One trend that is gaining greater recognition is called universal design.

A home can be made “handicap accessible,” of course, but universal design—as its name suggests—goes beyond that. It seeks to make a home easier to live in for everyone, including the young, the physically challenged, and the elderly. This last category is particularly important. According to the Census Bureau, there are currently about 36.3 million Americans over the age of 65, and by 2050 that number will climb to 86.7 million.

Universal design includes elements such as first-floor master bedrooms to eliminate constant stair climbing, wider door openings to make passage easier, and curb-less shower stalls that minimize the risk of falling. It also includes installing door levers, instead of door knobs. These are better for older folks with arthritic hands, as well as tiny children just learning to grasp. Come to think of it, those easy-to-open levers come in handy for ordinary parents, as they move about the household with their hands full.

Beyond a simple checklist of features, universal design is “the process of embedding choice for all people in the things we design…and recognizing that choice involves flexibility,” says architect John P. S. Salem, the president of Universal Designers & Consultants, Inc. in Takoma Park, Maryland (www.universaldesign.com). “Universal design should be included in spaces, products, information systems and any other of the stuff that humans manipulate or create.”

The ability to make your home more adaptable for everyone to use will not only make your home easier to live in down the road, but more inviting for your guests as well.

All the comforts we have in our lives depend on a lot of systems staying in good working order. Namely the utilities we use to keep the lights on, the basement dry and our computers running. When that system fails not only can things come to a standstill but you could incur thousands of dollars of damage. I have some suggestions on how to back up your home.

Let’s start with your computer. Many of us including me work out of our homes. The world headquarters of Lou Manfredini is in a home office in Chicago and the computers are an important part of it. APC make an uninterruptable power source for your PC. It’s basically a beefed up power strip you plug into the wall that you then plug your computer into. If the power goes out and you are at home it gives you a certain amount of time, depending on the unit you choose to close programs correctly and then shut your PC off. With their additional software the units will do it for you when you are not at home so you do not lose any important data. The home units range in price from $60.00-$200.00 you can learn more at www.APC.com

Did you know that according to the NAHB 70% of Americans use their garage door as their front door? What’s a matter with you people? (Just kidding) And for many of us our kids use the keyless entry to access the home so there is never a worry about losing a key. Well if the power goes out you can now keep the unit running with Chamberlain’s Premium Whisper Drive with EverCharge battery backup garage door opener. This unit will run for up to 40 cycles in a 24 hour period so you are never left outdoors. If you need to replace an opener you should definitely consider this one. They cost around $250.00. www.chamberlain-DIY.com

For those with a basement a sump pump is a must and a back-up for that unit is a double must. Think about all you have down there and no think about how most insurance companies either cap the amount they will cover or no longer offer flood insurance. The mistake that most people make is not matching up the back-up pumps capacity to the main pump. If your primary pump moves 3,000 gallons of water and hour your backup unit needs to do the same. Another consideration is inspecting these systems on a yearly basis. Standard batteries need to be filled with water yearly, sealed batteries cost more but need no maintenance for 5 years. A good back-up system installed will cost around $2,500.00 but it is worth it. Check with local companies in your area to find the right systems for your home.

Finally it’s all about power. When the lights go out everyone thinks of generators. When it comes to portable generators it’s all about the wattage. You’ll need a 3,000 watt generator like the EU3000i Handi by Honda. This size will run a refrigerator, sump pump and some lights. Remember that when using portable generators you never use them in an enclosed area. Ensure they are at least 10 feet away from the home and you use large feeder cords to power whatever you need to run. Cords that are 12 gauge are the best choice. www.hondapowerequipment.com . For a truly seamless back-up you should consider a whole house standby generator. These systems get wired into your home and can provide power to just a few circuits or your whole home depending on how much you want to invest. When the power goes out the unit senses the loss and within seconds starts up a generator mounted on the side of your home. These units typically run on natural gas. They will power your home for as long as you need it and there are no cords to run. The costs for these can range quite a bit but for a good portion of your home to receive back-up power you should consider spending about $4,000-$6,000.00 To learn more go to www.generac.com

And finally keep in the know buy investing in a back-up portable radio from Eton. www.etoncorp.com These units can be powered by a crank or a small solar panel on the top to give you AM/FM/Weather and they even have a USB port to keep your cell phone charged. All that for around $30.00

I get to see new products all the time for the home.  A lot of it is junk!  But most is useful, innovative and well thought out.  I have three items that can help you around your home that I would like to share.

First Alert is the company you know that makes smoke, carbon monoxide, and other detectors to keep us safe.  Now they have developed a new pool alarm. The First Alert Pool Alarm with AquaSound Technology is fast to detect an unwanted intrusion and reduces any chance for false alarms caused by debris, toys or wind. Within five seconds of an intrusion from a child or pet weighing 12 pounds or greater, the Pool Alarm will sound at 85db giving you more crucial time to react and save a life.

The First Alert Pool Alarm is not a life saving device on its own. “This device is not intended to replace any other safety consideration; that is, adult supervision, lifeguards, fences, gates, pool covers, locks, and so forth.  The unit is easy to install and will be available in July of this year at a retail cost of $599.00.  Not an inexpensive item, but the peace of mind is priceless.  www.firstalert.com

Summer means mosquito’s, which bite and itch.  And then there is the threat of West Nile Virus.  I know we need more to worry about.  But I did find a way to enjoy the outdoors and limit the amount of mosquito’s around you.  The All Clear Mosquito Mister.  This cordless unit will apply a mist remotely to an area up to 2,000 square feet.  You use water and concentrate to spray a fine mist up-wind from where you will be.  It takes about 10 minutes and your backyard can be bug free for up to 4 hours depending on the concentrate.  The units retail between $299.00-$499.00 depending on the size.  You can learn more at www.allclearmister.com

Fun facts about mosquito’s:
·      Black is the most attractive color to mosquitoes, followed closely by red. White is your best choice.
·      Because of different body chemistries, some people really are more attractive to mosquitoes. Those likeliest to be bitten are overweight males with type O blood.
·      People drinking beer have been shown to be more attractive to mosquitoes. Limburger cheese has also been found to be attractive, which might explain mosquitoes’ foot fetish.
·       Only the female mosquitoes “bite.” They need blood protein to nourish their eggs.

A well lighted exterior around your home makes it more secure.  But hiring an electrician to install a box and hang a fixture can be costly.  Now you can install a battery operated LED porch light for under $30.00. Fulcrum Products makes a unit that uses four “C” batteries and two screws to mount.  The batteries should last about a year and with the motion sensor you can brighten up a porch, a dark spot near your garage, even a ark area of your basement.  There are many stores and on-line retailers selling this.  Just search the company name.

If you need more help or guidance you can visit me at www.housesmartstv.com.

One of the biggest sources of indoor pollution can sometimes lie unnoticed - the air ducts that move hot or cold air through your home.  Filters remove some of the dust, pollen, and mold spores that fly through these ducts. But much more clings to the sides as it settles out of the relatively slow-moving air.  To safeguard the system, the first line of defense is to filter the air to keep the stuff out of the ductwork in the first place.  But older ducts- twenty years and up- may need a bigger fix.  Professional duct-cleaning services can reach in with super long vacuum tubes and clean everything out.  How do you know if you need this?  Check your nose.  If you or someone in your household has chronic or mysterious allergies, the cause may lie withing the ducts.

We all know how important curb appeal is, not only if you are selling a home but to the overall value and perception it exudes. To achieve this it takes an investment, but the right choices can mean less work when it comes to maintaining your home. Here are some ideas and areas to consider.

Exterior siding and trim:

I love the look of real wood siding and trim but long term this choice will mean constant scraping and painting, better choices are fiber cement siding from companies like James Hardie and CertainTeed. This siding looks like wood but does not rot, and with a factory finish applied you can get up to a 15 year warranty on the paint. On the horizon is fiberglass siding. Apex Ultrex Siding from Marvin has a tough structure and fused finish coating which will never need painting. For the trim boards on your home look for extruded PVC products from companies like Azek or Versatex. These boards also will not rot and have a smooth finished appearance; they hold paint very well and will look terrific for many years.

Deck and patio:

Again remember I like real wood but the synthetics that are out there now are just terrific. Trex, Timbertech, Evergrain are just a few. No splinters, no staining, no issue with bugs, or rot. And additional design opportunities that are very difficult to achieve with wood. I will caution you not to think of these choices as maintenance free. They are all low maintenance. Meaning you do have to clean the deck each year since organic material can latch onto the decking or rails and start to grow. But it is night and day over the maintenance you need to do every few years with a wood deck. As for your patio the best choice in my mind are pavers. While this system does cost more it offers so much value and flexibility. And as far as maintenance you just need to keep it clean. If there is ever and issue with sinking, you just take up a few pavers, add some sand and reset. Try doing that with a concrete patio.

Paint:

If none of the above is in your budget this year for the outside of your home then there is always a fresh coat of paint. Just remember that 90% of a good paint job happens before the first brush stroke occurs. Whether you are hiring a contractor or doing it yourself, follow these tips. Wash the entire exterior with a mild detergent and pressure washer. Scrape all loose paint and sand smooth. Spot prime bare areas and fill in any holes with wood putty. Caulk around areas where gaps are present. Then apply two coats of a high quality exterior paint. Makers like Benjamin Moore and Sherwin Williams are a couple of the best and will last the longest.

Reference websites:

www.jameshardie.com www.evergrain.com

www.certainteed.com

www.azek.com

www.versatex.com

www.trex.com