tdn home garden 22012

ExpoExpoMIAMI COUNTY

SPONSORED BY:

February 24-26, 2012at the

Miami Valley Centre Mall

Miami County

Piqua Daily CallTroy Daily News

H O M E a n dG A R D E N

2 — Miami County Home & Garden Expo — February 2012 Troy Daily News/Piqua Daily Call

Celebrate Home at the MiamiCounty Home & Garden Expo!With spring just around the corner, now is the perfect time to assess yourhome remodeling needs and desires and head on out to the Miami CountyHome and Garden Expo. Along with our sponsors, Minster Bank, the TroyDaily News and the Piqua Daily Call, the Home Builders Association ofMiami County is proud to once again bring you Miami County’s premierhome improvement show. We have several new vendors this year showcas-ing the best in home remodeling. For 3 days, February 24-26, we invite youto visit all the companies who are here to help you with your next homeimprovement project. Come out and see the dynamic garden display byGreentech, take a moment to relax in custom made outdoor furniture byJohnny’s Wood Shop, get design ideas for your outdoor living areas fromDraving and Sons Renovations, or talk with real estate professionals fromGalbreath Realtors or RealLiving Realty Services about finding your dreamhome. We have exhibitors who can help you with new, energy efficient win-dows and doors, new roofing and siding, satellite systems for your entertain-ment or sit in Buschurs Home Improvement patio enclosure and imagine oneon your own home.

Wanting a new home built to your specifications? Be sure to visit the HomeBuilders Association booth for more information on builders and develop-ments in the area.

We also want to welcome some of the areas best independent consultantsfrom companies such as Homecoming Trunk Shows, Tupperware, MICHEand Thirty-One Gifts. Get ready to improve the look, comfort and value ofyour home and shop for some of the nicest gifts for you or your friends andfamily all at one convenient location. Finally, take a few minutes on Sundayfrom 2:00 – 4:00 PM to join us in the food court for some good old rock androll performed by one of the areas leading vocal groups, the Avalons.

Your home is your greatest asset. For most families, a home is their greatestsource of wealth. It’s an investment in your future, it’s your comfort zone,it’s where your friends and loved ones gather. Come celebrate home at TheMiami County Home and Garden Expo. Let our exhibitors help you makeyour house the home of your dreams.

The Miami County Home Improvement Show would not be possible withoutour sponsors, Minster Bank, the Troy Daily News and the Piqua Daily Call.Contact the lending professionals at Minster Bank for your next mortgage orhome improvement loan and for all that is happening in your community,look to the Troy Daily News and the Piqua Daily Call for the latest in news,sports and upcoming events in and around the Miami Valley

Thank you for attending the Miami County Home and Garden Expo in thecomfortable atmosphere of the Miami Valley Centre Mall. We invite you tovisit us on the web at www.hbamiamicounty.com for all your home buildingneeds.

Sincerely,Tom BehmPresidentHome Builders Association of Miami County

Home Builders AssociationOfficers & DirectorsOfficers Directors

Tom Behm, President Bart Blauser

John Heffner, Vice President Ben Denlinger

Anthony Scott, Treasurer Dave Galbreath

2012 Miami CountyHome & Garden Expo Exhibitors

Ashley’s Boutique .....................................................................48Bath Fitter ...................................................................................35Bobcat of Dayton/Troy........................................31, 32, 33 & 34Buschurs Home Improvement .........................13, 14, 15 & 16Dayton Door Sales ...................................................................37Digi-Tech Satellite .....................................................................27Draving and Sons Renovations ................................5, 6, 7 & 8Everdry Waterproofing ............................................................38Galbreath Realtors....................................................................36Greentech....................................................................................AHabitat for Humanity ......................................................24 & 26Health Partners Free Clinic.....................................................53Hepners Windows & Doors ...................................................29Homecoming Truck Shows ....................................................21ImproveIt Home Remodeling ................................................30Johnny’s Wood Shop .................................................................BLakeland Golf Club ..................................................................11Leaf Filter North........................................................................23Lowe’s Home Improvement ...................................................12MICHE Purses............................................................................22Minster Bank .............................................................................28Morris Comfort Systems .........................................................19Nutz 4 U......................................................................................47RealLiving Realty Services.......................................................10Sherriff Goslin Roofing ...........................................................20Thirty-One Gifts........................................................................52Troy Daily News/Piqua Daily Call ..........................................25Tupperware..................................................................................9

TROY — Since 1935, theFrancis Furniture family hasbeen in the retail furniture busi-ness.

It all started with the firstlocation in downtown Sidney,where the family specialized inselling furniture and appli-ances. The business has sincegrown to encompass five loca-tions: Celina, Greenville,Sidney, Troy and Van Wert,with Troy opening in 2001 andVan Wert as recently as 2005.

Troy Store Manager AdamRomer said employees at thefive stores are very proud to bepart of a family owned compa-ny that has been around for 77years — even weathering thetoughest of economic times.

"It is no surprise that thebusiness climate has been a lit-tle rocky over the past fewyears. It makes me very proudto say that I work for a compa-ny that has such a strong histo-ry, and with the support of ourcustomers we have been ableto remain a strong presence ineach of our respective commu-nities," he said.

In the business's 77 years,Romer said the company goalhas always been the same: cus-tomer satisfaction.

"We want to give our cus-tomers the best quality furni-ture and bedding at the lowestpossible prices, and the finest

service that the FrancisFurniture customer expects,"he said.

Even with the present econ-omy, Romer said the businesscontinues to give full attentionto the wants and needs of itscustomers.

"Without them there is noFrancis Furniture," he said.

Francis Furniture special-izes in all types of qualityhome furnishing, and a largeselection of pictures, mirrors,lamps, table top accessoriesand area rugs, among others.

"One of our most recentcompanies that we started car-rying is a company that manu-facturers dining and bedroomfurniture right here inOhio. They allow you to cus-tomize every aspect of the pur-

chasing experience; fromchoosing the type of wooddown to the hardware thatcompletes the piece. I feel veryfortunate that in a time wherealmost everything seems to bemade overseas that we are ableto offer a product that is hand-made in our state. And with allthe custom options, the qualityis unmatched," Romer said.

One of our services thatFrancis Furniture has seenbeing used more and morethese days is business's freedecorating service.

"Whether it's helping thecustomer in our showroom, orcoming to their home we havean experienced sales staff thatis happy to help put the finish-ing touches on (a customer's)own decorating ideas," he said.

Romer said it is a knowl-edgeable and inviting staff thatoften makes the difference fora customers' shopping experi-ence.

"We are staffed withknowledgable and friendlyemployees whose job is tomake your experience a posi-tive one. From the moment youwalk in our showroom, towhen your furniture is deliv-ered, you will be taken care ofby people who truly take pridein what they do."

"I take pride in knowingthat our well-trained sales staffhas over 60 years combinedexperience. They are not hereto make one sale, but to gainthe trust and confidence toensure repeat business. Whenspeaking with a Francis

Furniture employee it will beobvious that you are talkingwith someone who truly enjoyswhat they do," he said.

As the years and decadesmove forward, Romer said hehopes the five stores will con-tinue to be a staple in the theircommunities.

"Currently we are lookinginto adding to our alreadyextensive mattress pro-gram. We hope that with ourfine home furnishings and mat-tresses, affordable prices andsuperior customer service,we will continue to be able tosatisfy every taste and budget,"he said.

"Feel free to stop in any ofour 5 locations and see what'snew, or just to say hello,"Romer said. "We'll look for-

ward to seeing you."The Troy store is located at

2485 W. Main St. and can bereached at (937) 440-1234.

The Sidney store is locatedat 2230 West Michigan St. andcan be reached at (937) 498-4584.

Visit the stores online atwww.francisfurniture.net.

Troy Daily News/Piqua Daily Call February 2012— Miami County Home & Garden Expo — 3

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Recharge your worn-out winter mood by giv-ing your home a newlook; create anexotic atmos-phere by play-ing with lightand a combi-nation ofstrong colorsthat evoke theArabia of old.An orientalstyle of deco-ration adaptsperfectly tolarger spaces,such as livingrooms, or tosmaller, inti-mate placesfor relaxation,such as bed-rooms.

Focus onu n t r e a t e dwood with anatural cop-per sheen forthe floor andshades ofcream for thewalls, whichwill seem tobathe the room in a gen-tle golden light. Playwith different lightingeffects through acces-

sories: choose taffetacushions in rich colorsthat reflect the light, and

use amber and redlanterns to evoke thegentleness of the risingsun. The shine and shim-mer of many MiddleEastern fabrics reach adegree of perfectionrarely equalled in theWest.

Where furnishings areconcerned, build up a col-lection of furniture and

accessories inwrought iron;the simplicityof their shapeswill be thehighlight ofyour decor. Ifyou can’t abidemetal, exoticwoods are alsoa great optionas long as theyare embel-lished withsculpted oropenwork cop-per.

A r r a n g eyour furnitureon an authen-tic vintageOriental rug toaccentuate theB y z a n t i n elook. For thosewho don’t likethe intricatedetail of thisstyle of floorcovering, thedesign of

Persian rugs has beenupdated over the last fewyears. The simplified ver-sion of the Persian style,called the chobi, featuresless color and detailwhile preserving the flairand style of the East.

Owners ofbeautiful oldhomes know thatwindow shutterssuffer from theravages of winterstorms. Restoringshutters to theiroriginal stateafter the winterwill prolong theirlifespan andenhance the valueof the home theyadorn.

There areu n m i s t a k a b l esigns that it’stime to breathenew life intoyours: the coatingis split, the var-nish is worn andcracked, insectsand fungus areencrusted in thewood, and thehinges are rusted.In northerncountries suchas ours, you mayneed to tacklethis job every three years.

The first step in restor-ing shutters is to removethem from the windows.Usually they are openedand closed with hinges on

pintles, which are eithersealed or mounted on thestructure with expansionanchors. In this case youcan just lift the shuttersoff. If the shutters are

attached withstrap hingesyou’ll have tounscrew them.

Hinge sup-ports must becleaned of alltraces of oxida-tion with thehelp of a stripper,and all the othermetal parts mustbe brushed witha metal brush.Once the hingesare clean themetal should bewiped dry andtreated with ananti-rust prod-uct.

If varnish onthe wood shut-ters has softened,this can beremoved with ascraper. Tospruce them up,choose a water-based paint thatis durable and

eco-friendly. Two coatsshould be applied with abrush working in the samedirection as the grain of thewood, and the wood shouldbe sanded between coats.

Spruce up yourshutters this Spring


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Outside shutters will soon deteriorate with-out regular maintenance or a completerestoration job.

Inspired by the thousandand one nights

The Persian is the most famous of theOriental rugs. Prized in the West, its intricatepatterns have been \hand-woven since thedawn of time.

Consumers should always be guid-ed by a few important criteria whenchoosing a home heating system. Oneof the major factors to consider is thelevel of comfort this new system willprovide. The costs of purchase, deliv-ery, installation, maintenance, use, aswell as the fuel or electricity usedshould also be taken into considera-tion.

First of all, you will have to decidewhich energy source will power yourheating system, which will depend onthe energy providers in your area andthe costs involved. The most commonoptions are electricity and fuel oil,although natural gas is accessible insome regions. You could also opt forpropane or wood, which are normallyused as supplementary heating choic-es, or solar energy. Bi-energy, whichuses electricity as a main source andfuel oil as a secondary source of power,may also be of interest to you.

The next step is to choose the typeof system you require. Electric base-board heaters are very affordable, easy

to install, andrequire little main-tenance. They aresilent when in oper-ation, and theyallow you to controlthe temperature ofindividual rooms.The disadvantagesare that they drythe air significantlyand limit interiordesign options.

Forced air sys-tems have theadvantage of beingable to incorporateair purificationdevices, and theirfloor or ceiling airvents are barelynoticeable. Theydo require regu-lar maintenanceand sometimes produce noise andodors. They can be powered by fueloil, electricity, gas, or bi-energy. This

is also the case forhot water heatingsystems, which offerexcellent durabilitybut are extremelycostly and requireregular upkeep. Thelarge radiators nec-essary for this typeof heating areanother inconven-ience.

Radiant under-floor heating sys-tems are fairlyexpensive but pro-vide a high level ofcomfort. Similarly,geothermal heatpumps might beexpensive to pur-

chase, but theyconsume lessenergy than other

systems. They can be used withforced air and offer the possibility ofcentral air conditioning.

Did you know that atoilet consumes about 30percent of all the waterused in a home? Most toi-lets use between 13 and20 liters of water for aflush. Thanks toadvances in design effi-ciency, you can now pur-chase toilets that onlyuse 4 to 6 liters of water.

Gravity-fed toilets usevery little water; theyhave a redesigned bowlthat increases the siphonaction while gravity helpsthe water through thetrap. Pressure-assist toi-lets offer a similar flush:harnessing the energyfrom the supply line, apressure-assist toilettraps air in a vessel as itfills with water. When theflush is activated, thecompressed air forces thewater into the bowl, pro-ducing a powerful, push-ing flush.

Flappers (or flushvalves) on nearly allNorth American toiletsare either 50 mm or 75mm in diameter.Generally speaking, a 75mm flapper will allowwater to discharge fromthe tank to the bowlmuch faster, resulting inbetter performance.

One-piece toilets(where the tank and bowlare purchased as a singleunit) can be easier to

clean and have lessopportunity to leak at thejunction between thetank and bowl than two-piece models. One-piecetoilets can also be moreexpensive, as well asheavier and harder toinstall.

The Canada Mortgageand Housing Corporation(CMHC) has joined withthe Canadian Water andWastewater Association(CWWA) and other part-ners in the municipal andresidential domains tocreate the MaximumPerformance (MaP)Testing Program. Obtainthe most recent version,free of charge, by consult-ing the CWWA website atwww.cwwa.ca.

Choosing a new heating systemEco-friendlytoilets?


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Masonry defies timeMasonry siding is available in a wide

range of colors, textures, shapes, andsizes. Stone and brick are synonymouswith beauty and elegance, with the addedbonus of quality and durability.

Masonry products are notable fortheir long life spans. They give a feelingof strength and safety to homeowners,while ensuring exceptional comfort. Theseproducts also offer excellent sound-proofing, remarkable resistance to anykind of impact and corrosion, as well asincomparable protection against mold.Because they are fireproof, masonry prod-ucts give a high level of protection in caseof fire. They also need very little mainte-nance.

Unaffectedby climaticchanges, peri-ods of thaw andfrost, snow,extreme winds,or torrentialrains, masonrysiding is resist-ant to the mostviolent weatherMother Naturecan produce. Ahome withmasonry sidinghas better ther-mal insulation,resulting inmore comfortfor occupants.

Best of all, it keeps the home cooler in thesummer and warmer during the winter,which means lower energy bills for bothheating and air conditioning. Stone andbrick are eco-friendly natural products,and they are durable and reusable as well.

Although the initial cost of the materi-als and installation by specialists mightseem high, masonry products help toincrease the resale value of a home. Beforeopting for brick or stone siding, ensurethat the building’s foundations are capa-ble of supporting their weight and thatthe investment can be recouped when sell-ing the home.

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Masonry is both beautiful and resilient.

Efficient insulation of the outside wallsof a home increases the comfort of itsoccupants and reduces energy consump-tion. Inversely, poor insulation leads toheat loss during the winter, an increase inheating costs, cold walls and floors, andsometimes mold or rot.

Inefficient insulation also leads toexcessive build up of heat inside the homeduring the summer and an increase in airconditioning costs. For all these reasons, itis important to ensure that the outsidewalls of a home are well insulated.

There are many types of insulation.The most important criterion when choos-ing a material is how it will be used. Somekinds might be highly suitable for thebasement or the attic but not for the sur-face of exterior walls. Synthetic materials,such as expanded polystyrene, are very

efficient for insulating the exterior of ahome. Mineral, plant, and animal fibers,such as wood wool, are worthy environ-mentally friendly choices for insulatingfrom the outside. There are also otherrenewable materials such as cellulose andinsulating minerals. Insulation must beable to fill cavities efficiently in order notto leave any empty spaces or thermalbridges, and it must be durable, resistantto humidity, and it mustn’t settle.

Another consideration is the product’sthermal resistance (R- or RSI value). Thisindicates a product’s insulating capabili-ties and ensures that it meets buildingcodes. Remember to evaluate a material’squality/price ratio, and never forget thatcareful installation is necessary to ensuremaximum insulation properties.

Even if your home isn’t neara lake or river it could still bevulnerable to flooding. Ifyou have regular waterinfiltration in your base-ment, you must correct theproblem as quickly as possi-ble — the mold that growson damp materials can seri-ously compromise the healthof your home’s occupants.

Moisture might come inthrough holes or cracks inthe foundation or becauseof the inadequate water-proofing of the outside walls.Infiltrations could also bethe result of poor drainagearound the perimeter of thefoundation or from slopingland that directs the watertowards the foundation.

Whatever the cause, repairsare essential.

If the problem is a seasonalone, it could be caused bycrushed or blocked perime-ter drainage pipes in thefoundation. If this is thecase, they must be repairedor replaced, meaning theentire basement will have tobe rebuilt. On the otherhand, if the infiltrations onlyoccur during heavy down-pours, the problem could becaused by the gutters. If thedownspout doesn’t directthe runoff far enough awayfrom the house, this waterwill infiltrate a poorlywaterproofed foundation. Adistance of more than fourfeet should be maintained,

although many municipali-ties have now establishednorms of more than fivefeet.

The worst problem to haveto cope with is cracks in thefoundation. This problemhas to be resolved from theoutside, usually with heavymachinery that excavatesand exposes the walls.Specialists in this type ofwork will be able to solvethe problem, but usually at ahigh cost to the homeowner.

Finally, always ensure thatyou have a backwater valve,also known as a back flowvalve, installed on thesewage pipes. This device isessential in order to avoid

Protecting your home from water

Over the years, homedecorating has evolved toreflect trends in our ever-changing society.Cocooning, so prevalent inNorth America at the turnof this century, underwenta dramatic transformationafter 9/11. Today, we stilllove to spend time at

home, but now we do it ina group and call it hiving.Hiving means making con-nections with others, keep-ing in touch with family,friends, and work col-leagues, all from the com-fort of our own homes.

The hiving trend hashad an influence on how

we decorate our homes:coziness must now gobeyond the bedroom andbasement den. We wantour spaces to have anuncluttered but friendlyand welcoming feel. Nolonger content to entertainourselves in isolation, nowwe prefer board gamesand social occasions.

Open plan homes andmultifunctional rooms areperfect for this style of liv-ing. The big, heavy coffeetable has given way to lit-

tle side tables that can beeasily moved around asthe occasion demands.Oversized ottomans makeperfect footrests, but theyalso make great extraseating for surprise visi-tors.

Different variations ofneutral paint tones aremaking a comeback onwalls. White is

omnipresent, as well as“non-colors”, such as

shades of grey, sand,cement, graphite, andivory. To complement thatsimplicity, colorful accentsstraight from natureabound, including raspber-ry, apple green, and sunnyyellow.

It is heart warming tosee the twenty-first centu-ry home beco me a peacefulhaven for extended family,just like in our grandpar-ents’ time!


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Open-plan homes are perfect for hiving.

After cocooning comes hiving

The best way to give your home afacelift without spending a fortune is touse materials that you already have onhand. With a bit of time and effort youcan restore furniture and freshen up yourhome very inexpensively.

If your old furniture is made of solidwood, for example, it can easily be refur-bished and enjoyed for years to come.Just strip it down or paint it a fashion-able color. You could also remove or adddecorative features and change any han-dles or knobs for modern ones.

Next, find out when and where auc-tions will be held in your area. Theseestate sales and close-outs are one of thecheapest ways to furnish a home. If you’rea real bargain hunter, choose defectiveitems and fix them up: chairs with dam-aged caning, drapes with frayed edges, orrepainted furniture. Antique dealersmay turn up their noses because of thework involved in restoring such things,but if you’re patient and savvy, you canacquire the know-how to do this kind ofrepair work.

If you’d like to create a warm, cozyatmosphere in your living room, abioethanol fireplace could be an economi-cal as well as an ecological solution. Thistype of fireplace is easy to install, does notrequire a chimney, uses renewable energy,and quickly heats a room. It is alsosmokeless, scentless, and there are no

ashes to clean up. This sort of fireplacedoes require certification, however, andcan only be installed in fairly large, wellventilated rooms.

Last but not least, LED lights are thelatest trend in penny-pinch decorating, asthey consume very little energy. They areavailable in every possible size and shapeto create a welcoming and cozy atmos-phere in your home.

Reducing the amount ofhot water you use meanssaving money on both thewater meter and on yourelectric bill. A bathtub fullof hot water every day willtake a big bite out of yourenergy budget these days,whereas a quick showerwill help you keep costsdown.

Low-flow showerheadsallow you to conserve bothwater and energy. Theyreduce consumption by 60to 70 percent and help con-sumers save about 15 per-cent on water heatingcosts. These showerheadsdeliver water with just asmuch force as standardshowerheads while usingonly between 3.8 and 9.5liters per minute.

Low-flow shower headsequipped with shut-offbutton valves allow you toturn off the water whilesoaping up and then turnit back on again to rinse,saving you the trouble ofreadjusting the water tem-perature. There are alsoshower mixers that regu-late water temperaturesmore quickly so waterdoesn’t drain away useless-ly while you adjust the tapto your desired tempera-ture.

Flow restricts can beinstalled between theshowerhead and the show-er arm. These are very effi-cient in reducing waterflow, which in turn reducesconsumption. Some modelscome with adjustable jetsand are equip ped with con-trol valves, which allownon-aerated jets to reduceheat loss. Other flowrestricts inadvertentlyreduce water pressure, sobe sure to do your researchbefore buying one. For taps

equipped with pressurereducers, aerators can beinstalled so that air is

mixed into the waterstream for consistent show-er pressure.


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Lighting makes all the difference inthe atmosphere of a home. Each roomrequires different lighting, depending onits use. Outside of task-specific lights, suchas those used for reading or near a worksurface, the goal is generally to enhanceyour space and make it feel warm andinviting to the eyes.

A dining room or kitchen table shouldbe lit by a ceiling light or chandelier;recessed lighting or spot lights shouldonly be used to highlight a work of art, apiece of furniture, or a decorative object.Remember that recessed lighting shouldbe pointed towards a wall in order to cre-ate indirect light and not be dazzling tothe eyes. Floor lamps or directionaltracked lights will help to produce dif-fused, more intimate lighting in a room.When deciding on any type of ceiling light,make sure there is some headroom, withno exposed bulbs to create glare.

In a dining room, the bottom of a chan-delier should be at least 30 inches from thetable, and over an island there should beat least 34 inches of headroom. A few sim-ple calculations can serve as a guide to theright size of chandelier. First of all, measure the width of the table and subtract 12

inches. The result will deter-mine the ideal maximumwidth of the chandelier,while the minimum widthshould be half the width ofthe table.

Lastly, keep in mind thesize of the room as well asthe height of the ceilingwhen deciding on the neces-sary brightness (wattage) ofyour lighting. The higherthe ceiling, the morewattage you will need,unless you have trackeddirectional light bulbs. Ifthis rule isn’t followed, thelight will probably be over-whelmed by the space.

Lighting makes all the differencein the atmosphere of a home. Eachroom requires different lighting,depending on its use. Outside of task-specific lights, such as those used forreading or near a work surface, thegoal is generally to enhance yourspace and make it feel warm andinviting to the eyes.

A dining room or kitchen tableshould be lit by a ceiling light or chan-delier; recessed lighting or spot lightsshould only be used to highlight awork of art, a piece of furniture, or adecorative object. Remember thatrecessed lighting should be pointedtowards a wall in order to create indi-rect light and not be dazzling to theeyes. Floor lamps or directionaltracked lights will help to produce dif-fused, more intimate lighting in aroom. When deciding on any type ofceiling light, make sure there is someheadroom, with no exposed bulbs to

create glare.In a dining room, the bottom of a

chandelier should be at least 30 inch-es from the table, and over an islandthere should be at least 34 inches ofheadroom. A few simple calculationscan serve as a guide to the right sizeof chandelier. First of all, measure thewidth of the table and subtract 12inches. The result will determine theideal maximum width of the chande-lier, while the minimum width shouldbe half the width of the table.

Lastly, keep in mind the size of theroom as well as the height of the ceil-ing when deciding on the necessarybrightness (wattage) of your lighting.The higher the ceiling, the morewattage you will need, unless youhave tracked directional light bulbs. Ifthis rule isn’t followed, the light willprobably be overwhelmed by thespace.

Tips for perfect lighting A new era in house-hold appliances


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Perfect lighting is the key to maximiz-ing your décor.

The design and efficiency of today’s household appliances seems straight outof the future. (Photo Whirlpool)

Consumers are facedwith a wide range of mate-rials when choosing newguttering. Here are a fewfacts to guide you in makinga decision.

Vinyl (PVC) guttering isinexpensive and resistantto scratching, corrosion,bad weather, and ice. Itoffers only average resist-ance to extreme variationsin temperature. Duringinstallation, leave enoughroom for expansion to avoidwarping, which can causeleaky joints. Most guttersare white, but there are nowmore colors available thatare resistant to discol-oration. PVC guttering isadaptable to all types ofhomes and has a life span ofapproximately ten years.

Aluminum gutters aremore expensive but lighterand sturdier. Highlyresistant to scratches, cor-

rosion, bad weather, ice, anddiscoloration, they are alsovulnerable to expansionand warping. They can bemade to measure withoutwelded joints, which helpsavoid leaks. In that case,installation must be doneby a professional. They areavailable in a wide range ofshapes and styles and theiruseful life span extendsover several decades.

Galvanized steel gut-ters are protected from cor-rosion. Models that arecovered in baked enamel orpolyester paint arestronger, can supportheavy loads, and are lesssubject to warping andexpansion. They can bemade to measure withoutwelded joints but must beinstalled by a specialist.

Copper gutters needhardly any maintenancework, are non-corrosive,

and are highly resistant tobad weather and abruptchanges in temperature.Their color changes overthe years to the distinctivepatina of copper. With a lifespan of over 80 years, thistype of gutter is the mostexpensive and should beinstalled by a professional.


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Different types of gutters The perfect kitchen islandConsumers are faced

with a wide range of mate-rials when choosing newguttering. Here are a fewfacts to guide you in mak-ing a decision.

Vinyl (PVC) gutteringis inexpensive and resist-ant to scratching, corro-sion, bad weather, and ice.It offers only averageresistance to extreme vari-ations in temperature.During installation, leaveenough room for expansionto avoid warping, whichcan cause leaky joints.Most gutters are white,but there are now morecolors available that areresistant to discoloration.PVC guttering is adapt-able to all types of homes

and has a life span ofapproximately ten years.

Aluminum gutters aremore expensive but lighterand sturdier. Highly resist-ant to scratches, corrosion,bad weather, ice, and dis-coloration, they are alsovulnerable to expansionand warping. They can bemade to measure withoutwelded joints, which helpsavoid leaks. In that case,installation must be doneby a professional. They areavailable in a wide rangeof shapes and styles andtheir useful life spanextends over severaldecades.

Galvanized steel gut-ters are protected from cor-rosion. Models that are

covered in baked enamelor polyester paint arestronger, can supportheavy loads, and are lesssubject to warping andexpansion. They can bemade to measure withoutwelded joints but must beinstalled by a specialist.

Copper gutters needhardly any maintenancework, are non-corrosive,and are highly resistant tobad weather and abruptchanges in temperature.Their color changes overthe years to the distinctivepatina of copper. With a lifespan of over 80 years, thistype of gutter is the mostexpensive and should beinstalled by a professional.

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Francis FURNITURE2485 W. MAIN ST. (RT. 41) • TROY • 937-440-1234 M-F 10-8, SAT. 9-5, SUN. 12:30-4:302230 W. MICHIGAN ST., SIDNEY • 937-498-4584 M-T-W-F 10-8, THUR.-SAT. 10-5, SUN. 12-4

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THE ART OF FINE FURNITUREHAND CRAFTED MANUFACTURING• Lumber is kiln dried and available in 7 wood species! Cherry, Rustic Cherry, Oak,Quarter-sawn Oak, Hickory, Maple & Walnut. • Bench made (not conveyor run pro-duction) with mortise and tension joints. • Case pieces have English dovetail drawerconstruction that are side-guided with ball-bearing metal extension supports. • 5.0mil Catalyzed lacquer finish available in 20 stains. The most superior in the indus-try! • Made in the USA (Ohio)! Shipping on company owned trucks!

TABLES• All tables are available in various sizes and shapes. One inch thickness on tabletops! • Six different legs to choose and nine different pedestal bases. • All tables(including leg tables) are double-gear driven. • Leg tables have a center supportleg. • Leaves are self-storing and up to 12 leaves are available for most tables thatcan extend up to 216”.

CHAIRS• Contract grade chairs that will withstand 700 lbs. of pressure • Each chair is avail-able with wood or fabric seat. • All chairs are available as bar stools 24” or 30”and with optional swivel mechanisms.