Spring Home and Garden - 2013

HOME 2013 SPRING

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LAWN DAMAGE Can be prevented

BOLD PAINT COLORS Can spruce up a room

GARAGE DOOR TREATMENTS

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Spring Home & Garden

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March 22, 2013

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Question: Our family is considering adding a room onto our house and are looking for ways to keep the cost within our budget. What are some options during an addition or remodeling project to keep the contract price down?

Answer: Assuming that you do not want to change the scope of your project (i.e. the size of the room addition, layout, etc.), there are several options to consider to LOU keep your project within budget. One of the most SALGE common options, if you have able-bodied individuals within your household, is to complete some of the work yourself. There are some rather obvious portions of the project that you will likely not want to delve into — concrete, framing, roofing, etc. — as that would begin to undermine the purpose of hiring a builder. There are also portions of the project that should be performed by professionals with proper licensing and credentials, such as electrical and plumbing. However, there are still phases of work that many homeowners will tackle on their own. You might consider handling the painting or, potentially, the flooring. Putting some sweat into the project can be one way to cut some costs.

Another option is to purchase fixtures yourself. I use the term fixtures rather generally

•

Spring has sprung!

It’s been a little wintry lately, but it’s official — spring has come to northeast Indiana!

With temperatures heating up and the sun shining bright, Hoosiers are anxious to work on their properties and homes, both inside and out.

We hope this guide will inspire you and help make all of your home and garden projects easier.

Inside, you’ll find tips on making your home more beautiful, well maintained and polished.

This guide is also available online at kpcnews.com.

Best wishes for a wonderful and productive spring from everyone at KPC Media Group!

— it can include light fixtures, plumbing fixtures, and/or door hardware. By purchasing these items yourself and supplying them to your builder, it gives you the opportunity to shop around for the best prices to keep the fixtures within or, even better, under whatever budget you decide to set. Since your builder will generally set your fixture allowances at regular retail price, you will likely be able to obtain your fixtures below the allowance amount if you watch for discounts and sales.

Although these are two options for keeping the costs of your project down, they are often not the only options. I would certainly suggest discussing your concerns with your contractor.

If you are still obtaining quotes, vet each contractor for his suggestions for trimming some costs as every contractor has his own methods.

Question: I am having a difficult time vocalizing and portraying the look and style that I want for my home to my builder. He’s just not getting it. What can I do to help make these discussions more productive?

Answer: It can sometimes be difficult for builders and clients to get on the same page regarding styles using verbiage alone. This may be due, in part, to the fact that builders tend to be quite visual. There can also be some confusion in styles, simply due to the volume of different styles (try looking up “List of House Styles” on Wikipedia). Some styles tend to blend together, and sometimes, a single style simply covers a vast spectrum. One person’s interpretation of “Modern” can be vastly different from someone else’s.

Thus, the best way to convey your ideas to your builder may be to compile pictures that portray what you are wanting into a sort of lookbook. There are a number of ways to find pictures of what you are looking for.

Simply leafing through magazines and cutting out pictures is a timeless method. There are numerous magazines out there that can give you great ideas. Some of my favorites include Custom Home Magazine, Builder Magazine, and Kitchen & Bath Design News. These all feature great photos as well as product information.

Lou Salge is a board member of the Builder’s Association of Northeast Indiana and the vice president of Four Seasons Design and Remodeling Inc.

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March 22, 2013

Use bold paint colors to change the look of a room

YOU LOVE YOUR SCREEN PORCH

BUT...

YOU HATE YOUR SCREEN PORCH

BY DENNIS NARTKER

dennisn@kpcnews.net Paint is one of the least expensive and most versatile means for changing the look of a room.

Choosing a color scheme can be challenging, which is why so many people stick with neutrals like beige and white, said Kevin Jansen with Weible’s Paint and Wallpaper in Kendallville. Jansen and Weible’s owner John Pierce recommend those preparing for painting projects consult with paint stores. “I don’t like telling people how they should paint a room. I can recommend the type of paint and the amount needed if they can tell how big is the job, the square feet to be painted,” said Pierce.

Weible’s has hundreds of colors on paint cards in various hues and can mix the paint to the exact color the customer wants. Jansen said he spent three hours mixing for one customer recently to get the precise color needed.

The steps to follow when using bold or primary colors begin with the color wheel of primary, secondary and complimentary colors. Weible’s has hundreds of paint sticks with these colors for customers to examine.

According to HGTV, color should flow throughout the house. Every room need not be painted the same color, but colors should be complementary enough that they flow into one another. Don’t paint one room in child’s basic primary colors, while painting other rooms in jewel tones and pastels. Stick with one theme and carry it through the house.

Pierce advises his customers that light has an affect on a room’s colors. “Light can reflect off walls painted in certain colors,” he said. “Light reflects off pastel colors.”

For example, avoid greens in the bathroom, as they may reflect off the mirror and cast a hue onto a person’s face that makes them look ill. Pinks and peaches will reflect a rosy glow.

Once the decision is made to use a bold color, find the color inspiration. Color combinations that appear in nature are more readily acceptable by people. Look for an item like a seashell or a flowering See PAINT COLORS page 4

Spring Home & Garden

So you have this love hate relationship with your screen porch. You love the outdoor sights, sounds and smells, but you hate the mess. In the spring and summer, your furniture and carpet get wet and dirty. The wind blows the newspaper out of your hands. In the fall and winter, it’s cold out there where you love to be and you have to shovel the snow out and cover the furniture or haul it to the attic. Or you get the plastic and staple gun out and build a temporary barrier. Maybe you have Plexiglas that you put up. Either way, if there is a nice day, you’re stuck, because either way you have to wait until spring to take it all down again.

Wouldn’t it be great if you could make better use of that space? It’s a great, relaxing place to hang out, that is as long as the temperature is perfect, the wind isn’t blowing too hard and it’s not raining or snowing.

DENNIS NARTKER

Weible’s Paint and Wallpaper owner John Pierce looks at his store’s display of paint stick samples to help a customer select a color for a painting project.

With the “Eze-Breeze” sliding panels, you can have the best of both worlds. You can continue to love the outdoor feeling that your screen room gives you. But now you control the outdoor elements, they don’t control you.

“Eze-Breeze” sliding panels are custom made to fit the existing openings in your screen porch.

They transform your screen porch into a three season room that can be completely closed, opened to give you 75% of your original screen area, or anywhere in between.

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PAINT COLORS From page 3

plant to base the color choices on. Others are inspired by a particular design item like an area rug. Use the colors in the rug for the room. “When using primary colors, you need to consider the room’s surroundings, the furniture colors and draperies,” said Pierce.

When incorporating complimentary colors in one room, consult the paint cards that have three or four different shades on one sample card. When selecting a complimentary shade, pick from the same tone on the card.

Another idea is to leave walls neutral and use a bold color on design accents, said Pierce. Put a bold color on moulding or use a bright colored appliance in the kitchen or a bright colored light fixture in a living room to give a splash of boldness.

Color balance in a room is important. If an entire room is painted in a bold color, think about having the decor items in neutral colors. Sofas and rugs should be neutral colors like beige or white.

Jansen advises homeowners not to be afraid to use bold colors. “It’s only paint. It’s not permanent. You can change it.”

March 22, 2013

Carpet health problems are myths

BY BOB BRALEY bobb@kpcnews.net

ROME CITY — The biggest myths about carpet have to do with all the unhealthy things some people still believe it can hold, said an area carpet store owner.

“Most people are convinced that carpet is full of allergens,” said Mike Edwards, owner of Edwards Floor Covering in Rome City. They also believe it allows mold to grow, and emits invisible gas, none of which is true.

Carpet actually is better at trapping allergens and dust that smooth-surface floors. That means there actually are fewer particles circulating, so regular vacuuming will remove allergens.

Mold will only grow in carpet if there is a flood or leak keeping it saturated, or if a home has elevated humidity levels.

Those are moisture issues. Remove the See CARPET page 5

PHOTO CONTRIBUTED

Carpet is actually a better floor covering for dealing with allergies than hardwood, and the new, soft carpets are one of the hottest trends in flooring.

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March 22, 2013

CARPET From page 4

moisture, and you remove the mold.

The gas-emission myth stems from what people believe goes into carpet.

Some people still think it emits formaldehyde, but the use of formaldehyde in making carpet was banned in 1978.

Unless a home has carpet more than 35 years old, there’s no risk from formaldehyde.

People also belive carpet has a wide variety of chemicals in it. Actually, it’s made from nylon, wool, polyester and polypropylane, all of which are used to make clothing.

Cleaning carpet can be an issue, especially with some of the newer, soft carpets. Some types of vacuums won’t work well with some carpets, so it’s a good idea to ask about that before you buy either a carpet or a new vacuum.

But carpet, if maintained, can be as clean as any other flooring surface. No surface can be kept perfectly clean, but carpet can be as clean as any other.

Soft carpet can beat hardwood The newest trend in flooring is not just carpet, it’s soft carpet.

New styles of nylon and wool carpet that are softer under foot are becoming the hottest thing in the flooring industry, according to the magazine Floor Covering Weekly.

There’s even soft polyester carpet.

Spring Home & Garden

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Floor Covering Weekly columnist Kimberly Gavin related a story of a woman replacing a 20-year-old Berber carpet who touched one of the new soft carpets and was instantly sold.

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The new carpets also incorporate technologies that produce two color tones that are very forgiving, the magazine said. There are even some in which colors subtly shift as you move through the room.

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March 22, 2013

Lawn damage is preventable

BY JENNIFER DECKER jdecker@kpcnews.net

Many homeowners take pride in their lush, green lawns that look like carpeting.

Some of those homeowners spend hours perfecting their lawns through mowing and fertilizing.

Just because a lawn is green one year does not mean it will be that way the following year. That is because grass is delicate and can be damaged by numerous factors. Some of those are: • Grubs are the larval stage of large beetles. Worm-like grubs feed on grass roots and are able to kill large sections of lawn quickly. One way to check for grubs is to pull back a piece of damaged lawn. If it peels easily, it’s likely to have There are lots of things to consider while trying to get a lawn to look its best. the presence of grubs. Spotting grubs is a especially if the dog or cat uses one area can deter them. One option is letting sure sign larvae are killing the lawn.

Insecticide for grub control in July can lawns go dormant and not watering them, consistently for a potty zone. The best way to curb the problem is to walk a pet but the lawn will turn brown and less help kill the grubs that start hatching in so they don’t have free range of the yard. appealing.

August through September. Grub eggs To maintain a lush lawn, is to make • Pet urine can create burned patches thrive in areas of lawn that have sunny sure the soil and lawn is in good shape patches and are well watered. More shade and discolor the lawn. That is true

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through fertilizing. Water can dilute urine and neutralize its corrosive properties.

For the best effect, dilute the urine within

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March 22, 2013

LAWN

Spring Home & Garden

Curb appeal is important

From page 6

eight hours of the damage to have the best effect.

• Burrowing animals can also be problematic for lawns, with moles and voles as the most common culprits. Voles are small rodents resembling mice, but are more stout and have rounder heads.

Moles are not related to voles and look very different. Moles have a cylindrical body with velvety fur and large paws for digging. Burrows moles create are for trapping worms.

Voles can be kept away with natural predators, such as cats, hawks, owls and snakes. Sharp materials or chicken wire can be dug into soil around planting beds to make it uncomfortable for voles and moles to tunnel through.

Moles can also be controlled with traps, as long as they are placed in active tunnels to kill or contain the mole. The live mole can be relocated to a site where they won’t cause trouble.

BY JENNIFER DECKER jdecker@kpcnews.net

• Install door lighting.

Curb appeal can makes first impression with a home.

• Do a mailbox makeover. Pick a box mirroring the home’s trimming. Paint the post to match the house’s exterior color or by surrounding it by a flower garden.

According to Better Homes and Gardens, the following are some tips to make a home’s exterior spiffy:

METRO CREATIVE CONNECTION

Curb appeal can make a great first impression.

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• Renew or create new planter beds.

• Replace old hardware, such as house numbers, the entry door’s lock set and overhead light fixture.

• Renew paint, siding and trim.

• Create symmetry of light fixtures and front-door accents. For example, lanternstyle sconces safely guide visitors and can coordinate with front door hardware.

• Dress up the driveway.

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• Add arbors or fence panels.

• Add outdoor art.

• Add shutters or accent trim.

• Replace gutters and downspouts.

• Tile a doorstep.

• Build a walkway.

• Update railings.

• Apply stone veneers.

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• Install window boxes.

• The home’s front door is the focal point of curb appeal. Give the front door a blast of color through paint or by installing a custom wood door. Clean any dirt spots around the knob and door. Choose a swag or wreath to add a pleasant look.

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March 22, 2013

Daily motion can be hard on garage doors “The main thing we run into on a daily basis is, people just don’t oil their doors,” The up-and-down, open-and-close Bradley said. “I can’t tell you the amount motion that your garage door goes through of people we get called out to because on a daily basis can be trying on it. their door doesn’t run good, and it’s Jack Bradley president of Bradley because it’s so dry. It’ll sound like a train Overhead Door Inc. in Fremont, has some going up and down.” tips so residents can ease that trauma, Bradley said spraying a bit of WD-40 and also prevent injuries. A recent report or rolling some motor oil on the door’s by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety rollers, hinges and springs regularly can Commission said that some 20,000 people go a long way toward ensuring it runs are treated in hospital emergency rooms properly. every year for injuries caused by garage That isn’t to say if greased, the door doors. can’t be dangerous, though.

Bradley, who has 45 years experience Garage doors nowadays are equipped dealing with garage doors, said giving with safety features like sensors to shoot your garage door the treatment it needs can the door back up if an object is in its path, be beneficial. and sensitivity settings to control the speed First: garage doors like grease, Bradley See GARAGE DOORS page 9 said.

BY AARON ORGAN aorgan@kpcnews.net

AP

Realtor Casey Doran opens the garage door of a home in Tempe, Ariz., in May 2010.

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March 22, 2013

GARAGE DOORS From page 8

A major danger, Bradley said, can be found in repairing broken garage door springs – Bradley Overhead’s most popular call for service. When those springs snap, Bradley encourages home owners to call in a professional to replace the springs. Homeowners who take the high-torque job in their own hands often find those hands with deep lacerations, he said.

It’s so dangerous that Bradley has customers who want to perform the

less-than $100 job themselves sign a liability form relieving them of responsibility.

“I’ve seen a lot of bloodshed from homeowners,” Bradley said. “It’s not worth it. Call in a professional.”

Bradley said a little TLC can translate into a long garage door life, and fewer stitches.

“Take care of your garage door and it’ll service you for a long time.”

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and power in which the door raises and lowers.

If the settings on either of those features are off, the door can become hazardous, Bradley explained.

A good measure to set sensitivity settings to can be a roll of paper towels, Bradley said. Place a roll of paper towels

on the ground in the path of the door. The door should not crush the paper towels, but instead sense them and raise back up.

Those travel and sensitivity adjustments can be tweaked by the home owner on the opener itself, Bradley said. The owners manual should explain how to properly set the door.

“They’re pretty homeowner-friendly,” Bradley said. “With a little common sense and an owner’s manual, they can figure it out.”

Spring Home & Garden

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Spring Home & Garden

March 22, 2013

A frameless glass shower can modernize a bathroom

BY METRO CREATIVE CONNECTION

More homeowners are looking to transform their bathrooms into luxurious, relaxing retreats that feature the looks and amenities of an upscale spa. One way to upgrade the appearance of a bath â&#x20AC;&#x201D; and to lessen the burden of maintaining it â&#x20AC;&#x201D; is to install a frameless shower enclosure.

There are numerous advantages associated with frameless shower enclosures, ranging from practical to fashionable, and if theyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re done right, they can add to the overall value to your home, too. Here are a few reasons to consider a frameless shower for your new or remodeled bath. â&#x20AC;˘ Theyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re fashionable. Frameless shower enclosures open up a world of possibilities because they provide a perfect complement to durable, high-style surfaces commonly used in the bath, such as tile, marble and granite. They also provide a great way to show off the trendy shower

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heads, faucets and ďŹ xtures that have become so popular in contemporary bath design. Finally, because of their openness and transparency, frameless shower enclosures can make your bath feel bigger than it really is. â&#x20AC;˘ Theyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re versatile. Frameless doors can be designed to ďŹ t any space, making them ideal for bathrooms, large and small.

And they donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t have to be boxy, either.

Frameless shower enclosures can be circular, oval or triangular in shape. Even standard square or rectangular enclosures can be dressed up with an artfully bowed, patterned or etched glass door. â&#x20AC;˘ Theyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re durable. Frameless shower enclosures look elegant, but one of their most redeeming qualities is toughness.

Standard shower glasses can range in thicknesses from 3/8 to 1/2-inch, which makes them sturdy, structurally sound and safe. Watertight seals prevent leakage and,

since there is little to no metal used in the construction of frameless enclosures, homeowners never have to worry about replacing corroded parts. â&#x20AC;˘ Theyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re easy to live with. Letâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s face it. We all want to live in our homes for as long as we can. Frameless shower enclosures are a great way to let your home age with you because the entry can be leveled with the ďŹ&#x201A;oor to create easy access as we become older and less mobile. And hereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s the best part: you donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t have to sacriďŹ ce looks or fashionability.

Frameless glass shower enclosures are a great way to meld timeless style with ageless accommodation. â&#x20AC;˘ Theyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re easy to clean. With frameless shower enclosures, there are fewer nooks and crannies for dirt and grime to enter and accumulate. That makes them easier to clean.

METRO CREATIVE CONNECTION

A frameless glass shower will give a showroom appearance for years.

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March 22, 2013

Spring Home & Garden

11

Brick panels can be used in many ways

BY METRO CREATIVE CONNECTION

METRO CREATIVE CONNECTION

The accent brick panels on this homeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s entry area were installed in just a few hours.

Looking for an accent wall that really â&#x20AC;&#x153;popsâ&#x20AC;? in the home? Eager to highlight a dormer window with brick but lacking the structural support to hold up the weighty blocks? Lightweight brick panels are the answer. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The restrictions and problems of installing heavy bricks vanish when using panelized products,â&#x20AC;? says Scott Jeffreys, president of Performance Brick. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Made of recycled gypsum and reinforced with high-density polymer materials, the environmentally friendly panels can easily be added to any area of the home.â&#x20AC;?

Consumers can buy overlapping and interlocking panels that attach easily and quickly to wall substrates, which eliminates the weight concerns associated with real brick and allows for placement in tight-ďŹ tting locations.

Along with installing brick panels as exterior siding on the home, brick panels can be used:

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March 22, 2013

Hardwood floors can set the tone of a room

BY METRO CREATIVE CONNECTION

In the wide open spaces we find in today’s contemporary homes, every centimeter counts and the floor’s role is more important than ever — it is the room’s focal point and the element that sets the tone. The timeless natural beauty of wood gives decors one-of-a-kind personality immersed with warmth and a signature style.

And with the huge range of wood species, widths, and grades being made available today by top manufacturers there’s no end to the combinations available. One of the latest trends being featured in homes across the country, according to experts, is the selection of two-tone hardwood floor species to add a unique one-of-a-kind rustic look to decors.

According to Michel Collin, director of marketing for Mercier Wood Flooring, more and more consumers are looking for a more rustic look from their flooring See HARDWOOD page 13

METRO CREATIVE CONNECTION

Hardwood floors can give a room new character.

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HARDWOOD

Spring Home & Garden

13

Natural wood floors can deliever splendour, warmth and value to an area.

From page 13

choices and have found durability, unique graining patterns and a wide range of two-toned colours with hickory wood floors.

“This species features an opulent appearance thanks to its pronounced contrasting shades and range of natural tones,” he explained. “Hickory’s rough, textured look harmonizes beautifully with rustic and modern decors alike. Its hardness and durability make it an excellent option for kitchens and high traffic areas.”

The wood typically comes in many shades ranging from golden beige to full-bodied brown. Darker two-tone stain colous follow the trend toward pronounced color variations in flooring that is now in vogue. Hickory stain can refines the wood’s rough and textured side with its gold, brown and orange hues. “In a more rustic interior, it immediately becomes the focal point,” says Collin.

Today there are countless colors available to choose from as well as different species, each with their unique characteristics. No matter the decor style of your home — modern, contemporary, zen, rustic or urban — today’s hardwood flooring manufacturers have something for every style and taste.

and distinct look (grades and width) that comes across in its maturity, hardness, and durability.

3. GLOSS

Here are the four key steps to consider to create a unique centerpiece hardwood floor that’s custom tailored for any interior space from country home to urban loft.

Depending on the species, you can choose between a matte, semi-gloss and satin finish.

A matte, semi-gloss finish tends to project a more formal atmosphere; whereas the natural look of a satin finish will feel more casual and better disguise wear and tear.

1. COLOR SCHEME

4. WIDTHS AND TEXTURES

Are you looking for something light or dark?

Understated or with bold character? Choose the color that best matches your decor from a wide variety of colors available in each species. For uniform hue and a clean look, opt for either “Select & Better” or “Premium” grades. If you enjoy more pronounced color variation and wood with more character, you may prefer “Antique” or “Classic” grades.

2. SPECIES METRO CREATIVE CONNECTION

Hardwood floors can add warmth and style to any room.

From red oak, hard maple, yellow birch, white ash, white oak or Brazilian cherry, each wood species has its own personality

Wider planks, which are becoming increasingly popular, tend to create a more casual rustic appearance, while narrow planks are more formal. Manufacturers are now offering 61/2” and even 71/4” boards in certain species. This is part of the emerging trend of the last few years where consumers are seeking more rustic looks for their hardwood flooring choices. Along with wider boards, another way this is achieved is with the latest use of different textures to give wood either a distressed look of barn wood, prominent knots or the natural lines of boards planed the old fashioned way.

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Spring Home & Garden

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March 22, 2013

Basements don’t need to be damp, drab

BY METRO CREATIVE CONNECTION

Homeowners hoping to spread their wings around the house are increasingly heading downstairs to create more living space. Whether it’s for a home office, a home theater room, a playroom for the kids, or even a laundry room, more and more homeowners are turning their dark, damp and dreary basement into a brighter,

more functional space.

Though what to do with your basement is up to you, there are certain things every homeowner should consider before converting their basement.

• Be wary when painting basement walls. Painting the basement walls will be high on your priority list, but you can’t just use ordinary house paint down there.

Standard house paint might not look

bad initially, but if your basement ever develops a moisture problem, standard house paint won’t be able to prevent water damage. When painting the walls, use a

waterproofing paint that is both decorative and waterproof and capable of stopping water from entering the pores of the wall’s See BASEMENTS page 15

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March 22, 2013

BASEMENTS From page 14

masonry, preventing water damage as a result.

When applying waterproofing paint, keep in mind such paint is thicker than house paint, so it will take longer to apply, though its application is just as simple as that of standard house paint.

Most waterproofing paints can be applied with a stiff bristle brush or roller, and you simply work the product into the surface of the masonry, filling the texture with the coating. For the best results, apply the first coat with a nylon or polyester bristle brush, while the second coat can be applied with a brush or masonry roller. Two coats are usually sufficient to stop seepage.

However, if seepage is still present after several days, an additional coat may be necessary.

• Take your measurements. Larger items, such as pool tables and refrigerators, can likely fit into the basement.

But homeowners who have used their basement largely for storage should take some measurements before beginning their basement project or buying any

big-ticket items. There’s no guarantee that 70-inch projection screen television or those leather armchairs can fit through the basement doorway. Though homeowners will eventually find something they like that will fit, the doorway measurements might dictate that decision more than homeowners know.

• Brighten things up. Though it might be best to have a darker or less flashy basement if the goal is to create a home theater experience, homeowners opting for a different kind of basement should look to brighten things up. Basements can be somewhat drab, but they don’t have to be. Masonry waterproofer can be tinted to create a colorful, decorative and moisturefree area that’s perfect for homeowners who want to add some life to their basement while simultaneously protecting it from the elements. What’s more, homeowners who want to insulate, stud the walls and hang drywall can rest easy knowing masonry waterproofer is already on the masonry, protecting the basement from any moisture issues that might arise down the road.

When it comes to remodeling a basement, homeowners are only limited by their own imaginations.

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