spring 2013 home improvement
DESCRIPTION
Spring 2013 Home ImprovementTRANSCRIPT
Supplement to The Freeborn County Shopper/Tuesday, March 12, 2013/Page 8
Supplement to the March 2013 Freeborn County Shopper
Remodel RepaiR
RestoRe
Home improvementGo into any furniture store show-room, and you'll come across hundreds of groupings, some that were manufactured to match and others that are simi-lar in style and coordinate well together. Furniture retailers know how to stage their showrooms to maximize the look of each piece and help shoppers envi-sion how a certain group of fur-niture would look in their home. Whether you choose to buy a matching set or mix it up with pieces that complement each
other is up to you.
A common misconception is that all of the furniture in the room must match. While you can purchase a complete furniture set, you do not have to. You can select a matching table and buffet for your dining room and chairs from some other area of the showroom or another store altogether. The key to a coor-dinated room is furniture that suits each other and the style of the room. A heavy, ornamen-
tal mahogany table and buffet might look out of place in a beach-themed sunroom filled with white wicker.
Before you make any decisions, you need to ask yourself a few questions. What rooms are you shopping for? How much furniture do you need? What is the style of the rooms and existing furniture? If you've got a blank canvas to work with, the sky is the limit. You can choose any furniture you want for the room and design
around it. If you already have some furniture you don't intend to part with or move to another room, you will want to select fur-niture that complements it and speaks to the style of the room.
You must also consider your design skills and time constraints. If you don't have a knack for interior design or a lot of time to shop, then you might want to look solely at furniture sets.
Match Or Mix It Up: Your Choice of Furniture
Spring 2013
971 Plaza St. W. Albert Lea, MN
377-4284Monday-Friday 7-5, Thursday until 7
With so many creative choices, lifetime-warranty quality, flexible options, and real-world value, Showplace cabinetry has always been easy2love. But right now, Showplace is offering special savings that are hard2believe.
Choose from 2ways2save: Special premium wood discounts, or factory-direct cash-back rebates.
And since this is a limited-time offer, the time2begin is now. Come see us soon.
Supplement to The Freeborn County Shopper/Tuesday, March 12, 2013/Page 2 Supplement to The Freeborn County Shopper/Tuesday, March 12, 2013/Page 7
For many people, spring is like a rebirth. Winter is over and everything starts anew. So, what better time to do all of that important spring cleaning? Here are few tips that might just make your spring cleaning successful.
First, make a plan and set some goals. Remember Rome wasn’t built in a day and successful spring cleaning can’t be done all at once. The key is to do one room or area at a time. A sense of accomplishment is important. If you start in one area and move to another, you will leave unfinished work and won’t get a sense of accomplishment. It’s kind of like trying to lose weight. When you don’t feel like you are accomplishing anything, you tend to give up. Take it one step at a time
and boost your confidence as you go.
You have strategically laid out your plan and given yourself enough time to accomplish it. But there is still the matter of supplies. Get out a pen and paper and make a list. Remember you’ll be doing all kinds of cleaning, so you’ll need different cleaning products. While you’re making a shopping list, why not pick up some storage totes. You will not only be clean-ing but also organizing, which is the next thing to consider.
Organize before you clean. You are tackling a big project, so why not do it right? Spring cleaning is not just about cleaning. It’s also about organizing and making a fresh start. This is a great time to clean out the clutter. Go through your
stuff. Decide what you want to keep out, what needs to be stored and what needs to be donated or trashed. If you have things you don’t want or need anymore, charitable organizations can use them. But remember, the organizations don’t want your trash. If something is in bad shape, throw it out. It’s important not to be a packrat and to be as clutter free as possible.
You’ve got your cleaning supplies, you’ve decluttered your space, and now it’s time to begin. Clean from the top down and let gravity help. It doesn’t make sense to sweep before you dust because that dust has to go somewhere and that somewhere is down. Gravity is your friend. Clean every crack and crevice. This isn’t
a quick clean. This is spring cleaning. Clean it well now so you don’t have to do it again later. Spend enough time on each room. Again, all your cleaning doesn’t have to be done in one day.
Clean everything. That means rugs, win-dows, drapes, bedding and so on. Is your garage part of your home? Then it should be cleaned too. Does your refrigerator need to be cleaned and those olives that expired last year thrown out?
Remember, you will get out of spring cleaning what you put into it. To do it right takes time and hard work. But when it’s done, your home will be cleaner, you’ll feel a sense of accomplishment and you’ll be ready to enjoy that great spring weather.
Successful Spring Cleaning
Making Homes New Again
507-373-3435603 South 1st Ave., Albert Lea, MM
www.HomeSolutionsMidwest.com
Gutter Sale March 1-31
Pre-Season Spring Sale
15% OffABC Seamless Gutters and Gutter Helmets
Ruin your May Flowers!
Don’t Let
Choosing hardwood flooring for your home can be a valuable investment. Multiple surveys estimate that hardwood flooring can add as much as $7,000-10,000 to a home’s resale value. And a study conducted by the National Wood Flooring Association (NWFA) revealed that 99 percent of U.S. real estate agents asserted that homes with hardwood floor-ing are easier to sell; 90 percent said that homes with hardwood flooring sell for more money – up to 10 percent more in fact.
In order to get the most out of your valu-able investment, here are the flooring options you need to know about before you buy:
Solid Wood FloorS:Solid hardwood flooring comes in three basic types: strip, plank and parquet.
Strip flooring accounts of the majority of hardwood installations. It is installed by nailing the wood to the subfloor.
Plank floor boards are at least three inch-es wide, and can be screwed or nailed to the subfloor.
Parquet flooring comes in 6”x6” blocks, but specialty patterns can be made much larger. Parquet floors often create a dramatic geometric look.
One tip to keep in mind is that solid hard-wood flooring expands and contracts due to changes in your home’s humidity.
Installers can compensate for this by leav-ing an expansion gap between the floor and the wall.
EnginEErEd WoodEngineered wood is made of multiple lay-ers of different grades or styles of wood that are stacked and glued together under high heat and pressure. This type of flooring is less likely to be affected by changes in humidity.
Wood laminatESWood laminates consist of a plywood base topped with a layer of veneer. The veneer coating on wood laminate floors can be sanded and refinished up to three times in most cases.
After selecting the type of hardwood flooring, the next step is choosing a finish that will enhance the wood’s beauty and protect the floor from every day wear, dirt and moisture. The finish will also give hard-wood a rich color and luster to match your home’s look and feel. You have a few hardwood finishing options to choose from:
SurFacE FiniShESThese are the most popular choice of stains, and involve applying a stain to achieve color followed by a top coat to add a layer of protection. Surface finishes are durable and easy to maintain.
Oil-based urethane is the most commonly used floor finish. It is available in different sheens, and is generally applied in mul-tiple coats and also ambers with age.
Water-based urethane provides a clear finish and produces fewer odors, quicker dry time and easier clean-up.
Moisture-cured urethane is a solvent based solution mostly used in commercial applications. It is more durable and mois-ture-resistant than other options.
Conversion varnishes are a profession-als-only application product that is often used in commercial spaces.
Penetrating Stains and Finishes
These finishes penetrate the wood to form a protective seal. The stains soak in to provide the color, and a wax coating provides a low-gloss satin sheen. These finishes require special care, as certain products (water-based products) should not be used on the floors.
ShEEn optionChoice of sheen is a personal preference but it’s helpful to keep in mind that high-gloss finishes show scuffs and scratches more easily than low-gloss or satin finishes. High-gloss finishes also reflect more light and are typically used in commercial settings, while satin finishes are usually favored for more traditional applications.
Extra-durablE FiniShESOne of the latest trends in hardwood finishes are products designed to extend the life of the floor and make them extra-durable. Some manufacturers state that these finishes are ten times more durable than other finishes, and can last for up to 25 years.
Hardwood Flooring: Types & Finishes That Add Value To The Home
• Auto • Home • Life • Business • Personal Umbrella• Health
For personal, professional service and competitive rates, call me today.
Troy Thompson Offers All Kinds of Insurance -
One Kind of Service
"When it comes to protecting your family, only the best will do. We'll be glad to discuss your family's needs today."
E-Mail: [email protected]
Troy Thompson LUTCF
1330 W. Main, Albert Lea, MN507-377-2852
Toll Free 877-974-9597Fax: 507-377-3301
Root River Hardwoods, Inc.
www.rootriverhardwoods.com
Come VisitOur Showroom
1300 Energy Drive • Preston, MN 559651.507.765.2284 • [email protected]
____________________________________404 Airport Road • Albert Lea, MN 56007
1.507.377.8781 • [email protected]
430 Bridge Ave., Albert Lea, MN
507-377-1616507-377-0276
www.unitedecu.comNow Serving all Residents of Freeborn & Mower Counties
Home Equity Loans For Home Improvement or Consolidating DebtRates starting as low as
4.25% AnnUAL PercenTAge rATe, VArIABLe rATe
15 Years$5,000 Minimum Loan
100% Loan to ValueFixed rates Are Also Available
Supplement to The Freeborn County Shopper/Tuesday, March 12, 2013/Page 6 Supplement to The Freeborn County Shopper/Tuesday, March 12, 2013/Page 3
UP TO
40%ENERGY
SAVINGS!
Custom Window Designs
136 S. Broadway Wells, MN [email protected]
Free estimates, qualified installers & friendly service
Come Home to Comfort...
CAll 507-553-3465
Insured/License #BC646776
Call Adam 507-402-5541
For All Your Construction Needs• Garages• Additons• Remodeling• Kitchen &
Bathrooms• Drywall• Trim Work
• Roofing• Siding• Doors &
Windows• Decks• New
Construction
80860 110th St., Gordonsville, MN507-448-3302 877-888-POSTwww.the-trading-post.com
Featuring over 30,000 proFessional
grade tools
The Right Tools forThe Right Job and for
The Right Price!
SPECIALIZING IN SEPTIC SYSTEMSDESIGN~INSTALLATION~SEEDING• Conservation Construction • Land Drainage• Wildlife Ponds • Road Boring • Backhoeing
• Consulting
PHILLIP OR MARK MORREIM
SPECIALIZINGIN SEPTIC SYSTEMS
• Conservation Construction • Land Drainage• Wildlife Ponds
• Road Boring • Backhoeing• Consulting
PHILLIP OR MARK MORREIM
~DESIGN~~INSTALLATION~
~SEEDING~
Residential & commeRcial Plumbing, llc
•Plumbing & Heating •Water Heaters • Water softners •complete sewer
& drain cleaning •R.o. systems •gas Piping • sumps & sump Pumps
•cooling • Fixture Repair & install •Remodels • boiler Repair & install
•leak Repair
507-320-877415 yeaRs exPeRience • FRee estimates
licensed
bonded & insuRed
albeRt lea, mn
Your Source for All Your Flooring Needs!
caRPet | Vinyllaminate | HaRdWoodCall Us Now for a Consultation
at One of Our 2 Convenient Locations
2201 e. main st., albert lea
507-552-1637
322 e. main st., blooming Prairie
507-583-2276
FLOOR TECH, inC.
“For All Your Construction Needs”
• Roofing • Concrete
• Decks • Siding• Additions • Garages
• Landscaping• Skid Loader Work
Call Mark at 507-383-0339
Licensed &Insured #20573223
• Bulk and Pre-Packaged Garden Seeds
• Organic Seeds
Coming Soon:• Seed Potatoes & Onion Sets
SEEDS for your
GARDEN
Seed House Garden Center1414 W. Main (Across from Nelson’s) Albert Lea
507-377-2372 Hours: Mon.-Fri. 8 to 5, Sat. 8 to 4
Visit with the staff at the Seed House Garden Center.
Delicious food starts here!
Free Estimates • Bonded • Insured
507-373-0409Cell 507-391-236271338 180th St. • Albert Lea, MN
MN License #20037743
Locally Owned & Owner Operated
Means Personal & Timely Service
RESIDENTIAL & COMMERCIAL ROUTE SERVICE
• 1-8 yd. Dumpsters
• 10 yd. - 30 yd. Rolloff Containers
Serving Albert Lea, Ellendale, Geneva, Clarks Grove, Hollandale, Alden, Freeborn & Hartland
ThOmpsOn saniTaTiOn
OFFICE 256-4370108 W. MAIN PO BOX 154 • CLARKS GROVE, MN
• siding •Windows • Doors • Decks
• Roofing • insulation
• Construction
RiCh hOnsTaD siDinG & WinDOW507-863-2100 398 5th Ave., Freeborn 507-383-1113
What We Can Do For You!
Call Us for Your Spring Clean-Up Needs!Siding | Gutters | Decks | Patios | Driveways
The Area’s Leading Commercial & Residentail Cleaning Contractors
www.schippspowerwash.com507-320-7220
Pro Power Wash, Inc.
437 Bridge Ave, Albert Lea • 201 Main St, Emmonswww.securitybankmn.com • Member FDIC
“We’re your employee owned bank”*3.75% annual percentage rate (APR) is subject to change and will vary after the account is opened at a margin of .50% over prime rate as published in the Wall Street Journal. The rate will not vary above 15% apr nor go below 3.75% apr. Security Bank Minnesota checking account is required to obtain offer. No closing costs, does not include the cost of an appraisal if required for loan approval ranging in cost from $300-$450. Offer is not transferrable to any existing Security Bank Minnesota Home Equity Credit Line and is subject to normal credit approval. Annual maintenance fee of $30 may apply after the first year. Property insurance is required. Some restrictions may apply. Offer is available for a limited time.
NO CLOSING COSTS*
Home Equity Line of Credit
3.75%Call today at
373-1481 or 800-657-6961
Supplement to The Freeborn County Shopper/Tuesday, March 12, 2013/Page 4 Supplement to The Freeborn County Shopper/Tuesday, March 12, 2013/Page 5
Professional Glass ContractorsResidential & Commercial
Total Glass-Lock, Inc.311 West Main, Albert Lea, MN • 373-1000
As time goes bySeals Erode
Glass Cracks
The Mower Throws a Rock
Replace The Glass
Do you see clearly out of your windows?
We Measure - We Order - We InstallInto Your Existing Window Frame
As AlwAys - Free estimAtes
As families expand, so do their spatial needs. Suddenly a house that seemed adequately sized for two or three may feel tight when the family increases in size. If a home already has enough bedrooms, a family room addition is often a useful addition to increase the amount of space in a home and increase the functionality.
Where an addition is placed on a house will vary depending on the layout of the home and actual site conditions. If there is space on the site that allows for a family room addition on the main level, I often look for a location near the kitchen. If there is no space on the site, we'll either look at a location such as in an unfinished basement, or consider adding onto a second
story. One recent trend is locating a family space adjacent to bedrooms, especially if the space is located adjacent to kid's bedrooms. This family room space often becomes the kid's 'hang out space'.
Often a family room plays many roles, so it's important to design the room to allow for the functions you need. Here are some things to consider:
1. While it's a luxury to have a separate media room, often the space or funds are not available. Consider designing the family room to accom-modate movie night by incorporating room darkening black-out shades and the necessary
electronic equipment and speakers.
2. If you often need a place for extra guests to sleep, a family room can be converted easily to a sleeping area if you incorporate the right furniture pieces. A sleeper sofa can comfort-ably sleep two. If additional sleeping space, or individual beds are desired for activities like kid's sleepovers, then look for furniture such as ottomans and chairs that fold out to single beds. If you have the space, you may also be able to incorporate a day bed. For additional sleeping, look for a day bed with a trundle below.
3. One of the complaints we frequently hear about homes is that the dining room is too small
for big family dinners. But when asked how often people entertain large groups, it is usually once or twice a year. A family room addition can help solve this problem if space is designed in for a large table.
4. A oversized table is also useful in a family room because inevitably kids will end up doing their homework where the family gathers. A large table is a perfect multipurpose addition to the family room. To save space, it can even be placed with an end against a wall, and pulled out when additional seating is needed.
Once you've identified all the necessary functions that the new family room needs to
accommodate, you'll want to start thinking about details such as fireplaces, the TV loca-tion, and furniture layouts. The primary issue with incorporating a fireplace in a family room is that it competes for the same space as the TV. There are many ways to solve this problem, with the obvious one being placing the television above the fireplace. Be careful with this solution, though, as it can lead to an uncomfortably high viewing angle. Often incorporating a television that is adjacent to the fireplace, or arranging a seating group that is at right angles where one side faces a television and the other side faces a fireplace can solve this issue.
When possible we like to expand the family
room addition to the outside by adding French doors or sliding doors. A deck or patio outside a family room can help make a smaller space feel larger, and in warmer weather the space can open up to the outside.
A well designed family room can serve many purposes if well thought through in the plan-ning stages. This often means thinking ahead and planning the type of furniture, the size and location of the television, and the location of the fireplace. But once you determine all the pieces of the puzzle, they can be assembled into an art-ful solution that integrates into the existing house and provides a new space that will serve your family well for many years in the future.
Tips on Adding a Family Room to Your House
Complete Concrete WorkPoured Walls • Landscaping
Excavating & Basement Repair
landmark CONCrete
Call Dan507-383-3010
OHNSTAD CUSTOM WORKS
507-826-3161KEVIN OHNSTAD • OWNER • www.ocwmn.com
16 Years Professional Experience, Fully InsuredCALL TODAY FOR YOUR FREE ESTIMATE
SUPERIORINTERIORS
Great Service, Clean & Courteous
Kitchen, Bathrooms, StairwellsDrywall and Plaster Repair
Taping & TexturingVarnish & Painted Wood Trim & Doors
BEST FINISHBEST PRICE
we do it allPainting & Decorating
give us a call...Austin Public Schools & Albert Lea Churches
Visit with Kara at Wells Federal Bank to find the right products available to
help finance your home improvement projects.
FLOORING • TILE • WINDOW TREATMENTSFREE IN-HOME ESTIMATES
302 5th Avenue • Ellendale, MNhttp://floors4umn.com
The world’s most luxuriously soft carpet with built-in stain & soil protection that
never wears or washes off!
Consumer rebate Odyseee Insulating
Cellular Blinds
Consumer rebate Ovation Cellular
Sliders
Consumer rebate Shangri-La Sheer Horizontal Shades
flooring by
FeaturingWarm • Quiet Elegant
Cellular Shades by
CONSUMER REBATES:
$25 $50 $25
FREE UPGRADETop down-Bottom up
Get a FREE top down-bottom up upgrade on select cellular shades
Ornate Vision Carpeting
$23.75sq.yd.
(pad & labor extra)
on sale now
$4.99sq. ft.
FLOORING • TILEWINDOW TREATMENTS
302 5th Avenue, Ellendale, MN
507-684-3351http://floors4umn.com
Remodeling or Building?CHECK US OUT FIRST!
With over 70 years of experience, we are here for you from start to finish.
FREE IN-HOME ESTIMATES
2/24
The world’s most luxuriously soft carpet with built-in stain & soil protection that
never wears or washes off!
Consumer rebate Odyseee Insulating
Cellular Blinds
Consumer rebate Ovation Cellular
Sliders
Consumer rebate Shangri-La Sheer Horizontal Shades
flooring by
FeaturingWarm • Quiet Elegant
Cellular Shades by
CONSUMER REBATES:
$25 $50 $25
FREE UPGRADETop down-Bottom up
Get a FREE top down-bottom up upgrade on select cellular shades
Ornate Vision Carpeting
$23.75sq.yd.
(pad & labor extra)
on sale now
$4.99sq. ft.
FLOORING • TILEWINDOW TREATMENTS
302 5th Avenue, Ellendale, MN
507-684-3351http://floors4umn.com
Remodeling or Building?CHECK US OUT FIRST!
With over 70 years of experience, we are here for you from start to finish.
FREE IN-HOME ESTIMATES
2/24
Remodeling or Building?CHECK US OUT FIRST!
With over 70 years of experience, we are here for you from start to finish.
507-684-3351
Supplement to The Freeborn County Shopper/Tuesday, March 12, 2013/Page 6 Supplement to The Freeborn County Shopper/Tuesday, March 12, 2013/Page 3
UP TO
40%ENERGY
SAVINGS!
Custom Window Designs
136 S. Broadway Wells, MN [email protected]
Free estimates, qualified installers & friendly service
Come Home to Comfort...
CAll 507-553-3465
Insured/License #BC646776
Call Adam 507-402-5541
For All Your Construction Needs• Garages• Additons• Remodeling• Kitchen &
Bathrooms• Drywall• Trim Work
• Roofing• Siding• Doors &
Windows• Decks• New
Construction
80860 110th St., Gordonsville, MN507-448-3302 877-888-POSTwww.the-trading-post.com
Featuring over 30,000 proFessional
grade tools
The Right Tools forThe Right Job and for
The Right Price!
SPECIALIZING IN SEPTIC SYSTEMSDESIGN~INSTALLATION~SEEDING• Conservation Construction • Land Drainage• Wildlife Ponds • Road Boring • Backhoeing
• Consulting
PHILLIP OR MARK MORREIM
SPECIALIZINGIN SEPTIC SYSTEMS
• Conservation Construction • Land Drainage• Wildlife Ponds
• Road Boring • Backhoeing• Consulting
PHILLIP OR MARK MORREIM
~DESIGN~~INSTALLATION~
~SEEDING~
Residential & commeRcial Plumbing, llc
•Plumbing & Heating •Water Heaters • Water softners •complete sewer
& drain cleaning •R.o. systems •gas Piping • sumps & sump Pumps
•cooling • Fixture Repair & install •Remodels • boiler Repair & install
•leak Repair
507-320-877415 yeaRs exPeRience • FRee estimates
licensed
bonded & insuRed
albeRt lea, mn
Your Source for All Your Flooring Needs!
caRPet | Vinyllaminate | HaRdWoodCall Us Now for a Consultation
at One of Our 2 Convenient Locations
2201 e. main st., albert lea
507-552-1637
322 e. main st., blooming Prairie
507-583-2276
FLOOR TECH, inC.
“For All Your Construction Needs”
• Roofing • Concrete
• Decks • Siding• Additions • Garages
• Landscaping• Skid Loader Work
Call Mark at 507-383-0339
Licensed &Insured #20573223
• Bulk and Pre-Packaged Garden Seeds
• Organic Seeds
Coming Soon:• Seed Potatoes & Onion Sets
SEEDS for your
GARDEN
Seed House Garden Center1414 W. Main (Across from Nelson’s) Albert Lea
507-377-2372 Hours: Mon.-Fri. 8 to 5, Sat. 8 to 4
Visit with the staff at the Seed House Garden Center.
Delicious food starts here!
Free Estimates • Bonded • Insured
507-373-0409Cell 507-391-236271338 180th St. • Albert Lea, MN
MN License #20037743
Locally Owned & Owner Operated
Means Personal & Timely Service
RESIDENTIAL & COMMERCIAL ROUTE SERVICE
• 1-8 yd. Dumpsters
• 10 yd. - 30 yd. Rolloff Containers
Serving Albert Lea, Ellendale, Geneva, Clarks Grove, Hollandale, Alden, Freeborn & Hartland
ThOmpsOn saniTaTiOn
OFFICE 256-4370108 W. MAIN PO BOX 154 • CLARKS GROVE, MN
• siding •Windows • Doors • Decks
• Roofing • insulation
• Construction
RiCh hOnsTaD siDinG & WinDOW507-863-2100 398 5th Ave., Freeborn 507-383-1113
What We Can Do For You!
Call Us for Your Spring Clean-Up Needs!Siding | Gutters | Decks | Patios | Driveways
The Area’s Leading Commercial & Residentail Cleaning Contractors
www.schippspowerwash.com507-320-7220
Pro Power Wash, Inc.
437 Bridge Ave, Albert Lea • 201 Main St, Emmonswww.securitybankmn.com • Member FDIC
“We’re your employee owned bank”*3.75% annual percentage rate (APR) is subject to change and will vary after the account is opened at a margin of .50% over prime rate as published in the Wall Street Journal. The rate will not vary above 15% apr nor go below 3.75% apr. Security Bank Minnesota checking account is required to obtain offer. No closing costs, does not include the cost of an appraisal if required for loan approval ranging in cost from $300-$450. Offer is not transferrable to any existing Security Bank Minnesota Home Equity Credit Line and is subject to normal credit approval. Annual maintenance fee of $30 may apply after the first year. Property insurance is required. Some restrictions may apply. Offer is available for a limited time.
NO CLOSING COSTS*
Home Equity Line of Credit
3.75%Call today at
373-1481 or 800-657-6961
Supplement to The Freeborn County Shopper/Tuesday, March 12, 2013/Page 2 Supplement to The Freeborn County Shopper/Tuesday, March 12, 2013/Page 7
For many people, spring is like a rebirth. Winter is over and everything starts anew. So, what better time to do all of that important spring cleaning? Here are few tips that might just make your spring cleaning successful.
First, make a plan and set some goals. Remember Rome wasn’t built in a day and successful spring cleaning can’t be done all at once. The key is to do one room or area at a time. A sense of accomplishment is important. If you start in one area and move to another, you will leave unfinished work and won’t get a sense of accomplishment. It’s kind of like trying to lose weight. When you don’t feel like you are accomplishing anything, you tend to give up. Take it one step at a time
and boost your confidence as you go.
You have strategically laid out your plan and given yourself enough time to accomplish it. But there is still the matter of supplies. Get out a pen and paper and make a list. Remember you’ll be doing all kinds of cleaning, so you’ll need different cleaning products. While you’re making a shopping list, why not pick up some storage totes. You will not only be clean-ing but also organizing, which is the next thing to consider.
Organize before you clean. You are tackling a big project, so why not do it right? Spring cleaning is not just about cleaning. It’s also about organizing and making a fresh start. This is a great time to clean out the clutter. Go through your
stuff. Decide what you want to keep out, what needs to be stored and what needs to be donated or trashed. If you have things you don’t want or need anymore, charitable organizations can use them. But remember, the organizations don’t want your trash. If something is in bad shape, throw it out. It’s important not to be a packrat and to be as clutter free as possible.
You’ve got your cleaning supplies, you’ve decluttered your space, and now it’s time to begin. Clean from the top down and let gravity help. It doesn’t make sense to sweep before you dust because that dust has to go somewhere and that somewhere is down. Gravity is your friend. Clean every crack and crevice. This isn’t
a quick clean. This is spring cleaning. Clean it well now so you don’t have to do it again later. Spend enough time on each room. Again, all your cleaning doesn’t have to be done in one day.
Clean everything. That means rugs, win-dows, drapes, bedding and so on. Is your garage part of your home? Then it should be cleaned too. Does your refrigerator need to be cleaned and those olives that expired last year thrown out?
Remember, you will get out of spring cleaning what you put into it. To do it right takes time and hard work. But when it’s done, your home will be cleaner, you’ll feel a sense of accomplishment and you’ll be ready to enjoy that great spring weather.
Successful Spring Cleaning
Making Homes New Again
507-373-3435603 South 1st Ave., Albert Lea, MM
www.HomeSolutionsMidwest.com
Gutter Sale March 1-31
Pre-Season Spring Sale
15% OffABC Seamless Gutters and Gutter Helmets
Ruin your May Flowers!
Don’t Let
Choosing hardwood flooring for your home can be a valuable investment. Multiple surveys estimate that hardwood flooring can add as much as $7,000-10,000 to a home’s resale value. And a study conducted by the National Wood Flooring Association (NWFA) revealed that 99 percent of U.S. real estate agents asserted that homes with hardwood floor-ing are easier to sell; 90 percent said that homes with hardwood flooring sell for more money – up to 10 percent more in fact.
In order to get the most out of your valu-able investment, here are the flooring options you need to know about before you buy:
Solid Wood FloorS:Solid hardwood flooring comes in three basic types: strip, plank and parquet.
Strip flooring accounts of the majority of hardwood installations. It is installed by nailing the wood to the subfloor.
Plank floor boards are at least three inch-es wide, and can be screwed or nailed to the subfloor.
Parquet flooring comes in 6”x6” blocks, but specialty patterns can be made much larger. Parquet floors often create a dramatic geometric look.
One tip to keep in mind is that solid hard-wood flooring expands and contracts due to changes in your home’s humidity.
Installers can compensate for this by leav-ing an expansion gap between the floor and the wall.
EnginEErEd WoodEngineered wood is made of multiple lay-ers of different grades or styles of wood that are stacked and glued together under high heat and pressure. This type of flooring is less likely to be affected by changes in humidity.
Wood laminatESWood laminates consist of a plywood base topped with a layer of veneer. The veneer coating on wood laminate floors can be sanded and refinished up to three times in most cases.
After selecting the type of hardwood flooring, the next step is choosing a finish that will enhance the wood’s beauty and protect the floor from every day wear, dirt and moisture. The finish will also give hard-wood a rich color and luster to match your home’s look and feel. You have a few hardwood finishing options to choose from:
SurFacE FiniShESThese are the most popular choice of stains, and involve applying a stain to achieve color followed by a top coat to add a layer of protection. Surface finishes are durable and easy to maintain.
Oil-based urethane is the most commonly used floor finish. It is available in different sheens, and is generally applied in mul-tiple coats and also ambers with age.
Water-based urethane provides a clear finish and produces fewer odors, quicker dry time and easier clean-up.
Moisture-cured urethane is a solvent based solution mostly used in commercial applications. It is more durable and mois-ture-resistant than other options.
Conversion varnishes are a profession-als-only application product that is often used in commercial spaces.
Penetrating Stains and Finishes
These finishes penetrate the wood to form a protective seal. The stains soak in to provide the color, and a wax coating provides a low-gloss satin sheen. These finishes require special care, as certain products (water-based products) should not be used on the floors.
ShEEn optionChoice of sheen is a personal preference but it’s helpful to keep in mind that high-gloss finishes show scuffs and scratches more easily than low-gloss or satin finishes. High-gloss finishes also reflect more light and are typically used in commercial settings, while satin finishes are usually favored for more traditional applications.
Extra-durablE FiniShESOne of the latest trends in hardwood finishes are products designed to extend the life of the floor and make them extra-durable. Some manufacturers state that these finishes are ten times more durable than other finishes, and can last for up to 25 years.
Hardwood Flooring: Types & Finishes That Add Value To The Home
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Supplement to The Freeborn County Shopper/Tuesday, March 12, 2013/Page 8
Supplement to the March 2013 Freeborn County Shopper
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Home improvementGo into any furniture store show-room, and you'll come across hundreds of groupings, some that were manufactured to match and others that are simi-lar in style and coordinate well together. Furniture retailers know how to stage their showrooms to maximize the look of each piece and help shoppers envi-sion how a certain group of fur-niture would look in their home. Whether you choose to buy a matching set or mix it up with pieces that complement each
other is up to you.
A common misconception is that all of the furniture in the room must match. While you can purchase a complete furniture set, you do not have to. You can select a matching table and buffet for your dining room and chairs from some other area of the showroom or another store altogether. The key to a coor-dinated room is furniture that suits each other and the style of the room. A heavy, ornamen-
tal mahogany table and buffet might look out of place in a beach-themed sunroom filled with white wicker.
Before you make any decisions, you need to ask yourself a few questions. What rooms are you shopping for? How much furniture do you need? What is the style of the rooms and existing furniture? If you've got a blank canvas to work with, the sky is the limit. You can choose any furniture you want for the room and design
around it. If you already have some furniture you don't intend to part with or move to another room, you will want to select fur-niture that complements it and speaks to the style of the room.
You must also consider your design skills and time constraints. If you don't have a knack for interior design or a lot of time to shop, then you might want to look solely at furniture sets.
Match Or Mix It Up: Your Choice of Furniture
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