What's the finishing touch on a low maintenance home? The trim

(BPT) - These days, free time is an increasingly endangered phenomenon. That's why today's homeowners are all in favor of spending less weekend time maintaining their homes. Vinyl siding and windows have long been common home features for just that reason. Today, the latest trend is maintenance-free trim.



Now consumers can enhance the architectural beauty of their homes with superior-quality cellular PVC trimboard from Kleer Lumber, a division of The Tapco Group. Kleer Trimboard provides versatile solutions with wood's aesthetic appeal without wood's extensive maintenance. Not only is Kleer Trimboard easily installed everywhere wood trim is traditionally used, it has more applications. It's impervious to moisture, insect infestation and other threats to wood, giving homeowners the freedom to pursue more creative trim applications and peace of mind to enjoy their enhanced home for decades.



"Kleer Trimboard delivers the authentic, rich appearance of wood coupled with the long-term durability and very low-maintenance homeowners want," says Jack Delaney, national sales manager of The Tapco Group's Kleer Lumber division. "With Kleer, people don't have to sacrifice aesthetics to avoid wood's problems. Kleer's cellular PVC trimboard outperforms wood in every application, in every climate. Kleer Trimboard is appropriate on virtually every house, whether it's a coastal mansion or modest neighborhood home."



Kleer Trimboard works where roofing meets the house, around windows and doors, in contact with the ground and concrete where wood often fails, and anywhere the imagination leads, including soffits and fascia, columns and cornices. With unmatched versatility, Kleer can be machined to create intricate gingerbread and fluted pilasters and other custom applications, including heat-bending for elegant curves. Kleer trim is also a breeze to glue, route and mold using wood trim tools. Boards and other components come in multiple sizes.



Because it's completely synthetic, Kleer isn't susceptible to the challenges that plague wood and composite trim, including mold, mildew, swelling and rot from moisture or insect damage. Wood's form and function inevitably fails over time despite repeated sanding and repainting. Kleer trim is easily maintained with soap and water, keeping it beautiful long-term.



Kleer's proprietary TruEDGE technology keeps board edges cleaner through installation and beyond. And, if the edges do get dirty, they are much easier to clean than edges without TruEDGE technology. Unlike some PVC trim brands that are textured, Kleer Trimboard has a natural wood grain finish that closely resembles genuine cedar; it's also available with a smooth finish on both sides. Available in pure white, Kleer Trimboard keeps its fresh bright appearance for decades or can be painted to match other decor. Its Limited Lifetime Warranty, which includes labor for the first two years, offers the industry's strongest protection.



Kleer's complete system includes trimboards, sheets, mouldings, adhesives, and concealed fasteners to finish any job. Ideal for home exteriors, Kleer Trimboard is also used for interior wainscot applications in moist spaces, including bath and laundry rooms. Kleer's Beaded Boards and Sheets enhance and protect these areas, including ceilings.



"We're continuously innovating and expanding the Kleer Trimboard product line, so customers have the best choices for enhancing the architecture, curb appeal, and value of their homes," says Delaney. "The decorative possibilities are endless. Kleer Trimboard also perfectly complements Kleer Decking and the Kleer Rail PVC Railing System. No other trimboard offers Kleer's combination of benefits - it's the right finishing touch for every home."



The Tapco Group, a U.S. Green Building Council member, is the building industry's leading provider of easy-to-install, premium, innovative interior and exterior products. Serving the building industry since 1961, Tapco specializes in the manufacturing of roofing, siding, decking, railing, trim, tool systems, egress systems and siding components. The products combine versatile application, durability, vast color palettes and uncommon authenticity to exceed the expectations of contractors and homeowners.



For more information, visit www.kleerlumber.com or www.TheTapcoGroup.com or call (800) 521-7567.



Courtesy of BPT

Reduce stress to boost your mood

For many, the combination of a busy family life, workplace pressures, and constant connectivity through technology can lead to unhealthy stress levels.

"High stress levels on an ongoing basis, without relief, can lead to serious health issues such as heart problems and various wear and tear diseases like carpal tunnel syndrome," says Lynda M. Miller, the CEO of OverloadedStress.com. "Every day we are exposed to demanding jobs, traffic jams and too many personal commitments. It's vital we learn and practice smart stress relieving techniques to release pressure."

Try these tips to help you relax, unwind, and melt unwanted stress away:

Home for a rest

• Soothing music or your favorite songs can help you unwind after a stressful day. If you have a long and traffic-heavy commute, consider listening to relaxing music in the car to help make the sometimes painful drive a bit easier.

• Lighting aromatherapy candles or reading a book can help relax you after a long day.

• Establish a "happy place" in your home, a spot where you have time to yourself, privacy to reflect, and the space to do things that make you calm, such as painting or reading.

Bathroom retreat

• Shower the stress away. A relaxing shower can help ease tense muscles and make you feel rejuvenated. A raincan showerhead and a custom shower allow you to create your ideal showering experience that is both luxurious and soothing. At deltafaucet.ca, take a look at the sensational Compel custom shower as one appealing example.

• Use aromatherapy products like body washes, lotions, and oils to calm your senses.

Let's get physical

• Practice yoga in the morning or take stretch breaks at work to help alleviate sore muscles and release tension.

• Go for a walk, work in the garden, or go to the gym to help sweat out stress and toxins and take your mind off the tasks waiting for you at home or work.

• Affordable massage therapy tools – like wooden body rollers and scalp massagers – can release endorphins, increase circulation, and help you to relax and feel good.

Courtesy of Newscanada

Longer life spans shifting focus toward dignity, quality of life.

The life expectancy for average Americans is longer than ever before - 78 years for a child born in 2007 versus 71 who was born in 1970, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

That's the good news, and it's been evolving over decades. Until recently, however, that positive change has come with a less happy corollary: More aging Americans are entering long-term care facilities, where they cope with basic issues of dignity such as incontinence, and independence, like the ability to choose their own waking and meal times.

The need to address the issues of dignity and independence is spurring change in the health care and extended care communities.

"With people living so much longer, a sea change is occurring in the health care community, and especially among providers of extended care," says Dan Love, president of the personal care division for Medline Industries, Inc. "The focus is shifting away from simply extending life and toward a greater emphasis on enhancing quality and maintaining dignity in the later years of life."

To better preserve the dignity of those in long-term care, a culture change movement is afoot in long-term care facilities, which is good news for older Americans. Today's long-term care facilities are transforming services for older adults through better attention to patient-directed values that include choice, dignity, respect, self-determination and purposeful living, according to the Pioneer Network, a not-for-profit advocacy group.

"The resident-centered care in long-term care encompasses nearly every aspect of life, from simple things like incontinence products that fit properly, to allowing residents to determine when they would like to get up in the morning and have dinner at night," Love says. "These changes focus on preserving an individual's dignity and autonomy as much as possible."

In fact, incontinence is a good example of a simple, yet pervasive need that directly impact's an individual's sense of dignity. More than half of all nursing home residents are incontinent, and it's the second leading cause of institutionalization, according to the National Association for Incontinence. Yet in the past, incontinence products have been little more than extra-large diapers that did little to preserve an individual's dignity.

Demand for better fitting products prompted Medline to develop a new design in adult briefs. FitRight provides a more comfortable, garment-like fit, with odor protection and leak guards that enhance the wearer's dignity, mobility and independence. Visit www.medline.com/pages/fitright to learn more about incontinence products.

"By switching to better-fitting, discreet and more absorbent incontinence products, facilities have taken steps toward mitigating the embarrassing effects of this issue," Love says. "It's a good example of how facilities are emphasizing the need to listen to - and respond - to residents' needs and concerns."

With Americans living longer, that means there will be a lot more of them. About 13 percent of the population (nearly 40 million people) are 65 or older, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. By 2030, that number is expected to rise to 72 million, or nearly one in five Americans; and the need for quality extended care facilities and products like FitRight will almost certainly rise with that number.

If you need to seek extended care for a loved one, the Pioneer Network offers some advice on how to evaluate whether a facility is on board with, and acting on, the concept of patient-directed care.



The organization recommends you ask these questions:

* How will they get to know your family member? - The facility may have a questionnaire to gather information about your loved one, and should be prepared to spend time with you and the patient to learn about their preferences, past, current interests, goals and wishes for the future.

* Will your family member be able to choose his or her own wake-up and meal times?

* Will your loved one be able to choose to have a shower or bath, and when that will happen?

* What recreational activities will be available?

"Every day, we're learning more about how to extend life," Love says. "Now, the challenge is to ensure that extra time is lived with the most dignity and best quality possible. Extended care facilities are finding that they can achieve that goal, often by taking some of the simplest steps."

Courtesy of BPT

America's history etched in hardwood: Timeless material performs to rave reviews

Wood is one of the oldest building materials we know, and one of the most beloved. It's a love affair that has lasted - like hardwood itself - through the centuries, from the log cabins of earliest America into the early 21st century.

The story of our architecture is literally written in wood - underfoot in planks polished by thousands of footsteps; on walls enriched with carved hardwood mouldings and paneling; even on ceilings, where load-bearing structural beams have assumed decorative roles, too.

"We are a country blessed from the beginning with an abundance and variety of hardwoods," says Linda Jovanovich, executive vice president of the American Hardwood Information Center. "But there are other reasons so much hardwood has been used in the building of America.

"Hardwoods are versatile," Jovanovich adds. "They come in many species, colors, and patterns of graining. They're easy to work - hence all the exquisite carvings. And they last. Hardwoods are durable, which is why we still have wonderful old homes and public buildings that date back to the beginning of this country." Or look as if they do.

Built in 1908, The Hermitage Museum sits in 12 acres of gardens along the Lafayette River in Norfolk, Va. But it could have come from 17th century England, with its wide-planked oak floors and wealth of hand-carved oak mouldings, wall paneling and doors.

Originally built as a summer home by wealthy New Yorkers William and Florence Sloane, the Hermitage is a 40-room work of art, thanks to the remarkable skills of three master wood craftsmen, who for three years, lived and worked in a turreted wood shop on the property while the house was under construction.

Now the Hermitage's heavy oak-and-iron doors are open to the public as a school of visual arts and a renowned museum with art and furnishings from the 17th to early 20th centuries. Learn more at the Hermitage Museum.

Down in Galveston, Texas, the Bishop's Palace (aka Gresham House) would stand out, even if its fairytale towers didn't soar more than three stories above the landscape.

The spectacular mansion is a paean to beautiful hardwoods, from the oak-paneled entry hall, with its 14-foot ceilings, to the black walnut bookcases in the library. It also features an inlaid oak and cherry hall floor and a soaring oak staircase, which was carved and shipped from a famed woodcarving center in Cincinnati.

Originally built by Colonel Walter Gresham for his wife and their nine children and completed in 1892, the spectacular mansion later housed the local Bishop, becoming known as the Bishop's "Palace" - though "fortress" might be more fitting. Through the Great Storm of 1900, this dazzling structure stood virtually unscathed, and remains Galveston's grandest and best-known building. See more at www.galveston.com/bishopspalace.

Not all hardwood installations must be old to be noteworthy. Skip ahead to the 21st century and 2005, when the Music Center of Strathmore in Baltimore debuted its state-of-the-art acoustics.

Acousticians had suggested that the new hall be built using as much natural material as possible. The result: a rich combination of yellow and red birch wood that sweeps across the center's vast floor and up its soaring walls. Their reasons were more than sound-deep.

"A hard surface is a hard surface," explains Mark Grabowski, Strathmore executive vice president. "We could have used cement - many of Europe's Old Master concert halls were built of cement. But we are talking about 'psycho-acoustics.' People just feel that natural wood makes the sound warmer and richer."

Critics agree: The Strathmore has been applauded by the Washington Post as "The best place in the Mid-Atlantic for listening to classical music." Ditto for other kinds of music, from jazz and pop to country and rock! "Wood sets the envelope for the music," Grabowski says. See what he means at www.strathmore.org.

In historic homes and modern cultural sites all across this country, the stage has been set by American Hardwoods. Warm to the touch, soothing to the ear, comforting to both eye and psyche, timeless hardwood will go on creating the environments Americans most want to be in. Visit www.HardwoodInfo.com and see why our love affair with hardwood has lasted so long.

IMAGE CAPTIONS:

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Caption 1: Victorian exuberance and extravagance abound in the Bishop"™s Palace, captured by Dan Canright for the Galveston Historical Foundation. Built in 1892, the hand-carved walls, floors and ceiling continue to astound visitors.

Courtesy of BPT

The design element that can add drama and save cash

While drama may be unattractive in other aspects of your life, a dash of it can be just what your home's decor needs to spice things up. Fortunately, you don't have to choose between drama and cents. At least one popular design element can deliver positive impact on your decor and your wallet: skylights.

Interior designers, architects, decorators and homeowners have been relying on skylights to add beauty, warmth, natural light and passive ventilation to interior designs for decades. Fortunately, advances in skylight design make them a cost-effective, green design element as well.

"Skylights ... enliven a house dramatically while cutting down the need for artificial light," notes the website ConsumerEnergyCenter.org. "They brighten up dark corners and let in lots of warmth. They can also provide much-needed ventilation."

Less dependence on artificial light sources or powered ventilation can mean lower electric bills in summer. Plus, warm sun entering the home through a skylight in winter can reduce your heating bills, as well. In fact, EnergyStar.gov says that installing Energy Star-qualified skylights, windows and doors can shrink your home's energy bill - and carbon footprint - by 7 to 15 percent over non-qualified products.

"Skylights convey drama, yet they're a surprisingly cost-effective home improvement," says Ross Vandermark, national product manager of Velux, manufacturers of the "No-Leak Skylight." "Installing skylights can be less costly than buying new designer furniture or putting in new carpet. Plus, if your interior design cries out for natural light, it's more practical and cost-effective to place skylights overhead than to add windows to a wall."

Aesthetic benefits

By opening a room to the sky, skylights add a touch of drama to the interior design. They're also an appealing solution for rooms where a traditional window might be problematic.

For example, in a bath, a venting skylight makes it possible to enjoy natural light and fresh air without sacrificing privacy or living with frosted glass. Venting models are also popular in kitchens and laundry rooms to remove cooking odors and excess heat while brightening much-used work spaces.

In other areas of the home, affordable tubular skylights like Velux's Sun Tunnel products make it possible to introduce natural light to hallways, closets, and other smaller or confined spaces. With the addition of a light kit, 24-hour illumination is available.

Overall, skylights are less limiting to a room's design than a traditional window - all while admitting much more natural light. Many people completely overlook or under utilize the design potential of a ceiling. Skylights can turn that blank slate into a design statement that is both functional and beautiful.

Practical value

Venting skylights can also offer a low-cost way to address indoor air quality by removing humidity, fumes and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from your home through their natural chimney effect. In addition to helping improve indoor air quality, skylights allow you to turn off electric lights and save money on power bills.

Accessorizing with manual or solar-powered, remote-operated blinds that qualify for tax breaks, allows you to further incorporate skylights into a design theme. Plus, the blinds - which are available in a range of colors and patterns - enhance the efficiency of skylights by allowing you to control the amount of light or heat that enters or leaves a room.

"Few home improvements marry the dramatic design impact and energy saving boost that you get from adding skylights," says Vandermark. "When it comes to redesigning a room, they're truly the touch that elevates the look and feel of your decor."

You can learn more about window and skylight energy efficiency at www.energystar.gov, and for independent agency information visit www.nfrc.org or www.efficientwindows.org.

IMAGE CAPTIONS:

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Caption 1: Energy Star-qualified venting skylights, with decor-enhancing blinds, are cost-effective and attractive home upgrades that provide healthful natural light and passive ventilation.

Caption 2: Tubular Sun Tunnel skylights bring natural light to baths and other rooms as well as to smaller, hard-to-access-from-above areas like hallways and closets.

Courtesy of BPT

Budget-friendly ways to refresh old outdoor spaces

(BPT) - Indoors or outdoors, your home decor needs some TLC to look its best. Replacing worn or dated furniture or flooring inside your home is considered fairly easy. But when outdoor spaces start to appear shabby, do you decide to live with the tired look because you think freshening the space will be too time-consuming or costly?



A few budget-friendly improvements and decorating touches can revitalize worn outdoor spaces and help them look new and inviting again. Here are some common challenges, and tips for overcoming them:



Worn decks, patios or porches



Decks, patios and porches are popular spots for home improvements - ones that create a staging place for outdoor entertaining or just relaxing and enjoying nature. When a wood deck becomes old and worn, or concrete patios crack, you may think the only solution is to replace them. But before you take that costly step, consider alternatives that can revitalize the existing surface without the need to replace it.



According to Scott Richards, senior vice president of marketing at Behr Paints, BEHR DECKOVER Solid Color Coating is a smooth finish resurfacing product that brings old, weathered wood or concrete surfaces back to life with a unique solution that hasn't existed before, and it's a budget-friendly alternative to replacing deck boards, railings, porches, boat docks, pool decking or patios.



"BEHR DECKOVER protects against the elements, while refreshing the appearance of wood and concrete," says Richards. "With just two coats and no primer needed, the thick coating covers splinters and fills cracks up to a quarter of an inch, spreading as easily as paint. We've created a way to achieve a low maintenance deck that resists the elements, repels water and creates a smooth, slip-resistant finish that is comfortable for bare feet." It's available at The Home Depot stores nationwide and comes in 54 colors. Visit www.behr.com to learn more.



Adding accents like decorative railings or lighted post caps can also revive the look of older decks. Deck manufacturers offer a variety of options for railings, from carved wood to metal and even glass. In most cases, you can add these railings to your existing deck boards, allowing you to replace just part of the deck and achieve a brand-new, designer look.



Tired furniture



Replacing sun-faded, weather-damaged cushions on outdoor furniture is a good start, and easy enough to do. But what do you do when the furniture frame has seen better days? Depending on the type of construction, you have several options including painting and reupholstering.



Landscaping and lighting



Modern outdoor settings allow nature and technology to meet. Give your exterior living space a new modern look by upgrading both landscaping and lighting. Improving your landscaping can be as easy as planting a few container gardens around your deck or patio and filling them with flowers that will bloom throughout the season. Nothing looks fresher and livelier than flowers.



Next, look at how your outdoor space is lit. Adding lighting allows you to enjoy the space safely after the sun goes down, but dated lighting can make your deck or patio look dull. Plus, older lights are often not as energy-efficient as newer options. Upgrade lighting by replacing old fixtures with newer options, such as solar-powered lights or ones that use energy-sipping CFLs or LEDs.



Making your old outdoor space look like it belongs beside a new showcase home doesn't have to be difficult or costly. With a few budget-minded tips and tools, it's possible for any do-it-yourselfer to make everything old new again.



Courtesy of BPT

Add economical living space with an outdoor room

(BPT) - Adding living space to your home can be an expensive prospect. However, creating an outdoor room is a budget-friendly option that gives you more square footage, as well as additional opportunities to enjoy the season. As an extension of the home, outdoor rooms with decks or pergolas can be personalized to truly bring indoor comforts outside for relaxation and entertaining.



Prepare your outdoor space



Before embarking on designing an outdoor room, start with a clean slate by making necessary repairs. Jason Ringling, director of marketing for Red Devil, says outdoor fix-ups are on the agenda because of the unusual weather the country has experienced, including wind and flood damage. Outdoor structures have particularly taken a beating, with damage to wood structures and cracked concrete.



"Homeowners can tackle these jobs with long-lasting quality adhesives and sealants," says Ringling. "There are new, environmentally friendly construction adhesives on the market, which can help repair damaged decks, concrete, outdoor furniture, play sets and more."



Stand up to Mother Nature



If you start with cellular PVC as a wood replacement, you can add longevity and low-maintenance to pergolas and other outdoor structures. Those that come in easy-to-assemble kits make it even easier to have a stylish extension to your home. According to the experts at Walpole Outdoors, to match your home's style, look for variations in pergola design such as straight or arched tops, and round or square columns in many sizes.



"For a true 'outdoor room' feeling, a retractable, weather-resistant fabric canopy can provide shade and shelter whenever the weather changes, so homeowners can always plan outdoor occasions with confidence," says Walpole president Lou Maglio.



Affordable, natural looks that endure



Decks are another easy way to extend living space and with new alternative materials, it's easy to save on maintenance without sacrificing style. One advancement in composite decking technology features a "cap" or protective outer layer that looks like real hardwood.



"Today's deck trends show that homeowners are looking for deck styles and colors that strongly resemble the earthy tones found in nature," says Carey Walley, vice president of marketing for TimberTech, a leading composite decking manufacturer. As an example, the company's new Earthwood Evolutions Terrain is an affordable hardwood-look composite that is durable, moisture-resistant and accepts concealed fasteners. Walley also notes that a new interactive Q&A forum called Straight Talk is a great place to investigate common deck topics and to ask any deck question that will be answered by experts.



De-clutter your deck space



When designing that special outdoor space, start by de-cluttering the deck. Look for the latest clever, space-saving solutions that help make the most of your deck space. One way to cut costs and improve the view is to use fewer posts, according to Mike Gori, director of product management, AZEK Building Products.



"We've engineered a durable railing system that spans 10 feet between posts, which requires fewer posts. This creates a less cluttered look, clearer views and substantial cost savings," he says. In addition, he suggests hide-away storage bins that make use of the space under the deck to store items like umbrellas and pool toys. "The lid is discreetly flush with the deck surface, eliminating those large plastic bins that obscure the view and take up valuable deck space."



With these tips, it's easy to find functional, beautiful and affordable options for making your outdoor space your very own.



Courtesy of BPT