The Citizen, 2007-05-03, Page 15THE CITIZEN. THURSDAY, MAY 3, 2007. PAGE 15.
(NC)—If it’s time for the deck in
your backyard to walk the plank, you
may want to look into replacing it
with a raised paver patio.
It’s not surprising that the addition
of raised concrete paver patios in the
backyard is a growing trend. Raised
patios using segmental concrete
retaining walls and interlocking
concrete pavers give homeowners
the beauty of natural stone at
surprisingly modest prices.
They’re also maintenance-free.
There are a number of practical
reasons why raised patios have
become a favourite family gathering
place in so many homes. Patios
using concrete pavers are not only
beautiful; but they can also be easily
installed and are known for their
durability. Raised concrete patios
typically are a better investment than
wood decks because they offer a
longer life cycle and require less
maintenance.
Also, raised patios with segmental
concrete retaining walls create new
space in sloped backyards, and can
even extend an existing raised deck.
Backyard Creativity
Raised patios not only provide a
great entertainment area, they can
incorporate an in-ground hot tub, a
barbeque or a fire pit and ground-
level lighting.
Here are some good ground rules
to follow when considering one in
your backyard. Look for materials
that:
• Don’t crack. Unlike asphalt or
poured-in-place concrete, each
interlocking paver unit has joints
that allow for a small amount of
movement without cracking.
• Are easy to repair. You can
remove and reinstate the same
pavers with no ugly patches after
repairs to the base. Asphalt, concrete
and stamped concrete can’t make
this claim.
• Come in many shapes, colours
and textures. Homeowners should
consider hiring a certified paver and
segmental retaining wall installer.
Boost home’s appeal
with raised paver patio
NC)–Whether your home office
is your 9-to-5 work space or
a homework hub, it is likely
housing a collection of batteries,
empty printer cartridges and the
like.
In addition to these cluttering
items, home offices also generate
paper and electricity waste — often
unnecessarily.
Recent data shows that more
than four out of five Canad-
ian households (82 per cent)
have used, broken or outdated
office items such as phones,
PDAs, inkjet and toner
cartridges and rechargeable
batteries — items that are probably
headed for the garbage instead of
being recycled or properly disposed
of.
Chris Winter, executive director of
the Conservation Council of Ontario
urges people to think twice before
tossing home office waste in the
trash.
“If we each change our individual
habits a little bit, together we
can make a big difference in the
health of our environment,” said
Winter
Winter urges Canadians to take
advantage of municipal household
hazardous waste programs to
properly dispose of items such as
toner cartridges and cell phones, or
bring them to recycling drop
offs.
In addition to properly disposing
office waste, here are other tips to
work towards a greener home
office:
• Plug your office equipment
(computer, monitor, speakers,
printer, scanner, etc.) into a power
bar that can be turned off when not
in use (a computer running 24 hours
a day can use up to $120 worth of
electricity every year!);
• Use natural cooling techniques
in the summer, such as shades
and fans, instead of air-
conditioning;
• Use recycled and unbleached
paper products; look for high
percentages of Post-Consumer
Content;
• Send electronic copies of
documents instead of hard copies
whenever possible and only print
double sided documents;
• Choose reuseable and refill-
able products instead of
disposables (i.e. rechargeable
batteries and refillable toner
cartridges)
Easy steps to a greener office
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519-524-9804
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Saturdays closing at 5 pm
83341 CURRIE LINE - RR 3 BLYTH
519-523-9407
Owner: Gaye Datema
We sell from our greenhouse:
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❀fill your own containers for an individual look
Choose from: wave petunias, fuchsias, ivies, verbenas, geraniums,
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THIS SEASON FOR ALL YOUR
GARDENING PLANTS
Surprise Mom on Mother's Day with a
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Specializing in: • Staircases
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• Kitchen Cabinets
We also do
general construction
Brussels 519-887-6507