(ARA) – With the economy making a slow rebound, homeowners continue to look for cost-effective options when building or renovating their homes. Natural exterior building materials are often very expensive and require both time and money to maintain. Choosing vinyl and polymeric siding is one way people are saving on building materials. Both siding options, which many considered at one time to be fake-looking or boring, have become one of the most versatile, detailed and eco-friendly home exterior products available on the market today.

Throughout the last few decades, vinyl cladding products have evolved from simple, smooth, non-engineered panels without much detail, to now include hundreds of colors including dark hues, engineered features that drastically improve on-the-wall performance, and computer digitized wood grains from real wood to create authentic-looking accents and profiles such as shake, shingle and scallops. The ability of manufacturers to create natural-looking products that can be customized for a wide range of home styles means that homeowners in every part of the country can find a style that suits them.

“Vinyl products are available in so many colors and styles that they really suit any taste,” said Deryl Patterson, partner at BSB Design, the nation’s leading residential architectural firm serving clients nationwide. “More and more people are switching to vinyl siding and accessories as they look to personalize their homes with vibrant colors and detail, and save money during construction and throughout the life of the product.”

Vinyl siding is not only less costly to install than natural wood; it also requires little maintenance and no painting throughout its lifetime, which saves homeowners time and money. Insulated siding is also now available from top siding manufacturers, which can save homeowners on heating and cooling costs as well. Polystyrene foam insulation can increase a wall system’s R-value and boost heat transfer performance up to 25 percent, significantly cutting down on the energy needed to heat or cool a home.

Manufacturers have also created low-maintenance exterior finishings including window trims, shutters, gable vents, mantels and dentil moldings to complement your home’s exterior. Ply Gem is one company that is leading the charge in creating a large portfolio of low-maintenance, sustainable and stylish options for homeowners.

“The products that Ply Gem offers allow eco-conscious homeowners to create beautiful, custom homes with value in mind that reflect the homeowners’ personality,” said Jerry Blais, vice president, marketing, Ply Gem siding group. “Ply Gem has a wide array of siding colors and profiles, insulated siding options, accessories and designer accents that fit perfectly together and create unique solutions. And, because we also offer Ply Gem Windows, Ply Gem Stone veneer, and fence and rail solutions, you can get all your low-maintenance renovation products from one provider.”

The expanding accessory offerings, eco-friendly attributes and hundreds of color options help vinyl siding match personal taste and complement mixed exteriors. Home exteriors that have multiple cladding products on them are known as designed exteriors, and this concept is one of the fastest growing building trends in the U.S. Deeper earth tones and darker colors are becoming more prevalent, especially when paired with stone veneer or brick sections of a home.

“In the future, we will continue to see the details of vinyl siding and accessories be enhanced,” said Patterson. “Manufacturers have come a long way by adding colors and profiles, but now we’re seeing more attention paid to the intricacies and details that make it very authentic. The possibilities with vinyl siding are endless.”

For more information about the attributes of vinyl siding, visit www.plygem.com, and check out www.bsbdesign.com for ideas on personalizing your home with vinyl siding.

Courtesy of ARAcontent

(ARA) – Thinking of remodeling but don’t know where to start? Let your mouse do the heavy lifting and transform your current space into your dream home. These days everyone turns to the Web to get inspired. In fact, a study conducted by Princeton Survey Research International found that 69 percent of Americans use the Internet as a source of information when it comes to housing and investment decisions.

“Whether you’re an expert do-it-yourselfer or this is your first home improvement project, the Internet can be an excellent resource,” said Danny Lipford, host of the nationally syndicated television show, “Today’s Homeowner with Danny Lipford,” and frequent contributor to “The Early Show” on CBS. “And the tools available on the Web just keep getting better and better – with educational videos, downloadable shopping lists, budget and return-on-investment calculators.”

Getting started: The ABC’s of ROI
With a project as daunting as remodeling a home, sometimes the most difficult part is just getting started. The key? Prioritizing. Start your renovation by concentrating on the rooms you use the most and offer the best return on investment (ROI): your kitchen and your bathroom.

According to Remodeling Magazine’s 2010 Cost vs. Value report, homeowners will recoup the greatest share of their costs by foregoing super-deluxe projects in favor of mid-range kitchen and bath remodels. A mid-range kitchen remodel brings an average 72.1 percent return on investment and a mid-range bathroom project has an average 71 percent cost recovery.

Budget-minded enhancements
A “mid-range” kitchen or bath remodel sounds great on paper – but what types of projects does that really entail? Realtor magazine offers a few budget-minded enhancements to consider when remodeling:

* Add or replace tile – Purchase low-cost tiles to replace a dated backsplash or add a new one.

* Install granite tile instead of a slab – While granite kitchen counters are extremely popular, they can be a $5,000 upgrade. Instead, put in 12-inch granite tiles for as little as $300 in materials. You’ll get the same impact for less.

* Freshen up your bathroom. This is a room that can be refreshed with little effort: try simple updates like regrouting tile or reconditioning cabinets. These small upgrades can make a big impact.

Or, if you want to tackle something a little larger – nothing makes a style statement like a new bathroom faucet. The new Method bathroom collection from Moen features clean lines, soft curves and a sophisticated, modern look. And not only does the Method collection look great, but it’s eco-friendly, as well — meeting WaterSense criteria and offering 30 percent water savings, without sacrificing performance.

Planning on the World Wide Web
Now that you’ve decided on the projects you’d like to undertake, it’s time to begin the planning process. Begin by looking at everything from current trends and style options to the nuts and bolts of estimated budgets and time to completion.

In the kitchen
Websites like dannylipford.com are a great place to get ideas and support from fellow homeowners. The site DIYnetwork.com gives visitors an overview of a variety of kitchen projects, with step-by-step instructions, a list of the materials needed and the products their designers recommend. And, there’s a time frame, price range and difficulty level listed for every project, helping you to choose a kitchen remodel that’s doable for you.

In the bath
Moen’s website is another great resource and features many design and planning videos to help inspire homeowners. The site even offers an interactive faucet selector tool, which helps you choose the right faucet for your space. Simply answer a few questions about your decorating style, how much you’d like to spend and which finish and features are important to you. Another way to stay up to date in the remodeling world is by signing up for Moen’s At Home eNewsletter, which provides trends and ideas for your home.

“The best advice I can offer when tackling a remodeling project is to relax and enjoy the ride,” added Lipford. “While it’s easy to become overwhelmed, trust your instincts and don’t be afraid to try new things. At times, it may seem easier to call in a professional, but you’ll have a great sense of pride in knowing that you did the job yourself.”

Courtesy of ARAcontent

(ARA) – Natural stone and ceramic tile floors have great design, architectural and sculptural qualities. But they can be expensive, hard to clean, cold to walk on and not very durable.

So imagine transforming your aging flooring with the look of rich travertine, limestone, concrete, slate or ceramic tiles, but without the cost or frailty of these lavish coverings. Today’s luxury vinyl tile (LVT) products echo the look and styling of these natural materials but also live up to the rigors and traffic of day-to-day family life. Luxury vinyl tile offers the perfect marriage of design and durability for today’s busy homes. Available in a wide range of colors, styles and textures, LVT works in every room of the house, giving homeowners unlimited options for fresh style.

“Luxury vinyl tile pops with depth and realism, combining classic and contemporary elements that deliver clean design and stylish floors,” says Erica Hubbard, Tarkett director of marketing – NAFCO Luxury Floors. “You get all the design features of natural materials with a much more durable floor. When you stand on these floors and look down at them, you’re hard pressed to tell you’re not really standing on limestone, travertine, concrete or slate.”

Unlike their lookalike natural counterparts, today’s LVT floors are created to resist scuffs, stains, scratches and wear. This is due to durable construction and even protective wear layers or coatings, such as Tritonite, exclusively used in NAFCO Luxury Floors. These hardworking construction details help keep floors looking new and wear-free.

Flexible, comfortable LVT floors also have the advantage of being warmer and quieter than hard-surface natural tile floors. Soft underfoot, they don’t produce a hollow sound like other flooring options.

Another benefit over “real” stone and tile is the safety aspect of LVT. Unlike stone or tile, LVT isn’t as slippery when wet. Glass or china is less likely to shatter if accidentally dropped and little knees won’t get scraped during falls.

Further adding to LVT’s realistic look is the fact that some of these floors can feature three very different installations options: for example, the NAFCO Luxury Floors’ PermaStone collection is available in GroutFit, which produces a realistic grout effect; GroutLess where tiles install edge to edge without grout or seam sealer for a uniquely modern look; and GroutFil, an option of 14 pre-mixed, stain-resistant, acrylic-based grout colors to create an endless number of pattern and grout possibilities and also heighten the mimicry of real stone.

“The option to include grout with luxury vinyl tile floors allows homeowners to combine tile and grout colors in a way that customizes a look that ties their home together,” Hubbard says, adding that grouted LVT floors are much easier to install than traditional ceramic tile. They’re also more cost efficient, Hubbard notes.

Maintenance for LVT floors, even grouted ones, is minimal. Forget the sealing, polishing and special cleaners required for natural tile floors. Luxury vinyl tile requires only the use of a neutral floor cleaner and water. No harsh chemicals are needed for the tiles or the grout.

“LVT is a practical choice that looks fabulous and stands up to everyday wear and tear,” Hubbard says. “Combine that with its easy installation, great performance characteristics and the fact that it won’t break the budget and you have the perfect summer DIY project for beautiful floors.”

Courtesy of ARAcontent

When it comes to adding value and enjoyment to your home, kitchen and bath remodels still remain tops, remodeling and real estate experts say. But how people remodel is changing. High-end renovations, costing tens of thousands of dollars, are dwindling, replaced by upgrades that provide homeowners with the most return for the least investment.

Part of the reason could be that mid-range kitchen and bathroom remodels now recoup more at sale time than do up-scale projects, according to the National Association of Realtors’ Cost vs. Value Report. “A mid-range kitchen remodel brings an average 72.1 percent return on investment, while an upscale kitchen re-do returns only an average of 63.2 percent of the money invested,” the NAR reports on its website. Mid-range bathroom remodels recoup an average of about 71 percent, while upscale projects return only about 61 percent, the site says.

“Given the decline in ROI for major remodels, it makes sense to get the most value out of upgrades for the least amount of money,” says Joe Patrick of skylight manufacturer VELUX. “Installing a skylight is one cost-effective, energy-efficient upgrade that’s becoming increasingly popular for kitchens and baths.”

Kitchens and baths are logical candidates for natural lighting and passive ventilation upgrades. Along with laundry rooms, they tend to have higher moisture and humidity levels than other rooms in the home, making them among the most popular locations for venting skylights.

“Skylight installations can start around $800 each or range up to more than $2,000 each for electric venting models with remote control and blinds. The complexity of the shaft and other application specifics make a difference too, so it is best to get a qualified contractor or skylight specialist to give a detailed quote,” Patrick says. Adding a skylight can help lower energy bills by reducing the need for artificial light in a kitchen or bath, and, when used for ventilation, can help remove humidity, cooking smells and volatile organic compounds (VOCs).

“Venting skylights in a kitchen can release hot air and odors, lessening the need for energy-consuming mechanical ventilation, while providing better light for brighter days and more pleasant cooking and dining,” Patrick points out.

Another kitchen- and bath-specific issue that skylights help address is the need for privacy. “Light from windows is rarely enough, especially in places where lot sizes are small,” says Jennifer Powers of design firm Scott-Ulmann. Many modern homes have been built on small lots, in very close proximity to neighboring houses.

“A clear window in your bathroom might fill it with natural light, but it can also give your next-door neighbor a view you don’t want to share,” Patrick says. In fact, 65 percent of homebuyers request skylights in their bathrooms, according to a National Association of Homebuilders survey.

“In bathrooms especially, venting skylights reduce condensation build-up while providing a beautiful view of the sky above, without affording anyone the opportunity to see in,” Patrick says. “You get privacy plus the use of wall space, where a window isn’t necessary, for decorating, storage, or another form of space utilization.”

Modern skylights also eliminate one of the biggest fears of homeowners considering the upgrade – leaks. VELUX markets an Energy Star-qualified “No-Leak Skylight” that is guaranteed for 10 years not to leak when installed according to instructions. Today’s skylights also contribute to energy efficiency with light and heat control as much as with ventilation by offering easily installed accessories to adjust and control light, as do vertical windows.

“Venetian blinds are available to adjust light, as are roller blinds to diffuse light and blackout blinds to block light,” Patrick says. “And the accessories, as well as the units themselves, can be operated by remote control.” Solar blinds are also available that qualify for a 30 percent federal tax credit.

“From an economic standpoint, venting skylights admit light from above and reduce energy costs. It’s also a way to stretch dollars,” Patrick says, “with a one-time purchase that pays long-term benefits by reducing energy bills.”

For skylight selection or installation information, visit veluxusa.com. For government information on window and skylight energy efficiency, visit energystar.gov, and for independent agency information visit nfrc.org or efficientwindows.org.

Courtesy of ARAcontent

(ARA) – Summer is the biggest moving time for Americans, according to Moving.com. With low housing prices continuing and the recent first-time homebuyers credit that ended in June, plenty of Americans will be unpacking boxes in new homes this summer and fall.

Often, when a new family moves in, they update many of the appliances in the home – to make it more stylish and efficient for their use.

The warmer weather seasons are also a popular time for homeowners wanting to do a little home renovation. Improving on energy savings is another reason kitchens, bathrooms and home electronics are being replaced and upgraded.

According to Remodeling Magazine’s Cost vs. Value Report, bathroom and kitchen remodels are two of the top four home improvement projects that show the greatest return on resale value. And even if you just moved into your new home, resale opportunities should always be a thought in the back of your mind, in case you ever need to relocate due to a job change.

One way to find top brand appliances, or tools and lawn and garden equipment in your local community is at Sears Hometown Stores, Sears Home Appliance Showroom or Sears Appliance and Hardware stores, found in more than 1,130 locations across the country. More than 1,000 of these locations are independently owned and operated or franchise operated, so you know that any purchases you make invest directly back into your own community.

Shopping locally means purchasing products made in your community, or if that isn’t possible, purchasing products sold by a local retailer.

A reason to purchase locally is that you’re reinvesting in your community, and therefore benefiting yourself twice by purchasing quality goods and keeping your hard-earned dollars working for other services you may use in your community. You can find lawn and garden equipment, home appliances, tools, HDTV’s, mattresses and fitness equipment at these stores.

Sears Hometown Stores are celebrating 17 years of serving customers with a “Share in the Celebration” Sweepstakes this July. The top prize is a 2011 Toyota Tundra Double Cab SR5 V8 4×2, but you can also have a chance to win appliances like kitchen suites, washer and dryer sets, hot water heaters or outdoor equipment like lawn mowers.

Customers can enter the Sears sweepstakes online at www.shareinthecelebration.com and filling out the official entry form, or downloading the form and mailing it to Sears Hometown Celebration Sweeps Entry, Dept. 6001, Lubbock, TX 79491-6001. Deadline to enter is July 31.

No matter if your cooking style is elaborate like Julia Child or quick and simple like Rachael Ray, there are few items in your kitchen that you shouldn’t live without. Add these five affordable finds to your kitchen and you’ll be cooking with class in no time.

Quality cookware
When it comes to cooking, you can’t get far without a cookware set, and luckily there is something for every budget. Be sure you have the four basic pans: a 5-quart sauce pan, frying pan, Dutch oven and a saute pan. A stock pot and a chef’s pan are ideal, but not necessary.

The cost of your cookware depends on the material. Copper heats the most uniformly and fastest, but is also the most expensive; thick gauge aluminum can perform almost as well at a lower cost; cast iron cooks well, but is very heavy and takes a long time to heat; stainless steel is versatile and easy to clean, but sometimes has hot spots. Non-stick surfaces on any metal usually inhibit heating. So what should you choose? Experts agree – buy the best you can afford.

Functional and fashionable faucet
What does a faucet have to do with cooking? Everything. Just think of how much time you spend at the sink, from rinsing fruits and vegetables to filling pots and washing hands and dishes. So why not update this kitchen focal point with a new functional and fashionable faucet? High-arc models with pulldown spouts are the most ideal for cooks since they allow ample room to fill or clean large pots and pans. Models with multi-function sprays are helpful when washing delicate fruits.

Once you’ve found a model with these useful features, don’t forget about style. Designer finishes, such as stainless steel will give your kitchen a professional look. And, for a designer look that maintains the beauty and brilliance of the faucet’s finish in between cleanings, try Moen’s new Finley pulldown kitchen faucet with Spot Resist Stainless finish. This unique finish does just what it says – resists fingerprints and water spots. Moen’s Finley kitchen faucet is available at The Home Depot.

Best bowls
Whether baking, mixing or storing, you need a set of bowls. And while you may think all bowls are created equal, there are many options. The two most popular materials for mixing bowls are stainless steel and plastic. Stainless bowls are usually inexpensive, lightweight, stackable, keep food warm or cold and don’t react with food. Plastic bowls offer functional features, such as pour spouts, non-slip bases, a variety of colors and storage lids, but they also can stain or retain odors.

For the best of both worlds, try OXO Good Grips Stainless Steel bowls that mix the benefits of stainless steel with a nonskid exterior surface that makes the bowl slip resistant, even with wet hands. SurLaTable.com offers a set of three bowls – 1.5-, 3- and 5-quart sizes.

One-for-all … all-in-one
If your kitchen is like most, storage space is not always abundant. And while gadgets, such as food processors and blenders make cooking easier – there isn’t always room. When equipping your kitchen with the most useful tools that won’t rob you of storage or counter space, look for multi-function appliances.

A KitchenAid Stand Mixer is an ideal choice to get the most uses from a single product. The unique product, which is available in several colors and finishes to coordinate with your kitchen design, has a variety of attachments to give you a mixer, juicer, slicer, shredder, pasta maker, grinder, strainer and even ice cream maker, all in one small appliance.

Know your knives
No kitchen is complete without four quality knives – a chef’s knife, a paring knife, a utility knife and a serrated knife – to chop, slice and carve your meals. When purchasing these knives there are a few things to look for. Each knife should have full tangs, which means it should have metal that runs from the blade through the full length of the handle. Next, you should always hold a knife to make sure the weight is comfortable in your hands. Other items to consider are how the knife can be sharpened and cleaned and if it has a lifetime warranty. Knife sets (which are often featured in a block for storage) offer an ideal and affordable option.

With these few quality items, you’ll soon notice that your work is easier, your cleanup faster and your results better and more professional. And the best news is that each is affordable. So stop living without and make your kitchen the kitchen of your dreams.

Courtesy of ARAcontent

(ARA) – As warm weather approaches and the tax credit for energy efficient replacement windows is in full swing, now is the perfect time to consider upgrading your home with new windows to help save on cooling costs in those hot summer months, and to also save on heating costs when winter rolls around again. The tax credit for energy efficient replacement windows and doors, originally introduced in 2009 as part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, is set to expire at the end of 2010, which makes this year the best time for homeowners to replace their windows and upgrade the look and feel of their home.

“New windows not only make the home look more beautiful, they can help save energy and money for the homeowners,” says Chris Pickering, vice president, marketing, Ply Gem windows. “Homeowners can take advantage of the tax credit to increase the value of their home, plus shave some of the cost off of their monthly power bill.”

Ply Gem, a leader in the building products industry, offers some tips and guidelines to help homeowners make the most of the energy efficient replacement window tax credit.

How much money can I get back with the windows tax credit?
Homeowners can receive a tax credit worth 30 percent of the purchase price of qualifying energy efficient windows, up to a maximum of $1,500 if purchased and installed by Dec. 31, 2010.

To redeem the credit, be sure to save your invoice that shows a breakout of window and installation costs, the National Fenestration Rating Council (NFRC) labels from all windows and doors and the manufacturer’s certificate.

How do I qualify for the tax credit?
The federal government established strict standards for windows to qualify for the tax credit. Replacement windows must have a glass package with a U-Factor rating (the rate at which heat is prevented from escaping) of .30 or lower. Qualifying windows must also possess a Solar Heat Gain Coefficient rating of .30 or lower. The lower the window’s SHGC, the less solar heat it transmits.

A common indicator of a window’s energy efficiency is the ENERGY STAR label, which as of 2010 includes more stringent guidelines. Homeowners who purchase windows with the ENERGY STAR label should still check with their contractor to ensure the windows they purchase meet the tax credit guidelines because the tax credit qualifications may vary from ENERGY STAR guidelines in certain locations.

Manufacturers like Ply Gem Windows offer glass packages to meet or exceed tax credit qualifications, as well as high-performance styles that meet or exceed ENERGY STAR requirements in all climate zones. For added energy efficiency, Ply Gem Windows products are also Green Approved by the National Association of Home Builders Research Center National Green Building Certification.

What are the benefits of remodeling my home with energy efficient windows?
Energy efficient windows that meet the tax qualifications offer more savings than a one-time federal tax credit. The Alliance to Save Energy says that sealing and insulating your house – including utilizing energy efficient windows – is a great first step to take when improving your home’s energy efficiency. Proper sealing and insulation can reduce your heating and cooling bill by approximately 20 percent. An energy audit may be available through your local utility or state energy office to help gauge the amount of energy that you are currently using and determine what products would decrease your energy use.

Environmental and economic benefits are not the only upsides to remodeling a home – new windows in classic or contemporary designs can also enhance the aesthetic quality of the home and make a more comfortable living space.

Does the federal tax credit offer any other ways to save money?
The remodeling tax credit that expires at the end of the year offers homeowners several other options to improve their home and quality of life. Central air conditioners, heat pumps, furnaces, boilers and more are also ways to increase your home’s energy retention capabilities.

To further save on energy costs, homeowners can use insulated siding, reduce the amount of water consumption and unplug appliances when not in use. For other ideas on how to increase the energy efficiency of your home, visit www.energysavers.gov. Be sure to ask your local dealer or contractor about the window products that meet the current tax credit requirements. To learn more, visit www.plygemwindows.com or www.recovery.gov.

(ARA) – The bathroom and the kitchen – are there any other rooms that see more traffic? Whether it’s battling family members for mirror space on busy mornings or milling around the stove as dinner cooks, they are the two rooms that are guaranteed to get the most use. Naturally they should be functional and good-looking, but more and more, people are demanding that these high-traffic spaces also be environmentally friendly.

Baths and kitchens are also two areas where remodeling can yield the best return on investment. If you’re selling a home, they can add exponentially to its value, or take away from it if they’re not up to date. But in a difficult housing market, it’s a popular option to do renovations for personal enjoyment – not just for potential buyers. And with the proliferation of green products on the home design market, it’s easier than ever to make earth-friendly choices.

One of the major determining factors in the style of kitchens and bathrooms is the tile used on floors and walls. It can shout “out of date” like few other things can. But new tile can be instantly transformative, bringing a room into the here and now. The good thing is that tile is an environmentally friendly material and new advances in manufacturing technology are enhancing these sustainability benefits.

To start, tile offers supreme durability and a longer lifespan than most floor and wall coverings. Unlike wood that rots and needs refinishing, or carpeting that loses its pile and shows wear, ceramic tile lasts up to four times longer.

It offers a hard-to-beat hygienic factor. It’s chemically inert so no germs can live on the surface and warm water and neutral cleaners are the only cleaning products required. This easy maintenance contributes to consumer cost savings over the life of the installation. Additionally, ceramic tile does not contribute to the level of toxic products being flushed into our ecosystem such as chemicals, soaps, shampoos, waxes, strippers and solvents.

By design, it isn’t an original or secondary source of pollution as it repels allergens and will not absorb odors like smoke or paint fumes. It releases no fibers, gases or toxic by-products or volatile organic compounds (VOCs).

Adding new tile used to be daunting: tearing through old layers, hauling the demolished tiles to the dump, dealing with the dust and mess. But not anymore. At half the width of regular tiles, new slim tiles like those from Tile of Spain branded manufacturers are thin enough that they can be applied right over existing tile, offering a whole new look to walls and some floor areas.

At a mere 3 to 6 millimeters, slim tile is easy to cut, handle and saves time in installation without compromising quality. These trim counterparts meet all the characteristics expected of ceramics including supreme resistance to abrasion, chemicals, stains, frost and other weather extremes.

Environmental benefits are gained when fewer raw materials are used and maximum energy savings are realized during manufacturing. This reduces CO2 emissions and pollutant substances. Lighter weight also means less of an environmental footprint left in shipping. And because there is no need to tear out and throw away old tile, homeowners avoid the inconvenience of rubble during building work and no new waste is added to the landfill.

For more information on eco-friendly tiles, go to www.spaintiles.info.

Courtesy of ARAcontent