2012 Spring Home Improvement

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While the heydays of wall-paper might be a haunt-ing memory of the elabo-

rate f loral designs that f lourished in your grandmother’s living room in the 1960s, there’s still an interest today in the options that decorat-ing with wallpaper can provide.

The Wa l lcover ing Associat ion (wallcoverings.org), a nonprofit trade association for the industry, notes that wallcoverings are a great impersonator and can change the visual appearance of a room in many ways. Wallcoverings, like a fine set of clothing, helps you make the most of your room’s strong points, while masking its weaker features. Textured wallpaper is particularly good at hiding flaws in sheetrock without the expense.

Wallpaper adds warmth to every room. It has a natural third-dimen-sion quality inherent of the cho-sen design. While wallpaper lost a tremendous amount of its market to painted walls, faux-designed walls, handpainted murals, wallboards, and such, it is now making a wonderful comeback.

Current high-end products like screen-printed, handpainted grass clot hs, embossed, a nd heav y-duty vinyls seem to be the most

popular with today’s homeowners. Wallpaper can act as a background to wall art and can also stand on its own, depending on the overall design desired.

Painted walls have no dimen-sion and homeowners can end up spending large amounts on wall art to try to make the room look right. With wallpaper, the stronger the pattern, the less wall art is needed.

Mike St. Pierre, from Lewiston Paint and Wallpaper in Lewiston, ad m it s t hat fewer customers are seeking wallpaper, but there a re st i l l plent y of opt ions i n construction, color and design.

“The majority of papers today are pre-pasted, solid vinyls,” said St. Pierre. “They are very versatile and can be used most anywhere.”

And while it seems to be a daunt-ing task to first-time paper hangers, information found on the Wallcov-ering Association’s website empha-sizes that wallcoverings are easy to install especially when you follow the manufacturer’s instructions that come with each roll.

Homeowners can speak to local retai lers who wil l be happy to provide helpful hints and tips to make wallpapering easier. In fact, many decorating retailers offer wall covering clinics geared to the first-time hanger.

W hen applying wallpaper it is critical to get the wall prep done

correctly. With all the chemical changes that have taken place in the environmental arena, it is a bad choice to try to cut corners with the prep and adhesives. When done as specified you will end up with a very beautiful space.

Homeowners should have all the proper tools needed for the job. These can include a smoothing brush, seam roller, broad knife, utility knife, putty knife, level, tape measure, wallpaper tray, wallpaper table, scissors, and paste brush or paint roller. All of these items are available at local hardware or home decorating retailers. Some items can even be rented.

If you are searching for wallpaper or border pat ter ns to match something you already have in your home, there are companies that specialize in locating older-style wallpapers. Ask first at a local store, and if they don’t carry what you are looking for, chances are, they can steer you in the right direction.

While most wallpapering projects can be done by the do-it yourselfer, there are times when you may want to consider hiring a professional.

“When the room being prepared involves a lot of areas that require precise cutting or if there is a difficult match in the pattern, you may want to hire someone,” said St. Pierre, explaining that this might be too much to handle for a first time effort.

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The differences between roofing materialsA roof is the primary defense

a home has aga inst t he elements. It provides protec-

tion against wind, rain and snow, as well as shields the interior from the blazing heat. A compromised roof cannot do its job properly. There are many different roofing materia ls avai lable these days – each of which carries with it a certain length of usefulness.

Most roofs can last any where from 25 to 40 years, depending on t he mater ia l composit ion. Homeowners may know it’s time to replace a roof without even venturing out on the roof. Ceiling leaks or discoloration can indicate it’s time to replace a roof.

Check for sagging ceiling material on the top f loors of the home if there is no attic. Wet or darkened wood or rusty nails in the attic cou ld be sig n s. Ra f ter s may channel leaks away from their original source, so it’s best to do a t horough check a ny t ime wetness or discoloration is evident anywhere in the home.

Once the decision to install a new roof is made, homeowners must decide bet ween t he d i f ferent roof ing materia ls. Research is

necessary to find a roof that will be the right price and meet the homeow ner’s needs. Here a re common roofing materials.

Asphalt shingles: This is the type of roof most homeowners f irst think of when envisioning a roofing project. The three-tab asphalt shingle is the most commonly used roofing material.

The economic value it offers is why this roof is one of the most popular. However, even though shingles are available in many different colors, homeowners seeking something u n ique may wa nt to select a different roofing option.

Architectural shingle : Similar t o a n a s p h a l t s h i n g l e , t h e architectural shingle is thicker and the layers are staggered to give the roof a more architectural look. These shingles are only slightly more ex pensive t ha n aspha lt shingles, which still makes them a good value.

Wo o d s h a ke s a nd s h i n g le s : Instead of asphalt, wood makes an ideal roofing material that’s also pleasing to the eye. Over time wood will weather to different shades, which can help the home blend

in with the environment. Wood shakes can be expensive to install, and will require periodic cleaning to remove mildew or moss, and may need re-oiling for preservation.

There are also “fake” wood shingles t hat a re made of composite materials that may offer the look of wood without the maintenance.

Slate: This hard, stone material is very strong and sheds snow and ice very well, which is why it was often used on homes in the Northeast. The weight of slate, which requires a more substantial roof structure, and the cost make it less popular among today’s homeowners.

Metal: This material is an ideal choice for industrial applications or on agricultural or country homes where snow is frequent. A metal roof can range from relatively in-expensive galvanized steel to lofty copper that is pricey. A properly installed metal roof could last 50 years, which makes it a good value.

Ceramic: Ceramic tile roofs may be among the most expensive due to the craftsmanship and the in-stallation required for these heavy tiles, but their life expectancy is 60 to 80 years. Chances are you’ll only

have to do this type of installation once in a lifetime. Many people are drawn to ceramic roofs because of their beauty.

They are commonly found on Mediterranean-st yle homes in warm climates. Most t i les are w ater proofed a nd ha rd-f i red so they won’t absorb moisture, also making them safe to use in northern climates.

In general, a roofing job is not a do-it-yoursel f under ta k ing. It will require an experienced and l icensed contractor. A trusted roofing contractor can be found by exploring listings on the National Roofing Contractor Association web site at www.nrca.net. Verify contractors prior to hire through orga n i zat ions l i ke t he Bet ter Business Bureau or on Angie’s List. (Metro)

On top of things: Shingles are just one of many types of roofing materials available for your consideration.

Builders and homeow ners alike are embracing central vacuum systems to assure

healthier living environments.

It’s one of the fastest grow ing trends in the rapidly evolving green bui lding movement. A lt hough green building began as an effort to use forestry and water resources more ef f icient ly, its emphasis quickly grew to embrace products and practices that would reduce energy consumption both during and after construction.

Today, green building also em-phasizes indoor environmental

quality to produce homes that are healthy places to live. According to Boyce Thompson, editorial direc-tor for Builder magazine, the lead-ing publication serving the nation’s homebuilders, the green building movement has experienced major growth in spite of a sharp drop in overall building activity.

“Within the last half year, we’ve seen an exponential increase in builder interest in green building. That’s no doubt because more and more potential home buyers are asking for healthy, energy-efficient homes. But it’s also because build-ers have seized on green building as a way to differentiate new from existing homes,” noted Thompson.

The tighter the home is built to con-serve energy for heating and cool-

ing, the less fresh air gets inside to dilute indoor pollution levels and there are fewer ways for pollutants to be removed.

Indoor air quality

According to the U.S. Environ-mental Protection Agency (online at www.epa.gov), the air inside a typical American home can be five to 100 times more polluted than the air outdoors.

Indoor pollutants typically include combustion gasses, organic vapors emitted from solvents, adhesives and building materials and other biologicals such as molds, allergens and dander.

A central vacuum system consists of three major components: a

power unit that includes the motor, filtration system and a receptacle that collects the dust and allergens captured by t he vacuum; t he central vacuum hose, cleaning tools and an electric power brush for cleaning carpet; and a network of built-in inlet valves and inside-the-wall tubing that connects the hose to the power unit.

Because the power unit is typically installed in a garage, basement or utility room, its motor exhausts no air through the l iv ing area during cleaning. Instead, all of the captured dust and allergens are safely removed.

And because the power unit is per ma nent ly insta l led, it ca n accommodate a motor with up to five times more cleaning power

than a traditional upright vacuum, a ssu r i ng t hat more dust a nd allergens are collected.

Proven allergy relief

For the estimated 42.6 million Americans who suffer from hay fever, asthma or both, removing indoor allergens is critically important to relieve symptoms and reduce the risk of serious health complications.

Electrolux Central Vacuum Sys-tems, formerly Beam Industries (w w w.beam.com), had received numerous anecdota l accounts from customers whose a l lerg y symptoms dramatically improved when they switched from a conven-tional vacuum to a central vacuum system for cleaning their homes.

The green benefits of central vac-uum systems extend beyond their indoor air quality contributions. Although a central vacuum sys-tem is up to five times more pow-erful than a portable vacuum, the amount of energy required to run it is almost the same.

The largest selling central vacuum power unit, the Beam Serenity QS Model 375, operat ing one hour per week would consume 90.48 kilowatt hours of electricity at a cost of approximately $6.78 annually. That is less than one-half the energy required to run a typical persona l computer or clot hes washer and one-sixth the energy that would be required to operate a refrigerator for an entire year.

For all these factors, indoor air quality, efficient energy use and waste reduction, central vacuum systems offer an important step toward a healthier living and a more sustainable environment. For more information on central vacuum systems, go to http:// www.beam.com/builder.


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Being aware of your home’s carbon footprint takes targeted effort, but it can also save you money. I n c o r p o r a t i n g e c o - f r i e n d l y addit ions into your home can massively reduce energy bills and save on repairs.

According to the web site at http://www.CellularWindowShades.com, up to 24 percent of a fuel bill can es-cape out of leaky windows.

But replacing windows can cost anywhere from $400 to $800 per window. Depending on the size of your house and the state of your windows, total cost could be any-where from $3,000 to $10,000.

One affordable yet environmen-tally efficient option is insulating window shades. There’s some hesi-

tation around insulating shades, but here are a few questions and explanations straight from the ex-pert’s mouth.

Q: What are the environmental benefits of using insulated shades?

A: Residential heating and cooling eat up more fossil fuels than any other sector. A shocking 50 percent sl ips through poorly insulated windows. Experts gauge that the equivalent of 450 million barrels of oil could be saved every year if all windows in the U.S. had effective insulating shades.

Q: Our windows are cold.

Do we need to replace them, or can we use insulating shades?

A: If your windows are no longer f u nc t iona l, a nd you r energ y bills are off the charts, go with replacement windows. However, if they are simply old and cold, home ow ne r s m i g ht w a nt t o consider high-quality insulating shades w it h side t rack s t hat provide a four-sided seal. Shades like these will solve your heat-loss problems immediately.

Q: How do I know if insulated shades are the right option for my home?

A: Quality insulated shades are part of a good energy-conservation pla n. A f ter insta l l ing energ y-ef f icient CFL bulbs, insulated shades are the next step. Mini-blinds can transfer the cold from you r w i ndow i nto t he room, increasing your energy costs by

10 percent. Insulating shades can reduce that by half.

For more information, go to http://www.cellularwindowshades.com. The shades come in a variety of attract ive and complementar y colors. (NewsUSA)


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What is LEED?The term LEED is often bandied about when conversations shift to the environment. A term used when discussing building certification, LEED stands for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design.

It is an internationally recognized green building certification sys-tem that was developed by the U.S. Green Building Council 12 years ago. The system provides building owners and those who operate busi-nesses with a distinct framework of guidelines that identify practical and measurable green design, con-struction, operation, and mainte-nance solutions.

In order to be fair, LEED uses a rating system that is developed through a collaboration by LEED c om m it te e s. C om m it te e s a re groups of volunteers who represent a variety of building and construc-tion industry subsets. Some of the things that LEED w il l measure through its rating system include energy and atmosphere solutions, water efficiency, sustainable sites selection, sustainable materials/waste reduction, and indoor envi-ronmental quality.

Organizations that are seeking LEED certification for a building must earn a minimum number of “points” to reach certification. The maximum number of points of-fered is 110, which includes 10 bo-nus points. Most buildings are eli-gible for certification, but it’s best to check with the LEED Rating System Checklist and find out the require-ments for a particular project. That information is available at http://www.usgbc.org. (Metro)

From the nation’s capital to the statehouse, energy is seem-ingly on everyone’s mind,

particularly in light of soaring oil prices with no end in sight.

It’s no wonder that homeowners are seeking more ways to lower their energy bills. According to some estimates, Americans spend 13 to 15 hours a day at home.

With more and more electronic tools, gadgets, and components to plug in while at home, com-pounded with the challenge of living in a cold state with a large inventory of old homes, lowering utility bills is a priority for many.

So where can you start, and what can you do to make your home more energy efficient? According to E f f ic ienc y Ma i ne, plent y. Efficiency Maine is an independent trust dedicated to promoting the efficient and cost-effective use of energy to save money for Maine residents and businesses, grow the economy, and create jobs.

Efficiency Maine’s energy-saving programs help Mainers reduce their use of electricity and heating fuels through energy efficiency improvements and the use of cost-effective alternative energy.

Efficiency Maine’s programs de-liver Maine’s lowest-cost energy resource through a combination of technical assistance, cost-sharing, training, education and awareness programs. Here are a number of suggestions from Efficiency Maine you might consider:

Join thousands of Mainers who have already made their homes more comfortable a nd energ y ef f icient by weatherizing your home. On average, homeowners who recently weatherized their homes through Efficiency Maine’s Home Energy Savings Program are projected to save about 40 percent a year on their energy costs.

As a first step in the process of weatherizing your home, be sure to conduct a home energy audit

by using a professional energ y advisor. Energ y audits provide a c om pr e h e n s i v e p l a n t h a t allows homeowners to prioritize s u g ge s t e d ener g y e f f ic ienc y measures for their home.

For a list of Eff iciency Maine’s Participating Energ y Advisors, who are certified by the Building Performance Institute, a nationally recognized cert if icat ion body, visit www.efficiencymaine.com/at-home/hesp_program/find_an_energy_advisor.

Need help pay i ng for energ y efficiency improvements? A Maine PACE Loan may be the answer. Upgrade your heating system, weatherize your home, or make other improvements to lower your energy bills. Receive up to $15,000 with 4.99 percent APR financing and no closing fees, make low monthly payments, and offset the cost of your loan through your PACE Loan energy savings. Visit www.efficiencymaine.com/PACE for more info.

Ma iners of ten keep a second refrigerator – often an older model – in the garage or basement to store extra food, cold beverages, or deer meat. Consider getting rid of that secondary refrigerator or freezer. Efficiency Maine will recycle your old refrigerator or freezer, pick up the unit at no cost to you, and send you $50. (It has to be operational, of course, and measure between 10 and 30 cubic feet.) The energy savings could be as much as $250 a year. For more details, and to schedule a pick-up, visit us online at www.efficiencymaine.com.

Buy ENERGYSTA R appl ia nces which are energ y eff icient and increasingly comparable in price to other models. Look for displays at more than 200 participating retai lers statew ide to take ad-vantage of the Efficiency Maine Appliance Rebate Program. Enjoy rebates of $50 for clothes washers, $50 for refrigerators, and $25 for de-humidifiers, and lower your energy bills year after year.

Replace incandescent bulbs with compact f luorescent bulbs, or CFLs, which can give the same amount and quality of l ight as incandescent bulbs. CFLs use 75 percent less energy and last up to 10 times longer than standard inca ndescent bu lbs. Look for the ENERGY STAR label when purchasing lighting fixtures. These f i x tures meet federa l energ y-efficiency and quality guidelines, without a sacrifice in performance.

Replace halogen f loor lamps and torchieres with compact f luor-escent models. Ha logen f loor lamps pose a fire hazard due to the extremely hot temperatures produced by the high-wattage bulbs and cost more to operate. A n ener g y-ef f ic ient compac t f luorescent model produces as much light, runs cooler, and uses only a fraction of the electricity.

Use motion detectors outdoors. Lights turn on only when someone is walking near the house. This will save energy and provide security.


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The home office trend has fitness in mind

Having space in the home dedicated for fitness is one thing. Know ing what to

do in that space is another. Having the right fitness equipment and resources at home can turn the best intentions to work up a sweat into a successfully completed workout.

The good news is you no longer need to forsake your dining room table for a home gym. Today’s fit-ness equipment is compact – mak-ing out-of-sight storage convenient and portable enough to move from room to room, if necessary.

PowerBlock adjustable dumb-bells: Although they might seem more pricey at first glance, they are less expensive than purchasing multiple dumbbell pairs of varying weights. Because there is only one pair for all the various weights, you keep your fitness space clutter free.

Stability ball: Replace the bulky bench you would use for resistance training with a stability ball to work on balance and core strength. Make sure your stability ball is burst resistant and rated for a slow deflate if punctured. For more information, visit ARAContent.com.

Set up your home office in the space of a treadmill : Exercise while improving work productivity. The TR1200-DT Treadmill Desk was designed around how you work at home in a small space. It includes a sturdy work surface

measuring 46.5" w ide and 31" deep to easily support your laptop, printer, computer display and other electronics devices.

The treadmill console is conve-niently located in the front of the desk so it doesn’t take space away from the working surface. For com-fort and convenience, the TR1200-DT includes padded arm rests to ensure lasting comfort, and clean cable management with a cable tray tucked under the desk to store your cables. The display panel shows distance travelled, calories burned, time walking on the treadmill desk, and the Intelli-Step feature works like a pedometer and counts steps taken while you’re working.

The TR1200-DT is designed from the ground up to be a treadmill desk; mechanically this means optimizing the torque of the motor at low speeds by increasing the pulley ratio between the motor and the front pulley. In return, we reduced the maximum walking speed to 4 MPH.

The result is a treadmill that can easily operate for hours at a time at low speeds without overheating or creating excessive stress on the motor and electronics. For more i n for mat ion about t h is treadmil l designed to improve your productiv it y, v isit http:// w w w.L i feSpa n Fit ne s s.c om or http://www.WorkoutFitness.com.


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Spring for new heating system

Like the inviting smell of fresh bread just out of the oven, and the comfort of a roasted

chicken on a Sunday night with all the fixings and the family gathered around the table, the warmth and comfort of a fire in the hearth welcomes you home.

With Maine’s weather turning warmer, we are lately more inclined to toss open the windows to let the spring breezes fill our home than we are to reach for the thermostat, making spring the perfect time to start thinking about creating a warm and welcoming hearth in your own home.

T he Fi re side Stove Shop, i n Auburn, sells, services and installs wood, pellet and gas stoves and f ireplaces, including attractive High Efficiency Zero Clearance Wood Burning Fireplaces which use natural convection as a means of delivering heat from the fireplace to the home.

“All fuels are not for everybody,” explained Gary Asselin, proprietor of the Fireside Stove Shop. He added, “There is a big range in both quality and style for wood, pellet and gas stoves.”

Mike Farnham, of Michael & Son Chimneysmiths in Poland, also services and installs both wood and pellet stoves. He prefers the quiet of t he wood, a nd ma ny Mainers agree.

According to Asselin, there is also a large range of sizing. “The size of the woodstove will determine the square footage that it will heat. A properly sized woodstove and a sufficient amount of firewood can efficiently and economically heat your entire house all winter.”

Many Mainers make their living by ha r vest i ng f i rewood. Ph i l Mitchell, of Phil Mitchell Firewood in Poland, has been cutting and hauling firewood for more than 30 years. Seasoned firewood costs about $250 per cord, but it’s hard to find this time of year.

Although Mitchell still has “green” wood for sale for $200 a cord, his wife, Louise, advises that, “It needs to sit outside in the sunshine for a couple of months before it is used.” Some households burn multiple cords of firewood every year.

“A 2,000-square-foot home will burn three to three-and-a-half tons of pellets per year,” said Asselin. “Fireside Stove Shop sells premium hardwood pellets for $259 per ton.” Three tons of pellets occupy roughly as much space as a cord of firewood.

Linda Chaisson, and her husband Tom, chose to install a pellet stove in their drafty 14-room farmhouse built in 1893 in Poland because, as she explained, they “didn’t have a chimney that was appropriate for a woodstove [and a] pellet stove can be vented to any outside wall.” Although it does not effectively heat the entire house, “The pellet stove allows us to keep the down-stairs warm and cozy.”

Asselin noted that with a pellet stove the homeowner is able to set the temperature in the room where the stove resides, and the pellet stove wil l maintain that temperature. Another advantage is that pellet stoves “are more automated, so it takes less [of the homeowner’s] time. You have to fill the pellet reservoir about once every 24 hours,” and the automatic feeder does the rest. Also, they have safety features that will shut down the stove in certain situations, including when the stove becomes overheated or when the pel let reservoir door is left open. There

are pros and cons associated with ever y t y pe of heat-producing appliance for your home.

“Although many people like to heat with gas because it is clean, conve-nient and it doesn’t need power, a gas stove or fireplace cannot heat a whole house,” said Asselin.

The Chaissons chose pellet over gas because they found it to be less expensive. The biggest drawback, however, is that, in this instance, the system that feeds the pellets is dependent on electricity. There-fore, when the power goes out the heat goes off.

Perhaps the most significant nega-tive aspect of burning wood is the danger of a chimney fire. Accord-

ing to www.csia.org, “The Chimney Safety Institute of America is dedi-cated to chimney and venting sys-tem safety and to the elimination of residential chimney fires, car-bon monoxide intrusion and other ... chimney and venting systems hazards.” Statistics found at this web site, originally compiled by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, state that, “Heating and cooling equipment fires con-stituted the second largest share of total residential fires” over a three-year period. Of these, nearly half were caused by “fireplace, chimney

Barbara LaPointe enjoys her morning tea by a gas fireplace.

Spring for heatpage 9 ‰


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and chimney connector” related problems. Michael & Son Chimney-smiths agrees that wood burning is the biggest cause of chimney fires.

In response to the question: “How often should I have my chimney cleaned?” CSIA reports that the Na-tional Fire Protection Association Standard 211 states, “Chimneys, f i replaces, and vents sha l l be inspected at least once a year for soundness, freedom from deposits, and correct clearances.”

Farnham, who has 26 years of expe-rience as a chimneysmith, stresses the importance of making sure that “everything is properly installed” and in accordance with fire code. Also, depending on how much you burn, and the quality of the wood, he recommends at least one clean-ing per year.

“Even with good, dry wood,” Farn-ham said, “we recommend having your chimney cleaned after burn-ing about two cords of wood. And if you are burning wood in your stove at a low temperature, that com-

pounds the problem as it makes for a buildup of creosote.”

The average cost for a cleaning (cre-osote removal) and a thorough in-spection of your chimney and stove by a professional chimneysmith is around $125 to $130. A small price to pay compared to the cost of a chimney fire. Farnham also specializes in the installation of stainless steel chimney liners and rain caps.

In addition to stoves and fireplac-es, the Fireside Stove Shop also stocks everything that you need to customize your hearth, including hearth rugs, ash vacs and buckets, replacement parts for all stoves, steamers, fans, hearthside tool sets, gasket materials, screens and child safety gates.

The Chaissons purchased their pel-let stove at Buy The Fire in Oxford. According to its web site, http://w w w.buythefire.com, they sell, install and service wood and gas burning stoves and a wide variety of tools, parts and accessories for the hearth. When planning your project, consult the experts to de-termine what option will meet your needs, fit your budget, and safely warm your hearth and home.

Spring for heatfrom page 8

From left to right: Gas fireplace, gas stove, and wood stove.

Best time of year for new heating system

Is there a best time to buy a new furnace? In fact, there are two best times to buy any kind of heating or cooling products for your home and that’s in the spring and fall months, when the contractors aren’t busy.

Since spring fever is starting to hit us, heating systems are shut off and contractors are dealing with a lull of demand right now, making it one of the best times to bargain, and save money on the price of a new gas furnace. The months of February to May are very slow for most contractors. The demand for heating systems is slowing down

and the need for AC, or cooling, has not yet started. As a consumer, you should always ask if there are any closeout deals on last year’s prod-uct line. You may be pleasantly surprised. As a consumer, spring-time is one of the best times for you to get a great bargain on a new gas furnace or central AC system. – Courtesy of GasFurnaceGuide.com

Advertising Supplement, Sun Journal, Lewiston, Maine, Friday, March 9, 201210 SPRING HOME IMPROVEMENT Advertising Supplement, Sun Journal, Lewiston, Maine, Friday, March 9, 2012 SPRING HOME IMPROVEMENT 11

By Deborah Conway Feature Writer / Photographer

Kitchen renovation ideas you can use in your own home

When L isa a nd George G r a v e s p u r c h a s e d their split level home in

Hebron, Maine, “The kitchen was pretty dated, and the animals that had lived with the previous owners had done a number on the cabi-nets.” According to George, “It was ugly to begin with and then Lisa stored catnip in a drawer” ... and their own cat finished the job the other cat had started, making their decision to renovate an easy one.

After reaching a consensus as to the layout and coming up with a rudimentary drawing and list of what they might ult imately want to do, Lisa and George went to Sandy Law rence, a k itchen and bath designer at Hammond Lumber Company, in Auburn, for assistance. Lawrence, who has six years of design experience, stated that, for the homeowner, “The hardest part is getting started; taking the initiative to say ‘We’re going to put ourselves through the annihilation of our kitchen.’ ”

T he nex t step is helpi ng t he customer decide whether they want natura l wood, a painted finish or thermafoil. Thermafoil, explained Lawrence, is a process that is “kind of like a shrink wrap. It is highly washable and it hides seams, giving the cabinetry a nice clean finish.”

Upon visiting Hammond’s show-room, Lisa’s decision took very little time. “She walked up to the white thermafoil model and said, ‘This is what I want.’ ”

Lisa likes white because it is clean and timeless and, added George, “It lightens it up in here.” He also likes it “because it’s what my wife wanted.” George is a wise man.

Hammond Lumber works with 16 different cabinet makers including Kabinart and Dynasty, as well as Just Cabinets, a company that is based in Fryeburg, Maine, giving customers many styles and a large range of prices and quality from which to choose.

Overall, Lawrence found “Team Graves,” including their 15-year-old daughter Leah, to be “very self-sufficient.” They knew what they wanted, and George had the skills to do all of the manual labor himself, making the next step – “creating the plan” – also easy.

According to Lawrence, “Custom-ers often come in with drawings. Sometimes they are complete with

measurements and other details, and sometimes it’s just a sketch on a piece of scrap paper.”

Lawrence works with the customer to create a kitchen that meets their needs in terms of functionality, that fits their lifestyle, and that satisfies their aesthetic tastes, all while staying within their budget.

Lisa and George chose the layout because Lisa liked the way the kitchen f lowed and fit with the rest of the home. “We really didn’t alter the original plan.” They did, however, add a lot of fun, updated and beautiful options.

H a m m ond L u m b e r of f e r s a wide variety of functional and decorative options with its lines of cabinet r y, including china and plate racks, decorative pull-out baskets and hardware, the “Super Susa n” (a ma r velously updated “Lazy Susan”), roll-out interior trays, sl iding drawers for spaces that otherwise might remain wasted, stylish apothecary drawers, glass cabinet doors with interior cabinet lighting, pantry pull-outs and wine racks, as well as construction details such as dovetail and soft-close drawers and interior solid-wood construction.

L isa a nd George chose ot her features that made the kitchen uniquely theirs. Some of Lisa’s fa-vorites include “the spice rack next to the stove and the wine glass racks,” she said. George likes the “range top mounted microwave,” and he lobbied hard for the pull-out trash bin.

Countertops can take a lot of focus. Options include granite, quartz, laminate or Corian. “Granite has become so affordable that people rarely choose Corian. It is also heat and scratch resistant, and is nearly indestructible,” said Lawrence.

Lisa chose a black marble counter-top with an earthy shade of deep green with flecks of white and silver because, “When the lights hit it you can see different colors and variation [and it] looks so much prettier” than the red laminate on which she previously prepared mea ls. T he cou nter tops a lso qualify as Lisa’s favorite feature.

Lisa and George are both proud of the new exposed, interior brick chimney next to the stove, built by George with a new double f lu that will ultimately accommodate a new wood stove in the basement in addition to the furnace.

“It made me appreciate again how handy my husband is,” said Lisa. “I

think it helped Leah appreciate the hard work and expense that goes into home ownership.”

W hen a sked i f he wou ld do anything differently if he was going to start the renovation process over again, George was quick to say, “I would rip out the wall behind the stove and open it up to the living room.” He would put in a half-wall with food preparation areas on one side and a “two-stage bar” with seating on the other.

Given that one end of the kitchen area, occupied by an antique table that the family uses for everyday mea ls, was a lready sepa rated from the busy family room by just a railing and several descending steps, Lisa’s preference was to keep that wall so as not to open up the space between the kitchen and the more formal living room and foyer below. Wisely, again, George acquiesced and the wall stayed.

According to Lisa, the destruction and construction of their kitchen “was so much less disruptive than it could have been. George managed to keep me cooking meals for all but two days.”

There were even some funny and enjoyable moments along the way. Lisa recalled, “When everything was in boxes and piled sky-high in the dining room, Leah was appalled that we might be ‘living like hoarders’ permanently.”

George’s favorite moment was, “W hen ever y t hing was r ipped apart we had a 15th birthday party for Leah and I got the boys to haul the old cabinets out and we threw

them on the giant burn pile.” They burned very well.

Asked what is in line for the next project, George said, “Now that I’ve got the chimney done, I’m going to

finish off the basement and make the utility area a separate room.”

Lisa’s project is a little simpler: “George’s closet needs shelves.”

You can find ideas for your own kitchen remodeling project by following what others have done, such as Lisa and George Graves, as shown in the two photos above. You can also learn about new products from the experts at a home design center, such as shown in the photos to the right, taken at Hammond Lumber.

By Tresa Erickson Feature Writer

Many of us have “been there, done that” – perusing paint chips for days on end, selecting a few colors, applying them to the walls and hating the results.

We don’t have the time, money or desire for a redo, so we tell ourselves to live with the paint colors for a while to see if they grow on us. Sometimes they do. Sometimes they don’t, and we go through the process all over again or just learn to live with what’s there. How can we ensure we pick the right paint colors the first time around?

Unfortunately, there is no surefire way to ensure you pick the right paint colors the first time around. There are some things you can do to improve your odds, however. Study the room long beforehand and determine the purposes you want it to serve. Will it be a place to relax and watch TV, a place to gather with others and eat, or a place to study and work?

Read up on the color wheel to determine what color families will make the best backdrop for the purposes you intend for the room. If you want to use the room primarily as a place to relax, for example, reds and yellows might not be a good choice, as these will evoke energy and passion. A soft brown or blue, on the other hand, might do just the trick. Shop around for paint colors.

Go to several stores and select as many paint chips as possible. Bring them home, take them to the room you plan to paint and lay them all out on a table. Look at them at various times of the day and in various lighting conditions. Know what each color will look like at any given time. Toss out the chips you don’t like and tape the ones remaining to the wall where you can see them throughout the day.

Narrow your choices until you have 10 or less. Then research the paint brands and find out how they stack up against each other. Choose the top ones and make sure the colors of choice come in the type of finish you desire. You might not be able to find that sassy hot pink or fiesta lime green in the eggshell finish you want. Finally, get some paint samples. Many stores now carry small paint samples that you can purchase for less than the price of a quart. Apply your samples to the wall near each other and check them out at various times of the day under various lighting conditions.

Continue narrow ing your color choices until you have the exact palette you want. If you’re st i l l undecided, consider painting some wallboards in the colors in question. Then set the wallboards along the walls in the room you plan to paint and live with them for a while to see which ones appeal to you most. With any luck, you will soon know what you want and love the results!

The color dilemma

Planning your renovation smartlyAs you tear apart the wallpaper, replace the cupboards and strip the f loorboards, experts caution not to reach for that bucket of paint before investigating the innards of your walls.

Insulation and infrastructure are significant to the foundation and value of your property, so bringing in a home inspector or appraiser allows you to make corrections early, before you’ve finalized the renovation plans.

Common problems are focused on air leakage and poor insulation issues, experts tell us. The latest research, for example, indicates that traditional

fiberglass and cellulose insulation are less reliable than contemporary spray foam insulation.

Foams, like those from Icynene, are known to decrease the presence of common airborne irritants, reduce air and water penetration and reduce energy costs.

When you sell your home, spray foam insulation stands to give a better return on investment than dated insulation. More information on this topic is available online at http://www.icynene.com. (Metro)

Many homes come with a driveway. Whether lead-ing to a garage or not, the

driveway is a convenient place to park one or more cars. If a driveway is in need of repair or replacement, owners often choose between as-phalt or concrete.

There are certain factors that come into play when making a decision. More often than not, cost is a main consideration and frequently the driving force behind any driveway decisions that are made. Until you realize all of the subtleties behind these materials, you may not be able to make an informed decision.

Cost

According to the Do It Yourself Web site, concrete can cost up to 45 percent more than asphalt to install generally.

If the price of crude oil is high, and crude oil is a component of asphalt composit ion, then the asphalt could be more expensive. The best way to compare prices is to get a few estimates for each material.

Weather compatibility

If you live in a very hot climate, you may want to choose a concrete driveway. Asphalt tends to get soft in the heat, which can contribute

to grooves and dents in the surface. Whereas concrete driveways work better in warm cl imates t han cold ones. Salt used on roadways can damage concrete, and cold-weather shrinkage can lead to cracks in the concrete.

Rate of repair

Despite the cost, some people c h o o s e c o n c r e t e d r i v e w a y s because t hey tend to have a longer life with less maintenance required. A concrete driveway can last as long as 50 years.

A s ph a lt d r i v e w a y s c a n l a s t around 30 years, but if they’re not properly maintained, may start deteriorating after just a few years. That’s because asphalt is petroleum-based and very elastic. If left to dry out without adequate sealing, the driveway can become brittle and start to wear away.

Concrete driveways can be sealed to preserve their quality, but most people associate sealing with as-phalt. This should be done ev-ery five years or so to prevent the breakdown of the oils in the as-phalt. The first application of seal-ant should be applied no sooner than eight to 12 months after in-stallation to allow the asphalt to properly cure.

Asphalt that is ready for sealing will start to take on a grayish hue.

Staining

A light-colored concrete can be sta ined from f luid lea ks f rom the a car or leaves. It may take powerwashing to remove the stain adequately. However, stains are much less visible on dark asphalt. But asphalt can do its own type of staining. The oils released from the

asphalt can stick to the undersides of shoes and be carried indoors. If you don’t remove your shoes upon entering, these oils may eventually discolor vinyl or tile f loors or get imbedded into the carpeting.

Variety

What you see is what you get with asphalt. There really are no deco-rative options – it’s merely a simple and practical driveway material.

On the other hand, concrete can be colored or stamped to provide de-signs and aesthetic appeal. If you desire a higher-end driveway, then concrete may be right for you.

Both driveway materials will do what they’re supposed to – provid-ing a durable surface on which to park your car.

If you’re looking for low installation costs, then you may want to choose asphalt. For the utmost in durabili-ty, perhaps concrete is best. (Metro)


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Depending on climate, both asphalt and concrete can be prone to cracking. In many cases, it is more expensive to mend cracks in a concrete driveway than in one made from asphalt.

In many of today’s homes, t he f loor pla n s a re open, with one room

flowing into another. Walk into the front door, and you might catch a glimpse of the living room, kitchen and dining room. With such a vantage point, many homeowners look to create f low from one room to another. If you are among them, here are some tips.

Paint

Paint is one of the most inexpensive ways to create flow. And no, you do not have to paint every room the same color. For interest, select a palette of complementary colors and pull from it for the various rooms. Use a deep brown in your living room and a lighter brown in your dining room with teal accents throughout. Paint the walls of your light-filled kitchen teal and add touches of brown throughout. Creating flow is all about selecting two to four complementary colors and using them in different ways from room to room.

Pattern

Pattern is another way to connect t he room s toget her. A s w it h paint, you do not have to use the same patterns throughout the rooms. There should be some similarities among them, however, in particular in color and scale. If you use stripes in your living room, make sure you carry the pattern into the other rooms, even if it’s just in a valance or a throw pillow here and there.

Finishes

It ’s a l l in t he deta i ls, a nd to maintain f low, the finishes from room to room should be from similar color families. Bronzed and black f ixtures and handles will complement each other well, whereas chrome and brass will not. The chrome handles on your kitchen cabinets will clash with the brass sconces, chandeliers and fixtures every where else. When possible, try to stick to the same basic finish.

Moldings

Moldings create a line from room to room. Imagine what happens to that line when the baseboards, casings, etc. are of differing sizes a nd colors. To keep t he f low moving from room to room, make sure your baseboards, w indow casings, chair rai ls and crow n

molding a re of t he sa me si ze and color where possible. This is especially important with the baseboards. If you can’t afford to replace the moldings, rework them with some paint or stain to match.

Decor

Finally, there is decor. Nothing disrupts f low more than a western theme in one room and a nautical theme in another. Choose one basic style of decor or complementing styles for the rooms you want to create f low in. If your living room feels rather homey, don’t break it up with a mod kitchen. Keep your cleaned-lined cabinetry and stainless steel appliances, but add homey touches here and there to carry the theme through.


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It takes time to create flow in your home. Don’t expect it to happen overnight unless you have a brand-new home and the budget to shop for all-new things. Work on it one step at a time, and don’t be afraid to mix things up here and there for interest.


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Things to know before building a deckStatistics from the U.S. Census

Bu r e a u Hou s i n g Su r v e y indicate that homeowners

annually spend billions of dollars improving outdoor living areas.

One of the most popular ways to do just that is to add a deck to a home. Decks are beneficial in many ways. Grillmasters love decks because they make the perfect place to set up a grill and a table and cook for family and friends. Those who simply love being outdoors find decks the perfect place to relax and soak up some sun or idle away the evening hours.

But homeowners who want to build a deck should know a few things before that process begins.

Permits are necessary. Unless the deck is going to be especially small, you will need a permit to build it. Before buying any materials or consulting any contractors, make certain you know which permits you need and how to get them. If the proper permits are not secured before the project begins, you might have to tear down the whole project and start all over again.

Decks don’t have to go on the back of the house. If the back of your house sits in the blazing sun all day, then it’s probably best to build

the deck elsewhere, and that’s perfectly all right. So long as the property and permits allow, decks can be built on the side of a home as well, and putting a deck on the side might be more comfortable.

Decks don’t have to be made of wood. It’s easy to assume all decks are made of plain wood. However, decks can be made out of a wide variety of materials, natural or synthetic. Pressure-treated wood is perhaps t he most popu la r material for decking because it’s not very expensive. But manmade materials that are a mixture of recycled plastic and wood bits or sawdust are also popular because they require no maintenance. But homeowners should know that manmade materials can get hot in the sun, which will require those enjoying the deck to wear shoes.

If you’re going to build your own deck, expect to do some serious digging. Local building codes will dictate how deep you will need to dig for the pier footings, which support the deck’s weight. Just how deep you’ll dig depends on your climate’s specific frost line, but it’s safe to assume you’ll get a workout when digging.

The deck can have multiple levels. Though many people associate

decks with one level, it’s possible to have a multi-level deck if you simply don’t have enough room to build a deck that will be big enough to meet all of your needs. A multi-level deck can break up those long flights of stairs while ensuring you will always have somewhere to go to escape the sun on a hot day.

Decks are a costly investment, and you will want to protect that investment. If you’re building a wood deck, keep in mind the sun will beat down on the deck for most of the year. You can protect the deck by painting it. Paint provides sunscreen for the deck, stopping the sun from breaking down the material. Once you’ve f inished painting, apply sealant, whether it’s oil- or water-based.

Don’t forget fasteners. Fasteners will hide the screws for aesthetic appeal. But not a l l woods and fasteners are the right fit, as certain woods are only compatible with specific fasteners. Find out which fasteners make the right fit ahead of time. Because fasteners conceal the screws, they also make it possible to go barefoot on the deck.

A deck makes a great addition to many homes, but homeowners should learn as much as possible about decks and what goes into building them before making any decking decisions. (Metro)

A deck makes a great addition to many homes, but homeowners should learn as much as possible about decks and what goes into building them before making any decking decisions.

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Is it time to add a half-bathroom?

When it comes to renovat-ing a home, homeowners expect to spend money.

No home renovation or home im-

provement project is free, but some are less costly than others. The ad-dition of a half-bathroom is a popu-lar project among homeowners,

and it won’t necessarily break the bank. But before making any ad-dition, homeowners must weigh the pros and cons to make the best decision possible. If converting ex-isting f loor space into a half-bath-room, such a renovation can cost as little as a few thousand dollars, making the addition of a powder room one of the few home improve-ment projects where the value added to the home exceeds the cost of the renovation. Before deciding to add a half-bathroom, it helps to consider some of the pros and cons of the project.

Pros

Convenience:

A half-bathroom is often added on the home’s main f loor or in the basement or attic.

This makes it more convenient for guests to use the restroom during a dinner party or when coming over to watch the big game in a basement home-theater area.

Problem-free:

Half-bathrooms are smaller be-cause they don’t have a shower or bathtub. That means common bathroom problems like mold and mildew are not as big a concern as they are for full bathrooms.

More choices:

Because mold and mildew aren’t likely to present a problem in a half-bathroom, homeowners have more

options at their disposal when choosing floors and countertops.

Cons

Space:

A s t hei r na me i mpl ies, ha l f-bathrooms are much smaller than full bathrooms. As a result, they tend to feel cramped.

Value:

T houg h a n i nex pensive ha l f-bathroom addition might recoup its value and then some at resale, the project won’t add as much resale value to a home as a full bathroom addition might.

Loss of storage:

If storage around the house is sparse, homeowners might be bet-ter off keeping the area designated for the half-bathroom as a storage closet instead of a bathroom.

Once the pros and cons have been weighed, homeowners who want to go forward with the project should then check with their local mu-nicipality to ensure the codes and requirements won’t restrict their project. Size or window restrictions might curtail the project or limit what homeowners can do, which might change their minds on the project altogether.

The addition of a half-bathroom is a project that often makes practical and financial sense for many homeowners.

Despite continuing econom-ic uncertainty, eight out of 10 consumers think home

ownership is still a good invest-ment and an important part of the American dream, according to the Better Homes and Gardens annual Next Home consumer survey.

The size of that dream did shrink a bit — consumers wished for a me-dian square footage of 1,791 square feet, down from 1,846 square feet last year. “There’s more attention given towards the aesthetics and function of a space, rather than the amount of space,” said Jill Waage, editorial director for Home Con-

tent for Better Homes and Gardens. They’re not as willing to invest in the bigger, but instead investing in what’s better. Affordability and efficiency — both in space and en-ergy — ranks topmost.”

Among the survey’s key findings:

• Consumers are taking more time to plan for home improvement projects (39 percent in 2011, com-pared to 33 percent in 2010) and are shopping around for more deals and bargains before com-mitting to home improvement plans (42 percent in 2011, com-pared to 40 percent in 2010).

• C o n s u m e r s f i n d i t m o r e important than ever to get the most value out of every dollar (61 percent in 2011, up from 56 percent in 2010), and will spend more time looking for bargains and deals in order to get the most value for their money (up to 54 percent in 2011, from 52 percent in 2010).

• Consumers are more willing to get rid of excess “stuff” and not willing to take out a mortgage for more storage space.

• Mu lt i-pu r pose room s a re a necessit y in t he home. Con-su mers a ren’t i nterested i n “ b onu s r o om s” or “m e d i a rooms” unless they have a multi-functional purpose.

• Baths are outpacing kitchens in terms of remodeling priorities.

• Bathroom remodeling stayed constant in 2011 and 2010 (31

percent) and kitchen remodeling was stable at 25 percent in 2011, compared with 24 percent in 2010.

• Style upgrades are more impor-tant than ever in consumers’ upcoming home improvement plans, followed by storage. For future projects, style upgrades

on countertops, flooring, faucets, and fixtures is up to 55 percent in 2011 from 50 percent in 2010. Ex-panded/improved storage space stayed f lat at 39 percent in 2011, the same as in 2010.

Sources: Better Homes and Gardens, www.Realtor.com.


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Space-saving, economical home improvement project trends

People fortunate enough to own plots of land often choose to fence in their pieces of paradise.

Fences serve many purposes: to designate property boundar-ies, keep pets or children con-

tained in a safe environment, corral livestock, offer privacy or add aes-thetic appeal. Although installing a fence may seem like the right idea for you, going about it the wrong way may lead to problems among neighbors, particularly if you live where the houses are relatively close to one another.

Some homeowners f ind fences b e c o m e t h e f i n a l p o i n t o f contention among disagreeable neig hbor s or c re ate ten sion with a neighbor with whom you previously had a good relationship. Being courteous with fence plans is the way to avoid any animosity along the way.

There a re cer ta in t h ings you must do and should do i f you plan to erect a fence. Most people find neighbors appreciate being informed of any decisions you are thinking of making to the property that can affect their views or their adjoining property. Before drawing up fence plans with a contractor, talk to the neighbors on either side of your home and gauge their receptiveness to a fence.

At this point, you may want to consider of fering to ma ke the fencing project a joint deal to save money should the neighbors decide to install a fence as well.

Contractors will often discount if they have several customers doing an installation at the same time. Property owners can save by splitting the costs of the shared walls of the fence where their property lines meet.

Explain your case for the fence. Most neighbors are receptive to the idea if they know the reasoning especially if the desire for a fence is not to keep them at bay. It’s hard to protest a fence that is a safety precaution for children.

If your neighbor already has a fence, you must ask whether you can connect your fence panels into the support post on your shared side. Once you notify your neighbors as a courtesy, there are certain steps to take that will prevent any legal disputes down the road.

Even the most easy-going neighbor could grow aggravated if the fence

is put up carelessly or ends up partially on his property. The best way to prevent this is to apply for a new, professional property survey and have property lines indicated with paint or wood markers.

Each town or city has different regulations with regard to fencing, so it is important to learn the ropes or hire a contractor who is familiar with the rules. It might be illegal to install fences directly on the property line.

The law might require the fence be installed a few inches inward. There also may be rules about how high fences can be in the front of the home, sides and back. Corner lot properties may have added regulations depending on whether

the fence could prove a v isual obstruction to drivers.

If you live in a planned community, or one with a homeowners’ asso-ciation, it is your job to find out the guidelines for any home improve-ments. The HOA may dictate the style, size and maintenance of the fence or may not allow a fence at all.

Once all the details are checked, you may have to apply for a fence permit. This way the construction of the fence and finished product will meet safety standards, and the area in which you live can provide consistent quality control.

If the fence is installed by code, there is little chance it will have to be torn down or changed in the near future. Also, doing it by the book means that a neighbor can be unhappy about a fence but not have legal recourse to ask you to remove it. As an added form of courtesy,

it is proper fence etiquette to put the “good” side of the fence facing the neighbors’ yards. That means the side of the fence that doesn’t show t he suppor t pa nels a nd posts. Remember, it is your fence

so you are also responsible for all maintenance of the fence – on all sides. Just because your neighbor also will be benefitting from your fence, doesn’t mean he will have to care for it.


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Fence etiquette tips


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Add a trellis to your home’s exterior for visual impact

Homeowners looking for a unique way to accent a single or double garage door now have a decorative

low-maintenance option with the Fypon PVC Trellis Systems. Available in two sizes to accommodate either single- or double-car garages, each trellis system kit can also be fabricated to use in alternative settings, such as over home entryways, garden sheds and free-standing garages.

A Fypon PVC Trellis System comes as a complete kit including outlookers reinforced with PVC for durability, attractive beams, lattice and hardware. The PVC pieces come in smooth white that are easy to put together in just a few hours to create an accent trellis for over a garage or home entryway.

The trel l is system adds a rchitectura l distinction to any home while resisting rotting, decaying, warping, splintering, mildew growth and insect infestation. The low-maintenance PVC pieces may remain white or can be painted or stained to complement the overall style of the home. For details on trellis kits, visit fypon.com. (Metro)

This spring home improvement project may be something you can do yourself. The Fypon PVC Trellis System kit can be customized for installation over your home’s entryway.

Projects that might require a building permitAll too many homeowners have experienced the joy of completing a home improvement project only to learn upon completion that the project is not in adherence with local laws.

Projects completed without a permit might hurt a home’s resale value, and such projects are not often cov-ered by homeowner’s insurance policies, meaning damage to areas of the home where an illegal project was conducted won’t be covered. Homeowners should always check with their local municipality before starting a project. The following are a few of the many home improve-ment projects that typically require a permit.

• Above-ground pool• Attached storage shed• Awnings• Carports• Deck/patio/porch installation• Demolition project• Fireplace addition• Garage conversion• Handicap ramp• Inground pool• Patio enclosure• Partition wall installation• Retaining walls• Roof change • Room addition• Room remodel• Siding• Sliding glass door• Skylight• Spa or hot tub installation• Windows, new or replacement (Metro)


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Photos, clockwise, top right: Turn unused attic space into a home office. A library door is hidden behind this beautiful, arched shelf in a Maine country home designed by Peter Ponnoyer Architects (J. Wallen Photo). Turn your plain bathroom into a place where you can pamper yourself and relax. Use leftover building material from other projects to create an entertainment area in the basement.

PROJECT TIPS:

Use your creativity and imagination to create unique spaces


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2012 Spring Home Improvement

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