home appeal EARLY SPRING 2016
home / garden / renovation
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this issue: planning ahead for ECO-FRIENDLY LANDSCAPES REFRESH A HOME for spring BASEMENT RENOVATIONS tips to prepare COOLING SYSTEMS Published by Engle Printing & Publishing Co., Inc.
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Creating An Extra Haven :
BASEMENT RENOVATIONS
While unfinished basements can be great for storage, finished basements offer a host of benefits. By finishing their basement, homeowners can create more living space while reducing the amount of energy that is lost from downstairs. Basements that are not fully finished typically do not have insulated walls or covered flooring, which can result in heat loss and cause the furnace to work overtime. Remodeled basements can be designed to include extra storage space while providing a lot of extra room for a family, such as space for a gym, a home theater, an office, a guest suite, or a playroom for children and grandchildren. To ensure a comfortable and inviting finished basement, homeowners may want to consider a few project components. • Insulation – Insulating the basement will make sure the space is warm and comfortable. One option is installing a stone wool insulation product, a measure that can be done simply while offering a higher R-value and quality acoustics. • Drywall – Installing drywall will help define the space and make it feel like
a part of the home. Homeowners who have not tackled drywall before should consider hiring a professional to ensure that the new walls are seamless.
• Flooring – No matter if homeowners decide to install carpet, tile, laminate, vinyl, or another material, all flooring should be water sealed and covered with an insulated material. Laying padding before carpet or in-floor heating before tiles can extend the life of a flooring selection, as well as help to enhance the acoustics of the room. • Personalization – The finished basement can be given finishing touches, from furniture to accessories, that reflect the homeowners’ unique style and interests. Homeowners should select items that complement the home’s décor. When choosing furniture, individuals should remember to pick items that can fit down the basement staircase. Having a finished basement offers a host of benefits to homeowners. By keeping in mind several components of such a project, they can create a warm, inviting space for the whole family.
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Repurposing salvaged wood is one way to add a unique and personal touch to a finished basement or another space in a home. Salvaged doors, fences, shutters, beams, and more can give an area a one-of-a-kind look while also following the saying of “reduce, reuse, and recycle.” • Be creative. While reclaimed wood can be used in flooring beams, wall treatments, and doors, it can also be turned into furniture pieces and home accent items. Doors can be turned into headboards, tables, desks, or benches. Staircase or porch posts can be made into candleholders, and wood shutters can dress up walls and provide a unique place to hang artwork or photographs. • Work with reclaimed objects. While some reclaimed wood can be used as is, some pieces may require millwork, including sanding, cutting, shaping, and finishing. Homeowners who do not have these skills may need to hire someone who does. • Match old-growth wood. By using salvaged wood, homeowners may find rare types of wood that go along with their home’s historical value and authenticity. • Consider the character of salvaged wood. Older wood may have distinct natural age marks and character, and it may be durable and strong from having grown in natural environments. Salvaged wood may also have a unique color and grain. • Look for reclaimed wood everywhere. Salvage yards, landfills, and other similar locations are promising places to check. Driftwood and discarded shipping crates or pallets can also be collected. Checking resale websites can also yield cost-effective results.
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One springtime task on many homeowners' to-do lists is checking cooling systems to ensure they are ready for summer. Proper maintenance of cooling systems is essential to saving energy and keeping utility costs down. Fortunately, homeowners do not need to be certified HVAC technicians to maintain their cooling units. • Clean filters. Whether a home is kept cool by a whole-house central air-conditioning system or window units, clean filters are necessary to keep the units working efficiently. Routinely replacing or cleaning filters is one of the most important maintenance tasks to improve airflow and increase efficiency. According to the U.S. Office of Energy Efficiency & Renewable Energy, replacing a dirty, clogged filter with a clean one can lower an air conditioner's energy consumption by 5 to 15 percent. • Know the square footage. When replacing a cooling system, have an understanding of the size of your home (or room if installing an window unit). Determine the area of the home so you buy a unit that suits your needs. Air conditioners use BTUs (British Thermal Units) to define cooling power. The more BTUs, the larger the space that can be cooled. However, homeowners should not exceed the necessary cooling power, as this leads to energy waste. EnergyStar.gov can help homeowners to find the right cooling system for their needs.
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• Inspect system coils. The evaporator and condenser coils on air conditioners can collect dirt, even when filters are maintained. Dirty coils are less efficient at absorbing heat, so dirt should be removed periodically. Outdoor coils can be kept cleaner by cutting back foliage from the unit to allow better airflow. • Inspect condensate drains. Energy.gov suggests making sure condensate drains, which remove moisture pulled from the air, are functioning properly. If they are clogged, they may not be effective at reducing humidity in a home, and they may even leak. • Clear debris. Remove fallen leaves or other plant material from condenser units and fan blades. Obstructed components can cause the system to retain heat, compromising its ability to work effectively. Some homeowners prefer to cover their condensers at the end of the cooling season to keep leaves and dirt out of the unit. • Check window unit seals. When installing window units, make sure all seals around the air conditioner are in place to prevent the loss of cool air. • Hire a technician. Air-conditioner technicians can be very helpful and will know how to prepare a system for hot weather. Technicians typically conduct multipoint inspections and measure such things as refrigerant levels and duct leakage. Airflow through the evaporator coil may also be checked. If the thermostat does not seem to be working properly, a technician can verify if that is true and install a new one if necessary.
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Now that the weather is warming up, homeowners' thoughts may be drifting toward relaxing days spent soaking up some sun by the pool. Early spring is a great time to install a pool so the family has a go-to hangout by the time summer arrives. When determining if installing a pool is the right move for them, homeowners may want to ask themselves the following questions:
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Can we afford it?
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How will we use the pool?
Homeowners should consider if they wish to put in a pool for their children, to entertain the family, or to make an architectural statement in the yard. Having a clear sense of purpose will help to guide the decision-making process.
Who will maintain the pool?
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Many homeowners tackle the day-to-day maintenance required to keep their pools clean and safe. Others hire professional pool cleaners to maintain their pools and ensure the water is properly balanced. Maintenance can cost additional money, so homeowners should consider this potential cost when determining whether or not to have a pool installed.
What are the safety concerns?
Parents of young children may be hesitant to install a pool, but today's pool installation codes consider many of the potential hazards of a pool and attempt to eliminate them. Fences surrounding in-ground pools with self-locking gates, as well as locking ladders for above-ground pools, are intended to eliminate accidental falls into unattended pools. Each municipality should have a list of requirements for pools, so homeowners should peruse the list prior to making their final decision.
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Homeowners who decide to install a pool should be aware of several recommendations about the process: • Always work with a pool installation company that has earned positive reviews and has a stellar record of service. While this does not guarantee that the job will not encounter problems, contractors with glowing reviews tend to have earned them. Read online reviews from unbiased customers and seek opinions from any friends or family members who have used a particular pool installation company. • Recognize that the installation of a pool may require heavy machinery, which can damage lawns. Fence panels may have to be removed to let in excavation equipment. Sand, soil backfill, or gravel may be needed to level out a landscape, and things may get noisy and messy when the installation hits full swing. • Consider leaving it to a professional. Some homeowners can handle installing above-ground pools on their own, but less-DIY-savvy homeowners may want to hire a professional installer to ensure that the job is done right. • Always secure the proper permits and inspections prior to using the pool. This helps to ensure the safety of swimmers while also guaranteeing that the pool is legal. Backyard swimming pools make for an enjoyable place to congregate when the weather is hot. By following a few guidelines and asking the necessary questions, homeowners can help a pool installation to go as smoothly as possible.
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Planning Ahead For
Homeowners who are interested in sprucing up their property may want to consider an eco-friendly landscape, which can help to protect the environment while also allowing homeowners to save money. While it is possible to alter landscapes during summer, it can be easier and more cost-effective to plan ahead. Planning ahead can assure homeowners that their lawns and gardens conserve water throughout the spring and summer. Such planning can save homeowners substantial amounts of money when summer temperatures rise and put a strain on lawns, plants and gardens that need more water than usual. Homeowners who want their landscapes to thrive while benefitting the environment can take the following steps as lawn and garden season approaches. Research native plants. Native plants typically require considerably less water than exotic plants that do not naturally grow in particular areas. In addition, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency notes that native plants have adapted to local soil conditions, making them less likely to need fertilizer and more resistant to pests and diseases than non-native plants. That resistance can save homeowners from having to use potentially harmful pesticides. Design smart. When designing a landscape layout, group plants according to how much or how little water they need. This prevents
overwatering plants that do not need much water, which can harm them and lead to unnecessary water waste, and ensures plants that require more water have those needs met. Consider the elements. When planting, consider how much natural sunlight each area of the yard gets before planting. Plants planted in areas that are especially exposed to the sun may require extra watering, as the hot summer sun can cause water to evaporate, depriving plants of the water they need to thrive. In addition to the sun, wind can divert water meant for plants and grass, so plant appropriately in areas that are exposed to sun and wind. Work with a professional. Professional landscapers and landscape architects can be invaluable resources for homeowners who want their properties to be as eco-friendly as possible. The desire for eco-friendly landscapes has risen in recent years, and many professional landscapers and architects are familiar with various ways to make lawns and gardens more environmentally friendly. Eco-friendly landscaping can be a wise investment for homeowners who want to help the planet and save money at the same time. Planning to make such an investment in advance of spring and summer can help to produce a beautiful and eco-friendly landscape.
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A
Home For Spring should consider consulting with an electrician about installing more overhead and accent lighting.
After a few months of winter temperatures, homeowners may be eager to throw open their windows and doors and breathe new life into their homes when spring arrives. However, simple changes made even before the weather fully warms up can improve interior spaces and brighten the atmosphere of a home, preparing it for the arrival of spring.
Give rugs and floors a deep cleaning. Carpet and upholstery
Go plant shopping. Research from NASA suggests adding at least one plant in your home per 100 square feet is efficient enough to clean the air. Fresh foliage also makes a home feel warm and inviting. Watering and misting plants introduces moisture into indoor air, which can make rooms overcome with dry air from heating systems feel comfortable. Homeowners should be sure to avoid overwatering plants, which can lead to mold growth.
Swap out throw pillows. Accent pillows on beds and sofas are
quick and inexpensive ways to add new bursts of color to rooms. A room's entire color scheme may be able to be entirely made over with new pillows. Investing in pillows that can be easily switched will help to keep decor from looking tired or dull.
Clean existing light fixtures. Another way to brighten the mood
in a home is to periodically clean light fixtures by dusting them and removing any accumulated debris. If need be, old lampshades can be switched out with newer ones that let more light shine through. Cleaning the fixtures will also allow homeowners to see if they are working properly. If inadequate lighting is a problem no matter how many lamps there are, homeowners
cleaners should be rented or hired to give floors a thorough cleaning at least once a year. Homeowners may be surprised at how clean and fresh a home looks and smells once the rugs and carpets are deep-cleaned. Recirculated air may be full of dust and other microscopic particles that end up blowing throughout a home. Also, dirt and other materials that are tracked in can become imbedded in carpeting. DIY Project Idea: Make a dry carpet cleaner using baking soda, corn starch, and desired fresh herbs for fragrance. Sprinkle and then vacuum up after a few hours.
Color-coordinate bookshelves. Group all books with similarly colored covers together for an instant and eye-appealing look.
Simmer a homemade fragrance. In a large pot, boil water and some scented herbs, such as rosemary, citrus rinds, vanilla, or lavender. The aroma will waft through the home, creating a pleasing scent. Invest in new window treatments. Lightweight draperies or new blinds or shades can transform the look of a room. Keeping curtains and blinds open during the day will maximize the hours of sunlight.
Homeowners can make some simple changes to freshen up their home in preparation for the full arrival of spring, and they can continue to reap the benefits during warmer weather.
Spring Cleaning Projects That Make A Difference In addition to sprucing up their home’s interior in advance of spring, homeowners may also want to get a jump on spring cleaning by tackling a few smaller tasks that can yield big results.
• Floors. After vacuuming or sweeping floors, go over them with a mop to remove any lingering dust, dirt, debris, and allergens the vacuum or broom failed to pick up. Apply wood cleaner and polish to wood floors to make them look even cleaner.
• Baseboards. Although baseboards might not seem all that dirty, a closer inspec-
tion might reveal substantial accumulations of dirt and dust. Homeowners might need to use hot water and a sponge to remove any debris that is clinging.
• Curtains. Substantial amounts of dust, dirt, and debris that have accumulated over the winter might be more visible near the end of winter when more sunlight begins to shine through. Clean the curtains in adherence to the manufacturer
instructions before windows are opened for the season so any wind that blows in does not spread debris indoors.
• Bathrooms. Inspect ceilings, tubs, shower stalls, and floors for any signs of mold growth or grime, both during the winter season and upon spring cleaning. Mold growth in a home can lead to respiratory problems and exacerbate existing conditions such as asthma. • Furniture. When possible, vacuum furniture to remove any debris that might have accumulated while windows and doors were kept shut during winter, and shampoo any cushions or seat covers that do not pass the smell test.
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