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Home My WebLink AboutThe Citizen, 2004-10-21, Page 20ME IIIII NM OM ME NM N I MN Mt ME MI MN Call ... Chameleon Upholstery U. NM MN • NM • Um U. •• •• • •• • •• •• 482-3490 • •• •• •• •• •• ••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• MIIIINIMOIMMIIMIP"IIIIMMEMIIIIIMMIIIM IIMEMIIIIIMMEMP' '4111MIIMMIMMIONIMI IIIIIIMEIMERIPP"" IIIMMEIP"" IIIIMIIIIIIMMP' MEMIIIIPw" 'MIME Nu NM -"EIJI IEEE IIIIMII IEEE NM MN IMO I. NM N M MN ME 1111 NM Ea MI MN NM ME NM U. • NW' "UM r- -1 im MN NM MN NM MN Renovating? Don't forget your furniture! II and we'll make your favourite pieces go from drab to fab! 22 Winnipeg Road, Vanastra Riverst Smait Sales and Service Engines: Dwayne Weber 2023 Victoria St., Gorrie, ON NOG 1X0 1-519-335-3126 423Husqvarna Stump Grinder Now In-Stock For Rent For Winter • Cement Saw Poll Trimmer Saw Snowblowers For Sale PAGE 20 THE CITIZEN, THURSDAY, OCTOBER 21, 2004. Fall Home Improvement 2004 Tips for inspecting your home's windows (MS) -- Before temperatures drop and you see the first snowfall, make it a priority to give your windows a thorough examination. Why? Because a home's windows are one of the chief ways that heat'can be lost during blustery winter months, resulting in higher energy bills. To help with your inspection, follow these tips from the experts: Tip #1 -- Check every window and door to make sure there is adequate (MS) -- Home decorators often opt for neutral colours because they feel that the cream/beige family is safe and they don't know what others to choose. "There are so many choices that a `perfect colour' is• out there for everyone," says Catherine Stein, president of The Colour Council, New York. "People no longer need to follow design dictates. With this freedom comes responsibility to know what resonates positively for you. "Colour preferences 'start early," adds Stein. "You form emotional Basements have come a long way since the days of chilly, damp rec rooms with low ceilings, dark paneling and cast-off furniture. Today's basements may have plush home theatres, weight rooms and saunas, climate-controlled wine cellars, lap pools and dance floors, along with bedrooms, baths and kitchenettes. Finishing an unused lower level is a way to gain living space at a lower cost than adding to the footprint of the home. Even so, the average price tag for a basement remodeling/finishing project is costly. The actual cost depends on the homeowner's vision for the space. Design and construction pros agree that with sound planning, creative thinking and today's newest building materials, it is possible to create a basement that is warm and comfortable, light and just as appealing as the main floor of the house. Whether you are building a new home with a finished lower level or finishing the basement in your present house, here are some basic considerations to keep in mind: Address dampness as the first step in a basement project so that flooding, mold or musty smells won't ruin your investment. Get a qualified professional to identify the source of any water problems, including seasonal seepage, and prescribe a fix. Install one or more sump pumps, with one powered by a battery or generator in case of a power failure. Use a dehumidifier and install proper ventilation for adequate air exchange. Plan ahead and cluster your utilities and mechanical systems, such as the furnace and hot water heater, in one place, away from the living areas, to reduce noise and maximize the amount of finished space. Make sure all your contractors know of your plans for weatherstripping and caulking which will ensure a secure seal around the openings in your home. Tip #2 -- Seal up any little cracks or gaps where air can leak into your home. Many experts believe the average home has enough of these small holes to equal one three-foot by three-foot opening. Tip #3 -- If you have storm windows, put them on early in the autumn to help save on your home's energy bills. Tip #4 -- Make sure to lock all the impressions with a hue because of the associations you have with it." If you remember the fragrance of cookies baking in a yellow kitchen, you will respond positively to golden hues. It's not totally about the colour, but about how much --and how -- it will show. Are you covering a wall with fabric or wallpaper in a saturated colour and placing an imposing armoire in front of it? Remember to view a sample as you will see it -- from eight to 10 feet away. finishing the basement. Wiring, plumbing, heating and cooling systems should be installed so that they are easily accessible and have minimal impact on living space and headroom. Get your living space off the cold concrete. Let in the light. If you are building a new home or planning an extensive remodel, specify generously-sized windows in walk- out or daylight basements. If you have an existing basement with a few tiny transom windows and a tight budget, you'll need to be more creative to achieve a light and inviting room. Consider using strategically placed spotlights to add drama. hardware on your windows. This creates a strong seal that prevents cold air from coming into the home. Even when closed, an unlocked window can still allow air to escape. Tip #5 -- Examine your windows. Make sure they're doing their part to help insulate your home. Check for hot and cold spots or drafty areas inside your home near windows, which can indicate energy loss. If you decide it's time to replace your windows, don't wait until tho Spring thaw. Replacing windows How else can you tone down a colour? Select a fabric or wallpaper in a lighter tone of the lively colour, or in neutrals. Adding cream or beige to a space with intense colour helps soften it. Red raises your blood pressure and appetite. Is it.possible to use this stimulating hue to achieve a calming ambiance? People have physiological reactions to colours. Some people naturally operate in a hyper state, where this response is comfortable. For them, the familiar feeling can be stabilizing Don't skimp on quality. Create whatever style you desire, but be sure to finish the lower level with the same quality as the main floors of the home. That means using drywall rather than paneling, and quality detailing and workmanship. You are making an investment in your home and your quality of life. If a remodeled basement is a great source of enjoyment for your family, then the payback is measured in far more than monetary value ,Cfb/ Please Recycle 641i This Newspaper before winter weather sets in can save your family substantially on heating bills this year. And, when shopping for windows, make certain to specify energy efficient windows that meet the guidelines. Looking to save more on energy ,bills? Then request vinyl frames on your replacement windows. Vinyl offers excellent thermal performance and requires very little maintenance. When combined with other energy-smart features, such as Low E coatings, the energy efficiency of the window can increase dramatically. Colours for your home: more than meets the eye Creating a basement living space • Licensed Septic Installations • Screened & Field Topsoil • Bark Mulch • Sand • Gravel • Fill • Backhoeing • Bulldozing • Excavating • Loading & Hauling a call John McKercher Give us 887-9061 Fax 887-8734 Construction Ltd. Cell Phone 357-6647 R. 2 Bluevale VANDRIEL EXCAVATING Inc. . .., ... • Excavating • Bulldozing • Backhoeing • Trim Dozer • Trucking • Loader Rental • Skid Steer • Mini Excavator if4i 44 4 .174 . ..'- / 2...._ WOO ',‘' - We are Suppliers of: Gravel, top soil, stone, sand, fill & compost c,b t OT a eSV(Va.- ! (111,.•,. . "tee, 4' i * 'i:Ll e [. ""i7i Installers of: Septic systems, water lines, sewer lines, farm drainage, open ditches, farm ponds Simon VanDriel - 482-3783 or 1-877-532-4394