OUTDOOR SPACES

We tend to bring the look and feel of outdoors into our homes with color and fabric. Why not make your OUTdoors part of your INdoors? Outdoor carpet is a practical concrete covering, offering comfort, a superior slip-resistant surface and a pleasing look. Treat that outdoor space just like you would any interior room in your home. Using a rug can help break up the space and add warmth to any area. Synthetic materials work well outdoors and Shaw makes some very unique designs. You can also use rugs made from recycled nylon in your outdoor space and they will weather the elements.

If you want to cover the entire outdoor room, Olefin is a good choice for fully exposed porches. It is resistant to mildew and moisture so it's a great option for any outdoor space. Help protect your high traffic areas and beautify your home with outdoor carpet.

SMALL Space with BIG Impact

Creating a backsplash in a kitchen or bathroom is a very popular trend these days. It's taking a small space and making a big impact with a variety of products. Just remember that whatever style or pattern you choose, it should blend with your home's palette. The first step when choosing a backsplash is to decide what style works best. What does your décor say about you? Are you traditional? Contemporary? Vintage? Once you know what style you want to go with, the next step of picking the right product will be a bit easier. There are many texture and color options available so you shouldn't have any trouble finding something that gives your space some personality. Option #1: Traditional. Using tiles with patterns to create borders or focal points on your backsplash falls right in line with that traditional look. A good rule to follow is to only use those designer tiles on 1/5 the space available. You can also use some special grout colors to enhance the look of your tile. Using manmade products like concrete and granite are good choices for the traditional look as well.

Option #2: Vintage Keeping the integrity of your century home can be challenging when designing a backsplash. Matching the countertop material with the backsplash tile will help you achieve that vintage look. You can use marble or granite countertops and still have fun options for the backsplash area. Using white subway tiles against a formica countertop can preserve the retro feel that you might be shooting for in your home.

Option #3: Urban/Contemporary Creating a contemporary backsplash lets you take a bold approach with your tile. If your kitchen or bathroom is a little small or lacks windows, using stainless steel or glass tile will help bring light to a dark room. Glass mosaics are the newest trend these days. They add a soft shimmer and some subtle texture to any room. You can get glass tiles in a variety of sizes and shapes to create a clean and uniform look.

So make a BIG statement with your backsplash and get the conversations started.

Tile for your Home

Flat, Gloss, Satin, Eggshell....WHAT?

When you go to buy paint and they ask you flat? high gloss? satin? or eggshell?..... What do those terms mean and does it really matter what kind of finish you use? This answer is YES. The sheen or gloss level simply means the degree of light reflectance in the paint. It's the "shininess" of the product and does make a difference where you apply the paint. Here is a breakdown of what those terms mean and where that type of paint works best: <b>HIGH GLOSS (70+ on a 60-degree gloss meter) Where to use: For kitchen and bathroom walls, kitchen cabinets, banisters and railings, trim, furniture, door jams and window sills **This type is more durable, stain-resistant and easier to wash. However, the higher the gloss the more likely imperfections will be seen. SEMI-GLOSS (35 - 70 on a 60-degree gloss meter) Where to use: For kitchen and bathroom walls, hallways, children's rooms, playrooms, doors, woodwork and trim **More stain-resistant and easier to clean than flat finish; better than flat for high-traffic areas. Has similar characteristics to eggshell. EGGSHELL (20 - 30 on a 60-degree gloss meter) Where to use: Can be used in place of flat paints on wall surfaces especially in halls, bathrooms and playrooms. Can also be used on trim for a less shiny finish. **It resists stains better than flat paint and gives a more lustrous appearance. FLAT (less than 15 on a 60-degree gloss meter) Where to use: For general use on walls and ceilings. **Hides surface imperfections but stain removal can be difficult. Best suited for low-traffic areas. MATT Same characteristics as flat. So...now that you have all the information you need about paint finish, choose your color and get busy painting yourself happy!

Got An Ugly Deck?

Is the stain on your deck worn and peeling? Are you thinking about just re-staining it? Well, think again. The old stain will need to be removed before a new finish can be applied. You need to make sure you use an outdoor stain remover that is designed to work with both oil and acrylic finishes. We suggest Benjamin Moore MaxumPrep; which comes in a sprayer form or brush on. Stripping the deck is not difficult, but be sure to follow the label directions closely. Once your deck has been cleaned down to the bare wood, you can then apply your new stain. Don't let the neighbors point and laugh at your ugly deck. Re-stain it and make them say "Wow!"

Yes You Can Paint Aluminum Siding

Got bad spots on your siding or just want a different color? Here's how to prep your old aluminum siding for paint. (Check manufacturer details before painting) We've had some customers come into our store and asked "How should I prep my old aluminum siding before I paint it?" and "What type of primer works best for my siding?" There are a couple of things you need to do before you get out that paint bucket. A. Remove as much "chalk", dirt and mildew as you can. This is done by power washing or my scrubbing and rinsing. A great product to use is TSP, a phosphate-free cleaner that removes unwanted dirt from exterior surfaces. ("chalk" is the powdery pigment on the surface of the weathered siding that comes off when you rub your hand over it.) THEN 1) If any bare aluminum is exposed, use a latex, corrosion-inhibitive primer. We suggest Benjamin Moore's Fresh Start Primer or Insl-x Stix primer. Either one will do a great job. 2)If there is still "chalk" left on the surface, apply a quality exterior alkyd, oil-based primer recommended for aluminum siding by the manufacturer. We carry two different oil-based primers: Zinsser All Prime and Benjamin Moore Fresh Start (oil based) primer. After these steps have been completed, your siding will be ready for a new coat of paint. Fore more information, visit us at www.duganpaints.com

Does Your Vacuum Suck?

A good vacuum's air flow rate should be about 100 CFM (cubic feet per minute). Is yours? Vacuuming is the most cost-effective maintenance procedure in keeping your carpet looking like new. You should vacuum on a regular schedule and not just when soil is visible. Research shows that 80% of soil is walked in and 20% of it is environmental. Here is a suggested vacuuming schedule: **High traffic areas -- vacuum daily **Medium traffic areas -- vacuum twice to three times per week **Light traffic areas -- vacuum weekly Laboratory tests indicate that vacuum cleaners with brush or beater action are the most effective in removing soil. The brush action from the vacuum causes the soil to loosen from the fibers so the dirt particles can be sucked out. (DO NOT use beater bar on looped pile staple carpets) Regular vacuuming is more important than the actual type of vacuum you use on your carpet. Thorough vacuuming involves 3-5 slow passes over each area from all directions. If you always vacuum in the same direction, the carpet fibers will start to mat down and trap in the soil particles. The Carpet & Rug Institute has an extensive list of vacuum styles and models that achieve the carpet industry's standards and can be viewed at www.carpet-rug.org. A good vacuum might cost a bit more, but it will payoff in the life of your carpet. For more information, visit us at www.duganpaints.com