Home Spaces March 2019

Finding the right HEAT FOR YOU

For Duluth News-Tribune

What kind of heating do the experts recommend for home builders and owners in our area today? What’s going to keep you warm and be most efficient and cost-effective? In-floor radiant heat and forced air heat are your best options for many reasons, they said. But how do you choose between the two types?

In-floor radiant heat

“It all depends of the type of house you have,” said Steve Bruckelmyer, co-owner of Summit Mechanical. “For a concrete slab house, in-floor radiant heat is best.”

“It gives a more even, comfortable temperature,” added Dale Blesener, owner of Blesener Heating.

In-floor radiant heat is created with a high-efficiency gas boiler. Heated water is pumped from the boiler and flows through tubing in the floor. Additionally, high-efficiency heat pump/air conditioner mini-split units can be placed throughout the house to provide extra heat.

“You can install the mini-splits in up to eight different locations throughout the home,” Blesener said. “They’re even cheaper than gas to operate.”

These suitcase units are mounted on the wall with a corresponding unit outside. No ducts are required.

During warmer weather, these units can provide air conditioning.

Blesener is such a big fan of this type of heat that he makes this statement: “On all new homes I

would say get in-floor radiant heat and install mini splits.”

Forced air heat

“For homes with basements, go with a high-efficiency furnace and forced air heat,” Bruckelmyer said.

“The benefit of a forced air system is you can also have air conditioning with it.”

The duct work required throughout the house for forced air heating can be used to cool upper levels with a split system air conditioning unit.

If you want in-floor radiant heat in the basement and/or in an attached garage with a concrete floor, that would also be an option

ENDLESS CHOICES START DREAMING!

The cost saving of highefficiency units

No matter what type of heat you select for your home, be sure to purchase and install a high-efficiency

furnace and/or boiler and other heating/cooling units. The cost savings will soon add up and even pay for the unit.

“High efficiency units are the way to go,” said Bruckelmyer. You can get a 90 percent or more annual fuel utilization efficient (AFUE) furnace or boiler — meaning

HEAT: Page 6

TABLE OF CONTENTS:

• Flooring options have expanded

• Choosing gutters for your home

• How agents and sellers can work together

• Must-haves for an amazing kitchen remodel

• Surviving a home renovation

• Basement remodeling tips

• Scrumptious Spring Salads

Flooring

wayinoffering

attractive, easy-care options

It’s an exciting time to shop for flooring for your home or business. That’s because so many beautiful, durable, and easycare options exist today. There are new looks and materials, as well as traditional classics. All you need to do is select your favorite.

“It’s really amazing how far we’ve come in 20 years,” said Mike Yeaton, store manager of Johnson Carpet One Floor &Home in Duluth Yeaton is aflooring expert whocan help guide you thru the many options and the advantages of each flooring product. Here’s what he had to say about today’s most popular flooring products:

Carpeting

“Plush carpet is still what we sell the most of,” Yeaton said. “We’re aKarastan Carpeting company. They specialize in premium nylon carpet that’s extremely durable and won’t pack down when you walk on it. There’s twice as much backingonitfor cushioning.”

Yeaton says they sell the most of aKarastan product calledSmart Strand that’s made of 38 percent corn oil which is extremely soft, durable, and stain resistant.

“Because we buy and sell so much Karastan, they get very aggressive with pricing,so the customer gets the best value,” Yeaton explained.

As for colors, tweedy looks in greys, beiges and taupes are most popular. For officesettings, multi-color carpets that help disguise stains are popular, he said. Pet-friendly and eco-friendly carpet options are available.

“We even have apartment-grade carpet, which is the most reasonable, for people who are going to sell their home,” Yeaton said.

Wood-look &ceramiclook vinyl

The most popular

hard surfacefloorings todayinclude woodlook luxury vinyl plank and ceramic-look luxury vinyl tile. These amazing products truly fool the eye as they don’t look like vinyl at all but impersonate the natural products thatinspire them. Yet they clean up easily and come in awide variety of gorgeouscolors and styles “Lots of people watch HGTV and seeitthere, andthentheywant it for their homes,” Yeaton said. “Either the customer can put it in or we can. It’s waterproof and verydurable, and it’s low-maintenance. You don’t need to strip the floor or wax it.”

Another option is sheet vinyl flooring

thatcomes in 12-footwide rolls in looks from nature like stone or hardwood. It hascushionedpadding on the back andissofttowalk on.

Porcelain Tile

Porcelain is amore traditional material, but it’smore modern in howit’s being used in today’s kitchen and bathroom designs. “We do alot of custom showers, kitchen floors, and backsplashes in porcelain tile,” Yeaton explains. “We useall state-of-the art materials, such as grouts that don’t need to be sealed.

FLOORING: Page 6

MARCH 2019 DULUTHNEWSTRIBUNE.COM/HOMESPACES HOME SPACES PAGE 3

CHOOSING GUTTERS FOR YOUR HOME IS EASY WHEN YOU ASK THE EXPERT

By Alison Stucke

For Duluth NewsTribune

“Aluminum lasts forever,” Kennedy explains.“Even if the screws, brackets, end caps or sealants go bad, you can replace them and still have agood product.”

Even steel is an inferior product to aluminum when it comes to gutters

“Steel rusts, and it’s not as stiff and thick,” Kennedy said.“At 48 feet, it can still roll over, causing it to crease or buckle. Aluminum is thicker, heavier, and it doesn’t roll over.”

Aluminum won’t crack, even duringthe winter monthswith snow and ice. Cheap vinyl will crack and split with the expansion and

contraction of ice. While you can find gutters made of other materials at acheaper price, they’ll cost you more in the long run, as they’ll need to be replaced much sooner, Kennedy says.

Kennedy gives an additional “neverfail” tip to follow when selecting gutters for your home.

When it comes to choosingguttersfor your home, aluminum is definitely the material to go with—especially in our land of snow and ice, saidChuck Kennedy, owner of Gutter Helmet of Northern Minnesota in Culver, Minn. He’s been in the business for many years, and he’s seen it all when it comes to home gutter systems.“Get agood contractor —they’ll tell you whatthe warrantyis and they’ll stand behind it,”hesaid. “Ask your friends andneighbors for the names of contractors they’ve worked with and had agood experiencewith. Then ask for awarranty, and make surethe contractor puts it in writing. Be wary of contractors or individuals who don’t have aprofessionally-

–

writtencontract. This would also include other types of home improvement projects,not just gutter projects.”

Quite often, Kennedy said, he has seen homeowners in theDuluth area hire acompany or individual to help them

with their gutter project, only to findthat when aproblem arises, that company or individual is nowhere to be found.

“That’s not right,” he said.“Ask around. Do your research and do the job right the first time.”

HOW AGENTS AND SELLERS CAN WORK TOGETHER

Selling ahome can be stressful.Despite this, 5.51 million existing U.S. homes were sold in 2017, according to data from theNational AssociationofREALTORS®. In many cases, homeowners choose to work withreal estate agents to facilitate theprocess of listing, showing and selling their homes.

“It’s our job as REALTORS® to guide you through the buying or selling processas smoothlyaspossible,” said Jamie Sathers-Day of J.S. Realty, LLC of Duluth. “Beyond your real estatetransaction, we happily serve as counselor, negotiator, marketer, organizer, protector and more.”

Realestate agents are valuableassets. Agents have neighborhood knowledge, are educated in pricingtrends, canfilter phone calls or emails from buyers who aren’t serious, andcan organizeall of the people necessary for aclosing. Real estate agents provide many services thatthe average person may not have thetime nor the experience to handle “Combined, we have 90 years of local, professional real estate experience,” explained Sathers-Dayabout her company.“It’s rareto come across asituation that one of us hasn’t dealt with in some way, shape or form.”

When selecting an agenttosell ahome, homeowners may not understand that the termsrealestateagent

Homeownerschoosetoworkwithrealestateagents tofacilitatetheprocessoflisting,showingandselling their homes.

and REALTOR® are not interchangeable. Although both must be licensed to sellreal estate, the main difference between areal estate agent and a REALTOR® is the latter is amemberofthe National Association of REALTORS®. NAR ensures thatmembers subscribetoa certain code of ethics. There aremanyqualified agents, but an agent cannot do his or herjob well without some help on the partofthe homeowner. These tips can makethe process of selling ahome go smoothly.

•Price the home correctly Homeowners should trust the agent’sability to price ahomefor the market. Everyone wants to get the most money possible,but listingthe homefor morethanit’s worth may cause it to sit unnecessarily for several weeks or months, which could raise red flags among potentialbuyers.

•Market the home Areal estate agent will listthe homevia amultiple listing service (MLS) on aprivate website, in newspapers,and wherever elseheorshe feelsis pertinent. Homeowners canshare the listing via socialmedia andword of mouth to help increase thechancesofselling the home

“As REALTORS®we knowthe toolsofthe trade and the professionals to contact in order to get things done right the first time,” saidSathers-Day. “We market each home in a unique way to promote what makes it special and getitseenbythe right buyers.”

•Beavailable

Limiting thetime an agent can showthe house to potentialbuyersisinnoone’sbest interest. Sellers should be ready andwilling to open theirhomes,which is the best way to make asale. An agentmay suggest alock boxso

the homecan be shown when homeowners are notonthe property.

•Make suggested renovations

Agents know which features can makeor break asale. Homeownersshould be amenable to certain suggestions, such as neutral paint colors, removingpersonal effects and clearing clutter.

•Give recommendations

Realestate is acommission-based industry. Agentsoften tirelesslyput in hours and onlyreaprewards if the house is sold. Ahomeowner whowas satisfied with an agent can then

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Must-haves foranamazing kitchenremodel

Kitchen remodels are among the most popular home renovation projects, whether they consistofswapping out cabinet hardware or doing major demolition.

Due to the sheer amount of time families spend in the kitchen, not to mention the number of tasks performed in this space, it is easy to see why Remodeling magazine consistently ranks kitchen renovations as projects that will enable homeowners to recoup ahigh percentage of their investments. In the magazine’s 2018 “Cost vs. Value” report, midrange major kitchen remodels costing an average of $63,829 recouped 59 percent of that investment.

Wheninvesting in akitchenproject, it is importanttoincorporateitemsthatarecoveted.

•Deep, double sinks:

Having adouble sink enables you to soak dishes in one side and then wash on the other. It also makes it easy to washand prep produce for meals.

•Kitchen island and bar stools:

Even thoughmany meals are enjoyed around the table, there’ssomething to be said for the convenience of akitchen island and some well-placed bar stools for quick breakfasts or snacks.

•Smart kitchen storage:

Work withacontractor to include storage solutions built into cabinetry and the pantry.

Slide-out shelving, nooks for apaper towel roll and custom-designed areas to store stand mixers and other necessities can make kitchens more functional.

•Outdoor access:

If possible, design akitchen so it is easy to access the backyard via sliding doors. This can make outdoor entertaining or even coffee on the deck much easier.

•Under-cabinet lighting:

Fixtures installed under cabinetsprovide both ambient lighting and task lighting. Such lighting makes it easier to see what you’re workingonaswell, as even wellplaced overhead lighting can fail to illuminate dark corners and spots on the counters.

•Convenient warming drawer:

This appliance provides backup to the oven. It’s aslide-out drawer that can keep prepared foods out of the way and warm untiltheyare ready to be served. This is particularly handy for holidays and other entertaining.

•Beverage station:

Designate one area of the kitchen to beverages, such as coffee and tea. Or make the area an informal bar. This can limit traffic in the kitchen to asingle area.

Kitchen remodels are exciting to envision, and several choices can make these hightraffic spaces even more coveted.

Survivinga home renovation

Home own er s invest large sums into improving their homes to make them more comfortable living spaces or to increase their odds of selling quickly. The Remodeling Futures Programatthe Joint Centerfor Housing Studies of HarvardUniversity says U.S. homeowners spend more than $300 billion ayear on residential renovations and repairs. Whether one is doing

alarge renovation or asmall remodel, life may be turned upside down during the project. Furnituremay be moved out of the room, walls may be demolished, water or electricity may be turned off, and appliances may be missing or not hooked up. Home improvementsoftendrum up dust and disarray. Such projectscan try the patience of any homeowner, and things may get worsebefore they get better

“Eventhough the project can become somewhat stressful,” said Leila Simonson of Bruckelmyer Brothers Construction of Duluth, “anexperienced contractor can help to establish control of much of the issues relating to the displacement of the homeowner and the control of the construction fallout by prearranging aremodel plan and placing dust barriersaroundthe area being worked on.” Despitethe fact that

remodelingcan be taxing, the end result is often worth it. Here’s how to look forward to the silverlining and come out unscathed.

Discuss the project before it starts

All family members should be in agreement beforethe firsthammer is swung. Decide on as many details as you can ahead of time and have afirm plan in place. Establish backup choices for tiles or color schemes in case the items you want are out of stock. Trying to make decisions under duressmay result in bad choices.

“When you choose to an experienced contractor to perform the remodel project, you will find the selection process will be made much simpler by the use of an onlinecustomer portal where all of the decisions will be made before ahammer is lifted,” explained Simonson.

Consider project timing

It’s tempting to want to improve as much as possible at once to maximize motivation and renovation materials. However, having no place in which to escape the mess can elevate stresslevels.

On the other hand, even though it can add to the inconvenience, con-

sider the cost effectiveness of getting it done all at the same time, suggested Simonson.

Have everything in place…

Before demolition even begins, have buildingmaterialsbought andstored, contractors and subcontractors lined up, and see what you can do to minimize the time workers need to spend in your home.

…but expect delays

In aworld where things move at lightning speeds, renovations have not gotten thememo. Home projects take lots of time and will likely take longer if you are doing the work yourself in

your free time. Build lots of extra time into the project so you are not disappointed when delays happen –even when you’ve done your best to avoid them.

Plan an escape zone

Constructionenvironments can be messy, loud, smelly, and a host of other unsavory adjectives. The chaos that ensues when life is turned upside down can be overwhelming, particularly forthe person who spends the most time in the home while work is being done. Build escape moments into the plan and make sure everyoneelse at home is on board. During the real grind of the project, anight or two at ahotel may be awelcome respite.

Scrumptious Spring Salads c ti us S d

Recipe by: Gina Maling, www.allrecipes.com

"A slightly sweet salad with atouch of cinnamon."

Ingredients

6cups diced apples

1cup chopped celery

1cup chopped pecans

1cup mayonnaise

6Tpbs. granulated sugar

1tsp. Lemon juice

¼tsp. Groundcinnamon

1 cup heavy whipping cream

Directions: Combine apples, celery, and pecans in abowl. •Whisk mayonnaise, sugar, lemon juice, and cinnamon together in aseparate bowl until well combined. •Whip heavy cream with an electric mixer until soft peaks form; fold into mayonnaise mixture to form acreamydressing. •Fold apple mixtureinto the dressinguntil coated; chill in refrigerator for about 1hour.

Nutrition Facts

Per Serving: 321 calories; 28.6 gfat; 17.6 gcarbohydrates; 1.6 gprotein; 34 mg cholesterol; 120 mg sodium.

Recipe by: TOZENUF, www.allrecipes.com

"Someonebrought this salad to apot luck dinner andI had to have the recipe. Ihave made it many, manytimes since then and Ihave beenasked for the recipe everytime Ibring it somewhere. It is also agreatway to get kids to eat spinach!"

Ingredients

2tablespoons sesame seeds

1tablespoon poppy seeds

1/2 cup white sugar

1/2 cup olive oil

1/4 cup distilled white vinegar

1/4 teaspoon paprika

1/4 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce

1tablespoon minced onion

10 ounces freshspinach –rinsed, dried and torn into bite-size pieces

1quart strawberries –cleaned, hulled and sliced

1/4 cup almonds, blanched and slivered

Directions: In amediumbowl, whisk together the sesame seeds, poppy seeds, sugar, oliveoil, vinegar, paprika, Worcestershire sauce and onion. •Cover and chill for one hour. •Inalarge bowl, combine the spinach, strawberriesand almonds. •Pour dressing over salad, and toss. •Refrigerate 10 to 15 minutes before serving.

Nutrition Facts: Per Serving: 491 calories; 35.2 gfat; 42.9 gcarbohydrates; 6g protein; 0mgcholesterol; 63 mg sodium.

Recipe by: MICHELLE M, www.allrecipes.com

"In ahurry? Make this fruit salad in about 10 minutes. You can add or subtract differentfruit accordingtoyour taste andwhatisinseason."

Ingredients

1pint strawberries –cleaned, hulled and sliced

1pound seedless grapes, halved

3kiwis, peeled and sliced

3bananas, sliced

1(21 ounce) can peach pie filling

Very Easy FruitSalad as Fru t Sal d Fruit Salad E y i a

Directions: In alarge bowl, combine the strawberries, grapes, kiwis,and bananas. Gently mix in peach pie filling. Chill for 1hour before serving.

Nutrition Facts

Per Serving: 142 calories; 0.6 gfat; 34.7 gcarbohydrates; 1.8 gprotein; 0mgcholesterol; 12 mg sodium.

Aba seme nt remodeling project can add valuable and usable space to a home. For many years, homeowners overlooked the potential of a basement remodel, perhaps thinking it would not be a smart return on investment. But that’s no longer the case.

The latest “Cost vs. Value” report from Remodeling magazine says the average basement remodel can cost around $61,000 with a 70.3 percent recoup rate. In addition, HGTV says architects and contractors indicate the cost of redoing a basement is roughly onethird to one-half less than the price of putting an addition on a home.

Before remodeling a basement, homeowners should think about how they want to use the space. Homeowners also must focus on some potential obstacles in a basement that will need to be addressed so that the area can be as functional as possible.

Basements can be chilly and damp. That means moisture issues and heating and cooling needs must be addressed prior to any construction. Homeowners may have to consider the installation of a dehumidifier and run venting through the basement to allow for proper climate control.

If a basement takes on water, either through the walls or a concrete slab, a professional waterproofing company can come in and fix these issues so they will not damage drywall and flooring afterwards.

The presence of insects and pests also must be addressed. Exterminators can help homeowners figure out which insects are in their basements and how to make the space less hospitable to these unwelcome guests so that the room will become comfortable for human occupants.

Space is often at a premium in basements, which may contain HVAC units, water heaters, filtration devices, ductwork, pipes, and the other appliances. Qualified contractors can suggest solutions for cordoning off appliances and camouflaging pipes and wires so they won’t detract from the finished product. However, building access panels into the design will make it easier to service or repair features as necessary Homeowners also may want to wrap pipes before drywall is installed to quiet noisy drainage pipes.

Uneven basement flooring will need to be smoothed out and flattened before carpeting or tile can be laid down. A self-leveling under-

layment can be applied to fill in gullies, while larger crack and holes will need to be patched.

Once the structure of the basement is addressed, then the design work can begin. Many professionals advise against drop ceilings, which can take away from ceiling height and look cheap. Basements can be dark, so the addition of plenty of lighting can help brighten the room. Small basement windows can be replaced with larger ones to add more light as well.

Homeowners can mimic built-ins and architectural details from elsewhere in the home so the basement is aesthetically cohesive and doesn’t seem like an addition. Bookcases and shelving can add valuable storage space as well. Decorate the basement with bright, neutral colors so they make the space feel more inviting.

With some effort and financial investment, basements can be as beautiful and functional as other rooms in a home.

only 10 percent of the fuel used in running the unit escapes up the furnace or elsewhere Another important acronym is ECM meaning “Electronically Commutated Motor.” Most newer boilers and furnaces have this extremely efficient motor and thus are eligible for Minnesota Power’s Energy Star rebate

“Furnaces with ECM get the rebate — $200 from Minnesota Power when the job’s done. And they save money when they’re running — almost the cost of the unit over the lifetime of the appliance,” said Blesener

Both Bruckelmyer and Blesener recommend gas over oil furnaces in today’s market — plus, a gas furnace is much easier to clean Propane is a good choice for homes in the country that have enough land for the required loop field, which is about the same size as the dimensions of the home Prices of propane can go up and down, the experts said.

One last important tip

Blesener stressed one last important tip in the overall cost and care of your heating system: “Maintenance of your heating system is very important,” he said. “Maintenance can help keep

FLOORING

From Page 2

Hardwood for the traditionalist

“We still do a fair amount of hardwood flooring,” Yeaton said “It’s the most beautiful finish. It’s a natural product, and it comes in many different styles, colors, and types of wood.”

Red oak, white oak, hickory, maple, walnut and birch are just a few of the types available.

problems and breakdowns from happening — especially in the winter.”

He recommends annual maintenance in the spring or summer.

“It’s best to do it before fall when we’re so busy,” he explained. “It’s very important to change furnace filters monthly in the winter. Make sure they’re not too restrictive. Medium-expense filters are fine.”

Installing your flooring

Yeaton points out that, while you can purchase flooring at a big-box hardware store, one advantage of going with a full-service flooring store such as Johnson Carpet One is that they can do everything including moving furniture, demolition, and installing the flooring. He also emphasizes Johnson’s “Beautiful Guarantee”: if you’re not happy with the first flooring installation, they’ll redo it once with a different product at no cost.