Choose a certified installer to create curb appeal with confidence

Have a Fantastic and Prosperous 2014...Happy New Years!


Looking for a way to improve the curb appeal of your home? Re-siding your home with vinyl siding is a great investment because it never needs painting to maintain its beauty and durability.


Once you've made the decision to re-side your home with vinyl siding, however, you need a qualified contractor to install it properly to ensure long-lasting curb appeal.


"Vinyl siding is not something anyone with a hammer can install," says Matt Russo, production manager with Hollingsworth Home Improvement. "There are techniques that need to be followed."


Look for installers certified through a program sponsored by the Vinyl Siding Institute (VSI). A  VSI Certified Installer knows how to:


* Correctly fasten siding to allow for vinyl's normal expansion and contraction properties and keep it straight and secure on the wall.

* Properly prepare the area around doors, windows and other openings to prevent water infiltration.

* Pay attention to details that will give your home a beautiful appearance that will last.


When Margaret Seibert needed to have her 30-year-old siding replaced after a particularly heavy Minnesota storm, she looked to a firm that used only VSI Certified Installers to ensure a quality job. "They did a really good job, and I'm very satisfied with how it looks," Seibert says.


"The main thing is not nailing the siding too tightly, but letting it move," says Matt Ocel, owner of Ocel Buildings in Farmington, Minn., which completed Seibert's re-siding job. "Especially with a climate where you go from 100-degree days to 40-below, you have to leave room for vinyl siding to expand and contract."


With nearly 3,500 VSI Certified Installers across the U.S. and Canada, VSI offers a locator tool to help homeowners find professionals in their area. Log on to www.vinylsiding.org to learn more. Ask if your builder or home improvement contractor is using VSI Certified Installers; these qualified professionals carry a photo ID with their current certification number and expiration date.


VSI Certified Installers have demonstrated their installation skills and knowledge of the industry standard ASTM 4756, verified by an independent quality control agency. ASTM standards are used around the world to improve product quality, enhance safety, facilitate market access and trade and build consumer confidence. VSI Certified Installers must have a minimum of one year of experience installing vinyl siding and accessories, attend a hands-on course taught by a VSI Certified Trainer, pass a written test about proper installation practices, and be re-certified every three years.


Vinyl siding installation companies can also become certified. The company must have an approved quality control program, as well as a certified installer or trainer present on every job crew where vinyl siding is being installed.


For more information about VSI's program, visit www.vinylsiding.org/certifiedinstaller.


Courtesy of BPT

Have a Fantastic and Prosperous 2014!

For some homeowners, remodeling projects are regular occurrences to keep their homes looking fresh. Sometimes, that means smaller changes like a new coat of paint or changing a light fixture. Other times, more substantial changes are needed. Determining those changes can be a challenge, but looking at the potential return on investment is a great way to prioritize.


Bathroom remodeling offers a 68.7 percent return on investment, according to a National Association of Realtors survey. One way to add value to a bathroom remodel is to pick bathroom fixtures that are more efficient than what you currently have installed. People are going green in many areas of life, whether with more energy-efficient light bulbs, hybrid cars or by recycling more regularly. Bathroom fixtures are no different.


Here are three reasons why you should consider going green with your bathroom modeling project:


* Products may be outdated. Toilets made before 1994 use anywhere from 3.5 gallons to 8 gallons per flush (gpf), while new EPA WaterSense labeled high-efficiency toilets can work beautifully on a modest 1.28 gpf. Not sure of your toilet's vintage? Look at the underside of the tank lid - the date of manufacture is often stamped into the porcelain. In the shower, the typical showerhead installed in California homes built after 1994 uses as much as 2.5 gallons per minute. At that rate, your eight-minute shower consumes a whopping 20 gallons of water.


* Savings to be had. Compared to 3.5 gpf toilets, TOTO's Aquia One-Piece Dual Flush High-Efficiency Toilet has a flushing system that enables homeowners to select the level of water used each time the toilet is flushed - 1.6 gallons for bulk waste or .9 for liquid. The approach provides exceptional water savings paired with outstanding performance. A family of four can save more than $90 annually on their water bill, and $2,000 over the lifetime of the toilet.


If you replace a typical 2.5 gpm showerhead with a TOTO high-efficiency Trilogy Showerhead, you will experience the same luxurious shower, yet consume a responsible 14 gallons, saving 20 percent of the water used by older models.


Even something like a faucet can contribute to water savings. TOTO's Silas Widespread Lavatory Faucet is a WaterSense labeled lavatory faucet that consumes a responsible 1.5 gallons per minute without sacrificing an ounce of performance. Its design has a classic contemporary elegance with a graceful, curved spout.  


* Be a trendy homeowner. A whopping 68 percent of builders surveyed by the National Association of Home Builders say that energy-saving technologies and features including low-E windows, energy-efficient appliances, and LED lighting will be common along with other green features like engineered wood products, and water-saving plumbing fixtures such as dual-flush toilets and low-flow faucets by 2015. Start now and you'll be ahead of the curve.


Courtesy of BPT

Laminates – Textures, colors, and choices for all your interior needs

Laminates let you create your own world of imagination. You choose from a sea of textures, colors, and choices. Laminates are affordable as well. So, if you are the one who is considering a home make-over, choosing laminates for this job is the best option you have. Plastic laminate products are durable as well as affordable. Whatever your aesthetic preference or budget, plastic laminate products can easily make your home come alive like never before. Give it a try and see yourself.


Plastic laminate products satisfy all your interior needs – kitchens, bathrooms, cabinets, wardrobes and/or edgings. You in fact have all the time on this planet to choose from the entire range of designs, colors, textures, and finishes. Compact grade laminate are robust and ideal for applications that demand long life, minimum maintenance, damage resistance, and hygiene. These laminates give your interiors an all-round finish with a striking design feature. Your home will love it.


You can even check out laminates sitting at your favorite couch. All you need to do is surf several leading sites selling plastic laminate products. Check out the range of textures and colors, and choose what you find the best for your home-interiors. Now, isn't that easy?


However, one thing that you should keep in mind is to deal with a reliable seller/producer and not a newcomer in the industry. When you deal with a professional and experienced producer of plastic laminate products, you get the top-quality products at the most-competitive prices in the market. So, take you time. Think, compare, ask others, and choose the best for your sweet home. With laminate countertops, give your home a new look. And, your home will thank you for this.


As already mentioned above, laminates come with an impressive long life and minimal maintenance needs, using these laminates are a wise choice. Also, look for the instructions by the manufacturer and follow the same so that you don't have to face any problem half way. So, make-up your mind, do some research, and give that much needed make-over to your sweet home.


By: Smith, John

http://www.articlecity.com/articles/home_improvement/article_7296.shtml

Green living project: Revamp your kitchen pantry to avoid waste and save money

For a basic green living project with benefits to your wallet and the environment, consider revamping the kitchen pantry. The cupboard is the starting point for most kitchen activity and is more than just a storage space. Develop good buying habits and build a strong foundation and you can avoid the waste of food and money. Here's how to tackle the task at once or little by little.


Assess


When you are not in a rush to whip up a family meal or put away loads of groceries, take some time to really look at the items in your pantry. What is in front? What is hidden in the back? What's used most frequently? What is expired?


Be more aware of your consumption habits, suggests Cory Schreiber, a chef instructor at The International Culinary School at The Art Institute of Portland. This awareness is a simple step to greener living. Avoid impulse purchases by being more mindful of the emotions that can be involved in food shopping, he adds. Not only do you avoid waste this way, but conscious consumption is more cost effective too.


Utilize


Another cost-effective method that Joshua Joe, storeroom manager at The International Culinary School at The Art Institute of California - Los Angeles, a campus of Argosy University, recommends is a common inventory and accounting process used by schools, hotels and other food service providers. Practicing a first-in, first-out method of consuming your pantry goods is a true way to save money and prevent food waste, says Joe, who purchases the school's food supplies. With approximately 500 culinary arts students regularly coming through the school's dry storage area, Joe encourages the students to use the earliest bought, or oldest, goods first. The tendency is to go for the freshest or A+ product when the A grade item will do, he says. You don't want to let perfectly usable goods go to waste.


Stock up


Once you have a handle on what you are buying and how you are consuming it, it is time to stock up.


Schreiber proposes buying high-quality essentials and purchasing goods in bulk. Buy the highest quality staples you can afford, recommends Schreiber. For example, six pounds of a good butter can last you a solid five months. Other items where quality counts and the products can endure include oils, vinegars, salts, dried herbs and spices.When possible, buy dry goods in bulk too, he adds. Grains, rice, legumes and pastas are all good products to shop for in a food store's bulk department.


To store the loose pasta or grains, look for containers with a lower environmental footprint. Using glass, metal and ceramics is the easiest solution, says Chris Stanley, an Industrial Design instructor at The Art Institute of Seattle. Stanley, who has taught courses on the history of industrial design and in materials and manufacturing, adds, choose something classic in design so you won't be tempted to throw it out in two years. Or, you can re-use glass jars and that fruit cake tin your aunt sends you each year.


Not only is buying in bulk less expensive, but less packaging means less energy used to create the materials and less garbage to throw away - all of which are more friendly to the environment.

Courtesy of BPT

10 questions for the builder of your energy efficient home

(NC)-Do you want to know if your new home is energy-efficient? Here are some questions to ask your builder:

1. How do I know your homes are truly energy efficient?

2. Since all builders must meet the requirements of the building code, what makes your homes different from other builders' homes?

3. How do your building techniques reflect the latest developments in housing technology?

4. What steps do you take to improve the energy efficiency of the homes you build?

5. Can you predict what my energy costs will be?

6. What makes your homes more environmentally friendly than others?

7. Do you participate in the Government's  energy efficiency initiatives for new homes?

8. Do you affix a government-backed energy label to your home?

9. Do independent, licensed professionals inspect the energy efficiency of your homes?

10. Do you build homes that receive an EnerGuide rating of 83 or higher or its equivalent?

If you aren't getting the answers you want, then you better think twice about your builder.

Courtesy of Newscanada

Buying a fixer-upper? How to make the most of your remodel

With current home prices and interest rates, it's a great time to be in the market for a fixer-upper.  By buying a house that needs some work, you can achieve your dream home for less than you would probably pay for a move-in-ready abode.


To ensure you're making the most of your investment, however, it pays to take a look at your credit before you buy and begin your remodel. You'll not only need credit to cover the purchase price of the house, but you'll need it for renovation expenses as well.


The first step you should take in your bid to buy a fixer-upper is to check your credit report and score. Websites like www.creditreport.com can help you understand your credit. Understanding your credit will help you know whether or not you can afford to buy a house that needs work and if you'll be able to pay for the needed renovations.


You should also carefully research what your options are for financing your remodel. Learn what your options are, from traditional fixed mortgages to home equity lines of credit, and decide before you buy which type of financing will be best for you. Getting a handle on your financing before you buy can help ensure you stay on budget when you're in the middle of renovations.


When you've got a clear picture of your credit status and financing options, you can start looking at fixer-uppers. When you find a good prospect, have your remodeling contractor walk through the house with you so he can give you a rough estimate of what needs to be done and how much the work will cost.


If you're buying a house that's in basically good condition but just looks dated, you'll have to make some decisions about where to invest your money. Focus on improvements that will not only look good, but will also enhance the value of your home. Resources like Remodeling Magazine's Cost vs. Value report can give you a good idea of how much of your original investment you'll recoup on different remodeling projects at the time of resale.


Once you've signed all the paperwork and the house is yours, it's time to get to work. If you're handy, you may be able to save money by doing some of the renovation work yourself. Projects like painting, adding crown molding and even putting down new flooring are well within the skills of most do-it-yourselfers. More complex projects like drywall, plumbing or electrical work may be best left to professionals.


Whether you do the work yourself, or hire contractors, you'll need to carefully manage all aspects of the renovation to ensure your remodel stays on budget. The excitement of remodeling a house into your dream home can make it easy to get carried away on spending. Keep in mind that remodeling estimates are just that - an estimate. The final tab is rarely exactly what your contractor predicted it would be. Build in at least 10 percent extra to cover emergency overruns, and avoid making any unnecessary changes to the plans while the project is underway.

Add economical living space with an outdoor room

(BPT) - Adding living space to your home can be an expensive prospect. However, creating an outdoor room is a budget-friendly option that gives you more square footage, as well as additional opportunities to enjoy the season. As an extension of the home, outdoor rooms with decks or pergolas can be personalized to truly bring indoor comforts outside for relaxation and entertaining.

Prepare your outdoor space

Before embarking on designing an outdoor room, start with a clean slate by making necessary repairs. Jason Ringling, director of marketing for Red Devil, says outdoor fix-ups are on the agenda because of the unusual weather the country has experienced, including wind and flood damage. Outdoor structures have particularly taken a beating, with damage to wood structures and cracked concrete.

"Homeowners can tackle these jobs with long-lasting quality adhesives and sealants," says Ringling. "There are new, environmentally friendly construction adhesives on the market, which can help repair damaged decks, concrete, outdoor furniture, play sets and more."

Stand up to Mother Nature

If you start with cellular PVC as a wood replacement, you can add longevity and low-maintenance to pergolas and other outdoor structures. Those that come in easy-to-assemble kits make it even easier to have a stylish extension to your home. According to the experts at Walpole Outdoors, to match your home's style, look for variations in pergola design such as straight or arched tops, and round or square columns in many sizes.

"For a true 'outdoor room' feeling, a retractable, weather-resistant fabric canopy can provide shade and shelter whenever the weather changes, so homeowners can always plan outdoor occasions with confidence," says Walpole president Lou Maglio.

Affordable, natural looks that endure

Decks are another easy way to extend living space and with new alternative materials, it's easy to save on maintenance without sacrificing style. One advancement in composite decking technology features a "cap" or protective outer layer that looks like real hardwood.

"Today's deck trends show that homeowners are looking for deck styles and colors that strongly resemble the earthy tones found in nature," says Carey Walley, vice president of marketing for TimberTech, a leading composite decking manufacturer. As an example, the company's new Earthwood Evolutions Terrain is an affordable hardwood-look composite that is durable, moisture-resistant and accepts concealed fasteners. Walley also notes that a new interactive Q&A forum called Straight Talk is a great place to investigate common deck topics and to ask any deck question that will be answered by experts.

De-clutter your deck space

When designing that special outdoor space, start by de-cluttering the deck. Look for the latest clever, space-saving solutions that help make the most of your deck space. One way to cut costs and improve the view is to use fewer posts, according to Mike Gori, director of product management, AZEK Building Products.

"We've engineered a durable railing system that spans 10 feet between posts, which requires fewer posts. This creates a less cluttered look, clearer views and substantial cost savings," he says. In addition, he suggests hide-away storage bins that make use of the space under the deck to store items like umbrellas and pool toys. "The lid is discreetly flush with the deck surface, eliminating those large plastic bins that obscure the view and take up valuable deck space."

With these tips, it's easy to find functional, beautiful and affordable options for making your outdoor space your very own.

Courtesy of BPT

Be patient while looking for deals with best mortgage rates

Mortgaging is kind of like a collectivized loan that can affect you and your family for a long time if it is not worked out properly. People generally fall for deceptive advertisements boasting about best mortgage rates, so you need to be cautious.


Many people who have fallen into the trap of companies offering the best mortgage rates have experienced problems down the road. It is very important to go through each and every piece of the mortgage deal that you are making. Do not get carried away by those deceptive advertisements that would make your life a disaster. A small mistake, or one wrong signature, and you could end up paying installments for your mortgaged property for the rest of your life. 


A thorough study of the entire plan, and all its terms and conditions, is  necessary if you want to go for a safe mortgage plan with the best mortgage rates. Buying a home is the biggest investment that you will make in your life, and you would not want anyone to fiddle around with it. Mortgaging is an option for  people who cannot afford to pay entire amount in a single go, and thus they look for deals with mortgage rates suitable for their pockets.


Always try to understand the power of credit limits that you can impose on yourself. There have been many examples from the market where people have actually gotten deals with great mortgage rates, but due to their negligence and insufficient funds, they have created traps for themselves and fallen in.


If your relations with your bank are good, then they would also offer you some interesting deals with a good mortgage rate. If you are one of their privileged clients, then you might be entitled for special discounts on mortgage rates. If you go into your loan search with a high credit score and a clean credit record, you would also have better bargaining power.


If you have stains on your record, you should try to get them cleaned up before going into negotiations. If you can afford to, hire a financial advisor who can help you out with the deal, making the best possible negotiation for you with the mortgaging company, credit union, Investment Company or banks with which you are dealing. Each person should play carefully in the mortgaging business, even if he is getting the best mortgage rates for his deal.


Always prefer fixed mortgage rates for your deals. This will be beneficial and score great mortgage rates with no regrets. Interest rates can  bounce around, but if your deal has a fixed rates, then it is one less thing for you to worry about. Proceed in your deal with sound mind and alert eyes and nothing will go wrong.


 

Road trip tips: How to plan a memorable vacation and save money

(BPT) - Americans enjoy the fun and relaxation of traveling: 77 percent of domestic trips are for leisure purposes, according to the U.S. Travel Association. If you want to vacation with friends or family, hitting the pavement for a road trip can't be beat, and with a few money-saving tips and organization tricks, you'll plan an awesome trip packed with memories.

Step 1: Get everyone on board

Planning a group-travel trip can be complicated when it comes to deciding on a destination. Start with a brainstorming session where everyone offers an idea of where he or she would like to go. Research different destinations and visit websites dedicated to travel, such as www.LiveLifeLocal.com. With a focus on car, RV, boat and motorcycle travel, the site makes it easy to search for fun locations - whether an hour or a day's drive away. It's a breeze to search by geography, vehicle and tags - for example, you can search for information on boating in the San Diego area, but designate only fishing-related posts. You'll find valuable content from everyday users as well as authors and bloggers passionate about travel.

Step 2: Build an itinerary and save travel documents

Once everyone agrees on a location, it's time to get organized. Whether camping or staying at a hotel, make reservations well ahead of time to avoid the seasonal rush. When you call, ask about available discounts. Many places offer deals to lure visitors and win your business. Whether you're traveling locally or cross-country, create a folder and save all travel documents for easy access.

Step 3: Drive smart and slash gas costs

Getting there is half the fun of a road trip, but if you're traveling a long distance, it can also mean expensive trips to fill the tank. Slash your gas costs with a few important tips. Start by only filling up in bigger towns - remote gas stations often have higher prices. Utilize your cruise control - it's convenient plus it regulates gas usage. And remember to use air conditioning sparingly because it is a huge gas guzzler. Crack those windows and enjoy the breeze and open road.

Step 4: Create a meal plan

Eating out is one of the most expensive parts of traveling. Save cash by planning meals ahead of time. If you're camping or staying in an RV, pack easy-to-cook foods like pasta, stew and canned vegetables. Then pack a cooler with basic necessities, like cold cuts, cheese and milk. A little forethought with food can mean hundreds of dollars in savings, plus it can be a lot of fun to cook in the great outdoors. If you're staying at a hotel, you can still cut down on meal costs by packing bags of snacks and a small cooler with basics for breakfast or lunch. Plus, look for a hotel that offers free continental breakfast.

Step 5: Be a compact packer

No matter what type of vehicle you drive, the more you haul the more you'll pay. Reduce how much you pack and you'll reduce how hard your vehicle has to work to get it there, conserving on fuel. Pack what you need, but don't go overboard - you can probably survive on two pairs of shoes rather than five. Pack multipurpose items, such as a coffee maker that also makes hot water for tea, and a sleeping bag that also works as a picnic blanket. Vacuum bags work well for bulky pillows and jackets to save space and provide you and your family a more comfortable ride.

No matter where you go, a few proactive steps and planning tricks will ensure you have an awesome vacation. Whether it's your adventures on the road or the memories you make when you arrive at your destination, your time offers unlimited travel potential.

Courtesy of BPT

Learn how to get your home ready for winter - inside and out

It may not feel like winter yet, but cold weather is around the corner. Take advantage of the good weather now by following these tips to prepare the outside and inside of your home to survive the winter months ahead.


Outside tips

•  After a summer of caring for your lawn, you might be looking for a break, but make sure you don't stop mowing too soon. Lawns should be mowed well into the fall, even after growing stops. Grass should be at least 3 inches high and clippings should be raked up and bagged on the last mowing of the season to prevent roots being smothered over the winter.

•  If you planted perennials, check with your local garden center about what type of protection particular plants require depending on where you live. Gardeners in Minnesota will face much different winter weather than someone in Virginia. Protecting with extra mulch or soil will help in some places, while others may require covering the plants with burlap, canvas or any other porous fabric. If you have trees that come near a power line, the branches should be trimmed back in the event of ice storms or heavy snowfalls that can cause trees to fall.

• Some companies manufacture composite decking, railing, and fence products that require less maintenance than traditional treated wood. While no product is maintenance free, low maintenance decking means less work for you to prepare your deck for the winter. Whether your deck is treated wood or composite wood, keeping a clean, dry deck surface is the key to longer deck life and enjoyment. Just as you would rake the leaves from the lawn, sweep the leaves, needles and branches from the deck and remove all smaller debris from between deck boards as proper drainage is important to avoiding moisture build up. You can also use a deck cleaner and power washer to eliminate build-up. If you have a treated-wood deck, make sure you seal or stain the deck to keep water from getting in.
  
  
  If you live in a cold weather climate where ice and snow are a factor, use calcium chloride or rock salt to melt the ice and snow on your deck. When shoveling snow off of the deck, run the shovel lengthwise on the deck boards. Shoveling cross-wise can scratch or cut into the planks.

• Storing deck furniture depends on what type of furniture you have. Wood furniture needs to be treated and covered with a protective, waterproof cover. Folding deck chairs can be easily stored in basements, garages or sheds, while covers are available for most size tables.

• If you've got a snow blower, make sure it's tuned up and ready to go; if you have a lawnmower, make sure you run it down or drain all the fuel out of it. Fuel in a mower or snow blower should be fresh when you start the season.

• If you have cracks in your driveway or sidewalks, make sure they are repaired before the snow starts. The thawing and refreezing of snow can cause significant damage when it gets into cracks.

Indoor tips

• The more cold air you keep out, the less heat you'll have to use to warm your house. If you have drafty windows, consider wrapping them with plastic to help save energy and keep the cold air out of your house. Another way to keep the heat in is to caulk around windows and door frames where air may leak into the house, and add weather stripping or replace weather stripping that may have worn down.


• If you have a fireplace, make sure it is capped to keep birds and rodents out. Firewood should also be stored away from your house as it can become a home for mice.


• Heating accounts for 34 percent of utility usage, according to the Environmental Protection Agency, so checking your ducts to make sure they are sealed is a great way to save money by increasing the efficiency of your furnace. Other ways to make sure you are heating your home efficiently is by making sure your furnace is tuned up and installing a programmable thermostat that can be set to regulate your home's temperature without you having to remember to do it yourself.

Following these tips can help you save money in the short and long term as you get ready to welcome the winter to your outdoor and indoor spaces.

Remodeling your home? Start from the outside in.

The kitchen and bathroom are at the top of most home remodeling project lists. But homeowners intent on remodeling should also consider investing in the exterior of their homes - maybe even start there.

 

That's the advice of Sarah Susanka, one of the nation's leading voices for redefining the  home, and author of the Not So Big House series, a collection of nine books focusing on home design, architecture and remodeling.

 

The reason for investing in the exterior is simple. The exterior should set the tone for your home's interior look and feel. Also, first impressions really do count to the long-term value of a house, especially when it comes time to sell it.

 

"I firmly believe that the experience we have in living in our homes can have a profound impact on the way we look at life," Susanka says. "That experience begins the moment we walk, bike or drive up to it, and extends through the transitions we make as we move between the landscape, the exterior and the interior of the home."

 

The feeling of satisfaction that comes from making your house look good on the outside is experienced at many levels - from the colors and textures of your home to the quality of the materials used to build or remodel it, to the benefits of those materials in the long term, such as the character they lend, or the ease of maintenance they offer. The good news is that if you haven't remodeled your house in a long time, there are a number of new, sustainable products that are helping homeowners create exteriors that are both beautiful and green, such as APEX siding and Integrity windows, both made with pultruded fiberglass, a tough, low-maintenance, sustainable material offering a rich selection of colors.

 

"A Not So Big House is not only built better rather than bigger," adds Susanka. "It is also designed to be a good custodian of the planet's resources. It's built to last. Finding green products that also make it easy for homeowners to maintain the home is a big step toward true sustainability. If a house isn't both beautiful and practical, no matter how green the materials used, it won't live up to its sustainability goals. People only look after what they love, and beauty is a big part of that picture."

If you're thinking about remodeling in the near future, here are several more ideas to make the most of your remodeling budget:

Create a master plan. Many homeowners cannot afford to do a complete remodeling. Most do it in chunks. Before you lift a hammer, hire an architect to create a master plan for your home, which will guide your remodeling efforts for years to come.

 

Connecting inside with outside. The interior and exterior of your home need to work together. They need to be integrated and harmonize with one another as you move from the surrounding landscape to the interior, or as you look out from inside your home to the garden beyond. To enhance this connection, think about the first impression you want to give a visitor. Do you want it to communicate comfort? Connectedness to the outdoors? Creativity? Or tradition? All these can be accomplished with thoughtful detailing of the home's exterior, as well as landscaping.

 

Small changes; huge impact. Small changes to the exterior, such as adding another color to the exterior palette, adding texture such as stone, brick or lap siding, or framing the windows with wider trim boards, can have a huge impact on the look of your home, and make it feel both more expressive and more inviting.

 

Choose sustainable products. It's important not only to the environment, but to the overall maintenance and longevity of your home. Consider remodeling your house with some of the new, high quality sustainable products that are entering the remodeling marketplace, such as APEX Siding, Susanka's current favorite find, which is made from pultruded fiberglass, derived from sand.

 

Reduce maintenance and future repairs. Another key to remodeling is to use materials and building methods that are resistant to wear, tear and the elements (rain, sunlight), which reduce the likelihood of needing to make expensive repairs in the future, as well as reducing the amount of time spent on maintenance. Knowing that your home is well protected from the elements is an important part of the overall satisfaction with your home.

 

Mix it up. Many people are afraid to use more than one color on the exterior of their home. That's why so many houses appear dull and lifeless. Consider using two colors of siding and a third color for your trim boards to add personality and vitality to the exterior. Products like Apex fiberglass siding and trim, and Integrity windows, for example, are available in a palette of rich and attractive colors. Also, consider adding a trim band, or belt line, below main level windows of your home, and using a contrasting color of siding below that band to help ground the house and connect it in with the surrounding landscape.

 

Invest in quality over quantity. Even with a limited budget, try to invest in high-quality products that will look good for the long haul, and will stand the tests of time, rather than buying lower-quality products that may offer the short term benefit of getting a greater share of your remodeling projects done, but which end up looking dilapidated and unattractive in short order. You'll feel better about the integrity of your home by focusing a significant part of your budget on the bones and outer clothing of your home - the roof, siding, windows, electrical, plumbing and HVAC systems.

How to judge your home's curb appeal

If you have been trying to sell your home, you are well aware of how challenging it can be. However, there is one way that you can increase your chances of success and that is if you improve your home's curb appeal.


With fewer and fewer qualified buyers in the market it has become even more important to make your home as attractive as possible.


That's because a very high percentage of people who are shopping for a home decide whether or not they would like to take a look inside the home based on what they see as they drive by the house - or when they arrive for a showing. If the curb appeal is not positive they often leave.


As the homeowner it can be rather difficult for you to see your house through other people's eyes.


That's because you have gotten accustomed to how it looks and you see beyond whatever faults it has. However, if you are considering selling your home you have to first look at is as property rather than the roof over your particular head. And, as such, there are a number of things you can do to sell this property for the highest possible dollar.


Before you can increase your curb appeal you have to identify the areas that are ripe for improvement. Here's a simple exercise that you can do to help you to gage your home's curb appeal.


First, the next time you come back home, park across the street or down the block. You want to be able to get a good view of your property and its surroundings, as if you were looking at it for the first time. As you walk towards your house imagine that this is the first time you are here.


Is the approach to your property tidy and clean? Is there anything that you could do to make it more attractive?


Take a notepad with you and jot down your first impressions of the yard and the house. Then note the house's best exterior features.


Once you've done that take a moment or two to see if you can come up with some initial ideas about how you can enhance the looks of your house and property. Continue this exercise later.


After you consider the best features of your yard and home, make a note of what the worst features are. Then see if you can think of a number of ways that you could eliminate, improve, or minimize these negative factors.


One thing that could help is if you take pictures of your house. If your camera is a digital camera take the photos in color and look at them that way first. Then turn the image into black and white and analyze them. It may be easier to see the problems when the color doesn't affect your impressions.


by: Wendy Moyer 

http://www.articlecity.com/articles/home_improvement/article_6541.shtml 

Home harmonizing: Making outdoor entertaining areas as useful as indoors

(BPT) - The trend toward outdoor living spaces shows no signs of slowing, and the newest step in the trend is blurring the lines between outdoor and indoor spaces. Outdoor spaces are truly becoming an extension of indoors, mimicking the most useful and appealing elements of indoor spaces. The trend is rewriting how Americans construct, outfit and enjoy that backyard staple, the deck.

"The dividing line between indoor and outdoor living spaces is fading, and homeowners are looking for ways to make their outside environment as useful and comfortable as the inside of their homes," says Chris Camfferman, senior product manager with Universal Forest Products, makers of Latitudes decking materials and accessories. "The trend is driving an evolution in deck styles and materials, with new designs emphasizing livability as much as durability."

If you want to bring your outdoor and indoor spaces into alignment this summer, look to these areas of your outdoor living space:

* Outdoor kitchen - Food is a big part of entertaining, whether you're hosting a big summer soiree to christen your new deck or an intimate pool-side dinner. Outdoor food prep and cooking require a touch more finessing than indoor cooking. Whether you use a portable grill or a built-in cooktop, gas or charcoal, it's important that your decking can stand up to the rigors of cooking. Choose decking material that's scratch- and stain-resistant, like Latitudes' Captiva and Capricorn lines. Both composite lines are capped with the most durable polymer technology available, making them virtually impervious to stains from food spills, as well as highly resistant to damage from cooking implements. Log on to www.latitudesdeck.com to learn more.

* Entertainment areas - Long gone are the days when outdoor entertainment areas consisted of a table and deck chairs, period. Homeowners now want to enjoy the same types of amenities outdoors as they have indoors. For some, that includes a hot tub, and composite decking can provide a sturdy, barefoot-friendly and water-resistant platform for hot tub entertaining. Today, you can also use wireless technology outdoors. Wireless-equipped devices such as TVs and iPod stations make it easy to enjoy electronic entertainment - such as watching the big game or a romantic comedy - while savoring the fresh air and sunshine. Even easier -hang a bed sheet and use a movie projector to watch your favorite kid's film or action flick, turning your deck into an outdoor movie theater.

* Furnishings - If your idea of outdoor seating is a few plastic Adirondack-style chairs and a plastic table, it's time to look indoors for inspiration. The styles and materials you enjoy indoors are making their way into outdoor furniture design. Plush cushions in designer hues evoke the same comfort and style as fine upholstered furniture indoors. Demand is growing for built-ins that can fulfill seating and workspace needs. Composite decking material makes built-in benches both durable and beautiful. Homeowners are using furnishings and accessories to turn the decks into statements of their personal style.

* Decorator touches - Many of the decorator tricks that designers use to spice up the interior of homes are moving outdoors, too. Deck stains and exterior paints now come in vibrant colors - not just dirt-hiding browns. Composite decking is also popping with color, with hues that mimic some of the richest, most enticing tones found in natural woods. Lighting is another design element that's no longer relegated to the realm of "utilitarian" in outdoor environments. Whether you opt for decorative sconces on exterior walls of your home, twinkling LED lights on a deck railing, or Tiffany-inspired solar-powered postcaps, lighting is an opportunity to make a design statement in your outdoor living space.

"For many Americans, outdoor living spaces have become every bit as important as indoors," Camfferman says. "With advances in decking technology and outdoor decor, every homeowner can create an outdoor environment that's as appealing and harmonious as the inside of their homes."

Courtesy of BPT

Eco-friendly tips to protect homes from pesky bugs

Cool weather signals homeowners to finalize outdoor chores and cozy up for the long winter ahead. It also signals pesky insects to head indoors seeking food sources and warm, safe places to hibernate. What can the smart homeowner do?


Experts say the record-breaking summer heat has created a bumper crop of bugs. Ohio State University entomologist David Denlinger predicts, If the warmth stays into the fall, insects will continue to do well until frost comes.


Home Invaders


Unwelcome invasive pests like silverfish, spiders, earwigs, flies and ants are typical party crashers once temperatures fall.


In the late '90s a new pest appeared on the scene: the brown marmorated stink bug. First spotted in Pennsylvania, stink bugs are now in 38 states, destroying gardens and landscapes and over-wintering in homes.


In September and October when plants are harvested and food sources dry up, stink bugs switch gears and seek shelter indoors, says Dr. Qing-He Zhang, lead scientist and director of research at Sterling International, makers of eco-friendly RESCUE! insect traps. It's important to break the lifecycle now so they don't survive over the winter months and attack your garden and landscape in spring.


To protect your home from unwanted pests, industry experts share these simple eco-friendly tips to keep pesky insects at bay.


1. Clean up brush and keep mulch and firewood piles away from the house to avoid creating habitats for critters and insects.


2. Seal cracks, crevices and holes with caulk or weather stripping around potential entry points and seal around pipes and utilities. Repair loose roof tiles and screens. Inspect windows and basement foundations and repair loose and crumbling mortar.


3. Clean cupboard shelves of loose grain, starch-based and sugary food and place food in sealed containers or plastic bags.


4. Check where stink bugs hide: warm, dark spaces like baseboards, exhaust fans, ceiling tiles and drapes. Pick stink bugs off by hand with a tissue and flush them down a toilet or drop into a bucket of soapy water. If you vacuum, be warned. When threatened, stink bugs emit a foul odor so dispose of the bags immediately.


New traps help battle stink bugs without the need to touch them. Zhang explains, Once you see the bugs clinging to the side of the house or screens, this is a signal that they are ready to get indoors to hibernate and more may be coming towards the home. The RESCUE! Stink Bug trap uses non-toxic pheromone attractants that lure stink bugs from a radius of 30 feet, intercepting them before they reach the house.


The RESCUE! Stink Bug Trap can also be used indoors with an LED light attachment. It works best when stink bugs start waking up from hibernation - usually January through April.


5. If ants are your problem, try herbs. Briscoe White, herb expert and owner of The Growers Exchange, says bay leaves, cinnamon and cloves repel ants outdoors and indoors. Sprinkle dry crushed herbs around points of entry, cabinets and windowsills to create a natural barrier. Plus, peppermint and spearmint are excellent deterrents against both ants and moths.


For help battling bugs, visit www.rescue.com for how-to videos, info and a list of retailers near you.

Courtesy of BPT

Make exterior trim part of home remodeling

(BPT) - As existing home sales continue to climb and housing prices increase, remodeling is also on the rise, according to the Joint Center for Housing Studies of Harvard University. Owners of older homes are investing more in home improvement projects that add beauty and value, especially with environmentally friendly products.

Most homes, no matter how well maintained, will need some exterior trim replaced from time to time. Traditional wood trim boards can split, crack and rot over time, as a result of damage from the rain, snow, wind and sun.

Replacing old or damaged exterior trim with engineered wood composite trim is one way homeowners can preserve design integrity, while remaining committed to green building principles.

Check your exterior trim

Take a few minutes this spring to walk around your house and inspect your exterior trim. Look closely at the trim around your windows and doors, at the corners, and near the roofline. Pay special attention to peeling or blistering paint, green algae, warped boards, and spongy or soft spots. Also, check for termite damage, which creates more damage to U.S. homes than fire, floods and storms combined.

There are several options for replacing your existing trim. Although traditional wood trim often looks good when first installed, it can split and swell, and is prone to knots and defects. Other materials, like PVC and fiber cement trim, have performance limitations and may pose installation challenges.

"Like many home products, exterior trim has evolved over the years," says Peggie Bolan, vice president, building products, for JELD-WEN. "Today, homeowners can choose engineered products that last long and provide resistance to moisture, rot, termites and temperature extremes not found in other materials."

During extensive renovation of their 1830s Greek Revival-style farm house in Clifton Park, N.Y., Paul and Joanne Coons used more than 1,000 linear feet of MiraTEC Treated Exterior Composite Trim around windows, doors and other areas.

"We reviewed several trim options, but we liked MiraTEC because it is a wood composite that doesn't contain oil or vinyl like PVC trim, and it is manufactured with less embodied energy than products like fiber cement, which also creates a lot of silica dust when it's cut," says Paul Coons, who is also a retired director of environmental health and safety from the New York State Office of Mental Health.

With a clear cedar, wood grain texture on one side and a contemporary smooth finish on the other, MiraTEC trim suits any home style. It is most often used for roofline fascia, soffits, window and door trim, corner trim, dentil, gables, column wraps, trim along porches and similar architectural components.

Joanne Coons, an environmental science teacher at Shenendehowa High School East, adds, "MiraTEC trim fit well with our priorities - it is not only a green product but it also provides a nice, clean look that complements the home design. Overall, we also anticipate low maintenance and less frequent painting compared to wood."

Replacing your exterior trim is a great way to give your home a nice, clean new look. And, it can be done with the environment in mind. To learn more, visit www.miratectrim.com.

Courtesy of BPT

Navigating the home refinancing process

(BPT) - It is a good time to consider refinancing your home. Refinancing a mortgage can potentially save you money over the life of a loan. Here are a few tips to help you navigate the refinancing process:

* Choose a reliable and trustworthy mortgage banker.

A mortgage banker is someone you should feel comfortable with, who should be frank with you about fees, flag potential issues, and help you make choices that best fit your financial situation. But where can you find the right mortgage banker?

"A quality mortgage banker will try to understand your goals and match your situation with the best possible loan, that doesn't contain hidden fees or surprises," says TJ Freeborn, mortgage professional at Discover Home Loans. "Mortgage bankers who are not looking out for you might sell you strictly on low interest rates or offer you a too-good-to-be-true deal without asking the proper questions or evaluating your needs."

Start by doing research online with unbiased resources. Reach out to family and friends who also have refinanced or are in the process and compare research. Also, if you know a tax advisor or a real estate professional ask them about any questions or concerns. They may be able to provide new insight to help with your decision.

* Do your homework on loan options.

All mortgages are not created equally. It's important to understand the components that go into determining the price of a mortgage, including points and fees, so you can accurately compare the offers. To find descriptions of home loan options, you can visit www.discover.com/home-loans/loan-options.

For instance, based on the situation you may choose an adjustable-rate mortgage versus a 15 year or 30 year fixed-rate loan. Make sure to evaluate your options with your mortgage banker and discuss what works best for you.

* Secure your low interest rate by locking it in.

Interest rates change almost daily and it's important to talk to a mortgage banker about ensuring the best time to lock in your rate. If the loan process takes too long, there is a chance your approved rate may expire and therefore potentially increase. You may have the opportunity to get an extension, but often the fee for an expired rate can be costly. Make sure to lock in your interest rate to avoid closing at a higher rate.

* Understand the costs and fees of refinancing.

Before you jump into refinancing, make sure you understand not only the mortgage refinancing rates but the costs associated with refinancing. Closing costs generally include fees for origination, the appraisal, attorney review, lender and title, as well as insurance, taxes and escrow. Check with your mortgage banker to make sure that the closing fees are reasonable and that you are aware of all the factors that impact your refinancing cost.

Refinancing may be a worthwhile savings opportunity, but make sure to consider all of the factors before concluding it's a wise financial decision for you.

Courtesy of BPT

Budget-friendly ways to refresh old outdoor spaces

(BPT) - Indoors or outdoors, your home decor needs some TLC to look its best. Replacing worn or dated furniture or flooring inside your home is considered fairly easy. But when outdoor spaces start to appear shabby, do you decide to live with the tired look because you think freshening the space will be too time-consuming or costly?

A few budget-friendly improvements and decorating touches can revitalize worn outdoor spaces and help them look new and inviting again. Here are some common challenges, and tips for overcoming them:

Worn decks, patios or porches

Decks, patios and porches are popular spots for home improvements - ones that create a staging place for outdoor entertaining or just relaxing and enjoying nature. When a wood deck becomes old and worn, or concrete patios crack, you may think the only solution is to replace them. But before you take that costly step, consider alternatives that can revitalize the existing surface without the need to replace it.

According to Scott Richards, senior vice president of marketing at Behr Paints, BEHR DECKOVER Solid Color Coating is a smooth finish resurfacing product that brings old, weathered wood or concrete surfaces back to life with a unique solution that hasn't existed before, and it's a budget-friendly alternative to replacing deck boards, railings, porches, boat docks, pool decking or patios.

"BEHR DECKOVER protects against the elements, while refreshing the appearance of wood and concrete," says Richards. "With just two coats and no primer needed, the thick coating covers splinters and fills cracks up to a quarter of an inch, spreading as easily as paint. We've created a way to achieve a low maintenance deck that resists the elements, repels water and creates a smooth, slip-resistant finish that is comfortable for bare feet." It's available at The Home Depot stores nationwide and comes in 54 colors. Visit www.behr.com to learn more.

Adding accents like decorative railings or lighted post caps can also revive the look of older decks. Deck manufacturers offer a variety of options for railings, from carved wood to metal and even glass. In most cases, you can add these railings to your existing deck boards, allowing you to replace just part of the deck and achieve a brand-new, designer look.

Tired furniture

Replacing sun-faded, weather-damaged cushions on outdoor furniture is a good start, and easy enough to do. But what do you do when the furniture frame has seen better days? Depending on the type of construction, you have several options including painting and reupholstering.

Landscaping and lighting

Modern outdoor settings allow nature and technology to meet. Give your exterior living space a new modern look by upgrading both landscaping and lighting. Improving your landscaping can be as easy as planting a few container gardens around your deck or patio and filling them with flowers that will bloom throughout the season. Nothing looks fresher and livelier than flowers.

Next, look at how your outdoor space is lit. Adding lighting allows you to enjoy the space safely after the sun goes down, but dated lighting can make your deck or patio look dull. Plus, older lights are often not as energy-efficient as newer options. Upgrade lighting by replacing old fixtures with newer options, such as solar-powered lights or ones that use energy-sipping CFLs or LEDs.

Making your old outdoor space look like it belongs beside a new showcase home doesn't have to be difficult or costly. With a few budget-minded tips and tools, it's possible for any do-it-yourselfer to make everything old new again.

Courtesy of BPT

How to identify your home's best and worst features before you sell

1. ANALYZE THE SPACE. Walk through your home and look at each room in the context of the overall property. - Is your kitchen very dark and compartmentalized with an inefficient floor plan and layout? - Are the cabinets just worn out and refused to stay closed? - Do your appliances only work when they want to?


OR - on the flip side:


If you've maintained your home beautifully over the years and renovated your kitchen recently - added a new patio and landscaping - and updated the overall décor - but you're still living with that green and pink guest bathroom down the hall, now would be the time to remodel it! It will look extremely dated and tired compared to the upgrades you've already made. So by refreshing it now will present a more cohesive piece of property to show later.


2. IDENTIFY THE NEGATIVES - AND FIX THEM! Before you invest any time and money into any home renovation projects it's so important to first evaluate the structural elements of your home. Do a walk through, and be really honest with what you find. What weaknesses did you discover? If YOU can see the problems, so will the potential buyers!


Be on the lookout for anything and everything from cracks in the foundation, rotting, bulging or splitting around doors and windows. Is the electrical wiring antiquated? Do you have a termite problem? These issues can't be hidden or camouflaged. So be proactive and hire a home inspector before you sell. They will help you uncover problems and looming issues that you may have over looked. A typical home inspection analyzes the home's structural integrity, all major mechanical systems and provides you with a thorough assessment of your home's structure and property.


Use this information to repair the necessary areas of the home and give it the TLC it deserves. - Set goals and decide what you NEED to do and the compromises you'll willing to make to turn your home into someone else's dream home.


3. ACCENTUATE THE POSITIVES - AND ENHANCE THEM! Highlight your home's Best features. Every home should have some. If they don't then create them! Is it a canyon view from the hillside - the ocean view from the kitchen - the spectacular double-sided fireplace or the fabulous gourmet kitchen you've loved for years? Or its simply the deck and outdoor kitchen off the family room? - Whatever the asset - dress it, enhance it, show it - AND CREATE THAT WOW FACTOR!


by: Lori Gilder 

http://www.articlecity.com/articles/home_improvement/article_6308.shtml

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