SVM_Spring Home & Garden_042319

Home & Garden A Marketing Supplement of Sauk Valley Media

Tuesday, April 23, 2019

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HOME & GARDEN | DECKS

What’s up with decks?

Fire, water and more: People are personalizing their outdoor space Metro News Service

Wood

Wood is a versatile and attractive decking material. According to the wood resource Real Cedar, some people think that wood is too expensive and requires too much maintenance. In fact, domestic softwoods can be very cost-effective decking options.

According to Remodeling Magazine’s “Cost vs. Value” report, wood decks retain considerable resale value.

In terms of maintenance, choosing a rot-resistant wood can result in less maintenance. Durable woods include cedar and redwood. Popular Mechanics says both species contain tannins and oils that make them naturally resistant to decay, rot and voracious insects. Periodic cleaning and inspection/repairs will be needed, but wood can be much more durable than people may think.

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Decks are becoming increasingly popular with homeowners wanting to expand usable outdoor entertaining spaces, and they’re being reimagined in many different ways with continually evolving trends.

Inside

Want to boost your home’s value? Think outside the locks.

PageC5 home has migrated outside. Some decking manufacturers have recently introduced low-maintenance composite deck boards that mimic the look and feel of distressed, rustic hardwood flooring.

This weathered appearance gives the look of age without the upkeep of real aged wood.

Wooden walkways: Decking can be the more traditional design people envision with a patio table or outdoor furniture. But it also can consist of wooden walkways or a low-laying patio to accentuate the yard.

Mixed materials: Homeowners

may be inspired by commercial eateries, breweries and urban markets in their exterior design choices.

Decks featuring composite materials and aluminum railings blend sophistication, urban appeal and comfort.

Personal touches: Homeowners can customize their decks with personal touches. It’s not unheard of to wrap columns in stone or glass tiles for more impact. And a vast array of decking colors now enables fun interpretations for outdoor areas.

Fire pit conversation area: Many decks can incorporate water or fire elements for visual appeal. Gas-fueled fire elements can expand the functionality of decks beyond the warm seasons, or make enjoying them practical on nights when the temperature drops.

Composite

Composite decking and its close cousin, plastic lumber, are some of the fastest-growing decking materials on the market.

Many products are made from polyethylene or polyvinyl chloride. Some composites will be comprised of recycled plastic and wood fibers to create a weather- and stain-resistant material that doesn’t warp, rot or splinter. Composite manufacturers continually experiment with manufacturing processes to duplicate the look of natural wood grain.

Homeowners are often drawn to composite decking because such decks require little maintenance. These decks do not need to be sanded, stained or refinished. However, mold and mildew can grow in shady, damp areas, so homeowners must realize that these products are not completely maintenance-free.

Aluminum

Although aluminum decks are not seen that often, there are reasons why this decking material is becoming more popular.

According to LockDry, a manufacturer of aluminum decking materials, power-coated aluminum does not need to be replaced due to rotting, cracking or warped boards. Most planks have interlocking edges that create gap-free, watertight decks. Aluminum also has the advantage of being a very strong but lightweight material.

Some people may think that aluminum decks would be hot underfoot, but the material actually stays cooler in the sun because of its heat-dissipation properties. For those who have green goals in mind, aluminum is totally recyclable.

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Custom-built decks can expand usable outdoor entertaining spaces. Decks can surround pools and create outdoor patio areas that make it easy to establish multitiered living spaces, improving the functionality of outdoor areas.

Certain deck trends have emerged as industry experts’ top picks for the upcoming remodeling and renovation season. For those thinking of revamping an existing deck, or building an entirely new one, these trends are on point.

Established perimeters: “Picture framing” is not a new trend, but one that has taken greater hold in recent years. The term refers to aesthetically appealing designs that conceal the ends of deck boards for a clean finish. Some designs feature contrasting material colors on the ends for even more impact. This helps create refined perimeters for a polished look.

Roof-top decking: Urban areas also can benefit from decking to create usable outdoor spaces. In fact, many new condominium and townhouse communities are incorporating roof-top decks into their designs, particularly in communities with water views or other impressive vistas. HGTV experts suggest roof-top decks feature light-colored materials and fixtures to help keep the area cool even in direct sunlight.

Distressed hardwood: Builder and Developer, a management resource for professional homebuilders, says that the trend for using distressed hardwoods at

Deck materials

Warm weather often gives rise to thoughts about spending time in the great outdoors. Decks can expand outdoor living spaces, making them popular home additions. However, when it comes time to map out a deck building plan, individuals may be unsure as to which deck material will meet their needs.

Wood and composite decks are among the most popular choices today, and the popularity of aluminum is growing steadily.

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HOME & GARDEN | ELECTRICAL

Tuesday, April 23, 2019

HOME & GARDEN | TECHNOLOGY

If your house only had a brain Now it can, and here are some tips to get started creating a smart home that much more enjoyable and frustration-free.

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Technology has changed the way people live in the 21st century. Once ubiquitous, land lines anchored to kitchen walls have now given way to smartphones that can be taken anywhere. Bulky television sets that required at least two people to move have been replaced with high-definition offerings so light and thin they can be mounted on living room walls.

It’s no great surprise that technology also is changing the physical places we call home. Smart homes are a rapidly growing trend. In a typical smart home, devices such as the thermostat, television and even the refrigerator can be controlled remotely through the internet.

Converting an existing home into a smart home can seem intimidating, especially for people who don’t consider themselves tech savvy. But today’s user-friendly technology makes it relatively easy for anyone to turn his or her home into a smarter one.

Before you get started, recognize that there are certain must-have items to turn a home into a smart home.

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Fires sparked by electrical circuit overload pose a significant threat, but such fires are preventable.

Pull the plug on unsafe habits

Know the signs of an overloaded circuit – it could save your life A home is supposed to be safe haven for its residents, but safety at home is something that can be taken for granted until it’s too late.

The National Fire Protection Association notes that each year more than 47,000 home fires in the United States are caused by electrical failure or malfunction.

Overloaded electrical circuits are a frequent culprit in residential fires. Fortunately, overloaded circuits are preventable. According to the Electrical Safety Foundation International, the following are some potential indicators that circuits are overloaded.

• Flickering, blinking or dimming lights • Frequently tripped circuit breakers or blown fuses • Warm or discolored wall plates • Cracking, sizzling or buzzing from receptacles • Burning odor coming from receptacles or wall switches • Mild shock or tingle from appliances, receptacles or switches.

Learning to recognize the signs of overloaded circuits is an important step in making homes safe, as the NFPA notes that home fires contribute to hundreds of deaths and more than 1,500 injuries each year.

Such fires also hit homeowners in their pocketbooks, causing an estimated $1.4 billion in property damage annually.

Prevention is another key component when safeguarding a home and its residents from fires

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Learn more at esfi.org. sparked by electrical failures of malfunctions. The ESFI offers the following tips to prevent electrical overloads.

• Never use extension cords or multi-outlet converters for appliances.

• All major appliances should be plugged directly into a wall receptacle outlet. Only one heat-producing appliance should be plugged into a receptacle outlet at any given time.

• Consider adding new outlets to your home.

Heavy reliance on extension cords indicates that your home does not have enough outlets. Bring in a qualified electrician to inspect your home to determine if more outlets are necessary.

• Recognize that power strips only add additional outlets; they do not change the amount of power being received from the outlet.

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to work together might seem impossible. A hub does that work for you.

And because they can be connected to your smartphone, hubs also make it possible to control devices while you’re away from home.

WiFi router Some people rent their routers from their internet/cable providers, while others buy their own routers. Regardless of which category you fall into, you’re going to need

your situation,

Hub The hub refers to software or hardware that connects all of your devices and gets them to work together. Think of the various devices you have and then think of their manufacturers.

Chances are strong you have devices manufactured by various companies, and enabling those

a good Wi-Fi router to get your smart home up and running. Determine which type of Wi-Fi your home currently has and then find a router that’s compatible with that Wi-Fi. Request a list of routers that are compatible with your Wi-Fi from your service provider, as not all routers will necessarily work with your internet connection. If possible, upgrade to the fastest Wi-Fi your internet provider offers, as that will make your smart home

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Devices You won’t necessarily need to upgrade your devices to get a smart home. In fact, if you control or can control any device in your home with a smartphone, you are already on your way to having a smart home.

Upgrading to a programmable thermostat that’s compatible with your smartphone might be a great idea if your current thermostat is old and not internet-compatible. With a programmable thermostat, you can control the temperature in your home remotely. That ensures the home is a comfortable temperature when you arrive home and allows you to turn off costly heating and cooling units when no one is home.

Smart homes may seem futuristic. But chances are strong your home only needs some simple, inexpensive upgrades to join the smart home revolution.

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HOME & GARDEN | LAWN CARE

Make your lawn one that’ll have people green with envy Tribune News Service

Many homeowners strive for the perfect, emerald green lawn, but it takes more than regular mowing.

Lawn care requires a dedicated effort consisting of fertilization, regular maintenance and the ability to troubleshoot problems as they arise.

How low to mow – Although it might seem natural to cut the lawn as short as possible, experts recommend letting it grow longer and mowing it more frequently.

Eileen Michaels, founder of A Yard and a Half Landscaping in Waltham, Massachusetts, recommends setting the mower blades to at least 3 inches tall as “taller grass will shade out weed seeds.”

Cutting a lawn short also puts stress on the grass and reduces its ability to resist weeds and pest infestation.

Cutting a blade of grass too short reduces the amount of chlorophyll, which the grass can use for energy.

Short grass blades tend to put considerable strain on the roots, and that makes your lawn more susceptible to drying out and turning brown in warmer weather.

Fertilizers – Fertilizers promote a lush growth, strengthens roots, and helps to prevent invasive weeds and pests.

There are many varieties of lawn fertilizer available, but most consist of three key nutrients: nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium.

Nitrogen is the most important for growth, but too much can lead to excessive growth, yard burn and discoloration.

The most popular types of lawn fertilizer are granule and liquid, which come

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in synthetic and organic forms. You can also choose between fast and slow-release fertilizer, or blends that contain pre-emergent controls for fighting crabgrass, weeds and other invasive plants.

Granule fertilizer should be applied with a broadcast spreader, a device that can be pushed or pulled around the yard to evenly distribute the fertilizer.

A spreader is necessary because large concentrations of fertilizer in a small area can kill the grass.

“A balanced fertilization with a pre-emergent for control of annual grasses, (e.g. crabgrass), should be applied during the month of April, since crabgrass begins to emerge in May,” says Michael Van de Bossche, owner of Earth-Wood Arts in Indianapolis. “Nitrogen should be a 50-50 split of fast and slow-release forms.”

Van de Bossche says too much quick-release fertilizer combined with spring rains can create too lush of a growth, which increases turf and fungus problems.

Green options for lawn care – Organic lawn fertilizer is ... made up of living organisms, such as plant and animal matter

and releases nutrients at a slower pace and over a longer period of time than synthetic fertilizers.

Michaels says the organic approach doesn’t provide immediate results like a synthetic fertilizer, but over time, it improves the overall quality of the lawn, reducing the amount of future applications.

“Synthetic fertilizers throw quick-release nutrients at the grass, but whatever they can’t use up quickly runs off and can potentially pollute water sources,” she says.

“Slow-release nutrients found in organic sources like corn gluten, alfalfa meal, fish emulsion and compost become available gradually as the plants need them.”

Lawn maintenance and repair – Bare spots are the most noticeable lawn problem, but they can be repaired with a little patience and persistence.

Michaels says sod is an option for large patches, but it can be hard to blend with the rest of the lawn.

“If you have full sun for 6 or more hours in the area, sod can be an instant-gratification fix,” she says.

“Depending on the overall quality of the lawn, however, it can give a patchwork

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appearance.”

For smaller patches or areas that receive less sun, Michaels recommends grass seed.

“Rough up the soil, premix seed with a little compost, and throw down the mixture,” she says. “Run the back of a rake over it to get seed in contact with the soil, and keep it evenly moist.”

For bare spots around flower beds or in areas that receive little sun, she says one option is to expand an existing bed or create a new one altogether. It fixes the problem and adds new landscaping to the yard.

Dead spots form from too much sunlight, a lack of water, concentrations of pet urine or the overuse of fertilizer. To repair these unsightly brown spots, remove the dead grass down to the bare soil and apply grass seed.

If granule fertilizer was the culprit, you will be able to see collections of the small pellets and remove it.

Stubborn weeds – Dandelions are a perennial weed, which means they have deep roots that survive the winter and come back the following spring. The best way to keep them out of your yard is to attack them as soon as they appear.

“The most effective, though time-consuming, thing is to dig out the whole root,” Michaels says.

You can also use a lawn and garden sprayer with an organic or synthetic herbicide to spray dandelions and weeds as they appear. It’s important to limit the use of these products because they can cause harm to the body and runoff can enter waterways and streams.

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Dogs love spending time outdoors. Dog owners with yards know that dogs benefit greatly from some exercise in the backyard. While that time might be great for dogs, it can take its toll on lawns.

Dog urine and feces can adversely affect the look and health of a lush green lawn. Nitrogen is essential to healthy soil, but only at certain levels. When those levels are exceeded, the result can be lawn damage. According to The Spruce Pets, an advisory site that offers practical tips and training advices to pet owners, this is what happens when pets frequently urinate on grass. Urine is naturally high in nitrogen, so when pets urinate on lawns, the grass might turn yellow or brown due to the excess nitrogen content. Nitrogen also is present in lawn fertilizers, further exacerbating the problem for pet owners who fertilize their lawns.

In addition to urine damage, dogs can trample frosted grass, contributing to problems that may not become evident until spring, and get into areas like gardens where they wreak additional havoc.

Pet owners who want to let their dogs run free in the yard but don’t want damaged grass may be tempted to put their pooches in diapers or confine them to crates when letting them outside. But such an approach isn’t necessary. In fact, some simple strategies can be highly effective at preventing dog-related lawn damage.

Try different types of grass. Certain types of grass, such as Bermuda grass, can withstand dog damage better than others. Local climate will dictate which types of grass are likely to thrive in a given area, so do some research or speak with a professional landscaper about the viability of planting new grass.

Install fencing. Pet owners with expansive yards can install fencing that allows dogs to spend time exercising outdoors without granting them access to the entire property. Large dogs will need more room than small ones, but try to build fenced-in areas that allow dogs to run freely and get the exercise they need to stay healthy.

Work with a dog trainer. Dog trainers might be able to work with dogs so they only urinate in certain areas of the yard, greatly reducing the damage they can cause to a lawn. Trainers also might help curb digging and clawing behaviors that can damage lawns as well as gardens.

Consider hardscaping. Hardscaping might be most effective for pet owners with small properties. Hardscaping does not include grass and can add visual appeal to a property while saving pet owners the headaches of dealing with dog-related lawn damage.

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Tuesday, April 23, 2019

HOME & GARDEN | AIR CONDITIONING

Keep cool, and conserve Metro News Service

Few people can make it through the dog days of summer without turning on their air conditioners.

Men and women concerned about the environment and conserving energy may try to avoid using their air conditioners, but doing so on especially hot days can be challenging and potentially even deadly.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that roughly 600 people die from complications related to extreme heat each year. Heat stroke can result when a body overheats after prolonged exposure to or physical exertion in high temperatures. The Mayo Clinic notes that the condition is most common in summer and that a lack of air conditioning during periods of sustained hot weather is a

risk for heat stroke.

Conserving energy during summer is a noble pursuit, but people should not jeopardize their health in an effort to conserve energy. Air conditioners might not be the most eco-friendly appliances, but there are ways to run them without wasting energy.

• Use a window unit or zoned system overnight.

The U.S. Department of Energy notes that central air conditioners are more efficient than room air conditioners, which are typically installed in windows. But central air conditioning systems that are not zoned may be cooling empty rooms overnight. Apartment dwellers may find window units less wasteful, while homeowners who can afford to install zoned air conditioning systems may rest easier knowing they are only paying to

cool certain parts of their homes overnight. Zoned systems come equipped with programmable thermostats that homeowners can adjust when they go to bed, ensuring they won’t be cooling empty living rooms and basements overnight.

• Have units serviced before summer begins.

Well-maintained central air conditioners will work more efficiently. Routine maintenance of air conditioning systems will ensure that systems aren’t working harder, and therefore consuming more energy, than necessary to cool a home.

• Let fans and air conditioners work together.

The DOE notes that using fans and air conditioners simultaneously is an effective way to circulate cool air throughout a home. By running both fans and air conditioners at the same, the air conditioners won’t have to be run as long or

as hard as they would if no fans were turned on.

• Conserve energy in other ways. Because the dangers of heat stroke and heat exhaustion are so considerable, men and women should never keep their air conditioners off on hot days simply to conserve energy. Finding safer alternatives to conserving energy on hot days can be just as effective and won’t put consumers’ health at risk.

Unplug appliances that are not being used and prepare cold dinners so ovens that can make home interiors feel hotter won’t need to be turned on. In addition, take advantage of the longer daylight hours in summer and keep lights off until the sun goes down. These are safe ways to conserve energy on hot days. Air conditioners can keep people safe during summer, and there are ways to use them and still conserve energy.

HOME & GARDEN | RENOVATIONS

Cut the dust and minimize the mess Metro News Service

Even though dust is ever-present both inside and outside of a home, when renovations are in full swing, dusty conditions are often exacerbated. Whether a home is new or old, numerous substances can be stirred up when removing walls, refinishing floors, removing tile, or expanding living spaces. These include silica from drywall, lead, asbestos, paint particles, and even waste from bugs or rodents.

Homeowners who want to remodel with minimal construction debris floating through the air – both for health purposes and general cleanliness – may find these proactive steps helpful.

Prepare dust-containment plans. If a contractor is involved, it is often his or her responsibility to minimize dust.

Do-it-yourselfers must make dust containment a priority. Protecting the floor and keeping the dust confined only to work areas can be achieved with plastic sheeting and other barriers.

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Designate an entrance and exit. The experts at This Old House say it is best to choose one doorway as the only means in and out of a work area.

Ideally, this doorway should lead to the outdoors. All other doorways should be sealed on both sides.

Remove extraneous items. It’s best to remove clutter from the room, including any furniture that can be taken out of the space. This helps items from becoming dirty and hazardous particles from settling into nooks and

crannies.

Close vents and registers. If forced air systems are part of the home, it’s best to divert air away from the work area. Block vents and intake registers so that dust does not clog the system or transfer to other rooms.

Cut items outside.

Design advice site Houzz says that some power tools have vacuum extractors to suck up dust at the point of contact, removing 90 percent of dust where it is generated. For those who do not have access to these tools, cutting and sanding

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can be done outdoors to keep dust outside.

Open a window. If weather permits, an open window can provide ventilation. Another idea is to create an air vacuum in the work area. Picking a window at the far end of the work area and mounting a window fan blowing outward can suck dust out and away from other areas of the house.

Clean up daily. By keeping on top of dust, including sweeping and vacuuming the work area frequently, dust will not accumulate and migrate elsewhere. Dust is a common side effect of home renovation projects, but it can be minimized.

HOME & GARDEN | ENTRANCE

Knock knock. Who’s there? A front door that makes a statement Metro News Service

Visitors’ – and passersbys’ – impressions of a home are often dictated by the home’s entryway.

Much as one may judge a book by its cover, the same can be said about the impression that a front door and entryway can create, regardless of how accurate that impression is.

Making certain changes to an entryway can go a long way toward improving curb appeal.

Entryways also can set the scene for a home’s interior.

Whether one chooses to be classic or bold, modern or traditional, there are various ways to quickly transform a home’s entryway.

• Bold front door color: Color can dramatically enhance an entryway. Painting an existing door or replacing it with a more vivid option can do the trick. The DIY Network says certain colors stand out as favorites.

These include turquoise, yellow, red, indigo, orange, and black. The door color should complement the other shades of the home, such as those on siding and trim.

• Custom walkway: Guide guests right to the front door with an attractive (and safe) walkway.

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• Container plants: Landscaping around the entryway should be neat and well-tended.

Overgrown plants or shrubbery may give off an air of neglect. Container plants and carefully curated shrubs can create a neat and inviting aura.

• Highlight the address: Make sure the home can be found easily with bold and decorative house numbers.

Consider two different address signs: one illuminated and easily viewed from the curb, and another closer to the front door.

• Utilize highend materials: The relatively small area of real estate by the front door enables homeowners to splurge on more opulent materials that can really add a feeling of luxury. These can include colorful tiles, ornate planters, decorative wooden doors, or elaborate knobs and lighting fixtures.

• Add architectural details: Find out which architectural elements will meld with the style of the home and then incorporate them. Moldings, columns, shutters, and trim are areas to consider.

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Some DIY painting projects are better left to letting a pro DI instead

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Few things can revitalize a home more readily than a fresh coat of paint.

Thanks in part to the affordability of paint and its ease of application, painting is something that even novice DIYers can typically handle.

According to the marketing advice guru Brandon Gaille, it is estimated that residential interior paint only lasts around 3 years before it needs to be updated. Exterior paint can fade, chip and peel due to various environmental factors. As a result, many homes can likely use a fresh coat of paint in at least one room.

As DIY-friendly as painting can be, when attempting to paint the interior or exterior of their homes, homeowners may learn that some painting projects are best left to the professionals. Painting requires skill, patience and a knowledge of how various paints – including finishes for particular applications – will hold

up. Novice painters may do more harm than good by dripping paint on expensive carpeting or floors or fail to recognize the nuances that indicate a spot-on painting job.

Professional painters have spent hours upon hours learning the ropes of what works – and what does not. Painters often understand that painstaking preparatory work is crucial to getting pristine finished results. Walls and ceilings must be properly repaired and prepared even before a base coat is applied.

Professional painters also have an eye for details. And because professional painters make a business out of doing interior and exterior surfaces, they understand which techniques can improve efficiency. That means a professional job can typically be completed much more quickly than a DIY project.

Even though some people think they’ll save money by painting their own homes, that’s not necessarily true. Professionals already have all the equipment necessary, unlike novices who may need to make repeated and potentially costly trips to the hardware store for supplies. Plus, if mistakes happen, DIYers have to spend additional time and money fixing them.

Safety can be a large

motivator for turning painting over to a pro.

Navigating exterior areas or tall interior ceilings can be challenging and may require scaffolding or tall ladders DIYers do not have. Risk of falls or other injuries increase with lack of experience. Painting can give a home a facelift, and oftentimes it is smart to turn the work over to professionals to ensure the job is done just right.

Whether home improvement projects are design to improve the interior or exterior of a house, focusing on renovations that make the most financial sense can benefit homeowners in the long run. The right renovations can be assets if and when homeowners decide to sell their homes.

So how does one get started? First and foremost, speak to a local real estate agent who is knowledgeable about trends in the community. While a swimming pool may be something coveted in one area, it may impede sales in another. It also helps to study generalized trends and data from various home improvement industry analysts to guide upcoming projects.

The following outdoor projects are just a few renovations that tend to add value.

Fire pit: A fire pit is a great place to gather most months of the year. Bob Vila and CBS news report that a fire pit realizes a 78 percent return on investment, or ROI. Outdoor kitchen: Many buyers are looking to utilize their yards as an extension of interior living areas.

Cooking, dining and even watching TV outdoors is increasingly popular. Outdoor living areas can be custom designed and built.

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HEATING & COOLING SERVING THE SAUK VALLEY AREA SINCE 1949!

Do it now before you need it!

Hi-Efficiency Furnaces & Air Conditioners

15825 Lincoln Road, Morrison YOUR COMFORT IS OUR CALLING SM-ST1650208

Stop In and Check Out Our Available Rebates on Different Models SM-ST1648145

FREE ESTIMATES 815-772-2010

much smaller commitment of time and money are available.

Patio: Homeowners who do not already have a patio will find that adding one can increase a home’s value. Patios help a home look neat, add usable space and may help a home to sell quickly. The experts at Space Wise, a division of Extra Space Storage, say that refinishing, repairing and building a new patio offers strong ROI. Deck: Deck can be as valuable as patios. A deck is another outdoor space that can be used for entertaining, dining and more. Remodeling magazine’s 2018 “Cost vs. Value” report indicates that an $11,000 deck can add about $9,000 in resale value to the home, recouping around 82 percent of the project’s costs.

Door update: Improve curb appeal with a new, high-end front door and garage doors. If that’s too expensive, a good cleaning and new coat of paint can make an old door look brand new. These easy fixes can improve a home’s look instantly.

New landscaping: The National Association of Realtors says an outdoor makeover that includes wellthought out landscaping can net 105 percent ROI. Installing a walkway, adding stone planters, mulching, and planting shrubs are ideas to consider.

1417 Chicago Ave., Dixon

815-288-5223

Open 7 Days a Week Since 1976

Metro News Service

Tree Spade Service

Don’t paint yourself into a corner

Outdoor projects that will pay off

mccormicknursery@yahoo.com

oughly.

• Dull any glossy paint by sanding with fine-grit (No. 220) garnet paper.

Wear eye protection, dust mask, and work gloves • Remove dirt, chalk, etc. by scrubbing with detergent and water (rinse thoroughly) or by careful power washing using plain water.

Note: Woods that tend to be very soft, such as old and weathered cedar and redwood, can easily be damaged by the high-pressure jet of power washing.

Metro Art Service

M Corm ck’s

Go to paintquality.com for more tips.

• Priming is helpful but not necessary. Some latex paints, however, may specify use of a primer if used over oil-based paint.

• Use a high-quality exterior latex or oil-based primer that is recommended for repainting wood surfaces.

• Do not leave a primer unpainted.

• Use top-of-the-line exterior, 100 percent acrylic latex house paint in flat, satin, semigloss or gloss finish.

• Use high-quality oilbased paint if there is surface build-up of old oil-based paint.

• Do not apply oil-based paint over latex paint.

OVER 100 VARIETIES OF FRUIT TREES OVER 25 VARIETIES OF SMALL FRUIT

Online

815-626-4422

Tribune News Service

For those of you who plan to embark on an exterior-painting project this spring, Here are some tips from the Paint Quality Institute in Spring House, Pennsylvania.

• Treat any mildew with a 3:1 mixture of water to household bleach, leaving it on for 20 minutes and adding more as it dries. Wear eye and skin protection. Rinse thor-

c

Paintin’ place? Here are some expert tips

3602 E. Lincolnway, Sterling, IL

HOME & GARDEN | OUTDOORS

Huge Display of Locally Grown Flowering Trees & Shrubs, Evergreens, Trees of all kinds.

HOME & GARDEN | PAINTING

Sauk Valley Media • C5

100’s of Perennials to choose from!

www.saukvalley.com

LANDSCAPE DESIGN AND INSTALLATION

Tuesday, April 23, 2019

C6 • Sauk Valley Media

www.saukvalley.com

Tuesday, April 23, 2019

We respect dirt in all its forms. We’re honored to find it under our fingernails, and more honored to shake the hands of those who have it under theirs.

It’s why we dig in and do whatever it takes to make owning a KIOTI the best machine-owning experience the world has ever known.

WE DIG DIRT

CK10SE Model shown

FREE

LOADER on select models

*

0

%

UP TO

Financing*

60

Months

6000

$

UP TO

Cash Back* (T-L-B ) on select models

SM-ST1652097 SM-ST1652097

815-626-4600

2900 Polo Road, Sterling IL

www.peabudysinc.com

Mon-Fri: 7:30am-5pm Saturday: 7:30am-12pm | Sunday: Closed

*Offer available April 1, 2019 – June 30, 2019. Cannot be combined with any other offer. Offer based on the purchase of eligible equipment defined in promotional program. Additional fees may apply. Pricing, payments and models may vary by dealer. Customers must take delivery prior to the end of the program period. Some customers will not qualify. Some restrictions apply. Financing subject to credit approval. Offer available on new equipment only.

Pricing and rebates in US dollars. Prior purchases are not eligible. 6 Year Warranty for Non-Commercial, residential use only. 6 Year Warranty applies to CS, CK10, DK10 and NX model KIOTI tractors and must be purchased and registered between September 1, 2016 - June 30, 2019. Offer valid only at participating Dealers. Offer subject to change without notice. See your dealer for details. © 2019 KIOTI Tractor Company a Division of Daedong-USA, Inc.