Shutters: A Facelift For Your Home

(NAPSI)-There are few do-it-yourself projects that make a statement quite like adding shutters. With a few hours of effort, it's possible to mount beautiful, expertly crafted shutters that add character and can help define a home's look.

Since the nation's founding, shutters have been an essential architectural element, protecting windows from storm damage, providing ventilation and offering charm and privacy.

"Louvered shutters on the upper stories could be angled downward to provide a view of activities below and provide a barrier against the rain," said Christopher Peeples, an expert in shutter history and owner of Vixen Hill, which manufactures quality cedar shutters.

Today, shutters are primarily a decorative fixture, supplying a finishing touch that enhances the architectural style of a home and adds that much-sought-after curb appeal.

Peeples offers several tips for choosing shutters:

• Even though you might choose wood shutters for their superior looks alone, they also tend to be stronger and more durable. Wood shutters take stain and paint applications easier and can withstand highly humid climates or climate changes.

• In hurricane climate areas, shutters can afford instant protection and eliminate the ongoing effort and expense of having to replace broken windows.

• When choosing wood shutters, look for quality rot-and-insect-resistant wood. The preferred choice is old-growth western red cedar (air-dried, not kiln-dried). Vixen Hill mills its own wood to ensure the highest quality.

• Louver thickness is a key indicator of shutter quality. The best louvered shutters have 3/8- to 1/2-inch louvers.

For more information, visit www.vixenhill.com.

Create Dynamic Curb Appeal With New Advances In Vinyl Home Building Products

Vinyl building products have grown rapidly in popularity over the years because of their ease of installation, low maintenance and reasonable cost. Despite their popularity, however, they generally have not been offered in a wide variety of colors, especially on the darker side of the palette. That's because rich, dark colors couldn't always hold up to the strong ultraviolet rays of the sun.

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Tips On Lawn Mower Safety

(NAPSI)-Many parents know it's important to tend to more than their yards when they do yard work. Still, thousands of children are injured in yard-work-related injuries every year.

It only takes a moment for a child to dart into the path of a lawn mower. Myranda got her foot trapped underneath the blade of her father's riding lawn mower when she was 2 years old. Spence lost part of his foot when he tripped in front of a riding lawn mower when he was 3. Both Myranda and Spence had to have a foot amputated and now use prostheses.

Myranda and Spence are among the many children Shriners Hospitals for Children treats each year who have lost fingers, toes and limbs as a result of power lawn mower accidents.

According to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), more than 84,000 injuries result from lawn mower accidents each year, and 8,800 of those injuries are to children under the age of 18. One out of every five lawn mower deaths involves a child.

According to a report published in the Annals of Emergency Medicine Web site, children between the ages of 15 and 19 have the highest rate of hospitalizations caused by lawn mower accidents, and the second-most-common result of these hospitalizations is toe amputation.

To prevent lawn mower injuries, follow these safety tips from Shriners Hospitals for Children and the CPSC:

• Do not allow passengers on a riding mower.

• Keep children out of the yard and indoors while mowing the lawn.

• Do not allow children under the age of 14 to operate a lawn mower.

• Always prepare your lawn for mowing. Check your lawn for items such as sticks, rocks, toys, etc. Make sure nothing is hidden in the grass.

• Handle fuel with care. Wipe up spills. Never fill the tank on a mower that is hot. Never smoke or use any kind of flame around gasoline.

• Wear appropriate clothing and shoes, including long pants, long-sleeved shirts, eye protection, heavy gloves, and sturdy, close-toed shoes with slip-resistant rubber soles.

• Check guards and shields. Read the owner's manual and know how to operate the equipment. Don't remove or disable guards or other safety devices.

• Always use a mower with an automatic blade cutoff. Stay behind the handle until the blade stops.

• Never reach under a mower while it is still operating. If you need to remove debris or check the blade, disconnect the wire from the spark plug.

• Don't cut grass when it's wet.

• On slopes, mow up and down rather than across the slope.

For more information on Shriners' network of 22 hospitals that provide medical care and services to children with orthopaedic problems, burns, spinal cord injuries, and cleft lip and palate at no charge, write to Shriners International Headquarters, 2900 Rocky Point Dr., Tampa, FL 33607 or visit www.shrinershq.org. All services are provided at no charge to children under 18, regardless of financial need or relation to a Shriner.

If you know a child whom Shriners can help, call (800) 237-5055 in the United States or (800) 361-7256 in Canada.

10 Ways to Create a Low Maintenance Home

(MS) - Hectic schedules, long work hours and business travel leave little time for homeowners to keep up with the regular maintenance needed to care for a home. During the past several decades an abundance of products have been introduced that are designed to reduce the hassles and time-consuming efforts needed to keep a home in top shape.

"The evolution of low maintenance products is one of the greatest achievements in the building products industry," according to Don Zeman, host of the home improvement radio show, Homefront with Don Zeman.

"From the introduction of vinyl window frames that never need painting to porch rail systems that don't rot, decay or attract termites, everyone wins with low maintenance products," says Zeman, who was a contractor and builder for 25 years before starting his nationally syndicated show. "Homeowners find that the labor and money saved with low maintenance products allow them more free time to enjoy their homes."

According to a survey of customer preferences conducted by the National Association of Home Builders, low maintenance figures prominently into building product purchase decisions. In the report What 21st Century Home Buyers Want, low maintenance ranked as the second-highest reason for selecting wall materials for the front exterior of the home and the primary reason for choosing wall materials for the other three sides of the home. In the survey, low maintenance brick and vinyl sidings were the most requested choices for siding.

"Two key things have occurred that make homeowners more conscious of low maintenance materials," says Zeman, whose News from the Homefront television segments are seen nationwide. "First, the quality and variety of products in this category continue to increase each year. Second, the free time homeowners have available to spend on home maintenance continues to decrease so they're constantly seeking out ways to create an easy-care home."

From his vantage point of reviewing thousands of products and projects each year, Zeman offers 10 ways homeowners can make their homes easier to maintain.

Project 1 - Accessorize the exterior of your home with durable urethane products. Easy-care shutters, window and door trim pieces, louvers and balustrade systems resist warping, weather damage and insect infestations. Products from Fypon, like their Cellular PVC bead boards that can be used for porch ceilings, are longer-lasting than wood products because they don't absorb moisture and are weather resistant.

Project 2 - Tired of termites feeding on your deck? Try composite decking. Made from plastic and wood fibers, this low maintenance product installs and cuts like wood, but resists rot and insects. There's no painting or staining required and in many cases fasteners are hidden. The investment in composite decking pays back during the resale of a home . and during all those weekends you're not forced to strip and reseal a wood deck.

Project 3 - When it's time to reside your home, invest in vinyl siding with insulator boards behind them to create the most energy efficient and low maintenance exterior possible. According to the Vinyl Siding Institute, there are a wide variety of vinyl siding textures and colors available, including woodgrain replications. Visit www.vinylsiding.org to locate certified vinyl siding products and for answers to your questions on vinyl siding.

Project 4 - Forget about hanging shades or blinds in areas of the home where you desire privacy. Instead, install obscure acrylic block windows that guarantee privacy. Both the blocks and vinyl frames are easy to maintain with mild soap and water. Acrylic block windows from Hy-Lite Products come in operable casement and awning styles along with large, fixed picture windows - ideal for use in the bathroom.

Project 5 - When ordering windows for your home, make sure to request the tilt-in sash option. This feature eliminates the need to clean the outside of your windows by standing on a ladder because you can use the tilt-in feature to quickly and easily clean the glass from the inside of the house.

Project 6 - Add decorative style and maintenance ease to your home with fiberglass columns. Available in both round and square profiles, the columns are insect, weather and decay resistant so they can be used both for interior and exterior applications. Versatile and elegant, columns from Dixie-Pacific are load-bearing and can be accented with decorative capitals and bases.

Project 7 - Install moisture resistant urethane mouldings and decorative millwork in extremely humid areas of the home, such as bathrooms and kitchens. No matter how much steam is produced from showers or cooking, these products won't warp like wood mouldings.

Project 8 - Replace existing windows with low-maintenance vinyl framed windows. Easy to clean with mild detergent and water, windows with vinyl frames, such as those from Simonton Windows, never have peeling paint that needs to be stripped and replaced. As a bonus, vinyl is an excellent insulator, so vinyl-framed windows are extremely energy efficient.

Project 9 - Invest in a solid-surface countertop for your kitchen. This man-made material can have the look and feel of stone or marble while offering the advantage of needing only soap and water for cleanup. Most solid-surface countertops are seamless and resist stains, chemicals and scratches. Color and style options are almost limitless and there are no veneers to chip, crack, peel or wear out.

Project 10 - Save time and effort every time you shower by installing an acrylic block shower surround. The easy-care blocks don't require you to squeegee them after every shower to remain clean and attractive. As an added benefit, the obscure blocks provide privacy in the shower while adding a stylish look to the bathroom.

For more tips and ideas on making your home more comfortable, along with information on products discussed here, visit www.homefront.com.

Wood Floor Refinishing Pioneer Bonakemi USA Earns Greenguard Certification

Bona Dust Containment Technology, Low-VOC Waterborne Finishes Allow Today’s Hardwood Floor Owners to Breathe Easier

(HIT)- BonaKemi USA, the world leader in hardwood floor finishing and floor care, has been awarded GREENGUARD Indoor Air Quality Certification for the Bona Environmental Choice System™ (ECS) by the Atlanta-based GREENGUARD Environmental Institute (GEI), according to Ron Peden, BonaKemi USA president and CEO.

The GREENGUARD Environmental Institute is a leading, independent, non-profit organization that oversees the GREENGUARD Certification Program for low-emitting interior products.

Achieving official GREENGUARD Certification for Indoor Air Quality is not easily accomplished, according to Marilyn Black, PhD., of Air Quality Sciences, the third-party indoor air quality company used by GEI for scientifically testing the Bona Environmental Choice System.

"GREENGUARD Environmental Institute employs the industry’s most stringent emission guidelines," Black said. "We commend Bona for being the first–ever hardwood floor finishing company to earn GREENGUARD Certification for their products."

"Indoor air quality has been a hot topic for a number of years and as a result, today’s consumers are insisting on environmentally healthy products for their homes," Peden said. "The GREENGUARD Certified Bona Environmental Choice System, developed by Bona, meets that fast-growing consumer demand."

Poor indoor air quality can lead to irritation, asthma, reproductive and developmental problems, and even cancer. According to information recently published by GEI, the number of cases of asthma in school-aged children has increased dramatically over the past 30 years. The study found that nearly one in 13 school-aged children suffers from asthma, making it the leading cause of school absenteeism with more than 10 million missed school days each year.

Traditionally, refinishing hardwood floors was an extremely dusty process, along with toxic fumes from solvent-based finishes.

The Bona Environmental Choice System includes the innovative trailer-mounted Bona Atomic DCS® and new portable Atomic® 110 dust containment systems which help maintain good indoor air quality by preventing the infiltration and permeation of dust into drapery, furniture, cabinets, air ducts and air conditioning units during the sanding process. The system also features Bona’s industry-leading, low-VOC waterborne finishes.

"Our Environmental Choice System allows homeowners to enjoy a beautiful, durable hardwood floor while avoiding the toxic fumes associated with old-fashioned solvent-based finishes," Peden added. "And because our fast drying waterborne finishes are virtually odorless without toxic fumes, homeowners don’t have to vacate their home during the refinishing process."

As the most convenient, healthiest hardwood floor finishing process available, the Bona Environmental Choice System of waterborne finishes and dust containment sanding equipment is available through hardwood flooring contractors nationwide. Consumers can visit www.bonakemi.com to locate the nearest contractor using Bona’s Atomic Dust Containment Systems.

"Bona will continue leading the way with our innovations of dust containment, low-VOC waterborne finishes and our concern for the environment and the health of our customers," Peden said.

About Bonakemi USA
BonaKemi USA, Inc., the North American subsidiary of BonaKemi AB, Malmö, Sweden, manufactures and distributes complete systems for hardwood floor finishing, including dust containment sanding equipment, abrasives, fillers, stains, sealers, finishes and floor care products. The Bona Environmental Choice System™ meets or exceeds all state and federal clean air quality standards, and reflects BonaKemi's commitment to personal health, indoor air quality and the environment. For more information, please contact BonaKemi USA, Inc. at (800) 872-5515 or www.bonakemi.com.

What You Should Know Before Remodeling

(NAPSI)-How ready are you to remodel? Asking yourself the following questions may help you organize your next remodeling project.

Q: Which remodeling projects are you most likely to recoup the cost of?

A: A minor kitchen remodel: 92.9 percent; siding replacement: 92.8 percent; a midrange bathroom remodel: 90.1 percent.

Q: What would make my kitchen easier to use?

A: A lot depends on how you already like to use your kitchen. If you like to bake, you may benefit from a lower counter or island. If you buy in bulk, you'll need extra storage space. If more than one cook will use the kitchen at one time, you may want to create separate work stations.

One must-have in the hardworking kitchen is a range hood. Because cooking churns out airborne contaminants like nothing else in the home can, you need a ventilating solution, preferably a high-performance, HVI-certified, ducted model, such as those made by Broan.

Q: The area around where I iron always seems to get messy, no matter how hard I try to keep it clean. Is there anything I can do to help prevent this from happening?

A: Consider an ironing center that can recess into the wall. Three NuTone Ironing Center models, the Basic, the Standard and the Deluxe, share the same high-quality construction and materials. These models can be either recessed into the wall or surface-mounted, and allow homeowners to combine all their ironing essentials into one clean, neat area.

Q: What about temperature control?

A: Bathrooms can benefit from up-to-date ventilation fans. Ventilation fans can prevent steamy mirrors, fogged windows and damp walls. More importantly, they can circumvent much deeper problems such as mold, mildew, peeling paint, warping, ruined insulation and wood rot. New models from Broan are quieter, more attractive and functional than those in the past.

Q: I live in a really small house. Are there any new ways to save space?

A: Medicine cabinets are always a great tool for homeowners looking to create extra space around the house. NuTone medicine cabinets offer value, convenience and easy installation while helping to solve storage issues. Best of all, the cabinets are so stylish that they can be used in other rooms of the house, not only in bathrooms.

For more information, visit www.broan.com or www.nutone.com.

Hurricane Preparedness Week - May 21-27

Lack of hurricane awareness and preparation are common threads among all major hurricane disasters. By knowing your vulnerability and what actions you should take, you can reduce the effects of a hurricane disaster.

This year Hurricane Preparedness Week is May 21-27, 2006.

Visit The Hurricane Preparedness Web site to learn about hurricane hazards and get the knowledge that can be used to take ACTION. This information can be used to save lives!

BBB Consumer Services

Visit the BBB Consumer Services Web Site http://www.charlotte.bbb.org/consumerservices.html for Free Helpful Consumer Services.

Serious Gaps In Homeowners' Rights

Consumer Group Releases Report Detailing Serious Gaps In Homeowners' Rights

CHARLOTTE—NCPIRG released the report, “Who Pays The Price For Faulty Construction,” at a press conference in early april with homeowners from across the state along with Tom Bartholomy, President of the Charlotte Better Business Bureau. According to the report, North Carolina homeowners lack the ability to protect their investments in the face of shoddy construction.

“Buying a home is one of the biggest investments a family will ever make, yet it’s one of the least protected goods on the market,” stated Rob Thompson, Public Interest Advocate with NCPIRG.

The report cites case studies from victimized homeowners across the state to illustrate serious loopholes in consumer protections. These loopholes too often mean that consumers are unable to hold builders accountable for faulty construction and correct the problems with their homes. Below are some examples from the report:

• The Richardson family from Indian Trail discovered defects to the foundation of their home nearly six years after it had been built. But because North Carolina only allows homeowners to hold builders accountable for building defects up to six years after construction is completed, the Richardsons are out of luck. “We ended up paying approximately $8,000 to repair our home and I spent countless hours redoing the bathroom, kitchen and hallway floors, because North Carolina’s short statute of repose didn’t allow us to hold our builder accountable,” stated Ben Richardson.

• The Burris family, from Charlotte, hired Ron Pierce to repair the foundation of their home. His work resulted in significantly more damage to the home. Ron Pierce lost his contractor’s license for a previous shoddy building job, but still managed the Burris project legally because it cost less than $30,000. In North Carolina, it’s legal for anyone to manage a job that costs less that $30,000 without a license. This means that a builder can be shown to be incompetent and negligent, as Pierce was by the NC Licensing Board for General Contractors, and still take on costly construction jobs.

• Two families, the Gilberts and the Daniels, have sued their builder for construction defects costing in the hundreds of thousands of dollars, but it’s unclear whether or not they’ll see any money because the builder can’t afford to pay for damages, doesn’t have insurance, or the insurance won’t cover the damages. Their next step would be to apply for relief from the Homeowners’ Recovery Fund, which is drastically under-funded and has an extensive wait list. In addition, county inspectors missed dozens of code violations in the construction of both homes. “Neither the builder or the county has taken responsibility for their negligence, so now we’re running out of money and we don’t even know if we’ll be able to keep our house,” stated Lisa Daniel.

“While North Carolina does not provide homeowners with adequate protections, there are some steps that consumers can take to ensure that they protect their legal rights and purchase a home that is well-built,” stated Thompson.

In addition to pointing out loopholes in state policy, NCPIRG also issued a set of recommendations for consumers in the market for a new home. These recommendations include:

• Thoroughly researching your builder with both the local Better Business Bureau and the Attorney General’s Consumer Complaint Division;
• Having your home inspected by a licensed private building inspector once after the house is framed and again before closing;
• Getting all correspondence with the builder in writing;
• Hiring a real estate attorney to ensure that you don’t waive any legal recourse to protect your investment.

“Homes are the nucleus of society; they are where North Carolinians raise their children and build their families,” stated Thompson. “Unfortunately, homeowners in North Carolina don’t have the ability to protect the most important investments of their lives.”

For a full list of policy solutions and consumer recommendations, please go to www.ncpirg.org for a full copy of the report.

Source: NCPIRG

Termites $5 Billion In Damage Each Year

Termites are chewing their way through homes across America and leaving major holes in homeowners' bank accounts. Although termites are more common in warm, humid climates, they can be found in 49 of the 50 states, bypassing Alaska, and cause an average of $5 billion in damage each year to residential and commercial buildings.

Although it takes three to eight years of normal termite feeding activity to cause measurable damage, termites organize themselves into colonies to keep productive and efficient in destroying property.

Visit http://the-well-informed-homeowner.com/2006/04/23/termiteshome.aspx for full blog.

Are Insecticides Poisoning Your Yard?

(ARA) – You may not know what a Japanese beetle looks like, but chances are if you have a yard, you’ve seen the damage they do. The beetle is a highly destructive non-native pest that was introduced to the United States almost 80 years ago.

Because it has no natural predators here, the beetle has become a serious plant and turf pest, responsible for an estimated $3 billion worth of damage every year. Japanese beetle grubs feed on and destroy turf, while the adults feed on the foliage and fruits of several hundred species of fruit trees, ornamental trees, shrubs, grapevines and field and vegetable crops. One thousand adult beetles can lay eggs for 50,000 grubs in your lawn.

The grubs develop in the soil, feeding on the roots of various plants and grasses and often destroying turf in lawns, parks, golf courses and pastures. “You’ll know if you have grubs because your grass will go brown and feel spongy underfoot, and can be easily pulled back like old carpet to reveal the grubs,” explains Ted Reuter of St. Gabriel Laboratories, manufacturers of a natural control for these destructive pests.

Adult beetles emerge in late spring or early summer to feast on plant leaves. They’re easily recognizable: they’re a little less than 1/2 inch long with a shiny, metallic green body and bronze colored outer wings. Leaves attacked by Japanese beetles look like lace before they shrivel and die.

St. Gabriel Laboratories conducts a Japanese beetle survey every year, and according to data they’ve gathered, beetle populations will be huge in 2006. “The mild winter we’ve had in most parts of the country is good for the beetles, bad for homeowners and their yards,” says Reuter.

But before you reach for a chemical insecticide to deal with these pests, consider the safety of you, your family and your pets. “People are poisoning their yards with these chemicals,” says Reuter. “They’re dangerous for children and for animals, not to mention the environment.” Chemical insecticides kill all kinds of bugs, including beneficial ones like earthworms and the praying mantis. Milky Spore kills only Japanese beetles and harms nothing else.

Reuter recommends Milky Spore, a biological control agent, instead. Milky Spore is the common name for spores of the bacterium Bacillus popillae. When beetle grubs ingest the spores, they germinate in the grub’s gut, infect the gut cells and enter the blood, where they multiply. The buildup of spores in the blood causes the grub to take on a characteristic milky appearance.

Milky Spore disease builds up in turf over a period of two to four years, as grubs ingest the spores, become infected and die, each releasing 1 to 2 billion spores back into the soil, suppressing the development of large beetle populations. “Once Milky Spore is established, it can last 10 to 20 years in the soil,” says Reuter. St. Gabriel guarantees its product will last for 10 years.

Developed by the USDA after World War II, Milky Spore is safe for vegetable gardens, as it is not a chemical pesticide. “Milky Spore is the safest material ever developed for control over the grubs of Japanese beetles,” says Reuter. It is easy to apply, begins working immediately and is long lasting.

For more information, visit www.milky spore.com or call (800) 801-0061.

Courtesy of ARA Content