complete remodel is not advised,” he says.

“If you are selling in less than three years, you can spruce up the kitchen’s appearance with new counters, sink, faucet and appliances. Install flooring that makes the kitchen feel spacious.

If you know you will be in your home longer than three years, then cabinet replacement or new design can be enjoyed for years, recovering the value of investment through personal use and enjoyment.”

Use the same approach when updating bathrooms.

“Consider installing a new vanity, updating fixtures to what is currently popular in your area and flooring if you will be selling in less than three years.

“If you plan on being in the home for an extended period, then consider the complete remodel by consulting a local bath design company of good repute,” says Pfister.

“When contemplating both kitchen and bath updates, keep energy and water efficiency in mind for resale,” says Pfister.

“Make certain the water heater

The most important rooms in your home when you sell are, in this order - kitchen, bathrooms and closets. is large enough to accommodate any new demands and is efficient.”

Make sure closets are well organized, cleared of all clutter and look spacious.

Windows, basement, mechanicals?

“Most investments such as new windows, in my opinion, will save you on your utility bills, but seldom save you enough to pay for themselves unless you live in the home long enough until the new windows are old.

What this type of improvement does for you is to help you sell, and sell faster.”

Pfister advises repairing or replacing anything that poses a safety risk before putting your home on the market. However, he adds, “Prepare to be disappointed if you’re expecting a return on finishing the basement, new siding, roof, mechanical systems or room additions. All these will help you sell; however, do these for your own benefit first and as an investment second.”

One of the most important things you can do is clean, clean, clean your house and freshen up the paint in neutral colors.

Last month, Carolyn York did this as a seller and looked for this as a buyer when she purchased an updated 1960s tri-level. York says of her new home, “What I like is that I don’t have to do a lot of major changes. I like renovating things and updating, but I could live with this house as it is. It was move-in ready, which means less work and less money for me.”

York’s new house features a clean, open living room painted in neutral colors that form a beautiful backdrop for her furniture and artwork. The walls are taupe, and the wood trim is

Carolyn York made sure to clean her house and freshen up the paint in neutral colors.

a clean, bright white.

As a seller, York cleared out her closets. “Buyers want to see 90 percent of the floor in the closet.

I know when I looked at houses, I saw closets so crammed full you feel like there’s not enough room for your stuff.”

These dos and don’ts will help get a fast sale, and that should be your goal, says Pfister. “The faster you sell the more you sell for, which means the least hassle from living in a home your Realtor has asked you to prepare so that it looks like it

hasn’t been lived in. When selling a home in a buyer’s market, there are only three factors that determine your success,” concludes Pfister. “Price, condition and marketing. The first two are your responsibility; marketing is why you hire a good broker.”

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12 • Community Advocate • Spring Home Improvement • Friday, April 6, 2012

Easy instructions for replacing a front door Dear Pat: I have an old wooden front door with sidelights. The door is in bad shape and leaky, but the sidelights are fine. Is it possible to replace just the door and not the sidelights to save money? -- Pamela A.

ing sidelights.

The decorative glass is often the most expensive part of front doors and sidelights.

You might consider installing double doors instead of a single door with sidelights. These can look very stylish, and with smaller windows in each door, you still will get plenty of natural lighting and perhaps have more privacy.

Although it looks as though your door is a perfect fit in the wall opening, there always is a gap all around the door/ sidelight frame. The doorframe is shimmed in this gap and attached to the wall framing in several spots, not continuously.

When there are no sidelights, each hinge has an extra-long screw that reaches the wall framing. The door molding covers this gap.

There are several purposes for having a gap. It allows you, using the shims, to center and level the door if the house has settled or the wall opening is not true. It also ensures that the weight of the house is resting on the wall framing and not the doorframe.

The door itself will shrink and

Dear Pamela: Front doors with decorative sidelights are very popular today. As you have found, the sidelights, which are fixed in the door opening, experience much less wear and tear than the door itself.

Even though the door looks bad now, inspect it carefully.

It may just need some new weatherstripping seals, a coat of paint and some new hinges.

Most doors use standard sizes that you can find at home center stores. This would be your least expensive option.

Unless you possess betterthan-average carpentry skills, it will be difficult to separate the door from the sidelights.

They usually are sold as a single unit and installed as a unit in the door opening. You may have trouble making adequate space and supporting a new doorframe between the exist-

grow with changes in the temperature and humidity level, so it needs a little room to move.

Luckily, single, double and sidelighted doors usually are made in standard sizes. Unless your house is very old, you should be able to find a replacement door/sidelight unit that will fit perfectly in the existing wall opening. When you order a new door, specify the wall opening dimensions, not the doorframe dimensions.

Remove the door trim to get access to the gap around the door. If you remove the trim carefully, you may be able to reuse it on the new door. You will be able to find the locations of the nails or screws by looking for the shims. Try to remove the nails or screws from the doorframe as they were driven in. If this is a problem, use a reciprocating saw to cut through them.

When you install your new door/sidelight unit, you might want to space it up slightly on a strip made of pressure-treated lumber. This would provide a little more clearance for when the door swings open over carpeting or a throw rug.

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Community Advocate • Spring Home Improvement • Friday, April 6, 2012 • 13

Playing Around: Make the kids happy with their own swing set

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e all remember burning the backs of our legs as we slid down hot metal slides under the summer sun. Gone are the days when a swing set was only a slide attached to a couple of swings. Now parents can custom design play sets and add enough accessories to keep their children busy for hours. But there’s much more to think about than which side to put the slide on.

“O bv iously, space is important,” says Melanie Trott, the Internet and communications specialist at CedarWorks, a company that makes play sets out of northern white cedar. “Budget is important because that will sort of guide the customers in what size play sets and what kind of accessories they will get.”

After taking into consideration budget and space issues (make sure you note trees and other yard accessories that take up room where you will put your swing set), you can start thinking about what you want your play set to be made of. Smaller and cheaper sets are made out of metal and have plastic swings and slides. These usually don’t require any yearly maintenance, but they can rust. Bigger sets tend to be made out of wood, often vinyl-covered wood.

“It has become a lot a more popular,” says Stephanie Rychlak regarding vinyl-covered wood. “It is completely maintenance-free,” the design consultant at HomePlace Structures says. The vinyl protects the wood and makes the play set surfaces free from splinters. Making sure that

the wood you choose stays splinter-free and safe for your children is key, which is why CedarWorks uses the northern white cedar; it doesn’t splinter and doesn’t need to be sealed like other woods.

The size of the set is also a very important part of the decision process. Rychlak says that people are now more money-conscious when they are buying play sets and that this often influences size. “The smaller units are becoming more of a trend with the way the economy is,” she says.

T h o u g h Ho m e P l a c e Structures has larger units, which usually consist of three towers with play accessories, the company now sells mainly single-unit sets.

Starting out with a smaller set can be a good idea for a growing family. As the family gets bigger and older, the play set can reflect your children’s abilities.

“If they were starting out with something small, they could certainly add on to it as the years go on and the child grows, like rock climbing, older kids stuff,” Trott says.

Whether you decide to build your own set or buy a ready-made one, another important aspect of getting the play area ready is to pick a ground cover that goes underneath the set. Wood chips are an option, but you probably would have to change out the chips every year or so, as they disintegrate with the wear and tear and weather.

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14 • Community Advocate • Spring Home Improvement • Friday, April 6, 2012

Fence it in: Different options for different needs

T

here’s nothing better than a fence to give you privacy, keep your children secure, keep your pets on your property and provide an attractive backdrop to your landscaping.

There’s nothing worse than a fence that clashes with the style, color and architectural lines of your home.

“Matching the house and fence style is important,” stresses Doug Fox, professor of landscape architecture at Maine’s Unity College and director of its Center for Sustainability and Global Change.

“Even subtle details, such as matching the angles of pickets to the roof angle, will help tie the fence visually to the house.” And, he adds, “a fence joining a house to a detached garage can bring a sense of unifying structure to a landscape, making the home look larger. The fence should be the same color as the buildings.”

Horticulture expert Jim Martin -- executive director of the Charleston Parks Conservancy, in South Carolina -- views fencing both from

Fencing needs to relate entirely to the architecture of the house.

Most poorly integrated fence details are all about breaking that rule of thumb.

Whether you plan to choose a style and fence material yourself or get professional advice, first check your local zoning code. It may limit your choices on height, location and/or the fencing material you can use.

a landscaping and an architectural perspective. “There is nothing worse than a fence that doesn’t mesh with the overall feel of the yard,” he says. “Fencing needs to relate entirely to the architecture of the house. Most poorly integrated fence details are all about breaking that rule of thumb.”

Whether you plan to choose a style and fence material yourself or get professional advice, first check your local zoning code. It may limit your choices on height, location and/or the fencing material you can use. You also may need a special permit or variance.

In any case, you need to establish what you want the fence to do, Martin says. Your “must” list could range from defining a place to keep dogs in or children safe to providing a backdrop for garden plantings or a place to grow colorful vines. “A designer needs as much information as you can muster before he starts working on a fence design solution,” Martin says. “I always ask my clients to tear examples from popular magazines, send me links from online sources or take pictures in the community of things

they like artistically and with similar function.” Books and magazines that reflect the style of your home are good sources and could be the basis of a unique design, Martin adds.

“You don’t have to necessarily copy them, although there is nothing wrong with this.”

Some fence styles and finishes may work well with your home; others may not.

Maintenance may be an important factor in your decision, Martin points out. “A white picket fence in front of a Colonial home is a logical choice, but with it comes the every-three-years paint job. So there is upkeep and long-term care based on the decision to do one fence over another. Brick fencing, which is hugely expensive, initially does not require the kind of maintenance long term as a painted wood fence, so these factors are wisely considered at the start of the project.”

It’s easier and more realistic to have a new fence installed before you landscape your home, but adding fencing to an existing garden can be done. “I’ve been gardening in the same spot for years and will be installing a new fencing detail in an existing garden this year,” says Martin, adding that if you want to add a fence as part of a landscaping plan, use it to enclose an area.

“This means strategic points of entry. Without them, the fence becomes a functional joke in the landscape. It amounts to a hedge made of shrubs where it has many breaks, leading the users coming and going through ‘holes.’ If the eye is Continued on following page

Community Advocate • Spring Home Improvement • Friday, April 6, 2012 • 15

Extend your living space with a screened-in porch

E

xtend your living space to the outdoors with a screened-in porch and you’ll have hours of carefree, mosquito-free and freshair living. Whether you are screening in an existing deck or porch or building one from scratch, here are a few tips from the pros on how to do it.

David L. Businelli of Studio 16 Architecture, in New York, reminds folks to check their local ordinances regarding design and new structures. “In many towns and cities, an owner needs to engage an architect to design the structure and prepare documents for filing and to secure permits,” he said.

Even if you don’t require an architect, you may have to submit drawings and obtain required permits. Key issues municipalities consider include placement, safety, engineering, setbacks (distances to neighboring properties) and overall aesthetics. Check with your local municipality and ask to see the building codes; many towns have these available online.

“I think professional help is more needed in the design and documentation of the project,” suggested architect Paul Buum of SALA Architects. “The porch has to be ‘programmed,’ and how it will be used has to be determined first,” to help decide placement. Think of using the screened-in porch as an extended room. If you want easy warm-weather entertaining, the porch might be set off of the living room or den; if you are looking for comfortable “outdoor” dining without the bugs, place the porch off your kitchen.

Buum feels there is a lot of leeway in choosing materials for your porch. “If natural

Screened-in porches offer the best of both the indoors and the outdoors.

Extend your living space to the outdoors with a screened-in porch and you’ll have hours of carefree, mosquito-free and fresh-air living.

wood, then cedar or Douglas fir is often used,” he said. “If not, treated structural lumber can be used and covered or cased with a composite board or a cement board, such as hardy board. Screens can be aluminum, copper, bronze or fiberglass.”

Screening in the area can be easy. “The simplest method is to staple screen directly to the structure and cover it with the finish wood,” Buum said.

“More detailed construction methods include building screen sashes, like individual window frames, and stopping them into the structure like windows. Finally, another method is to use pre-made screen doors and jamb them side by side, fixing all the ones that need not operate.” Even though the area is screened in, it still will be subject to rain and outdoor weather extremes. “Floor material can also be cedar, but another great product is Iron Woods’

Fence it in: Different options for different needs Continued from previous page

not forced to the entry point, it means there is a problem in its design.”

If fencing an entire site is not what you have in mind, there are other options, Fox says. Short sections of fence, he says, can provide “a sense of enclosure behind a bench or other seating, provide a back-

drop for a perennial border, provide a strong visual screen for privacy or block the view of an objectionable site off the landscape.” A small fence running along the front can mark the boundary between public and private space, he adds, making homeowners and pedestrians feel more comfortable.

Ipe, which is very dense and weather-resistant,” Buum said. “It’s harder to install and more expensive than cedar, but it’s a pleasure to look at and stand on. It ages beautifully with little mainte-

nance.”

Rick Goldstein, co-owner of the Mosaic Group in Atlanta, spoke about a recent project his company did. “By adding this screened porch, Mosaic basically added a

whole new living room to the house,” he said.

You can add months or even full seasons to the “livability” of your porch or deck, Buum said. “Extending the season means controlling the temperature. Fireplaces, wood stoves or temporary electric heat can add to the months spent outside. Also, extended rooflines or overhangs can help keep the water out of the porch (remember that this is an exterior space, even though it’s screened in) while providing a great place to sit during a warm rainstorm.”

Part of the planning, though, should consider the effect of outdoor elements. “I would say watch the water. As I mentioned, this is a room on the outside and is subject to rain and snow,” Buum said.

“Water will get in during driving rains, so floors should be sloped for drainage, and a means for the water to get out should be planned for. Also, all materials, even on the inside of the porch, should be weather-resistant.”

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16 • Community Advocate • Spring Home Improvement • Friday, April 6, 2012

Ceiling fans save energy

T

he arrival of spring means the days get longer and the frigid air is replaced by warmth. When temperatures rise, electric bills drop, as heaters are turned off and windows are opened, letting in fresh air that isn’t frozen. However, those electric bills will rise again as spring turns into summer and air conditioners are turned on to beat the heat.

In an effort to keep the AC off for as long as possible, portable fans of all sizes will be dragged out of storage and into living rooms and bedrooms, where they take up valuable real estate, only to provide minimal relief. A better idea is to take advantage of the wide-open space directly overhead: the ceiling.

Installing a ceiling fan is a one-time expense that will pay off for many years. Once it’s in, a flip of the switch will get the air moving and provide comfort for a fraction of the cost of running the air conditioner. It adds a touch of class to any room and provides a platform for overhead lighting, often accentuated by a dimmer switch. It’s no wonder that ceiling fans’ popu-

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larity has grown steadily since their introduction in the 1880s.

Just about any room with a standard ceiling is a good candidate for a fan, just as long as it’s not so low that anyone taller than 6 feet is in danger of decapitation. Seeing as ceiling space goes largely unused, finding a spot should be a snap.

“Generally, you want them in the center of the room,” said Nathan Frampton of Fanimation. “If it’s a really big room, you may want two or three that are evenly spaced.”

A fan can make you feel cooler, but it doesn’t actually lower the temperature of the room. It’s the downward motion

FINE HORTICULTURE

of the air that provides relief.

“When you have it on in the forward motion, which is counterclockwise looking up, the fan blows air onto you and creates what we call the windchill effect. It makes you feel cooler,” Frampton said. “What that allows you to do is raise the setting of your thermostat. You feel like you’re at 72, but your air conditioner is only working to get the temperature to 75.”

The wind-chill effect is created moments after turning a fan on, so you can turn it off when you leave, unlike an air conditioner, which hums along all day.

“We would recommend that you have fans on only when you’re in the vicinity of them,” Frampton said.

Outdoor patios are favorite gathering spots, but they’re out of reach of the air conditioner, making them prime spaces for ceiling fans. Because they’re exposed to the elements, wooden blades are not recommended.

Composite materials last much longer in an outdoor environment.

Ceiling fans and summer are a perfect match, but fans

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also have a role in the winter months, pushing hot air that has risen to the top of the room back down.

“If you can get the hot air that’s rising to the top of the ceiling to dissipate throughout the entire room, it will raise the average temperature of the air in the lower portion of the room,” Frampton said. “If it’s a 20-foot ceiling and it’s 80 degrees at the top and only 65 degrees in the first 8 feet of the room, a fan circulating the air will balance it out to something like 74.”

During the winter, operating the fan at a slow speed prevents a wind-chill effect while still churning the air and warming the room. Reversing the direction (so the blades are moving clockwise) is recommended for most rooms for an even circulation, avoiding a direct downdraft that will create a wind chill. Rooms with tall ceilings benefit the most during the winter because there’s more room for hot air to collect at the top and go to waste.

“A ceiling fan, by nature, is an energy-saving device,” Frampton said.

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