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Feature stories include topics such as flooring, landscaping, replacement windows, roofing trends, bathroom ideas, driveway tips, lighting trends, and more.

Feature Stories & Advertising, Sun Journal, Lewiston, Maine, Friday, September 10, 20102 FALL HOME IMPROVEMENT

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By Donna Rousseau Freelance Writer

Roofing:

Over your head selections for beauty and longevity

All roofs are not created equal. Today’s building industry offers an array of products for beautiful roof installations and renovations that marry functionality, creativity, and thoughtful application.

Asphalt shingles are most commonly u s e d i n N o r t h

America with f iberglass and composition shingles falling into this category. Architectural or 3-tab styles come in a range of colors – not just gray or black – with architectural shingles recognized for their random patterns and shadings. The traditional shingle is installed with an organic mat and

durability is directly related to the thickness of the shingle.

Fiberglass shingles are lighter weight, thinner and have a better fire rating than asphalt. However, the fiberglass option does not perform as well in cold climates due to lack of flexibility in poor weather and they are prone to blow off in high winds. According to Ron Comeau, of Ron Comeau & Son Roofing in Lewiston, there are new fiberglass-based shingles on the market that have improved longevity and even look like pricier wood shingles.

Interestingly, the color of the shingle influences the lifespan of the shingle as does shingle t h i c k n e s s a n d r o o f s l o p e . Darker colors absorb heat and consequently have a shorter life span. Light colored shingles absorb less heat and stay cooler, which keeps the attic cooler, and in turn, lowers cooling costs and extends the life of the shingles. Warranties are directly related to the lifespan.

Unfortunately, asphalt shingles are polluting, sending off gas into the atmosphere. If you are chemically sensitive, you may want to leave your home if an asphalt roof replacement is underway.

Metal roofs, seen more often in the country as it is a good option for old farmhouses, can withstand tough weather conditions if installed properly. They come in a variety of colors and, Comeau confirmed, are particularly good for camps and residences that experience tough winters where owners cannot conveniently access the roof. The lifespan of a metal roof can be two to three times longer than that of its non-metal counterparts and in many cases, can be the last roof a homeowner ever needs to install.

For a more “back to nature” feel, wood shingles, smooth sawed and the more popular split-style (shakes) are good choices. Beautiful as they weather to a silvery gray, wood shingles are made from several species of trees including Western Red Cedar, Alaskan Yellow, and Eastern White cedars. Shingles tend to be smoother while shakes are thicker and rough due to being split rather than sawed from the log.

There are many things to consider when replacing your roof.

Roofingpage 3 ‰

Installation is key to a long life for a wood shingled roof. If installed incorrectly, the more expensive wooden roof will need replacing sooner than a cheap composition roof. Properly installed, a wood shingled roof can last 30 to 50 years. Here’s a hint: Use high quality stainless steel nails.

H o m e ow n e r s w i l l w a nt to consider the drawbacks of wood, however. Some subdivisions p r o h i b i t wo o d e n s h i n g l e s . Comeau said wood shingles are not seen as much any more due to the increased risk of fire. Some home insurance companies will increase insurance costs due to the increased fire threat. And chemically sensitive individuals may not be able to tolerate the strong emissions from the chemicals used to treat the wood. Wood shingles are also problematic due to algae, insect damage, and extreme humidity.

Slate is another natural resource that can be used for roofing. It is non-toxic, recyclable, long-lasting and beautiful. Like wood roofs, slate tends to be expensive not to mention heavy. Consult a contractor if you are considering this type of roof as much will depend on the strength of the foundation as well as the roof structure itself and whether or not there are professionals who can install the product.

Since a leaky slate roof can be very expensive to repair, preparations

will want to be made to ensure the roof will be waterproof. New to the market, non-toxic synthetic slate shingles, some composed of wood and cement fibers, are a good alternative to slate as they can be more cost-effective, but create the same effect.

Clay and concrete, believe it or not, are two of the most popular roofing materials, especially in warmer climates. While both allow for variety in color, shades, and styles, whether the material would be appropriate for the colder climates of the Northeast is a question for contractors or manufacturers. Look for a wide price range, shop smart, and be sure to check out local vendors for these products.

And what is the talk about a “green roof”? Did you know that large corporations including Ford Motor Company and Apple Computer have gardens on their roofs?

Like slate, “green” roofs may be heavier, so contractors will want to confirm a foundation can support such a roof. With many designs available, roofs going green cut down on heating and cooling expenses, provide insulation, f i l ter pol lutants , require minimal maintenance, reduce temperatures around the home, and can even extend the life of a roof.

Comeau weighed in on how to select a roofing material and a contractor to work with you on your project. “When you get estimates from a roofing professional, ask what kind of

shingle or product is being quoted, ask about the manufacturer and whether the manufacturer stands behind the product.” Comeau continued, “It ’s important to know if the manufacturer provides education for the installers on how to use their product. And nail placement is critical to the life of the roof. You must use four to six nails per shingle. Remember a roof installation protects the house investment.”

Comeau encourages homeowners to educate themselves using information available on the Internet and input from reputable professionals before moving forward on a roof installation. “ It ’s a huge investment and homeowners should avoid the ‘just get it done’ mentality and focusing only on price. Research your project. A poorly installed roof invites mold, insects, and weather damage.”

Understanding the produc t options and making educated choices can help protect your roofing investment while allowing you the freedom to “color outside the lines” and lose the idea that all roofs are the same.

Information for this article came from these sources:

http://www.building-your-green-h o m e. co m /g r e e n - r o o f. ht m l /wood-shingles.html

http://www.thisoldhouse.com/toh/article/0,,19804,00.html

http://www.roofhelp.com/choices/meta/metalroofingpage2.htm

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Roofingfrom page 2

A competent roof installer will eyeball the job from the ground periodically as work progresses to ensure straight lines.

Anyone who has ever been the victim of a burglary or home invasion will understand. Coming home to find that an uninvited stranger has entered your home in your absence, either by force or through an unlocked door or window, is devastating on many levels.

Having a stranger r u m m a g e through and often

destroy your drawers, closets, personal items, and other spaces — spaces that had always felt safe and comfortable — would leave anyone feeling unsafe and violated, as well as hurt, sad, and angry. Having a stranger enter your home while you and your loved ones are there, possibly even sleeping, would be absolutely terrifying, to say the least. In addition, the f inancial losses affiliated with a burglary at one’s home or business are immediate and direc t in that valuable property is stolen or broken.

Although the incidences of residential and commercial burglar ies in Lewiston and Auburn, according to police

department websites, appears to have decreased significantly in recent years, it is without a doubt that being on the wrong side of these statistics is emotionally and financially painful.

A reliable way to protect your home and business is to install a

security system. Richard Rodrigue, of Chandler Security Systems, Inc. in Lewiston, installs more than just security systems. For 30 years he has also installed the “peace of mind” that comes with knowing that your valuable property, as well as the well being of your family or your employees, are protected.

During Rodrigue’s initial meeting with a prospective client, he presents the list of options that are available and ascertains the level of security that each client requires.

Many homeowners choose the comfort that is provided by a simple intrusion alarm. With such a system, motion detectors are installed at strategic locations throughout the property including entertainment rooms where valuable electronics are kept, common hallways, and staircases leading to bedrooms and other upper level rooms. In addition, each exterior door is wired.

Dual keypads are installed in

the master bedroom so that just exterior doors can be armed when the family is sleeping and just inside of the exterior door that is used most often so that the entire system can be armed or disarmed upon exiting or entering the home.

Although most contemporary vinyl clad windows come with locks and tabs that prevent the window from opening more than just a few inches, some homeowners also choose to wire screens so that windows can be left open.

R o d r i gu e h a r d - w ire s th e s e systems, threading wires through walls so as to minimize the visual impact of the system’s components, making motion detectors less noticeable and door and window alarms nearly invisible and impossible to disarm. Every system is equipped with a battery backup that will keep the system working, without interruption, in the event of a power failure.

For the average home, the cost of such systems range from $900 to $1,200 and, when installed by Rodrigue, includes “services to the client for the life of the system.” The installation of a home security system can usually be done is just a couple days.

With the installation of these systems, the homeowner can choose to install local sirens inside and outside of the home. The sirens are very loud, and the noise alone will likely be sufficient to scare off any intruder.

For additional securit y, the alarm can be wired to alert a “Central Station” or other location contracted to monitor the situation an d resp o n d ap p ro p r iate l y by contacting the necessar y authorit ies and individuals , whose names are supplied by the homeowner, when the alarm is triggered. The cost of this outside monitoring service is usually about $22 per month and includes 24-hour protection and a weekly test of the system.

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Securitypage 5 ‰


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properties, and sometimes by homeowners, include fire, carbon monoxide, propane and natural gas sensors that will alert the fire department in addition to other authorities and individuals.

Systems that will automatically monitor the functioning of a sump pump can be installed where flooding is problematic, and many local restaurants have installed sensors in coolers and freezers that will trigger an alarm

when temperatures get too high or too low and valuable food stores are threatened.

For additional security and the ability to personally monitor investments, commercial and residential property owners may choose to install closed circuit television cameras so that their investments can be observed remotely using a computer or another type of monitor.

While many property owners proactively seek to install a security system, some do not consider its benefits until after they have b een v ic t imized. Given that we invest so much (personally and f inancially) in our property, it might be time to proac tively consider this relatively small investment to protect larger investments.

Fo r a d di t i o nal inf o r mat i o n regarding local crime statistics go to www.cityoflewiston.org and www.city-data.com/crime/crime-Auburn-Maine.html.

Fo r a d d i t i o n a l i n f o r m at i o n regarding how to prevent your h o m e, yo ur b usin ess , yo ur investments, and your loved ones

from becoming statistics, contact a local security company about how they can equip you with “peace of mind.”

Securityfrom page 4

Dual keypads are installed in the master bedroom and near the exterior door used most often.

R i c h a r d R o d r i g u e , o f Chandler Security, checks the security system at Davinci’s restaurant recently.


Hot tub revolution:

Virtually maintenance-free water care solution saves time

Th e ACE s a l t w ate r sanitizing system is the first and only integrated

hot tub salt water sanitizing system using diamond technology, an innovation that allows consumers to more easily care for their spa with fewer bottled cleaners, which results in fresh, clean water.

Hot Spring spa owners can enjoy a vir tually maintenance-free hot tub ownership experience with the ACE system, helping to reduce the daily or weekly water care maintenance requirements of traditional systems to once a month. This more hands-free approach allows hot tub owners to spend more time relaxing and enjoying their spa, with less water care maintenance required to keep it clean.

The ACE system’s exclusive and

unique diamond technology, which is used today to keep water purified in European breweries and international cruise lines, is a first application for the hot tub industry. The system’s diamond elec trode, along with t wo titanium electrodes, increase the sanitizing power while using less salt than other salt water systems. It also automatically generates five different cleaners instead of just chlorine, reducing the amount of bottled products to measure and pour.

“We want to reach consumers who may have considered owning a hot tub but otherwise walked away due to maintenance concerns or because of their negative experiences with dry and itchy skin, eye irritation, or harsh odors associated with traditional chlorine water care,” said Steve

Hammock , president of Hot Spring Spas. “With the ACE system water care is simple, and because the cleaners are generated from natural resources, the water is

gentler and even looks, feels and smells great.”

Through intuitive and easy-to-navigate menus on the spa’s

control panel, owners can easily operate the ACE salt water sanitizing system. Once activated through the appropriate steps, the ACE system operates on its own with minimal upkeep. Owners simply need to check the sanitizer level regularly with a FreshWater test strip and confirm the use level just once a month, and soak the ACE system cell in a cleaning solution for 10 minutes every three months.

For peace of mind, a status message on the control panel indicates that the ACE system is cleaning the water. Therefore, Hot Spring spa owners can instead focus on relaxation, hydrotherapy benefits, reconnecting with family

Hot Spring spa owner s can focus on relaxation, hyd r ot h e r a py b e n e f i t s, reconnecting with family and friends, or utilizing their hot tub as a stress-free transitional space between work and home. Visit Special Sec tions feature stories online and watch a video that explains this improvement t o a v e r y n e c e s s a r y maintenance chore. Save yourself more time for the fun things in life.

Spa carepage 7 ‰

Pellet fuel is a renewable, clean-burning and cost stable home heating alternative currently used throughout North America. It is a biomass product made of renewable substances – generally recycled wood waste.

There are approximately 1,000,000 homes in the U.S. using wood

pellets for heat, in freestanding stoves, fireplace inserts, furnaces and boilers. Pellet fuel for heating can also be found in such large-scale environments as schools and prisons. North American pellets are produced in manufacturing facilities in Canada and the United States, and are available for purchase at fireplace dealers, nurseries, building supply stores, feed and garden supply stores and

some discount merchandisers.

In short, pellet fuel is a way to divert millions of tons of waste from landfills and turn it into energy.

What is biomass fuel?

Cordwood, wood pellets, wood chips, waste paper, along with dozens of other agricultural products and by-products capable of being used for energy, are all examples of biomass fuel. The most compelling principle of biomass is that it is renewable.

The remarkable consistenc y and burn eff iciency of pellet fuel produces a fraction of the particulate emissions of raw biomass. Pellet burners feature the lowest particulate matter emissions of all solid fuels burners.

Given the proper Sustainable Forest Initiatives and agricultural management, biomass is virtually limitless, and has proven to be price stable in comparison with fossil fuels.

The majority of North America’s forest is second-growth, and requires periodic treatment in order to address forest health and fire mitigation. A tremendous amount of unusable material remains on the forest floor after such treatment. This material is rejected by high-end wood product manufacturers but is a perfect resource for commercial pellet manufacturers.

By engineering crops and waste such as cornstalks, straw, and residual forest waste, pellets can utilize millions of tons of waste and put them to work.

Many pellet manufacturers take by-products (like wood waste) and ref ine them into pencil-sized pellets that are uniform in size, shape, moisture, density and energy content. Why not simply burn raw biomass? First, the moisture content of pellets is substantially lower (4% to 8% water–compared to 20% to 60% for raw biomass). Less moisture means higher BTU value and easier

handling especially in freezing situations with green raw biomass materials. Second, the density of pellet fuel is substantially higher than raw biomass (40 lbs. per cubic foot verses 10-25 lbs. per cubic foot in raw material form). More fuel can be transported in a given truck space, and more energy can be stored at your site. Third, pellets are more easily and predictably

handled. Their uniform shape and size allows for a smaller and simpler feed system that reduces costs. This high density and uniform shape can be stored in standard silos, transported in rail cars and delivered in truck containers.

— Courtesy of the Pellet Fuels Institute.


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and friends, or utilizing their hot tub as a stress-free transitional space between work and home.

Another key benef it of this innovative system is that it reduces environmental impact. It cuts back on excess chemical use because it automatically generates the precise amount of cleaners needed. This helps decrease the frequency of drain-and-ref ill compared to other water care systems, and provides less chemical impact on outdoor landscapes from water drainage.

How the ACE salt water sanitizing system works: When the diamond electrode in the ACE system is energized, it breaks apart water molecules to create high-energy, active oxygen. Active oxygen is one of the world’s most effective

natural cleaners and is the first way the ACE system automatically cleans the water. The active oxygen then combines with salt and other elements in the water to create chlorine and three other powerful oxidizers – ozone, hydrogen peroxide and monopersulfate. The oxidizers are all referred to as cleaners because they work

synergistically to clean the spa water, in addition to the chlorine which is sanitizing the water.

Learn more about this incredible new sanitizing system at the Mainely Tubs showroom in Scarborough and online at MainelyTubs.com.

Spa carefrom page 6

Pellet fuel:

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Wood brick fuel:

Learn how to use this alternative cordwoodWood Brick Fuel is a dry densified wood fuel for use in well maintained wood stoves, fireplace stove inserts, and fireplaces with proper draft control. New users should use Wood Bricks conservatively to understand the performance in their appliance. Never pack a stove tight with Wood Bricks, never stack bricks against glass windows or up against top load lids, as they slightly expand while burning. Never place plastic enclosed package into stove.

1. What is Wood Brick Fuel?

Wood Brick Fuel is a densified alternative cordwood. Wood Brick Fuel is produced by compressing dry, clean wood waste under extreme pressure in order for the natural lignin of the wood to bind itself back together. Each Wood Brick is approximately 6” wide, 2.5” high, and 3.75” long, weighing approximately 2 lbs.

2. How long will one brick burn?

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A full pallet of Wood Brick Fuel is 1000 bricks individually packed in counts of 20 each. The full pallet is conservatively the value of at least a FULL cord of best seasoned hardwood firewood. Many customers feel a ton lasts longer than a typical cord because they are able to meter their fuel use easier with 2 lb. bricks. BTU value is conservatively approximately 7500 btu per pound.

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Chimney sweeping:

Improve your home’s safety and enjoy your fireplace or woodstove without worry

The National Fire Protection Association recommends all homeowners have annual inspections of all their chimneys, fireplaces, and (clothes dryer) vents.

One of the reasons to clean your chimney is because of the potential f ire

hazards that may occur when you don’t have it cleaned. An annual chimney sweeping will prevent carbon monoxide poisoning, and prevent house and chimney fires.

Don’t think that’s so important?

Well, without proper maintenance, heating systems (your fireplace or furnace) can release toxic gases into your living area that can create a health hazard, causing serious illness, or even death. Not sweeping (or cleaning) your chimney and fireplace has been known to cause house fires and or property damage.

When tar and soot (otherwise known as creosote) from burning wood or natural gas form on the inside walls of your fireplace, it must be removed, and preferably by a chimney professional . Chimney sweeping is creosote removal. Many brand new homes have a problem with chimney deterioration (brick spalling, brick cracking, and mortar joint erosion).

This occurs because modern, high efficiency, heating appliances (ie: furnaces, water heaters, wood stoves, etc.) are more efficient than they have ever been, but the excess condensation they create cause more build up of creosote in chimneys than ever before, so it’s important that every household have a regular checkup from a CSIA Certified Chimney Sweep.

Dangers of soot (creosote) buildup

As wood burns, the by-products of combustion (smoke), flow away from the fire and up the chimney. Because the chimney is cooler than the fire, condensation occurs. This means that soot and tar form a residue that sticks to the interior of your chimney. This residue (creosote) is a highly flammable substance, and if it is not regularly removed, it can ignite and cause dangerous chimney fires.

FACT: Creosote preservative or creosote chemical, is a liquid by-product of coal, used to preserve telephone poles and railroad ties. Not to be confused with “wood smoke” creosote.

The silent chimney fire

When creosote in your chimney ignites, the chimney fire might not be noticed at first — this is when it becomes a silent danger.

The fire in the chimney burns so slowly and reaches such high temperatures that it quietly damages the chimney and surrounding structures, or may suddenly start other areas of the house on fire. Again, these flue fires are usually preventable through regular, professional inspections and cleanings.

The loud chimney fire

Better than 50% of the time, people hear the chimney fire because

these fires have enough upward force that they cause a loud noise to be noticed. According to professional firefighters, it sounds like a freight train howling and whistling. The loud chimney fire is commonly due to “heavier” creosote build-up.

Carbon monoxide is especially dangerous because it is not easily detected. The symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning are often mistaken for common illnesses such as headaches, the common cold, nausea, fatigue, depression, or worse.

Carbon monoxide detectors are now readily available and no home should be without at least two of them: One on each level of the house and another near the sleeping area of the home. Detectors are NOT a substitute for routine maintenance, but can be a lifesaver should problems occur.

Carbon monoxide problems are often caused by poor ventilation, and blocked chimneys are one of the largest single causes of carbon monoxide poisoning in the home.

— Courtesy of www.ChimneyDepartment.com.


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Driveways:

What’s underfoot depends on a solid foundation

The last bit of road delivering visitors to your doorstep, your driveway can make a statement all its own through choice of material, design, and good maintenance. Driveway materials range from green options to asphalt and choice is driven primarily by the personality of the home, the regional location, and financial investment.

Wi t h s o m u c h at tention given t o p r o t e c t i n g

th e e nv i ro n m e nt , i t i s n o surprise there is an increased interest in driveway material alternatives. According to www.sealingyourdriveway.com, the grass driveway is attracting some attention. This “green” alternative is designed with strong, load-bearing lattice work serving as the base. The lattice is then filled with soil and seed which grows until the lattice is hidden.

The environmental benef its of a grass driveway include reduction in the amount of water and pollutants that run into the sewer drain and enter our lakes and rivers, l ight absorption which reduces the temperature surrounding the home, and lastly, the elimination of the use of harsh chemicals in maintenance.

Unfortunately, grass driveways can cost f ive times as much a s a n a s p h a l t d r i v e w a y.

Recommendations including not parking vehicles on the drive for days at a time as the plantings require rain and sunlight to thrive and not utilizing the drive more than four or five times a day put a damper on the green appeal. The ability to remove snow and ice without damaging the grass beneath is also a concern.

We b s i t e w w w. b o b v i l a . c o m s u g g e s t s o t h e r d i s t i n c t i ve driveway alternatives; among them are bricks, stone, pavers, compressed earth, concrete, or a mix of materials for a unique look. Concrete is a versatile choice that can provide aesthetic appeal similar to costlier brick, stone or pavers. The material can be colored, shaped, and contoured. It can be embedded with stones, shells, or imprinted with patterns that resemble stone, cobble, or brick.

Concrete is still more expensive than asphalt and, unlike asphalt, cannot be relayered. It stains easily and cleaning can be a challenge. Maintenance is more involved with concrete and although concrete drives will outlast asphalt in some regions, they do not necessarily in locations with severe winters.

Asphalt is perhaps the most familiar choice for driveways, particularly in cold winter states like Maine. Asphalt is a flexible material that moves with the land, heaving and sometimes cracking with colder temperatures, which accounts for the many dips and potholes in Maine’s roadways.

When choosing asphalt for your driveway, paving professionals stress the importance of using reputable companies that stand behind their work. Mike Cloutier, co - ow n e r o f R .C . an d S o n Paving Co. in Lewiston, reminds consumers to be wary of the company that comes knocking at the door with “leftover asphalt from another job. Any paving professional worth his weight in

paving knows how to calculate a job accurately. Having ‘extra’ and of fer ing to do the job today are both red flags to the potential customer.”

It is also important for a new or replacement driveway to have a good gravel base graded correctly, thus saving on the amount of asphalt used. “Most companies prefer to do their own fine grading,” explained Cloutier. “We are fussier about the base. If I look at an existing driveway and I see lots of bumps and cracking, I know there is a base issue that will need addressing. If I see a 20-year-old driveway and it ’s in good condition, I know the gravel base is good. A professional should be able to tell.”

Asphalt drives can be done cheaply or expensively depending on the homeowner’s goal. A home on the market may require only a neat, clean drive for curbside appeal while a homeowner who intends to reside at the property indefinitely will want a more substantial paving job.

Repairing and sealing existing driveways is an area of expertise for Daniel Lemay, owner of Lemay’s Paving in Lisbon. He and his crew have been paving and sealing asphalt driveways and parking lots since 1985 and they work with Cloutier’s company on select jobs.

“Crack repair is most important to the existing asphalt driveway,” confirmed Lemay. “The key is maintaining a steady 380 degrees temperature on the rubber while making the repair. If the rubber is over heated it will fail, under heated it will not adhere.” Any cracks and crevices should be thoroughly cleaned before a repair to assure that the rubber completely fills damaged areas.

Drivewayspage 11 ‰


Drivewaysfrom page 10

As a rule, Lemay said new driveways should wait minimally one year before being sealed unless exposed to extreme heat. Additionally, Cloutier added that reconstructed drives take one day to prepare gravel, two weeks to pack by homeowner use, then one day to brush up the area, prep, and pave.

Traditionally, asphalt driveways have been smooth, clean, neat black surfaces but, today, even asphalt can be decorative. According to Lemay, infrared heat can be used to create borders along the sides of driveways, new or existing. Decorative borders at the end of the drive can be stamped with the house number.

Entire drives can be patterned for a cobbled effect and painted. “The process is an involved one,” said Lemay. “One best left to professionals.”

Who knew there could be so many options for something as s im p l e as a d r i vew ay? Homeowners can now reflect their own personalities into the landscape of their drives. Whether nature lovers, contemporary connoisseurs, history enthusiasts, or just the family next door, there is a driveway “personality” for every appreciation and every pocketbook.

Asphalt roads come to AmericaThe first bituminous mixtures produced in the United States were used for sidewalks, crosswalks, and roads starting in the late 1860s. In 1870, a Belgian chemist named Edmund J. DeSmedt laid the first true asphalt pavement in this country, a sand mix in front of the City Hall in Newark, New Jersey. DeSmedt’s design was patterned after a natural asphalt pavement placed on a French highway in 1852.— Courtesy of the National Asphalt Pavement Association.

Th e a v e r a g e U . S . household will lose power five times this

year. Many of those outages are cause d by une xp e c te d emergency weather situations. This September, the Ready Campaign hopes Americans

will honor the seventh annual National Preparedness Month by taking simple steps to prepare for emergencies such as power outages. Whether it’s a hurricane, tornado, blizzard or another sudden disaster, communication a n d a c c e s s t o u p - t o - d a t e

information is critical for families during an emergency. Fortunately, with a little planning, there are ways to stay plugged in when the power goes out. Perhaps the easiest way to stay connected during an extended power outage is by supplying power to your

home with an automatic standby generator system.

“With a standby generator system, your household will stay plugged in, even if your neighborhood is left in the dark,” said Harold Redman, president of Briggs & Stratton Home Power Products Group, exclusive licensee of Standby Generator Systems by GE. “This means you can power computers, TV and radio, and charge cell phones or cordless landlines — everything you need to stay connected during an emergency.”

Standby generators provide power to a household’s large appliances when the main power source is down. Common home appliances operated by a standby generator include air conditioners, heaters, refrigerators, clothes washers/dryers and lights.

“A standby generator offers a backup power source for a home, but what it really gives a family is peace of mind that their household will be prepared when disaster strikes,”

said Redman, whose corporation is also a National Preparedness Month coalition member.

Even without an automatic standby generator system, families can take steps to stay connected when the lights go dark. Online mobile devices and mobile phones with Internet access allow information to continue to flow into the home.

First, make sure you have a power source for these devices if the power goes out, such as an inverter, solar charger or car charger. Then, investigate local and national information sources:

• Check with your local city, utility and public safety departments. Oftentimes, they allow citizens to sign up for mobile alerts via text messaging or e-mail to notify them of impending emergencies and clean-up efforts.


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Generators:

Stay plugged in when power outages strike

Photo: Business WireThe easiest way to stay connected during an extended power outage is by supplying power to your home with an automatic standby generator system.

Generatorspage 13 ‰

• Local news stations routinely offer mobile alerts that can be sent directly to your phone for free.

• Sites like Nixle.com work much the same way. You sign up for the free service and, after entering your zip code, receive tailored emergency alerts and advisories via text messaging or e-mail from local government and safety agencies. As of January 2010, more than 4,200 agencies offered alerts for their residents.

• Weather.com has free mobile w e a t h e r a l e r t s o f f e r i n g personalized weather forecasts, watches and warnings.

• For iPhone and iPad users, the

Pacific Disaster Center’s recently released “Disaster Alert” app allows users to track impending natural disasters world wide — a great tool for those in hurricane-threatened states. The app is available for download through iTunes and AppShopper.

• “Storm Spotter,” another iPhone app available for purchase, uses your phone’s GPS to show surrounding radar. It ’s a big benefit if you’re stuck without power in the middle of a storm.

• Websites keep you informed, too. Visit ready.gov for a variety of additional tips to prepare for the unexpected and keep your family safe. For more information on what families need to know about automatic standby generators, visit www.powermoreforless.com/prepare.


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Generatorsfrom page 12

High-style farm sinks bring practical smarts to any gourmet kitchen

Stainless steel gives the classic farm sink a contemporary edge

Offered in trend-setting stainless steel, as well as the more familiar fine fire clay, the new Porcher London Farm Sinks Collection brings handsome good looks, time-tested practicality, and flexible installation options to today’s kitchen.

More than ever, the kitchen is becoming a multi func tional place for cooking, living, and entertaining that needs to be both highly practical and pleasingly stylish. The London Farm Sinks Collection was created with this dual role firmly in mind.

There is an appropriate sink model for any style of kitchen. The classic fine fire clay sinks are a great choice for traditional and transitional settings, while the new stainless steel models, picking up on the continuing popularity of stainless for culinary fixtures and appliances, integrate beautifully into up-to-the-minute environments.

All the farm sinks feature a generous 10-inch deep single bowl, with a full apron on all four

sides. Each model is available in 24-, 30-, or 36-inch widths. A decorative bottom rack is an option with the stainless steel models.

The London Farm Sinks feature superior Porcher materials and finishes. Fully glazed on all four sides, the Italian-made fine fire clay sinks are available in white or biscuit. The metal sinks are made of heavy-duty 16-gauge stainless steel with a stylish brushed finish. Because they are finished on all

sides, the sinks offer unusually f lexible installation options. Exposed apron choices include under-counter, above-counter, and f lush mount. Completely under-counter installation is another option, which works well in contemporary settings.

For more information about Porcher London Farm Sinks and other Porcher luxury kitchen products, please visit www.porcher-us.com or call 800-359-3261.

The new Porcher fire clay London Farm Sink, with its generous 10-inch deep bowl and full apron on four sides, offers flexible installation options and handsome good looks for today’s multifunction kitchen.


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Flooring:

Go ahead, tread on me

Technology has the floor. A dizzying assortment of “engineered” materials – meaning, essentially, man-made fabrics, laminates, other hard surfaces – provide homeowners with all sorts of new flooring options and combinations of texture, color, utility, and environmental/green sensitivity. And it is all more durable, more functional, and easier to install and maintain than ever before, as well.

One of the biggest trends of recent years has been the ex tent to which

hard surfaces have become more

prevalent than carpeting, both for new construction and for remodeling. “Ten years ago,

75% of our sales were carpeting. Now, it’s no more than 40%,” said Gill Veilleux, president of Floor Systems in Lisbon.

But carpet manufacturers are fighting back, according to Diane Dube, of Sherm Arnold’s Flooring in Lewiston. “There are all kinds of new fabrics that are more rugged and durable, more vibrant colors, and carpeting is often a less expensive option, especially in to u gh e co n o mic t im es , and for re-hab projects.” But hardwood laminates, new kinds of vinyl tile, and environmentally f r iendly up grades are also affordable options for long-term investments, “especially,” she added, “for people from away.”

“ En g i n e e re d h a r d wo o d ” i s a l a m i n a te d p r o d u c t t h a t sandwiches a layer of hardwood over a core of what is little more than sawdust or wood waste, sometimes a foam or plastic filler. The hardwood surface is as thick as the functional surface of 100% hardwood flooring, is at least as long-lasting, and is often easier to maintain.

Engineered wood products can be installed in places that are not compatible with solid hardwoods, can be found in a wider range of wood species and finishes, from traditional oak to maple or hickory, wide-width planks, “distressed” or hand-scraped surfaces. From an appearance perspective, it is

virtually indistinguishable from solid wood.

Laminated f looring simulates wood surfaces, but it has also evolved well beyond ear ly versions that were little more than patterned linoleum. It features authentic grain finishes, is both durable and easily cleaned and maintained. Also built around a wood f iber core, laminates can resemble a variety of wood surfaces, but also stone, ceramic, or brick.

New chemical processes help reduce or neutralize emissions from formaldehyde used in its production. And laminates are very easy to install, with sections just snapping together. “A lot of flooring is designed to be easy for the do-it-yourselfer,” Veilleux explained. “It’s not only more economical [for the homeowner], but it’s often more convenient. There’s a limited labor force, so if you install it yourself, there’s no need to wait to be scheduled.”

Doing it yourself is especially attractive with some of the trendiest and most eco-friendly materials, such as bamboo or cork. According to Veilleux, bamboo f looring is between 25 and 100 percent harder than northern red oak, and even 12% harder than rock maple. And bamboo grows like a weed and is a quickly replenished crop. It is

Flooringpage 15 ‰


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also available in a wide variety of finishes and comes with the same sorts of long-term warranties typical of hardwoods.

At the higher end of wood options is cork, resilient and flexible, often at least as durable as hardwood when properly maintained, offered in a variety of finishes and colors, hypoallergenic, and environmentally sustainable.

Hard surface flooring also includes tiles, made from an expansive variety of materials, from vinyl to ceramic, slate, granite or stone. Dube described “Dura-ceramic” tile as solid vinyl that can be installed with grout, looks like ceramic, but is more comfortable and easier to maintain.

But the resurgence of carpeting is being fueled by the use of new materials, too. Shaw Flooring (www.shawfloors.com), from a subsidiar y of B e r k shire -Hathaway, provides a nylon carpet that is made from post-consumer recycled nylon carpet, and which is intended to be, well, recycled again.

Flooringfrom page 14

Among the newest trends in carpeting are fibers made from recycled plastic beverage bottles, combining all sorts of environmental responsibility with durability, color, texture, and easy maintenance. And for exceptionally comfortable footing, you can pair new carpeting with innovative, eco-friendly cushy padding made from wheat flour. Although as durable as any traditional padding, this newest element feels something like walking on, ahem, fresh baked bread.

While innovations in carpeting are emerging as a response to hard surface flooring, the growth of hard surfaces in the past 10 years corresponds to the evolution of materials, f inishes, colors, and textures, too, and the notion

that f looring has become an important design element. All the enhancements in the industry combine to say, simply, walk all over me.

Carpeting may be less expensive than hardwood flooring and remains a popular choice for bedrooms.

Christine and Jeffrey Foss did their homework when deciding to replace the windows in their colonial home in Lewiston. The casement windows, which the couple enjoyed for their size and quality, were more than 20-years-old and some of the window cranks no longer operated properly.

“O ur s earch was p ro mpte d by a telemarketing call,” explained Chris. “The company was offering a window replacement program so we invited them to come and give us an estimate.” An extremely pricey quote and high pressure sales techniques quickly inspired Chris and Jeff to do a little investigating of the options for themselves.

Chris said, “We studied window products online and searched the yellow pages for contractors. We got several estimates that varied from $8,000 to $20,000 for the same project.”

The Fosses finally decided on a contractor who worked with Paradigm Windows. “The windows were more expensive, but they were made in Maine and offered a lifetime guarantee,” said Chris. “And we liked the idea of supporting our own Maine economy.”

The project took a matter of days to complete. The new windows, while still large and light-inviting, complimented the home’s colonial flavor better than the earlier windows. Their tilt-in feature made them easier to clean and, although this winter will be the first with the new windows, the Fosses have already seen a difference in the coolant costs to their home as well as an improvement in sound control.

Pineland Lumber sales representative, Rene Gaudette, offered the following tips and suggestions for consumers building a new home or replacing existing windows. “There’s so much product available today. People will want to educate themselves by searching websites, exploring online galleries for ideas and deciding what

features are important to them.” Some websites Gaudet te suggeste d are windsorwindows.com, weathershield.com, and cohtech.com.

Gaudette continued, “There have been many glass updates in the past five years. Companies are utilizing warm edge technology, offering products that exceed set standards for windows. Products including Low E Argon, Stimulus-E and Zo-E glass were designed for their cooling and heat-conserving features. Additionally, new synthetic products minus the cold-transmitting metal are eliminating seal failures that fog windows and decrease visibility and efficiency.”

Window showrooms offer consumers the opportunity to see their own project detailed in computer programs that open the field to creativity. Homeowners can create unique looks for their homes through the wide range of products now available through the use of the Internet and displayed in company showrooms.

“There is more and more product out there for consideration,” said Gaudette. Customers can choose from 30 or 40 colors for laminated grids, sashes, and frames to create two-tone effects, make single color statements, or break through with unique, personality-defining color combinations. “Window casings can look like a picture frame or have a sill. Depending on the manufacturer, there are many different style profiles.”

When the Fosses chose their windows, as i d e f ro m usin g a M ain e - b as e d manufacturer, their criteria for new windows was simply functionality, tilt-in features, and weather efficiency. Of the finished project, Chris said, “We love them!”

Her advice to new builders and renovators is short, sweet, and user friendly. “Don’t be afraid to get different estimates. Ours were so varied. In some cases, there was a difference of 10 to 12 thousand dollars for the same windows.”

Improve your garden this fall before winter weather arrives. Local gardener Deborah Conway tells how she manages to tend to her garden while tending to her busy family life.

I remember it like it was yesterday, although it was several months and an entire season ago when

I made my annual Mother’s Day trip to Donna’s Greenhouse in New Gloucester. I remember the familiar squeaky wheels and the rattle of stones as I pulled the wagon through paths lined with flowers of many varieties, colors and temperaments and envisioned the lovely flower boxes that would decorate my porches and the beds that would line my walkways and welcome summer visitors.

Returning home, I lovingly cared for my new marigolds and pansies, zinnias and petunias for days, making sure that they were safely under cover at night, watered regularly and sunned during the day as I filled my boxes and pots with fresh soil and turned over and prepared my gardens to make them ready for the task of growing flowers. I waited impatiently for the day when my beautiful flowers could be moved from crowded clusters in peat pots to boxes, decorative pots, and beds.

When, finally, the first of June arrived and the threat of cold, flower-killing weather had passed, I proudly transplanted my beautiful flowers to their summer homes. Family and friends remarked at their colorful beauty. Hummingbirds and bees caught wind of my sweet flowers and traveled for miles just for a taste. Even my garden gnomes and fairies stood a little taller and smiled a little brighter.

In the months that followed, my perennials added to the colorful modulations of my garden symphony as irises, peonies, and daylilies came and went and, eventually, as it does every year in Maine, late August crept in and we began speaking of summer in the past tense.

The careful watering and deadheading had given way to summer trips, time with family and lazy days at the beach, and the heat and rain, and lack thereof, had turned my colorful flowers into brittle, brown stalks that wilted

sadly as I passed by, my arms too laden with beach towels, coolers, and tote bags to juggle a watering can, and too distracted by waiting kids to offer even words of encouragement to my struggling flowers.

It’s true. My garden gnomes and fairies seemed to glare at me from beneath spider webs and dirt and the hummingbirds, well they just didn’t come ‘round no more.

So, with my hat pulled low over my forehead to hide my “pathetic excuse for a gardener” identity, I returned to Donna’s for advice and moral support. According to Donna McNally of Donna’s Greenhouses, it’s not my lack of gardening skills that killed my flowers, but the days and days of heat and lack of rain. Armed with good advice from Donna and her husband Chuck, I began planning my autumn gardens.

According to the McNallys, summer flowers can be replaced with mums, heralding the colors of fall. Asters and fall pansies will bloom until late in the year and ornamental cabbage and kale will add fresh color to your gardens until they become buried in the snow. Although we always should use fresh dirt in the spring, in the fall it isn’t necessary to change the dirt. Just pluck out the old, toss them into the compost pile and plant the new.

It is possible to move some plants indoors to provide blooms and color even on the coldest days of winter. Geraniums and hibiscus can be potted and moved inside. Vegetative cuttings of plants such as coleus can be taken and potted after roots have developed.

Other plants, such as gladiolas, dahlia and alstromeria must be dug up, dried and stored in peat moss in the cellar over the winter, but will come back when planted the following spring.

Late summer is the time to start thinking about dividing and moving crowded lilies, irises and hostas. Prune them back after the leaves are down, but not too much. It is also time to prune, perhaps for a second time, rhododendron, forsythia, spirea, wiegela, and azalea. According to the McNallys, “if it blossoms in the fall, you prune it in the early

spring, and in the spring, when you open up the garden, you prune what bloomed in the fall.” For instance, clematis should be trimmed in the fall.

Fall is also the time to put spring-flowering bulbs in the ground. This would include tulips, daffodils, hyacinths, crocuses, and alliums. It is also time to get raised-bed vegetable gardens prepared by tilling in an organic matter such as composted cow manure and seafood compost.

Top dressing flower gardens and putting them to bed for the winter with a layer of

well-composted organic material will also give your flowers a wonderful wintertime boost that will almost guarantee bountiful, beautiful blooms when you wake up your garden in the spring.

For more information and useful advice as to what plants can be potted and moved indoors, how to cut and root plants, and what and how to dig up and store other cold-intolerant plants, and for information regarding how to put your gardens to bed for the winter, visit a greenhouse in your neighborhood.

Feature Stories & Advertising, Sun Journal, Lewiston, Maine, Friday, September 10, 201016 FALL HOME IMPROVEMENT FALL HOME IMPROVEMENT 17

By Deborah ConwayFreelance Writer / Photographer

The autumn garden: Putting it to bed

Donna McNally, and Susi Allten of East Poland, look over a display of purple coneflowers, a perennial plant that attracts butterflies to the garden.

Geraniums can be used in window boxes or planted directly in the ground; they can also be wintered indoors.


Windows: Improve the view of your world

Submitted photosChris Foss enjoyed the large windows in her Lewiston home, but after more than 20 years of use, it was time to replace them with newer, more efficient windows.


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Paint:

Give your home a fresh, new look

As the days get shorter and the nights get cooler we naturally begin making the transition from outdoor living to life indoors. After a summer of fun it is easy to bring the fun summer colors inside. Even if summer colors are not your style, you can still make your home look stylish and new with a fresh coat of paint.

Lucie Bisson, of Bisson Painting, shared this photo to show the color palette of a recently painted house.

Ac c o r d i n g t o D a n B i s s o n o f B isson Paint ing

a n d C a r p e n t r y, t h e r e a r e some advantages to hiring a professional to paint your home, rather than doing it yourself.

First and foremost , hir ing a professional “will save a lot of time, ef fort, aggravation, and hassle” for the property owner. Also, because a professional painter does this type of work every day, they have all of the

e q u i p m e nt t h at t h e y n e e d in order to get the job done correctly and quickly, and with far less disruption to a busy homeowner’s life.

In some instances, when one is

remodeling an older building, it is necessary to hire a professional painter who has been trained and certif ied to handle lead-based paint renovations. Finally, even though many homeowners are skilled, a professional will be thoroughly familiar with all of the tools, and the latest techniques and products, so “the end result should be better,” according to Bisson.

For those of us who enjoy the satisfac tion of a “projec t ,” however, Bisson has several suggestions that will make your finished project look great. The first step is making sure that you have all of the brushes, rollers, ladders, mud, drop cloths, and other tools to do it right. Once you have assembled all of your instruments of construction, go around your room and circle all of the holes, dings, and dents.

Look at your wall from different angles and at different times of day as light will affect how well you can see the imperfections in the wall’s surface. Then “patch with mud” and, after the mud has thoroughly dried, “sand all the walls and ceilings to knock down any grit or texture.” Hand sanding a wall, even when a wall has previously been painted, will give your new coat of paint a nice finish.

After you finish sanding, be sure to shake out all of your drop cloths and clean the windowsills and baseboards. Then, apply a coat of primer to the patches of mud where you filled the holes and smoothed the imperfections.

Although many painters use tape to protect other surfaces while they work, Bisson prefers to use tape very sparingly, and only when he paints in tight spots. With practice, it is possible to create a straight and smooth line or edge with a good quality angled brush and a steady hand.

Choosing the colors to paint your interior walls, as well as the outside of your home, provides every member of your family

Paintpage 19 ‰


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with an opportunity for self-expression. Whether your tastes are bold or muted, warm or cool, you can wrap your rooms with colors that match your decor as well as your life.

Michelle Barbay, of Sherwin-Williams in Lewiston, advises her customers to choose colors “that make them feel comfortable” and to “go with colors that work” for them personally, rather than choosing colors that are “popular.”

According to Barbay, recent trends in color choices have drawn primarily from a warm and comforting palette comprised of neutrals and earth tones, as well

as the more muted or “muddier” shades of blue and green.

Creamier tones in shades of white are often used for painting trim. Colors with names like “Mountain Stream,” a sof t blue, “Sandy Ridge,” a mid-tone brown, and “Green Earth,” a soothing shade of green, are often chosen by adults while younger generations often choose much bolder colors for their living spaces.

Happy colors with names like “Laughing Orange,” “Electric Lime,” and “Vivacious Pink,” often put together in combinations that might initially make an adult recoil, work well for many tweens and teens. Different finishes can also be applied to your walls to create a look that is as unique as the individuals who live in each of

your rooms.

Only after you have carefully prepared your walls and chosen your colors can you finally begin painting. Although depending on the color and other factors you can sometimes get by with one coat of paint, Bisson recommends that you apply two coats of paint to your walls, two coats to your ceiling and two coats on your trim, alternately with the last coat going on the trim to take care of any drips or mistakes that you might have made along the way.

Whether you choose to hire a professional or to do-it-yourself, applying a fresh coat of paint will give your home a clean, new look, and will help you to make the transition from outdoor summer living back into the great indoors.

Paintfrom page 18

Time savers: Leaf blowers and gutter guards

The September 2010 issue of Consumer Reports rates the best leaf blowers and gutter guards to ensure that yards and rain gutters are tidy for the Fall season. More than 2,600 pounds of leaves were blown away by testers to reveal a $60 Toro electric leaf blower that performed comparably to the more powerful and costly gas blowers. Gutter guards were exposed to 480 days of outdoor elements and the Amerimax gutter guards were a top pick for do-it-yourselfers. At .30 cents per foot they beat out many professionally installed systems and could save homeowners cash. The full report, which features the full ratings on gutter guards and leaf

blowers, appears in the September issue of Consumer Reports and online at www.ConsumerReports.org.

Leaf blowersConsumer Reports tested more than 30 models of leaf blowers and found 14 powerful picks. Gas blowers are still the fastest, but lower prices and comparable performance make the better electric blowers a smart choice, especially if homeowners care about less noise and cutting e x h a u s t e m i s s i o n s a n d i f communities have gas-blower regulations. Toro’s corded-electric Ultra Blower Vac 51599, $70, and Super Blower Vac 51592, $60,

swept away leaves and loosened stubborn fragments almost as well as the top gas blowers, and they were quieter overall. For gas blowers, a quieter engine and a smaller impeller made the Kawasaki KRB300A, $230 backpack blower the least noisy gas backpack model tested.

Gutter guardsConsumer Reports ran 16 months of outdoor testing to find the best systems to keep gutters leaf free and found that a low-priced screen may be all it takes. Tests included professionally installed and do-it-yourself products sold at Home Depot, Lowe’s, and other major

retailers to see how well they kept out maple leaves, pine needles, an d oth er gut ter- c l o g g er s . Consumer Reports testers saw some big differences among types of systems. Most professionally

installed systems often use a surface-tension design, where water is supposed to cling to the surface and flow into the gutters while leaves pass over and fall to the ground.

With central Maine having experienced one of the most glorious summers ever, much more attention has been directed, lately, toward enjoying outdoor living spaces at home.

Su r e , t h e s e a s o n hereabouts is usually p r e t t y s h o r t , a n d

adapting to outdoor conditions is more challenging than elsewhere due to the severity of the weather the rest of the year. But that all makes taking full advantage of limited opportunities even more important. And an abundance of new materials, technologies, d es i gns , an d e quip m e nt is helping transform backyards into living rooms.

The trendiest phenomenon is called “hardscaping,” which uses

brick, stone, concrete, and other solid surfaces to build walls, patios, f ireplaces, benches, walkways, driveways — even outdoor kitchens. Pavers — small brick-sized artificial stones made of composite

concrete that is f ive times as dense as poured concrete — have transformed outdoor remodeling for area homeowners.

There is an old adage: “If you can’t handle the winters, you don’t deserve the summers,” and that is applicable to the “built environment that extends comfor table l iv ing into the outdoors. New England has the [most severe] freeze-thaw cycle in the world,” explained John Petrocelli, of Petro’s Ace Hardware and Landscape Center, in Auburn, “so part of why these [paver blocks]

have become so popular is that they are almost indestructible. When they are installed properly, they will last for the life of a house. In fact, the lifetime warranty transfers if you sell your home.”

While proper installation of paver blocks in patios, walls, flower beds, and other

applications w i l l p r e v e n t vegetation from growing t h r o u g h t h e s u r f a c e , t h e technology also allows for the surface to “flex and move with the frost heaves,” according to Petrocell i , unlike poured concrete or other more traditional impervious surfaces, which tend to crack and break under the stress of Maine winters.

Maybe the best part is that the new materials look a lot like old materials. Matt Engleman — whose American Concrete/Shawnee Steps, also in Auburn, specializes in outdoor home s t a i r c a s e s , b o t h f o r n e w construction and remodeling

— explained, “The new finishes look just like stone or granite. They provide better traction than conventional concrete, but they’re much more durable and less expensive than granite.” And


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the new staircases are often installed with heating pads: strips of heating elements embedded beneath the surface which just plug into a conventional outlet and prevent ice from forming.

Used for years in patios and retaining walls, entire driveways are now being built of paving blocks, which are considerably more resilient than asphalt or gravel. “Europe and Canada have been using pavers for a long time,” Petrocelli said, “but the U.S. is starting to catch up.” And just like stair systems, driveways are being installed with underground heating systems. “They can be made to run right off your existing boiler,” according to Petrocelli, “and snow is no more challenging than rain.”

With or without heating elements, hardscaping may be having more impact on traditional landscaping than any other technique. The addition of fire pits, conventional fireplaces or barbecues, and even full-scale kitchen installations can extend the utility of the space well beyond short, traditional Maine summers. Hardscape surfaces have lower maintenance requirements than wooden decking, and hardscaping materials are convenient for raising and containing planting beds, delineating outdoor living spaces, and integrating them with gardens or lawns.

Hardscaping with man-made materials helps homeowners combine the distinctive regional character of random rock walls with the prac tical abi l i t y of modern technology to withstand the elements.

The popular do-it-yourself website, www.diynetwork.com, recently featured a f ront page stor y about outdoor flooring, “favorite outdoor rooms,” and “backyard escapes,” and although the site is not geographic-specific, it does make reference to the special requirements of New England installations. Similar information is available at www.paversearch.com, which examines not just the use of pavers, but all sorts of outdoor f looring, walk, and driveway options.

Hardscapes do not require mowing. Done right, they generally do not require weeding. Impervious surfaces do not need to be stained

or painted. And increasingly, they do not require shoveling or plowing. This could provide those of us not much inclined to outdoor maintenance with outdoor living and recreation areas that can be enjoyed and not fussed over.


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10 Kitchen & bath trends from the 2010 NKBA Design CompetitionThe most popular new designs of 2010 from the National Kitchen & Bath Association.

1. Concealed kitchens

Kitchen design has reached a new level of integration. The quiet incorporation of the kitchen into

the home’s primary living and entertaining rooms provides homeowners with far more flexibility in their lifestyles. The incorporation of integrated and concealed appliances allows the kitchen to enhance rather than intrude into other spaces. Clean structural lines coupled with sleek color palettes enable the space to establish a distinctive identity, without overpowering the

surrounding rooms. Design by David Heide, David Heide Design Studio, Minneapolis, MN

2. Beverage stations

A new element added to many kitchens is a beverage station. This area is usually comprised of an undercounter refrigerator and wine refrigeration, as well as a coffeemaker, which can be as

Above, top photo: Concealed kitchen; middle photo: Beverage station; bottom photo: Varying heights.

Kitchen & bathpage 23 ‰


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varied as the homeowners using them, ranging from simple single-pot coffeemakers to larger units capable of espresso, latte, and cappuccino. This func tional destination within the kitchen typically houses stemware, coffee cups, silverware, cream, sugar, tea and may sometimes have a smaller bar area. Design by Peter Ross Salerno, CMKBD, Peter Salerno, Inc., Wyckoff, NJ

3. Scaling of elements

Shapes, ac tual and implied textures, along with the placement of fixtures are being used to create scale. The overall composition of kitchens and baths is being defined by a sense of scale, which is both functional and visually appealing. An irregularly textured pebbled wall, marbled surface in glass tile, reflective metallic material, or symmetrically hung pendant lighting directs the eye around the room and contributes to a balanced space.

Distinctive wall coverings, tin ceilings and the implied texture of a pronounced wood grain are all stand-out details that are being seen as contributors to the balanced scale of current designs. Design by Kirsti Wolfe, Kirsti Wolfe Designs, Bend, Oregon

4. Color with energy

Bold colors are creating a vibrant splash in room palettes for 2010, with rich blues, purples, greens, and citric yellow making their confident appearance in kitchens and b aths . Co lor s e xuding emotion, acting not merely as a passive backdrop for the room, but bringing life through lighting, wall colors, and wood tones, are profoundly impacting the most innovative designs.

Colors from nature combined with others more synthetically blended, are inducing a feeling o f m o ve m e n t a n d m o t i o n throughout the room through sharp contrasts. Design by Adel Visser, CKD, CBD, All About Kitchens & More, Sacramento, CA

5. Soft geometry

Rounded organic shapes can be seen in the edge of a counter or island top, an arch over an entryway or cooking hearth, the curved lines of a light fixture, and well-placed, space-defining soffits. Softer geometry is showing up with fortitude in contemporary and traditional designs alike. The introduction of rounded islands and countertops carves a smooth-flowing traffic pattern throughout the room, while an appropriately placed arch will bring an overall softening to the more angular fixed features that are typical in kitchens and baths. Design by Earl Lawson, V6B Design Group, Vancouver, BC

6. Space subtleties

Fixtures once confined by location are now incorporated into kitchen and bath designs in almost limitless ways. This freedom in the use of space allows designers to create design-driven room plans rather than those driven by necessity and space solutions.

Floating vanit ies and wal l -m o u n t e d t o i l e t s a l l o w a n unobstructed and spacious feel to a bathroom, while appliances that are stacked and positioned within islands are contributing to functionality in the kitchen by bringing together task space with the right appliances. Design by Lori Carroll, Lori Carroll & Associates, Tucson, AZ

7. Design framing

Designers are bringing artistic details to new heights. A seemingly simple detail, such as the use of a soffit along the ceiling or a width of wall space surrounding inset cabinetry, can call out the item being framed as a focal point while also providing visual balance to the room. The thickness of a countertop edge outlined by a higher countertop acts to highlight a unique material used in the surface. Balance in design is achieved not only by the use of simply symmetry. Portions of a room can be treated as a piece of art, with a frame indicating its presence. Design by Tanya Rentzos, Andros Kitchen & Bath Design, Mississauga, ON

8. Varying heights

Island tops, countertops, and partial walls are being customized to the task performed there and to the needs of the homeowners. Pairing lower desk and prep areas with higher breakfast bar surfaces provides convenient task-specific spaces, which fosters a greater level of family interaction within the kitchen. In the bathroom, this design concept not only provides function, but balances the space. Varying heights seen in the edge of a wood bar top or granite countertop serve as a beautiful counterbalance. Design by Robert Kinsley, Kinsley Design Group, Highland Park, IL

9. Japanese influences

The impact of Japanese design can be seen very subtly in clean lines, open spaces, and neutral color palettes with bold splashes of color in select areas. More apparent Japanese influence is showing up in designs across North America, relying often on one strong anchor piece of Japanese origin. Artwork, Japanese antiques, and the traditional qualities of Japanese culture are at the core of some compelling kitchen and bath designs. The cultural effects seem not only to be additions or decorations to the design, but are deeply embedded as a primary ingredient. Design by Leslie J. Jensen, CMKBD, Signature Woodworks, LLC, Tacoma, WA

10. Art integration

An intense level of personalization in kitchen and bath design is taking different forms. The introduction of a favored piece of art—perhaps a framed painting or an antique sculpture—as the basis for a design creates challenges, but also offers guidelines and solutions to color and material choices, as well as selections of theme. As artwork itself is personal to the owner, this presents an immediately intimate quality to the space. This method of integration allows the designer to fold all other aspects of the room around the treasured piece. Design by Savena Doychinov, CKD, Design Studio Int’l. Kitchens & Bath, LLC, Falls Church, VA

Kitchen & bathfrom page 22

Remodeling Cost versus Value Report 2009/10: collects nationwide averages for popular home improvements in the United States. The following price estimates will help you establish a general picture of how-much-a-remodeling-project-will-cost. How much does a kitchen renovation cost? That is contingent with the extent of the home improvement. A small remodel of an outmoded 200-sq.-ft. kitchen costs almost $21,411, whereas a large scale remodel costs $57,215 and a premium remodel costs $111,794. A bathroom midrange addition costs roughly $39,046 in comparison to a premium addition costing roughly $75,812. A midrange bathroom remodel costs $16,142 whereas an upscale remodel costs $52,295.

— Courtesy of Remodeling-Costs.com.

Parents and parents-to-be have a million things on their minds when it comes to raising their children. But every parent needs to be aware of child safety, and this begins in the home.

• Window areas: Never place a crib, playpen, bed or any type of low-standing furniture near a

window. In exploring their surroundings, young children can accidentally fall through an open window or window screen, or become tragically entangled in a nearby window cord. Whenever possible, place cribs and furniture on a non-windowed wall. The Window Covering Safety Council recommends you make the right choice and only use cordless window products in young children’s bedrooms and play areas. Owners and renters should replace all window coverings in the home made before 2001 with today’s safer products.

• Cribs: Make sure the crib you are using is sturdy, properly installed and in compliance with the latest safety standards. The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission cautions that crib mattresses should fit snugly, headboards and footboards should be without decorative cutouts, and corner-post extensions should be eliminated. In addition, safety guidelines now require that all cribs have slats that are spaced no more than 2 3/8 inches apart. Heirloom cribs and hand-me-downs may not meet these safety guidelines, or may have lead-based paint, dangerously loose parts or missing pieces. Remember to place the crib on a non-windowed wall. Once a child is able to push up on his hands or knees, or reaches 5 months of age, the CPSC recommends removing any crib toys strung across the crib or playpen.

• Bedding: Fashionable cr ib comforters, bumpers, sheets and other bedding items are commonplace in today’s nursery decorating schemes. As adorable as these bedding items may be, safety experts caution parents not to place fluffy soft comforters or pillows in the crib where they might smother a baby. A safe yet colorful alternative is to hang the comforter on the wall as textile art.

• Other room features: Be sure to cover all electrical outlets. Consider purchasing a spring-

loaded lid-support device for toy chests to prevent the lid from falling on a child’s neck or from closing and trapping a child playing inside the chest. Changing tables should have safety straps. Baby powder, diaper ointment, and similar baby-care products should be accessible to the caregiver, but out of the child’s reach.

When it comes to choosing w i n d o w t r e a t m e n t s m o s t consumers consider color, style, and even privacy. If young children are around the home, then cord control should be another important factor in selecting your window treatments. Although today’s window fashions come

with built-in cord-safety features, the Window Covering Safety Council believes cordless window coverings are the best choice for use in children’s bedrooms and any area of the home where children spend time playing. In fact, cordless designs are rapidly gaining favor with consumers and decorators because of their “clean” look and streamlined design. Most traditionally corded window fashions are available in “cordless” styles through the use of spring-loaded mechanisms, battery- or motor-operated lift controls, or simple wand pulls.

— Courtesy of Window Covering Safety Council.


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One of the most important considerations for your home remodeling project

is financing. After all, the project will go nowhere if you can’t pay for it. Fortunately, there are several options that can provide the dollars you need. Four of the most common are a home improvement loan, a home equity line of credit, a home equity loan (second mortgage), and a cash-out refinancing of your current mortgage. However, the simplest method of financing is cash.

Cash

If you have cash in savings to pay for your home remodeling project, this may be the best way to finance your home improvements. But be sure to consider the fact that, by paying in cash, you tie up money that could be earning interest in other investments. In other words, you need to look at the interest rate that you would be charged by financing the project and compare

this to the interest you could earn by investing these funds. Also remember that interest payments on a home improvement loan may be tax-deductible, while you can’t write off the expenses of a remodeling project paid for in cash. Crunch the numbers and meet with a financial advisor to determine whether paying in cash will really pay off in the long run.

Home improvement loan

Two special loans administered through the Federal Housing Administration are the Title I and Section 203(k) programs. A Title I loan allows you to borrow up to $25,000 for improvements to a single-family home. These are fixed-rate loans that FHA insures against the risk of default. Loans must be made by an approved Title I lender. The 203(k) program is not as well known, but if you are looking to purchase a fixer-upper, it is a terrific opportunity. It allows

home owners to receive a single, long-term, fixed or adjustable rate loan that covers both the acquisition and rehabilitation of the property. To obtain a loan under the 203(k) program, you must use an FHA-approved lending institution. Most mortgage lenders are approved to make loans through this program.

Home equity line of credit

A home equity line of credit is a form of revolving credit in which your home serves as collateral. This allows you to tap into these funds whenever you need it. The credit line is usually set at 75 to 80 percent of the appraised value of your home minus the balance of the first mortgage. Your credit history and ability to pay may also be considered in determining the amount of credit available. Home equity lines of credit usually carry a variable interest rate that is figured by adding a margin to the current

Prime Rate or some other index. Other costs associated with setting up a line of credit may also apply and will vary from lender to lender.

Second mortgage

If you are not comfortable with the open-ended nature of a line of credit (which requires discipline to ensure that you don’t go way over budget), a home equity loan, or second mortgage, may be right for you. This is a fixed-rate, fixed-term loan based on the equity in your house that is paid back in equal monthly installments over a specific period of time.

Cash-out refinancing

I f interes t rates to day are signif icantly less than when you first purchased your house, refinancing your mortgage may be a wise move. This refinancing alternative allows you to use the accumulated equity in your home to take out a new loan to pay off your existing mortgage and then use the remaining funds for your remodeling project. Make sure you factor in the length of time

you plan to live in the house and the number of years left on your current mortgage before you decide to refinance.

Keeping your budget in line

Once you’ve decided how much you can afford to spend fulfilling your remodeling dreams, the real challenge is making sure you stick to this budget. So, how can you prevent your expenses from spiraling out of control?

• Plan on spending only 80 percent of what you can afford. Put the additional 20 percent in reserve to cover changes, unforeseen problems, and miscellaneous charges.

• Remember that anything not included in the original contract will cost extra. It’s very easy to start tacking on hundreds and even thousands of dollars in change orders that will break both your budget and your timeline.

— Courtesy of the National Association of Home Builders.


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Modern toi let design began in 1596, when Si r J o hn H ar ing ton

invented a device for Queen Elizabeth (his Godmother) that released wastes into cesspools. Harrington invented two elements of the modern toilet: a valve at the bottom of the water tank, and a wash-down system.

In 1775, Alexander Cummings designed a toilet with a water trap under a bowl. In the late 1800s, the first recognizably modern toilets were developed by entrepeneurs like Thomas Crapper, a plumber who brought toi let design and modern manufacturing technology together. His name has became synonymous with toilets;

our troops came home from World War I calling toilets “crappers.” Other names associated with the development of modern toilets are George Jennings, Thomas Twyford, Edward Johns and Henry Doulton.

The late 1800s was the heyday of toilet design, with models fol lowing the ear th closet , pan closet, and water closet designs. Modern design was complemented by the invention of toilet paper by American Joseph Cayetti in 1857. The main toilet designs were:

1. Earth closetDry earth is used to cover waste material for later removal. Henry Moule patented one design in

1869, advertising it as a great improvement over the cesspit.

2. Pan closet A simple but fairly unsanitary design featuring a basin with a pan at the bottom. This pan could be tipped to discharge its contents into a receptacle.

3. Valve closet An opening at the bottom of a pan was sealed by a valve. When flushed, the valve opened and water was released into the pan by some mechanism. Modern airplane toilets are often a version of the valve closet.

4. Hopper closet This inexpensive design featured an inverted cone as the receptacle, with a squirt of water released for (generally inadequate) flushing. Because of its low cost, it was used mainly by poor people.

5. Wash-out or flush-out water closetWater was used to seal the drain tube, as in the modern trap. Combined with a flushing mechanism and siphoning action, this evolved into the modern toilet.

— Courtesy of SewerHistory.org.

While the kitchen often is considered the most essential

room in a house, the bathroom places a close second among homeowners, according to Frank Webb’s Bath Center website.

“You want these spaces to be comfor table and welcoming while reflecting your lifestyle and personality as much as possible,” notes the national website for the company. “However, finding that perfect balance for your project is no easy task. From choosing a designer to picking out colors, materials , and st yles , these projects can be daunting to any homeowner.”

Fortunately for homeowners, there’s no shortage of online information as well as advice from local bath renovation contractors.

Trends in bathrooms for 2010 from the National Kitchen and Bath Association

In with the old, out with the new

Traditional will be the most popular design style in bathrooms in 2010, as contemporary designs will be a distant second, followed by the Shaker style as an even more distant third. Beige and bone will be the most common colors used in bathrooms, followed by white and off-white.

Ceramic and granite

Ceramic and porcelain tile will be the dominant flooring materials in bathrooms this year, while natural stone will continue to prove popular as well. For vanity tops, granite will remain king, with quartz and marble also proving popular options.

Simple fixtures

The most common color for fixtures will be white. Bisque and off-white will be the only other fixture colors common in new or remodeled bathrooms.


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The bathroom:

Common sense planning pays off in bathroom renovations

Toilets, earth plumbing, and house closets

Bathroompage 27 ‰

A nickel for every finish

Faucet finishes in brushed nickel continue to lead the way in 2010. Bronze and stainless steel will follow as a choice for homeowners.

Practical advice

Beyond seeking the trends in the market, Donald Fortin, president of Fortin Construction Inc. in Auburn, advises a practical balance to bathroom makeovers.

“I try to make sure that the customer is going to get return on investment on all repairs. I believe making sure that the repairs fit the house and maybe even the neighborhood,” said Fortin. “For instance I would not recommend a tile shower that costs $4K in a house valued at $175K. That is not expected in a house in that price range. I would recommend repairs that are for that price range house.”

As for the best value in repairs and renovations, it is not the same for every homeowner. “For some, it is adding a bath and for others it may be just upgrading the fixtures and replacing the floor. We add baths and replace complete bathrooms depending on the budget and the house.”

And Fortin noted that consumers are more value oriented these days. More customers are looking for oversized showers instead of bathtubs. More people want a nice shower that has plenty of space instead of taking a bath that uses 90 gallons of water for a 20-minute soak.

“I would forgo the bath and put the money in the shower and upgrade the fixtures to brushed nickel or

bronze instead,” noted Fortin.

More practical advice

Debby Dickinson, manager of Frank Webb’s Bath Center, offered these tips to consider while planning a bathroom makeover.

When you replace an existing toilet you should verify the rough dimensions to make sure the new toilet will fit correctly. This can be done by measuring from the finished wall to the bolts that secure the toilet to the floor.

Confirm with your contractor and/or plumber that you will have an adequate supply of hot water before you decide to purchase a new soaking tub, whirlpool, air tub, or custom shower.

Grab bars are becoming more and more common in tubs and showers — not only are they a great safety feature, they also provide increased ease of entry and exit into the tub and/or shower.

Living in the northeast, we all know what it’s like to step onto the bathroom floor on a cold winter morning. While you’re remodeling (or if you’re building a new home) you may want to think about putting radiant heat into the floor to warm you up on those cold days.

Don’t forget to pick out your accessories when you select your fixtures. Many suppliers will have towel bars, soap dishes, and decorative lights that will match your fixtures and faucets.

Online resources

www.nkba.org/consumer_tools_workbook.aspx. This site provides access to a comprehensive planning guide for bathroom makeovers. Complete online

request to receive planning guide.

fwbc.frankwebbbath.com/my-projects.php. Another planning website that allows you to pick and choose items to add to your repair or renovation project. Take the completed list to your local Bath Center expert.


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Bathroomfrom page 26

Photos taken at Frank Webb’s Bath Center in Lewiston.

While natural light is nice to behold, Ron Dumais, store manager of Lighting Concepts in Lewiston, wants to bring a little bit more light to the world.

“With 3,000 lights to choose from in our store and 90,000 to see on our website, there’s a good chance we’ll be able to find whatever kind of light you are looking for,” said Dumais. “And if we have a picture of something that you found in a magazine, chances are good that we can find the supplier that produces it.”

According to the American Lighting Association, (w w w.

americanlightingassoc.com ) there are three basic types of lighting to consider in any project.

One is general lighting that provides an area with overall illumination that replaces sunlight. The second is task l ighting that provides illumination in a particular area to do tasks such as reading, sewing, cooking, homework, playing games or other activities. The third is accent lighting that spotlights an item of importance such as a painting, plant, collec tible, or prized possession. The trick, according to this trade association, is to define the type of lighting that you will need in a home lighting project.

Dumais suggests that shoppers do basic planning before proceeding with a lighting makeover.

“We always start with the question, ‘What are you looking for? ’” explained Dumais, who works with customers in the store, at their homes, or through online communication. “It is good to know the size of the room that you are lighting including the square footage, the height of the ceiling, and the color scheme.”

Some customers take current photos of rooms in their house to give Dumais an idea of what they want changed. Other customers even make reference to things they saw on a television show in hopes of finding exactly the right lighting fixture.

“Any information helps,” said Dumais, though he still meets customers who have no idea what they want and who go to a lighting store to see what is available.

One such recent customer was this writer’s wife, Denise Marois, who wanted to replace an aging fixture over the kitchen table.

“I was looking for something with a contemporary look that could give plenty of light over the kitchen table area,” said Marois. “I didn’t want just one light hanging down over the table.”

Marois decided on adjustable track lighting with individual lamps fitting into tracks secured to the ceiling. “I chose track lighting because I could place the track anywhere over the table and point the individual lights to the areas that needed the light.”

Being a theater lover, Marois is thrilled that the individual lights resemble mini-spotlights. “There


��

By Dan Marois Freelance Writer / Photographer

Light up your home:

Bright ideas for lighting choices

Homeowner Denise Marois is thrilled with her track lighting as she can adjust the direction of light to where it is needed.

With so many important considerations to contemplate when selecting a new light, talking with an experienced lighting store employee is worth your time. Here, Ron Dumais of Lighting Concepts, demonstrates a hanging light with an outdoor theme.

Lightingpage 29 ‰


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are two sets of light shades that can be changed to give the track lighting a bolder or more subtle light in the room. If I ever get tired of the lighting pattern, I can always change the positions of the individual lamps.”

While consumer preferences change from year to year, Dumais noted that customers currently are choosing bronze and polished nickel lamps. There’s also a trend toward energy saving bulbs in the popularity of the curly shaped fluorescents that have flooded the market.

And when asked to cite what the next emerging technology in lighting might be, Dumais responded with three letters — LED.

“It will change the industry,” said Dumais, referring to light emitting diodes, now used on such things as computer screens, but rapidly making the transition to home lighting. “It is starting to be available, though it is expensive right now.”

T h e e n e r g y s a v i n g s i s significant where a .7 watt LED can produce the equivalent of 18 watts of light from other light sources. In the next 10 years, Dumais believes that LED lighting may become the standard in the industry.

Lightingfrom page 28

Septic systems:

Maintenance and proper useSeptic systems are used to treat and dispose of relatively small volumes of wastewater, usually from houses and businesses that are located relatively close together. Septic systems are also called onsite wastewater treatment systems, decentralized wastewater treatment systems, on-lot systems, individual sewage disposal systems, cluster systems, package plants, and private sewage systems.

How do septic systems work?

The typical septic treatment system includes a septic tank, which digests organic matter and separates floatable matter (e.g., oils and grease) and settle-able solids from the wastewater. Soil-based systems discharge the liquid (effluent) from the septic tank into a series of perforated pipes buried in a leach field, leaching chambers, or other special units designed to slowly release the effluent into the soil or surface water. Alternative systems use pumps or gravity to help septic tank effluent trickle through sand, organic matter (e.g., peat, sawdust), constructed wetlands, or other media to remove or neutralize pollutants like disease-causing pathogens, nitrogen, phosphorus, and other contaminants. Some alternative systems are designed to evaporate wastewater or disinfect it before it is discharged to the soil or surface waters.

Why do septic systems fail?

Most septic system failures are related to inappropriate design and poor maintenance. Some soil-based systems (with a leach or drain field) have been installed at sites with inadequate or inappropriate soils, excessive slopes or high ground water tables. These conditions can cause hydraulic failures and water resource contamination. Failure to perform routine maintenance, such as pumping the septic tank at least every 3 to 5 years, can cause solids in the tank to migrate into the drain field and clog the system.

What items should not be put down the drain if my house has a septic system?

Do not put the following items into sink drains or toilets: hair combings, coffee grounds, dental floss, disposable diapers, kitty litter, feminine hygiene products, cigarette butts, condoms, gauze bandages, fat, grease, oil, paper towels, paints, varnishes, thinners, waste oils, photographic solutions or pesticides.

What should I do if my basement floods?

If sewage from your plumbing fixtures or onsite system backs up into your basement, avoid contact with the sewage and the possibly harmful pathogens it might contain. Contact your local health department or regulatory agency. Cleanup personnel should wear protective clothing (e.g., long rubber gloves, face splash shields). After cleanup is complete, all equipment, tools, and clothing used in the cleanup and the flooded basement area should be washed thoroughly and disinfected with a mixture of 90 percent water and 10 percent household bleach. The area should be dried out with fans, heat lamps, or other devices and not be used until it has been completely dry for at least 24 hours.

— Courtesy of the Environmental Protection Agency.

The typical septic treatment system includes a septic tank, which digests organic matter and separates floatable matter (e.g., oils and grease) and settle-able solids from the wastewater.

Trending toward smaller scale furniture, with more customized designs

Over the last six years, demand for specialized, smaller, American-built

furniture has evolved with our relationship with American furniture factories. Selling smaller-scale furniture inevitably introduces the need to make changes to our standard offerings. While some stores may flounder at such requests, our suppliers know to expect every manner of change request from us, because smaller spaces often require special attention.

One couple originally opting for a purely custom sectional decided instead on a sensible, less costly alternative, preserving funds for

other renovations. Originally looking to reduce arm thickness, increase leg height, and reduce the back height, the couple decided after pricing out a mid-range sectional from another supplier that they were able to get much of what they were looking for, at an acceptable quality and price point, for much less than the premium quality sectional, which would have outlasted the 10 years they expected to enjoy their renovated home.

In another scenario, a Rockland couple came in with photos of Ikea pieces that lacked the character and certain features that were important in their cottage. Aside from the fact that the husband had vowed never to assemble another Ikea product, we were able to change the dimensions of two pieces we regularly order locally, adding glass doors, changing all dimensions, and adding custom

touches like bead board and two tone finishing, plate grooves in the china cabinet, and adjustable shelving in the TV cabinet to achieve the warm and inviting atmosphere the couple sought – as opposed to the linear and Spartan lines of the Ikea pieces, which were not customizable.

The resulting cost? About three times the Ikea products. The difference? No particle board, local manufacturing, custom finishing, after-sales support, and a direct relationship with the owner of a locally owned small business.

Other occasions are driven by hard dimensional restrictions as well as a tight budget. Our best selling sleeper, designed by us and made only for our store by Temple Furniture under our label, Condo Sofa, is usually a rolled-arm 72” sleeper with slightly flared back cushions. Unfortunately, the customer required the sleeper, redesigned from scratch to be both comfortable for sleeping and sitting every day, to be 68” long. Her desire to brighten the decor had led to many visits to

review fabrics, many of which were vibrant, and due to the excellent quality of the sleeper’s construction, a bit risky: what if the customer tired of the chosen fabric


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Improve your home space:

Downsizing trends can helpDownsizing

page 31 ‰

The greatest water safety assurance in swimming pools and spas comes from adopting and practicing as many water safety steps as possible. You can never know which safety measure will save a life – until it does.

• Never leave a child unattended in a pool or spa and always watch your child when they are in or near a pool or spa.

• Avoid entrapment by keeping

children away from pool drains, pipes, and other openings.

• Teach children basic water safety tips.

• Have a phone close by at all times

when you or your family are using a pool or spa.

• If a child is missing, look for them in the pool or spa first.

• Share safety instructions with family, friends, and neighbors.

• Learn how to swim

• Learn to perform CPR on children and adults; update those skills regularly.

• Understand the basics of life-saving so that you can assist in a pool emergency.

• Install a fence around the

perimeter of the pool and spa and use self-closing and self-latching gates. Ask your neighbors and community groups to do the same.

• If your house serves as the fourth side of a fence around a pool, install a pool alarm and use it all the time.

• Ensure any pool and spa you use has compliant drain covers.

• Maintain pool and spa covers in good working order.

• Have life saving equipment such as life rings or floats available.

For more information, v isit w w w . p o o l s a f e l y . g o v o r www.youtube.com/poolsafely.

in a year or two? These sleepers last for decades with minimal care. Additional charges for changing length, arms, back cushions, and overall height added only $300 to the price of the sofa, but suggested a practical, neutral fabric might suffice, and offer more flexible decorating later. The customer found an affordable, durable cover, which brought the overall cost of her sofa within her budget.

Shopping carefully and mindfully, work ing with k nowledgeable salespeople, and understanding exactly what you’re choosing to pay for can make all the difference, and lead to many years of useful service from your furniture purchase.

Ross Endicott is the owner and manager of Endicott Home Furnishings in Scarborough. For more information, visit www.condofurniture.com, e-mail [email protected], or call 207-883-3264.


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Selling smaller scale furniture inevitably introduces the need to make changes to standard offerings. Top photo: 72” standard sleeper sofa. Bottom photo: 68” customized version.

Downsizingfrom page 30

Improve your pool time fun with these simple tips that save lives

Weatherization has become a new buzzword due to national and statewide efforts promoting energy efficiency. Homeowners who weatherize their homes by adding insulation, air sealing, or replacing heating systems may be eligible for up to $4,500 in cash and tax incentives. Homeowners and landlords of all income levels are encouraged to apply.

We a t h e r i z i n g c a n h e l p t o reduce energy usage and costs. Weatherization also addresses comfort issues within a home, including ice dams, frozen pipes and uncomfortably hot or cold rooms. Homeowners paying more than $1 per square foot per year for energy are excellent candidates for this program.

A home energy audit by an Efficiency Maine participating energy advisor is the first step toward completing improvements that qualify for cash incentives and federal tax credits. Participating advisors are certif ied by the Building Performance Institute (BPI) and can identify energy-s av ing opp or tunit ies using specialized diagnostic equipment.

T h e H o m e En e rg y S av in gs Program is funded by stimulus dollars through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. For more information such as eligibility requirements and a list of participating energy advisors, visit efficiencymaine.com or call toll-free 1-866-ES-MAINE (1-866-376-2463).

The following information dispels common myths related to home weatherization:

#1. It’s easy to tell where my home is losing energy.

Many homeowners think the biggest air leaks are around windows and doors. While these leaks can be significant, most air leaks are hidden from view, passing through floors and ceilings around chimneys, pipes, ductwork, etc. An energy auditor using diagnostic equipment can identify the real sources of your energy loss.

#2. Sealing air leaks is dangerous. Houses have to breathe.

While houses do need fresh air, most homes have more air leaks than necessary. Often incoming air enters homes through basements, garages and crawl spaces, which can compromise air qualit y. Controlling the f low of air in your home can save energy and improve air quality, too.

#3. The solution to ice dams is to call a roofer.

Ice dams aren’t a roofing problem. Ice dams form when attics are unintentionally heated by air leaks and/or insufficient insulation. This causes snow on the roof to melt, and freeze on the eaves, creating ice dams. Weatherization work such as sealing air leaks and adding

more insulation can reduce the risk of ice dams at their source.

#4. The solution to frozen pipes is to call a plumber.

A plumber can repair a frozen pipe, but insulating pipes is the best way to avoid having them freeze in the first place.

#5. Maine winters are really dry. It’s good to run a humidifier.

Air leakage is the most common cause of excessive dryness. When cold air enters the house and is heated, the relative humidity is significantly reduced. Air sealing can help keep your home at a comfortable humidity level without the need for a humidifier.

#6. Newer homes don’t need weatherization.

Houses built before June 2010 were not subject to any state energy efficiency codes. Therefore, age is no indication of energy efficiency.


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Weatherizing can help to reduce energy usage and costs.

Want your home improvement story featured in the next Sun Journal Home Improvement supplement? Take photos during your project and keep notes. Contact Special Sections anytime at [email protected] or 207-689-2997. We’ll have a freelance writer contact you to set up an interview. It’s fun and easy.

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