Tips for building an outdoor kitchen for clients

By Steve Constable 

Photo by Richelieu

Outdoor kitchens have been growing in popularity over the years. The benefit of learning how to build an outdoor kitchen is that the profit margins are traditionally higher than standard indoor kitchen remodels given that the select group of contractors with the skill of installing them is small and their services are in demand.

The outdoor kitchen is comprised of four distinct zones: the hot zone, which is where your grill, cook top and pizza oven goes; a wet zone, which is where your sink goes; a cold zone where you keep your cooler or refrigerator; and a dry zone, which is where you want to keep cooking and storage items dry.

Of all the zones within the outdoor kitchen the dry zone requires the most specialized equipment. Special water-tight  and water-resistant cabinets will need to be put in to keep storage items dry. Among the offerings are NatureKast high-density resin and Werever marine-grade HDPE cabinetry that are so impervious you can clean them with a water hose. Kalamazoo also makes beautiful stainless steel cabinets and appliances for the outdoors.

 

Werever marine-grade cabinetry

In regards to appliances for an outdoor kitchen, Kalamazoo makes the nicest, most durable appliances you can buy. They make warming drawers and side burners. They even make outdoor dishwashers, which is a real luxury item if you think about it.

Another aspect of building an outdoor kitchen is to select the right grade of tile. Tiles that work best outside are high-grade porcelain tiles, which are nearly impervious to moisture, and quarry tiles that are highly durable in structure. Another building material you can consider working with is stained concrete with a durable layer of polymer coating.  If you choose to stamp the concrete you want a very low stamp level, which will make cracking less of likelihood. Also if you want to put wood deck flooring in your outdoor kitchen, pick the most water-impervious grade of wood you can. Epay wood is a highly recommended outdoor wood flooring option. Remember sourcing the most durable materials you can and paying more initially is better in the long run as the life of the kitchen can be extended into many decades of time.

Although many keep the outdoor kitchen as closely adjacent to the indoor one as possible, it should not be relegated to just the backyard. You can put outdoor kitchens on the roof as well.
Building an outdoor kitchen is not a necessity but it is a luxury symbol. Many homeowners appreciate what an outdoor kitchen can provide in terms of entertaining guests, and may be eager to have one custom built.

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12 Ways to Save Money at Home Depot

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12 Ways to Save Money at Home Depot

Home Depot is a popular place for people who enjoy DIY projects, or are in the middle of renovating or building a house. It’s easy to get lost in their stores, wandering up and down the aisles, and filling your cart with a bunch of different items. Sometimes this means you end up spending more money than you originally intended. A trip for a $20 purchase could easily turn into a $200 trip. If you’re someone who does tend to spend a lot of money at when shopping at Home Depot, here are a number ways to save money at their stores:

Savings Center

Before you head on over to your local shop, make sure to check out the savings center section of their website. This page shows all the best deals and sales happening each week and month at their stores. The savings center shows deals and sales for every applicable department, and many of the sales range from 5% off to 50% off. If there’s something specific you’re thinking of buying, it’s a great idea to check out the sales before making a purchase.

Rebates

Another great way to save money is by taking advantage of the rebate finder on their website. The website lists all the available rebates for products that the stores sell, some of which go as high as $1,000. Since they don’t normally offer coupons, utilizing rebates is a great way to save some money on your purchases.

Special Buy of the Day

Another feature that is offered on their website is a “special buy of the day.” They pick one item in their store and set a special sale price for 24 hours. Keeping an eye on this section in case something you’ve been meaning to buy pops up as a special sale is well worth your while.

Free DIY Classes

One of the great offers that you can take advantage of is the free do-it-yourself classes that Home Depot offers. While this won’t save you money on the purchase price of the materials you buy, it can save you hundreds, and even thousands, of dollars on hiring someone else to do the project. You may be surprised that with a bit of instruction, how much you really can do on your own to save money, and this confidence will help you tackle other home repairs around the house (although some aren’t cut out for DIY projects). They even offer free workshops aimed specifically toward women.

Sales Catalog

Checking out the sales catalog is another way to save money during your next trip. The sales catalog contains the weekly sales happening at your local store, and often includes items that aren’t shown on the Savings Center webpage. These catalogs are available both online and in-store and can be a great way to help you plan your trip and spending.

Newsletter

Home Depot offers a Garden Club newsletter and signing up will grant you with special member only perks and deals, such as discounts and coupons. Such coupons could be $5 off a $50 purchase or 10% off. The newsletter also provides great tips and tricks of gardening and outside home care and repair, so if this falls under your interests, you should consider signing up to take advantage of their expertise.

Price Match

If you find a product for a lower price at a competitor store, Home Depot will honor the lower price as long as you can prove it (such as bringing in the flyer or pulling up the competitor’s price on your smartphone). Not only do they promise to match the price, but they’ll to beat it by 10%. Checking the competitors advertised deals before you go on the things you plan to buy can end up being a great savings. Don’t only look at other home improvement stores when searching for the best price. Also look at discount stores like Walmart and Target that might also stock the items you’re looking for to claim the price match deal

Coupons

Home Depot doesn’t often offer coupons, but a quick search online for “Home Depot coupons” brings up a decent amount of results. Before you go on your next Home Depot trip, it’s a good idea to search for coupons online to see if there are any available. Even if you can’t find any, not all is lost because the stores also honors competitor coupons. That means if you have a Lowe’s coupon tucked away somewhere, you can claim that savings on your trip.

Military Discount

If you’re in the military or a veteran, you can show the cashier your military ID in order to obtain a 10% discount on your total purchase. Many places offer discounts to members of the military, so just remember that Home Depot is one of those places!

Gift Cards

There are a lot of places online that sell discounted gift cards or that will allow you to swap an unused gift card for a different gift card. If you have, for instance, a bunch of department store gift cards laying around that you’ll never use, head on over to a site like CardSwap and swap it in for a Home Depot gift card. You can also buy discounted gift cards on these sites, with discounts being as high as 40% off the original gift card amount. If you know that you’re going to be doing a big project and will be spending a lot at the store, loading up on gift cards that you can buy for less than retail value can save you hundreds of dollars.

“Special” Items

Home Depot often has a separate section of the store for items that have been returned or gently damaged (such as dents in cans or scratched items). These items are still up for sale, but at a greatly reduced price. If you’re looking to save money and don’t mind some dented paint cans or tools that have been scratched and don’t look shiny and new, shopping in the clearance/returned/special item section may be where you want to look. If you can’t find this section on your own, just ask an employee where it’s located, and they will happily show you where it is.

Free Entertainment for Kids

In addition to adult do-it-yourself workshops, the stores also offer DIY workshops for kids. Not only do the kids learn important hands-on creating skills, they get a half day of free entertainment while they do it. Even better, the skills that they learn can be utilized to help you on DIY home projects as they get older, saving you even more money.

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Five Tips to Make Summer Home Renovations Pay Off

NEW YORK (MainStreet)—Younger homeowners are likely planning renovations this summer, according to a new study, with some improvements benefiting property values more than others.
The Zillow Digs Summer Home Improvement Trend and Spending survey found that 71% of those aged 18 to 34 plan a home improvement or addition compared to 51% of homeowners 55 and older.

The survey found that 40% plan to work on their outdoor spaces while 17 percent plan to improve their bathrooms.

"As we head into the long days of summer, we are seeing increased interest in outdoor spaces with very natural elements such as stone fireplaces as well as bringing more light into bathrooms with clear glass on the walls and shower enclosures," said Cynthia Nowak, a trend expert with Zillow Digs.

Overall, 60% of American homeowners plan renovations and expect to spend $1,200 with 65% of homes housing children planning three or more home improvements compared to 57% of homes without children.

But not all home improvements pay off and positively impact property values, according to the Appraisal Institute, a professional association of real estate appraisers.

Siding replacement, entry door replacement, attic bedroom addition, minor kitchen remodel and garage door replacement rank among the projects with the highest expected return on investment, according to Remodeling magazine's most recent Cost vs. Value report.

"Projects that take a home significantly beyond community norms are often not worth the cost when the owner sells the home," said Appraisal Institute President Richard L. Borges. "If they don't match what's standard in a community, they're considered excessive."

Other renovations with high expected pay-offs include basement remodel, deck addition and window replacement.

"Consumers should be aware that cost does not necessarily equal value," Borges said.

Below are 5 tips to consider before launching home renovations:

• 1. Arrange a feasibility study for an unbiased evaluation. "During a feasibility study, a professional real estate appraiser will analyze the homeowner's property, weigh the cost of rehabilitation and provide an estimate of the property's value before and after the improvement," said Borges.
• 2. Add green and energy-efficient renovations. "Adding Energy Star appliances and extra insulation are likely to pay the homeowner back in lowered utility bills relatively quickly. Lower utility costs also are a draw for potential homebuyers," said Borges.
• 3. The longer a homeowner stays in a property, the greater the opportunity for a return on investment. As a result, Borges advises holding off on big renovations when a homeowner isn't sure how long they will be in their home.
• 4. Check online for home renovation ideas. About 37 percent of homeowners look to the internet for home improvement ideas and inspiration, according to the Zillow Digs survey. HGTV.com, Pinterest and Zillow Digs were among the most common online sources for inspiration.
• 5. Download the Appraisal Institute's free Remodeling & Rehabbing brochure at www.appraisalinstitute.org

 *article source finance.yahoo.com

DIY Pest Control Can Save You Money!

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Spring is project time.  From DIY  home renovations and landscaping projects, even pest control becomes a big part of a homeowner's to-do list.  Unfortunately, pest control services can be pricey, rangig anywhere from $300 per year for a basic quarterly pest control service, to over $250 for just one ant or rodent job.  But there is an alternative to hiring a pest control company.

One option homeowners can turn to is do-it-yourself pest control.  Professional pest control products can save homeowners a significant amount of money, especially in today's economy.  they can also be just as safe to use as most other chemical household products, as long as customers follow the label.

The DIY pest control industry has grown significantly over the past several years mainly because of a new breed of internet pest control stores that sell professional pest control products.  These companies cater specifically to homeowners and businesses and often profile certified pest control experts on staff and a wealth of information to guide homeowners on how to treat their issues just like a professional, something people can't get from a big-box store.

Larger savings can be gained by replacing termite jobs and bed bug control with DIY alternatives.  For example, a termite job an cost anywhere from $1000 to $1500 for a typical residential home.  Bed bug control jobs can cost as high as $5000.    Compare this with DIY termite control products for $300 and DIY bed bug control kits for around $100-$250.  In general, savings by going DIY can be as high as 70% or more.

While there is no question professional services will be necessary in some cases, the fact is the majority of pest problems can be handled by a homeowner.  Customers are capable of reading a label and following directions and getting rid of pests on their own.  Pest control is not rocket science.  

Of course there can be risks with any DIY project, but the power of the internet is providing homeowners and businesses with the knowledge and products to solve their own pest problems safely and effectively.

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5 DIY Projects That Could Ruin Your Home

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Great advise in this article!

Before you take an unsupervised plunge into your next do it yourself project, you may want to keep in mind these four DIY disasters.

Here are a few easy ways you could ruin your home from Yahoo! Homes.

1. Flooring - When you deal with bathrooms, you're dealing with water. You should really hire someone who knows what they are doing. This is serious stuff! Educate yourself and go online, because you can't cheap-out on doing a bathroom floor.







2. Toilets - Homeowners have ended up paying thousands of dollars to repair ceilings and floors after the new toilet leaked through one floor to the next. An extra $2 wax ring to seal the toilet and floor drain is one solution, or just hire a contractor or plumber for about $135 in labor costs.


3. Cabinets - You can have a professional painter do the job or have a company reface them. Cabinet refacing has become a quick, affordable, and less messy renovation process. Contractors remove and replace doors and drawers for a couple thousand dollars, depending on the size of your kitchen, which is a bargain compared to the more than $10,000 is can cost for new cabinets.





4. Walls - A load-bearing wall is one that bears the weight and force of a structure and transfers that weight to the ground. That means everyone and everything is safe from falling through to the bottom floor. But before taking out one of these walls, you need to first put up a temporary wall. If you don't do this series of events in tearing down walls, everything drops.

5. Venting - The ventilation in your home is vital to keeping the temperature regulated, so when doing things yourself be aware of where the ventilation is in your home. It could cost up to $15,000 to move ventilation. So if you want to DIY but ventilation proves a problem, it may be best to leave that project and move on.

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Fall Decorating Ideas For Your Home

Updating a living space can be easy and affordable with these simple design ideas from Mosaik Design and Remodeling.

Layer a new wool rug or animal hide on top of an existing rug and you create an entirely new look. 

The change in season often inspires change to indoor living spaces. This is especially true as fall approaches and more time is spent indoors. There are plenty of simple ways to update the feel of a space that don’t require a lot of time and money. Erin Davis, co-owner of Mosaik Design and Remodeling, a premier design and build firm in Portland, Oregon shares affordable home decorating tips to bring warmth and luxury into the home this fall:

•      Layer and Texture: Layering and adding texture is an easy way to give a room a cozy feel, just as we would add a scarf or sweater to our wardrobe. Try a new wool rug or animal hide on top of an existing rug or add a handmade blanket or quilt on top of your comforter and you create an entirely new look. Bring in cozy, textural elements like velvet pillows or a cashmere throw and you add comfort and a touch of luxury to any room. Natural fiber wallpaper is another interesting way to bring warmth and texture to a space.

•    Color: Introduce new colors into your palette that reflect the mood of the fall season. This can be with home accessories or a coat of fresh paint. For example, if soft blues and yellows dominate your décor, add greys, bronzes or dark chocolates to create an entirely new fall palette. If you have a neutral color scheme, try amethysts, wines, spicy reds or soft orange hues to add warmth and richness to your room. These warm, rich tones will evoke comfort year round. Try this method with a new entry rug, hallway runner, or window treatments. For something more permanent, introduce a high contrast color on cabinets, molding or a stair rail to make a high impact design statement that is sophisticated without breaking the bank. 

•     Metalics: Bring in metallic tones to add elegance and a modern feel to your space. Gold, bronze and copper toned metals can bring warmth to your home. Metal toned nesting tables can make a wonderful addition if you entertain frequently and if space is at a premium. They can be placed in front of a sofa or chair and then stored away as a single end table when not in use. Lamp bases are another easy way to introduce metal tones. For something more dramatic, a pressed tin panel ceiling treatment is an unexpected way to introduce a metallic color.

•     Fireplace: If you are looking for a more permanent change, remodeling a fireplace is a great way to freshen up an entire space. Fireplaces tend to be the focal point in a room so even a minor change can make a big statement. Re-painting the wood or brick on the fireplace is an easy, inexpensive way to update the room, while a complete overhaul of the mantle, hearth and firebox will create an even larger impact. If you have a wood burning firebox, consider converting to a gas fireplace and you will get much more use out of it. 

•     Kitchen: The heart of the home gets its fair share of use in the cooler months. Put away summer dishes, glassware and get organized for family gatherings and entertaining in this area. Organize kitchen clutter by introducing a sleek bulletin board to keep track of kids’ activities and invitations or consider built in cubbies that can double as wine storage or to organize cookbooks. Also, don’t forget to clean your oven to set the stage for those amazing comfort foods like casseroles and pot pies.

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*article from prweb.com

11 Tips for Getting Your Project Started

Great article about getting that home project started that you may have been putting off for a while!


Thinking of tackling a remodeling project? Big or small, there are a few things you need to know first. If the job seems a little too involved for your skill level, hiring a contractor can save stress and time. Don Reynolds, owner of Reynolds General Construction, gave us some tips for hiring one. If the job is something you’re confident you can handle, Rollie Clarkson, owner of Remodeling Construction, gave some tips for that, too.

1. Is the job something you can do? “When you hire a professional, they know how to surgically take something apart and put it back together,” Reynolds said. Rather than ripping down a wall and then discovering the plumbing needs to be rerouted, they’ll assess the possible hurdles before they make a mess.

2. How experienced are you with home projects? “Be realistic about your skill set,” Clarkson said. “If you have no tools or experience, you’re setting yourself up for failure.”
If you’re naturally handy and/or have some construction skills , then give it a shot, he said.

3. Consider the age of your home. “A bathroom remodel in a house that was built in the 1980s can be finished quickly. If it’s an old house from the 1800s, you’ll probably have to take it clear down to the studs and redo the wiring and the walls, which could take close to a month,” Reynolds said. If your home is old, you’ll have to retrofit trim, windows and more to make everything fit. Suddenly, replacing the sink in your 1910 Victorian just got a lot more complicated.

4. Do your homework when hiring a contractor. Don’t just settle on the first contractor you find. “Get references from homeowners who have used their services,” Reynolds said. “Ask how capable their craftsmanship skills were, and how pleased they are with the results.” If a contractor seems shifty when you meet them, move on.

5. With painting, it’s all in the preparation. “It takes more time to prep a room than it does to paint a room,” Clarkson said. “Tape the woodwork, remove switch plates, patch cracks and holes.” He added that old popcorn texture on ceilings may crumble to the floor when you try to paint over it, creating a new mess, and a new project, since you’ll have to re-texture.

6. Have a well-stocked toolbox. Clarkson’s suggestions for tools to have: A tape measure, various screwdrivers, a few different types of pliers, a small pry bar and a utility knife. He also recommends a small hand saw or circular saw.

7. If it’s not right, make it right. Stay in touch with your contractor so both parties know exactly how you want the finished product to look. “Communicate full details of the remodel,” Reynolds said. “If it’s not to your standards ... ask them to change it. Don’t give up.”

8. Stick to your budget. A good contractor should give you options to help you stay within your budget. Don’t let them talk you into upgrades you can’t afford. “I help my customers by giving them an allowance for things, like the faucets, for example. If they choose a model that is more expensive than the allowance I suggested, I make it clear that money has to be pulled from another area,” Reynolds said.

9. Take a class. If you want a small lesson on painting, installing a door, or other small home projects, many big box home improvement stores offer classes on Saturdays. “They’ll show you how to set a toilet or paint a room,” Clarkson said.

10. You can rent what you need. A lot of big, expensive items can be rented for individual projects, so you don’t have to shell out the dough for a chainsaw, for example. Clarkson said to check with local rental or hardware stores to rent items like air compressors, tall ladders and saws.

11. A contractor can help with small jobs, too. If you don’t have the time or tools to complete handyman work, like painting and other small jobs, hiring a contractor could be a good solution, no matter where you are in the process. “We can pick up wherever you left off,” Reynolds said.

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Article source: http://dmjuice.desmoinesregister.com

Kitchen Cabinets

Exploring Your Door Style Options

Structure
The doors can be mounted in different ways, creating a distinct look to certain cabinet collection. The face frame is the part of the kitchen cabinets that make up the foundation. Overlay is the term used to describe how much of the face frame is visible, while the covered portion is referred to as the reveal.

• Partial overlay is the most common door style option where the doors are mounted on the face frame, leaving one inch of reveal.
• Full overlay is designed to have the doors almost entirely cover the reveal. Though more common in frameless or “European” kitchen cabinets, this can also be seen in framed cabinet units. Hinges are concealed and less than an eight of an inch is left between one door to another.
• Inset is as door style option where the doors are attached within the rails and stiles,lying even with the front portion of the cabinet box. However, a common problem with this is that humidity and constant change in temperature can cause rubbing between the stiles and the door.

Form
Kitchen cabinets come in various panel designs that are made more interesting in an endless variety of rich finishes. Your door style options include:

• Slab – which as the name suggests, display clean lines and simplicity.
• Recessed panel offers a picture-frame look with its flat panel fixed within a mounting constructed with miter and tenon joints.
• Raised panel features panels that generally measure between  ½ and ¾ inch in height, creating a bulging quality to the doors. This is then made more dramatic by a routed edge profile, making kitchen cabinets in this door style option truly elegant.
• Curved panel showcases decorative raised panels that loop upward in gentle arches.
• The cathedral panel can either be raised or recessed, with a cathedral-type arch crowning the door design.
• Beadboard panel is typically found in recessed panels and makes use of routed beaded details to achieve a casual country look.

Depending on the architectural style of your home and kitchen, you can choose from different door style options to complement with the rest of the designs and décor, helping you achieve an overall look and feel that is tasteful. Perfect for modern set-ups, contemporary kitchen cabinets are made distinct by their simple, basic lines that make the collection appear sleek and streamlined. There are also designs that can be used for a variety of architectures from traditional, cottage, transitional or modern kitchens like Shaker and Mission door style.

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Article source: craftsmennetwork.com

Fun Kitchen Remodeling Tips for the Summer Season

Summer is a wonderful time for remodeling.  Everything looks so gorgeous and vibrant outside so your creativity gets inspired.  And because it’s hot and humid outside you don’t mind working inside one bit!  As an expert in custom home design and construction we have some excellent kitchen design ideas to boost the look of your kitchen this summer.  This article outlines some our ideas on how to make your kitchen extra inviting for you, your family and friends.

Add a new stove
One sure way to revamp your kitchen the summer is to add some new appliances, specifically a brand new stove, preferably one that’s professional grade.  Flank it with some brand-new counter tops and voila! You already have created a beautiful change!

Add an island
One great idea for a new island is to add an island with legs.  That way you have a shelf at the bottom and room to put your legs as you pull up some nice, custom-made stools.  This gives you excellent space as you eat and chat.

Stack your dishes differently
Another way to spruce up your kitchen is to mount a dish rack onto your wall close to your dishwasher.  This is a great way to make mealtimes move more smoothly and to create a nice aesthetic too.

Make breakfast a breeze
Another suggestion: create a special station just for breakfast.  You can add a Tambour door to elegantly conceal a breakfast cupboard, perfect for storing items like your toaster, jug and preserves.

Find a vintage sink
We love blending old with new.  An old vintage sink can be made modern and versatile with a new pair of faucet mounts.

Be particular, but smart with your lighting
When you’re adding new life into your kitchen design think in layers and avoid blasts of light which overwhelm your senses, especially early morning and late in the day.  Have spotlights in strategic parts of the kitchen where you’re tasking the most.

Make food part of your design
Experts say that food is the ultimate accessory so display yours nicely with some glass cabinet doors in your cabinetry.

Install cabinets
Cabinets can be the ultimate design feature in a remodeled kitchen.  Consider modular cabinets for storing bottles of wine and stemware.

Don’t forget the flooring
Much can be changed with a new, renovated kitchen simply by adding new flooring. Options run the gamut these days from eco-friendly products such as bamboo, which is excellent at reflecting light, to luxury flooring such as Walnut.  Engineered wood is excellent in any room where water frequently flashes to the ground. You can also try a rustic look with rustic flagstone.  Black and white checkered tiles can add a retro feel to any kitchen floor.

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Article source: jdouglashomes.com

Beat the Heat

Many homeowners have already begun sweating the inevitable increase in their electricity usage that arrives along with warm summer weather. In addition to the longer days and more frequent thunderstorms most regions experience every summer, the Farmer's Almanac is predicting record high temperatures across the country in 2012. The combination of those factors can wreak havoc on a home during summer months, and Power Home Remodeling Group, the nation's fourth largest home remodeling company, offers homeowners tips for protecting both their homes and their wallets by saving energy this summer.

 

"So many homeowners dread their high energy bills during the summer months without realizing there are a multitude of common sense solutions that can help increase their home's energy efficiency," says Matt Hess, Power's VP of Operations-Installations. "The beauty of these steps is that they are not only extremely simple to implement, but they also defeat the negative effect heat can have on a home — and a wallet."

Power offers the following tips to make your home more energy efficient during the hot summer days and nights:

• Cut down your AC usage by turning the thermostat up during the daytime hours when no one is home, or consider installing a programmable thermostat.
• Replace air conditioner filters every month to increase your unit's efficiency and productivity.
• Use ceiling fans to circulate cool air but remember to turn them off when leaving the room.
• Plant trees or shrubs to shade AC units, but make sure they don't block the airflow.
• Run dishwashers and clothes dryers at night to reduce heat production in the home during the hottest hours of the day.
• Install door sweeps on the bottoms of all doors leading outside so that they lightly graze the existing threshold and keep hot air outside, and cool air in.
• Place electronic equipment like televisions and computers away from thermostats where the heat they produce could cause the AC to run overtime. Likewise, position the thermostat away from direct sunlight which can cause it to read a higher than actual temperature.
• Keep shades and blinds closed during the day to block out the sunlight and keep the house cool.
• Close any AC intake vents that are low to the floor and open those that are high on the wall to ensure warmer air is cycled back into the home through the AC system.
• On the hottest days of the summer, switch the fan mode on your thermostat from "auto" to "on" to continuously cycle the air and make the temperature on all floors feel consistent.
• Seek out drafts around kitchen and bath vents, doors, windows and outlet covers with the help of a stick of incense. Light the stick and wave it slowly in front of those areas to see where the smoke is drawn out. Repair any leaks by sealing with caulk or weather stripping and replacing trim.
• Avoid using the oven on very hot days. Instead, cook using an outdoor grill or microwave.
• Investing in new doors and energy efficient windows can protect window treatments, floors and furniture from fading due to sun damage. Look for windows featuring Heatshield low-E glass that is much more efficient at keeping heat and humidity at bay.   
• Swap old lightbulbs out for energy efficient, compact fluorescent bulbs that emit a brighter light and last longer.
• Secure loose shingles, replace damaged sections of the roof and gutters and clear gutter blockages to prevent ultimate gaps and holes that can lead to leaks and the escape of cool air.
• If replacing a roof, consider using pale-gray shingles as they will attract less heat than darker shingles.

In addition to these tips, energy and savings-conscious homeowners can conduct a home energy assessment through a do-it-yourself energy review or by hiring a licensed company. By seeking out air leaks and inspecting insulation, lighting and heating/cooling systems, homeowners can easily target the energy-sucking culprits around their homes and determine solutions.

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*article from supplychaindigital.com