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FALL/WINTER 2008 | SPACES 3

 There Is A Difference! WE
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Our October issue of Spaces is the fourth issue of the publication for this
SPACES Publisher JAMES W. FANCY
year, geared towards readers moving indoors with the onset of cooler Associate Publisher DAVID P. HOHENDORF
weather. Administrative Assistant CAROL BARR
News Editor TIMOTHY S. DMOCH

As a supplement to the Spinal Column Newsweekly, Spaces is being delivered Staff Writers BROOKE MEIER,
LESLEY SHEPARD-OWSLEY,
to 50,000 homes in the lakes area of west Oakland County, brought to you ANDREW SAWMILLER,
by the SCN Communications Group. In addition to the weekly newspaper and MICHAEL SHELTON
Spaces, we also publish Oakland Lakefront magazine, Preferred Oakland Staff Photographer AMY K. LOCKARD
Homes, Oakland Homes, the MonthlyAdvertiser and the West Oakland Contributors MIKE SCOTT, MARK H. STOWERS
Directory. Advertising Sales Representatives DAN NEUMAIER, JULES PICKARD,
LINDA STICKNEY, RON WARWICK,
STEPHEN WARWICK
Inside this issue of Spaces readers will find news stories on several home
Sales Assistants SANDY ASHLOCK, ERIN CHAPMAN,
topics of concern at this time of the year, including heating your home, KATEY MEISNER
insider tips on installing fireplaces and roofing your residence. As in past Inside Sales Manager LORI SNYDER
issues of Spaces, we have relied when possible on local businesses to give us Inside Sales Representatives RHONDA LIBKUMAN, CINDY STAWICK,
their views on these topics. LESLIE TIMKO
Graphics Manager LESLIE M. MORYS

Readers will also find the latest column from home inspector Jeff LaPorte of Assistant Manager CHRIS GRAMMER

White Lake and our popular feature entitled For What It’s Worth, where we Graphics Assistants DENISE JUNGJOHAN,
KAREN POLATKA, MARCIA REIMER,
provide a snapshot of houses available in the market in a specific price CHRIS URQUHART
range. Systems Manager CHRIS GRAMMER
Circulation Manager DENNIS BOGGS
Now that we have reached the end of the publishing year for Spaces, we Circulation Assistant DAN GRIFFIN
now turn our attention to 2009. Spaces will be published again next year Accounts Receivable Manager CAROL BARR
four times, in the months of April, May, September and October. Our mission Accounts Receivable Supervisor CAROLYN PETHERBRIDGE
and approach for the coming year with Spaces will be the same as this past Accounts Receivable MABLE McCULLOUGH, JAN MORRIS
inaugural year—bring readers with each issue a magazine-format publication
Phone 248.360.6397 / 248.360.7355
with editorial and advertising information directed at home design and
Address/Street 7196 Cooley Lake Road
improvement subjects. Waterford, Michigan, 48327-4113
Address/Mail P.O. Box 14
We are looking forward to the coming year for Spaces. Union Lake, MI, 48387-0014

David P. Hohendorf
Associate Publisher

SPINAL COLUMN NEWSWEEKLY

PREFERRED OAKLAND HOMES
OAKLAND HOMES
OAKLAND LAKEFRONT
MONTHLYADVERTISER
WEST OAKLAND DIRECTORY

FALL/WINTER 2008 | SPACES 5

 FIRE
FIREPLACES, STOVES,
GAS LOG INSERTS BRING
WARMTH, ATMOSPHERE

T
here’s just something about a fireplace
that’s magic. The crackling logs,
glowing embers, soft yellow flames
flowing above the hardwood and the
distinct smell of wood burning brings
out the “back to nature” wonder in all
of us. The inviting warmth of the blaze
transforms acquaintances into friends and
palatable relatives into close family. And with
winter on its way to Michigan, this is the
perfect time to consider adding a fireplace to
your domicile or taking the time to get yours
ready for the burning season.
Local area experts who sell and install
fireplaces, woodstoves and gas log inserts are
ready and waiting to help homeowners better
understand all the options and issues that need
to be considered.
The Basics if You Have a Fireplace
Don’t pile those logs up just yet. If you have a
home with a fireplace, experts say the first
thing to do each summer or fall is to have a
chimney inspected and cleaned.
Valerie Dixon, co-owner of The Grate Fireplace
Shoppe in Walled Lake for 25 years, advises
homeowners to check the basics before lighting
up.
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8 SPACES | SCN COMMUNICATIONS GROUP

 “The main thing is to have your chimney cleaned
before using your fireplace,” she said. “Regular
maintenance is very important. You’ll want to have
your wood-burning chimney inspected annually.”
After the chimney has had its annual due
diligence, it’s time to focus on the rest of the
fireplace structure.
“Check the grate,” Dixon said. “Is it in good
condition? Is it rusty? If you have a woodstove,
check the brick for any cracks or damage and
check the gaskets.”
In order to check the gaskets, simply place a
piece of paper in the seal and close the door. If the
paper pulls out easily, “then you need new
gaskets,” Dixon said.
After the visual and physical inspection of the
fireplace or wood stove, it’s time to consider the
main ingredient for your fire — hardwood. Don’t
just pick up any kind of wood or you may be
calling a special cleaning company to assist you
with smoke damage.
“Burn good, hard seasoned wood, like oak or
maple,” Dixon said. “You can also burn ash
(wood).”
Rick Bray of Emmett’s Energy in Waterford
Township said there’s more to quality hardwood
than the kind of wood that’s burned.
“Well-seasoned wood is wood that has been split,
stacked and stored with a cover over it for at least
one year,” he said. “It should only have a moisture
content of 15 to 20 percent. The wetter the wood,
the more smoke.”
If you’re burning wood that has a higher
moisture content, the chimney will need to be
cleaned more frequently.
“If you’re using your fireplace much more
frequently to actually heat your home, then you
should have your fireplace cleaned and inspected,”
Bray said. “One inspection a year would be the
minimum.”
If you’ve got a new home and are using a
fireplace for the first time, you need to learn the
basics of building a fire, according to Bray.
“New homes are ‘tighter’ and have less air
coming in,” he said. “Its harder to establish a draft
in a wood-burning fireplace because of the
pressure difference. To get the proper fire, you
need to make sure the chimney flue has a draft.
You create one by rolling up a newspaper and
lighting it. When it starts to burn the flame and
smoke should create a draft up the chimney. Listen
for a little quiet rumble sound. Now you’re ready to
light your fire.”
Gas Units — All the Fun Without the Fuss
If you’re looking for a simpler way to a warm
and cozy home, consider a gas log insert. Just as
there are plenty of models of cars with amenities
galore, gas log inserts run the gamut from simple
to complex.
If you have a gas log insert in your home,
maintenance is still key to keeping that warm
feeling flowing through the winter months.
“Be sure to clean and maintain your gas unit
before the change of seasons,” Dixon said. “You
can replace the glowing ember, clean the pilot light
area and re-light it and check the damper to make
sure that it’s fully open when the fireplace is in use.
You don’t want carbon monoxide to build up in
your home.”
Bray said cleaning the gas log insert fireplace is
similar to having your furnace cleaned and should
be done annually.
“Normally, that would involve cleaning the glass
doors, insuring the logs are in the proper position,
making sure the thermocoupler on the valve is
tight and making sure there aren’t any obstructions
in the venting,” he said.
To insure your safety, both Dixon and Bray
recommend the purchase of a carbon monoxide
detector.
“Put a detector in the room where the fireplace
is,” Dixon said.
Bray advises homeowners to pay particular
attention to the pilot light area if you’ve turned
yours off for the season.
“The fireplace should have a tab or tag with
instructions on how to light the pilot light,” he
says. “If you’ve turned off your pilot light in the
warmer months to save on gas expenses, then pay
special attention when re-lighting it.”
Bray explained that when unlit, spiders or other
bugs can nest or put an egg sack in your pilot light
and create a dam or blockage that you’ll have to
clean out in order to re-light the pilot light.
“The other thing that can happen is that gas can
migrate out of the supply to the pilot,” he said.
“There’s only the slightest chance that this can
happen but if it does, air will have to be bled out of
the line before the pilot can be re-lit. This can take
up to five minutes to complete depending on the
circumstance.”
Who’s Got the Advantage?
First let’s look at a gas log insert fireplace. Bray
said these units have several advantages over
wood-burning fireplaces.
“With a vented, gas log set, the primary
advantage is convenience,” he said. “You can close
the damper as soon as you shut the fire off. It has
a great looking flame, and with a ventless gas log
set, you are able to close your damper and capture
most of the heat.”
However, a ventless gas log set has some distinct
disadvantages. There are by products of
combustion that “can be offensive in some cases,”
Bray said. “In some cases there is an odor
associated with it and in some cases there may be
excessive moisture.”
Direct vent units exhaust all of the combustion
products produced and have other advantages, as
well.
“They are very convenient and aren’t affected by
the pressure level in the house relative to the
pressure level outside,” he said. “And they are
efficient in a way that compares to most furnaces.”
Among the advantages to wood fireplaces is
nothing can fully substitute for a real wood fire —
the smell, the feel, the earthy-back-to-nature
goodness that rolls off each flickering flame.
“The atmosphere can’t be replaced but they
aren’t very efficient,” Bray said. “But fortunately
there are ways to make them more efficient.”
A fire back can be placed in the fireplace to
absorb and radiate heat out of the fireplace and
into the room. You can incorporate a blower into
the grate area to circulated room air into the
fireplace and return super-heated air back into the
room.
“And then there’s the more high-tech wood-
burning inserts and stoves that return more than
70 percent and up to 80 percent of potential heat
energy back into the house,” he said. “You have
great efficiency and a great amount of control over
the rate of burn. You have a lot of control over the
heat output. There are various convenience aspects
to the unit such as blowers, ash pans, side and top
load options — and they all provide for secondary
combustion.”
That means the smoke that’s generated in the
initial burning process is mixed with air and then
re-burned and vented to provide even more heat.
The disadvantages to each kind of unit are
somewhat obvious. With a real wood-burning
fireplace or woodstove, you have to clean out the
❯❯❯❯
FALL/WINTER 2008 | SPACES 9
 




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ashes and dump them somewhere. And you have for something more fuel-efficient. looking for and in our business we can give you a
to find, purchase, haul and stack firewood I Don’t Have Either, How Do I Add One? good estimate of how much it would take to
somewhere outside and inside of your home for If you’ve got the fever to burn wood, gas or install.”
fuel, all so you can experience “a real fire.” compressed sawdust in your home, it’s not hard or According to Bray, a wood-burning fireplace can
With a gas log insert you may have the ease of expensive to add a simple version of any one of the start at around $1,000, assuming the homeowner
“flipping a switch” but you don’t get the satisfaction three to your home. But it’s the finishing costs that can do a lot of the prep work himself. And you can
of poking or playing with your fire creation to make can add up. easily get into the $8,000 to $10,000 range.
it bigger, better, brighter and hotter. “You simply place it in the room and wall around “Gas units start a little higher, around $1,500
A New Option in the Mix it,” Dixon said. “Then you add the marble or stone due to installation of the gas line,” he said. “But be
Along with the wood-burning stoves and and a mantel. You can add a fireplace from around sure to have a licensed contractor pull the proper
fireplaces are the pellet-burning stoves that $1,500 to $2,000. But the major expense is the permits for the work.”
generate heat. facing you decide on.” Add Ons
“There are also pellet appliances that have According to Dixon, a ceramic tile facing would With any choice you make, there are plenty of
become very popular this year because they have a be less expensive, or you could go with granite, additions you can make to a unit. With either you
more user-friendly way of loading the fuel,” Bray which would expand the costs. can order decorative doors, blower fans, and even
said. “And when you add amenities, much like a car, accent lights. Firebrick liners and glass trim add a
The fuel is small pellets made of compressed such as blower fans and the optional accessories, pleasing touch to the unit, also.
sawdust that’s burned to create an efficient heat the cost begins to climb,” she said. So whether you’re looking for the true outdoorsy
source. Look for other types of bio-fuels to be Bray said if you have a one-story home, then smell and feel and like to make your own s’mores
created in this form for this kind of unit. you’re in good shape to add a fireplace. inside, or are just looking for the heat and look of a
According to Bray, some units can also come “It’s not particularly difficult to add a fireplace to nice gas flame, you can’t go wrong with adding a
with high-tech features like a sophisticated digital a one-story home,” he said. “The chimney does fireplace or adapting an existing fireplace in your
thermostat. have to vent above the roofline. It has to go 3 feet home. ❏
“You can operate it much the same way as you through the roof and then be 2 feet higher than
— By Mark H. Stowers
would a furnace,” he said. “You can set it at a the closest part of the roof or building that’s within
higher rate of burn for more heat or turn it back to 10 feet.”
RESOURCES
a lower rate of burn for less heat.” Gas units are even easier to install, according to • Valerie Dixon, The Grate Fireplace Shoppe
These units appeal mostly to those who are Bray. 248-624-6655.
burning propane or fuel oil, as the costs of these “Particularly, a direct vent is easy to install,” he • Rick Bray, Emmett’s Energy
fuels have greatly increased and owners are looking said. “It’s essentially just picking the style you are 248-674-3828

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FALL/WINTER 2008 | SPACES 11

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12 SPACES | SCN COMMUNICATIONS GROUP

Beat the spring rush
Autumn is a good time to test your soil;
determine inorganic and organic content
I
t’s the end of a long season of tilling,
planting, weeding, watering, weeding,
harvesting, picking Colorado potato beetles
and tomato hornworms, and weeding. The
garden is cleaned up, tools are cleaned and put
away, the hose is emptied and coiled up in the
shed, and you’ve put your garden records and
leftover seeds where you’ll be able to find them
when it’s time to plan next year’s garden. The
fruits of your summer’s labor are preserved or
stored for enjoyment through the winter. So
now it’s time to relax, right?
Not quite. There’s one more chore to do
before the ground freezes: have your soil
tested.
“Fall is an excellent time to collect a soil
sample and have it tested,” said Darryl Warncke,
Extension soil scientist at Michigan State
University (MSU). “The things that a soil test
tells you about your soil — such as its pH —
will change very little, if any, between now and
next spring. Testing now means you won’t be
waiting for results from a lab swamped with the
spring rush of soil tests.”
One of the things a soil test tells you is the
pH of your soil — where it falls in the
continuum between very acid and very alkaline.
The nutrients that plants take from the soil are
most available when the soil pH is in a fairly
narrow part of that range — from neutral to
slightly acidic, Warncke said. Soil pH changes
slowly, so if your soil needs amendments to alter
the pH, it makes sense to apply them in the fall
so they can have some effect before it’s time to
plant again.
Soil test results also include fertilizer
recommendations to provide nutrients for the
types of plants you intend to grow. Having these
recommendations on hand next spring will
enable you to buy fertilizer on the basis of what
plants need and apply it at appropriate rates.
This not only saves money but reduces the
chance that excess nutrients will end up in
groundwater or nearby lakes and streams.
Soil sample boxes and instructions for taking
a soil sample are available at your county MSU
Extension office. Gardeners can also get help in
interpreting and using the results and
recommendations, according to Warncke.
The local Extension office is listed in the
telephone book under county government.
Recipes for improving your garden soil
usually assume that you know something about
the soil type you’re dealing with — whether it’s
sandy (think “beach”), clay (slow to dry when
it’s wet, slow to take up water when it’s dry
and easily compacted) or something else.
Likewise, advice on choosing a planting site
might say, “The best soil for gardening is a good
loam.”
Which may leave you wondering what exactly
is a loam and whether the soil where you are is
a loam.
All soils are made up of the same
components in various proportions, according to
Warncke. Inorganic materials — sand, silt and
clay — are weathered from rocks. Organic
matter is primarily decomposed plant materials.
That elusive ideal loam? It’s a mixture of
about 40 percent sand, 40 percent silt and 20
percent clay and a small percentage of organic
matter. The result is a soil that drains well yet
has enough clay and organic matter to hold
moisture and plant nutrients.
To get an idea of the proportions of sand,
silt, clay and organic matter in your soil, fill a
quart jar one-third full of topsoil and add water
to almost fill it. Then screw on the lid and shake
the mixture vigorously until all soil clumps have
dissolved. Then set the jar down where you can
observe it.
“The larger sand particles will settle out
first,” Warncke said, “followed in a few hours
by the silt and, eventually, the clay. The last
layer to settle out will be the organic matter.”
The relative thicknesses of the layers indicate
the proportions of each component in your soil.
Once you know that, then what?
Knowing that your soil has a high percentage
of clay tells you to be especially careful to avoid
working the soil or even walking on it when it’s
wet because of the risk of compaction, which
will make it essentially impervious to water and
plant roots.
If your soil is highly sandy, water will drain
through it quickly, taking with it any fertilizer
and pesticides you may have applied. Therefore,
rather than apply enough fertilizer to meet your
garden’s needs for the whole growing season,
you’ll want to make several small applications
when plants are actively growing so plant roots
can take up nutrients before they can leach
away to pollute groundwater.
Making large-scale changes in your soil’s
basic makeup — by adding sand and organic
matter to clay soils to improve drainage, for
example — would be a laborious and expensive
undertaking, Warncke said. Instead, he advises
repeatedly incorporating organic matter — from
green manure crops, crop residue, compost
and/or organic mulches. ❏
— MSU Extension
your domicile
MORE THAN MEETS THE EYE
Jeff LaPorte
B
uying a house requires a lot
of different steps to
complete the process. More
and more questions get asked
about what information the
consumer needs to assist them in
making decisions to protect their
family’s health as well as their
investments. Having a home
inspection definitely plays an important role in achieving
this. There is a trend to take additional steps to protect
health and investment issues, by having additional
inspections performed. Some of the most common
health questions include questions about mold, radon,
lead and water testing. The following are some of the
most commonly asked questions:
Why should I have the water tested of the house I
am buying has a private well?
The health of you and your family is at risk from
drinking or bathing in contaminated water with e-coli
bacteria, coli-form bacteria, nitrates, nitrites or arsenic.
Sometimes a well becomes contaminated because it is
defective. The EPA and The American Groundwater Trust
recommend annual testing of a private well.
Is lead based paint in my home a problem?
Not unless it is disturbed during remodeling or
maintenance or the property was not properly cared for
and was deteriorating. Exposure to lead dust can cause
permanent damage to the nervous system, especially in
children and pets.
Why should I ask for a radon test?
There is scientific proof that radon gas is a known
human lung carcinogen. Prolonged exposure to high
levels of radon gas can cause lung cancer. If you do not
have a test prior to closing it could cost up to two
thousand dollars to have a radon mitigation system
installed.
Why is mold a problem?
Mold can cause health problems and not be visible. If left
untreated it can continue to grow and spread, eating
building materials like wood and drywall. Mold spores
can cause many health problems including: asthma and
allergic reactions, respiratory problems, nasal and sinus
congestion, sore throat, dry cough and water eyes.
Finding out what additional testing you should have
done on your home is very important to you and your
family’s health. You will find that most testing is not
expensive, but can sure save you money in the future.
Jeff LaPorte is certified by the American Society of Home
Inspectors (ASHI) with over 10 years experience and is the
owner of “The Home Team Inspection Service”. He can be
contacted via e-mail at jlaporte720@comcast.net.
 ROOFING
HOME’S PROTECTIVE
BARRIER NEEDS ATTENTION
AND MAINTENANCE

R
oofing is one of the most important
defenses your house has against
the elements. But it can also be
one of the most expensive home
improvement projects if problems
are left unresolved and damage is
allowed to occur.
A roof expands as it heats up during the day and shrinks at night when the
sun is off it. It can take rain and wind as a multi-layered system, but a roof is
much more than a simple layer of shingles.
Your roof forms a protective water barrier. It has an outer core, often
comprised of shingles, and is combined with an underlying waterproofing layer. A
well-built and maintained roof is a water-tight barrier, but it’s only as strong as
its weakest points, or where pipes penetrate the roofing.
Local experts say the key to getting ahead of any roofing issues with your
home is to make repairs before any significant damage has been done. Routine
roof maintenance can help, such as cleaning gutters.
Roofing material, like anything else, is subject to wear and tear, and is your
first line of defense from the elements. A roof that is neglected can cost much
more than what it normally would in terms of damaged roof boards, studs, and
even interior ceilings and walls.
Repairs can be made when a leak occurs or if one or more shingles or roof
accessories have been damaged. But homeowners need to decide when they can
best afford and want to have a complete re-roofing done once their roof gets to
be 15-years-old, according to David Spencer, owner of Spencer Roofing in Walled
Lake.
“You might spend $350 to $800 on a repair and that may get you another
two to five years before you’ll need to replace the entire roof to prevent serious
damage,” he said.
According to the Asphalt Roofing Manufacturers Association, a wide variety of
shingles can be found to provide unique performance and architectural features.
Spencer said three-tab shingles are the basic type available and generally have
a lifespan of 15 to 25 years.
Laminate shingles often come with a cedar look and are longer-lasting but also
more expensive. Laminate shingles are given that name because one shingle is
laminated on top of another, and the shingles themselves are thicker, allowing
them to be sealed more completely.
“It offers a much more solid seal and isn’t as impacted by the wind,” Spencer
said.
For that reason the life span for laminate shingles is 25 to 35 years.
“They can handle more use and abuse,” he said.
Vince Pipitone, owner of Pro Built Custom Building Corp. in Commerce Township,
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agrees with Spencer that the most popular
specialized asphalt shingle today is the laminated
shingle, which is manufactured with one or more
layers of “tabs” or cutouts, to create additional
thickness to the shingle.
“Combined with special shadowing effects,
laminated shingles give visual depth and a custom
look to a roof,” Pipitone said. “Many new
laminated shingles have the dramatic appearance of
slate, tile or wood shakes or shingles without the
higher cost associated with those products.”
Asphalt shingles have long been certified for fire-
resistance with Class A, B or C fire ratings. These
ratings are established through nationally-
recognized standards and testing by independent
laboratories or agencies.
Certified wind-resistant shingles carry a package
label showing that they have been tested for wind
resistance, although they are generally used in
areas where hurricanes or tornadoes are common.
Before purchasing any roofing product,
consumers should fully understand the product’s
performance characteristics and limitations, as well
as the guarantees, terms and conditions of both
the shingle manufacturer and roofing contractor,
according to Pipitone.
It’s a good idea to check your roof after a bad
wind storm or an unusually harsh winter storm, if
possible. Spencer said in lieu of that, licensed
professionals can be called upon to check your roof
to help anticipate and address any issues before
they cause more cost and damage. It also can be
beneficial to check your attic because potential
problems can often be discovered from the inside,
as well as the outside of the house.
Proper ventilation is key to maintaining a roof
and avoiding damage. Ensuring adequate
ventilation can be easier in an unfinished attic, but
trickier with a finished attic space.
The real trick with any attic renovation is
preserving the internal roof ventilation that exists in
open attics, while at the same time turning the
space into a heatable, finished space. Ventilation is
important because it keeps the roof cool during
winter (thereby preventing ice dam formation due
to melting-freezing cycles) and lets household
moisture escape harmlessly as it drifts up from
below. Instead of the whole attic area being open
to outside air for these purposes, as it is in an
unfinished attic, you’ll have to preserve ventilation
pathways between roof rafters, and from eaves to
the peak, to do the same job after attic
renovations. Simply stuffing fiberglass insulation
between rafters and covering it over with a plastic
vapor barrier and drywall is going to invite trouble.
Shingle vents are very effective and often come
in 4-foot sections. Vents made of a heavy fiberglass
are extremely durable, much more so than either
aluminum or older, low-weight fiberglass vents that
were popular several years ago.
“The new (fiberglass) shingle vents will require a
hurricane to rip the shingles off your roof,”
Spencer said.
These vents come with a second coat of
chemicals that retard any type of weather, allowing
the shingles to remain flat and straight.
Ridge vents are also important features that are
nailed down by hand rather than by a nail gun.
They’re both aesthetically pleasing and allow for air
to flow through an attic, which is the ultimate goal,
according to Spencer.
“You want your roof to really breathe well and
ridge vents help a lot,” he said. “But it’s also
important to ensure your roof accessories, such as
ridge vents and skylights, are of a high enough
quality that they will last as long as your shingles.
You need to do a background check of the
accessories and ensure you are buying quality so
you don’t need to replace the roof before the
shingles go.”
High winds can damage shingles, which can lead
to damage to the interior infrastructure; and large
ice buildups can damage flashing and the roof
membrane. Ice buildup in gutters can push up
under the edge of the roof, leading to
infrastructure damage.
Simply conducting a concentrated visual
inspection around your attic on a frequent basis is
a sound way to thwart water damage and the price
of restoration repairs that come with it.
Homeowners should decide on a time to check
their attic for leaks in the roof. That’s a task that’s
best done when it’s raining, according to Pipitone.
That way, you can notice the water dripping in and
therefore find the exact origin of the leak. The
leaking ordinarily begins with tiles that have shaken
loose or have been swept off from either bad
climate or imperfect installation.
If you come upon a leaky area soon enough, any
actual water damage may be averted. The solution
could be as trouble-free as sticking down a few tiles,
or if the tar paper under the shingles is in bad shape,
a section of this could need replacing, as well. If the
job needs more than this, removing a sizeable piece
of the roof may be required. This would involve
replacing not merely the tar paper and tiles, but also
the wooden components, if the wood has gotten wet
many times and has begun to decay.
As winter quickly approaches, Pipitone said one
of the biggest issues that consumers need to be
aware of is the formation of ice dams and the
damage they can cause.
“Damage occurs because melting snow pools
behind dams of ice at the roof’s edge and leaks
into the house,” he said. “The good news is that
ice dams can be avoided.”
Ice dams form when melted snow refreezes at
roof edges. Three things are required for an ice
dam to form: snow, heat to melt the snow and cold
to refreeze the melted snow into solid ice. Ice dams
can form when as little as 1 inch of snow
accumulates on a roof if the snowfall is followed by
several days of sub-freezing temperatures.
Deeper snow and colder temperatures increase
the likelihood and size of ice dams. Every inch of
snow that accumulates on the roof’s surface
insulates the roof deck a little more, trapping more
indoor heat beneath the roof deck. Frigid outdoor
temperatures assure a fast and deep freeze at the
eaves. So the worst ice dams usually occur when a
deep snow is followed by very cold weather.
Ice dams usually develop along roof eaves, above
the plate line of exterior walls. Heat lost from
homes at this point aggravates snow melting and
ice-dam development.
Roof leaks wet attic insulation. In the short term,
wet insulation doesn’t work well. Over the long
term, water-soaked insulation is compressed so
that even after it dries, the insulation isn’t as thick.
Thinner insulation means a lower R-value, the unit
of measurement for the rate of heat flow through a
given thickness of material. It’s a vicious cycle: The
more heat lost, the more ice dams form; the more
a roof leaks, the more the insulation gets damaged,
and so on.
Homeowners can look at the underside of the roof
sheathing and roof trim to make sure they haven’t
gotten wet. Insulation should be checked for damage
and roof leaks need more than a basic patching.
The damage caused by ice dams can be controlled
in two ways: Maintain the entire roof surface at
ambient outdoor temperatures or building a roof so
that it can’t leak into sensitive building materials if
an ice dam forms. Proper insulation, ventilation and
reducing air leakage can be used to prevent ongoing
ice damage to your roof.
Here’s some more advice from roofing experts:
• Check flashings on the roof. Flashings are the
metal pieces in a roof that cover interruptions in
the roof plane, such as around dormers, chimneys,
and vent pipes. If it appears there’s damage around
flashing, these problems should be fixed
immediately and hiring a roofing contractor should
be considered. Inadequate or faulty flashing will
allow melted snow to enter the interior of the roof,
causing not only infrastructure rot, but possible
damage to interior walls.
• Look for shingle granules in your gutters,
which is often a sign of roof aging. Asphalt roofing
materials have a granular surface, much like fine
gravel. As the asphalt ages, it becomes brittle, and
these granules will come out over time.
• Homeowners should look for bare spots in
asphalt shingles, and inspect them closely for signs
of tearing. If you notice shingles curling up, they
should be replaced immediately.
• Consumers should look for signs of pitting,
rusting and corrosion on metal roofs that can be
the natural results of aging. In particular, they
should be aware of loose or open seams and joints
that can lead to leaking. ❏
— By Mike Scott
RESOURCES
• Dave Spencer, Spencer Roofing
248-926-5800
• Vince Pipitone, Pro Built
248-360-9904
FALL/WINTER 2008 | SPACES 17
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 HOME HEATING
SAVING MONEY, ENERGY WITH NEW TECHNOLOGIES

T
here’s no way around it. Cold weather is on its way and there’s no better place to hide
than in your humble abode — provided you’ve prepared yourself and the furnace is ready
to handle the load. If you haven’t, it’s still early enough to get things ready for the rush
of winter so you’ll be warm and cozy.
Furnace systems still have one main job — to heat your home to your preferred level of comfort.
But now there are many different technologies designed to put less of a dent in your wallet each
month when your electric and gas bills come in the mail. If it’s been 10, 20 or even 30 years since
you’ve installed a furnace, then it’s time to check out what’s new in the wide world of heating.
There are three types of heat pumps for your home that use either water, said. “The technology isn’t so much new as it’s been out for 30 years, but it’s
air or the ground to heat your home. been refined and made more efficient.”
Hybrid Isn’t Just for Vehicles Other technologies on the market are just as exciting and efficient.
That’s right. You’ve seen the hybrid technology that’s emerged in the “Variable air flow is a furnace where the blower runs continuously, 24 hours
automotive world and is running everything from small cars to SUVs. Now it a day, seven days a week,” Matheson said. “It’s very efficient and helps create
can be used in running your furnace. an even temperature throughout the home. And by having the blower running
Michael Matheson of Matheson Heating in Commerce Township, a Carrier continuously, it’s constantly cleaning the air in your home.”
factory-authorized dealer, said hybrids are among the many great technologies Geothermal systems actually absorb heat energy from the ground or can pull
now on the market. heat from a water source.
“It’s an air conditioner that reverses itself in the winter,” he said. “In the “The system can be set up either from a water well where it absorbs heat
summertime it will remove the heat from inside the home. In the winter it from the water or by putting a loop in the ground that runs a solution
brings heat from outside the home to inside.” through and absorbs the heat from the ground,” Matheson said.
The system absorbs heat down to 30 degrees and then the furnace will take The geothermal unit that uses a ground heat source is twice as expensive as
over so you have the switch of running between electric and natural gas or the hybrid system, but if you use water, it’s only 25 percent more expensive.
propane. But with the money you’ll be saving, the unit will eventually pay for itself.
“For a forced air system, the hybrid heat is the most efficient system,” he ❯❯❯❯
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 “On a hybrid heat system, you’ll get your return
on investment in about 8 to 10 years, and it’s about
10 to 15 years on a geothermal unit,” Matheson
said. “My recommendation for people who are
thinking of a new furnace is to simply get the most
efficient system that your budget will allow.”
Ryan Bierl of First Heating and Cooling in White
Lake Township said modulating furnaces are a
popular technology.
“It’s a challenge to match some of the furnaces to
a home,” he said. “Different manufacturers size out
differently. But a modulating furnace will only use
what it needs. It actually tunes itself to the home.
The benefit is that it gives you the maximum comfort
in your home with very slight temperature changes.
“Thirty years ago furnaces were set to be within
6 degrees, so if you set your furnace at 68, it
might shut off at 74,” he said. “Modulating
furnaces keep your home within a degree of what
you’re looking for.”
That helps with efficiency and that means saving
money. If a heating unit is rated at 97 percent
efficient, that means that out of every dollar you
spend heating your home, only three cents is lost.
How Much Furnace Do I Need?
You’ll need to figure out how big of a furnace to
purchase, but how do you do that? You want it big
enough so that during the coldest weather, you’ll
be comfortable. And if you go with too big of a
unit, your energy costs will probably increase
(defeating the efficiency you wanted) and you will
have paid too much.
Determining the proper size for the heating
system requires estimating heat loss through the
roof, walls, windows, basement, and other home
components under severe outside conditions. This
is the design heat load for the home. The system
size is then matched to the design heat load. For
many combustion appliances, the size of the unit
selected is from 10 to 30 percent above the design
heat load. This oversizing allows the unit to recover
quickly from night setback.
The contractor bidding the new heating system
should determine the correct size using techniques
that evaluate the insulating value and area of each
home component. Using “rule-of-thumb” for sizing
heating equipment often results in a unit that’s
grossly over or undersized. If the unit is a
replacement, using the same size as the existing
unit is strongly discouraged. The old unit may not
have been sized properly and energy-conserving
improvements may have been made to the home
since its installation, reducing the need for heating.
You may want to take a look at your insulation
during the process to determine if it’s in need of
replacement or addition.
Maintain, Maintain, Maintain
As with any mechanical device, proper
maintenance will enhance its life span and help it
run more efficiently. The same goes for any sort of
heating unit.
“An annual cleaning and safety inspection is the
first priority,” Matheson said. “We take the furnace
apart and clean it, check the safety connections,
check the gas pressures, check the heat exchangers
for carbon monoxide leaks and then we simulate
different situations to make sure the safeties work
and that the furnace is safe to operate.”
Bierl said annual maintenance can help keep
money in your pocket.
“Regular maintenance is a big thing,” he said.
“You can easily save at least 12 percent on your
heating costs by maintaining your heating unit. And
you can easily push that to 20 to 22 percent.”
And to go one step further, you should think
about having your duct work cleaned to further
maximize the efficiency of your heating system.
“You should have your ducts cleaned, on
average, every three years and do it before the
winter,” Matheson said. “We get in there and do a
top-to-bottom duct cleaning in the house where we
remove the registers from the floor and run
brushes down through the system. Then the
vacuum truck vacuums out those items as we
dislodge them.”
Depending on the size of your home, the costs run
from $325 up to $825, and your dryer vents are
cleaned, as well, during the duct cleaning. Make sure
anyone who cleans your ducts is National Air Duct
Cleaners Association (NADCA) certified. You can go
to the association’s website, www.NADCA.com, to
research certified duct cleaners.
Matheson suggests you make sure a contractor is
certified by the National Association for Technician
Experts (NATEX) before you let anyone in your
home to service your furnace. The association’s
website is www.NATEX.org.
You Really Don’t Want to Breathe That
Just as air and oil filters help your automobile
run more efficiently, the air filter in your furnace is
vital in providing efficiency. If you have a standard
1-inch filter and run your furnace quite a bit, you
should get into the habit of checking your filter to
see how much dirt and dust and gunk is building
up on it. If you wait for the standard three-month
interval to change or check the filter, you could be
causing your furnace irreparable damage.
“A dirty filter will make your furnace run harder
because it just can’t breathe. It’s like putting a
hand over your mouth,” Matheson said.
“Depending on the filter you may have to change it
every one to three months, every six months, or
once a year. The key is to make sure that you are
on top of changing that filter.”
Matheson said a thicker filter helps your furnace
breathe easier and helps make it more energy
efficient by not working as hard.
“A lot of people like to use the one-inch filter but
you’ve got to be careful because it’s trying to do a
lot of filtration in a very short space, so it’s very
restrictive and they clog up quickly,” he said. “We
can custom fit filters for customers that will allow
good air cleaning but without a lot of restriction.”
Carrier offers filters that clean the air with
ionization that kills germs and spores that collect in
the filter.
According to Bierl, “when checking your air filter,
look at both sides and see if they are the same
color. If they are, it’s still good. If one side is darker
than the other, it’s time for a change.”
It’s Not the Heat, It’s the Humidity
With all of that hot, dry air blowing through your
home, you need to pay attention to the humidity
level. Too much humidity causes problems, as does
too little humidity. So where’s the line?
“In Michigan, humidifiers are critical because the
air gets so dry,” Matheson said. “You want to keep
your home in the 40 to 60 percent range. Within
that range dust mites, molds and allergies are all
greatly reduced.”
According to Matheson, focus on keeping the
humidity within that range, then look to filter the
air to keep it clean.
But what should you look for in a humidifier?
“The size you want is based on the square
footage of your home,” he said. “You want to look
for a flow-through humidifier. The water comes in
the top and is distributed evenly down through the
pad in a waterfall form. And while the warm air is
pushed across the pad, the water is evaporated into
the air. You want the excess water to drain into the
floor drain and there’s no standing water so you
don’t have to worry about any mold or growths.”
A humidifier will help keep your energy costs
down. Bierl said to think about summer humidity.
“When its 80 outside and low humidity, it’s
comfortable,” he said. “But when it’s 80 and high
humidity, it feels hotter.”
The same is true for the humidity level in your
home. If you feel comfortable and warm, you’re
not going to turn up the heat. The moisture in the
home makes the home feel warmer.
On average you can find a humidifier and have it
installed for around $400.
Other To Dos
Bierl advises having more than one carbon
monoxide detector in your home to keep everyone
safe.
“Get at least two or three,” he said. “They run
about $30 but not having one is not worth betting
your life on.”
One more safety tip offered by Bierl is act fast if
you smell gas.
“If you smell gas, call Consumer’s immediately,”
he said. “They’ll come over and usually point out
the problem and shut off your gas for you.”
And if you’re thinking about having a new
heating unit installed, Bierl advises that you acquire
at least two to three quotes.
“Each company should be within a couple
hundred dollars of each other,” he said. “Go with
the one you feel the most comfortable with.” ❏
— By Mark H. Stowers
RESOURCES
• Michael Matheson, Matheson Heating
248-363-4868
• Ryan Bierl, First Heating and Cooling
248-887-3636
FALL/WINTER 2008 | SPACES 21
 TREES
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22 SPACES | SCN COMMUNICATIONS GROUP
Rich architectural detail
Give a plain room a classic look with molding and trim
S
imple, budget-friendly trims like
crown molding, chair rails and
decorative beams can add style
and increase the value of your home.
Just don’t over do it. That’s the
advice from Natalie Weinstein, a
veteran interior designer, lecturer and
author who frequently uses
architectural details such as molding
and trim to make ordinary rooms
extraordinary. She says with a little
skill, you can install them yourself,
but you need a master plan before
you start, she says.
“A lot of people underestimate
what they can do, lack the right tools
or the ability to visualize the overall
effect,” Weinstein said, adding that
can translate into poor workmanship
or visual overload.
“You don’t want your home to
look like a McMansion,” she says,
alluding to the unattractive jumble of
architectural styles ingrained in the
design of many mega-sized
development homes. Unless you have
the time, talent and energy to handle
the job yourself, you’re better off
hiring someone with experience to
design and install trims and other
architectural details, according to
Weinstein.
Most mid-priced homes built in
recent decades are devoid of detail-
rich architectural touches standard in
older homes like crown molding or
wainscoting, a decorative treatment
for the lower half of a wall.
Commonly made of oak, cherry, or
even composite beadboard, it’s
topped with a rail and at the bottom,
a wide baseboard.
Many newer homes have open
floor plans in which rooms flow from
one area to another. Architectural
add-ons like columns can help define
that space, according to Weinstein.
Other details that add character to a
room include:
• Coffered ceilings, a grid of
framed recessed panels;
• Decorative beams; and
• Ornate ceiling moldings and
domes that make a room more formal.
Weinstein recommends that before
you purchase that first piece of trim,
study photos gleaned from magazines
Color code
scheme ideas
W ith cooler weather bringing
people indoors and the
holidays just around the corner,
many folks are ready to spruce up
their home’s interior. However,
when it comes to picking a new
color scheme, some homeowners
just don’t know where to begin.
After 15 years in the design
business, paint expert and designer
Dana Pfeiffer has explaining color
down to a science. She speaks of a
color wheel and says color comes in
a variety of schemes — like
monochromatic, complementary,
analogous and triadic.
Pfeiffer, who co-owns a design
business, explains the
monochromatic color scheme is any
one color on the color wheel used
on most every room surface.
“This color can be different
shades in a room to offer variance,”
she said.
Complementary color is a pair of
colors that are opposite one
another on the color wheel, such as
blue and yellow, red and green,
salmon and teal, violet and apple
green. Some decorators prefer a
split complementary color scheme,
which is one main color and two
opposite colors, such as using blue
as the main color and adding
yellow and orange.
Analogous colors are adjacent to
each other, such as green, yellow
and orange or blue, purple and red.
Finally, the triadic color scheme
uses three colors that are equally
spaced on a color wheel, such as
purple, teal and orange.
According to Pfeiffer, the
monochromatic color scheme is the
easiest to work with.
“A monochromatic color offers
you different shades or tints of a
basic color you choose, such as
green — apple green, dark green
and light green,” she said. “This is
where you can get more technical
in your color and venture into the
and books.
“Emulating is good,” she said,
adding that you can do that best by
Contemporary shades of violet,
blue and green reflect an
analogous color palette, with
color families that are next to
each other on the color wheel.
Although these hues are striking
alone, when combined they
provide balance and create a
more sophisticated style.
Analogous colors tend to go
well together because they are
closely related.
complementary, triadic and
analogous color options,” she said.
“All this starts with one color that
could be your favorite.”
Sometimes a person’s house
dictates it’s decorating.
“Modern homes tend to have
contrasting colors that are bold,
such as complementary or triadic
color. Simple bold colors are red,
black and white,” Pfeiffer said.
The split complimentary colors
for a modern home may be blue,
orange and yellow. The triadic
colors may be purple, orange and
dark teal.
“Most people get overwhelmed
with color after the monochromatic
scheme,” Pfeiffer said. “This is
where a professional color
consultant can just spend an hour
and have your whole scheme
available to you.”
That’s why homeowners who
begin to feel overwhelmed with a
project really should consider
asking for a little assistance. ❏
— Copley News Service
keeping a scrapbook of ideas you’ve
seen elsewhere. You can also get tips
on how to use and install molding,
trim, ornaments and other similar
products online at
www.cumberlandwoodcraft.com and
www.blumerandstanton.com, which
provide a comprehensive guide to
materials and prices.
Other useful resources include
Philip Schmidt’s “Decorating with
Architectural Details” (Creative
Homeowner, $19.95) and a newly
updated “Decorating with
Architectural Trimwork” by Jay Silber
(Creative Homeowner, $19.95), both
available at online booksellers,
bookstores and home-improvement
centers. Schmidt covers virtually
every aspect of adding architectural
details to your home, including how
to select the materials and where to
buy them. Silber provides step-by-
step photos that demonstrate how to
do the installation, the tools you’ll
need, plus lots of professional tips.
Another way to preview your
room before you invest in trims and
more is to buy a peel and press
design system used by many
professionals. Available to
homeowners for $250 (and in a more
comprehensive — and at $1,275 —
pricier version for decorators,
architects, designers, and
remodelers), the basic E-Z Decorator
system contains a wide assortment of
architectural elements, more than
enough to meet the needs of the
typical homeowner, according to its
creator, interior designer Cheryl
Howard.
An alternative to mastering the
often complicated interior design
software programs now on the
market, the decidedly low-tech
product can give a homeowner a
professional rendering in a matter of
minutes, Howard said. The E-Z
Decorator system includes a binder
filled with hand-drawn images on
reusable static cling “stickies.” Drawn
to the same scale and perspective, the
images can be peeled off and placed
on a template grid that can be photo
copied and colored. Changes can be
made by peeling off one image and
replacing it with another. ❏
— Copley News Service
FALL/WINTER 2008 | SPACES 23
CERTIFIED OVERHEAD DOOR SERVICE
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Hot showers for
everyone in the house
Lower energy bills, no wasted water?
Tanks a lot for the tankless option!

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O
ne strategy to lower your hot water bill might be to sing shorter songs in
the shower. But a more far-reaching method is to install a tankless water
heater.
Units are variously known as tankless,
instantaneous or on-demand water heaters
and those names sum up what they do —
provide immediate hot water without a
storage vat. Conventional storage tank
Special Priced heaters keep large amounts of water heated,
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100% Pinch Proof units constantly reheat their reservoirs of 40
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expending energy. Tankless units’ heating
Price Includes: Installation, Taxes, Starting at 42000
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www.certidoor.com America, according to www.tanklesswater-
you need it. Instead of storing
water and keeping it hot
heaters.com, they have been fixtures for 75
throughout the day, the tankless
years in Europe, Asia and South America
system uses heating elements
where energy costs are much higher.
that are triggered by a hot
The startup for a tankless water heater is
water tap being opened.
fairly high. Units cost 2 to 2-1/2 the price of
conventional units (online direct prices range from $500 to $1,100 for gas, $200
to $775 for electric). A homeowner should shop for one if energy bills are high;
the current unit regularly fails to provide enough hot water; or if it’s broken and
can’t be repaired.
Before choosing a unit, you need to determine the size, typically linked to the
number of bathrooms you have. As the makers of tankless units love to point out,
the heaters can provide an endless supply of hot water. But there are limits as to
how much can be produced at any given time. For a house with one bathroom, a
heater supplying 3 to four 4 per minute will do; for two bathrooms, a 4- to 5.5-
gallon per minute is recommended; for two to three bathrooms, a 5.5- to 7.4-
gallon per minute unit is indicated. Also consider if a dishwasher or washing
machine will be running at the same time or when someone is showering.
You also need to select your power source. Tankless units can be heated with
electricity, natural gas or liquefied petroleum gas. If you have sufficient power
(120 or 240 volts and 50 to 200 amps, depending on the unit), electrical models
are much easier to install than their LP and natural gas counterparts which
require venting and combustion air. But electricity tends to cost significantly more
than gas in the long run and gas heaters have a higher hot water output than
electric models — a must if you’re using a lot of hot water at one time.
A demand water heater can be installed centrally or at the point of use. Large
gas units, which supply an entire house, are installed centrally. An electric
configuration can use a small booster unit for a remote bathroom or laundry.
Tankless water heaters — even the largest whole-house models — take up
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— Copley News Service
24 SPACES | SCN COMMUNICATIONS GROUP
 for what it’s worth
A look at what homes are listed in lakes area communities in the $400,000-$450,000 price range

Community: Commerce Community: Clarkston Community: Ortonville Community: Highland

Street Address: 3700 Loch Bend Street Address: 91 N. Main Street Street Address: 1001 Oakwood Street Address: 661 Nairn Circle
Price: $450,000 Price: $450,000 Price: $405,900 Price: $429,900
Sq. Ft.: 2,849 Sq. Ft.: 3,051 Sq. Ft.: 2,260 Sq. Ft.: 3,427
Bedrooms: 4 Bedrooms: 5 Bedrooms: 4 Bedrooms: 4
Baths: 3 full; 1 half Baths: 2 full Baths: 3 full; 1 half Baths: 4 full; 1 half
Garage: 3 car Garage: N/A Garage: 3 car Garage: 3 car
Foundation: Finished basement Foundation: Basement Foundation: Finished walkout Foundation: Finished basement
Heating: Forced Air Heating: Forced Air Heating: Forced Air Heating: Forced Air
Cooling: Central Air Cooling: N/A Cooling: Central Air Cooling: Central Air
Exterior Features: Deck, sprinkler system Exterior Features: Porch Exterior Features: 50’ x 56’ pole barn Exterior Features: Patio, sprinkler system
Description: Main floor master suite and Description: Historic waterfront home built Description: Resort living at home. Full Description: Golf course front in Prestwick!
guest suite. Great room with fireplace. in 1877. Extensive original trim. Leaded wall stone fireplace. Indoor heated pool Professionally decorated. Open floor
Fabulous 3-season room. Grand style glass, dual staircases. First floor master and hot tub. Granite kitchen. All on 5 plan. First floor master suite. Golf
kitchen. with sitting room. acres. Horses allowed. membership included.
Agent: Christine Atkinson Agent: Kathy Adams Agent: Jane Cerne-Murphy Agent: Steve/Janet Stockton
Real Estate Firm: Century Town & Real Estate Firm: Max Broock, Clarkston Real Estate Firm: Prudential Great Lakes, Real Estate Firm: Re/Max 100
Country, Commerce Phone: 248.625-9300 Grand Blanc Phone: 248.366.7200
Phone: 248.363.1200 Phone: 810.606.8516

Community: West Bloomfield Community: Waterford Community: Holly Community: White Lake
Street Address: 6177 Pickwood Street Address: 3112 Pine Tree Court Street Address: 175 Coyote Run Street Address: 3654 Jackson Boulevard
Price: $439,900 Price: $439,900 Price: $429,000 Price: $449,900
Sq. Ft.: 3,507 Sq. Ft.: 4,291 Sq. Ft.: 2,850 Sq. Ft.: 2,365
Bedrooms: 4 Bedrooms: 4 Bedrooms: 3 Bedrooms: 3
Baths: 2 full; 2 half Baths: 3 full; 1 half Baths: 2 full; 1 half Baths: 2 full; 1 half
Garage: 3 car Garage: 2 car Garage: 3 car Garage: 2 car
Foundation: Finished basement Foundation: Finished walkout Foundation: Walkout basement Foundation: Basement
Heating: Forced Air Heating: Forced Air Heating: Forced Air Heating: Forced Air
Cooling: Central Air Cooling: Central Air Cooling: Central Air Cooling: Central Air
Exterior Features: Sprinkler system, BBQ Exterior Features: Deck, sprinklers Exterior Features: Porch Exterior Features: Deck, sprinkler system
grill Description: All-sports Lake Oakland. Description: New construction on 3.33 Description: 80 ft. of sandy beach on
Description: Newer high-end stainless Open floor plan. All bedrooms have acres. First floor master suite. Gourmet fabulous White Lake! Starlit fiber optic
appliances and granite kitchen. Master walk-in closets. Two-story great room kitchen includes Jenn-Air appliances. ceiling in media room with surround
suite with 2 huge walk-in closets. and foyer. Library with French doors. sound. No steep steps to lake.
Library with wall of built-ins. Agent: Dannette Hansen Agent: Deby Gannes/Lynn Baker Agent: Cyndi Robinson
Agent: Mitch Wolf Real Estate Firm: Coldwell Banker Real Estate Firm: Hall and Hunter, Real Estate Firm: Real Estate One, Milford
Real Estate Firm: Prudential Cranbrook - Schweitzer, Commerce Birmingham Phone: 248.431.4571
Franklin Phone: 248.360.1425 Phone: 248.644.3500
Phone: 248.626.8700

FALL/WINTER 2008 | SPACES 25

 On the sunny side
Solar power may be bright idea whose time has come
T
hinking about going solar so
you can save money and save
the planet at the same time?
The option is available to have a
home powered by solar energy, but
the choice is an expensive one. If you
are willing to make the investment,
solar energy can be the first step
toward energy savings and less
reliance on fossil fuels.
“Solar power allows ordinary
homeowners the opportunity to use
the world’s most abundant energy
source,” said Brian Crowe, program
manager for Solar Power in the
Midwest, maintained by the Iowa
Department of Natural Resources.
According to the Solar Power in
the Midwest website, solar modules
are comprised of multiple solar cells.
The solar cells (also called
photovoltaic or “PV” cells) capture
energy from sunlight and convert it
into electricity.
This conversion process occurs
because of the special properties of
the semiconducting materials (silicon)
from which the solar cells are made.
The silicon that makes up solar cells
is a semiconductor material having
properties of both a metal and an
insulator.
When the sun shines on the solar
modules they produce direct current
(DC) electricity. This electricity is
transmitted from the modules to an
electronic inverter, which converts
the DC electricity to alternating
current (AC). The AC electricity is
then transmitted to the home or
building’s distribution system to
supply electric power as needed
throughout daylight hours.
The excess electricity is diverted
out to the power grid causing the
electric meter to spin backward and
produce credits toward the electric
utility bill. During non-sun hours,
utility power provides the electricity
needed.
The cost of systems vary, but on
average the purchase and installation
of a home solar system can cost in
excess of $20,000 or more.
26 SPACES | SCN COMMUNICATIONS GROUP
Eco-friendly
accents
W hether framing a seating area
or accenting the master suite
at the foot of the bed, area rugs
are a natural choice for pulling
together the look of a room — and
natural and eco-friendly fibers offer
plenty of inspiration.
From bamboo and seagrass to
sisal and coir, natural fibers are
durable, stylish, sustainable and
environmentally friendly — and
they’re an affordable way to
makeover any decor in an instant.
“Area rugs, like jewelry, are
accessories that can be
continuously updated and
interchanged with little
investment,” said Emily Morrow,
director of color, style and design
for a leading carpet and rug
manufacturer. “They offer variety
and flexibility. They allow
personality and individuality to
prevail without a commitment.”
Like a bracelet that makes a
basic black dress pop, area rugs
add a well-needed dose of color,
pattern and texture to break up
bland wall-to-wall carpeting and
define a room — and the natural
hues, organic textures and classic
weaves found in natural rugs
perfectly compliment virtually any
decor.
“From a design perspective area
rugs are necessary, and they do one
thing well — they define a space,”
said interior designer Scott Thomas.
“They let the eye know that a
particular space is there for a
specific purpose.”
Natural materials are nothing
new, but they are seeing a new
surge in popularity thanks to the
growing green movement.
Before you buy, consider the
following eco-friendly options:
• Bamboo is a natural choice for
sustainability. It grows an
astonishing 8 to 12 feet per year
and thanks to its robust root
system, it’s abundant, as well.
Bamboo is naturally resistant to
water, mold, mildew and insects.
Although there are many
With accent rugs, there are
several environmentally
conscious choices that feature
natural fibers such as sisal,
seagrass and bamboo. But
there is also recycled nylon,
which wears well and is stain
resistant.
It’s also naturally antibacterial and
antimicrobial.
• Seagrass is derived from
tropical salt marsh grasses
indigenous to China. It’s one of the
most stain-resistant and durable
natural fibers available.
• Sisal, prized for its strength
and durability, is derived from the
Agave sisalana cactus plant. It
stands up to abrasion and performs
well in high-traffic areas. It’s also
resistant to dust and static.
• Organic wool, grown without
pesticides or fertilizers, is stronger
than cotton and more insulating
than plant-based fibers. The natural
lanolin in wool acts as a water-
proofing agent, making it resistant
to moisture and stains.
• Coir, a fiber extracted from
the outer shell of coconuts, offers
unsurpassed durability. Brown coir
from ripened coconuts offers high
abrasion resistance and has been a
staple in welcome mats and
outdoor rugs. White coir from
immature coconuts is smoother and
finer and spun into yarn for woven
mats. Natural oils in coir make it
insect- and water-resistant.
• Recycled nylon may not come
straight from Mother Nature, but
the latest nylon rugs are
surprisingly eco-friendly. It’s strong,
durable, resilient to matting and
wear and generally stain-resistant.
It’s also versatile. ❏
— Copley News Service
programs that try to provide financial
incentives to switch to solar power,
tax credits and rebates differ from
state to state, and even city to city.
To find out what rebates
governments and utilities are offering
visit www.dsireusa.org, a website set
up by the North Carolina Solar Center
and the Interstate Renewable Energy
Council.
In addition, there are questions of
safety and adequacy that you need to
consider before getting a system. The
U.S. Department of Energy
recommends that consumers use the
services of a qualified and licensed
contractor when going solar.
According to the DOE, you should
ask the following:
• Has the company installed grid-
connected PV systems? If not, has it
installed grid-independent (or stand-
alone) PV systems? Experience in
installing grid-connected systems is
valuable because some elements of
the installation — particularly
interconnection with the local utility
— are unique to these systems.
• How many years of experience
does the company have installing PV
systems? A contractor who has been
in business a long time probably
understands how to work with
customers and to compete effectively
with other firms. Additionally, the
contractor will probably be aware of
the latest code and permitting issues
surrounding the installation of PV
systems.
• Is the company properly licensed
or certified? PV systems should be
installed by an appropriately licensed
contractor. This usually means that
either the installer or a subcontractor
has an electrical contractor’s license.
Your state electrical board can tell
you whether a contractor has a valid
electrician’s license.
Local building departments might
also require that the installer have a
general contractor’s license. Call the
city or county where you live for
additional information on licensing. ❏
— Copley News Service
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FALL/WINTER 2008 | SPACES 27
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28 SPACES | SCN COMMUNICATIONS GROUP