2010%20Fall%20H&G

FallFallFallFallFallFallFallFallFallFallFallFallFallFallFallFallFallFallHOME & GARDEN

2010

Outdoor Living Space

Do-It Yourself: Pavers

Go Green, Keep Cost Down

Improve Water Pressure

Small Upgrades Protect Home Value

A supplement to the Courier-Herald

FallHOME & GARDEN

By Brenda SextonStaff Writer

We’ve been waiting 10 years to tackle our yard.

It wasn’t that it was an

eyesore or intolerable, we were looking for some-thing more carefree and practical. We wanted something easy to mow. A fence that didn’t need to be raised after every wind storm. Garden beds to collect a harvest and a pathway to keep our feet dry dur-ing the prolonged Pacific Northwest rainy season.

We hired some of it out, but did most ourselves, including the toughest piece – a paver walkway and patio.

This was a family proj-ect. It involved all four of us – my talented hus-band, our two industri-ous and strong teens and well, me, who stands with my hands on my hips and

points a great deal.This was really two

projects, a 100-foot long, 3 1/2-foot wide path from

our shed in the back yard, through our

swampy side yard, to the front side-walk. It has two, a p p r o x i m a t e l y

3-foot arms that branch off to the

patio and the side garage door. Through the years, we had worn paths in these areas trekking from the house to the garbage can, recycling recep-tacle and compost bin. Dragging the recycling, yard waste and garbage cans weekly to the curb meant wading through a spongy, mucky, nasty area of grass and mud.

Page 2 • Fall Home & Garden • The Courier-Herald • September 22, 2010

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Laying pavers created a dry walkway through a normally muddy area. Photo by Brenda Sexton/To view or buy photos go to www.courierherald.com.

Satisfaction comes with a job well done

SEE PAVERS, PAGE 11

September 22, 2010 • The Courier-Herald • Fall Home & Garden • Page 3

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The average homeowner can tackle many of the home-improvement projects that add to the value of the prop-erty. Photo and story provided by StatePoint.net.

Your home is a special place, a sanctuary where you can relax and rejuvenate. It may also be your most valuable asset, the single largest investment you make.

“Modest improvements can go a long way to enhance your home’s look and feel. And using multi-purpose materials will help you get the most out of your budget and protect your investment,” says Scott McGillivray, host of the hit television series “Income Property.”

Here are some creative ways to stretch those home improvement dollars:

White’s the New BlackThe U.S. Secretary of Energy Steven

Chu took a lot of heat for suggesting Americans paint their roofs white to reduce climate change, but he actually was onto something. Dark roofs absorb heat, raising carbon dioxide emissions and air condition-ing bills.

Homeowners who need to buy a new roof or do repairs should consider install-ing light-colored materials or white roof coating. To learn about different coating options, do a little research at www.roof-coatings.org. You’ll not only protect your home’s exterior, but you’ll reduce home

energy bills and potentially help the planet. Moonlighting Insulation

Insulation isn’t just for maintaining indoor temperature anymore. Recent innovations in insulation allow it to safeguard your home, in addition to keeping it comfortable. New technologies, such as insulation made from natural rock, provide additional ben-efits such as fire protection, soundproofing and water repellency.

One such new insulation, Roxul ComfortBatt, is a thermal stone wool insula-tion for exterior walls, attics and crawlspac-es that’s also fire-resistant. Another stone wool insulation product, Safe’n’Sound, is well-suited for interior walls and serves as soundproofing material. Both types of insu-lation are water-repellent to protect against mildew and mold.

Before starting an insulation project, check out a free room-by-room “where to insulate” guide at www.roxul.com. It’s all about making your home safer and quieter while improving energy efficiency.

Free Rain Gutters are essential for preventing rain

Small improvements protect biggest asset

SEE ASSET, PAGE 9


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Cutters Fall

Many homeowners think an outdoor living space is one that can only be used during the warm-weather months. However, if done right, individuals can enjoy outdoor rooms for much of the year.

Creating a comfortable, intimate and private out-door space offers a spot to which a person can retire after a long day -- especial-ly a person who enjoys the delights of Mother Nature. Outdoor rooms can be customized depending on the space one has, mean-ing homeowners or renters with any size yard or patio area can enjoy an outdoor room.

Starting the project first requires determining where the outdoor space will be situated. Most people pre-fer to keep it close to the house for easy access. It’s also important to consid-er how many seasons will be enjoyed outdoors. This will determine the accesso-ries needed. For example, those who want to stretch outdoor living into the late autumn may want to invest in a chiminea or outdoor fireplace to provide a focal point and warm place to converge when the weather is brisk. Those who only desire a summer area may want an arbor or pergola to keep the area cooler when the sun is scorching.

Keep in mind that this area of the outdoors should be private; otherwise it

probably won’t be used much. Plants, trellis, gar-den structures, and other elements can help to keep the area blocked off from prying eyes. Bamboo is a fast-growing grass that will make an effective privacy screen.

Next, consider plants that provide aesthetic appeal. If the outdoor room will be used for three seasons, use a variety of plants that will ensure blooms all year long. Consider plants that will feed wildlife and attract but-terflies and birds. Greenery tends to create a relaxing space. Don’t forget a few evergreen shrubs or trees if the space will be enjoyed past the summer.

Think about comfortable furniture to add to the space. Stores sell so many different varieties of outdoor furni-ture, from traditional patio sets to chaises and sofas that rival ones that would normally be found indoors. Accessorize as one would inside, adding side tables, throw pillows (in weather-resistant fabrics) and otto-mans. The goal is comfort and convenience.

Don’t forget lighting. While there’s bound to be plenty of sunlight during the day, individuals who want to sit outdoors at night should think about wired or solar lighting. Candles or a fire in a fire pit also can pro-vide ample illumination.

Homeowners going above and beyond can shield the outdoor room from the elements even further by building a screened-in outdoor space. This will help keep bugs at bay and provide shelter if it rains. Use curtains or shutters to give the area a cozy appeal.

StatePoint.net.

Outdoor living space can be used even after weather turns

All New at:www.courierherald.com

Today’s News...Today!

Tired of cookie-cut-ter decor from the mall? Looking for ways to bright-en up your home without doing major remodeling?

Why not add a signa-ture piece to every room that reflects your own unique style? Signature pieces are often works of art that serve as focal points for the room, a hallmark of your taste and good sense to invest in your home.

Here are some room-by-room ideas to get you started:

Bedroom Many people invest in a

fancy headboard not real-izing the actual focal point of many bedrooms is the bedding, which establishes the color palette and mood for the room. Draping your bed in a designer duvet can make your bedroom a den of decadence. Look for one in luxurious fabrics, such as silk, or with unique patterns such as paisley or geometric shapes.

The added bonus is that

you can mask an ugly but cozy comforter, creating an aura of luxury and comfort. If you really want to indulge your senses, spring for qual-ity sheets with a high-thread count -- 1000 is nice, but 500 will suffice.

Kitchen The kitchen is the heart

of every home, the engine

room that keeps your family running, so it makes sense to turn it into a warm, inspiring space. Adding a high-quali-ty designer range will not only brighten any kitchen, it will serve as a stylish accent piece. Bertazzoni, maker of authentic Italian kitchen appliances, offers a variety of ranges that combine an

elegant look with innova-tive technology.

“Our fifth generation family business combines timeless Italian design with quality engineering to cre-ate a line of kitchen appli-ances that are a focal point of any kitchen,” says Paolo Bertazzoni. “Our cooking technology allows home-

owners who share a passion for food, to create gourmet dishes that bring family and friends together.”

You can window-shop their creations at bertazzo-ni-italia.com.

Living Room Original art is a great


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SEE UNIQUE, PAGE 9

Overhauling a bedroom involves different renova-tions. Purchasing a new mattress is among the typi-cal upgrades when refur-bishing the bedroom.

It can be difficult to determine when it’s time to buy a new mattress. An older mattress may still seem comfortable. Unlike a light bulb that burns out or

an appliance that no longer works efficiently, detecting changes in mattress comfort can be a little more chal-lenging.

Obvious signs include

sagging or lumping of the mattress, creaking and unsupportive edges. However, subtle signs can be recognized by the rest a person gets – or rather, how

little rest a person gets. Difficulty fall-ing asleep, staying asleep or feeling unrefreshed after awakening may be signs that it’s time to replace the mat-tress. Back pain or stiffness can also be indicators.

Once it is determined that a new mattress is in order, individuals should purchase one that fits their sleeping needs.

SizeIt’s important to find the

right size mattress for one’s needs.

Twin and full-size mat-tresses should be reserved for solo sleepers, primar-ily children. Couples who try to squeeze onto a full mattress will definitely find themselves competing for space.

Queen mattresses are a preferred option for many couples. They can also be a good choice for single sleepers who like to sprawl out. Queen mattresses are 5 inches longer than full mat-tresses, making them ideal for taller people.

King mattresses are the largest of the offerings. They provide 38 inches of sleeping space per sleep-er, if there are two in the bed. That’s the equivalent of a twin mattress each. A king mattress will provide the space one needs, pro-vided the bedroom is large enough to accommodate a king-sized bed.

Support SystemMattresses are construct-

ed in different ways, offer-ing different levels of com-fort and durability.

Inner-spring: Several rows of coiled springs form the inner suspension of this type of mattress. Foam and padding cover the springs. Some inner-spring mat-tresses have an individu-ally wrapped coil system rather than inter-connected springs. This reduces move-ment disturbances.

Latex and memory foam: These mattresses feature several layers of foam or latex to form the mattress. They are especially good at reducing the feeling of motion, which is a boon for couples who are often awakened by their bed partner.

SoftnessDepending on the posi-

tion of sleeping, certain mattresses are better than others.

Back and stomach sleep-ers should consider a firm mattress because they prop-erly align the spine. Plus, firm mattresses are better for couples who share a bed and have different sleeping needs. They’re firm enough for back and stomach sleep-ers, yet soft enough to elimi-nate pressure points for side sleepers.

Side sleepers may want a pillowtop mattress, which will be the softest of the options. This eliminates extra pressure in the hips and shoulders.

New mattress part of bedroom makeoverPage 6 • Fall Home & Garden • The Courier-Herald • September 22, 2010

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We all know we need to conserve energy, cut fuel bills, and reduce our carbon footprint, but sometimes it seems that doing good can cost you a bundle – especially when it comes to environmentally-friendly home improvements.

Going green doesn’t have to mean losing green. Doing so now can save you cash, particularly on electric bills.

“With a little know-how and some affordable prod-ucts, you can create a home that uses energy efficiently and saves you money,” says Mei Noguchi, President of Sentina, a company that manufactures cost-effective LED lighting solutions.

It’s easy to get started: • Look for Stars: Home

appliances can look alike, but they often vary greatly in energy use. Look for appliances marked with an Energy Star, the feder-al government’s label for energy efficient appliances. And read the yellow and black Energy Guide sticker, which has an energy effi-

ciency rating. The lower the number, the more energy and money you’ll save.

• Light the Way: Whether indoor or outdoor, LED lights can light a walkway for pennies a day. Formerly limited to traffic lights and airplane emergency exit routes, LED lights now combine efficiency with aesthetics for home kitch-ens, bathrooms, hallways, bedrooms and patios. Check out SentinaSmart.com, maker of the ZenLight, which combines Japanese Shoji Paper and LED light-ing to create a soothing, peaceful glow. These lights are especially useful as hall-way nightlights or bathroom or kitchen accents and can be purchased for less than $50.00.

• Sense It: Whether you’re lighting your home or back-yard, motion and photosen-sors go a long way to help reduce electricity costs. Consider outfitting indoor lighting with photosensors, which automatically turn on

Go green without the extra expense

Energy-e� cient nightlights, particularly those that are motion-activated, save power consumption and cash. Photo and story provided by StatePoint.net.

SEE ENERGY, PAGE 9


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Whether your bathroom is in need of repairs or you’re simply looking to create a more welcoming space, modernizing can be a fun and cost-effective experience.

With the right fixtures, you can create a space that’s environmentally healthy and safe.

Safety Counts While most bathrooms have electrical

outlets, many older homes haven’t been upgraded to include circuit breakers and switched outlets which prevent electrical appliances, like hair dryers, from overload-ing circuits and causing electrocution or fires. Given the dampness of most bath-rooms, the first thing to consider is to make sure wiring is up to code and safe.

Homeowners should also consider the air quality within the bathroom as a poten-tial safety hazard, especially since many homes have tight air envelopes, meaning air doesn’t circulate freely.

Mold and mildew are particularly bad

for people with respiratory problems like asthma or allergies. Fortunately, you can install a modern ventilation fan that inhibits growth of contaminants, such as Panasonic’s WhisperCeiling or WhisperLite, which cir-culate air extremely quietly -- making them more likely to be used. And consider fans that come with a light and nightlight option for extra illumination in the bathroom, pro-viding extra safety.

Clean and Beautiful Consider both big and small items when

beautifying your space, paying attention to materials that will keep it cleaner. From large pieces like countertops to soap and toothbrush holders, there are many options using modern materials that do double-duty.

Nowadays, one-piece sink and counter-tops, such as those made by Sonoma Stone or Zodiaq, not only provide a sleek look, but their continuous smooth surfaces are resistant to stains and mildew, making them easier to clean than traditional sinks.

Even outlet covers, switches and ven-tilation fans can be attractive, instead of eyesores. In addition to maintaining air quality and a quiet, serene environment, ventilation fans now come with decorative grills. The better models even inhibit mold and mildew, helping maintain your new look longer.

Bathroom upgrades can be fun and cost-effectivePowerful Savings

Modernize your shower head to conserve water without sacrificing com-fort. Conserving water used to mean low-flow shower heads that were low on water pressure, making it difficult to wash out sham-poo or relax tired mus-cles. You no longer have to choose. Many modern shower heads provide both low-flow and high-pressure

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let bowls. Low-flow is now accompanied by new tech-nologies, such as dual-flush options, that use varying amounts of water depending on what you’re flushing.

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With just a few tips, you can create a bathroom that’s clean, sleek, healthy, safe and cost-effective. You can’t get more modern than that!

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conversation piece when placed in the living room. Just make sure, whether the piece is avante garde or something more tradi-tional, that you like what you buy -- you’ll be look-ing at it every day.

If you’re going for a whole new look, then buy art with varied colors -- some that match your old decor and some that go with the new look you’re trying to establish. Then you can add unique pil-lows and throws from a local flea market to create character and style.

Family Room Nearly every family

room has a TV, but you’re looking for some original-ity. Why not try placing a gaming table in the middle of the room, like those for pool or pingpong? Even a small table set up for back-gammon will be a conver-sation starter.

Of course, you can always go in the other direction and turn the family room into a “media room.” The obvi-

ous centerpiece here is the television, but a beautiful console can hide unsightly wires. Maybe even consider an armoire that allows you to hide the TV behind closed doors when not in use.

Don’t be afraid to think outside the box when cre-ating a home with char-acter and style. Just one fabulous piece per room can help create a whole new look for your entire home.

unique FROM 5

See & Buy News Photosgo to:

www.courierherald.com

lamps at dusk. Motion detectors, meanwhile, are great for indoor and outdoor use. Look for wall plug-in versions that can double as emergency lighting during power outages.

* Strip Wisely: Nowadays, every home office or enter-tainment room is outfit-ted with power strips for

multiple electronics and toys. Don’t forget the most cost-saving measure about power strips: you can turn them off or unplug them when appliances aren’t in use. The really energy-conscious should consider strips with displays, such as the Energy Monitoring Power Strip from Fujitsu, which shows how much energy you’re using.

* Free Change: Changing

your behavior also will keep cash in your pocket. There are many ways to alter your habits to save electricity, including running only full loads of laundry, not using the heat dry on the dish-washer, and turning down the temperature on your water heater.

For more tips, visit the Energy Information Administration at www.eia.gov.

eneRGY FROM 7

water from eroding the soil around your foundation and preventing leaks from enter-ing the basement or crawl-space. Repurposed, they can also help garden enthusiasts collect rain water, saving on water bills.

To easily collect rain water, place a rain barrel

just underneath a down-spout. Use a debris screen to filter out leaves and debris, and a tight fitting lid to keep curious children away and prevent mosquitoes.

Cover UpGot drafty windows

but can’t afford to replace them? Consider using styl-ish honeycomb shades which have insulating properties, such as those from HunterDouglas, or

try thermal drapes from Jewel-Tex and other man-ufacturers. Either of these types of window treat-ments will help keep your house warmer in winter and cooler during sum-mer. Plus, they’ll dress up your home while making it more energy efficient.

Regardless of your home improvement needs, there’s always a way to buy less and do more.

asset FROM 3

Installing a new roof, updating a kitchen, adding another room to a home -- these are the things that come to mind when one thinks of a home-improvement project. However, what good are these improve-ments if you don’t also renovate the way you think about safety in the home? A safety hazard can quickly escalate and ruin all of your hard work.

According to recent accident statistics from the National Safety Council, the National Center for Injury Prevention and Control and other advocacy groups, approximately 45 percent of unintentional injury deaths occurred in and around the home. Unintentional home injury deaths to children are caused primarily by fire and burns, suffocation, drowning, firearms, falls, choking, and poisoning.

It is important to keep safety in mind with everything you do as a homeowner. Therefore, take the time to assess these areas of potential concern as part of any home-improvement plans:

• Periodically check your hot water tank, washing machine, dishwasher and refrig-erator icemaker to see if they are secure and

leak-free.• Keep supplemental heating sources,

such as wood-burning stoves, or kerosene, propane or electrical heaters at least 3 feet away from flammable items including drap-eries and clothing.

• Don’t store flammable items, or just about anything, too close to furnaces or hot water tanks.

• Carefully monitor the electrical system for shorts and sparks. Do not run cords under rugs or heavy furniture and do not overload electrical outlets.

• Keep chemical cleaning products, home-repair items, like paint and mineral spirits, and tools under lock and key or out of reach of children.

• Do not store combustible materials like newspapers and rags in the basement or garage.

• Burn only dry, seasoned hardwood in your fireplace and regularly have the chim-ney inspected and cleaned.

• Install a working smoke detector and carbon monoxide detector on every floor of the home.

• Inspect surrounding trees and cut down any dead limbs. If a tree doesn’t seem sound to you, bring in an expert tree service to remove it. You don’t want a tree crashing down during a powerful storm.

• Make sure steps, both indoors and outdoors, are level and intact. Install better lighting at entryways to improve safety.

safety Council reminds all to take precautionsThere’s plenty to do to keep families safe

in their homes

For those who have turned on a faucet to find a trickle or bathed under something more like a drip sprinkler than a shower, water pressure might be the culprit. Inadequate water pressure can be a nuisance. Remedying it could take a quick fix or a major over-haul.

There are many reasons for low water pressure. Diagnosing the problem is the key to fixing it. Here are some causes to consider.

• Rural areas that rely on well water may have less pounds of water pressure than in suburban or city areas.

• Water softeners or fil-ters in homes can reduce water pressure.

• Multi-level homes could experience a drop in water pressure in upstairs bathrooms. That’s because, for every 2.31 feet of verti-cal climb in a water line, a homeowner will lose a pound of water pressure. Water that originates in the basement and must travel upstairs could decrease by 12 pounds of pressure by the time it arrives at a third-floor bathroom.

• Clogged pipes or fix-tures can reduce water pres-sure. Pipes that are also too small in diameter to meet the house water needs could also be to blame.

• Water restrictors in showerheads and other fix-tures can reduce water flow in an effort to conserve the natural resource.

Homeowners can insert a gauge at the main water supply of the house to determine the pressure of the water at the source. This will help determine if the

problem lies outside of the home or inside.

Some water pressure issues have easy fixes. Simply cleaning the screen on fau-cets or showerheads can remove debris and improve water flow. Purchasing fix-tures that do not addition-ally restrict water flow can also alleviate the problem.

Individuals who live in rural areas or at the end of city water systems may want to consider the addition of a water pressure tank that will provide extra water supply in high-demand situations.

While it won’t improve water pressure, it will allevi-ate water volume problems when in need. A booster pump installed on a system will actually increase water pressure by several pounds. Homeowners may have to contend with fluctuating water pressure, but it may be a small price to pay for extra water pressure.

Some homes have vari-ous valves installed in the plumbing system so that a leak or problem can be isolated and turned off. However, the wrong types

of valves can impede water pressure.

It can be well worth the

expense to have a profes-sional plumber to investi-gate home water pressure

issues and recommend solutions. It may be simpler than one thinks.


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Taking a shower isn’t the same if water pressure is poor. Photo and story pro-vided by Metro Creative Connection.

When cooler weather arrives, homeown-ers often face a troublesome condition. Condensation forms on windows and can be a nuisance or even cause damage to the surrounding trim. There are reasons why sweating windows occur. Knowing the causes is the key to fixing the situation.

When air gets warm it expands and is able to absorb water. When the air cools, eventually it gets to the point where the

water is released in the form of condensa-tion. As a result, when warm, moist air from inside the home comes in contact with cold windows, it releases the condensation on the windows. The opposite can occur in the warmer months, when outdoor air condenses on windows because of an air-conditioned interior.

Find a cure for sweaty windows

SEE WINDOWS, PAGE 11

The second piece was a patio and path off the front door. When we bought the house, any car door opened from the driveway forced the passenger to step into a f lower bed. We’ve always wanted this change. We also wanted a wide path that led from the front door to the sidewalk. For years, we’ve had to scoot sideways between the cars in the driveway and Spike, our prickly tree out front, or trod through the grass with the mail or groceries.

When we first moved into the house, we laid bricks out front to help with the issue, but it wasn’t quite the look we’d planned. We also laid a few out back, but not with the success we wanted. We learned from that experience and this t ime around my honey did his home-work.

The foundation was key.

The cre w f rom Enumclaw Landscape and Maintenance, bless their hearts, dug the

8-inch deep trench for both pieces.

We f i l led it with a level, 6-inch thick layer of gravel , 5/8-inch minus crushed base course to be specif ic, and another of 1 to 2 inches of concrete sand. Between the four of us, but mostly my son and husband, we shoveled 10 cubic yards of gravel and 3 cubic yards of sand.

There was no way to know we’d have picked one of the wettest springs in recent his-tory to carry out this project.

We provided hours of entertainment for the neighborhood as we worked in downpour after downpour late at night after work trying to make the landscap-er’s deadline.

Unlike our past ven-ture, this time we staked plastic edging into the ground to create bound-aries that would keep the pavers from shifting during installation.

Then we laid approxi-mately 550 square feet of pavers – 350 square feet for the walkway and 200 square feet for the patio. That’s a lot

of 6-inch by 9-inch and 6-inch by 6-inch, stones and a bottle of ibupro-fen.

Not as easy as it could have been, because we threw ourselves a curve. Literally, we wanted an S in the pathway and a l itt le character out front. Renting a dry diamond saw with a vacuum attachment was helpful. The vacuum attachment meant there was no need to dispose of a bunch of nasty slurry. The bags were easily dumped into the trash.

The part we always hated about our past project was the weeds growing in the sand between the cracks. What we discovered this time around was a polymer sand the pro-fessionals use. We rent-ed a plate compactor and shook it deep into the cracks. After it’s all settled, a little mist activates the sealant.

We finished it off with red, Mexican, beach rock in the back yard areas that are tradition-ally the most wet and the grass doesn’t like to grow.

Along the way we

also found a need for patience and a sense of humor. Honestly, there is something funny, at least now, about hauling a wheelbarrow loaded with gravel in a driving rain.

I’m sure there’s a dollar number I could muster up if I found all the receipts, but I stopped keeping track after a time. The self-satisfaction in finishing a project, and doing it well, and the time we spent together as a fam-ily working, grumbling, joking and creat ing together was priceless.

We enjoyed visit ing with our neighbors, and the nightly dog walkers, as they checked in on our progress.

I think it still needs a colorful Adirondack chair to give it that fin-ished look and give us a place to sit, relax and beam over our accom-plishment. Every time we haul the recycling to the curb or watch the dog prance proudly along his personal high-way it brings a smile.


There are many activi-ties that put moisture in the air, including breathing, showering and cooking. Removing excess moisture from the home can help reduce condensation and

window sweating.• Be sure that windowless

bathrooms have an exhaust vent that will vent air out-doors. Bathroom doors also should have enough of a gap on the bottom of the door to let air inside the bathroom.

• Gas appliances, like fire-places, should be properly vented.

• Opt for cooking meth-ods that do not produce steam.

• Lower the thermostat so the home is cooler, ideally between 62 and 68 degrees F.

• Check if the clothes dryer is properly vented outdoors.

• Consider running a

dehumidifier if moisture is a problem not easily rem-edied.

• Think about replace-ment windows. Insulated windows that feature dou-ble or triple panes will be more insulated, preventing the warm air in the home from meeting the cold air of outdoors.

WINDOWS FROM 10

PAVERS FROM 2

Out front, pavers created easy access from the sidewalk and driveway. Photo by Brenda Sexton/To view or buy photos go to www.courierherald.com.

According to a report from the United States Department of Labor, the average American consumer spends slightly more than 34 percent of their paycheck on hous-ing.

The average U.S. con-sumer makes $63,091 before taxes, with aver-age annual expenditures of $49,638. That trans-lates to nearly $17,000 per year spent on hous-ing. This includes utili-ties, fuels and public services (which combine for 7 percent of expen-ditures for housing), shelter (20.2 percent), household operations (2 percent), housekeeping supplies (1.3 percent), and household furnish-ings and equipment (3.6 percent).

What might come as most surprising, par-ticularly to homeowners,

is their annual expen-ditures on transporta-tion. Transportation expenditures account for more than half of what the average American spends on housing. Homeowners looking to save money and improve their home, therefore, should consider the pos-sibility of spending less on transportation, the costs of which include gasoline.

Interestingly enough, spendings on transpor-tation significantly out-weigh what’s spent on food. Again, however, homeowners hoping to save for their next big home improvement project might want to consider eating in more, as the average U.S. con-sumer spends nearly $2,700 per year on food purchased away from home.

How much do wespend on housing?

If a roof replacement is in your future, it’s a good idea to investigate the costs of the different roofing materials available to find one that fits your budget.

• Asphalt Shingles: Asphalt is the least expensive option available, which is perhaps why this type of roof covering is the most prevalent. The cost of asphalt shingles is typically $50 to $150 per square. Roofing is figured in terms of “squares,” which equals 100 square feet. Costs for materials alone will not include the labor to remove the old shingles, which can add $30 to $60 per square. Today’s asphalt shin-gles are more durable than in years past and come in a wide array of colors.

• Ceramic Tiles: Ceramic tiles are a unique option and certainly one you don’t see on every house, pri-marily because of the cost. Clay tiles can range from $275 to $500 per installed square.

• Metal Roofing: Metal roofing is an option in areas that see a lot of snowfall. The snow simply slides off of the metal roof. This material is very durable and can add curb appeal. Pricing is widely varied among companies and can start at $115 per square or up to $650 for extra coatings and more expensive metals.

• Slate Tiles: A special skill is required to install slate tiles, which makes them a coveted luxury but also one of the most costly roofing options. The intri-cate installation process can cost upwards of $1000 per square. Once installed, however, slate is very durable and can last 50 years or more.

Lot of roof options


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Call on these area businesses to help with your spring housework, inside and out!

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Documents

buckley branch

sumner branch

enumclaw branch

homeimprovement projects

home valuea supplement

bonney lake branch

dry walkway

yourselflaying pavers