NWH_Spring Home Improvement_042421

Saturday, April 24, 2021

SHOULD I DIY? 3 questions to determine if it’s best to renovate on your own SPEEDY, RELIABLE INTERNET Tips to improve WiFi around the house KEEPING IT COOL How to add shade to a deck or patio

Northwest Herald / NWHerald.com • Saturday, April 24, 2021

| SPRING HOME IMPROVEMENT

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Should I DIY? 3 questions to determine if it’s best to renovate on your own A do-it-yourself mentality has taken hold in millions of households across the globe. Popular television channels like HGTV and DIY Network as well as accessible home improvement content on apps like YouTube has inspired many homeowners to tackle renovation projects around their homes. Taking such initiative is admirable, though it also can prove costly if homeowners end up biting off more than they can chew.

the cost of fixing DIY mistakes. Projects that are minor in scope and don’t require the use of potentially costly specialty tools may be better suited for weekend warriors than more complicated renovations.

2. Do I have the time?

Homeowners must determine how much time they have to complete a project before deciding to do it themselves. No one wants to spend months staring at an unfinished renovation project. Homeowners who are already pressed for time may not be able to complete projects in a timely fashion, which can make homes less comfortable and even less safe.

Home improvement videos and television shows have a tendency to oversimplify renovation projects, potentially giving homeowners a false sense of confidence in their DIY abilities. A concerted effort on the part of homeowners to determine if it’s best to renovate on their own or hire a professional should always be the first step of any renovation project. No 3. Can I pull this off? two homeowners are the same, but the following three questions can help DIY projects can instill homeowners with a sense of pride in their homes, homeowners determine if DIY is their best option. but it’s imperative that homeowners considering the DIY option conduct an honest assessment of their skills. A lack of renovation experience does 1. Can I afford to DIY? not necessarily mean a homeowner cannot successfully complete a DIY Professional home improvement projects are costly for a variety of reaproject. But in such instances, it may be best to start with small, straightsons. Materials can be costly, but so are the tools and labor necessary to forward projects and then gradually move up to bigger, more complicated do the job right. Homeowners may not have the tools necessary to comprojects as skills are fine tuned. And homeowners who have never been plete complicated projects. Specialty tools can be expensive to purchase at their best with a hammer in hand should not be ashamed to leave the or even rent, and the cost of acquiring such tools should be included in work to the professionals. any DIY project cost estimates. Labor also factors heavily into professional projects, and for good reason. Talented contractors have unique skills Television shows and online tutorials can make renovations appear easier that have been developed and perfected over many years. Those skills than they actually are. Homeowners considering DIY renovations can ask can ensure projects are completed quickly and correctly. Labor may seem themselves a handful of questions to determine if they’re ready for the costly, but such costs may ultimately prove to be a bargain compared to challenge of renovating their homes on their own.

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Soy-based treatment saves expense of roof replacement

W

In 2020, Catalanello expanded his trusted expertise and concern for the environment - as well as for your home and budget - with a new venture as an owner of Roof Maxx serving residents of northern Illinois.

Rather than limiting his focus on preserving the longevity and beauty of cedar, he now uses his attention-to-detail-minded approach to caring for asphalt roofs as well.

“Roof Maxx is in the business of extending the life of asphalt roofs,” Catalanello said. “It is a quick, natural and affordable alternative to a complicated and disruptive asphalt roof replacement. Roof Maxx’s revolutionary new technology uses 100% natural, plant-based bio-oil which soaks into the asphalt layer of shingles, replenishing petrochemical oils that have evaporated over time.”

He looks forward to providing the same trusted service to asphalt roofs as he has come to be known for when preserving the life of cedar roofs. Prior to applying the solution, skilled technicians perform a roof tune-up, focusing on flashing, the most leakprone area of a roof.

Roof Maxx is the brainchild of brothers Todd and Mike Feazel, who began their own roof replacement company in 1988. They became hugely successful and paid attention to the changes in the roofing industry, specifically the declining quality in the manufacturing of asphalt shingles.

Changes in oil refining led to a reduction in the amount of asphalt available, causing costs to skyrocket and shingle manufacturers to include less asphalt in their products. The brothers noticed that this resulted in poorer quality asphalt shingles lacking the necessary natural oils needed to withstand the elements over time.

Their response was to sell their roofing replacement company in 2013 and research roof sustainability. Their new mission included studying new advancements from the renowned Battelle Laboratories, a global research and development organization committed to science and technology.

The move to reinvent their purpose in the roofing business led to the creation of Roof Maxx. Ohio State University tested Roof Maxx on a 17-year-old roof. The treatment restored the shingles’ flexibility, successfully passing the same material’s testing required for a new roof.

Now the brothers focus is to extend the life of an asphalt shingle roof up to 15 years and save homeowners from the headaches and expense of a premature complete roof replacement.

For Catalanello, the choice to expand his own homegrown enterprise to include Roof Maxx was a logical step not only for his own family - his son, Sam, works with CPS and older son, Caleb, is a Roof Maxx roof consultant - but for the consumer.

“The quality of asphalt shingles is declining as the price is sky rocketing,” he said. “Buying into the Roof Maxx business seemed like a good thing to do. Almost everybody has an asphalt roof. It is like a brother business to CPS and we already know what we are doing. Plus, it is nice to save people money.”

The cost of the treatments is about 20 percent of the cost of a new roof. For example, to replace a 2,500-sq.-ft asphalt roof is at least $10,000. To treat and preserve that same roof with Roof Maxx is roughly $1,900. It is recommended that this treatment, which comes with a transferable warranty, be done every five years, Catalanello said.

Krusinski said he is pleased with the treatment. He likes the slightly darker sheen of his treated roof and appreciated the efficiency of the crew.

“I thought it was money well spent,” Krusinski said. “This application is going to add several years to the lifetime of the roof. I would most definitely use Roof Maxx again.”

For more information on Roof Maxx and to schedule a Covid-19 safe appointment please contact: MICHAEL CATALANELLO 847-785-9610 • mcatalanello@roofmaxx.com CHARLES HAMMACK 414-534-8706 • chammack@roofmaxx.com https://roofmaxx.com/find-a-dealer/illinois/libertyville/

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• Saturday, April 24, 2021

hen Joe Krusinski noticed neighbors in his Liberty Lakes subdivision of Wauconda replacing their aging asphalt shingle roofs, he wondered how long it would be before he had to bear the same inevitable expense.

Like his neighbors, Krusinski’s home is about 15 years old. Last year, he noticed the asphalt shingles shedding “pretty excessively.”

“I saw piles of asphalt [granules] and sand clogging my gutters,” he said.

But instead of joining his neighbors and spending thousands of dollars, enduring days of hassle and interruption to his home life to replace the roof he hired Roof Maxx, a natural, soy-based asphalt shingle preservation treatment.

“They did a great job,” Krusinski said. “I didn’t even know they were there. They were in and out.”

Krusinski hired a new local 5-Star Certified Roof Maxx dealer who comes with nearly 30 years of expertise and knowledge in the roofing preservation business.

Michael Catalanello, founder of Cedar Preservation Specialists (CPS), has become a trusted name in the preservation of cedar roofs throughout the Midwest.

He has treated more than 10,000 cedar rooftops in Illinois and Wisconsin making a household name for himself in the market of cedar preservation.

SPRING HOME IMPROVEMENT | Northwest Herald / NWHerald.com

Roof Maxx extends the life of your asphalt roof

Northwest Herald / NWHerald.com • Saturday, April 24, 2021

| SPRING HOME IMPROVEMENT

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Tips to improve WiFi around the house Speedy, reliable internet is something people have quickly grown accustomed to. That’s no doubt why dropped WiFi signals can be so frustrating.

Various things can contribute to slow or interrupted Wi-Fi. As a result, there’s no one-size-fits-all solution to address underperforming Wi-Fi. But that’s good news, as it means there’s an assortment of strategies that consumers can try to improve the Wi-Fi in their homes.

Upgrade your router

Many people rent their routers from their internet service providers, but it may surprise some to learn that they can buy their own. Buying your own router can be beneficial in various ways, not the least of which is it can save money. Router rental fees vary, but they typically cost between $10 and $15 per month. Consumers will save money in the long run by buying their own router rather than renting one from their ISP. When buying their own routers, consumers also can pick from a host of options, including routers with strong performance ratings that may contribute to better WiFi performance.

Set up automatic firmware updates

It’s easy to forget a router after it’s been plugged in and internet service starts working. However, manufacturers routinely issue firmware updates to improve router performance. Turning on automatic updates may improve WiFi performance, and such updates also can provide a host of additional benefits, including added security measures.

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Relocate the router

PCMag.com notes that the location of the router can affect WiFi performance. If possible, locate the router in the center of the home so it can easily reach all parts of the house. Locating wireless routers away from walls and other obstructions also may improve performance.

Switch frequencies

Switching frequencies can help wireless consumers whose service might be adversely affected by congestion. Consumer Reports notes that wireless congestion can affect WiFi performance in apartment buildings and densely populated neighborhoods. In such instances, consumers can check their routers to see if they’re running on the 2.4 GHz frequency band. If so, switching them to the 5 GHz band, which has more channels and is likely to be less congested, may improve WiFi performance.

Slow and/or interrupted WiFi signals can be very frustrating. Thankfully, various strategies can help consumers quickly remedy such issues.

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Northwest Herald / NWHerald.com • Saturday, April 24, 2021

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Plumbing, Drain Cleaning, Heating & Cooling How to add shade to a deck or patio Homeowners eagerly await the arrival of the warm weather so they can cast off the remnants of cabin fever and bask in the sunshine.

However, as summer nears its dog days, the same sun homeowners once coveted can contribute to uncomfortable conditions in outdoor entertaining spaces.

Meteorologists at WHAS11 in Kentucky took to their neighborhoods in July 2020 to test just how hot surfaces can get in the sun during peak daytime temperatures.

Concrete sitting in the sun almost all day reached a temperature of 134.7 F, while the same concrete in the shade clocked in at just under 80 F. When air temperatures are around 90 F, unshaded concrete and asphalt can be 125 F and 140 F, respectively. While wood decking may not be as hot as asphalt and concrete, it still can get steamy underfoot.

Homeowners who want to be able to enjoy their outdoor spaces in an array of temperatures can think about investing in shade solutions.

Sun-blocking ideas like awnings, shade trees and large umbrellas can help people enjoy their yards all day long.

Canopy: A patio canopy is typically a freestanding unit that can be installed over a patio or a deck.

Some people prefer to bolt it down so it will not be knocked over in windy conditions. The fabric on the canopy can be removed during the offseason, helping to improve its longevity.

Awning: Awnings may be stationary or retractable. Many are installed directly onto a home and can cast shade on specific areas of outdoor entertaining spaces.

Shade sail: Similar to an awning but a bit less structurally rigid, shade sails are large pieces of triangular fabric installed over areas of a patio, pool or landscape, according to The Family Handyman. Shade sails are light and airy and can be customized.

Trees: A natural way to increase shade in a yard is to plant more shade trees. If sun glare is an issue all year long, and it’s not just the heat of the sun that is troublesome, think about planting evergreen trees. Deciduous cousins will drop their leaves in fall and only be effective during the warm weather.

Patio umbrellas: Many umbrellas start at around $25. Umbrellas can be paired with patio tables, while stationary cantilever umbrellas sit out of the way on their own heavyduty stands. A cantilever umbrella tends to provide more shade than patio table umbrellas.

Curtains: Homeowners can block sunlight outdoors the way they do inside, offers MSN. Hang curtains from the sides of canopies or between posts on a deck to provide shade and cozy spaces.

Shade is in high demand when the sun is hot. Options abound for making outdoor areas more comfortable.

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SPRING HOME IMPROVEMENT | Northwest Herald / NWHerald.com

Northwest Herald / NWHerald.com • Saturday, April 24, 2021

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How to choose the right lighting inside your home Lighting in a home serves both practical and aesthetic purposes. It’s easy to maneuver around a well-lit home, reducing the risk of slips and falls, and the right lighting can help homeowners create their desired ambiance, which typically changes depending on which room you’re in.

When choosing lighting for their homes, homeowners must walk a fine line between appearance and functionality. A fixture in the foyer that instantly impresses visitors likely won’t prove as awe-inspiring if it’s installed in the living room. When choosing lighting for a home, some general rules about what works in each room can help homeowners make the most informed decision.

Kitchen

Kitchens are often the busiest room in a home, so lighting here can be especially important. A kitchen often benefits, both practically and aesthetically, from different types of lighting. For example, pendant lighting above kitchen islands can make meal preparation easier and safer, but such lighting likely won’t work in breakfast nooks and informal dining areas in the kitchen. Recessed lighting works best in such areas. In kitchens with no island, under-cabinet lighting can be used to illuminate countertops and simplify meal preparation.

Formal dining room

Homeowners have many options and many needs when choosing lightMany people enjoy the look of chandeliers in formal dining rooms, and ing for their homes. A professional consultation with a lighting expert such fixtures can be installed directly above the dinner table. The interior or interior decorator can help homeowners find lights that provide both design experts at Better Homes & Gardens advise hanging chandeliers practical and aesthetic appeal. roughly 33 inches above the table in dining rooms with eight-foot ceilings, adding three inches for each additional foot above eight feet. Darkened dining areas may be ideal in restaurants, but homeowners may want to split the difference at home and choose dimmable chandeliers for their dining rooms. This allows homeowners to dim the lights for romantic dinners but turn them up for family gatherings with lots of people around the table.

Living room

Adaptability also is important in the living room, where homeowners may host anything from movie nights to book clubs to parties for the big game. It can be a tall order to accommodate such a wide range of activities, and many homeowners come down to deciding between recessed lighting and track lighting. If the living room currently has neither style, homeowners should recognize that it will cost considerably less to install track lighting than recessed lighting. Better Homes & Gardens notes that flexible track lighting provides ambient, task or accent lighting, and track lights can even be moved to change lighting schemes at any time, making them a budget-friendly option for homeowners whose living rooms are multi-purpose spaces. Recessed lighting also works well in living rooms, especially ones with low ceilings. That’s because recessed lighting is installed into the ceiling, meaning it does not take up any visual space in the room. That can help living rooms feel bigger.

Bedroom

The home improvement experts at BobVila.com note that bedroom lighting should provide enough light when getting dressed, but also be able to be toned down as residents prepare for their bedtime routines. Both portable and installed lighting can be used in bedrooms to serve these various functions. Recessed fixtures that dim can ensure there’s ample light to get dressed in the morning, but they also can be dimmed at night as residents try to get ready to sleep. Portable nightstand lights can make it easier for couples sharing a bedroom, allowing one person to stay up and read while the other goes to sleep.

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