under construction

• Under Construction • July 23, 2011


(MS) -- Homeowners concernedabout high energy bills have put ener-gy conservation home improvementsat the top of their must-do list thisyear. They are looking for green livingupgrades that save money withoutsacrificing space or style.

Because heating costs are typicallyone of the highest and most variablehome expenses, homeowners are con-sidering energy-efficient zone heatingoptions when embarking on homerenovation projects.

Craig Shankster, President of MorsoUSA, has seen an increase in fireplacemakeovers in the last few years,"Finding and eliminating wastefuldrafts has lead many homeowners toinstall efficient wood stoves and insertsthat transform inefficient open fire-places into high performing heatingzones."

Homes without chimneys or fire-

places can install a Morso 5660 fire-place insert with an innovative zero-clearance enclosure. This is an excel-lent zone heating option for those inthe process of a renovation or newbuild looking to outfit their homeswith the advanced technology of afireplace insert and class A chimney.

Since buying a wood stove is muchlike buying furniture, you will find awide-choice of models that matche v e ry lifestyle and design interest,including antique, traditional, classicor modern. While evaluating the rightsize, heating capacity and look of yourfuture wood stove, we recommendthat you also consider these three eco-wise tips:

1. Only evaluate approved woodstoves equipped with a non-catalyticcombustion system that exceeds EPAstandards and are currently tax creditqualified.

2. Look for an eco-friendly seal and arecycled ingredients label that lists themany ways that a stove manufacturerhas gone the extra mile to produce thehighest quality and most energy effi-cient wood stove, possible.

3. Similar to grocery shopping, seekout the equivalent of an "OrganicSection" in your local fireplace hearthstore to compare the quality stan-dards, eco-wise content, and war-ranties.

Additionally, if living by green princi-ples is important to you -- and itshould be -- properly burning localwood in a high efficiency wood stoveis an environmentally-sound action.Given that the use of sustainably-har-vested, properly processed and sea-soned wood for energy displaces theuse of fossil fuels, the result is a netreduction in greenhouse gas emis-sions.

To learn more about the renewablebenefits of local wood energy, watchthe Morso educational videos thatdemonstrate how to fully realize therenewable benefits of local wood ener-gy without beginner missteps or old-school methods. There are five freevideos that teach how to choose,install, operate, maintain, and fuelyour wood stove that are available onh t t p : / / w w w.morsona.com, Facebook,and YouTube.

Today is a great time to invest in awood stove so you can actually keepsome green cash in your pocket. TheFederal Bio-Mass Tax Credit extensionprovides a 10 percent tax credit up to$300 for the purchase of a new bio-mass heating appliance in 2011.Thistax credit helps homeowners save onenergy costs by utilizing renewablebiomass fuels such as wood.

Improving Energy Efficiency Tops Wish ListWhen Remodeling Home Metro News Service


It's been years since you painted yourliving room, and it's starting to show.What was once a rich, creamy off-white has now turned into a smudged,b u t t e ry yellow. You brought in apainter last time, but that's not withinyour budget this time. You're going tohave to roll up your sleeves and tacklethe walls yourself. Here are some tipsto ensure you do as good of a job asthe professional you hired last time.Move everything outNow is not the time to get lazy and tryto paint the room with everything stillin it. Even if you have the space tomove everything to the center of theroom, you will still have to workaround it and run the risk of some-thing getting splattered. Box up every-thing you can and move it to anotherroom.Cover upRemoving paint splatters from floorsand baseboards is never easy, so saveyourself the trouble and use dropcloths and painter's tape. Cover thefloors, baseboards, trim and anythingelse you don't plan to paint. Tape theedges of the baseboards to the dropcloths on the floor for complete pro-tection.Gather the right suppliesMake a list of everything you will needand start gathering it. Check the qual-ity of supplies and throw out any thathave seen better days, in particularbrushes and rollers. Good paint jobsrequire good brushes and rollers. Ifyou aren't good at cutting in, considerbuying some of the new productsavailable for making the task easier,like edging and corner brushes. Finally,make sure you have a sturdy ladder forthose hard-to-reach places. Don't tryworking from a pile of crates. Youcould fall and hurt yourself and make abig mess in the process.Choose the right paintIf you plan to use the same paint as lasttime, you should have few problems. Ifyou plan to use something else, youwill need to do your homework. Thereare hundreds of paint colors available,and for the best results, you need tobuy samples of the colors that appeal

to you and test them on the wall. Paintlarge patches and look at them at var-ious points throughout the day. Livewith the shades for a while to deter-mine the right color for you. Once youhave a color in mind, you will need tochoose the type and sheen of paint.Paint comes in two types: latex and oil-based. Latex is easy to work with andclean up, but not as durable as oil-based paint. Paint comes in manysheens. The glossier the sheen, the eas-ier the paint will be to clean. If youhave a lot of defects in the walls, youmay want a duller finish to hide them.Prep the surfaceIt's not enough to tape everything offand toss some paint onto the wall.Paint will not stick to dirt, nor will it fillin holes and gouges. For good cover-age, repair all defects and clean thewalls. Then apply a primer. This willserve as a base and allow for fewercoats and more even coverage.Paint wellAnyone can slap some paint onto awall, but for it to look good, you haveto take your time and do the job right.Work on one wall at a time and movefrom top to bottom, making large M'sand filling them in with horizontalstrokes. Get an experienced friend tohelp. They can do the cutting in whileyou do the rolling, or vice versa. Thejob will go faster with another set ofhands and someone to talk to. Applyas many coats as needed for good,even coverage.Let the paint dryThere is nothing worse than scuffingup a good paint job because you gotinpatient and moved in furniturebefore the walls were dry. When youfinish the last coat, step away and givethe paint plenty of time to dry. Leave itovernight, or longer if needed, andthen move the furniture back in. Becareful as you bring each piece in andgive the paint a few days to curebefore hanging up any artwork on thewalls.

Good paint jobs take work. Beprepared to put in the time and youwill be pleased with the results.

Paint Like a ProBy Tresa Erickson


(MS) -- If you're building, renovatingor just thinking about improving yourhome, there are few better ways thanthe right insulation to help you saveenergy, reduce drafts, and improveindoor air quality.

When choosing the right insulation,homeowners often look to R-value. R-value helps us "compare by numbers",in that the higher the number, the bet-ter the insulation at reducing energyloss. By this measure, you mightassume that R-40 insulation is twice asgood as R-20 insulation -- right? Thetruth is: buying insulation based on R-values can cost you more than it saves.

Why? Because R-value doesn't tellthe whole story of how well the insula-tion will work in your home. R-valuemeasures conductive heat flow (ener-gy moving in and out of your homethrough the insulation material) in a

controlled laboratory setting. What itdoesn't consider is that, in a real home,heat (and money) also flows in or outthrough convection -- better known asair leakage. In fact, air leakage is thebiggest source of energy loss in yourhome, accounting for as much as 40percent. Insulations such as fiberglassallow air to pass right through, whilespray foams, like those offered byIcynene block air flow.

If R-value doesn't measure air leak-age, then what can homeowners useto compare insulation?

☛ How well does the insulation con-trol air leakage that can account for upto 40 percent of a home's energy loss?

☛ How quickly will the insulationpay for itself? (Are the monthly energysavings greater than the monthly costof financing the insulation purchase?)

☛ How well does the insulationreduce air leakage in hard-to-insulateareas such as rim joists, cathedral ceil-ing crawlspaces, rooms above garages,etc?

☛ Can the insulation help reduceheating and cooling loads (and costs)while removing the need forlarger/costlier mechanical equipment?

☛ Will the insulation shift with thehome over time as it settles? Will itleave spaces, gaps?

☛ What happens if the insulationgets wet? Will it keep its insulatingproperties? Can it grow mold?

☛ Does the insulation require anumber of finishing materials (plasticwrap, gaskets, tape) to eliminate gapsor cracks?

So, when you increase R-value areyou really saving or wasting money?

Consider this -- 93 percent of conduc-tive heat flow is already stopped by R-12 insulation. Upgrading from R-12 toR-40 reduces conductive heat flow byonly another 5 percent. A betterunderstanding of the diminishingreturns of R-value can be found atwww.insulationsmart.com.

Will you save by doubling the R-value of insulation? Metro News Services


Cool Down for LessBy Tresa Erickson

Love the lazy days of summer, but hatethe heat? Tired of the air conditioningrunning continuously? Why not installan attic fan and give your air condi-tioning system a break on those coolnights?

Attic fans can make a great dif-ference in the temperature of yourhome. They pull the hot air out of yourattic and the cool air in through yourwindows, reducing the temperature ofyour home up to 10 degrees andextending the life of your roof shin-gles.

Attic fans work best in regionswith cooler mornings and evenings.They are not advised for regions withheavy pollen and pollution, as they willdraw the irritants into the home. Thefans are most effective in the earlymorning and late evening when tem-peratures have dropped and mayallow you to turn off the air condition-ing during those times and save a littleon your utility bills.

Attic fans come in two generaltypes: gable-mounted, which aresecured to an outside attic wall, andfloor-mounted, which are secured tothe attic floor. Gable-mounted fansrequire professional installation, mak-

ing them more costly, but are notnearly as noisy as floor-mounted fans,which can be installed by most do-it-yourselfers.

Most attic fans are powered byelectricity in one of two ways: direct-drive or belt-driven. In the former, fanblades are attached directly to thespinning shaft of the motor; in the lat-ter, they're turned by a belt. Belt-driv-en fans cost more, but are quieter andmore powerful, durable and easilymaintained than direct-drive ones.

Whatever the type of attic fanchosen, self-closing louvers must bemounted along with it. These allow forthe movement of air when the fan is inuse and keep attic dust out of thehouse when the fan is not in use.

Should you decide you wantan attic fan, you will have to select theright one for your needs. The largeryour home, the more powerful fan youmay need. You will also need the prop-er venting and may have some electri-cal concerns as well. Do your home-work, and if needed, consult a profes-sional. They should be able to adviseyou on the proper fan and installationof it.


Prevent pollution at home Metro News Service

When many people think of pollu-tion, among the first images that cometo mind are crowded highways withgas guzzling big rigs spewing exhaustinto the air. But oversized trucks haul-ing loads don't have the pollution mar-ket cornered. In fact, many homeown-ers might be contributing to air pollu-tion every time they work on their ownyards.

Emissions from lawn mowers, chainsaws, leaf blowers, and other outdoorpower equipment account for a signif-icant amount of pollution. What'smore, such emissions might be con-tributing to the formation of ground-level ozone, which can compromisehuman health. Natural ozone in theupper atmosphere shields the planetfrom harmful radiation. But ozone atground level, which can form whencertain outdoor power equipmentemits hydrocarbons and nitrogenoxides, can impair lung function, helpproduce smog and even inhibit plant

growth.Homeowners concerned about the

environment might feel as thoughthey're caught in a Catch-22.Protecting the environment is likelyimportant to them but so is taking careof their property. However, it's possibleto do both; it just requires taking a fewpreventative measures when workingout in the yard.

★ Don't spill the gas. Small gasolinespills can damage the yard, leavingdead spots wherever gas came intocontact with the yard. But even thesmallest of spills can cause the gas toevaporate and pollute the air. Whenrefilling the gas tank, do so on thedriveway and not in the yard to avoiddamaging the property. Use a gasolinecontainer that's easy to handle and usea funnel or spout to reduce the likeli-hood of spillage. Once the tank hasbeen filled, make sure the caps onboth the power equipment and thegasoline container have been closed

tightly, and store the container out ofthe sunlight, ideally in a cool, dryplace.

★ Go manual. Some lawn mainte-nance requires the use of gas-poweredtools to get the job done in a timelyfashion. Homeowners with large yards,for instance, will likely need a gas-pow-ered mower to cut their grass in a rea-sonable amount of time. However, inlieu of gas-powered tools to trimhedges and trees around the yard, usea traditional manual hedge clipperinstead. Many of today's manual handtools are designed to be user-friendlyand, as a result, are much lighter andless bulky than the tools of yesteryear.Homeowners with smaller yards mighteven consider using reel push mowersthat don't generate any emissionswhatsoever.

★ Cut down on cutting. Instead ofcutting the grass every weekend, visitthe local lawn and garden center andask if there are any grass and flower

seed mixtures that will make the grassgrow more slowly. This often dependson the region and the type of grassthat thrives in the region, but it canhelp reduce the number of times thelawn needs to be cut and reduce emis-sions as a result.

★ Plant more trees. Planting moretrees around the property can beadvantageous for a number of reasons.If the yard has more trees, that meansit will have less grass, decreasing theamount of time it takes to mow theyard, and thereby reducing emissionsfrom the mower. Another eco-friendlybenefit to planting more trees is that, ifplanted strategically to provide shade,energy usage, in addition to coolingcosts, during the hot summer willdecrease. Homeowners who plantnative wildflowers and plants also canreduce the time it takes to maintaintheir yard, as such plants typicallyrequire little to no maintenance afterplanting.


Fenced InBy Tresa Erickson

You have lived in your home for quitesome time now, and for the most part,you enjoy it. It is warm and cozy withenough space for everyone and everything. You like the yard as well;there is one little problem with it, how-ever. There is no fence so there is noprivacy.

You could build a fence orhave one installed. Either way, you willneed to select the right material for thejob. Fences come in all types of mate-rials. Some of the more common onesinclude:

BAMBOOThis durable material makes a greatchoice for the eco-conscious. It can begrown in just six months, is extremelytough and requires no maintenance.

COMPOSITEThis strong material looks like wood,but holds up even better. It comes in awide range of colors and requires nomaintenance.

METALThis material offers many options fromintricate ornamental iron fences tosimple chain link fences. It is verydurable but requires extra care to pre-vent corrosion.

STONEThis attractive material is very durablebut can be labor intensive. The stonecan be dry stacked or set in mortar;mortar will take longer but will makefor a stronger fence.

VINYL This material is also very durable andrequires very little maintenance. Theselection of colors is limited, however,and generally the higher the quality ofthe vinyl, the more the fence will cost.

WOODThis material makes an excellentchoice for a fence because of its dura-bility. If treated, most types of woodwill last an average of seven to 10 yearsbeyond their normal life expectancy.Like metal, wood fences require somemaintenance to keep them in goodcondition.

In addition to a material, youwill have to select a fence design. If pri-vacy is your main objective, you mightwant a privacy fence. Check local ordi-nances first to find out what regula-tions are in place on fencing.Traditional privacy fences are six feethigh with four-inch wide boardsspaced less than an eighth of an inchapart. Semi-privacy fences have boardsspaced farther apart.

While privacy may be yourmain objective in your backyard, youmight want something a little differentin your front yard. You might want afarm fence or a classic cottage picket-style fence. You might want a widerslat fence or a purely decorative fencefor visual appeal.

Along with design, you willwant to select a style of fence. This canrange from gothic to flat and shouldsuit your personal preferences as wellas the style of your home. You may likethe gothic style, but it might not workwith your contemporary house.

When selecting a fence, doyour homework and learn everythingyou can. You will be investing a lot oftime and money in the project, so youwant to do it right.


Your home is great, but with the kidsgetting older, you feel like you arestarting to get cramped and could usea little more room. An addition is outof the question. Why not extend yourhome with a room outdoors?

Outdoor rooms are all the rage thesedays and creating one is not as difficultas you might think. You can set up onein almost any site from a screened-inporch to a deck to a gazebo to a patchof grass in your landscape. When cre-ating a room, you should start insideyour house. Look out onto your yardand select an area that could serve as anatural extension of your home,preferably one with easy access to andfrom your home.

Determine how the outdoor roomwill function. Do you plan to hang outthere with friends and chat? Do youplan to relax in a hammock and watchtelevision there? Do you plan to playgames or exercise there? Whateveryou intend to do, your outdoor roomwill need to accommodate that.Multiple functions might call for multi-ple pieces of furniture or equipment,which might call for a larger space.

You should design the outdoor roomaround its functions. If you plan tochat there with friends, you will needcomfortable chairs for everyone to siton. If you plan to lie in the hammockand watch television there, you willneed a hammock and a television. If

you plan to play games or exercisethere, you will need a card table andchairs or some exercise equipment.

You will also need some type offlooring, whether a concrete slab,pavers or brick. If possible, use thesame flooring outside as inside. Thiswill help create continuity. Add somerugs underfoot and some accessories,and you will have a great outdoorspace. Just make sure the items areweather resistant, unless the room issheltered.

If you plan to use the outdoor roomin cool temperatures, you will need asource of heat. Fireplaces and fire pitsare ideal. Depending upon your needs,budget and preferences, you may haveone installed or buy one ready made.Chimneas, for example, are relativelyinexpensive and require no installa-tion.

If you don't have a lot of vegetationalready, you will want to add some.For privacy, twine vines and otherclimbers on trellises or fences. Fill somecontainers with plants. Install somebeds. Hang up some planters.

It doesn't take much to create anoutdoor room. You can set up one fair-ly easily and add to it as you see fit.Like the rooms inside, your outdoorroom will evolve over time andbecome a crucial part of your home.

Extend Your HomeOutdoors By Tresa Erickson


When buying a home, manyprospective buyers hope to find arelatively new property. Ratherthan purchase an older home withall the warts and problems that

often accompany such properties,many buyers want to find a homethat won't require immediatemaintenance or upgrades.

Another reason buyers often pre-

fer newer homes is the sense ofsafety such homes provide. Newerhomes were built in accordancewith newer laws designed to pro-tect home buyers from dangersthat might once have gone unno-ticed. For example, in 1978 theU.S. federal government bannedthe use of lead paint in homes.Buyers, as a result, might be com-fortable buying homes built post-1978, believing such homes aresafer than those built before thelaw was enacted.

One potentially deadly foe thatcan afflict homes new or old isradon. A cancer-causing radioac-tive gas, radon does not discrimi-nate when entering homes. Newhomes that are well-sealed are sus-ceptible to radon, as are drafty

older homes. Prospective homebuyers and even existing home-owners should familiarize them-selves with radon so they are lesslikely to fall victim to its potentiallydeadly side effects.

What is radon and how does itenter a home?

Radon is an invisible, tastelessand odorless gas that comes natu-rally from the breakdown of urani-um in soil, rock and water.Uranium is found in most soils, andradon can push its way up throughthe soil and into the air above.Once there, radon can enter thehome in a number of ways, includ-ing:

- through cracks in solid floors- thru gaps around service pipes

Radon: a potentially deadly foe Metro News Service

The radioactive and cancer-causing gas radon can be found in mostsoils, including those outside many homes.


- thru gaps in suspended floors- through construction jointsWhere can radon be found?Though exposure is often great-

est at home, radon can enter otherbuildings as well. Found all over theUnited States, radon has been dis-covered in homes, schools andeven office buildings. Radon expo-sure is greatest at home becausehome is where many people spendmost of their time.

What is the greatest risk ofradon exposure?

Radon is a radioactive gas thatcan cause cancer. In fact, theCanadian Cancer Society notes thatexposure to radon gas is amongthe leading causes of lung cancer inthe country, alongside causes likesmoking tobacco and exposure toasbestos. Similarly, the NationalCancer Institute reports that expo-sure to radon is the second leadingcause of lung cancer in the U.S.,annually playing a part in 15,000-22,000 lung cancer deaths. Asradon decays, it gives off tinyradioactive particles that are theninhaled. Upon inhalation, theseparticles begin to damage the cellsthan line the lungs. When exposureto radon is lengthy, men, women

and children are at a greater risk forlung cancer.

Can a home be tested forradon?

F o r t u n a t e l y, homeowners canhave their homes tested for radon.Such tests are even inexpensive andrarely take more than a few min-utes. The Environmental ProtectionAgency and the U.S. SurgeonGeneral advise all homeowners tohave their homes tested for radon,particularly any floors below thethird floor. Professionals can comein and test a home, but many do-it-yourself radon testing kits are easy,reliable and inexpensive.

Can a radon problem be fixed?Homeowners can drastically

reduce radon levels in their home.Radon reduction systems are typi-cally highly effective, reducingradon levels by as much as 99 per-cent. Even homeowners who dis-cover extraordinarily high levels ofradon in their homes can drastical-ly reduce those levels rather easily.

Radon annually plays a role inthousands of deaths that can beprevented if homeowners empha-size protecting themselves andtheir families from this all-too-prevalent radioactive gas.

Home improvement projects no longer need to be halted due to missingtools or misplaced measurements. Thanks to advancements in mobile phonetechnology, homeowners can now keep projects on schedule thanks to a hostof apps that make it possible for even the most forgetful do-it-yourselfer tocomplete projects on time. Carpentry apps provide rulers, protractors, and ahost of other features that can help with projects big and small, be it hangingpictures in the family room or completing a molding project. Homeownerscan also make the most of sizing apps that allow them to enter the squarefootage of their homes or individual rooms and compare costs of supplies andmaterials. Those tackling painting projects can take advantage of paintingpalette apps that make it easy to match colors and compare colors for interi-or or even exterior projects. Drywall calculator apps enable homeowners tack-ling the often troublesome task of measuring drywall to finish the projectmuch more quickly and with significantly less stress.

Did You Know?


Gel Stains: The GoodAnd The BadBy Tresa Erickson

You're not much of a woodworker,but you found a little table at a yardsale that would look good with a littlework. You cleaned it up, fixed thedrawer and now you've sanded itdown. The table is made of varioustypes of woods, none of which are ingood condition. That, along with thefact that you don't have a lot of prac-tice with staining, has made you leantoward using a gel stain.

Gel stains work well for blending dif-ferent woods and matching existingcolors, though you may have to use acouple of colors to get the shade youwant. They're a snap to apply, too, par-ticularly for beginners, and allow formore control over the color. They donot work well on figured woods, asthey won't give you the clarity you arelooking for.

Before applying a gel stain, you willneed to make sure you have preppedthe table well. The old finish must bestripped completely and the tablesanded and wiped down. Any trace ofold finish or sawdust could mar theresults. You'll also want to make sureyou've taken care of any defects in thewood, as the stain will seep into themquickly and be difficult to wipe away.

Gel stains require little in the way ofequipment, just a soft, clean rag (anold T-shirt will do) and a pair of gloves.Make sure you read the instructions onthe back of the can before you begin

and apply the stain as recommended.Usually all you will need to do is applysome stain to the wood and wipe it offafter a few minutes. The extensivenessof your wiping will determine theevenness and depth of the color. Ifyour table has some crevices, you'llwant to use a light touch with thestain. As with defects, the stain will sinkinto crevices fast and be difficult to getout.

After you have finished applying thegel stain and given it time to dry, youwill want to apply a polyurethane top-coat to protect the color. Gel stains donot penetrate wood like other stainsand require sealing to ensure the colorlasts.

Gel stains are easy to work with, butthey do have some drawbacks. Studyyour table and make sure gel stain willwork for it. If you have any concerns,speak to a professional at your localhardware store. They should be able toadvise you on the type of stain thatwould suit your table best and itsapplication.


You love your house, but boy, oh boy,could the powder room use somework. The fixtures are nice...the walls,not so much. There are tons of nicksand scrapes on the lower half, proba-bly due to the removal of layers uponlayers of wallpaper long ago. Yo ucould install new drywall, but you'drather not. Why not cover it insteadwith beadboard?

Installing beadboard is arather simple process. First you need todo some shopping and select the rightbeadboard for your needs. Beadboardcomes in a variety of styles fromtongue-and-groove boards to ply-wood sheets to faux beadboard. Youcan buy it finished or unfinished andstain or paint it yourself. Once youhave bought the beadboard, you willneed to bring it inside and give it a fewdays to get acclimated. This will ensureit goes up smoothly.

When you are ready to installthe beadboard, remove the base-

boards and paint the top half of thewalls if needed. Then pencil in a levelline across the wall and measure forthe first piece. You may cut the bead-board to size with a circular saw. Toinstall it, apply some constructionadhesive to the back, put it into placeon the wall and secure it in the cornersand along the edges with nails.Continue with the process around theroom, making sure you leave 1/16thgap between sections for expansion.For areas around pipes, you may use adrill with a hole-saw attachment to cutthe beadboard.

After you have finished, youwill need to cap off the beadboard andreplace the baseboards. To cap it off,you may install a chair railing. Whenyou are done with that, use some caulkto fill in all of the holes. Then stain orpaint the beadboard, baseboards andchair railing, and voila, your bathroomis as good as new.

Wrapped In BeadboardBy Tresa Erickson


It's called "curb appeal," that goodimpression people get of your homewhen they pull up in a car, or whenwalking by. Real estate agents can beas pleased with exterior curb appeal asthey are with a well-maintained houseon the inside. When it comes to resi-dential property value, this book isindeed judged by its cover.

Exterior trouble areas include peel-ing paint; rotting wood on windowframes; buckled roof shingles; over-grown shrubs; ignored lawns; andweeds growing through interlockpaths, steps and the driveway.

"The lawns and landscaping thatframe our home are as important asthe quality inside," says Reinie Drygala,lawncare products manager for ClearChoice, a leading name in innovativegarden products. "And the good newsis: when it comes to first impressionsjust a few little tips and tricks can makea big difference quickly.

"If you're frustrated about over-grown weeds, for example, the newestherbicide technology is tackling that,"Drygala continued. "Now there arealternatives to traditional herbicidesthat effectively kill weeds, but also pro-vide the homeowner with options ifthey are looking for ways to have lessimpact on the environment. The for-mulation for our Clear Choice selective

herbicide, for example, contains up to85 percent less active ingredients ascompared to other products using thesame ingredients. As importantly,microtechnology built into the formu-lation creates much smaller dropletsthat more efficiently deliver the herbi-cide to the plant. Clear Choice is effec-tive on over 60 varieties of broadleafweeds, killing them quickly whilebeing friendly to your lawn."

In addition to beautifying your lawn,try these quick tricks to give your homeinstant curb appeal:

☛ Scrape and spot-paint problemareas. This might be a temporary fix,but even a touch up is better thanpeeling paint.

☛ Add color by planting someannuals in the front yard flowerbeds.

☛ Replace or paint rusty fixtureslike the mailbox, railings, house num-ber, and more.

☛ Tackle pesky weeds on interlockpaths and driveway. Use hand spraysfor targeted jobs, or larger jugs for abig surface area. More information atwww.todaysclearchoice.com.

☛ Install lighting along your walk-ways and steps, or to spotlight theshape and architecture.

Home Improvement:Top tips for the best first impressionMetro News Service


You love the look and feel of fireplaces,but you've never had the privilege ofowning a home with one. Fortunatelyfor you, there are several models nowon the market that can be installedeasily.

When shopping for a fireplace,you must determine first where it willgo and what you want from it. If you'relooking for a fireplace that puts outheat, you must find one that fits thesize of the room. Too small of onewon't put out enough heat, while toobig of one will overheat the room.

There are two type of gas fire-places that can be installed easily:direct-vent and no-vent. Direct-ventfireplaces are self-contained andrequire no foundation. They are vent-ed out of the nearest sidewall. Vent-free fireplaces require no venting andput out a huge amount of heat, mak-ing them more suitable for largespaces. They also produce a lot ofmoisture. Both require a source of nat-

ural gas or propane.If you would prefer not to

bother with a fuel source, you maylook at electric fireplaces. These do notburn, but they do provide the illusionof crackling flames. Some models alsocome with space heaters to help heatthe room.

If these options do not appealto you and you prefer a traditional fire-place, you may check into having oneinstalled. This will be easier if you areadding on to your home, of course.Either way, it will cost you, and you willhave to determine whether you want agas or a wood fireplace. Gas burnsc l e a n e r. Wood, however, is moreauthentic and produces a sweet scentand a crackling sound.

Want a fireplace in yourhome? Have one! Just make sure youdo your homework and select the righttype for your needs.

Warm And CozyBy Tresa Erickson


Wood patio furniture can be a deco-rative and functional addition to out-door living. The longevity of the furni-ture and the upkeep required willdepend heavily on the type of woodused in construction. Choosing theright wood based on use and budgetcan help consumers get more for theirmoney.

Many consumers are selecting natu-ral wood patio furniture over resins,plastic and metal options. Although itseems a simple purchase, when facedwith the multitude of woods anddesigns available, shoppers can be eas-ily confused. Learning about the differ-ent species of wood commonly used infurniture crafting can make determin-

ing why one table is $1,000 and theother is double the price.

PINE: Pine is a household nameand a common component of manybuilding products and furniture. Pine'spopularity could stem from its avail-ability and affordability. The fact that itis often harvested locally helps keepprices down. Pine as an untreatedwood is susceptible to rot and may notbe as durable as other woods. Veryoften pine is pressure-treated toimprove its durability and perform-ance. The light color of pine enables itto be stained or painted in a variety ofshades.

TEAK: Another familiar type ofwood, teak is resilient, dense and

Wood patio furniture:Value and Durability

Metro News Service


straight-grained, making it a very sta-ble choice for outdoor furniture.Without preservative, teak will weatherto a gray color and still remain highlyresistant to decay -- even up to 50years. Thanks to that durability, teak istypically among the more expensiveoptions.

CEDAR: Cedar is a rapidly renew-able resource thanks to it being a quickgrower. That can make cedar an attrac-tive choice to those who are interestedin going green with their patio furni-ture choices. Another advantage tocedar is its resistance to weather andinsects. Cedar satchels are often usedin closets to keep moths and otherbugs away.

R E D W O O D : Another softwood,redwood is also harvested domesticallyfrom the Pacific Northwest, BritishColumbia and California. Although it ishighly resistant to rot and termites, itwill need to be protected annually withan oil-based stain, sealer and preserver.

Roble: A wood native to SouthAmerica, roble is a dense, strong andlightweight wood. Darker shades ofthe wood are more resistant to decay.A preservative oil should be used everysix months to maintain its beauty.

JARRAH: Another exotic soundingwood, jarrah is harvested mostly fromgovernment-managed forests inAustralia. While this wood is naturallyresistant to insects and rot, it is alsofire-resistant, making it a safe option.It, too, is one of the more durablewoods, lasting up to 50 years evenwithout oiling or staining. It is one ofthe pricier options in outdoor furniturethanks to these properties.

CYPRESS: This is a popular woodfor wood garden furniture because itresists decay and cracking very well.Cypress has a distinctive yellowish-redcolor that many people find attractive,but it can also be painted if desired.

BRAZILIAN CHERRY: Many peo-

ple may think of this wood only forkitchen cabinet applications, butBrazilian cherry is dense and naturallyweather-resistant. This makes it a finechoice for garden furniture. It is alsoused in playground equipment anddecking.

ALDER: Alder is a hard wood that isvalued for its strength and durabilityand is related to the birch family. It isappreciated for its honey-hued toneand beauty.

BALAU: Balau is a very dense woodthat is tightly grained and rich in trop-ical oils and resins. It has been used forshipbuilding, heavy-duty furniture andheavy construction and coveted for itsexcellent strength and weather-resist-ant qualities. It is very strong andheavy, making it one of the sought-after choices in outdoor wood furniturematerials, driving up the price.

Although many types of wood patiofurniture can be kept outdoors andremain durable, it's recommended thathomeowners cover or take in woodfurniture when the season ends. Thislimits the chance of weather-relateddamage and cuts down on the amountof cleaning and maintenance that mayneed to be done.

Many homeowners find that woodpatio furniture provides the beauty andcomfort they desire for outdoor enter-taining. Very often wood items can below-maintenance,

affordable and environmentallyfriendly.


Believe you need an acre of propertyto start gardening? Think again.Individuals can grow their own patchof greenery in just about any spacethey have on hand.

When it comes time to getting yourhands dirty, it doesn't matter if thereare rolling hills or a single containerfilled with soil on which to plant.Although many gardening profession-als present plans for larger-scale gar-dens, it's possible to create smaller-

scale options that require a great dealless maintenance and upkeep.

To get started, homeowners orapartment dwellers need to first lookat the space they have. Perhaps this isa few flower pots or a small square ofexposed dirt in an otherwise concretejungle. Others may have an expansivebackyard in which to toil in the soil.Either way, knowing what you have towork with can help home gardenersmap out a more successful plan of

action.Next, it's important to consider the

climate and the soil conditions. Soilcan be amended to a point, but plantsthat require a lot of water may not dowell in an area plagued by drought.

Color is another thing to consider.Gardeners with smaller spaces maywant to think about keeping gardensmainly monochromatic, which willlook more cohesive. Cool-coloredflowers and plants will help make agarden look larger. Wa r m - c o l o r e dflowers will add impact and could cre-ate a cozier feel.

Hanging baskets and raised contain-ers can add height and free up morefloor space for gardens. They're partic-ularly helpful when space is at a premi-um. Keep in mind that baskets andcontainers tend to dry out easily, sousing peat moss, vermiculite and otherproducts that tend to hold onto waterwill help keep the soil moist. Thesecontainers also may need to bewatered more frequently.

Containers also can be used to plantsmall trees or shrubs. Use them forvegetable plants as well. The advan-tage to containers is they can bemoved elsewhere if a plant is not thriv-ing in a particular area.

People who have an extremely spacewith which to work may be limited toa few flower pots in the window, butthey can easily grow herbs or annualflowers.

Those who have a large space maywant to consider breaking the land-scape down into smaller quadrants;o t h e rwise, the garden can seemunruly. Use hardscape materials, suchas mulch, rocks, boulders, and slate tobreak up the greenery (and also cutdown on items that need pruning andwatering).

Individuals who don't know whereto start can page through gardeningmagazines for ideas. Alternatively, theycan consult with an area landscaper tofind out which plants will do well.

Gardening in any sized space Metro News Service


My, how time has flown. Seems likeonly yesterday you were packing upfor the big move to your house. Nowyour children are all grown, some withchildren of their own, and the houseyou have cherished for so long seemsbig and empty. The time has come foryou to downsize.

Downsizing typically involves mov-ing to a smaller home, which creates anumber of positives. Depending uponhow much you still owe on your cur-rent house, you may make enough ofa profit to put down a substantialdown payment on a smaller house orbuy it outright. Either way, you willhave more cash in your pocket forother things. With less square footage,you will have lower utility bills andmake fewer purchases, allowing you tosave even more money. You will alsohave less to care for, easing stress andfreeing up time.

With downsizing also come somenegatives, of course. You may not havethe room for out-of-town guests,much less your possessions. Chancesare everything in your home right nowwill not fit in your new home. If youown a lot you're partial to, getting ridof some of it may not be easy. Ask yourfamily and friends to help. They mighteven be willing to take some items offyour hands. Wouldn't you rather seeyour daughter using your mother'schina now than making her wait untilafter your death? The same goes foryour phonograph. It would look lovelyin your friend's parlor, and they're evenwilling to pay you what it's worth.

When sorting through your posses-sions, start in the rooms you use theleast to avoid having to walk throughan obstacle course for days on end.Move from large pieces to small andcolor-code everything according towhether you want to keep it, give it toa family member or friend, donate it tocharity or sell it. With heirlooms you'rehanding down, write down any signif-icant details or memories associatedwith them for future owners. Withheirlooms you're selling, bring in anexpert to assess them and recommend

the best method of sale.Sifting through your possessions will

take time. Don't rush the process, oryou could end up making decisionsyou regret. Go through everything,old cards, letters, papers and more,and keep what's important to you. Ifyou're holding onto items for yourgrown kids, don't. Let them knowwhat you have and find out what theywant you to do with it. Do not take itto your new home. You need all of thespace there for your own things. Giveyour children a time frame to retrievethe items they want or donate them tocharity.

Paring down won't be easy, but itcan be done. Be firm in what you wantto keep and bequeath items only whenready. Don't succumb to the pressureof friends and family. It's your memo-ries, so do with them as you wish. Justdon't go overboard, or you'll end upfeeling like a can of sardines in yournew home. Remember, you're down-sizing to free up time and money andreduce stress. The more stuff you have,the less likely that is to happen.

Less Can Be MoreBy Tresa Erickson


You love all of the mature trees sur-rounding your house. They are whatattracted you to the property in thefirst place. Unfortunately, some ofthem have been struck down by dis-ease and need to be cut down. Youhave never felled a tree before andcould use some tips on doing the tasksafely.

Before you start, check local ordi-nances. There may be some restric-tions in place on felling trees in yourarea. Make sure you follow them anduse the appropriate supplies. You willneed an axe and a quality chainsaw ofthe proper size.

Generally, the larger the tree, theharder and the more dangerous it willbe to cut down. To reduce the risk, youshould find someone reliable to help,preferably someone with experience infelling trees. You should also select anice calm day to tackle the chore. Donot try to cut down a tree on a daywith strong winds. They could whipthe tree in a direction you do notintend.

You may cut down small trees lessthan six inches in diameter in one pass.Larger trees, on the other hand,require more work. To start theprocess, determine first how the treenaturally leans and how weighted it is.This will tell you on which side youshould notch the tree and where itshould fall. The area where it fallsshould be fairly open and on evenground. If it isn't, the tree could getstuck on another tree or catch onsomething as it falls, or it couldbounce, roll and kick back at you onceit hits the ground.

Next, you need to assess the condi-tion of the tree. Dead trees will be eas-ier to cut down. To determine if thetree is completely dead, hit it with anaxe. A hollow sound indicates the tis-sue inside is dead; a thunk indicatessome of it is still living. If this is thecase, you may have to work a littleharder to get the tree down.

To make the actual cutting andcleanup afterwards easier, you should

remove as many branches as possible,especially any that might stop the treefrom falling. Then you may make thenotch. Again, this should be on theside of the tree you want it to falltoward. Cut a third of the way throughthe tree near the base. This will serveas the bottom cut. Then make the topintersecting cut a foot above at a 45-degree angle. When you are ready,move to the other side of the tree andmake the final cut two inches abovethe bottom cut in order to create ahinge. This will ensure the tree doesnot kick back and upward.

The moment you hear the tree crackand begin to move, get out of the wayfast and let others know the tree isfalling. The tree should fall fairly quick-ly. Wait a few moments to ensure it isnot going to roll and then cut it up,starting with any remaining branchesand finishing with the trunk.

Felling a tree imposes a great deal ofrisk. Familiarize yourself with theprocess and make sure you know whatyou are doing. Get a buddy to helpyou and work carefully.

Timber!!By Tresa Erickson


If you cannot wait any longer tomake some much needed changes inyour home, you are not alone.Americans are once again gettingready to begin the home improve-ment process. This pent-up energyoften begins in the kitchen, a roomthat gets a lot of wear and tear butalso seems to go out of fashion morequickly these days.

This time around, you will be morecautious like many consumers are withtheir choices and costs ... and yet youwant to make observable changes.

The most obvious change isinstalling a new countertop.Remember that countertops represent30 percent of the color in any kitchen.Create new excitement by simplyreplacing your tired, scratched orstained counter surface with one madefrom the latest generation of premi-

um laminate.The latest additions to the popular

Wilsonart(R)HD(R) High Definition(R)design series reflect new interest innatural, classic and tumbled marble,limestone and travertine.

The good news is this fashionablelook is available without the high costof stone or the constant maintenancethose stones require.

These lighter, less patterned lami-nate designs are perfect for today'shectic lifestyle. In fact, the new cost-efficient countertop can be installedwithin a few hours and without dis-rupting family life. They also give anexisting kitchen the promise of awhole new look that's universallyappealing. That equals a big changefor small change.

All of these new designs are availablein a new surface effect of a lower

matte-gloss sheen that seems almostglazed. The "Glaze" texture is actuallya layering of matte features over aglaze of semi-gloss. This creates atimeworn result that is less reflectiveand more restrained. It's a perfect bal-ance for the sophisticated dramaticmaterials that are part of today'skitchen: stainless steel, chrome, cop-per, and even glass.

Wilsonart patterns benefit fromAEON Enhanced Performance technol-ogy. AEON brings four times the scuffand scratch-resistance of conventionallaminate, as well as five times the wearresistance to the surface. Unlike gran-ite, the surfaces of these new lami-nates are non-porous and never needto be sealed.

Here are some other remodeling ideasthat will have high impact without highexpense:

✓ Replace your old refrigeratorwith an energy-efficient model. Lookin the big box stores for floor modelsor even those with a little dent on theside, which will never be seen.

✓ Refresh your cabinets with a coatof paint, and change all the cabinethardware in the process. This makeseverything look new.

✓ Swap out your old ceiling lightfixture and install under cabinet light-ing as well. A little light can make adramatic difference.

✓ Change your sink or sinks.Consider a new Wi l s o n a r t ( R ) H D ( R )sink when adding a laminate counter-top. These sinks were designed to bemounted to a laminate surface.

Still puzzled by the process or needmore help choosing the right color orpattern for your countertop? Vi s i twww.WilsonartHD.com

Easy and Economical Solutions for ThosePostponed Remodeling Plans by Gale Steves


Most people familiar with interiordesign know the value of mirrors.When placed right, they can make aroom appear larger and lighter than itreally is. A mirror placed across from awindow in a small, narrow room, forexample, can open it up. Mirrors canbe used in other ways to play up thefeatures of a room.

Designers employ all kinds of tech-niques with mirrors. Sometimes, theyangle mirrors toward each to break upthe reflection and allow for a uniquemosaic affect. Other times, theyarrange them in a specific order for acomforting repetitious effect.

The size and shape of mirrors mightdictate their use. An assortment ofround mirrors in various sizes on a wallmight make for quite an impressivedisplay, whereas a series of long, nar-row mirrors on a wall might elongateit. When turned horizontally, thosesame long, narrow mirrors might makethe wall appear wider.

Mirrors can be used to disguise flawsand highlight objects as well. Dressertop scratched? No problem. Have apiece of mirror cut to fit it, and voila,you've got a great place to store all ofthose crystal perfume bottles. The mir-rored top will reflect light onto thec rystal, creating a dazzling effect.Bookshelves seem a little drab? Notwith mirrored backs. Hang or gluesome mirrors to the backs of yourbookshelves for depth and whateveryou have tucked inside will come alive.

Mirrors do not have to be new or inperfect condition to create an interest-ing effect. Distressed mirrors workgreat in many design styles from OldWorld to country cottage, while con-vex mirrors can add interest to moremodern rooms.

Mirrors can do wonders for anydécor. Just make sure you use thema p p r o p r i a t e l y. Remember, mirrorsreflect, so be careful of their place-ment. Don't hang one across fromsomething you'd rather people notnotice, like the litterbox or coat closet.Watch out for glare as well. While amirror placed across from your picturewindow might bounce back a lot oflight, it might also create glare on theTV screen.

Mirror, Mirror On The Wall By Tresa Erickson

You have wanted a porch swing eversince you sat on one as a child at yourgreat aunt's house. Oh, how you lovedto nestle into the pillows and swing inthe gentle breezes of a warm summer'sd a y. For years, you owned houseswithout a porch, but recently, youbought one with a porch, a ratherlarge wraparound porch. You are allset to get a porch swing of your own.

You can make your own porchswing or buy one. Either way, you willhave a number of factors to consider.First, you must determine the size ofporch swing that would best be suitedto your needs. Large swings can holdthree to four people but require moresupport than the traditional two-seaters. Your porch should be able toaccommodate whatever size of swingyou select, spatially and structurally.

You must determine the bestmaterial for your needs. Wicker andwood are popular choices, and if youaren't real handy, you can modify awicker sofa into a swing. Simply cut offthe legs and add a support base.Should you choose wood, cedar andteak are strong and will weather well.Oak is also strong but heavy. Pine isinexpensive but will dent and crackeasily. Pine, oak and maple can bepainted to increase their longevity.

Along with size and material,you must look at the construction ofthe swing. The best swings have jointsthat are screwed together rather thannailed. The seat depth, slat spacing

and back angle can vary. For comfort,you probably want a swing with adecent seat depth, fairly close slats andsome curve in the back.

Another factor to consider isstyle. Porch swings come in a widerange of styles, some more intricatethan others. Try to select a style thatsuits your tastes and complementsyour home. A white wicker porc hswing might work well for a Victorianhome but not for a log cabin. For that,you might want a rough-hewn cedarporch swing.

Try out as many porch swingsas you can and select the one thatworks best for you. Add weather-resist-ant cushions to make it comfortable,and if needed, seal or paint it toextend its life and match the dÃ©corof your home.

The Perfect Porch Swing By Tresa Erickson

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