From smart to smashing, accessories state your style
(NC)-When it comes to home decorating, accessorizing is the finishing touch. Like icing a cake, selecting and arranging accessories can dress your room with style, infuse it with personality and add dimension. You can quickly and inexpensively transform a room's look and feel by incorporating new accessories and refreshing and rearranging existing items. Doing so occasionally or even seasonally assures that a room is always inviting, never drab or tiresome. Home decor experts say colour is the key to accessorizing. When colourizing accessories, you'll want to keep in mind your existing room colours as well as the latest colour trends so you can marry the two. "Today's colour trends demand a colour palette that goes far beyond the basic shades previously available in spray paint," says Mark Ksiezyk, senior product manager for Krylon, North America's leader in aerosol paints. Because spray paint doesn't leave brush marks, it can be ideal for updating and coordinating accessories, whether the items in question are attic furniture finds or decorative shelves, picture frames and light switch covers. Use spray paint to highlight individual pieces with punchy accent colours that coordinate with your room decor. Or, use it to unify diverse accessories with complementary shades that bring harmony to a space. According to the experts at Krylon, a few trends currently dominate in home decor: 1) Think cool. Use fresh colours like Catalina Mist, a soft blue infused with teal, and soothing pastels, to complement the romantic floral motifs so popular today. 2) Think hot. East meets West in island-themed colours and ethnic shades like Pimento. Vivid hues are natural accents with rich, tropical colours and natural textures. 3) Be keen to sheen. Do you want high-gloss shine or a soft, matte-like finish? Whatever look you like, spray paint can help you create it. Take your piggy bank off its diet
(NC)-Canada is a nation of spenders. Since the mid-1990s, many of us have starved our piggy banks and fed our debts as our national savings rate plunged to a 25-year low. Your piggy bank's weight-loss program isn't good news for your own financial health. Lower interest rates, quick home equity loans, effortless credit card limit increases and low or no down payment mortgages make spending money easy. Without a banking strategy, many Canadians have a debt-burdened reality and a dream of a mortgage-free future. A recent Maritz Research survey for Manulife Bank found 48 per cent of Canadians improvise their daily financial needs and acquire financial products without an overall plan. The survey also revealed the typical Canadian uses at least eight different banking products. To keep mortgage-free hopes alive, you need a strategy that focuses on debt management to help secure your future. A consolidated banking strategy that relies on an all-in-one account, such as Manulife One, can help you avoid some of those added charges and to become mortgage-free faster. If you're interested in fattening your piggy bank and then living high off the hog, your financial advisor can help create an overall plan that could lead to a more secure future. For more information on banking plans, all-in-one accounts or contacting a banking consultant, visit http://manulifeone.ca or call toll-free 1-877-765-2265 or ask your financial advisor for a referral. The Maritz Research telephone poll between March 29 and April 3, 2007 included interviews with 1,003 Canadians. The margin of error for a sample of that size is +/- three per cent, 19 times out of 20. Reduce the cost of homeowners insurance(NC)-Before you buy home insurance, consider these potentially cost-saving suggestions from the Financial Services Commission of Ontario (FSCO), the agency responsible for regulating insurance in the province: ● Shop around. Get quotes from various insurance agents, brokers and direct writers. When comparing quotes, keep in mind that the range of coverage, deductibles, limitations and exclusions may differ slightly from one insurance policy to the next. There are four main types of homeowner insurance policies: ● The "comprehensive" policy, which covers both the building and its contents for risks that are not specifically excluded in the policy. ● The "broad" policy, which provides "all risks" coverage on the building, plus "named perils" coverage on its contents. ● The "named perils" policy, which covers only those perils specifically included in the policy, such as fire. ● The "no-frills" policy, which provides barebones coverage for properties that don't meet underwriting standards. ● Increase the deductible. Typically, homeowners' insurance policies carry a $500 deductible - the amount you agree to pay towards the damages claim. But you may be able to reduce your premium by increasing the deductible from $500 to $1,000. ● Bundle your policy. Consider buying homeowners' and automobile insurance coverage from the same company. You may be eligible for a discount. ● Improve security. Install a smoke detector, fire extinguisher, a monitored burglar alarm system or deadbolt locks. Ask your insurance representative if these items will reduce the premium. ● Seek out discounts. Ask if you qualify for program savings, such as a loyalty discount (many years with the same insurance company) or discounts for retirees, non-smokers, or for affinity to recognized organizations. ● Patience. Don't switch insurance companies midway through the policy. Wait until renewal time to avoid a cancellation penalty. ● Review the coverage annually. Items that appreciate in value, such as jewelry, may require additional coverage. Likewise, items that depreciate in value, such as computers, may no longer require extra insurance. Your coverage should accurately reflect your home's current value and condition, including major improvements or purchases. More information on insurance is available online at http://fsco.gov.on.ca |
Successful home renovations begin with proper planning
(NC)-For many Canadians, a home renovation is a large project. Whether you're thinking about finishing a basement or adding another floor, one thing is certain - planning is the key to a successful renovation. To help prepare for your next home renovation project, Jason De Rose, Owner of Uni Tri Masonry, and a member of MasonryWorx - an association of professionals committed to creating beautiful communities across Ontario - offers the following tips: Budget - Create a budget for your project that details all the fixtures and products you plan to use and make sure to keep track of all invoices and receipts to help ensure that there are no surprises at the end. Research, research, research - There are a number of methods to finding a contractor - online, in the yellow pages and local advertisements. But if you are hiring a professional contractor for your renovation project, it is important that you conduct research to ensure your choice is the right one. Ask friends and families for referrals and make sure you check a potential contractor's references. Don't forget to check in with local and national home building associations for their recommendations on contractors. Get it in writing - Get the cost for the job in writing before it starts. Make sure you are clear what the costs are from the outset and that any questions you have are clarified before the project begins. Proper documentation - Once you've chosen your contractor, request their appropriate documentation such as insurance liability papers and W.S.I.B. (Workplace Safety and Insurance Board) clearance certificates. Building permits - Before starting your project find out what building permits will be required. Not having the appropriate building permits at the beginning may result in construction delays or cancellations. When planning a major renovation, consider using building materials that will offer benefits to your home for years to come. Masonry (brick, block and stone) products, for instance, will provide a long-lasting durable structure that can help reduce costs in heating and energy bills. With its high thermal properties, a masonry home costs less to heat in the winter - and to cool in the summer. Unlike other products, masonry does not require painting or washing, which means that homeowners enjoy cost savings on their low maintenance home. For more information on the benefits of masonry, visit www.masonryworx.com. Homeowners Insurance: Beware of exclusions(NC)-Don't wait until disaster strikes to find out what your homeowners' insurance policy does not cover. Take the time now to familiarize yourself with the exclusions. Exclusions are perils or situations for which your insurance company will not provide coverage, says the Financial Services Commission of Ontario (FSCO), the agency responsible for regulating insurance in the province. If you come across something you don't understand in your policy, ask for more information. Here are some of the perils (potential causes of loss) for which companies will generally not provide coverage: ● Damage caused by wear and tear, rust, corrosion or gradual deterioration. ● Water damage caused by flood, or by seeping through cracks in your foundation. ● Damage from frozen indoor plumbing, unless specific precautions are taken. ● Damage to the exterior of your home by freezing, heaving frost, or snowslide. ● Damage caused by a landslide and other ground movements eg: earthquakes. ● Damage caused by insects and rodents such as termites, squirrels, mice, or any other animals. ● Intentional or criminal acts committed by you. To protect against generally excluded perils, such as earthquakes and floods, you may be able to purchase optional coverage, known as endorsements. Enquire about optional coverage when negotiating your policy. More information is also available online at http://fsco.gov.on.ca. Home improvement at your fingertips
(NC)-Krylon Retail Products Senior Project Manager Mark Ksiezyk points out that both experienced and novice do-it-yourselfers choose spray paint for convenience. "The can is the application tool," he says. "You get a smooth finish without brush marks, and have an easier time covering hard-to-reach or irregular surfaces. Only a little skill and effort are required to get great results - and there's no investment for tools." But even with something as easy to use as spray paint, it's important to follow directions and use good technique. When applying spray paint, work in a well-ventilated area at temperatures of 50°F to 80°F. Use newspapers or drop cloths to cover surrounding surfaces. To get started, all that's needed is a clean, dry surface that's free of loose particles. Next, hold the can upright and shake it vigorously for two minutes. For best results, test the spray on newspaper, and with each overlapping pass, start and stop the spray off the surface. Move the can slowly and evenly, keeping it 10 to 12 inches from the surface. With proper technique, even the first-time spray painter can get great-looking results. |
No more replacing shingles - High Tech coating extends the life of your roof
(NC)-Canada's harsh weather can take its toll on your home. Year after year the wind, rain, snow, ice and blistering sun take years off your home's life. It's no wonder that the aging process is most evident and expensive on the area that suffers the most - your roof. On average, Canadian homeowners replace their roofing materials every 18 years at an average cost of $4,500 per project, based on a standard 1,000 square foot bungalow roof. It's therefore apropos that a Canadian company, Techni-Seal, has come up with a simple, economical and environmentally friendly alternative to replacing roof shingles. It's called Elastomeric Roof Coating and it's a high-tech acrylic emulsion that is applied directly to any sound roof covered with asphalt singles or sheet metal. It creates a highly weather-resistant, waterproof membrane that seals the edges and points of each shingle to reduce the risk of water infiltration due to ice, as well as damages caused by snow removal. For as little as $700, you can now avoid the costly replacement of aging shingles and membranes and extend the life of your roof by up to seven years or more. The product is actually guaranteed for seven - but your roof may be protected for as long as 15 years - because the UV-resistant barrier it forms between your roofing material and the elements stops deterioration. To apply it, you simply paint it over your old asphalt shingle or sheet-metal roof with a roller or an airless sprayer. Because the coating is opaque it gives you the unique feature of improving the appearance of your roof with a range of colours including black, brown, green, grey, white and aluminum. It is also UV-resistant, so it preserves its colour and protective qualities throughout its lifetime. The breakthrough product is also environmentally sound, according to Francis Lacombe, Director, Retail Sales and Market Development for Techni-Seal. It's a 100% water-based, non-toxic polymer coating that contains no tar. It avoids the premature discarding of asphalt shingles and extends the life cycle of the original roofing material. This helps to keep away millions of tons of waste from landfills. Elastomeric Roof Coating can be used on sloping or vertical surfaces and is ideal for protecting homes, cottages, garages, sheds, or any roof using asphalt shingles or flat elastomeric membranes. For more information, visit www.techniseal.com. Techni-Seal is available at your local RONA store, for more information visit www.techniseal.com . Older homes may need upgrades for insurance
(NC)-If the house you own is more than 30 years old, your insurance company may require you to upgrade the plumbing, electrical, and heating systems before renewing your homeowners' policy. Or, if you're making an offer to buy an older home - one that may have galvanized steel plumbing, 60-amp electrical service, knob-and-tube electrical wiring, an external fuel oil tank, or a wood-burning stove - make sure you factor in the cost of necessary upgrades into your offering price. An insurance representative will be able to advise on the upgrades needed to acquire homeowners' coverage. The Financial Services Commission of Ontario (FSCO) - the agency responsible for regulating insurance in the province - has posted an excellent guideline for older homes' coverage on their website. Here's an excerpt, with more details available at fsco.gov.on.ca: Galvanized steel plumbing: Commonly installed in homes before 1950, this plumbing has a life expectancy of 40 to 50 years. Over time, corrosion presents an increased risk of leaks and ruptures causing potential water damage. Upgrades may be required to get insurance coverage. 60-amp electrical service: After 40 or 50 years, this system poses the threat of overheating with overuse, thus increasing the risk of an electrical fire. An upgrade to 100 amps may be required, or the installation of a switching device that allows for the operation of only one major appliance at a time. Knob-and-tube wiring: Given their age, the wires in many homes over 50 years are highly susceptible to wearing and exposure, presenting a serious safety hazard. In contrast to contemporary wiring, this type has no ground wire. The unintentional contact of the hot and neutral wires may cause an electrical fire. However, some insurers may consider insuring homes with wiring issues, if inspected and deemed safe by the Electrical Safety Authority in Ontario. Fuel oil tanks: At 25 years or older, oil tanks are highly susceptible to rusting, deterioration, and leakage - and are also considered environmental hazards. Removal, or replacement with a gas or electrical furnace may be required. Wood-burning stoves: To reduce the risk of fire, your insurance company may ask for your stove to be inspected by a certified technician. Similarly, you may also be required to get it thoroughly cleaned and inspected at least once a year prior to renewing your policy. Given the wide range of inspection and upgrade requirements needed to insure an older home, it's always best to pose your questions directly to your insurance representative. More information is available online at http://fsco.gov.on.ca |
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