SPECIAL ADVERTISING SUPPLEMENT TO THE BUYERS GUIDE

APRIL 2009

H O M E
& LAWN & GARDEN
IMPROVEMENT

What’s on
your “to- do” list
this Spring?

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Every year, wet winter weather, followed by the warmer spring Additions, Landscaping,
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Families know how important it is to retain the value of their homes,
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foreclosures. Still, remodeling is one of the best ways to preserve your home’s
value and in some parts of the country, homeowners can still recover up to 90
percent of their remodeling costs despite falling home prices. If you’re a
homeowner who’s in the process of remodeling, consider budget-friendly options
to get the look you want without breaking the bank. Here are several tips to give
you some less expensive options when remodeling.
Kitchen
The countertops are one of the high impact surfaces in your kitchen. While
natural stone options like granite and quartz, as well as solid surfaces, are
Luxurious Pirouette® window shadings combine the personality of a classic fabric shade with the ability to control incoming alluring, they’re expensive and can quickly drain your remodeling budget. Now
light in an enchanting new way. With the gentle pull of the operating cord, textured fabric in a choice of delightful colors is a good time to check out a contemporary laminate countertop, which offers
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Page 2 Buyers Guide Spring Home Improvement / Lawn & Garden Wednesday, April 15, 2009
Bathroom
A beautiful, updated bathroom will undoubtedly add value to your home, but
it can also be a money pit that sucks away your remodeling dollars due to
potentially high material and labor costs. In an effort to cut back, try searching
for discounted fixtures like shower heads and faucets at home improvement
stores or at online sources like eBay.
Oftentimes, the cost of new luxury-name fixtures can run between $500 to
$1000 while mass-market versions may provide the same look for less. Many
manufacturers, like Moen and Delta, provide detailed installation instructions so
you can save there, too. Those popular glass or decorative nickel knobs and pulls
on cabinets and doors can often run as much as $20 apiece. A better option is
oversized hardware -- eight to 12 inches long as opposed to the standard four to
five inches -- which gives you a bold look for less.
You can also save money on bathroom countertop surfaces by considering
your family to sleep and take refuge from the outside world. A master bedroom
remodel should reflect an atmosphere of serenity and comfort. It’s also the
perfect place to install energy efficient windows, which will help keep you cool
in the summer, warm in the winter, and allow you to eventually recoup the cost
with savings on your monthly energy bill.
Color is typically one of the easiest and most cost effective ways to make a
significant change in the look of your bedrooms. Kids’ bedrooms can benefit
from bright colors and easily washable surfaces. Pick up a pre-fabricated
laminate countertop slab and a couple of file cabinets at a local home center to
create a simple desk with the look of a custom piece. Wilsonart has a large,
cutting-edge collection of colorful laminate patterns that children can easily grow
into, in addition to a bevy of designs perfectly crafted for a children’s room.

SPRING
durable laminate instead of stone, which can be stained by cosmetics and
cleaners. Another advantage of laminate is that if you decide to change the
color scheme of your bathroom in a few years, laminate can be switched out
easily and inexpensively.
Family Room

HAS ARRIVED!
Estimates tell us that adding a family room, as opposed to simply
remodeling one, will help a homeowner recoup as much as 80 percent of their
original investment at resale. Remember to plan the space by factoring in the
size of your family, the ages of your kids (and their friends), and perhaps even
the possibility of additions to your immediate family, like grandparents or
babies. Some families go as far as taking out walls to improve space, but
careful planning and wise furniture positioning can help you avoid drastic
changes to the room that tend to drain your budget. If you’re handy or can Come Out And
afford to hire a carpenter, built-in shelving and possibly an entertainment/
gaming nook are useful and popular additions, and can be painted, stained, or
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Wednesday, April 15, 2009 Buyers Guide Spring Home Improvement / Lawn & Garden Page 3
 Gear Up Your Tractor
Spring Mulching
for Spring Serves Both Cosmetic,
Lawn Care! Practical Purposes
Few and far between are the homeowners who have the time to cultivate a
~ Tires ~ Tubes ~ green thumb. Be it obligations at the office, full schedules with the family or,
most likely, a little bit of both, many times homeowners are understandably quick
~ Batteries ~ to trust their landscaping to a local professional.
But in the harsh economy of the day, it can’t hurt for homeowners to have a
NOW OPEN SATURDAYS little landscape knowledge of their own. In that case, should the purse strings
8am - NOON need to be tightened a little bit, homeowners won’t watch their lawns wither
under the harsh summer heat.
Rogers Tire & Auto One of the best tricks of the landscaping trade is to utilize mulch around
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• Appearance. Many homeowners want to make their lawn as aesthetically
appealing as possible. A good looking lawn can increase property value and
instill a sense of pride for all who live at a home.
Mulch comes in a variety of appearances. Color and tidiness are two
sticking points for many homeowners. Typically, no one wants the mulch
to be the talk of guests and neighbors. Instead the plants, trees and shrubs
the mulch surrounds should garner the bulk of the attention. Dark-colored

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Page 4 Buyers Guide Spring Home Improvement / Lawn & Garden Wednesday, April 15, 2009
mulches tend to instill a relaxing feel to gardens, while brighter colored the spring, consider mulching a summer garden with hay, wood shavings or even
mulches might work better in vegetable gardens. Don’t be afraid to seek compost. These mulches will insulate the garden from summer heat. In the winter
advice from the sales representatives where you’re buying your mulch as time, pine needles or straw are effective at trapping heat once the ground has
to which mulch goes best with each area. Mulch does not have to be frozen. Other mulches, including bark and stone, are essentially the multi-taskers
uniform throughout the property to provide maximum aesthetic appeal. of mulch, working to insulate in both summer and winter.
• Benefits to the soil. Arguably the biggest
advantage to using mulch is its positive impact on
soil. However, according to the Union of
Concerned Scientists, a nonprofit group dedicated
to working for a healthy environment, different
mulches serve the soil in different ways. While all
organic mulches fertilize the soil as they decay,
they do so at different speeds.
If improving the soil is a priority when mulching,
rapidly decaying or nitrogen rich mulch is most
beneficial. Rapidly decaying mulches include
shredded leaves and grass clippings and are typically
recommended for annuals. Slowly decaying mulches,
such as bark or straw, are generally considered most
beneficial to trees and shrubs.
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• Application. For some homeowners, finding
the time to get outside and lay mulch can prove
very difficult. In such cases, easy application is
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best to consult a professional as to which mulch is
not only the easiest to apply, but also the easiest to
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Wednesday, April 15, 2009 Buyers Guide Spring Home Improvement / Lawn & Garden Page 5
 Did You Know?
Mosquitoes are among the most common uninvited guests at backyard
barbecues and other outdoor gatherings. But warding off these hungry and
intrusive insects can be done in a number of ways. One of the ways in which
homeowners can minimize the likelihood of mosquito infestations is to ensure
gutters are clean and clear of debris. Mosquitoes are attracted to decaying leaves,
so ridding the gutters of such debris can reduce the risk of mosquito infestation.
Another, though probably less popular, way to reduce the risk of mosquitoes
wreaking havoc on a backyard barbecue is to ask guests to refrain from wearing
perfumes, aftershave or other products that have strong aromas. Such items
attract mosquitoes and can increase the risk of guests getting bitten. Wardrobe
can also play a role in a person’s susceptibility to mosquito bites. Tight-fitting
clothing can be bitten through by hungry mosquitoes, while more loose fitting
clothing can be more efficacious when it comes to protecting partygoers. Finally,
maintaining any areas where water can gather is also an effective means to ward
off mosquito attacks. Turn over a dog’s water bowl when not in use or throw sand
or dirt in any rain puddles to make the property less attractive to pesky and
problematic mosquitoes.
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Every year, wet winter weather, followed by the melting snow & ice during
the warmer spring months, causes a common problem in homes across America -
- water stains on ceilings and walls.
Thinking about covering water stains with a fresh coat of paint?
Unfortunately, most stains will bleed right through your new paint job, no matter
how many coats you apply; but it’s easy to block stains and prevent them from
coming back. Just follow these steps from the home improvement experts for
Zinsser products:
• Eliminate the source of the moisture or you’ll soon have another unsightly
water stain.
• Clean the surface with a solution of one-cup bleach per gallon of water and
rinse thoroughly with water to remove mildew, dirt and other unsightly deposits.
• Dry the surface completely. Use a hair dryer to dry small areas. Larger areas
may require the use of a dehumidifier, heater or fan to ensure the surface is
completely dry before painting.
• Prime the surface with an oil-base stain killing primer like Cover Stain®. If
you try to block a water stain with a water-base primer, the stain is likely to
“rewet” or bleed through. Cover Stain is specially formulated to block water, and
water-soluble stains like those from markers, ink, food and nicotine, in just one
coat. Tip from the Pros: For quick ceiling touch up consider using a vertical
aerosol like COVERS UP™ Stain Sealing Ceiling Paint. It matches most
acoustic ceiling tiles, so it’s great when you want to cover a spot or two.
• After the primer has dried, finish up with your desired topcoat.

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Buyers Guide Spring Home Improvement / Lawn & Garden Wednesday, April 15, 2009
 Custoorms
Maintaining a Col ble!
Green Lawn Availa
Particularly in today’s economy, homeowners are
looking for inexpensive ways to add value to their
homes. Perhaps nowhere is that more possible than
out in the yard, where the landscape can be a blank
palette just waiting for homeowners to add their
individual touches. The following easy and
inexpensive tips don’t require a green thumb, just a
little elbow grease and dedication.
• Aerate: When kids and pets play in the yard, it’s
not only the grass that can take a pounding. The soil
beneath that grass can become compacted, resulting
in poor air circulation, drainage problems and
possibly even causing nutrient depletion in your
yard. Aerating the lawn will loosen the soil
underneath, allowing for better circulation and
ensuring your grass and soil get all the water and
nutrients they need to stay green and healthy.
• Mow at the correct height: Busy homeowners
understandably want to cut their lawn as low as possible
to minimize the number of times they need to cut the
grass. However, different grasses require different
cutting heights, and homeowners could be doing
significant damage to their lawn by cutting too low or
too high. Homeowners should first determine what type
of grass they have, and then consult a professional to
determine the best height at which to cut.
• Consider composting your grass: The benefits of
composting grass clippings are numerous.
Composting helps give grass a greener look, and is
also beneficial to the environment by cutting down
on waste. In addition, composting stimulates root
growth while preventing topsoil erosion.
• Water at the right time: While it might seem
ideal to set sprinklers in
mid-afternoon when the
sun is shining brightest,
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Because it’s cooler in the
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it will during the midday continuously adjust our overall door style offering to satisfy ever-changing consumer
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Wednesday, April 15, 2009 Buyers Guide Spring Home Improvement / Lawn & Garden Page 7
 Above Ground Pools 100
$
Gardening Doesn’t
purchase any above
ground pool & receive
OFF
FREE.... Have to Hurt
Underwater lighting, fountain, I enjoy gardening so much, there have been times when I have started my day
solar cover and pool cleaner in peak shape, only to crawl into the house from pain and fatigue 12 hours later.
Would I do it again? You bet, and I have on numerous occasions. Sure, I attack
100% FINANCING - NO MONEY DOWN my hobby with all the vigor I can muster. By the time the weekend rolls around I
always have so much to do and so little time. Yet, in spite of my overzealous
A& A Pools & Spas, Inc. approach to the weekend warrior duties, the fact remains, I overdo it!
“Where Quality Pools & Supplies Are A Must” Now, truth be told, I don’t always take the time to use the right tool to make
Berkeley Plaza - Martinsburg, WV • 304-263-1300 the job at hand easier and pain-free. So, I’m as much to blame for my aches and
pains at the end of the day as anything else I can think of, especially these days
where there are so many great tools and methods to make gardening accessible
and easy for just about anyone.
No matter what your age or physical condition, we could all benefit from
CARPET COUNTRY making some smart choices when it comes to gardening.
Gloves: Above all, gloves offer protection that no gardener should be without.
Complete Floorcovering, Commercial or Residential.
Yet, who wants to wear an uncomfortable or clunky pair? All too often, we make
• Wall-to-Wall Carpet Vinyls by Mannington the choice to do without for the sake of comfort but at the cost of painful blisters
• Ceramic Tile • Domco • Tarkett • Flexitec or worse. Today there is a style of glove for every job, from the highly tactile,
• Hardwood & Laminates super comfortable and lightweight Atlas gloves, to the fashionable yet rugged and
–Mannington –Mohawk comfortable West County Gardener gloves that even offer a line made from
–Quick-Step –Shaw recycled water bottles. And yes, they come in ‘green’.
–Armstrong –Beaulieu Outerwear: Now that your hands are covered, what about those knees? I’ve
–Formica discovered one of my all time favorite things to have on when I’m getting down
Stop In & See Greg Van Metre Today! and dirty: Green Jeans. These ‘garden chaps’ are very much like what you’d see
Eagle Plaza • Rt. 9 • Hedgesville, WV on a cowboy. But these aren’t heavy leather. They’re made of a washable, wind
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Berkeley Springs, WV BERKELEY SPRINGS, WV
304-258-2111 (304) 258-2111

Page 8 Buyers Guide Spring Home Improvement / Lawn & Garden Wednesday, April 15, 2009
 designed to grab, hold and easily extract even the toughest tap-rooted weeds like
dandelions, all while standing in an upright position.
So you see, gardening really doesn’t have to hurt anymore. With the proper
protection on your hands and knees and tools to protect your extremities and
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Tools: I’d always heard, having the right tool for the job makes all the
difference in the world. Over the years, I’ve been reminded of just how true It’s All On Sale for
this is. Here are some of my favorites for the yard and garden. They all the Month of April
happen to be made by Fiskars. But that’s not surprising. I’m a big fan of their
products and you’re about to see why. I only wish these had been around as Sale ends April 30, 2009
long as I’ve been gardening!
PowerGear Pruners: To start, these babies have three times the cutting power
compared to standard pruning tools. They look good and feel great, too. The
patented design provides maximum leverage near the middle of the cut, right
when you need it the most! The added feature I love about this pruner is the Route 40 East of Hagerstown
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Telescoping Power-Lever Bypass Lopper:
Speaking of pruning, I hate to drag out the ladder
for those low-lying branches that I just can’t reach.
I’ve discovered a great solution: these telescoping
loppers can reach over 37 inches with a simple
extension of the handles. In addition, they have the
added benefit of Power-Lever mechanism that
increases leverage to make cutting easier.
Telescoping Pruning Stick Tree Pruner: I’ll tell
you what would hurt; falling off a ladder while trying
to prune those low hanging limbs. Actually, falling
off a ladder at all would hurt. But, thanks to this stick
pruner, the ropeless cutting action eliminates the
tangled lines I always seem to get caught up in. The
Pruning Stick extends to 12 feet and includes a 15-
inch saw blade for tackling those larger limbs. The
added bonus for this tool is that it works just as well
when cutting or pruning shrub growth at ground level
or when reaching into tight spaces. And did I
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cutting angle? This is one versatile cutting tool,
which allows anyone to get a lot of work done while
safely on the ground, and without bending over.
UpRoot Weed & Root Remover: Speaking of
bending over, I try to do less and less of that every
year, which is part of the reason I think most of us
loathe the dreaded but necessary task of weeding. Yet
once again, Fiskars has come to the rescue with their
UpRoot and Extended Reach Weeders. Both are
Wednesday, April 15, 2009 Buyers Guide Spring Home Improvement / Lawn & Garden Page 9
Looking to Replace
Your Windows ?
There are many reasons to replace old windows. From better aesthetics
to eliminating drafts, new windows are a great investment for your home.
Because drafts can cause energy loss, new windows can make your
home more tight, therefore lowering your heating and cooling costs.
15 Landscaping Mistakes
You certainly want your lawn and garden to
look beautiful, but far too often homeowners
succumb to making landscaping mistakes. Here
are some of the more common gaffes and how to
remedy them.
1. Lawn ornament overkill: Putting too many
lawn ornaments into your yard can take

~PLUS~ away from the natural beauty of the

landscape. If you want to add a whimsical
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Get 2. Improper plant locations: The reason garden
centers and nurseries put those care tags on
Up plants is so that you will know how to care
for the particular plant. You should take into
To consideration the proper sunlight and
exposure your plants will need.

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3. Scalping the lawn:It is not true that cutting
your lawn short will mean less mowing. The lawn has different
requirements throughout the year. In the cooler weather you can get away
with cutting it shorter so that sunlight can penetrate the soil. In the summer,
keep the blades longer to maximize water retention and promote soil shade.
4. Picking the wrong plants: Many people pick plants because they simply
look good and not because they’ll be appropriate for their yard.
5. Thinking animals won’t bother your landscape: Once you plant attractive
and delicious flowering plants you could find your yard is the new dining
spot for a host of wildlife. Intersperse bitter-tasting flowers with the sweet
ones to deter deer. Birds, rabbits, squirrels and other animals may need
barriers to keep them out.

24 HOUR Going Green Tax Credit 6. Pruning willy-nilly: Many plants prosper when pruned. However, over-
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SERVICE Products Learn the correct way from books or a gardening center. Otherwise, it could
be better not to prune at all.

FREE ** 7. Too much color: A smattering of color here and there can be too much and
distracting when your landscape is viewed. Instead, choose a color palette
and stick with a few similar hues.
8. Forgetting the family: An ornate garden certainly looks pretty, but how
practical is it for your way of life? If you have kids, you may have to think
about how your property is used and plan your landscape around that.
Pick-Up & Delivery 9. Failing to be safe: Follow the recommendations and warnings on any tools
you use for gardening. Always read the instructions and user’s manual.
On All Repair Items! 10. Grab and go: It’s easy to want to buy everything you see at the garden
* Call for Service/Delivery Area
center, but it’s better to go in with a plan and a shopping list. Mixing and
R matching too many elements in your yard could look sloppy and not well
SENIOEN SCREEN REPAIR SERVICES thought out.
CITIZUNTS Including Mobile Repair, Supplies 11. Poor maintenance: Garden beds generally require weeding and tending
DISCO & Products once or twice a month. Make sure you have the time to take care of your
landscape after you create it. Otherwise, find someone reliable whom you
• Replacement Windows • Custom Glass & Mirrors can hire to care for it.
• Beveled • Polished Edges • ALL TYPES OF GLASS REPAIR 12. Failing to budget: Gardening, just like any hobby, can cost money. Make a
“We can fix anything but a broken heart” list of what you’re willing to spend and stick to it. Otherwise the bills can
Hours Service done the old fashioned way quickly escalate.
M-F 13. One-season landscape: Your landscape should grow and change with the
7:30am weather. Plan for plantings that bloom or offer color all year round.
– 4pm
14. Forgetting the day-to-night transition: Of course you want your yard to
look great during the day, but what about enjoying it at night? Make sure
it is safe and plan for exterior illumination so that you can have many
wonderful evenings under the stars.
email: backdoor llc@verizon.net 15. No roadmap: You must have a plan for your landscape. Plot it out on
paper, make a list of your materials and costs, run the idea by all those in
the household and only then begin.
Page 10 Buyers Guide Spring Home Improvement / Lawn & Garden Wednesday, April 15, 2009
 Separate Spaces For Today’s Couples?
You may find a new option in homes being built by you, catering to improved
comfort for couples. It’s not uncommon to find dual master bedroom suites to
accommodate couples who can’t compromise in the bedroom. These solitary
retreats help ensure a good night’s sleep or give couples some personal space.
according to his or her style.
For those who don’t have a problem sharing the same space, only prefer
separate beds, then go ahead and renovate with two beds in the room. They can
always be pushed together if you desire closeness.

A 2005 survey by the National Sleep Foundation uncovered that nearly 25

percent of American couples sleep alone. The number was almost double of the
percentage of solo sleepers from merely four years prior. The Sleep Council of
England has found that 1 in 4 people regularly heads to another room or the
living room couch to escape his or her sleeping partner and get some rest.
The desire for separate spaces has begun to affect home construction. The
National Association of Home Builders says there has been a steady increase in
the number of requests for two-master bedroom homes since 1990, prompting the
organization to predict that by 2015, 60 percent of all custom upscale homes will
be built with two “owner suites.”
1950s Mentality or Modern Revolution?
When many people envision separate sleeping arrangements for married
couples, they think of the popular sitcoms of the 1950s. In these shows, separate
twin beds with a night table between them were the norm. It was considered
risquee to show a couple sharing a bed. But many couples today are choosing to
sleep in separate beds or separate rooms for a number of reasons:
• snoring
• restless leg syndrome
• night owl vs. early bird
• different preferences in linens
• different preferences in room temperatures
• TV watcher vs. book reader
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• caring for new baby without disturbing the other, etc. 325 Winchester Ave.
Some people say that it’s not good for the marriage to sleep separately,
offering that sharing a bed takes intimacy to a different level. However, Martinsburg, WV 25401
Stephanie Coontz, author of “Marriage: A History” and director of research and (304) 267-2101
public education at the Council on Contemporary Families, a nonprofit research
organization has said that sleeping separately in order to get a good night’s rest is (304) 267-3460 Fax
“reasonable and revolutionary.” She offers that there are more ways to have a
good marriage and sexual relationship today. If sleeping separately is the way to
that end, then so be it.
Come Over to My Place
Couples who support separate sleeping arrangements say that it’s fun to invite
over their spouse for “date night” and find creative ways to get together. And
when well rested, they’re happier and more inclined to want to spend time
together or with the children.
In a report by CNN, Alisa Bowman, a 37-year-old freelance writer from
Emmaus, Pennsylvania, offered, “I’m a better mom and wife when I’m rested,”
who says she’s always had trouble sleeping with another person in the room. “I
also think it makes you appreciate each other more.”
Renovating Your Home
If you are not moving to a home that offers separate master bedroom
suites you can create personalized spaces if you prefer to sleep separately. If
your master bedroom is large enough, perhaps you can divide the room into
two spaces, even if it’s with modular room dividers. Empty nesters may have
the advantage of one or more other bedrooms to call his or her own. Flip a
coin over who gets the bigger room. Then each can personalize the room
Wednesday, April 15, 2009 Buyers Guide Spring Home Improvement / Lawn & Garden Page 11
Page 12 Buyers Guide Spring Home Improvement / Lawn & Garden Wednesday, April 15, 2009