Home Hunter October 13, 2013

7/27/2019 Home Hunter October 13, 2013

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Sunday, October 13, 2013


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CYAN-AOOO MAGENTA-OAOO YELLOW-OOAO BLACK 012908

How to invite more natural light into your homeA dark home can be dreary

and drain residents energylevels rather quickly. Naturallight has the power to make aperson feel more energized,and it also can buoy spirits. Asa result, many homeownerswant to increase the amount ofnatural light in their homes.

Increasing natural sunlightin a home reduces reliance oninterior lighting. This reducesenergy bills and lowers thehomes carbon footprint. Natu-ral light also can help peoplein a home feel happier and

more content.According to the NationalInstitutes of Health, somepeople experience seriousmood changes during thewinter months. Dubbed sea-sonal affective disorder, orSAD, this condition may beeffectively treated with lighttherapy. Exposure to morelight can alleviate fatigue, lossof interest and sad or anxiousfeelings. Homeowners lookingto increase the natural light intheir homes, be it for medical

or aesthetic reasons, can do soin a variety of ways.

Keep the drapes open.Opening blinds and curtainsas far as they will go allows asmuch light to shine in withouthaving to do major home reno-vations or spend any money atall. Homeowners concernedabout privacy can install awindow flm that allows view-ing from the inside only.

Clean the windows. Dirtywindows obstruct sunlightfrom entering the home. Theyalso can make a home appear

unkempt. Spend a free daycleaning the windows so thattheyll let ample light in.

Install seamless or low-profle windows and doors.Seamless sliding doors en-able a large amount of lightto enter the home. Such doorscan replace an entire wall tobrighten up a dark area of ahome. The more windows anddoors a home has, the brighterit will be.

Take inventory of darkspots. A room may be dark be-

cause it simply does not havea layout conducive to bright-ness. Is a wall blocking lightfrom reaching a portion of theroom? Think about chang-ing the rooms layout or evenmaking structural changes toimprove light distribution. Theaddition of a small window ona south- or west-facing wallcan greatly improve naturallight. Using mirrors can alsoreect light where it is needed.

Invest in skylights or solartubes. Both skylights or solartubes enable light to enter a

home from above. Skylightsare larger and require consid-erably more work to install,while solar tubes are morelow-profle and can be putinto rooms that do not abutthe rooine, such as thoseobstructed by attic space. Thetubular cylinders are installedbetween the roof and the ceil-ing and carry light througha reective tube to the roombelow. Diffusers on tubulardaylighting devices scatter therays so the light doesnt cast

harsh shadows, and UV flterscan help protect furniturefrom discoloring.

Trim shrubs and trees. Iftrees and bushes are blockinglight from entering your home,trim them to enable dappledlight to come through. Decidu-ous trees that will naturallylose their leaves come autumncan be planted on sunny areasof the property. This way inthe summer months they willshade the house and keep itcooler, while in winter moresun will stream in when the

leaves are shed. Create a three-seasonroom. Make a spot in the homewhere sun will be at a premi-um. A solarium or greenhouseattached to the home can be awarm and sunny spot.

Increasing natural light ina home can improve feelingsof well-being and also reduceenergy consumption duringdaylight hours.

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Tings to consider when shed shoppingStorage sheds can be invalu-

able for people who do nothave a garage or basement in

which to store their outdoortools and equipment. Shedsalso can be a boon to anyonelooking to increase the stor-age space they have at home.

Prefabricated and made-to-order sheds are available forall different budgets and stor-age needs. Buyers also canchoose among build-to-suitkits that can be ordered onlineor from various retailers.

One of the rst decisions

homeowners need to makewhen shopping for a storageshed is how much space theyneed. Think about what you

need to house in the shed.Will it hold shovels and thepatio umbrella, or will it needto be larger to accommodate alawn mower? Knowing whatyou intend to use the shed forwill enable you to pick the ap-propriate size.

Another thing to consider ishow long you plan to use theshed. If this is merely a transi-tional storage building to bideyour time until your garagerenovation is complete, youmay not need an expensive

structure made of top-of-the-line materials. If you have along lifetime planned for this

shed, you will want a durablestructure and might want toincrease your budget.

Before buying a shed, ndout if your town, city or prov-ince has any zoning rulesabout sheds. You may needto plan a trip to the municipalbuilding and learn the build-ing codes about erecting ashed. In order to protect thesafety and integrity of thearea, many towns and cit-ies have specic zoning andbuilding laws that need to befollowed. A shed of a certainsize may require a permit to

be built, and knowing thisinformation in advance cansave you from taking downthe shed and redoing the workat a later date.

Once you know the buildingcodes, you can begin to shoparound for a shed. Sheds canvary widely in price. A small,vertical lean-to shed maystart out around $350, whilea larger, more intricate struc-ture can cost between $2,000and $3,000. Cost may play arole in the shed you ultimately

choose, especially if you areon a xed budget.

Available materials alsoshould be studied when buy-ing a shed. While an alu-minum shed may not be themost aesthetically appealingoption, aluminum sheds tendto be affordable and durable.Wood sheds are available inall different styles and can be

very attractive. However, theywill have to be maintained toprevent rot and insect infesta-tion. Wood sheds also can beexpensive. Vinyl sheds maybe the best of both worlds,as they are often durable andrequire little maintenance.Some sheds even enable youto build or add on differentcomponents at a later date,

so you dont need to start outwith the elite model at theoutset.

When shopping, considerif you have the skillset toassemble the shed yourself.You can save a considerableamount of money when buy-ing a kit and assembling theshed yourself. Having a shedbuilt off-site and then deliv-

ered, or hiring a carpenter tocome and build a shed, maycost you just as much in labor

as in materials.Keep in mind that sheds

displayed in a warehousestore or outside at a home im-provement retailer may seemsmaller than they will whenerected in your yard. Measureyour space carefully to ensurethat the shed will blend in andnot be an eyesore in the yard.Shrubbery can be plantedaround the shed to help cam-ouage it, and the shed also

can be color-coordinated withthe house to make it appearmore cohesive.

The foundation of the shed

also needs to be considered.Sheds can rest on cinderblocks, poured concrete orcrushed stone. Check with theshed manufacturer as to thebest foundation material, andfactor that expense into yourpurchase.

An attractive, functionaland affordable shed can be anasset to a home. It providesextra storage space for out-door equipment, which canfree up room in a garage orbasement.



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.www.CarolinaCompany.com .803.648.8660.800.880.0108 .

PRICE REDUCED

NEW LISTING

EQUESTRIAN ESTATE

WALK DOWNTOWN

HORSE FARM

NEW LISTING

PRICE REDUCED

PRICE REDUCED

PRICE REDUCED

CONGER WOODS

Sweet brick home with lovely yard, lots of char-acter and tons of upgrades is priced to MOVEFAST! Updated 4 bedroom home on quiet cul-

de-sac near Hitchcock Woods. Upgrades includeelectrical system, heat & air, new roof in 2011,

plus updated kitchen with granite countertops.Lee Hedlund 221.6

8

31$163,000

GRANDEUR FARM

Fabulous 61 acre horse farm features 10

-stallcenter aisle barn with 2-story apartment, plus 3bedroom, 2.5 bath brick farm home with bonus

room & wide front porch. Horse farm includes 5paddocks and regulation dressage arena. CallSuzan McHugh 292.85

25 $

4

9

9,0

00

THREE RUNS PLANTATION

New home by Wolf Construction features openfloor plan, hardwood flooring, extensive millworkand high ceilings, 3 bedrooms, 3 baths, brightkitchen, screened porch off great room, bonus

room with full bath over 3-bay garage. Built on5 acres, access to all amenities. Frank Starcheror Jack Roth at 648.9808 $

479,500

HAYNE AVENUE

Move in ready cottage has 2 bedrooms, recentlyrefinished hardwood floors, ceramic tile and newappliances. HVAC just 18months old. Roof, sid-ing, windows and plumbing all only 5 years old.

Backs up to the Aiken Golf Club! Call MikeHosang 270.6

358 $125,900

BEL AIR AT THE PADDOCKS

Delightful Sand Hills Cottage has more than 4,6

0

0 squarefeet of gracious living space with high ceilings, fine millwork and

wood floors throughout. Main floor features formal living anddining rooms, custom kitchen with granite and cherry cabinetry,family room with fireplace, large master bedroom with bath ensuite and 2 guest bedrooms, each with its own bath. Gra ceful

staircase leads to 2nd floor with sitting room, 3 large bed-rooms and 2 baths. Beyond the breezeway, there is an extralarge 2-car garage with finished, pine floored office or apart-

ment space above. Located on more than 11 acres of 4-boardfenced Bermuda grass fields in the equestrian community of

The Paddocks. Call Courtney Conger at 645.3

3

0

8

$899,000

CHIME BELL STATION

Center aisle 6-stall barn with lounge, tackroom, wash rack, laundry, and half bath on

10.95 board fenced acres of coastal Bermuda

grass. Newer 4 bedroom, 3 bath home ingated equestrian community. Call RandyWolcott at 5

07.1142 $499,000

HIGHLAND PARK

Lovely old 19

20

s residence on over 1 acre lothas nearly 3,30

0 square feet of living space on 3finished levels with updated kitchen, formal din-ing room, butlers pantry with built-in cabinetry,

sunroom, 4 bedrooms, 2nd floor sleeping porch,4 full baths and powder room. Call CourtneyConger at 645.3

30

8 $

400,000

DEVELOPMENT ACREAGE

This 30.7

6 acre tract near schools & shoppinghas great potential for multiple single-family

homes! Previously approved for as many as 117individual building lots, the property is ready fordevelopment with public utilities available. Call

Mike Hosang at 270.6

358 $225,000

SILVER BLUFF

Lots of potential in this 2 bedroom,1 bath reno-vation property with hardwood floors, 4 brick fire-

places, living room, dining room, eat in kitchenand enclosed porch. Includes 2 storage buildings

and 2-car garage on 7.3 acres. Call MikeHosang at 270.6

35

8 $109,200


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How to rid yourhome o drasThink about what it might

be like if you turned up theheat and then opened all ofthe windows in your home.All of that warm air wouldrush right out, and youwould be left with a coldhome and a hefty heating

bill.A home that is full of

drafts is inefcient and ex-pensive. And draf ty homesare not just a problem whenthe weather is cold, as airthat seeps in when youretrying to keep the homecool can be an inefcientnuisance as well. Higherenergy bills and wastedresources do not have to

be tolerated if you simplyscour your home for drafts,sealing them to cut energycosts and make the homemore comfortable.

Drafts are often smallcracks around windowsand doors, but there aremany other places wheredrafts can form. Knowingsome of the less visiblespots where drafts comefrom may help you to sealout unwanted cold air moreeffectively.

AtticHomes that feature at-

tics with pull-down stairstend to be draft y. In suchhomes, a large hole is cutout of the ceiling so resi-dents can access the attic.So instead of thick insula-tion, these homes may onlyhave a sheet of plywood

blocking your in terio rspace from the outdoors,as many attics are directlyvented to the roof. To de-termine if there is a leak,turn on the attic light, closethe attic door, and check tosee if you can see the lighton from below. If you can,then there is a gap letting

both the light and air es-cape. In addition to using

exible rubber around theopening of the attic to bet-ter seal the door when it isclosed, you can think aboutadding a thicker, more in-sulated door.

Dryer ventsThe standard home laun-

dry dryer vents outdoorsvia an exhaust duct. Thisduct is open to the out-doors, and it may be lettingcold air into the home.Thats because there istypically a imsy appermade of sheet metal on theoutside of the vent to help

protect against ai r inlt ra-

tion. But over time dryerlint can accumulate atthe vent opening, causingthe metal apper to stayopen when it should close.Homeowners can invest indryer seals that close thevent when the dryer is notin use. Not only does this

prevent cold air f rom en-tering the house, but also itkeeps out pests, like bugsand rodents.

PipesCheck pipes that exit

the home, such as thosethat feed outdoor waterspigots, as such pipes canlet cold air back into thehouse. The same can besaid for waste pipes. Also,check to see if pipes thatconnect to garages, base-ments and crawl spaces arenot insulated. Use sealantaround these pipes to blockdrafts into the home. Foaminsulation can be sprayedinto small crevices, whereit will expand and harden,

blocking off ai r access.These damp, cool spotsare also great places forinsects to enter the home.Sealing drafts also may

prevent bugs from enteringthe home.

Fireplaces

Although replaces of-ten make for decorativeand appealing accents toa home, many are not ef-fective sources of ambientheat. They may draw morewarm air out of the uethan they bring into thehouse. When a replace isnot in use, air can rise outof the chimney and a draftcan be felt in the home.Some studies indicate thatan open damper on an un-used replace, even in awell-insulated home, canincrease overall heatingand cooling energy con-

sumption by 30 percent.If you simply must have a

replace, remember to al-ways keep the damper shutwhen the replace is not inuse and use a glass coveryou can seal tightly to fu r-ther block the opening tothe replace from your liv-ing space. Fireplace plugs,which can keep out draftsduring the season whenreplaces are not in use,may also be a worthwhileinvestment.

Electrical outletsOutlets and light switches

can be signicant sourcesof drafts in a home. Checkto see that the switch platesare secure. If drafts stillcome through, then employoutlet draft blockers to pre-vent cool air from enteringthe home and warm airfrom exiting it.

Homeowners can addressdrafts in a variety of ways.And doing so can make ahome more comfortableand cut energy costs con-siderably.

Tips to cut home utility bills andimprove comort and energy efciencyStatePoint

Having trouble keeping yourhome comfortable year-round?Youre not alone. The averagemid-size U.S. home has a stag-

gering half mile of gaps andcracks that outside air, includingdust and allergens, can inltrateand that inside, conditioned aircan leak out of, according tothe Air Barrier Association ofAmerica.

Just as you wouldnt want toleave a window open in winteror summer, you dont want tolet gaps and small holes aroundwindows, doors, plumbing pen-etrations and electrical outlets gounaddressed.

By doing some straightforwardair sealing and insulating projectsaround the home, homeownerscan typically save up to 30 per-cent on home energy costs, ac-cording to the Residential Energy

Services Network (RESNET).Even if youre not that handy,youre in luck. Sealing yourhome is as simple as knowingyour 1,2,3s and ABCs.

All you need to get started is:

One sealant: An inexpensiveproduct can do the trick. Opt fora versatile sealant, such as GreatStuff Insulating Foam Sealant, totackle a series of sealing projectsaround the home.

Two Hours: It only takes acouple of hours to seal all thosegaps and cracks that cause draftsin your home. Doing so will

permanently increase the com-fort, performance and energy-efciency of your house. For acomplete home sealing projectchecklist, visit www.GreatStuff.dow.com/pdfs/checklist.pdf.

Three Locations: Three keylocations will be impacted themost by air sealing projects -- theattic, basement and central livingspace.

So where should you start look-ing? An easy trick to rememberis the ABCs of air sealing:

A is for Attic: The attic isone of the main places in the

home youre likely to lose heat.So in addition to adding insula-tion, seal around the attic doorto help keep air from escaping.Youll keep heat inside your liv-ing space and make your family

comfortable year-round by seal-ing the attic tightly to preventdrafts.

B is for Basement: Its damp,dark and cold, and often one ofthe largest air leakage culprits in

the home. Its also the most ac-cessible, making it an excellent

place to start sealing to preventcooler air from seeping into therest of your house.

C is for Central Living Areas:Dont neglect the most trafckedareas of your house where youeat, sleep, watch TV and hangout. Fill the gaps and cracks inyour living spaces -- includingaround electrical outlets and

plumbing penetrations -- to pre-vent drafts throughout the yearthat directly impact the comfortof the home.

By sealing plumbing penetra-tions with sealants like GreatStuff Insulating Foam Sealants,homeowners can begin to see

nancial returns after less thanhalf a month, saving $45 annu-ally, according to a recent studyconducted by Dow BuildingSolutions and DR Nelson & As-sociates.



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Autumn marks a great time to clear away clutterClutter is a concern for many

homeowners. Clutter can gradu-ally accumulate, and over time ahome can turn from a welcom-ing respite to a claustrophobicplace overwhelmed by items of

little or no value.Homeowners who have bat-

tled clutter in the past often ndthat it is most likely to accumu-late over the winter, when frigidtemperatures outside drive morepeople indoors. Spending moretime indoors means more trashindoors. Newspapers and maga-zines might be easy to discardwhen the weather is warm, buta trip outside to discard suchitems takes less precedencewhen it must be made in belowfreezing temperatures.

The likelihood that even thecleanliest of homeowners mightaccumulate some clutter overthe winter only highlights theimportance of clearing a house

of clutter in the fall. Whileclearing clutter can seem likean arduous task, the followingtips can make the project mucheasier.

Clean one room or area at atime. A disorganized approachto getting organized is likelyto waste time and may evenprove fruitless. Work your waythrough your home or apart-ment one room at a time ratherthan jumping from room toroom. Have boxes or crates des-ignated for items you nd that

belong in other rooms, and placeitems in the appropriate boxesas you clean rather than return-ing items to the right room asyou nd them. Once you havenished a room, move on to the

next one and try to nish a roomon the same day you started.

Invest in a paper shredder.Old bills, bank statements, re-ceipts, and other once-importantpapers have a way of accumu-lating on desks, in drawers andon counters. Such documentsoften do not need to be heldonto, but men and women arehesitant to discard them becausethey contain personal informa-tion. A paper shredder is a greatinvestment for homeowners andapartment dwellers alike andcan be the safest way to discarddocuments with potentiallysensitive information. Its alsoa friend to anyone attemptingto clear clutter. Many shredders

can shred multiple pages at atime, making them a quick andsafe way to discard documentsthat have been littering a homelong after they were useful.

Decide to donate someitems. Many unused items lyingaround your house can likelybe donated to a worthy cause,which can help motivate you toclean out your closet of all thoseextra sweaters and other itemsyou no longer wear. Encouragefellow members of the house-hold to donate as well, and set

aside a few boxes for clothesthat will be donated and thosethat will be discarded. Donateditems need not be clothes, asmany goodwill organizationsaccept appliances and other

products as well. Put seasonal items away.

Storing seasonal items likepatio furniture and swimsuitscan help reduce the likelihoodthat clutter will build up in themonths ahead. Pack items fromyour summer wardrobe together

and store them in a suitcase inthe back of your closet. Thisfrees up room for your fall andwinter clothing and helps youavoid overstuffed drawers.In ad-dition to clothing, store seasonal

furniture neatly in the back ofyour garage or storage shed,pulling out items like snowshovels or snow blowers youmay need come the winter.

Tackle the hall closet. Hallclosets are convenient dropoffspots for items of all shapes, us-

es and sizes, as the hall closet isnot necessarily opened each dayand therefore men and womencan simply ignore it as it gradu-ally accumulates more and morerandom items. But hall closets

can be valuable storage spaceswhen used appropriately. Des-ignate a signicant amount oftime to tackle hallway closets inyour home so you can thorough-ly reduce the clutter within themand get back to using the closetsas the valuable, organized stor-

age units theyre intended tobe. Discuss having differentpurposes for each closet, such asone devoted to cleaning items,another to coats, and so on. Re-solve to keep the oors in each

closet clear of items, as cluttertends to be on the oor and thenwork its way upward, eventuallyencompassing the entire closet.Once the hallway closets havebeen cleared, work hard to keepthem clean as autumn turns intowinter.


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Home Hunter October 13, 2013