This page contains information on local Home & Garden Retailers and tips on maintaining your property. While some of the articles may not be appropriate for our island community, they are all posted here for the benefit of our international readers. You never know when some of these cold weather tips might prove beneficial in the tropics too.

Home improvements can sometimes lead to an overextended credit rating. If you find yourself in a credit pinch and don't know where to turn, click on the link above for Credit Justice Service. They will work with you and your creditors to develop a plan that will help you get back into good credit standing. Once you complete the form that will open, they will arrange for your first consultation.

UDL Lumber in Estate Glynn is open seven days a week to serve your construction and remodeling needs. And yes, they deliver to any location on St. Croix. The new showroom/sales area currently under construction will carry an expanded line of products to further serve your construction, plumbing, electrical, painting, and lawn care needs. Call them at 778-2331.

(MS) — At first glance, few insects seem as innocuous as the ant. But what ants lack in size, they certainly make up for in substance.

Ants may be scoping out your home right now as a source of food. By learning how ants behave and recognizing their calling cards, you can successfully prevent ant problems this year. Here are some tips from BASF, manufacturer of Termidor® termiticide/insecticide and Phantom® termiticide-insecticide:

• Inspect the exterior perimeter of the house for signs of ants. Carpenter ants are a big, black, common variety of ant that can enter the house and even cause more structural damage than termites, say experts. Carpenter ants do not actually eat wood but excavate galleries within it to use as nesting sites. Signs of these ants may be frass: wood shavings, bits of soil, and parts of other insects. Other ants may create soil mounds or be seen scurrying along ant trails. Many ants do most foraging at night, so you may find more activity in the evening hours.

• Eliminate food sources. Ants love grease, crumbs, sweets, and other materials that they can scavenge. Rinse out containers before placing them in garbage bags. Clean up spills in and around the house. Routinely clean floors, inside of cabinets, countertops, and even around appliances to get rid of some food sources. Also pick up pets’ water and food bowls when they’re not in use.

• Seal cracks around windows and doors. Ants can fit through even the tiniest of gaps in search of food and water, so make sure you block entry to your house. Also, eliminate hiding spots for ants, such as moving firewood or woodpiles away from the home.

• Remove water sources. Ants need water in addition to food to survive, so do away with extraneous sources of water. Fix plumbing leaks and clean out downspouts to eliminate moisture seepage into the home. Also, check outdoor waterspouts and any drains to make sure they’re functioning properly.

• Learn about ant behavior to beat these pests at their own game. The Ant Institute™ (AntInstitute.com), developed by the experts at BASF, is the Web’s premier destination for learning about these common household pests. On the site, powerful Web cameras capture close snapshots of ants 24 hours a day, seven days a week, honing in on what it would be like if these pests invaded a typical home. The Web site is also enhanced by facts about ants, opportunities for “asking the expert,” and other useful information for those interested in ant behavior — and how to eradicate the pests. The site’s scientific content is reviewed and managed by expert entomologists.

“Effective ant control begins by understanding the behavior of ants and working with a professional to apply effective solutions,” says Bob Hickman, chief entomologist with the Ant Institute. “Pest professionals can combine application of Phantom to outdoor points where pests enter as frequently as every month with a Termidor application along the exterior foundation walls twice a year for general pest control.”

There are plenty of other tips and techniques for dealing with ants found at AntInstitute.com. Log on today to view ants in real time and find out more. TF087058

(MS) — Diatomaceous earth (DE) is a chalk-like substance made from ground fossilized diatoms (a type of hard-shelled algae) used in a number of applications. It can be used to filter out solid waste in wastewater treatment plants. It is also often added to swimming pool filters to improve removal of debris. Perhaps its use as a natural pesticide is one of the most beneficial applications for homeowners. The material can also be used as a safe method of insect extermination in and around the home. DE penetrates the insects’ exoskeleton and works by dehydrating the insects. Because it is absolutely safe for people to handle, it is a good option for individuals who want to control bugs but have concerns about chemical pesticides. It is suggested to dust areas where insects might frequent with the DE, such as under appliances, along the perimeter of rooms, in basement crevices, and around the exterior of the home. An application puffer can be purchased to apply DE, but some people use a paintbrush or turkey baster to get the job done. EL086968

(MS) — Aerial ladders on many fire trucks can’t extend any higher than the sixth or seventh floor?

- In fact, even in cases where fire fighters and their ladders can reach, they would still rather evacuees use properly indicated and lit exits and stairwells.

• Low-level lighting and signage is being adopted more and more?

- Why? Smoke rises. Even the latest and greatest exit signs and emergency lighting can’t be seen at their current high levels. Safety way guidance systems (low-level lighting strategically placed through hallways and stairwells, illuminating and indicating routes to safety) and low-level signage provide clear direction even in smoke-filled conditions.

- Photoluminescent (glow-in-the-dark) Safety Way Guidance Systems are mandated in certain jurisdictions.

• New York City passed Local Law 26 on May 31, 2005, which required all existing or new high-rise office buildings over 75-feet-tall to install such systems by July 2006.

- Fire fighters are starting to train with photoluminescent systems. The Fire and Emergency Services Training Institute located at Toronto, Canada’s Pearson International Airport has recently installed photoluminescent signage and guidance systems for training purposes.

• The new facility is being called the preeminent training facility for professional firefighters worldwide, providing the best training available, in the safest, sustainable manner.

• Newer, more advanced emergency signage and guidance systems can actually save you money, as well as make your building safer?

- Photoluminescent systems don’t require any energy to operate, cutting down on electric bills and maintenance.

- They’re completely non-radioactive and environmentally friendly.

- They reportedly have a life expectancy of 25 years and more.

More information on photoluminescent technology, safety signage and guidance systems can be found online at www.lumonall.com, or toll-free at 1-888-LUMONALL. EL086983

(MS) — Looking for a quick way to reduce energy and maintenance bills? Exit signs that must be lit 24 hours a day, seven days a week can take a bite out of commercial and industrial budgets, as well as those for residential high-rise dwellings. Photoluminescent (glow-in-the-dark) exit signs can offer significant savings per sign in reduced energy, materials, and labor costs as compared with standard incandescent models. For actual figures relating to how much a traditional exit sign can cost in energy bills alone — not to mention bulb-replacement, maintenance and other labor costs — there is an exit sign cost calculator available at www.lumonall.com.

According to the US Department of Energy, “in locations with proper charging sources, PL [photoluminescent] exit signs can have an unlimited service life.” (source link: http://www1.eere.energy.gov/femp/procurement/eep_exit_sign.html)
Added to the zero energy cost value is the fact that photoluminescent signage can be considered fail-safe because it doesn’t rely on power, bulbs or maintenance. EL086981

(MS) — Here are some questions you can ask to make sure that you feel as safe traveling as you do at home:

• Where are the hotel exits? Do you know? Do your kids?

• “Look for the exit signs!” Make a game of it. Ask your kids if they know how to find the exits.

• Count them. How many are there?

• Where are they? How many doors to the left or right of your room? Four doors to the left, or maybe eight doors to the right?

• Are the exit signs working? See if you can turn out the lights and let the kids see the signs in the dark.

• Are they light enough? Are they on at all?

• Where do the exits lead? A dark hallway? A dark stairwell? Or have they installed photoluminescent (glow-in-the-dark) safety way guidance systems?

Exit signs are easy to miss, but they don’t have to be. It is important to learn about what kind of safety systems are in place, as well as what is available. More and more hotels are installing fail-safe photoluminescent exit signs and safety way guidance systems in their hallways and stairwells.

Information on building safety, exit sign standards, and photoluminescent emergency signage and guidance systems is available online at www.lumonall.com or toll-free at 1-888-LUMONALL. EL086982

(MS) — Fire drills aside, what kind of emergency systems do your kids’ schools have in place? One basic element in building safety often overlooked is emergency signage. Here are some questions you can ask:

• How many exits does the school have?
• Where are they?
• Are they clearly indicated and illuminated?
• Are the exit signs in proper working order?
• How many floors is the school?
• Are there windows that can open or are safe to go out?
• Are they clearly marked?
• Where do the exits lead? Outside, or to a stairwell? Up, or down?
• Are the hallways and stairwells equipped with photoluminescent (glow-in-the-dark) safety way guidance systems, or some other form of lower level lighting?
• Are the fire extinguishers and fire hoses clearly marked?
• Are there dangerous areas that children should not go in an emergency, or any circumstance?
• Are they clearly indicated and illuminated?

Most of these questions can be addressed in some manner with signage. Find out what kind of signage your schools use.

Many schools are adopting newer, better forms of emergency signage to replace traditional incandescent bulb-lit exit signs. Bulb replacement, general maintenance, and reliance on energy make traditional exit signs unreliable. Alternatives, such as photoluminescent signage, are considered fail-safe, provide many other safety solutions, and do not use energy. We teach our kids to wear their seatbelts—you wouldn’t let them get in a car that didn’t have any, right? Photoluminescent safety systems in your schools is the same thing. Our kids should know what to look for and know what kind of safety systems should be in place.

Information on photoluminescent applications, building safety and emergency signage can be found online at www.lumonall.com, or toll-free at 1-888-LUMONALL. EL086984

(MS) — How safe are our public spaces and buildings? How safe is your office building, or condo? How are you going to get out in an emergency? What about when you are traveling? Wherever you are, and whatever building you are in, there are pivotal issues to keep in mind when it comes to emergency planning. Alarms and sprinkler systems are important early warning factors in a fire-related emergency, but in any emergency situation, it’s the evacuation route that should be highest in mind. Most injuries and more serious outcomes are a result of smoke inhalation, due in large part to the inability to find an exit.

Up-to-date, certified and approved exit signs, as well as safety way guidance systems (low-level lighting strategically placed through hallways and stairwells, illuminating and indicating routes to safety) — ideally ones that do not require energy or regular maintenance to operate properly — are essential to any evacuation plan.

Alarm and sprinkler systems are definitely fundamental, however a thorough understanding of a complete safety system is critical. In addition, assessing the readiness of traditional emergency systems is important, however their effectiveness really only applies to fire safety.

What happens in a power outage? Earthquake? Smoke-filled conditions once the fire is out? In any emergency situation a clearly identified and illuminated evacuation route is something you can’t afford to have fail. And what happens once you’ve reached the exit? Where does it go? Directly outside, or a stairwell? Is the stairwell properly illuminated and equipped with safety way guidance systems?

Pay attention to what kind of signs and safety way guidance systems are being used in your office, condo, hotel, or any high-rise building. Traditional emergency signage and guidance systems can fail due to their reliance on power to operate. Their back-up systems, such as batteries, are also dependent on power and are inherently unreliable. Certain safety features have become standard in North America, such as seat belts and airbags. You wouldn’t use, much less buy, a car that didn’t have seat belts. Why should you be expected to spend your days and/or nights in a building that doesn’t have fundamental safety systems?

And they are fundamental: Only photoluminescent (glow-in-the-dark) exit signs and safety way guidance systems are considered fail-safe. The technology behind them has been adapted and developed in order to create completely fail-safe and environmentally friendly exit signs and safety way guidance systems. In the aftermath of 9/11, New York City instituted a bylaw requiring that any building over six storeys install photoluminescent safety way guidance systems.

More information on exit sign standards, and specifically photoluminescent emergency signage and guidance systems, is available at www.lumonall.com or toll free at 1-888-LUMONALL. EL086985

(MS) — Following September 11, 2001, many safety assessments and advisories suggested the installation of photoluminescent safety way guidance systems in corridors and stairs. As a direct result of 9/11, New York City recognized that a photoluminescent safety way guidance systems is an essential component to ensure occupant safety in high-rise structures, and officially passed Local Law 26 on May 31, 2005, which required all existing or new high-rise office buildings over 75-feet-tall to install such systems by July 2006. During its renovations following the attack, the Pentagon installed photoluminescent safety way guidance systems, as did the United Nations in 2003.

A pivotal study in Canada confirmed photoluminescent safety way guidance systems as a more effective, improved means of evacuation in emergency conditions. The report was produced by the National Research Council’s Institute for Research in Construction and concluded that photoluminescent (glow-in-the dark) safety way guidance systems (low-level lighting strategically placed through hallways and stairwells, illuminating and indicating routes to safety) are essential components to safety measures in buildings. It is an important step in improving building safety and raises a number of questions: Could your building be safer, and how? This could mean your workplace, your residence, hospitals and/or schools.

With that in mind, fire officials, architects, engineers, building developers, owners and managers are increasingly stepping up to endorse the technology and appear more keen to adopt it. According to the report, “other building codes are also in the process of adopting measures to use photoluminescent safety markings as a means of better defining escape routes, and this technology will continue to be developed and used.”

More information on photoluminescent technology, emergency signage and guidance systems, building safety, as well as the NRC Report in its entirety, can be found at www.lumonall.com, or toll-free at 1-888-LUMONALL. EL086986

(MS) — When the topic of improving air quality comes up, much of the discussion focuses on how to improve outdoor air quality. Solutions such as reducing harmful emissions from vehicles and properly disposing of certain household items are easy ways to improve outdoor air quality.

But what about improving air quality indoors? Ways of doing that are not discussed nearly as much, as it’s common to overlook indoor air quality. But poor air quality indoors can be just as harmful as outside air — or even more so considering the amount of time spent indoors — making it a good policy to keep tabs on indoor air quality via the following tips.

• Dust frequently. Dusting is an easy chore when it’s done frequently. However, the longer dust is allowed to build up, the more arduous removing it can become and the more damaging it is to the quality of indoor air. When dusting, do so with microfiber towels and dusters. Such products attract dust, which will cling to the fibers instead of simply dropping dust to the ground. The object is to remove the dust entirely, not simply move it around to let it fall to the ground where it’s not as visible.

• Adjust the stove. Stoves can be adjusted to decrease their amount of gas emissions. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) refers to this way of improving indoor air quality as source control, in which the source of indoor air pollution is either removed or emissions are reduced to improve air quality. The EPA notes that source control, such as sealing or removing any sources that might contain asbestos, is perhaps the most cost-efficient approach, as other means such as increasing ventilation will no doubt lead to higher utility costs.

• Clean the blinds. Blinds are common gathering places for dust, which tends to gather on the outside-facing part of the blind, making it seem as though the blinds are clean when they are not. Clean blinds weekly using the same microfiber dusters used to remove dust from the rest of the house.

• Bathe and brush pets regularly. Pets contribute mightily to poor indoor air quality, particularly pets that stay outdoors while their owners are away. Pets’ coats are often loaded with dirt and dander (skin flakes in animal fur or hair). When animals shed, much of that dirt and dander is then scattered around the house. To avoid this, brush pets’ hair before they re-enter the home from outdoors, and be sure to bathe them regularly. Also, wash their bedding frequently.

• Wash your own bedding, too. The family pet isn’t the only one who might have a bed that’s contributing to poor indoor air quality. If a human’s bed linens aren’t washed frequently (preferably in hot water) dust mites can begin living in the linens. Feather pillows and bedding also attract dust mites, so those might be something to avoid.

• Don’t overwater houseplants. Houseplants represent an interesting part of the indoor air quality discussion. Some suggestions have hinted that houseplants can reduce levels of some chemicals in the air. However, no evidence to fully support that notion currently exists. What is known is that overwatering houseplants can promote the growth of microorganisms in the air, which can affect those with allergies. To avoid this, simply water plants as directed and make sure they’re not overwatered.

• Vacuum regularly. All sorts of dust and other things such as pet hair and dander can collect in a carpet if it’s not vacuumed regularly. Anyone with a home that has heavy traffic, both people and pets, should vacuum every other day, if not every day. An upholstery brush should be used on all furniture as well. Even if a home has wood floors, use a vacuum that is designed for such floors, as dirt and other items can collect on hardwood floors as well. TF086883

(PR Newswire/MS) — Warmer weather may mean flowers in bloom and longer days, but with it comes grass stains on clothes, mildew, and muddy footprints on carpet. But with a job, a household and a family to manage, who has time to clean? Fear not. With a few handy tips from the makers of Greased Lightning multipurpose cleaner and degreaser, cleaning can be a breeze.

“Cleaning the house is a necessity, but it doesn’t have to take away time on the weekends that you would rather spend doing something fun with your loved ones,” says Helmut Baker, vice president of household chemicals at Homecare Labs, makers of Greased Lightning.

Greased Lightning offers these tips to make your chores go faster:

• Multitask. First, put a load of clothes into the wash and pre-treat the nastiest stains. Next, spray the bathroom sink, toilet, tub, tiles and shower curtain with a multi-purpose cleaner. While the cleaner attacks those stains, grab the vacuum. Then, wipe down the bathroom and switch out your laundry for the next load.

• No way around it, barbecues are a pain to clean. When you’re ready to cook, turn your grill on and let it come to full heat. Before cooking, take half an onion and rub it over the grill. When done cooking, repeat with the other onion half. This prevents that built-up gunk on your grill and allows your food to cook evenly.

• Open that fridge; toss any old food and containers and be sure to wipe down the shelves. Next, load up the dishwasher and don’t forget about the sponges. Sponges are a hangout for contaminates and can easily spread germs to other parts of the kitchen — sticking them in the dishwasher keeps them fresh and clean.

• Wipe down your countertops and cupboards to make them shine. Look for tough spots like wine stains or syrup that can seep into cracks and corners, leaving a yucky mess. And finally, before you mop, do yourself a favor and skip the broom. The vacuum is an easy way to pick up anything hiding on your kitchen floor.

An effective way to save time with your chores is to use one multipurpose product, such as Greased Lightning. Effective on most surfaces, Greased Lightning cleans clothing stains, carpet stains, pet stains, kitchens, bathrooms and even patio furniture. For more information and cleaning tips, visit www.greased-lightning.com. TF086835

(MS) — As the current subprime mortgage crisis can attest, many homeowners are struggling to make ends meet. As interest rates rise, homeowners across the country are aware that one unforeseen problem, such as the need for a new roof or a flooded basement, could be the straw that breaks the camel’s back with respect to the dream of home ownership.

While most homeowners carry flood or fire insurance, a commonly overlooked problem is lightning. Though the chances of being struck by lightning might seem relatively small, lightning actually strikes more than 250,000 times per year, resulting in hundreds of millions of dollars in damages. According to the Insurance Information Institute, lightning caused roughly $882 million in insured losses in 2006, which marked a 20 percent increase over the previous three years. Those figures are expected to exceed $1 billion in 2008, making it more important than ever for homeowners to protect themselves against a visually engaging yet formidable foe.

According to the Lightning Protection Institute (LPI), understanding lightning is a good first step toward protecting oneself from its wrath.

• Lightning is not deterred by surge arresters, suppressors and “whole-house protectors.” Contrary to popular belief, surge protection devices cannot protect a structure against direct lightning strikes. While these devices are important components of a complete system to protect incoming utility lines against infiltration, on their own they do little to protect a home from lightning. However, when combined with a structural lightning rod system (air terminals, bonding and grounding) they can prove a valuable and effective means of protection.

• Lightning rods do not attract lightning. Another myth commonly associated with lightning is that lightning rods attract lightning. In fact, a lightning protection system acts more as an interceptor of lightning, rerouting a strike and providing a safe path to the ground for discharging the dangerous electricity.

• Tall trees do not protect homes from lightning strikes. The problem with a home nestled under a group of trees is where the best ground path for the lightning might be. Common metallic grounded systems within a home (electric, phone, gas, water) may provide a preferable grounding medium for the lightning. Therefore, lightning can actually “side-flash” from a tree and enter a home as it seeks a more conductive path to ground.

• Lightning likes technology, too. As the world becomes more and more tech-savvy, the losses from lightning strikes are increasing. Today’s homes and businesses have more electronic equipment than ever before, and metal building components are on the rise as well. Internal systems lead lightning toward more valuable, often irreplaceable items and people in close proximity.

What each of these points highlights, especially for homeowners looking to protect themselves from an often overlooked act of Mother Nature, is the importance of a lightning protection system. The system provides a low resistance path to safely intercept lightning's dangerous electricity and direct it to ground without impact to the structure or it's occupants. And while the DIY boom has increased the average homeowners’ confidence in tackling projects on their own, the LPI notes that installing a lightning protection system is one home improvement job that should be left to the professionals, who are fully aware of the safety standards established by Underwriters Laboratories and the National Fire Protection Association.

“It is important to have an experienced professional install the lightning protection system,” says Bud VanSickle, executive director for LPI. “Improper installation can lead to serious consequences, and in severe cases may be worse than not having protection at all.”

Recognizing the complexity involved with installing a lightning protection system and the potential repercussions of an improperly installed system, LPI certifies individuals through a Master Installer testing program and offers a list of certified contractors on its Web site. To see a list of certified contractors and other information regarding the national safety standards for lightning protection installation, visit the LPI Web site at www.lightning.org. EL086919

(MS) — What conserves moisture, smothers weeds, creates healthier plants and even helps slow global warming? It’s mulch. Do a little research and you’ll see why there is much ado about mulch.

Mulching can be one of the most beneficial things you can do for your soil and your plants, says the Natural Resources Conservation Service. If you haven’t thought about mulching your garden or landscape beds in the past, you may want to reconsider.

Adding a layer of mulch to a landscape bed will really help keep the weeds out by preventing the germination of weed seeds. It’ll also moderate soil temperature and help retain moisture. Plus, it just looks great. The rich brown color of bark mulch contrasts beautifully with healthy green plants.

Once you’ve added fresh mulch to your landscape bed, be sure to give that bed a nice finishing touch with a good looking border. You can find information on many edging possibilities at www.easygardener.com.

An edging that will let any landscape bed shine is the Easy Gardener Ultra-Edge™ Landscape Edging. This particular edging blends well with any outdoor décor. It looks like wood and is fade-resistant, so it will look great for years to come.

Ultra Edge Landscape Edging is made of recycled wood flour and polypropylene. The eco-friendly landscape and garden edging is 30 percent lighter than similar edging products, but it’s no lightweight when it comes to durability. The tough edging can survive the harshest weather conditions and lawn equipment abuse. It even comes with a 25 year guarantee against cracking, rotting, peeling and chipping.

Another smart edging choice is Fiber Edge®. Many landscape contractors across the country choose Fiber Edge because of its incredible durability. Made of UV resistant fiberglass, the edging bends easily, so you can make it conform to just about any landscape design. To install it, simply hammer it into the ground with a rubber mallet. Once it’s in, it will stay put and won’t rust, warp or rot.

Fiber Edge, which has in the past come in a rich looking green, now also comes in black. Both colors are UV-resistant and will not fade. Your landscape beds will look great from the street and will continue to complement the landscape as the edging keeps your mulch in and those creeping grasses out. EL086925

1. Fertilize properly.
Too much fertilizer leads to excessive top growth and unnecessary water use. A pre-measured fertilizer spike like Jobe’s® ensures plants receive the proper amount of nutrients.

2. Conserve soil moisture.
Studies show landscape fabric like eco-friendly WeedBlock® Natural covered with mulch keeps soil moist and prevents weeds from germinating.

3. Minimize surface evaporation.
65% of the water sprinkled on lawns during the heat of the day evaporates. A deep root feeder such as the ROSS® Root Feeder delivers moisture directly to the root zone. This eliminates surface evaporation and run-off. EL086927

(MS) — Looking to sell your house? Then you need something that will lure buyers into it. Realtors say that curb appeal is one of the most important things for a house to have in this tough real estate market.

“It is definitely a buyer’s market,” says Stacy Hedden, a Realtor in the Southeast United States. “You may have a beautiful interior, but if the outside of your home isn’t fabulous, you won’t even get that buyer in the door.”

What is the best way to attract potential buyers? “Landscape, landscape landscape,” says Hedden.

Making small updates to your landscape can add big value to your home. Doing something as simple as weeding landscape beds and adding a few new plants can give your home a clean and inviting look.

Keep weeds out of you landscape beds by using a weed control fabric like Easy Gardener’s WeedBlock® Natural. It’s the world’s first weed control fabric made with annually renewable resources. It looks great, keeps the weeds out and is good for the environment.

The new product is unlike its completely petroleum-based predecessors. Eco-friendly WeedBlock Natural has been touted as quite “a-maize-ing” as it is made from Ingeo® fiber, which is derived from renewable resources, like corn. While easy on the environment, WeedBlock Natural is tough on weeds.

The landscape fabric allows the free flow of air, water and nutrients to soil while at the same time blocking sunlight and weeds. The fabric encourages root growth by keeping the soil moist and cool.

In addition to helping save the environment, WeedBlock Natural will save you a ton of gardening time, as you won’t have to pull weeds. You’ll have more time to focus on getting the rest of your house spruced up.

Using the product is easy; just spread it over the plants, cut holes to the size needed, pull the fabric down around the plant and then place mulch over the fabric. Anchor the WeedBlock Natural with Bio Fabric Pegs, a safe and effective bio-based alternative to non-renewable metal or petroleum-based plastic stakes and staples. The pegs are flexible, yet rigid enough to be driven into hard ground. The clear pegs don’t detract from your beds and will keep your landscape fabric in place for a long time. You can learn more about WeedBlock Natural and Bio Fabric Pegs by visiting www.easygardener.com or calling 1-800-327-9462.

Remember, the outside of your home provides a buyer’s first — and last — impression of your home, and a great looking landscape leaves a great impression. So get to work on those beds and weed out the competition. EL086928

(MS) — They say beauty is in the eye of the beholder. For example, take that old straw bale that you didn’t end up using last season. Did you know that you can use it as a planter? It’s true, some beautiful looking plants have come from straw bale containers. Gardeners who use this method say that plants grown in straw bales appear to require less water. In addition, the container can be turned into compost when you’re through with it.

Creating a straw bale planter is a fun summer project and definitely worth a try. The first thing you’ll need, of course, is an old straw bale and some plants. Try tomatoes, peppers, squash or even cucumbers.

Choose where you want to put your planter and then place the straw bale short side up. Dig out the center of the bale and line it with an eco-friendly material like burlap or Easy Gardener’s new WeedBlock® Biodegradable Mulch to hold potting soil in place.

Next, fill the area with potting soil or compost and place your chosen plant in the center. Gently pat soil to firm. If birds or wind are prone to spread weed seed in your area, cover the soil around the plant with another layer of WeedBlock Biodegradable Mulch. It offers the same performance as traditional landscape fabrics, however, it is made from recycled paper and contains no chemicals that would harm the environment and is OMRI listed.

WeedBlock Biodegradable Mulch is also ideal for vegetable gardens and flower beds as it adds nutrients and builds up soil to prevent erosion. You won’t have to remove and dispose of it at the end of the season. Like the straw bale, WeedBlock Biodegradable Mulch can be composted because it’s made from 100 percent post-consumer waste. You can find out more by visiting www.easygardener.com or calling 1-800-327-9462.

Keep your plants in the straw bale flourishing by feeding with easy-to-use fertilizer spikes. Be true to the environment and choose an organic spike like the new Jobe’s® Organics® Fertilizer Spikes. These spikes will deliver nutrients to plants because they work near the plant roots. The naturally slow-release organic nutrients in the spikes ensure hearty plants and improve long-term soil quality by promoting beneficial microbial activity.

Finally, be sure to properly water the plants in your new straw bale planter. If you follow all of these steps, you should have some great results — or at least a bundle of fun trying it out! EL086929

(MS) — The variety of styles and the mix of materials that can be used to edge laminate countertops can be an advantage over other countertop materials. Here’s a look at some traditional and new options that are “shaping” countertops today.

The Basics

The most familiar laminate edge treatment is the self edge or straight edge. This edge treatment leaves a thin line of exposed core (often called “the brown line”) which can be used cleverly as an accent.

Laminate can be wrapped around an edge to create rounded shapes. This process is called post-forming. The most common post-formed edges are the waterfall and the bull nose.

The waterfall, as the name implies, is rounded on the top — the laminate “falls” over the top to the front edge. Bullnose edges are fully rounded edges in which the laminate wraps back under the countertop. A variation on the bullnose, called the “double wrap” has a softened square effect.

Beveled, wood and even solid surface edges, bring out laminate’s true potential. Wilsonart beveled edge molding is available in any laminate pattern and can be either matched or contrasted to the laminate used on the top surface. New stone patterns look even richer with the monolithic treatments while wood edges can be stained or painted to match your cabinetry and finished into a variety of profiles. Be sure to ask your fabricator what type of edges he offers.

New on the Scene

Some countertop manufacturers have greatly expanded the variety of edge looks with proprietary sculpted edges available on a post-formed countertop.

Capitoline Products Inc, Hartson-Kennedy, and VT Industries, all offer ogee edge profiles that give the upscale look of carved stone and solid surface tops. When paired with the new granite and stone designs in laminate, this creates an elegant countertop look at a fraction of the cost of high-priced alternatives.

To learn more about the possibilities that laminate surfacing offers, visit www.countertop.com. EL086961

(MS) — Across America, the growing population is putting stress on available water supplies. Between 1950 and 2000, the population nearly doubled. However, in that same period, public demand for water more than tripled. On average, Americans use 100 gallons of water each day — enough to fill 1,600 drinking glasses. This increased demand has put additional stress on water supplies and distribution systems, threatening both human health and the environment.

“There’s a reason why water has become a U.S. national priority,” said Lenora Campos, spokesperson for TOTO USA, the only plumbing manufacturer to be honored as Water Efficiency Leader by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. “A recent Government Accountability Survey showed at least 36 states are anticipating local, regional, or statewide water shortages by 2013. By effecting sustainable water practices across the continent today, we can help preserve water supplies for future generations — and save money at the same time.”

According to the EPA, residential toilets account for about one-third of the nation’s indoor household water use — more than 2.1 billion gallons of water a year — as the average American family of four flushes more than 16 times per day. Gobbling up economic resources, the cost to deliver and treat water staggers municipal water districts, and family economies struggle with ever-rising water bills. Further, water efficiency is linked to energy efficiency; less water flushed means less energy used by treatment plants. Sustainable water use is good for the environment and the bottom line.

If your home was built prior to 1992, when the federal government began mandating low-flush 1.6 gallons per flush (gpf) toilets, your existing bathroom toilets greedily consume 3.5 gallons per flush (gpf). If your home dates back to the 1950s or earlier, you may have a water-guzzling 5.5-gpf toilet or even an H2O-gourmandizing 7-gpf model.

Installing 1.28 gpf high-efficiency toilets is a great way to make a local difference that can have a global effect. With this one home improvement, a family of four will save an estimated 68 gallons of water each day. That’s close to 25,000 gallons each year.

To help the Americans become better water consumers, the EPA has instituted the WaterSense labeling program, which will educate the public to make smart water choices that save money and maintain high environmental standards without compromising performance. To qualify for the WaterSense label, a toilet model must be independently certified to consume no more than 1.28 gallons per flush (gpf), effectively remove 350 grams of solid waste with one flush, and resist after-installation tampering to increase its water consumption. The EPA believes that efficient products and informed consumers will go a long way to ensure that our water future is secure and sustainable. The WaterSense program is designed as a win-win — both for consumers’ wallets and the environment.

A Leader in Water Conservation

TOTO has been at the forefront of developing High Efficiency Toilets. In 2007, TOTO introduced 14 new WaterSense labeled 1.28 gpf HET’s to the market. In 2008, TOTO continues to lead the charge in water efficiency by introducing another 14 new HET models, all of which will bear the EPA’s WaterSense endorsement.

A Green, Clean Beauty

Among its new HET introductions are the elegant one- and two-piece Gwyneth, which revolutionize water-efficient, gravity-fed flushing systems with their 1.28 gpf Double Cyclone Flush Engine.

By ingeniously marrying bowl cleanliness to exceptional water-efficient flush performance, TOTO has engineered the first HET that delivers unsurpassed performance and cleans itself with every flush, making periodic maintenance a breeze.

The Gwyneths’ curvilinear design elements resonate in tank and bowl, creating a pleasing coherence to their overall structural design. Its inner beauty arises from TOTO’s new 1.28 gpf Double Cyclone Flush Engine.

“This new high-efficiency technology not only provides flushing performance as yet unseen, but also it continually scours the rim and bowl, creating the HET that cleans itself with every flush, resulting in unparalleled water efficiency, hygiene, and minimal maintenance requirements,” said Campos.

To raise the industry-wide bar on high-efficient flushing systems, bringing them into the 21st century, TOTO’s engineers reinvented the gravity-fed 1.28 gpf flush engine by creating a green, clean triumvirate — water efficiency, high performance, and bowl cleansing action. First, the primary nozzle — located at the back of the bowl — fires a high-speed stream of water that scours the rim and initiates the water’s Cyclone action. Almost immediately, a second water nozzle — located behind the first — fires a second high-speed water jet around the redesigned bowl’s concave rim, providing a second rim scour and 360-degrees of rim and bowl cleansing action.

TOTO’s redesigned rimless bowl is an essential element in the 1.28 gpf Double Cyclone Flush Engine’s power and effectiveness. Traditional hollow rims overhang the bowl and slowly release water through sequentially spaced rim holes, which provide wash down for the bowl. With TOTO’s re-engineered Concave Rim Design, water from the primary and secondary nozzles fires around the concave rim channel, scouring the SanaGloss glazed rim and bowl, removing debris and bacteria with each flush for the first toilet that virtually cleans itself with every flush.

By marrying superior performance to exceptional maintenance, TOTO’s new Gwyneth 1.28 gpf high-efficiency toilets with the Double Cyclone flushing technology are an excellent choice for homeowner, architect, and design professional alike.

For more information, call (888) 295-8134, Option 5, or visit ww.TOTOUSA.com. EL086997

(MS) — Once the warm weather arrives, it’s time for homeowners and apartment dwellers alike to take inventory of the clutter that may have been accumulating during the last several months. It’s after a long winter that many people realize they’ve been building up a hodgepodge since the day the temperature began to drop and now it needs to go.

For some, simply throwing everything out is the best way to go. For others, a less absolute approach is called for. The following tips should appeal to those on both sides of the fence.

Organize the clutter. Clutter lying around the house is often the product of poor organization. This doesn’t mean items need to be discarded. Instead, a simple DIY project to organize the clutter could be all you need. If winter is when you’re prone to catch up on your reading, you might have a stack of books overflowing off your bookshelf. A trip to a local hardware store, or big chains such as Home Depot or Lowe’s, can provide the tools you need to build a new bookcase so you can keep expanding that library. Rather than purchasing a new bookcase, making a new one will save you money and make the spring cleaning more enjoyable, especially for those who like working with their hands. To see a list of supplies you might need for such a project, visit the Home Depot Web site at www.homedepot.com.

Decide what you really need. One of the biggest causes of clutter is magazines. For whatever reason, back issues of magazines rarely find their way into the recycling bin. Instead, they’re prone to sitting around the house, taking up valuable space. In many cases, people don’t even regularly read magazines they subscribe to. Decide which magazines want to keep and which ones you can cancel. You might even be able to cancel all subscriptions, as many magazines offer their content free of charge on their Web sites.

Sort mail immediately. In the running with magazines on the clutter culprits list is unread or bulk mail. Nowadays, as paying bills online grows increasingly popular, many creditors and banks offer e-mail statements to help cut down on mailings. If you pay your bills online and such a service is offered, utilize it. If not, be sure to sort mail when it arrives. Shred all junk mail, such as unsolicited credit cards, and then inquire at your local post office or visit the United States Postal Services Web site at www.usps.com to find out how to get off mailing lists.

Cancel extra credit cards. Most people likely get more mail from credit card companies than they do from friends and family. But as far as clutter goes, extra credit cards are more damaging than the extra mail you receive. With an extra credit card comes the temptation to buy something you might not really need. Over time, these unnecessary impulse buys begin to take up lots of space around the house. By canceling extra cards, you’re not only saving yourself money by not purchasing stuff you don’t really need, but you’re also reducing the clutter before it even arrives.

Unsolicited credit card pre-approvals are a big part of junk mail and credit card hassles. About 4.9 billion credit card solitications are sent each year, which equals about 40 per household. You can now opt out of these offers. Call 1-888-5-OPTOUT (567-8688) and follow the instructions. You will be clear of solicitations for two years. You can also contact the three major credit bureaus directly and request to opt out. EL086922

(MS) — Cynthia Inman, the house cleaning diva and founder of “Ask Cindy How” (www.askcindyhow.com) knows effective cleaning is more of an art form than a run-of-the-mill task and shares with others just how to get down and dirty with cleaning house. Through her seminars, how-to articles and advice posted on her site, Cindy lets others know that “a clean home can be a way of life.” Here are her latest insider tips.

By Cynthia Inman a.k.a. www.askcindyhow.com

Having the know-how and the right tools for cleaning a home from top to bottom can go a long way toward making the work go faster — with better results. But the average homeowner might not know which way to turn to get expert advice on cleaning or think they have the time to embark on such lofty cleaning projects.

Now I’m making it even easier for would-be cleaning gurus to hone their skills. For those who didn't have the time or the gumption to wade through the long list of cleaning supplies at stores in search of the best of the best, I offer my top picks and have even designed some of my own products when others just weren’t up to par.

Visit www.askcindyhow.com and visit the shopping gallery to see the very products my staff and I recommend. Beneath some of the product descriptions are handy videos illustrating the proper technique for using each cleaning tool. For those who are ready to embark on in-depth cleaning tasks, here are some of my top tips.

• Stainless steel appliances are abundant in homes across the country. To properly clean them and get a streak-free shine, thoroughly wipe stainless steel surfaces with a neutral dish soap / degreaser (follow label for dilution). Saturate a terry cloth towel in a water and soap solution to wipe stainless surface and all intricate areas like the handle and vent. Use a new terrycloth to dry. Spray stainless steel polish onto a new dry terrycloth towel. Wipe appliance in direction of grain until surface looks renewed.

• To clean antique furniture, select a moisturizing furniture polish without wax, silicones, or abrasives. Instead, it should contain a special blend of natural and organic oils with cleaning emulsifiers. Wipe away surface dust with a thick and thirsty microfiber towel. Spray polish onto a clean, soft polishing cloth and wipe lightly across the furniture with the grain of the wood.

• Today it is more possible than ever to clean your home in an environmentally friendly manner. Retailers are recognizing the need to create cleaning products that are “green” and earth and people friendly. Apart from these specialized products, simple household items like lemon juice, vinegar, and baking soda make effective cleaning solutions. And by having the right tools and knowledge about cleaning, you can get the job done faster, do it more frequently, and therefore have to rely less on harsh chemicals to conquer tough grime and buildup.

Let’s get together and combat the dirt and grime which confronts us daily! EL086918

Cindy

(MS) — April showers are purported to bring May flowers, so the saying goes. However, as we enter the start of the season when it tends to be unusually wet and rainy, it’s important to realize that showers can also bring seasonal flooding.

There are different types of floods and triggers. Flash floods follow a severe downpour, or are the result of a dam or levee failure. Coastal flooding is often from hurricanes or tropical storms, where high winds drive ocean water inland. Urban flooding occurs when natural landscapes are converted into parking lots and other open expanses. Water is not blocked by root systems and therefore infiltrates the city. But it’s river and stream flooding that are generally of the spring season variety. A combination of seasonal rains and melting snow from higher elevations fill water basins too quickly, thus an overflow into communities often occurs.

Floods can be frightening and very damaging to homes and businesses. They also have the potential to be deadly, where fast-moving water carries people — and even vehicles — away quite quickly.

Before a Flood

It is important to learn the flood warning signs in your community, and be prepared with supplies and know-how should a flood occur. An evacuation plan should be developed and practiced. This plan should include directions to the safest routes to shelters and evacuation zones. In addition, having these supplies on hand can help:
• flashlights
• battery-powered radios to listen for emergency broadcasts
• emergency food and water for each person in the household
• first-aid kit
• non-electric can opener
• sturdy shoes (waterproof shoes and extra socks can be beneficial for wading through high water)
• essential medicines, credit cards, cash

If you are indoors, listen closely to warning reports about floods and potential evacuations. If you are told to evacuate, do so immediately with your supplies. Those caught outdoors or in a vehicle during a flood should try to get to higher ground. Never cross or drive through flooding water streams. It’s difficult to determine their depth, and even a mere 6 inches of fast-moving water can sweep you away. If your vehicle gets stuck or stalls, abandon it. The United States Search and Rescue Task Force says many deaths have occurred when people try to move their stalled vehicle during a flood.

After a Flood

Just because the flood waters have subsided doesn’t mean the dangers are gone. After a flood, electrical lines, gas lines, and other utilities may be damaged. Do not return to your home unless you’ve been given the okay by town or city officials.

Other unseen hazards may be lurking under debris or residual water. Poisonous snakes or other animals may have been swept indoors from flood waters. Broken glass and other sharp objects could be underfoot. Use caution when sifting through damaged items. Check to see that utilities and plumbing in your home are in working order before using anything.

It is also important to pump out flooded basements gradually (about one-third of the water per day) to avoid structural damage to the home. TF085637

(MS) — Gardening is an activity that can be enjoyed by all ages, from children to seniors. Enthusiasts look to the shades of rich blooms and the variegated colors of foliage to create a landscape they can enjoy. Still, in many parts of the country, gardens are awash in color and lush greenery in the spring and summer, only to lie dormant in the fall and winter.

The abundance of plants available makes any gardener able to keep color going in their garden from January through December. By mixing plants that bloom throughout the year into your landscape design, you can ensure that most days you’ll be able to look upon your garden and be rewarded with bountiful color.

Spring

Spring is renown for plant rebirth. Here are plants that will produce beautiful blooms right when you expect to start seeing them — in spring.

• Ageratum: Blooms a mass of true blue flowers up until fall. It also attracts butterflies.
• Alyssum: A cascading annual or ground cover that produces sweet-smelling small blooms.
• Bleeding heart: Produces dangling heart-shaped flowers on long stems, this perennial is a favorite.
• Oriental poppy: Large cup-shaped flowers in a variety of reds, oranges and pinks will fill the landscape.
• Osteopernum: Daisy-like flower that is becoming increasingly popular since it is drought-tolerant and available in a variety of colors.
• Snapdragons: These make a great cut flower plant. In addition to attracting butterflies, hummingbirds may pay a visit.
• Violas: Violas produce delicate flowers, much like their cousin the pansy. Both viola and pansy plants don’t tolerate the heat, but can rebloom in the fall. They may even last into the winter provided the temperature doesn’t dip too much.

Summer

When the heat is on, these plants really show their stuff.

• Cosmos: These flowers grow very quickly from seed, so they’re a good choice for children’s gardens. They produce cheerful looking blooms.
• Daylilly: There are thousands of varieties of daylillies, so it’s easy to find one that fits your landscape. These plants bloom over a 4 to 12 week period and are perennial.
• English lavender: A popular choice for herb gardens. Highly fragrant purple flowers bloom atop tall stalks. When the flowers fade, silvery-green foliage shines.
• Impatiens: These are some of the most popular summer annuals since the color opportunities are many. Varieties can withstand full sun to part shade.
• Zinnia: These plants produce large flowers that delight. These plants are hardy and drought-resistant.

Fall

As warm days wind down, a selection of plants still captivate with color.

• Autumn aster: The aster usually produces lavender or blue-toned flowers and will bloom in the summer through fall.
• Autumn joy sedum: In the summer, large pink blooms arrive. As the temperatures dip, the flowers turn from pink to a deep maroon.
• Chrysanthemum: “Mums” are the quintessential autumn plant and synonymous with the season.

Winter

Just because the weather is chilled, doesn’t mean your garden should be barren.

• Daffodils: November is the time to plant daffodil bulbs so that they’ll bloom at the tail end of winter/early spring.
• Heath: This shrub comes in pink and white and offers nice cuttings.
• Holly: This evergreen shrub will produce bright berries that add a splash of color to winter gardens.
• Ornamental cabbage or kale: These are excellent color plants for beds or container gardens. They produce rosettes of purple, white and green, and can grow quite large with healthy soil.
• Narcissus: These white blooms (also known as paper whites) can continue to sprout if the winter is mild. FP085626

By Cindy Inman A.K.A. Ask Cindy How.com

(MS) — Now is the time to begin the process of exchanging winter clothing for spring and to clean out fireplaces and generally de-clutter our living spaces. The warm weather is the perfect backdrop to these spring cleaning tasks. And you can enlist the whole family to join in.

I know these projects may not seem like fun, but there are ways to make the process of cleaning a lot easier. Allow me to give you some tips on the use of some of my favorite ergonomic cleaning tools and solutions that you can find on my Web site at www.askcindyhow.com.

Usually, when we clean glass we use paper towels or newspaper with glass cleaner. ‘The challenge is that we end up wiping and wiping to remove the streaks, dirt and grime, often missing the mark. Oh, the energy! The Ask Cindy process is to first use my thick and thirsty microfiber dust cloth to remove all dust from the glass surfaces. Step two is to then spray Ask Cindy Glass Cleaner (also streak free) on a blue-tightly woven microfiber glass cleaning cloth and wipe the glass from edge to edge and corner to corner. For very dirty glass, the initial cleaning may require wet wiping with a soapy water solution first.

As I go into home after home, one of the most frustrating things for the homemakers I encounter is cleaning the stainless steel in the kitchen. The question posed most often to me: How do I get the smudges and streaks off of the surfaces? Solution: First clean the surface with a mild dish liquid soap and water using a white lint-free terrycloth towel. Make sure to dry well with a separate terry cloth towel. Now, polish the surface with Ask Cindy Stainless Steel Polish. Spray the polish onto a new terrycloth towel and polish the stainless by rubbing with the grain smoothing out the finish. The initial application only requires a second application of polish. Gee! I love that showroom finish.

The last item I’ll discuss is the tools that I use for getting at those hard-to-get-at spaces between kitchen counters and washing machines; and behind heavy furniture, wall units and ceilings. ‘The object is to do it without scratching surfaces. A tool that has become an absolute must-carry for my crews is my awesome felt reach duster. This nifty little tool will definitely change your life and restore your faith in invention. In fact you may find yourself going back over to areas that you knowingly left undone because you thought you couldn’t do anything about the hard-to-get-to grime.

In the same family, you can try my lambs wool high duster that comes with an 11 foot telescopic extension pole. This pole will never stick on you, whether you’re extending or retracting the pole. Now, go after hi-hats and cobwebs in ceiling corners and edges. Rather than pull out step ladders, you can stand on the floor and reach all those challenging areas safely.

All of the items mentioned above can be found conveniently on my Web site at www.askcindyhow.com. Ask Cindy How is excited to launch a special on-line boutique store with tools that can truly make life easier for your house cleaning tasks. On the Web site, find videos of many of the products that demonstrate the effectiveness of my cleaning helpmates. “Let’s clean it right for the experience™.”

What an experience it can be — let’s win. FP085831

Until next time. Sincerely, Cindy

(MS) – Your kitchen actually harbors more bacteria than any other room in your home and the type of countertops you have may be making matters worse. Recent studies have found that porous material countertops can harbor dangerous bacteria, such as E. coli.

A recent University of Arizona at Tucson study identified the kitchen as the most germ-contaminated area in the home. The study reported that countertops are one of five key “hot zones,” or sites with the highest bacteria counts. These hot zones can spread infections when germs are transferred from a contaminated item (your kitchen counter) to your hands to your body.

A second study conducted by the Hospitality Institute of Technology and Management (HITM) revealed that nonporous surfaces, such stainless steel countertops or other NSF 51 certified material, are least likely to harbor dangerous bacteria, such as E. coli, when compared to other popular household countertop materials.

The HITM study tested stainless steel, granite, plastic laminate, wood, tile and concrete surfaces to see which could be cleaned and sanitized most effectively. Each surface was contaminated with E. coli, washed and rinsed with soap and water, then sanitized with a vinegar and water solution. After the sanitizing procedure, the stainless steel surface was left with the fewest number of microorganisms. The study found each countertop surface had a different capacity for resisting bacteria and easy cleaning.

The study highlighted the fact that consumers need to consider wear-and-tear when selecting a countertop surface. After a few years, most porous surfaces, such as granite, laminate, marble, wood, concrete, tile and limestone wear down; lose their protective coating, scratch, and warp — all decreasing the ability to be effectively cleaned and sanitized.

With stainless steel being very linited as a household countertop solution, other nonporous materials such as quartz are becoming more and more popular with consumers as they try to combine healthier choices with the latest designs for their homes.

‚"Quartz surfaces are growing in popularity because although they have the beautiful appearance of natural stone, unlike granite, these surfaces never need to be sealed," explained Mark Hanna, President of Leeza Distribution Inc., distributor of HanStone Fine Quartz Surfaces.

That's because Quartz countertops, such as the industry's top rated HanStone surfaces are not only highly scratch resistant, but also nonporous so they never need to be sealed. As a result, they show very little wear, will not promote the growth of mold, mildew or bacteria, and can be easily maintained for years.

HanStone quartz surfaces are so hygienic they're an approved surface for food preparation by the National Sanitation Foundation, with the NSF 51 certification in the United States. Also of great importance, HanStone is accredited with Greenguard environmental certification. Unlike stainless steel, however, HanStone quartz surfaces bring strength, resilience and extraordinary beauty and elegance to your kitchen decor with its 32 dramatic colors, vibrant patterns and luxurious sheen. More information on quartz surfaces is available at leezadistribution.com. TF084704

(MS) – If you'e in the market for a new premium countertop surface and granite seems like the obvious choice, think again. After all of your research you'll probably end up selecting the highest rated and most popular option available – quartz.

Quartz countertops are the new worry-free, elegant alternative to high-maintenance granite. They are stronger than granite, require no resealing, are highly resistant to scratches and stains, and come in a huge variety of colors.

In fact, Consumer Reports Magazine rated quartz as the top performer among countertop materials such as granite, ceramic tile, stainless steel, laminate, marble, limestone and concrete when it came to resisting prime kitchen hazards such as stains, heat and scratches.

According to the recent Freedonia Group Report on countertop industry trends, there has been a definite shift in the marketplace over the last few years as quartz has become the fastest growing market segment in the industry with 13 per cent growth compared to granite's five per cent.

Quartz surfaces are growing in popularity because they have the appearance of natural stone, but unlike granite, these surfaces never need to be sealed. Quartz is a nonporous material, which means it will not promote the growth of mold, mildew or bacteria.

In your research you will most probably stumble upon a popular brand called HanStone. "Quartz countertops have an aesthetic that can emulate the look of granite, but are also available in unique colors and surface effects not found in natural stone," explained Mark Hanna, President of Leeza Distribution Inc., distributor of HanStone Fine Quartz Surfaces.

"The benefit of quartz is that it doesn't have any of the drawbacks associated with materials such as granite."

Also of great importance, HanStone is accredited with Greenguard environmental certification.

What is quartz?

Quartz is silicon dioxide and it occurs as individual crystals and fine-grained masses in a large variety of forms, patterns, and colors. It is naturally hard and scratch resistant. Quartz actually ranks a 7.0 on Moh's Hardness Scale, which is used to measure the scratch-resistance of a material. Only diamonds, ranking 10, topaz, and sapphire are harder than quartz.

Most quartz countertops are manufactured with up to 93 percent quartz and seven percent pigments and resins. This prescribed mixture results in a product that is non-porous, exceedingly durable, and more than twice as strong as granite.

The top rated quartz surface in the industry by designers, architects and developers a like is HanStone, because it contains a higher quartz content than the norm and includes clear and multiple quartz colors, bringing greater depth, dimension and style to its surfaces.

Also of great importance HanStone is accredited with Greenguard environmental certification.

"HanStone's superior quality is clearly evident," added Hanna. "It begins with the natural elegance of quartz, and then uses advanced technology to create a product with dramatic colors, vibrant patterns and a luxurious sheen." Available in 32 colors and patterns, HanStone offers unlimited design flexibility and a beautiful addition to any setting. More information on fine quartz surfaces is available at leezadistribution.com. TF084705

(MS) – Thanks to increased manufacturer product development, quartz premium countertops are now in high demand as a must-have in new and remodeled homes and businesses throughout the country.

This trend comes as no surprise as you've probably already seen and felt quartz surfaces in homes across the country, in your local trendy coffee shops, in banks, high end restaurants, spas, salons and hotels. Quartz surfaces have been used in upscale homes around the world for more than 15 years but have more recently entered the American market in grandiose fashion.

"Quartz surfaces are experiencing incredible growth which is driven by the style, luxury and durability quartz delivers," explained Mark Hanna, President of Leeza Distribution Inc., distributor of HanStone Fine Quartz Surfaces.

According to the recent Freedonia Group Report on countertop industry trends, there has been a definite shift in the marketplace over the last few years as quartz has become the fastest growing market segment in the industry with 13 per cent growth compared to granite's five per cent.

Quartz has become the elegant answer for those who love the look of granite but are concerned about its drawbacks. Unlike granite, which can be permanently stained by cooking oils and grease, or etched by the acids in common household products, quartz is resistant to these stain hazards.

"Quartz surfaces are growing in popularity because they have the appearance of natural stone, but unlike granite, these surfaces never need to be sealed," Hanna said. "Quartz is a non-porous material, which means it will not promote the growth of mold, mildew or bacteria. This is why our HanStone surfaces are certified NSF 51 (with the National Sanitation Foundation)." Also of great importance, HanStone is accredited with Greenguard environmental certification.

And while granite is subject to unpredictable variations in color or pattern between slabs, making matching of sections of countertops difficult, quartz, is an engineered stone which is consistent in color pattern and texture.

Quartz (Silicon Dioxide) is the most common mineral on the earth's surface. It is present in nearly every geological environment and is a component of almost every rock type and exists in an impressive range of varieties of patterns and colors.

Quartz countertops are manufactured with up to 93 percent quartz and seven percent pigments and resins. This prescribed mixture results in a product that is non-porous, exceedingly durable, and more than twice as strong as granite.

The top rated quartz surface in the industry by designers, architects and developers a like is HanStone because it contains a higher quartz content than the norm and includes clear and multiple quartz colors bringing greater depth, dimension and style to its surfaces.

“HanStone is the ideal surface because it offers extraordinary beauty with twice the strength and durability of granite," explained Hanna. HanStone allows the design flexibility you need with 32 dramatic colors, vibrant patterns and a more luxurious sheen. It can be used in virtually any indoor surface application in kitchen and bathrooms, including floors, countertops, island tops and backsplashes.

Backed by a limited 10-year transferable warranty, the product promises greater strength and resilience with minimal maintenance. More information on fine quartz surfaces is available at leezadistribution.com. TF084706

(MS) – Outdated cabinets, faded countertops, tired appliances, stained flooring and tiles. Does this remind you of your kitchen? If you have not remodeled your kitchen in years, then the answer is probably a disheartened yes. But is it time for a complete kitchen makeover, or just a facelift?

The answer depends on your budget. The bad news is that a total renovation project can be very costly. The good news is that you can replace your countertops and feel as though you have a brand new kitchen.

That's because your countertop is your most visible source of color in the kitchen. If your cabinets are white or wood, then what immediately catches your eye is the surface you use the most, your countertop.

Countertops are no longer merely a work surface, but a key element in the design and luxury of your home. Much like the clothes we wear, the fashion statement of the environment we live in can either reaffirm the latest colors and styles or showcase the looks of the past. If your current countertops are dusty rose or lime green, you are long overdue for something new.

If you look at what's available you will be amazed at the selection not only of colors but textures and finishes as well. The primary goal now is to find a durable, stain-resistant and easy to clean surface that will also bring style, elegance and beauty to your kitchen.

For the past few years, the fastest growing category of premium countertops, and the one with the most allure, has been quartz because it provides the best balance of beauty, durability and style.

"Quartz countertops have the deep beautiful colors of granite without the problems and high-maintenance of porous stone," explained Mark Hanna, President of Leeza Distribution Inc., distributor of HanStone Fine Quartz Surfaces. "Through superior strength and incredible beauty quartz countertops are rapidly becoming the choice for discerning homeowners."

Quartz countertops, such as the industry's top rated HanStone surfaces, offer a sophisticated elegance and timeless beauty. They are stronger than granite and because they're nonporous they require no resealing, are highly resistant to scratches, stains, and bacteria growth and come in a huge variety of colors. Also of great importance, HanStone is accredited with Greenguard environmental certification.

In fact, HanStone quartz surfaces, a favorite of designers and developers, boasts 32 dramatic colors and patterns and can be used in virtually any indoor surfacing application in kitchens, bathrooms including floors, countertops, island tops and backsplashes.

With beautiful, elegant premium countertops garnering the envious looks of your guests, your kitchen will have a fresh new look for the fraction of the cost of a complete renovation. More information on quartz surfaces is available at leezadistribution.com. TF084707

(MS) — Mother Nature has a temper, and she’s taking it out on your lawn.
From heat waves to rainstorms to drought, 2007 will go down as one of the wackiest weather years in history. Hundreds of communities broke or tied all-time high temperature records. Some parts of the country were soaked with too much rain; other areas suffered through devastating droughts. Usually unflappable New Yorkers were astonished to see a tornado touch down in Brooklyn.

The odd weather put an extra amount of stress on many homeowners’ lawns, leaving them brown, weakened and dying. But although climate change can take a toll on a yard, there are ways to help reduce — and even reverse — the damage. Soil experts offer these three tips to help your lawn recover:

Top dress. This is a simple technique that can reap big rewards. In the spring, use a rake to spread one-quarter to one-half inch of Canadian sphagnum peat moss over the lawn. Adding peat moss helps to gradually condition the lawn throughout the year, strengthening the grass so it can resist weather damage, as well as disease, weeds and thatch. Peat moss releases water and nutrients slowly as the grass plants need it, so you won’t need to water or fertilize as frequently.

Aerate. Removing plugs of sod in the spring loosens the soil and lets water, air and fertilizer get down to the grass plant’s root structure. For smaller yards, or for concentrated trouble spots in any size yard, use a manual aerating tool that removes plugs from the turf. If you’ve got a large yard, consider renting a power aerator.
Start from scratch. Is your lawn so far gone you need to scrap it and start over? Properly preparing the soil can help lay the groundwork — literally — for a healthier, more trouble-resistant lawn. Before you seed or lay sod, dig or rototill two inches of peat moss into the top 6 inches of soil to help provide extra protection from the elements.

The next time Mother Nature unleashes a barrage of weird weather; your lawn will be better equipped to cope.

To order free brochures on “How to … with peat moss” and other gardening tips, send an unstamped, self-addressed, business-sized envelope to: Peat Moss, Box 385102, Minneapolis, MN, 55438; e-mail cspma@peatmoss.com.

The Canadian peat industry is committed to making peat moss a sustainable resource. Only one acre in every 6,000 is harvested and when harvesting stops, the bogs are restored to functioning peatlands. For more information on peat and the environment, visit the Canadian Sphagnum Peat Moss Association’s Web site at www.peatmoss.com. GT084615

(MS) — Curb appeal. It's what many real estate professionals say is essential to selling houses. But it is also very important to homeowners who are staying put. The outdoor look of your home is what sets the stage for visitors; most homeowners want to make a good impression. That is why maintaining outdoor landscapes is high on the to-do lists of many property owners.

Gardening can be a chore or a pastime. Regardless, having tools that will make the work easier can certainly be a boon to the weekday or weekend landscaper.

Different outdoor tasks require different tools. Therefore, choosing the right tool can be confusing at times. For instance, take a pruning job — it's not as simple as just choosing any old pruner from the store's gardening section. When looking for a pruner, you want a tool that is sharp and will stay sharp, while at the same time offering ease of use and a good fit in your hand. Small hand pruners work well for branches up to 3/4" in diameter, while shears are another great pruning tool and work best on hedges, bushes and shrubs.

Ultimately you want to look for tools that possess mechanical advantage as well as ergonomic attributes that add to comfort. Ingenuity in tools can be found from Fiskars Garden and Outdoor Living, a leading manufacturer of lawn and garden tools. The company's new 2008 garden tools have really hit the mark and make shopping for the right tool easy.

Tools have changed significantly over the past few decades, most obviously in their appearance, but more importantly in their inventive designs and creative use of modern materials. By applying ergonomic design principles, Fiskars has created tools that work with your body rather than against it. An example of this design is found in their new Power Pivot line of pruners and grass shears. These tools were created to offer a more natural motion in use. The pivot of the tool has been placed in the back, enabling your two strongest fingers to do the work, leaving your hands less fatigued and providing more sensitivity and control.

Reducing fatigue allows you to work longer and more efficiently. Reduced fatigue also lets you focus on achieving that perfect curb appeal. Here are some areas to tackle for maximum impact:

• Make sure the lawn is healthy, maintained and manicured. Keep pesky weeds at bay.

• Brighten up the walkway or the entryway of the home with annual flowers in hues that complement your landscape. A pop of color looks fresh and inviting.

• Prune shrubbery and tree branches, especially if they block the view of your home. Be sure that other shrubs are manicured and look up kept.

• Paint the eaves, window frames and even the mailbox if they are looking a little worn.

To learn about more products that can make gardening work easier, visit www.fiskars.com. GT084616

(MS) — To farmers and landscape enthusiasts alike, 2007 was a year most likely to be remembered for drought. Many waited for rainfall that refused to come. For example, the U.S. Drought Monitor showed the entire state of Alabama was under drought in June 2007, with better than 20 percent of the state experiencing exceptional drought.
Such circumstances often make landscape enthusiasts cringe. While many spend spring bringing their lawns back to life after a long winter, their fears for another summer of drought are certainly looming in the back of their collective minds. Since drought is an almost inevitable foe each summer, taking a few preemptive measures before the season starts is a smart move.

• Add mulch around trees and shrubs. Mulching around trees and shrubs not only increases your landscape’s aesthetic appeal, but it can help maintain that appeal through difficult periods of drought. By removing grass from the base of trees and shrubs, you’re removing the competition for water when the summer season arrives and water is more scarce. This is especially important if your grass is bluegrass, which tends to need more water than other types of grass.

When removing the grass, replacing it with mulch can do even more than reduce the competition for water. Mulch improves soil structure while also retaining moisture for longer periods of time, making it especially valuable through long periods of drought.
• Keep trees and shrubs well groomed. While trimming the trees and shrubs can be a chore, especially during the hot summer months when drought settles in, it can also help the landscape survive summer drought. Dead or diseased branches weaken trees and shrubs, inviting insect problems (if plants haven’t already been infected) that can be difficult to get rid of even when rainfall returns. Keep trees and shrubs well pruned so as not to further weaken them when drought arrives.

• Water in the mornings. Watering in the afternoon when temperatures are at their peak might seem like the most logical time to water. After all, when the temperature is at its peak the plants are likely at their thirstiest. However, watering in the mornings limits evaporation, meaning the landscape will be getting the most out of the watering rather than having a significant amount of the water evaporate

• Tend to older trees and shrubs. Older trees and shrubs can handle drought better than new plants, but that doesn’t mean they don’t need to be tended to as much. When watering older trees and shrubs, do so slowly to allow a more deep soak and minimize water run-off. In addition, pay close attention to these older trees and shrubs, as the symptoms of drought-induced injury is often more difficult to detect in older plants. GT084622

(MS) — With the traditionally heavy home buying season just around the corner, now is the time to think about putting your house on the market. But with the housing market in a continued downturn, it’s more important than ever to choose home improvement projects that will not only add value to your home, but make it stand out in the crowd.

Brad Staggs, HGTVPro.com and DIY show producer and host, and a licensed contractor, offers tips for homeowners preparing to sell their home. “The most important thing is to update the most visible areas, common gathering rooms like the den and kitchen. But don’t forget the front and back yards! Prime home-buying season coincides with spring and summer, and that first impression, your home’s curb appeal, can make all the difference.”

1. Moulding: icing on the cake. “It’s amazing the difference a little bit of decorative wood moulding can make,” says Staggs. “Frame out a picture window, add deep crown moulding to a high ceiling, even a simple chair rail in a guest bathroom changes the entire look of a room.”

2. Front porch first impressions. Your front porch is often the first thing a potential homebuyer will see. According to Staggs, it should be in perfect shape. “Add a fresh coat of paint to brighten the front of your house. Nice wooden Adirondack-style chairs are welcoming, especially when enhanced by bright flowers in colorful pots. You want your porch to signal the start of something wonderful!”

3. Look behind you. Don’t neglect the backyard! Outdoor living spaces grow in popularity each year. Impress potential homebuyers with a backyard to die for: overflowing garden boxes, some nice wooden outdoor furniture, a charming gazebo and perhaps a new deck. “Spend a few weekends dressing up your backyard before everything blooms,” suggests Staggs.

4. Floor them. Nothing says “welcome home” like the feel of smooth real wood floors. Easily installed and completely affordable, wood floors enhance any decorating style and evoke immediate “ahhhhs” from guests in your home.

5. Add a visual surprise. “Find something cool to add to a room in your home, a little visual pop no one will expect,” suggests Staggs. “Like adding beadboard panels to a kitchen island, then painting it a funky accent color.”

Staggs also offers his thoughts on choosing appropriate building materials. “As a consumer, the most important thing you can do is buy sustainable. Choose natural building products, those that truly fit the definition of “green.” One of my favorite materials to use in any home improvement project is Southern Pine. It’s real wood, so it’s not just strong and beautiful, it’s also recyclable. Southern Pine in the U.S. comes from well-managed and well-maintained forests; forests that are in better health now than they were a century ago!”

For project plans and ideas, inspirational color photographs and sustainability information, please visit SPAN — the Southern Pine Awareness Network at www.spanpine.com. GT084606

(MS) — A good foundation is the most important ingredient of any endeavor. Whether dancing, writing, building, or gardening, a strong, well-prepared foundation is the key to success. Just try writing a novel without solid language skills, or singing an opera without having mastered your scales.

Creating a garden is much the same. Only in gardening, good soil is the foundation you need before you can create landscape masterpieces.

Most garden plants long for luxurious loamy soil. “Fit” soil — soil that is full of organic material, of near neutral pH, and with the capacity for good drainage — produces healthy, better-looking plants. Soil this fit, however, is unusual in the United States; it must be made.

It’s not as daunting a task as it sounds. To improve soil, begin by answering some basic questions:

Texture

To determine your soil’s texture, scoop some of it up and study it. If it runs through your fingers, then it’s too sandy. Water along with nutrients, will drain too quickly to benefit plants.

If it’s thick and lumpy and clings together in a ball, then you have heavy soil, most likely with a high clay content. Plant roots will have a hard time penetrating such soil, and they will starve due to lack of air and water.

Adding a large quantity of organic material improves the texture of all soils. Canadian sphagnum peat moss is the easiest choice, and it offers the fastest results. An all-natural, biodegradable, and odor-free organic material, Canadian peat is available in bales at nurseries and garden centers.

If you have compost available, blend it 50:50 with the peat moss; it adds nutrients and helps improve the soil texture.

Dig Into Soil

Spread two to three inches of peat/compost over the soil and dig into the top 6 to 8 inches. This mixture loosens clay soils and improves aeration and drainage. As well, it absorbs moisture and reduces the leaching of fertilizer in sandy soil.

Soil pH

If your soil is well-balanced, fertilizers will work correctly and plants will thrive. You can’t judge your soil’s chemical composition by just looking at it. You need to know its pH.

A soil’s “pH” describes it alkalinity or acidity, as measured on a scale of 1 to 14, with pH 7 representing neutral. Lawns, vegetables, and most flowers prefer a neutral, or slightly acid soil, between 5 and 6.5. Take a 3-inch-deep sample of soil to your garden center and have them test it for pH. They will recommend a remedy if the pH is off.

Important Nutrients

A balance of the three major plant nutrients — nitrogen (N), phosphorous (P), and potassium of potash (K) — is necessary for good soil. When you shop for fertilizer, you’ll see that the bags are labeled with three-number formulas, such as 5-10-10.

Before planting, spread the fertilizer on top of your soil in the suggested quantity, then dig or till it into the top 3 inches.

Few soils are born perfect. But if you’ve followed these suggestions, you’ve created a foundation. Fit soil is now yours and gardening master-works await you.

To order free brochures on “How to … with peat moss” and other gardening tips, send a self-addressed, unstamped, business-sized envelope to: Peat Moss, Box 385102, Minneapolis, MN, 55438; e-mail cspma@peatmoss.com; or visit www.peatmoss.com.

The Canadian peat industry is committed to making peat moss a sustainable resource. Only one acre in every 6,000 is harvested and when harvesting stops, the bogs are restored to functioning peatlands. For more information on peat and the environment, visit the Canadian Sphagnum Peat Moss Association’s Web site at www.peatmoss.com. GT084612

(MS) — Despite the fear and loathing they instill in many people, spiders can play a key biocontrol role in your garden and landscape.

These eight-legged predators are voracious eaters, and rarely pass up a chance for suppertime. They're usually not picky about what's on the menu, and spiders are abundant in number.

All spiders are predators in that they don't consume plants, only other living animals. They largely dine on insects, but other spiders and some invertebrates or vertebrates may also be snared. Spiders lie in wait for prey or aggressively seek it out. They may capture prey in webs or hide and pounce when necessary. They are perfectly happy consuming the pests that regularly damage flowers, foliage and vegetables. However, keep in mind that because spiders aren't discriminating in their prey, they will also consume the helpful insects in a garden, such as honeybees and butterflies.

Spiders live everywhere in the world except for Antarctica and in the oceans. There are more spiders than all vertebrates combined on the planet. Typically spiders use venom to subdue prey. Digestive enzymes are regurgitated to liquefy prey since spiders do not consume solid food.

Spiders are often needlessly feared, say experts. They generally keep to themselves and are virtually harmless when left undisturbed. There are very few spiders that have bites that will require medical attention. In fact, most common spider fangs are not even strong enough to penetrate a person's skin. Through lack of awareness, people tend to exterminate spiders even though they help to control insect populations of more bothersome creatures.

Bringing Spiders to the Garden

To invite arachnids to the garden, try the following ideas:

• Provide places for spiders to build and attach webs. Tall plants, bundles of hay and crates are good options.

• Use mulch in the garden, since it provides protection and humidity for spiders.

• After the season, leave areas of the garden untilled and leave dead plant stalks so they provide habitats for spiders. Many will overwinter as adults and can get a head start on pest control in early spring.

• Grow flowers that will attract prey. GT084644

(MS) — Everyone looks forward to summer fun in the sun, but too much of the sun can be harmful. We all know that it’s wise to load up on sunscreen, but did you know that shady spaces also help you escape the nasty effects of UV rays?

If you don’t have a tree-filled lot, create your own shade with a product like Easy Gardener’s Sun Screen Fabric. This lightweight mesh covering can be used to make a UV protective tent or canopy over your children’s play areas. You can use it around patios and porches and even hang it like a Roman shade in sunroom windows.

The breathable fabric lets heat escape and reduces the temperature in the shaded area up to 15 degrees. Installing the fabric is easy, even for those who aren’t “do-it-yourselfers.” Every roll of Sun Screen Fabric comes with project suggestions and instructions.

The fabric comes in a variety of colors: heavy black, smoke blue, saddle tan and heavy green. Rolls are six feet wide and come in lengths from 20 feet to 100 feet.

Easy Gardener accessories make installing the shade fabric a breeze. Look for wood fasteners, snap grommets, locking clips and locking ties next to Easy Gardener Sun Screen Fabric at your local gardening store or chain retailer. If you can’t find it, contact the company at 1-800-EASY-INC or visit www.easygardener.com.

When you’re planning protection for yourself, don’t forget the four-legged family members. Your pets need sun protection, too. Dogs and cats that spend a lot of time outside are at high risk for skin cancer.

Veterinary experts say that for every 100,000 dogs, 450 are diagnosed with some form of subcutaneous tissue cancer — that’s the structure just below the skin. For every 100,000 cats, 120 are diagnosed. Just like adults, it is the fairer version of our furry friends that are most affected.

So keep Fido and Fluffy and the rest of your family safe from the summer sun. With sunscreen, protective clothing and great shaded areas, you can beat the summer heat! GT084669

(MS) — In a world filled with what seems like unlimited choices, gardeners are finding that some traditional varieties of plants are disappearing. In an effort to bring back some of those varieties, more and more gardeners are creating heritage gardens, to pass along plants from one generation to another.

If you want to recreate your grandmother’s beautiful garden, you should give heritage gardening a go. Ask family members if they can recall the varieties, then ask your local county extension agent about them. If you don’t have any luck, go online and visit some of the heirloom gardening sites. Chances are you will be able to find the seed, as heirloom gardening is becoming very popular.

Once you discover your grandmother’s treasure, plan your garden. It’s always wise to use a landscape fabric. The fabrics help keep those pesky weeds out, while still allowing important nutrients in. A great product to try is Easy Gardener’s new WeedBlock® Biodegradable Mulch, an organic solution to seasonal weed control.

The covering offers the same performance as the traditional landscape fabrics, however, it is made from recycled paper, contains no harmful chemicals and is OMRI Listed®.

WeedBlock Biodegradable Mulch is ideal for flowerbeds and vegetable gardens. One of the best things about it is that you don’t need to remove it and dispose of it at the end of the season. The covering can be tilled back into the soil because it’s made from 100 percent post-consumer waste. It adds nutrients and builds up soil to prevent erosion.
Another way to keep your heritage garden flourishing and be kind to the environment at the same time is by using the new Jobe’s® OrganicsTM Fertilizer Spikes. They come in four different formulas — all OMRI Listed — and can be found at your local lawn and garden center or by calling 1-800-327-9462.

Fertilizer spikes are the most efficient way to deliver nutrients to plants because they work near the plant roots. The naturally slow-release organic nutrients in Jobe’s Organic Fertilizer Spikes ensure hearty plants and improve long-term soil quality by promoting beneficial microbial activity.

By taking good care of your heritage garden and using the right products to help it flourish, your flowers will flourish for generations to come. GT084671

(MS) — These days, you hear a lot of talk about global warming. You may even have heard about carbon offsetting, or doing things to reduce your “eco-footprint.” The idea of trying to make our environment a better place by planting trees is not new.

Consider this thought by Frank Lloyd Wright: “The best friend on earth of man is the tree: when we use the tree respectfully and economically we have one of the greatest resources of the earth.”

Henry Van Dyke also reflected on the value of trees: “He that planteth a tree is a servant of God, he provideth a kindness for many generations and faces that he hath not seen shall bless him.”

Both men, who were born in the late 1800s, knew the value of trees.
Trees are truly the gifts that keep on giving. They filter pollution from the air, prevent soil loss, create shade and even help lower energy bills.

Before planting a tree, talk to your local extension agent and find out what trees grow best in your area. Choose a planting site before you select a tree. You want to be sure you put it in an area where it will thrive.

Proper moisture and nutrient levels are essential for newly-planted trees. Apply an inch to an inch and a half of water every two to three weeks. If you’re in a drought-affected area, use a ROSS® Root Feeder to keep your new trees watered. The deep root feeder conserves water by eliminating surface evaporation.

Ensure your new tree gets necessary nutrients by using new Jobe’s® OrganicsTM Fertilizer Spikes for Trees and Shrubs. The environmentally friendly spikes are easy to use — just hammer them in at the drip line. Once in place, they’ll deliver a continuous supply of nutrients to the feeder roots. The spikes will also help improve the long term soil quality by promoting beneficial microbial growth.

Newly planted trees tend to shift so help your tree out by anchoring it. A simple way to do this is by using a tree anchoring kit like Heavy Duty TreeStaKit®. Everything you’ll need to help anchor your tree, such as rope, tree tubes and reusable plastic stakes, comes with the kit. Experts recommend that you anchor your new tree for about two years, until new root systems are well established.

Don’t forget to mulch around the base. Easy Gardener’s new Mulch Mat tree ring makes the job easy. It looks like hardwood but is made from 100 percent recycled rubber. Place it around the base of the newly planted tree to deter weed growth and hold in moisture.

Care properly for your new trees now and they will be a gift for generations to come. GT084672

(MS) — For gardeners everywhere, finding enough landscape to start your dream garden is often a big hurdle to clear. Unless you live on a farm or own a large amount of property, your landscape is likely more limiting than you’d prefer.

But a lack of landscape doesn’t mean you can’t have the lush garden you’ve always dreamed of. Instead, it simply means you’ll have to pull a few tricks out of your gardener’s cap to get the most out of the land you do have.

• Use containers: Container gardening has grown especially popular in recent years, as the size of most people’s yards has shrunk thanks to more building throughout the country’s suburban neighborhoods. Plant whatever you’d like in containers, which take up less space than a traditional garden and also offer more flexibility, as the containers can be moved around at will. Containers can also be moved around for parties or placed at different places in the yard if you’d like your landscape to have a different look every now and then.

• Consider the color: Much like the paint you choose for a room can give the illusion of that room being bigger or smaller than it really is, the color of your garden can offer a similar illusion. The color blue is known for making gardens look larger than they are, so keep these cooler colors at the back of the garden to give the impression that they are more distant. Consult with a local gardening professional, be it your landscaper or a salesman at a nearby gardening supply store, for advice on which plants will best match your needs.

• Build up, rather than out: A raised bed for your garden won’t take up as much space, but will still allow you enough room for an attractive, landscape-complementing garden. Some can even be built atop moveable structures, making them similar to container gardening with respect to their flexibility. GT084675

(MS) — Anyone familiar with the classic 1980 film Caddyshack likely recalls the difficulty Bill Murray’s character had in ridding the golf course of pesky critters that were destroying the property he was responsible for protecting. Homeowners who watch that film can likely feel Murray’s pain, as critters such as moles can do a great deal of damage to a yard or garden. Lawncare veterans may have heard of all of the supposed methods of ridding a yard of moles. Whether it’s blasting them out with a rush of water or inserting human hair into the ground, there seem to be a lot of differing opinions on ridding a yard of these deft diggers. One of the most successful ways to tackle the problem is by setting mole traps. Such traps are inexpensive and can be very effective, particularly if set before winter, when moles mate and produce babies. And while it may seem as though the mole loves eating your yard, what moles are really after is food, namely the soft-bodied grubs below the grass. If you can remove the grub population from your yard, the moles will more than likely be forced to look elsewhere for their food and leave your lawn and garden intact. If planting a new garden and you simply want to avoid potential mole problems, you might want to place wire mesh in the dirt before you begin planting. The roots of your plants will be able to go through this mesh, but the mole will not be able to uproot anything you plant. GT084679

(MS) — When it comes to maintaining a lush, green lawn, summertime is often a homeowner’s biggest enemy. A spring season’s worth of work can seemingly go up in smoke once a summer drought rears its ugly head.

But as devastating as a drought can be to a lawn, grass has a remarkable capacity to recover. A big part of that recovery is how well a lawn is watered throughout the summer months, when drought hits the hardest. So before the drought season arrives this year, consider the following watering tips.
• The early bird gets the green. The ideal time to water is before dawn or at daybreak. Particularly during the dog days of summer, watering early drastically cuts down on evaporation resulting from extreme temperatures, ensuring your grass will get the water it needs. Also, the rising sun will help to dry the grass, reducing the chances of lawn disease.

• Water in the rain. While it might seem foolish to water your lawn when it’s raining, it’s actually one of the better opportunities to water. Most summertime rains aren’t sufficient enough to benefit a lawn that much. But watering while raining can save you some water (you won’t need to run your sprinklers or hoses at full-speed) as you use the rain as a supplement. The combination of rain water and a light sprinkling will ensure the water reaches all of the roots.

• Avoid any watering at night. Sometimes, whether it’s due to work schedules or family commitments, watering at night or in the early evening is our only option. However, this should be avoided as much as possible. While the lack of sun at night will ensure that no water intended for your lawn is robbed by evaporation, the downside of watering at night is that lawn diseases thrive in wet conditions. When you water at night, the water remains on the grass until the sun shows up again in the morning. This greatly increases the chance of lawn disease settling in during that overnight period.

• Don’t overdo it. Grass will adapt to your watering schedule. For example, if you water lightly every day, the grass will become dependent on that light watering, which won’t even provide much benefit, since the goal of watering is to allow the moisture to reach the deepest roots. So don’t go overboard with how much you water. A deep and thorough watering once or twice a week will ensure that those deep roots will get the water they need, and your lawn will be the better for it. GT084687

(MS) — One of the more annoying things that can bother an outdoors enthusiast is the presence of mosquitoes in his or her yard. In addition to being a pest, a mosquito can also carry disease, making it potentially very dangerous to work in a yard with a mosquito infestation. However, gardeners and lawn enthusiasts can take steps to avoid all the scratching and swatting that comes with unwanted mosquito guests.

• Watch what you wear. How you dress can go a long way toward deciding how much you’ll be affected by a mosquito problem. Always wear socks and long-sleeved shirts in areas that are heavily infested with mosquitoes. While a mosquito net might be overdoing it in most yards, that’s not the case in areas that are heavily infested.

The color of your clothing plays a role as well. Mosquitoes are drawn to darker clothing, so keep the wardrobe light when working outdoors.

• Remove standing water. Mosquitoes breed in standing or stagnant water. After a heavy rain, check your property for any standing water and eliminate it as soon as possible. Typical sources of standing water include clogged gutters, children’s pools that weren’t emptied or turned over before a rain, fire pits, and unused flower pots that might be scattered around the yard. Even if it hasn’t rained, empty kid’s pools at least once per week and check to see if there are any containers or pots scattered about your property.

• Use insect repellents. Repellents make it harder for mosquitoes to find you but will not dwindle their numbers. So if you use repellants, don’t think they’re not working simply because your yard still has a mosquito infestation. Repellants such as DEET make it hard for mosquitoes to find anyone who’s put it on, as does the odorless Picaridin. Whichever repellent you choose, note that they’re meant to keep the mosquitoes away from you, not your yard.

• Try the alternatives. Many companies have made lots of money selling mosquito deterrents. The problem is, these deterrents vary in their efficacy. There are plenty of people who swear by deterrents such as citronella candles and bug zappers, while others find they provide no relief. Since these methods may or may not work, be careful not to spend too much money investing in them without first trying them. If they work, great. If they don’t, back to the drawing board.

• Leave mosquitoes for the birds. Proof is also lacking that attracting birds and mammals, such blue martins and rats, that feed on mosquitoes is an effective deterrent. However, if you don’t mind having such animals in your yard and all else has failed, by all means give it a shot. But bear in mind that your new guests might end up being more annoying than the ones you’re currently trying to get rid of. GT084691

(MS) — When it comes to fertilizing a lawn, there are so many theories and suggestions out there it can make a novice lawncare enthusiast’s head spin. With so many supposed tricks of the trade out there, it’s no wonder so many homeowners turn to the professionals when it comes time to take care of the yard.

While it’s never a bad idea to consult or even hire a professional, homeowners needn’t feel that giving their lawn over to the local landscaper is an absolute necessity. In fact, taking care of a lawn can be an enjoyable and worthwhile hobby. When it comes to fertilizing, it’s not nearly as intimidating as it may seem. Just keep in mind the following tips.

• Don’t fertilize to excess. Follow the the application and dilution instructions on whichever fertilizer you buy. Excessive feeding can cause rapid growth that is very appetizing to pests and critters. In addition, there are environmental concerns with respect to excessive application of fertilizer. Should you apply too much, you run the very real risk of fertilizer run-off. That run-off could eventually end up in rivers, streams or lakes and pollute the water supply.

• One size does not fit all. There are differences between types of fertilizers. For example, using lawn fertilizer on flowers could make it difficult for those flowers to bloom. While the foliage of the flower will likely grow, the flowers will not bloom to capacity.

• Growing plants need different fertilizer. A plant that is already actively growing should be given a water soluble fertilizer. These fertilizers will promote rooting and strong growth in already developing plants. However, plants that are not actively growing won’t benefit from this type of fertilizer, as it will merely be washed away before the plants can utilize it.

• Test your soil. Lots of lawn and garden enthusiasts have sat bewildered as to why they just can’t seem to grow certain plants on their property. The problem could rest with the quality of your soil. The soil pH is something all gardeners need to know and consider before planting. Some plants prefer alkaline soil conditions while others prefer acidic. Without getting too technical, if you’re planting a plant that prefers alkaline conditions in acidic conditions, then that planting will not be successful. Have your soil tested before planting to ensure you’re not wasting your time, money and effort. GT084692

(MS) — Growing a garden is a rewarding experience for someone looking to add color and wildlife to the landscape. However, growing a fruit and vegetable garden offers the same delight and more — a harvest of fresh produce you can enjoy with every meal.
There are few things more satisfying than nursing a seedling or young plant into maturity and being able to harvest what it grows. Everything seems more delicious when it’s home-grown. However, keep in mind that biting into that juicy tomato or grilling up that fresh-plucked zucchini is the last step in a successful garden. It takes a little more than tossing down seed and waiting for a bounty. There are steps to ensure success.

Plan Your Garden

While you may want your garden a stone’s throw from the home for easy access, consider the conditions of the soil and the light that area gets before planting. A vegetable garden typically needs six or more hours of sunlight to thrive. So watch how the sun strikes areas of your landscape throughout the day and see what barriers to the sunlight (trees, houses) present themselves. Soil conditions include how well the soil will drain, soil quality and obstacles that show up while digging, including rocks or deep roots. Determine if soil quality can be amended with compost, peat moss and other nutrients.

While planning, consider the vegetables you’d like to have in your garden. It may be cost effective to start plants from seeds indoors and transplant to the outdoors at the right time of year. But some plants do not like transplanting and prefer to start and grow outside in the garden. A gardening center can help you navigate the different vegetable types and help you determine the proper planting methods and dates.
While keeping in mind location, think about how you will fence in your garden to keep out unwanted pests. Also think about plant height and growth. You’ll want taller plants in the back so that they do not end up shading the shorter plants from the sun.

Prep the Soil

The best soil for a successful garden is fertile and well-drained. Hard shale, rock ledges, gravel beds, deep sand, and other types can make gardening difficult to impossible. If this is all you have to work with, consider container gardening instead, where you can better control the soil condition. Most soil just needs a simple tune up with organic matter to make it hospitable for a vegetable garden.

Get Planting

If you are sowing seeds, create shallow grooves into which you will deposit the seeds. Cover the seeds with a fine soil and lightly water to set. The most important thing to remember concerning seeds is that they require adequate moisture to germinate. Keep seeds moist until they form strong seedlings.

When transplanting from vegetables you started indoors, or if planting items you bought at a garden center, dig a hole slightly larger than the root ball of the existing plant. Water the plants before removing them from their container to lessen the shock. Then tap the container to loosen and remove the plant. Separate tightly woven roots gently and place the plant in the hole. Cover with soil and water thoroughly.

Depending upon your choice of vegetables, you could enjoy fresh vegetables from May through October. Don’t forget to include some herb plants in your garden so you’ll have savory seasonings to add to your fresh vegetable recipes. GT084693

(MS) — Whether doing it to be more environmentally conscious or to make your home’s landscape more aesthetically appealing, planting a tree or trees around your property can be a great way to spend some time outdoors while making a positive impact on your surroundings. But before heading to your local nursery or out to the yard with your shovel, there are some things to consider when it comes to planting trees around your property.

• What type of tree? Do you want to plant an evergreen or a deciduous tree? Each tree comes with its own benefits. Evergreens won’t shed their leaves in the colder months, meaning they’ll provide shade year-round. These trees can also be very functional for those who live in areas with particularly harsh winters, as evergreens remain thick in the winter, making them a good choice for homeowners who want their trees to function as barriers from wind or noise.

Deciduous trees provide functionality as well, but on the opposite end of the spectrum. Deciduous trees can provide shade in the summertime and allow sunlight to come through in the wintertime once they’ve shed their leaves. For homeowners with young children who love to play in the yard, deciduous trees can protect kids from getting too hot in the warmer months and too cold during winter.

• Where to plant your new tree? Where to plant your tree should be of the utmost importance. This involves knowing what the tree will look like down the road. You won’t want to plant a tree that will get very big too close to your home, as a storm or other inclement weather could result in the tree potentially damaging the house. Even if that does not happen, you want to avoid having the tree removed when it reaches maturity. If you feel it’s gotten too big and you do want it removed to avoid an accident, this can be a costly expense.

Another thing to consider is property lines. If the tree crosses the property line when it reaches maturity, it could cause trouble for you with your neighbors. Also, you don’t want the tree to be in a position where it’s impeding sunlight from reaching a neighbor’s home in winter (or your own home for that matter).

Before deciding on where to plant your tree, know how big it is likely to get, and make sure you don’t plant it too close to your property line, especially if it will be very large once it reaches maturity.

• What is the tree history? Most local nurseries won’t sell trees that have proven problematic to residents of the area in the past. Some trees carry with them a susceptibility to certain disease or insect infestations, while others are known for having weak wood that won’t stand up well in areas where wind is a staple of the weather.

Be sure that the nursery you choose only sells trees that have a proven track record of success in your area. While it’s a nice idea to have an exotic tree in your yard, it’s not nice to have to pay to treat such trees when they can’t handle the local weather or insect population.

• What will the tree look like? Looks are important, as no one wants to plant an eyesore in their front yard. Trees can be wonderful additions to a landscape by complementing surrounding flowers or shrubs and even the color of your home. Ask a local nursery professional what a specific tree will look like throughout the seasons. GT084696

(MS) — Though spring and summer are considered the primary seasons for lawncare, maintaining a healthy lawn is actually a year-round process. Each season presents different challenges for a lawn and the person who’s taking care of it. Since the condition of a lawn can greatly affect property value, homeowners would be wise to take into account the following offseason considerations.

• Winter: Lots of people see winter as the time to take a step back from lawncare. While the day-to-day responsibilities aren’t as demanding, there are still things that need to be done, or at least prevented, to ensure a lawn maintains its health through the cold months ahead. Perhaps the most important lawncare precaution to take in winter is to keep off the lawn when it’s wet, frosted or frozen. If you walk on the lawn when frozen, the grass will not repair itself until spring, leaving footprints or patches of dead grass throughout until the weather warms up.

• Late winter: In late winter, which for most regions is the month of March, use a rake to remove any dead grass that has accumulated over the last several months. This dead grass is thatch, which will not promote a healthy lawn in the spring and summer months ahead. Late winter can also be a good time to repair the edges of your lawn as well, but only if the ground has thawed out.

• Early fall: When mowing in early fall, you won’t need to mow as frequently. When you do mow, raise the height of your mower’s blades to prepare for winter. Early fall is also when you’ll need to clear any leaves or debris that has accumulated on the property. Use a light rake for this project to avoid damaging the ground, and be sure to rake before you do any mowing.

• Late fall: Once you’ve cut your lawn for the last time of the season, there isn’t much left to do other than removing any leaves or debris that pile up thereafter. It’s a good idea to use late fall to clean and examine your tools and see how they fared through the spring and summer seasons. If need be, replace or sharpen any tools that could use it. GT084702

(MS) — Seems everyone’s building secondary structures on their property these days, to take their indoor living outside. Maybe you’re thinking of a pool cabana with a large patio where you can cook; a cabin, spa enclosure or gazebo for entertaining friends; or a home studio that inspires your creative spirit with a stunning view of the outdoors. But with the state of the economy, you’re closely counting how you spend your money.
Here’s an idea for the best of both worlds — design and build your own outdoor structure. If you can drag and drop with your mouse, you can be your own architect. Really. Try the unique Custom Design Center at Summerwood.com. You create the design online and they build a unique kit for you to assemble, it’s that easy.

Let’s say you’re building a cabin – a quiet spot for visitors to your country home. Select from an array of styles, and customize it with scores of design options — doors, windows, shutters, cupolas, etcetera. There’s an infinite amount of choice, so customize until you realize your vision. Then have your cabin delivered in an easy-to-assemble kit. It’s excellent value.

What if you think you know what you want but need inspiration? Take online 3D tours of pool houses, gazebos, sheds and other structures. They feature decorating ideas and important interior structural details. There’s always help available — like the site’s Ask an Expert Forum. It links you directly to Summerwood’s key specialists in design, contracting, sales, and technical support.

Once you’ve designed your building, order your kit online and be your own contractor. Get a few friends to help. Take your family outside and make it a building party. Available pre-cut or pre-assembled, the kits even come with a breakdown of labor hours. The truly keen can purchase many of the same designs in DIY building plan format.

For more information, go to www.summerwood.com/nc.html or call 1-800-663-5042. GT084703

(MS) — They may be cute, but to gardeners across America, deer are serious business. With a few snips of the teeth, these backyard invaders can wreak havoc on beautifully tended landscapes and prized gardens. Flowers, shrubs, fruits, vegetables and other plants are nothing more than a tasty meal for deer, and homeowners throughout the country are fed up with feeding them.

Unfortunately, there has been no easy way to prevent deer from turning a beautiful garden into their own personal buffet. As deer become a more prevalent problem — even in more populated suburban areas — conversations taking place everywhere, from taxicabs to backyard barbecues, have turned to discussions of deer despair. In response to the growing problem, communities have created committees to study the deer problem, and homeowners across the country are spending millions of dollars annually on all sorts of devices and deterrents — usually with less than satisfactory results.

Now, however, help is here. After five years of research and testing, a new form of deer repellent can make a deer-free garden a reality.

“In recent years, there have been two basic kinds of deer repellents: liquid sprays that are applied directly to the plant’s foliage or fruit or granules that can be spread around the base of the plant or shrub,” explains Stewart Clark, director of research and development at Senoret Chemical Company, makers of Deer Fortress, a new deer repellent for consumers and professionals.

“The mode-of-action, in most cases, is either a noxious odor or an offensive taste that repels the deer. However, there are significant issues with both of these,” notes Clark.
Liquid repellents tend to smell horrible and many homeowners shy away from them. The odor can be so bad that, for several hours, homeowners cannot enjoy sitting outside. In addition, since both liquid and granular applications are exposed to the elements, their effectiveness is measured, at best, in weeks. Rain can very quickly wash the repellent off of the plant’s leaves or dissolve it into the ground. Throughout the course of a normal growing season, numerous applications are required and just one missed application can leave a garden open to deer invasions.

“The new Deer Fortress product is unique in the market today because it is virtually odorless to humans, weather-proof, non-toxic and one application lasts all season long,” says Clark.

The product uses dried blood to trigger an innate “danger” response in deer, making them believe a predator is nearby. This active ingredient has been a proven, highly effective repellent for several decades. Studies have shown that, next to fenced enclosures, blood is the most effective way to scare deer away. It produces no noxious smells to humans and is a safe, natural, environmentally friendly product that can be used in any garden, including vegetable gardens. However, until now, it was available only in granules and sprays, which require frequent reapplication during the growing season.

The Deer Fortress repellent is packaged in a patented, weather-proof container that is specially designed to allow the scent to escape but keep rain and other elements at bay. Homeowners simply stake the containers in the ground or hang them in shrubs four to eight feet apart throughout the desired protection area. Then, just sit back, and allow the repellent to work. There’s no messy mixing, spraying or reapplication necessary.

These benefits have made Deer Fortress an attractive solution for deer-dogged homeowners, landscapers and professional grounds crews across the country. Because no reapplication is needed, it is also an economical option, costing less over a season than most traditional repellent options.

It is important to note that no deer repellent is 100 percent effective in every situation, cautions Clark. As natural deer habitats are squeezed by development, deer must search harder for food. Repellents create an unpleasant environment for deer, but some may still forage in yards out of sheer survival instinct. However, proper use and application of repellents can lead to an increased success rate.

“It is best to begin using Deer Fortress or any other deer repellent product at the beginning of the growing season,” says Clark. “It is much easier to discourage deer from feeding on certain plants from the beginning than to interrupt established feeding patterns.”

Consumers with deer repellent questions are invited to call the Deer Fortress hotline at 866.738.7920 for personalized assistance in solving deer dilemmas or log onto www.deerfortress.com for more information. GT084719

By Cindy Inman AKA “Ask Cindy How” www.askcindyhow.com

(MS) — As we emerge from the frost of winter and begin to dare allow ourselves to think of the renewal that spring brings, let’s prepare ourselves to restore our homes as well. Of course, traditionally this is referred to as “Spring Cleaning.” It’s the time to begin the process of exchanging winter clothes for spring, clean out fireplaces and generally de-clutter our living space. Well, while we might not place these tasks in the category of fun and sport, if we organize the approach and the process, we can certainly minimize the pain to achieve renewed life.
Organization is critical. Remember the old saying “a stitch in time, saves nine.” I recommend taking out some quality time to decide:
• what you want to accomplish
• during what time frame you want to accomplish everything
• whether you will use temporary cleaning support beyond the norm for your home
• or will you need to hire professional support
If you are considering temporary support, the most important consideration needs to be whether there will be appropriate supervision or not. I have considered using temporary employees for special projects, but have opted not to do it if I feel that I don’t have adequate supervision. It can be a counterproductive experience to have someone standing around either not knowing what to do or doing the wrong thing. My Web site www.askcindyhow.com shares details about hiring professional help.
While you are continuing your assessment related to what is to be accomplished, another question is how detailed your cleaning will be. Usually, after smoke from the fireplace and fumes from the furnace have settled in all winter, a detailed approach is what is required. With all this in mind, my recommendation would be to section the house into separate projects over a period of time. Depending on the normal work requirements of the home, you can set-up either one or two day special spring project schedules. As a general rule, for me to have my crews detail clean an average kitchen when it has gotten away from the homeowner, it takes more than one person a few hours. To detail clean means to remove everything from the refrigerator and clean it out completely. It means to clean ovens with oven spray (yes there is oven spray for self-cleaning ovens). It also means washing and wiping down walls that have accumulated grease over the winter when more cooking occurred when the family stayed indoors.
Organizing yourself within your domain for a total spring cleaning could easily take a full day. It is also important to have the right equipment for the tasks at hand. I invite you to visit my Web site at www.askcindyhow.com to find tips on cleaning various areas of the home as well as what supplies, equipment and solutions to use. For instance, as you would prepare your furniture for polishing, one would use microfiber cloths as they literally draw dust and hold on to it. Next, you can polish the furniture using a new cloth. In the kitchen, you will need to use a degreaser to wipe down cabinets and counters and then rinse with water using a damp terry cloth towel. Oh yeah! I can feel the clean in the air already. Good luck and Happy Spring Cleaning. TF083589

Your friend in the cleaning industry,
Cindy

(MS) — Spring has finally sprung, and people across the country are gearing up for a season of outdoor fun. Whether you’re picnicking, barbecuing or simply soaking up some rays, nothing crashes a party like an army of ants. However, with the proper tools, getting rid of ants is safe, easy and effective, indoors and out.

“There are two basic ways to deal with ants,” says Stewart Clark, technical director of TERRO, the country’s leading pest control manufacturer. “Aerosol sprays offer immediate, short-term results. If you’re sitting down to eat, and ants come crawling up the table, spraying them with an aerosol product will provide temporary relief by killing the ants you see. However, there are thousands of additional ants in the colony that will soon find their way to your food. For a longer-term solution, turn to an ant bait product. This will actually get rid of the entire colony.”

Ant bait is the best way to eradicate entire colonies of ants. TERRO’s liquid and granular ant baits are made with borax. This natural ingredient has a very low level of toxicity for humans but is deadly to ants. As the ant foragers from the colony look for food, they are attracted to the sweet food in the bait. Unwittingly, the ants consume the food and carry it back to the colony to share. The result is the elimination of the colony — and your ant problems.

Clark offers the following tips to help control these pesky invaders:

Track Down the Problem

First, find one of your pesky invaders. Instead of killing the ant, follow it. Since worker ants are sent out from the main colony in search of moisture and food to bring back, following an ant is a sure way to find out how they are entering the area. Look for ants that are carrying small bits of food — for this, a bright flashlight and patience are needed.

Set Liquid Bait Inside

The first and often only treatment step needed to control ants inside is to bait the ants with liquid ant bait (available at hardware, home improvement and lawn and garden retailers.) The sweet liquid attracts ants quickly. The ants carry the bait to the colony, and this liquid is then distributed to other ants, including the queen. Baiting is the best way to control ants — the ants do the work, and there is no need for exposure to harsh chemical insecticides.

Place a liquid ant bait station close to where ants are located indoors. Using the bait station eliminates the problem of the bait drying out and gives the ants a continuous supply of liquid, day and night. Liquid ant baits are specifically designed to kill the worker ant in two or three days. This slow kill is needed to allow time for the foraging ants to make several trips to the bait, and deliver enough bait to the rest of the colony. On days four and five, there should be a significant decrease in the number of ants visiting the bait.

Take the Search Outside

When searching for ants outside the home, look for “ant highways” or foraging trails. These trails are simply a line of marching ants that leads from their home to yours. Often, these trails are most active during the morning or evening. Walk around the perimeter of the house and carefully check for ant trails. Pull back the garden mulch, turn over rocks, or look under pieces of wood in order to locate activity. Inspect around all potential entry points including windows, doors, exhaust vents, faucets and sliding glass doors. Also check for ants trailing up the sides of the building or along gutters. Remember: leaves and tree limbs in contact with a house are always special hot spots for larger carpenter ants.

Bait the Outdoor Ants

Since most indoor and outdoor infestations are linked to a colony located underground outside the house, baiting ants outside may help provide a long-lasting ant solution. Products such as TERRO Outdoor Liquid Ant Baits offer an easy solution. Using the same ingredients as indoor Liquid Ant Baits, Outdoor Liquid Ant Baits are specially packaged to be durable and weather-resistant enough for outdoor use.

To bait larger areas, TERRO has created a new granular Multi-Purpose Insect Bait. Packaged in an easy-to-use shaker canister, the Insect Bait uses the same Borax that makes the company’s liquid baits highly effective. Simply shake the granules onto the area to be treated, and you’re done. Children and pets may enter the treatment area immediately after application, and the granules are weather-resistant. In fact, in addition to regular ants, the Insect Bait is also highly effective against carpenter ants.

Get an Outside Opinion

If ants are still present, it may be helpful to determine what species they are. The most common pest ants found in the United States are on TERRO’s web site at www.terro.com. Or, you can mail a sample ant to the company. TERRO ant experts will identify it at no charge and help you determine an action plan. For more information, visit Ask the Expert at www.terro.com, or call the company toll-free at 1-800-837-7644. SH082555

(MS) — Springtime is the perfect time to update your home with a fresh coat of paint. And, you can get professional results without the expense of hiring a professional. It’s easy when you know their secrets.

They know that if you prime first, then paint, your paint job will look better and last longer. Here’s why:

• Primers hide previous colors — even the darkest blues and deepest reds — far better than paint alone and prevent them from showing through or changing the color of the topcoat. They’ll make your new paint color look more vibrant and even.

• Primers work hard to block stains. If you try to cover a stain with a fresh coat of paint, the stain will probably bleed through — no matter how many coats of paint you apply. Quality primers seal in stains and prevent them from ruining your paint color.

• Primers prevent common paint problems. Because primers are formulated to prevent problems like cracking, peeling and blistering, they’ll make any painted surface more durable, washable — and last much longer!

• Primers provide a sound base for paint. Paint is formulated to provide rich, beautiful color — but don’t expect it to do a primer’s job. High quality primers are rich in resin and provide a firm base for paint to adhere. Primers like Zinsser’s Bulls Eye 1-2-3® even stick to glossy, hard-to-paint surfaces without sanding, so you can paint paneling, cabinets, glossy paints, vinyl siding and more.

Here’s a little secret from the pros: By tinting your primer towards your paint color, you’ll use less paint — plus get all the benefits of priming. Just ask your paint store or home center associate to add the same colorant they use to mix your paint.
Remember, if you want to paint like a pro, prime like a pro. For more helpful “tips” for a professional quality paint job, visit www.zinsser.com. SH082560

(MS) — Looking for a space that will help foster your creativity at home or work? There’s an easy way to encourage your next big idea — or a whole batch of them — while adding pizzazz to your office or living space.

Start with versatile surfaces that allow you to doodle, draw and even build. Then accent your environment with one or more vivid, saturated colors that inspire. Here are a few ideas for turning any space into creativity central:

• Unleash your imagination. Paint a colorful accent that will boost your creativity and unleash your inner child with Rust-Oleum’s new Chalkboard Tint Base paint. Choose one of 12 inspiring colors that provide a unique writable-erasable chalkboard finish. Transform a wall, door or desktop into a colorful space for pictures, words or flow charts. According to color research, purple is the color of imagination. Try different Chalkboard colors like Grape Fizz to bring out your inner Picasso. Or, tap into the energy of red by painting a wall with Chalkboard Fresco Red. Mount a chalk holder nearby to be sure that ideas are easy to capture.

• Take a vacation from the mundane. Reserve a special space within your home for inspiration — and maybe even a celebration of your latest work. Whether it’s an entire wall or a smaller area, apply Rust-Oleum’s Specialty Magnetic Primer as a base coat for your paint. It makes almost any surface able to attract magnets. Top coat with your favorite wall paint and add extra energy with funky magnets to hang photos, notes, daily thoughts — anything that will spark your imagination. Liven up your thinking space with Buttercup Yellow or Apple Red paint on furniture and accents. Both are high energy colors that inspire creativity.

• Create an office brainstorming room. It’s often difficult to pull yourself away from the phone or e-mail when you need to come up with an original idea. That’s why many companies dedicate a conference room for brainstorming. To create your own special space, be sure to leave room to draw out your next big idea with Rust-Oleum Dry Erase Paint. It turns doors, walls, cabinets and more into a unique, writable-erasable surface. Don’t forget brightly colored dry erase markers — a perfect accessory for brainstorming ideas! Add artwork, bright colored walls and comfy sofas to the room and let your thoughts run wild.

Need more color inspiration? Visit Paintideas.com. It’s the destination for inspiring decorating ideas and creative projects for every room in your home or office. SH082561

(MS) — The long months of winter weather can take a tremendous toll on your deck. The spring and summer months can, too. Decks need protection from the sun’s harsh rays and spring and summer showers. So before you put out the outdoor furniture make sure you protect your deck so it looks its best during the spring and summer months ahead. Follow these easy steps from the experts at Wolman™ Wood Care Products:

• Clean your deck thoroughly to remove dirt, mold, mildew stains and weathered gray surface wood with an acid-free, biodegradable deck cleaner like WolmanTM DeckBriteTM. Unlike chlorine bleach, which can degrade the structure of wood, DeckBrite’s oxygen activated formula cleans and restores wood to its original, like-new appearance without whitening or damaging the wood’s surface.

• If the finish on your deck has seen better days — or if you want to change the look of your outdoor décor — strip away any deteriorating or unwanted pigmented deck finishes with WolmanTM DeckStrip® Stain and Finish Remover. It removes traditional colored water sealers, wood protectors, toners and semi-transparent stains, and prepares the wood for a new stain or finish. If you need to strip a solid color, 100% acrylic stain, use WolmanTM DeckStrip® ASR Acrylic Stain Remover.

• After you’ve cleaned and restored your deck it’s time to beautify and protect it with a stain or finish that offers water-repellency and UV-blocking pigment to protect against the sun’s harsh rays. Choose a stain like WolmanTM DuraStain®, which comes in a richly pigmented semi-transparent or a solid color finish. DuraStain provides long term water-repellency, mildew resistance and especially long-lasting color retention that outlasts traditional semi-transparent and solid stains. Both products are guaranteed to prevent wood graying, water damage and peeling! Or try a rich, transparent oil finish, like WolmanTM F&P® Finish and Preservative, which beautifies new or weathered wood with a penetrating oil sheen, and protects wood against rot and decay caused by mildew or other fungi growth, providing the strongest mildew protection available in an outdoor stain. F&P also blocks UV rays to prevent premature wood graying, and is guaranteed for three years to prevent water damage, surface decay and peeling.

For more information about cleaning, restoring, beautifying and protecting your deck or for more helpful deck tips, visit www.wolman.com. SH082562

(MS) — Grown tired of your wallpaper? If you’ve ever tried stripping wallpaper using a homemade vinegar-and-water solution — or a heavy commercial steamer — you know what a tedious, unpleasant and time-consuming task it can be.

But, removing wallpaper is easy if you follow a few simple steps and use products that are available at your local home center, paint retailer or hardware store. Here are some tips from the home improvement experts at Zinsser:

• The Secret Weapon: The secret behind easy wallpaper removal is to loosen the glue underneath. Perforate the surface with a scoring tool like Zinsser’s PaperTiger® Wallpaper Scoring Tool. Its cutting action perforates the wallpaper and allows the wallpaper stripper to penetrate through the paper and breakdown the glue. The more holes you make, the faster and easier the paper will come off the walls.

• The Magic Potion: After perforating the wallpaper, apply a wallpaper stripper like DIF® Wallpaper Stripper. It’s available in an economical concentrate, a fast-acting liquid or a ready-to-use gel for stubborn wallpaper. Apply DIF to one wall at a time, starting at the top and working your way down, to breakdown the wallpaper paste. Walk away and let it work its magic! In about 15 to 20 minutes, the wallpaper will be ready to be removed.

• The Wall Protector: Remove the wallpaper using a tool like PaperScraper™ Wallpaper Remover and Wall Scraper. The tool scrapes off stubborn sections of paper without damaging the surface of the wall. Once all the wallpaper has been removed, reapply DIF for 15 to 20 minutes to remove any remaining glue. Scrape away the glue residue, and wipe down the walls with a damp sponge and your ready to decorate!

For more information about removing or hanging wallpaper, and for more helpful home improvement tips, visit www.zinsser.com. SH082563

(MS) — Mold and mildew can make the exterior of your home look dirty, unattractive and rob it of its curb appeal. If left unchecked, it can also damage paint, wood, roofs, and siding.

Removing mold and mildew used to mean countless hours of scrubbing or power washing — only to have it return the next year. Fortunately, those days are gone! Thanks to products specifically formulated to kill mold and mildew — and prevent it from coming back — there’s now a scrub-free way to a mold and mildew free home! Just follow these simple tips from the mold and mildew experts at Zinsser:

Determine if black spots on your house are dirt or mold and mildew. Apply a drop of household bleach to the discolored area. If the stain disappears or lightens, it’s mold and mildew.

Clean and kill the exterior mold and mildew with a house cleaner that contains an EPA-registered mildewcide, like JOMAX® House Cleaner and Mildew Killer. JOMAX kills mold and mildew and loosens dirt and stains without scrubbing or power washing. Just mix JOMAX with bleach and water, spray on and rinse off with an ordinary garden hose. It’s that simple! Its specifically formulated detergent system will not damage wood, etch aluminum siding or discolor surfaces like household bleach can. And JOMAX will not harm surrounding plants, grass and shrubs.

To remove black streaks, dirt and mildew stains from asphalt shingled roofs use JOMAX® Roof Cleaner and Mildew Stain Remover. It quickly cleans and kills mold and mildew on tile, slate, metal and other non-porous roof materials.

Minimize future mildew growth by controlling the moisture around your home. Keep shrubs, plants and mulch away from exterior walls. Trim any branches or tree limbs that touch the outside of your home. Clear gutters and drains of any leaves or debris. Since mold and mildew need moisture to grow, redirect sprinklers and rotate hanging planters to prevent water from regularly collecting on exterior surfaces. Also, make sure rain water does not collect near your home’s foundation. Repair any leaks and extend downspouts away from the foundation.

For more information on the scrub-free way to a mildew-free home, tips for removing and preventing mold and mildew, and for other helpful home improvement ideas, visit www.zinsser.com. SH082564

(MS) — Looking for a new way to add texture and dimension to your home décor? Consider a textured stencil. It is a quick and relatively easy way to add style and dimension to any painted surface. With a few simple tools, and some tips from decorative painting experts, you can instantly update the look of any room. Follow these steps from Modern Masters® for a professional looking project:

Start with a previously painted or primed surface that is clean, dry and free of dust. Before you begin, gather all of your stenciling materials in one place — stencils, painters’ tape or repositionable spray adhesive, measuring tape, metal trowel, texturing medium — and make sure the surface you’re about to stencil is dry and sound.

Select a stencil for your project. Stencils can be purchased at paint and craft stores everywhere and are available in nearly every shape and size imaginable. Modern Masters makes a line of Royal Stencil Exclusives that are available in 20 designs in four different designer styles to spur your imagination. Choose from Ornamental, Exotic Worlds, Far East or Botanicals styles.

Follow the reference guide located on the stencil and position it on the correct area on the wall. Use painters’ tape or repositionable spray adhesive to position the stencil onto the desired area and press firmly down.

For a dimensional effect, use Modern Masters® Texture Effects Multi-Purpose Texturing Medium instead of ordinary latex paint. This water-base acrylic plaster-like medium can be tinted to any desired color at your local paint store, or with universal colorants. Highly durable and versatile, Texture Effects can be used as an all over wall texture or for stenciling, raised relief, heavy distressed textures and to correct wall imperfections. It is water-resistant, will not shrink or crack while drying like other texturing mediums, and is hard once cured. For the ultimate textured look, create an over all textured wall finish with Texture Effects and when dry, add a stenciled look using the texturing medium again.

Using a flat angle, trowel Texture Effects over and through the stencil using a light, even pressure like icing a cake to keep the material from being pushed under the stencil. Once you have the texture smooth and even, carefully lift the stencil pulling straight away from the wall and admire your work! Repeat the pattern and texture throughout the surface to achieve your desired effect.

To learn more about decorative painting techniques and products available, visit www.modernmasters.com, or call Modern Masters at 1-800-942-3166. SH082565

(MS) — Expanding your living space to include the outdoors has been a big trend over the past few years. More and more homeowners are taking the decorating ideas they’ve used inside their home and are bringing them outdoors. Retailers are helping to fuel the trend by offering items like outdoor carpets, high-end furniture and accessories.

It’s easy to create a sophisticated outdoor living space without breaking the bank with a little advice from the decorating experts at Rust-Oleum. So, get ready to throw out conventional rules and bring the indoors out! Here’s how:

Give your patio table and chairs a new high-end look. Designer patio sets can cost thousands of dollars. But, with finishes like Rust-Oleum’s MultiColor Textured, it’s easy to give your old patio set a contemporary look that’s virtually indistinguishable from a new patio set. Choose a rich multi-hued finish like Deep Forest, Radiant Brass, or Rustic Umber. Or, try a bright, bold color like Stops Rust Fresh Blue or Painter’s Touch Watermelon.

Don’t forget your accent pieces! Accent pieces make a house a home and it’s important to accent your outdoor spaces too. Transform an ordinary lantern into a shimmering light fixture with Stops Rust Metallic spray paint in Champagne, Charcoal, Sage, Pale Gold or Rich Carmel. To add a splash of color to your outdoor space, consider finishing your mailbox or a small table with American Accents Aqua.

If neutral colors are more your style, consider a cool crisp gray, like American Accents Stone Gray, or choose Granite for a sophisticated upscale look.

Transform ordinary planters with bold splashes of color. It’s easy to bring new life into old planters — or give inexpensive planters a touch of style — with paint. To match its expensive counterparts, spray a worn metal planter or flowerbox with Rust-Oleum Gold or Copper Hammered finishes. Using Rust-Oleum Specialty Plastic Primer, add a bold splash of color to an inexpensive plastic planter with a hot new hue like Painter’s Touch Caribbean Blue or Blue Sky.

For more inspiration and project ideas, visit www.paintideas.com. There are hundreds of easy, inexpensive projects that can help you transform any outdoor or indoor living space. SH082566

(MS) — Spring may be good for the flowers, but it’s bad for basements. Excessive moisture in basements and foundation walls can result in structural rot and decay, as well as high humidity levels throughout the home. And, even a small amount of moisture can create the perfect conditions for mold and mildew growth. That’s why it’s important to take care of water problems before they start.

It’s easy to waterproof your concrete basement walls if you follow a few tips from the pros. Here’s some advice from the waterproofing experts at Zinsser:

Prepare the surface: Clean the surface of dirt, grease and other contaminants. Kill any mold and mildew with a solution of household bleach and water. Remove efflorescence (a powdery white deposit found on many concrete surfaces) with a concrete etching solution like Watertite™ Etch and Cleaner. Finally, patch any holes and cracks with Watertite™ Hydraulic Cement, especially those that show signs of active water leaks.

Apply two coats of waterproofing paint: Fortunately, it’s easy to keep water out — and keep mold and mildew away — by using a waterproofer that contains mold and mildew protection, like Watertite™ Mold & Mildew-ProofTM Waterproofing Paint. Available in either an oil-base or the new latex-base formula, these superior performance products are guaranteed to stop water, and offer a 5-year mold and mildew-proof paint film guarantee. Both are low odor and easy to use.

To apply Watertite, use a thick synthetic brush or large nap roller to apply the first coat to a small section of the masonry. Use a brush to work the coating into the pores of the concrete to produce a continuous pinhole-free film. Apply a second coat with a brush or roller.

Enjoy your basement: Watertite dries to a very smooth, beautiful finish that can be applied white, or can be tinted to a wide range of off-white, pastel and medium-tone colors to help you transform a damp leaky basement into a beautiful living space.

For more information about Watertite, and for more helpful home improvements tips, visit www.zinsser.com. SH082567

(MS) — Fire will destroy most structures directly in its path, but there are actions you can take to increase your home’s resistance to fire during the construction stage. Here are a few important tips on this subject.

The Location: Build your home on the most level, least windy spot of land available. Fires move up a slope faster than on level ground because hot gases rise and preheat its path.

The Roof: Ask for non-combustible roofing materials, such as metal, slate or clay tile, cement and concrete products. A fire-resistant, sub-roofing can also increase a home’s survivability.

The Walls: Building your home with concrete walls will be much stronger, more durable, more soundproof, at least twice as energy-efficient, and up to four times more fire-resistant than traditional wood-framed walls. Nudura (Nudura.com) features double insulated, pre-assembled units that make construction much faster. Each wall form is steel-reinforced concrete and fire-retardant polystyrene foam that have a 3- to 4-hour fire protection rating compared to 20 minutes with a traditional stick frame home. For further protection against fire, homeowners might consider using fire resistive exterior wall cladding, such as masonry or stucco, instead of quick melting vinyl. Building with concrete walls can also provide added insurance savings due to its non-combustible nature.

The Fence and Deck: Don’t attach an all-wood fence or deck to your home, unless masonry or metal is used as a protective barrier between them and the house. If your home is built on a hill, remember that all exterior wooden features are in the direct line of a fire that is moving up the slope. Consider a stone terrace instead. Place wire mesh under porches below the ground line to keep sparks and flames out.

The Maintenance: Keep gutters, eaves, and the roof clear of leaves and other debris that might catch fire. Clear dead wood and dense vegetation at least 15 metres around your home and move firewood 40 to 50 metres away from the house, fence and deck. Do not allow combustible materials and debris to accumulate anywhere on your property. SH082592

(MS) — Excessive, uncontrolled moisture in your home could lead to rot and serious damage. It is also damaging to your health if mould appears. Airborne mould spores are often pegged for mild irritations and allergies, and can cause more serious respiratory illnesses in infants, pregnant women and the elderly. Here are a few of the key ways to stop it:

• Check home humidity. Health Canada recommends year-round relative humidity levels of 30% to 55%, depending on personal requirements. It is often difficult however, to maintain a humidity level above 20% before condensation appears on the windows.
• Replace windows. New windows should incorporate energy-efficient features that help control condensation. Windows labelled by the international organization, Energy Star, qualify as the highest in their category for energy efficiency. These products could save you hundreds of dollars in energy costs and will significantly reduce pollutants in the air as well.

• Build and renovate with concrete, not wood. If your home is built with traditional stick-framing methods, mould growth is a considerable risk due to the natural properties of wood. But, the more eco-conscious building suppliers like Nudura, have created pre-assembled forms that are filled with reinforced concrete for constructing homes. These Lego-like blocks deliver double the insulation and also eliminate gaps in walls where moisture can collect causing mould. It is reported that buildings with this concrete innovation (nudura.com) are up to nine times stronger, provide far more fire protection, far more sound insulation and can produce energy savings of up to 70 percent.

• Control water use at home. Excessive use of humidifiers, showers, washing machines saturate the air.

• Quick Fix. As a temporary solution, open a window in each room for just a few minutes. This will allow stale, humid air to escape, and fresh dry air to enter, with minimal heat loss. SH082593

(MS) — Many homeowners realize the advantage to having some plumbing experience. Knowing your way around a pipe can save money and head-off emergency calls when something goes ary. Having tools on hand that make the job easier can be a double-bonus.

Now do-it-yourself plumbers can forget banged knuckles and wasted effort cutting copper tubing in really cramped areas. An innovative ratchet-action tool called AutoCutTM quickly and cleanly slices pipe in snug spots — even in sites with less than one inch of wall clearance.

The lightweight, compact device comfortably fits in the palm of a hand. Just snap it onto the tube, close the gate, and turn. The hardened steel cutting wheel automatically tightens with each twist — for true “one-hand” operation. And because the spring-loaded cutting wheel provides constant pressure, crimp damage is also eliminated.
Ideal for both professional plumbers and “weekend warriors,” the breakthrough design from General Pipe Cleaners completely eliminates the excessive swing room, awkward adjusting knobs and clumsy maneuvering of bulky, old-fashioned copper-tube cutters.
Available in 1⁄2-inch, 3⁄4-inch and 1-inch models, AutoCut sports a rugged casing for enhanced durability. And in spots with restricted room around pipes for normal hand operation, simply use the optional ratchet turning handle for extra leverage.

The AutoCut is available at area hardware stores and home centers. For more information, consumers can visit www.drainbrain.com. SH082602

(MS) — Most homeowners doing kitchen remodeling immediately think of granite countertops as the material of preference. That may be because they don’t know about the attributes of quartz, one of the hardest minerals on the planet. Quartz ranks a 7.0 on Moh's Hardness Scale, which is used to measure the scratch-resistance of a material. Only a handful of other substances, including diamonds, which rank as a 10, are harder than quartz. True quartz countertops are a blend of quartz, pigments and resin. The quartz ratio measures in at 93 percent. Because of its veritable invincibility, quartz makes an ideal countertop material that requires little or no maintenance. It will resist scratches, moisture and bacteria. Because quartz is blended with pigment, a wide range of colors and patterns can be achieved to match kitchen designs. With granite, natural stone coloration and pattern configuration can’t be mimicked and often take years to develop. Quartz does weigh more than granite, so a professional installation is recommended. Many installers find quartz is easier to work with and cut, and end up with fewer broken slabs or waste than with granite. SH082467

(MS) — Most do-it-yourselfers know that safety is paramount when starting projects in and around the house. Still, many do not take the proper precautions with safety gear. One piece of equipment that may go overlooked is safety footwear.

According to recent statistics, 100,000 foot-related injuries occur each year in the U.S. during hazardous working conditions. During construction and repair projects, the risk for injury to the feet can be high. Just think about the number of things that can fall on exposed feet, cutting instruments in use, and the potential for puncture wounds from sharp nails, splintered wood or steel hardware. Plus, in general, ankle and arch support is needed when doing work.

Most safety footwear is designed to provide protection against impact, compression and puncture. Other considerations include nonslip soles, which are a must when climbing or scaling ladders to prevent falls. Work boots with steel toes can offer a measure of protection against items which may fall on the feet, or if you inadvertently kick a hard object. Some boots are even manufactured with steel soles so that the underside of feet are protected from impalement on nails or screws sticking up from the floor.

Today's safety footwear is not the big, heavy boots of the past. Technology has created boots and even shoes made from lightweight materials that are strong — offering protection — but are also comfortable on the feet.

To enhance the comfort of safety footwear, consider placing gel or padded sole inserts into the boots, primarily if you spend long hours on your feet.

Consider these types of footwear and what they protect against:
puncture resistant: good protection against nails, screws and other fasteners
waterproof/insulated: will keep feet warm and dry in wet/cold conditions
chemical resistant: provides protection against some hazardous chemicals
heat guard: footwear that protects the feet from hot surfaces
There is also footwear that can dissipate static where static would be hazardous to operations, and boots that provide protection against electrical hazards.

Fit and Care
Safety footwear is only effective if the shoes are maintained and fit well. Consider these tips from Canada’s National Occupational Health & Safety Resource:
• Walk in new footwear to ensure it is comfortable.
• Boots should have ample toe room. Make allowances for extra socks or special arch supports when buying boots.
• Boots should fit snugly around the heel and ankle when laced. Lace up boots fully. High-cut boots provide support against ankle injury.
• Use a protective coating to make footwear water-resistant.
• Inspect footwear regularly for damage. Repair or replace worn or defective footwear.
• Electric shock resistance of footwear is greatly reduced by wet conditions and with wear. SH082465

(MS) — Once the spring season arrives, homeowners know it’s time for some spring cleaning. Veteran homeowners know spring is also a great time to give homes a checkup.
Giving a home a checkup doesn’t involve sitting in a doctor’s office lobby and waiting for your name to be called. Instead, it involves a few relatively easy tasks meant to ensure your home made it through the winter unscathed.

Inspect the roof. The roof tends to bear the brunt of winter weather. Heavy snow regions can prove harmful to a roof, underlining the importance of a spring inspection. If it’s possible to get onto your roof, check for any worn, misshapen or even missing shingles. If getting onto the roof is problematic, a roof inspection can be conducted from the attic if you have one. If you have an attic, check the ceiling for moisture or discoloration. This should be done every time you go into the attic, regardless of the season, as it’s best to keep a close eye on a roof to avoid paying a big price down the road.

Inspect the gutters. Few people enjoy cleaning the gutters, but for homeowners, it’s a springtime rite of passage. Clean gutters will ensure proper drainage once the notorious April showers hit full swing. Part of inspecting the gutters is making sure the downspouts are properly positioned as well. Make sure downspouts are sloping away from the house and carrying water away from the home’s foundation.

Inspect the windows. It’s always a good bet to seal windows before the winter season hits. This helps keep a house warm by not allowing cold winter air in. However, winter can take its toll on window seals. When spring hits, these windows might need to be resealed and caulked.

Check sprinkler heads in the yard. Before the time comes to turn the lawn sprinklers back on and give the grass its green life back, check to make sure the sprinkler heads haven’t moved over the winter. Make sure no sprinklers are spraying the walls of the house. Such a problem can go unnoticed if your sprinklers run while you’re asleep or during early morning hours when you’ve already left for work. However, if not inspected, you’ll notice wall damage and unwanted growth soon enough. SH082430

(MS) — The housing market correction that took place in 2007 was not only bad for homeowners, but bad for the home improvement industry as well. What’s more, the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) does not expect the home improvement industry to see an increase in expenditures until 2009, meaning 2008 will likely be a weak year as well. Statistics on residential improvements and repairs from the United States Census Bureau (USCB) showed a six percent decline in the first quarter of 2007 compared to the same quarter in 2006. While this isn’t necessarily good for the home improvement business, it’s not necessarily bad either. That’s because of the slumping housing market where buyers currently have all the power. In a buyer’s market, sellers could be forced to address renovations and remodeling projects in an effort to get the most money for their home. Of course, those same sellers could also be inclined to simply hold onto their homes in 2008, choosing instead to put them on the market in 2009, when many economists are predicting another robust housing market to surface. SH082441

(MS) — Since composite or vinyl decks burst onto the scene several years ago they've been touted as revolutionizing landscaping and home improvement projects.
Billed as low-maintenance, attractive solutions for the yard, these products are marketed toward busy homeowners who would rather spend time enjoying their outdoor spaces than maintaining them.

However, before any homeowner goes out to have a deck installed — whether composite or wood — it's important to consider the benefits and pitfalls to these types of materials.

Longevity
At first glance it would seem that composite decks would take the award for the decking material with the longest life span. Vinyl and plastic decking materials are often lumped into the "composite" category. These decks are made of polypropylene, polyethylene, virgin vinyl or plastic, or a combination thereof. Sometimes the plastic is mixed with wood pulp as well.

Composite decks are not as susceptible to weather-related damage as wood decks. However, a relatively high rate of expansion and contraction can cause warping issues or loosening of hardware. Also, composite decks are not as easy to repair as wood decks. Composite decks must often be replaced instead of repaired, which can cut down their longevity once installed.

Environmental Impact
There are supporters and detractors to both wood and composite decks in terms of environmental impact. It can be argued that wood decks go against the green movement because of the need for lumber and depletion of forests to that end. Composite decks are often made from recyclable materials, which would seem eco-friendly. But these same decks take hundreds of years to breakdown in landfills once they are eventually disposed of.

Both wood and composite decks require a host of chemicals for cleaning and other routine maintenance, which can seep into the ground surrounding the home.

Maintenance
Wood decks will require routine cleaning, staining and other maintenance. These factors are what turn many homeowners to composite decks.

In the early days, composite decks were promoted as "no-maintenance." But after problems including warping, staining and molding were discovered, even with top brands, and subsequent lawsuits filed, composite deck manufacturers revised their claims. Today, these decks are considered low-maintenance, and manufacturers recommend certain cleaning applications and tightening of joint spacing to avoid sagging. What many people do not know is that the framing, railing and some other structural elements of composite decks are required to be made out of wood under certain building codes because composite materials are not rated as structural items. So a composite deck will have some wood elements, regardless.

Durability
There is no completely impervious decking product on the market. Both composite and wood decks can warp, fade or be dinged or scratched. Thinking you'll receive many years of perfection is an unreasonable expectation.

With this in mind, wood decks may have the advantage over composite because of their ability to be refinished. So if the sun fades an area, if a pet scratches a board, or a children's toy gouges a part of the deck, it can be repaired. The same refinishing options aren't available with a composite product. SH082442

(MS) — Finding the right contractor for a home building or home improvement project can be one of the biggest decisions a homeowner makes. Because of the high cost involved with such projects, it’s important to take the process of finding a contractor very seriously and be patient during the duration.

Homeowners must also be diligent when it comes to looking out for common scams associated with the contracting industry. Because of the competitive nature of the business, contracting is often rife with scams, as one contractor attempts to gain an edge over his many competitors. While it can be difficult to avoid being scammed (as the thousands of victims each year would no doubt attest), there are some warning signs homeowners can look for that could be indicators of a dishonest contractor, or at least one who is simply low-balling an estimate in order to rope in a new customer.

• Beware of the offer that’s too good to be true. In general, an offer that seems too good to be true probably is. While it’s not necessarily commonplace, contractors can and do offer estimates that are below what the project will likely cost in the long run. If a contractor is pressuring you to sign a contract (one that likely includes that the estimate is just an estimate and not a final number), then they could be hurting for business, which isn’t a good sign. A good contractor will not need business so desperately that he has to bully you into signing a contract. When getting estimates, be sure to provide the same description (type one up if need be) to all potential contractors to make sure all of them are getting the exact same information on which to base their estimate.

• Avoid contractors who want cash. A contractor who demands cash payments is not reputable and should be avoided. In addition, one who demands exorbitant down payments is not only disreputable, but might be doing something illegal as well. While not all states have legal limits pertaining to how big a down payment can be, some have laws mandating that a down payment cannot exceed 10 percent.

• Beware of contractors who want homeowners to buy permits. Permits are required for just about any home improvement or building project. These permits are the responsibility of the contractor, and not the homeowner. A contractor should not ask the homeowner to buy the permits.

• Those in disaster areas should be especially wary. Typically, some of the more disheartening consequences of a natural disaster arise from the vulnerability of homeowners whose homes have been damaged or destroyed. Oftentimes, these people are at the mercy of contractors. While certainly not all contractors take advantage of homeowners in a vulnerable position, natural disasters are known for bringing out con men who are just looking to make a quick dollar, and don’t particularly care if they provide quality service (if any at all). For those living in disaster areas, it’s generally a good idea to be wary of contractors who have recently relocated to the community. In fact, all homeowners should be wary of a contractor whose work history they cannot verify.

• Beware of vague contracts. A contract between a homeowner and contractor should be very specific, detailing start and end dates as well as each task that will be performed. A vague contract, on the other hand, will more than likely lead to higher project costs, and the homeowner will not have much legal recourse because of the leeway in the contract. SH082443

(MS) — Using reclaimed wood is one of the most popular trends in building today. Products are made from timbers that are reclaimed from barns and other industrial buildings, which would normally just be thrown away. Through recycling processes, the timber can be turned into a viable building product once again — one that offers history and beautiful charm.
Reclaimed wood products offer a cost-effective way of reducing a building’s environmental impact. They also provide a unique look for any room, unmatched by today’s contemporary design product.

Recycled wood can be used in a number of applications. It is most often found in hardwood flooring. Exposed beams, molding and trimwork are other areas to see reclaimed wood.
For the average homeowner looking to add a little recycled charm to his or her home, reclaimed wood can be used in other ways. Consider hanging a wood window frame, with or without glass panes intact, as a decorative wall element. An ornate wood door can be used as a headboard for a bed. Or, turn “scrap” pieces of timber into a shabby chic coffee table. SH082445

(MS) — Many projects in the home are decided based on personal style or design trends. However, according to industry experts, you should look at your home as an investment, and seek out “projects with payback” that can offer long-term benefits.

“Personal taste is important, but you should always think how any changes you make on your home today will impact its resale value tomorrow,” says home improvement expert Don Zeman, host of the nationally syndicated radio show, Homefront with Don Zeman. “Whether consciously or unconsciously, consumers are constantly making investments in their home. Something as simple as adding landscaping or painting a room is an investment.”

According to Zeman, a former contractor with 28 years of experience, the bigger the ticket item, the more thought people usually put into the project. “Every time you spend money on your home, no matter how small or large the project, you should consider how this affects the future resale of your house,” says Zeman.

“Most importantly, homeowners should plan for the replacement of key elements of their home during the time they live there. Don’t wait for the roof to leak or the dishwasher to conk out. Smart homeowners make educated replacement decisions that can save them money now, while they’re living in the home, and also in the long run when they go to sell the home.”

Based on his experience in the home improvement industry, Zeman recommends these top ten projects that have maximum return on investment for homeowners.

Project #1 – Give the outside of your home a critical look. Do you have trim or shutters that have faded or peeling paint? If so, now’s the time to improve the curb appeal of your home by replacing these eyesore items with low-maintenance exterior trim and shutters. Fypon makes products that resist fading, rot and all forms of weather. There are hundreds of synthetic pieces to complement any home style while eliminating on-going maintenance chores.

Project #2 – Tired of seeing your energy bills skyrocket every month? Then look at your windows. It’s possible you’re spending way too much money to heat or cool air that is escaping through old, inefficient windows. Energy-efficient glass packages with ENERGY STAR® ratings can help reduce those bills. And, windows with vinyl frames are not only easy to maintain, but also serve as good insulators to help save on energy bills.

Project #3 – Every product in the home has a life span. Evaluate your major home components, such as roofing and siding, on a yearly basis. While it may be tempting to wait until these features wear out completely, it’s smarter and more cost-effective to replace aging items before they break down. When it’s time to replace your roof, deck, siding or driveway, get competitive prices and try to have the work done during “off seasons” to save costs.

Project #4 – Add a touch of elegance to your home by replacing key windows in hallways, entryways and bathrooms with decorative glass windows. Available in both functional and non-functional versions, the windows come in a variety of styles that allow sunlight into the home while protecting your privacy. Often called “jewelry for the home,” triple-glazed decorative glass windows feature combinations of bevel, glue chip and other decorative glasses pieces to create stunning designs.

Project #5 – Special nooks and crannies. That’s what everyone wants in a home. A quiet area to enjoy at the end of the day or a special spot for a morning cup of coffee. Add a small breakfast room or sunroom to your home for years of enjoyment. You’ll also find the same special place you create will call out to potential homebuyers in the future.

Project #6 – Add space and character to your home by installing a garden window. This unique window literally sticks out of the house creating the ideal spot to grow herbs, serve as a sunny spot for a cat and to bring more light into the home. Available from Simonton Windows, garden windows feature two easy-opening side casement windows and a glass shelf to maximize space in the window.

Project #7 – What says “welcome to my home” more than a front porch? According to many homebuyers, a front porch is one of the most important curb appeal elements of the home. If your porch needs a facelift, consider using synthetic products that are structurally-reinforced. These pieces can save endless time on maintenance and provide a fresh, clean look to the front of your home.

Project #8 – If your home has a cramped, old shower stall that’s out-of-date and hard to clean, consider replacing it with a contemporary acrylic block shower surround. Available from Hy-Lite in flat wall panels and in radius walls, these walk-in shower surrounds are made of sturdy acrylic blocks that provide privacy while allowing light into the shower. The no-threshold shower eliminates trip hazards and shower access easy. And, a specially-developed caulk between the blocks resists mold and mildew, making the new shower a low-maintenance product in the home.

Project #9 – Save on water bills while helping the environment by replacing old toilets in the home with high-efficiency toilets. An average home can save 4,000 gallons of water a year by installing WaterSense rated high-efficiency toilets. These toilets use less than 1.3 gallons per flush and can pay for themselves in just a few years. Ask your local water company about rebates offered to homeowners installing these water-efficient toilets.

Project #10 – If you’re like most people, your master bathroom is your retreat within the home. Privacy is critical in this area of the home, so make sure to invest in an acrylic block fixed window for over the bathtub. Surround the obscure block window with water-resistant decorative urethane trim and you’ve transformed the bathroom into a low-maintenance oasis in the home.
For more home product and project ideas, visit www.homefront.com. SH082447

(MS) — You store the holiday decorations there. You have laundry facilities there. But, are you actually living in your basement?

Seen as a high-value feature of a new home, basements have moved a long way since the time of low ceilings, cobwebs and damp areas. While the basements in today’s homes may still be used for storage and laundry, you’re more apt to find them converted into true living spaces --- serving as bonus rooms, children’s play areas and home offices. What makes this evolution possible? The move toward using custom-designed foundations that make the basement warm, dry, bright and livable.

“We’ve created and installed more than 85,000 custom-designed, damp proof foundations for homes nationwide during the past 27 years,” says Aaron Schoeneberger, director of marketing for Superior Walls®. “These precast insulated foundation systems help homeowners save on energy bills and allow them to fully utilize their basement space as functioning, integrated and comfortable living areas in the home.”

Trending Towards Basements
According to the “What 21st Century Home Buyers Want” survey of customer preferences conducted by the National Association of Home Builders, the inclusion of basements in new homes has been on an upward rise since 2000. Homes being built on slabs are declining, as homeowners find more value in basements both during their occupancy of the home and at the time of resale.

“There’s nothing like a well-insulated basement that can serve as valuable living space to pop the eyes open of a potential homebuyer,” says Tina Fountain of Tina Fountain, Realtors® in Atlanta, Georgia. “You can see the wheels start turning in a person’s mind as they quickly calculate what they can do with the ‘bonus space.’ A good basement takes the pressure off the other living areas in the home and opens up a world of possibilities for potential homebuyers.”

At Superior Walls, Xi™ wall panels are constructed with a concrete face shell, backed by 2-1/2-inches of DOW® extruded polystyrene insulation. The steel reinforced concrete walls create a permanent barrier against sidewall water penetration, making the home damp proof.
Each Superior Walls panel is custom made to the specifications of an individual home, including built-in openings for windows and doors. Pre-engineered access for wiring or small plumbing elements along with smart stud facing for easy drywall installation are included and help speed up the installation process.

For more information visit www.superiorwalls.com. SH082448

(MS) — Most homeowners dream of relaxing on their front porch and watching the world go by. Tina and Brett Mealer had the same dream, so they employed a contractor to transform their ho-hum, bare basics porch into a showpiece.

“We had some ugly wooden posts holding up the porch overhang, and the kids kept jumping off the porch area,” says Tina Mealer, a resident of Wauseon, Ohio. “We wanted to create more of an enclosure that we could all share together plus add ‘curb appeal’ to our home.”

The Mealers got their dream porch when local contractor Steve Roth installed Fypon PVC Column Wraps to surround the wooden posts and added Fypon balustrade systems to enclose the entire porch area. Made of synthetic materials, the low-maintenance porch pieces resist warping, all forms of insects, decay and rot.

“The column wraps went up easily,” says Roth. “Each one comes in a kit and includes a semi-assembled, two-piece wrap with the cap, base, installation cleats and caulk adhesive. The external cleats make installation a breeze. I had each column wrap up in under 15 minutes.”

After installing the three PVC Column Wraps, Roth moved on to the structural balustrade system. The Mealers selected an Ashley design that connected to the column wraps and enclosed the entire front porch.

Made of non-corrosive parts with fasteners that are hidden to provide clean, classic looks, the Fypon balustrade system features reinforced baluster rails, newels and porch posts. “The rail system went in as effortlessly as the column wraps,” says Roth. It’s impressive that these pieces connect together so well and each piece is so uniform. For the Mealers, the best news of all is that maintenance over the years will be simple. With this porch system, they really can enjoy their dream of relaxing and watching the world go by!”

For more information on porch components, visit www.fypon.com. SH082449

(MS) — When is a picture worth a thousand words? When you see what design artist Lee Gamble can achieve by faux finishing decorative urethane millwork.

Gamble, who operates her own company, Creative Surfaces and Designs in Colorado, specializes in interior design work and adding accent pieces to homes. For several recent projects she used her faux design artistry talents on urethane ceiling medallions and decorative millwork items from Fypon.

“Decorative mouldings and accent pieces add so much to older ‘bare bone box houses’ that were built in the 70s and 80s,” says Gamble. “The finishes I’m adding to Fypon pieces add the ‘WOW’ factor that homeowners are looking for especially with remodeling projects.”

Gamble stresses that novice do-it-yourselfers can easily tackle faux finish projects of their own. “Start by looking on the Internet and in magazines for inspiration and ideas,” says Gamble. “Try taking a decorative painting class at a local craft store and realize that your initial efforts will require some practice.

“Preparation is key. Make sure you select professional-grade paints and tools, have a well-lit work space and wear protective gloves, eye protection and respirators if needed. Once you start, choose your colors wisely. If you’re glazing, a dark glaze over a light background is very effective.”

Other tips offered by Gamble to successfully faux finish pieces include:
• Follow the manufacturer’s directions on products and don’t shortcut. Some paints need to dry many hours before you can add another paint layer.
• Practice on scrap pieces of product to perfect your technique.
• Keep written “recipes” of the paints and colors you use so you can duplicate efforts again in the future.
• Seal pieces that will receive wear and tear. If your creation will be exposed to sunlight, use a sealer containing a UVA and UVB inhibitor.

Gamble recommends thinking “outside of the box” for uses of Fypon products with faux finishes. “Add a mirror to the inside of a ceiling medallion and you’ve created a great accent piece for the home,” says Gamble. “Try using a decorated crosshead or pediment for a bed headboard or to enhance the entry into an interior room. Or, one of my favorite ideas is to hang the finished pieces in an arrangement on an entire wall as ‘found art’ to create a focal area in a room.”

For more information, visit www.fypon.com. SH082450

(MS) — What single room in the home is associated most with privacy? The bathroom, of course. And, while you may want natural light in your bathroom, you primarily desire privacy.

To solve the dual challenge of light and privacy in the home, Hy-Lite Products offers acrylic block and decorative glass windows. Both windows allow light into the home through non-translucent, decorative materials yet protect you from the prying eyes of neighbors.

Whether used in the bathroom or in kitchens, living rooms or bedrooms, acrylic block windows allow light to flow throughout the home while protecting privacy.

“We’ve installed acrylic block windows very effectively above garden tubs in bathrooms and in kitchens that back up directly to neighboring homes,” says Dennis Cunningham, a builder/developer at Stone Ridge at Mission Hills in Rancho Mirage, California. “These windows are an ideal solution to preserving a family’s privacy in an elegant manner.”

The acrylic block and decorative glass windows (which are available in operable and fixed styles) are created in frames at the factory, so installation in the home is fast and easy. In acrylic block windows, an anti-fungicide in the caulking between the blocks prevents mildew, so humidity levels in the home will never damage the product.

For homeowners seeking the ultimate in privacy, Hy-Lite offers the Private Elegance Collection of decorative glass windows. The glass in these windows offers seclusion with high-opacity glass that provides a privacy rating of nine on a “one to ten” rating scale.

A variety of beveled, chipped and glue glass combine to form unique features in the decorative glass windows. Styles such as Craftsman and Spring Flower can be ordered with elegant nickel or black caming between the pieces.

Homeowners should consider privacy windows when either building a new home or remodeling a cherished older home. Several areas of the home that benefit from these products include:
Project #1 – Add a decorative glass window in the entryway of the home to protect privacy while allowing in light.

Project #2 – Replace hard-to-reach windows over a bathtub with acrylic block non-opening windows.

Project #3 – Use a non-operable acrylic block window to bring light into a clothes closet without sacrificing privacy.

Project #4 – Position a panel of acrylic blocks to separate the commode area of the bathroom from shower and sink settings.

Project #5 – Install an acrylic block doorlight into a solid exterior kitchen door or an interior bathroom door to encourage the flow of light into the home.

Project #6 – Splash extra light into a stairwell or hallway by adding a decorative glass window.

Project #7 – Replace a kitchen window that overlooks an unsightly neighbor’s yard with an operable acrylic block or decorative glass casement window that brings air and light into the home while obscuring the exterior view.

Project #8 – Use a full wall of acrylic blocks as a decorative room divider to separate dining and kitchen areas or sections of a family room.

Project #9 – Create a shower using a radius block wall that eliminates doors, shower curtains and thresholds that can be potential trip hazards.

Project #10 – Install a row of decorative glass windows in a master bedroom as both a design statement and to protect the privacy of the room.

For more ideas on ways to incorporate privacy windows and other products in the home, visit www.hy-lite.com. SH082451

This non-operable acrylic block window over a garden tub offers sunlight and privacy to homeowners.

(MS) — Looking to save on energy bills in your home? Then consider environmentally-friendly and energy efficient vinyl windows. That’s what John Kosmer did when he used 80 Simonton vinyl windows to help create his solar home in upstate New York.

Thanks to his green building efforts, Kosmer can heat his 4,000 square foot home for just $1.50 a day. “I specified ENERGY STAR compliant windows with a very sensible glass package to help us retain the sun’s energy,” says Kosmer. “Investing in vinyl windows with an upgraded glass package is one of the smartest moves any homeowner can make to save on energy bills.”

According to the Green Building Resource Center out of Santa Monica, Calif., vinyl windows and doors meet two of the organization’s five categories to be considered a green building product. The first qualification vinyl windows and doors meet is that they help save energy by reducing heating and cooling loads in a home (especially if ENERGY STAR qualified windows are installed). The second qualification met is that vinyl windows and doors contribute to a safe, healthy indoor environment by not releasing significant pollutants into a structure.

“Our research shows our vinyl products meet five specific GreenSpec® criteria as set forth by BuildingGreen, Inc.,” according to Christopher Burk of Simonton Windows. “First, our products are made with pre-consumer recycled content. Second, our windows and doors are exceptionally durable and have low maintenance requirements. Third, our vinyl products help reduce heating and cooling loads. Fourth, our products do not release significant pollutants into a structure. And finally, some Simonton impact-resistant and high-design pressure windows and patio doors help with noise control. Meeting these five criteria illustrates how vinyl windows and doors can be environmentally friendly.”

According to Burk, vinyl frames have a ‘one-two’ winning edge over alternative frames. “It’s more energy efficient to convert vinyl into frames than using other framing materials,” says Burk. “And, once installed in the home, vinyl windows and patio doors are virtually maintenance-free and offer superior energy efficiency capabilities — especially when combined with a strong glass package.
“Quality vinyl windows and doors can help lower heating and cooling bills in the home. These products also tend to have a longer life cycle than other frames (such as wood or aluminum). The resistance of vinyl to rot, decay and insect infestations means the product will last longer in a home, requiring less frequent replacement. All these factors combined illustrate why vinyl windows are considered friendly products for the environment.”

For energy saving tips in the home, visit www.simonton.com. SH082452

Homeowner Tool: Window Builder On-Line

(MS) — What does a Geometric window look like with a white vinyl frame? How would a double hung window look with sculptured grids? What would a bow window look like with seven casement windows?

To discover the answers to these questions, you don’t need to leave your home. Just visit the new Window Builder on-line tool on the www.simonton.com Web site.

The Window Builder allows homeowners to visually construct custom windows at the click of a computer mouse. Parameters such as style, frame color and grid selection go into the on-line construction of the window, allowing you to see customized products available from Simonton within minutes.

While on the web site, check out the helpful tips section, Windows 101 section and how to hire a contractor section to prepare yourself for your next home remodeling project. SH082453

(MS) — Increasing numbers of homeowners have now freed themselves from slipping and sliding on snow-covered sidewalks and driveways around their homes. They have discovered an innovative and highly practical home convenience — a hydronically-heated snow-melting system in sidewalks and driveways. A hydronic snow-melting system eliminates the need to shovel or blow snow from sidewalks and driveways, and it makes walking outside the home much safer for homeowners and visitors, especially the young and elderly.

While the term “hydronically heated” is relatively new, it simply means heating with hot water, a method that has been in common use for over a century in American homes. Hydronic snow melting and heating systems use hot water as the heat transfer medium. Hot water is circulated from a centrally located boiler through baseboards, radiators, or extremely durable plastic tubing embedded in floors, walls, ceilings, or, in this case, sidewalks and driveways. Because hot water retains heat for a long time, even after the boiler shuts down, hydronic heating reduces energy use, so it is especially “green” and environmentally friendly. Some units are highly efficient condensing boilers with an Energy Star Rating and qualify for tax rebate savings. Hydronic heating systems may be built into a newly constructed home or added on to an existing home as a retrofit application.

Homeowners are installing hydronic snow melting systems for several compelling reasons. Sidewalks and driveways that are free of snow and ice make a home friendlier and more welcoming. Clean, easy-to-traverse sidewalks and driveways also mean that much less snow and slush gets tracked into the house, thus reducing floor maintenance. Most importantly, a snow- melting system dramatically increases the safety around the home. It substantially lowers the possibility of people slipping and falling or a vehicle skidding and hitting something on the property.
Convenience is also a major plus for a hydronic snow-removal system. There’s no more need to shovel snow or use a snow blower. Manual snow removal also requires waiting until enough snow has accumulated. But even after that snow is removed, more snow may fall, and the job has to be done all over again. Furthermore, manual snow removal usually leaves cumbersome and unsightly piles of snow along the curb, seriously limiting the available parking. With hydronic snow melting, the snow simply evaporates and disappears.

Hydronic snow melting is just one convenient feature of today’s advanced hydronically heated home. The same central boiler can provide hot water for baseboard or radiator heating throughout the home; radiant heating in floors, walls, or ceilings, including the tile bathroom floor; spa and pool heating; towel warmers; and kick plate units under kitchen cabinets. Hydronic boilers can also supply the hot water source for the home with the installation of an indirect water heater, thus only one boiler is needed to do both jobs.

For more information on hydronic snow-removal and hydronic heating, visit www.myhomeheating.com, write to the Hydronics Industry Alliance, 2107 Wilson Blvd., Suite 600, Arlington, VA 22201, or e-mail to myhomeheating@gamanet.org. SH082455

(MS) — Jeff Wilson is an experienced building professional, and you might have seen him hosting shows like Build A Deck and Build A Fence on the DIY Network. Here he answers questions about decks and deck care, whether you’re sprucing up your home to sell, or you just want to enjoy and protect your investment.

Q. What’s going to be hot this year for decks and other outdoor spaces?
Everything “green” is in — and I don’t mean the color. People are demanding environmentally sensitive products in all parts of their homes. This includes sustainably harvested wood for new decking. Look for the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) logo on the label of the decking you choose. This ensures that the wood is cut responsibly, with an eye toward keeping delicate forest habitats healthy for the long run.

Also, the trend of “bringing the indoors out” will persist in deck design and accessories. Look for increasing quality and an expanding range of colors and styles for items like outdoor rugs and furniture. Outdoor lighting is also benefiting from this trend — watch for weatherproof solar lighting, which looks more like the table and standing lamps used in your living room.

Q. What’s the most common mistake people make in caring for their decks?
In a word — procrastination. Putting off the cleaning and waterproofing spells trouble for your deck in the long run, and costs you more time and money. Sure, you may not see obvious signs of deterioration right away, but you can be certain that water is finding its way into the surface of unprotected wood. Save yourself work and expense, and take care of any necessary deck care projects now.

I’d like to add there are more than 21 million wood fences in America, and I would guess the significant majority of them are unprotected. A wood fence can be cleaned and treated the same way that you would a deck. Since they’re vertical surfaces and not subject to foot traffic, a fence may not need to be treated as often as a deck.

Taking care of the wood outside of your home — i.e., decks and fences — is actually a step toward “green” home improvement, because it helps the wood last longer.

Q. How do you know a deck — or fence — is ready to be treated?
For a new deck, protect the wood as soon as possible after the decking is laid. Since treated lumber often comes from the factory damp, many waterproofers suggest allowing the wood to dry for up to two months before treating. However, Thompson’s® Water Seal® Advanced waterproofers can be applied immediately to new pressure-treated lumber. Since water and sunlight can begin to damage wood right away, this is a valuable bonus for your deck.
For an existing deck, try the “splash” test. Sprinkle water on different areas of the deck. If the wood absorbs the water and turns darker in color within five seconds, then the wood is porous and needs to be treated. If water beads up or otherwise sits on top of the wood, then it does not need protection at this time.

Q. What are the secrets to making your deck look beautiful?
The good news is that there aren’t hidden, “professional” secrets. Any homeowner can keep their deck looking great. One of the best things you can do for an older deck is a good cleaning. It will take off years of dirt, mildew and old coatings and restore the wood’s natural color. Choose a cleaner that matches the condition of your deck, then follow the directions. (Check out www.thompsonswaterseal.com to learn about your options in deck cleaners and for other great project ideas and helpful advice.) If you properly clean the deck, then applying the waterproofer will go quickly.

Q. Any time-saving or labor-saving hints to share?
It used to be that you’d clean your deck one day and then have to wait several days for the deck to completely dry before waterproofing. Now you have a faster option. Thompson’s® Water Seal® Advanced Wood Protectors can be applied to damp wood, so the cleaning and waterproofing can be done in one day.

I recycle and re-use materials whenever possible, but you might want to investigate a few new tools if it has been a while since you worked on your deck. There are some interesting new products out in the past few years, like a long-handled paint pad with a tank that dispenses your coating — no more back and forth to the paint tray. And today, you can get a lightweight pressure washer with all the power you need to clean your deck for under $200.

One of the best pieces of advice I can give is to read the directions on any product or tool that you’re using, and follow them. It’s always faster to do it right the first time. SH082456

(MS) — So you’ve decided to replace your rotted, leaky windows. That decision was relatively easy considering new windows provide returns through energy cost savings and even greater returns in an increased home value. You’ve made a wise decision.

With the range of replacement window options available, however, your decisions have just begun. Do you want to replace the whole window? What about the interior or exterior trim? Do you need to replace only the sash — the glass and its casing — rather than the entire frame? Are you doing the work yourself or will you hire a contractor to help? Do you want to buy the windows from the same place that will install them? And then there are the multitude of options and features on windows to consider.

“With the replacement window models available today,” said Jeff Kibler, brand manager for Peachtree Doors & Windows, “homeowners can replace as little or as much as they’d like — from just the glass or sash to the entire window and exterior trim. The various options can take the project from a relatively easy do-it-yourself task to a full-scale, contractor-level project.”

Accurate Measurements
Measuring for replacement windows is one of the most critical parts of the project. Very few homes have off-the-shelf-size windows but instead require windows sized to match existing window openings. A measurement off by only an inch could mean the replacement part may not fit the window frame. In the case of a full replacement window, an inaccurate measurement may result in the need to cut into interior sheetrock and exterior siding in order to accommodate the window. Always double check your measurements or have another person verify your measurements.

Sash Kits
Double hung windows are the easiest windows to update. With a sash replacement kit, homeowners can replace just the operable part of the window by inserting new sash into an existing window frame and jamb. In about an hour per window, you can have new double-hung windows that operate effortlessly, stay open without ugly props, and tilt in for easy cleaning. Many sash kits include features of today’s new construction windows such as smooth operating balance systems, high performance glass, and decorative grilles. You can also choose the material from which you’d like your new sash: all vinyl, vinyl exterior/wood interior, primed wood and aluminum-clad wood. Easy-to-follow instructions make replacing a sash a manageable do-it-yourself project.

Pocket Windows
If you have casement (crank-out) windows or rotten jambs in your double-hung windows, pocket replacement windows can update the look and performance of your windows. These windows fit into the existing window frame, leaving interior and exterior trim intact. Do-it-yourselfers can find pocket windows in a variety of materials in tilt-in single and double hung, casement and awning, sliding, and picture window styles.

Peachtree’s 700 Series extruded aluminum-clad replacement windows can improve a home’s energy performance and interior and exterior design with its many options. Because it was designed for replacement situations, you’ll find fewer installation hassles and less disturbance to your home’s siding, walls or existing interior and exterior trim than if you used a full replacement window.

Kibler said, “The 700 Series replacement windows have built-in features and options to save remodelers and window installers time — things like three sill angles and exterior accessories to remedy gaps between the new window and the existing frame. Each window is also shipped with the shims, color-coordinated adhesive and screws needed for installation. No more last-minute trips to the store to keep you from finishing the project.”

Full Replacement
There are advantages to replacing an entire window. Perhaps you prefer casement windows and your home has all double-hung units. Maybe the frames on your windows have serious rot. Or, you want to replace your wood windows with a lower maintenance alternative like vinyl or aluminum clad wood. These situations call for a more complete replacement choice, which means most homeowners will need a professional contractor or window installation firm to help complete the project.

New construction windows can be adapted for retrofit applications by simply ordering the windows without the nailing fin that aids in quick and secure installations where siding is not yet present. Most windows for full tear-out situations, including Peachtree’s 700 Series for new construction, are sized in 1/8” increments to accommodate whatever your opening.

The replacement window option you choose will depend on the extent to which your current windows are damaged or rotted. Sash replacement kits or pocket windows are sufficient in some cases; others require a more complete replacement window. The decisions are many, the returns considerable.

If you’d like free instructions on how to measure for replacement sash, contact Peachtree at (800) 732-2499. SH082457

(MS) — If you have visited a paint retailer, the choices of brushes, roller covers, faux products and other painting applicators can seem overwhelming. The good news is that paint applicators are designed to specifically match the surfaces you are covering and the materials you are using, so that you can achieve optimum results. Following are some tips to help you match the right tools to your project.

1. What type of painting material will you be using? Will you be using oil-based materials or water-based materials?

If you are using an oil-based paint, natural bristle brushes work best and lay down a smooth coating of paint. Stains, lacquer and varnish also tend to be oil-based products. Check the label of the product you are using to be sure it is oil-based so you choose the right applicator.
If you are using water-based products, brushes with synthetic filaments provide the best results because they will not soak up excess moisture like natural bristles will.

The same concept applies to roller covers. If you are using oil-based products, a natural lambskin cover will work. However, if you are using water-based products, polyester or synthetic blends will work best.

You also need to consider the sheen of the paint. A dull finish will hide surface imperfections, while a satin or eggshell finish may show those imperfections. Use a more substantial brush with the satin or eggshell finish to help smooth over the imperfections.

2. Are you painting interior or exterior surfaces?

“Brushes and roller covers for exterior and interior painting vary greatly,” according to Bruce Schneider, the Paint Doctor for Purdy, a manufacturer of professional painting tools.
For interior surfaces, use 100 percent Nylon brushes as you will likely be using latex paint. Consider Purdy Nylox™ brushes for maximum paint distribution and a smooth release.

“For exterior surfaces, you want the bristles to remain stiff so they can withstand the humidity and high temperatures normally associated with painting outside,” he notes. In this case, synthetic brushes made with a combination of nylon and polyester bristles, such as Purdy XL™ brushes, are the ideal choice.”

When selecting a roller cover for interior jobs, woven fabrics work best. They are less likely to shed into the paint and leave a smooth finish. For kitchens and baths use a low nap roller cover like White Dove roller covers with a 1⁄4” or 3⁄8” nap. For flat wall work, use a 1⁄2” or 3⁄4” nap.
If you are painting an exterior surface, look for a mixture of lambswool and polyester, which can be found in Purdy Roadrunner™ roller covers.

3. What material is the surface made out of?

Are you painting drywall, plaster or wood? For plaster and drywall, many tools will work, you will just need to choose the brush and/or roller cover that matches the texture of the surface.

For highly textured walls or drywall, use a stiff synthetic brush or a roller cover with a large nap (3⁄4” or more) to work the paint into the surface.

For bare wood, you’ll want a smooth and exquisite finish. A Purdy Syntox™ brush is ideal for all clear topcoat finishes.

If you are still confused about which brush or roller cover to select, Purdy can help. Visit the Web site, www.purdycorp.com and click on the tool selector. Answer a few questions and you will be given a choice of two or three brushes and/or roller covers that will meet your specific needs. If you’d like a Free Painting Tips DVD from Purdy, just go to the Contact Us section and click on the link. SH082458

(MS) — For parents expecting their first child, many daunting tasks lay ahead. But even before the baby is born, several things need to be addressed. One of the biggest is creating a room for the child. For many first-time parents, this can be a difficult task, as their home is likely not equipped with a room that’s ready for the family’s soon-to-be newest addition. However, converting that spare room or office into a child’s nursery can be easier than it sounds.

• The walls: One of the first things to address is the walls, and whether or not to paint or wallpaper them. Many parents find painting to be the easier and more flexible option. The flexibility of paint allows the room to be easily redone once the child has reached the toddler stage, when he or she might want a new look. Wallpapering can be a difficult and arduous task, one that you likely won’t want to do again any time soon.

• The floors: Chances are, you’ll want some insulation on the floor, be it wall-to-wall carpeting or an area rug. Whichever option you choose, make sure it’s stain resistant, as kids tend to make a mess. If you already have wall-to-wall carpeting, you can cover certain spots with area rugs to help minimize the amount and effects of potential stains.

• The bottom line: Oftentimes, first-time parents spend lots of money on items for a nursery, such as furniture, that their child will quickly outgrow. Soon thereafter, these expensive items are rendered useless, unless you plan on having another child in the near future. Save yourself some money (you’ll need it) and consider purchasing some items secondhand (if they are relatively new and still meet stringent safety requirements). If not secondhand, buy items that can make the transition along with your child from infant to toddler. Instead of a dressing table, buy a larger dresser that can double as a dressing table. The larger dresser can then be used for storage as well, maximizing both the room’s space and the furniture’s functionality.

• Safety: Arguably the most important thing to consider is the safety of the room. How safe a room is can depend on a number of things, such as positioning of the crib. Kids can be a curious lot, and parents always worry about them climbing out of the crib and risking their safety. Cribs should not be positioned near windows, where window cords are easily accessible and where parents run the risk of having their children possibly climb out the window.

Another safety concern is any items, such as a dirty diaper basket or toy box, that have lids. Should a child climb into such an item, they could be trapped inside if the lid closes. In general, keep items with lids out of the room until the child is big enough to not climb into them. SH082462

(MS) — Whether you’re looking to sell your home or simply make improvements, chances are finances are a big consideration before you can go forward with any project. However, certain DIY projects around the house can do wonders to makeover a home while not breaking the bank, either.

• Kitchen cabinets. Upgrading the kitchen cabinets be a major improvement. While it’s rare to recoup the cost of refacing or replacing kitchen cabinets, painting them can add some new life to the kitchen, a room that is known to leave a very lasting impression on prospective buyers. While painting isn’t a great longterm solution (so it’s not the best option for those who aren’t looking to sell), it can be a great short term solution, perfect for sellers.

• The foyer. The foyer is the first room any guests or buyers will see when entering your home, so it can be a great way to make a good first impression. If your foyer is currently linoleum, consider installing tile instead. Professionals often suggest removing linoleum because it’s less appealing than a tile floor. Natural stone tiles are a popular choice, but also more expensive. Porcelain is a cheaper alternative that can look very similar to natural stone tiles.

• The dining room. Homeowners can give the dining room a whole new look without spending any money on a new dining room set. A new overheard fixture in the dining room can drastically change how the room is seen. In general, keep the new fixture in line with the rest of the home. For example, while you might have dreamt about having a large chandelier in your dining room, if the rest of the home has more of a log cabin feel, this won’t match and will appear out of place. Keep the same theme in the dining room that exists in the rest of the home.

• The bathroom. Rather than a complete bathroom renovation, you can save money by making minor adjustments. Consider replacing the shower curtain with glass doors. A glass-door kit can be purchased at a nearby home improvement store, and it won’t take much time to install. SH082466

(MS) — When it comes time to paint the interior of your home, there’s more to consider than just color. One of the main considerations when choosing a paint is how often the room is used.

• Busy, high-traffic rooms: In general, rooms such as the kitchen and bathroom and areas such as hallways are the most used in a home. Because of that, you’ll want a paint that won’t buckle under frequent washings. Satin or eggshell paints are recommended for these areas, as they won’t succumb to wear and tear.

• Show rooms: Many homes feature a living room that’s not used very much, and an additional living or family room where friends and family gather to watch television or simply enjoy each other’s company. In rooms that are primarily for show, flat paint is a good choice. Flat paint requires lots more work to clean, so you’ll want to use it in lower traffic areas where the surfaces won’t get as dirty. Best for surfaces where you’ll want a low reflection, flat paint is often used for ceilings as well. SH082474

(MS) — From Sapphire Sparkle to Frosty Pomegranate, Honey Bear to Misty Gray — transforming the look of a room with a beautiful color is as simple as a fresh coat of paint.

A new coat of paint may be the easiest — and least expensive — way to transform a room, it’s the prep work that is the key to outstanding results. A few basic tips will ensure gorgeous results you’ll be proud to show.

Organize your tools: A quick inventory will ensure you have the right stuff — brushes, sponges, rollers, plastic bags, rags, paint can opener and drop cloths. Keeping your tools together in one place will make the process go more smoothly.

Take the time you need to prep: Don’t try to get the whole painting project done in one day. Take a day to complete prep work such as, washing walls, putting painter’s tape around doors and windows, filling holes and cracks, and covering your wall and ceiling fixtures with large plastic bags.

Clear the room: If you can, clear out all the furniture and accessories. What you can’t take out, put in the middle of the room and cover with a drop cloth. Be sure that you tape the cloth around the furniture and cover with a second sheet of plastic or old sheet.

Remove all hardware: To avoid the “paint around” that can lead to odd circles, streaks, or drips, remove switch plates, outlets, knobs and hinges and bag each with its screws. You will be glad you did when you're ready to put them back on.

Find your paint pants: Don’t forget to wear old clothes and protect your hair with a hat or headband. Slip on shoes will let you leave the room and not accidentally track paint into other rooms. Even with the best of intentions, it’s hard not to get a few drips and drops on yourself. Now you are ready to prepare the walls.

Don’t paint over problems: Paint doesn’t cover cracks and holes in the wall. Take the time to fill and you’ll end up with a smoother surface. Spackling holes and cracks is the simplest way to go.
But spackling the old fashioned way can be, well… old fashioned. Liberate yourself from dried out cans of spackle, hunting for the putty knife, and ending up with wall “craters” from shrinking putty. With Painter’s® Nail Hole Filler from Eclectic Products, repairing holes is a one-step process because the unique sponge applicator and texturizer is right on the end of the tube. This general-purpose spackling requires no mixing and goes on with just a squeeze of the tube — without a putty knife! The sponge tip evens out and finishes the surface to match the wall surface, textured or smooth, with no scraping or sanding required. Painters® Nail Hole Filler works on any wall texture or composition (wood, stucco, wallboard or plaster).

The product dries to a smooth finish. Your wall will be ready to paint in 15 minutes. And cleanup is a breeze. Just wash the sponge tip with warm water and replace the cap for the next use. Painter’s Nail Hole Filler will not dry out, like other brands, and will remain pliable when clear cap is replaced. Just store it at room temperature and knead spackling within tube prior to use.

Whether your color passion is Pickle, Coconut Husk or Verve Violet, your color choices will glide on and look flawless.

Most home improvement and hardware stores carry a large variety of spackling products, including Painter’s Nail Hole Filler. For more information about Painter’s Nail Hole Filler and Eclectic’s other fine products, contact Eclectic Products at 1-800-767-4667 or visit the company’s Web site at www.eclecticproducts.com. SH082474

(MS) — Looking for a way to add sparkle and impact to a modest home? Some experts suggest a fresh coat of paint, while others recommend a new floor. Unfortunately, even a change of color or flooring won’t make a yawn-inducing interior come to life. To create character and distinction in an ordinary room, consider adding some structural detail with solid hardwood mouldings and trim.

Hardwood mouldings lend star quality to any room. By creating contours and contrast, bold lines and fine detailing, moulding and millwork lend substance and distinction to an otherwise ordinary room, adding the architectural punch that many modern homes are lacking. The American Hardwood Information Center (www.hardwoodinfo.com) can be a homeowner’s first stop for moulding profiles, installation techniques and examples of interiors that have been transformed by mouldings milled from genuine American hardwoods.

Years ago, architects and homebuilders used substantial architectural ornamentation to make a home unique and to reflect the wealth and taste of its owners. Crown mouldings, wainscoting, chair rails, and wall and window framing made from hardwoods lent substance, character and beauty to a home’s interior. By contrast, today’s cost-effective building practices have left little room for this kind of distinction in modern homes, says master carpenter Matt Garnett .

“Over the past 10 years, there has been a housing boom in the area,” says Garnett, a design consultant for Just Mouldings, a D.C.-area firm that specializes in custom designed architectural moulding. “Speed and efficiency in building have streamlined the choices a homeowner had in its design. Most homes have only very simple, basic mouldings, with no way to upgrade.

“A single application of crown moulding,” notes Garnett, “yields astonishing results. It softens the transition between ceiling and wall, and sets the tone for more of an elegant feel in the room. It works well in all kinds of homes, from a multi-million dollar home to a three-bedroom townhouse.”
Installing hardwood crown mouldings in an average room can cost an additional $300 to $500, depending on the wood. But when considering resale value, says Garnett, “the extra measure of character and elegance in a well-trimmed home is a real advantage in a competitive market.”

Go Wide
If you want impressive results with your moulding, here’s a suggestion: Go wide. Once you decide to add baseboard or crown moulding to a room, make sure it’s not so narrow that it disappears into a corner. “Three to four-inch tall baseboard might not catch anyone’s eye, but moving up to a six-or eight-inch size will bring on a WOW!” says remodeling expert and syndicated columnist Bill LaHay.

It’s not just the mouldings and trim, but how you design and use it that can bring costs down to size. Layering small crown and decorative mouldings onto a flat board can be an impressive alternative to a single, wide crown moulding. “If the goal is more texture, depth and accents for your walls, using multiple smaller mouldings can be the better route — if they’re combined well,” suggests LaHay. Or think beyond crown and baseboard mouldings to door and window casings, chair rails, picture rails, and wainscoting to add instant stature and definition.

For a wealth of ideas on choosing and using hardwood mouldings, millwork and trim, and other ways to add the elegance and durability of hardwoods to your home, visit the American Hardwood Information Center at www.hardwoodinfo.com. SH082477

(MS) — Love the looks you see in high-end catalogs and home décor stores? In just a few hours and for as little as $20, you can create your own high-style decorating fashion with the new, 16-page inspirational booklet, Great Décor in a Flash — Without a lot of Cash! Log onto www.styrofoamstyle.com to download the booklet, and discover how easy it is to create sophisticated, vibrant home décor that doesn’t require a loan — or a lifetime.

Packed with beautiful, full-color photos, Great Décor in a Flash — Without a lot of Cash! shows how to create custom wall art, window treatments, and other decorating accents, including candle cubes and topiaries. All of the projects use readily available materials, like fabric, paper, paint, ribbon, glue, and STYROFOAM™ brand foam. For each project featured in the booklet, home decorators will find step-by-step instructions, along with complete shopping lists of materials.

Whether your style is formal or funky, the book is loaded with ideas for your home. From sleek and chic, contemporary black-and-white wall art to wall art that showcases a warm, Tuscan palette, you’ll learn how to decorate your space no matter how small your budget. Even children’s rooms get a makeover with the colorful ideas found in the free booklet.

Looking for more easy decorating ideas?

Visit online, www.styrofoamcrafts.com and www.styrofoamflorals.com. These popular Web sites feature hundreds of creative ideas for custom decorating with STYROFOAM brand foam, made by The Dow Chemical Company. SH082478

(MS) — Common household mistakes could be making you sick. With symptoms similar to the flu, carbon monoxide poisoning may be misinterpreted and ignored, resulting in deadly consequences. Awareness of common causes of carbon monoxide poisoning and some simple solutions can help keep your home safe.

With no discernable color, smell or taste, carbon monoxide has been deemed the “silent killer” and is the leading cause of poisoning deaths in the United States. According to the Journal of the American Medical Association, there are approximately 2,100 unintentional deaths from carbon monoxide every year in the U.S. Carbon monoxide is the byproduct of incomplete combustion, and can form anywhere a fuel is burned. It can kill in a matter of minutes depending upon the levels of carbon monoxide in the air.

“If high levels of carbon monoxide are inhaled for long durations, it can cause breathing difficulties, brain damage, coma or even death,” says Brian Gurry, Master Contractor and host of “American Builder” on CN8, The Comcast Network. “Installing a carbon monoxide detector and taking a few precautions around the house can keep everyone safe.”

A professional builder, Gurry frequently encounters homes that have easy-to-fix problems that could result in unsafe levels of carbon monoxide. He offers five simple repairs and precautions that could save a life.

1. Get out of the garage. Today’s high-performance vehicles don’t need long warm-up times. “Unfortunately, running a car inside of the garage happens all too often by someone in a rush or trying to avoid the elements,” Gurry says. If you must warm up the car, do it outside of the garage. When returning home, turn the car off as soon as you drive in to the garage.

2. Give the generator space. Generators produce carbon monoxide and should not be placed in the garage or close to the home. “People lose power in their homes and get so excited about using their generator that they don’t pay attention to where they place it. Check the owner’s manual and make sure it’s far enough from the home so carbon monoxide doesn’t get inside,” Gurry suggests.

3. Clean the chimney. “Simply brushing the ashes down the chute does not clean the chimney and, in fact, can create a problem,” warns Gurry. “The ashes build up and can block other points of connection.” To prevent this build-up, open the hatch at the bottom of the chimney and remove the ashes. Gurry recommends this be done weekly along with an annual visit from the chimney sweep.

4. Check vents. Regularly inspect your home’s external vents to ensure they are not obscured by debris, dirt or snow. “This is especially important in cold climates, where a couple of feet of snow can easily block a direct vent to a gas fireplace or chimney,” says Gurry.

5. Install a carbon monoxide detector. “This is the most important thing you can do to prevent carbon monoxide poisoning — and it’s so easy. People install smoke detectors throughout the house and often overlook carbon monoxide detectors,” Gurry says. Battery operated models can start at less than $20 and Gurry suggests installing at least one on every floor of the home. If your monitor goes off, Gurry urges, “Get out as fast as you can and call the fire department.”

For more household repair, improvement and construction information from Master Contractor and Emmy Award-winning host Brian Gurry, tune into “American Builder,” with back-to-back episodes airing weeknights from 6:00 to 7:00 p.m. exclusively on CN8, The Comcast Network. Unlike conventional improvement shows, “American Builder” is not staged for television and follows real world projects on the job site from start to finish. To learn more about “American Builder” or to watch the show online, please visit www.CN8.tv. CN8 is the nation’s preeminent regional 24-hour cable network, producing live, original and interactive programming covering the worlds of sports, politics, personal finance, issues, entertainment and more. SH082482

(MS) — A fresh coat of paint can make almost anything look new again. Especially during spring and summer, many do-it-yourselfers find they can complete home and yard spruce-ups quickly and easily with a can of spray paint. New innovations are making spray paint better than ever.
When purchasing spray paint, remember this tip: the aerosol can does more than hold the paint — it is the application tool. It affects finish quality as well as your comfort and convenience while painting.

The new EZ Touch 360°™ Dial Spray Tip on cans of Krylon® Indoor/Outdoor Paint rotates a full 360° at the touch of a finger, so users can change the direction of the spray pattern for greater paint control. Just twist the dial to direct the spray vertically, horizontally, or any angle in between. You get greater precision and more coverage per pass with less chance of runs, drips and overspray. With a lighter-touch push-button, hand and finger cramping are reduced or eliminated for more comfortable spraying.

According to manufacturer’s research, 88 percent of users report greater accuracy; 82 percent report no finger or hand fatigue, and 94 percent said they would recommend it to a friend.
For only about $3.99 per can, you can find long-lasting spray paints that apply quickly and easily to metal, wood, wicker, plastic, ceramics and other surfaces. They range from a colorful array of hard-working, high gloss finishes to more glamorous textured finishes and even new brushed metallic looks — finishes that are perfect for creating wall art, updating flea market furniture finds or bringing new life to shutters, flower pots, mailboxes and more.

When spray painting:
• Work in a well-ventilated area.
• Use newspapers or drop cloths to cover surrounding surfaces.
• Paint only clean, dry surfaces.
• Shake the can vigorously.
• Apply multiple thin coats.
• Don’t handle surface until dry.

Since the can is the applicator, there are no brushes to clean with spray painting. Aerosol cans are conveniently disposable and recyclable. With dry times as fast as 10 minutes or less, there’s really no better or quicker way to complete many projects or to paint hard-to-reach, irregular surfaces.

If your color needs go beyond primary shades, there’s no need to worry. Today’s color palettes include colors like Avocado and Espresso, reflecting the most sophisticated tastes and trends. You can combine spray paint with stencils to create endless borders and whimsical design motifs on tables, chairs, dressers, headboards or whatever suits your fancy. Just affix your stencil, point and shoot.

Use spray paint to highlight individual pieces with punchy accent colors that coordinate with your room décor. Or, use it to unify diverse accessories with complementary shades that bring harmony to a space. For more inspiration and more home improvement hints, visit www.krylon.com. SH082484

(MS) — Why should someone who lives thousands of miles from the Gulf or Atlantic coasts care about hurricane protection? While it might seem that a hurricane protection system would be of little interest to property owners in the West, Midwest or Northeast, the innovative Cat-5 Hurricane Netting system actually has many applications throughout North America.

"Cat-5 Hurricane Netting was developed to meet the needs of property owners in hurricane-prone areas, but its benefits apply equally well in virtually all parts of the country," said Charlie Johnson, National Sales Manager of Cat-5 Protection Inc., which manufactures the innovative new product.
"The Cat-5 system is just as effective in protecting against wind damage from a Northern blizzard as it is in protecting against hurricane-force winds in the Southeast," he said.

Called "the next generation of hurricane protection," the Cat-5 system uses reinforced, tear-resistant netting, which diffuses the force of hurricane-strength winds, greatly reducing the amount of direct wind pressure on doors, windows and walls. The tautly stretched mesh also deflects wind-borne debris.

While Cat-5 Hurricane Netting was originally designed to replace cumbersome, sharp-edged metal panels or expensive, jam-prone roll-down awnings on homes and businesses, it is ideal for use in conjunction with such shutter systems as well. In addition, since its introduction several years ago, it has also proven itself in a variety of other applications, such as protecting vulnerable signage, landscaping and other outdoor structures.

The system offers extended protection for virtually all types of exposed structures and materials including lanais, garage doors, front porches, manufactured homes, sheds, signs, cars, boats, barns/stables, open walkways, airplanes, landscaping, and even loose construction materials and debris, said Johnson.

"While shutters cover only windows and doors, Cat-5 Hurricane Netting can cover an entire building, including the roof," Johnson noted. "It's like a safety belt for your entire home."

Not only does the system deflect wind-borne debris, the mesh design effectively reduces destructive wind pressure by at least 63 percent, and it is the least expensive hurricane protection on the market today Johnson explained.

Cat-5 Hurricane Netting is lightweight and easy to install, requiring no special tools. Specially designed with grommets every 6 inches on center, the system is easy to secure to walls, foundations and soil with standard hardware and approved ground anchors. When installed, it allows light and fresh air to come through after the storm has passed, which is important since power is often out for several days after a major storm.

The netting system is sold in kits of 12 1/2, 25 and 50- foot lengths and eight feet tall, which can be cut on site to fit smaller areas. The system comes with patented clamps used in place of any grommets that are necessary to cut off to make a custom fit. The nets can be joined together to cover an entire structure or other large surfaces. When not in use, it can be folded in the storage container that is provided and stored in a small space.

In addition to a number of high-profile commercial installations, Cat 5 provided systems to numerous homeowners in the Southeast, and to a growing number of customers in other parts of the nation, who use the tear-resistant system to protect their properties against high winds during winter blizzards and other storms year-round.

"Because it's so easy to store and install, the hurricane netting is ideal for use as protection against virtually all types of windstorms on all types of properties in all climate zones," Johnson added.

Cat-5 Hurricane Netting has passed all applicable product tests including ASTM Uniform Static Air Pressure Difference, Large Missile Impact and Cyclic Static Air Pressure Loading tests and the ASTM weatherability, fire and smoke density tests. It is approved as a HVHZ (High Velocity Hurricane Zone) Large Missile Impact Protection System under the Florida Building Code (Approval FL 9356), and has passed the rigorous Miami-Dade County Large Missile Impact and Cyclical Loading test requirements.

For more information, contact Charlie Johnson, National Sales Manager at 877-228-5462, or visit the company's Web site at www.hurricane-net.com. SH082487

(MS) — As the outdoor entertaining season approaches, many homeowners begin a familiar routine: They uncover the patio furniture, get the grill ready for cooking, and clean off the winter debris that has collected on the patio.

Yet, in spite of all this effort, the patio often ends up standing unused for most of the summer. Hot, sunny days make it uncomfortable; cool, rainy days make it unusable; and on summer evenings, mosquitoes and other insects often drive everyone back indoors.

The solution, of course, is to cover and screen the patio, but finding a reliable contractor is often difficult, costly and slow. And the alternative — planning, calculating and doing the job yourself — is often far beyond the capabilities of the average do-it-yourselfer.

Fortunately, the Internet has provided a new solution. An innovative Web site now makes it possible for homeowners to plan, design, specify, and order a completely new patio cover — with or without screening — right from their keyboards.

The Web site: www.patiocoversdiy.com, offers complete do-it-yourself patio cover kits that are well within the capabilities of the typical “weekend handyman,” according to Mike Madden, president of Madden Manufacturing, which fabricates the kits and markets them under the brand name “Patio Covers DIY.”

“Every Patio Covers DIY kit includes all the necessary components and hardware, which are shipped directly to the buyer’s home with no additional shipping charge,” says Madden. “For most homeowners it’s an ideal weekend project — in fact, two people can usually install it in only a few hours.”

Patio cover kits are available for virtually any size patio, from 8’ x 8’ to 12’ x 30’, with or without optional screens and doors. Homeowners can also choose an unscreened cover for now, and add an optional screen kit at a later date. Patio cover prices begin as low as $600, and include free shipping in the 48 contiguous U.S. states.

Every kit is shipped with a step-by-step installation video along with easy-to-follow illustrated written instructions. The kits are assembled using common tools, such as a screwdriver, drill, hacksaw, adjustable wrench, hammer, and pliers.

“The quality of the kits meets or exceeds the highest standards,” said Madden, adding that the kits are designed to comply with virtually all local building codes. The Patio Covers DIY Web site even provides free downloadable engineering drawings to facilitate the permitting process. The site also offers detailed how-to-measure instructions to help ensure proper sizing, as well as installation tips and a list of frequently asked questions.

“Virtually everything you need for the entire project is available right on the Web site,” Madden said. Homeowners are also given a toll-free number they can call if they encounter any questions or problems during installation.

“Of course, if a homeowner doesn’t want to tackle the project himself, he still has the option of turning all the components over to a contractor,” Madden added. “In most cases, the homeowner will still end up saving time and expense when compared to having a cover designed from scratch.”

Every kit is manufactured from the highest quality components, including extruded aluminum support beams and posts, and durable .032-gauge aluminum panels. Every component is either powder coated or finished with a baked enamel finish, and warranteed for a full year against peeling, flaking or chipping. The kit can also be painted to match the home’s color scheme if desired.

“It’s never been easier or more convenient to add a cover to a patio, or even to convert an open driveway into a carport,” Madden concluded.

For more information on Patio Covers DIY, contact Madden by e-mail at info@patiocoversdiy.com, call toll free at 1-800-272-2071, or visit the company’s Web site at www.patiocoversdiy.com. For information on other Madden Manufacturing products, visit www.maddenmetals.com. SH082488

A new Web site provides everything a homeowner needs for the do-it-yourself installation of a patio cover or screened room.

(MS) — Vinyl flooring, also known as resilient flooring, is one product that lives up to its name. It truly is resilient and has evolved from ‘your grandmother’s vinyl’ to a new type of floor, with contemporary designs and an extremely durable surface. So when you are choosing a new floor, here are some things that make resilient a good option:

10. Easy Installation - For the do- it-yourself consumer or those that leave it to the experts, installations of resilient floors are easier to do than ever.

9. Durability - Resilient floors, especially premium end selections such as the beautifully high-end Socorro Slate from Mannington, are available with 20-year warranties. These floors also come with the company’s exclusive “Gotta Love It Guarantee.”

8. Variety – Capturing the essence of a countryside Italian villa or bringing the chic of uptown Manhattan into your own home are all possible via modern resilient patterns. Today you’ll find resilient patterns in a wide range of colors and styles, from floral, stone or slate to hardwood, marble, or Mexican tile.

7. Affordability – The price continues to be right for resilient. Its affordable price makes it the right choice for anyone looking for beauty on a budget.

6. Stylish – Definitely not your Grandma’s vinyl, today’s resilient patterns are hip, fresh, and modern. They are rustic, or they are traditional. Whatever your style, there’s a resilient pattern that fits your life.

5. Practical - Kids plus pets equal lots of wear and tear. Cost effective and durable, the practical solution is to go resilient.

4. New Flexibility – Fiberglass-backed resilient flooring, also known as cushioned resilient, provides the ultimate comfort underfoot.

3. Maintenance – Resilient flooring continues to be one of the easiest floors to maintain. Just regular sweeping and occasional mopping keep it looking fresh and new.

2. Technology – Technological advances in flooring have allowed for floors that last longer and look better. Mannington’s NatureForm Optix™ process provides the ultimate in realistic looks, with state-of-the-art printing, texturing and finishing technologies.

1. Luxury Flooring – Say hello to something new in vinyl — individual tiles and planks. Luxury Vinyl Flooring allows for creativity and aesthetically pleasing customization. And for even more realism, luxury tile patterns in Mannington’s award-winning line of Adura luxury floors may be grouted to look just like tile.

For more information on the floors mentioned in this article, call 1-800-482-9527 or visit www.mannington.com. SH08249

(MS) — According to the National Association of Home Builders’ Remodeling Market Index (RMI), while home starts and sales are down significantly, homeowners continue to want to update and improve their current homes, which keeps the remodeling market going strong.

The most popular outdoor remodeling projects, according to a recent RMI survey, are decks, porches and patios, which isn’t much of a surprise: the U.S. Census Bureau reported that $2.5 billion was spent on decks in 2006.

“Homeowners tend to live in a house for a while to get the feel of it and learn the house’s personality before jumping into a large remodeling project,” said Brad Staggs, HGTVPro.com and DIY show producer and host. “Decks and other outdoor structures are often added years later, when homeowners have had a chance to research projects and materials and are very clear on what they want.”

One of the most popular outdoor building materials is pressure-treated Southern Pine. Its unique cellular structure allows it to accept preservative treatment better than any other species, resulting in a strong, durable wood that will stand the test of time. Southern Pine is a beautiful choice for backyard projects, too: the knots and grain present in each piece of lumber offer more than just the “look of wood”: this is real wood, the only building product made by Mother Nature.
Pressure-treated Southern Pine is safe for use around family and pets, too. Scientific tests prove that the preservatives used in pressure-treated wood pose no measurable risk to people or animals.

A backyard deck — or any outside building project — should blend in with its natural environment. Southern Pine is a truly renewable resource: the trees come from healthy, flourishing managed forests, where many trees are planted for each one used. Sustainable forestry practices ensure that Southern Pine forests will be around for centuries to come. The energy used to produce Southern Pine lumber is much less than for other building product options, and the renewability of wood stands in stark contrast to the finite resources offered by petroleum-based products (such as plastic and vinyl).

So where to find good information on the many uses of Southern Pine? “The folks at the Southern Pine Awareness Network (SPAN) have a great Web site,” Staggs added. “It’s chock-full of project plans, gorgeous color photos, environmental information on wood and some great case histories. Plus there’s a Homeowner Forum where consumers can ask any wood-related question and receive an expert answer. Visitors to the site will soon see that choosing Southern Pine is more than just a wise choice — it could be the start of something wonderful!”

For project plans and ideas, please visit the Southern Pine Awareness Network at www.spanpine.com. SH082492

(MS) — Tired of paying the cost of a warm home? Rising energy costs have driven many homeowners to seek alternative options for heating their homes. They may not have to look any further than wood as one of the best choices.

Many people are surprised to discover the benefits of heating with wood. They ask: Isn’t it dirty, producing a lot of smoke and ash? While traditional fireplaces, wood stoves and boilers may be some of these things, the latest generation of high efficiency wood boilers are clean-burning and convenient. They can also save homeowners a considerable amount on their heating bills.

Brad L. of Manitoba was passionate about using his wood stove to help heat his 1,800 sq. ft. home. But even burning 5 cords of wood did little to lower his $400 per month heating bills. After doing some research, Brad replaced his electric boiler with a Greenwood wood boiler to power his central heating system. He installed it in a shed attached to his garage. The heat is pumped through the home via his existing mixed radiant-in-floor air system.

“It doesn’t take a lot of wood to make a great hot fire,” says Brad. “I can open up the door and see so much energy and flame coming off of a piece of wood.” Now those 5 cords of firewood satisfy all of Brad’s heating needs.

When burning logs in the new generation of high efficiency hydronic furnaces (or wood boilers), like those offered by Greenwood Technologies, the heat generated is more intense and little is lost up the chimney. These furnaces can be used in lieu of standard heating systems featuring gas or oil during the heating months, or as an add-on when homeowners prefer to use other heating sources as their primary method of heating. This reduced need for oil, propane and natural gas means a reduction in monthly heating bills. In fact, many homeowners using a Greenwood system have seen energy bills reduced by up to 70 percent during winter months. One of these furnaces pays for itself in energy bill savings in just a few years.

Just ask Julie E. from Keeseville, NY. In the five months since Julie installed her Greenwood Model 200, she reports having saved more than $4,000 in heating bills.

“The Greenwood is great. It takes all of these whole logs and gives us a tremendous amount of heat,” says Julie. “Even with our big drafty house, we’ve never been so warm.”

In addition to energy savings, high-efficiency wood boilers are also easy to use … and clean. That’s because the boilers burn wood at such a high temperature (2000 F) that no discernable smoke is created. What’s more, because of the high burn temperature, very little ash is generated, meaning the firebox only has to be cleaned once a month rather than once a day. Also, the furnace can be installed indoors or in an outdoor shelter and be set up to heat the entire home, eliminating the need to transport logs through the house.

When upgrading your home and heating system this year, or if you’re thinking about an entirely new way to enjoy efficient, environmentally friendly heat, consider a next generation Greenwood Hydronic Furnace. Learn more by calling (800) 959-9184 or on the Web at www.GreenwoodFurnace.com. SH082495

(MS) — Studies have shown that when it comes to spending time at home, no room gets more visitors than the kitchen. Even with media rooms and family rooms offering more than ever before, the kitchen remains a gathering spot.

In spite of their universal popularity, many kitchens remain in need of a few adjustments. Many times, homeowners mistake the need for tinkering with the need for a complete remodeling, a job that typically costs thousands of dollars. But seeing your kitchen in a new light doesn’t need to break the bank. In fact, a few relatively inexpensive lighting changes can be all a kitchen needs.

Track Lighting
The primary benefit of track lighting is the ability to direct light anywhere you need it. Rather than a single fixture, track lighting has multiple fixtures, helping to serve a multitude of purposes. Specialized fixtures can be used for mood lighting or task lighting. When combined with a typical kitchen fixture, track lighting can allow homeowners to light their kitchens in a variety of ways. For instance, during the busiest hours, the traditional fixture can help keep the room well lit. Overnight, however, dim track lighting can be used to provide lighting for midnight snacks or if you need to keep a light on for someone arriving home late.

Another benefit of track lighting is the role it plays in cleaning. Hard to reach spots in cabinets are often hard to see as well, making it difficult to know if you’ve done a thorough job cleaning. With track lighting, direct the light into the cabinets and your cleaning will prove a lot easier.

Recessed Lighting
Recessed lighting is usually an inexpensive option and one that sheds light on places that otherwise might not be well lit, such as cabinets and walls. However, many people decorate the walls of their kitchens or replace their old cabinets, and would like to have some light aimed at these spots. If your kitchen features artwork on the walls or new cabinets, consider recessed lighting to highlight these additions. Also, just like track lighting, if directed toward cabinets recessed lighting can pay dividends when it comes time to clean, shedding light on cabinets that would otherwise be dark.

Under Cabinet Lighting
Under cabinet lighting can be a great addition to any kitchen with lots of countertop space. In many kitchens, cabinets block light from countertops, making it difficult to prepare meals or, if you have an eat-in kitchen, sit and read a newspaper or book while enjoying a meal. Installing lights under the cabinets will solve this problem. Fluorescent lights, though they burn cooler than halogen lights, can create an uncomfortable reflection off of countertops. Halogen lights, though they won’t last as long as fluorescent light, create a white light that’s easier to work by.

Regardless which under cabinet lighting you install, try and put it at the front of the cabinet. This will ensure more light makes it onto the countertop than the wall. Also, install undercabinet lighting uniformly under all cabinets. That way, when it comes time to make big meals such as Thanksgiving dinner when you’ll be using all countertops at once, they will be lit evenly.

Make Lighting Flexible
Because many people spend so much time in the kitchen for different reasons, make your lighting as flexible as possible. The best way to do this is with a dimmer switch. A dimmer will enable you to set the mood for whatever you’re doing in the kitchen. SH082496

(MS) — When it comes to projects addressing a home’s interior, homeowners know full well the bottom line plays a big role. For the unprepared homeowner tackling a first do-it-yourself project, costs can quickly escalate out of control.

One way to successfully combat that is to make a budget prior to starting a project. When putting one together, consider the following guidelines:
• Consult a professional: When initially sitting down to plan a budget, chances are you’ll have no idea where to begin. Tools, materials, timeframe, etc., all contribute to how much you’ll have to spend. To make your budget as realistic as possible, consult a professional about providing an estimate for the job, be it a bathroom renovation, home theater installation or refacing the kitchen cabinets. Explain the situation to the contractor and ask for an estimate that doesn’t include labor but does include the cost you’ll need to pay for supplies (contractors often pay less for parts because of existing and ongoing relationships with suppliers).

The budget you receive will act as a guideline and let you know if the job you have in mind is the one you’ll be able to afford financially.

• Leave some leeway: Many a job has gone unfinished at the hands of a poorly set budget. When budgets are absolute at the onset of a project, dollars are often stretched too thin to handle the inevitable surprises that pop up on a project. For example, old pipes might stall a bathroom renovation, leaving the do-it-yourselfer with a less than fully functioning bathroom that will have to remain that way until more money can be saved. Plan for the surprises, as they will surely rear their ugly heads.

• Be realistic: When determining your budget, don’t fool yourself. If it becomes increasingly apparent you cannot afford the job, don’t go ahead with it anyway. Because many people get loans through their bank for home projects, taking on too big a loan can be a genuine albatross if it’s a loan you cannot afford. Keep in mind that other unexpected problems (i.e., a leaky roof, new appliances, etc.) will arise sometime, and you don’t want to stretch your dollars too thin. If the budget you’ve come to is simply beyond your reach, consider a less expensive project or continue saving and tackle the project down the road.

• Consider the value: While it’s nice to improve your home, it’s not always beneficial. In fact, most renovations fail to recoup 100 percent of a homeowner’s initial investment. The bigger the project does not necessarily equal the bigger return. In their 2006 “Cost vs. Value Report,” Remodeling magazine found that while costs of remodeling projects continue to climb, the recoup value of those projects at resale is declining. This is definitely something homeowners should consider before making any improvements. If the job you’re about to sink a small fortune into won’t yield you nearly as much money at resale, perhaps finding a new place to live that better suits your needs would be a better approach. When making your budget, compare the money you’ll spend to the money you’re likely to recoup at resale and go from there.

• Include professional help in your budget: As previously mentioned, surprises always pop up during a project. One of the more common surprises is the realization that not all jobs can be accomplished alone. When your budget is just about established, think long and hard about hiring a professional to help with the more difficult portions of the project. Hiring a professional for these parts will ensure that the job gets done right, which will save you lots of money in the long run. SH082497

(MS) — Choosing new floors for your home can be a daunting task. To help make the process a little less confusing, experts at flooring manufacturer Mannington Mills offer this advice:

• Consider the room’s use. Is it a family room that gets a lot of traffic? A laminate floor would be a good choice here. They’re made to look like wood, stone or slate, but don’t have any of the maintenance concerns that those floors do. Is it a kitchen or bath, where water is a concern? In that case, consider vinyl flooring. Both sheet vinyl and Luxury Vinyl are beautiful and durable — they’re certainly not ‘your grandmother’s vinyl’. They come in a wide variety of styles and colors, and can look amazingly real — from wood, to stone, to sisal.

• Consider your decorating style. Do you prefer traditional looks? You might choose a classic oak or elegant cherry hardwood. One of the most popular looks in hardwood flooring today is the handscraped floor. It offers a unique texture that can complement any décor. Is your style more eclectic? Mannington Bamboo might be more your preference. Or perhaps you might choose a Luxury Vinyl floor like Mannington’s award-winning ADURA®. It comes in tile and plank formats, and replicates looks as varied as hammered metal, lava stone, and barn oak.

• Consider your lifestyle. Do you have children or pets? If so, you’ll want to choose a super-durable flooring, like porcelain tile. Porcelain is harder and stronger than regular ceramic tile, and it needs little maintenance. And today’s porcelain tiles come in a wide variety of colors and sizes, including the newest modular formats, with an array of beautiful decorative accent pieces to help give your floor a custom look. Is your home your sanctuary? A beautiful, elegant hardwood floor might be just right for you. Exotic cherry, maple, or mahogany bring warmth and elegance into your home, and Mannington’s prefinished hardwood floors have beauty and durability that will last for years to come.

So when it comes to flooring, there’s a look that will suit your life and your style. For more information on Mannington floors, call 1-800-482-9527 or visit Mannington.com to find a retailer near you. SH082502

(MS) — Today’s laminate flooring proves the age-old theory that opposites attract, by marrying realistic beauty and superior durability in one product.

Years ago, when laminate was first introduced, it performed well, but didn’t look enough like real wood or stone to win the hearts of consumers. Over the past couple of years, however, manufacturers like Mannington Mills have developed incredible new technology that makes laminate flooring nearly impossible to distinguish from real wood, slate, or stone. A new collection of laminate from Mannington, called Revolutions, was one of the first on the market with 3-D texture, natural grout lines and beveled plank edges.

Laminate can be used in any room of your home. Mannington’s award-winning designers have created laminate floors to coordinate with items you already have, like furniture and cabinetry. It comes in a wide variety of colors and patterns, from light ash to deep mahogany, and everything in between. And there are other looks besides wood to choose from; slate, stone and cork patterns are becoming more and more popular as consumers demand more variety and choices.

Wood looks lend warmth and elegance to a room. And depending on your style, you can have a look that’s rustic and hand-crafted, or sleek and smooth; stone in an array of colors, from beige to gray, blue, or terracotta; or slate in bronze or gray. And no matter what your choice, laminate has excellent durability and easy maintenance, so it won’t require a lot of time and energy to keep clean.

So who says opposites don’t attract? In the case of laminate, they get along just fine. For more information on Mannington laminate floors, call 1-800-482-9527 or go to www.mannington.com to find a retailer near you. SH082503

(MS) — This spring, why not give your room a whole new look ... from the bottom up? With so many beautiful and durable hard-surface flooring options to choose from, you can transform any room in your home from drab to delightful just by changing the floor.

In the kitchen, active families with little kids might consider vinyl flooring. Vinyl has long been a popular choice because of its soft, resilient nature and easy maintenance. Not at all like your grandmother’s vinyl, today’s patterns are warm and stylish, and Mannington creates a wide range of looks, from wood to slate, leather, and even handpainted floor cloths. Not only that, but vinyl floors are more durable than ever, and Mannington floors use exclusive surface coating technologies like ScratchResist™, which helps keep them looking new longer.

Family rooms are made for living, and anyone with teenagers will tell you that they can put a lot of wear and tear on a floor. For superior durability, a laminate floor will stand up to whatever your family brings in — kids, pets, and the dirt that follows them. Mannington offers a whole range of looks in laminate, including the Revolutions collection, which has the most realistic slate and wood laminates on the market today. Adirondack slate pattern has such realistic 3D texture and depth, you’ll have to bend down and touch it to know it’s not the real thing. And the wood looks, like Heritage Cherry, have beveled edges and textured planks, just like real wood.

In the foyer, dining room, or living room, nothing says elegance like a real hardwood floor. And today’s pre-finished hardwood floors, like those from Mannington, will never need to be sanded and refinished, which really is the ultimate luxury. From exotic woods like bamboo and teak, to traditional oak and maple, there’s something for everyone. Choose a gently distressed hickory for that lived-in look, dramatic Nottingham Maple for an elegant, rustic look, or sleek, contemporary Sapele. It’s a dramatic way to change the look of any room.

For upscale custom layouts and a designer feel, look to porcelain tile. Porcelain is harder and stronger than regular ceramic, and can be used both indoors and out. Companies like Mannington make porcelain tile that is designed to coordinate from floor, to counter, to wall and backsplash, and some can make the transition from inside living to outdoor space. Porcelain is also easier to maintain than real marble or travertine. It won’t chip or stain, and only requires sweeping and occasional mopping to keep clean.

So look down for a change, and put a spring in your step with a new floor. Call 1-800-482-9527 for product information, or visit www.mannington.com for a retailer near you. SH082504