R&A Magazine: Ask the Experts

An extended warranty protects your investment for the long run. It’s a small price to pay for your peace of mind. It covers parts and labor for any repairs that you could face as your equipment ages. Major parts are typically covered under the manufacturer’s limited warranty, which is packaged with your equipment, but the labor for replacement is not. This is where an extended warranty can more than pay for itself—in fact, it can save you a bundle of money.

Parts can be cheap in relation to the actual time it takes a skilled technician to make the repair. And as you know, these rates will only increase as time marches on, so think long and hard before you pass up the opportunity to purchase an extended warranty.

Please note that routine maintenance is required as a part of any extended warranty program for your heating/ cooling system. Repairs that are required due to lack of routine maintenance are not covered and will be rejected by the manufacturer. If you decide to invest in an extended warranty, don’t stop short by neglecting the required maintenance to keep the program intact. Check out our Haller Preferred Customer Programs (PCPs) which allows you to select a maintenance agreement that fits your needs.

For more information about extended warranty coverage for your home heating/ cooling equipment, please call the Haller Service Department or contact us via email at svcreq@hallerent.com.

Before you start shopping for your new kitchen, or even consult a design professional, it’s wise to take a look at the functionality needs of your kitchen. A lot has probably changed in your lives now that the kids are gone, and that also changes the function of your kitchen. Below are some questions that can assist you in determining the way you use—or plan to use—your new kitchen.

Family and Lifestyle
• Number of family members.
• Where will your family eat after you remodel your kitchen?
• Do you require a kitchen table or would you be willing to explore other options if a design could be improved?
• What activities other than food preparation will take place in your new
kitchen? Some activities usually include laundry, homework, watching TV, paying bills, sewing, and computer center.
• After you remodel, will you entertain frequently? And if yes, what is your style of entertainment (formal or informal)? Do you have large or small gatherings? Do your guests help in the kitchen when you entertain?

Cooking Style
• How many cooks in the family?
• Is the cook left handed or right handed?
• How tall is the cook?
• What is your cooking style—gourmet, family-style, quick-n-simple, baking, bringing meals home?
• Are there any physical limitations?
• Is there a secondary cook? And if yes, is this cook left handed or right handed?

Design and Style
• What are your color preferences for your new kitchen?
• What is your ceiling height?
• Do you want cabinetry to go to the ceiling?
• Do you want to vary the heights of your cabinetry?
• Have you created a scrapbook of notes, photos, and ideas that you would like to use in your new kitchen?
• If a design could be greatly improved, would you be willing to make structural changes (i.e. moving windows, doors, and walls)?
• What do you like about your current kitchen?
• What do you dislike about your current kitchen?
• What interiors to your cabinetry would you like to incorporate—single or double pull-out trash, utensil divider (wood or plastic), wine cradles, knife block, roll-out shelves, racks on the doors, stem-wear holders, file drawers, pull-up mixer shelf, spice drawer, pull-out spice rack, small appliance storage, other?
• Will you be keeping your existing appliances?
• Do you want any open display or glass door areas?

Timing and Budget
• When would you like to begin your project?
• When would you like your project completed?
• Do you have a budget for this project? If yes, what is it?

By taking the time to answer these questions before you meet with a kitchen designer, you are well on your way to discovering your new kitchen.

Colonial Craft Kitchens of Annville, Pennsylvania, gives careful consideration to the unique needs and tastes of our clients. By truly listening, we sow the seeds of personalization, creating innovative environments with a real sense of home. Since 1983 Colonial Craft Kitchens has brought open ears, skilled hands, and inventive designs to distinguished homes. To discover the possibilities of your hand-crafted kitchen, visit us at ColonialCraftKitchens. com, call (717) 867-1145, or visit our newly remodeled showroom at 344 W. Main Street, Annville.

Standard shower door glass can require a lot of effort to keep clean. Staying on top of soap residue and mineral deposits that can build up is a daily chore. These spots, residues, mineral deposits and eventually cleaning agents cause a corrosive chemical reaction to standard glass that makes it “impossible” to keep clean. Over time this corrosion will make your shower door glass appear dirty, even when cleaned.Fortunately, we have two options to help in this matter. If you have an existing shower, you can use one of the many products on the market to “seal” the glass. This type of product requires a repetitive maintenance on the glass. What these products do is use a polymer to “seal” the glass. Glass is porous like marble or granite. After mineral, soap residue and cleaners have had time to penetrate the glass, they roughen the surface of the glass microscopically. This gives places for things to cling onto. These products are good, but will wear off and need to be reapplied about every six months.

If you are currently building or will be in the future, there is another product new to the market that is part of the glass. It is called ShowerGuard™.

ShowerGuard™ is the newest in glass innovation from Guardian Industries Corp. It is the first and only permanently protected shower glass from corrosion before it starts. The surface is permanently sealed during the manufacturing process. ShowerGuard™ glass resists corrosion and discoloration caused by continual exposure to hard water, soap residue mineral deposits and cleaning agents. These contaminants cause a chemical reaction that leaves standard glass rough and pitted so that it becomes easily clouded with residue, stain and scale build up.

Designed for residential and commercial use in shower and bath enclosures, ShowerGuard™ is easier to clean than standard glass and maintains its original appearance over time. It is more durable than any other glass protection. With minimal amount of cleaning, this glass protection will stay beautiful for years to come.

If your bathroom remodel includes a new shower or bath enclosure, we recommend to all of our customers a product like ShowerGuard™. With our busy and difficult lives, saving time and money is always a sure bet. Keep your glass beautiful and crystal clear with these time saving products.

Regarding roof repair versus replacement, all homeowners struggle with this question. Your roof always appears to be doing its job of keeping you dry, but its color may be fading a bit. On the other hand, you might be noticing some dark spots, or some other ominous sign that has you wondering about your roof. Regardless, before calling roofers and having them bid on a roof replacement, you can do a little of your own research.

The web site www.repairvsreplace.com is an incredible tool that can give you a general idea of the status of your roof. Before logging onto the site, take a few moments to walk around your home and assess your roof. Afterwards, take the seven-question quiz on repair vs replace. com. In just minutes, you will be given an idea of whether your roof is healthy, may require some repair, or should be replaced immediately.

It’s important to note—if your roof is beginning to look a little ragged or you’re questioning whether it should be replaced—you should have it inspected. In fact, the National Roofing Contractors Association recommends you have this performed at least once a year. While your home may not appear to be leaking now, spots and discoloration can be signs that a leak is beginning. Repairvsreplace.com also is a great resource to find qualified roofing companies who can perform these inspections honestly and give you a true status report of your roof.

On the issue of who is doing the work, our recommendation is don’t trust your home to just anyone! Look for the Technician Seal of Safety.

Inviting a contractor or service employee into your home is an important event. Why? Well, you’ve heard it on the news from time to time—someone assaulted in their home, or family heirlooms go missing after a service call. How do you protect against strangers taking advantage of you while in your home?

Look for the Seal of Safety! What is the Seal of Safety? It means three things: first, all employees are subject to periodic drug-screening; second, employees go through an intensive criminal background check as part of the hiring process; and third, each employee is professionally trained to be “best in the business.”

Making sure your family and home are safe and secure during a service visit is a very important part of what Hackman Roofing does. Look for the Seal of Safety on their employees’ identification cards. Better yet, DEMAND the Seal of Safety from anyone entering your home on any service call.

There are many factors to consider in selecting a roofing contractor. Rest assured that safety, service and quality workmanship are all important parts of what HACKMAN Roofing • Siding • Spouting will bring to your home—along with a guaranteed solution to your roofing problems. Discover how easily you can experience the HACKMAN Roofing • Siding • Spouting way of doing business. Call 717-367-2348, today!

No. You don’t have to remove the concrete patio, if several factors exist. One key factor that should exist with your old concrete patio is that it should be in relatively good condition. What does that mean? Well, the concrete should not have any large cracks in it—the result of the ground settling after installation. Large cracks in the concrete patio are usually a sign that there is/ was issues with the soil and/or base preparation during the installation that were not addressed. In which case, the concrete should be removed, and the soil and/or base prep issues re-addressed.

Secondly, in order to ‘overlay’ pavers on an existing concrete pad, the concrete pad should have a positive slope away from the house. Typically, a ¼” fall per one linear 1’ would be the maximum slope. We do not want water flowing back to the house and down the foundation. Just as the finished paver surface needs to be sloped away from the house, the base needs to be properly sloped as well, whether the base consists of a concrete pad or compacted 2A modified stone.

Some concrete pads that were poured during or just after a new home was constructed have a tendency to settle towards the home. This happens as a result of poor soil compaction of the ‘overdig’ area of a homes’ excavated foundation perimeter. As a result, the concrete pad begins to settle towards the house as the back filled material settles into place. Also, this can result in large cracks in the concrete. This settling may occur within a year of installation or it may take several years.

Lastly, and just as important as the first two factors for keeping an existing concrete pad and ‘overlaying’ it with pavers, is the concretes’ existing elevation. You need to check the existing elevation of the concrete pad and its surrounding lawn or landscape beds, or even an attached walkway or driveway. Placing pavers on a concrete pad will add as much as 2 5/8” – 4” approximately, including a 1” layer of bedding sand, to the height of a concrete pad’s elevation. The finished elevation will depend on the type of pavers being used, most are 2 3/8” thick, some pavers are as thin as 1 5/8”, like the E.P. Henry Devon Stone, or as thick as 3 1/8”, such as the Techo-Bloc Tetra pavers. For example, a comfortable riser height for steps is between 6” and 7” high. Below 6” or more than 7”, may be an uncomfortable step up or down for some people. If the paver thickness, along with the 1” sand layer creates more of a tripping hazard while stepping up into a back patio door, let’s say, then a paver ‘overlay’ may not be appropriate, and the concrete pad would need to be removed.

An existing concrete pad is a suitable base for a paver ‘overlay’ as long as all of the factors mentioned pass the test. If the concrete pad can stay in place, savings in labor can be refocused into possibly expanding the paver patio area beyond the original pad dimensions or there may be enough savings to look towards installing a more expensive paver material. Good luck with your project.

This is an excellent question. When you hire a remodeler, you are buying a service rather than a product. The quality of the service the remodeler provides will determine the quality of the finished project and your satisfaction with it. Listed below are some qualifications the National Association of Home Builders recommends you explore and questions you will want to ask when you interview a remodeler.

Business Experience & Management - Does the remodeler:
• Maintain a permanent mailing address, a phone number, and a cellular phone? You want to be able to reach the remodeler quickly and easily—especially at critical times.
• Carry insurance that protects you from claims arising due to property damage or jobsite injuries?
• Ask for a copy of the remodeler’s insurance certificates so you can be sure that you are not liable for property damage or jobsite-related injuries.
• Have an established presence in the community?
• How long has the company been in business? Longevity usually suggests financial stability.
• Does the remodeler maintain solid relationships with experienced independent trade contractors (such as plumbers and electricians) and work with them as a team to keep your job running smoothly?
• Possess a trustworthy reputation among customers, peers, and those in the remodeling industry?
• Ask for a list of building materials suppliers and call them to see if the remodeler has an account or pays for materials on delivery. Most suppliers are willing to extend credit to financially sound companies.
• Does the remodeler have a track record of successful projects similar to yours?
• Participate in a trade organization such as one (or more) of the local home builders associations in the region?
Membership reflects a remodeler’s commitment to professionalism in the remodeling industry.

Construction & Technical Expertise - Does the remodeler:
• Have a working knowledge of the many types and ages of homes in the area? A sound structural and architectural knowledge of what is likely to be behind a wall or under a floor helps the remodeler provide reliable estimates. Extremely low bids may reflect a remodeler’s lack of this knowledge and a poor understanding of the actual costs involved.
• Know what products and materials would likely be used for your project?
• Offer an array of options when selecting products, materials, and techniques?
• Specialize in particular types of projects?
• Arrange for the building permit? Remember that the person who obtains the permit is the contractor of record and therefore liable for the work.
• Offer a warranty? If so, what kind and for how long? What is covered under the warranty and what is not?
• Understand the scheduling issues required to begin and complete your job within your timetable?

Customer Service & Communication - Does the remodeler:
• Respond promptly to your inquiries?
• Emphasize customer service?
• Listen to and understand your needs and wants?
• When you discuss what you’d like to do, does the remodeler show enthusiasm for your ideas and suggest ways to make them work within your budget?
• You should ask the remodeler for examples of how the company has solved home improvement challenges for other customers.
• Facilitate and encourage communication?
Ask how the remodeler handles communication during construction (such as a message center in the house for you and the remodeling team).

Another thing to keep in mind is dollars and sense. In today’s world a home’s resale value is extremely important. Choose a remodeling project that makes sense for your home’s value and ask the remodeler how much the project will add to your home’s value. Take this new number into consideration and be sure to obtain the necessary additional insurance.

And finally, remember that a remodeling project—large or small—is a stressful endeavor. Contractors will be in your home day after day working on your project. You need to feel comfortable with the contractor. With the answers to these questions, you’ll be able to pick the remodeler that’s best for you.

Tankless water heaters are becoming much more popular with homeowners for two reasons: 1) they are more energy efficient and 2) they add comfort to your home.

Energy Efficiency = Money Savings
In traditional tank-type water heaters, electric, gas or propane is used to keep the water stored in your hot water tank at a constant temperature—whether you need hot water or not. In contrast, tankless water heaters provide hot water at a preset temperature when needed without storage which reduces or eliminates standby loss. This is where the energy efficiency and the cost savings are seen.

Benefits v. Drawbacks - There are several benefits of installing a tankless hot water heater:
• Energy efficiency – Electric tankless hot water units generally cost 10-20% less to operate comparable tank-type water heaters. Gas savings may be a bit more at 20-40% a year.
• Affordability – Tankless systems can range in price from $200 for a smaller under-the-sink unit to up to $1,200 for a gas unit that delivers five gallons per minute, depending on size.

• Durability – Since water isn’t stored in a basin, there is less corrosion with the tankless hot water systems. The life expectancy is 20 years (compared to 10-15 years with a tank-type system).

The one drawback of a tankless water heater is the installation cost which is usually 2-4 times higher than a traditional tank-type water heater. Retrofitting a home from a tank-type water heater to a tankless system can be more difficult than if installed during initial home construction. However, the payback period of installing this type of system is short—generally between 3-5 years. A qualified plumber will be able to assess the feasibility of retrofitting a tankless water heater in your home.

Choosing the Right Size
Because a tankless hot water system is indeed tankless, there isn’t a standby hot water supply. Water is heated only when needed, but it isn’t limitless. Before installing a tankless hot water system, you need to determine the number of hot water devices expected to use this system at any one time (i.e. shower, bath, dishwasher, washing machine), and this will determine how large your system should be. If you do not anticipate needing hot water delivered to all of these appliances at the same time, a smaller unit will do.

Lower capacity tankless units are ideal for an addition or new hot water uses (i.e. bathroom) to avoid using the existing water heater. Since they take up only a fraction of the space of a tank-type unit, point-of-use units can be installed under sinks or in closets.

To determine how a tankless water heater can be integrated into your home to give you energy efficiency and save you money, contact YC Supply at (717) 939-0491 or visit www.YCDesignCenter.com.

If you’re like most people, you want a beautifully custom-designed look, but might not know how to go about making that look a reality or, you’re afraid of making a mistake. You lead a busy life, and you simply don’t have the time to run from store to store looking for the perfect shade of paint, fabric and accessories. You’d love to work with a professional but you’re afraid that they will be expensive and snooty, and that they won’t listen to your ideas and concerns. Well fear not! From design concept to completion, a professional interior designer can save you valuable time, money and sanity.

Working with an interior designer is a two-way street… In order to get the most from working with a professional, you need to share your ideas and budget with your designer. He or she, in turn, will listen and guide you towards the right design decisions and the right budget. Professional designers know how to work within your budget limits and your lifestyle and will keep your vision in mind. The tighter your budget, the more important it is to work with a professional who will help you allocate your decorating dollars wisely—spending more where it counts and economizing where it doesn’t.

Decorating a room is like any other complex project. It’s best to start with a plan, and take it one step at a time. Your designer should tour your home with you so you both can determine your decorating priorities—which room or rooms are the most important for you to complete. Your designer should learn about you and your family’s lifestyle.
Some questions your decorator will ask include:

• How do you want your house to feel?
• How do you entertain?
• Do you have children and/or pets in your home?

Determining a budget and sharing it with your designer is essential. If you have never decorated before, or have not done so in many years, your designer should give you guidelines to help you determine a budget. Establishing a budget will enable your designer to find custom products that best fit your needs. Finally, let the designer know at the beginning of your project if you have certain items (furniture, accessories, paintings) that you want to keep and work around.

A step by step process… After your initial consultation, your designer will pull together your plan based on your color preferences, design style, lifestyle and budget. At your next appointment, the design presentation, your feedback to the plan is essential. Hopefully the design plan prepared for you is exactly what you wanted, but if it isn’t, you need to communicate what it is that you’re not comfortable with to your designer. Your designer will be more than willing to work with you to adjust the plan to meet your expectations.

Remember, nothing is ever gained by lack of action. A trained interior designer can not only make your decorating dreams a reality but also save you from making costly decorating mistakes! If you are longing for a beautifully decorated haven to call home, perhaps now is the time to call in the professionals and head down that two-way street to a home you and your family will enjoy for years to come.

Barbara Tabak is the owner of INTERIORS by Decorator Den, serving both the East and West Shores. Her wealth of knowledge, experience, and superior service ensures that all decorating decisions are made within the comfort of your home, amid your existing furnishings and within your home’s unique lighting conditions. To learn more about Barbara’s services and products, or to schedule a complimentary consultation, please call 717.541.1659. Let INTERIORS by Decorator Den help you visualize your dream home and make it a reality.

Coating a garage’s concrete floor is a great way to protect it from road salts and other chemical attacks, improve the garage’s overall appearance, ease surface cleaning and improve the home’s sales appeal and price.

Whether the concrete is new or decades old, the longevity of any coating system begins with the preparation of the concrete surface prior to the application of the actual chemicals. Acid etching, while a common preparation technique, lacks the ability to prepare tightly trowelled surfaces and cannot remove any existing paints, sealers or contaminants, all of which decrease or negate a coatings ability to stick to the concrete. A mechanical preparation method, such as diamond grinding or abrasive blasting, ensure the entire surface provides the proper surface profile to allow maximum adhesion by the coating.

Many paints are available for concrete floors, but they will not hold up against “hot tire” peel as paints lack the bond strength to resist the pull from the tires. A high quality coating system designed for a garage floor will provide superior bond strength to any floor paints. Most of these coating systems are made from epoxies, polyurethanes or blends of the two.

Better coating systems will feature multiple layers, where the first layer, or “base coat”, is designed for high adhesion to the concrete and may also be the binder for decorative chips or quartz. The last layer, or “top coat”, should be formulated for UV stability, abrasion resistance and high chemical resistance. This will keep the coating looking good year after year, ensuring that it does not discolor from exposure to direct sunlight, weather and chemicals.

While the coating should hold up well to normal vehicle traffic, frequent removal of stones and other debris will greatly extend the life of the coating system. After years of daily use, even the best coating system displays sign of wear, so ensure the coating system provides the ability to re-apply the top coat layer to later rejuvenate the floor.

The options available for coating a garage floor have never been broader. Since the garage floor sustains greater abuse then the other floors in the home, ensure any coating system selected provides the characteristics we have described. We invite homeowners considering a garage floor coating to contact PremierGarage of Central Pennsylvania toll-free at 888.577.0452 or visit our web site at www.PremierGarage.com.

As defined by the Oriental Rug Importers Association, Inc, an Oriental rug is “…handmade of natural fibers (most commonly wool or silk) with a pile woven on a warp and weft, with individual character and design, and made in the Near East, Middle East, Far East, or the Balkans.”

An Oriental rug is hand woven and varies in quality. Quality is generally determined by quality of the wool, intricacy of design, and knot density. Wool quality is defined by the length of its fibers, springiness, and luster. Today, the wool used in hand-knotted Oriental rugs either originates exclusively from the country of origin, or is a blend of indigenous and imported wool. Intricacy of design refers to the degree of detail a design possesses as well as the number of different colors needed to execute the pattern. The more complex the design, the more experienced the craftsman must be to weave the pattern. Knot density and fineness of weave are the same. The more knots tied per square inch, the finer the detail in the design and the more labor is required in weaving the rug. Also worth noting, all Oriental carpets feature a slight variation in color or design, which is part of the special charm and appeal of this handcrafted product.

A handmade Oriental rug is a woven product of timeless beauty and cultural mystique that has remained virtually unchanged for centuries. The earliest surviving piece dates back to about the 4th or 5th century B.C. It was discovered in an excavated burial site in southern Siberia. Although weaving techniques and traditions have remained virtually unchanged, other dramatic changes have occurred. In today’s handmade Oriental carpet industry, the weavers and importers have found it advantageous to adopt more designs and colors to better satisfy western decorative tastes. The sharp increase in production of Persian-design carpets in other countries, particularly China, India, and Pakistan, offers consumers a wide variety of color and design choices available in a full range of prices. While machine made carpets are manufactured to machine-like standards, handmade rugs reflect the human element; the individual’s own interpretation of color and design, which is the essence of their beauty and oneness.

Handmade Oriental rugs are the very latest floor covering fashion statement. Consumers and interior designers all over the country have discovered their tremendous versatility in style, color, type and size, and are using them to define or enhance residential and commercial decors. As stated earlier, Oriental rugs are being woven to suit an infinite realm of decorative styles spanning the traditional Oriental looks to European, Art Deco, and contemporary.

Like any other work of fine art, the Oriental rug is designed to provide enjoyment to its present owner and generations to come. However, to ensure its beauty and long life, some simple steps are recommended. Normal care is to vacuum regularly to prevent dirt and grit from sifting into the roots of the fibers. Do not vacuum the fringe; brush the fringe. You should use a quality, recommended pad under the rug and rug protectors under the legs of heavy furniture. Over time, grit and dirt become embedded so deeply that professional cleaning is required. Professional cleaning will remove this dirt as well as the surface soiling that gradually dulls the appearance of a rug. Depending on the amount of traffic, cleaning every 3 to 5 years is recommended. Cleaning should be done by a professional service specializing in Oriental rugs, one that is familiar with hand woven products. It is strongly recommended that cleaning not be attempted by a “wash-at-home” service. For emergencies such as spills, tears, holes or worn spots, call your professional rug dealer.

A few words of advice when purchasing your work of art—you should purchase it from an established retailer of Oriental rugs, whose integrity and reputation can be verified in the community. You should avoid traveling auctions, often held at hotels and airports. They may be here today and gone tomorrow. You should protect yourself by being able to deal with someone on an ongoing basis. You should beware of “Going-Out-Of-Business” sales, which may be promotional schemes, where values are exaggerated and the quality of the merchandise is mediocre or below average. Once you find the rug that appeals to you, it is acceptable to question the retailer about quality, suitability, etc., and, if you like, take it home to try. Most respectable retailers of Oriental rugs will allow you to try a rug at home without obligation.

A handmade Oriental rug will add a unique blend of excitement, mystique and charm to your home or office. It is a work of art to be treasured, not only during your lifetime but also generations to come.

To answer this question you need to understand the chemistry of algae and how it grows in a typical swimming pool.

Algae are plants that grow underwater and like all plants, it requires light, oxygen and nutrients. If you deprive algae of one key nutrient, phosphates, it will not grow. Furthermore, if phosphates are kept low, algae will grow much more slowly.

With this in mind, you want to control the phosphates in your pool. How do you do this? There are two accepted ways of preventing algae growth. The first is to make sure there are enough chemicals in your pool to kill off algae growth, or at least as fast as it is growing. This is usually done with a sanitizer like chlorine, and some type of algaecide or algistat (the chemical that kills algae).

The second method combines a level of sanitizer plus chemical to inhibit algae growth. This chemical is called the “minimum inhibitory concentration” or MIC for short. The higher the phosphate level in your pool, the higher the chemical level or MIC must be.

The benefit to you is this: If you remove the phosphates from pool water, algae growth is slowed down significantly and as a result, the amount of chlorine needed to control it is also greatly reduced.

In both methods, the level of algae is being controlled by a sanitizer and some other agent that controls algae growth. But with the MIC method, you are actually removing the key nutrient that makes algae grow to begin with —phosphates.

Some companies will tell you that it isn’t necessary to remove the phosphates from your pool water, and they are correct – in a perfect world. However, as we all know, it’s not a perfect world. Sometimes it rains and sometimes the sanitizer or algistat is not added to the pool when needed. As a result the chemical level in the pool is not sufficient to prevent algae growth—and you get a green pool (usually on the hottest day in July!).

The benefit of keeping the phosphate level as close to zero as possible is that when the chemical level in the pool drops very low it’s still sufficient to control algae growth. Both methods work, but the combination of phosphate removal and low sanitizer level is much more reliable at keeping the pool algae free!

The benefit to you is that you can go away on vacation or watch it rain for a few days and know that when it is hazy, hot and humid again and you want a refreshing dip, you’ll still be able to enjoy an algae-free pool.

To learn more about the choices you have in pool and spa maintenance, contact us at (717) 393-1600 or visit us at www.Integrity-Pools.com.

I think to fully understand this you need to ask yourself a couple of questions to determine what too much means. It is wise to determine how long you expect to live in your house. Is your current house a short-term investment to provide opportunity to upgrade to a newer/bigger house, a different school district, or any other reason that would require moving? Or is your house a long-term investment that you plan to stay in, raise a family, grow old in, etc?

In the short-term investment scenario, you want to make sure you are comfortable with the potential return on investment that you expect from any given project. An excellent resource to help determine this is the Cost vs. Value report in REMODELING MAGAZINE or go online to http://costvalue. remodelingmagazine.com and check out the project of choice. These figures are usually based on resale of the house around a year after the remodeling is done. This will also reflect some of the trends that buyers are looking for and willing to pay for or not.

In the long-term investment scenario, it is important to determine what your long-term needs are for your family and to stay focused on that. Plan your project around what meets your needs and wants and not so much what the next owner may want. If you are considering a project that is a large investment, it’s prudent to see what similar houses in your neighborhood are selling for and what your house may appraise for in its current condition. Again, this is simply a tool to help you set some investment boundaries if the resale is a concern.

I feel it is important to be well informed so you know going into a project what the long-term effects may be on the value. Many people want what they want regardless of the resale value. That is perfectly fine, but it’s still good to know what to expect. Once you have decided on your long-term housing plans and have a project in mind, you are ready to begin the fun of planning, designing, and remodeling your home.

To get some ideas for your next bath or kitchen remodel, visit our showroom or go online at www.dreammaker-remodel.com.

It is important to maintain the proper humidity levels in your house and workplace. Indoor humidity levels should be between 30 to 45 percent with the ideal level being about 40 percent. The humidity levels can easily be checked with a hygrometer. They are inexpensive and look very similar to a thermometer.

If humidity levels are too low, your family can suffer from dry noses, skin and throats, and you’re more likely to catch a cold. Dryness can also damage wood and drywall, cause your floors to shrink, and even cause your piano to go out of tune. Static electricity is also increased as humidity levels decrease. Older and less energy-efficient homes are also likely to suffer from low humidity in colder climates because cold air is less able to hold water vapor.

When your humidity level is too low, humidifiers can easily increase the levels. A technician can determine the proper size necessary based on the square footage of your residence. A whole-house humidifier attached to your furnace will deliver the perfect amount of moisture to your air making you feel more comfortable at lower thermostat settings. In fact, the EPA states that you can save up to 4% on your heating bill for every degree you lower your thermostat.

With a whole-house humidifier, humidity is introduced into your home’s air in the form of water vapor. Water is supplied to the humidifier which is then absorbed by the warm air from your furnace. The resulting humidified air is then distributed via your heating and cooling system ductwork throughout your home.

Unlike portable units the whole-house humidifier continually monitors relative humidity levels in your home, then works to deliver the right amount of moisture - never too much or too little - to your entire house. They also don’t require the daily cleaning and disinfecting that many portable units require.

Call our service department today at 795.1700 or contact us via email at svcreq@hallerent.com and we’ll gladly come out, give you a free estimate on a whole-house humidifier, and get you back to feeling comfortable.

Homeowners want unique design and style when it comes to their deck railing; something that shows their personalities, matches their home and sets them apart from others. More homeowners are saying “good-bye” to their ordinary railing and saying “hello” to newer, modernized and versatile railing styles.

The availability and use of these more unique deck railings are becoming popular and trendy as more people create outdoor living areas. Builders are seeing consumer demand for these stylish deck rail options, with the most requested railing systems being one that is low maintenance. There are a variety of railing systems, including Deckorator, Fortress Iron and TimberTech, which each offer various styles of balusters, as well as decorative centerpieces, post caps, and pipe railing.

Metal balusters, such as those made with aluminum or iron, have increased in popularity within the last few years, especially rod iron balusters, which are reputable for their style, low maintenance and versatility. Consumers are also attracted to metal balusters because they come in various colors and can be accessorized to create a distinctive, one-of-a-kind deck railing system.

The railing is also important because it is the most visible part of the deck; it’s what most people see. There are some very simple ways that consumers can transform their current railings into something more upscale.

You can try changing the type of balusters you have on your current deck. The myriad of styles available can help you decide which style and color best coordinates with your home. Or, you can try changing your post caps, since there are many decorative ones becoming more popular. The choices are endless.

People are also mixing and matching what they like so that they are able to create a pattern that allows them to continue the design theme they have inside their house. There has been an explosion of products from which people now have to choose. There are different looks that can be created with different materials.

There has even been a shift in attention to glass railings that typically come in three different tints. More people tend to like the lighter tints. The only reluctance people are concerned with when it comes to glass railings is the up-keep. In addition, people are also attracted to vinyl railing designs that help mimic the trim on many houses, require no maintenance or painting and is generally less expensive than metal.

Overall, there is a significant increase in cost for aluminum and rod railings, compared to the standard pressure treated pickets, but in the end, you have a better-quality, long-lasting railing. All low-maintenance materials are more expensive, but in the long run, you’re really saving yourself a lot of money.

To learn more about what deck material options are right for you, visit us at the PA Home Show or online at www.archadeck.com.

Nu-Wool Engineered Cellulose Insulation is made from recycled newspapers. This environmentally friendly green insulation provides up to 40% savings on energy bills when compared to conventional insulation materials. According to the Department of Energy, between 50% and 70% of the energy consumed in the typical American home goes toward heating and cooling, accounting for a large chunk of the total energy bill.

Often too much air leakage means that a lot of this energy is being wasted. The density of Nu-Wool Insulation eliminates the voids and air pockets common with conventional insulation. Annual heating and cooling bills will be lower with Nu-Wool. So, while conventional insulation can sometimes cost less initially, Nu-Wool Engineered Cellulose Insulation not only saves on energy costs, it makes your house more comfortable. Walls, ceilings, and floors stay warmer in the winter and cooler in the summer, which helps maintain a uniform temperature throughout the house. For more information, call Lezzer Lumber in Harrisburg at 717.526.4781 or e-mail Steve Waller at stevewaller@lezzer.com.

Granite and marble are beautiful products that have popular applications throughout numerous areas of the home—inside and out. Because of their unique characteristics, however, choosing the right product for the right application can be a challenging decision. To help you better understand, here are some answers to some of the more fundamental questions.

Is granite a natural product or is it man made? Granite is a natural product. It is quarried in its natural form directly from the earth and is cut and processed by machine. Because of its extreme hardness and mineral content, granite can be polished to a mirror-like finish using proper machinery.

Can granite crack or chip? Yes, granite can crack or chip. However this is usually caused by severe settling, excessive impact or abuse. Most minor cracks or chipping in natural stone can be repaired by a specialist in the stone renovation business or by a qualified fabricator. Veins and pits are natural occurrences in stone and are not considered weak spots. Structurally, with today’s processing, these materials meet the strength requirements for countertop use.

Will bacteria grow on granite? Bacteria, like any other living organism, needs something to eat in order to live. Bacteria cannot eat granite. Unclean, unkempt countertops can harbor bacteria regardless of what countertop is used. Granite has performed extremely well in testing, performing second only to stainless steel in its ability to resist bacterial growth.

Can granite be used outside? Yes. There are a handful of granites that can change color when exposed to UV rays, but it is very durable and can be used outside. Granite is often used for outdoor kitchens, as pavers for driveways and walkways, as stair treads, and as exterior cladding on commercial buildings.

Can you use marble in a kitchen? The short answer is yes, you can use marble in a kitchen. However, because marble is susceptible to staining, scratching and etching, the use of marble in a kitchen requires careful consideration.

Are engineered quartz surfaces natural? Marketers contend that quartz surfaces contain 93% quartz. However, this number is calculated by weight, not by volume. Therefore the true ratio of quartz is approx. 67 - 73%. It is also important to note “quartz” refers not only to natural quartz but glass and mirror particles as well.

What is soapstone and what kind of maintenance does it require? Soapstone is quarried like granite and marble. Its primary components are magnesite, dolomite, chlorite, and talc. Talc in soapstone is soft to the touch, which gives the smooth feeling of rubbing a piece of dry soap. For maintenance, mineral oil should be applied to the stone, which darkens the color and works as a protective sealing layer. The mineral oil will need to be re-applied to the stone periodically, especially when the countertops are first installed. Over time, a patina will develop and the mineral oil can be applied less often. Soapstone will scratch. Scratches can be sanded out and re-sealed with mineral oil.

When should I select my stone? Because natural stone has variations, it is not a good idea to select a stone too early. Colorations can vary, and the veining from one shipment to another can be quite different. Once the cabinets are 4-6 weeks away from being installed it is a good idea to finalize your selection based on current inventory.

What is involved in pricing a countertop? There are many factors involved in pricing countertops: material cost, quantity of slabs, design complexity, edge profile and location of installation are primary considerations. Once you have chosen a particular stone, the fabricator will need an accurate drawing or a field visit in order to clarify all the details. The fabricator will then provide you with a finished installed price.

Can I install my own countertops? The cutting, polishing and installation of natural stone not only require specific tools and machinery, it also requires extensive product knowledge. Fabricating and/or installing natural stone countertops really are not do-it yourself projects.

For more information and a first-hand look (and feel) of our unique natural products from around the world, please visit us at our Gallery Showroom.

There are many ways to incorporate a beautiful stained glass design into your home. Here are a few ideas.

Kitchen Cabinet Doors: Custom designed leaded glass panels or a solid piece of art glass can be installed in new cabinet doors or existing cabinet doors by removing the wood panels.

Transoms: Interior or exterior leaded glass panels installed over doorways. Sidelights: Single or double window panels beside doorways.

Entry doors: Leaded glass can be custom designed to provide privacy but still leave light shine through door.

Bathroom windows: Panels to provide privacy without using a curtain over windows or beside a whirlpool tub. Panels can match wall paper, tile or any accessory in the bathroom.

French doors: Custom designed panels to transmit light but still give privacy to a room.

Accent windows: Provide a custom touch to a feature window in your home, hanging panels or valances.

These are just a few of the most popular residential applications of stained and leaded glass. Visit our web site Gallery for more ideas and don’t hesitate to call us for more information.