7/29/2019 Smart, Eco-Friendly, Money-Saving Home Tips By Kevin Regan

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www.OurBerkshireTimes.com August / September 2013

Home, Garden & Landsc

Smart, Eco-Friendly, Money-Saving Home Tips / By Kevin J. Regan

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Hartsville Design

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(413) 274-1010FSC Certified Wood Upon Request

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www.Hartsvil leDesign.com

1. Cut Down onMoldwhen renovating high-moisture areas like bathrooms, kitchens, and base-ments by using greenboard instead of regular drywall.Note that greenboard drywalls paper covering is wa-ter-resistant, but not waterproof; use a cement-based

backerboard like Wonderboard for tile-covered wetapplications like showers and tub surrounds.

2. Protect Your Wood Projectsbyrecycling used gift cards. Use them as a barrier whenusing clamps just slip the cards between the woodand the clamps before tightening the jaws.

3. Prevent Exterior Rot by primingevery side and all edges of each piece of wood withone or two coats of an oil-based primer before youinstall it (especially both ends since the end grain islike a sponge). This is an often overlooked step thatcreates unnecessary trouble down the line. In addi-tion, you must make certain that all exterior work is

flashed and caulked correctly to prevent any waterfrom getting behind the exterior millwork.

4. I Use and Recommendaluminumand stainless steel nails for areas where moisture isa consideration to avoid corrosion, rust, and stain-ing. Aluminum nails should be used for siding or

screening, and stainless nails for wood (especiallycedar or redwood).

5. Collect Pictures from magazines, books,and the internet for inspiration when you are plan-

ning custom cabinetry or home improvement proj-ects. A picture is worth a thousand words and willhelp you share your vision with your interior deco-rator, cabinetmaker, or other home improvementprofessional.

6. Protect Your Wood Trim byattaching adhesive felt pads to the front and sides ofyour vacuum cleaner head so that it can glide againstbaseboard trim without making marks.

7. To Help Organize your workspacewhen staining or painting wood trim, use an inex-pensive 6-ft. stepladder as a lumber rack. Just fastena cleat across the back legs of the ladder at the same

height as each step, and slide your trim (finish sideup) through each step for drying.

8. Fix Sticky Wooden Drawersbyrubbing beeswax on the glides and everywhere thedrawer touches the framework of the furniture, orby adhering self-adhesive nylon tape to the glides.

9. Tighten Loose Door Hiwith this clever idea. First, remove the loose and put carpenters glue into the problem holesinsert a toothpick or the pointed end of a golf teach hole and tap into place with a hammer. A

glue drys, cut off the exposed extra part of thepicks or tees using a sharp utility knife. Finalnew pilot holes and reinsert the screws throuhinge. Be careful not to overtighten the screwhinge should feel much more stable and secure

10. Instead of Using Very Tpressure-treated wood for outdoor projects, uresistant North American woods such as Eastcedar, black locust, and redwood, or exotic hardsuch as tigerwood, ipe, cumaru, and garapa. Dunderestimate how toxic pressure-treated woodhow detrimental it can be to your familys health environment see www.epa.gov/oppad001/rertion/cca/cca_qa.htm for more information.

11. Looking for Healthy Stand paint? Try using products from BioHealthy Living Paints, www.bioshieldpainTheir excellent collection of paints, stains, thand waxes are free of synthetic chemicals andprimarily from naturally derived raw materia

~ Kevin Regan, Hartsville Design Woodworking, www.hartsvilledesign.com. See ad b