fall home, lawn and garden wednesday, september 30, 2020 · money on office space rent. with...

Fall Home, Lawn and Garden Wednesday, September 30, 2020

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COVID-19 has broughtchanges to everything, andhome design is no excep-

tion. Experts are expecting to seelasting impacts on everything fromthe materials we use to the roomswe prioritize. Check out these andother noteworthy trends:

Houses over apartments: Manypeople who live in condos orapartments do so to be closer tothe action — work, entertainmentand shops — and never plannedon spending much time at home.But the pandemic has changedthat, and more people are going towant a home that offers plenty ofroom and outdoor space in casethey need to self-isolate again.

Self-sufficiency: A hard lessonwe’ve learned is that things andservices we thought we couldcount on aren’t necessarily a surething, so items that increase self-reliance will become very popular.Expect to see more homes withsources of energy like solar panels,sources of heat like fireplaces andstoves, and even urban and indoorgardens that allow you to growyour own produce.

Outdoor living: Between play-grounds closing and parks becom-ing overcrowded, many of us areturning to our balconies, patiosand backyards for fresh air andnature. This means we’re going tobe investing more in our outdoorspaces, with functional kitchens,soothing water features, cozyfirepits, and high-quality outdoorfurniture to create a much-needed

escape. Healthier spaces: Thanks to

spending more time indoors andreprioritizing our health, we’ll turnto design to help ensure our homesare safe and healthy for our fami-lies. We’ll see a rise in products likewater filtration systems as well asmaterials that improve indoor airquality. For new homes and addi-tions, alternatives to wood-framinglike insulated concrete forms fromNudura, which offer improvedventilation for healthier indoor airquality and an environment that’sless susceptible to mold, will bekey.

Home office space: Businessexperts are suggesting many com-panies will see that working fromhome is not only possible butoffers tangible benefits, like savingmoney on office space rent. With

working from home on the rise,creating a home office space thatinspires productivity will be amajor project many of us tackle.Luxury home office furniture thatfeels chic and blends into yourdécor as well as ergonomic chairsand desks will see a major boost.

Custom and quality: With thehit to the economy, people aregoing to be buying less, but whatthey do buy will be better quality,while at the same time making aneffort to support American busi-nesses. When it comes to design,trends will shift to locally madefurniture, custom-built homes andpieces and materials that stand thetest of time.

Find more information atnudura.com.

How home design trends areevolving for social distancing

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Removing leaves from theyard is a task that home-owners must perform each

fall. Thousands upon thousands ofleaves can drop from a single tree.Multiply that by the number oftrees on a property, and it’s no sur-prise the task of leaf cleanup canseem so daunting. Furthermore,not all leaves are shed at the sametime, so several cleanup sessionsmay be necessary before the lastleaf is banished from the yard.Just like removing snow, leafcleanup can be a taxing job if doneby hand. For people unaccustomedto exercise, cleaning up leaves canturn into quite a workout.According to the Discovery HealthCalorie Counter, raking leaves forone hour can burn nearly 292 calo-ries. Shoulders and arms will feelthe burn. Raking leaves is consid-ered moderate physical activity,similar to brisk walking. Thosewho find themselves straining orout of breath should take a break,and these tips also make the jobsafer and easier.

■ Wear layers when cleaning upleaves. It may be cool at first, butit’s easy to work up a sweat afterraking for awhile. Layers can bepeeled off so as not to get over-heated or risk hypothermia fromsweating in chilly temps.

■ Pay attention to your posture

while raking. James Weinstein,chairman of the Department ofOrthopedics at DartmouthMedical School, recommendsforming a wide base with the feetand holding the rake slightlytoward the end of the handle withone hand three-quarters of the waydown the handle from the other.Do not twist the spine; move yourentire body. Avoid overuse of mus-cles on one side of the body byswitching sides periodically.

■ Do not try to rake or blowleaves on windy days. Wind willonly make the task that muchmore difficult, which could lead tooverworking oneself.

■ Avoid overfilling bags. Forthose who plan to mulch and bagleaves, remember that compressedleaves can get heavy pretty quickly.Do not over-fill bags, as they canbe hard to move or bring to a recy-cling center.

■ Using a leaf blower to pushleaves into piles will reduce thestrenuousness of the task, but leafblowers can be heavy and noisyand gas-powered blowers can pro-duce a considerable amount ofexhaust.

Raking leaves can be quite achore. It is important that home-owners take steps to prevent injurywhile cleaning up leaves in theiryards.

Safe and effective ways to clean up leaves

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Cleaning up leaves in the fall can be a tough and tedious task. Posture, protective equipment, tools andtiming all come into play when looking to make the task less arduous.


People exercise for many dif-ferent reasons. Exercise canimprove one’s appearance,

reduce the risk for illness, alleviatestress or anxiety, and even helppass some time. Exercise is often asocial activity, but in the wake ofsocial distancing guidelines issue inresponse to the COVID-19 out-break, many people have foundthemselves looking for ways toexercise at home.

Building a home fitness roomhas never been a more timely proj-ect, and such a project can contin-ue to provide rewards even whenlife returns to some semblance ofnormalcy. Here’s how to successful-ly stock a home gym.

■ Find a dedicated space. Ahome gym will be limited by theamount of space that can be devot-ed to workouts. Possible fitness

room locations include a sparebedroom, a garage, a basement, oran enclosed patio. Measure thespace so you can pick and chooseequipment that will fit. Leave somefloor space empty for movementexercises or mat activities.

■ Keep the space bright.Darkness can sap energy levels, soinvest in mirrors and adequateoverhead lighting to make thespace inviting. Natural light canmake the exercise area more enjoy-able.

■ Consider the flooring. Newflooring can protect against dam-age and make an area more con-ductive to working out. Rubbermats can offset echoes and reducethe noise of running on a treadmillor setting down heavy weights.

■ Use space-saving equipment.A home gym space will likely notbe as expansive as the space inside

a traditional fitness center.Thankfully, many activities do notrequire a lot of space or equip-ment. Classic exercises like squats,lunges, push ups, and sit upsrequire little gear but still produceresults. Figure out which equip-ment you like the most and investin two or three key pieces.Dumbells of various weights, amedicine ball and a yoga mat canbe all you need to create a versatile,effective workout. A TRX systemand a door-mounted pull-up baralso are great space-saving options.

■ Have a TV hookup. A homegym may benefit from a smart TVthat you can use to stream workoutvideos or catch up on the latestnews while running the treadmillor using the stationary bike.

A home gym is beneficial year-round, and can be especially valu-able when social distancing guide-lines are put in place.

How to design a fitness room at home

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Signs your gutters are in need of repairFall is a great time to tackle

projects around the house.The weather each fall allows

homeowners to make improve-ments to their homes’ exteriorswithout worrying about extremeheat or cold, while interior projectslike painting are made easierbecause homeowners can open thewindows to allow for proper venti-lation.

Fall also marks a great time toprepare for upcoming projects thatcan make winter work that mucheasier. For example, fall is a greattime to take stock of your guttersso you can address any issues beforeleaves begin to fall or the firstsnowstorm touches down.Compromised gutters can con-tribute to water issues in basementsand adversely affect a home’s foun-dation if not addressed immediate-

ly, so it behooves homeowners tolearn the signs that gutters are inneed of repair or replacement.

■ Gutters hanging off thehome: Gutters were once installedpredominantly with spikes.However, many industry profes-sionals now install gutters withhanger brackets. Why the change?

Spikes loosen over time, leading tothe gutters hanging off the home.That can contribute to seriousissues if left untreated. Guttershanging off the home need notnecessarily be replaced, but rathersecured to the home, ideally withhanger brackets instead of spikes.Brackets hook into the front of thegutter and are then screwed intothe fascia of a home. A professionalwho specializes in gutter repair canperform this task relatively quickly,and it’s an inexpensive yet highlyeffective solution.

■ Gutter separation: Guttersthat are no longer fastened togethercan leak and contribute to issuesthat affect the home’s foundation,siding and appearance. Clogs andthe accumulation of debris cancause gutters to separate becausethey are not designed to hold toomuch weight. Replacement of sepa-

rated gutters may or may not benecessary depending on how bigthe problem is and the condition ofthe existing gutters. If replacementis not necessary, separated guttersmay be remedied by securing thejoints, another relatively simple andinexpensive fix.

■ Peeling exterior paint: Paintthat appears to be peeling off ofyour home may indicate that wateris seeping over the edge of the gut-ter closest to your home. Whenthat happens, water is comingdown the side of the house, causingthe paint to peel. In such instances,replacing the gutters is often neces-

sary.■ Basement flooding: Not all

signs of deteriorating gutters areoutside a home. Many a homeown-er has been flummoxed by floodingin their basements, and such flood-ing can be caused by aging, ineffec-tive gutters. That’s because deterio-rating gutters sometimes allowwater to leak near the foundationof a home, contributing to base-ment flooding.

Fall is an ideal time to inspectgutters and have any issues fixedbefore leaves begin to fall or harshwinter weather arrives.

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Gardening is an engaginghobby that can provide ahost of benefits, some of

which may surprise even the mostdevoted gardeners. For example,the Harvard Medical School notesthat just 30 minutes of gardeningactivities burns 135 calories, mak-ing gardening a fun and simpleway to incorporate more exerciseinto your daily routine. In addi-tion, scientists have long proventhat gardening releases the hor-mones serotonin and dopamine inthe brain, each of which are associ-ated with improved mood.Perennial gardens can be especiallyattractive to seasoned gardenersand novices. Perennials are plantsthat come back year after year, andcommitting to a perennial gardencan ensure people stick with gar-dening for the long haul, reapingall of the rewards that come withmaking such a commitment. Before planting a perennial garden,those new to gardening may wantto consider these three tips.1. Make a plan.

A perennial garden comes backyear after year, which means anymistakes you make when plantingare likely to haunt you year afteryear as well. Factors like space andlocation must be considered beforeplanting. Many gardeners utilizegarden planning applications likeGrowVeg to make the process ofplanning a garden simpler andmore organized. Such applicationscan be especially useful for novices.2. Consider aesthetics.

Gardens can be awe-inspiring,especially when gardeners consideraesthetics prior to planting. TheDIY Network advises gardeners toconsider scale before choosingwhich perennials to plant. Tallplants and wide beds tend to lookbest outside large homes, whileshort plants in small beds tend tolook better outside small homes.

3. Work with aprofessional.

Local garden centers can beexcellent resources when planningperennial gardens. Representativesat such businesses can offer tips onnative plants, which will be morelikely to thrive year after year thannon-natives. Such representativesalso can help you choose the rightplants based on the amount of sun-

light the plants will likely get afterbeing planted. Each of these fac-tors can be easily overlooked bypeople without much gardeningexperience.

Perennial gardens can provideyears of joy and inspiration, espe-cially when gardeners give ampleattention to certain details prior toplanting.

Three perennial gardening pointers

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Warm weather enticespeople to enjoy longhours outside basking

in the sun or relaxing on balmyevenings. Many of the activitiespeople once reserved for indoorswhen temperatures were chilly,including dining, are moved out-side as the weather warms.

Even though outdoor diningcan be quite enjoyable, certain fac-tors need to be considered toensure that each experience is aspleasurable as possible. This meansfocusing on comfort whenevermeals are taken out-of-doors.Address insects

Insects are equal opportunityinvaders. Once they smell sweet orsavory food items, they quicklydescend for an easy bite. Thismeans extra steps are necessary todissuade insects from coming by.Invest in citronella candles, whichcan be placed around the patio torepel flying bugs. Clean up crumbsand spills promptly. Bees andwasps can be lured away with sweettraps placed around the perimeterof the property.Offer shade

Too much sun can make out-door meals less enjoyable. A patioumbrella, pergola or canopy cancut down on glare and make thedining area more comfortable.Check to see that the shade sourcecan be adjusted to guard againstthe sun as it moves across the sky.

Dress up seatingJust because furniture is made

for outside doesn’t mean it has tobe uncomfortable. Many compa-nies now produce very durable andattractive outdoor furniture.Weather-resistant fabrics mean rainor sunlight will not age items tooquickly.Reusable place settings

If you frequently dine outdoors,you may want to dine in style.Instead of disposable paper or plas-tic place settings, invest in colorful,durable, reusable plastic dishes,glasses and flatware, which will notbreak if dropped and can hold upto a dishwasher when it is time toclean up.Create the right ambiance

Invest in outdoor lighting, can-dles and hidden speakers to pipe inmusic and create ambiance. Install

privacy screens and foliage toestablish a nice nook for outdoordining.

Outdoor dining areas can beimproved with some easy modifica-tions to existing spaces.

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Your perfect outdoor dining space is easily attainable as long as you address some key detractors to theoverall dining experience.

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When thinking about ren-ovating their homes,homeowners may imag-

ine changing wall colors, expand-ing room sizes or upgrading appli-ances and fixtures. However, unlesspeople take inventory of the lessglamourous components of thehome, such as structure, plumbing,heating and cooling, and insula-tion, other improvements may befor naught.

A home insulation project cer-tainly doesn’t offer the wow factorof a kitchen remodel, but insula-tion serves a vital function in thehouse that helps keep people com-fortable and reduces energy con-sumption. Insulation is typicallyplaced in areas where air escapes,such as between the stud cavitiesinside the walls and in the attic,and serves to slow and reduce heattransfer.

The U.S. Department ofEnergy says between 50 and 70percent of the energy used inhomes is for heating and cooling.By improving home insulation,homeowners can make their homesmore comfortable, consistent andefficient. In fact, the ENERGYSTAR program overseen by theU.S. Environmental ProtectionAgency says homeowners stand tosave an average of 15 percent onheating and cooling costs byadding proper insulation. To do so,homeowners can take a crashcourse in home insulation and findthe products that fit their needs.

Blanket batts and rollsBlanket batts and rolls typically

are constructed with fiberglass, soproper safety gear, such as a maskand gloves, is needed when han-dling them. Installing this type ofinsulation is relatively easy sincethe materials are designed to fit thestandard width between studs,rafters and floor joists.Loose fill

Loose fill is usually made offiberglass or cellulose (recycledpaper fiber). It is blown or sprayedinto place with pneumatic equip-ment, according to The HomeDepot. Loose fill can be ideal forhard-to-reach areas in attics orinside wall cavities. It’s good foradding insulation to irregularlyshaped areas. Since it requires spe-cial equipment, this is a job bestleft to professionals.

Sprayed foamSprayed foam is just as the

name implies, a foam made frompolyurethane, polyisocyanurate,cementitious, or other materialsthat are applied by a spray contain-er. DIYers who need only smallapplications can use canned prod-ucts . Large quantities are pressure-sprayed by professionals.Foam board/rigid foam panels

Ideal for unfinished walls, suchas basement or foundation walls,floors and ceilings, these are boardsof polyurethane or polystyrene.Foam boards tend to reduce energyconsumption more effectively thanother types of insulation.

Homeowners consideringupgrading their insulation oramending existing insulationshould do their homework on thetype of insulation that will be mosteffective for their homes.

Insulation recommendationsare based on certain factors thatcoordinate with regional climatezones to increase energy efficien-cy. These factors are known as R-values. The R in R-value standsfor “resistance,” and refers to howcertain products resist the flow ofheat through walls, floors andceilings. Products should reduceheat escape so heat is kept on theright side of the wall. In summerthis means outdoors, in winter itmeans indoors. R-values relatenot only to insulation, but also towalls, windows and other barriers.R-values also coordinate to thetype, thickness and density of the

material being used. The higherthe R-value, the more resistant toheat the product is. The U.S.Department of Energy coordi-nates R-value to climate zones 1through 7 (1: Tip of Florida; 7:Canadian border). A higher R-value is needed in Zone 7 and alower R-value is necessary inZone 1. Those embarking onhome improvement projects thatinvolve choosing between R-val-ues are urged to speak with a pro-fessional or to visit theDepartment of Energy website(www.energy.gov) to determinewhich R-Value is ideal for theirhomes.

Types of home insulationand where to install them

Understanding R-Values

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Winter is coming, and formillions of people whoreside in areas of the

country that see the mercury dropconsiderably between Decemberand March, that means prioritizingstaying warm. Inefficient or aginghousing materials may compromiseyour ability to do just that.

Drafts from doors, poorly pro-tected attics and basements andaging windows may force heatingsystems to work extra hard tomaintain interior temperatures.

Replacing old windows canmake a home quieter by blockingout exterior noises. ConsumerReports also notes that new win-dows are often easier to clean andmaintain than older varieties.

Many homeowners are interest-ed in replacing their windows, butmay not know where to start.These guidelines can help theprocess along.

1. Get several estimates. Askfor recommendations from neigh-bors or other people in your areaon which companies they used toinstall their replacement windows.When you interview the prospects,ask several questions about howthey go about installing the win-dows. Questions can include:

■ How long will the projecttake?

■ Will I need to remain homeduring the process?

■ Do you discard of old debris? ■ What is the protocol for

installation during inclementweather?

2. Research permits. Mosthome renovation projects need tobe approved by the local munici-pality. Go to the permit office andfind out the requirements. Some

window contractors will includesecuring permits in the cost of theproject. After the project is com-pleted, an inspector will come byand ensure the work was doneaccording to code.

3. Change up the appearance.Look at the type of hardware youhave around the home and otherfixtures. Choose windows that havelocks or latches that can matchthose features for continuity ofstyle. Think about choosing a dif-ferent style or frame color of thewindow, or a different type of win-dow to improve efficiency andfunction.

4. Research top window man-ufacturers. It’s tempting to pur-chase windows based on pricealone, but replacement windowsare often a decision that only hasto be made once or twice for thelife of the home. Invest in durablewindows that will have staying

power. Consumer Reports offersunbiased reviews on various win-dow brands and can help home-owners make sound decisions.

5. Prepare for installation.Clear pathways, remove windowtreatments and disconnect windowalarm systems. Plan for one to twodays of installation, advisesAndersen Windows and Doors.Keep pets and children away fromwork areas.

Replacement windows can be asmart investment. New windowscan improve the look of a home,reduce heating costs and can keepinterior spaces comfortable.

Five tips to prepare for window replacement

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Following 5 simple steps can help make your window replacementeasier and your house this winter a bit warmer.

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