25 · OAKVILLE BEAVER Friday, May 1, 2009 HOME AND GARDEN 178 Lakeshore Road E., Oakville Let the light in Home Builders of years gone by often overlooked the importance of natural light. The old houses with few and small window and door openings further darkened by partitioned off main floor rooms left the home dismal and congested. Natural light can enlighten the interior space but also the spirit, especially with our long colder months when we don't get to enjoy the outdoors. The Space brightened by natural light is uplifting while highlighting the interior decor. Warm or soft paint colours with some personal furnishings add to feel. With more energy concerns today, natural light is an easy reduction to electrical bills. Glass treatments with thermopane Low E and Argon gas greatly reduce heat gain and capture wanted winter heat from the sun. In the summer the glass refracts back the inside temperature and reduces air conditioning bills as well. This makes the interior much more comfortable especially in areas like dinettes where the older glass radiated the outdoor cold or hot temperatures inside. Ultra violet light is also greatly reduced with the newer energy glasses. This also helps stop heat gain, but more notably almost stops fading of furniture, window coverings, and flooring. The fading was quite an issue in older homes as furnishes were ruined in a CABINET REFACING TRANSFORM YOUR EXISTING KITCHEN TO YOUR DREAM KITCHEN! Before fiver year period. This is maybe why Builders reduced these openings in newer homes. 2170 Speers Road New construction makes it easy to take Oakville advantage of larger openings. Existing homes 905.825.5151 HOME AND DESIGN make it more difficult but still possible. www.englelake.com Widening an opening is more work and cost · FURNITURE · ACCESSORIES · LANDSCAPING than lowering an opening. Bedroom and din· RENOVATIONS PRODUCTS & SERVICES ing room windows, which were left high in · HARDWOOD FLOORING · FIREPLACES AND older homes, can be dropped to gain backSURROUNDS · WINDOWS, DOORS AND MORE! yard-landscaping views and also adds some safety for fire egress. If sidewalls to neighbours are not the nicest view, or privacy is a concern on a main floor, then privacy fencing or decorative pieces can be placed to obscure this at the property line. Windows and doors are available in many materials now offering choices in style and price. Same with grills, which add character but do reduce the view. Wood, vinyl, fibreof 3rd Line glass, and aluminum are the most popular. ., just west s Rd Please call Englelake Home and Design 2170 Speer 9am-8pm Fri. May 8, 905.825.5151 for more information on 7& Thurs. May am-6pm Building products or services or House y May 9, 9 Warmings 905.339.0202 for furnishes and Saturda accessories. Visit our mutual Open House Thursday May 7 and Friday May 8 from 9 am to 8 pm and Saturday May 9 from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. at Englelake Home and Design 2170 Speers Road, west of Third Line. CALL NOW FOR CURRENT SPECIALS 905.339.0202 HOU E OUSE SAL WAREH omWg SMnINGS CE inARoo S Open House DESIGN KE HOME & ENGLELANDSCAPING & CDL LA Renovate · Decorate · Celebrate o up tr full ent ove lacem rep SAVE 40 % Time is Precious, Mistakes are Costly and Decorating is complicated. After Visit our showroom or call for your FREE IN-HOME Consultation. 529 Speers Road Oakville Save up to $ renovation tax credit! 1350 with the new home Inquire about your Personal Design Consultation At Fitz by Design we are committed to creating breathtaking, functional spaces that are unique as the individuals living in them. 1-888-350-8752 1-888-232-1363 www.granitetransformations.com www.granitetransformations.ca