4H | THURSDAY, JUNE 4, 2020 | THE RECORD P
HOMESCAPE / ADVERTISING SECTION
Multigenerational: A new
look at family living space
CONTINUED FROM PAGE 2H
WHAT KIND OF
ACCESSORY DWELLING UNIT
IS RIGHT FOR YOU?
Drawing on more than 15
years in the remodeling business,
Caputo shared several ways
a homeowner could create an
accessory unit, each with their
own pros and cons:
Refinished Basement: This
holds promise for a full independent
apartment with kitchenette if
family members can tackle stairs.
Pros: This is a budget-friendly
option since basement walls can
easily be framed to create a space
for current and future family
needs. And a finished basement
can increase resale value. Cons:
Unless this is a walkout basement,
stairs can be an obstacle as family
members age. Other challenges
are creating a separate entrance/
exit for fire safety, adding a full
bathroom in an older home, and
combatting moisture that basements
often harbor. Another
con is the possible loss of storage
and/or play space for the children
as the basement becomes an
apartment.
Converted Garage: Turning
your attached garage into an
independent apartment for relatives
eliminates the need for both
stairs and additions. Utilizing two
bays in the garage would provide
more than enough space for an
apartment suite. Pros: Plumbing
can easily be added for a full
bathroom; and the ceiling height
is not low as in some basements.
Cons: There’s no longer a garage
for parking and storage.
Detached Building: If you’re
lucky enough to have an accessory
building on the property, this could
be an ideal setup for a family member.
Pros: privacy, ground-level living,
and the potential for adequate
space. Cons: Few properties in
North Jersey fit the bill; and it may
be too far to run plumbing.
Converting Main Floor Space:
Some homeowners may be able
to create an independent apartment
by reconfiguring existing
living space. This will likely take
the expertise of an architect or
remodeling firm to change the
layout for multigenerational living.
Pros: The space can be designed
stair-free. Cons: (1) This option
may require a larger home of a
Side-by-side living in a duplex home with a handicapped ramp
provides privacy and accommodates the independent lifestyle of a
disabled adult while still living under the same roof family members.
certain style, such as an expanded
cape; (2) the first floor may have
to be completely renovated.
First-Story Addition: If you
have the space and budget to do
so, this is an opportunity to design
an apartment to meet your family’s
needs. Pros: The first-floor location
eliminates the need for stairs; and
additions can boost resale value.
Cons: An addition will take months
KEN WIEDMANN/GETTY IMAGES
to plan, design, get town approval,
and build. It also costs more and
could mean sacrificing yard space
intended for a deck or play area.
With so many options to
choose from, family togetherness
can be a reality even in this time
of isolation. As home takes on
new roles in all our lives, keeping
family members safe is undoubtedly
one of its most important.
Installing Sod: Create a lush lawn in one day
CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1H
rains or winds, which can be challenging
for seeded lawns,” says Bruce Crawford,
director of The Rutgers Gardens in North
Brunswick Township.
PROPER INSTALLATION
IS KEY TO SUCCESS
Installing sod requires a certain amount
of strength and stamina. And while not
difficult, it can be hard work. For example,
each sod roll can weigh from 25 to 30
pounds. “If you are not comfortable getting
that much outside exercise or if your
lawn is more than 10,000 square feet, then
you should look into having a professional
install the sod,” advises Gurda.
So, if you feel you are up to the challenge,
first do a soil test* to see if you need
to add any amendments, such as fertilizer,
leaf compost or peat moss to the area
where the sod will be installed. The results
from the soil test can guide you as to how
much you may need to use.
Then remove the old lawn. One of the
easiest ways to get rid of the old grass and
thatch layer is to rip it up by using a rototiller.
Add the recommended amendments
and smooth the area.
It is important to make sure that the
area is as level as possible. “The ground
should be graded to remove any divots,
bumps and large (1/2-3/4-inch) stones, with
the top inch or so roughened so that the
roots of the sod will readily grow into and
mesh with the soil,” advises Crawford.
PHOTO COURTESY OF BREBCA/GETTY IMAGES
Unlike planting grass seed and waiting for it to germinate and
grow into a lawn, installing sod provides immediate results.
Once the area is prepared, you are ready
to lay down the sod. The rolls should be installed
immediately on the day you
purchase or receive the shipment.
“Not installing sod promptly is the biggest
mistake someone can make,” says
Gurda. “It would be like picking a flower,
bringing it home and setting it in the sun. It
would shrivel and die.”
When installing, it is
important to roll out the
sod so the edges of the
strips fit closely together
without any gaps.
“The sod should be laid
parallel to a slope, not up
and down the slope, and
the end of each strip should
not align with the ends of
adjacent strips. Instead, the
ends should be staggered
in a running bond pattern,
to prevent the pieces
from shifting when walked
upon,” says Crawford.
WATER,
WATER, WATER
Another common mistake
people make is not
to water thoroughly or frequently enough.
According to Gurda, during the summer
it takes about 10 -14 days of heavy watering
for the sod’s root system to reestablish.
Watering with a hose will often not deliver
the amount of water needed for a new sod
lawn, so she suggests investing in a sprinkler
system, especially if you have a large lawn.
“You want the sod roots to ‘chase’
the water down,” explains Gurda. “A good,
heavy, long watering will help the root
system to strengthen as it moves deeper
into the ground to follow the water.”
Ideally, a new lawn should be watered
for a few hours in the morning so the sod
has the entire day to absorb the water and
dry. This should be done every day for the
first week.
Once established, the lawn will need one
inch of water per week, but during severe
heat that should be increased to two inches.
“The sod will go dormant around
December and will turn brown,” says Gurda.
“Come spring, it will green up, just like a
regular lawn. With standard maintenance,
such as regular watering and fertilizing two
to four times a year, a sod lawn will remain
strong and healthy for years to come.”
* For information on purchasing a soil test
kit, call the Rutgers Soil Testing Lab at 848-
932-9295 or email [email protected].
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