SPECIAL SECTION HOME IMPROVEMENT
be enjoyed by the whole family, or experienced in quiet solitude as a retreat to the Zen
of outdoor living.
If you like to entertain, then an outdoor space is a must. Guests can spill out onto
the patio, extending your home to allow more freedom for guests to mingle, both
inside and out.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Continued on next page >
PETERS TOWNSHIP
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