Quick – name the threebest features of yourhome’s exterior. If you’relike many people, you’llstumble over the answer tothis question.

“Whether you’re position-ing your home for a sale ortrying to maintain your placein the neighborhood, youneed a ‘wow factor’ thatstops drive-by traffic in itstracks,” recommends DonZeman, a former contractorand host of the nationally-syndicated radio show,Homefront with DonZeman.

According to the NationalAssociation of Realtors, 75percent of people in the mar-ket to purchase a house begintheir search on the Internet.A photo of your home’s exte-rior on a realtor Web site caninstantly determine if buyerswill visit your home.

“Curb appeal is not amyth,” says Zeman. “Ifyou’re selling your homeand you’ve got peelingpaint or a sloppy yard,you’ve lost the potential fora positive first impression.With so many houses forsale in today’s market-place, it’s critical to investin your home’s exterior toget potential buyers insideyour house.”

Zeman, an expert inremodeling and homeimprovement products, rec-

ommends homeownersmake it a priority to have atleast three “first glanceenhancements” that make alasting impression on any-one looking at your home.

Enhancement No. 1 –Evaluate the condition ofyour siding. While vinyl andcomposite hardboard sid-ings are appealing becauseof their low maintenancerequirements, brick still cap-tures the highest audienceappeal. “With today’s prod-uct advancements home-owners don’t have to investin real brick to gain a terrif-ic brick exterior,” saysZeman. “Panelized productsmade of recycled gypsumand high-density polymermaterials, like PerformanceBrick panels, can transformthe exterior of a home. And,these panels are for retrofitapplications, so they can goover existing siding to trans-form a home.

“The non-porous nature ofPerformance Brick panelsallows them to resist mois-ture, which prohibits thesustained growth of mildew,mold and algae. Installationis fast and efficient with theoverlapping and interlock-ing panels that are connect-ed with a Fast-Track system.Best of all, you get the lookof Old World, handmadearchitectural brick for a frac-tion of the price.”

Enhancement No. 2 – Addcolor and unity to your exte-rior. Make the front of thehome welcoming by addingcolorful shrubs, decorativeflags and potted plants inkey visual locations. Land-scaping should receive spe-cial attention year-round.Trim bushes away from win-dows, add hanging flowerbaskets to front porch areasand spruce up the entrywaywith new brass hardware.

Enhancement No. 3 –Transform a box-shapedhouse into an eye-appealinghome by adding Bay or Bowwindows. Along with pro-viding homeowners withadditional room on the inte-rior of the home, Bay andBow windows add characterto the exterior.

“Imagine a Christmastree as a focal point in aBay window during theholidays,” says Zeman.“These ‘bump-out win-dows’ add so much appealto a home. When making areplacement choice, it’sbest to go with a highlyenergy-efficient windowthat’s easy to maintain. Inmy house I put in Simon-ton vinyl windows. Theyended up saving me hun-dreds of dollars each yearon my energy bills andcountless maintenancefees.”

Enhancement No. 4 –

Even if you have a focalpoint Bay or Bow window,most homes have a majori-ty of Double or Single Hungwindows. Add urethanecrossheads, mouldings andmillwork around each win-dow to “trim them out” andmake the windows a stand-out feature on your home’sexterior. A simple crossheadand keystone can be addedabove a window in less than10 minutes by any home-owner.

Enhancement No. 5–Replace rotted or agingwooden porch rails and postswith synthetic QuickRail andQuickPost systems. Madefrom a unique multi-layeredPVC composite formula,Fypon’s QuickRail system willnot decay, warp, fade, chip,splinter or rust. The Quick-Posts are load-bearing Colo-nial-style posts that work withthe railing system and aremade of polyurethane rein-forced with PVC.

“PVC and urethane aretwo exceptionally low-main-tenance products that resistall types of weather condi-tions, extreme temperaturesand never need painting,”says Zeman. “Year-after-year, these synthetic piecesprovide a home with curbappeal and hours of carefreerelaxation.”

For more ideas on curbappeal enhancements andproduct information, visitwww.homefront.com.

2 - Tuesday, Sept. 30, 2008 Fall Home Improvement ’08 LaGrange Daily News

The addition of colorful flowers, low maintenance windows and weather-resistant railsystems add instant curb appeal to this home.

‘First glance enhancements’ sell your home

With homeowners jug-gling the demands of workand family, it’s really nosurprise that they’re turn-ing to lower-maintenancealternatives when theyselect materials for theirhome. That’s why manyhomeowners are selectingcomposite decking whenreplacing their worn wood-en decks.

While composite decksrequire lower maintenancethan traditional wooddecks, they still need careto look their best. Followthese easy composite deckcare “tips” from the expertsat Wolman Wood CareProducts:

Clean and Restore:Consumer feedback andyears of outdoor exposuretesting indicates thatmany types of compositelumber can endure colorloss over time from expo-sure to UV sunlight.Composite lumber, likewood, will also attract dirtand even mildew staining,detracting from the over-all appearance of your

composite deck. To cleanaway dirt, mildew orother fungi staining, getthe best results by using

an acid-free, biodegrad-able deck cleaner likeWolman DeckBrite WoodCleaner & Coating Prep.

DeckBrite is highly effec-tive in removing ground-in dirt, mildew and algaestains, yet it’s extremely

safe to use, and won’tharm grass, plants orshrubs.

Its fast-acting foamingaction loosens and lifts dirtand stains in 10 minutes orless. And unlike chlorinebleach and water mixtures,or sodium hypochlorite-based wood cleaners,which can leave a visiblewhite-washed look behind,DeckBrite’s oxygen-acti-vated formula thoroughlycleans without whiteningor damaging the surface.Plus, DeckBrite preparescomposite lumber for coat-ing, helping to maximizeadhesion and long termwear.

Beautify and Protect: Torestore composite lumber’soriginal color-rich appear-ance, and to protect itagainst mildew growth onthe coating, an exteriorsolid-hide stain can beapplied to keep deck sur-faces looking their best.Add color and protectionin one easy step by apply-ing a stain that offers supe-rior durability, color

longevity and maximumprotection against allweather and climate con-ditions, such as WolmanDuraStain Solid ColorStain.

The best choice torenew composite decking,DuraStain Solid is for-mulated for maximumadhesion and durabilityon composite lumber. Itprovides a 100 percentopaque, long-lastingmatte finish that resistsfading longer than otherstain types. It also pro-tects against mildewgrowth, scuffing andscraping, and structuraldamage caused by waterabsorption, and its per-formance is warranted forfive years on horizontalsurfaces, 15 years on ver-tical surfaces.

And, since DuraStainSolid is available in two tintbases that yield 22 populardecking colors, or can becustom-tinted to match theoriginal composite lumbershade, it’s easy to achieveany look you desire.

Many homeowners believe that composite decks are maintenance-free. While theyare lower maintenance than traditional wood decks, they still need care to look theirbest, so clean, restore, beautify, and protect them.

Maintain composite decks in two easy steps

Create colorful concrete countertopsDecorative concrete coun-

tertops are among the “hottest”trends in kitchen design. Yousee them in magazines, onhome decorating shows and insome of America’s most spec-tacular kitchens.

Love the look of decorativeconcrete, but don’t have thebudget to install new coun-tertops? You can still graceyour countertops with therich, warm color and elegantstyle of concrete – even ifyou’re on a laminate budget.It’s easy thanks to new painttechnologies and innovativeproducts like Modern MastersSkimStone Decorative Finishsystem.

Designed to transformordinary countertops intoextraordinary works of art,the system includes a bond-ing primer, a decorative fin-ish and a protective topcoat,along with an instructionalDVD that guides youthrough the project fromstart to finish. It’s easy. Just

follow these steps from theexperts at Modern Masters:

Start fresh. Clean old coun-tertops thoroughly to ensureadhesion of the SkimStoneBonding Primer. Once cleanand dry, apply two coats ofbonding primer with a trow-el. It will improve the adhe-sion of the SkimStone Deco-rative Finish and give surfacesa textured appearance simi-lar to raw concrete.

Apply the color. One of thehottest trends in indoor dec-orating is using bright,vibrant, warm colors likereds, yellows and oranges.Give your kitchen the lookof a Tuscan cafe with Mod-ern Masters SkimStone Dec-orative Finish in SedonaClay, Yellowstone or MinoanRed colors. The rich tonesare sure to add a warmearthy feel to your counter-top decor.

Or, if you prefer a worn,modern theme, try a deepcolor like Espresso Bean,

Onyx or Storm. The darkcolors complement stainlesssteel appliances and accentsthat have become popular inkitchen decorating trends.

SkimStone DecorativeFinish is available in 15 col-ors and each color offers youa variety of 5 shades, sofrom subtly colored coun-tertops to bold pieces offocus, the finishes give youmany options.

Don’t forget the finishingtouch. Protect and enhanceyour countertops with a top-coat. SkimStone NanoTechTopcoats are water-basepolyurethane acrylic protec-tive topcoats designed toprotect your concrete deco-rative finishes and enhancethe color and depth of Skim-Stone Decorative Finishes.

Before you know it, you’llhave transformed your dullkitchen countertops intochic on-trend surfaces thatare as durable as they arebeautiful.

Forget about installing new countertops! Refinish the ones you already have for less.

Stumped on the right fridge? French-door model refrig-

erators are the fastest grow-ing in sales of any other typeof unit. But does this meanthat they’re the right fridgefor your home?

With so many models,brands and styles, refriger-ator shopping can stress outhomeowners. But this handylist will help you narrowdown the appliance that willfit your budget, kitchenspace and needs.

Side-by-Side: These refrig-erators are popular in kitchenspaces that may not be largeenough to accommodate wide-swinging doors. The majorityof side-by-sides offer in-doorwater or ice dispensers. Whilethese units may seem likethey’re space-efficient, often-times homeowners find thatdoor storage and shelves areinadequate. Prices can rangefrom $700 to $2,500.

Bottom Freezer:In recentyears these refrigeratorshave grown in popularity byleaps and bounds. Havingthe refrigerator portion ontop keeps foods at eye-leveland eliminates stooping.Newer French-door modelsare more popular than sin-gle-door units. Disadvan-tages include stooping forfreezer items and the infre-quency of in-door dispensersfor ice or water. Prices rangefrom $750 to $2,500.

Top Freezer: Refrigeratorswith the freezer on top are theold standard and offer goodbang for the buck. They gen-

erally use less energy thanother models and are good forsmall spaces. Also, they tendto be the roomiest for theirsize. Prices are from $500 to$1,350.

Built-In: Built-in units fitflush with cabinetry for amore aesthetic appeal. Somemay feature cabinet panelsthat camouflage the refrig-erator entirely. Built-ins canbe some of the most expen-

sive of all refrigerators, rang-ing from $2,000 to $7,600.

No matter what applianceyou purchase, it’s importantto note that today’s modelsgenerally use less energythan in years past. Accord-ing to Consumer Reports,Energy Star models must be20 percent more efficientthan the minimum federalstandard, up 5 percentpoints from last year.

Do your homework before buying a new refrigerator soyou ensure you get the right style for your needs.

What’s a new car thatdoesn’t have automaticlocks, that new car smell, ora CD player? It’s still a newcar but the little additionsmake your purchase somuch more satisfying.

So it is with your home.An entry takes on newdimension when a flushdoor is replaced with onethat has a window with dec-orative glass or a transomabove it. Shutters can add asubtle touch to a facade. Andwindows and patio doorswith rich hardware finishes,distinctive grilles and otheroptions add depth and char-acter to a home inside andout.

As more homeownerslook to add curb appeal andcharm to their homes, win-dow manufacturers haveexpanded their offerings tohelp homeowners achievetheir desired outcome. You’lllove the look of your homeeven more when you includeany number of finishingtouches on your windowsand doors.

“Homeowners have somany choices for tailoringthe windows and doors totheir home thanks to themany, many options avail-able from manufacturerstoday,” says Dave Koester,brand manager for WeatherShield Windows & Doors, apremium window and patiodoor manufacturer. “Fromexterior colors to interiorwood species and hardwarestyles and finishes, thechoices are practicallyunlimited.”

Inside AppealOn the inside, you can

choose from several types of

wood for your windows –each offering unique tex-tures and grains. Maple,cherry, mahogany, characteralder, knotty pine and oakare among the wood choic-es available on many win-dow brands. Higher-end,specialty window brandscan also accommodaterequests for custom woodspecies. Interior trim in avariety of profiles and stylesattractively frames windows,whether it be on a windowover the kitchen sink oraround the picture windowin the living room.

Advances in screens areone of the latest trends inwindows and doors. Thenewest generation ofscreens may be completelyhidden – retracting into thewindow or door frame – orhardly visible with tightlywoven screen mesh. Weath-er Shield Windows & Doorshas a wood-wrapped screenframe that provides classicwarmth to screens that arealways on display. A hingedversion of the wood-wrapped screen nicelydresses up a push-outFrench casement window.

Hardware on windows,patio doors and screens canbe subtle nuances or intrigu-ing adornments. Collapsiblecrank handles for casementwindows minimize interfer-ence with the view and win-dow treatments. You canstick with the standard hard-ware finish, usually brightbrass, or look to other lushfinishes such as oil-rubbedbronze, brushed nickel,chrome, brushed chrome orantique brass to dress upyour personal spaces. Hand-cast bronze hardware is an

authentic enhancement inhomes of Classical and Colo-nial architecture.

Bathrooms, bedroomsand even a home’s morepublic areas can benefitfrom specialty glass thatobscures the view andenhances privacy. Throughnew manufacturing tech-nology, manufacturers alsonow offer the distinctivelook of leaded or beveledglass without the expenseof the real thing.

Grilles or mullions provideallure to windows and patiodoors at a reasonable cost.Whether inside the airspaceof insulated glass or affixedto the inside and outside ofthe glass, grilles can be con-figured in a standard rec-tangular pattern or custompatterns that add to ahome’s charm from thestreet or the easy chair.

Exterior TouchesWindow and door trim on

the home’s exterior serves apractical purpose while also

embellishing a home’s archi-tectural style through one ofmany profiles available.Weather Shield recentlyintroduced a unique exteriorwood casing line thatincludes hundreds of con-figurations in one-piece ortwo-piece systems that com-plement Colonial, Craftsmanor whatever your home’sarchitectural style.

That exterior trim, alongwith the windows and doors,can be prefinished in anycolor imaginable for a con-sistent color and finish –whether your windows anddoors have wood or alu-minum clad exteriors.Anodized aluminum exteri-ors capture the look of truebronze, silver, copper orother metals in a finish thatis durable, resistant to chip-ping and peeling, and even-ly finished.

Clearly, the vast array ofoptions available for win-dows and doors today canhelp create curb appeal anda one-of-a-kind look for your

home. Each adds character,warmth and personality thatenhances your home just

like those automatic locksand CD player make a newcar more enjoyable.

LaGrange Daily News Fall Home Improvement ’08 Tuesday, Sept. 30, 2008 - 3

IMPROVING THE WAY YOU LIVE

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Today’s windows and patio doors are available with manyoptions that add character and depth to a home. Spe-cialty glass, simulated divided lite grilles and rich hardwarefinishes are among the many choices to add memorablefinishing touches to your interior and exterior design.

Options add finishing touches to your home

Transform your basement into the perfect storage spaceby waterproofing it.

Now that the cold weatheris approaching, why not spendsome time organizing indoorspaces that have been over-looked during the warm sum-mer months? The basementmay be a good place to start.

Many homeowners havediscovered that the basementcan provide a much neededstorage area for photos,important papers, holiday dec-orations and more – but onlyif it’s dry and free from moldand mildew growth.

But thanks to advances inwaterproofing technology,reclaiming your basement iseasier than you think! Totransform your basementinto the ideal storage area,follow these few easy stepsfrom the home improvementexperts at Zinsser:

Step One: Clean yourbasement walls to get rid ofdirt, grease and other con-taminants. Kill any existingmold and mildew with a sim-ple household bleach andwater solution. Patch anyholes and cracks with Water-tite Hydraulic Cement, espe-

cially those that show signsof active water leaks. It cre-ates a water-tight seal in just5 minutes.

Step Two: Apply two coatsof a waterproofer with moldand mildew protection, likeWatertite-LX Mold & Mil-dew-Proof WaterproofingPaint to keep water out andmold and mildew away. Itoffers protection againstwater intrusion and a five-year mold and mildew-proofpaint film guarantee. Water-tite-LX is low-odor, easy toapply and dries to a brightwhite finish. Or have it tint-ed to an off-white or pastelshade that suits your style –it’s an easy way to customizeyour storage area.

Step Three: Completeyour organized basementwith plastic bins and metalshelves. Organize papers,files and photos into sepa-rate bins for easy finding.Using shelves to store boxeswill help you keep organizedand free up floor space – cre-ating an even larger storagearea!

Project: basement organization

What can you buy todaythat will last a lifetime withminimal care? We get newcars every six or eight years,and they require plenty ofservice and repairs along theway; new appliances barelylast a dozen years. But solidhardwood flooring, furnitureand millwork can last a life-time in every room of thehouse. And, according to theAmerican Hardwood Infor-mation Center, www.Hard-woodInfo.com, solid hard-wood products are easy totake care of in any room ofthe house and require verylittle care to maintain theirgood looks and serviceabili-ty.

Hardwood Flooring Is Healthy Choice

For Any RoomIn addition to their dis-

tinctive beauty and lastingvalue, hardwood floors areoften recommended by doc-tors because they trap lessanimal dander, dust, pollen,mites, and mold – all ofwhich can trigger respirato-ry problems. Natural hard-wood floors can make it eas-ier for you to reduce homeallergens, while your roomsremain warm and inviting.

Following a few simplerules can keep floors look-ing great with minimummaintenance:

� Place floor mats atentrances to trap dirt.

� Sweep floors weeklywith brooms that have fine,exploded ends that trap dustand grit.

� Vacuum cleaners aren’tjust for carpets. Go over ahardwood floor weekly withmulti-surface vacuums

� Water and liquids candamage the floor’s finish.Wipe up spills, pet accidents,and other mishaps as soonas possible.

Kitchens were once con-sidered out-of-bounds for

solid hardwood flooring.Today’s urethane finishesmake hardwood floors anattractive choice that is easyto maintain and keep clean.Special finishes even permithardwood floors and tubsurrounds in the bath. Theyoffer water resistance thatold-fashioned versions nevercould.

Furniture Gets Better With Time

Solid hardwood furnitureoffers greater resistance tomarring and scratching thanfurniture constructed withsubstitute materials. Theoccasional dent or scratch insolid hardwood simplyexposes more of the samevalued wood. A few nicks inan heirloom can add char-acter rather than detractfrom the value.

“Imagine a hardwood treestanding in the forest,” saysGil Thurm, executive vicepresident of the HardwoodManufacturers Association.“After about 80 years, it like-ly will succumb to blight,infestation, lightning, orother natural disaster. Butimagine that same treemade into a piece of heir-loom furniture, which easi-ly will last 400 years ormore. Include a solid hard-wood floor in your homeand it will provide good serv-ice for 125 years or morewith a few refinishings.”

Here are some tips for car-ing for these future antiques:

� Keep furniture out ofdirect sunlight, or adjust cur-tains during mid-day hours.

� Avoid placement direct-ly in front of radiators, heatruns or fireplaces.

� Hardwood furniturelikes a relative humidity ofat least 25 percent to 35 per-cent. Use a humidifier inwinter and an air condition-er in summer.

� Store table leaves as

close as possible to the table.Keep them in an upstairscloset rather than a dampbasement so that table andleaves are adjusting to thesame humidity conditions.

� Dust weekly with aclean, slightly damp cloth.Avoid silicone sprays whichcan break down the finish.

� Remove water markswith 0000 gauge steel wool.Gently rub with the grainand buff with a soft cloth.

� Never use brass polishon hardware while it is onthe furniture. The polish willget into the wood.

Hardwood Kitchen and Bath Cabinets

Offer ConvenienceCabinets featuring solid

hardwood are easy to main-tain and keep clean. Today’sfinishes allow hardwooddoors, drawer fronts andface frames to withstandnormal wear and tear andeveryday household abuse.

A few simple tips will keepthem looking great:

� Dust cabinet surfacepanels and drawers regular-ly with a soft cloth or feath-er duster.

� Clean as needed with amild non-alkaline soap.Wipe away grease, spills or

hand prints with a dampsponge or cloth. Always drycabinets immediately with asoft cloth and buff lightly,following the direction of thegrain.

Mouldings Make a Difference

Woodwork does for ahome what a fine framedoes for a painting. Wood-work options include panel-ing, wainscoting, windowcasings and sills, doors anddoor jambs, staircases, fire-place mantels, and shelving.Solid hardwood woodworkis preferred for its naturaland distinctive look and easeof repair. It holds nails well,miters easily, and readilyaccepts stains and protectivefinishes.

Upkeep is easy, too, withhardwood mouldings andtrim:

� Clean and dust torestore luster to the finishand to protect the wood.

� Repair scratches bysanding out with a finegrade of paper and restain-ing with a matching colorfinish.

Abundant in NatureEnvironmentally con-

scious consumers should

know that, according to theU.S. Forest Service, the vol-ume of American hard-woods is 90 percent largerthan it was just 50 years ago,

and nearly twice as muchhardwood grows as is har-vested each year. That’s thevery definition of sustain-ability.

4 - Tuesday, Sept. 30, 2008 Fall Home Improvement ’08 LaGrange Daily News

A sophisticated look is completed with a defined oakfloor featuring a walnut inlay.

Solid hardwoods function in every room of the house

Every do-it-yourselferneeds an adequate tool arse-nal to be able to completeprojects correctly and safe-ly. The challenge lies in fig-uring out what tools to keepon hand and which tools canbe rented for project-specif-ic tasks.

Worth the purchase:� 16-oz curved-claw nail

hammer with a rubber griphandle

� Basic screwdriver setthat contains both flat bladesas well as Phillips

� Cross-cut hand saw� Cordless or corded power

drill with a variety of bits� Level� C-Clamps to hold things

you’re trying to secure� Retractable tape meas-

ure� Adjustable wrench� Slip-joint pliers� Sandpaper in a variety

of grit levels� Lubricant� Glues (wood glue,

epoxy, and all-purpose)� Duct tape� Small flashlight

Must-have tools

Matthew G Orr, Agent14 Lafayette SquareLaGrange, GA 30241-0036Bus: 706-882-0046matt.orr.he4v@statefarm.com

Can you draw hearts andsmiley faces with your fin-gers in the condensation onthe inside of your windows?If so, don’t blame your win-dows. High humidity in thehome often causes “sweat-ing” on windows.

Condensation is a natu-ral occurrence on all sur-faces in the home causedby excess humidity in theair. When water vaporcomes in contact with asurface which has a coolertemperature (like a win-dow), the vapor turns intovisible droplets of mois-ture, which can be seen onthe glass. This water vaporalso adheres to the walls,which can be a more seri-ous problem because it canpenetrate walls and poten-tially cause mold or mildewbuildup.

Water, Water EverywhereWhere is this condensa-

tion coming from in yourhome? According to theWindow and Door Manu-facturers Association, nor-mal breathing and perspi-ration by a family of fouradds a half pint of water tothe air in the home eachhour. That’s more than sixquarts of water a day.Steamy showers addanother half pint. Boilingwater for pasta and othercooking activities can addup to four or five pints ofwater per day to yourhome. And, dishwashers,washing machines andeven dryers can add sever-al more pints of water tothe air. Even poorly insu-lated crawl spaces allowhumidity to penetrate thehouse.

Windows and WaterSeeing condensation

buildup on your windowsignals that steps need to betaken to reduce condensa-tion in the home. When youhave energy-efficient win-dows, the temperature ofthe glass helps reduce con-densation buildup, but itwill not prevent the buildup.

“Although there’sno such thing as a conden-sation-free window in highhumidity conditions, insu-lating glass units really helpreduce condensation,” saysChristopher Burk, productmanager for Simonton Win-dows. “Some thermally effi-cient windows resist con-densation better than oth-ers. Homeowners shouldlook for windows with thehighest R-values possiblealong with the lower U-val-ues. R-value is the resist-ance a material has to heatflow. And U-values give bet-

ter insulating quality.Together, that means amore condensation-resist-ant window.”

Reducing Moisture in the Air

All homes need somemoisture, but not an exces-sive amount. If you noticecondensation on your win-dows or walls, try these tipsto reduce the moisture inyour home:

Tip No. 1 – Regularly useventilation fans in bath-rooms, kitchens and laundryrooms to circulate the air.

Tip No. 2 – Air out yourhome frequently by openingdoors and windows to cir-culate airflow.

Tip No. 3 – Reduce yournumber of indoor houseplants, since plants increasehumidity levels.

Tip No. 4 – Add a dehu-midifier to your home toremove excess moisturefrom the air.

Tip No. 5 – Make sure youhave working vents in yourattic, basement and crawlspaces.

“It’s important to remem-ber that windows don’tcause condensation,” saysBurk. “If there are highhumidity conditions in yourhome, the windows are act-ing as a barrier to preventthe moisture from escapingthe home. So, solve the

moisture problem in thehome and you’ll help reducethe condensation.”

Keeping Condensation Outdoors

While condensation onthe inside of your windowsindicates a problem in thehome with high humiditylevels, the opposite is truewhen condensation is onthe outside of your win-dows. “When you see con-densation on the outside ofyour windows, this meansthe insulating glass unit isdoing its job – insulatingyour home from the rain,moisture and other envi-ronmental conditions youwant to keep on the out-side,” says Burk. “The bestaspect of double- or triple-glazed windows is that theyact as a barrier against tem-perature extremes. Theyhelp save on energy billsand keep the home warmerin the winter and cooler inthe summer.”

Burk offers a final tip forhomeowners related toreplacing windows. “Some-times homeowners will seemore condensation onrecently replaced energyefficient windows than ontheir old windows,” saysBurk. “That’s because theirold windows were probablydrafty and the moisture wasescaping through the smallair gaps. Once the home hasmore energy-efficient win-dows in place, the humidity

is ‘locked in’ the house anddoesn’t escape through thecracks. Make no mistake ...the energy-efficient replace-ment windows are far bet-ter for the home and ener-gy bills than leaky windows.

It just means that home-owners need to be more vig-ilant about reducing thehumidity levels in thehome.”

Whether you are in theprocess of selling a home,renovating an existing homeor just trying a different dec-orating scheme, painting thewalls is one of the leastexpensive ways to create anew look. The experts atPurdy, a manufacturer ofprofessional painting tools,offer you the followingpainting tips.

You should have all yourpaint supplies gathered andready to use. If you’re newto painting or it has beensome time since you paint-ed, the Purdy Web site has aPainters Toolbox (www.pur-dycorp.com/homeowner/toolbox/), which provides aneasy-to-use checklist of theitems you will need.

The surface to be paintedshould always be clean anddry. Any rough spots shouldbe sanded and primed. Youshould also consider prim-ing if you are painting over

wallpaper or a very darkpaint color.

Step One – Cutting In.“Cutting in” is the art ofdrawing a straight line sep-arating two colors using onlythe brush – no masking tapeor other aid. You often see itat the edge between a walland ceiling or when you arepainting around a door orwindow. Cutting in is easy ifyou use a high-quality paintbrush and follow these sim-ple rules:

1. Fully load the brushwith paint.

2. Place the brush parallelto the area to be cut, pushthe bristles against the sur-face and let the brush openup into a semi oval. Thenmove it into the line you arecutting. Follow the line untilthe line of paint begins tobreak up. Repeat.

If you are not comfortablecutting in with a brush, youcan always use special

painters tape to ensure youget a straight line.

Step Two – Painting theSurface. You have twooptions for painting a sub-stantial surface area; use alarge 4-inch to 6-inch flatbrush or a 9-inch rollercover and frame.

If you decide to use abrush, the best way to loada paintbrush is to dip thebrush about an inch or twointo the paint and then gen-tly tap the brush againstboth sides of the paint can.Don’t wipe the brush againstthe side of the paint can; itwill cause paint to dry up onthe brush and the lip of thecan, creating dry paint ballsthat end up in the paint andon the substrate.

First, begin painting alongthe edges you have cut in.Use short strokes to spreadthe paint evenly along theborder or edge. After youhave thoroughly covered an

area, use longer strokes tosmooth any lines that mayhave developed. Continue topaint in this manner.

Using Roller Covers: Mostprofessionals prefer to useroller covers for large wallsurfaces. To load the roller,pour paint into a paint trayor pan. Dip the roller aboutof the way into the paint androll it along the grooves ofthe pan to load. Then, dipthe roller half way into thepaint and again roll backalong the grooves of the panto load. Repeat this processtwo more times until theroller is saturated with paint.

Begin rolling the wall bycreating a “v” shape. Fill theshape and roll smoothlyfrom top to bottom. If theroller cover was loadedproperly, a 9” x “ roller covershould offer about 6 to 12square feet of coverage fromeach dip. Professionalpainters also use rollers on

extension poles to quicklyand easily paint walls andceilings.

If you need to stop in the

middle of a project, be sureto complete the wall you areworking on to achieve theoptimum result.

LaGrange Daily News Fall Home Improvement ’08 Tuesday, Sept. 30, 2008 - 5

‘Cutting in’ is one of the first steps of a painting job. It isused around door frames, windows and where the wallsmeet the ceiling.

Make certain to use ventilation fans and open bathroomwindows during showers to reduce condensation in the room.

Advice from paint professionals: How to achieve the best painting results

Understanding condensation on your windows

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Fall is a perfect time forcompleting outdoor mainte-nance projects that’ll keepyour home looking greatand help make springcleanup easier than ever.Here are a few ideas fromthe home improvementexperts at Zinsser:

� Keep it clean. Manyhomeowners take advantageof the beautiful springweather to do outdoor proj-ects. But, fall is also a greattime to spruce up the outsideof your home. Jomax HouseWash is great for mainte-nance cleaning between sea-sons. Its built-in hose-mountis easy-to-use. Just attach toyour garden hose, clean,then rinse. Jomax HouseWash washes away dirt,algae, and mildew stains onvinyl, stucco, brick, wood,aluminum, and painted sur-faces.

� Don’t forget the roof. Abeautiful home begins from

the ground up and a cleanroof is like icing on a cake.The hot summer sun oftendiscourages homeownersfrom getting up on a ladder– so take advantage of thecooler weather and cleanyour roof. Jomax RoofCleaner removes blackstreaks, dirt and mildewstains from asphalt, wood,metal and composite roofs.Plus, it kills mold andmildew on tile, slate andother non-porous roofs.While you’re up there, makesure your gutters are cleanand clear of any debris likedirt, sticks and leaves to pre-vent blockage.

� Make outdoor furniturelast. The key to keeping out-door furniture and acces-sories looking great foryears is to make sure dirt,grime, algae, mildew stainsand odors don’t remain onyour furniture. Many home-owners decide to bring out-

door furniture in or cover itup when the winter weath-er begins to roll in. Clean-ing your outdoor piecesbefore packing them awaywill prevent contaminantslike mold and mildew fromchanging their appearance.Try using Jomax Mold &Mildew Stain Remover –great for use on plastic andvinyl. It cleans and removesmold and mildew stains.Plus, the fast-acting bleachformula is easy-to-use – justapply, wait 10 minutes andrinse off – no scrubbingrequired. Here’s a tip: Pro-tect outdoor pieces with asheet, tarp or specialtycover to prevent water andweather damage.

Keep up your home’s curb appeal

6 - Tuesday, Sept. 30, 2008 Fall Home Improvement ’08 LaGrange Daily News

The leaves are falling, it is foot-ball season and the air is turningcrisp. But that’s no excuse toignore your lawn. Now is the timeto get rid of weeds and bugs,nourish the grass for winter andplan for a beautiful spring.

“Fall is the perfect season forfixing up your lawn,” says RobRogan, turf expert for UnitedIndustries, manufacturer of Spec-tracide and Sta-Green products.“Many lawns have damage fromthe hot summer months, and youneed to take steps to repair thissummer damage and nourish thegrass and root system for a long,cold winter.”

Rogan recommends five simpletasks to protect the lawn all win-ter long and create gorgeous,green grass when the weatherwarms up again.

� Let the leaves be your guide.When the leaves start to turn, it’stime to fix up the lawn. Don’t waitto plan for the lawn’s winter care

until the first frost hits or the tem-perature drops below 45 degrees.It will be too late to tackle bugsand weeds, and the problems canliterally multiply for the comingspring.

� Give the lawn a winter coat.Apply a winterizer such as Sta-Green Phosphorus-Free Winter-izer Lawn Fertilizer. Winterizingthe yard will strengthen the rootsystem and give the lawn the vitalnutrients it needs to rejuvenatefrom the summer and to survivethe winter months.

� Eliminate weeds before win-ter. Apply a weed control such asSpectracideWeed Stop for Lawnsplus Crabgrass Killer. Weeds notonly germinate in the fall, but theyalso can leave behind seeds thatwill germinate in the spring.Applying a weed control in the fallwill kill weeds in the lawn andreduce the number that pop up inthe spring.

� Ban the bugs. Apply an insect

control such as Spectracide Tri-azicide Once and Done! InsectKiller granules or spray. Fallweather conditions are ideal forinsect survival. Once the temper-atures get really cold, many ofthose insects will search for shel-ter in your home. Applying aninsect control will keep your yardsafe in the fall and your home pro-tected in the winter.

� Re-seed for a lush lawn. Fallis great time to patch up thosebare spots or overseed the lawn.Use quality, weed-free grass seedto sow the lawn or fill in barespots to avoid planting weedsfrom the start, since some grassseeds inadvertently have weedsalready in the mix.

With these five simple steps,homeowners can fix up theirlawns this fall and be back enjoy-ing the football game in recordtime. And when spring arrives,they’ll have lawns worthy of a col-lege bowl game.

Take time this fall to nourish, repair and protect your lawn so it’ll sur-vive the long winter months.

Fall for a beautiful lawnFive fall fix-ups to create gorgeous, green grass for spring

Outdoor living spaces area growing home trend, andbackyards are becoming areflection of homeowners’sense of style and personal-ity. No longer relegated to afew folding chairs, home-owners are designing theirbackyards with the principlethat an outdoor living roomis just as important as anindoor living room.

“Backyards are becomingtrue reflections of the home,causing for a revival of gar-dening and landscaping, andgrowth of outdoor kitchensand living rooms,” saidWendy Loomis, landscapedesigner at Minnesota-basedBuell’s Landscape Center.“From serene fountains tostucco fireplaces to awning-covered patios, there are anumber of options to createa backyard oasis, allowinghomeowners to reconnectwith their outdoor spaces ina unique, yet practical way.”

Creating a Color SchemeSimilar to how you paint

an indoor room with acolor scheme in mind, out-door rooms can make astatement by incorporatingcolorful plants throughoutthe area. Bright, large flow-ers can be used in areas

designated for outdooractivities, while soft, subtlegreens can create a tran-quil reading nook. Loomisalso notes that homeown-ers should choose a land-scape style that integratesthe recurring outdoor colorschemes and complements

the home’s style.And the colors can go

beyond landscape. Carryinga scheme throughout out-door pillows, rugs, throws,furniture or awning fabricsand styles ties all of the out-door elements together.

“When you take advan-

tage of capitalizing on thecolor, texture and fabric ofoutdoor elements, the entireoutdoor living space trulybecomes a room,” saidMichelle Sahlin, managingdirector, ProfessionalAwning ManufacturersAssociation. “Just as you

would match a comforter orduvet with the color schemeof a bedroom, matching anawning with other outdoorelements brings the room tolife.”

Lighting up the RoomProper lighting allows for

more time spent in the out-door living rooms. Whetheryou’re looking for decora-tive electric lighting or justsimple candles or lanterns,additional lighting makesthe space enjoyable at vari-ous times of the day. Cozyoutdoor fireplaces or fire pitsserve as an option to bringboth light and warmth in thecool evening hours and toextend the use of the out-door space into the transi-tional seasons of spring andfall.

Keeping Safety and Privacy a Priority

While homeowners areeager to spend time in theiroutdoor spaces, there are avariety of ways to make theoutdoor room more privateand protected like the insideof a home. Patio and deckawnings create an extensionof the home, serving as anoutdoor ceiling.

“An awning not only pro-vides protection from thesun and heat, it also keeps

your home cooler by shad-ing windows and doors fromthe harmful rays of the sun,”said Sahlin. “And with theability to choose from a vari-ety of awning styles, sizesand fabrics, you don’t haveto sacrifice on design ele-ments.”

Fences and lattice provideadditional privacy, servingas walls to the outdoor liv-ing spaces. Some home-owners have successfullygrown climbing plants, suchas grape vines and Virginiacreeper, on open fence forprivacy.

Creating a Focal PointIn addition to landscape

elements, consider deco-rative items that enhancethe outdoor room. Similarto pictures and wall decorinside a home, windchimes, fountains and dif-ferent hangings can add toan overall design theme.And what better way toenjoy the view of your out-door room than with coor-dinated deck or patioaccessories. Lounge chairs,tables, benches and ham-mocks all provide a relax-ing way to take in theindoor/outdoor transitionyou’ve created.

Right design, functionality enhance a home’s backyard appeal

A backyard ‘room’ is simply an outdoor extension of your living space. An awning pro-vides privacy and protection from the elements in this outdoor room.

Ensure curb appeal by cleaning and maintaining your home’s exterior.

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Every year, Americansspend millions of dollarsremodeling their bathrooms,replacing fixtures and vani-ties and purchasing high-end accessories. But there’sa lot you can do to transformthe look of your bathroomfrom the past owner’s pinkor baby blue or lilac colorpalate into a modern andclean style of your own –even when your budget istight. All you need is somepaint and a little imagina-tion. Here are a few ideasfrom the experts at Rust-Oleum:

Don’t replace. Refinish.Replacing bathroom fix-tures is one of the mostexpensive projects associ-ated with a bathroomremodel and replacing

bathroom tiles oftenrequires the services of acontractor. But now, thanksto advances in paint tech-nology, you can change thecolor of your bathtub, sink,toilet, and tile or simplygive them a “like new” fin-ish without busting yourbudget. Products like Rust-Oleum Specialty Tub andTile Refinishing Kit fea-tures a self-leveling epoxyacrylic formula that actsand looks like porcelainand ceramic. Available inthe most popular colors forbathtubs and tiles – White,Almond and Biscuit – thekit makes it easy for eveninexperienced do-it-your-selfers to get professionalresults on ceramic, porce-lain and fiberglass fixtures.

Create a custom vanity.You don’t have to replaceyour vanity to give it a cus-tom look. Transformingyour old vanity is easy andfun thanks to products likeRust-Oleum Specialty Coun-tertop Coating. It’s availablein 16 custom colors to matchany bathroom decor. Wantto soothe your soul and cre-ate a relaxing space? Coolcolors, like blues and greens,create a peaceful, relaxedatmosphere. So, try Mead-ow or Palest Blue. Or for acozy and casual feel, chooseneutral colors like Canvas orCobblestone. Then paint thecabinet in a coordinating orcontrasting color to create apersonalized vanity.

Don’t forget the walls. Afresh coat of paint is one ofthe simplest ways to updatethe look of your bathroom –or add the style and ele-gance it’s lacking. In bath-rooms and other highhumidity areas try a paintthat offers protection againstthe growth of mold andmildew, like Perma-WhiteMold & Mildew-Proof Inte-rior Paint, for a paint job thatwill stay looking beautifulfor years.

Accessorize, accessorize,accessorize. It’s easy to adda touch of personal style toyour bathroom with a fewaccent pieces. Why notpaint your old toothbrushholder, towel racks andsoap dispensers withPainter’s Touch spray paintin a soothing color likeNatural Denim and KeyLime?

Or create custom pictureframes, shelves and evenplastic tissue covers ortrash cans by paintingthem with Rust-Oleum’snew Universal Silver Ham-mered spray paint. Univer-sal is great for any surface– wood, metal, plastic andmore. And, just one coatwill unify mismatchedpieces and give them atrendy finish.

LaGrange Daily News Fall Home Improvement ’08 Tuesday, Sept. 30, 2008 - 7

For more than a year now,the lead story on newscastsacross the country has beenrising fuel prices and theaffects those prices are hav-ing on families nationwide.No longer an aberration,these high fuel costs haveforever changed the waypeople live.

While prices at the pumphave garnered the mostattention, other expenses,such as home heating costs,have consistently been onthe rise as well. For manyhomeowners, this hassparked a return to simplertimes, when less costlyhome heating options, suchas wood, were the primarysource of heating forhomes. Although somemight consider heating ahome with wood a bit old-fashioned, that’s not thecase at all. In fact, today’shigh-tech wood boilers andtheir cost saving benefitsare more popular than ever.Determining if these unitsare right for you and yourhome can be done by ask-ing yourself three simplequestions.

Is Wood Heating Right for You?

The decision to go withwood heat requires careful

consideration. While lowerheating bills and the envi-ronmentally-friendly natureof wood furnaces are twothings many homeownersare looking for, the folks atGreenwood Technologies,the industry leader in high-efficiency wood boilers, rec-ommend that homeownersconsider the following fac-tors when thinking aboutswitching to central woodheating.

� Availability of wood. Formany homeowners, wood isreadily available. For others,identifying a source for logwood presents a challengeand requires the purchase ofseasoned wood. Even inthese situations, the benefitof heating with wood pro-vides a significant savingsover existing monthly utili-ty bills.

� Comfort level withwood. Many people who useor have used a fireplace orwood stove find it easy tooperate a wood furnace.With improved perform-ance, today’s efficient mod-els require less frequentloading and maintenance.Although not difficult, thestorage and handling of thewood fuel used in theseappliances requires atten-tion.

� Local codes. Be sure tocheck with the local author-ities to be certain that awood furnace complies withlocal codes.

Will My Heating SystemAccept a Central Wood

Heating System?Today’s high-efficiency

wood heating systems arecompatible with most exist-ing heating systems. Thisincludes forced air, base-board, radiant and in floor,existing boilers, and hotwater heaters. For those wholike a little luxury, thesewood heating systems areeven compatible with spasand hot tubs. To be certainyour home will be compati-ble with a wood heating sys-tem, visit Greenwood Tech-nologies online atwww.GreenwoodUSA.com.

How Do I Know Which System to Choose?

Today’s high-efficiencywood heating systems offerhomeowners more benefitsthan ever before. As men-tioned, many homeownersare simply fed up with risingheating costs, and are mostconcerned with finding away to alleviate some ofthose costs. While woodboilers can save their own-

ers 70 percent or more ontheir home heating costs,they’re also low-mainte-nance and low-emissionproducts, making themfriends of the environmentas well.

For example, Green-wood’s Aspen Seriesmarks the evolution of thewood furnace from thelow-efficiency days of yes-teryear to the environmen-tally conscious current cli-mate. Because they burnwood completely, theAspen Series wood fur-naces leave no particles tocreate smoke or ash.

For those who alreadyhave Aspen Series wood fur-naces, its simplicity and lowmaintenance is a close sec-ond in terms of benefits. Forinstance, the series’ Plug-and-Go operation makesthem easy to connect toexisting outdoor wood fur-nace plumbing with little orno modifications. Designedto be easily maintainable,Aspen Series furnaces use60 percent less wood thancompeting furnaces, makingthem convenient and cost-effective. Today’s high effi-ciency wood boilers are aneasy and cost-effective wayto achieve home heatingindependence.

Greenwood’s Aspen Series wood furnace can save home-owners money while also benefiting the environment.

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Wallpaper is back — and a hot decorating trend — be sure to apply it correctly.

The ABCs of hanging wallpaperWallpaper is back in vogue

– and it’s much easier tohang than you think! Thesecret behind a beautifulwallpapering project is prop-er prep. Just follow thesetips from the wallcoveringexperts at Zinsser:

A clean wall is the firstessential step. Remove dirt,grime, grease, old wallpa-per adhesive and any othercontaminants that couldinterfere with the adhesionwith a simple soap andwater solution. If the oldwallpaper adhesive givesyou a hard time, try usinga wallpaper removal prod-uct, like DIF Fast-Acting.Available in a ready-to-usespray – it dissolves the gluequickly, making wall clean-ing easy. Here’s a tip fromthe pros: Wallpaper doesnot hide chipping paint orholes in the surface of thewall. Make sure to sandchipping paint and repairholes before hanging yourwallpaper.

Be sure to apply a primer.Wallpaper needs a smooth,sealed surface to look its

best, so be sure to primeand seal your surfacebefore hanging paper. Aprimer designed for wall-covering prep, like ShieldzUniversal, primes, hides,seals and sizes in just onecoat, creating a perfect sur-face for hanging the paper.Priming also makes wall-paper easier to position,improves its adhesion, andmakes it easier to removeat redecorating time. Plus,Shieldz protects against thegrowth of mold andmildew under the wallpa-per, so it’s great for use inkitchens, bathrooms, laun-dry rooms and other highhumidity areas.

Choose the correct adhe-sive. Different types of wall-paper can require differentadhesives. Zinsser’s Sure-Grip Universal WallcoveringAdhesive is the one adhesivethat is great for hanging anywallpaper on any surface.Hanging pre-pasted wallpa-per? SureGrip Spray-OnPaste Activator takes themess out of hanging pre-pasted wallpaper by elimi-

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For more “tips” on makingwallpaper hanging easy ormore helpful home improve-ment tips, visit www.zinss-er.com.

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Wicked weather has beenraging across the countrythis year, and storm and hur-ricane season now is uponus – bringing with it threatsto homes from highlydestructive wind-bornedebris.

Homeowners need toknow what to do to preparetheir houses and propertyfrom these dangerous forcesof nature.

In addition to followingsome basic tips to safeguardtheir home's exteriors, manyhomeowners are installingstorm shelters that are vir-

tually impervious to extremewind and flying debris.

“Most houses aren't toughenough to resist the destruc-tion that hurricanes or tor-nadoes can dish out,” saysChris Anderson, DuPontStormRoom Manager. “Thisis why storm shelters arebeing installed in recordnumbers - especially versa-tile structures that also canbe used throughout the yearfor other purposes, such asa laundry room, closet orbathroom.”

Increasingly popularamong homeowners are

extremely durable shelters,such as the DuPont Storm-Room with Kevlar – an in-home shelter manufacturedfrom the same lightweightmaterial used for bullet-resistant vests worn by lawenforcement and militarypersonnel.

You can help make yourentire home safer from thethreats of hurricanes andother storms by followingthese safety tips from theexperts at the National Hur-ricane Center, DuPont andthe Federal EmergencyManagement Agency:

� Protect and secure theareas where wind can enter.This can be done by reinforc-ing five critical areas: doors,roof, straps (areas where yourroof meets the top of studwalls), shutters or impactresistant windows and garagedoors. To learn how tostrengthen each of these, visitthe National Hurricane Cen-ter’s Web Site at www.nhc.noaa.gov and click on “BePrepared”in the menu.

� To protect windowsbefore a storm hits, installhurricane shutters or pur-chase precut 5/8-inch marineplywood, cut to fit and readyto install. Install anchors forthe plywood and predrillholes in it so you can put itup quickly. Remember, tapedoes not prevent windowsfrom breaking. If you arereplacing old window orpurchasing new windowsconsider upgrading to hur-ricane impact resistant win-dows so you can have 24/7protection.

� Ensure your home'sexterior siding is well-

secured. Also consider dryflood-proofing your homeand adding waterproofveneer to exterior walls.

� Consider building orinstalling a storm shelter.Many storm rooms, such asthe DuPont StormRoom withKevlar, can be equipped withelectricity, radio and wirelessreception. These extremelysturdy shelters can be speci-fied into new home construc-tion or be retrofitted to anexisting residence.

� Trim trees and shrubsaround your home to pre-

vent limbs from becomingairborne missiles that coulddamage your house andbelongings. Remove deadlimbs and strategicallyremove branches so windcan blow through.

� Clear loose and cloggedrain gutters and down-spouts.

� Also consider theseoptions: raise electrical sys-tem components, anchorfuel tanks, raise or flood-proof HVAC equipmentand/or install sewer back-flow valves.

� As soon as you are alert-ed to an oncoming hurri-cane, secure any outdoorobjects that could damageyour property if they getswept up in high winds –such as garbage cans, lawnfurniture, hanging plantsand outdoor decorations.Consider bringing theseobjects indoors.

For more information onprotecting your home fromhurricanes, tornadoes andother severe weather, visitwww.stormroom.dupont.com.

8 - Tuesday, Sept. 30, 2008 Fall Home Improvement ’08 LaGrange Daily News

Diagnosis: deer? Solving homeowners’ deer dilemmasHomeowners across the

country have seen thesymptoms: Missingblooms, torn leaves withragged edges, hoof printsin the lawn. It can onlymean one thing: Deer.People at their wits end willerect fences, set out noise-makers, and even resort totrying to catch the animalsin the act. However, deerknow how to foil theseattempts, and you’re stillleft with munched-onplants.

Bob Lillis would know. Hemanages corn seed devel-opment test plots for Mon-santo in Iowa, and wagesconstant war against deerwho would willingly eat hisentire corn crop. Relief camewhen he began using AllSeason Weatherproof DeerRepellent (formerly DeerFortress). “It’s by far the bestproduct we’ve ever used,” hesays. “We have experienceda 100 percent improvementsince we started using it.What sets this product apartis that it is weather-proof,waterproof and one appli-cation lasts the entire grow-ing season.”

Driving Deer Away“In recent years, there

have been two basic kindsof deer repellents – liquidsprays that are applieddirectly to the plant’s foliageor granules that can be

spread around the base ofthe plant or shrub,” explainsStewart Clark, director ofresearch and developmentat Senoret Chemical Com-pany, makers of All Season.“The mode-of-action, inmost cases, is either an odoror an offensive taste thatrepels the deer. However,there are significant issueswith both of these,” notesClark.

Since both liquid andgranular applications areexposed to the elements,their effectiveness is meas-ured, at best, in weeks. Raincan very quickly wash therepellent off of the plant’sleaves or dissolve it into theground. Throughout thecourse of a normal growingseason, numerous applica-tions are required and justone missed application canleave a garden open to deerinvasions. In addition, liquidrepellents tend to smell ter-rible. The odor can be so badthat, for several hours,homeowners cannot enjoysitting outdoors.

Weatherproof Solution“The new All Season

product is unique in themarket today because it isvirtually odorless to humans,weather-proof, non-toxicand one application lasts allseason long,” says Clark. Ituses dried blood, a scent-based repellent, to trigger an

innate “danger” response indeer, which, in turn, causes aflight response. This activeingredient has been aproven, highly effectiverepellent for severaldecades. Studies haveshown that, next to fencedenclosures, blood is the mosteffective way to repel deer.It produces no noxioussmells to humans and is asafe, natural, environmen-tally friendly product thatcan be used in any garden,including vegetable gardens.

The All Season repellentis packaged in a patented,weatherproof container thatis specially designed to allowthe scent to escape but keeprain and other elements atbay. Homeowners simplystake the containers in theground or hang them inshrubs four to eight feetapart throughout the desiredprotection area. Then, justsit back, and allow the prod-uct to work. There’s nomessy mixing, spraying orreapplication necessary.Because no reapplication isneeded, the product alsocosts less over a season thanmost traditional repellantoptions.

“Last year, I lost a bigchunk of my day lilies androses from deer crossingthrough my property. Iused a spray repellent,which would mostly keepthem away – as long as I

continued to reapply thespray,” says Greg Eckart ofSaybrook, Conn. “Thisyear, the deer returned, andI decided to try All Seasonbecause I’d heard it didn’thave to be reapplied. It’sbeen eight weeks since Ibegan using it, and sincethen, I haven’t had to reap-ply it. And best of all, I’vehad no deer on my proper-ty – which says a lot, since

my neighbors have deercoming through theirproperty all the time.”

It is important to note thatno deer repellent is 100 per-cent effective in every situ-ation, cautions Clark. As nat-ural deer habitats aresqueezed by development,deer must search harder forfood. Repellents create anunpleasant environment fordeer, but some may still for-

age in yards out of sheer sur-vival instinct. However,proper use and applicationof repellents can lead to anincreased success rate.

Consumers with deerrepellent questions are invit-ed to call the All Season hot-line at 866-738-7920 for per-sonalized assistance in solv-ing deer dilemmas or logonto www.wrsweeney.comfor more information.

Stop deer from devouring your landscape with an effective, weatherproof repellent.

Many homeowners are installing storm shelters that with-stand wind and debris.

How to make your home safer this storm season

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