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VOLUME 26, ISSUE 4
BUCKS COUNTY
Good Boy Roofing & Siding A loyal companion for your home page 21
INSIDE: ANNUAL KITCHEN & BATH DIRECTORY Sponsored by Trumark Credit Union Page 12
STYLISH SPACES
FALL LANDSCAPING
Stunning kitchen transformations
The best ways to prepare your yard for the season
Your #1 Resource and Design Magazine • Visit www.HouseMagazine.com to view our Online Design Center
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VOLUME 26, ISSUE 4
BUCKS COUNTY
INSIDE:
Jammer Doors The importance of fall maintenance page 11
ANNUAL KITCHEN & BATH DIRECTORY Sponsored by Trumark Credit Union Page 12
STYLISH SPACES
FALL LANDSCAPING
Stunning kitchen transformations
The best ways to prepare your yard for the season
Your #1 Resource and Design Magazine • Visit www.HouseMagazine.com to view our Online Design Center
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september/october 2026
12 contents 11 The Importance of Fall Maintenance Jammer Doors is prepared to help homeowners get ready for the season.
12 House & Home Annual Kitchen & Bath Directory A comprehensive roundup of the area’s leading contractors. Sponsored by Trumark Credit Union
amazing kitchen remodeling projects.
25 Built to Last Exteriors by Global Home and James Hardie offer siding solutions that stand the test of time.
26 Heating Up as it’s Cooling Down Keeping ahead of costly repairs and dangerous situations.
21 A Loyal Companion for 30 Small Changes, Stronger Impact Your Home Good Boy Roofing & Siding prioritizes the customer experience.
Find out the best approach to take for your landscape this fall season.
22 Stylish Spaces A photo guide to some
HouseMagazine.com
SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2026
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PUBLISHER Edward P. McCartney EDITOR Peter Proko ASSISTANT EDITOR Matt Cosentino CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Kristen Dowd, Giana Scafide, Abigail Twiford CREATIVE DIRECTOR Hank Alspach PRODUCTION MANAGER Brian Mikulski DESIGNERS Eileen Pullia, Lisa Zollinger ACCOUNTING DIRECTOR Darlene Versak SALES DIRECTOR Lindsay Gonzalez SALES MANAGER Jim Romano NEW BUSINESS DEVELOPER Chuck McKane MARKETING CONSULTANTS Jordan Carty, Nicole Corabi, Rochelle Dodge, Lori Vorgang, Amy B. Weiss DIRECTOR OF FINANCE & ADMINISTRATION Max Haggerty DIGITAL MEDIA DIRECTOR Leigh Stuart PUBLISHER EMERITUS Bob Doran EXECUTIVE PARTNERS Gerry Haggerty, Edward P. McCartney
HOUSE & HOME HOUSE & HOME Magazine, LLC, dba HOUSE & HOME (“H&H”). H&H reserves the right to determine the suitability of all materials submitted for publication and to edit all submitted materials for clarity and space. H&H is not responsible for loss, damage or any other injury to unsolicited manuscripts, unsolicited artwork or any other unsolicited materials. Furthermore, H&H will assume that unsolicited photographs, as well as ad photographs, are being submitted for possible publication and should they be published, no fee is due the photographer or model unless otherwise agreed upon in advance in writing. HOUSE & HOME is a regional home improvement and design magazine focused on remodeling, renovation, design inspiration, and connecting homeowners with local home service professionals. H&H does not knowingly accept false or misleading advertising or editorial content, nor does H&H or its staff, editors or writers assume responsibility should such advertising or editorial content appear in any publications. Readers are encouraged to notify H&H if they suspect false or misleading advertising. Before attempting any renovation or repair project mentioned in H&H, readers are advised to consult with professional home repair and renovation specialists for assistance, and to take any and all appropriate safety precautions. HOUSE & HOME has not independently tested any products or services advertised herein and has verified no claims made by its advertisers regarding those services or products. HOUSE & HOME. makes no warranties or representations and assumes no liability for any claims regarding those services or products or claims made by advertisers regarding such products or services. Readers are advised to consult with the advertiser and/or other home repair and renovation professionals regarding any such claims and regarding the suitability of an advertiser’s products. No reproduction of printed materials is permitted without the consent of the publisher of HOUSE & HOME. Copyright 2012 by HOUSE & HOME. Magazine, LLC, all rights reserved. Subscription available for home delivery at our website, www.HouseMagazine.com, at a cost of $19.95 per year.
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PARTNER PROFILE
The Importance of Fall Maintenance
TEMPERATURES ARE ALREADY STARTING TO COOL DOWN, SO JAMMER DOORS IS PREPARED TO HELP WITH HOME MAINTENANCE AND A SEASONAL SALE. By Abigail Twiford
As
summer turns into fall and temperatures continue to drop through winter, homeowners have to consider the maintenance, replacements and upgrades that need to be made throughout the house to prepare for cold weather, snow, wind and all of the other strains the chilly climate brings for half the year. The vast majority of these improvements needed to get ready for a colder, damper and harsher season than what the summer has to offer are related to the comfort of the home’s inhabitants and energy efficiency in keeping the home warm despite the most frigid conditions going on outside. One of the biggest elements of the home that needs to be considered for maintenance at this time is the garage door and its opener, with Jammer Doors being a prime provider for this necessary maintenance throughout the area. “The biggest [priority] is preparing for the cold weather. Make sure that you’re checking the alignment of the door and checking the tracks of it so that the door opens and closes properly. That’s important for making sure that there’s no issues with the cold coming in once the weather start getting colder,” says Sarah Jammer, legal compliance director for Jammer Doors. The main concerns for fall maintenance
with garage door openers are functionality and safety, which means ensuring that the photo eyes on operators are clean and clear of leaves and debris, which can disrupt the opening and closing of the door. Besides ensuring everything opens and closes properly to keep out drafts and improve energy efficiency, safety is a main concern, as cold weather can exacerbate existing issues within the door’s structures. The operator’s track needs to be inspected by the homeowner or a professional to check for dents, damage or to see if the track needs to be lubricated to be readied for the winter ahead. “A lot of times fall and winter can be a busier season in the Northeast because of the snow and the change in temperature that can cause a lot of spring and cable breaks if they're not properly taken care of, so it's just always a great time to make sure that they’re up to date and there’s no issues with it. That’s one of the reasons why fall maintenance is really important,” Jammer says. Besides the garage, the house’s other doors and windows should also be checked for any issues, such as whether the windows lock properly. “The main thing, especially in the Northeast, is checking and preparing for colder weather, so older windows might have issues
JAMMER DOORS HouseMagazine.com
with retaining heat and that will impact energy efficiency,” Jammer says. Entrance doors at the front, back and side of the house should also be inspected for their own alignments to make sure there are no gaps between each door and its jamb, which could let in cold drafts and decrease the comfort of those within the home. “That way it really focuses on retaining that energy efficiency and helping with heat retention when it comes to wintertime,” Jammer says. As Jammer Doors knows that maintenance and replacements for different door and window parts and features are needed at this time of year, the company is holding a fall sale, which begins on Sept. 26 and ends Oct. 6. The sale covers their Provia and Raynor products, offering a 15% discount on entrance, garage and slider doors, and windows, though operators and storm doors are excluded from the sale. “We provide preventative maintenance to come out and just double check to make sure everything's operating smoothly. And then, if there are any issues with their garage door and entrance door, we can provide recommendations. And if they want to move forward with that, they can,” Jammer says.
L a w r e n c e v i l l e a n d Ya r d l e y (609) 883-0900 JammerDoors.com SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2026
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HOUSE
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Annual Kitchen & Bath Directory
Trusted
EXPERTS to help transform your home BY STAFF
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n the world of home improvement, kitchens and baths continue to reign supreme. Survey after survey shows that these spaces can add the most value in a home. Homeowners who are ready to make the investment in upgrading their kitchen or bath can simply look on the following pages to find qualified professionals in various specialties from marble and granite and cabinetry to remodelers and designers. With the help of this House & Home Directory, we hope the design of your dreams can soon become a reality. 12
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HOME
Appliances
Hawkins & Sons Appliances (302) 998-5587 HawkinsAndSons.com K & A Appliance, Inc (717) 392-3287 KAAppliance.com Robert Stevens Appliances (215) 638-9494 (215) 742-7444 RobertStevensAppliances.com
Bar & Kitchen Stools
Royal Billiard & Recreation, Inc. (215) 997-7777 RoyalBilliard.com
Builders/Contractors/ Remodelers
A.W. Viohl Home Remodeling (302) 375-6166 ViohlContracting.com
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Sponsored by
Beechdale Builders (717) 278-3683 BeechdaleBuildersLLC.com Gehman Design Remodeling (215) 513-0300 GehmanRemodeling.com Hynes Construction (610) 896-6388 HynesConstruction.com
Cabinet Refacing/ Refinishing
Capital Kitchen Refacing, LLC (267) 907-3591 CapitalKitchenRefacing.com Kitchen Tune-Up (610) 364-5558 KitchenTuneUp.com
Let’s Face It - A Division of HomeTech Renovations, Inc. (215) 343-2600 (Bucks/Mont) (610) 696-3600 (Del/Chester/MainLine) LFIKitchens.com
Pencroft Ridge Construction (717) 786-4124 PencroftRidgeConstruction.com StoneBridge Renovations (484) 459-4920 SB-Renovations.com The Lennar Corporation Brandywine, Del. (484) 960-7496 Lennar.com Tri-County Development Group (609) 654-6600
TriCountyDevelopmentGroup.com
SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2026
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Cabinetry
Art of Drawers (610) 744-3207 ArtOfDrawers.com The CabinetTree Design Studio (856) 888-2220 CabinetTree.com The Cabinet Shop (609) 463-0400 CabinetShopNJ.com Dilworth’s Custom Design (610) 917-9119 DilworthsCustomDesign.com Holcomb Cabinetry (302) 478-5000 HolcombCabinetry.com Kitchen Tune-Up (610) 364-5558 KitchenTuneUp.com
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Sponsored by
Main Line Kitchen Design (610) 500-4071 MainLineKitchenDesign.com
Closets By Design (866) 278-8881 ClosetsByDesign.com
Sunny Cove Cabinetry (717) 500-4540 SunnyCoveCabinetry.com
Closets For Less of Bucks County (215) 660-3080 Closets4LessBucks.com
Carpet/Hardwood/Vinyl
Boyles Floor & Window Designs (610) 429-9773 BoylesFlooring.com
Diplomat Closet Design (610) 431-3500 DiplomatClosetDesign.com One Day Doors & Closets of Philly (267) 508-7906 OneDayPhilly.com
Seashore Floors (609) 967-0400 SeashoreFloorsLLC.com
Cleaning, Tile/Grout
Sir Grout of Delaware 302-406-3254 sirgroutnewcastle.com
Closet Organization/Pantries
Closet Factory (215) 268-7660 ClosetFactory.com
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Sponsored by
Victory Closets (484) 366-1836 VictoryClosets.com
Custom Woodworking
Diamond Millwork (717) 354-3999 DiamonMillworkPa.com Pencroft Ridge Construction (717) 786-4124 PencroftRidgeConstruction.com Signature Woodcraft (267) 736-9740 SignatureWoodcraft.com
Imperial Marble & Granite (610) 521-0130 IMGStone.net Timeless Stone Fabrication, Inc. (215) 249-1555 TimelessStoneFab.com
HELOC’s/Lending Services Directory Sponsor Spotlight
Trumark Credit Union
Furniture & Accessories
Country Lane Furniture (717) 867-5701 CountryLaneFurniture.com Royal Billiard & Recreation, Inc. (215) 997-7777 RoyalBilliard.com The Buxton Complex (609) 771-6840 TheBuxtonComplex.com Townehaus (856) 581-0378 Townehaus.com
Granite/Marble/Tile/ Mosaics/Solid Surfaces
AAA Hellenic Marble (610) 344-7700 AAAMarble.com
All Marble, Granite & Tile Imports (856) 354-4747 AllMarbleGranite.com Colonial Marble & Granite (215) 543-7077 (610) 537-8918 ColonialMarble.net Dilworth’s Custom Design (610) 917-9119 DilworthsCustomDesign.com
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Turn Your Home’s Equity Into Possibility. TruMark Credit Union’s flexible HELOC options can help fund kitchen renovations, home improvements and more, giving homeowners convenient access to the equity they’ve built.
877-Trumark Trumark.com
HVAC/Electrical Contracting/ Plumbing
Abbey Plumbing & HVAC (215) 643-6645 AbbeyPlumbing.com C&C Heating & Air Conditioning (215) 799-0515 CC-HVAC.com McHale’s Inc. (215) 488-7306 McHales.net
R&D Heating and Cooling (610) 444-6421 RDHVAC.com
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Sponsored by
& HOME
Kitchen/Bath Design
Holcomb Cabinetry (302) 478-5000 HolcombCabinetry.com
AAA Hellenic Marble (610) 344-7700 AAAMarble.com
HomeTech Renovations, Inc. (215) 646-7477 HTRenovations.com
A.W. Viohl Home Remodeling (302) 375-6166 ViohlContracting.com
Hynes Construction (610) 896-6388 HynesConstruction.com
Bath Tune-Up (484) 383-5218 BathTuneUpMainLine.com
Imperial Marble & Granite (610) 521-0131 IMGStone.net
Carranza Roofing & Remodeling (610) 671-3747 Carranzacontracting.com Colonial Marble & Granite (215) 543-7077 (610) 537-8918 ColonialMarble.net Concept Kitchen and Bath (610) 860-4020 (302) 888-9494 ConceptKB.net
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Dilworth’s Custom Design (610) 917-9119 DilworthsCustomDesign.com
First State Building & Design (302) 307-9383
Inspiration Kitchen & Bath (610) 448-9919
Dreammaker Bath & Kitchen of Chester county (610) 484-2000 Dreammaker-Remodel.com/ Chester-County
Gehman Design Remodeling (215) 513-0300 GehmanRemodeling.com
Kitchen Gurus (800) 834-6584
SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2026
FirstStateBuildingAndDesign.com
InspirationKitchenAndBath.com BasementWaterproofingGurus.com
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Sponsored by
Kitchen Tune-Up (484) 435-7430 KitchenTuneUpMainline.com
Plumbing Services
Abbey Plumbing & Heating (215) 643-6645 AbbeyPlumbing.com
Rolf Schroeder General Contractors (215) 201-2195 RolfSchroederGC.com
Shower Enclosures/ Frameless Doors
Ryann Reed Design Build (215) 918-4952 RyannReed.com
Alderfer Glass (215) 723-1192 AlderferGlass.com
Spring Creek Design (610) 273-9194 SpringCreekDesign.net StoneBridge Renovations (484) 459-4920 SB-Renovations.com Timeless Stone Fabrication, Inc. (215) 249-1555 TimelessStoneFab.com The Cabinet Shop (609) 463-0400 CabinetShopNJ.com
HouseMagazine.com
Window Treatments/ Interior Decorating
Lighting/High-End Fixtures
Bright Light (610) 922-1790 (609) 465-4478 BrightLightDesignCenter.com Home Lighting of Frazer (610) 647-2370 HomeLightingInc.com
Painting & Wallcovering
Hynes Construction (610) 896-6388 HynesConstruction.com
Star Painting and Wallcovering Inc. (610) 409-7980 (215) 628-2331
Blind Builders (215) 322-5855 BlindBuilders.com
Heritage Design Interiors (717) 354-2233 HeritageDesignInteriors.com
StarPaintingAndWallcovering.com
SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2026
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PARTNER PROFILE
A Loyal Companion for Your Home WITH ITS NEW REBRAND, GOOD BOY ROOFING & SIDING IS KEEPING ITS PROMISE OF LOYAL CUSTOMER SERVICE THROUGH A NEW TEAM MEMBER. b y G I A N A S C A F I D E
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or every company, its overall image plays an important role in representing what it stands for. A company’s logo, motto and services are all key indicators of what clients can expect when they choose to work with them. For Dave Martin, project consultant and owner of Good Boy Roofing & Siding, creating a brand that better reflected the customer experience was important. That vision ultimately led to a rebrand—one inspired by someone very special. After 25 years in business, Martin decided it was time for a refresh, not only with a change in leadership but also with the services offered. Having previously tackled numerous projects, from kitchen and bathroom renovations to decks, additions, roofing and siding, the company has now chosen to focus solely on roofing, siding, windows and one-day baths. Its name, Remodeling Concepts, has been changed to Good Boy Roofing & Siding, gaining inspiration from Martin’s chocolate Labrador Greg.
HouseMagazine.com
Greg was heavily involved with the company before the rebrand, riding along to jobsites and walking finished roofs. Most of the time, clients knew Greg more than they knew the company’s original logo, and from there, the idea to rebrand came to life. “We wanted something that really reflected who we are, where we’re going and how we’re still there for our customers,” says Martin. “This is something that we’re proud of and want people to recognize.” Besides being the face of the company, Greg plays an important, lighthearted role. “Greg just hangs out,” Martin says. “He rides around with me and sometimes I bring him out to jobs. We bring him to events, where he gets love from people walking around.” Being part of the community means giving back, and for Good Boy Roofing & Siding, that entails its bingo fundraiser and annual golf outing, which have become traditions for people in the
region. In addition, the company supports local organizations, events and causes through donations and sponsorships, giving back to those who have supported it since the start. “We do a lot of charity work, and last year we raised over $40,000 [for various causes],” Martin says. “Part of our mission statement is to enhance the lives of our employees, clients and community, so it’s important to us—we want to be an integral part of that.” This rebrand ties into the company image and what it’s always been about— excellent service and a real connection with clients. Good Boy Roofing & Siding values that person-to-person connection in a world where technology can make it increasingly difficult. Martin wants every homeowner the company serves to feel satisfied with their decision in choosing Good Boy Roofing & Siding. “We want to make sure the customers feel heard,” Martin affirms. “We’re always working on bettering ourselves with our communication, making sure that we’re going out to the customers’ homes, giving them prices on the spot, following through with the jobs and working alongside our crew.” In taking that personalized approach, Good Boy Roofing & Siding creates a welcoming environment where questions are highly encouraged. The company ensures every project it starts is well-managed, organized and clean from conception to completion, making the project feel like a walk in the park. “If a customer calls us, we’ll detour our schedule to get right back out there the same day,” Martin says. “If a person has a question or concern, they can call us. We’ll help you and refer you to the proper resources.” Greg may not have a license or any training in the field, but he sure knows how to represent what Good Boy Roofing & Siding is all about. “As we do this rebrand, it really stands out to clients and it’s something that’s recognizable,” Martin says. “We’re loyal, we’re by their side and we want to be their loyal companion.”
GOOD BOY ROOFING & SIDING Serving Pa. and N.J. (215) 343-5557
CallGoodBoy.com
SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2026
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KITCHENS
Magnolia Home Remodeling Group The homeowners were looking to expand their living space while modernizing the entire feel of their home. The addition and renovation included energy-efficient Andersen windows, spray foam insulation, wide plank white oak flooring, natural stone veneer at the fireplace, custom kitchen cabinetry and stone countertops. All details were selected to elevate both the function and the aesthetic of the space. Union, N.J. | (855) 624-6655 MagnoliaHomeRemodeling.com
Stylish Spaces INSPIRING KITCHEN DESIGNS THAT PROVIDE BOTH FUNCTION AND BEAUTY Gehman Design Remodeling Clean lines. Bright finishes. Plenty of room to gather. A welldesigned kitchen isn’t just beautiful, it’s planned around how you actually use your home every day. At Gehman, we bring your vision to life with meticulous craftsmanship and expertise. Every detail is carefully handled to ensure your project looks stunning and is built to last. No matter how complex the task is, you’ll enjoy a beautiful, high-quality space you can rely on for years. Planning and foresight make your remodel go smoothly. Each step ensures a smooth, collaborative and rewarding experience that brings your vision to life. This process is why we’re known for creating easy, pleasant remodeling experiences for homeowners. Harleysville, Pa. (215) 513-0300 GehmanRemodeling.com 22
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Spring Creek Design Spring Creek Design transformed this once-cramped, closed-off kitchen by reworking the main-floor layout and making strategic structural changes to create a bright, open space. A generous island anchors the new kitchen, while painted cabinetry, warm wood accents and copper pendant lighting add character and contrast. New flooring and striking foyer tile extend the transformation beyond the kitchen, creating a beautifully connected main floor designed for everyday living and entertaining. Honey Brook, Pa. (610) 273-9194 SpringCreekDesign.net
HomeTech Renovations This kitchen remodel of a home in Jenkintown, Pennsylvania has lots of unique features. The White Icing modified shaker cabinetry by Medallion has become quite popular in the industry and with homeowners. Meanwhile, the earl grey island is highlighted with wainscot paneling and a PentalQuartz countertop with Borghini finish. Lower Gwynedd, Pa. (215) 646-7477 HTRenovations.com
Let’s Face It This contemporary kitchen refacing project included white glossy cabinetry with white quartz countertops. What’s more, a new wood island was fabricated in our shop with a black granite countertop and extra storage space underneath. Lower Gwynedd, Pa. (215) 343-2600 LFIKitchens.com
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Why James Hardie is leading the way
SHOWCASE
PARTNER PROFILE
Beautiful siding can enhance curb appeal and reflect a homeowner’s style. Here are some of the ways James Hardie siding is helping to set the trends. Wood look without the maintenance. Homeowners want warmth and durability and James Hardie’s new TimberHue collection delivers a look that mimics cedar or oak, but without rot, fire risk or the need to repaint. Bolder exterior style. People who want their home to stand out are opting for styles that pope. One popular choice is board and batten which is versatile and can match any home style with its vertical lines creating a distinguished accent look. Mixing materials for a high-end look. James Hardie siding works perfectly as a base material when combining with stone, metal or other accents to create depth and architectural interest. Performance-driven materials. Homeowners today care most about weather resistance, energy efficiency and longevity. Fiber cement continues to outperform vinyl and wood in all three areas.
Built to Last Exteriors by Global Home and James Hardie combine to provide homeowners with siding solutions that look great and stand the test of time.
Key Benefits of James Hardie Siding:
W
hen Exteriors by Global Home was founded 25-plus years ago, the company set out to work with only the best manufacturers in the industry. Whether homeowners
are investing in roofing, windows, siding or gutters, they can rest assured that Exteriors by Global Home stands behind the products they install. Over the course of the two decades Exteriors by Global Home has been in business, one manufacturer has stood above the rest: James Hardie Siding. Built for real protection, not just looks, James Hardie Siding is engineered to handle everything your home faces. This is especially important in the Northeast, where homes deal with humidity, freezing winters and temperature swings. “You’re not just upgrading appearance— you’re protecting your home long-term,” says Adam Parnes, marketing director. The fiber cement siding that James Hardie produces gives homeowners the look of real wood without the maintenance. In addition to the authentic wood-grain texture, the siding’s long-lasting ColorPlus® factory finishes resist chipping and fading. What’s more, there’s a wide range of styles available from lap, shingle, and board and batten. HouseMagazine.com
Recently, Exteriors by Global Home was named a 2025 James Hardie ALLIANCE President’s Club Award winner as well as a James Hardie Service Excellence Award recipient—a rare and elite dual honor that places the company among the top James Hardie siding contractors nationwide. “With this dual recognition, Exteriors by Global Home stands out as one of the most trusted, capable and highly rated James Hardie dealers serving New Jersey and Pennsylvania,” says Parnes. “Homeowners searching for the best James Hardie siding installer can choose with confidence—backed not just by product excellence but by proven performance and satisfaction documented by James Hardie itself.”
Exceptional Durability. Hardie board siding resists moisture, pests, and impact damage. It’s also non-combustible, which may help lower your homeowners insurance rates. Versatile Styles. Choose from lap siding, board and batten, or shaker to match your home’s architectural style, whether you live in Springfield, Maplewood, Trevose, or Bensalem. Fade-Resistant Colors. Enjoy a vibrant, custom look for your exterior with James Hardie’s ColorPlus® Technology, designed to maintain its beauty year after year. Affordable & Long-Lasting. Fiber cement siding offers the ideal blend of affordability and longevity, giving you excellent value for your investment.
Exteriors by Global Home Serving Pa., N.J. and Del. (866) 735-1121 | GlobalHomeInc.com SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2026
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COMFORT
BY KRISTEN DOWD
Heating Up As it’s Cooling Down
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Local experts share the biggest heating mistakes they see with customers and the best ways to keep ahead of costly and dangerous situations.
he Farmers’ Almanac is forecasting an unpredictable winter season full of surprises in the Northeast, and although our region in particular may be seeing some above-normal temperatures overall, a fair amount of snow days could pop up as well. Regardless, with the season’s first frost right around the corner, it’s time to be thinking about the best ways to keep warm this winter—and, more importantly, the heating mistakes to avoid. After all, heating mishaps are not
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only about inconvenience, but safety, too. “The No. 1 mistake is not having your heater chimney inspected. Almost everyone has a heater that vents into a chimney,” Joe Ochal says. “We do chimney inspections regularly in the Philadelphia region, and the amount of carbon monoxide we find is literally unbelievable.” Ochal is owner of Chimney Scientists, a full-service chimney company offering inspections, cleanings, repairs and installations. The company routinely finds poor chimney
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maintenance that leads to carbon monoxide leaks in the home—leaks that are not necessarily high enough to set off a carbon monoxide detector, but are high enough to cause adverse health reactions like headaches and drowsiness. “It’s going to make you sluggish, irritable, tired. And it’s amazing to me that we focus a lot on our health today, buying organic foods and things of that nature, but not getting our chimneys inspected,” Ochal says.
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Prioritizing maintenance Maintenance is the name of the game with fireplace chimneys, too, according to Chris Olsen, owner of Newtown Fireplace Shop, a retail fireplace business that also offers inspection and installation services. “I would say the biggest mistake when heating with gas fireplaces is not keeping up with good annual maintenance,” he says. “If they’re not serviced regularly, they’re going to burn inefficiently, increase energy costs and reduce heat output. A poorly functioning fireplace can put soot out into the home, too.”
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Things, of course, are a little different for woodburning fireplaces or stoves. While annual maintenance is important to make sure the flu is clean, there are no blockages and everything is up to code, Olsen says the biggest mistake he sees with woodburning sources is customers who are burning the wrong type of wood. “It sounds silly, but improperly seasoned wood is not going to burn efficiently. You want to be in the proper range of moisture content—around 15% to 20%. Too high, you won’t get the heat output. It will create more creosote in the flu and cause blockages
in the chimney,” Olsen explains. “When the moisture content is too low, it’s burning way too hot and you’ll be going through a tremendous amount of wood.” Wood fireplaces can also create a buildup of creosote in the chimney—a highly flammable residue that can be left behind as substances such as smoke and gases escape through the chimney. This can especially happen when a fireplace is burning inefficiently. “Creosote can cause a chimney fire, and that can lead to a house fire,” Ochal says.
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RESOURCES Chimney Scientists West Conshohocken, Pa. (610)-947-0475 ChimneyScientists.com Newtown Fireplace Shop Newtown, Pa. (215) 968-3981 NewtownFireplaceShop.com
When to call The Chimney Safety Institute of America recommends a chimney inspection every year. These inspections do not have to be when the weather cools and the heat clicks on. In fact, that’s often when homeowners realize there’s a problem stemming from blockages, damage or even code issues. “People think we’re these ‘Chim Chim
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Cher-ee’ chimney sweeps, but most of our business is emergency calls from carbon monoxide and people’s heater chimneys getting blocked,” Ochal says, adding that these emergencies can be avoided with simple chimney inspections. So, when’s the best time to call? “We definitely recommend doing it between Memorial Day and Labor Day in the summer months. It seems counterintuitive
but you want to do it before the season starts,” Olsen says, explaining his company stays extremely busy from September through March. Ochal echoes this idea, but the bottom line is to get chimney inspections “whenever you can.” “Just do it. It may be fine if it’s not that old,” he says, “but you need to get that inspection.”
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OUTDOOR LIVING
Small Changes, Stronger Impact From smarter pruning and planting to basic and high-impact changes, find out what works for your landscape this fall season. B Y G I A N A S C A F I D E
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all landscaping doesn’t always call for a complete revamp. In many yards, the biggest improvements come from well-timed decisions. To find out more, House & Home spoke with local experts who shared their knowledge on how to achieve a suitable landscape for fall.
Start With the Basics Before adding anything new, take care of the landscape’s fundamentals. Fall is still an active growing season for both lawns and plants, and treating the yard as though winter has already arrived can create problems. One common mistake is abandoning lawn care too early. Fall is also an important opportunity to overseed areas and repair bare spots before it’s too cold for new grass to establish. “Grass is still actively growing in September and much of October,” says Chris DeMato, owner of Rock Bottom Landscaping. “Continue mowing as needed, and don’t leave the lawn excessively long going into winter.” Fertilizer and mulch are also important in keeping a healthy appeal. Applying too much fertilizer can encourage unnecessary growth instead of helping plants. And when it comes to mulch, more isn’t necessarily better. Two to three inches is generally sufficient, and mulch should never be piled against tree trunks and shrub stems. “Fertilize: You’ll have a great impact on your plants right now,” confirms George Mihalchick, owner of Ponds by George. “Adding character, which would be something decorative, in a planter in your garden that you can plant around is great as well.”
Prune With Purpose Fall is a natural time to look at shrubs and perennials, but that doesn’t mean everything should be cut back. Pruning is needed when fixing your landscape for fall, but the way you go about it matters. “Cutting back shrubs and trees too heavily can remove next year’s flower buds and encourage tender new growth before winter,” DeMato states. A specific type of pruning that can be used is deadheading. Once certain flowers have finished blooming, removing them can encourage additional flowering and keep the plant looking cleaner. “One of the biggest mistakes I see is when homeowners have flowers like daylilies—they flower and then you don’t deadhead them,” Mihalchick says. “If you deadhead something once it’s done flowering, nine times out of 10 you are going to get more flowers. People don’t usually do regular maintenance on their plants, so it only blooms once.”
Think in Layers, Not Just Flowers A landscape that relies entirely on flowers can lose much of its visual interest once summer ends. A layered design by contrast can provide homeowners with shape, texture and color as different plants move through their seasonal cycles. The current preference for fewer plants with better placement works particularly well. “For longer-lasting structure, boxwoods, hollies and evergreens provide the backbone, while ornamental grasses, hydrangeas and looser perennials soften the design,” DeMato says. “Late-season perennials like sedum, cone-
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berries that’s completely defoliated and it has brilliant red berries, just clusters of them all over the plant.”
Make A Few Effective Changes
flower and anemone extend color beyond the summer season.” Consider plants that also work well for the winter, as they become more interesting after their leaves disappear. “There is a plant called variegated red twig dogwood,” Mihalchick exclaims. “This has variegated leaves, and when it drops its leaves, its twigs turn brilliant red all winter long. So even to do those in a planter, to do those in your garden, do them where you can see them.
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They’re gorgeous in the snow because they’re bright red twigs that grow up from this plant, so it stands out.” Winterberry offers another strong seasonal feature. Once the foliage drops, clusters of red berries remain on the branches through winter, providing color and attracting certain animals. “This plant will produce berries that turn red all winter, and the birds will come and eat them,” continues Mihalchick. “It’s a bush with red
For homeowners who don’t want to redesign an entire landscape, relatively small improvements can make a noticeable difference. Lighting is one effective improvement as the days grow shorter. A well-placed light can highlight certain trees, architectural features or an entryway that can go unnoticed when the sun goes down. “A relatively small change with a big payoff is adding landscape lighting, a few wellpositioned uplights on specimen trees or the house can completely transform the property at night,” affirms DeMato. Most homeowners tend to overdo with seasonal decor, and one way to make sure everything’s not overwhelmed is with structure.
“Use a piece of driftwood, put it in your garden, put it on anything that’s going to give you structure,” says Mihalchick. “A nice curving piece of driftwood adds a lot more attention than a plant.” The most successful fall landscape changes aren’t necessarily about making a yard look more seasonal. They’re about making decisions that work now and continue to work once the leaves are gone.
RESOURCES Ponds By George Southampton, Pa. (215) 396-7500 PondsByGeorge.com Rock Bottom Landscaping Belle Mead, N.J. (732) 873-6780 RockBottomLandscaping.net
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