Many homeowners think a professional-looking lawn requires a stringent water and fertilizer regimen. While both water and fertilizer play their part, neither is the stand-alone key to a perfect lawn. The following five tips offer homeowners simple solutions to achieving a great yard.

* Know your region. Grass seed is not one size fits all. Select the right grass seed or sod based on where you live. It’s also important to consider how you plan to use your lawn. Do you have children and pets that will be playing on it regularly, or will the purpose be primarily curb appeal? To determine the right grass, talk to your local garden center or contact the turf grass specialist at your state agriculture school.

* Only feed as needed. According to Grass Seed USA, a coalition of American grass seed farmers, many homeowners over water their lawns, which does more harm than good. A simple trick to determine whether your lawn needs watering is to stick a screwdriver into the grass. If it enters the dirt easily, your lawn has plenty of water already. If you have trouble getting the screwdriver into the ground, it is time to give the grass a drink. It is also recommended to fertilize your lawn at least once a year. However, putting your lawn on a quarterly schedule will help achieve optimal health.

* Break out the ruler. The maintenance crews for professional sports fields are meticulous about the height of their grass because it ensures a uniform look. Grass Seed USA recommends maintaining a lawn height of about 2 inches. It’s important not to cut more than one-third of the grass height at a time to minimize damage, so aim to mow when your lawn is about 3 inches in height.

* Arm yourself with the right tools. The proper equipment can take a lawn from looking well-manicured to professional. When selecting a mower, don’t jump straight to those that pick up the grass clippings. Allowing the clippings to decompose in the lawn will add to the overall health of your yard, and when you mow often, the shavings are small and less noticeable. Adding an edger to your arsenal is another great trick for cleaning up the lines and defining your yard.

* Replenish as necessary. Grass is a natural carpet that cleans and repairs itself. It’s equipped to withstand a number of elements yet is impacted over time. If you’ve noticed that your lawn is sparse in areas, or not as full and lush as you’d like, it may be time to add more seed. The best time to plant new seed is in the fall when the temperatures are more temperate. But reseeding may be done throughout the year. The important thing is to avoid drastic temperature changes and water regularly, yet moderately, to give the seed time to absorb moisture and build roots.

Growing and maintaining a lush green lawn doesn’t have to come with a backache. Basic planning and these five quick tips will have you well on your way to a backyard prime for the summer season.

One way to transform a house into a dream home is by utilizing the outdoor space with the addition of a new deck or improvements to an existing deck. A deck creates the perfect backyard oasis to escape the stresses of a busy lifestyle, to enjoy the outdoors, grill out, have a party or simply relax. With a deck, a couple can celebrate with friends, children can play outside and parents can retire in comfort.

Many alternative decking choices are available for homeowners seeking high-quality materials with low-maintenance features. Choosing to go with alternative decking materials helps homeowners save money and have more time to spend outdoors enjoying time together. While composite products will need occasional cleaning, they don’t need the sanding, staining, sealing or painting that wood decks require.

There are many choices for deck designs, materials and colors that can make choosing a dream deck a little overwhelming. But deck design tools like those found at TimberTech can help ease the deck design process without having to leave the house.

For example, TimberTech’s product selector can help homeowners determine which alternative decking material works best for their lifestyle. Families with children, pets or even special needs equipment like wheelchairs will be interested in the products offered by TimberTech that can easily withstand high traffic volumes without showing scratches or wear. These products will maintain their good looks and durability in the years to come with minimum cleaning and maintenance.

Online design tools help homeowners envision the perfect colors that match the house and find environmentally friendly decking and railing products. Some homeowners are interested in a clean appearance by using hidden fasteners or railing systems with no exposed hardware, while others pursue a more economical approach to picking the perfect decking. Railing systems provide additional safety and style while lighting options help homeowners illuminate their space for extended time on the deck once the sun has set.

The beauty of composite decking – in addition to the multitude of color and material options – is that it’s fully customizable to whatever style or look is wanted for the deck. Homeowners can opt for a deck and railing design all in one color to perfectly blend in with the house, or can go the contrasting route to make the deck a unique design feature to beautify the backyard.

Decks can be both practical and stylish, which is why many homeowners looking to enhance the look and the value of their home and increase their living space consider replanking an existing wooden deck or adding a new deck. Composite decking products provide many different style options and allow homeowners to enjoy their deck without annual sanding, staining, sealing or painting. To get started on planning a new deck or upgrading your current deck, visit www.timbertech.com.

One manufacturer, Foundry Siding by The Tapco Group, offers a line of Shakes, Shingles and Shapes along with various stone siding profiles and colors in its expanding Stone Collection. While their authenticity to the “real thing” rings true, these premium vinyl panels surpass natural counterparts with an optimal blend of affordability and stout performance – top level Class 1(A) fire resistance, 170 mph wind load rating, 60-plus pounds per inch of  impact resistance and limited lifetime warranty.

“The Foundry has great looks and I like the fact that it meets the strict Florida building code wind load requirement,” says George Williams, owner of Precision Homecrafters in Birmingham, Ala. “With the Foundry’s cedar shake profile, until you walk up and touch it, you don’t know that it’s vinyl. I put it on my home – people see it and they really like it,” notes Williams, who also appreciates the siding’s ultra-low maintenance.

“With our weather the way it is – the severe winters and cold, and also the humidity changes – it’s the right product,” agrees Ray Leonard, construction superintendent at Oot Bros. Construction, a third-generation family-owned builder in East Syracuse, N.Y.

Foundry panels are thicker than many PVC panels, but are thinner and lighter than the polypropylene panels historically used to recreate shake and shingle profiles, so they are easier to cut with snips but still have authentic cast-from-cedar detail. Another major difference distinguishing The Foundry from polypropylene is its Class A fire rating. No polypropylene siding can be listed as Class A due to its flame spread performance –  it requires the option of a fire-resistive treatment in order to meet Class A standards.

The Foundry is certified to meet ASTM D3679 test standards for flammability, heat shrinkage, impact resistance, surface distortion, low-gloss and product weathering. Panels also exceed thickness requirements. The Foundry is ICC-ES certified and carries the Vinyl Siding Institute’s third-party performance certification.

With an efficient 5-foot length, Foundry panels are easily transported, simple to hang, and generate little waste. Conversely, polypropylene shake products can have a scrap rate five times as high as The Foundry. In comparison with another cedar alternative, fiber cement shakes installed cost can add up to twice as much as premium vinyl. Fiber cement also requires regular painting.

With high-performance vinyl’s graduation from a history of limited neutral colors, innovations in UV-fade protection have allowed for enhanced color retention. In the Foundry’s case, a proprietary cap stock keeps its bold spectrum of 41 colors looking rich.

The Foundry is a division of The Tapco Group, a U.S. Green Building Council member. For more information, visit www.foundrysiding.com or call (800) 771-4486

Plan Number 56576

The key elements of functionality, flexibility and value are all addressed in this design.  The first floor offers an open concept living space with subtle definition of the kitchen, family and dining areas by the use of columns and ceiling height variations.  Views of the courtyard and optional pool area are available form each room on the first level.  One of the most functional spaces in the home is theResourceCenter.  With a place for a computer, file drawers, desk space and plenty of storage, this area provides plenty of room to manage all the household activities.  Both the formal front entry and the “family entry” from the garage and courtyard each open into a central Gallery.  With the “drop zone” and stair access to the second floor, this centrally located Gallery provides excellent traffic flow along with an attractive and yet functional area for the homeowner and guests to enter the home.

The optional Casita offers a space that is not only multi-functional, but also an area that can evolve with the homeowner’s lifestyle.  While it’s the ideal location for an elderly parent, it also becomes the perfect home office, suite for an older child living at home, or a private guest quarters.  It could even function as a pool cabana/game area.

The second floor with two bedrooms and a loft is essentially an attic area above the garage resulting in economical construction costs. It becomes an ideal place for children or grandchildren.

Plan Number 56504

The design of smaller kitchens involves the challenge of creating an open layout while maintaining adequate counter work space and ample upper cabinet storage.  One of the key elements involves a plan that directs the traffic flow around the kitchen and not through it.  In addition to the kitchen being the focal point of every home, it also often doubles as the “command center.”  With this 1400 sq. ft. design, the daily routines of paying bills and organizing activities takes place in the adjacent “Resource Center” with dedicated space for a desk, computer and file drawers.  The conveniently located “drop zone” provides special cubbies for mail, keys, cell phones and all of the other items that are typically “dropped” on the kitchen counter creating clutter and taking up valuable space. Adding to the efficiency is a space-saving “pantry wall” with a combination of open and closed shelves.

Traffic flow throughout a home always proves important in the placement of furniture and the overall feeling of spaciousness.  This consideration becomes even more critical with the location and layout of the kitchen.

Plan Number 56531

While this 2400 sq. ft. design utilizes an open concept for the kitchen/dining/family areas, note that the kitchen is actually recessed into an alcove. Thickened walls and headers create cased openings that define each of these areas while maintaining the open feeling.  Directing traffic “by” the kitchen but not “through” the area provides a secluded cooking and working space while still allowing guests to feel as though they?re in the kitchen.  The island provides additional room for food preparation along with an informal dining table.

Although the windows in the dining and family areas allow views towards the side and rear yard, it?s the triple windows over the sink that fill the kitchen with natural light.  Conveniently located adjacent to the kitchen is the laundry area and a pantry.

In many homes, the kitchen also doubles as the place to sort mail, pay bills and store cookbooks and recipes.  However, this design has incorporated a “Resource Center” where these daily tasks can be organized.  With windows overlooking the backyard, this space becomes an ideal spot to organize the household while watching the children play.  It?s easily accessible and yet secluded from the open view of guests.

Credit: Larry W. Garnett, FAIBD

Plan Number 56541 Pool Pavilion

The design of any outdoor space is every bit as important as a home’s interior layout.  Just as walls, ceilings, and flooring define indoor spaces, outdoor living areas also require similar definitions.  The use of various surface textures such as decking, pavers, crushed granite, and concrete can begin to define the outdoor functions.  Structures, whether covered or open create “zones” for recreation, cooking, and visiting.

As our clients are faced with increasing transportation costs, functional and appealing outdoor entertaining areas are moving higher up the request list.  The ability to spend weekends and vacations in your own personal “mini resort” adds value to new homes and offers endless possibilities for upgrading existing homes.

Our design team has responded this month with outdoor living concepts that include pool houses, outdoor kitchens and even small vegetable gardens. Each of these designs offers intriguing ways to extend living space into the outdoors.

Plan Number 56541

This courtyard home encourages an enjoyment of the outdoor spaces by creating a series of connections between the inside and outside living areas.  From the Gallery entryway, there is an immediate view towards the covered porches and pool area.  Expansive windows offer unobstructed views as you proceed through the house.  The angled walls throughout the home form an axis that aligns with the pool pavilion.  While this outdoor structure defines the far edge of the courtyard, it also offers additional covered living and dining space.  With a kitchen and fireplace, this area is perfect for entertaining.  The half bath and storage area prove to be essential components for a pool house.

While in the courtyard and pool area, a view back towards the main house reveals the large glass panels and multiple French doors that seem to erase the boundaries between indoor and outdoor spaces. From inside the home, these same doors and windows extend the visual dimensions of the rooms and allow a combination of light and shadows that change as the day progresses.  Essentially, the courtyard provides and enormous amount of natural light into the home, while offering a sense of privacy to the outdoor living space.

Credit: Larry W. Garnett, FAIBD

Plan Number 30504

This two-bedroom cottage could provide the perfect solution for first time buyers, baby boomers, and many others!

The core design offers a two-bedroom open floor plan with plenty of windows for natural light and cross ventilation. However, if the need arises for more space, the options are exciting.  First, a central staircase leads to a second floor that easily transforms from attic storage to either an additional two bedrooms or a game room/media center. The quaint two-bedroom cottage now becomes a four bed-room home, while retaining its ar-chitectural integrity.

If the upstairs optional area still doesn’t provide enough space, two more bedrooms can easily be added to the side of the home.  The al-ready spacious hall bath easily ac-commodates these new rooms.

Plan Number 30504

The detached garage could be built along with the home, or, depending on the finances, constructed later.  The “carport” easily transforms into a spacious outdoor living area.  Combined with the optional kitchen and toilet room in the ga-rage, the entire space offers an effi-cient alternative to a separate and costly “outdoor kitchen.”

Garages that double as outdoor living spaces can have a dramatic impact on a neighborhood of homes with garages located at a rear alley.  Imagine the added activity along what is often just a narrow passageway for cars!  Weekend cookouts could easily transform the alley into a “people place” and a safe area for the children to play.