SPECIAL SECTION HOME IMPROVEMENT
masonry not only provides the best value for the investment, it
also delivers superior design flexibility and aesthetic appeal to any
landscape idea.
*When planting flowers, go with annuals. To have a
continuous sense of color throughout your yard, plant annual
flowers alongside your favorite perennials. Research and lay out
creative flower combinations that make use of both kinds of
flowers for year-round beauty.
*Think year-round. One of the biggest mistakes one can
make is only providing one or two seasons’ worth of eye-catching
landscaping. Plan for having plentiful trees and shrubs during
the springtime, fall foliage during autumn months and good,
visually interesting plant life in the winter, such as holly shrubs or
bayberry bushes.
DECKED OUT
One of the most inexpensive ways to add living space to your
home is the addition of an outdoor deck or patio. Having a great
outdoor space is like adding an extra room to your house. It can 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,
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SEWICKLEY
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SPRING 2019
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