Investing in outdoor living


Thursday, February 18, 2010 / 0 Comments »
For the past decade, homeowners have been investing more in their decks and outdoor living areas, adding on products like synthetic decking, fiber cement siding or new roofing. And not surprising, studies are reflecting changes to what many call investment improvements. In some areas, outdoor living improvements have matched or exceeded popular kitchen or bathroom projects.

Installation of Latitudes Composite DeckingExterior replacement projects, which peaked in 2005, have made their way to the top of the rankings; and now they occupy the majority of the top spots in terms of cost recouped. One reason is that curb appeal influence prospective buyers. And  outdoor projects like composite decks and pressure treated wood decks typically cost less than remodeling a kitchen or master bathroom. So why spend more on an investment improvement when your intention is to sell your property. I say spend wisely.

The 2009-2010 Cost vs. Value report published by Remodeling Magazine evaluates returns on investments for various home improvement projects based on regions of the country. Specifically decks, like other home improvements suffered in 2007-2008, but indicators are improving. Keep in mind the percentage listed on the return is the amount of money you would potentially get back if you sold your home within the 1st year after completing the project.

Here are two good examples of cost versus value for composite decking:
East North Central Region (which includes Ohio, Indiana, Michigan, Illinois and Wisconsin), if you spent $15,619 on a composite deck addition, you would potentially get back 62%, or approximately $10,000 back if you sold your home within a year. 

The recouped percentage only gets better if you add a midrange composite deck in New England. If you spend $15,724 on a new composite deck you can expect to recoup a whopping 71.5% when your home sells. Naturally the longer you stay in your home; the percentage should rise accordingly each year.

Safeguard your mailbox from snowplows while adding curb appeal


Friday, December 11, 2009 / 0 Comments »
In wintry climates where massive snowplows patrol the streets, it seems like mailboxes are marked with a bull’s eye. At least in my neighborhood in West Michigan, mailboxes appear to be a favorite target for these super-sized snow dispensers. While plow drivers aren’t intentionally trying to dismantle your mailbox, you should consider protecting it nonetheless. 

 

With snow and ice adding up, plows begin their early morning expedition up and down the streets scraping and blasting snow and slush out of the road and into yards and driveways. No matter how well constructed, average mailboxes on treated wood posts cannot stand up to the pummeling a snowplow will unleash. Snowplows hurl hundreds of pounds of snow in one pass, and the result can be devastating. 

 

Mailboxes are absolutely essential, but they can be very expensive to replace each year. So, if you're tired of the hassle and expense of replacing or repairing your mailbox, or don’t want to be among those in the neighborhood to plant a fallen mailbox into the snow bank until the ground thaws, assemble your own decorative mailbox support with wood. 

 

Pressure treated wood mailbox support and snow guard with decorative accessoriesUse pressure treated lumber and 4x4 or 6x6 wood posts and design and assemble your own piece of front yard art that not only looks great year-round but also will defend your postal integrity. Add decorative 6x6 or 4x4 post caps: wood post capscopper post caps, solar post caps, or other low voltage lighting will add that final touch. For your posts, make sure to use MCA or MCQ lumber or other treated wood that’s approved for ground contact prior to constructing. 

 

When you’re finished, you’ll have a decorative and structural mailbox support that will stand up to virtually anything the plows can throw at it.

 

Mailbox Placement

Placing your mailbox at a safe distance away from the road as you possibly can is a good place to start. There are, however, postal regulations for the distance your mailbox can be from the street. Your mailbox must be at least 8 to 12 inches away from the curb of the street and 36 to 42 inches off the ground, according to the U.S postal regulations, so be sure to keep those numbers in mind before beginning any project.