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Home My WebLink AboutThe Citizen, 2008-10-16, Page 21(MS) -- The cost of living has gone up in recent years and homeowners are continually scouting for ways to save. For those looking to make renovations in this questionable economy, there are improvements to tackle that are budget-friendly and just look like you spent a lot to achieve them. 1. Cabinet refacing: Many times homeowners will find that cabinet refacing can give their kitchen an entirely new look. Refacing involves keeping the cabinet structure in place and simply modifying the doors. Refacing can be a project hired out to a company or a do-it-yourself undertaking. Some DIY ideas include stripping off dark stains and restaining the wood. For those who want a quicker fix, cabinet doors and trim can also be painted for a clean, updated look. Consider using a router to remove the face of the cabinet, leaving the door trim work. Install a piece of frosted or clear glass in its place so you can show off stemware or other collectibles. Don’t forget to embellish the cabinets even more by replacing hardware, which includes both knobs and brackets. 2. Create a kitchen island: Many homeowners covet islands, and if the kitchen is large enough to accommodate one, it could be a positive selling feature down the line. Kitchen islands can serve many purposes, such as an informal dining area (replete with stools), or a secondary work station. An island can also be a gathering or serving spot during a party. By using a section of stock cabinetry, topping it off with a piece of countertop material that matches your kitchen and adding some finishing details like moulding and feet for the piece, you can have a relatively inexpensive island. If the budget is bigger, the option to add a second sink or even tuck a small dishwasher or wine refrigerator underneath is possible. 3. Add wainscotting: Wainscotting is an attractive and relatively inexpensive design enhancement that can turn drab walls into something special. Wainscotting can either be elegant or casual depending upon the pattern you choose. Pre-fab wainscotting kits have taken a lot of the work out of installation. These kits often feature panels that attach with a tongue-and-groove type of installation. Also, all pieces are pre-measured and pre-cut for ease of use. Kits may feature unfinished or finished wood, or even composite materials that require little prep. 4. Refresh the countertops: Not everyone can afford high-priced quartz and granite for their kitchen. However, solid surface materials, tile, and even laminate have come a long way. Many mimic the look of stone and other natural materials. For those who simply must make do with what they have, consider painting the countertop. There are special epoxy paints that can be rolled onto the countertops giving them a new look. 5. Flooring re-do: Today, vinyl tiles and linoleum are available in more patterns than ever before. If higher- end products are not in your budget consider these lower-cost options. Laminate flooring is another great idea for kitchens. It can mimic the look of hardwood or stone and is relatively easy to install as a weekend project. (MS) -- As homeowners across the country scramble to find ways to save on rising energy costs, ceiling fans could be a homeowner’s best friend when it comes to cutting costs during the cooler months of the year. HVAC systems are often the culprit in rising utility bills, so supplementing central heating usage with a ceiling fan can save substantial amounts of money while also keeping people warm. The ceiling fan blade rotation can be changed to direct warmer air down where homeowners need it, and also circulate warm air throughout the house. That allows homeowners to lower the heating thermostat. THE CITIZEN, THURSDAY, OCTOBER 16, 2008. PAGE 21. Create appeal Fans don’t just beat the heat Continued from page 20 purpose while also embellishing a home’s architectural style through one of many profiles available. Weather Shield recently introduced a unique exterior wood casing line that includes hundreds of configurations in one- piece or two-piece systems that complement Colonial, Craftsman or whatever your home’s architectural style. That exterior trim, along with the windows and doors, can be prefinished in any colour imaginable for a consistent colour and finish -- whether your windows and doors have wood or aluminum clad exteriors. Anodized aluminum exteriors capture the look of true bronze, silver, copper or other metals in a finish that is durable, resistant to chipping and peeling, and evenly finished. Clearly, the vast array of options available for windows and doors today can help create curb appeal and a one- of-a-kind look for your home. Each adds character, warmth and personality that enhances your home just like those automatic locks and CD player make a new car more enjoyable. Local-cost, high-style kitchen renovations A Division of Benmiller Construction Basements, Crawlspaces, Attics, Whole Home and More... 5(6,'(17,$/$*5,&8/785$/,1'8675,$/ *HQHUDO&RQWUDFWRU,QVXODWLRQ&RQWUDFWRUV 1HZ&RQVWUXFWLRQ5HQRYDWLRQVDQG5HVWRUDWLRQV :HW%DVHPHQW5HSDLU6SHFLDOLVWV Authorized Installers for... FOUNDATION CRACKS & SEEPAGE REPAIRS :RUN'RQHIURP,QVLGH$OO)RXQGDWLRQ7\SHV6XPS3LWV 3XPSV)LQLVKHGRU8QILQLVKHG%DVHPHQWV Professional Consultation & Written Estimates 1-866-524-9169 Canadian Home Builders’ Association Stratford &Area 7E