Better than moving
Get more space with a basement remodel
The day you've dreaded has finally arrived: your household is bursting at the seams. You need more space, but you're not keen on the idea of entering the real estate market right now. And eco-conscious consumer that you are, you don't relish the idea of increasing your home's environmental impact with a costly addition.
You're not alone. The bigger is better mentality that defined the "moving up" trend of the past 20 years seems to be the latest casualty of the real estate downturn. As a result, many homeowners are opting to stay put and increase their living space by remodeling the homes they have. Many are doing so without the cost and eco-impact of building an addition. Instead, they're creating more living space by turning areas like basements, garages and even outdoor patios into usable square footage.
Finishing a basement is one of the most cost-effective remodeling projects, according to Remodeling Magazine's 2007 Cost vs. Value report, with homeowners seeing an average 75 percent return on investment when they sell the home in the first year. The cellar-to-living-space trend can be especially helpful for owners of older homes, many of which have large unfinished basements.
Finishing a basement is a complicated job and generally beyond the scope of most do-it-yourself homeowners. One of the quickest and easiest ways to finish your basement is with a finishing system like the Owens Corning Basement Finishing System™. Wall panels with built-in thermal and acoustic insulation are professionally installed around the room. Mold and mildew resistant, the durable, dent- and stain-resistant panels easily turn a concrete basement into usable living space without the months-long disruption and mess of a traditional drywall remodel. The Basement Finishing System™ allows you to convert your basement in about two weeks. Visit www.basementfinishing system.com to learn more about this basement remodeling option.
Still unsure if a basement renovation will be worth your investment? Consider these additional facts:
• If you've been in your home for a while and you have equity built up, it will likely be easier to finance a remodel with a home equity line of credit than to secure a mortgage to buy a new home.
• Remodeling Magazine's 2007 Cost vs. Value report shows that for mid-range projects, additions cost an average of $200 per square foot, depending on where you live in the country and the scope of your project. By contrast, a basement remodel will cost much less than that.
• Finishing a basement can allow you to reclaim main-floor areas whose intended use went by the wayside as your living situation became more crowded. For example, you can move the treadmill out of the bedroom and into your new basement gym.
• Finally, you'll be turning under-used space into an asset that will not only enhance your enjoyment of your home, but will add dollars to the selling price when you finally do sell someday down the road – after the real estate market's inevitable recovery.
"Expanding your living space without increasing your home's overall footprint pays off in terms of homeowner satisfaction, too," Todd Hall, product manager at Owens Corning, says. "You're getting much-needed extra space, at a lower cost and less environmental impact than if you were to build a new addition. Because finishing a basement is less expensive than building an addition, there's more flexibility to customize as well."
Courtesy of ARA Content
It's annual fence fix-up time
If you've watched home improvement shows that focus on "curb appeal," you know that a coat of paint or stain on a fence can make a huge difference in the attractiveness of your home. But visual appeal isn't the only reason to renovate your fence —a worn out enclosure can also put the safety of your home and family at risk.
It's important to inspect fences, gates and gate hardware around your property to ensure all are in good working condition. Secure fences, with no gaps underneath or between sections, gate hardware that functions properly and with gates that self-close every time, can ensure the safety of the occupants and property in your home, and keep toddlers and pets from getting out into dangerous traffic. They can also reduce your liability from claims resulting from a defective gate.
Weather, from extremes in temperature to ordinary rainfall, can affect gate operation either through the creation of rust, or through freezing and thawing that affects gate alignment. Rusty metal hinges and latches or gate misalignment can lead to gates that no longer close securely, creating conditions that can be dangerous or even deadly if ignored. When was the last time you checked each gate around your property?
Selecting the right gate hardware can easily solve most of these problems. Choose gate hinges and latches, like those made by D&D Technologies, that are made of super strong engineering polymers that will not rust, and are adjustable and self-lubricating, requiring little or no maintenance.
Updating your gates so they are self-closing and self-latching, improving the security and overall look of the fence, can be done in just a few minutes with these products. D&D latches feature built-in key locks, which eliminate the hassles and extra cost of a separate padlock or pull-string. The hinges have a built-in self-closing spring that is tension adjustable for different gate weights with a twist of a screwdriver and eliminates dangerous and unsightly external springs.
"In our research, we found that when homeowners consider their fencing needs, rusty metal gate hardware that no longer functions properly was their number one concern," says Jim Paterson, senior vice president of D&D Technologies. "Common gravity latches are inexpensive and function fine when new. However, as soon as rust sets in, these latches no longer close without manual assistance."
For the fencing itself, rust can present greater challenges. Steel fences and gates, if not protected with an effective sealant such as powder coating, must be periodically repainted with rust-resistant paint to prevent weather-related damage. Existing rust should be removed before painting, and a rust-preventive primer should be used as the first coat.
Wood fencing can be repaired by prying the damaged section out with a pry bar or cutting it out with a handsaw. Try to use the same type of wood as the original, and don't re-use the original nails. For wood fences, use paint specifically designed for fencing.
On wrought iron or other steel fences, if rust has worn through metal pickets at the ground level creating a large gap that children or pets can get through, sections of the fence will need to be replaced.
"Aluminum or vinyl fencing can protect against rust on the fence itself," Paterson says, "but the hardware must still be rust-free and adjustable to ensure the gate will be in working order. A quick inspection, and if needed, the minutes spent installing new gate hardware, can help protect your family and property, increasing security and decreasing liability.
"All gates should close and have the ability to be locked, but gates leading to pools or spas have an additional requirement," Paterson says. "They need to have a child-resistant latch so that young children cannot open the gate without an adult's assistance."
D&D's Magna-Latch is specifically designed for these situations. Magna-Latch is the number one selling child safety gate latch in the world. It meets pool barrier codes and is endorsed by many safety experts. For product information, see www.ddtechglobal.com, email info@ddtechusa.com or call (800) 716-0888, ext. 292.
Courtesy of ARA Content
Boost home value with landscaping
Angie’s List data shows landscaping a top project in 2008
Now that spring has sprung, it’s time to start thinking about your yard and garden. With the stalled housing market, landscaping could make the difference between breaking even and making money on the sale of your home. In fact, a well-designed landscape can add 7 percent to 14 percent to a home’s value.
Angie’s List, (www.angieslist.com), the nation’s leading consumer ratings service, found landscaping to be the second most common project members will tackle this year. In 2007, members nationwide reported spending on average nearly $7,500 per job on landscaping.
“There are many more benefits to landscaping than just having a pretty yard,” said Angie Hicks, founder of Angie’s List. “Done correctly, landscaping can enhance your property value and make a home more energy efficient.”
Landscaping can help decrease heat buildup in the home by blocking and absorbing the sun's energy in the summer. In the winter, trees, fences; or other landscaping features can be used as windbreaks to shield a house from wind.
Angie’s List offers 7 tips to a perfect landscape:
List your priorities: Decide what’s important for you. Is it entertaining, playing in the yard with the kids; or growing flowers and vegetables? Once you have an idea, map out your property, indicating what you want.
Assess your skill level: Just because you like working in the yard on an occasional Saturday doesn’t mean you’ll want to put an entire flower bed into place. Hire a professional if you don't think you'll stick with the project through the season, or if it's a complicated project that will require tools and equipment you don't have.
Be realistic about your budget: You may not be able to afford it all this month or even this season.
Keep it simple with some pretty plants.
Factor in maintenance: Putting in that water element might look great on paper, but keep in mind it will have maintenance attached to it as well.
Plant a tree: Trees are a great investment. On average, they’ll add 3 percent to 7 percent on the value of your home. Plus, planting trees on the east and west sides of your home can reduce air conditioning costs as much as 25 percent.
Pick the perfect plants: Select greenery that is hardy, adaptable to your area and will thrive in your soil conditions. If you’re planning on selling your home, pick plants that will be attractive in more than one season – especially in seasons when the surrounding landscape is drab and colorless.
How’s the hardscape holding up? Are there areas in your landscaping made from brick or concrete that need repair? Clean and fix any broken steps or walkways.
From cabinets to countertops
Creating a kitchen on a budget
It is the busiest room in the house and often needs the most improvement: the kitchen. A remodeled kitchen increases the value of the home and makes it more enjoyable to cook, live and dine in. However, many homeowners are left wondering how to create the culinary oasis of their dreams on a budget.
"Just about everyone has cost concerns when it comes to remodeling. Very few people have unlimited budgets, so doing research on various options will go a long way to stretching your dollars," says Connie Edwards, certified kitchen and bathroom designer and director of design for Shenandoah Cabinetry. Edwards offers some valuable tips for controlling costs when remodeling the kitchen.
• Do as much of the work yourself as you can. Wallpaper removal, light demolition and cleaning up after subcontractors require hard work as opposed to skill; there is no point in paying skilled contractors to clean up.
• Buy stock cabinets. Instead of having cabinets custom-made, find a line of stock cabinets that you like. Shenandoah Cabinetry, sold exclusively at Lowe's, is a stock cabinet manufacturer that offers a wide range of premium construction features and accessories at a value price.
• Use alternative materials instead of costly marble or stone. Laminate countertops and vinyl flooring create rich-looking surfaces on a modest budget. When choosing faucets, brushed and polished chrome is vastly less expensive than more exotic finishes, and basic white fixtures are budget friendly and won't look dated in a decade.
• "Wow" the island. The island is the first thing that people notice when they walk into the kitchen, so keep the main cabinets simple and put the emphasis on the island. Make the island pop by increasing the thickness of the countertop, using a premium finish or glaze on just the island cabinetry, or illuminating the island with inexpensive but attractive pendant lights.
• Work within your existing space. Annexing space from an adjacent room or removing a wall can be costly, so add storage and organization features to new cabinets to utilize space you already have. Many of these accessories are now factory installed, such as those offered in Shenandoah's OrganizationOptions program, making things simpler for the consumer and easier on their wallet.
• Use moderately priced items in an interesting way. Small splurges in small spaces like a glass tile backsplash behind the oven range will spruce up the kitchen and is the best use of your dollars.
• Consult a design professional. A design professional can help you avoid costly mistakes and ensure the job is done efficiently.
Visit your local Lowe's and talk to a kitchen design specialist about the options that are available to fit your lifestyle and your budget. For more information and to view an assortment of kitchen design ideas, visit www.ShenandoahCabinetry.com.
Courtesy of ARA Content
Bugged?
Easy, eco-friendly ways to control insect pests
You and your family aren't the only ones getting ready to enjoy your outdoor environment as the weather warms. Termites and carpenter ants will relish your wooden deck as much as you do. Mosquitoes would love to set up house in that new koi pond you just installed. And wasps and hornets will be unwelcome guests at your first barbecue of the season.
Some insect pests just bug you. Yet being an environmentally conscious American, you don't care for many of the pesticide sprays or baits that are commonly used to deal with insects either. How can you protect the environment and your enjoyment of the great outdoors this summer? Here are some unique ways to curb common insect pests:
Termites and ants
Why they're a problem: Termites damage wood – including your deck and house. Ants can also damage wood, encroach on landscaping and even cause allergic reactions in some people. Plus, no one wants ants attending their cookout, or worse, entering their home.
Where they hang out: Both termites and ants initiate nests in the ground, often in landscaping beds near a wooden structure – such as your house.
Solution: To discourage termites and ants from nesting in your landscaping, replace the decaying weed control fabric under the mulch in your landscape beds with Weed-X AT with Ant and Termite Guard – it actually deters the formation of ant and termite colonies by preventing them from burrowing through the material into the soil below where colonies form. Use it around the perimeter of your home in any type of landscaping or flower bed. As an added bonus, it will control weeds, retain moisture, and promote healthier plants. Weed-X AT is available at select Wal-Mart and Do-it-Best Hardware stores across the country. Visit www.weedxworks.com or call (800) 747-3256 to learn more.
Mosquitoes
Why they're a problem: Mosquitoes are well-known carriers of viruses harmful to humans, including the West Nile in North America and Malaria abroad. At best, they are a nuisance, making it difficult to enjoy the outdoors when predatory mosquitoes are looking for blood.
Where they hang out: Mosquitoes lay their eggs in standing water such as ponds or rain barrels.
Solutions: Avoid having standing water on your property. Be aware that any item on the ground that might catch water will be a venue for egg-laying mosquitoes. To keep them out of your rain barrel, add a drop of olive oil to the water. The oil creates a thin film that mosquitoes can't pierce to lay their eggs. Don't, however, add oil of any kind to a fish pond. Instead, introduce fish that will eat the mosquito larvae. To keep mosquitoes off skin naturally, try garlic spray as a repellent (mix 1 part garlic juice to 5 parts water and shake well). Marigolds planted in your flowerbeds will also repel mosquitoes and other flying insects.
Wasps, hornets and yellow jackets
Why they're a problem: Far more volatile than their bee cousins, wasps, hornets and yellow jackets are more likely to sting humans. Their stings deliver pain and swelling, and can cause severe allergic reactions in some people.
Where they hang out: Certain species of wasps will nest under the eaves of your home, or in the overhang above your front door. Others prefer trees, shrubs or even ground spots. They are also drawn to human food and can be very aggressive scavengers.
Solutions: Always tackle hives and nests at night, when insects are less active. Wear protective clothing, covering your face and hands. Slip a large plastic bag over the nest and knock it into the bag. Quickly seal the bag and leave it in the sun for at least a day; the bright sun will kill the insects. For ground nests, pour boiling water into the nest opening.
By using eco-friendly control measures, you can ward off insect pests, enhance the enjoyment of your outdoor spaces and protect the environment at the same time.
Courtesy of ARA Content
Ride the heat wave for beautiful summer gardens
The heat and humidity of a typical summer leave little ambition to do much more outdoors than sit on the porch with a cold lemonade in one hand and fan in the other, much less worry about the condition of the garden. But, every proud homeowner wants to have a landscape that is not only presentable but attractive, despite the heat.
Due to the work of today's plant breeders and growers, who are producing ground-breaking new plants, homeowners with and without gardening know-how can enjoy the best of both worlds—stunning, colorful landscapes and lazy, hazy summer days.
"Summertime gardening can be challenging, but with the right plants and a few small chores, warmer months can become favorite times to create colorful and lush beds, borders and containers," says Jessie Atchison with Ball Horticultural Company, one of the world's leading breeders and producers of plants.
Perhaps the most important element in landscaping during periods of heat is to choose the proper plants. It is essential to pick varieties with reliable performance, brawny root systems, and strong resilience so they can stand up against high atmospheric heat and humidity. Durable selections that can withstand these types of extreme conditions will not only outlast others but will remain with vibrant color and robust hardiness.
"Try creating a long-blooming and low-maintenance border with heat-bearing annuals. This arrangement is ideal for most any hot spot in the lawn," says Atchison. "Wave Petunias can be used because they’re hardy, low-growing, and extra-spreading habit provides an almost never-ending variety of color and form in the landscape."
Atchison also suggests creating a unique-shaped bed that meanders around the house or connects two spaces. "These make for suitable areas in which to rotate annual color plantings from summer into fall," she says. "Alternating heat-loving petunias of contrasting colors, such as those from the Shock Wave or Tidal Wave series, highlights the space and creates added design interest." Wave Petunias are available in five series with hot-climate staying power.
The Original Wave series grows lowest to the ground and spreads across the landscape, making it ideal for slopes and banks. For added color and interest, plant the new Shock Wave series as the perfect accessory in baskets, containers and small in-ground beds. For otherwise drab, heat-fizzled borders, the Easy Wave 'Mystic Pink' variety holds its own as a psychedelic pink and white flower, while the Shock Wave 'Electric Mixture' looks like a high-voltage blend of vivid purple with pink veining.
Location, location, location
Sheer heat commonly harms plants far less than heat mixed with humidity. "Since the rate at which temperatures change causes stress to plants more than temperature alone," says Atchison, "homeowners should tailor plant selections to growing conditions." Using an online USDA Zone Hardiness Map is a means to determine which plants are intended for each region. "The country is divided into 11 growing zones, one being the coldest and 11 the hottest," she says. Plant tags usually indicate the zones in which the plants will thrive.
Yet, factors close to home play roles in the success of new plantings for summer. These include the site's soil type, sun, wind, aridity, humidity and location of the planting area. Wilt- and wither-proof plant choices for gardens that face south or west are essential since these areas tend to receive direct sunlight and remain hotter. Allure, Designer, and Fantasia Series geraniums are classics from Ball Horticultural Company with unique colors and flower patterns that do not fade in settings with unwavering sun. "With variety names like 'Hot Coral', 'Peppermint Twist' and 'Strawberry Sizzle', they hold their bright hues all season," says Atchison.
Key elements for success
Plants—even robust selections—are healthier when planted in good soil. Accurately prepared soil allows for retention and absorption of water, not to mention equates to aeration. Before planting, soil can be amended with organic matter like compost or manure and bagged fertilizers that consist of natural potassium, nitrogen and phosphorus. "During warmer months, mulching is important to cover the soil, keeping it cooler and minimizing evaporation," says Atchison.
Water is an obvious component of balmy season gardening. Watering during the early morning or evening—when temperatures are somewhat lower—leads to a reduced amount of strain on plants and decreases loss of moisture during the heat of the day. "Though, avoid watering at too shallow a depth or more often than necessary as waterlogged soil can cause root-rot," cautions Atchison.
Some plants are known for their moderate water need and subsequent ability to thrive in sun and warmth such as Serena Angelonia, a striking plant for containers and landscapes, and Aztec Verbena 'Dark Red' best used in baskets and mixed containers. Solcito Zinnia is a versatile annual with tiny golden-yellow blooms that aptly takes the heat.
What counts in the end
When committing to a summer season garden, the objective should be a harmonized and convenient space filled with color and design reflective of personal style. The most important aspect is low-maintenance, yet eye-catching plant material with the capability to engage and delight gardener and guest alike.
To learn more about plants and planning for summertime gardens, log onto www.ballhort.com.
Courtesy of ARA Content