THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, June 18, 1995 TAG: 9506160057
SECTION: HOME PAGE: G1 EDITION: FINAL
COLUMN: AROUND THE HOUSE
SOURCE: BY MARY FLACHSENHAAR, SPECIAL TO HOME & GARDEN
LENGTH: Medium: 96 lines
SOME OF US think there are only two types of windows, clean and dirty.
We are wrong.
The Hurd Millwork Co. has many kinds of windows for sale. The philosophy is that the windows ideal for the north side of your home aren't the same windows you should use for a southern exposure. Each side of the house needs a different type of glass or glazing.
Heat-mirror windows, designed to face north, keep out cold and wind and reflect the inside heat back into the home. Sunbelter windows, suited for the south and west sides, protect against afternoon heat. If fading of the color in furnishings, carpets and drapes is a concern, several types of Hurd windows claim to block most of the sun's ultraviolet rays.
The concept of custom windows, called Hurd FineTuning, is explained in a free brochure from the company and also in a video, which costs $6.50. To order either or both of these, call the company toll-free at (800) 2BE-HURD.
Hurd Windows are available from Carolina Builders in Norfolk and Newport News. WINDOW PAINTING WITH EASE
Speaking of windows, a new gadget called the WindowShield promises to simplify the tedious task of painting window trim. In fact, the package boldly claims that the product cuts window painting time by 80 percent.
A piece of flexible plastic shaped into a right angle and attached to a handle fits snugly onto the window. Without having to tape windows or scrape them afterward, paint stays off the shielded glass.
The device comes in two sizes: a 5-inch size for windows 10-by-10 inches or smaller and an 8-inch size for larger windows. It can also be used for painting baseboards.
The shield will soon be available nationally at home improvement, paint and hardware stores. You can also order by mail. Specify the size you would like and send a check or money order for $5 to WindowShield Corp., P.O. Box 1506, Summit, N.J. 07902. AWASH IN CLEANING TIPS
As life gets busier and busier, cleaning house moves lower and lower on many of our priority lists.
For those who hate grime but have no time, here are a few good squirts of advice about cleaning, '90s style, from a trade group called The Soap and Detergent Association, which publishes a newsletter of tips and trends.
Place two or three laundry baskets side by side in the bedroom or closet. Label one for whites, one for darks, etc. Family members can sort as they pitch.
To fluff pillows and remove dust, put pillows in the dryer and run the air-fluff cycle.
To keep baby sleepers and stretch suits from pilling, turn them inside out before laundering.
Those of us who put everything but the kitchen sink in the dishwasher should know that some items should't be there at all.
Aluminum may discolor. Cast-iron pots and pans may rust. Crystal can chip, crack, become cloudy or etched. Decals, trims or paint can fade or peel. The metal on silver, gold-plated or platinum pieces may be removed over time. Copper or pewter can stain, discolor and pit. Plastics can melt. Wood may warp, split, dry out, crack or lose its finish. COMPANY COMING?
On the subject of dirty houses, is this worst-case scenario all too familiar? Standing in the middle of a house that looks like a war zone, you get an unexpected call from friends who say they'll be stopping by in 10 minutes.
In the current Good Housekeeping magazine, The Heloise Helpline gives advice on how to spend those precious 10 minutes:
Step outside your house and then enter as your guests will, by the front door. If their first impression will be clutter, grab a trash bag or laundry basket, pronto. Stash newspapers, school projects and any other debris in it and hide the bag somewhere the guests won't go.
Next stop is the guest bathroom. Make sure you grab a bottle of glass cleaner on the way for sprucing up the vanity and mirror.
Dab a drop of perfume or air freshener on lightbulbs to give a pleasant fragrance to the house. And finally, keep lights dim so no one will see the dust. LIFE SPAN OF APPLIANCES
How long should your home appliances last?
Consumers expect to get an average of 15 to 20 years use from them, according to research done for the development of the Frigidaire Gallery Professional Series, which taps the growing popularity of commercial appliances by offering a commercial/residential hybrid.
The tidbit was reported by Knight-Ridder Newspapers. ILLUSTRATION: Color photo courtesy of Hurd Millwork Co.
Hurd FineTuning means installing the appropriate type of window
glass on each side of a house to ensure greater energy efficiency.
by CNB