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Estate Houses in the "Spotlight"
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When we think of energy-efficient "green" buildings, new structures usually come to mind.
When considering carbon emissions in the U.S., 43 percent come from powering buildings and our 100 million existing homes. Those built before 1939 use 50 percent more energy per square foot than homes built after 2000.
But a huge amount of energy and resources went into building older homes. It would take about 65 years for the reduced carbon emissions from one new energy efficient home to make up for the resources lost by demolishing an old one and rebuilding. So an already built home, in one sense, is already green.
The oldest homes, however, are the least energy-efficient. Many have developed tiny cracks and gaps that expand over time and let in more outside air.
The stimulus package includes some $8 billion in weatherization programs for low-income households, but that covers only a small part of the country's homes. Analysts at the National Resources Defense Council say energy efficiency projects, such as installing insulation or new windows, could create hundreds of thousands of new jobs if there were a nationwide effort to improve homes and buildings.
Tax credits for these projects can be helpful. The Preservation Green Lab, a think tank based in Seattle, is working with members of Congress to pass energy-efficiency legislation that would increase rebates and subsidies to cover as much as half the cost.
In the meantime, anyone can make progress toward greening a home. All it takes is a caulking gun and a little effort to plug leaks around walls, doors and windows.
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Tired of that drab wood paneling in your den? Yes, you can paint it!
Begin at the home improvement store by buying the best paint you can afford. It will go on easier, cover the surface better and last longer. Skip the oil-based paint and buy acrylic or latex in a satin or eggshell finish.
For paneling, don't try to fill the grooves between panels. They will show up anyway. Do wash the walls down with deglosser. You might have to wash it twice in rooms where people have been smoking.
To paint over laminate or very shiny surfaces, rough up the surface with sand paper, then apply a primer designed for slippery surfaces.
When painting over any dark-colored wall, first use a primer that is approximately the color you will use next. Let the primer dry overnight before applying the paint.
If you don't use a primer designed to cover dark colors, the dark color could distort the color of your finishing paint. For a very dark wall, it could take two or three coats of paint.
You can even paint over wallpaper. But because painted-over wallpaper is even more difficult to remove, it is best to remove the old wallpaper first.
If you chose to paint over it anyway, remove the paper in any spots where it is loose, Sand the edges to make them smooth, then apply a coat of primer. In case you wondered, you absolutely cannot paint your kitchen stove. Paint is flammable and it could cause a fire. You can buy appliance paint and paint your refrigerator or dishwasher. Use deglosser first to remove any trace of grease or appliance polish.
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Whether you're selling your home or condo or just making it more comfortable, there are things you can do to make it feel larger and more spacious.
Consider these suggestions:
- Paint all of the walls in a light color. You don't have to be bored with beige, though it blends with everything. You could choose a soft gray, light green or even light blue if it fits into the color scheme of your furnishings. Paint large pieces and bookcases the same color. Use white for the ceiling, which creates the illusion of height.
- Remove the doors that separate the kitchen from the living room or dining room. It creates a more open effect and frees up more wall space.
- Flood your home with light. Dark corners are less likely to be used. That means less usable square footage. Try to use three or more different light fixtures or lamps in a room. Dimmer switches are easy to install. They can lower the intensity when you want ambience.
- Use see-through furniture such as glass coffee tables, dining room tables, and even side chairs. Let more of the floor show for a more spacious feel. If you are buying a sofa, consider one that doesn't go all the way down to the floor.
- Undrape the windows, say decorators quoted in Money magazine. Use simple translucent curtains that take space and let in the light.
- Cull your furniture. Home stagers remove everything that isn't necessary. It makes more space in a room.
- Declutter. Remove all the extra stuff from side tables and stacks of old CD's and records and from the floor. You'll have more space for yourself.
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New and old advice from the University of California, Davis:
- Don't rinse chicken in the kitchen sink, recommends the USDA. A chicken may have salmonella or other harmful bacteria on it. The bacteria could remain in the sink or splash onto other food or the counter and utensils.
- Use a paper towel to wipe up food and juice spills, then throw the paper towel away. This avoids contact with a bacteria-infected sponge or dishcloth. The bacteria will feed on the food or drink, making the sponge dangerous.
- Cold water is OK for washing hands. There is no evidence that hot water works better.
- Microwave your kitchen sponge for one minute on high to sterilize it..
New studies show that light exercise, as little as 10 minutes a day, can do more to boost energy levels than resting on the sofa.
Researchers at the University of Georgia found that regular, low-intensity workouts, such as a leisurely stroll increased participants energy levels by 20 percent.
Reported by Tufts University, the light workouts fought fatigue even more, with 65 percent of participants reporting decreased fatigue.
Study subjects were sedentary but otherwise healthy people who reported persistent feelings of fatigue. The researchers say about 25 percent of the population suffers such fatigue.
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"Live long and prosper." That was the Vulcan's farewell words on Star Trek. But you don't need pointy ears to take advantage of that advice.
What you do need is sleep. If you don't get enough, you will tend to have higher blood pressure. High BP can lead to heart problems and your overall health could decline. Doctors at the University of Chicago even found that the flu shot worked better for people who get enough sleep.
- Want to look good? Encourage your growth hormone by getting enough sleep. That's the number one way to do it. Growth hormone brings better-looking skin and more muscle mass.
- Reduce stress to increase good feelings. Half of adults surveyed by the National Sleep Foundation said they have insomnia a few nights a week. Do what you can to solve this problem. It can make you feel stressed, depressed, forgetful and less able to concentrate.
- Have a healthier weight. Michael Beus, author of Good Night: The Sleep Doctor's 4-Week Program to Better Sleep and Better Health, says sleep loss leads to a lower level of leptin, the hormone that makes you feel full, and increases ghrelin, the hormone that make you feel hungry
Not everyone needs a full eight hours of sleep, but some people need a little more. A Washington State University study suggests the need may be determined by genetics.
Get what you need to feel bright and properly rested each day.
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The bathroom is the most-used room in the house. With high traffic and high moisture, the floor begins to show its age after ten or 15 years.
One good thing about replacing it is that the room is small. That means you can choose high-quality materials and not have a huge amount of money or a great deal of time invested.
Here's some advice from Lowe's, the home improvement store:
Tile comes in ceramic, porcelain, stone, and mosaic. Any these choices will give you a great range of possibilities for color, style, and pattern.
Ceramic comes in many colors and shapes that make it easy to create patterns and features, such as a border or center medallion.
Porcelain is a denser tile and offers superior resistance to mold and stains. Stone-look porcelain looks very much like real stone.
Natural Stone is available in marble, granite, limestone and slate. It's more expensive but has an outstanding appearance and comes in many colors.
When considering tile, leaf through design books and home magazines. Your personal preferences will narrow your choices.
You might decide to take the project a step farther with a new tub surround or elegant tile wainscote.
If you have the time and skill, you could install the new floor yourself. First remove the old floor down to the subflooring. Then screw down sheets of cement-fiber tilebacker to create a solid underlayment.
Lay out tiles along the room's center lines, and cut the tiles to fit up to the walls. Then spread adhesive with a notched trowel and press the tile into place. The next day, mix grout and spread it into the gaps.
Too much work and worry? Professional installation costs more but could produce a more perfect job.
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Oh, oh, there's a mud tube climbing up the foundation of your house. It's time for action: you've got termites.
If this were your house, you could be in for a big expense. You have to get rid of the wood-chomping pests and then repair the damage they did. It will be much worse if they have been at work for some time.
It can happen in cold climates as well as in warmer places. Termites are fairly common in Chicago, for example, and they've been found as far north as Alaska. Ice and snow slow them down but don't get rid of them.
As with any problem that causes deterioration of a building, early detection prevents extensive damage.
Get a termite inspection. It will cost about $125, depending on where you live, and it will take a half hour to 45 minutes for the inspector to complete his work. It may include inspection of the basement, foundation, woodwork and the attic. The inspector will also check for ants, bugs and fungus.
The peace of mind a "no termites" verdict brings is worth the price. If infestation is found, damage can be brought to a halt and the problem eliminated within days.
Common conditions that encourage termite infestation include earth-to-wood contact at support posts, cellulose debris and boards left in the crawlspace, improper drainage away from the structure, and inadequate ventilation in the crawlspace. Wood mulch should not touch the foundation or be too close to it. The same is true for stacked firewood.
Old tree stumps near the building should be removed, along with roots.
Correcting these conditions can reduce the likelihood of a termite problem, according to Ohio State University entomologists.
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We thought you might like to see an article from St. Louis Magazine that was sent to us about one of the architects that worked with Burton Duenke on the design of Tan-Tar-A.
Click here to open the link.
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If your mailbox is filling with catalogs for items you never buy, there is something you can do about it.
The Mail Preference Service of the Direct Marketing Association can help. Visit dmaconsumers.org/cgi/offmailing. The service costs $1 for either online or mail-in registration and is good for five years.
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Put ICE on your cellphone and let others know about it. ICE is an acronym for "In Case of Emergency." If you are incapacitated, emergency personnel should be able to check your cellphone and find the phone number of the person to contact in case of emergency.
Your emergency contact should be able to give your full name, address, and birth date. Be sure your contact can provide the name of your physician, your blood type, and relevant medical history.
In an emergency, your ICE contact could save your life.
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