Cold Weather Should Never Preclude People From Working on Do-It-Yourself Projects

Just because the groundhog predicted six more weeks of winter doesn't mean home-owners should sit idly and twiddle their thumbs. Cold weather should never preclude people from working on do-it-yourself projects around their homes, especially with spring just around the corner. Dennis Heffner, owner of Kuzan's True Value Hardware in Perry Township, said that this is the perfect time of year for indoor projects. "When it gets nice outside, there are lots of outdoor things to do, such as cleaning yards, decks and windows," Heffner said. Being kept indoors makes it an easy task to take care of projects that might get overlooked once the warmer weather comes, he said. "Get organized," he said. "Look for closet shelving, shoe racks, storage totes, and cabinet and drawer organizers." Or, Heffner said, rent a carpet cleaner and refresh your carpets with a good shampooing. He noted that people also can check for leaking faucets, buying repair kits or new faucets, if necessary, and check windows and screens for needed repairs. It's also a good time of year to paint rooms. "You'll need paint, rollers, brushes, sandpaper and cleaning supplies," Heffner said. J. Edward Shenk, president of Weaver's Hardware Co. in Richmond Township, agreed and said that during this time of year it is difficult to work outside, so most of the projects his customers are working on are related to inside home décor. "The end of February into early March is a good time to repaint those rooms and give the inside of your home a fresh new look," said Shenk, whose company owns hardware stores in Richmond and Amity townships. "One of the simplest and least expensive changes with the greatest impact that a person can to do in their home is to repaint a wall, a room or trim with new, complementary colors." Shenk said that many of today's most popular colors were not available 10 years ago, as the variety of color choices in paint have greatly improved. "There are many choices of paint to choose from," he said, "from under $20 per gallon to over $60 per gallon, from simple latex paints to the new waterborne colorant paints, from flat ceiling paint to paint and primer in one. The choices are great." Shenk said that his company's simplest recommendation is the reminder that cheap paint is often the most expensive paint in the long run. "Purchase a paint because you like the quality and the finish and way it goes on the wall, and you will be happy with your choice," he said. "Some of our most popular paints range from the high $20s for a basic good wall paint to our best waterborne paint that sells for $60 a gallon." Shenk said that customers who know what they are buying and choose the right product for the right application are happy with their choices. "Just as the quality of the paint makes all the difference in the performance of the paint and the ease of application, the second best decision a painter can make is to use the best rollers and brush they are willing to purchase," he said, adding that a good brush and a good roller make paint go on well. "Cut costs and use a cheap roller and even good paint goes on poorly," he said. "Never skimp on your tools." Source: ydr.com