Spring Home, Lawn & Garden 2015

Spruce up your home - p12

Choose the right kitchen

window p5

Deck designer touches p14

The Crescent-News Thursday, April 2, 2015

Kitchen & bath upgrades p9

Spring lawn prep p17

1

PAGE 2 - Spring Home, Lawn & Garden, Thursday, April 2, 2015

Tips for homeowners replacing water heaters

(BPT) — Some 37 mil-lion residential water heat-ers gave up the ghost and were replaced over the past five years, according to estimates by the U.S. Department of Energy. While some things get bet-ter with age, water heaters aren’t among them. In fact, the average life expectancy for a new water heater is 10 to 15 years, with the occa-sional stoic dinosaur mak-ing it two decades or more.

If your home’s water heater is approaching — or has surpassed — the decade mark, you may be looking at replacing it in 2015. Whether you’re pro-active about it or you wait until the appliance fails completely, there are sever-al things you should know about water heater technol-ogy, energy efficiency, cost savings and environmental impact.

• Being proactive pays in more ways than one. Replacing an aging water heater is an investment, and you may be tempted to put it off until absolutely neces-sary. Replacing an old water heater before it stops work-ing, however, has many

advantages. When a water heater fails, it can leak and cause damage to your home and belongings, especially if your heater is housed in a finished basement, closet or attic. If you wait until you’re completely without hot water to begin shopping for a new water heater, you may find yourself too hur-ried to comparison shop.

• Learn the different types of water heaters and compare costs. Two basic types of water heaters are available for residential use: conventional storage heat-ers that keep water hot in a storage tank, and tankless water heaters that directly heat water as you need it. A residential, electric-pow-ered storage water heater usually costs as little as a few hundred dollars. Gas heaters generally cost more — some models are upward of $1,000 — but cheaper natural gas prices can off-set the added cost in the long run. Tankless heaters are comparably priced, but often are more expensive to install, until recently. More on that later.

Photo courtesy of Brandpoint

If space is an issue in installing a new water heater, it may pay a homeowner to think about installing a tankless water heater. They may be more expensive, but the cost for installing a new water line for a larger heater may be even higher.

•Heater,Page6

2

Spring Home, Lawn & Garden, The Crescent-News, Thursday, April 2, 2015 - PAGE 3

Decor can be timeless or trendy for new year

(BPT) — Are you looking for ways to update your home this new year? With so many fresh interior ideas available, it can be difficult to balance current design trends with classic styles for a look that is both of-the-moment and everlasting. Follow these guidelines to find a way to blend now and forever for a look you will love today and tomor-row.

Focus on the foundationAs you are laying the

groundwork in your bed-room, kitchen or bath, the

key is to keep it timeless. Furniture, flooring, cabi-netry, lighting and fixtures should possess clean, tradi-tional lines and classic fin-ishes.

If it’s time to do a complete overhaul of your home, you may be tempted to invest in the latest and greatest in materials and furniture offerings, but sometimes the simplest of tweaks can bring your existing pieces up to date. For example, your oak kitchen cabinets are an ageless shape, but could be transformed by painting them a fresh color and swapping out the hard-ware.

Much like a smart ward-robe, as long as you have the basics, minor updates can be made throughout

the years by adding small touches in the form of acces-sories, paint, new hardware and other alterations.

Incorporate colorTaking a classic space and

transforming it when you have an itch to try some-thing new is done easily with paint. For 165 years, Pratt & Lambert Paints has been synonymous with recognizing the shifts and nuances of home style and design. In the true fash-ion of merging timeless with trendy, the brand has recently released its 2015 Color Trends Forecast, called Origins, which goes full circle from essential neutrals to progressive pops of color.

Consider spicing up your kitchen with colors from the

Cadence palette. The collec-tion focuses on co-mingling of cultures, and what bet-ter place to feature these hues than the room where flavors from all over the world are literally coming together on a daily basis? Pratt & Lambert colors Baby Carrot (8-11) and Vibrant Red (4-12) can make a state-ment throughout the entire space, or just on an accent wall near a breakfast nook.

A bedroom is a place for rest — a calm, down-to-earth haven. Pratt & Lambert’s two trend pal-ettes, Elemental and Terra, are the perfect pick for the place in which you recharge. Interior designer and Pratt & Lambert Style & Design Guild member Laura Kirar recommends shades Tobacco (33-19) and Feather Gray (32-37) from the Elemental palette.


Whether your style is timeless or trendy, this year’s offerings in colorful decor and new furniture give a consumer a wide selection from which to choose.

3

ADVERTISER INDEX

American Custom Builders ............. 5Archbold Equipment ..................... 17Baker’s Gas ................................... 13Big C Lumber ................................ 19Black Swamp Equipment ................ 5Budget Blinds ................................ 18Buehrer Power Equipment ............ 13Carpet Wholesalers LTD................ 20Citizens National Bank .................. 22Clancy’s Cabinets............................ 9Clark Homes LTD .......................... 25Craig Siebenaler Construction ...... 21Culligan Sales & Service of NW Ohio ................................. 17Deck Restorations Plus ................. 14Decks-N-Place .............................. 21Dilly Door ....................................... 28Farmer Center Equipment ............. 20Farmers & Merchants State Bank . 14Farrells Lawn & Garden Center....... 7First Federal Bank ......................... 11Fitzenrider Inc. .......................... 9, 26Gustwiller Electric ........................... 6Hi-Tech Foundations ..................... 23Holgate Lumber Co. ...................... 23Hormann’s Heating & Cooling ....... 27J. G. Excavating ............................ 16Kauser Trucking Service ............... 20Ken’s Furniture & Mattress Center .. 3Kitchen Center & Baths ................... 4Knueve & Sons ................................ 2Kohart Recycling ........................... 21Leupp Building Service In. ............ 15M.W. Concrete ............................... 18Mansfield Construction ................. 11Miller Construction ........................ 24Ohio Gas Co. ................................. 16Quillen Bros. .................................. 15Ranch Motor Sales .................... 8, 27Rupp Furniture Co. ........................ 25Sammons Services LTD ................ 18Seigman’s Siding Specialist .......... 12 ServiceMaster by McCann ............ 10Sines Excavating ............................. 6Strait Gate Farms .......................... 26The Wrought Iron Shop ................... 8Tressler Plumbing .......................... 12Tri-County Roofing ......................... 10 Wagner Farms & Saw Mill LLC ..... 24Weisenburger Builders .................. 22Wollam Ag Center ......................... 20Woolace Electric Corp .................. 12

Ken’s Furniture& Mattress Center

Fine Furniture at DisCount PriCes STORE HOURS: MON. 9 AM-8 PM; TUES., WED., THURS. & FRI. 9 AM-5:30 PM; SAT. 9 AM-4 PM; CLOSED SUNDAY, FAMILY DAY

1710 s. JeFFerson avenue, DeFianCe, ohio 43512Phone (419) 782-6801 (out oF town) 1-800-678-4838 • www.kensfurnitureinc.com

FREE DELIVERY wIthIn 50 mILEsFREE In homE sEtup - FREE REmoVaL

La-Z-BoY RECLInInG saLE *toqualifingbuyers

YOURCHOICE

only$399 ea.

PInnaClE

JamEs

masOn

COnnOR

Choose from 4 great reCliner styles available

in 30 seleCt fabriCs at no additional Charge.

sTOREWIDEsalEonallla-Z-Boyrecliningfurnitureinprogress

saVE$160

saVE$200

saVE$200

saVE$200


Design a stunning backsplash that will make your kitchen stand out

(BPT) — The kitchen is the heart of the home and a top-selling feature with homebuyers. Does yours convey style and func-tionality? Whether you’ve just completed a remodel or you’re looking for ways to upgrade your existing kitchen, a tile backsplash will instantly transform the space into an eye-catching masterpiece.

“Tile backsplashes are timeless, providing the ideal transition between the cabi-netry and the countertop,” said Kirsty Froelich, design director for the Tile Shop. “It’s one of the number one ways homeowners can add

value to their kitchen while adhering to their personal design preferences. Best yet, the process can be simple and enjoyable.”

Froelich offered her top tips for designing a styl-ish backsplash for a kitchen without headaches or stress:

Determine your style profile and take action

Start by looking at Houzz, Pinterest and home mag-azines to see what styles you’re drawn to. Are you more contemporary, vin-tage or transitional? It can help to see backsplashes in person to get a true idea of how different materials look, feel and reflect light.

For up close and personal inspiration, attend your local Parade of Homes, or visit a showroom environ-ment like the Tile Shop to view multiple styled vignettes.

Follow your visionWhen exploring tile or

stone, think about whether you want the backsplash to be a focal point or more sub-dued. Subway tiles in neu-tral tones are timeless for those who prefer a muted backsplash. If you’re look-ing to make a statement, clean and tumbled white marble is trending right now. Slate is comforting and earthy where metallic

offers a more eye-catching and contemporary look. For added personality, consider designs with color, patch-

work or patterns. “Pop art” is also really hot right now (e.g., incorporating Andy


A unique backsplash can mean the difference between an ordinary and an incredible kitchen.

•backsplasH,Page8

4

Your Kitchen & Bath Design Center Since 1973!

When ordinary is not an option...

Kitchen Center & Baths

419-782-7756 07946 St. Rt. 66N • Defiancewww.kitchencenterandbaths.com

If you can imagine it, we can make it real!Let our design team make your dream kitchen a reality.Call Us Today!


Expert tips for choosing the right window for your kitchen

(BPT) — What are the hot-test updates for homes in 2015? The kitchen is one of the most popular rooms in the home to remodel, and for good reason. According to HGTV and Trulia, a kitchen update is one of the secrets to selling your home.

When it comes to remod-eling your kitchen you must consider many aspects — cabinets, counters, floors and appliances — but you may not have thought about windows. According to Remodeling.com’s 2015 Cost Vs. Value Report, win-dow replacement, whether wood, vinyl or fiberglass, provides a good return on investment compared to other replacement projects, increasing the value of your home financially and aes-

thetically. So whether you’re making small updates or completely gutting your old kitchen, including window replacement in your project is a smart addition.

Here are some key ele-ments to keep in mind when choosing a window for your kitchen:

StyleKitchen windows are

often placed above coun-ters or sinks, making them hard to reach and prone to moisture. Choosing a window style that is easy to open and close, such as an awning, sliding or case-ment, is a smart move.

Awning windows — which can be pulled in or pushed out — are perfect for ventilation, which can be especially helpful in a hot kitchen. Since hot air

from the oven or stove typi-cally rises, awning style windows perform the best when placed close to the ceiling or above eye-level.

Sliding or casement win-dows — which use a crank out method for opening and closing — are two good options for hard to reach areas, like above the coun-ters or behind the kitchen sink. Pella motorized blinds and shades are also ideal for hard to reach window loca-tions and can be controlled with the touch of a button.


Putting in new windows in a kitchen remodel makes sense since they will make the room look better and will help to increase the value of the home in the event of a sale.

5

419-782-7882

®

Hedge & Tree Trimmers Hedge & Tree Trimmers

1150 Treat Hwy. 517-263-3023

www.blackswampequipment.com

RENTAL SALES and SERVICE ADRIAN - ARCHBOLD - BRYAN - NAPOLEON - DEFIANCE - PERRYSBURG

Floor Sanders Floor Sanders

AVAILABLE TO RENT! AVAILABLE TO RENT!

Tractors Tractors & Harley Rake & Harley Rake

Seeders Seeders

Pressure Washers Pressure Washers

Kick Start your Spring Home Improvement with these savings!

Tillers Tillers

Carpet Cleaners Carpet Cleaners

Please present coupon when pickup up the equipment. Good on one item only. Not to be used with any other offer. Valid thru April 30, 2012

10% Off Any one day rental

at any of our locations! Adrian, Archbold, Bryan, Defiance,

Napoleon and Perrysburg

Hedge & Tree Trimmers Hedge & Tree Trimmers

1150 Treat Hwy. 517-263-3023






Seeders Seeders



Tillers Tillers






08622 St. Rt. 66NDefiance, OH419-782-6615 Hedge & Tree Trimmers Hedge & Tree Trimmers

1150 Treat Hwy. 517-263-3023






Seeders Seeders



Tillers Tillers






AVAILABLE TO RENT!A AVAILABLE TO RENT!A AVAILABLE TO RENT!A AVAILABLE TO RENT!AV AVAILABLE TO RENT!V AVAILABLE TO RENT!V AVAILABLE TO RENT!VA AVAILABLE TO RENT!AVAV AVAILABLE TO RENT!VAVA AVAILABLE TO RENT!AVAV AVAILABLE TO RENT!VAVA AVAILABLE TO RENT!A AVAILABLE TO RENT!A AVAILABLE TO RENT!AA AVAILABLE TO RENT!AI AVAILABLE TO RENT!I AVAILABLE TO RENT!I AVAILABLE TO RENT!IL AVAILABLE TO RENT!L AVAILABLE TO RENT!L AVAILABLE TO RENT!LA AVAILABLE TO RENT!A AVAILABLE TO RENT!A AVAILABLE TO RENT!AB AVAILABLE TO RENT!B AVAILABLE TO RENT!B AVAILABLE TO RENT!BL AVAILABLE TO RENT!L AVAILABLE TO RENT!L AVAILABLE TO RENT!LE AVAILABLE TO RENT!E AVAILABLE TO RENT!E AVAILABLE TO RENT!E T AVAILABLE TO RENT!T AVAILABLE TO RENT!T AVAILABLE TO RENT!TO AVAILABLE TO RENT!OTOT AVAILABLE TO RENT!TOTO AVAILABLE TO RENT!OTOT AVAILABLE TO RENT!TOTO AVAILABLE TO RENT!OO AVAILABLE TO RENT!OO AVAILABLE TO RENT!O R AVAILABLE TO RENT!R AVAILABLE TO RENT!R AVAILABLE TO RENT!R

SPRINGPROJECTS

Let Us Help With Your

ADRIAN - ARCHBOLD - BRYAN - DEFIANCE - PERRYSBURG


• A more energy-effi-cient water heater can save you money in the long-term. Heating water accounts for nearly 18 per-cent of the average home’s overall energy use — the second largest energy expense — and costs a household $200 to $600 per year, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration. A newer, ENERGY STAR-rated water heater will consume less energy to heat water and reduce the amount you spend on utility bills. Energy-efficient options include solar powered, high-efficiency ENERGY STAR gas or electric stor-age heaters and tankless heaters.

• Tankless water heat-ers are more “doable” than ever before. Because they heat water only when you need it, rather than keep-ing it hot in a tank, tank-less water heaters are more energy-efficient. Still, many homeowners have shied away from switching to a tankless heater because of installation costs. Existing water and gas lines used for storage heaters don’t line up neatly and easily

with most tankless water heaters, increasing labor costs. Tankless water heat-er manufacturer Noritz has introduced a unit — the Noritz EZTR40 Residential Tankless Water Heater — that solves the problem. Designed to replace a con-ventional 40-gallon water heater, the EZTR40 can use the vent, water connec-tion and gas line already in place without moving anything to achieve a con-nection. The reduced labor means it costs less for hom-eowners to have the tank-less water heater installed.

• Size matters, and it’s about to matter even more. It’s always been impor-tant to match the size of the water heater to the size of the home and the needs of its inhabitants. The National Appliance Energy Conservation Act (NAECA) — which goes into effect in April — will make size an even bigger consideration for hom-eowners replacing water heaters this year. Water heaters will have to meet a higher energy factor rating, which will require storage heaters to be larger.

Tankless water heaters are smaller, and they may be a solution for those with space problems.

HeaterFrom page 2From pastels to navy, here

are the colors of 2015 decorFor 2015, the hot colors in home decor

range from yummy ice cream pastels to a few deep, saturated hues.

The pastels include blush, sky blue, vanilla, lilac and pale peach, hues tradi-tionally associated with tropical or desert climes. But they work in northern light, too — just ground them with darker shades like charcoal, chocolate or navy.

Mint and shell pink might seem light-weight or juvenile at first glance, but the way they’re being used gives them some gravitas. A task lamp; a midcentury-style chair; a bookcase — rendered in one of these hues, a room instantly looks Right Now. Mints to consider include Behr’s Mountain Mint and Pratt and Lambert’s Glacial Green; check out Pratt and Lambert’s Coral Pink and Behr’s Secret Blush for a gentle yet sophisticated soft pink.

Each year, paint companies and color trend gurus assess which hues will be hot in fashion and décor. Many choose a “color of the year.”

Coral Reef, a vibrant pink-orange, is Sherwin-Williams’ pick. Debra Kling, a New York-based color consultant, thinks it’s a region-specific hue.

“It feels more suitable for South Beach, the Southwest or the South Pacific,” she said.

Jackie Jordan, color marketing direc-tor for Sherwin-Williams, sad the color embodies a cheerful approach to design that’s a hallmark of 2015. “From our research, we know people do seek colors and décor that bring back memories of a destination vacation,” she said. “Coral Reef evokes that for people; others just love the color.”

She suggesed pairing it with white, black, or floral hues like lush green or deep violet to make it really sing. To calm things down, consider complementary shades of soft gray, driftwood or but-ter yellow. Patinated brass and medium wood tones would also be pretty accom-paniments.

Benjamin Moore has gone with Guilford Green, a soft hue that some decorators and designers see as too pale while others tout its versatility as a “standard, go-to green.”

Framed with crisp white, Guilford Green gives off a pretty, garden-room vibe; add deeper floral tones like peony, daffodil and iris to enhance the botanical feel. Undertones of gray and brown make it a perfect color against just about any wood, creating a restful backdrop for a kitchen, nursery or sunroom, and it’s a good exterior hue, too. Check out Farrow & Ball’s Breakfast Room Green, a similar shade.

Associated Press

6

EXCAVATING LLC.

Over 40 Years Experience!

EXCAVATING LLC.Sines• Fence Row Cleaning • Demolition

Excavating • Sanitary Hook-Up • Septic Tank Installation • Drainage • Snow Removal

Driveways • Stone HaulingDozer Work • Field and Tile Drainage • Fence Row Cleaning • Catch Basins and Culverts • Trucking

Call Josh at 419-769-2290 for YOUR FREE ESTIMATE!5795 Trinity Road, Defiance

SOGGY DRIVEWAY?Ask About Our Spring Stone Sale! Mother Nature doesn’t care if

you have power, but we care. Look into a generator back up system today.

Gustwiller electric Supply1822 Spruce St.

Defiance, Ohio 43512419-782-6762

Don’t Be Left Without Power

Give us a caLL for a free estimate!residential and commercial

CertifiedGenerac

Generator Technician on Staff!


Five ways to improve your outdoor space

(BPT) — Winter’s coldest days make you appreciate spring and summer, as well as the warm afternoons spent outdoors enjoying these seasons. And when the time comes, there’s no better place to relax than in your own backyard. If your space isn’t all it could be, though, this is the per-fect time for a little outdoor upgrade.

Below are five projects you can tackle on your own to reinvent your backyard and turn it into the space you always knew it could be.

• Landscape for the year. Landscaping provides a focal point in your yard, but don’t just landscape with the warmer months in mind. Include plants for each season. Showcase blooming flowers and hos-tas in the warmer months, and pair them with ever-green conifers for a look that’s inviting all year long.

• One-of-a-kind planter boxes. Showcase your most beautiful blooms or deli-cious herbs in planter boxes made from Western red cedar. Western red cedar is ideal for planter boxes because it is naturally rot, decay and insect resistant. Plus, building the box is easy. You can learn how to build planter boxes of your own at Realcedar.com.

• Sitting beside the fire. A fire pit is a great way to extend your backyard use into the evening hours, and giving the pit a profes-sional look is easier than you think. Start by measur-ing the pit area and then build your wall of pavers. Surround the pit itself with gravel, additional pavers or another non-flammable substance, then add some comfy chairs and prepare to enjoy.

• The all-in-one pergola. Whether you’re looking for a little shade, a centerpiece for the yard or the perfect spot to entertain, a pergola

delivers. Building the per-gola out of a lighter wood like Western red cedar will make the material easier to handle for any DIYer, and the appearance and smell of Western red cedar ensures your pergola will blend in naturally with the rest of your yard. You can find instructions for build-ing your own pergola at Realcedar.com.

• Let there be light. Enjoy your backyard any time of day with just a little light-ing. Solar-powered path lights are a low-mainte-nance way to showcase When landscaping your back yard,

include plants that can be enjoyed through the year. Building a pergola can

make using your yard easier to use and more enjoyable.


•OUtDOOr,Page10

7

Are you ready for Spring Planting?

~Also Available~

Seed Packets ~ Onion Sets ~ Herbs Baskets ~ Flats of Bedding Plants

Top Soil ~ Seed Potatoes Vegetable Plants ~ Mulch

Decorative Stone ~ Organic fertilizers Weed Control ~ We Deliver!

Red/Pink Shrub Roses ~ Azaleas ~ Endless Summer Hydrangeas ~ Magnolia

Bushes Fresh Flowers ~ Much More

11755 County Road D, West of Bryan

419-636-5429Open 7 Days A Week

Hours: M-F: 9-6, Sat.: 9-5, Sunday: 12-4

Need Help with Your Landscaping?

Want a more beautiful outdoor living space? We offer landscape design & installation.

We will begin by removing your overgrown landscaping and replacing them with low

maintenance shrubs!

Let us help you start planning now!

LAWN &GARDEN CENTERFarrell’s

20% OFF Trees & ShrubsNW Ohio’s Largest supply of Shrubs,

Evergreens, Ornamentals, and Shade Tree Nursery Stock

Mark Your Calendar!OPEN HOUSE April 17th, 18th, 19th


Warhol visuals into the backsplash design).

Consider product type and maintenance require-ments

A backsplash isn’t nec-essarily maintenance-free, so know how much time you’re willing to spend

before making a final design decision. If you pre-fer low maintenance, the best route is ceramic tile. If you are drawn to the beauty of natural stone, keep in mind that there’s minimal annual mainte-nance, including resealing the surface to ensure the product’s integrity and beauty last.

“One of my current favorite backsplash looks is a new globally influenced Decor Mayflower pattern featured in the Tile Shop’s 2015 Spring Design cata-log,” said Froelich. “It coor-dinates with the Treviso solid ceramic tiles that are available in three beauti-ful colors. Each piece has a handmade look and feel inspired by classic looks from long ago. This collec-tion will definitely add a wow factor to your backs-plash.”

“Another collection I love is the Devonshire Cararra marble. It’s crisp, clean and particularly elegant when set in herringbone pattern by itself or when paired with a picture frame design incorporating pol-ished mosaic and marble profiles.”

Know your budget Before digging into any

home improvement proj-ect, it’s important to know your budget. Convey your visions and cost param-eters to any experts you work with, such as a con-tractor or interior designer. Bring a sample of your cab-inetry and countertop, or a picture of your kitchen, to the designer or show-room you’re working with. It will help them maximize your budget while achiev-ing your vision.

Add personal touchesWhen finalizing your

design, consider adding unique characteristics.

backsplasHFrom page 4

Victorian fretwork in a couple’s home inspires a design passionCarole Malakoff had never heard

of Moorish fretworks when she and her husband, Bob, bought an 1871 Italianate-style house in Pittsburgh.

But ever since they found an 11-foot section of the delicate woodwork within a wall, they have become experts and collectors.

The Malakoffs’ garden has a large goldfish pond and courtyard, and sitting on their reproduction Victorian back porch (with a clev-erly concealed handicap ramp for Bob Malakoff) is the perfect way to spend an evening.

It only gets better when you enter the back of the house, where

a cozy new room features a gas-burning fireplace and a collection of rug beaters on the wall. Carole Malakoff, who also collects purses, said: “When you can have room to display things, you’re a collector. Otherwise, you’re a hoarder.”

This house is a perfect show-case for collections, but it wasn’t when the Malakoffs bought it in 1992. Once owned by one of the Kaufmann brothers of department-store fame, it had been broken into three apartments. The couple began a nearly 20-year restoration project on the upstairs, sleeping down-stairs in a parlor. Several years ago,

when contractor George Barnhart discovered a large piece of fretwork sandwiched between two pieces of drywall in that parlor, the hom-eowners recognized it as Victorian fretwork. But they didn’t know what it really was until they asked Michael Eversmeyer, an architect and preservationist.

Moorish fretwork caught the Victorians’ fancy because it was ornate woodwork with Oriental style. Carpenter Paul Tucker of Mount Holly Springs, Pa., is a fan and expert. His article in the May 2005 issue of The Magazine Antiques was an eye-opener for the

Malakoffs, who soon began search-ing for more examples.

Tucker credits Moses Ransom of Cleveland with helping to popular-ize Moorish fretwork by inventing a machine that could carve long, thin, spiral-shaped pieces of wood and weave it in intricate patterns. In his 1885 patent application, Ransom wrote: “My invention suc-cessfully brings within the reach of people of ordinary means articles of great beauty and utility hereto-fore only attainable by the rich at great cost.”

(Tribune News Service)

8

2014 closeout sale

SAVE HUNDREDS!

- While They Last - Limited Quantity

STANDARD FEATURES• Patented Stand-Up Deck With the Quick Release System• Easy, Point N’ Go Joystick Steering • Pivoting Front Axle & Deck• Heavy-Duty Cast Iron Spindles• Welded Steel Deck and more

2014 Wrangler 48” Deck21.5 hp Kawasaki Regular Price $4,395

Closeout Price $3,999

2014 Edge 60” DeckKohler 7000 Series Regular Price $5,395

Closeout Price$5,099

2014 Defender Demo (21hrs)72” Deck35 hp Kawasaki Regular Price $11,695


2014 Charger 60” Deck27 hp KohlerRegular Price $9,195


Zero Turn Mowers

Features:• Patented Stand-Up Deck with the Quick Release System• Easy, Point & Go Joystick Steering• Traditional Dual-Lever Steering• Pivoting Front Axle & Deck• Heavy-Duty Cast Iron Spindles• Welded Steel Deck and much more!

For More Information:

Point N’ GoMowing

Sit Back,Point

& Relax

8144 ST. RT. 15 NW DEFIANCE, OHIO

419-784-1806RANCHMOTOR SALES

2014 Edge XLT60” Deck26 hp Kohler Regular Price $6,095

Closeout Price$5,499

Call for an estimate on all your wrought iron needs!20281 Rd. U Archbold, OH 419-572-1012

Porch & Deck Railings Fence, Garden Gates & More!

We fabricate

and install!

* Welded Construction

* Heavy Duty

* Powder Coat Finish


Easy kitchen, bath upgrades to improve indoor spaces

(BPT) — Do your kitchen and bathrooms look a bit drab? If you don’t have the time or budget for a full remodel, there are still many simple updates you can do to refresh these spaces and invigorate each with impres-sive style. From affordable faucet updates to pretty paints, each takes one day or less to complete, instantly providing a dramatic effect.

Freshen the faucetAlmost anyone who enters

the bathroom or kitchen will use the faucet, which means it’s a functional focal point of the space. Installing a new faucet is a simple way to redefine interior design and reflect your own personal style.

The new line of Kohler faucets available at Home Depot offers exceptional quality at an affordable price. For example, set the ambience in your bathroom with the Georgeson line of faucets, inspired by the Gatsby era with chic detail-ing and unique shapes to provide a decorative, eclec-tic touch. For those who pre-fer traditional silhouettes, the Mistos kitchen faucet’s soft lines and classic aes-thetic provide a timeless, upscale look.

Update hardware and accessories

Cabinet hardware and other accessories do for a room what jewelry does for an outfit — they pro-vide the finishing touches that really elevate the space. Fortunately, it’s simple and economical to swap out dated hardware for new handles, knobs and pulls.

Popular metal finishes include brushed nickel, oil-rubbed bronze and chrome. For bathrooms, update accessories to match your new Kohler faucet. Each line includes coordinating acces-sories like towel bars, show-erheads and tub fillers.

Experiment with paintPaint is one of the most

affordable ways to dramati-cally change the look and energy of a space. If you have dated tile, research if tile paint is an option for your kitchen or bath. Don’t be afraid to experiment with color — a rich or vivid color on a focal wall can add instant style, like on the wall behind the tub or stove. Don’t forget the fifth wall: a fresh white ceiling instantly brightens the area and visually heightens the room, which can make the space feel larger and more

modern.Frame the mirrorEvery bathroom has a

mirror, and some kitchens and adjacent dining spac-es feature mirrors as well. A mirror provides a focal point while reflecting light to make it appear brighter. But if you have a builder-grade mirror, you’re prob-ably longing for more style. Instead of investing in a costly new mirror, simply add a new frame around your current one. You can buy a prefabricated frame or create one yourself fairly easily from supplies at your local craft store. Your bor-

ing old mirror will be trans-formed immediately into an upscale alternative.

Swap light fixtures and bulbs

If your current bathroom and kitchen light fixtures evoke nostalgia from a lost era, it’s time for a swap. Pick out a new overhead fixture to instantly dress up the room. Modern chan-deliers, track lighting and

recessed lighting are popu-lar options.

For bathrooms, installing task lighting by the mirror can help streamline daily routines. Keep in mind, cool, bright white bulbs with a high color-rendering index (CRI) closely reflect natural light and therefore are a good option for bath-rooms as well as cooking spaces.

There are several ways to improve a bathroom or kitchen that are fairly inex-

pensive and easy to do. They include framing a bathroom mirror.


9

AIR CONDITIONING & HEATING

Furnaces • Heat Pumps • Air Conditioners • Geothermal • Boilers • Air Cleaners • Humidifiers • Ductless Air Conditioners

FITZENRIDER, INC.827 Perry St., Defiance, Ohio 43512

419-784-0828www.fitzenriderhvac.com

Save up to $1,200from day one. How’sthat for efficient?

RECEIVE UP TO A $1,200 REBATE-plus 6 months same ascash-when you purchase any qualifying Trane XLi system through

May 29, 2008.

Install a new Trane heating and cooling system and you’ll be rewardedyear after year with premium comfort and lower energy bills. Nowyou’ll also be rewarded with up to $1,200 back—significant savings

considering what a great value Trane systems are to begin with.Fitzenrider, Inc. will even give you six months to make a payment,

which means you’ll save even more. If you want to add value to yourhome and everything you do inside of it, it’s the opportune time to buy.Nothing enhances your comfort like a Trane. We think you’ll feel pretty

good about the savings as well.Expect more from your independent Trane dealer.

Your new heating and cooling system will affect your comfort—andenergy bills—for years to come. That’s why Fitzenrider, Inc. is

committed to helping you find the best system for your needs. Weconduct a detailed analysis of your home and ductwork, clearly

explain your options, and provide installation and service, too. Somepeople might say we go the extra mile, but it’s just how we like to do

business. When you expect more you get more. It’s that simple.

Rebate up to a maximum of $1,200 is available on qualifying systems only and may vary depending on model purchased. Available through participating dealers only. Void where prohibited. Finance Charges accrue from the dateof sale unless the Same As Cash plan balance is paid in full prior to the Same As Cash expiration date, in which case they are waived. Regular credit terms apply after the Same As Cash period expires. Annual Percentage Rate17.90%. Minimum Finance Charge: $2.00. (APR and Minimum Finance Charge may be lower in some states.) Terms subject to change without notice. Subject to credit approval. See Account Agreement for complete informationand important disclosures. Other open-end and closed-end credit plans may be available. Ask seller for details. All credit plans subject to normal credit policies. NOTE: Rebate up to $1,200 is dependent upon systems purchase.

Call now for your$1,200 rebate and6 months same as

cash and a freehome comfortconsultation.

Fitzenrider,Inc.

Defiance, Ohio

419-784-0828www.trane.com

Cut your heating and cooling cost with a High Efficiency Trane Heating and Cooling System.

Custom Kitchens ~ Bathroom Cabinets & Showers Countertops (Quartz & Corian) ~ Flooring and Custom Trim Packages

317 B Stryker St., Archbold, Ohio

419-445-4455 www.clancyscabinets.com


Leaks are not the only sign a roof might need attentionA harsh winter has taken

a toll on many roofs. Maybe there’s a tell-tale leak, but sometimes problems are harder to spot. When the snow melts, it’s a good time to take stock.

IDeNtIFYING prObleMs

John Galeotafiore, asso-ciate director of home improvement testing for Consumer Reports, recom-mended that homeowners take out a pair of binocu-lars and check the roof from street level. Roofing con-tractors also can be hired to inspect the roof. Do you see any missing shingles? Are some of them curled or cracked? Are there pieces of flashing missing?

Dirty or splotchy shingles also can be a sign of a prob-lem, said Jim Englehart, senior merchant for build-ing materials at Home Depot. “It’s indicative of

the granules being worn away,” he said.

Weather-related damage can include ice damming, when water backs up under the shingles, ices and then begins to melt. High winds can dislodge shingles or the flashing around chimneys or skylights.

repaIr Or replace?

Age is one factor in decid-ing whether to repair or replace a roof.

“If the roof is about 20 years old and you’re get-ting leaks, you’re probably going to have to change it,” Galeotafiore said. You might be able to patch newer roofs if the damage is limited.

“It gets down to aesthet-ics,” Englehart said. “If it’s on the front side of the house I don’t want to patch. The patch is going to be a different color.”

Sometimes, new shingles can be layered over an

existing asphalt roof, sav-ing some labor costs. But no more than two layers total is advised, in part because of the added weight on the home.

rOOF tYpesMost homes in the United

States have a pitched roof. Asphalt shingles make up a large share of the market, but some roofs are slate, metal or a composite mate-rial. Wood shakes and tile also are used.

A lot depends on your aesthetics and your budget.

“You could spend an extra $30,000 for real slate or wood shakes — or you could get a similar look for much less,” Consumer Reports said.

And then there’s geogra-phy.

“Different kinds of mate-rial will perform better in different climates,” said Bill Good, executive vice presi-dent of the National Roofing Contractors Association.

In the Midwest and Mid-Atlantic, he said, a lot of asphalt shingle is used. Asphalt shingles come in two main types: three-tab shingles, which are a single layer, or laminated or archi-

tectural shingles, which are thicker.

But strong sun can take a toll on asphalt roofs, so in Florida and the Southwest, roofs are frequently made of tile, according to the National Roofing Contractors Association. In New England, you see a lot of slate because that’s where it’s quarried, accord-ing to Good.

Composite shingles are made to look like slate or wood shakes.

“The look would be as close as you could get to the real thing,” said Mark Hansen, vice president of sales and marketing for DaVinci Roofscapes, based in Lenexa, Kan. The compa-ny uses a high-performance polymer for its roofing materials.

Metal roofs range from steel to copper and other materials, either in panels or in shingles similar in size to asphalt shingles. Good said they last a long time, and “also tend to be reflec-tive, so they can help with energy conservation inside the home.”

Check a roofing material’s weight to make sure it’s OK

for your home.As for cost, asphalt is gen-

erally the lowest among roofing options. Slate and copper roofs, for example, can be much costlier.

pIckING a cONtractOr

Replacing a roof is prob-ably not a job homeown-ers want to do themselves, experts agree.

Good recommends talk-ing to two or three contrac-tors before deciding on one. Besides comparing prices and warranties, check that the company is insured and has a permanent place of business. It’s also good practice to ask for referenc-es, Good said.

Associated Press

your new landscaping, and hanging track light-ing can bring an evening glow to your pergola.

Finally, don’t forget tiki torches. Adding a couple will give your backyard a rustic feel and keep the mosquitoes away at the same time. What could be better than that?

OUtDOOrFrom page 7

10

“Don’t Worry...You’ll Be Happy”

www.782roof.com

We Service All Home Needs, No Matter How Small!

419-782-ROOFDefiance (7663)

419-399-3964Paulding

419-599-3964Napoleon

Lifetime Replacement Windows • Entry & Garage Doors • Reroofs & Roof RepairsVinyl & Cedar Siding• Attic Insulation • Gutter Systems • Decks & Patios

Windows, Roofing & So Much More...

$20 OffAny Cleaning of $150 or More

Expires 4/30/2015

Don’t wait!Call us toDay!$150 or More

Expires 4/30/2015totoD

1-800-466-5570by McCann

1255 Carpenter Road, Defiance, Ohio 43512

For all YourCleaning needs

Call serviceMasterBY McCann

Residential Cleaning

CoMMeRCial Cleaning

disasteR RestoRation


Using real wood in different ways beautifies a home Working with wood

comes naturally to New York interior designer Dan Faires. He grew up in an old farmhouse and has been developing his carpentry skills for much of his life.

So in any house or apart-ment he occupies, he finds creative ways to decorate with this natural material. To rehab an apartment in Arkansas recently, he cov-ered the dark pine floor with coats of glossy white paint, instantly brighten-ing the room and making it seem larger.

But many homeowners have no experience work-ing with wood, so they don’t realize, Faires said, how easy it is to make a home more beautiful by improving the existing wood or creatively adding new wood to walls, floors and even ceilings.

Designer Brian Patrick Flynn, creator of the Flynnside Out Productions design blog, agreed: “While different materials come and go with trends, wood is here to stay. Whether it’s for a home’s exterior, bedroom

walls or for adding shade to your yard or deck, wood is an investment that will never go out of style.”

Faires, Flynn and Betsy Burnham of the Los Angeles-based Burnham Design shared their favor-ite ways to decorate with wood.

FeatUre Walls“Creating interior feature

walls with soft woods is an amazing way to add a focal point to a room otherwise considered a ‘basic drywall box,’” Flynn said.

You can add decorative wood to a wall from floor to ceiling, Burnham said, or just part of the way up. Options include tongue-and-groove panels, bead board or traditional board and batten.

No matter what you choose, a decorative layer of wood is “so much more interesting than drywall and paint,” Burnham said. “It adds texture and inter-est and timelessness.”

Living room or bedroom walls are great candidates, but you can also use this technique to bring architec-tural interest to an alcove

or corner that’s tough to decorate with art, Faires said. Or cover the walls of a small bathroom to remodel it inexpensively.

Another great spot to add wood: “Interior entryways, especially those in new con-struction homes, are a per-fect fit for a wainscoting update, as it can make an entryway feel much more grand, add graphic impact, break up the monotony of

drywall and also ensure a classic look,” said Flynn. “Wainscoting is probably one of the most traditional ways to use wood indoors, and it can be used impact-fully in any room.”

DraMatIc tOUcHesWe expect to see wood on

floors and walls, but ceil-ings are also a great place to add it.

You can get creative with

patterns, arranging panels of wood in a chevron or other shape, rather than horizontally or vertically.

“Overall, I say stick with a graphic pattern that’s large enough to read without becoming too busy,” Flynn said. “Diamond patterns are my favorite since they’re classic and work with many different styles of decor and

Associated Press

•WOOD,Page13

11

MANSFIELD CONSTRUCTION CO.

ResidentialServices We Offer

• GaraGes • BuildinGs • additions

• roofinG -flat roofs & shinGles

CALL FOR A FREE ESTIMATE

419-393-2540LICENSED - INSURED

President Fred Mansfield


Spring projects can spruce up the appearance of your home

(BPT) — Warmer weather and sunnier days are on their way and many hom-eowners are itching to begin home improvement proj-

ects. If you are one of them, consider these areas of your home when prepping for spring.

Windows and doors

From a full window replacement to a simple coat of paint, updating your windows and doors can have a big impact on your home.

If your windows felt drafty this winter, it may be time for replacements. Replace your old single-pane windows with ener-gy-efficient double-pane windows. Double-pane windows can help you save on heating and cool-ing bills; they help keep the temperature in your home consistent year-round and help protect your furniture, carpet and window treat-ments from the sun’s fading rays.

Need to bring some fresh color into your home but don’t want to paint? Try updating your blinds or shades. From differ-ent styles to colorful fab-rics, blinds and shades can add a pop of color to your room. Motorized blinds and shades with Pella Insynctive technology come in more than 300 style and color options so you can find the right fit for your home’s decor.

Your front door is a major focal point of your home, enhancing your home’s curb appeal. Make a bold

statement and improve your home’s energy effi-ciency with a new ENERGY STAR-certified front door. Consider options with dec-orative glass accents, and sidelights to add more natu-ral light while maintaining a sense of style and privacy.

Looking for something even easier? A new coat of paint to your existing door is a quick and easy way to give your home a fresh, new look.

Gutters and downspoutsExcess water near your

foundation can cause thou-sands of dollars in dam-ages. Luckily gutter clean-ing and downspout repair is fairly low-cost.

After all the snow melts, you’ll want to make sure to clean your gutters and clean out any debris that may keep spring rains from flowing freely through your downspouts.

Along with replacing

damaged gutter or down-spout sections, you’ll also want to make sure you have added downspout extenders to ensure water is draining far away from your home’s foundation. Extenders should reach at least five feet into your yard.

Gutter covers can also be added to minimize debris from gathering in gutters throughout the year.

Air conditioningIt may be a few more

months before you’re turn-ing on the A/C, but spring is a great time to start get-ting your cooling system ready.

Often you have to call in the pros for air conditioning work but things like spray-ing off any overgrowth or debris, cleaning coils and changing filters are fixes you can easily do on your own. Also, trim back any shrubs that are nearby.


Spring projects can include new windows and doors or simply cleaning gutters.

12

www.woolace.com

WindoWs, doors

& siding

Call TODAYfor a

Free Estimatethank you for voting us the Best for 2014

in the Crescent-news Readers Choice!

“Where Customers Send their FRIEnDS!”419-395-1150

Spring iS hereAre you doing your spring cleaning?

Don’t forget your Septic!!!

terry tresslercell: 419-576-0301

Shop & fax419-782-1256

Doug tresslercell: 419-576-0302

no job too big or too small

- Septic Tank Cleaning & Repair- Grease Trap Cleaning- City Sewer Installation

- Sewer Cleaning- City Water Installation- Video Camera Inspection

- Power Jetting Sewer and Drain Pipe

$10.00 OFF!Septic Tank

CleaningOffer Expires 6/30/15 CN0415

$25.00 OFF!Power Jetting** of

your Home’s Pipes

Offer Expires 6/30/15 CN0415

When it became clear that allergies would prevent Nancy B. Westfall’s infant daughter from having a rug in her room, the Atlanta-based artist turned instead to paint, a few stencils and a plan.

Westfall used the baby’s bedroom floor much like she would a canvas, paint-ing on it a diamond-shaped pattern that gave the space a custom look you simply can’t achieve with a kid’s area rug.

Eleven years and another

house later, Westfall remains a big fan of bringing floors to life with color instead of covering them up.

“They look pretty refin-ished, and they look even better painted,” Westfall said.

You don’t have to be a pro-fessional artist like Westfall to do it, although propo-nents of painting the floor say it does require patience and nerve.

Rachel Cannon Lewis, an interior designer in Baton Rouge, La., encourages cli-ents to consider it. Painting a floor, whether it’s wood

or concrete, can be more affordable than tile, carpet or other floor coverings, she said.

And in homes that date back more than a century, painted floors are more his-torically accurate: Back then, people frequently painted their wide, plank wood floors to protect them from warping, Lewis said.

Plus, painting just looks good.

“I’m starting to think of the floor as the sixth wall,” said Lewis, who considers floors “an overlooked opportunity to get creative and introduce

color.” (The “fifth wall,” by the way, is the ceiling).

Painting floors your-self can be a lengthy pro-cess, Lewis said, primarily because the thin, oil-based paint she recommends requires multiple coats, with lengthy dry times between each one. Getting fancier by, say, creating a pattern with paint or a stencil, requires even more patience and pre-cision.

Even if you hire a pro-fessional painter, however, “You have to be willing to embrace the idea that it’s going to be a different solu-tion than what most people

tell you to do,” Lewis said.

“There are going to be friends that come over who don’t get it, and your

mom is not going to get it,” she said. “But I love the notoriety that comes with pushing the envelope and going for it.”

Painted floors are not as durable as some of the alter-natives, especially in high-traffic areas, said Sidney Wagner, a Charleston, S.C., interior designer.

“Over time, even with polyurethane, they will show scratches and the paint will scratch off,” she said. “However, a tip to help com-bat your floors from look-ing too shabby is to paint a contrasting layer of color underneath. So when that second layer of color comes through with the scratches, the marred floors will look planned with your color scheme.”

Associated Press


architecture.”And you can experiment

with color. Wood ceilings can be painted the same shade as the walls for a sophisticated look or in a contrasting color.

If you’re really ambi-tious, add decorative wood to a ceiling or wall in a pat-tern you design yourself.

“I’ve drawn designs for full walls and had them built in wood, like raised molding that gives the entire wall a pattern,” Burnham said. She has undertaken complicated chinoiserie patterns, but you can plan a simpler pat-tern and ask a carpenter to cut and install the pieces.

Or consider a painted design: It takes time and patience, but with a roll of painters tape and several shades of paint, you can create your own painted pattern on a ceiling or wood floor.

cUstOMIZeD cOlOrs

If you don’t see the stain you want at the home-improvement store, find one that’s close and “talk to the paint guy,” Faires said. “They actually can create a lot of washes with water-based stains.”

Or bring a paint swatch and ask to have that color created as a water-based

stain.If you want to try creat-

ing a stain yourself, “heavi-ly dilute paint with water,” Faires said, “which is kind of the old school way of doing it.”

Flynn recommends

choosing a stain that is “dark enough to add a touch of sophistication, but light enough that the grain of the wood is properly showcased.” Dark walnut and pecan finishes are his favorites.

WOODFrom page 11

Paint can be a dramatic, low-cost floor covering for those with allergies

13

Store Hours: Mon.-Fri. 8-5:30; Sat. till Noonwww.buehrerpowerequipment.com

Factory Authorized Repair for:Briggs & Stratton Husqvarna SimplicityDixon Kawasaki SnapperDR Products Kohler SteinerExmark Onan TecumsehParts & Service for:AYP Power King Troy BiltMTD Scag Wheel HorseMurray Toro

Then bring it in to the Lawn Mower Specialist, Buehrer Power Equipment.

Does YourLawn MowerNeed RepairedOr Serviced?

BAKER’S GAS & WELDING

BAKER’S GAS & WELDING

1914 Spruce St., Defiance

419-782-7906

PropaneExchange Service...

LOWEST PRICEIN DEFIANCE!

5 YEARCONSUMER WARRANTY

Compared to 1 Year Warranty on Competitor Brands

ECHO POWER EQUIPMENTComes with

TRIMMERS, CHAIN SAWS, BLOWERS, EDGERS, BRUSH CUTTERS & MORE!

IN STOCK & READY TO TAKE HOME!

Baker’s Propane$1.49

per gallon

Must have: * Customer Owned Tank * Payment on Delivery (cash or check) * 250 Gallons or More

Call NOW While Price Lasts!

419-335-22201299 N. Shoop Ave


Designer touches every well-dressed deck will wear this season(BPT) — When spring

arrives will your deck be ready for “primetime?” Or will it still be wearing the

shabby remnants of last sea-son’s look? Clunky, view-blocking railings, a rectan-gular layout and dark stain

are so last decade. Before warm weather gets here, consider upgrading your outdoor living space with the trends that every well-dressed deck will be wear-ing this year.

Whether you’re lucky enough to live on the water or you spend a lot of time keeping your back-yard green and blooming, wouldn’t it be great to be able to enjoy the view from your deck? Traditional wooden railings can block your view, and glass can be hard to clean.

More view-seeking home-owners are replacing wood-en balusters with Ultra-tec stainless steel cable railings. Do-it-yourself kits from manufacturers like The Cable Connection make it easy to replace old balusters with stainless steel cable, creating a sleek, upscale and view-friendly look. The cable can be used with wood, metal or sleeved posts with a solid core, and you can retrofit any rail-ing with the cable. Whether

your deck is made of wood or composite, cable railing works wherever you would install a traditional railing, including the deck perim-eter and stairs. Visit www.thecableconnection.com to learn more.

Clear sealant for a natu-ral look or subdued rustic hues have long been the colors of choice for decks. This year, expect to see a plethora of fresh colors pop-

ping up on decks. While changing the color of a wooden deck from a darker hue to something brighter may be problematic, com-posite decking manufactur-ers have branched out into a variety of brighter colors, including whites and light grays. You’ll even see pops of color like greens and blues in designs and inserts set into decking planks.

You can also add color to your deck through plant-ings. Think outside the planter box — and tradi-tional floral plantings — to mix things up with decora-tive grasses and leafy foli-age that will splash color around your deck through-out the summer.

Wooden planks, wooden railings, stairs and even fur-niture — long gone are the days when decks were sin-gle-material constructions. Today’s decks are a study in mixed media, incorpo-rating traditional materials like wood, brick and tile with modern elements such as composite planks, cable railings and even ceramic tile.

The amalgam of materi-als can yield a multitude of patterns, styles and looks. Pair a traditional wood deck with cable railing and stairs that descend to a patio of pavers set in a herringbone pattern. Use heat-resistant ceramic tile to create a decorative and functional cooking area on a composite deck.


Adding cable railing to your deck or painting it lighter colors such as white or gray can make your deck stand out and look up-to-date.

14

Wanted

419-438-5779

Outdoor Decks

in need of a

cleaning and

restoration.

Call Us Today!

PLUSDeck Restorations


Information on how to clean windows, blinds, curtains, etc. If you’re like some people

(ahem) who put up win-dow treatments and never give them a second thought, even as dust accumulates, this might just be the season to pay them a little respect.

No need to stress out about adding another task to your spring-cleaning to-do list: You don’t have to clean curtains, shades and the windows themselves THAT often. And many times, it’s not that difficult.

“In our experience, the windows and window treatments are something that people avoid cleaning because they’re not entirely sure the best way to do it,” said Betsy Goldberg, home director of Real Simple mag-azine.

“It’s not hard,” she added “It just takes a little bit of time.”

If simply removing dirt isn’t reason enough to clean, consider that dust can dull the fabric of curtains and shades. Household odors can linger. And washing helps preserve the fabric, especially for win-dow treatments that get a

daily dose of sunshine, said Tammy Kupernik of retailer Country Curtains.

“If you don’t wash them, the sun will break down the threads,” she said.

“Washing them keeps the colors bright, it keeps the threads soft and it does add to the life of the curtain.”

cUrtaINs aND Drapes

Window treatments should be cleaned once or twice a year, experts say, and the best method var-ies by material. Some can be refreshed in the washer or cleaned with a vacuum, while others may require a pro.

Start by reading the care tag or directions that came with the product: Some items are dry clean only. If the instructions are unavail-able, experts offer general guidelines:

Most curtains that are lined or made of silk like-ly require dry cleaning, Kupernik said.

Curtains that are not lined or insulated usually can be washed by machine, in a short, gentle cycle with cool water, she said. Those made

of a poly-cotton blend can usually go in a medium-heat dryer, but 100 percent cotton curtains should be line-dried to prevent shrinkage.

Curtains and roller shades that are insulated with a bonded layer that keeps out the cold can be machine washed in a short, gentle cycle in cool water and line dried, Kupernik said. If the insulated sides touch each other while dry-ing, they can peel off and ruin the curtain.

Sheer and lace curtains should be washed by machine in a short, gen-tle cycle with cold water and line dried, Kupernik said, adding that both can be touched up with light ironing. Once sheers get in the high heat of a dryer, wrinkles become perma-nent, she added.

After curtains come down for cleaning, dust the rod before hanging them back up.

If you don’t want to take them down, Goldberg offers this method for cleaning unlined curtains made from lightweight, sheer or semi-sheer fabric: Close the win-

dows and the curtains and spray the curtains with a wrinkle releaser/odor elim-

inator product. Use a hand-held fabric steamer, work-

Associated Press

•cleaN,Page20

15

Open House: April 10th, 9-5 April 11th, 9-2

400 Freedom Drive • Napoleon, Ohio 43545Jason Leupp - Greg Leupp

SpeciAL priciNG!NeW ZerO TUrN MOWerSUNDer $3,000.00!Free snacks & refreshments

• come out and demo our Hustler Mowers• echo Trimmers & Leaf Blowers

Freedom Sales and rental419 • 599 • 7737 Sales Service

0%for

48 Months

Now renting everything from small tools to large equipment!

www.quillenbrosinc.com Toll Free 1-800-216-8311

Opening Soon:

675 N. Main Street

Bryan, Ohio 43506

Good - Better - Best

15 YEARS SERVICE

Robert V. Quillen

15

Call Today for your 1-YEAR FREE QUOTE ! Olde World Craftsmanship - New Age Technology


Restoring an old apple tree to its former glory A neglected, overgrown,

old apple tree does have charm, its gnarled, elbowed

branches seemingly reach-ing out for a hug. The fruits, unfortunately, are more often than not too small, too high and too pest-ridden.

But don’t despair: Such a tree can be returned to its former glory by “renova-tion,” as corrective pruning of an old tree is called.

Before picking up a pruning tool, ask yourself whether the effort involved in renovating a tree will be justified.

Is the tree of a particu-larly good variety? (Take into account that renova-tion would bring some improvements in fruit size and flavor.)

Do you really want a tree where that tree stands?

Would one or more dwarf trees, which can be cared for while you stand securely on terra firma, be more practi-cal? Dwarf trees also offer a greater bounty for the space

they occupy — hence the move toward smaller trees among fruit farmers.

cUt DrastIcallY, bUt NOt tOO MaNY

lIMbsIf you want to keep the

tree and go ahead with ren-ovation, begin now, while it’s dormant, by drastically cutting back one or two large limbs near their origin lower in the tree. Hold off making additional drastic cuts until next year, per-haps the year after also, to avoid shocking the tree.

Those drastic cuts quick-ly lower the tree and open up what remains to light and air. Lowering the tree makes picking easier. Letting in more light pro-vides nourishment for fruit buds and, along with better air circulation, reduces dis-ease problems by hastening drying of leaves and fruits.

It may be wise to hire a professional to do these first cuts, depending on how drastic they are.

It’s impossible to pre-scribe exactly how far back to cut these large limbs. It depends on the tree’s pres-ent and desired form. Just remember that new fruit-ing wood will begin above whatever height you cut a limb back to.

sprOUts Make NeW lIMbs

Ideally, make your cuts back to well-placed side branches. But don’t worry if no side branch is growing off near your cut because new sprouts, the tree’s future limbs, will grow from dormant buds.

Actually, too many new sprouts will grow. Remove most of them. It’s easiest to visit your tree every few weeks through spring and

summer, firmly grabbing any excess sprouts with your hand and removing them with a sharp down-ward jerk. Save sprouts that are well-placed as far as spacing and height of origin to make new limbs.

Any wayward sprouts that you miss during the summer could also be pruned back this time next year, but re-sprouting from their bases is then more like-ly. Be ruthless with sprout removal because too many new branches crowding each other will put the tree back where it started, with shaded, dank branches.

ON tO DetaIleD prUNING, aND a HUG

After making those large cuts, proceed to more detailed pruning with a small pruning saw and a lopping shear. Cut back dead, broken or diseased branches to sound wood. Also remove stems that are overcrowded or weak. Such stems typically grew in shaded parts of the tree and droop downwards. Either cut them off com-pletely or shorten them to the point where they start their downward arc.

The final and most detailed cuts are of the spurs, those short, stubby branches — only an inch or two long — on which fruits are born. Old apple trees commonly have too many spurs, which spreads a tree’s resources among so many fruits that those that do ripen are small and poor-quality. Use hand-held pruning shears to completely remove some spurs, and to remove just a side branch or two from others.

For the finishing touch, tidy up the bark. Loose, old bark provides refuge for pests such as codling moth larvae. Scrape the bark clean with a short-handled hoe or some balled-up chicken wire. Be gentle, though — remove only the loose surface bark.

Associated Press

16

SERVING NORTHWEST OHIO

Suspect a natural gas leak? First, move your feet!Then call when you’re down the street.

1-800-362-2764 or 811CALL 811 BEFORE YOU DIGIT’S THE LAW!!

J.G. Excavating

backhoe • trucking • bulldozer

trenching • stump grinding

sight leveling • power ditching

Full lawn Service

mulch • stone • top soillandscape stone

driveways • tiller service Quality lawn SeedS

New Seeding • Over Seeding • Mowing

CommerCial Snow Plowing

Jerry Gerken419-395-1181

9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.

now with walk Behindlawn Patching


Some tips for prepping your lawn for spring (BPT) — Those winter

chills are almost finally his-tory and it’s time focus on outdoor fun again. Your lawn is the perfect spot for family gatherings, sports competitions, barbecues and relaxing afternoons, so why not make it the best it can be?

Before your calendar fills up, apply these five tips and your lawn will be in great shape for the entire season.

• Clean up. Whether it was packed under the snow or blown in by the wind, the winter season leaves more than its fair share of debris behind. Grab a rake and get started raking up all of this garbage. Once the lawn is clean, apply a thin layer — about a quarter-inch thick

— of compost to give your lawn a boost and start it in the right direction.

• Reseed the bare patches. Your travels around your lawn to rake up debris will probably reveal some bare patches. If you do happen upon a patch of barren ground, loosen the top 2-4 inches. Level the soil with your garden rake and cover the area with a mixture of grass seed and fertilizer.

You could also replace the fertilizer with compost. Pat the surface with the flat end of the rake when finished to ensure the seed remains in place. Water as necessary.

• Aerate your lawn. Aerating allows oxygen, water and other nutrients to reach your grass’ roots, and

it’s one of the best things you can do to support your lawn. Travel across your yard with a manual or gas-powered aerator, punching holes in the ground. Make sure to pass over each area only once. After you’ve finished aerating, spread compost, fertilizer or peat moss over your yard. The fertilizer will be absorbed quickly through the holes created by the aeration.

• When it’s time to mow. Optimal grass length is 2.5-3.5 inches, so cut your grass as frequently as needed to achieve this length without cutting more than third of each grass blade. Mowing high and often will produce a heartier lawn that is more adept at keeping weeds away, as well as making it less susceptible to heat and drought. The new Z200 series of residential zero-turn riding mowers from Husqvarna, handles your mowing duties in a snap. The Z200 zero-turn plat-form features SmartSwitch technology that gives you one-touch steering, real-time feedback and keyless security so you can mow the lawn quickly and enjoy-ably every time.

• Add color and contrast. Landscaping adds immedi-ate scenic interest to your space and allows you to showcase your creativity as

well. If you choose to add annuals or perennials to your space, plant them in odd numbers and in tiny pockets around the yard. This produces a more natu-ral appearance. You can also add a centerpiece to your

yard, such as a sculpture, fountain, fire pit or horse-shoe pit. Any of these focal points provides a gathering place and an excuse to enjoy relaxing afternoons on your beautiful lawn all season long.


Now is the time to check out your lawn and see what needs to be done so it looks great this summer.

17

It’s just what the doctor ordered.Grasshopper True ZeroTurn™ mowers are the perfect prescription to cure the aches and pains of mowing. Our humanomic design, foam-padded steering levers and the industry’s most comfortable seat are standard features, so operators stay fresh, focused and alert.

Test drive a Grasshopper today. Doctor’s orders.

© 2008 The Grasshopper CompanyYOUR NEXT MOWER®

Visit grasshoppermower.com for more information.





Sherwood, Ohio310 St. Rt. 18E

419-899-2151

Ottawa, Ohio12080 St. Rt. 65

419-523-4131

www.ArchboldEquipment.com










419-899-2151


419-523-4131











419-899-2151


419-523-4131


BE READY.

I

Archbold, OH • 419-445-0810Topeka, IN • 260-593-3000Ottawa, OH • 419-523-4131Adrian, MI • 517-263-1395

Sherwood, OH • 419-899-2151Portage, OH • 419-686-2273


Introducing the new Case IH 5-series Early Riser® planters.Often imitated, our Early Riser planter has gone beyond picketfence stands to deliver yield impacting photocopy plants. That’sbecause instead of introducing fancy gadgets, we focused onwhat matters most: Your land. Specifically, how the right agronomic design at planting can make a difference at harvest.From good soil-to-seed contact and proper depth, to accuratespacing and uniform soil pressure, our planters are engineeredwith just one thing in mind — higher yield. Now that’s somethingthat can’t be duplicated. Learn more about Early Riser plantersby visiting your Case IH dealer or go to caseih.com.

emdartderetsigerasiHIesaCd.evresersthgirllA

. CLLaciremAHNCfokraem

SEE US TODAY.

YAAYDOS TE UES

. YAAYDOS TE UES

mid-feb 2014

BE READY.

I







SEE US TODAY.

YAAYDOS TE UES

. YAAYDOS TE UES

mid-feb 2014

BE READY.

I







SEE US TODAY.

YAAYDOS TE UES

. YAAYDOS TE UES

mid-feb 2014

Serving Defiance & Williams Counties419-782-9756 • 419-636-2236

Corner of St. Rt. 15 & 18, Defiancewww.culligan.com

POND FILTER MAINTENANCEIncludes Labor and

Culligan® replacement floating filter in pond

Pond Treatment Products Available. Chlorine 1 gallon container. Call for pricing. Cash-n-Carry Pond Filters $55

$109SAVE

$20

Sales & Serviceof NW Ohio


Smart renovation investments will keep you living more comfortably(BPT) — Now is the time

when building industry experts urge homeowners to consider home renova-tions for the year. Still-freezing temperatures offer an ideal time to assess your home’s energy efficiency.

Homeowners seeking to enhance their home liv-ing standard can make smart and informed deci-sions regarding their home renovation by doing some research first. The right home renovations can help

you save money by avoid-ing additional maintenance costs and headaches in the future. Hiring an energy rater, inspector or appraiser can give you a better sense of the work that should be completed during a reno-vation, as he or she can make recommendations as to how best to invest your renovation dollars.

Today, most homeowners will choose compact fluo-rescent lightbulbs (CFLs) and energy-rated applianc-es to create a more energy-efficient home. Investing in energy-efficient windows, doors and high-perfor-mance HVAC equipment also contributes significant-ly to improving the efficien-cy and comfort of the home.

However, knowing what is behind the walls of your home will also influence where you should invest your renovation dol-lars. The U.S. Department of Energy’s Energy Information Administration

recently said although home heating costs may be lower next winter, homeowners should be concerned about of sources of air leakage around their home, espe-cially within the build-ing walls. Online building industry resource, Green Building Advisor, points out that untreated air leaks are often responsible for up to a third of a building’s energy costs.

To combat the issue of air leakage, homeowners typically choose to caulk or weather-strip their homes. These solutions do provide some relief to air leakage, but you should consider tak-ing more assertive action. A recent study by the Building Science Corporation showed that heat transfer was much lower in a home equipped with spray foam insulation than with other, more tradi-tional insulation materials.

Spray foam insulation, which can help combat air leakage, is gaining popu-

larity among homeowners since it is an energy-efficient material that delivers year-round benefits. Spray foam insulation, like that avail-able from Icynene, delivers consistent R-value protec-tion and air sealing all year round to help keep your home comfortable regard-less of the season or climatic region.

Spray foam insulation performs for the life of the property, ensuring that homeowners can enjoy comfortable indoor tem-peratures all year round without overrunning their heating and cooling equipment. According to Insulationsmart.com, spray foam insulation can notice-ably reduce heating and cooling costs — in some cases by up to 50 percent. Additionally, spray foam insulation helps minimize random airborne moisture and pollutants from enter-ing the home, ideal for aller-gy sufferers.

18

30% OFFwith this ad

limited time offer.

a style for every point of view.

www.budgetblinds.com/findlay An independently Owned and Operated Franchise.

Budget BlindsCall Ron & Nancy Kruse at Office: 419-592-0396 Cell: 419-966-3854

[email protected]/findlay

BudgetBlinds©

FREE In-HomE ConsultatIon

anDInstallatIon!

sammonscarpetcare.com419-630-7656

Robert Sammons

• Van Powered Carpet Cleaning• Air Duct Cleaning• Water Damage Restoration• Mattress Cleaning

Over 35 Years Experience

• Ceramic Tile & Grout Cleaning• Upholstery Cleaning• Dryer Vent Cleaning• Foreclosed Property Cleaning

Residential & Commercial

SPECIALIZING IN dECorAtIvE CoNCrEtE dESIGNS

•FLATWORK•DRIVEWAYS •SIDEWALKS•POOLAREA •BACKHOEWORK •STONEHAULING

M.W.CONCRETE

CALL MIKE WOLFRUM AT419-395-1802FOR MORE DETAILS

29737 Steinmaier Rd. • DEFIANCE

SEPTIC TANK SALES

&

SEPTIC TANKS SALES


Raise rooms to new heights with eye-catching ceilings

(BPT) — Want to infuse your home with architec-tural interest? Start at the top.

“The ceiling is the most overlooked design element in a space, hands down,” said Brian Patrick Flynn, whose interiors are regu-larly featured on HGTV.com and often showcased by his own company, FlynnsideOut Productions.

Consider this: The largest solid surface in a room — besides the floor — is the ceiling. Instead of leaving it bright white or builder beige, convert this blank canvas into a decorative

canopy of color and texture.Flynn and other influen-

tial designers are forecast-ing a ceiling “revival” in 2015. Fresh interpretations of vintage styles, such as gleaming metal tiles and textural wood beams, are helping inspire that trend, along with new, easy-to-install products that put these ceiling projects well within the reach of today’s DIY-ers.

“Just like people, rooms need different layers to be one-of-a kind,” Flynn said. “That includes a ceiling that makes people look up and scan the entire space.”

Here are some hot ceiling trends to take your rooms to new heights:

• Layer on the luster. Stamped metal ceilings have contributed shine and sophistication to American homes since they were introduced in the 1880s. Besides beauty, metal ceil-ings offer practicality. They resist mold and mildew, offer sag resistance and last longer than plaster or dry-wall. Metallaire metal ceil-ing tiles from Armstrong are available in 12 patterns, and a variety of finishes, Photo courtesy of Brandpoint

Ceilings with metal tiles — including copper tiles —can add a new dimension to a room.•ceIlINGs,Page20

19

• Kitchen & Bath Cabinetry (full-time designer on staff)• Appliances• All types of Siding – including Manufactured Stone• Doors & Windows• Roofing• Decking – including Composites• And MORE!

Discover our customproducts and services:• Custom Millwork & Cabinet Facility (When “out of the box” won’t do!)• Window & Door Facility• Post Frame Buildings• Structural Building Components Facility (Roof & Floor Trusses, Wall Panels, Engineered Lumber)

Visit our Design & Selection CenterSee everything you need for your project in one convenient showroom!

444 N. Michigan Ave., Edgerton, OH • 419-298-2371 • BigCLumber.com

Dave Richardson

Post FrameBuilding Design

Specialist

Shellie Thiel

Paint & CoatingsSpecialist

Dave ManonCabinetry

Design Specialist

Hometown Service......Hometown Pride!


ing from bottom to top in 1-foot sections, holding the steamer nozzle about an inch from the fabric.

For drapes, which are generally made of heavier fabrics like brocade, suede or velvet and are often lined and pleated, vacuum each panel on a low setting

with the brush attachment, holding the vacuum about an inch away from the fab-ric, Goldberg said.

Fabric curtains and shades, except silk ones, can usually be spot cleaned with warm water and a mild laundry detergent like Woolite, Kupernik said.

OTHER BLINDS AND SHADES

Clean Roman shades with a vacuum or roller brush, Kupernik said. Vinyl shades can be cleaned as needed with a sponge.

Goldberg suggested vacuuming wood blinds and wiping each slat with a cloth dampened with a mix of water and a few drops of dish soap, wiping off excess moisture with a dry cloth. First, angle the slats down and wipe each one; then angle them up and repeat.

To clean the cord, pull the shade all the way up and run the damp cloth up and down it, followed by the dry cloth. If you have a wand, follow the same steps with the cloth.

WINDOWSFor window panes, if the

glass gets dirty enough, you may want to clean them every few weeks.

cleaNFrom page 15

including chrome, copper, brass, white and lacquered steel. The lacquered steel panels also can be painted to accent or blend with the rest of the room. Regardless of the finish, the texture of the tiles creates a tactile top layer to the space.

• Mix and match ceiling styles. Some room design-ers are combining different decorating elements at the top, such as inlaying the recesses of coffered ceilings with gold or copper tiles. Flynn said he’s also a fan of tongue-and-groove ceilings accented with beams. “This adds a ton of visual inter-est to the room, and can make it feel much larger,” he said.

• Create character with wood. From rustic timber to sleek teak, wood hues help set the tone in a room. Besides imparting a sense of warmth, the grains and knots in wood panels add a textural layer that con-trasts nicely with smooth surfaces like painted walls and granite countertops.

ceIlINGsFrom page 19

20

Trucking Service, Inc.

• Driveway stone, sand, lime, gypsum, top soil and landscaping materials.

• Bulk and bag mulches

• Local and long distance hauling

• Building pads & parking lots

850 W. Harrison Street • Paulding, OH

419-399-4856“Proudly Serving the Area Since 1934”

• Full service carrier - (van, flatbed, dumps, tankers, and hoppers)

• Demolition

• Ditch cleaning

• Culvert pipe installation

• Certified septic installation

Wollam Ag Center202 N. Main - Continental 45831 www.wollamag.com

Landscape MaterialBULK

WE DELIVER! 419.596.3896WE DELIVER! 419.596.3896Pond Supplies . Flagstone . Boulders

Decorative Gravel . Pea GravelMulch . Topsoil . Sand . Driveway Stone

Wollam Ag Center202 N. Main - Continental 45831Wollam Ag Center

202 N. Main - Continental 45831Wollam Ag Center

















202 N. Main - Continental 45831202 N. Main - Continental 45831Wollam Ag Center
































202 N. Main - Continental 45831 www.wollamag.comWollam Ag Center

www.wollamag.comWollam Ag Center













































www.wollamag.com

Landscape MaterialBULKBULKBULKBULKBULKBULKBULKBULKBULKBULKBULKBULKBULKBULKBULKBULKBULKBULKBULKBULKBULKBULKBULKBULKBULKBULKBULKBULKBULKBULKBULKBULKBULKBULKBULKBULKBULKBULKBULKBULKBULKBULK

WE DELIVER! 419.596.3896WE DELIVER! 419.596.3896WE DELIVER! 419.596.3896WE DELIVER! 419.596.3896WE DELIVER! 419.596.3896WE DELIVER! 419.596.3896WE DELIVER! 419.596.3896WE DELIVER! 419.596.3896WE DELIVER! 419.596.3896WE DELIVER! 419.596.3896WE DELIVER! 419.596.3896WE DELIVER! 419.596.3896WE DELIVER! 419.596.3896WE DELIVER! 419.596.3896WE DELIVER! 419.596.3896WE DELIVER! 419.596.3896WE DELIVER! 419.596.3896WE DELIVER! 419.596.3896WE DELIVER! 419.596.3896WE DELIVER! 419.596.3896WE DELIVER! 419.596.3896WE DELIVER! 419.596.3896WE DELIVER! 419.596.3896WE DELIVER! 419.596.3896WE DELIVER! 419.596.3896WE DELIVER! 419.596.3896WE DELIVER! 419.596.3896WE DELIVER! 419.596.3896WE DELIVER! 419.596.3896WE DELIVER! 419.596.3896WE DELIVER! 419.596.3896WE DELIVER! 419.596.3896WE DELIVER! 419.596.3896WE DELIVER! 419.596.3896WE DELIVER! 419.596.3896WE DELIVER! 419.596.3896WE DELIVER! 419.596.3896WE DELIVER! 419.596.3896WE DELIVER! 419.596.3896WE DELIVER! 419.596.3896WE DELIVER! 419.596.3896WE DELIVER! 419.596.3896WE DELIVER! 419.596.3896WE DELIVER! 419.596.3896WE DELIVER! 419.596.3896WE DELIVER! 419.596.3896WE DELIVER! 419.596.3896WE DELIVER! 419.596.3896WE DELIVER! 419.596.3896WE DELIVER! 419.596.3896WE DELIVER! 419.596.3896WE DELIVER! 419.596.3896WE DELIVER! 419.596.3896WE DELIVER! 419.596.3896WE DELIVER! 419.596.3896WE DELIVER! 419.596.3896WE DELIVER! 419.596.3896WE DELIVER! 419.596.3896WE DELIVER! 419.596.3896WE DELIVER! 419.596.3896WE DELIVER! 419.596.3896WE DELIVER! 419.596.3896WE DELIVER! 419.596.3896WE DELIVER! 419.596.3896WE DELIVER! 419.596.3896WE DELIVER! 419.596.3896WE DELIVER! 419.596.3896WE DELIVER! 419.596.3896WE DELIVER! 419.596.3896WE DELIVER! 419.596.3896WE DELIVER! 419.596.3896WE DELIVER! 419.596.3896WE DELIVER! 419.596.3896WE DELIVER! 419.596.3896WE DELIVER! 419.596.3896WE DELIVER! 419.596.3896WE DELIVER! 419.596.3896WE DELIVER! 419.596.3896WE DELIVER! 419.596.3896WE DELIVER! 419.596.3896WE DELIVER! 419.596.3896WE DELIVER! 419.596.3896WE DELIVER! 419.596.3896WE DELIVER! 419.596.3896WE DELIVER! 419.596.3896WE DELIVER! 419.596.3896WE DELIVER! 419.596.3896WE DELIVER! 419.596.3896WE DELIVER! 419.596.3896WE DELIVER! 419.596.3896WE DELIVER! 419.596.3896WE DELIVER! 419.596.3896WE DELIVER! 419.596.3896WE DELIVER! 419.596.3896WE DELIVER! 419.596.3896WE DELIVER! 419.596.3896WE DELIVER! 419.596.3896WE DELIVER! 419.596.3896WE DELIVER! 419.596.3896WE DELIVER! 419.596.3896WE DELIVER! 419.596.3896WE DELIVER! 419.596.3896WE DELIVER! 419.596.3896WE DELIVER! 419.596.3896WE DELIVER! 419.596.3896WE DELIVER! 419.596.3896WE DELIVER! 419.596.3896WE DELIVER! 419.596.3896WE DELIVER! 419.596.3896WE DELIVER! 419.596.3896WE DELIVER! 419.596.3896WE DELIVER! 419.596.3896WE DELIVER! 419.596.3896WE DELIVER! 419.596.3896WE DELIVER! 419.596.3896WE DELIVER! 419.596.3896WE DELIVER! 419.596.3896WE DELIVER! 419.596.3896WE DELIVER! 419.596.3896WE DELIVER! 419.596.3896WE DELIVER! 419.596.3896WE DELIVER! 419.596.3896WE DELIVER! 419.596.3896WE DELIVER! 419.596.3896WE DELIVER! 419.596.3896WE DELIVER! 419.596.3896WE DELIVER! 419.596.3896WE DELIVER! 419.596.3896WE DELIVER! 419.596.3896WE DELIVER! 419.596.3896WE DELIVER! 419.596.3896WE DELIVER! 419.596.3896WE DELIVER! 419.596.3896WE DELIVER! 419.596.3896WE DELIVER! 419.596.3896WE DELIVER! 419.596.3896WE DELIVER! 419.596.3896WE DELIVER! 419.596.3896WE DELIVER! 419.596.3896WE DELIVER! 419.596.3896Pond Supplies . Flagstone . Boulders

Decorative Gravel . Pea GravelMulch . Topsoil . Sand . Driveway Stone

KUB1365-ZD300 ADBUILDER 1/4/07 4:53 PM Page 6

Composite

C M Y CM MY CY CMY K

KUB1365 – ZD300 2007 NATIONAL ADBUILDER – 3.788 x 5 – BW – 12.15.06

www.kubota.com

ZD300 SeriesEngineered for commercial power, durability and performance, ZD300 Serieszero-turn mowers feature 21, 26 or 31 HP, long-life, fuel-efficient Kubota dieselengines. A smooth HST transmission, a new deeper mower deck, an 11.9-gallonfuel tank, and a hands-free hydraulic deck lift ensure the high quality and ease ofoperation demanded by commercial operators and landscape professionals.

This new zero-turn runs circles around performance.

©Kubota Tractor Corporation, 2007

Farmer Center Equipment10366 St. Rt. 249 E.Farmer, OH 43520(419) 658-2515 Carpet wholesalers

Must present Ad or Coupon. Cannot be usedwith other offers. Expires 5/30/14

Call store for details36 40 sq yards of 55¢ carpet

3 rooms of CArPETinsTAllEd w/ PAd

$49999

X

Bryan VanWert Napoleon SpruceSt.,Defiance419-636-3633 419-232-4681 419-592-8778 419-782-6016

www.carpetwholesalersltdnw.comwww.carpetwholesalersltd.com

CARPET WHOLESALERS

No one likes to be called a pigOur Installers Have Over 150 Years Experience

Bryan419-636-3633

Van Wert419-232-4681

Holland419-867-6778

Napoleon419-592-8778

Defiance419-782-6016

Bowling Green419-353-7600

CAll or sToP

in TodAy!

DON’T CRY!

Carpet Wholesalers has miles of quality carpet IN STOCK with

the shortest wait time in town for installation.

Has Winter Traffic Been Hard On Your Carpet?


Home improvement projects that help to sell your home(BPT) — The real estate

market has improved across much of the country, but homeowners thinking about listing their homes this summer need to stay competitive to attract buy-ers. Buyers are looking for long-term homes, ones they want to stay in for years while raising their children, or settling down and retir-ing.

To prepare your home for listing, or simply to enjoy it a few years longer, check

out these top five home improvement projects you can do yourself to make your home more attractive to buyers:

• Give the front door a new look — The front door sets the tone for your home’s curb appeal and security, and it signals how well you maintain every-thing else. Buyers will be walking into your home via the front door, so be sure to give them a good first impression. If your door is

in good shape, you might just need to give it a refresh-ing new coat of paint or new hardware. But if it’s seen some wear and tear over the years, consider replacing it with a steel door — one that will show buyers your home is safe.

• Update the most-used entryway — While the front door needs curb appeal, the garage door is traditionally the most-used door in the home. Old wooden garage doors will start to sag and the paint will peel, giving your home a run-down look. Replacing this door with an insulated steel door will not only improve the exterior look of your home, but also keep the garage space warmer. Finishing off the garage can also be a big draw for buyers, but you probably won’t be able to recoup as much of the expense as you would by replacing only the garage door.

• Add additional living space — You might not think about adding a deck as the same thing as adding an extra room to the house, but if you’re selling your home during the warmer months, that’s how buyers will see it. They’ll be able to picture themselves enjoying breakfast and picnic din-ners outside, or curling up on a lounge chair with a good book on a summer afternoon. To make your deck a good selling feature,

consider using ProWood Dura Color, a color-treated wood that retains its color for years. This means your buyers can easily move into your house and can enjoy the space without the annual chore of staining. Realtor.com estimates that homeowners can recoup 87 percent of the investment of adding a deck when they sell.

• Create a bathroom


Several home improvement projects can make your home easier to sell when the time comes. Experts advise investing in a good bathroom remodeling job or adding a nice deck or patio outside.

•prOjects,Page22

21

Bring in any ferrous ornon-ferrous metals including:Cans, Copper, Brass, Steel,and Aluminum.We will also buy your scrapAutomobiles, Farm Equipment, Aluminum or Steel Boats andmuch more!

Kohart Recycling, Inc.15360 St. Rt. 613 • Paulding, OH

419-399-4144In Business for over 80 years!

Scrap & Steel Hours:MOn - FRi

8:00 am - 4:30 pmSAt

8:00 am - 11:30 am

Store Hours:MOn - FRi

8:00 am - 6:00 pmSAt

8:00 am - 1:00 pm

New & Used Steel and Rebar for Concrete

WE EARNED OUR REPUTATION AS ROOFINGPROFESSIONALS FROM THE GROUND UP.

ROOF DOWN.

Craig Siebenaler ConstructionEDGERTON

419-551-7749LIKE US ON FACEBOOK

Fully Licensed and Insured

Pub No. 61220-A. “2009 Roofing Brand Homeowner Awareness Survey by Owens Coming. THE PINK PANTHER™ & ©1964-2015 Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studios Inc. All Rights Reserved. The color PINK is a registered trademark of Owens

Corning. ©2015 Owens Corning.

• Fully Licensed and insured

• Professional References Available

• Adhering to “Good Practices” and standards• Serving customers under our own name for years

• We install America’s #1 shingle brand*

Only the best roofers get to be Owens Corning Preferred

Contractors.

Mark Holtsberry - Owner

419-782-5514• Hot Tub Decks • Pool Decks • Front Porches • Split Rail

Decks-N-place

CHAIN LINK FENCESCUSTOM DESIGNED

TO YOUR SPECIFICATION

FREE

ESTIMATESCALL

ANYTIME


Ways to make a kitchen healthier, free of harmful germs Even the tidiest kitchens

might be harboring harmful bacteria, and often where they’re least expected. Paying more attention to a few often-overlooked places can help keep your house-hold safer, experts say.

For starters, home cooks should have four watch-words, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: clean, sepa-rate, cook and chill. Watch for cross-contamination, particularly with meats and vegetables; cook everything thoroughly; and keep both raw and cooked foods suf-ficiently cold when needed.

Then, cleaning a few often-overlooked areas in the kitchen could offer additional protection from E. coli, Salmonella, Listeria, yeast and mold, accord-ing to NSF International, a non-profit organization based in Ann Arbor, Mich.,

that has been promoting proper cleaning of kitchen tools since the 1940s. NSF International has put out recommendations on kitch-en hot spots based on stud-ies done in 2011 and 2013:

• Scary sponges. “You can either get away from sponges altogether and use dish cloths or rags, which can be sanitized, or, if you do use sponges, put a wet sponge in the microwave for 2 minutes to kill most of the harmful bacteria,” said Lisa Yakas, a microbiologist with NSF. Betsy Goldberg, home director for Real Simple mag-azine, said, “Many people mistakenly think that rins-ing a sponge with water is enough, but sponges really need to be washed in the top rack of the dishwasher or wet and then microwaved for 2 minutes,” and “obvi-ously, if it smells or has loose pieces, it’s time to throw it away.”

• Ghastly gaskets:

Dangerous beasties can lurk in the hard-to-reach areas under the thin, remov-able plastic gaskets found around the lids of some food storage containers, and also around blender gaskets and blades, accord-ing to Yakas. “This one people really find surpris-ing. But think about how many times people make smoothies and just put the blender in the dishwasher or rinse it then use it again. In our studies, we found Salmonella, E. coli, yeast and mold around blender blades and gaskets.” She recommends unplugging blenders, flipping them over and unscrewing the blade assembly, then washing all the parts and drying them thoroughly after every use. For food storage contain-

ers, any unattached gaskets should be removed, cleaned and dried after every use, Yakas said.

• Creepy fridge compart-ments: “Meat and vegetable compartments are anoth-er place few people think about, but it’s where you are storing raw meat and veg-etables that may still have some soil residue,” Yakas said. “Keep everything raw and cooked separately, and remove the compartments and wash them with warm soapy water about every two or four weeks, depend-ing on your household needs.” Goldberg suggested removing them every so often and soaking them in the sink in hot, soapy water for 15 minutes. “While they are soaking, you can douse the inside of the fridge with

a disinfecting spray,” she said. “Wipe down the walls and then each shelf, and use a toothbrush spritzed with cleaner to get in the crevices. After 15 minutes, drain the water and sprinkle the com-partments in baking soda, then wipe them clean with a wet sponge.”

• Separate the spatulas and clean the can opener: Can openers should be washed in the dishwasher or at least hand-washed after every use, paying attention to removing any food res-idue on the blade, Yakas said. “And a lot of people are surprised to find that a lot of spatulas and scrapers are actually composed of two pieces that pull apart, and that the inside part can harbor Salmonella, E.coli and yeast,” she said.

retreat — As the small-est room in the house, the bathroom tends to cost the least to remodel. If you have a guest or master bath that can use a little help to

transform into a relaxing oasis, take the opportunity to replace the flooring, add cushy rugs, paint the walls and replace the accessories with more modern styles. Faucets, showerheads, the mirror and even the toilet can all be upgraded with water-saving and stylish

designs. Buyers will take note of a maintenance-free bath, making your home one they’ll remember as move-in ready.

• Turn the backyard into a private paradise — Buyers will be visualizing themselves in your back-yard when touring your home. They’re looking to see how quiet and secure the space is. Consider add-ing a beautiful wooden fence to enhance the priva-cy. It will make the home attractive to families with children and pets, and for couples who aren’t inter-ested in having a conver-sation with the neighbors every time they go outside. To make your fence an attractive selling feature of the home, consider using ProWood Dura Color fence pickets or pre-built pan-els. The cedar-tone or red-wood-tone colorant driven deep into the wood fibers will stand up to the sun’s harsh rays and won’t gray out over time, unlike cedar fencing. You can match it to the deck coloring for a beautiful accent look that connects the colors in your backyard.

prOjectsFrom page 21

Associated Press

22

www.weisenburgerbuilders.com

22681 Road DContinental, OH

419-596-4286

Call Us Today!

Serving the building and remodeling needs of Northwest Ohio for over 30 years

• Free Estimates• Prints and designed plans

• Member of BBB• 5 Star Energy Builder

• Satisfaction Guaranteed

Weisenburger Builders, Inc.


A new garage door can offer energy efficiency

(BPT) — With the first touch of spring on the hori-zon, it is a good time to think about replacing the garage door for one that is more modern and energy efficient.

The garage door is gen-erally the largest moving object in your home and offers the greatest exposure to the elements. An insu-lated garage door will main-tain the temperature in your garage in the winter and summer and likely decrease heating and cooling costs.

Insulated garage doors not only make the garage more comfortable inside but also affect the rooms adjacent to or above the garage. In addi-tion, a well-insulated garage helps keep moisture out, and its sturdy construction offers a far greater noise-reducing sound barrier than non-insulated models.

What should consum-ers look for in an energy efficient garage door? For starters, check out the R-value. R-value is a mea-sure of thermal resistance to heat flow and is how most

garage door manufacturers show the energy efficiency of their product. The high-er the R-value of a door, the more insulation you’ll get. Second, look at the door’s construction. Well-insulated doors will have a “triple-layer” construction, consisting of environmen-tally safe polystyrene or polyurethane thermal insu-lation between two layers of heavy-duty steel.

Homeowner Rob Slaughter in North Carolina recognized the energy sav-ings and noise reduction values of his new garage door.

“The original garage doors that were installed when our house was built in 1999 were non-insulated single-layer of steel. Insulated doors are far superior to just plain steel doors in perfor-mance — not to mention the improved appearance,” Slaughter said. “The new doors are much quieter when we open and close them ...

“I could almost instantly feel our garage warming up

after the installation of our new door, which happened to be on an unusually cold day in November. With the old steel doors, the outside temperature would come into the garage,” he added. “I fully expect to see a sig-nificant drop in my heating

and cooling costs over the next year.”

Of all the budget-friendly improvement projects you can do, a new garage door will not only save on ener-gy costs, it will give you one of the best returns on your investment and pro-

vide a great value for your home. Over the last few years, surveys conducted by the Remodeling Cost vs. Value Report indicate that installing new garage doors has been a project in the top rankings for return on investment.

A new garage door is much more energy efficient than an older model and is better at keeping out cold winds.

And the newer styles will add to the value of your home.


23

500 East Clinton Street Napoleon, OH 43545419-599-1557 • 866-422-1999

Cambria Quartz Countertops • Welborn Cabinetry • Wilsonart Laminate CountertopsSomerset Hardwood Flooring • Columbia Laminate Flooring • Avaire Floating Porcelain Flooring

Armstrong Ceilings • Owens Corning Roofing and Insulation • GAF RoofingMcElroy Metals – House, Barn Roofing and siding • Sunrise Replacement Windows

Therma Tru Entry Doors • Weiser Lockset • Afinity Bamboo FlooringWolverine & Certainteed Vinyl & Cement Sidings • Foundry Vinyl Sidings • Vinyl Fencing

Full Servicelumber Yard

We handle new construction,remodeling,

and Post Framebuildings

Stabilize Or Raise BuildingsNew or Existing Construction

Hi-TECH FOuNdaTiON SySTEmS

Toll Free 1-877-SiNKiNG

Call ForFREE Estimates

u Contractor Since 1970 u

• Homes• Commerical Buildings• Installs In Limited Access Situations• Approved by Both National Building Codes

• Chimney Repairs• Equipment Bases• Retaining Walls• Ideal Around Lake Areas

(746-5464)


Got an hour? Quick hints for kitchens, baths

(BPT) — Busy has become a way of life. Between work, household chores, time with family and friends, people often don’t have time to complete that entire wish list of home updates.

Luckily, there are several simple kitchen and bath projects that you can con-quer in minimal time that deliver maximum style and functional impact. In fact, here are a few projects that can be completed in about an hour or less.

raise the bar with a new shower rod

Bring the luxurious style of a hotel to your bath and increase shower space with a Moen Curved Shower Rod. Available in single- and double-rod designs, both offer the elegant look often seen in hotel baths while adding up to 71⁄2 inches of extra elbow room

to create a more enjoyable shower experience.

If you’re short on time, Moen’s Tension Curved Shower Rod is a perfect choice: it can be installed in three hassle-free steps without drilling holes and removes easily, making it perfect for any shower, even if you’re a renter. Finally, add decorative shower curtain rings and a new shower curtain to give your bath an instant make-over. For more information visit www.moen.com.

style and storage makeover

Want to quickly enhance the look and functional-ity of your bathroom? Accessories, such as towel bars, hooks and shelves can be a quick and inexpensive solution. It’s easy to elimi-nate bathroom pet peeves like towels on the floor and

too many products in the shower with bath accesso-ries that come in a variety of styles and finishes.

If safety is a concern, Moen also offers a variety of accessories that incor-porate the benefits of grab bars into their designs.

turn boring into beautiful with a

backsplash

If you wish you could have the beautiful tile back-splash seen in high-end kitchens, but aren’t up for messing with mortar, you now have an alternative.

Today, there are many easy-to-install wall tiles that offer an adhesive backing or simply adhere with dou-ble-sided tape or adhesive. Plus, they are available in a

variety of faux tile, stone or metal designs to transform the look of your kitchen in no time.

say hello to new kitchen hardware

Is your kitchen cabinet hardware looking dingy or dated? This simple proj-ect can make a dramatic difference in your home’s appearance. Look for new knobs and drawer pulls that are designed to match your existing faucets and fixtures in both style and finish.

Whether you prefer mod-ern or something with a more traditional look, there are many options available to extend your sense of design down to the details.

But don’t stop with knobs and pulls — much like the bath, towel rings and hooks are the perfect solution for managing dish towels that are often carelessly strewn about countertops. Establish a special spot for this kitchen necessity by mounting hooks, towel rings or towel bars on the side of an upper cabinet, the end of the island or in another kitchen work space.

Take an hour or two and try some of these quick and easy projects.

A new shower rod is a fairly simple item to install and can brighten an old

bathroom that is looking dingy and in need of modernization.


24

RogeR MilleR Bus. Ph.: 419-267-3368 • Cell: 419-467-5776

Fax 419-267-5605 • [email protected]

MILLER CONSTRUCTION, LTDU-754 County Road 19 Archbold, Ohio 43502

POURED WALLS FLAT WORKEXCAVATING

SEPTIC SYSTEMSSTONE HAULING

BASEMENT REPAIRGRAIN BIN FOUNDATION

BUYER OF STANDING TIMBERSorry - We Cannot Accept Yard Trees

Manufacturers of Hardwood LumberFirewood & Mulch

Wagner Farms& Sawmill L.L.C.1320 Road X, Leipsic, OH 45856

419-653-4126Fax 419-653-4127www.wagnersawmill.com

Mon.-Fri. 8-5, Closed 12-1 LunchSaturdays 9 am -12 Noon

Family-Owned In Business for Over 50 Years

MULCHShredded Hardwood Tree Bark

- All natural, $21 per yardColor Enhanced Mulch

Black, Chocolate or Red - $25 per yard


Five projects to remodel and renew your basement

(BPT) — Have you ever wished you had more space in your home? Maybe you’d use the space to pursue a hobby, host out-of-town guests or just spread out and get some quiet time to yourself.

The space you desire could already be in your home in your basement. If your cellar is nothing but a series of unfinished areas used for storage, you’re not getting all the benefits you could be from the space.

Making the most of your basement doesn’t have to mean costly contractors and expensive remodeling scenarios. Several easy DIY projects that you can take on alone, with the aid of the right tools, can help you gain that extra space you wish for.

Ready to get started? Give these projects a try:

• Build walls. Adding drywall to your basement has a big impact on the space immediately. Use 2-by-4s to mark where the walls will stand and place studs 16 inches apart. Then nail the panels to the wall where the edges meet the studs and cover the seams with drywall tape. Once the walls are up, mud the seams and areas where nail pops appear.

A drywall saw or power saw will help you shape your drywall perfectly, but if you don’t own one, you don’t have to buy one. It’s more cost efficient to simply rent it instead for this one-time project. Your local American Rental Association member rental store will have what you need. Don’t forget to add drywall stands to your rental list.

• A touch of paint. A fresh coat of paint means you won’t have to stare at those drab walls in your new space. You can paint the space by hand, but if you have a large basement and you want to give every

room that professional look, rent a paint sprayer instead. The cost is worth the time saved.

• Freshen up your floor. If your basement is complete-ly unfinished, you probably have cold, concrete floors. How you improve them is up to you. If you want the polished, marbled look, consider renting concrete floor finishing equipment for a look that’s sure to amaze. And if the appear-ance of hardwood is more your style, laminate floor-ing panels are inexpensive and easy to install. Lastly, if you want the feel of car-pet beneath your feet, don’t forget to add the pad first to make those future steps a pleasure.

• Eliminate the smell. Your new basement is com-ing together, now what can you do about that musty

basement smell? A dehu-midifier can help. You can purchase one at your local home goods store and when you get it home, try to place it near the washtub sink if your basement has one.

This will allow you to drain right into the sink and save you from having to empty the dehumidifier regularly.

• Install a sump pump. Now that you’ve refinished your basement, don’t let

water damage ruin all your hard work. A sump pump can protect against flood-ing issues and installing one is easy. Most new homes have a location marked for a sump pump.

Remodeling your basement can give you extra living space and increase the

value of your home if you plan to sell in the future.


25

OUR OUTDOOR FURNITURE

HAS ARRIVED!!

RUPPFURNITURE &

CARPET CO

203 N. Defiance St., Archbold 419-446-2551

www.ruppfurniture.com

SpringSALE

Patio Sets, Chaise Lounges, Swivel Rockers, Love Seats, Gliders, Umbrellas, Wicker& more.

We will deliver to your front porch, deck or patio!

Jeff Clark/OwnerCell: 419.399.2511

• Unibilt Builder• Site built homes, garages,

porches and decks• Full-service remodeling• Now offering seamless gutters


Hardwood trimwork can greatly enhance a room

(BPT) — Just as tasteful, well-chosen jewelry can turn an unexciting outfit into a stylish, eye-catching ensemble, carefully applied hardwood moldings and trimwork can transform a plain-Jane interior into an interesting — even beauti-ful — space.

Today’s newly built houses often lack any sort of carved-wood ornamen-tation. Many older homes have lost their traditional decorative details through successive modernizing renovations. To transform stripped-down to charm-ing, and ordinary to char-acterful, homeowners are incorporating decorative

millwork to enhance their interior design.

While there is an almost infinite variety of hard-wood moldings and trims, the pros at the American Hardwood Information Center, www.Hardwoodinfo.com, and most design experts, rec-ognize the following most basic categories:

• Baseboards, which run at the foot of walls and act as an elongated pedestal, are both aesthetic and prac-tical. They visually anchor the wall to the floor and at the same time protect it from everyday low-impact abuse such as kids scooting around in toy cars.

• Crown moldings, which run between the walls and the ceiling, soften the abrupt transition between wall and ceiling.

• Casings, the trim sur-rounding door and window openings, define a wall opening and help connect the spaces being joined.

“Our clients are attracted to the enduring quality and ageless appeal of hardwood molding,” said architect Jeff Murphy, principal of Murphy & Co. Design, a Buffalo, Minn.-based firm. “For them, it’s the heart of the home — something they see and touch each day. Done right, it will last forever and always be in style.”

For architect Tim Button of New York City-based Stedila Design, hardwood moldings are appropriate in any room in the home, but he also said, “I think wood trim often makes its big-gest impact in an entry hall where high ceilings allow for large-scale crown mold-ings.” And he’s a fan of using stained-wood moud-ings in bathrooms, “because it brings warmth to what can be a somewhat clinical space.”

Edina, Minn.-based archi-tect Meriwether Felt agreed, having installed stained-cherry moldings, trims, and casings in the master bath of a home she renovated. “The client asked for a luxurious

yet elegant feeling and the cherry fit the bill perfectly. The stained wood warms up the bathroom and pro-vides richness.”

The size of the trimwork and the complexity of its profile will be determined by the size and style of the space in which it’s being installed; the larger and more traditional the room, the bigger and more ornate the trim.

Crown moldings in par-ticular have a profound and sometimes unexpected effect on how people per-ceive the scale, proportions and character of an interior, so they must be chosen with great care. If too small and plain, they’ll look skimpy and undernourished; too large and ostentatious and they’ll overwhelm the space.

If in doubt, consult a design professional.

Before the Civil War, American hardwood mold-ing was made by hand, so it tended to be simple, ele-gant and expensive.

In the later 19th centu-ry, methods of mass pro-duction enabled builders to deck out even modest houses with affordable wood trim in ever-more-complex profiles.

The renovation of a house by Edina, Minn.-based architect Meriwether Felt, included fitting the master bath with

new stained cherry crown moldings, baseboards, and window and door cas-ings.

Photo courtesy of Susan Gilmore

26

NO DUCTWORK - NO PROBLEMCall Fitzenrider’s for a ductless cooling or heat pump system

FITZENRIDER, INC.Mechanical Contractor827 Perry St., Defiance419-784-0828

4 Quick Installation4 No Mess4 Quiet

4 High Efficiency4 Zone Control4 Environmentally Friendly

•HangingBaskets

•FlowerPouches

•Planters

•Annuals

•Perennials

•VegetablePlants

•Seeds

•FruitTrees

•SmallFruits

•Ornamental&ShadeTrees

•PottingSoil

•Mulch

•SeedPotatoes

•OnionSets

2298 Arrowsmith Rd., Hicksville, OH

www.facebook.com/StraitGateFarmsGreenhouses

A Premium Selection

From Hicksville:3.5 miles N on 491.75 miles west on

Arrowsmith Rd

Business: 419.542.9999Cell: 419.487.1027Hours: Mon. - Sat. 9 a.m. - 6 p.m.

Opening fOr tHe SeaSOnSaturday, april 18th

A n

OrnamentalOrnamentalOrnamentalOrnamental &&

FREE refreshments

served opening day!


Soaking tubs offer benefits for bathers and those who prefer showers

Some of us are shower people, and some are bath-ers.

But there’s a way to be both, as the Japanese dis-covered centuries ago when they developed the ofuro, or soaking tub.

Traditionally, the Japanese get clean with a shower or hand bath and then step into an “ofuro,” a deep tub full of clean hot water.

These tubs are often large enough that several family members can have a com-munal soak. It’s considered a relaxing and important ritual.

The idea has caught on here, and there are now sev-eral manufacturers making ofuro tubs suitable for one bather or a couple. Usually about 27 inches deep, the tubs typically have built-in seats, and often a grab bar. They’re available in acryl-ic, composite, wood, even stainless steel and copper.

Here are the steamy details on some options, and what you should con-sider before adding one to your home:

Wooden tubsBill Finlay owns Sea Otter

Woodworks in Haynes, Alaska. While he’d been making outdoor hot tubs for a few years, he made his first ofuro at the request of a business associate, and that sparked an interest in perfecting the craft.

“I made a couple of fact-finding trips to Japan, then developed my own tech-niques,” he says.

Finlay makes the Hinoki Ofuro in a couple of sizes, suitable for one or two peo-ple.

The material is an aromat-ic cypress native to Japan; the resin is bacteria- and rot-resistant and withstands humidity. The citrusy fra-grance is a common aroma-therapy component.

acrylic and composite tubs

Wykoff, N.J.-based bath designer Holly Rickert recently won an industry award for a design that incorporated an English

soaking tub into a Japanese-style bath.

One of her clients was of Japanese heritage, and had given her some bro-chures from Japanese hot spring spas. She placed the tub, Cabuchon’s curvy Pleasance Plus model, on a bed of river rocks in front of a window with forest views.

“My aim was to replicate the ofuro experience for her,” said Rickert.

Made of a proprietary solid composite called Ficore, Cabuchon’s tubs aren’t heavy. The maker says they retain heat bet-ter than most acrylics, don’t chip and can be custom col-ored.

Kohler makes the Greek acrylic soaking tub, a 4-foot-long, 23-inch-deep, one-person bath well-suited to a smaller bathroom. Kallista’s Perfect Deep Soak bathtub has two raised corner seats at different heights.

Metal tubsDiamond Spas in

Frederick, Colo., welds recycled copper and stain-less steel into tubs that are lined with foam insulation, then buffed to a nice Old World finish. Like kitchen pans, the copper tubs can be left to develop a patina, or rendered shiny with a polishing compound.

Soaking tubs aren’t as complicated to install as you might think.

If you’re putting in a smaller, one- or two-person tub, you’ll actually use less water than a conventional tub. But a four-person ver-sion can hold a lot of water — close to 250 gallons, com-pared to around 50 for a conventional tub. So floor

joists need to be able to hold the weight of the water, not just the tub.

Also, make sure you’ll be able to get the tub sideways through doorways.

Many tubs come with an overflow failsafe built in, but you should have a drain in the bathroom floor as well. The river rock bed is an attractive way to hide a draining floor system, but you can also tile the bathroom floor and install a drain. You’ll need lots of good hot water, so upgrade your system, and consider an inline heater that contin-uously reheats the full tub.

There are jetted options for many of these models, if you’d prefer some bubbles with your soak.

Associated Press

Houseplants that can help clean the air By DEBBIE ARRINGTONSacramento Bee

Indoor air can be haz-ardous to your health. But you can breathe easier with the help of houseplants. Common houseplants such as philodendron, peace lily, corn plant, Gerbera daisy, spider plant, golden pothos, English ivy, Marginata and others can pull chemicals from the air and break them down through their leaves, roots and soil.

27

In Natural Gas

Furnaces, Air Conditioners

and Heat Pumps

1#VOTED USHomeowners

SUCCESS

We could tell you our products are

the most dependable in the industry,

but it’s so much more believable

when others do it for us. Readers

of a national product testing and

research magazine rated American

Standard Heating & Air Conditioning’s

natural gas furnaces, air conditioners

and heat pumps as the most reliable

brand among leading manufacturers.

Call today and discover why.

2513 CR 424Antwerp, OH 45813

419-258-1640www.hormannsheating.com8144 ST. RT. 15 NW

DEFIANCE, OHIO419-784-1806

We repair & stock parts & accessories for club car, yamaha and ez-go. schedule your service check up!

We sell batteries for less! check out our prices!

RANCHMOTOR SALES

Spring SpECiAL!

stock & custom golf carts

‘05 CLUB CAr DS ELECTriC - STOCK $1,500-$2,300

‘06 YAMAHA g22 gAS - STOCK $2,500

$6,995$6,995


28

419-782-1181 1-800-888-9838

Garage Doors

Since 1960New Concepts

& Exterior Design

• Vinyl & Aluminum Siding

• Replacement Windows

• Roof Replacement & Repair Gutters,

Downspouts & Awnings

• Garage Doors & Operators

YOUR HOMEIMPROVEMENT STORE

Windows • Doors • Siding• RoofingDecks • Fences • Plumbing • Electrical

THE PROFESSIONALS

1640 Baltimore St. Defiance, OH

www.dillydoor.com

Email: [email protected]

Documents

Spring Home, Lawn & Garden 2015