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Home Improvement

by Editorial Staff--South Jersey Magazine
These experts share their spring checklist to give your house a whole new look.

Builders & Construction
Signature Home Solutions is a full-service, family-owned home improvement company that is proud to serve the South Jersey market. They provide high-quality roofing, siding, windows, gutters, shutters, decks and more to help fix or prevent problems with your home. They will work with you to make decisions on your dream home, whether you are remodeling the interior or exterior of your home. At SHS, no job is too big or too small.

Not only do they take pride in the quality of our work, they are committed to providing the highest quality of materials. SHS employees are constantly learning and expanding their knowledge and experience, so you receive the best quality of workmanship. Signature Home Solutions
(856) 552-0496 |?SignatureHS.com

Under Construction realizes having your spring project completed in a timely manner is important, and they strive to make sure down time is minimized. So call early this spring for an estimate. Ask which renovations offer a larger return on your investment, both financially and with overall functionality both at your home or Shore home.

They proudly offer the following remodeling and renovation services for the spring: additions, remodeling, outdoor kitchens, single/split level decks, porches and sunrooms, all kinds of renovations. Under Construction Builders LLC
(856) 354-0831 |?UCBuildersNJ.com

Outdoor Kitchens

You may be familiar with Ferguson Bath, Kitchen & Lighting Gallery’s large selection of kitchen products including beautiful plumbing fixtures, lighting and appliances. But did you know they can also help make your dream outdoor kitchen a reality as well? Here are a few tips for designing a kitchen space outdoors:
*The style of the kitchen should complement the design of your interior spaces and landscaping.
*Do not isolate the cook. Keep the location of the outdoor kitchen close to other entertaining areas.
*Just like with an indoor kitchen, group functional zones nearby: cold areas (refrigeration), hot areas (grills and cooktops), wet areas (sinks) and dry areas (prep counters and storage).
*For appliances, stainless steel is the perfect choice because it is corrosion-resistant and can withstand harsh weather.
*Remember to include adequate lighting. Task lighting is especially important when cooking for guests at night. Ferguson Bath, Kitchen & Lighting Gallery
(856) 489-5620 | (609) 485-2266 |?Ferguson.com

The trends we see today are moving toward outdoor living spaces. The kitchen is one of the most popular areas moving outdoors, so it is important to understand the function and design of your outdoor kitchen.

At Matteo Kitchens, they can help you attain your dream outdoor kitchen, with design specialists to help you every step of the way. The most important thing to remember is to have enough space to accommodate all of your appliances and plumbing needs. Matteo Kitchens
(856) 769-2490 |?Matteo.com

Outdoor Lighting

Yale Lighting Concepts & Design’s showroom in Cherry Hill offers a large selection of designer inspired lighting ceiling fans and home accessories from classics to the latest styles and energy saving ideas on the market today. Top name brands make up their inventory. They are pleased to offer new LED products as well as landscaping lighting designs with spring around the corner. Stop in to see all that they offer. Yale Lighting Concepts
(856) 489-3000 |?YaleLightingConcepts.com

Landscapes & Lawn Care

Landscapes, like anything of great value, require routine maintenance in order to sustain their attractive appearance and health. Eaise Design offers a full-service landscape maintenance and turf management program. Many homeowners can benefit from their Spring Program, including: spring cleanup, mowing, fertilizing, professional pruning, pest control, weeding, watering and sprinkler programs, as well as general detailing to maintain the optimum appearance. They work; you don’t. Eaise Design & Landscaping, Inc.
(856) 428-7769 |?Eaise.com

As winter turns to spring, consumers will be eager to spruce up their yards. One of the easiest ways to freshen up the yard is to add new types of flowering shrubs and summer perennials. These can be blended in with the more established shrubs and trees on your property. Your yard will take on a whole new look with some simple additions. Oakshade suggests you try ones that bloom in summer and fall, extending that “all season” color.

Knock Out roses are one of the easiest ways to add “all season” color. They can bloom from May through October and truly are a “no-care” rose outside of regular watering. If shade is your issue, then add coral bells, which have a broad range of leaf colors to brighten any dark spot. The key is to add plants that create interest year round. Concentrate on areas you enjoy the most—such as the back patio and front driveway entrance. Small changes can have a big impact. These are the best ways to give your property a fresh look for 2012. Oakshade Nursery, Inc.
(609) 268-1502 |?Oakshade.com

Today, there are several unique products that make maintaining a lush, vibrant landscape easier than ever. A Y-Turf installed synthetic surface is one such option, offering a magnificently landscaped lawn with little or no maintenance. Is this option right for your outdoor living environment?
* Ideal for lawn areas where sun and water may hinder growth, a synthetic surface offers year-round beauty that withstands the elements.
*Great for homeowners with little time on their hands as synthetic lawns are virtually maintenance free.
*Perfect for families with kids and pets, synthetic surfaces are environmentally friendly, eliminate grass stains and reduce muddy paws.
*Real to the touch, lush and lifelike synthetic lawns have a fresh-cut appearance and soft pleasing feel.
*Unparalleled for golf lovers, synthetic turf can create authentic at-home putting greens with first-rate quality, durability and performance.

Young’s professional designers work with you to find the right mix of Y-Turf installed synthetic lawns and all landscape options, including natural plantings, hardscaping, lighting and water features.

Y-Turf
(609) 654-5247 |?Y-Turf.com

Spring is the time to refresh and rejuvenate a home’s landscape—assessing winter damage, pruning, mulching and weeding. Young’s skilled team offers these springtime landscaping “tips” to help:
*Cleanups—Gardens, tree beds, leaves, weeds and loose branches need to be cleared.
*Cut backs—If not cut in the fall, all perennials must be cut back to the ground and ornamental grass should be trimmed to three to six inches.
*Apply fertilizer—To augment weed control, fertilizing lawns adds nutrients to the root system of grass and helps it flourish.
*Add/replace mulch—When mulching, helpful tips include using a pre-emergent weed killer and keeping mulch low around trees so it doesn’t touch the bark.
*Prune shrubs—While many shrubs should be pruned to remove winter damage and control size, there are some exceptions, such as azaleas and rhododendrons. General rule of thumb—for spring blooming shrubs, trim after blooming.
*Check irrigation—A lawn’s irrigation system should be turned on and checked for leaks caused by inclement winter weather.
*Establish tree and shrub care—A comprehensive program, using integrated pest management, provides protection against harmful insects, fungus and other environmental conditions.
*Test soil—Soil pH levels are a key factor in plant growth and is recommended as part of any lawn care program. To maximize year-round enjoyment and long-lasting curb appeal, Young’s offers lawn, tree and shrub care programs to protect your investment and weekly maintenance that includes mowing, trimming, edging and weeding. Young’s Landscape Management
(609) 654-5441 |?YoungsLandscape.com

Pools & Spas

“Current trends in our industry include the use of environmentally friendly “green” products that can reduce the costs associated with pool operation,” says Gary Cop, general manager of Jersey Pools & Spas in Medford. One example of this are smart pumps that offer variable speeds and pools that work by solar power. “Getting off the grid and putting solar energy to work is a new front for pool companies and we believe it’s a trend here to stay. Everyone benefits from this method,” says Cop. Some of the most sought after pool features in new pool construction, says Cop, include tanning ledges, natural stone waterfalls, deck jets and customized lighting. “Fountains, swim-up pool bars and seating benches are popular, too!” Jersey Pools and Spas
(609) 654-4886 |?JerseyPoolsAndSpas.com

Mike McCool from Swim-Mor Pools and Spas in Mount Ephraim says, “The essence of outdoor living at its best is turning your backyard into your own private getaway. In recent years, many homeowners have forgone the expensive vacations with the crowds, unfortunate weather, traffic and more crowds and turned their backyards into their own personal vacations spots with the focal point being a swimming pool with a spa and lounging area or even swim-up bars, outdoor kitchens and cabanas. They are able to turn their backyard into a vacation they are able to enjoy that is right out their back door all summer long.” Swim-Mor Pools and Spas
(856) 809-0909 |?SwimMor.com

Window Tinting Windows let light in and offer beautiful views, but winter can be pretty tough on your home’s furnishing, floors, artwork and decorations. Spring is the time to take a look at where the sun is coming into your home since window tinting can help:
*Maintain privacy without sacrificing natural light
*Keep furnishings and carpet from fading
*Keep the temperature consistent from one room to another
*Eliminate glare on the TV or computer screen
*Impede quick entry through windowpanes and glass doors Eastern Solar Glass
(856) 767-3442 |?EasternSolarGlass.com n

Published (and copyrighted) in South Jersey Magazine, Volume 8, Issue 12 (March, 2012).
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