Aug
18
3 simple DIY updates to make your home safer and more energy efficient
August 18, 2016 | Leave a Comment
(BPT) – At the height of summer when busy schedules are at their peak, it’s difficult to find time to cross home improvement projects off of your to-do list. But as the seasons change, it’s important to be mindful of best practices around t…
Aug
18
(BPT) – As summer temperatures rise, backyard and neighborhood pools become more attractive for old and young alike. The one thing most folks don’t like, however, is the smell of the chlorine or how it burns your eyes or feels on your skin once you get out of the water. The chlorine is there to help keep the water clean and clear, and most pools require a lot of regular maintenance to maintain the proper levels.
Saltwater pools, however, offer a better way to enjoy a dip without the smell or feeling of chlorine. They work by converting salt to chlorine using an electrolytic converter. This produces the same type of bacteria-killing chlorine found in a traditional pool, but in a radically different fashion.
How saltwater pools work
Instead of dumping a bunch of chemical chlorine all at one time and letting it dissipate until more is needed, a saltwater pool adds chlorine to the water at a constant rate. This displaces the bad smell and burning irritation we normally associate with chlorine, while maintaining the right amount at all times.
As the water exits the converter and enters the pool, the sanitizing chlorine eventually reverts back to salt, and the process repeats itself, conserving salt and keeping sanitizer levels balanced. However new salt does need to be added occasionally as salt levels can drop due to splash-out, rain and filter back-washing. Pool owners still should test weekly for pH and chlorine, and monthly for other water balance factors.
Lower maintenance, less expensive
The other good news for home owners and pool managers is that saltwater pools require far less maintenance than traditional pools and are much less expensive to maintain as pool salt is far cheaper than traditional chlorine. This is a big reason why so many hotels and water parks in the United States have already made the switch. The initial construction and installation of an electrolytic converter is very small and easily made up in maintenance savings. Even converting an existing chlorine pool to saltwater can pay off quickly.
The technology for a saltwater pool was first developed in Australia in the 1960s, and today, more than 80 percent of all pools Down Under use this system. In the United States, saltwater pools first began to see use in the 1980s and have grown exponentially in popularity. According to data published in Pool & Spa News, today there are more than 1.4 million saltwater pools in operation nationwide and an estimated 75 percent of all new in-ground pools are salt water, compared with only 15 percent in 2002.
Some may be concerned about the effect of salt on pool equipment, construction materials, decks and surrounding structures. However, the actual amount of salt used is very low, less than .01 as salty as sea water. You may be able to barely taste the salt in the pool, but much less so than you can taste and feel the chlorine in a standard pool. When pools are properly constructed and normal maintenance is followed, saltwater has no effect on pool finishes, equipment and decks.
To learn more about saltwater pools and other uses for salt, visit saltinstitute.org.
Aug
17
You’re Free! Five Great Ideas for Repurposing Kids’ Bedrooms
August 17, 2016 | Leave a Comment
(BPT) – Now that your kids have launched lives of their own, you may be considering how to maximize the extra space they left behind. Making renovations can be a fun way to turn their now-empty rooms into a useful and/or relaxing space for your own enj…
Aug
17
You’re Free! Five Great Ideas for Repurposing Kids’ Bedrooms
August 17, 2016 | Leave a Comment
(BPT) – Now that your kids have launched lives of their own, you may be considering how to maximize the extra space they left behind. Making renovations can be a fun way to turn their now-empty rooms into a useful and/or relaxing space for your own enj…
Aug
15
Simple ways to add curb appeal and character to your home
August 15, 2016 | Leave a Comment
(BPT) – Homes with great curb appeal not only make you the envy of every neighbor on your street and provide a great first impression for guests, but they also offer increased value and take less time to sell. There are many simple, quick and low-cost curb appeal improvements that you can tackle over the weekend, or even in a day, to give your home an inviting, uplifting spirit.
Add or repair a fence.
Make the most of your home’s appearance by considering the details. Looking for a quick way to spruce up your home’s exterior? Adding or repairing a fence to your property is a great value add with a relatively small investment.
In order to determine the perfect fence design for your home, you should first consider the end function you are most concerned with, such as curb appeal, protection from the elements or privacy. While building or repairing a fence can definitely be a DIY project that you tackle on your own, many homeowners struggle trying to ensure their fence gate is sag-free and square.
Before starting your project, visit the home improvement retailer near you to purchase a Homax EASYGATE No-Sag Gate Kit to reduce sagging and maintain use and longevity over time. The kit includes everything you’ll need to build a custom sized gate, add to a pre-fab gate application or repair a sagging gate.
According to Danny Lipford of Today’s Homeowner TV and radio shows, “A sagging gate can be an eyesore and dangerous, but fixing it can be a snap with Homax EASYGATE no-sag gate kit. The kit’s standard design works for any home or yard, and installation is incredibly easy because no Z-bracing or angled cuts are required.”
Emphasize your home’s best features.
Updating window and door trim is a great way to enhance your home’s look, style and personality. One simple update can be made by coordinating window trim paint color with your landscaping, window boxes or fence for an integrated look. Painting is one of the most cost-effective ways to update and protect the exterior of your home, with many retailers offering paint under $30 per gallon.
The color of your home’s exterior features, such as fences and window boxes, should also be considered when choosing plants to landscape for added curb appeal. Mix things up and strive for four-season color. Additionally, be sure to group your plants so they have plenty of room to spread by researching how tall and wide the mature plants will be.
In addition to your fence and trim, your shutters are also an important exterior feature that contributes to curb appeal. When painting shutters, it is best to use a gloss or semi-gloss sheen to create a spectacular finish. If you want them to stand out, you can even consider painting them in a contrasting color; however, if you prefer they are subtle, paint them just a few shades darker than your house.
Park in style.
Your garage can be an area of both function and beauty, and it is a large surface that can potentially draw attention through color. Choose a garage door style that is most complementary to the architecture of your home, and accentuate it by choosing a color that complements all your exterior elements. One tip is to match your garage door with your home’s base color or front door color, especially if it’s a dominant part of the front facade.
You can also beautifully highlight the architectural beauty of your garage door by incorporating one of your home’s accent or trim colors for an additional point of interest. For an added pop of color, consider matching the garage door color with a subtler part of the exterior, such as your grout color or the darkest tones of your brick or stone.
Aug
12
5 ways to turn your deck from drab to fab
August 12, 2016 | Leave a Comment
(BPT) – Is your deck living up to its full potential? After a few years of wind, rain and general use, a deck might begin to lose its beauty, making it tough to relax on deck or entertain your friends and loved ones. Although it may seem like an overwh…