{ ! { | 2 The Dallas Post Spring Home Improvement Section 2 Wednesday, April 25, 1990 Sunrooms, gazebos for style and comfort With curtains and windows thrown wide open, you beseech the rays of old El Sol. Not blinding glare, but gentle, lazy streams of light that warm both soul and soil. What's more, you're willing to sacrifice plaster and lawn space for a breath of fresh air. Or for treelike shade that offers shelter amid the elements. Welcome to the 1990s, a decade in which you can sun-worship from your sofa and garden high and dry in a downpour. Or swing in the shade on a scorching after- noon. Solariums, porches, gazebos and greenhouses all but erase the di- viding line that separates what's inside and what's out. Through ar- chitecture, they allow homeown- ers to commune with Mother Na- ture, while steering clear of her stormier side. Acquiring such an addition doesn’t mean you have to buy a new home, take on a night job or suffer through months of painful renovation. Commission from an architect the simplest porch, and leave the construction to a contractor. Or hammer and nail your way to the perfect solarium, gazebo or green- house with detailed plans, prefa- bricated materials or do-it-your- self kits — some so simple that no tools are required. About the cover The pen and ink cover drawing for this section was done by Bar- bara Campbell, a ninth grade stu- dent at Lake-Lehman High School. Barbara, whois 15years old, takes art at school with Richard Derby and has studied with Sue Hand since she was in fifth grade. Barbara works on both the newspaper and yearbook at school. She plans a career in art or art education. Her work has won awards at art shows and fairs throughout the region. All are available through build- ing supply emporiums or by mail order and in a variety of price ranges. Following is a rundown on what's hot in rooms and spaces built for prime exposure or shelter from the Earth’s largest star. SOLARIUMS AND GREENHOUSES The quintessential sun space — or solarium — combines the greenhouse effect with the charms of Grandmother’s sun porch. Yesterday's homeowner wanted it so he could grow his tomatoes and his tulips indoors. And chanc- es were he was the only one on the block with such an addition. Nowadays, sunshine is spilling through a lot of solarium windows — some 350,000 to be exact — and into family living areas, kitchens, dining areas and pool rooms — the four top areas most likely to in- clude a sun space, according to a manufacturer’s study. That's not to say that a sun space wouldn't work equally as well in a library, bathroom, home entertainment center or spa, all cited as other popular areas for sun-space additions. Sun spaces boast both beauty and brains. Besides adding valu- able square footage and cutting down on a home's heating bill, a solarium’s unique curves, lines and materials make it a reflection of its owners’ personal style. Thus it’s no surprise that these sunniest of home improvements have home improvers investing $400 million annually. Many green thumbs, mean- while, are moving their plants from house to greenhouse, be it a simple lean-to, easy-to-install win- dow box or full-blown structure complete with built-in cooling and irrigation systems. Plans abound in gardening mag- azines, how-to manuals, books or by mail order and offer the gar- dener hundreds of ways to create 4 Charles’ Renovating, Pavers, New Construction, Additions, Decks, Enclosures, Custom Trim, Vinyl. ) Builders Luzerne & Wyoming County Redevelopment Approved » LICENSED & INSURED - 675-0082 or L 288-1332 LITRE RRR EE ENE RE BRS BES SAN GEE BY SEN REE BUSTS a SI BE UA A a his personal, year-round Garden of Eden — right in his own back yard. GAZEBOS With their lacy latticework and fragile form, gazebos rank not INDOOR/OUTDOOR HAVENS - only as the largest and most elab- orate of garden ornaments, but also as the most functional. And they're almost as popular now as they were in Victorian times. While its charm elevates it to Sun rooms, skylights and casual wicker furniture help bring the outdoors in. focal-point status, the gazebo also provides shelter, a place for the homeowner to escape the April shower or harsh July sun. The gazebo can serve as a breakfast nook, napping spot, tearoom, li-. brary and lookout, all in the course of the same day. By Alison Ashton Copley News Service HOMEFACTS ® Many homeowners tackle do-it-yourself remodeling projects. ; (percent who would do the tasks themselves) Most popular do-it-yourself projects : Painting 82.2% General cleanup 77.3% Least favorite do-it-yourself projects 1 Plumbing 10% Concrete/ masonry 2.8% SOURCE: Professional Builder magazine Copley News Service A Fabulous > Comm T= — enjoying the good life! HUR etterliving PATIO ROOMS A WONDERFUL WAY TO ENJOY THE OUTDOORS Enjoy the Spring colors as never befor! Bring the outdoors indoors with a beautiful glass and screen enclosure custom designed for your home. No longer will wind, rain, or insects prevent you from ; a = -t — OR a — NS Enjoy the affordable luxury of additional living space. Relax... Entertain...Enjoy outdoor living as never before. Serving 527 Scott Street Replacement Ngitheast big Wilkes-Barre, Windows & Doors Pa. 18702 Storm Windows (717) 824-3572 & Doors HOM ALTIES 1-800-233-7284 Carports & COMPANY (in Pa. Only) Patio Covers CONSERVATORIES the classic English Conservatory - a sunroom alternative designed to create an ambience with all the character of traditional architecture and the integrity of state-of-the-art, low maintainence, energy efficient materials. The Dallas Post Spring Home Improvement Section 2 Wednesday, April 25, 1990 11 THE BIG SPLASH - Today's new spas can be put in the most luxurious settings. Tubs, spas and pools with pizzaz A spa, hot tub or pool has ad- vantages beyond offering a place to relax and get in shape. In this ever-faster world, leisure time is at an ever-greater premium. Hav- ing your preferred method of rec- reation at your disposal simply adds a degree of control and con- venience to your life. While there’s no doubt that spas, tubs and/or pools demand a great deal of care and cost, they can pay off in the long run by significantly adding value to your property. Any of these facilities has the advantage of becoming a total family activity. The next time you ask yourself where those kids are, all you'll have to do is look in the back yard. SPECIAL SPAS Getting yourself into hot water may be the ideal elixer for the stresses and strains of modern life — just jump into a hot tub or spa. It's an ancient tradition, goin back to Roman history and Japa- nese emperors. It was a more modern group, however — the Californians — who came up with combining the conviviality of the Roman bath with the tranquillity of the Japa- nese spa to create the contempo- rary spa or hot tub experience. If you should choose to dip into the warm waters for your health, choosing between a spa or tub is the first decision you face. Soft and rustic, hot tubs are known for their smooth wood fin- ishes, which heighten the entire back-to-nature experience. Hot tubs tend to be larger than spas and offer both a deep soak and the option to share the space with a number of people. The depth of these tubs, not uncom- monly 4 to 5 feet, also allows for the placement of jets to suit per- sonal needs, such as aching backs. The other choice is a spa. A wa- tery paradise in plastic. Unlike tubs that basically come in the classic barrel shape, spas have been molded into just about as many shapes as there are human body types. Spas also are easier to clean and maintain than tubs, though they lack that natural feel- ing. ¥ Dallas One Hour Cleaners X SPRING CLEANING 10% OFF All Drapes Cleaned and Pressed * April 25th thru May 5th 675-1508 Dallas Shopping Center, Dallas Mon. thru Fri. Open 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. * Sat. 8 am. to 4 p.m. "The only dry cleaner in the Back Mountain” (8 ae a Sl BE or BA dr oe INTRODUCING 18513051(@58333 ING HEAT PUMP Get / central air / conditioning | as a bonus | A High-Efficiency Heat Pump gives you both. With the flip of a switch, the most energy-efficient heating system you can buy...turns into central air conditioning for the warmer months. High-Efficiency Heat Pumps are more efficient than gas or oil...so they can save you money. A High-Efficiency Heat Pump is the most energy- efficient system on the market. That efficiency can give you incredible savings on operating costs. You could probably save enough on heating bills to pay “for the air conditioning! “when you installa more _ efficient heating system. High LQ. installation insures maximum comfort. Insist on High LQ. installation. It’s your guarantee that your High-Efficiency Heat Pump has been installed according to the standards of quality recommended by PP&L. And when your heat pump is correctly sized and properly installed, you get maximum comfort and maximum affordability. \__/nstallation J High-Efficiency Heat Pumps are clean and safe. A heat pump releases no pollutants or odors into your home. It can even filter out dust and pollen, so your family breathes . ov» easier. And an electric heat pump is as safe as a light bulb. Ask about our energy efficiency grants for new and existing homes. 1-800-DIAL-PPL For more information, including a list of High 1.Q. dealers, call Pennsylvania Power & Light Company at Electricity. Still the power to change the future.™ a
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