SPECIAL SECTION HOME IMPROVEMENT
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.
BATHROOM BEAUTY
Though your bathroom may not spring to mind as the place to hold your next
cocktail party, with the right accoutrements your bath can be a great place to hang out
and enjoy life. And if you live with family members, it may be the only place in your
house where you can truly be alone for a bit.
Besides just being a place to “get ready” to meet the day, it’s also a relaxing space
to recharge your batteries after a long week at work. Hydrotherapy is one of the best
ways to relieve stress and help tired, overworked muscles. With tons of specialized
showerheads, you can have everything from the sprinkle of a gentle rain to an
invigorating massage to bring your body back to center. And a nice relaxing bath in a
soaker tub can make the world go away for a while.
Does all of this sound like a fantasy? Maybe not. According to designer Mary
Laipple, Director of the Kitchen and Bath Design Studio at 84 Lumber, you may be
able to make updates to your bath for less than you might expect.
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.
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WEST JEFFERSON HILLS
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SPRING 2019
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