november 5th - 6th rhode island convention...

The 8th Annual Providence Fall Home Show

November 5th - 6thRhode Island Convention Center

2 HO

ME IM

PROV

EMEN

T | PROV

IDEN

CE

By Melissa EricksonMore Content Now

Now that the weather has turned cooler, you’re spending more time indoors.

You’re probably surrounded by warm-weather clothing and goods that you won’t need for a few months. Time to seize the opportunity and get organized.

Unless you stay on top of things, it’s easy for drawers, cabinets, closets — the entire home — to get messy. Tackling the tumult can seem an insur-mountable task. One problem is simply getting started. Where do you begin? What comes first?

“Don’t look at the big pic-ture. People get overwhelmed when they think about the magnitude of the project, especially if clutter abounds in every room,” said Monica

CLEAN UP

ORGANIZATION

MOTIVATIONThe key to getting organized is to just start

Friel, president of Chaos to Order, Chicago.

How to startYou don’t have to get to it all

immediately. A big mess can be dwindled down a bit at a time.

“If you find yourself never getting started because you can’t find the time for such a large project, use a timer. Can you only deal with it in 30-minute increments? That’s OK – it’s better to get started than to never begin,” Friel said.

Just start in one section of the

big project. “For example, you’ve got a

cluttered garage and it’s full to the brim, grab a trash bag and a donation bag and begin elimi-nating what you can. Even 10 minutes of this will get that dent started. Who knows, maybe you’ll realize it’s not so bad and keep going beyond the allotted time,” Friel said.

Some people like to start with an overall strategy, but just doing it is what matters.

“Planning is always a good idea, but don’t spend too much

time planning, making lists and reading books about it. We see many folks who stay in the plan-ning mode and avoid getting started,” Friel said.

Need a little encouragement to get started?

“Containers are a great motivator,” Friel said. “Don’t buy any organizing gadgets until you’ve finished the weed-through-and-purge process. If you’ve got your eye on some fun baskets or containers, let that be your reward for getting through it. You can even set some reward

markers in your planning stage: containers for getting through different sections, a manicure for getting through all the paperwork and a massage after cleaning out the basement.”

If you’re really having trou-ble getting started, “working with an expert organizer makes getting started happen easier. You plan the time and carve it out. Your organizer arrives and they guide you through this process, which makes what once was daunting a little more fun,” Friel said.

More tipsHere are a few more of Friel’s expert tips to pare down:• Papers: Toss junk mail ASAP and scan

when you can. Using your smartphone to take digital images of notes and papers will help ease the paper clutter.

• Clothing: Go through each piece every season. This not only gives you a mental inventory of what you have, it helps to keep only what you wear handy.

• Toys: Kids can get overwhelmed with too much fun stuff. Keep only what they love and rotate toys, so not everything is always accessible.

FRE

EP

IK.C

OM

3 HO

ME IM

PROV

EMEN

T | PROV

IDEN

CE

www.jklengineering.com

Air Conditioning Heating

Sheet Metal Work Plumbing

Water Filtration

945 Westminster Street Providence, Rl 02903

401-351-7600

REPLACEMENT WINDOWS & DOORS Windows Starting at

$299 ea

Patio Doors Starting at

$1499 ea

All Custom Colors. Sh~pes & Sizes Available

"Superior Products Installed with Quality Craftsmanship"

INSULATION Professional Installers of

Class 1 Cellulose and Fiberglass

Batting for Old Houses

Master Elite Certified Commercial & Residential - Serving R.l Reg. & Ins.

ROOFING Rubber • Modified ShonPI<>< • Wood Shingles

4 HO

ME IM

PROV

EMEN

T | PROV

IDEN

CE


The kitchen has always been the heart of the home, but no longer is it a tucked-away

space for meal prep. The new trend is a connected “super kitchen” that serves multiple purposes and incorporates features tradi-tionally found in other parts of the home, according to the latest Houzz Kitchen Trends Survey.

“The kitchen has been a gathering place for friends and families for many years now, but it will become part of the main living space even further,” said kitchen and bath designer Petra Jakobskrueger of Creative Partner, a European-style kitchen and bath design and home remodeling special-ist in the San Francisco Bay area. “In almost all our current projects we merge kitchen and living room, for example, by includ-ing hidden and integrated appliances.”

The line between the kitchen and other living spaces is now being dra-matically blurred, the survey found. Of people who are in the midst of planning or recently completed kitchen renova-tions, the survey found that 69 percent use the space for eating and dining, and nearly half for entertaining (49 percent) and socializing (43 percent). In addition, more than a quarter of renovating homeowners use their kitchen as a homework

KITCHEN

A PLACE TO

MULTITASKspace (25 percent), one in five watch TV (19 per-cent), and 14 percent read. Because it’s become the hub of such activity, 60 percent of homeowners spend more than three hours a day in their kitchens.

“Planning a new kitchen, I always ask homeown-ers how they entertain so we can plan the space according to their specific needs. Typical features for entertainment these days are built-in speakers, a wet or wine bar, and a big, multifunctional island,” Jakobskrueger said. “Work-spaces in addition to dining

tables are also a common request. Parents want to be able to take care of bills, check emails, do online shopping from the con-venience of their kitchen while their kids might do homework on the island.”

High-tech features are welcome additions to the kitchen.

“Homeowners also select state-of-the-art appli-ances, from steam ovens to built-in coffee machines to wine coolers. They look for smarter appliances and other kitchen gadgets that make cooking easy and more convenient. A

big hit are hidden charging stations, for example in a drawer, to store devices like phones and tablets so that they are always operable, at hand, and charged but out of the way,” Jakobskrueger said.

“The modern ‘super kitchen’ supports family, friends and work and does it in style,” said Nino Sitchi-nava, principal economist at Houzz. “Our findings show that homeowners expect kitchen renovations to go far beyond improving flow, storage or aesthetics. The ‘super kitchen’ has lit-erally become a living room, family room and office, with finishes, layouts and decor that challenge us to define where the kitchen ends and the rest of the home begins.”

The survey also found that kitchen updates often included changing the layout to support better flow. U-shaped kitchens are the most popular choice of new layout (35 percent), followed by L-shape (28 percent), shapes which lend themselves most easily to open-concept floorplans.

Neutral colors were the most popular. Similar to last year’s findings, the majority of those renovat-ing kitchens continue to gravitate toward c√ çcolors that will stand the test of time. Shades of beige, gray and white are top choices for updated walls, and white and medium-light wood are still trending for cabinets. Updated counters either integrate multiple colors or are primarily white or black, the survey found.

‘Super kitchens’ become hub of

the home

BIG

STO

CK

.CO

M

PIXABAY.COM

BM

WpcjobA

$optolu

mpeaoohBwythn

ein

5 HO

ME IM

PROV

EMEN

T | PROV

IDEN

CE


While other rooms might be bigger and showier, the bath-room is a popular

place for a home remodel. Ameri-cans will spend $13 billion on bath jobs in 2016, according to research by the National Kitchen & Bath Association.

While that’s less than the $18.5 billion that will be spent on kitchen remodels this year, it proves that consumers are willing to spend money to create custom, luxury bathrooms.

Today’s bathroom is often missing something that was previously a must-have a gen-eration ago. Many homeowners are ejecting the bathtub in favor of master showers with upscale options such as rainfall shower heads and handheld sprayers. Bigger is better, with grander walk-in showers and high-tech yet energy-efficient details rather than tiny cubicles with weak spray nozzles.

“The shower has begun to evolve into one of the most indulgent moments of the day,”

BATH

SPA

ATHOMEShower the focus of bath remodels

said Benjamin Fix, Grohe’s senior product director for showers. “Research shows us that people are choosing overhead/rain showers and hand showers now more than ever. We see many people combining these outlets in combination with a minimalistic trim, allowing for more control in water temperature and diversion between the outlets.”

Many homeowners opt for a transitional design that “strikes the perfect balance of minimal yet sophisticated” and “doesn’t call for extremes in terms of color, fixtures, textures, etc.,” Fix said.

“Since homeowners often invest a lot of time and energy into remodeling the bathroom, they want to ensure the designs selected stay up-to-date for the

long term, making transitional an easy choice for many different people. Transitional design also allows the homeowner to refresh the details of the space while still keeping the overall concept bal-anced to again ensure a modern look overtime,” he added.

Just like any other remodeling project, “consumers are becom-ing increasingly interested in products that focus on conserving water and are energy-efficient. Products as simple as thermostats can help save up to 50 percent of water due to an ability to reach desired shower temperature faster,” Fix said.

Other options for showerheads include those with LED light-ing, steam and the ability to play music.

Don’t have the budget for a total remodel? Consider just replacing your showerhead. Grohe’s Retro-Fit with standard shower arm is equipped with water-saving technologies to reduce energy consumption and “can transform an existing shower into a luxurious shower system with a showerhead and hand shower,” Fix said.

PH

OTO

S C

OU

RT

ESY

GR

OH

E

6 HO

ME IM

PROV

EMEN

T | PROV

IDEN

CE

IN BRIEF


Sitting on your living room couch doesn’t seem risky, but did you know that your cushions could contain

flame retardants that could be hazardous to your health?

Flame retardants are chemi-cals that are added or applied to materials in order to slow or prevent the start or growth of fire. Scientific evidence links flame retardants to devel-opmental delays in children, reproductive problems, cancer and other health issues, according to the National Institute of Environ-mental Health Sciences.

Products that are likely to contain flame retardants include couches made after 1970, including love seats, recliners and padded chairs; children’s car seats; infant sleep wedges and pregnancy pil-

lows; high chairs and portable crib mattresses.

Have concerns? A research team at Duke University will

test up to five samples from your furniture or household

products for free. Start the

simple submission process by visiting foam.pratt.duke.edu to get a serial number. Then you’ll need to cut out a piece of foam about the size of a marble, wrap it in aluminum foil, seal it in a sandwich bag and mail it in.

Styrofoam and polyester filling will not be tested.

You’ll receive a brief report of the find-ings in about 45 days. The testing is part of an ongoing effort to understand human exposure to these chemicals and will deter-mine if one of the seven most common flame retardants is present.

The best way to reduce your exposure to these chemicals is by washing your hands frequently, particularly before eating a meal. Reducing the accumulation of dust in your home by vacuuming and dusting regularly will also help, as will cleaning out your air ducts and changing your air filters on a rou-tine basis.

Free testing for fl ame retardants

The best way to reduce your exposure to these

chemicals is by washing your hands frequently,

particularly before eating a meal.

7 HO

ME IM

PROV

EMEN

T | PROV

IDEN

CE


There’s always something new in the high-tech home theater market. From things available

now like 4K TVs and cinema-quality sound systems to the next big thing, a few experts weigh in on the hottest trends.

Higher defi nition“Even though the housing

market is still in recovery mode we continue to get requests for high-end home theaters,” said Rob Dzedzy, president, Media Rooms Inc., West Chester, Pennsylvania. “Clients want a dedicated room where they can enjoy an incredible big screen experience.”

Definition describes the amount of pixels your TV uses to create an image; 4K means 4,000 horizontal lines.

“The increased resolution of 4K is very much in demand, and 4K movies are starting to

become available. Better audio/video systems upscale the video so even standard high definition (1080p) looks sharper with more vivid colors,” he said.

Manufacturers showcased 4K TVs at the 2016 Consumer Elec-tronics Show, and the new Xbox One S supports the system, but they have their detractors.

“We were all excited about 4K, but it wasn’t an obvious improvement,” said Joel Silver, president of the Imaging Science Foundation.

The problem is that the rec-ommended viewing distance for optimal picture quality is too close, Silver said.

“People don’t watch TV with their noses on the screen. It’s great for gamers, who do watch that way, though,” he said.

Even better than 4K TV will be HDR, or high dynamic range, TVs, which are being manu-factured by the “biggest and brightest in the field,” Silver said.

“You will really notice a

HOME THEATERS

SIGHTS&SOUNDSThe next big things in home theaters

difference with HDR. The picture is brighter. The colors and whites are brighter, and the black is very black. This is really going to make a difference. You’ll notice it from all the way across the room,” Silver said.

Sound and sizeThe next new thing in sound

is the Dolby Atmos system, which places speakers above your head in addition to the front, side and rear, said David Huse, chief executive officer of Theater Advice, Frisco, Texas. The sounds of the on-screen story move around you in three-dimensional space, so you feel like you’re inside the action.

“By adding two speakers on the ceiling it creates the illusion that you can feel the sound,” whether that’s a helicopter overhead or rain falling during a storm, Huse said.

“To use Atmos surround sound the system must have an Atmos-enabled audio/video receiver and Atmos speakers,”

Dzedzy said.Another popular trend is

large flat panel TVs. “Several years ago large flat

panel TV were very expensive and therefore not popular. Now TVs that are 75 inches in diam-eter (or greater) are available from several manufacturers in both indoor and outdoor ver-sions at much more reasonable prices,” Dzedzy said. “Large flat panel TVs are bring-ing home theater into family rooms, outdoor entertainment areas and other rooms where a projection video system may not be feasible because of ambient room light.”

Coming soon are TVs with WCG, or wide color gamut, that will increase the number of colors that current TVs can display, Silver said.

“It’s like a bigger box of crayons. Right now a red Fer-rari doesn’t look Ferrari red on television. It looks more orange. WCG is going to fix that,” Silver said.

FRE

EP

IK.C

OM

“By adding two speakers

on the ceiling it

creates the illusion that you can feel the sound.”

David Huse

8 HO

ME IM

PROV

EMEN

T | PROV

IDEN

CE

Remodelers • Kitchens & Baths • Custom Cabinets • Cable + Internet Services, Installations Awnings & Decks • Home Generators Design • Building Supplies

Outdoor Structures, Pergolas, Furniture & Playsets • Cutlery • Duct & Vent Maintenance HV AC Services • Windows, Doors, Roofing & Siding • Water Treatment Systems

Pavers • Basement Waterproofing • Metal Roofs • Architects • Bath Tub Refinishing & Liners • Bed Linens

Foundation Repair • Hearing Specialists • Electrical Contractors Mattresses & Bedding • Credit Unions

Financial Advisors & Mortgage Lending • Home Food Plans Custom Home Designs • Custom Closets • Home Heating Oil Hardwood Flooring, Floor Coverings, Floor Care and more!

PARTICIPATING SPONSORS:

~ coastQJ Jfl 920 Angles list Ctt:tf•

FREE TICKETS AT LOCAL AREA STORES COURTESY OF:

JCPenney

ENI<S PRODUCTIONS

205 E High, East Hampton, CT 06424

(800) 955-7 469 (outside CT) • (860) 365-5678

www.jenksproductions.com

EXHIBITOR BOOTH 1 800 Busy Dog Basement

Technologies 117 ADT Security Services 428 Advantage Wmdow 614 Advocare A7 Aerus Electrolux/ Air Purifier/ Pure Orgins East Pro 119

Aerus Electrolux/ Air Purifier/ Pure Orgins East Pro 401

Affordable Cabinet Refacing 520 American Dry Basement Systems 322 American Frozen Foods 208 Ameriprise Financial 525 Barnum Financial 314 Barrett Hardwood Floors 218 Bath Fitter Rl 100 Baystate Solar/Rhode Island Solar Solutons 305

Baystate Structures 627 Bernard Modular Homes ( Representing New England Ho 115

Better Business Bureau Serving Eastern MA, ME, Rl 110

Boston Garage/Boston Homespaces 217 Brady Built Sunrooms 521 Bruneau & Co. Auctioneers 633 Cabinet Revival by Smyth Painting 210 Casanova Remodeling, LLC 426 Closet Creations 206a Consumers Gas Propane 333 Cornerstone Contracting 523 Cox Communications 321 Cox Electric 317 CRMC, State ofRI A4 CrossMark, Inc.dlb/a Marketing

Werks 415 Culligan by Water Co Of

New England 405 Cutco Cutlery A9 Direct Energy Solar 332 DISH Network- GFM - SPI- Brand Drive 526

Dream Fetchers 337 OS! Systems, lnc.DirecTV&Excede Internet 501 Floor Coverings International 403 Forever Boards 327 Gene Hutnak Photography 328 Habitat Post And Beam 222 Hasbro Children's Hospital - 4

Safety Program 441 Healthmate Forever International,

LLC 109a Healthy Living 602 Hill's Home Market 316 Horticultural Consultants 623 )ames Hardie Siding & Building

Products 600 )C Penney - Housewares Dept -Store0367 303

)C Swain Enterprises LLC 112a )MCLeather 616 Kitchen & Countertop Center of New England 311

Kitchen Magic 106 Kitchen Options of New England 505 KR Communications 1M3 215 Krueger Windows Siding & Roofing, LLC 527

EXHIBITOR BOOTH KWC Marketing LLC- InnSeason a Resorts 200

3: m

Leaf Filter North of New Jersey, Inc. 307 ~ ..., Lux Renovations/Owens Corning 310 ~ MassMutual 503 < m

MillStream Construction 500 3: m

Miracle Method Surface Restorations 407 ~ MK Products - Rhineland Knives Bamboo Wicker 214

..., "' 0

Moonworks Your Home Improved 227 < e Natalie35LLC A--10 ... New England Home Magazine ~ ... CT & Boston Editions Magi

New England Sola Concepts, Inc 404 Newport Propane 601 Newpro Windows 201 Newpro Windows 300 NRG Home Solar - Solar Division 315 Papa Gino's Pizzeria & Di\ngelo

Grilled Sandwiches 223 Pella Wmdows - Fall River, MA 111 Petro Home Services 421 Power Home Remodeling Group- MAS IS Renewal By Andersen Southern New England 502

Rescom Exteriors 324 Residential Plans & Habitats4Humans320 Restivo's Heating & Air Conditioning 205 Restoration Specialists 301 Rhode Island Home Improvement 103 Rl Fit Magazine Mag2 Rl Home Buyer Magazine Mag3 Rl Homes Magazine MagS RISB) - Integrated Media Mag4 S&M Hearth, Patio & Barbecue 414 Scaledown Cookware 233 Sears Home Pro 510 Silver leaf Resorts, Inc. 221 Sleep Number-Select Comfort Garden City Center 411

Solar City Corporation 206 Soldier Solutions LLC 325b Steve Mould Knives - Easy Slice 429 Sungevity 112 Superior Comfort, Inc. 626 Taylor Made Communications SOla Techniart Marketing & Promotions 604 The Centers For Integrative Medicine & Healing 511

The Purple Solution Touch of Purple 334

The Window Source 329 Therrien Mechanical Systems 433 United Better Homes 304 United Home Experts, Inc. 211 Via Vieno Investment Agency 617 Warwick Mall At Large Window World of Rhode Island 400 Winter Leash 607 \'I)D Enterprises 435 Wooden Fitness Innovations 610 Woods Heating Services, Inc. 611 Yankee Home Improvement 123

Floor plan and listings are accurate at time of printing. Jenks Productions cannot be held liable for any omissions, errors or changes.

10 HO

ME IM

PROV

EMEN

T | PROV

IDEN

CE


Some people enjoy mowing the lawn. Others make their kids do it. The tech-savvy have robots to do the sweaty grunt work.

Relatively new in America, lawn robots are popular in Europe and have been doing the job

since the first solar-powered robotic mowers were invented in 1995. Many of the companies now offering them here are well established overseas.

“Robotic lawn mowers are commonplace in Europe,” said Karsten Beck, chief administrative officer for Robomow of North America. “But we’re now starting to see more Ameri-can consumers embrace the technology and make the switch to robotic lawn mowers.”

“People don’t realize this technology is available to them,” said Giselle Sendra, digital marketing director for Robomow. “It’s ideal for busy people, single women, people who travel and anyone who doesn’t want to mow themselves.”

While Americans traditionally have embraced the idea of a “big lawn mower that burns through a lot of fuel,” a robotic lawn mower offers “freedom,” said Steve Uljua, Husqvar-na’s automower expert. “There are better things to do with your time,” Uljua said.

LAWN TECH

SMARTYARD

Smart technology expands to mowers, watering systems

How they workInstead of mowing the

lawn once a week on a Saturday morning, a robotic lawn mower is set up to mow when you want. Basi-cally, it goes out every day and mows for a consistently manicured lawn. Instead of angled lines defining your yard, a robotic lawn mower creates a smooth carpet of grass that looks always-mowed every day, Uljua said.

Depending on your level of expertise, you can have your yard robot installed or do it yourself, which could take up to half a day depend-ing on your ability, Uljua said. Basically, you set up a perimeter with a wire so your yard bot knows where to mow and doesn’t wander away. You have to set it up because current GPS is off by about 6 to 12 feet. That’s the difference between having rose bushes and not, Uljua said.

Connect it to its base sta-tion, plug it in, and you’re in control. The mower will learn how to best mow your lawn, where the grass grows

heavier or lighter, and wet or dry areas, Uljua said.

Upgraded models are con-nected to you by smartphone app.

“It will go out to mow, see that it doesn’t need to, head back to the base and tell you. It’s a really smart machine,” Uljua said. It can also avoid obstacles and tell you if it runs over a branch that came down in last night’s storm and needs maintenance.

Robotic lawn mowers have

multiple safety features like sensors and bumpers that react to contact, stopping the blades and turning the machine in a different direction, Sendra said. Some models also have larger wheels for improved traction and hill climbing. The clippings left behind are small enough that there’s no need to rake them; they act as a natural fertilizer for the lawn by decomposing and providing nutri-ents to the soil.

Security features are available so if stolen no one can use it.

Water systemsWhile not robots, smart, con-

nected outdoor sprinkler systems are becoming more mainstream. Products like Skydrop and Rachio allow users to maximize water conservation and monitor and control watering through smart technology.

“While on the surface a smart sprinkler looks expensive, when you factor rebates and long-term water bill savings, the controller

PH

OTO

S C

OU

RT

ESY

HU

SQ

VA

RN

A, R

OB

OM

OW

, RA

CH

IO

11 HO

ME IM

PROV

EMEN

T | PROV

IDEN

CE

ends up putting money back in your pocket,” said Jared Neilson, chief marketing officer, Skydrop.

According to the Environmental Protection Agency, some experts estimate that as much as 50 per-cent of water used for irrigation is wasted due to evaporation, wind or runoff caused by inefficient methods and systems.

With the Amazon Echo speaker and Alexa voice service, “it’s now possible for customers to control their Rachio sprinkler system using only their voice – just ask Alexa to water your flower beds for five minutes, or to stop watering the backyard,” said Rob Pulciani, director, Amazon Alexa.

“Water is a limited resource. While populations keep growing, the water supply to areas does not. As time progresses people are becoming more aware of the necessity of saving water. … All that said, people love to have a green lawn and Skydrop helps to provide that while saving water,” Neilson said.

Depending on your level of expertise, you can have your yard robot installed or do it yourself, which could take up to half a day depending on your ability. Basically, you set up a perimeter with a wire so your yard bot knows where to mow and doesn’t wander away. You have to set it up because current GPS is off by about 6 to 12 feet. That’s the difference between having rose bushes and not.

12 HO

ME IM

PROV

EMEN

T | PROV

IDEN

CE


While a person may not be able to afford high-quality furniture through-

out the home, consumers should know whether they are paying a fair price for what they are get-ting. Here are some tips on how to spot quality furniture.

Hardwoods“An individual should

know the difference in hardwoods and softer species. These will determine the fragility of the product. For example, a hard-wood like oak will be very durable and less resistant to dents and breakage than, say, yellow pine,” said Susan Lenhart, spokeswoman for Universal Furniture.

Solid wood is still a living struc-ture and will give off and take in moisture while expanding and contracting.

“This can lead to some issues with open joints or tight-fitting drawers during seasons of high humidity or extreme dry condi-tions,” Lenhart said.

“Particle board and medium density fiberboard have useful-ness and should not be considered a negative. Depending on the

FURNITURE

BANGFOR THE

BUCKHow to spot quality furniture

construction and usage these materials offer a stability that isn’t found in solid wood,” Lenhart said.

They also offer aesthetic quali-ties not possible with solid

wood. “For example, some

very high-end looks with matching veneers

and marquetry are not possible without

composite board sub-strates,” Lenhart said.

It comes down to value versus cost. “If the consumer is con-strained by cost there are some very good particle board and

paper laminate products available,” she said.

Drawers and cabinets“What I look for in a drawer box

is good plywood or solid wood drawer sides, backs and bottoms,” Lenhart said.

Also look for blocks and bracing underneath to provide stability and strength, and that drawer guides operate with ease and are quiet. The interior should be finished and smooth to protect clothing from snags and tears.

“Cabinets should be constructed

with strong frame constructions in the front and back. Bases and tops should be secured with screws and glue. Back panels should be screwed on around the perimeter,” Lenhart said.

UpholstryRona Spiegel, president of Life-

style Interior Designs in Northern New Jersey, advises:

• Fabric: The exterior fabric of an upholstered piece should be tightly woven. This fabric has more threads to the inch and is therefore more durable. It resists stains and cleans better.

• Pillows: If a pillow is hand-stuffed with blown fiber it will be long-lasting. It is what makes the seating comfortable.

• Cushions: Fill quality is very important or the cushions will collapse over time. Heavy-duty foam, cotton padding and heavy fiber fill are needed for comfort and durability.

• Suspension: How a piece is made refers to its suspension system. It is very important for long-term quality that there are eight-way, spring-tied coils, which is the gold standard for quality. Firm webbing also helps to keeps the suspension from sagging

with use.• Frame: Hardwood is best

for upholstery. It should be kiln dried, which means it won’t dry out and snap. The wood should come from sustainable forests, which means that it is responsibly gathered and the trees replanted for the future. Alder wood is a good example of wood used for frames.

Other tipsRemember that price is

not always an indicator of quality.

“With many products purchased over the web sight unseen, it can create disappointment and mis-understanding about what was purchased,” Lenhart said. “If the product cannot be seen at a retail outlet, then contact the manufac-turer. Ask questions about fi nish, construction and materials. Furniture is a purchase that we live with every day.

“Remember, there are a multitude of products at various price points. Each has its own quality level. For the value: Fit, function, fi nish and style will make a happy purchase.”

FREEPIK.COM

13 HO

ME IM

PROV

EMEN

T | PROV

IDEN

CEUP


Your roof is your home’s protection against seasonal weather, high winds, rain-storms, hail and worse. It’s

also a vulnerable part of the build-ing being exposed to the weather and at risk for damage, but you can take steps to protect it.

“During severe weather, the roof is a home’s first defense. Torna-does, hailstorms, hurricanes and wind-driven rain can damage a roof or even cause it to blow off, allowing water to pour into a home, soaking insulation and damag-ing ceilings, walls, appliances and furniture. Wildfires can also impact or even destroy a roof,” said Tim Reinhold, chief engineer at the Insurance Institute for Business & Home Safety.

Weather may be unpredictable, but there are ways to limit weather-related roof damage. Some tips:

• Trim trees and cut weak branches that could be broken off by high winds.

• Make sure branches of trees and shrubs are cut back several feet so

that they don’t overhang the roof and can’t brush against it during a storm.

• In areas with a wildfire risk, remove leaves, pine needles and other debris from the roof, clean out gutters and install wire mesh over roof vents. Cut back tree branches even farther from the roof, and trim low branches to help prevent fire from moving into the tree crown.

To keep a roof in top condition, inspect it regularly:

• Look for leaks: Check the attic by looking for water stains or dam-aged wood. Pay special attention around chimneys, vents, pipes and along roof valleys, and look for water stains inside on ceilings.

• Check for loose shingle tabs, broken or missing tabs and cracked, buckling or worn shingles.

• Check tile or wood shake roofs for loose, missing or broken tiles or shakes.

• Examine the roof penetrations (pipes and vents) to ensure that they are well-sealed, without gaps or holes.

• Make sure all vents are properly attached to the roof.

• Have any wear and tear repaired

promptly and replace a roof when necessary.

If your roof hasn’t been inspected recently, your first priority should be to identify and fix any major problems. Some visual clues to look out for include prolonged standing water, bubbles that may indicate trapped moisture in the roof cover, gaps in the roof flashing (strips of metal or other impervious material installed around the perimeter of the roof edge) and tears in the roof cover.

When it’s time to replace your roof, because of weather-related damage or simply age, find a qualified licensed or bonded roof-ing contractor. Proper installation directly impacts a roof’s long-term performance.

Take the time to check the con-tractor’s references and insurance coverage (general liability or pro-fessional liability), and talk to the contractor about your expectations.

The Insurance Institute for Business & Home Safety has resources available for homeown-ers at https://disastersafety.org/hurricane/roofing-the-right-way/

ROOF

HEADS What to

check on your roof

“During severe weather, the roof

is a home’s fi rst defense. Tornadoes,

hailstorms, hurricanes and

wind-driven rain can damage a roof or even cause it to blow off, allowing water to pour into

a home, soaking insulation and

damaging ceilings, walls, appliances

and furniture. Wildfi res can also

impact or even destroy a roof.”

Tim Reinhold

One of New Englands Largest Consignment Shops ~--- Now with 2 locations.---~

65 Manchester St West Warwick, R.I. over 13,000 sq ft upscale showroom

401-825-7670

15 Factory St West Warwick, R.I. 8000 sq ft with over 20,000 items

401-615-7300

hRP://www.mikesestateservices.com Est.1998

Estate Services

15 HO

ME IM

PROV

EMEN

T | PROV

IDEN

CE


Today’s home buyers are more conscious of being green and installing energy-efficient appliances,

according to the most recent “What Home Buyers Really Want” survey by the National Association of Home Builders.

A majority of respondents, 67 percent, said they were concerned about their home’s impact on the environment and responded positively to the question of whether they wanted a more healthy home.

Conversely, homeowners are also becoming more con-cerned about how their home affects their health.

“Ten years ago people were scratching their heads over the farm-to-fork concept,” said Jillian Pritchard Cooke, founder, Wellness Within Your Walls, an informational resource group created to provide education and guid-ance on chemicals commonly found in living and working spaces.

Now, it’s not just gourmet chefs and organic farm-ers who have embraced this healthier way of eating. Con-sumers are jumping on board, too.

“What’s started as farm-to-table has been transferred to the interiors of our homes and work spaces,” Pritchard Cooke said. “People need to learn just as much about VOCs (volatile organic com-pounds) and how they get into our homes as they now know about GMOs (genetically modified organisms).”

HEALTHY HOME

BREATHEEASIERWhat to know about chemicals in your home

VOCs are emitted from products such as paint and paint strippers, wood adhe-sives, glues, aerosol sprays, air fresheners, wax and stains, and can cause adverse short- and long-term health effects, said Pritchard Cooke, a cancer sur-vivor whose disease was caused by environmental factors. VOCs are also brought in the home by many cleaning, disin-fecting, cosmetic, degreasing and hobby products and dry-cleaned clothing and rugs. All of these products release VOCs over a period of time.

Studies have found that levels of several volatile organic compounds average two to five times higher indoors than out-doors. During and for several hours immediately after certain activities, such as paint strip-ping, levels may be 1,000 times greater than outdoor levels, according to the Environmental Protection Agency.

There are several steps that can reduce your family’s expo-sure to VOCs.

“Take a look at your exist-ing ventilation system. Change your filters regularly and clean

out air ducts,” Pritchard Cooke said.

If you’re painting or having carpet installed, “toxins are introduced into the air. Run your HVAC (heating, venti-lation and air conditioning) systems on overtime. Even if the paint is no-VOC, you’re still introducing chemicals into the home. Get the fresh air moving. Run fans and air purifiers,” Pritchard Cooke said.

A few more of Pritchard Cooke’s healthy home tips:

• Install hardwood floors wherever possible.

• Use area rugs that can be washed rather than dry cleaned.

• Wash rather than dry clean your clothes.

• Use appropriate venting in the kitchen.

• Ventilate art rooms where children are doing hobbies.

• When refreshing your home, choose low- or no-VOC paint.

• Look for furniture manu-facturers that are members of the Sustainable Furnishings Council.

“Consumers need to be more vigilant,” Pritchard Cooke said. “They are often not aware of what they are bringing into their homes similar to 10 years ago when they did not know what was in their food. Reading and understanding labels is key. We need manufacturers to be transparent and accountable. It took a long time to get fire retardants out of upholstery – thankfully that was a battle worth fighting and the result has produced healthier uphol-stery nationwide.”

BIG

STO

CK

.CO

M

16 HO

ME IM

PROV

EMEN

T | PROV

IDEN

CE

Home Equity Line of Credit Limited time offer.

1.99o/o!~~ For 12 Months!

3.500/oAPR* Regular Rate

Apply Online Today www.coventrycu.org

Federally insured by NCUA ~';",'i;.~~~~

wllh a <tedt store of 660 or higher. Afte' lnldalti monthly

1-4 family, owner·oca>pled, primary residence properties only. Property lnsu<an<e (and flood lnsur>n<e If appHcabli!) ,.qui red. Offer and rate are subject to change w~hout notl<e. APR wll not•x<eed -:;~:'!!!!!~

below 3.01K $25 annLal fee. Eldstln& Covertly Cred~ Union home equity llnes,lloaMare not efiglbli! for refinance wllh th~ promotion. Other terms and eondltloM may apply. Covently Cre~ Union M' requited for approval ,.

november 5th - 6th rhode island convention...

Documents