IN Brentwood-Baldwin-Whitehall Spring 2019 | Page 32

LIGHTEN UP
Have you been wondering if there’s a
way you can cut your energy bills while
helping to contribute to a greener
environment? Though Pennsylvania
may not immediately spring to mind as
a sunny locale, solar power is readily
available and already being used in
hundreds of area homes successfully.
Think of it like this: If there were a river
flowing by your house and you only had
a five-gallon bucket to collect the water,
you would only be able to use five
gallons. But if you had 20 five-gallon
buckets, you could have all the water
you needed. Solar energy functions in
a similar way. If you live in an area that
does not get a lot of sun, by adding more
solar panels you can collect more sun.
According to lead designer Ian Smith
of Energy Independent Solutions, the
Pittsburgh area is able to produce about
80% of the solar power that Miami,
Florida, does! There are also attractive
options for installing the panels, such
as all-black panels and solar shingle
products that blend the panels in with
your roof. Solar awnings can be installed
on a pergola or carport. And with flat
roofs, the panels are generally not
visible at all. There are also ground-
mounted systems that are separate
from your home.
Though the words “patio” and “deck” are often used interchangeably, there is a
difference. A patio is generally constructed of stone pavers, tile or a simple concrete
foundation that sits squarely on the ground. Decks are usually made of wood, PVC (also
called vinyl) or composite, which has wood content that has been encapsulated in a PVC
wrap. Decks can either be ground level or elevated. When considering which option is
best for you, you’ll want to look at the costs and also which one works well with the style
of your home. The good news is that regardless of the option you choose, you’ll get a
positive return on your investment, somewhere between 30% and 75%.
For a wood frame house, wooden, composite or PVC decks can match the trim of
your existing home. Since wood can be painted, a wooden deck offers the most color
options; however it will also require frequent repainting. Both PVC and composite decks
are available in a wide range of earth tones to match your home’s style.
Vince Lorenzi, owner of Lorenzi Home Design Center, explains that there are cost
differences, but feels that PVC and composite decks require less maintenance in the long
run.
He says wooden decks will run about $2 to $3 per square foot. These are attractive, but
they do require more maintenance and will have to be resealed every few years to give
them maximum life.
Both PVC and composite decks will run an average of $8 to $9 per square foot. They
will require power-washing for cleaning, with frequency depending on location. If the
deck is adjacent to trees and shrubbery, leaves and pollen will settle on the frame so
washing is required to keep it looking sharp.
If your home is made of stone, you may opt for a patio that is a continuation of the
stone look, but this also works well with a wood frame or brick home. Patios work best in
yards that are level, while a deck can be placed pretty much anywhere, including a hilly or
uneven lawn.
According to Marci Buckiso of The Fireplace and Patioplace, a local expert in
furnishing outdoor living spaces, homeowners are especially keen to add fire features
to their outdoor area, which function as a gathering point for both family and guests.
Traditional wood-burning fireplaces not only add physical warmth and beauty, but
emotional warmth as well.
Contemporary homeowners are opting for very modern linear gas fireplaces, with
smooth, clean lines to mirror the style of their home.
“For those homeowners who don’t have the space for a traditional fireplace, fire pits
make a great feature, creating a beautiful flame that glows through crystal rock,” says
Buckiso. And they’re available in three different heights, with a lower coffee-table height,
dining table and bar height. The homeowner also has the option of selecting wood- or
gas-burning fire pits.
Smith adds that the initial cost for an
average-size home of 2,000 sq. ft. might
range from about $15,000 to $25,000,
which is recouped over a few years.
Some areas may also offer incentives or
tax benefits for switching to solar.
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