SPECIAL SECTION HOME IMPROVEMENT
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.
OUTDOOR KITCHEN SPLENDOR
When the summer heats up, the prospect of slow-cooking
a roast or searing some ribs is just not as appealing when you
know it’s going to heat up your house and drive up your air-
conditioning bill. Take a tip from our pioneer ancestors who
baked their bread and cooked their meats outdoors in the
summer to maintain a cool house. This simple idea can really
help keep your home cool during the dog days of summer, while
saving you money on energy costs.
With an outdoor oven and grill, barbeques can be a
spontaneous dinner idea, rather than a major event that must
be planned days in advance. The grilling process gives steaks,
chicken, fish and pork a wonderful smoked flavor, while reducing
the overall fat content.
And it’s not just meats that can benefit from grilling. Bell
peppers, onions, zucchini and tons of other vegetables take on a
wonderful flavor when tossed lightly with olive oil, wrapped in
foil and cooked on a grill.
With an outdoor kitchen, grilling is not just for
summer either. With a covering for rainy days
and outdoor heating available, it can be
used virtually year-round. Although just
a simple oven and grill can change the
way you live, a sink with running
water and an added fridge can really
make cooking outdoors convenient.
For entertaining, the outdoor
kitchen offers a way to spend time
with your guests while preparing
the meal. There’s also an entire line
of in-ground sound equipment and
specially made outdoor TVs. The
televisions are completely waterproof
and three times as bright as a normal
TV, so they can be viewed even in strong
direct sunlight.
IN THE COMFORT OF YOUR OWN
HOME OFFICE
Are you one of those lucky individuals able to work from
home? The world just seems like a nicer place when you’re
dressed in your pajamas, doesn’t it? But work is still work. You
need a place that’s organized, designed well, and in which you
feel comfortable. Chances are, you may also need a degree of
privacy to do your best work.
One of the most overlooked factors in productivity is lighting.
Many studies demonstrate that natural lighting is best whenever
possible, and results in more productivity among workers
and a more positive attitude toward the work itself. Lighting can
have a profound effect on your mood and can even influence
your hormones. A good overview of this subject is provided by
Andrew Jensen, a business growth, efficiency and marketing
consultant, at AndrewJensen.net.
If placing your home office in an area with windows is not
possible, try the soft lighting of a lamp instead, and try to avoid
harsh fluorescents. Adding a silk plant or two, along with a
picture of the outdoors, will help transform a windowless area
into a more inviting space. Warm colors such as reds, yellows and
orange will also help warm up an otherwise dark office area such
as a basement.
Next, you’ll want to design your workspace with cabinetry
where office supplies and files can be tucked neatly out of sight.
Shelving that is custom-designed for the way you work can
transform even a tiny space into an efficient work area. Having
cabinets and shelves that are suited to your exact purpose will
eliminate a great deal of frustration and overwhelming feelings
of disorganization. A designer and expert carpenter can help you
get the most from your workspace.
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MOON TOWNSHIP
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SPRING 2019
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