May 02, 2012

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S P R I N G

2012

Outdoor furniture

Celebrity designer Kelli Ellis

Building a deck

inside

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Is it time to add a

half-bathroom?When it comes to renovating a home, homeowners expect to spend money. No home renovation or home improvement project is free, but some are less costly than others.

The addition of a half-bathroom is a popular project among homeowners, and it won’t necessarily break the bank. If converting existing fl oor space into a half-bathroom, such a renovation can cost as little as a few thousand dollars, making the addition of a powder room one of the few home improvement 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.

The addition of a half-bathroom is a project that often makes practical and fi nancial sense.

Pros• Convenience: A half-bathroom is often added on the home’s main fl oor 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 because 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 fl oors and countertops.

Cons• Space: As their name implies, half-bathrooms are much smaller than full bathrooms. As a result, they tend to feel cramped.

• Value: Though an inexpensive half-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 better 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 municipality 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 often makes practical and fi nancial sense. But before making any addition, homeowners must weight the pros and cons to make the best decision possible.

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Things to know

before building a deck

One of the most popular ways to do just that is to add a deck to a home. Decks are benefi cial 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 fi nd 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 likely 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 alright. 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 the most popular 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.

• Expect to do some digging. 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 specifi c frost line, but it’s safe to assume you’ll get a workout in 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 fl ights of stairs while ensuring you will always have somewhere to go to escape the sun on a hot day.

• You will want to protect the deck. 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 fi nished painting, apply sealant, whether it’s oil- or water-based.

• Don’t forget fasteners. Fasteners will hide the screws for aesthetic appeal. But not all woods and fasteners are the right fi t, as certain woods are only compatible with certain fasteners. Find out which fasteners make the right fi t 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.


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What to look for in

outdoor furnitureOutdoor entertaining areas have always been popular among homeowners. The ability to entertain friends and family or simply relax by yourself is something homeowners cherish, particularly during the warm weather seasons. Finding the right furniture to match your outdoor area, be it a deck, patio or poolside lounging area, is essential to making the most of this special area of the home.

When shopping for outdoor furniture, consider the following.

• Weight: Unlike furniture inside the home, outdoor furniture will be moved around quite frequently, such as to protect it from inclement weather or changing seasons. As a result, the weight of the furniture bears importance. While you don’t want furniture that’s too lightweight and will blow away any time a strong gust of wind comes along, it’s a good idea to choose furniture that isn’t too heavy. This makes it easier to move should a storm suddenly appear and it won’t require the entire household to help move the furniture into and out of the garage when inclement

weather arrives.• Comfort: The whole idea behind an outdoor entertaining area is to have a relaxing place to spend time outside.So be sure to choose furniture that’s comfortable and can handle the elements.Metal furniture, for example, might be durable, but such furniture can also get very hot if out in the sun.

• Versatility: Many homeowners enjoy changing their home’s interior décor from time to time, and it can be just as enjoyable to do the same to a home’s exterior décor. That said, look for furniture that can be accented with a variety of accessories, so you can change the look of your outdoor entertaining area easily.

• Protection: Protecting exterior furniture from the elements should be a priority. When shopping for outdoor furniture, fi gure out if protective covering is available or if it will need to be custom made. The latter alternative can be quite expensive, so you might want to consider more generic furniture that comes with standard protective coverings to make it more affordable.


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Plywood and MDF:What’s the difference?For decades plywood was the go-to inexpensive wood of choice for many home-repair projects. In fact, it was actually the fi rst manufactured wood product available. Then the term MDF, or medium-density fi berboard, started making its way onto home-improvement shows and among do-it-yourselfers, making it a popular material in recent years. Still, many people do not know the differences between these types of wood products.

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MDF is formed with wood fi bers or shavings

mixed with glue or resin. Under heat or pressure, the MDF is made into a solid material. Because MDF is not made from slices of wood to form veneers, it will not have the traditional graining or knots associated with wood. This can be an advantage or disadvantage depending on how it is ultimately used. MDF is often easy to cut, drill and manipulate because users will not have to work around grain or knots. But users should be careful to drill pilot holes before attaching MDF because it can split. Due to machine creation, MDF is generally uniform in thickness, which makes it

consistent for many uses. It is important to note that sanding and cutting of MDF can cause the release of formaldehyde. Safety goggles and a mask are a must when using this product.

Plywood is more readily used for walls, ceilings and subfl oors because of its strength. MDF is widely relied on for building cabinets, crafts, shelving and trimwork.


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Renovating a rental property When the economy struggles to the point of recession, few people benefi t. However, there are some businesses that thrive during a recession, using the circumstances to their advantage and actually growing business in spite of a sagging economy.

One such business is rental agencies or property management companies. Even landlords with a single investment property tend to do better during a recession, when individuals might be fearful of buying a home or simply unable to afford it. Such individuals still need a place to live, however, and landlords benefi t as a result.

One of the best things a landlord can do during a recession is to pay more attention to their rental properties, ensuring the properties are in tip-top shape so they can get the most out of each unit at a time when the rental market is most competitive. This might require some renovations, which landlords should be making periodically anyway, regardless of how strong or tenuous the economy might be.

• Update the paint. Apartments are typically empty when shown to prospective renters, and any issues with the paint job are very noticeable during such viewings. If the paint is outdated or there is any fading, update the walls with a fresh coat of paint. It’s ideal to do so whenever a tenant moves out,

but landlords whose buildings have a high turnover rate likely won’t need to repaint every time a tenant moves out. When adding a new coat of paint, choose a light, neutral color to give the property a fresh, inviting look.

• Replace the carpeting. Carpeting is another area prospective renters are instantly drawn to when viewing an apartment. New carpeting is always attractive to potential tenants, and landlords won’t have to break the bank to replace the carpets when an existing tenant moves out. Instead of expensive carpeting, choose a medium grade carpet with a neutral color, ideally beige or light brown, which can hide spills or stains should the next tenant prove messy and move out after the original lease terms are up. Before laying carpet, don’t forget to lay down quality padding underneath. Such padding makes the carpet feel softer and of higher quality.

• Upgrade the appliances. Perhaps nothing evokes a stronger response from prospective renters than a property’s appliances. Outdated appliances make renters speculate as to what else might be outdated and if the building is well taken care of. On the other hand, newer appliances, particularly stainless steel items, create a contemporary feel and

give the impression, true or false, that a landlord won’t allow the building to grow dated or fall into disrepair. When shopping for appliances, choose ones that are more basic so any eventual repairs won’t be too complicated or costly. Newer appliances enable landlords to charge more rent for a given property, and many renters would agree that such properties are worth the extra money.

• Install new windows. Older buildings tend to have creaky or drafty windows, which not only makes the property colder during the winter months, but it also drives up utility costs as renters are forced to turn up the thermostat to combat drafts and cold air entering the unit. New windows can eliminate such drafts and reduce utility costs, something landlords can use to their advantage when discussing the property with potential tenants. Landlords might even be able to earn tax breaks when installing new, energy-effi cient windows. Discuss if any such breaks exist with the local municipality.

When it comes to renovating a rental property, landlords can make a handful of small renovations that, while relatively inexpensive, enable them to earn substantially more money from each unit over the long haul.

Relatively minor renovations to rental properties can earn landlords substantially more money over the course of a typical lease.


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Many homeowners fear the dreaded diagnosis that their home needs a new roof. While there’s little homeowners can do to reduce the cost of a roof replacement, there are warning signs homeowners can look for that might indicate a roof replacement is on the horizon. Recognition of these signs can help homeowners be more fi nancially prepared should the day come when the roof needs to be replaced.

1. The presence of algae

If the roof has lots of dark streaks and stains clinging to it, that is likely algae, which can grow on the roof for quite awhile. Algae does not necessarily do any damage to a roof, but it does do some damage to a home’s physical appearance, as algae on the roof is not very pleasing to the eye. Algae is most often found on the roofs of homes located in climates that have warm, humid summers. If algae is a problem on your roof, spray washing with a mixture of water and bleach can effectively remove it.

2. Buckling shingles

Like algae, buckling shingles are another unsightly problem on a roof. But buckling shingles are more than just an eyesore,

they actually might indicate signifi cant problems. When shingles buckle, that’s typically because hot air from the attic is forcing the shingles away from the home. Buckling shingles also indicate that the roof is poorly ventilated, which can take years off the roof’s life expectancy while driving up home cooling costs along the way.

3. Granule loss

Granule loss is typically a byproduct of normal shingle wear and tear that results from inclement weather, such as hail. Older roofs might experience granule loss, but granule loss can also occur on a new roof if a defective roofi ng product was used. Any granule loss, even if slight, should be addressed, as the side effects of granule loss include a weakened roof and leaking. If granule loss is not addressed, the consequences could be severe the next time a storm occurs.

4. Mold

Unlike the warning signs already discussed, mold is not visible on the outside of the home. Instead, homeowners should look in the attic of a home to see if there is any mold growth. If there is, the roof is likely leaking, and the health risks

of mold growth in a home are substantial.Mold is not necessarily easy to detect, so a professional inspection might be in order if mold growth is suspected. If a professional determines mold is, in fact, present, then the mold will need to be removed and all options, including a roof replacement, must be considered to keep mold from coming back.

5. Roof rot

Perhaps the most discouraging sign a homeowner can see on his or her roof is roof rot. Roof rot appears when a roof is in considerable decay and, if not addressed, its consequences can stretch far beyond the roof, damaging other parts of the home thanks in large part to water getting through the roof. If roof rot is either not noticed or just ignored, it won’t take long for water to get through the roof and blaze a destructive path through the rest of the home.Homeowners might fear a full roof replacement because of the cost associated with such a project. But if ignored, problems with a roof could eventually prove far more costly than the price of replacing the roof.

5 signs your roof might be wearing down


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Window guards save kids’ lives

The weather is warming and that means windows are being opened to let in fresh air and warm breezes. The advantages to open windows are many. But one particular disadvantage is the safety hazard open windows present to young children.

More than 5,000 American children are injured each year after falling out of windows, says the Center for Injury Research and Policy at the Nationwide Children’s Hospital in Columbus. Two-thirds of these children are toddlers, and a quarter of all injured are hurt seriously enough to require hospital admittance. Montreal Children’s Hospital says they treat roughly 10 children a year who have fallen from a window. Due to toddlers’ high center of gravity (a head that is particularly heavy), most topple over and land head-fi rst, which can have devastating effects.

Falls from windows can cause serious injuries and even death. However, the accidents are largely preventable. Many recall the tragic 1991 incident when musician Eric Clapton’s son, Conor, fell to his death from an apartment 49 stories up in a Manhattan highrise. Conor, age 4, allegedly darted past a housekeeper who had left the window open after cleaning and fell out of the window. The song “Tears in Heaven” was subsequently written by Clapton for his son.

Children are often insatiable in their curiosity and desire to see what is happening in the world around them. Goings-on outdoors can be fascinating, and it is not farfetched to see children leaning up against windows and screens to get a better view of outdoors. A window screen can easily dislodge and provides no barrier from a fall.

Parents and guardians of young children should add window protection to the list of safety gear they use to childproof a home. There are many varieties of window guards that attach to windows and provide a measure of security against falls. Some of these safety devices are bars or grills that install into place but can be easily removed by an adult in the event the window needs to be used as an emergency evacuation point. Window gates can be used on larger, swing-out windows to form a barrier for children. There are also locks and latches that restrict how much a window can be opened.

Some areas of the country have made it law to have window guards on second story windows where children under age 10 are in residence, particularly highrise apartment buildings. Even falls from ground-fl oor windows can cause injuries. It’s important to check with a landlord or with a municipal offi ce about the requirements with regard to window guards.

In addition to the installation of window guards, there are other safety steps that help prevent window-related falls.

• Keep furniture away from windows. Children can climb on the furniture and have better access to windows.

• Keep beds away from windows, especially in a child’s bedroom. Children may horse around on a bed and bounce through an open window if the bed and window are not far apart.

• Routinely inspect the hardware and construction of the window to ensure it is secure. Periodically check the fi t of a window guard to make sure it is properly installed.

• Do not open windows wide in children’s rooms. A few inches is all that’s needed for fresh air.

• Make sure children know they are not allowed to play next to open windows or to try to climb up to windows.

Windows can be a safety hazard for young children. But window guards can prevent falls.


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Celebrity designercelebrates the sightsand scents of spring

Kelli Ellis is an interior designer for all seasons. But when spring rolls around each year, she is truly in her element.

An award-winning celebrity interior designer, textile designer and design psychology expert, Ellis’s work is everywhere, from television (as a featured designer on TLC’s “Clean Sweep,” HGTV’s “Takeover My Makeover,” and Bravo’s “Real Housewives of Orange County” as well as guest spots on NBC, CBS and ABC) and the Web (as eHow.com’s interior design expert) to print media (as the monthly design advice columnist for the Orange County Gazette). Known for her love of fl owers and fl oral design, Ellis also serves as a spokesperson for the Society of American Florists.

For Ellis, spring offers endless opportunities to update and refresh interior spaces with touches of color. While she always recommends starting with a neutral foundation that includes walls and major pieces of furniture in shades of white, beige or brown, Ellis loves to add seasonal fl ourishes by changing up accents and accessories.

“With a neutral foundation,” explains Ellis, “you don’t have to invest a lot of time or money to refresh. Once you have the basics — those pieces of furniture that you absolutely

love and will stand the test of time — the sky’s the limit in terms of changing accents such as valances, pillows, rugs, candle holders — even the matting on a picture. A neutral foundation opens the door to a new look with minimal changes.”

According to Ellis, one of the best — and easiest — ways to add seasonal color and refresh a living space is with fresh fl owers displayed in a variety of containers. Fresh fl owers not only enliven a room and bring in the sights and scents of the outdoors, they are perfect for playing up color and color combinations.

Decorating with fl owers begins with choosing a container that is in sync with the season and the style of your home, counsels Ellis.

“There are so many container options for every type of décor,” Ellis says. “If your home leans toward country, think about using old decanters, tins or even wooden boxes. For contemporary homes, glass vases with clean lines work best. And for traditional homes, go with urns or ornate vases.”

The same principal applies to the fl owers themselves. Mixed fl owers tend to be more traditional; bunches of local fl owers lend a homey, just-picked quality to a casual or country home; and monochromatic arrangements ooze modern. The key, notes Ellis, is to pair fl owers with both their containers and the indoor environment in which they will be seen.

Next comes color. While Ellis leans toward monochromatic arrangements of white fl owers — stargazers, lilies, roses and orchids are among her personal favorites — she nevertheless appreciates the “pop” of color that can be achieved with bolder blossoms.

When choosing fl owers for a particular spot or room, Ellis advises looking at complementary colors — those that are on the opposite side of the color wheel. For example, if the walls are a warm shade of yellow or gold, a container fi lled with blue fl owers, such as hydrangeas, delphiniums or sapphire orchids, makes a bold statement. And in the green room? Try fl owers in shades of purple and violet.

“I think the greatest thing in the world is to bring your own vase or container to the fl orist and ask for something special that works with it,” she reveals. “Not every fl orist has a vase that suits your taste or will work in a particular spot, so I take in my containers and say, ‘I want something blue.’ Then I’m both surprised with the result and certain that it will work with the décor.”

To learn more about Ellis and her latest projects, visit her online at kelliellis.com.


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Restoring your propertyafter a long winterOne of the best things about the dawn of spring and the return of warmer weather is the chance to get out of the house and get some fresh air. For homeowners, this is the perfect opportunity to assess any damage the previous months did to yards and develop a plan restore properties.• Don’t jump the gun. The fi rst warm day of spring might seem like a great time get out in the yard and get your hands dirty. But it’s best to wait until the grass has completely dried out before getting to work. Raking on wet grass increases the risk of tearing out grass, which can cause bald spots and the growth of weeds down the road. In addition, stepping on the grass while the ground is still wet can compact the soil, which can slow drainage and block the lawn’s roots from breathing.Patience should prevail with regard to mowing the lawn as well. A lawn’s roots will not start to grow until the average everyday temperature routinely reaches 40

F, so mowing too early is both unnecessary and potentially harmful to the lawn. When the temperatures regularly reach 50 F, then homeowners will likely start to see their lawns growing.• Remove debris that’s piled up. Debris has a tendency to infest a yard over the course of the winter months. Fallen branches, stones and even trash can accumulate in a yard, putting those who spend time in the yard at risk of injury once the warm weather returns. For instance, bits of twigs and pebbles that are blown across the yard during a windy winter can be embedded in the yard, making the yard less of a haven and more of a hazard. Once the grass is dry enough to walk on, walk around the property and remove any debris that’s piled up over the last few months.• Employ a pre-emergent weed killer.

Homeowners who routinely spend their summers agonizing over weeds throughout the yard should consider applying a pre-

emergent weed killer around the beginning of spring. It’s important to do so around the end of March or early April, when the weeds have not yet had a chance to grow. When applying, follow the dosage instructions provided by the product’s manufacturer. Such instructions often recommend a second application right before summer begins.• Remove thatch. Once the grass has dried, you can begin to remove thatch that’s built up over the winter. Thatch is potentially very harmful to soil, blocking sunlight, air and moisture the soil needs to ensure a lawn looks lush and healthy. Thatch removal does not necessarily need to be an annual task. If thatch buildup is insignifi cant, then it can be done every other year. Just use a dethatching rake to make the job much

easier.• Aerate, particularly if the yard is a heavy traffi c area once the warm weather arrives. If your yard transforms into a child’s wonderland upon the arrival of spring and summer, you might want to revive the soil by aerating. When the yard gets heavy usage, it’s easy for soil to become compacted, which makes it hard for air and water to reach the lawn’s roots. That can eventually make for a less-than-appealing lawn. So if your yard is the place to be come the warmer months, aerate in the spring to loosen the soil and make it easier for the lawn to withstand the months ahead.No matter how harsh the winter months might have been, spring is a great time for homeowners to restore the property around their homes.

Mowing the lawn too early in the spring is both unnecessary and potentially harmful to the lawn.


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May 02, 2012