Selling or staying put, 'daylighting' improvements pay off for homeowners

(BPT) - If your home will be on the

"Daylighting" improvements that boost your home's brightness and energy efficiency offer substantial return on investment for both home sellers and those who will be staying in their homes for the foreseeable future.



Bringing the daylighting concept home



Industrial and office designers have long used daylighting - the concept of illuminating interior spaces with natural light from above - to improve energy efficiency, healthfulness and functionality of rooms. The slower housing market and sluggish economy have raised homeowner interest in the concept.



"Daylighting improvements not only elevate a home's visual appeal for potential buyers, they can enhance homeowners' enjoyment of their living space, and reduce energy costs," says Ross Vandermark, product manager with an international skylight manufacturer.



Homeowners who want to apply the principles of daylighting to their home have many options: They can add windows or roof windows or install any number of types of traditional skylights or Sun Tunnel tubular skylights.



The easiest daylighting upgrade



While adding a window in the wall of your home may raise practical and design issues, adding a roof window or skylight can be much easier. Roofs are, for the most part, a blank slate, allowing you to install skylights wherever they are needed most. And daylighting from above doesn't just add functionality; it offers room-changing drama and decorating flair.



Roof windows are hinged, venting units designed to be installed in easily accessible areas, such as the angled walls in attic bonus rooms, and are operated by hand. A double-sash roof window is available that opens from both bottom and top to form a balcony on your roof. These units are often used in place of, or to replace, dormers.



Skylights are usually positioned higher on the ceiling, out of reach. Venting models can be opened or closed manually with a control rod or by remote control.



Skylights are popular with daylighting designers for several reasons. First, they easily fulfill the primary goal of daylighting by admitting more natural light into a room than similar sized vertical windows - thereby reducing the need for energy to power artificial lights. But they also work to enhance the healthfulness of a home.



If you opt to install a manual or electric venting skylight, it can be a natural, low-energy way to vent humidity, fumes and stale air from your home. Electric venting models open and close by remote control and have rain sensors to close them automatically.



Energy efficiency, high-tech and decorating in one package



Another important similarity among windows, roof windows and skylights is in the glazing, or how the glass is manufactured. Since the units are mounted facing directly at the sun, skylight glazing technology has to be among the best in the industry. Qualified units feature double-pane, gas-filled construction to control heat gain or loss, and filter the sun's fade-causing rays.



Independent research done in Denmark shows that skylights admit 30 percent more light than vertical windows in dormers, and provide the drama of a sky view that can't be achieved with vertical windows.



In addition to high-tech features such as remote control and automatic rain sensors, skylight blinds are available in a varied palette of colors and patterns. Homeowners can utilize blinds as another decorating option while achieving as much as a 37 percent increase in energy efficiency, according to Vandermark.



He recommends closing the blinds on high heat/sun days in the summer to reduce potential solar heat gain and, on cold winter nights, to provide an extra layer of thermal insulation to keep warm air indoors.



Skylights also address important health considerations. One in five Americans suffers varying degrees of Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), a condition in which the symptoms can include depression and fatigue due to lack of sufficient daylight. Skylights can help by admitting abundant daylight while visually expanding rooms in any style or size home.



Modern, low-profile skylights are unobtrusive and as dependable as vertical windows. Information about units with a 10-year, no-leak installation warranty, plus an installer locator, is available at veluxusa.com. There's also a free mobile phone app available to help homeowners see how skylights and blinds would look in rooms in their own homes.



For government information on window and skylight energy efficiency, visit energystar.gov, and for independent agency information, visit nfrc.org or efficientwindows.org. For remodeling information visit nahb.org/remodel or greenhomeguide.org.

Replacing ceiling lights is easy and affordable

Changing your ceiling lights is a great way to improve the look and feel of your space and you have more options than ever before in terms of selection and price. Most projects will only take a little bit of your time, even if you're a DIY novice, and they really do make a big impact on the level of comfort people will experience in your home.



Changing out an old ceiling light to a new one is easy and only takes seconds. Underneath the cover, at the base of the lamp will be a couple of screws that hold it to the ceiling. After turning off power to the room, unscrew the unit and detach the wires from it. Once you do this, you can simply reattach the new ceiling light, restore the power and enjoy a whole new effect in the room. It really is that simple for most installations, so the only thing to seriously consider is the look you want your light to give off.



One option is to also install a dimmer switch. This is also a simple procedure, and the switch is very inexpensive and can be found in almost any lighting accessory retail location as well as online at your favorite dealer. This will allow you to control the brightness of your ceiling lights, and is perfect for areas such as the dining room, study or even the bedroom.



Chandeliers are a great way to accentuate rooms that have high ceilings, but they can also be small enough to fit over any existing fixture. Whether you are looking to use a chandelier as the focal centerpiece in an entryway or a small accessory for the dining room, there are plenty of models to choose from, and the designs can range from contemporary to classical. The only thing to remember is that your ceiling will need to support the weight of the chandelier, so it is very important to know what those limits are before installing a new piece. You may need to reinforce the mounts or consider an alternative that is less heavy.



If you do install a chandelier in a room it's also worth considering placing a large mirror on one wall, this will give the impression of greater space in the room and will accentuate the impact of the chandelier.



Ceiling fans are also exceptionally beautiful and can add a lot to a room, especially kitchens and bedrooms. Most come with or without light fixtures, and you have the option of choosing a simple fan or one with a light attachment. A double benefit of having circulating air as well as light is that it can make a stuffy or crowded room much more pleasant to be in. Just as easy to install as replacement ceiling lights, it can be a simple weekend project that most people can do in about an hour. Finding the right one will depend on need, space and personal taste.



Whether looking for ceiling lights or fans, there is a wide selection to choose from for prices you won't find in traditional stores. A trusted online retailer should be a one stop resource for not only products, but for service and coaching as well. If you have a project, you can find a lighting accessory retailer that can help you to transform any space into an inviting place. Just give yourself some extra time for your order to be shipped.



Styles don't last forever, and changing ceiling lights is easier and less expensive than most people think. From simply replacing a cover to switching to a whole new light entirely, there are more options than ever to transform that dull room into a luminescent space that is warm, inviting and comfortable. Whether you want to install ceiling fans or chandelier lights, there are many design options to choose from, and knowing what the effect is that you want to create will help you to make satisfying choices.



by: Kathryn Dawson

http://www.articlecity.com/articles/home_improvement/article_7022.shtml

Remodeling for aging in place today will help sell your home tomorrow

Only one in 10 adults believes this is a good time to sell a home. If you're on hold in the real estate market, now is the time to get your house in order - literally. Make the right changes today, and you'll get a better price tomorrow.



But before you invest in a home-improvement project, consider your potential buyers with this fact in mind: More than 3.5 million baby boomers turn 55 each year, according to the U.S. Census. Since people aged 45 to 64 make up more than a quarter of today's U.S. population, there's a good chance you'll be selling to someone in this age group. Will your home appeal to them?



Your chances will be better if your home has "aging in place" design features that make it easier for older adults to live on their own longer. These modifications are the fastest-growing segment of the home remodeling industry, says the National Association of Home Builders. Because they range from simple fixes to full-scale renovations, making aging-in-place changes can suit any budget.



Best of all, this type of project not only improves a home's resale value for the future, it also increases its safety and comfort for all residents right now.



Add a bath where none exists



Adding a bathroom on the main living level is a smart strategy to appeal to older adults, says national home safety expert Meri-K Appy. "Falls are the leading cause of home injury deaths, and older adults are at greatest risk for them," she says. "Eliminating the need to use stairs and reducing the distance to a bathroom can be a great safety advantage."



A new bath is also a sound investment. This one improvement was shown to return more than 53 percent of its cost at resale in the Remodeling Magazine Cost vs. Value Report.



A macerating toilet system is a good way to lower the cost of adding a bath, says Otis Dardy, owner of Dardy Construction in Conyers, Ga. Dardy recently used macerating, or up flush, technology to install a full bathroom in a home that lacked below-floor plumbing drainage. With conventional plumbing fixtures, Dardy would have had to dig through the concrete, creating a costly and time-consuming mess. Instead, he used Saniflo up flush technology, which allows you to add plumbing to any room in your home, even the basement, without having to break up the floor.



Macerating plumbing systems pump waste and water from a toilet - as well as a sink, shower, wet bar, even a washing machine - upward through small diameter piping.



Before Dardy knew about macerating plumbing systems, many of his customers who wanted a bathroom couldn't afford the cost of creating new drainage. "I can save them a ton of money now," he says. "It will also work if you want to convert a walk-in closet into a powder room."



Looking for more ways to update a bathroom with aging adults in mind? Put a telephone line in the bathroom. You may also want to install grab bars in and near tubs and showers while adding a hand-held showerhead. It not only makes bathing easier, but it also helps when it's time to wash a pet or clean the tub. Use low, open shelving, and place nightlights in hallways and bathrooms to improve illumination and reduce falls.



Universal improvements



If you're doing a kitchen remodel, consider using nonslip flooring. Some designers recommend cork tiles, which have the added advantage of being environmentally friendly.



To make your kitchen workspace more user-friendly, vary the height of your countertop areas to accommodate both standing and seated cooks, and don't forget to install bright task lighting. Always choose appliances with controls that are easy to read and easy to use.



Push/pull levers are a must for kitchen faucets, and installing thermostatic and anti-scald devices can reduce hot-water burn injuries.



If you're replacing windows, make sure the hardware is easy to operate. Installing a new entry door? Choose a low-maintenance alternative to wood. All stairways inside and out should have two handrails and bright overhead lighting.



Less-expensive improvements include replacing doorknobs with handles that are easier to open and putting D-shaped pulls on drawers and cabinets. Replace any dim bulbs with bright overhead lighting.

Bathroom remodeling should start at the studs

Some do-it-yourself experts recommend a fresh coat of paint, new tile, a shiny new sink and great cabinets to transform an ordinary bathroom into an extraordinary spa - but that's just what the eye can see. Yes, your refinished bathroom will look different but will it hold its value? Not unless you think first of what's behind the paint and tile and consider how to protect it from the greatest threat in a bathroom: moisture, mold and mildew.



Upgrading your walls, ceilings and subfloors before you paint, install tile or hang a fancy new mirror can ensure your new bathroom will stand up to everyday splashes, showers and relaxing tub soaks, as well as dreaded mold and mildew that can come from these steamy, wet environments.



Anitra Mecadon, host of DIY Network's "Mega Dens" and spokesperson for National Gypsum, is on a mission to prevent major mold and mildew problems by recommending homeowners start at the studs. Here's her advice when it comes to the No. 1 room people remodel in their homes - bathrooms:



Look for ideas



Popular upgrades include decorative tile or stone in the tub and shower areas. You can also consider multiple showerheads or steam enclosures to give your bathroom "spa appeal" without the worry.



Budget and plan



* The average cost of a bathroom remodel is around $16,000, so create a budget so you know how much you can comfortably spend.



* If you plan to have someone do it for you, get an estimate from a contractor before you start.



* Shop on your own, with a contractor or interior designer to select building materials, fixtures and appliances.



* Remember that bathrooms require two kinds of materials to help protect walls and floors: mold- and moisture-resistant drywall for areas behind mirrors, sinks or vanities, and cement board for the critically wet areas, such as tubs and showers.



Be careful



* Prepare for a demolition phase to tear out the tub, sink, tile, walls and flooring.



* Be careful of pipes, air ducts and electrical wires behind the walls, ceilings and under the floors.



* Measure twice, cut once.



* You can never be too safe - use appropriate safety gear.



Add value with walls and floors



* After adding insulation, install mold- and moisture-resistant PURPLE XP drywall in your bathroom.



* The PURPLE color is easy to spot in the drywall aisle of your local home improvement stores, and provides value and peace of mind that lasts.



* For a strong base that stands behind every great finish - like tile, slate or marble - use one of National Gypsum's PermaBase Cement Board options in critically wet areas around tubs and showers.



Other notes to consider



* Ask a friend to help for easier installation.



* Forget traditional green board because it's no longer approved by most building codes.



* Instead, ask for PURPLE XP drywall to ensure yours is moisture-, mold- and mildew-resistant.



* Remember that PermaBase Cement Board provides a hard, durable surface underneath ceramic tile or decorative stone and can withstand prolonged exposure to moisture.



* Seal areas around the tub and sink with mildew-resistant caulk and grout to discourage discoloration.



* Paint walls with mildew-resistant primer and paint, which can cut down on future maintenance.



* Add an exhaust fan for additional moisture control.

A few tips when fitting wooden flooring

Laminate and wooden flooring looks great in almost any room. If you are considering fitting the wooden flooring yourself then there are a few tips that may help you to fit it easier and may add a more professional finish to it. With some hard work, patience and the right flooring tools it may not be as difficult to achieve a good finish as you imagine.



Before laying the laminate or wooden flooring ensure that your under floor is in good condition and is as flat and bounce-free as possible. Uneven areas should try to be repaired. The flatter the surface the better the wooden flooring will look.Ideally you will want the new wooden flooring to run length-ways along your room as this looks better than width-ways, however if your existing floorboards also run length-ways it is a bad idea to fit them directly together as this can lead to joint separation and unevenness. If this is the case then fit plywood over the entire floor surface so that you have a flat surface to then work on.



Once your existing floor is ready, lay an insulating membrane across the entire flooring area. This keeps heat in the room and dampens noise when the wooden flooring is walked upon and is highly recommended. Once this has been laid you are ready to lay your new wooden flooring panels. The easiest way is to work from farthest wall from the door inwards as this is the most seen part of the room. If possible remove skirting boards and door architraves so that you can work from the wall. If this isn't possible then beading can be fixed to these areas afterwards to give a tidy finish.



When laying the flooring panels always stagger joints by using random length flooring pieces as this will add to the strength of the flooring and the aesthetics. Ensure that all pieces are firmly locked together before re-applying skirting and architraves or adding beading. Flooring can contract and retract based on the heat of the room and moisture levels so do not fix skirting or beading to the floor. Fix skirting to the wall and fix beading to the skirting.



by: Xander Palmer

http://www.articlecity.com/articles/home_improvement/article_6471.shtml

Style and sustainability: Two ways to really raise the roof

While green is increasingly a factor in today's roofing choices, having the ability to choose from a wide variety of colors in sustainable roofing is also a point of great satisfaction for discerning homeowners.



One roofing manufacturer, InSpire Roofing, of The Tapco Group, takes the combination of style and sustainability to new heights, offering the widest range of slate colors in the industry, including Standard, Premium, Blended (in-tile blends), Mixes (multi-color palettes) and Cool Roofing colors that can help homeowners save hundreds of dollars in energy costs every year. Its newest sustainable solution is the Wintergreen InSpire Cool Roofing Mix; a factory-collated blend of the traditional Evergreen, Ash Grey and Granite slate colors. This roofing can help reduce peak cooling demand by up to 15 percent to create energy savings for homeowners.



InSpire Slate's traditional and cool color choices both feature enhanced sustainability with virtually zero maintenance, extreme durability, recyclability and a limited lifetime warranty. The tiles' UV-protected blend of virgin resins and natural limestone delivers Class A fire resistance, Class 4 impact resistance and a 110 MPH wind uplift rating - all with the artistic, detailed texture of tiles cast from real slate.



'InSpire gives you a handsome slate appearance without the cost and substantial weight, but adds consistencies with color, texture and toughness that you can't find in real slate,' says Jonathan Wierengo, vice president of marketing for The Tapco Group, maker of InSpire Roofing. 'The range of Traditional and Architectural color choices with InSpire allows it to fit a variety of styles, including log cabin or Mediterranean style, where most people wouldn't even think of installing a slate roof.'



Texas custom builder Sheldon Robinson likes to use multiple InSpire colors for his homes - he's used up to eight colors on one roof. 'When people pull up to see a home, it just presents a whole different look. When people see that roof, they're just - pardon the pun - inspired. It delivers more of an authentic slate look. We can lay out a pattern for a client and say 'here's the concept, here's what's interesting,' as opposed to a typical all-black or grey roof,' Robinson says.



Color and durability are also the hallmarks of InSpire Shake, which uses a proprietary color process producing subtle color variations for each of its three authentic shake tile choices - New Cedar, Cedar Brown and Weathered Grey. Locator tabs that prevent moisture intrusion combine with Class A fire resistance and a limited lifetime warranty to provide protection and peace of mind for homeowners who want beautiful shake roof style without the need for constant upkeep.

This year's homes will mix old and new designs under one (smaller) roof

Today's consumer mindset is steeped in common sense and careful decisions. When making a purchase, individuals aren't looking to accumulate "stuff." They're looking to buy an experience. That experiential purchasing behavior is especially true when it comes to selecting items for the home. Current home decorating is not about flashy, over-the-top design; rather, it's about decorating for real life - a home that's smaller, more well-equipped and custom-made for its owners' lifestyles.



"Homeowners are getting back to basics," says Rebecca Kolls, senior director, consumer strategist of home and garden, Iconoculture, a leading consumer trends advisory firm which presented at Moen Incorporated's INSPIRE Design Seminar. "They are putting roots down and investing in items to increase their quality of life."



How are homeowners making their spaces more practical and livable for the long term? What exactly are the hot trends for this year? Kolls points to several distinct ideas, including: practicality, rightsizing, style-telling and universal design.



Practical and perfectly sized homes

Today's average new home is smaller than those from recent years at 2,135 square feet. It emphasizes inviting, livable spaces, and downplays the formal, untouched rooms of yesterday. Despite a decrease in overall square footage, kitchens are growing, homeowners are adding more porches, ditching the conventional living room concept and embracing fewer - yet larger - rooms.



To fill those rooms, homeowners are looking for products that provide function, as well as fashion. They are no longer buying for the sake of buying. "The first question consumers are asking is, 'Do I need this or do I want this?'" says Kolls. They're looking for more practical solutions for everyday life, like items that promote health and overall well-being, versus over-the-top indulgences.



Instead of one purely decorative element, homeowners are springing for more affordable luxuries with experiential benefits. In the bedroom, these purchases include new mattresses for increased comfort and a better night's sleep, plus items like improved lighting and window coverings that facilitate a gentle transition from sleeping to waking. Bathroom remodels include items like towel warmers, steam showers and multiple body spray outlets that promote relaxation and spa-like indulgence. Moen Flushmount Body Sprays are especially appealing to the remodeling consumer looking for added wellness benefits: Each body spray is equipped with an adjustable spray face, allowing the user to position the water sprays exactly where he or she desires by pivoting up to 20 degrees in any direction, for the ultimate in customized relaxation and rejuvenation.



Style-telling solutions

Gone are the days of perfectly-matched rooms and pristine homes. Today's homeowners are looking to tell a story through their decorating, with pieces that put a personal stamp on their spaces. People are stylizing the most-used room in the home - the kitchen - by adding workstations, artwork, photography and more furniture-like cabinetry enhanced by decorative cabinet knobs and pulls, like those offered by Moen.



Homeowners mix-and-match more now than ever before, complementing a great-grandmother's antique dining room table with modern, geometric dinnerware; putting vintage photos into new stainless steel frames; storing K-cup coffee pods in antique coffee bins. "Homeowners are adding pieces that make sense: items that enhance their experience and put a personal stamp on a room," Kolls says.



Flexible design

Baby boomers are the first generation to collectively fight aging. These individuals are caring for their parents, their children, and even their grandchildren, all while making plans for their own future. Boomers want to spend the rest of their lives in their own home and they're looking for universally designed products to help them do just that. In the bath, boomers are incorporating ADA-compliant products, like new Weymouth lever-handle faucets and custom showering options from Moen. The Weymouth collection brings elaborate, traditional styling to the bath, plus reliable, nearly effortless operation for individuals of all ages and abilities.



In addition to more accessible everyday items, homes with several generations under one roof are also utilizing technology to help keep all members of the family safe and well. In fact, according to Kolls, wireless home health monitoring technologies are expected to grow by $4.4 billion by next year. Smart mirrors that can monitor day-to-day health, including changes in appearance, plus alerts that report whether an aging parent has commenced his or her daily routine, are just a couple of examples of how technology is bringing additional security and flexibility to the lives of caregivers.



Today's home may have a smaller footprint, but it is much more personal and memorable than houses of the past. Families are spending more time in the home and incorporating multiple generations under one roof, which makes for richer design - and even richer experiences - than ever before.