Home Improvement- Charleston

Online Magazine

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Articles: Buy Local Adding A Sunroom Profiting From The Green Movement

Contents From The Editor

5

Commerical Real Estate- Renting In Today’s Market

10

Neighborhoods

12

Pools

13

Home Decorating On A Budget

14

How To Change Your Air Conitioner Filter

16

Clocks

17

10 Reasons To Plant Trees...Now!

18

Profiting From The Green Movement

20

Sunrooms

23

Barter Is Smart Business

24

Photographs

27

Mirrors

29

Time To Refinance or Buy!?

30

Cabanas

31

South Carolina First

33

About Downtown Greenville

35

Fireplaces

36

The Push For Greener Homes

38

Fans

40

Adding A Sunroom

41

Showers

43

A One Tank Trip

44

Stairs

46

The Beauty of Modern Floor Finish Products

47

Chandeliers

48

Staging Your Home For Success

49

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From The Editor Buy Local Promoting local business is as simple as having other company’s business cards or brochures posted on a board in your store. In an effort to promote your area, we are distributing decals that say “Check us out at www.HomeImprovement.sc,” in hopes that local shoppers will visit the site to find local restaurants, clothing, specials, coupons and more. We are doing our part, so please join us, and promote your local merchants, and everyone will benefit!

Buy

Top Ten reasons to Think Local Local - Be Local – Help Local Businesses

1. Buy Local -- Support yourself and South Carolina. Many studies

have revealed when you buy from an independent, locally owned business in the your own area, rather than a nationally owned businesses, considerably more of your money is used to make purchases from other local businesses. Local businesses continue to strengthen the economic base of the local community. These include case studies showing that local owned businesses generate a premium in enhanced economic impact to the community and our tax base.

2.Support Local Area Community Groups:

Non-profit organizations receive an average 250% more support from smaller area business owners than they do from large companies.

3. Keep Your Area Unique: Where we shop, where we eat and

have fun -- all of it makes our community home. Our one-of-a-kind local businesses are an integral part of the distinctive character. Local tourism businesses also benefit. “When people go on vacation they generally seek out destinations that offer them the sense of being someplace, not just anyplace.” ~ Richard Moe, President, National Historic Preservation Trust.

4. Reduce Environmental Impact: Locally owned businesses in your area can make more local purchases requiring less transportation. This generally means contributing less to sprawl, congestion, habitat loss and pollution.

5. Create Additional Jobs: Small local businesses are the largest employer nationally and in the community, provide the most jobs to local residents. 6. Receive Better Service: Local businesses often hire people with a better understanding of the products and services they offer, and take more time to get to know customers. Cont. next page

www.HomeImprovement.sc Online Magazine | 2009 5

7.invest

in your Community: Local businesses are owned by people who live in this community, and they are less likely to leave, and are more invested in the community’s future.

8. put

your

taxes

to

Good use:

Local businesses require a relatively little infrastructure investment and make more efficient use of public services as compared to nationally owned stores entering your area.

9. Buy what you want, not what BiG advertisinG BudGets want you to Buy: A South Carolina marketplace comprised of tens of thousands of small businesses is the best way to ensure innovation and low prices over the long-term. A multitude of small businesses, each selecting products and services based not on a national sales plan but on their own interests and the needs of their local customers, promises a much broader range of product choices.

10. promote LoCaL prosperity: An escalating body of economic research shows that in an increasingly homogenized world, entrepreneurs and skilled workers are more likely to invest and settle in communities that preserve their one-of-a-kind businesses and distinctive character. Larry Local Editor in Chief

www.LocalTraffic.sc South Carolina’s #1 Live Local Traffic Website

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www.HomeImprovement.sc Online Magazine | 2009 7

CEO Dennis Stewart edITor In CHIeF Larry Local CreaTIVe dIreCTor Daniel Holliday arT dIreCTor Amy Coats WeB deVeLoPers Allen Bayless Matthew Coats aCCoUnTInG Marie Bentley adMInIsTraTIon & MarkeTInG Vivi Morillo Angie Woods

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Copyright © 2009 Carolina Media Services. All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part without written permission is prohibited. Not responsible for unsolicited manuscripts or photographs. 3290 Ashley Phosphate Road Charleston, SC 29418 Toll Free: (866)532-4725 Fax: (866)542-4725 [email protected] www.HomeImprovement.sc

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Commercial Real Estate – Renting in Today’s Market First make sure that the area you have chosen is right for your intended business. If you plan on expanding, take that into consideration. Do you need to be close to an expressway, or the local airport? Before you decide, think ahead, because you may be getting into a long term commitment. Make sure that any space you’re considering is big enough for both your current needs, and your foreseeable growth. Be realistic and never over-commit. Do your homework beforehand. Investigate traffic patterns; tour the area and building. Find out who the previous tenant was, and why the business left. Learn

what kinds of marketing the location does in support of its tenants (if any) and whether cooperative marketing funds are available to you. Weigh the benefits of guaranteed foot traffic at a mall location against premium rent. Some malls require that all tenants stay open during mall hours, and pay for common area usage as well as the store’s own space and upkeep. Stores may also be asked to pay a percentage of sales to the mall. Identify your closest competitors. Also check out neighboring businesses with an eye for complementary products or services. If you are locating in a mall, check the lease agreement for any guaranteed protection against competition. Evaluate whether the physical location and space is a good fit with your product line. Do you need a large, bright space or is an office warehouse sufficient?

Investigate any restrictions on signage. Signs are vitally important to retail businesses, yet many landlords decide on what a store can and cannot do. The rules may be even stricter in a mall, which closely monitors its physical appearance. Negotiate the terms of your lease aggressively. Think about consulting a realtor that is familiar with the area. Never accept wording that’s confusing or that leaves you wondering who is liable for what. Ask for the right of first refusal on adjacent space in case you need to expand. Negotiate for free improvements, free rent, and other incentives before signing your lease. Hire a real estate attorney who not only specializes in lease negotiations, but knows your area and, preferably, has dealt with your kind of business before. A lease negotiation can cover tens, if not hundreds, of terms, and you want someone in your corner who has seen it all before. Know who is responsible for maintaining the heating, air-conditioning and other systems, as well as keeping up the parking lot and building exterior. This can be critical in older buildings. Who pays for the utilities and trash pick-up? The time has probably never been better to start a new venture if you have a business that is not being adversely affected by this economy. Just make sure you get the right location……

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Neighborhoods 1. Neighborhoods are where we all grew up a long time ago. Today, because of golf courses, shopping areas, subdivisions, jobs, schools, and a transient society, a neighborhood means different things to different folks. 2. Neighborhoods can be as small as a dozen or so houses, and be as many as thousands of homes. 3. Neighborhoods are common, and perhaps close to universal, since most people in urbanized areas would probably consider themselves to be living in one. 4. Neighborhoods are convenient, and always accessible, since you are already in your neighborhood when you walk out your door. 5. Successful neighborhood action frequently requires little specialized technical skill, and often little or no money. Action may call for an investment of time, but material costs are often low.

7. Visible and swift results are indicators of success; and since success is reinforcing, the probability of subsequent neighborhood action is increased. 8. Because neighborhood action usually involves others, such actions create or strengthen connections and relationships with other neighbors, leading in turn to a variety of potentially positive effects, often hard to predict. 9. Over and above these community advantages, neighborhood activity may simply be enjoyable and fun for those taking part. But in addition to these benefits, considerable research indicates that strong and cohesive neighborhoods and communities are linked –quite possibly causally linked – to decreases in crime, better outcomes for children, and improved physical and mental health. The social support that a strong neighborhood may provide can serve as a buffer against various forms of adversity. Sometimes a neighborhood isn’t a neighborhood until an event occurs, which draws people together, to become “neighbors”.

6. With neighborhood action, compared to activity on larger scales, results are more likely to be visible and quickly forthcoming. The streets are generally cleaner; the crosswalks are painted; the trees are planted; a festival draws a crowd.

www.HomeImprovement.sc Online Magazine | 2009 12

H2O: two parts Heart and one part Obsession. www.HomeImprovement.sc Online Magazine | 2009 13

Home Decorating a Budget

3. Paint

on

If you are looking to spruce up your home or even a room, and you don’t want to invest a lot of money, the following tips will help you do some affordable interior decorating.

1. Try rearranging the tables, chairs, and other furniture. Pull the furniture away from the walls and position it at new, more inviting angles, and you may change the look and dimension of your room.

2. Attack

your art.

What was in years ago, may be an eyesore today. If your room is large, make sure you art or pictures fit on the wall or in the surroundings.

one wall your

favorite accent color.

The color can be as bold or as subtle as you like. Just make sure the surrounding room complements the color. Now, hang a new picture or piece of art on the wall that has the same or similar colors. You’ll be amazed at how often your eye is drawn to that area of the room.

4. Bring

plants inside.

6. Make

If you have a few frames that don’t look good together, refinish or faux finish them.

7. Update your bathroom fittings/fixtures. By coordinating new bathroom fittings with your current fixtures and adding vanity lighting, you can completely change the appearance of your bathroom.

Plants always add a touch of newness to any room. If you don’t have a green thumb, silk plants and trees will do the trick as well. Look through some magazines to get ideas on using plants to decorate.

8. Light

5. A

9. Faux

new area rug is a

great way to soften a room.

Find one that complements the room, but also has a touch of jazziness to it. Put it at an angle under a coffee table or dining room table.

a framed picture

collage on the wall.

up your room with

new lighting.

You can mix and match lamp bases and shades for a hip new lighting solution in any room. finishing a room

is a great way to create a totally new look with little expense.

Several finishes are available to work in any room.

10. Depending on the size of your room, wallpapering and adding borders is a great alternative or addition to painting.

Several types of wallpaper are available based on where it will be used.

11. Consider

adding some

additional crown trim.

The cost of most trim is very reasonable, and if you are considering painting the room, why not add the additional touch.

www.HomeImprovement.sc Online Magazine | 2009 14

Visit www.Weather.sc

To Get your Local & State Weather

Click & Point To See Lowcountry Weather Now! A proud member of www.Only.sc which includes:

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Contact your www.Only.sc Representative today to be a part of www.Weather.sc.

South Carolina’s Internet (843)760-0002

Fax:(843)760-0003

[email protected]

www.HomeImprovement.sc Online Magazine | 2009 15

HOW TO CHANGE YOUR AIR CONDITIONER FILTERS Changing the air filters in your home or office air conditioning units is one of the least expensive things you can do to maintain your cooling system. Dirt and air pollutants can damage your health and damage the equipment requiring expensive repair or replacement of the system. Follow these simple steps to change your air conditioner filter:

STEP 1 Locate your furnace and your airconditioning unit, and the filter compartment. This compartment is normally covered by a strip of metal that slides in and out of place. You also may have filters in the ceiling or along walls throughout your house.

STEP 2 Determine the size of the air filters that need to be replaced. The sizes are noted on the side and usually appear as 16x24x1 inches and other similar sizes. This represents the length, width, and thickness of the filters.

STEP 3 Purchase replacement filter(s) in the sizes required for your system. There are a variety of filters to choose ranging from the inexpensive standard spun glass filters to pricier synthetic polyester fibers.

STEP 4 Consider high efficiency filters if you live in warmer, dustier climates as they do more than just capture dust particles. The high efficiency filters can trap tiny particles of dust, pollen, mold and other irritants.

STEP 5 Use a black permanent marker when you change the filter. When you slide up the metal guard, note the direction of the air flow marked on the side of the old filter and draw arrows in the same direction on the metal guard. This way you will have no question which direction to insert the new filter.

STEP 6 Replace high efficiency filters at least 4 times per year. Read the manufacturer’s label as most recommend changing your air filter on a monthly basis. (High efficiency filters do have a longer life expectancy than the less expensive spun-fiber filters).

STEP 7 Discard the old filter.

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The hours of folly are measured by the clock, but of wisdom no clock can measure. William Blake (1757-1827) www.HomeImprovement.sc Online Magazine | 2009 17

www.HomeImprovement.sc Online Magazine | 2009 18

proFitinG From the Green movement People in South Carolina are active in “going green” and doing their part to save the environment, save money and promote the local economy in the process. There are many green initiatives in the state from local blogs getting the word out to green businesses, green home builders and homes, recycling programs, as well as, organizations designed to promote South Carolina agriculture and SC products. Surely you have heard the buzz on going green and if you want to start getting involved and doing your part, here are some tips to get you started:

• aVOiD

lettinG yOur Car

- Every second you spend idling your car’s engine means needlessly wasting gas, as well as, adding wear and tear on your vehicle. Idling over 10 seconds wastes more gas than is needed for startup. Overall, Americans idle away 2.9 billion gallons of gas a year, worth around $78.2 billion. idLe

• turn

OFF yOur COMputer Save energy and wear and tear on your machine by shutting down your computer when you are done using it and in the evenings before you leave work. You’ll save an average of $90 of electricity a year. The Department of Energy recommends shutting off your monitor if you aren’t going to use it for more than 20 minutes, and the whole computer if you’re not going to use it for longer than two hours.

Cont. next page

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Powered By

South Carolina’s Internet

Click To Listen While You Browse!

(843)760-0002 x116

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proFitinG on the Green movement - Continued

• aSk

yOur pOWer COMpany

aBout Green enerGy - More than half of all electricity consumers in the U.S. now have the option of purchasing green power from their local utility. Find out how you can purchase green power by visiting the Department of Energy’s state-by-state list of providers. You can also check with your own utility to see what’s available. Palmetto Clean Energy is a local South Carolina green energy program http:// www.palmettocleanenergy.org/ default.asp

• keep

SenSiBle taBS On

your thermostat

- It is to your benefit to pays to pay close attention to your thermostat, since most South Carolina households spend 50 to 70% of their energy budgets on heating and cooling. For every degree you lower the thermostat, you’ll save between 1% and 3% of your heating bill. Do the same thing in reverse with air conditioning.

• WaSh

yOur ClOtheS in

CoLd water

- An easy way to clean green is to turn the dial on your washing machine to cold. Most laundry loads do not require hot water, and 90% of the energy used by washing machines goes into heating the water. The higher the water temperature, the higher the cost to you and the planet.

• enrOll

in Online BillinG

- Save natural resources, as well as late fees, by registering with online bill-paying options. Paperless billing not only saves trees; it also reduces the fossil fuel needed to get all those billing envelopes from them to you and back again. Plus, you’ll save money on stamps.

• Get

riD OF Junk Mail

Approximately 100 million trees and 28 billion gallons of water are used to send junk mail to Americans annually. You can eliminate 75% of unsolicited mail by registering on the Mail Preference Service on the Direct Marketing Association website (for a fee of $1). Within 90 days, most unsolicited mail will stop.

• print

On BOth SiDeS OF

paper

- Most software programs give the option for double sided printing, but yet most still print only on one side of the page. Consider this: the U.S. alone uses 4 million tons of copy paper annually, about 27 pounds per person. Save dough and South Carolina landfills.

• CarpOOl! - If your commute to work is 25 miles each way and at least half is in typical stopand-go traffic, you’ll save roughly 10 percent of your monthly carbon emissions by carpooling. Not to mention saving money on gas!

• Buy CertiFieD SOuth CaroLina produCe - The

Certified South Carolina program is a new, exciting, cooperative effort among producers, processors, wholesalers, retailers and the South Carolina Department of Agriculture (SCDA) to brand and promote South Carolina products. Our goal is for consumers to be able to easily identify, find and buy South Carolina products.

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In our lives there is bound to come some pain, surely as there are storms and falling rain; just believe that the one who holds the storms will bring the sun.

Barter Is Smart Business

maintain your cash-paying customers. Barter Conserves Cash: Barter generates new customers because buyers are encouraged to pay with their products or services and save cash.

Barter is a form of trade where goods or services are traded for other goods and/or services, without cash being exchanged. Barter normally replaces money as the method of exchange in times of monetary crisis, or when the currency is unstable and devalued by hyperinflation.

What Are The Benefits Barter?

of

Barter Can Bring New Customers: This enables you to expand your market and

Simply put: If you had to make a purchase for $1000, would you rather write a check or pay with an equal amount of your product/service at its normal selling price to a new customer? Most businesses prefer to barter and keep cash. Barter Raises Profitability: Barter customers pay retail prices and fees, so you get the full value of your goods and services.

Barter Moves Surplus Inventory: Retailers must keep their inventory moving and our customers shop for the most up to date merchandise each season. Carolina Barter Exchange can deliver you buyers to move excess inventory, eliminating the advertising costs and heavy discounting otherwise needed to achieve this goal.

Raise Efficiency Service Business: Increase billable hours! If you are not at 100% capacity 12 months a year and you can handle new customers, Carolina Barter Exchange can help you fill your free time with new business opportunities. And now you will have trade dollars to purchase

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Visit www.Barter.sc

And See Why Business Owners Love To Barter

Click & Point To Join Carolina Barter Exchange Now! A proud member of www.Only.sc which includes:

www.Radio.sc www.LocalTraffic.sc www.Classifieds.sc www.Barter.sc www.News.sc www.Weather.sc

Contact your www.Barter.sc Representative today to be a part of Carolina Barter Exchange.

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EXCHANGE

(843)760-0002

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[email protected]

www.HomeImprovement.sc Online Magazine | 2009 25

• 1,845 new corporations had barter transactions surpassing $100,000. • 74% of all Fortune 500 companies utilized barter-up a whopping 14% from last year.

the products and services you need. Hotels: Suppose you have 10 vacant rooms at $100 a night and you need a new brochure for $1000. Barter provides a way for you to buy your brochure, fill your rooms (at your cost), and maintain your cash. Networking Increases Your Customer Base: Barter customers will bring you all the cash referrals that your current clients bring. You will increase new cash paying-customers, as long as you give your barter customers the same great services and pricing you offer everybody else.

Get Virtually Anything! Recent year statistics: • The common dollar amount of commercial barter rose to $1,927. • Merchants accounted saving an average of $32,700 using barter and saw and average cash flow raise of 18%.

• 93% of all small business owners (less than 25 employees) report trying barter with a positive result. Carolina Barter Exchange (CBE) is the fastest growing barter company based in South Carolina. CBE has representation in all 46 counties including Charleston, Columbia, Hilton Head Island, Myrtle Beach, and Greenville. CBE is the fastest growing trade exchange in The Carolinas. CBE helps its member companies enhance their businesses through exchange of products and services instead of making cash disbursements. Some examples of the products and services we offer include: advertising, printing, travel and vacations, auto repairs, restaurants, caterers, art and custom framing, office equipment, medical treatment, computer services and more.

• 1 in every six businesses participated in at least one barter transaction for the first time with intentions to do more in the future.

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Photographs could reach eternity through the moment. Henri Cartier-Bresson (1908-2004) www.HomeImprovement.sc Online Magazine | 2009 27

Visit www.Jobs.sc To Find Your Dream Job!

Click & Point To See Jobs Now! A proud member of www.Only.sc which includes:

www.Radio.sc www.LocalTraffic.sc www.Classifieds.sc www.Barter.sc www.News.sc www.Weather.sc Contact your www.Only.sc Representative today to be a part of www.Jobs.sc.

South Carolina’s Internet (843)760-0002

Fax:(843)760-0003

[email protected]

www.HomeImprovement.sc Online Magazine | 2009 28

There is hope for any man who can look in a mirror and laugh at what he sees www.HomeImprovement.sc Online Magazine | 2009 29

rate with the tax advantages of a mortgage, and you have an incredibly cheap way to build wealth, but you better act now.

time to reFinanCe Buy !?

or

Right now, mortgage rates are at their lowest level since 1971. Think about that. Twenty-five years ago, homeowners were paying as much as 18% on a 30-year fixed. Today it’s just a little over 5%.Combine that

Real estate guru Barbara Corcoran has already seen a tremendous surge in refinance applications – more than triple the average – and the number of people getting approved is astronomically higher as well, she says. But that doesn’t mean the low rates are a panacea for the ills of the housing market. It is only once home prices start to go up that we will finally see a light at the end of tunnel, Corcoran says. Until that happens, we are still going to have to crawl out of this mess. “[Low interest rates are] a not a lifesaver,” Corcoran says. “This is just a helping hand.”

David Kittle, chairman of the Mortgage Bankers Association, has this advice to homeowners looking to refinance: Do it. Don’t get greedy searching for another quarter-point. Lock in rates now. He is seeing applications soar over 125% just since Thanksgiving due to the low rates. Of course, you should only refinance if it saves you at least 3/8 on the rate and if you plan on staying in your home for at least four years, Kittle says. Along with good credit, proof of income and money by means of a down payment or equity in the home, there are certain things every homeowner needs regardless of interest rate levels.

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We’ve created entirely new cabana spaces. They’ll be totally furnished places to chill. David Simpson www.HomeImprovement.sc Online Magazine | 2009 31

South Carolina Firsts Like any other State, South Carolina is full of “Firsts”. The following is a list of some of the more popular Firsts, that may be good to brag about, or for use in a trivia game: • First European settlement in South Carolina in 1526 near Georgetown settled by Spanish explorer Lucas Vasquez de Ayllon named San Miguel de Gualdape (Rumor has it that he was the first “Half-back”- that he wanted to be half way back from Florida to New York) • First permanent English settlement in South Carolina established at Albemarle Point in Charleston in 1670 • First free library established Charleston, 1698 • First opera performed in America - Charleston, February 18, 1735 • First building to be used solely as a theatre - Dock Street Theatre in Charleston, constructed in 1736

• First Jewish synagogue in South Carolina (Kahal Kadosh Beth Elohim) - Charleston, 1750

• First shot fired in Civil War on Fort Sumter in Charleston Harbor, April 12, 1861.

• First Black Baptist Church established, Silver Bluff, 1773

• The first submarine ever to sink an enemy ship was the H.L. Hunley used by the Confederates on February 17, 1864 in Charleston Harbor against the U.S.S. Housatonic.

• The Charleston Chamber of Commerce was the first city Chamber of Commerce in this country - 1773 • First public museum Charleston Museum, organized January 12, 1773

• The first state intercollegiate football game took place on December 14, 1889 with Wofford defeating Furman

• First business publication South Carolina Price Current in Charleston, 1774

• First commercial tea farm Summerville, 1890

•The first time a British flag was taken down and replaced by an American flag was in Charleston in 1775 • Golf was first played in the city limits of Charleston. The South Carolina Golf Club was formed in 1786 - this was the first golf club. • First Roman Catholic Church St. Mary’s August 24, 1789, Charleston • First cotton mill built - James Island, 1789 • First fireproof building built Charleston, 1822 • First steam locomotive built in the United States to be used for regular railroad service - “Best Friend of Charleston,” 1830. • First municipal college College of Charleston, opened April 1, 1838 • First Roman Catholic cathedral in South Carolina Cathedral of Saint John and Saint Finbar Charleston, April 1845 • First state to secede from the Union, December 20, 1860.

• First black woman to practice medicine in the state was Dr. Matilda Arabelle Evans in 1897 • First textile school established in a college - Clemson, 1899 • The first car was manufactured in Rock Hill by John Gary Anderson in January 1916 • First woman lawyer in South Carolina - Miss James M. Perry of Greenville was admitted to practice on May 4, 1918 • First national historic preservation ordinance passed by Charleston city council on October 13, 1931 • First television station WCSC broadcast from Charleston June 13, 1953 • First U.S. Senator elected by a write-in vote - Strom Thurmond, November 2, 1954 • First Spoleto Festival held in Charleston May 1977 • First Internet company to bring you the Internet, Streaming Radio, and Online Magazineswww.ONLY.sc ( click here for more information)

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www.HomeImprovement.sc Online Magazine | 2009 34

residents.

About Downtown Greenville Greenville’s downtown is going through revitalization that has occurred over the past 25 years. The redevelopment has concentrated on a vision to have “a thriving Downtown which is recognized nationally as an example of a ‘state-of-the-art’ community in which to live, work, and play...which serves in itself as a national attraction.” Due to the devotion of many throughout the Greenville SC community, Downtown is alive and thriving as the home to offices, shops, restaurants, entertainment, and many

Downtown Greenville SC is the paramount business center of the upstate accounting for over one-third of the total office space in the Greenville/ Spartanburg metropolitan area with almost 3 million square feet and the biggest concentration of headquarter offices in the region. Recently, Downtown Greenville has developed into a dining and entertainment Mecca for the city. With more than sixty restaurants and pubs centered around Main Street, Greenville’s Downtown offers the greatest saturation of dining choices in the entire Upstate South Carolina area. Visitors to Downtown Greenville can enjoy, in addition to great dining, a year-round series of special events tailored to the season and appealing to almost every taste. From April through September, weekly concerts ranging from folk to jazz entertain guests three nights a week while larger Downtown celebrations signify the coming of each new season. With almost 200 event days a year,

Greenville leads the region in hosting visitors. Since the Downtown is a hub for business, culture, and entertainment, not surprisingly it has also become one of the most sought-after residential districts in and around Greenville. In coming years, the exclusive benefits of living Downtown will attract more and more residents, giving the Downtown Greenville area an even more well-rounded character. Downtown Greenville has long been the cultural center for the region, including the Peace Center for the Performing Arts, the Greenville County Art Museum, the Greenville County Library, and a number of private galleries and theatre venues. In addition, there is fun for the entire family in Downtown with several parks, events, the zoo and the new BI-LO Center arena.

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“He who wants to warm himself in old age must build a fireplace in his youth” German Proverb

The Push For Greener Homes Builders and remodelers in South Carolina are leading the charge to provide eco-conscious solutions for home remodeling projects, according to the National Association of the Remodeling Industry (NARI).

Faced with the fact that climate change threatens the health of our planet, homeowners are compelled to ask how they can make a difference. Green remodeling practices have become more popular as homeowners cope with ever-increasing energy costs, health concerns and diminishing natural resources. There are many misconceptions about the value and cost of building and remodeling to meet “green” standards.

Efficient Heating & Cooling

With dramatic increases in energy costs becoming an annual occurrence, many homeowners have come to realize that building in an environmentally friendly way also means making smart decisions that translate into financial savings. New insulation technologies, such as spray-in cellulose insulation, is made from 80 percent post-consumer

recycled newspaper and will effectively seal homes from harsh heat and cold. Thermal solar energy is a non-polluting energy source that is easily captured and used for water and space heating. Although solar water heaters can be expensive ($1,000-$4,000), they can show paybacks of four to eight years. Space heating systems can vary from $800 for wall heaters to over $3,000 and more for large central systems. Qualified remodelers can help homeowners choose the right combination of insulation and energy-saving heating and cooling systems to reduce their energy costs.

Reducing Water Consumption Many parts of South Carolina are now experiencing rising water costs and seasonal water shortages due to diminishing supplies. Selecting the right appliances, such as water-conserving washers, dryers and dishwashers, and

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surfaces, such as reclaimed hardwood, bamboo flooring and recycled glass countertops leave a lighter footprint on the environment.

Quality Over Quantity

installing low-flush toilets and showerheads can reduce the amount of water needed and help trim water bills. In addition, approximately 8,000 gallons of water per household each year are lost while waiting for hot water to come from the tap. Positioning a home’s water heater as close as possible to the points of use for hot water will help conserve this valuable resource.

Sustainable Materials Reduce the environmental impact of your remodel by choosing construction materials, including flooring and countertop materials, made from local or regional sources. There are many products on the market today that are either made of recycled materials or produced in an eco-friendly way. “Green”

Many homeowners today are opting for slightly smaller homes in exchange for smarter planning and design. Several industry experts agree that the quality of your home will not only conserve the environment, but also save the homeowner over the life of the home.

Recycle Construction Waste Eco-conscious builders and remodelers recycle as much project waste as possible during a home building or renovation project. You may want to suggest to you builder that they do their part for the environment.

Healthy Indoor Air Homeowners today are concerned about maintaining a healthy indoor environment, particularly if they have sensitivities to airborne irritants. Modern building materials, such as construction adhesives, paints and treated woods, can have toxic VOCs (Volatile Organic Compounds) that adversely affect indoor air quality. Today, there are new non-toxic materials that will improve the overall health of a home. Air filters, such as those installed in a home’s central HVAC system, can also improve the quality of indoor air.

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“What is my loftiest ambition? I’ve always wanted to throw an egg at an electric fan.” Oliver Herford quotes (1863-1935) www.HomeImprovement.sc Online Magazine | 2009 40

Adding A Sunroom

relaxation, entertainment or recreation. Before you decide to build, consider the following:

Style When it comes to adding additional living space, many homeowners consider sunrooms because of the existing structure of the home, and the affordability. Sunrooms are rooms constructed primarily of glass that can create a light-filled home in any climate. These sun-drenched rooms come in many shapes and styles from simple screened enclosures for use during nice weather to insulated sunrooms for year-round use. Sunrooms are an excellent way to expand a home because they not only add to your home’s square footage, but also because of the value they offer as a place for

Select the type of sunroom that best fits your lifestyle. Screen enclosures let you enjoy the benefits of nature, and they are the most affordable. In warmer climates, you can use a screened enclosure year for protection from insects, rain and harsh sun. In cooler climates, screen enclosures are ideal for spring through late summer. Realizing that in South Carolina the temperature may stay very cold some days, a screened enclosure may have some limitations. Seasonal sunrooms are constructed with single-pane

glass windows and screens, ideally with full-length floor-to-ceiling views of the outdoors. While not designed to be heated or air conditioned, natural ventilation and window blinds or shades add comfort and extend seasonal use. In northern climates, seasonal rooms can generally be used from early spring to late fall. In the South, a seasonal room can often be used all year. Year-round enclosures use thermally insulated glass, thermal barriers in the frames and can be heated and air conditioned for year-round use in accordance with local building codes. Strongly consider ENERGY STAR ® rated glass doors and windows, and ENERGY STAR® components such as floors and roof panels to

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ensure the highest energy-efficiency and maximum comfort.

Use Consider the sunroom’s use. If you simply want an outdoor area during nice weather, a screen porch or seasonal sunroom might be right for you. If you are looking for an expanded family room, kitchen, exercise room or home office to use year round, select an insulated sunroom. Today’s sunrooms come with in-wall wiring, so you can use them for almost any purpose.

View & Exposure Consider your sunroom’s view and sun exposure. Full-length floor-to-ceiling and wall-to-wall glass gives the best view of the outdoors. Directly exposed sunrooms will probably need blinds or shades, and perhaps low-e glass with special tints to prevent overheating and to filter harmful UV rays from the sun. Sunrooms facing wooded lots can often be left completely natural.

Aesthetics Fit your sunroom into the current home structure. For resale purposes, there is nothing worse than a room addition that looks like an ad-on. Design the sunroom that blends with your home’s character and its natural roofline. When deciding whether to have aluminum, vinyl, stucco, or brick exterior, base your decision on what looks best for your home.

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Sorrow can be alleviated by good sleep, a bath and a glass of wine. Saint Thomas Aquinas www.HomeImprovement.sc Online Magazine | 2009 43

A One Tank Trip Got the vacation blues? South Carolina abounds with destinations you can visit on one tank of gas…trips that showcase the Palmetto State’s beauty without busting your budget. What a rich, exotic place South Carolina is. One of the original American Colonies, the state has an abundance of historical sites that bring our nation’s past to vivid life. The outdoors lover can enjoy a variety of activities such

as kayaking, hiking, saltwater fishing, even scuba diving in the company of alligators. The state’s culture has been shaped by its European, African and Caribbean settlers, as evidenced especially by the food, which is some of the most delicious we’ll ever have the pleasure of eating.

Aiken Do you like horses, the City of Aiken is your destination. Explore the Thoroughbred Hall of Fame & Racing Museum; the facility presents the history of thoroughbred racing, spanning more than a century. Admission is free. Also in Aiken, is the

DuPont Planetarium, located on the grounds of the University of South Carolina. The 30-foot dome has fully-automated, stateof-the-art projection systems; an observatory is also on hand, featuring a variety of powerful telescopes for stargazing purposes. Downtown Aiken is filled with southern charm. The restaurants, antique shops, and local stores will fill anyone’s afternoon.

Greenwood Continuing on your trip and take Highway 19 towards Greenwood. On the way you will pass by the Ninety-Six National Historic

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Site, where two battles of the Revolutionary War were fought and where settlers braved harsh winters and Indians to stake their claim. Now, visitors can experience it for themselves in the original Star Fort, built in 1781, the Stockade Fort and siege trenches, or by strolling through the original town sites of Cambridge and Ninety-Six. This historic site is a fascinating look at the way things were when our nation was in its infancy. Well worth the time to explore! Get back on Highway 19, and continue on to the US-25 which leads you to Greenwood. This town, with its fresh air and sunny skies is a great place to pull over and enjoy some of

the many outdoor activities to be found here. The Heritage Trail is a 2-mile paved path, perfect for walking, jogging, or biking. Lake Greenwood is a fine place to break out the rod and reel and try your luck with the catch of the day. By night, you can dine at any one of the myriad of fine restaurants, which showcase cuisines from Europe, the Caribbean, or good oldfashioned American steak and potatoes.

Clemson Get back on the US-25, and merge with the US-178 to Clemson. (Thirty miles later via the US-123 and you are in

Greenville). Both cities offer more opportunities for fishing, golfing and fine dining. In Clemson, you should take a day to enjoy the natural wonders of Paris Mountain, with its 1200-acre grounds, majestic, monument-like peak, and the Sulphur Springs hiking trail which makes for an excellent workout. Truly, South Carolina offers visitors a chance to enjoy the modern age while giving us a glimpse into our nation’s past; it’s the perfect place to enjoy the best of all possible worlds for just One Tank of Gas!

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Never look backwards or you’ll fall down the stairs. Rudyard Kipling (1865-1936) www.HomeImprovement.sc Online Magazine | 2009 46

The Beauty Of Modern Floor Finish Products

No more dust. No more fumes. Dust containment systems and

Floor Finishing Products For Healthier Home Application Newer … safer … wood floor refinishing products are restoring confidence among homeowners with projects that never seem to make it to the top of the home renovation list. The modern hardwood floor finishing products are waterborne. They have no harmful fumes, are virtually odorless and nonflammable, yet feature superior durability over their solvent-based counterparts. Homeowners can now plan restoration and maintenance wood flooring projects without those lingering concerns, and the new safer finishes will not change color over time. When used in conjunction with environmentally responsible dust containment systems, the usual reluctance to the mess, and the generally unhealthy downtime that in past years accompanied such improvements, is virtually eliminated. Particularly for those with allergies and other breathing problems who may, additionally, be worried about lingering air quality, the news has never been better.

environmentally responsible floor finishes now offer an

easier, healthier way to beautify wooden floors.

A Safer Environment for Homeowners and Hardwood Flooring Contractors The environmental focus of industry leaders has been key to the development of products and services which features dust containment, waterborne finishes and floor care products that meet these stringent airquality standards and testing protocols for indoor products. An industry independent, non-profit organization, the GREENGUARD Environmental Institute (GEI) works to improve public health and the quality of life through programs that improve indoor air quality. Current health assurances relating to the dust and fumes associated with traditional hardwood floor refinishing are met in two important ways. First the latest dust containment systems connect the sanding

equipment to a high-powered vacuum, which extracts the dust generated during the sanding process. But dust containment is only half of the equation when it comes to maintaining indoor air quality. Using an environmentally responsible floor finish is the other. “Refinishing hardwood floors with waterborne products and sanding with dust containment equipment creates a healthier environment for not only the hardwood flooring contractor, but the homeowner as well,” according to Marilyn Black, Ph.D., of Air Quality Sciences, a third-party indoor air quality testing company that was part of the GEI team. Courtesy: Home Improvement News and Information Center

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There really are some incredible chandeliers on the market now. The designs are a lot softer and warmer than they used to be. I think the overriding design factor that most homeowners are seeking is something that says their home is warm, inviting and comfortable. Susan Humphress

Staging Your Home for Success Every seller wants her home to sell fast and bring top dollar. It is not luck that makes that happen. It is careful planning and knowing how to professionally spruce up your home that will impress home buyers that have many options to choose from. Here is how to prep a house and turn it into a marketable home.

1. De-Personalize Home.

the

Pack up those personal photographs and family heirlooms. Buyers can’t see past personal artifacts, and you don’t want them to be distracted. You want buyers to imagine their own photos on the walls, and they can’t do that if yours are there. You want buyers to say, “I can see myself living here.”

2. De-Clutter! Most people collect an amazing quantity of junk. If you haven’t used it in over a year, you probably don’t need it. The saying what’s one man’s junk, is another man’s treasure, only applies to second hand thrift stores. • If you don’t need it, donate it or throw it away. • Remove all books and pictures from bookcases. •Pack up those knickknacks. • Clean off everything on kitchen counters. •Put essential items used daily in a box that can be stored in a closet. • Think of this process as a head-start on the packing you will eventually need to do anyway.

3. Rearrange Bedroom Closets and Kitchen Cabinets. Buyers will open closet and cabinet doors. Imagine what a buyer believes about you if they sees an organized closet. It says you probably take good care of the rest of the house as well. This means:

4. Rent

a

Storage Unit.

Homes show better with less furniture. Remove pieces of furniture that block or hamper paths and walkways and put them in storage. Since your bookcases are now empty, store them. Remove extra leaves from your dining room table to make the room appear larger. Leave just enough furniture in each room to showcase the room’s purpose and plenty of room to move around. You don’t want buyers to see rooms that are large and spacious.

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5. Remove/Replace Favorite Items.

• Polish chrome faucets and mirrors.

If you want to take window coverings, built-in appliances, chandeliers, or fixtures with you, remove them now. If a buyer never sees these items, they won’t want them. Pack those items and replace them, if necessary.

• Clean out the refrigerator.

6. Make Minor Repairs. If you know a home inspector, ask them to look at your house to see what a potential buyer would see.

• Vacuum daily. • Clear the counters. •Wax floors. • Dust furniture, ceiling fan blades and light fixtures. •Bleach dingy grout. • Replace worn rugs. • Hang up fresh towels.

• Replace cracked floor or counter tiles.

• Bathroom towels look great fastened with ribbon and bows.

• Dress up the fireplace.

• New shower curtains.

• Fix leaky toilets and faucets.

8. Check Curb Appeal.

• Patch holes in walls.

A buyer may not even get out of their car because if they do not like the exterior of your home. You never get a second chance to make that first impression.

• Fix doors that don’t close properly and kitchen drawers that jam. • Consider painting your walls neutral colors, especially if you have grown accustomed to purple or pink walls. • Replace burned-out light bulbs.

7. Make the House Sparkle! • Wash windows inside and out. • Add flowers. • Change the entrance ( new doormat). • Water the lawn. • Rent a pressure washer and spray down sidewalks and exterior.

• Keep the sidewalks cleared. • Mow the lawn. • Paint faded window trim. • Plant flowers or group flower pots together. • Trim your bushes. • Make sure visitors can clearly read your house number.

9. Get

a

Second Opinion.

Ask a friend or your Realtor for an honest opinion as to anything that they believe distracts a buyer. An ugly doghouse in the back yard, or your favorite trinket on the front door may have to go!

• Re-caulk tubs, showers and sinks. www.HomeImprovement.sc Online Magazine | 2009 50

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