SPRING SPRING HOME HOME IMPROVEMENT IMPROVEMENT

Available Alernatives to Granite countertops

Granite has proven a popular choice for kitchen renovations over the last several years. But concern about the potential health implications of granite, not to mention cost and maintenance, is causing many homeowners to reconsider granite for countertops and backsplashes.

It’s hard to deny the appeal of granite’s appearance. It can be beautiful and complement many design styles. However,it tends to be porous, and the Food and Drug Adminstration has said that it may harbor potentially dangerous bacteria if not properly cleaned. Furthermore, there is evidence that granite may give off high levels of radon depending on where the stone was harvested.

Fortunately for homeowners who like the look of granite but want something that’s more affordable and easier to maintain, there are many alternatives available that mimic the look of granite without the health concerns.

Solid surface products that are made with composite materials are growing in popularity. Many contain quartz or other stone mixed with plastic and glass binders.These products tend to be easier to maintain than granite, and many come backed with manufacturer warranties.

Due to the solid surface materials of the past, these types of materials havegarnered a bad name. But new innovations are so high-quality, that many consumers have difficulty deciphering between real granite and look-alikes.

Engineered stone is another option for homeowners. These products are made from bits of natural stone mixed with fillers and offer the same scratch- and heat-resistance as granite.

Depending on the material, solid surface products and engineered stone can cost anywhere from $35 to $125 per square foot.These surfaces are more cost-efficient than granite, which can start at around $50 per square foot.

If cost is not a factor and durability the chief concern, homeowners can consider another material -- concrete. Concrete can be tinted or patterned in adherence to a homeowner’s desired design style.Because it can be labor-intensive to install,the price of concrete will likely rival granite.

Homeowners who want to buck tradition and consider a countertop material other than granite have plenty of attractive and durable options from which to choose.

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CITIZEN’S NEWSFriday, April 22, 2011 33

If you want professional-looking results when painting exterior wood, approachthe project as if you were a professional painting contractor. That means following four simple rules that come second nature to experienced painters, says Debbie Zimmer, spokesperson for the Paint Quality Institute.

For the uninitiated, here are the four rules that great painters swear by:

1. Take time to prepare the surface properly.

According to Zimmer, this is where a lot of inexperienced painters go wrong.

“It’s important to fight the urge to start painting as soon as possible,” says Zimmer. “Even the best paints can fail if they’re applied to a poorly prepared surface.”

Before beginning to paint, clean the surface thoroughly. This can be done with rented power-washing equipment or byscrubbing with a long-handled brush using plain soap and water.

Afterward, remove any remaining loose,flaking, or peeling paint by scraping or wire-brushing. Next, sand down rough edges on the old paint, as well as areas where the paint is glossy.

Finally, brush off the dust and particles left from the sanding and scraping. Then sand and prime any areas where the wood is bare.

2. Buy top quality paint.“To get the best-looking and longest-

lasting paint job, it’s important to use the highest grade of paint,” advises Zimmer.“On wood and many other exterior surfaces, top quality 100 percent acrylic latex paint is the best choice.”

Because these paints contain more solids than run-of-the-mill paints, theyform a thicker, more durable paint film.What’s more, they hide better, so they’ll often conceal the old paint color in fewer coats, saving a lot of extra work ... and saving money, too.

“Top quality 100 percent acrylic latex paints also have better adhesion, so theyget a better grip on a properly prepared surface,” says Zimmer. “And they remain flexible, so they can expand and contract with changing temperatures. These attributes help top quality paints resist

SPRING SPRING HOME HOME IMPROVEMENT IMPROVEMENT

Four Simple Rules for Perfect Exterior Painting

peeling and flaking, which adds to the life expectancy of the paint job.”

Top quality 100 percent acrylic latex paints typically last 10 years or more,compared to three or four years for lower quality coatings, according to Zimmer. So,they are a much better value in terms of cost per year of service -- no small consideration in these trying economic times.

3. Use quality brushes and equipment.For the best results when applying top

quality paint, use quality brushes and accessories, says Zimmer. “Better quality equipment makes the work easier and helps apply the paint in a thicker, more uniform coat for a better-looking paint job.”

She advises homeowners to choose brushes that are well-balanced and springy, with multiple lengths of split bristles packed tightly in a 3/4- to 1-inchthickness on a standard 4-inch brush.

When working with latex paints, it’s important to use brushes with synthetic bristles – ideally, polyester. According to Zimmer, polyester bristles will hold their shape and maintain the proper stiffness regardless of the amount of water they encounter.

4. Paint in the right weather conditions.After you have your quality paint and

tools in hand, choose the right type of day to apply the paint. Doing so will enable the paint to form a tough, durable, protective film.

Zimmer says it’s best to do exterior painting in mild weather, ideally when temperatures are above 50 degrees F, and when the wind isn’t strong.

On very hot days, try to avoid painting in direct sunshine, since surfaces sitting in direct sun can be 10 to 20 degrees hotter than the air temperature. One way to cope with this and still keep the job moving is to paint on the shady side of the house.

The four rules for perfect painting involve a lot of common sense and take a little self-discipline. But, if you follow them, you’ll be rewarded with a beautiful,professional-looking paint job that will last for years.

For more advice on paints and painting,visit the Web site of the Paint Quality Institute at www.paintquality.com.

SPRING SPRING HOME HOME IMPROVEMENT IMPROVEMENT

Green TechnologyFor Your Home

Perhaps no decade has witnessed more rapid technological advancements than the opening decade of the 21st century. At the turn of the century, cellular phones had still yet to catch on universally, and few households had high-definition tele -visions. Ten years later, cell phones are so prevalent even many school-aged children have them, and rare is the household that has not embraced HDTV.

And technology has advanced in other areas as well. Among the more notable advancements is the increase in eco-

friendly technologies. Homeowners hop -ing to make their homes more environ -mentally friendly have a host of options at their beck and call that enable them to do just that. No matter which area of the home needs to be addressed, chances are homeowners can find ways to improve their homes in an eco-friendly way.

CarpetingCost-conscious homeowners often love

how eco-friendly carpeting options are typically lower in price. Recyclable carpets require few, if any, toxic materials to manufacture. What’s more, homeowners who enjoy changing their home’s decor from time to time will find eco-friendly carpet tiles are easy to install and sub -sequently replace when the itch to change a home’s interior arises.

Building MaterialsWhen building a dream home, home -

owners also have a host of green building materials at their disposals. Be it mold-resistant drywall made from recycled paper or eco-friendly siding options,

homeowners building their dream home or adding on to an existing home can choose eco-friendly building materials for both the interior and exterior of their homes.

FlooringAn increasing percentage of homeown -

ers prefer wood flooring over carpeting.Fortunately, there are several eco-friendly flooring options that use recycled and reliable wood from old buildings. In addition, homeowners can choose eco-friendly options like cork, rubber or even bamboo for their home’s flooring.

But eco-friendly flooring is not nec -essarily limited to wood flooring.Recyclable linoleum flooring is also avail -able, and these new products are typi -cally far less toxic than the linoleum floors of yesteryear.

Home OfficeWorking from home has steadily

grown in popularity as technology has made it easier for employees to get their work done without having to head into the office. For homeowners who want to add a home office to their homes, it’s easy to make that home office environ -

mentally friendly.Lighting fixtures are often a primary

concern when designing a home office,in which men and women want to mir -ror the well-lit environment they’reaccustomed to at traditional office build -ings. To illuminate the room in an effec -tive and eco-friendly way, individualscan install LED lighting fixtures. Suchfixtures have a long life expectancy anduse far less energy than their incandes - cent counterparts.

Another way to go green at the homeoffice without spending much money isto make room for some plants in theoffice. Plants will absorb toxins in the airand also improve the indoor air quality,which many office workers cite as aproblem in traditional offices that don’tplace too great an emphasis on indoor air quality.

When going green, it’s easy to assumetechnology will be detrimental to theenvironment. However, advancementsin eco-friendly technology have made iteasier for homeowners to build theirdream homes in eco-friendly ways.

Homeowners can now let light and fresh air into their homes without sacrificing energyefficiency or style. Therma-Tru’s vented sidelites (available in the Fiber-Classic Oak Collection and Smooth-Star product line) provides ventilation without the inconvenience and obstruction of storm doors or sliding screens.

These vented sidelites are continuous systems comprised of either one-hinged door and two-hinged sidelites, or two-hinged French doors and two-hinged sidelites.Sturdy door stile edges and a wide patio mullion provide additional strength when doors are open. For more details, visit www.thermatru.com.

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34 Friday, April 22, 2011CITIZEN’S NEWS

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