Newspapers / The Charlotte Post (Charlotte, … / Aug. 25, 2005, edition 1 / Page 28
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4D REAL ESTATE/®}* C}artan* Thursday, August 25, 2005 Naturally made for the shade Continued from page 3D will add to the overall appeal. Materials There are a number of choices available, but one of the most suitable building materials for sunshades is western red cedar. Many homeowners specify western red cedar due to its all-natur- £d look, aroma and character that blends nicely with the natural surroundings. And the wood’s natural resistance to mold and mildew has long been recc^;nized. “Natural qualities of west ern red cedar make it an excellent choice for a wide range of building projects both inside the home and out side the home — like sun shades,” says Peter Lang, general manager of the West ern Red Cedar Lumber Asso ciation. “And unlike plastic or imitation wood products, cedar is one of the most envi- ronmentally-friendly build ing materials you can use. It’s naturally durable without the need for chemical treat ment, dimensionally stable, resilient and lightweight. Most impKjrtantly, cedar comes from a renewable resource which means gener ations of Americans will ccai- tinue to be able to add its beauty and long lasting per formance to their homes. The same cannot be said of plastic or metal-based alternatives.” Western red cedar has a low density — making it easy to work with and lightweight so load-bearing limits shouldn’t be an issue. Low density ensures cedar does not become hot in the mid-sum mer sun, so while those with plastic or composed decks are forced inside, you can eryoy the beautiful outdoors. Western red cedar is also free of the pitch and resin found in other softwoods - a quality that makes it ideal for a wide range of finishes. Whether you choose a lightly tinted semi-transparent stain or a two-coat solid color fin ish, c^dar ranks at the top in Liven up kitchen or bathroom Continued from page 3D people can feel good about them. Bamboo flooring is made fium grass which is able to rejuvenate itself to maturity within four to five years. Cork flooring is made by harvesting the outer bark of a tree while allowing it to continue to grow. Mar- moleum is made of linseed oil, rosins, and wood flour, calendered ontii a natural jute backing. While bamboo and cork are known for their softness and insulating properties, Mar- moleum, manufactured by Forbo Flooring, has a reputa tion for that and more. It also has anti-static and bacterici dal properties. It is easily kept dirt and dust fiee, and tests show that micro-organ isms including Salmonella and Staphjdococcus do not grow and spread on Mar- moleum. This and more make it a perfect surface for the kitchen or bathroom. From a design standpoint, Marmoleum has made a name for itself with its versa tility The flooring is available in over 100 colors in sheet, 30 colors in tiles and 18 colors in easy to install click panels and squares. “You can really indulge your senses with this surface,” says Piera Marotto of Forbo Flooring. “There are so many options at your fingertips.” In the kitchen, islands or bars can be surroimded by color that will really set them apart fium the rest of the room. You can also use a color change to separate the kitchen fi*om an adjoining dining room or great room. ‘Tou can make the room appear larger by using light colors and simple patterns, or choose a busy pattern and darker colors to make the room feel cozier. If you want the patterns to be the focal point of the room, you can install zig zags of alternating colors, or even checker boards,” says Marotto. For people who don’t want to deal witii ^ue and messy cleanup, Marmoleum is now available in easy-to-install click panels and squares. The panels simply lock into place with a tongue and groove sys tem. Each panel is 12 inches wide and 36 inches long. They can be combined with the 12-inch by 12-inch squares for a wide variety of patterns and color combina tions. Since no glue is required, you can walk on the floor immediately after installation. Tb learn more about Mar moleum and Marmoleum dick, or to find the dealer nearest you, log on to WWW. themarmoleumstore. co m or call (866) MAR MOLEUM. ‘Saddle chic’ ceramic tile refines mstic Continued from page 3D practical and savvy answer to incorporating this lefined, yet rustic sensibUity into your home. Easy to clean and main tain, tiles offer an eco-fiiend- ly approach to decorating. Because they are made fiom 100 percent plentiful and natural raw materials, ceramics are chemically inert so they inhibit the giowth of mold, mildew and fungus, and improve the air quality by reducing aller gens. Variations in color, tex ture and design allow con sumers to create their own custom-designed space. Leather in the bathroom? Not very practical you may say But Spanish tile manu facturers are introducing products that capture the feeling of these materials with the advantages of tile. With Diago’s Cueio series, wliich looks like leather, you could have the only ‘leather” shower stall on your block! Make the look even more interesting with wood. Ceramic tile with a wood look will not warp, fade or require refinishing. This makes it the ideal choice for a moisture ridden space such as a bath. The Natura series by Grespania is porcelain stoneware inspired by the beauty of dark and light toned wood species in sizes Similar to that of natural wood planks. Wood doesn’t have to stay on the floor either. Consider using the look on the walls with His- pano Azul’s Irati Collection, which offers wood-feel wall tiles. Stone is c^tral to the rustic “Saddle Chic” ambi ence as well, but, natural stone in a bathroom may not be practical. However, there is a ceramic tile solution, (jo for a pebble look with Ceramica Gomez’s Nilo series; or for a rustic, rugged wall, the Urbe Series, which resembles quarried stone by Halcon, a Spanish tile man ufacturer, is available in beige, cream, red and moss. If you want to refine the rus tic a little more, consider a marble look in ceramic. You’ll get the look and feel of the natural material, but the benefit of easy care and maintenance of tile. AzuleVs Florenda series, an eluant rapolano marble inspired porcelain wall tile can be combined with the leather or wood look floor tiles. The Florencia series comes in a rai^ of pieces and sizes for vanities and coimtertops, moldings and mosaics. Include some metal with a weathering steel. This sophisticated look can be very modem, but wfll add a refined edge to the western stjde. Spanish manufactur er, Tau, offers the Corten series with a background of copper brown with green streaking for a remarkable resemblance to naturally oxidizing steel. The key is to mix the core elements: leather, wood, stone and metal to achieve the “Saddle Chic” look Ceramic tile fi'om Tile of Spain manufacturers lets you be creative with the com- biiiations to achieve a space that suits your stjie. Mix tile formats in the bathroom space to give each area its own personality For exam ple, try a 1 inch by linch mosaic in the vanity area and perhaps a 24 inch by 48 inch slab tilfe in the shower area. Many choices go into designing a bathroom. The first step is to compile an idea folder and define your style. Consider “Saddle Chic” — it’s easy to accom plish in any room’ when you choose ceramic tile from Spain. For more information about Spanish tile manufac turers, visit www.spaintiles.info or call (305) 446-4387. Tips for increasing home’s resale value ARHCIJ-: RFSOl ’RCF ASSCX'IMIOS’ Selling your house? There are many ways to get top dollar for your home without spending a lot of time and money All it takes is a little bit of inge nuity and a few tried-and-true home improveanent tips. “One of the ai'eas that can really make an impaession on the potential home- buyer is the exteiior and backj^rd,” said Dave Martel, veteran contractor and co inventor of Tiger daw hidden deck fas teners. “A nice lush green lawn and attractive landscaping are two of the most obvious things to look for, but there’s something more. The next time you see a deck, patio, porch or hot tub area, look down. Chances are you’ll see ugly black stains, wood rot, and splits and cracks in the wood. A relatively new deck can look ages old.” These imperfections are caused by the use of traditional nails and screws. Tbday if you want to improve the value of your home and increase your chances of selling it quickly, think about replac ing the top deck boards and using hid den deck fasteners. Tbdays hidden deck fasteners create a smooth “nail-fi^” surface, which pre serves the beauty of the wood and reduces splitting, splintering, cupping, and rotting. Costs and installation times have been dramatically reduced thus making this an affordable and easy pro ject for do-it-yourselfers Homeowners can now have a better-looking, longer- lasting and safer deck. Tiger Claw hidden deck fasteners are the fiont leaders on the market today The/re constructed from heavy gauge stainless steel that is compatible with new pressure treated chemicals for lum ber. They also offer outstanding hold down power for both wood and synthet ic decking materials such as Fiberon, TVex, and other composites. Tb get the most value fiom your deck with the least amount of cost, replace the surface deck boards with an inex pensive grade of wood (pressure treat ed), use the Tiger Claw hidden fasten ers, and finish with a deeper shade of brown stain. That will give the deck the appearance of hardwood flooring. Once potential buyers see the diff^^ce, they won’t be happy with anything else. The Tiger Claw hidden deck fasteners give a very hi^-end look without the high-end price tag. Visit www.deckfasteners.com to learn more. You can further enhance your home’s outdoor living space by adding a retractable awning over the resurfaced deck or patio. Replace or paint old and rotting wood surrounding windows and doors, add some new shrubs and flow ers, and you have created a jfresh new exterior for your house, complete with a cozy backyard paradise. For inside the house, you’d be surprised just how much difference a fiesh coat of paint can make. Select a warm, yet conservative paint that makes the rooms look laige, open and inviting. For kitchens and bathrooms, diange the hardware and perhaps replace the cabinet door fix)nts. Clean and organize closets to make them look larger. Elimi nate clutter everywhere. Add some des^ner touches, such as flowers, can dles, picture frames, and bowls of pot pourri and you’re on your way to mak ing your house a hot property, worth potentially thousands of dollars more than your original asking price. PHOTO/ARA CONTENT its ability to accept and retain a finish With the right plan ning, youll be able to create a safe and relaxing outdoor par adise that will become a wel come respite fiom the hectic pace of everyday life. For more information on making your new outdoor living space a reality,^ go to www.real- cedar.org or call (866) 778- 9096. ADVERTISE! 704-376-0496 DON’T PAY ANOTHER CENT IN RENT TO YOUR LANDLORD BEFORE YOU READ THIS AD! We have access to many special pro grams to get you in a home. Pay as lit tle as $500 w/low monthly payments. You don’t need perfect credit to quali fy for some of these programs. Call today to find out if you qualify & learn about our Buyer’s Service Guarantee! Deadwiley Realty 704-598-2631 NEW HOMES FOR SALEI $0 Down 0% Interest Many options to choose from!! Monthly Payments $350 - $600 Call 704-376-2054 ext. 38 for details. OWNING YOUR FUTURE Homeownership is a national priority. HUD is the nation’s housing agency committed to increasing homeownership and dedicated to helping first-time buyers and minority families become homeowners. Each year, HUD programs and services help tens of thousands of families accomplish the dream of a life time: owning a home. Most likely, you’ll need to borrow money to buy a house. Getting a fair deal will help you to keep your home and boost your home equity wealth. Home equity is the part of the value of your home that belongs to you—the value of your house minus what you owe on the mortgage. Your goal is to get a loan that doesn’t include high fees or a high interest rate. With low fees and a low interest rate, you can pay down your debt more quickly and own more of your house. Know Your Stuff In order to build and keep the wealth in your house, first be a savvy borrower. Savvy borrowers know their credit score. Some borrowers save thousands of dollars by improving their credit scores before taking out a loan. Borrowers who meet certain credit stan dards are eligible for "prime" loans with better inter est rates. Loans to borrowers who don’t meet tradi tional credit standards are known as "subprime" loans or "non-prime" loans. These loans generally cost more than prime loans. For more information, call 1 (800) 5694287 or go to www.owningyourfuture.gov and select "Buying a Home." OWNING YOUR FUTURE Homeownership is a national priority. HUD is the nation’s housing agency committed to increasing homeownership and dedicated to helping first-time buyers and minority families become homeowners. Each year, HUD programs and services help tens of thousands of families accomplish the dream of a life time: owning a home. Most likely, you’ll need to borrow money to buy a house. Getting a fair deal will help you to keep your home and boost your home equity wealth. Home equity is the part of the value of your home that belongs to you—the value of your house minus what you owe on the mortgage. Your goal is to get a loan that doesn’t include high fees or a high interest rate. With low fees and a low interest rate, you can pay down your debt more quickly and own more of your house. In The Fine Print The starting interest rate on adjustable rate mortgages (ARMS) may be low, but they can go up after a cer tain period of time. Check how much your interest rate can increase each year and over the life of the loan—and what that could do to your monthly pay ments. Also be aware of be any unnecessary fees, payments, and penalties. Some loans appear to give low monthly payments, but require a big lump sum payment, or a "balloon" payment, at the end of the loan. Some loans come with prepayment penalties; fees chaiged if you pay off your loan to sell your home or to refinance. For more information, call 1 (800) 569-4287 or go to www.owningyourfuture.gov and select "Buying a Home."
The Charlotte Post (Charlotte, N.C.)
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