Home Spring and Garden 2

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RIcORllStANDMARK
Mooresville Tribune

2 • March 29, 2015

~ Home&GarJen

Stat8svill8 • Moor8svill8

impression, not to mention reduce
your energy bills and increase
your home's value.
After a window replacement,
taking care of your new window is
just as important. Wash windows
every few months so they always
look as good as the day they were
installed.
Avoid scratching the surface of
the glass, or frame, by utilizing
non-abrasive agents. Water and a
soft cloth is usually all you need to
clean windows thoroughly, but a
mild cleaner may also be helpful.
Making your home the envy of the
neighborhood starts with boosting
its curb appeal. From general
maintenance to home upgrades,
here are three ideas to refresh your
home's look:

You shouldn't judge a
book by its cover,
but you can judge a
home by its exterior.

Update Windows
Replacing your windows with
beautifully designed products
will give your home a great first

Choose Sleek Siding
If you are looking to boost your
home's energy efficiency and
attain a new look for your exterior,
replacing your siding is a great
investment that can achieve both
of these goals. Just be sure you
get a superior product to avoid
maintenance down the line. For
example, vinyl siding is an ideal
product because of its low

maintenance and longevity. No
matter what color siding you opt
for, you can make your entire
home's exterior pop by choosing
a distinct trim color.

AGrand Entry
It is said that the front door is the
focal point of your home's curb
appeal. When creating your
entryway, customize a new front
door with smaller side window
panels or glass panels within the
door itself. Look for an exterior
remodeler that can custom design
and install entry doors to match
your exterior decor. If it's not time
for a door replacement, consider
adding a splash of color to your
exterior by painting or staining
your existing door.
To love your home, you must
give it some love. Making the
necessary home upgrades and
maintaining your home's exterior
is a surefire way to turn heads.

-StatePoint

BRAWLEY
GARDEN
CENTER
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Stat8svil18 • Moor8svil18

~ Home&GarJen

March 29. 2015 • 3

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704-872-3691

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Closed Sunday
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4 • March 29, 2015

~ Home&GarJen

Themany~
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PROFESSIONAL

LANDSCAPER

Stat8svill8 • Moor8svill8

The flowers are blooming, and the
grass has begun to grow anew,
making spring a great time for
homeowners to once again turn
their attention to landscaping.
Those who aren't looking forward
to dusting off their lawn mowers
and rethreading their string
trimmers may want to hire
professional landscapers to tend
to their lawns and gardens.
A recent joint study by the
National Gardening Association,
Residential Lawn and Landscape
Services and the Value of
Landscaping found that
homeowners spend roughly $45
billion per year on professional
lawn and landscape services,
as nearly 30 percent of all
households across the United
States use at least one type of
lawn or landscape service. The
rising use of lawn care services is
indicative of homeowners'
appreciation of the convenience
and craftsmanship professional

services can provide. While the
impact professional landscapers
can have on a property's
aesthetic appeal is considerable,
homeowners also benefit from
working with professional
landscapers in various other ways.

Time savings:
One of the biggest benefits of
leaving lawn care to the
professionals is the amount of
time it will save for the average
homeowner. Lawns generally
need to be mowed once per week
during the spring and summer
seasons and, depending on the
size of the property, that can take
an hour or more. Add the time it
takes to clean up clippings, mulch
landscaping beds and edge the
property, and homeowners can
expect to devote a significant
chunk of their weekends to caring
for their lawns. Lawn services
employ a few workers who make
fast work of the job, leaving
homeowners time to enjoy their

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weekends however they see fit.

Reduced risk for injury:
Maintaining a landscape is hard
work, and those unaccustomed to
this type of activity may find
themselves winded or at risk
of injury. Improper use of lawn
equipment also is a safety hazard.
Leaving the work to professionals
can help homecwners avoid
strained backs, lacerations, pulled
muscles, sunburns, and any other
dangers that can result when
tackling landscaping projects.

Financial savings:
On the surface, hiring a
landscaping service may seem
like a costly venture. However,
after crunching some numbers,
many homeowners realize that
doing the work themselves may
cost more in the long run than
hiring a professional landscaping
service. Homeowners who
decide to go it alone must
purchase expensive equipment,
and those lawn tools will require
routine maintenance, which costs
additional money. Inexperienced
homeowners may incur extra fees
to "fix" mistakes that occur during
the learning process. Each year,
new seed, fertilizer, mulch,
pesticides, and other supplies
also must be purchased. But
professional lawn care services
typically charge a set fee per
month, and that fee covers the
maintenance of both your
property and the equipment
needed to keep that property
looking great.

Know-how:
Many professional landscapers
know how to address lawn care
issues that may arise throughout
the year. They will know how to
deal with dry patches of lawn or
poorly draining areas, and they
also can make recommendations
on plants that will thrive under
certain conditions.

~ Home&GarJen

March 29. 2015 • 5

One-stop shopping:
Certain landscaping services
provide many different options for
prospective customers. Basic
lawn cuts may be one package,
but there also may be services for
seasonal seeding, weeding, leaf
clean-up, and winterizing.

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Consistent maintenance:
Homeowners who frequently
travel or spend much of their
summers away from home often
find that lawn care companies are
a wise investment. Established
weekly schedules ensure the
landscape always will look its best
whether homeowners are home
or out of town. Spring is a great
time for homeowners to decide
if hiring professional landscaping
services is in their best interests.
The time and money saved, as
well as impact professional
landscapers can have on a
property, makes landscaping
services a great investment for
many homeowners.

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6 • March 29, 2015

~ Home&GarJen

Statesville· Mooresville
Homeowners going it alone
may find things do not always
go as planned. In fact, a Harris
Interactive study found that 85
percent of homeowners say
remodeling is a more stressful
undertaking than buying a home.
But homeowners about to embark
on home improvement projects
can make the process go more
smoothly by avoiding these
common pitfalls.

Failing to Understand the
Scope ofthe Project
Home improvement
projects can turn a house
into a home.
Homeowners plan scores
of renovations to
transform living spaces
into rooms that reflect
their personal tastes and
comforts.

Some homeowners don't realize
just how big a commitment they
have made until they get their
hands dirty. But understanding
the scope of the project, including
how much demolition and
reconstruction is involved and how
much time a project will take can
help homeowners avoid some of
the stress that comes with
renovation projects. For example,
a bathroom renovation may
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~ Home&GarJen

reinforcement of flooring to
accommodate a new bathtub or
shower enclosure and the
installation of new plumbing and
wiring behind walls. So such a
renovation is far more detailed
than simply replacing faucets.

improvements can be expensive.
If your ultimate goal is to sell your
home, opt for renovations that will
look beautiful through the ages
and avoid bold choices that may
only appeal to a select few
buyers.

Not Establishing aBudget

Forgetting to Properly Vet all
Workers

Homeowners must develop a
project budget to ensure their
projects do not drain their
finances. If your budget is so
inflexible that you can't afford the
materials you prefer, you may
want to postpone the project and
save more money so you can
eventually afford to do it right.
Without a budget in place, it is
easy to overspend, and that can
put you in financial peril down the
line. Worrying about coming up
with money to pay for materials
and labor also can induce stress.
Avoid the anxiety by setting a firm
budget.

Making Trendy or
Overpersonallmprovements
Homeowners who plan to stay in
their homes for the long run have
more free reign when it comes
to renovating their homes. Such
homeowners can create a billiards
room or paint a room hot pink if
they so prefer. However, if the goal
is to make improvements in order
to sell a property, overly personal
touches may make a property
less appealing to prospective
buyers. Trends come and go, and

March 29, 2015 ·7

professional may save you money.
Home improvements can be
stressful, but homeowners can
lessen that stress by avoiding
common renovation mistakes.

-Metro Creative Connection

It is important to vet your
contractor, but don't forget to vet
potential subcontractors as well.
Failing to do so can prove a costly
mistake. Contractors often look to
subcontractors to perform certain
parts of a job, and it is the
responsibility of homeowners to
vet these workers.
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Optimism is great, but you also
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you in a better position to handle
any problems should they arise.
The project might go off without a
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Overestimating DIY Abilities
Overzealous homeowners may
see a renovation project in a
magazine or on television and
immediately think they can do the
work themselves. Unless you have
the tools and the skills necessary
to do the work, tackling too much
can be problematic. In the long
run, leaving the work to a

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8 • March 28, 2015

~ Home&GarJen

Statesville· Mooresville

the transplanted roots time to
develop. In addition, transplanting
the day after you have watered
the soil around the tree reduces
the stress on the tree's roots,
making it easier to keep the root
ball intact.

Protect the Root Ball

No Small Task!
An alluring landscape can make a
home that much more enjoyable.
Many homeowners devote
considerable time to their lawns
and gardens, and that devotion
can pay both instant and
long-term dividends. A
well-groomed landscape can
make it more enjoyable to relax in
the yard, and such a property will
be more attractive to prospective
buyers when homeowners want
to sell their homes.
But even the most well-designed
landscapes sometimes need
some rearranging, and those
changes may involve transplanting
trees. Homeowners may
transplant trees for various
reasons. Some homeowners
might be moving to a new home
and want to take a favorite tree
along with them, while some
trees simply outgrow their existing
space and need to be moved
elsewhere on the property.
Regardless of why trees need to
be transplanted, homeowners
can take several steps to ensure
the process goes as smoothly as
possible.

Determine Why the Tree
Needs to be Moved
Some trees that are not
thriving in their existing location
may not benefit from a
transplant. For example, a tree
with a pest infestation might need
to be replaced rather than
transplanted. Determining the
reason behind a transplant can

save you the trouble of
transplanting that won't benefit
from the move. If a tree is
not getting adequate sunlight
in its present location, then
transplanting it to a different
location on your property with
more exposure to sunlight might
reinvigorate the tree. If soil is the
problem, than transplanting the
tree might prove ineffective unless
you also test the soil where you
plan to move the tree and adjust
it so the tree can thrive.

When transplanting a tree, make
sure the root ball does not dry
out. If it does, the tree likely won't
thrive in its new location and all
your hard work will have been for
naught. Cover the root ball with
damp burlap or canvas so it can
retain more of the moisture it will
need to adapt to its new location.

Plant the Tree Sooner Rather
than Later
While you can store a transplanted
tree before you plant it elsewhere

on your property, storing it for a
long period of time increases the
chances that the transplant will be
unsuccessful. Ideally, you want to
plant the tree in its new location
as soon as possible. If you must
store it, make sure you don't
suffocate the root ball, as roots
must be kept damp or they will
die and potentially cost you the
tree.
-Metro Creative Connection

"Transplanting a tree
can add appeal to
a property and help
reinvigorate an
unhealthy tree.
H

Prune the Tree Roots
Tiny roots that extend beyond the
tree absorb water and nutrients,
and such roots need to be pruned
before transplanting a tree.
Landscaping professionals note
that root pruning stimulates the
growth of new small roots nearer
to the tree's trunk, and these
newer roots will be dug up when
the time comes to transplant the
tree. Root pruning must be done
well in advance of transplanting
the tree. For example, if you hope
to transplant the tree in the fall,
then do your root pruning in the
spring before new buds appear
on the tree. Speak with your
landscaper or a nearby garden
center to determine the best way
to prune your tree's roots.

Time Your Transplant
Correctly
Avoid transplanting trees when
temperatures are colder and the
ground is frozen. Transplanting
before or after a thaw allows

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Stat8svil18 • Moor8svil18

~ Home&GarJen

March 29. 2015 • 9

ID • March 29. 2015

~ Home&GarJen

TREAT THOSE

WARM WEA'BER
repellent because the flowers
produce a scent that many insects
Homeowners also must decide if it find repulsive. Thai lemon grass
is bearable living with the insects.
plants also can be used to keep
If insects are not doing any
mosquitoes at bay.
damage or if they can be
Remember, natural predators,
controlled relatively easily, then
such as birds, bats, spiders, and
you might be able to avoid calling
larger insects, feed on nuisance
in the professionals. However, if
bugs. Keeping these helpful
critters like termites and certain
species of wood-eating insects are predators around may be an
The Entomological Society of
effective and natural way for
invasive and damaging your yard,
America points out that
homeowners to control annoying
you may need to take action.
homeowners cannot count on
pests.
bitterly cold winters to help control Anyone concerned with the side
the numbers of insects in their
effects of pesticides and
yards. Insect ecology is affected
insecticides can first try to remedy
by various factors and is not solely the problem naturally. Sometimes
dependent on temperature.
it's just a matter of making a yard
Furthermore, what occurred
less hospitable to insects. Remove
one year certainly may not be
leaves and clean up debris close
repeated the next, as homeowners to the house, as these can both
who have had various insect
encourage infestations. Piles of
infestations in their yards can
rotting wood or leftover firewood
attest. One year a yard may be
can be a food or shelter source for
overcome with ants, while the
a number of insects. Inspect water
next year it may suffer through an
spigots for leaks and improve
earwig infestation.
suspect drainage on your property,
as
these things can be welcoming
The first step homeowners looking
to
bugs
that like moist
to curtail insects in their yards can
surroundings.
Remove standing
take is to determine if the insects
water
whenever
possible to
they see are genuine threats to
eliminate
spots
for
mosquitoes to
their lawns. Some bugs emerge
incubate
larvae.
and swarm early in the season,
but then gradually disappear as
Natural remedies also may do
spring turns into summer. Other
the trick. Mint, bay leaves, catnip,
insects may come out of hiding if a and garlic can repel insects like
homeowner is doing a lot of yard
roaches and ants. Citrus can be a
work or construction around a
natural flea deterrent. Some
house. Practice a wait-and-see
homeowners have had success
approach to determine if you really planting marigolds around their
have an insect problem or just
yards to serve as a natural bug
Homeowners know that the arrival
of spring also marks the
re-emergence of insects. While
not every insect is harmful, if an
infestation grows considerably or
if insects begin to move from the
outdoors into a home, it may be
time for homeowners to call in a
professional.

have stirred up activity.

Stat8svill8 • Moor8svill8
If an insect problem seems
out of control or if you need a
professional opinion about the
damage being done to your home
or landscape, consult with an
exterminator. Licensed
exterminators have the training
and expertise to assess insect
concerns and create a plan of
action that will minimize the risk
to inhabitants of your home and
nearby wildlife. An exterminator
will know what it takes to treat
insects and maximize the chances
of removing the problem promptly
and effectively.
Warm weather is synonymous with
many things, including the return
of insects. Homeowners may be
able to treat unruly bugs on their
own, but especially problematic
infestations may require the help
of experienced exterminators.

-Metro Creative Connection

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Stat8svil18 • Moor8svil18

~ Home&GarJen

Neem oil is a naturally occurring pesticide that can be used to combat
a host of landscaping pests and diseases. Azadirachtin is an active
component in neem oil that can be extracted to repel and kill pests.
Studies have shown that neem oil is nearly nontoxic to bees, birds,
fish, and wildlife. In addition, neem oil has no link to cancer or other
diseases, making it a safe insecticide when applied correctly. When
consumed by insects, including grubs, insecticides made from neem oil
can make those insects cease feeding or reduce their feeding, helping
to prevent the spread of lawn problems associated with certain insect
infestations. In addition, neem oil can hinder the maturation process of
larvae by interfering with insect hormone systems, which can prevent
them from breeding. As is the case when applying any pesticides,
parents should be mindful of their children after applying neem oil.
Though studies have not found children are mere sensitive to neem oil
than adults, parents may want to err on the side of caution and
prevent their children from playing in areas of the yard where neem oil
was recently applied.

March 29. 2015 • II

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Mon-Sat,lOam-6pm

~ Home&GarJen

12 • March 29, 2015

fertilizer you will need depending
on where you live. Many fertilizers
contain extra phosphorous to
stimulate root growth in the lawn.
• Moisten the prepared area and
let the soil settle. You want the
soil damp but not so wet that it
causes the newly applied fertilizer
to run off.

Restoring lawns and gardens
back to their pre-winter glory is
high on many a homecwner's
landscaping to-do list. In much
of the country, the best times to
tackle lawn projects are when
temperatures are moderate, like
in spring and fall. These seasons
also mark the best time to seed
and fertilize.
Planting and fertilizing new grass
seed should be done when frost
is no longer a concern and before
frost arrives if you are planting
in autumn. According to Roger
Cook, a landscape contractor
and contributor to This Old House
magazine, sowing lawn seed
should be done when the soil is
warm, the daytime temperatures
are moderate and you can keep
the new seeds quite moist at all
times.
While grass seed can be applied

in the summer, it is more
challenging to get the seeds
to take root and thrive at this
time, as water is more likely to
evaporate under the hot sun.
Also, many weeds germinate in
the heat of summer. As a result,
the weeds can infiltrate areas of
the lawn where you planted,
compromising the look of your
lawn.
The process of reseeding and
fertilizing your lawn is relatively
similar if you decide to do so in
late spring or early fall.
• Rake the parts of the lawn you
plan to seed and remove any
debris or rocks.
• Apply fertilizer to the cleared
planting area. Use a rake or tiller
to break up the soil and distribute
the fertilizer to a depth of roughly
two to four inches. Speak with a
landscaper about which type of

• Begin to sow the grass seed
according to the rate indicated on
the seed bag for the type of grass
you will be growing. Choose a
grass seed that will thrive in your
climate. Certain seeds are more
tolerant of drought and sunlight,
while other species are better for
shady areas or damper climates.
Again, if you have any questions,
consult with a lawn and garden
center.
• Spread the seed with a
broadcast spreader. Some lawn
experts recommend spreading
the seed in parallel rows and then
repeating the process again in
rows set at a right angle to the
first series of rows for the best
chances of seed coverage. The
seeds then can be raked into the
soil, covered with a little more soil
and patted down.
• Water to keep the seeds damp.
This may require watering twice
or more per day until the seeds
begin to germinate. Covering
the seeds with about 1/4 inch
of straw also can help keep the
seeds moist, deter seed

Stat8svill8 • Moor8svill8
scavengers and prevent soil
erosion. Remove the straw once
the grass begins to grow.
• Roughly four weeks after the
seeds have started to grow,
apply another round of fertilizer to
replenish the top layer of soil with
nutrients that may have washed
away from the constant watering.
Homeowners can employ a similar
process to overseed a lawn in
the hopes of producing a thicker,
more attractive landscape. Any
thatch and debris should be
raked away, and the top layer of
the lawn surface can be gently
aerated. Top dress the lawn with
a very thin layer of new soil and
compost.
Broadcast the seed over the
prepared lawn and lightly rake the
new seeds to help them settle into
the soil. Apply fertilizer and water
the lawn frequently to keep the
new seeds moist.
Once the seed has established
itself, you can water the lawn for
longer periods and less frequently
to help develop strong roots. Wait
for the lawn to reach a height of
three to four inches before the first
cut of the season.
Many homeowners like to take
on the challenge of seeding and
preparing their lawns. But some
may find the task is best left to the
professionals.
-Metro Creative Connection

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~ Home&GarJen

Statesville· Mooresville

March 29. 2015 • 13

attention that native plants do not
need.

5.

Sustainability is a concept that
can be applied to many facets of
life, and gardening is no
exception. Sustainable gardening
involves preserving and protecting
resources, which can benefit us
both in the present and in the
future. Sustainability is especially
applicable to gardening, and the
following are a handful of ways
green thumbers can embrace
sustainability in their gardens.

1.

Choose to water more
effectively. Oscillating sprinklers
may harken today's gardeners
back to the carefree days of their
childhoods when they would run
through the sprinklers in their
parents' yards. But such
sprinklers can lose substantial
amounts of water to evaporation.
When designing an irrigation plan
for your lawn and garden, use
drip irrigation or soaker hoses to
conserve water. If you must use
sprinklers, make sure they are not
shooting water too high, as wind
can blow the water away from
the yard where it belongs, and be
sure to position them so no water
is landing on sidewalks, the
driveway or the street.

2.

Add mulch to flower and plant
beds. Many a gardener has gone
to bed with a beautiful garden only
to return in the ensuing days and
see flower and plant beds littered

with weeds. Mulch is perhaps
best known for helping flower and
plant beds retain moisture, but
mulch also prevents the growth of
weeds. Preventing weed growth
means your water is going to the
plants and flowers you intended
it for and not to greedy and
unsightly weeds. Preventing weed
growth also reduces your use of
potentially harmful pesticides to
curtail the growth of weeds.

Plant with a plan. When
planting trees around your
property, plant them in locations
that can reduce your reliance on
air conditioning in the warmer
months. Plant a tree in a place
where it will help to shade
common areas inside your home
so such rooms are comfortable
without the air conditioner
cranking all day long. You can go
one step further, and plant
deciduous trees that will shed their
leaves when the weather gets
cold, ensuring that sunlight you
want to keep out in the summer
can get in and warm up the house
in the winter, reducing the amount
of energy needed to heat your
home.
-Metro Creative Connection



'<:~
'~--

..........................

3.

Develop a compost pile.
Compost is made up of decayed
organic material, and it can be
used as a fertilizer. Gardeners can
make their own compost piles at
home, providing valuable
minerals and nutrients for their
lawns, withOLrt having to rely on
store-bought amendments that
need to be produced, packaged
and transported before they can
make it onto the shelves in your
local lawn and garden center.

EST. 1967

Custom Upholstery

4.

Choose native plants. A
garden filled with exotic plants
and flowers may be stunning, but
unless those plants are native
to where you live, that beauty is
coming at a steep price. When
choosing plants for your garden,
choose native plants that are fully
capable of thriving in your local
climate. Non-native plants are
likely to need excessive watering
and other less sustainable

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14 • March 29, 2015

may be less costly than turning on
air conditioners. Also, set ceiling
fans to rotate counter-clockwise.
This will pull cooler air up from the
floor and create a wind-chill effect.

COOLING

YOUR BOME

WITHOUT BREAKING
THE BANK!
Mother Nature is consistently
inconsistent these days, when
30-degree Mondays might be
followed by 50-degree Tuesdays.
Fickle weather is often
accompanied by large fluctuations
in temperature, strong storms
and unseasonable conditions,
making it difficult for homeowners
to maintain comfort levels in their
homes.

coolness. Shades and curtains
can save you up to 7 percent on
your bills and lower indoor
temperatures by up to 20
degrees. Homeowners also may
want to think about installing a
retractable awning on areas of the
house that get a lot of sun.
Planting shade trees is another
way to naturally cool down hot
sides of the house.

As a result of fluctuating
temperatures, home heating and
cooling systems have been
heavily taxed. Growing reliance on
HVAC systems has also driven up
energy bills, as moderate weather
synonymous with spring has given
way to more days of extreme
heat or extreme cold. As summer
approaches once again, reducing
cooling costs is a priority for many
homeowners. The following are
a few ways to cool your home's
interior without causing a spike in
your energy bill.

Draw More Air into the Attic.

Reduce Sun Exposure.
Much of the hot air inside of a
home can be attributed to sunlight
exposure throughout the day.
Walls and windows on the south
and west sides of a home will
bear the brunt of the sun's rays,
so close shades and drapes on
this side of the house to maximize

Hot air rises, and in the
summertime hot air can get
trapped beneath the roof in
the attic and eaves of a home.
While an attic should have vents,
homeowners can speed up the
exchange of hot air with a simple
trick. Open up a window on a
shady side of the home, and then
open the attic door or take out the
access panel and place a box fan
inside to blow air up into the attic.
This will disperse the hot air and
help force it out through the vents.

Switch to LED or CFL Bulbs.
Ninety percent of the energy used
for incandescent bulbs is emitted
as heat. This not only wastes
electricity but also can make
conditions hotter inside a home.
Switch to cooler, more efficient
light bulbs.

Reduce Humidity Levels.
Humidity makes hot
temperatures feel even hotter.
Clean laundry, take showers and
run the dishwasher at night or
early in the morning before the
day heats up. Don't forget to vent
bathrooms and kitchens by
turning on exhaust fans when
water is in use.

Rely on aProgrammable
Thermostat.

Stat8svill8 • Moor8svill8
Setting a thermostat to adjust
the air conditioning system
automatically means homeowners
can keep the temperature raised
when they're not home and then
have it lowered shortly before they
arrive home. The thermostat also
can adjust temperatures for day
and night use.

Keep Doors Closed.
Do not cool rooms that are
unused. Maximize the cool air in
lived-in spaces by blocking off
rooms that do not need to be
cooler.

Invest in More Insulation.
Insulation does not just keep
homes warmer in the cold
weather. Insulation also prevents
hot air from infiltrating living
spaces while keeping cooler air
where it's needed. Sealant around
windows and doors also will
prevent unnecessary air
exchange.

-Metro Creative Connection

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Use Fans Productively.
Using box fans to suck cool night
air in from east - and
north-facing windows and to
push out hot air from west-and
south-facing windows is another
way to increase circulation
through a home. Running fans

'. I

I

I

I.

~ Home&GarJen

Stat8svil18 • Moor8svil18

March 29. 2015 • 15

days or less. Stamped concrete
can be poured or pumped into
place while pavers have to be
individually placed. Because of
this, installing pavers is a lengthier
process, and installation can
average 10 to 12 days.

Stamped Concrete vs. Pavers

W~Iy~~~c~?

Maintenance
Every aspect of your home is an
investment, including exterior
features. Driveways, patios, and
walkways should all work together
to enhance the overall style and
appearance of your home. With
that being said, there are many
factors you have to consider when
choosing the best material for your
exterior surroundings. You want
your patio, for example, to be
maintenance friendly and weather
resistant, but you also want it to
look beautiful as well. Trying to
decide which material is best can
be a challenge, but we are here to
help you out l
Below, we have laid out how
stamped concrete and pavers
stack up against one another in
terms of style, longevity, speed of
installation, maintenance, safety,
and cost.

Style
IBoth pavers and stamped
concrete come in a wide variety
of styles. However, the options
for a stamped concrete patio are
unlimited I There are countless
color combinations and hundreds
of patterns available that can be
suited to fit your wants and needs.
For example, stamped concrete
can mimic brick, stone, flagstone,
or travertine. A stamped concrete
patio can even be made to look
like a patio made with pavers.
Furthermore, stamped concrete
allows for customizations such as
imprinting logos.
On the other hand, your options
are more limited with pavers. You
also run the risk of unwanted

variation in color in the product. If
you are looking for a unique and
extraordinary style, stamped
concrete is your best bet.

Longevity
Stamped concrete can last for
decades when properly installed
and maintained. It is usually sealed
to protect it from elements such as
pool chemicals and harsh winter
weather. Although concrete has
the possibility of cracking,
adding steel reinforcement or wire
will enhance the strength and help
to control cracking.
Pavers can also last for a long
time. Because they are small
and individually placed, you do
not have to worry about cracks.
However, there's a possibility that
they will settle and move over time
if not installed correctly.

Speed of Installation
While neither stamped concrete
nor pavers have an extremely
quick installation, a stamped
concrete driveway or patio can
usually be completed in about five

COMFORTABLE
JUST GOT
AFFORDABLE.

Stamped concrete and pavers
require some degree of
maintenance. Both paving
materials will require the removal
of dirt or stains when necessary
by scrubbing or power washing.
Stamped concrete should be
resealed every few years or so to
protect the surface from stains
and to maintain its color vibrancy.
Pavers will require the removal of
weeds and moss that grow in the
joints. You will need to refill the
joints with sand as needed.
Unfortunately, you will also need
to be conscious of the possibility
of ants building their homes in the
sand.

Cost
There is a lot to take into
consideration when
determining the cost of stamped
concrete versus the cost of
pavers. In most cases, it really
depends on the complexity of the
job. However, in general, the
overall process involved with
pavers is typically more expensive.
More elaborate stamped concrete
installations will cost more, but
concrete is the less expensive
option when you take into account
material and labor cost.
Stamping concrete may take more
skilled expertise, but laying
pavers can take approximately
twice as long as pouring and
stamping the same concrete
surface, which therefore incurs
more labor cost. With concrete,
you can achieve the same look as
pavers at less expense.

-Designcast

While neither stamped concrete
nor pavers carry any significant
safety risks, you should always
be aware of potential accidents.
Stamped concrete can become
slippery when it gets wet.

*

However, you can apply an
anti-skid agent to prevent any
possible accidents. On the
contrary, pavers provide a
non-skid surface (unless sealed)
but can, however, cause tripping
hazards.

Feel better inside
ith a Trane.
~

K.

""""'1--

The air in your home. It's your environment.
You live in it. You breathe it. OnlyTrane
systems heat, cool and even clean the air
10 your home o~og techorjogy that's as
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.-

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CALL US TODAY!

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~

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•• •

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•• •

~ Home&GarJen

16 • March 29. 2015

Stat8svill8 • Moor8svill8

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Four

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OF LAKE NORMAN

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