After a day spent indoors, the freshness of an outdoor environment at home can provide many advantages. If you need to relax and de-stress, a secluded retreat at the back of your home allows you to sit quietly and enjoy the natural surroundings. A 3-season room, a screened porch, or even a patio that connects to your home through folding glass doors helps bring that pleasant outdoor environment inside. This private area offers the perfect spot for entertaining friends and family members as well.

If you need some invigoration after a stifling indoor day, an outdoor living space at the front of your home helps you become an active participant in your community. Homeowners are finding that the good old-fashioned front porch, with plenty of space for seating, provides opportunities for them to get to know their neighbors. From the vantage point of a front porch or loggia, people may also keep a watchful eye on their neighborhood, benefitting overall safety.

A new outdoor room can be a cost-effective extension to the living space of your home. Many of these kinds of projects do not require additional permits and do not add to your property tax bill. Yet, creating a second kitchen or expanding your family room to the outside raises the perceived value of your property. Another result is the enhancement of your lifestyle.

As you plan your outdoor room, choose furnishings that are intended for outdoor use. Furniture cushions should be covered in fabrics that resist water, stains, and fading. Purchase an LCD TV screen that is tightly sealed for all-weather use. If you include a refrigerator, make sure it is UL approved for outdoor use. A grill installed in an enclosed area, like a 3-season room, will need a ventilation hood.


In a patio area, some shade from a pergola or from an awning will be greatly appreciated on a very sunny day, while a rain shelter lets you enjoy a warm, rainy afternoon to the fullest. Extend the outdoor entertaining season into cooler weather with a propane heater, a fire-pit or even a fireplace. Incorporate ample LED lighting, firewood storage, cushion bins, and don't forget the music!
 

As you may have heard or read about in the news, starting April 22, 2010 all contractors performing renovation, repair or painting on pre-1978 homes must be certified and follow specific work practices to prevent lead contamination. If you live in a house built before 1978, there's a good chance it contains lead paint.

We've received a number of questions from homeowners about this new U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) requirement and we wanted to share our answers with you.

1. How do I know if my house has lead paint?

If your house was built before 1978 assume that lead paint was used. According to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, about two-thirds of homes built before 1940 and about half of homes built between 1940 and 1960 contain heavily-leaded paint. Lead was used as a pigment and drying agent in alkyd oil-based paints until 1978 when the legal maximum of lead content in paints was reduced to a trace amount (0.06%). Lead paint can be on any interior or exterior surface particularly on woodwork, doors and windows. Latex or water-based paints generally have not contained lead.

2. What are the health risks attributed to lead paint exposure?

In most cases, lead-based paint that's in good condition is not a problem. As it deteriorates and breaks down into dust and chips, however, it can become a health risk. It can get into your body when dust is breathed in or swallowed, or by ingesting soil or paint chips that contain lead. Children are vulnerable to lead poisoning because their growing bodies absorb more lead and their brains and nervous systems are more sensitive to the damaging effects. Lead poisoning can cause irreversible brain damage and adversely impact development. In adults, lead poisoning can cause nerve damage, reproductive problems and high blood pressure. Removing lead-based paint improperly can increase your risk of exposure. Learn more about the health effects of lead on the EPA's Web site.

3. What does the EPA require from contractors?

The EPA requires all companies and contractors who work on homes built before 1978 - to be certified in the use of lead-safe practices. EPA issues separate certifications to businesses and individuals. Upon completing an 8-hour EPA-approved course, contractors are certified for five years. All certified contractors must provide their clients with a copy of EPA's lead Hazard information pamphlet, "Renovate Right: Important Lead Hazard Information for Families, Child Care Providers and Schools" and follow procedures to contain the work area, minimize dust, and clean up thoroughly.

4. How much will this new rule add to the cost of my project?

The cost of complying with the new EPA regulations will depend on the type and size of the project you are undertaking. A baseline cost for all projects will take into account the contractor's cost for EPA certification, training, equipment and required EPA documentation. For us, the minimum cost will be $100, even for the smallest jobs. On more extensive projects the cost could be thousands of dollars. Most contractors are just beginning to implement these regulations and may not know their exact costs until they have experience in fully meeting the requirements. If you are working with a qualified contractor, however, they should already be taking steps to protect your home and keep the job site clean, which will help facilitate compliance with the EPA requirements.

5. What if I do the work myself?

The EPA regulations do not apply to individual homeowners making their own repairs or painting their home. However, if you suspect there is lead paint in your home or your home has tested positive for lead paint, take the time to read the EPA's "Renovate Right" brochure for information about how to work safely. Remember, common renovation activities such as sanding, demolition and cutting can create lead dust by disturbing lead paint. If you're painting, prep work such as sanding, scraping and using a "paint-burning" heater will also release lead dust and paint chips.