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Improvements Can (Create New Home at Old Address When the family needs larger, more luxurious quarters, with an extra bath, a modern kitchen, more ^c^rooms» a spacious family room --• is it time to move? Nowadays, a great many homeowners would answer, No. Many families are discovering that the best move toward achieving the aim of better, more comfortable living is not to move at all. Instead, homeowners now look for, and find, a "new home" at the old address. So says Edgar V. Hall, executive director, National Home Improvement Council, who points out that interest in improving existing homes by remodeling -- to increase livability, enhance appearance, upgrade value -- is growing apace, to* some sound reasons. By concentrating on a new kitchen, an extra bath, a room addition or modernization, homeowners nn that they are now able to have, in existing homes, the luxury features and advantages that they have always longed ior and that usually come only with a new home. The monthly payments for such improvements are substantially less than for payments on a new home. In addition, the family avoids the ordeal of moving. Current Conditions Spark Trend While these are good reasons to remodel now, there are still more powerful factors involved in the trend to "having a new home at.the old address," says Mr. Hall. A few of them are: 1. Mortgage money has been in limited supply, making it difficult to buy a new home. Although the mortgage situation shows some signs of improvement, there are still relatively few buyers for "used" homes, for the same "tight money" reason. So, it's probably harder to sell the present home -- there just aren't enough buyers. The alternative of staying put and improving the existing home is made still more attractive by the fact that availability of funds for home improvement does not present a "tight money" problem. There are numerous sources willing to lend funds for remodeling projects. ^ 2. Qualified remodeling contractors who can do expert work are on the increase. The industry has come of age, and the unethical operator is disappearing. Because of the leveling ofT of the new home market, more and more builders are turning to remodeling. And building materials dealers, realizing the current need, are opening more home improvement centers where complete remodeling jobs can be planned from beginning to end, with expert help. 3. The nation's building materials manufacturers are turning out an increasing number of new and better products, many of which are designed specifically for remodeling. It's a Worthwhile Investment Of course, many personal reasons contribute to the decision to "stay put and fix up." Not the least of these is the convenience of schools where the children are already well established. Then there's the shopping area, where the housewife is well known, and the familiar presence of friends and neighbors close by. Never before have homeowners throughout the nation had so good a "climate" for remodeling as now. By taking advantage of existing conditions, many families can start now to enjoy the comforts of a modernized home. In fact, indications are that the present year should be a banner one for home improvement, says Mr. Hall. He has just one word of caution. Too many families are spending only a minimum amount to maintain their homes. Home ownership is the single most important investment the typical family makes in a "lifetime. Yet, the average expenditure for home remodeling, during 1966, was only $231, Mr. Hall points out. Unlike many major expenditures for purchases which quickly deteriorate in value, the money spent for home remodeling projects will keep on adding to the value of a home. There's no better investment, Mr. Hall maintains. Drawings Show the Basic Methods For Installation of Fixtures ITS "PUPPY" SIZE! CENTRAL AIR CONDITIONER is photographed here with seven-month-old Newfoundland "puppy,"' to illustrate compactness of new outdoor units. This one, less than 23 inches in depth and height, provides cool aif through same duets used for warm air in winter. It's General Electric's "Quik-Attach." Weath&r Report: Toms of Moisture To Hit the Roof! About 50 tons of moisture in the form of rain, snow or sleet hit the roof of the average home every year, according to the weather bureau. This moisture can enter a home through vulnerable points on the roof or, as it sweeps off the roof, leak into the basement. It can carry away fertilizer and topsoil from the lawn, as well as damaging plants and shrubs. A sound roof drainage system -- guttering and downspouts, plus flashing at vulnerable points -- can help to combat moisture damage problems. The cost of repairs to such a system, or installation of a new one where conditions require it, may well be less than the cost of pumping out a flooded basement. Gutters and downspouts carry away water as it runs off the roof. Strips of sheeting, called flashing, seal out moisture at such points as roof ridges, valleys, corners, vents and around chimneys. Components of a roof drainage system are available in several types of materials -- among them, metals such as copper and galvanized steel, or materials such as rigid vinyl. Galvanized Steel Galvanized steel guttering and downspouts now offer doit- yourself convenience. They are available pre-painted,with a special acrylic enamel protective coating baked on at .the factory, and they can be installed with a new type of fascia bracket hanger and mastic sealant. We Specialize in HEATTIM® - AIR CON "We Handle Mueller Products" 9 Residential 9 Industrial 9 Commercial TILATMG ITIONING There are three basic methods of mounting a lighting fixture, as illustrated in the drawings shftwn above. For cord-type fixtures, such as the pendant at left, the first step is to fasten the mounting strap A to the outlet box. Then, thread nipple B into strap. Ornamental capnut C, locknut D and canopy E are slipped over fixture cord, which is then threaded through nipple B. A knot is tied so cord cannot slip back through nipple-- and it supports fixture weight. Electrical connection is made, and canopy is secured. The center fixture requires no nipple. Fixture is attached directly to the mounting strap, which has been secured to outlet box. Third type of mount, right photo, may or may not need mounting strap. If screws, inserted to outlet box, align with keyhole slots, mounting is fast and simple. Tighten screws halfway, slip screw heads through slots, turn fixture slightly to the right, and finish tightening screws. If alignment is not correct, use mounting strap and then align screws and slots. BASIC WAYS TO MOUNT A LIGHTING FIXTURE are illustrated here. For cord-type fixture*, such an pendant at left, a threaded pipe or nipple in needed. Center fixture requires no nipple and is attached directly to mounting strap, secured to outlet box. Third type of fixture, right, may not require a mounting strap, if keyhole slots in fixture holder align with holes in outlet box. From American Home Lighting Institute. How is your heating equipment? * GAS and OIL HEAT * SALES and SERVICE Call Chris Bennett 385-0101 RADIO DISPATCHED We were privileged to do work on the two bmMings shown in these ptetaes. i FREE ESTIMATES and CONSULTING SERVICE DOS Y0UB HOME NEED GUTTERS - DOWNSPOUTS - DECKS etc. leHenry Heatng & || Conditioning 2815 W. Ronte 120 385-0101 McHenry, DL