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Mounting Need for Better Housing, Preservation Of Investment Spurs Action By JAMES BRANDON Home Improvement becomes a top priority for property owners as the need for housing in the nation far exceeds the rate of new construction. It's far more than a matter of personal pride for the Home Owner. It is more than a matter of assuring the family con­ tinuous comfort and improvement of its standard of living. It also is a matter of maintaining and enhancing the value of the home that is owned. And surely, if it's an additional house or two owned for rental purposes, improvements in these existing structures can help increase the rental return and serve a community need. Home Improvements this year can very much become a contribution to the health and welfare of the family, in the universal fight against pollution and on behalf of preservation of our natural resources. Involves Keeping Things Clean This important phase of Home Improvement involves, essentially, keeping the home and its grounds clean; abjur­ ing the use of pollutants and nondegradable materials, collect­ ing recycleables, such as glass bottles, aluminum cans, all manner of paper, for delivery to services set up for this pur­ pose in the community. Leading Architects Advise Mixing Different Periods It also involves avoiding wasteful use of electricity and gas, among other things. And all of this serves to create savings for the family. The Home Improvement action is moving strongly also into the area of apartments -- especially condominium, and in some instances into co­ operatives, where owner per­ mission is given. It is possible for occupants to make them­ selves more comfortable by taking advantage of the many ingenious ways for making their apartments more livable, more efficient. Do It Yourself The traditional pride of home owners and the new imperatives of modern living are expected to send the total annual volume of dollar de­ mand for the necessary ma­ terials, tools and professional services to a new historic high this year -- now estimated at more than $17 billion. A marked increase in the do-it-yourself capabilities of people, both men and women, nurtured by availability of tools designed specially for them, and materials that also are designed for ease of ma­ nipulation, help them make their Home Improvement dol­ lars go farther. There are several areas, however, in which even the most accomplished of the do-it-yourselfers would do better for themselves by call­ ing on the professionals for expert help. These, of course, include anything involving electrical wiring, plumbing and the ad­ dition of a room or two or major structural changes in the home. Practically everywhere, these types of Home Improve­ ments, involving safety and health, are subject to local government inspection. Outdoors Also Home Improvements are by no means to be confined to the interior of the home. In addition to modern new sidings, a new roof where needed, there's the landscap­ ing of the grounds on which the home stands, about which home owners should be con­ cerned. And here is another one of the Home Improvements that can contribute to improving the ecology of the immediate environment in which the family lives. Some of the country's lead­ ing architects say do not be afraid of mixing up the mod­ ern and the traditional when it comes time to remodel. The original style of the older house need not be re­ produced slavishly in the newer additions. Of course, a compatability should be sought and in this endeavor the advice of your architect will be invaluable. He will most likely consider not only the new addition in relation to the original house, but the remodeled home in relation to neighboring buildings. Trees and shrubbery can do more than enhance the appearance of the grounds. Their proper placement and nurture can help sweeten and purify the air in which the family lives. Inducing neighbors to plant selectively can not only mul­ tiply the improvement in the appearance of the neighbor­ hood, it can also multiply the beneficial effects of greenery for all concerned. Do a Check-Up While most experienced home owners are by this time well aware of what needs to be done to repair and improve their homes, even the most knowledgeable can profit from an indoor-outdoor check-up of their properties, to make sure livability and value are both enhanced. Financing Home Improve­ ments need be no problem. Commercial Banks, and in some instances Savings and Loan companies, can help you. So why not a thoughtful family conference -- one that will give the kids as well as mom and dad a chance to have their sav. This special section is full of useful ideas for everyone. Make your indoors check, room by room, your outdoor c h e c k b y a f a m i l y s t r o l l around the grounds. Finishing Materials Offer Wide Choices Plaster and plaster board are still the most widely used interior finishing materials, but the list of attractive and serviceable materials is grow­ ing by leaps and bounds. It includes metal and hard- board panels, prefinished hardwood plywood, cement board, stained lumber, plastic and glass fibre panels, orna­ mental tiles, marble, glass and masonry. In addition, there are the new supported and unsup­ ported vinyl coverings, for unfinished walls. In choosing wall and celling materials you have the factors of cost, ap­ pearance, maintenance and acoustical properties to con­ sider. 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