Fall Home Improvement, 2016

What’s old is new Outdoor living space

DIY paint projects Fire prevention

CLARION PRINCETON DAILY

IMPROVEMENT

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A SUPPLEMENT TO THE PRINCETON DAILY CLARION & OAKLAND CITY JOURNAL THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 22, 2016

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A SUPPLEMENT TO THE PRINCETON DAILY CLARION & OAKLAND CITY JOURNAL THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 22, 2016

Home improvement: What’s old is new again (BPT) - Fall is a popular time for home improvement as people think about impressing their guests during the holidays. It is also a time for change, which makes the current trends in home décor so unique.

Simply put, what’s old is new again.

Homeowners are gravitating to classic and timeworn elements to give their home a traditional feel.

Character is not something with which every home is born. Newer construction often sacrifices some of the charm or detail of older home styles that can be incorporated with strategic use of materials and furnishings.

Imagination is the limit for homeowners, but here is a sampling of what can be done.

Build from the ground up Install new flooring that’s inspired by the charm of vintage floors. Retailers sell an array of flooring styles that mimic the look and feel of vintage woodwork - wide planks that echo farmhouse floors, distressed finishes and much more.

By replicating techniques such as wire brushing and hand scraping, distressed flooring achieves the look of vintage craftsmanship.

Rustic charm of wall accents Adding a wood accent wall can create the feel of a farmhouse or even an industrial loft. Wood can add an artistic element or focal point to backsplashes and ceilings. Whatever your goal, accent wood makes a statement.

Fixtures and surfaces Don’t forget the little details: a glass doorknob, an oil-rubbed light fixture or a stained glass panel in the window.

These touches go a long way to convey the look of another era in a newer home.

Mixing eras with furniture Antiques and classic period pieces mix well with more contemporary furnishings to create an eclectic style in a newer home. Mid-century modern elements - from architecture to furniture - weave their way into home décor again this season, proving their staying power.

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A SUPPLEMENT TO THE PRINCETON DAILY CLARION & OAKLAND CITY JOURNAL THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 22, 2016

5 ways to prepare your outdoor living space for fall (BPT) - While everyone eagerly waits for spring each year and wishes summer could last a month or two longer, when it comes down to it, fall just might be America’s favorite season. It’s warm but not hot, the air has that clean crispness that’s hard to describe and perhaps the biggest draw, pumpkin-flavored everything. And let’s not forget about all those bright, beautiful leaf colors that come with the change in weather.

So why start shutting down your outdoor living space with the first sign of fall?

Packing it in early is something dynamic design duo, Colin and Justin, would never consider. The home improvement stars of “Cabin Pressure” and “Game of Homes” make the most of their beautiful Western Red Cedar deck all year around.

“Oh my gosh every single day, we’re on the deck - whether it’s summer, spring, fall, winter or whatever,” says Justin. “A deck isn’t just for three months of the year; a deck is what you want it to be. And if you love the great outdoors as much as we do, you can

make it work.”

Here, then, are Colin and Justin’s top five design solutions to help extend your outdoor living well into the autumn months: Start with the right deck Just because you procrastinated, doesn’t mean you need to wait until next spring to build or start designing a show-stopping deck. Whatever your plans, though, one thing almost everyone agrees upon is that there’s nothing quite like the rich, textural warmth of a Western Red Cedar deck to create a beautiful all-season outdoor living space.

Screen it in Unless you’ve got a screened-in porch, you may still have to shield your outdoor living space from the occasional nippy breeze. For Colin and Justin, this is easily rectified with movable wicker screens that they store inside during the summer months.

“They’ve got a lovely weighty bottom to them,” says Justin. “The wind passes

right through them and that’s a good tip for anyone using freestanding screens on the outside. If they’re too solid, the wind can catch them. But if they’re fretwork or open panels or cutout work, they’re good.”

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Heat things up Paradoxically, as the days grow shorter, you’ll wish they would last longer.

There’s no more perfect way to cap off a perfect fall day than by sitting around a fire with friends and family.

“In the autumn, we have two propane operated fire bowls that sit smack dab in the center of our Western Red Cedar deck,” says Colin. Their gas-powered fire is safely contained in a stone bowl and leaves no ashes or embers. “And those fire bowls help us stretch out our summer a little bit. We also have two big patio heaters, which we can direct inward at either end of our terrace and they really makes a big difference.”

Bundle up with textiles Sometimes all it takes to warm up your outdoor living space is some simple, yet chic, soft furnishings and yes,

maybe even a change in wardrobe.

“We take out lots of really lovely textural throw pillows and rich woolen blankets - and we cozy up,” says Justin, adding, “And don’t forget your winter woollies. When the weather is changing, sometimes it’s less about what you add and more about what you put on in terms of clothing.”

Install a BBQ cover If you’re like Colin & Justin, you enjoy the thrill of the grill year round.

This is where an easy-to-build, Real Cedar BBQ Cover really earns its keep.

Made from nature’s most resilient building material, this sturdy and beautiful structure is going to last you a very long time. Just think of all the cookout possibilities!

“We BBQ all the time,” says Colin, “So we got a cover. That way we don’t have to worry about weather.”

For free downloadable project plans, visit RealCedar.com or for more fast facts on building with Real Cedar, download their free DIY app - available on the Apple App Store for iOS and at Google Play for Android.

A SUPPLEMENT TO THE PRINCETON DAILY CLARION & OAKLAND CITY JOURNAL THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 22, 2016

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Three DIY ways to improve your home WiFi (BPT) - You don’t need an expert to tell you: America is hooked on the internet. Just try to think of the last day you didn’t use the web in some way.

But you probably don’t think much about the main way the internet is delivered: through WiFi. It powers your computer at work - as well as the Facebook feed you’re discreetly checking under your desk.

At home, it’s the new electricity.

Netflix, Hulu, and Pandora rely on it. It powers activities on your smartphone, unless you want to rack up a huge data bill from your carrier.

WiFi runs the kids’ Xbox and maybe even your thermostat and security camera - these days, almost every device in the home is thirsty for WiFi. When you do think about WiFi, it’s usually because it’s not working - and driving you nuts.

Before investing in a more expensive internet package or living with buffering videos and router resets, here are three do-it-yourself ways to improve your home WiFi: Move your router If you have rooms that don’t have access to the internet - dead zones - first try moving your router to a more central location in the home.

Because routers have a limited range, it’s important that your router is in a central area.

If you can’t move the router to a different location, try elevating it on a table or shelf to spread the signal more efficiently.

Large metal appliances, like

refrigerators, and electronics that emit radio waves, like microwaves, can interfere with your network’s signal.

Keeping the router out of places like the kitchen can help bolster the range and speed of your WiFi. Upgrade to a mesh network Most households rely on a single router. But with the steep increase in home internet usage, one WiFi router may not be adequate to support all the devices connected to it.

A San Francisco company, eero, was the first to bring a mesh WiFi system into the home. eero - which is about as simple as anything gets in the tech world - works by swapping out your current router, plugging a single eero into your modem, then placing additional eeros throughout the house.

The devices work together to create a wireless mesh network that delivers fast, reliable WiFi to every room.

Their mesh technology ensures people are getting the same internet speeds they’re paying for throughout the entire home, instead of just near wherever their cable pipe comes in. eero is quick to set up and makes it easy for people to manage their networks through a smartphone app.

The app allows you to monitor your internet network from afar and invite guests to join the network via a text message.

Parents can even assign schedules for when devices can access WiFi, making it easy to limit their kids’ internet usage.

Update your modem An often-overlooked device that may

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be throttling your WiFi signal is the cable modem, the device that translates the data coming in through your cable pipe into a digital language your router can understand.

Households should update their modems every three to five years. If yours is outdated, it could be impacting the quality of your signal and speed.

Many people rent their modem from their internet service provider for $5-10 a month.

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Purchasing a new, updated modem usually costs $50-100, but you’ll save money on a rental fee while seeing major improvements to your WiFi. The way we use the internet today has changed and the old ways of WiFi are not keeping pace.

Whether it’s moving your router, upgrading to an eero mesh network, or just swapping out your modem, you shouldn’t have to deal with buffering, dead zones, or router resets.

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A SUPPLEMENT TO THE PRINCETON DAILY CLARION & OAKLAND CITY JOURNAL THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 22, 2016

Make your home feel bigger without adding space (BPT) - Party balloons, elastic waistbands and the universe - for some things, expansion is easy. When your home is too small, however, it’s not always possible to expand it.

Whether you live in a suburban townhouse, an urban condo or a big, modern single-family home on a tiny lot, chances are good expanding just isn’t in the cards for your home. Many Americans are in the same situation, and they’re seeking creative ways to maximize the utility of the space they have.

Here are some ideas for improving the functionality and appearance of your space without adding a single (and costly) square foot to your home’s footprint: Make it look and feel bigger A space that’s crowded with stuff, filled with large furniture and decorated in dark hues will feel tight and oppressive no matter how big the room is. Decluttering, lightening up your decor and right-sizing furniture are three of the easiest ways to make your home feel bigger and work better.

Replace dark drapes and carpets with

lighter colors, paint the walls in pale neutral hues, and ditch the sectional that dominates three walls of your small living room.

Next, look up. Natural light can help a space feel bigger and brighter, and modern skylights make it easy to bring natural light into virtually any room.

There are also a number of traditional skylight solutions, including light wells from attics to ceilings below, for spaces without direct roof access.

Skylights are also great sources of natural light in rooms where privacy

is important, such as the master bathroom. What’s more, Energy Star-qualified, solar-powered, fresh-air skylights provide natural light and passive ventilation without requiring you to give up any precious wall space.

Add solar-powered blinds in designer colors and patterns to solar skylights, and you can control the amount of light entering a room with the programmable touchpad remote control. Even more - homeowners can receive a 30 percent federal tax credit on solar skylights, blinds and installation costs.

For rooms without direct roof access, another option could be tubular skylights that funnel natural light from the roofline into spaces below. These models also have optional light kits that make them functional 24/7. Visit www. whyskylights.com to learn more.

Finally, it may be possible to remove a non-load-bearing wall between rooms to create a more open space. For example, if your kitchen is partitioned off from the family room, removing the wall between the spaces - or even half of it - can make both feel bigger. Have

an unused bedroom adjacent to your master bedroom? Removing the wall between the rooms can give you an impressive master suite.

Reclaim unused space Virtually every home has some space in it that’s not being used. Finishing a basement or attic can be a cost-effective way to increase your home’s living space without adding to its footprint.

Basement finishing systems make it easier and faster than ever to create a comfortable and attractive space below ground, while finishing an attic may be as simple as adding insulation, sheet rock and skylights or roof windows.

Another option might be to increase your entertainment space by converting a patio or deck into a sun room.

Gaining that space as living area can allow you to reconfigure other areas inside your home for greater utility.

For example, a finished, enclosed patio can function as your family room, allowing you to use all or part of the old family room to expand your kitchen and add a powder room.

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A SUPPLEMENT TO THE PRINCETON DAILY CLARION & OAKLAND CITY JOURNAL THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 22, 2016

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Refresh your home with 6 easy DIY paint projects (BPT) - Few things are as satisfying as pulling off a DIY project, especially when the results are successful.

Whether you’re looking to refresh something old or create something new, there’s no need to hire a professional.

Updating your home both indoors and out can be effortless. All you need is a fresh coat of paint.

Whether a quick afternoon project, or a weekend makeover, here are some DIY projects to spark your inspiration:

Paint a picture frame Gallery walls are super trendy these days, so why not make yours even more stylish with a personalized touch?

Refresh those old picture frames you have lying around, or pick some up at a thrift store and add a layer of paint.

Just be sure to wipe off your frames first so the surface is clean and ready for brush strokes. After the frames are dry, slide in photos and they’re ready to hang.

Update your bedroom You can change the entire look of your bedroom with a can of paint and a few easy steps. A splash of vibrant color could be just the change you’re looking for.

But paint isn’t just for the walls.

Take your old desk and chair set from abandoned to astonishing with a little paint for the perfect study corner, or add a coat of your favorite color to every piece of furniture in the room.

Two-toned accent wall When it comes to creating an accent wall, the possibilities are endless and the quickest and easiest way to make a huge difference in any room. A subtle hint of color can elevate even the plainest of rooms in just a couple of hours. A two-toned wall is an unexpected twist that takes any room from bleak to bold with high-quality paint.

Select two hues, then line the wall with painter’s tape and roll on the first color. Let it dry and then apply the

painting projects will give your home that nice finished look that will have neighbors stopping and staring as they stroll by.

You’ll also need a paint that provides protection against even the toughest elements, such as heavy rain and intense sunlight.

other. Once paint is dry to the touch, slowly pull off the tape, angling it toward you.

Instant curb appeal Ready for the fastest and easiest ways to improve your home’s curb appeal?

Give your front door, trim and shutters a fresh coat of paint. Pick a bold color (or colors) or a brightening white, but make sure they complement the other colors of your home. These simple

Upgrade your mailbox Dress up your mailbox by painting the wooden post to match the exterior of the home. Or take a bold approach and paint it a vibrant color!

Picnic table revamp Shatter picnic table stereotypes by painting yours with a cheerful color.

After all, a picnic table doesn’t have to be brown. Start by cleaning the table with soapy water to remove dirt and grime. Next sand the table, so the surface is free of splinters. Then rinse the dust away. Let the surface dry, and then it’s time to paint with a premium quality exterior paint.

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A SUPPLEMENT TO THE PRINCETON DAILY CLARION & OAKLAND CITY JOURNAL THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 22, 2016

Smart renovation investments to prepare your home for winter (BPT) - Do you shudder at the thought of shivering through another frigid winter?

Now may be an opportune time to consider investing in some energy efficient winterizing projects to let your home stay comfortable throughout the colder months. By investing in several simple, yet cost-effective measures, you can reap both immediate and long-term benefits.

While instinct may urge you to increase the heat during winter and keep your home toasty all day long, that’s not always cost-effective.

Investing in a programmable thermostat allows you to adjust the temperature remotely, lowering the setting when the house is empty, and save money in the process.

Modern thermostats let you monitor the indoor temperature of your home via your smart phone or online.

By keeping the temperature low when no one is home and programming the thermostat to increase the temperature when everyone returns, you could

notice a 10 percent drop in your heating costs.

Fall is also an ideal time to ensure your furnace is functioning optimally.

Schedule an appointment for a professional to inspect and clean your furnace once a year.

By doing so, you’ll help your furnace function more effectively and last longer.

If ice damming on the roof is an annual problem, consider taking measures to reduce the risk of ice dams forming.

Major damage can result from ice damming, so it’s never too early to start thinking about a long-term solution.

Ice damming occurs when warm, indoor air escaping through the roof melts snow on the shingles.

The water then refreezes as it runs off the roof, creating a barrier of ice at the edge.

Shovelling snow or chipping ice away can threaten life, limb and roof, so it’s best to consider more permanent solutions.

While caulking or weather-stripping

can help address the gaps allowing the air to escape, proper air sealing insulation and attic venting are the best methods to stop ice damming from occurring.

Spray foam insulation is one modern material that both insulates and seals to reduce the risk of ice damming.

Installed by professionals, spray foam insulation, like that available from Icynene, works well in all climates to limit air leakage and help maintain an even, comfortable temperature in the living areas of a home.

As a long-term solution, spray foam insulation helps maintain a comfortable temperature year round while helping to control monthly heating and cooling expenses.

Thanks to spray foam insulation’s air-sealing qualities, homeowners can reduce the size of their heating and cooling equipment since less effort is required to heat or cool the home.

While air leakage can cause heating and cooling bills to jump and ice damming to occur, a well-insulated

home and economical winterizing can help you get through the cold winter months.

Spray foam insulation is not a DIY product, so it’s important to ensure that you work with a trained and licensed spray foam contractor to ensure that the foam is installed safely and properly.

A licensed professional will walk you through the process from beginning to end and give you confidence that you’ve invested in a high performance energy efficient solution that pays back year over year in savings.

Icynene recently released a comprehensive home insulation mobile app, available on the Apple App Store and Google Play Store, to allow homeowners understand where air leaks can occur in their home as well as how a modern insulation material like spray foam can help make a difference.

More information about Icynene spray foam insulation can be found at Icynene.com.

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A SUPPLEMENT TO THE PRINCETON DAILY CLARION & OAKLAND CITY JOURNAL THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 22, 2016

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See the light: Get the real facts about LED bulbs (BPT) - Light-emitting diode (LED) light bulbs have transformed home lighting since coming on the market.

Despite proven benefits that far outweigh older lighting options, like incandescent and compact fluorescent light (CFL) bulbs, many people remain hesitant to make the switch.

It’s time to finally dispel some common LED myths and get the real facts about these light bulbs so you can choose the best lighting for your home.

Myth: LED light bulbs aren’t worth the cost.

Fact: LED light bulbs are now only a few dollars more than ordinary light bulbs; significant research and development from manufacturers like Philips Lighting has made LED light bulbs more affordable.

Although the initial cost of an LED may be slightly higher than an incandescent light bulb, making the switch to LED lighting provides significant long-term savings. For example, the Philips A19 LED with a warm glow dimming effect has an average lifetime of 25,000 hours.

This means if you have a light bulb on for three hours per day, then it will be 20 years before you need to change it.

Plus, LEDs use up to 90 percent less energy than ordinary light bulbs; replacing incandescent bulbs with LED lighting will reduce your energy bill.

Myth: LED light bulbs are

not bright enough.

Fact: LEDs can emit the same amount of light as incandescent bulbs while using far less energy.

Many consumers look at the wattage of a light bulb to determine its level of brightness, but wattage only measures how much energy a bulb uses.

Light levels are measured in lumens. When you compare lumens, a 9.5-watt Philips LED bulb with a warm glow effect is as bright as a 60-watt incandescent bulb - both emit approximately 800 lumens.

Myth: LED light bulbs need time to warm up.

Fact: It’s a big misunderstanding that LED bulbs need time to warm up before they reach full brightness. While fluorescent or CFL bulbs come on slowly, LEDs are “instantly on” and immediately shine

with their full light output.

Myth: LED lighting can’t be controlled and dimmed.

Fact: Unlike many CFL bulbs, most LED light bulbs are designed to easily dim.

Dimmable LEDs can provide the right lighting for any mood or room in your home.

For instance, the warm glow dimmable light effect in the Philips A19 LED allows light levels to gradually go from everyday functional lighting to a cozy, relaxing warm glow, replicating the effect of an incandescent bulb when dimmed.

Armed with the facts, you should feel confident that switching to LED light bulbs will allow you to enjoy hasslefree lighting, see savings in your energy bill and create the right ambiance in your home.

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A SUPPLEMENT TO THE PRINCETON DAILY CLARION & OAKLAND CITY JOURNAL THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 22, 2016

Home improvement investments that pay you back Corp. “There are solutions available that actually install as easy or easier than typical siding, with low-maintenance and high moisture resistance, so ground contact is no problem.” The payback: years of savings on maintenance and rich looks that increase home values.

Reducing labor, adding beauty to decks The concept of the outdoor room tops many homeowners’ lists. One way to make any type of wood, composite or PVC deck project faster, easier and more beautiful, is to find a system that gives the impression of indoor flooring with a fastener-free look.

This is also a safety issue, since raised fasteners can harm bare feet and get hot in the sun. There are several categories of concealed fasteners on the market, with some next-gen systems that save time and labor with more speed and stability.

“Fastening deck boards on the edge with a series of proprietary fasteners, guides and drill bits represents the latest deck technology,” says Chip

(BPT) - Homeowners are looking for value in every home improvement project they take on - whether they are upgrading for resale or their own pride of ownership.

With new technologies and products on the market, it is easier than ever to add value to your home with projects that ultimately pay you back in numerous ways.

Luxurious looks that are affordable Technology in home improvements has enabled homeowners to create a luxurious exterior that also saves money and recoups their investment. This includes contemporary trends of mixed materials, colors and textures, combining the look of rich, wood-stain shake or even stone in a variety of styles and patterns for foundation cladding or deck skirting.

Polymers can actually be stained or finished to look like the real thing.

“We have come light years in achieving rich shake and stone looks for any home that won’t break the bank,” says Ralph Bruno, president of Novik Sales

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Manger, vice president at Camo Edge Fastening. “It saves up to 25 percent on installation time and up to 50 percent on costs compared to clips and is very simple to use.” The payback: big savings on deck installation costs, better aesthetics and years of longevity.

Guarding against weather and energy loss Homeowners often have no idea how much damage can arise from moisture getting into the home or the inflated cost of utility bills through energy loss.

A yearly audit of windows, doors and jambs, receptacles, roof/gutter lines and other vulnerable areas can protect your home from expensive future repairs.

The simple act of sealing these areas with the right caulk can make a huge impact. “There are quality long-life sealants that adhere to a variety of surfaces with excellent adhesion and joint expansion to keep moisture out and prevent heating and cooling energy loss,” says Alan Crupper, vice president of marketing for Red Devil, Inc. “One example is Stormguard-920, a new 100 percent silicon sealant with a quick-forming permanent seal that can be exposed to the elements like rain after just 30 minutes.” The payback: weatherizing your home from the elements and energy loss.

Standing water threatens

property and health The possibility of water seeping into the home is usually enough to scare any homeowner into action, but these days the Zika virus and other insectborne diseases are driving solutions for removing standing water. In anticipation, the Wall Street Journal reports insect repellent production is expected to triple this year.

Homeowners may think water transfer systems are cost prohibitive and difficult to operate, so they wait until it is too late. There are new affordable advancements that can remove water in tight spaces like window wells or wide open grassy areas where insects breed. “Look for water removal pumps with attachments on the top and side, so they fit anywhere,” says Jeremy Cantor, vice president of marketing for WAYNE Pumps. As an example he said, “We designed one such pump called the WWB WaterBUG to be versatile and portable enough to remove any standing water on the homeowner’s property quickly and efficiently.” The payback: protecting the home from seeping standing water and keeping homeowners safe.

Make the right choices on today’s advanced home improvement products and systems and you can have a huge payback on your investment and make a lasting impression.

A SUPPLEMENT TO THE PRINCETON DAILY CLARION & OAKLAND CITY JOURNAL THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 22, 2016

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Employ simple fire prevention measures to maximize safety (MS) — Did you know that, according to the National Fire Protection Association, most people have a false sense of security regarding house fires, believing that they would have approximately six minutes to evacuate their home in the event of a fire?

In reality, smoke and fire spread rapidly and can overcome occupants in less than three minutes. When a fire occurs, there’s no question that time is critical.

The good news is there are several important steps you can take to maximize your escape time. With the following measures in place, you’ll create

critical protection for what matters most –– your home and family.

1. Install smoke alarms. You should have one in every bedroom, outside each separate sleeping area, and on every level of the home, including the basement. For the best protection, make sure all smoke alarms are interconnected. When one sounds, they all sound.

2. Inspect and clean smoke alarms monthly. Replace batteries in spring and fall. To clean the alarm, open the cover and gently vacuum the interior.

3. Prepare and practice a fire escape plan. Draw a floor plan of your home,

marking two ways out of every room — especially sleeping areas. Discuss the escape routes with every member of your household, and agree on a meeting place outside your home in case of emergency. Practice your escape plan at least twice a year.

4. Select building materials that provide passive fire protection. Passive fire protection is part of the core of the building and helps control fire by limiting its spread.

One very effective form of passive fire protection is the installation of insulation. When adding or upgrading

insulation, look for products made from naturally fire-resistant, inorganic materials.

A favorite among builders, contractors and homeowners is a stone wool insulation called Roxul Safe ‘n’ Sound, which offers fire resistance up to 2,150°F. Its melting point is higher than the temperature of a typical house fire, which means it will stay in place longer to provide passive fire protection when every second counts, allowing more time for safe evacuation and for first responders to arrive.

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GIBSON COUNTY’S NEWSPAPER Princeton Daily

www.tristate-media.com/pdclarion 100 N. Gibson St., Princeton, IN 47670

385-2525

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Welcome to the A SUPPLEMENT TO THE PRINCETON DAILY CLARION & OAKLAND CITY JOURNAL THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 22, 2016

RE•BATH EXPERIENCE

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Visit our showroom on the corner of Hwy 41 and Morgan Ave. in Evansville Let one of our Design Consultants show you what we can do.

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