BROOKE, HANCOCK, MARSHALL & OHIO COUNTIESCHANGE, Inc.$397,703.00

BOONE, CLAY, KANAWHA & MINGO COUNTIESCoalfield Community Action Partnership, Inc.$194,628.00

MERCER, MONROE, RALEIGH & SUMMERS COUNTIESCommunity Action of South Eastern West Virginia, Inc.$329,786.00

CALHOUN, DODDRIDGE, GILMER, JACKSON, PLEASANTS, RITCHIE, ROANE, TYLER, WETZEL, WIRT & WOOD COUNTIESCommunity Resources, Inc.$423,383.00

BERKELEY, GRANT, HAMPSHIRE, HARDY, JEFFERSON, MINERAL, MORGAN & PENDLETON COUNTIESEastern WV Community Action Agency, Inc.$349,384.00

BRAXTON, LEWIS, UPSHUR & WEBSTER COUNTIESMountain CAP of West Virginia, Inc.$163,541.00

FAYETTE & WYOMING COUNTIESMountainHeart Community Services, Inc.$146,647.00

NICHOLAS COUNTYNicholas Community Action Partnership, Inc.$62,058.00

BARBOUR, GREENBRIER, HARRISON, MARION, MONONGALIA, POCAHONTAS, PRESTON, RANDOLPH, TAYLOR & TUCKER COUNTIESNorth Central WV Community Action Association, Inc.$716,794.00

LOGAN & MCDOWELL COUNTIESPRIDE Community Services, Inc.$149,688.00

CABELL, LINCOLN, MASON, PUTNAM & WAYNE COUNTIESSouthwestern Community Action Council, Inc.$435,210.00

STATEWIDEWV Community Action Partnerships, Inc.$30,000.00

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Gov. Justice announces over $3.3 million in Weatherization Assistance Program grants to improve energy efficiency of homes across West Virginia -...

If you and your family are on opposite ends of a tense deck-versus-patio debate, youre not alone: David Steckel, home expert at online home services directory Thumbtack, says patio and deck remodels and additions are up 187 and 128 percent, respectively, over the past three months alone. So will you be grilling on your freshly painted deck or sipping iced tea beneath the umbrella of a patio dining set? Read on for our detailed breakdown of the differences between the two, including building materials, maintenance needs, placement, and, of course, cost.

Decks are typically made from wood like cedar, ipe, or Trex, a composite that contains wood and plastic, explains Steckel. Theyre usually located adjacent to the house (and not just anywhere in the backyard) and tend to be raised off the ground. Safety railings enclose the platforms, which can be accessed by stairs or a ramp. And with an average cost of $7,700, these elevated outdoor spaces are by far the more expensive option. Expect to spend anywhere from $4,080 to $11,300 total, or $30 to $60 per square foot. Of course, the final number will also depend on the deck style you choose. Among your options:

The pros: Because decks are elevated, you can easily build on top of all types of terrain, whether uneven, hilly, ground, or a flat yard. Additionally, theyre completely customizablethink: upgrading a wood railing to modern metal with glass panes, adding stone columns around the perimeter, or building a gazebo. Once your deck is finished, prepare for your home value to increase thanks to the additional square footage and expansive new view.

The cons: If youre impatient, the biggest downside is construction time, which could take anywhere from one to three weeks or longer depending on permits. Also, decks need long-term maintenance; its recommended to treat them to at least one annual deep cleaning (Steckel suggests a springtime schedule or when temperatures are relatively mild), plus a round of staining and sealing every couple of years. Also youd be wise to budget for repairs like visible rotting planks and cracking or loose stairs or railings, which can cost between $250 and $1,200 on average. However, once your deck is finished, prepare for your home value to increase thanks to the additional square footage and expansive new view. Stone is forever and wood does have a finite life expectancy, Steckel notes of the patio and deck contrast, so keep this in mind when making your final decision.

Patios are ground-level paved spaces that can be attached or detached from the home, Steckel explains. They can be concrete, stone, tile, or brick. A patio can cost anywhere from $500 to $8,000 ($5 to $50 per square foot), although the average project price comes in at around $3,620.

Patios generally fall into two camps: wet laid or dry laid. With the former, your chosen flooring is mortared to a concrete pad (at least 4 inches thick) atop a gravel substrate for drainage. Joints (aka gaps between the stone or brick) are filled in with grout. By contrast, the dry application doesnt use mortar at all. Instead the contractor excavates the area, then adds between 6 and 8 inches of gravel, followed by about 3 to 4 inches of limestone screening (patio leveling material), sand, or a high-performance bedding like Sakrete Paver Base that doesnt solidify, Steckel says. After the flooring is set, polymeric sand fills in the joints. Mind you, patios can also be built with pavers, rock, or pea gravel. Theyre easy to maintain but require routine cleaning to prevent mildew.

The pros: Patios are built flush with the ground, so they dont require safety railings. Also, a basic 10-by-10 gravel style can take as little as a week to install. Cleaning them is a cinch: simply sweep leaves and dirt away on a weekly basis, then once a year use a power washer to blast away built-up grime. (Psst: You can also remove stubborn stains from stone or concrete surfaces with a water-vinegar mixture.)

The cons: Homeowners with uneven land may run into some installation roadblocks, Steckel explains. Additionally, patio design tends to be more restrictive because youre working with less space and a single level. Another thing to consider? Patios are prone to cracking. Despite concrete being a relatively sturdy material, issues with the supporting layer could compromise the overall build down the line. Routine patio repairs to address a crumbling surface, weather damage, or paver replacement can cost between $5 and $25 per square foot, although thats on the low end.

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Deck Versus Patio: Yes, There Is a Difference in Cost, Materials, Elevation, and More - Domino

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United States of AmericaUS Virgin IslandsUnited States Minor Outlying IslandsCanadaMexico, United Mexican StatesBahamas, Commonwealth of theCuba, Republic ofDominican RepublicHaiti, Republic ofJamaicaAfghanistanAlbania, People's Socialist Republic ofAlgeria, People's Democratic Republic ofAmerican SamoaAndorra, Principality ofAngola, Republic ofAnguillaAntarctica (the territory South of 60 deg S)Antigua and BarbudaArgentina, Argentine RepublicArmeniaArubaAustralia, Commonwealth ofAustria, Republic ofAzerbaijan, Republic ofBahrain, Kingdom ofBangladesh, People's Republic ofBarbadosBelarusBelgium, Kingdom ofBelizeBenin, People's Republic ofBermudaBhutan, Kingdom ofBolivia, Republic ofBosnia and HerzegovinaBotswana, Republic ofBouvet Island (Bouvetoya)Brazil, Federative Republic ofBritish Indian Ocean Territory (Chagos Archipelago)British Virgin IslandsBrunei DarussalamBulgaria, People's Republic ofBurkina FasoBurundi, Republic ofCambodia, Kingdom ofCameroon, United Republic ofCape Verde, Republic ofCayman IslandsCentral African RepublicChad, Republic ofChile, Republic ofChina, People's Republic ofChristmas IslandCocos (Keeling) IslandsColombia, Republic ofComoros, Union of theCongo, Democratic Republic ofCongo, People's Republic ofCook IslandsCosta Rica, Republic ofCote D'Ivoire, Ivory Coast, Republic of theCyprus, Republic ofCzech RepublicDenmark, Kingdom ofDjibouti, Republic ofDominica, Commonwealth ofEcuador, Republic ofEgypt, Arab Republic ofEl Salvador, Republic ofEquatorial Guinea, Republic ofEritreaEstoniaEthiopiaFaeroe IslandsFalkland Islands (Malvinas)Fiji, Republic of the Fiji IslandsFinland, Republic ofFrance, French RepublicFrench GuianaFrench PolynesiaFrench Southern TerritoriesGabon, Gabonese RepublicGambia, Republic of theGeorgiaGermanyGhana, Republic ofGibraltarGreece, Hellenic RepublicGreenlandGrenadaGuadaloupeGuamGuatemala, Republic ofGuinea, RevolutionaryPeople's Rep'c ofGuinea-Bissau, Republic ofGuyana, Republic ofHeard and McDonald IslandsHoly See (Vatican City State)Honduras, Republic ofHong Kong, Special Administrative Region of ChinaHrvatska (Croatia)Hungary, Hungarian People's RepublicIceland, Republic ofIndia, Republic ofIndonesia, Republic ofIran, Islamic Republic ofIraq, Republic ofIrelandIsrael, State ofItaly, Italian RepublicJapanJordan, Hashemite Kingdom ofKazakhstan, Republic ofKenya, Republic ofKiribati, Republic ofKorea, Democratic People's Republic ofKorea, Republic ofKuwait, State ofKyrgyz RepublicLao People's Democratic RepublicLatviaLebanon, Lebanese RepublicLesotho, Kingdom ofLiberia, Republic ofLibyan Arab JamahiriyaLiechtenstein, Principality ofLithuaniaLuxembourg, Grand Duchy ofMacao, Special Administrative Region of ChinaMacedonia, the former Yugoslav Republic ofMadagascar, Republic ofMalawi, Republic ofMalaysiaMaldives, Republic ofMali, Republic ofMalta, Republic ofMarshall IslandsMartiniqueMauritania, Islamic Republic ofMauritiusMayotteMicronesia, Federated States ofMoldova, Republic ofMonaco, Principality ofMongolia, Mongolian People's RepublicMontserratMorocco, Kingdom ofMozambique, People's Republic ofMyanmarNamibiaNauru, Republic ofNepal, Kingdom ofNetherlands AntillesNetherlands, Kingdom of theNew CaledoniaNew ZealandNicaragua, Republic ofNiger, Republic of theNigeria, Federal Republic ofNiue, Republic ofNorfolk IslandNorthern Mariana IslandsNorway, Kingdom ofOman, Sultanate ofPakistan, Islamic Republic ofPalauPalestinian Territory, OccupiedPanama, Republic ofPapua New GuineaParaguay, Republic ofPeru, Republic ofPhilippines, Republic of thePitcairn IslandPoland, Polish People's RepublicPortugal, Portuguese RepublicPuerto RicoQatar, State ofReunionRomania, Socialist Republic ofRussian FederationRwanda, Rwandese RepublicSamoa, Independent State ofSan Marino, Republic ofSao Tome and Principe, Democratic Republic ofSaudi Arabia, Kingdom ofSenegal, Republic ofSerbia and MontenegroSeychelles, Republic ofSierra Leone, Republic ofSingapore, Republic ofSlovakia (Slovak Republic)SloveniaSolomon IslandsSomalia, Somali RepublicSouth Africa, Republic ofSouth Georgia and the South Sandwich IslandsSpain, Spanish StateSri Lanka, Democratic Socialist Republic ofSt. HelenaSt. Kitts and NevisSt. LuciaSt. Pierre and MiquelonSt. Vincent and the GrenadinesSudan, Democratic Republic of theSuriname, Republic ofSvalbard & Jan Mayen IslandsSwaziland, Kingdom ofSweden, Kingdom ofSwitzerland, Swiss ConfederationSyrian Arab RepublicTaiwan, Province of ChinaTajikistanTanzania, United Republic ofThailand, Kingdom ofTimor-Leste, Democratic Republic ofTogo, Togolese RepublicTokelau (Tokelau Islands)Tonga, Kingdom ofTrinidad and Tobago, Republic ofTunisia, Republic ofTurkey, Republic ofTurkmenistanTurks and Caicos IslandsTuvaluUganda, Republic ofUkraineUnited Arab EmiratesUnited Kingdom of Great Britain & N. IrelandUruguay, Eastern Republic ofUzbekistanVanuatuVenezuela, Bolivarian Republic ofViet Nam, Socialist Republic ofWallis and Futuna IslandsWestern SaharaYemenZambia, Republic ofZimbabwe

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A sight for sore feet: Meet the project that will make the SLC airport walk easier - The Herald Journal

East Haddam, Conn. | $2.875 MillionA 1732 house with four bedrooms and four and a half bathrooms, on a nine-acre lot

This house sits on a wooded road not far from Gillette Castle State Park, where the main attraction is a medieval-style house built in the early 20th century by the actor William Gillette, surrounded by walking trails and picnic areas. The Hadlyme Ferry Boat Launch, the departure point for ferries crossing the Connecticut River into the town of Chester, is half a mile away.

While the area feels remote, larger cities are within commuting distance: New Haven is about an hour away; Hartford is about a 45-minute drive; and New York City and Boston are about three hours away, depending on traffic.

Size: 3,506 square feet

Price per square foot: $820

Indoors: A long driveway leads from the street to the garage. From there, a footpath leads to a side entrance with a Dutch door that opens into a kitchen with a beamed ceiling, a Bosch range, black granite counters, tile floors and room for a breakfast table next to windows overlooking the grounds. Behind the kitchen is a mudroom with access to a half bathroom.

Beyond the kitchen is a family room with built-in bookshelves and cabinets. A wood-paneled dining room with a fireplace and a living room with another fireplace are also in this part of the house. Off the living room is a sunroom with floor-to-ceiling bookshelves and heated floors.

From the living room, a staircase leads to three bedrooms on the second floor. At the end of the upstairs hall is the primary suite, which has a bedroom with a fireplace and a bathroom with radiant-heated floors and a glass walk-in shower. Next door is a guest room with original wood paneling and toile wallpaper. Across the hall is another guest room that holds a queen-size four-poster bed. Both guest rooms have en suite bathrooms.

The fourth bedroom is on the third floor, with another en suite bathroom.

Outdoor space: A stone patio next to the house is shaded by mature trees. From there, paths lead to a saltwater swimming pool surrounded by stone and to a boxwood garden with a stone fountain at the center. Also on the property is a garden folly that the sellers use for dinner parties. The detached garage holds two cars.

Taxes: $14,448 (estimated)

Contact: Colette Harron, William Pitt Sothebys International Realty, 860-304-2391; sothebysrealty.com

This house is in Magnolia, a neighborhood known for its wide, tree-lined streets and gently sloping hills that offer views of Elliott Bay. It is a few blocks from a retail district with a French bakery, a drugstore and several cafes and coffee shops.

A number of green spaces are nearby: Magnolia Playfield, which has pickleball and tennis courts, is less than half a mile away, and the 534-acre Discovery Park is five minutes away by car. Driving into downtown Seattle takes about 15 minutes.

Size: 3,160 square feet

Price per square foot: $916

Indoors: From the sidewalk, steps lead up to the front door, which opens into a long foyer with tile floors. To the right is an eat-in kitchen with stainless steel appliances, including a Viking range, and a center island with storage for cookbooks.

At the end of the foyer is a sunny family room with parquet floors and a built-in entertainment center. Behind it is a windowed dining area with a long built-in bar.

From the foyer, stairs lead up to a hall, with the primary suite at the far end. The bedroom is carpeted, with a built-in window seat and a door to the patio; the bathroom has a soaking tub and a separate shower. Another full bathroom and a guest room, currently used as a home office, are also off the hall.

The staircase continues up to the top level of the house, which has a loft-style bedroom with a skylight and a full bathroom.

The basement level, reached from stairs in the family room, includes a den with a white-painted brick fireplace, another full bathroom, a laundry room and an open space that could be used as a gym.

Outdoor space: The patio off the primary bedroom and the family room is big enough for separate dining and sitting areas. It steps up to an elevated sitting area with garden views. The attached garage holds three cars.

Taxes: $16,308 (estimated)

Contact: Jen Cameron and James Campbell, The Agency, 425-305-9400 or 206-778-2424; theagencyre.com

This house was built on a parklike lot for a prominent local family, and additional houses were constructed for the original owners children and other relatives. Today, the houses are individually owned, but residents still share various amenities, including a pond, a swimming pool and private green space.

The home is just off East Seventh Street, in a neighborhood where historic houses abound, among them the Colorado Governors Mansion, built in 1908, and the Adolph Zang Mansion, built in 1903 for a brewery magnate. It is a few blocks from Governors Park, which has public art installations and a childrens playground, and a 10-minute walk from a Trader Joes.

Size: 6,026 square feet

Price per square foot: $480

Indoors: A wrought-iron fence separates this property from the sidewalk, with a gate at the side opening to a path that leads to the entrance, flanked by two sets of white columns.

Inside is a grand foyer with blue-and-white floral wallpaper and tile floors. Off this space are a powder room with an original stained-glass window; a study with built-in bookshelves; and under the main staircase, a cigar room with stained-glass windows that have a pipe motif.

Wood-and-glass pocket doors in the foyer open to a formal living room with elaborate crown molding, hardwood floors, a crystal chandelier and a fireplace. In this part of the house, there is also a sunroom used as a den.

On the other side of the main level is a formal dining room with coffered ceilings, built-in window seats and another crystal chandelier. Beyond is an updated kitchen with stainless steel appliances and access to the back staircase.

The wide staircase at the center of the house leads to the five bedrooms on the upper levels. The primary suite is on the second level, with a sitting area anchored by a fireplace and two bathrooms, one with a walk-in shower and the other with a deep soaking tub. One guest room on this level has an en-suite bathroom, with another full bathroom off the hallway. Three more guest rooms are on the third level; they share a full bathroom.

Outdoor space: The residents of this house have the exclusive use of a deck on the roof of the garage that has a low iron fence and is big enough to hold a dining table and chairs. The pond, the swimming pool and the adjoining patios are shared with residents of the surrounding homes. A two-car garage is attached to the house.

Taxes: $9,456 (estimated) and a $2,112 monthly homeowner association fee

Contact: Rachel Gallegos, Milehimodern, 720-308-2615; milehimodern.com

For weekly email updates on residential real estate news, sign up here. Follow us on Twitter: @nytrealestate.

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$2.9 Million Homes in Connecticut, Washington and Colorado - The New York Times

Solidspac3, Inc.

Variance Reports Prioritize Issues to Deliver Projects on Time and on Budget

Spac3 QA/QC Construction Variance Report

Spac3 QA/QC construction variance report showing installation errors and deviation from design intent

SAN FRANCISCO, Aug. 02, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Solidspac3 has released Spac3 2022, a SaaS solution that delivers interactive and prioritized QA/QC variance reports (VR3) within 12 hours. Spac3 makes it easy to visualize discrepancies between reality capture (point cloud) and design intent on a single platform, helping construction teams understand and fix installation issues before they require expensive rework. Spac3 is a stand-alone cloud-based app that requires no additional tools or training to review reports.

Fast New Features in Spac3 2022

Variance Reports in 12 Hours. Reporting time has been cut in half from 24 hours to 12 hours with this release. Teams can upload a new point cloud at the end of the workday and have the variance reports in hand first thing in the morning for trade meetings on the job site.

Performance Improvements. Quickly view, walk through, and take measurements in the 3D variance reports while in a browser. This release delivers crisp resolution with easy zooming and 3D orbitaldespite the massive files sizes and real-time calculations to combine point clouds, BIM and variance displays.

Smart New Features in Spac3 2022

Interactive reports. For each variance, users can click between the 2D/3D drawings/BIM and point cloud and simultaneously compare plan to reality in 3D space. Users can make accurate measurements in 3D to better understand problems and determine corrective actions.

Toggle for transparency. Users can see inside walls, floors, and ceilings by toggling transparency on.

Cross-sectioning. BIM and point clouds can be cross sectioned to better understand clashes and alignment.

Sort by priority and severity. Variance reports are sorted in order of priority and issue severity to aid decision making.

PDF versions of reports to use in the field. Variance reports can be distributed via PDF that can be marked up.

Reports for concrete construction and structural deflection. Application-specific reports for concrete construction (floor flatness [F/F], levelness [F/L], and crack monitoring) as well as structural deflection/deviation.

BCF format support. BIM Collaboration Format (BCF) exports and imports are supported to make it easy to coordinate and produce RFIs in other software applications.

Story continues

Spac3 2022 enables construction teams to quickly prioritize and fix QA issues in the field through an easy to on-board app, said Shung Chieh Ph.D., Solidspac3 CTO. Weve removed the complexity and manual heavy lifting usually required to analyze discrepancies between BIM and reality capture, and deliver a report that is verified, prioritized, and easy to understand. With our interactive reports, users can simultaneously view BIM models and reality capture point clouds and make accurate measurements in 3D. By toggling the visibility and transparency of floor and wall components, we make it easy to review actual placement of components behind concrete, walls, and floors and see issues. With our new BCF (BIM Collaboration Format) support, Spac3 reports can be imported into other applications for project management and CAD. Built on Autodesks Forge platform, Spac3 supports a wide array of CAD formats, including Revit, Navisworks, AutoCAD and IFC (International Foundation Class), as well as support the open, vendor neutral E57 point cloud format. We support point cloud workflows from Leica, Faro, Trimble, Autodesk Recap, and others.

About Solidspac3Solidspac3 (www.solidspac3.com) is a privately held construction technology company providing near real time insight into the construction process. Using our cloud-based analytics platform we compare plans (construction drawings or BIM) to reality and inform all stakeholders of any construction execution mistakes. By identifying and addressing these issues as they occur, the project can save up to 10% of the total cost and eliminate delays. Our application enables the construction industry to avoid much of the $500B per year it spends on rework.

For more information contact:

Company Contact:Alex Von Svoboda, alex.von.svoboda@solidspac3.com

PR Contact:Becky Stevens, becky.stevens@virtualmarketing-pr.com, +1 713 444-6860

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/5f1d4a10-12c6-40d5-bd88-d77a98dc3285

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Spac3 2022 Extends the BIM Construction Workflow with Interactive QA/QC Reporting - Yahoo Finance

I dont know about you, but as far as aging goes, I have a plan. Plan A is that I will not age. Plan B is, if I must age, I will go down swinging.

Thus, I was encouraged to learn that new technology and a forward-minded designer promise to make aging at home a lot easier. And, according to a recent AARP survey, 77% of those over the age of 50 want to age in place. (That is lingo for not going to a nursing home.)

That percentage jumps to 86% among those over 65, which tells me that the older you get, the less appealing the idea of sitting in a nursing home under someones thumb with no car keys becomes.

Boomers are especially reluctant to give up their freedom, said interior designer Lisa Cini, a senior living design expert and owner of Mosaic Design Studio, of Columbus, Ohio. Especially after COVID went down, and assisted living centers became places no one could visit or leave, boomers are even more determined to guard their autonomy.

And shes making it easier for them. After 25 years of designing assisted-living facilities, and after remodeling her own Columbus home so it could accommodate four generations she and her husband, their two teenagers, her 70-something parents and her 92-year-old grandmother who had dementia Cini channeled her personal and professional knowledge of senior living into a novel project.

After her grandmother died, and the kids had gone off to college and careers, she found a historic mansion in her town for sale. She bought it and turned it into a nine-bedroom, short-term rental designed to host seniors in comfort, safety and style. (I like the style part. If Im going to age in place, that place has to look good.)

What more can you do besides get rid of trip hazards, add lighting, widen doorways for wheelchairs and walkers, and install lever door handles, I asked Cini over the phone.

A lot.

The Werner House features more than 50 senior-centric technologies that Cini secured through her interior design connections, most of which blend invisibly into the beautiful decor. Some guests stay, and never know theres anything unusual, she added.

Indeed, as Cini takes me on a virtual tour, what strikes me most is that nothing in the 10,000-plus-square-foot property screams this is for old people! Tech touches throughout are discreet and practical. In addition to the bedrooms and their adjoining bathrooms, the short-term has a ballroom, a fitness spa and walking pool, a speakeasy, three kitchens, and a movie and music room.

Marketed as an Airbnb with a mission, The Werner House (www.infinite-living.org), which opened to guests in April, aims to subtly market products to those who want to age in place, and encourage them to experience new technology during their stay that they may later embrace at home, said Cini. She ultimately wants to take the short-term rental concept nationwide.

Heres a sampling of the built-in amenities:

FLOORS THAT FEEL: Five of the suites feature Sole with SensFloor technology from Shaw Floors. The subfloor, which allows any kind of flooring to go over it, has built-in sensors that can detect when someone falls, versus when theyre just sitting on the floor, and can then send the appropriate alert for help. You can also program the product so that when your feet hit the floor from bed, the bathroom light goes on.

NOISE-CANCELING CARPET: In public areas like the dining room, speakeasy and living room, the carpet has noise-cancellation technology. Many seniors have hearing loss, and stop going out to eat because its so hard for them to hear, Cini said. The carpet absorbs the din, making conversations easier.

FIRMER SEATS: Anyone who has ever sunk into a low, soft chair and felt as if they needed two men and a crane to pull them out will appreciate that the cushions on chairs and sofas throughout the Werner House are made of ultra-dense foam, and no seat is lower than 19 inches. Some upholstered club chairs have a handsome wood and brass hangar on their backs, for holding a folded-up walker.

FULL-SERVICE BATHROOMS: Adjustable toilets raise up to help guests get seated, and lower for ease of use. Toilet paper holders have built-in grab bars, and bidet seats have been added to standard toilets to aid hygiene. People dont understand the awesomeness of a bidet toilet seat, Cini said. For $400, anyone can put a bidet seat on a regular toilet and save a lot in toilet paper.

SINKS THAT SYNCH: Bathrooms also feature adjustable sinks that can drop down to wheelchair height, side grab bars on sinks to help people stand and sit, and accessible spa tubs.

CABINETS THAT COME TO YOU: In kitchens, smart cabinets have a mechanism that lets them come off the wall and down to your level, a boon for those who have difficulty reaching and lifting items from upper cabinets. Once you have what you need, back goes the cabinet.

Kitchen counters are height adjustable to accommodate both a 5-foot woman and her 6-foot husband. This is a big deal for cutting, said Cini, which is all about leverage.

Having a house that adjusts to you and keeps you safe shouldnt be out of the question, she said.

And now its not.

Marni Jameson can be reached atwww.marnijameson.com.

I lecture you all the time about properly storing and organizing all the things that matter, so they are safe and accessible, as if I have all

Todays story begins in a crowded marketplace in New Delhi, India, in the mid-'60s. Martha Ramsay, of Bristow, Virginia, had just bought three

The keys had barely changed hands when my daughter said, First, we get a new shower.

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Seniors can live at home longer with new tech, from floors that recognize falls to adjustable toilets - NOLA.com

Though an easy fix, it may never occur to you to change out the filter for your heating or air conditioning system. Preventative measures like this can take just minutes to do but can help ensure your system is working efficiently and help save thousands of dollars in the long run from costly repairs," said Brian and Mika Kleinschmit of American Standard Heating & Air Conditioning partners, who are the stars of HGTVs 100 Day Dream Home. "Clogged filters are an added cost and ensuring your home has a clean one can save up to $30 a month. To maximize airflow and efficiency, and help your system operate correctly, replace dirty air conditioner filters monthly leading up to and throughout the summer months. This easy swap will decrease energy use and improve air quality.

These pleated air filters are a cinch to install, trap tiny particles such as lint, household dust, and dust mite debris, and, to top it all off, cost less than $50 for a pack of six so you can expect efficient energy use and clean air flowing right into your lungs.

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Contractors & Other Experts Swear By These Easy Hacks To Save You A Lot Of Money Around The House - Bustle

Whether youre a home owner doing renovations or a contractor planning a new build, its not easy to find the right products at the right price but theres a flooring store in the Comox Valley that not only has the look youll love, but the helpful experts to get the job done right.

At End of the Roll Flooring Centre in Courtenay, youll find the flooring products to suite any taste, lifestyle and budget. Their 7,000-square-foot showroom boasts a fantastic selection of hardwood, carpets, vinyl, laminates, and tiles to browse and consider. With the largest inventory in the Comox Valley, theyll always have the brand name flooring youre looking for in stock.

What makes this flooring business stand out is the exceptional sales and service provided by their team. Their job doesnt end with the sale. Their friendly staff really are experts in the flooring industry they can answer anything you need to know about flooring, no matter where you are in the process.

With 25 years at End of the Roll under his belt, and as owner of both the Penticton and Courtenay locations, Jason McKinnon loves to sing the praises of his dedicated staff.

Our new manager at the Courtenay store, Blair Fenton, has five years experience with us, and is a young, enthusiastic professional, McKinnon says. When it comes to restoration and insurance work and dealing with claims hes got it mastered. We know it can be an anxious time for homeowners who just need the job done, so were here to help make that as easy as possible.

End of the Roll Courtenay showroom has a fantastic selection of flooring to choose from and the friendly, expert staff to help you get the job done right from start to finish.

End of the Roll Flooring Centre Courtenay is your go-to source for flooring supplies and installation for every room in your home: kitchen, bedroom, bathroom, living room, dining room, basement, den, gym, hallways, stairs and more. They work hard to provide exceptional customer service and ensure you have the information and products you need to tackle your new build or renovation project.

With our showroom team and five or six dedicated installers, we can do your job, big or small, from start to finish, McKinnon says.

And with such a wide selection and large inventory, cash and carry service is always available for End of the Roll customers. You can rest assured that the products and installation service will meet or exceed your expectations everything they do is fully warrantied.

Find out more on Facebook and Instagram, call them at 250-334-9394 or request a free online estimate before heading down to their beautiful new showroom at 2998 Kilpatrick Avenue #2.

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Flooring Store gets the job done, and at the right price - Comox Valley Record

All three firms have established a strong presence in Colorado and beyond, working with industries ranging from office and higher education to healthcare and government, including Fortune 100 and Fortune 500 companies, as well as small businesses. In total, these firms have supported the creation of more than 38 million square feet of commercial interior space for the top employers in the region in the last three years alone. The combined company will be the largest of its kind in the region with hundreds of brands under one umbrella.

"The future of work is all about delivering inspiring experiences and creating places where people want to be," said Traci Lounsbury, CEO of elements. "Joining forces with OfficeScapes and Floorz provides us with a stronger foundation from which to help customers achieve their workplace goals. Together, we'll be able to offer the latest in design, enhanced capabilities, unmatched product access, and a higher level of operational excellence for our customers."

Since founding in 2008, elements has expanded its services across multiple studios and become a recognized leader in next-generation commercial interiors. Through organic growth and acquisitions, the company is recognized as one of the largest woman-owned businesses in the state, with 120 employees and total 2021 revenues of $80 million.

OfficeScapes has led the region in commercial furniture offerings since 1998 and has been in operation since 1951. Headquartered in Denver, the company has an additional location in Fort Collins, with 143 employees and total 2021 revenue of $95 million.

"Our goal has always been to provide the best possible experience for both our team members and our customers, and this combination will allow us to do both," said Bob Deibel, President of OfficeScapes. "We recognized early on in our conversations that our organizations were aligned in both our values and our belief in the power of great workplace design. The combination of our skillsets will create unique synergies for our customers, and we look forward to integrating our three teams over the coming months."

OfficeScapes has consistently achieved the exclusive Steelcase Premier Partner designation and has long represented the full Steelcase portfolio of products. Moving forward, the combined company will continue to represent Steelcase, while offering access to hundreds of other manufacturers from furnishings to architectural products, technology, signage and graphics, and more.

"Our dealer partners are an integral part of the Steelcase experience. Together, we provide our clients with industry-leading expertise and services. Having the most trusted and proven dealer network in the industry does not happen by chance. At Steelcase, we continuously strive to make our dealers the best they can be," said Eddy Schmitt, Senior Vice President at Steelcase. "In Colorado, OfficeScapes has been an outstanding Steelcase dealer partner for more than three decades. Their team just got stronger thanks to their merger with elements. We'rethrilled to welcome the exceptional elements team to the Steelcase dealer family."

Floorz offers end-to-end flooring solutions to optimize efficiency and execution for commercial clients. Founded in 2000, Floorz is the leader in Colorado's commercial floorcovering market. With headquarters in Denver and an office in Colorado Springs, Floorz has 60 employees and 2021 revenue of $40 million.

"This move gives us the necessary scale to support increased investment in our business, a greater reach and enhanced capabilities for our clients across the Rocky Mountain Region," said Jason Blake, President of Floorz.

The newly combined company will maintain all of its current locations and staff, and will eventually bring the Denver teams together under one roof. The merger is expected to officially close later this month. For more information on the company's capabilities, please visit https://www.workplaceelements.com/merger.

About elements

elements is a recognized leader in next-generation commercial interiors, completing major projects for Fortune 100 and Fortune 500 clients, as well as small businesses. Across multiple studios, elements provides a comprehensive portfolio of products and services for the interior built environment. The company combines interiors expertise with construction capability and the collaborative, cross-functional process of human-centered design. This holistic approach to the built environment creates a seamless experience and exceptional results for customers.

About OfficeScapes

OfficeScapes is the leader in the Colorado office furnishings market, helping organizations transform their workplaces to build engagement, support productivity, and accomplish business goals. With its affiliated companies, OfficeScapes can provide a complete interior solution, including furniture, flooring and floor coverings, interior construction, technology infrastructure, and audiovisual products. OfficeScapes is an elite Steelcase Premier Partner and exclusively represents the full Steelcase portfolio of products in Colorado and Wyoming.

About Steelcase

Organizations around the world trust Steelcase to help them create places that help people work better, be inspired and accomplish more. The company designs, manufactures, and partners with other leading organizations to provide architecture, furniture, and technology solutions accessible through a network of channels, including over 800 Steelcase dealer locations. Steelcase is a global, industry-leading, and publicly traded company with fiscal year 2022 revenue of $2.8 billion. For more information, visitsteelcase.com.

About Floorz

Floorz is a dominate force in the commercial flooring arena, known for unparalleled choreography of the largest and complex flooring projects in the Rocky Mountain Region. Floorz EcoCare and Floorz Polish + Coatings are company affiliates, and part of the company's full-service flooring solutions and installation services.

Contact:Sarah Cullen[emailprotected]303-931-1910

SOURCE elements, OfficeScapes and Floorz

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OFFICESCAPES AND FLOORZ MERGE WITH ELEMENTS TO BECOME REGION'S MOST COMPREHENSIVE INTERIOR SOLUTIONS PARTNER - PR Newswire

A chipped tile can be a trip hazard and you can cut your foot on the sharp edges. Chipped and broken tiles must be repaired. Dirty and crumbled grout can make your home appear unkempt.

Heres how to remedy both.

A cracked tile floor could indicate a cracked concrete floor that has telegraphed through to the tile. Telegraphed means the flooring will take on any imperfections, protrusions, or undulations in the substrate (foundation). It is often a result of poor installation and maintenance.

There are several ways of handling telegraphing. The best way is to remove all of the cracked tiles plus an additional row on each side of the cracked tiles.

Completely clean the concrete floor, exposing the crack underneath the tile. Most professional floor covering wholesalers and retailers carry a floating bitumen membrane (usually 6-8 inches wide, sometimes 12 inches wide) that you apply over the top of the crack. It serves as a cushion and shock absorber between the tile and the crack itself. Then you simply respread the thinset mastic and relay the tile and grout as usual. This process, called slip-sheeting, has a much better success ratio in solving the cracked tile problem than other options you may be tempted to try.

If you have chipped tiles, any good epoxy glue-type product will repair ceramic or Saltillo tile (if you still have the chipped piece). However, refinishing the surface to match the original tile can be tricky. You may want to try using a similar color of auto body paint to make the blemish disappear.

If you need to replace tile and do not have extra from the original installation, and it has been many years since it was installed, you may have trouble finding a perfect match.

Once you have selected the right color and texture (or as close as you can), be sure it is the same size as the one(s) being replaced. Buy extra tiles so that if other tiles break down the road, you will have the best match to at least the one(s) you just replaced.

Tools needed for removing and replacing tile:

tileutility knifehand grout sawcold chiselhammereye protectionwork glovesspongeclean ragfloor adhesiverubber floatbucketlevelwatergrout

1.Remove the unrepairable tile by cutting the grout around it with a utility knife or hand grout saw2.Carefully chip out the tile by setting the cold chisel in the crack. Hit it with the hammer until the cold chisel can scoot under the tile. Be sure not to damage the surrounding tiles and grout.3.Remove any adhesive that remains on the floor with a damp sponge.4.Thoroughly clean the area, making sure all the bits of adhesive and tile are cleared away.5.If the tile is cracked because the foundation is cracked, apply the floating bitumen membrane first. Then liberally apply the tile adhesive to the area where the new tile will be placed. Spread it out evenly using the flat side of the trowel. Then use the notched side to make grooves in the adhesive.6.Place the new tile on the surface, and make sure it is level with the rest of the floor.7.Remove excess adhesive from the tile and the surrounding area. Let it dry for a few hours.

Now it is time to grout the tile into place.

There are three major types of grout:

Unsanded/nonsanded grout

Made from mixing cement, water, and non-sand particles, it is used in grout lines smaller than an eighth of an inch wide. Because it does not have abrasive particles, this type of grout is great for natural stone such as polished marble and ceramic tile on shower floors and walls.

Sanded grout

A cement-based mortar that is ideal for grout lines that are larger than an eighth of an inch, it is great for ceramic and stone tile. Because it is absorbent and may attract dirt; it should be sealed.

Epoxy grout

Strong, durable, and versatile, epoxy grout is made by combining epoxy resins and hardeners. Impermeable to liquids and moisture, it is likely to be used for backsplashes, kitchen floors, and bathrooms. We love it, as it doesnt need to be sealed, but because it is epoxy-based it is tricky to use.

To find a grout that matches what is currently in place, start by deep cleaning the grout around the nearby tiles with an oxygen bleach powder mixed with water. Grout swatches are available at flooring stores.

Match the swatch to the existing grout and buy more than needed. That way you will already have it on hand if you need to replace grout in other areas later on.

Lets get to grouting.

1.Following the grout manufacturers instructions, mix the grout.2.Grout the tile into the floor using the rubber float. Apply the grout into the cracks diagonally.3.Drag the round handle along the new grout lines for a clean, finished appearance.4.After the repair is finished, clean the tile, and seal the grout. Click here to learn how to clean the tile and seal the grout.

Weekly sweeping and mopping of the floor, regular inspection of tile and grout and resealing will keep your flooring in good condition for a long time.

Join Rosie on the House every Saturday morning from 8 a.m. to 11 a.m. on KTAR News 92.3 FM. If youd like to send us questions or comments, email mailto:info@rosieonthehouse.com. Follow us on Twitter and Like us on Facebook. For more do-it-yourself tips, go to rosieonthehouse.com. An Arizona home building and remodeling industry expert since 1988, Rosie Romero is the host of the syndicated Saturday morning Rosie on the House radio program. Call 888-767-4348 with questions and comments.

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How to repair chipped or broken tile and replace grout - KTAR.com