Decatur Daily Democrat, Volume 59, Number 73, Decatur, Adams County, 28 March 1961 — Page 5

TUESDAY, MARCH M, MH

SPARK UP ROOM CORNER i Spark Up Room Corner

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A glamorous basement corner became a home owner’s reward for a small investment for materials, plus his time, in transforming a drab place into a better living area for his family. Attractive, warm-looking panelgroove hides cold concrete walls. An ingenious framing for windows, plus book shelves between the potted plants, too, are decorous. Below, he installed useful storage cabinets behind sliding doors of quarter-inch pegboard. The cabinet top. used for hobbies, is long-wearing plastic-surfaced hardboard. Overhead, he hid fluorescent light fixtures behind a unique valance. An acoustical ceiling and an asphalt floor covering completed the transformation of an 8 by 14 foot corner.

Yard, Garden Hobbyists Need Work - Storage Area

Gardening and lawn care are hobbies to countless home owners. Their time and effort are rewarded by concrete results. To make this popular hobby as pleasant as possible, you should have a designated location for -gardening and yard care equipment. The corner of a garage will serve, or you might want to erect a separate building away from the house. Suppose you want to establish a gardening corner the easiest, least expensive way. Here’s what you can do. Clear a corner of the garage or utility room. The space can be compact, just six feet wide and ceiling high, or as extensive as you need. Leave enough depth to alkiw shelves 16 or 18 inches Wide, plus working room. Installation of Masonite *4” PegBoard is the key to the gardening corner, for it will support a variety of shelves for storage and work surfaces as well as individual tools and equipment. If the room has exposed wall studs, simply nail the Peg-Boards up. Otherwise, fur out the wall at 16-inch intervals so there will be room to insert and remove the fixtures. Special brackets designed for heavy-duty use are suggested as the ones that should hold the working area shelves used mdst frequently. Lumber dealers who supply the heavy-duty Peg-Board also have adapter fixtures which will permit use of the Adjust-a-Bilt brackets. On these are fastened wooden boards that become the working surfaces. Shelves and other fixtures may be established at any convenient height. They may be changed when desired.

i Insulation Handymans Dish

Among the reasons do-it-your-selfers continue to be do-it-your-selfers is the enjoyment they get from working with their hands, plus the feeling of accomplishment in improving their homes. Another reason, of course, is that doing the job himself permits many a home owner to make improvements he might xxot otherwise be able to afford. Installing mineral wool insulation is one do-it-yourself project that combines both rewards. Adequate insulation sharply reduces heating costs, makes a house more comfortable all year around, and adds to its resale value. Areas where the home handyman usually can install insulation include unfloored ceilings

K GAS PERMIT? GAS FURNACE No more “looking after” the furnace. G-E automatic heating ends fuss and for a FREE Estimate |< Phone 3-2615 ASHBAUCHERS’ TIN SHOP Established 1915 Heating, Roofing, Siding. Spouting, Air Conditioning 116 N. Ist St. Decatur, Ind. Phone 3-3615

Keep Kiddies Happy, Build ’Em Playhouse Little children like nothing better than a real playhouse. Dad can build one of component panels in his workshop, assemble it in the back yard and then take it into the basement for the winter. The walls and roof of a playhouse recommended by many families are pre-assembled panel units made of durable, splinter-free Masonite Tempered Presdwood and light lumber. This playhouse is 8 feet long, just over 6 feet wide and 4 feet high to the hip of the roof. It may be made higher, according to a free plan which may be obtained by writing the Home Service Bureau, Suite 2037, 111 W. Washington St., Chicago 2, Illinois. A Chicago man built this playhouse for his youngsters when they were under five. That was eight years ago. ,He has moved twice and now lives in Arizona. Yes, the playhouse is still in service, just as good as when it was built, he says. His growing girls and boys, according to reports, were planning to put the house in a tree. Paint both sides of sliding doors made of Masonite board. By using different colors, you can reverse sides to change the color scheme.

between living quarters and an unheated attic, floors above crawl spaces, floors of living quarters above an unheated porch or attached garage, and walls between the house and unheated attached garage. For maximum comfort and economy, do-it-yourselfers should ask their building materials dealers for batts or blankets of mineral wool labeled R-19 when they plan to insulate ceilings. Walls call for insulation labeled R-11, and crawl space floors need batts or blankets labeled R-13. Areas not accessible to the home owner, such as finished walls, can be insulated by a mineral wool contractor who blows “granulated” wool into stud spaces using special pneumatic equipment.

Insulation Helps Families Afford Better Houses If home builders used greater amounts of insulation than the minimum required by the Federal Housing Administration, more families would be eligible to buy better houses with FHAinsured mortgages. A method to determine exactly how families with lower incomes can be made eligible for financing assistance has resulted from a joint research project of the National Association of Home Builders and the National Mineral Wool Insulation Association. The Study was based on the fact that as home operating costs decrease, the owner can afford higher monthly mortgage payments. Income Need Cut In a typical case, the addition of a moderate amount of insulation to a house would reduce the monthly fuel bill by $2.83 while the monthly mortgage payment would increase 47 cents to pay for the additional insulation. Under the FHA’s system of rating “buyer’s ability to pay,” the amount of annual income required to be eligible for the better insulated house would be S2OO less than for the one with minimum insulation. With the same income requirement, a buyer would be eligible for a better house. For example, he could afford a $14,800 house instead of one priced at $14,300. e , The extent of change in eligibility rating would vary from one FHA field office jurisdiction to another. Heating fuel costs, efficiency of the heating system, and the severity of the climate also would have an effect Core of the NAHB-NMWIA project is a formula for a Heating Index for individual houses. When the index number is applied to two charts, available to builders and FHA insuring offices, it shows both the possible reduction in annual income and the increase in mortgage that can be supported by operating savings from better insulation. ‘lngenious,’ Says Official The Heating Index system has been characterized by M. Carter McFarland, chief economist of the Housing and Home Finance Agency, as a “very ingenious and sound device.” An explanation of the system has been sent by FHA headquarters in Washington to all field offices. The FHA letter asks field office directors to use the Heating Index system in carrying out the previously established policy of giving credit for efficient materials and design to reduce a home owner’s monthly operating expense. 'Drop-In Ranges Look Built-In, Can Be Moved A new, “drop-in” electric range now” on the market is ideal for families who want tc improve their kitchens withoul major renovations. These new electric range; provide the built-in look without costly carpentry and cabinetry, and are as mobile as a free-standing range. This means the housewife who grows fond of her new electric range won’t have to worry about leaving it behind if the family moves. Many models of the new "drop-in” unit fit neatly between cabinets or other appliances, resting on a low, recessed toe-molding. Some others also are designed to hang on the wall. All have the fine engineering and automatic devices that make even good cooks cook better electrically. If your building or remodeling plans call for an automatic electric dishwasher, make sure it will be supplied with hot water—at least 140 degrees. Today’s electric dishwashers scour dishes, pots, pans, and utensils with repeated jets of water and detergent, then rinse them several times. This action, using adequately hot wafer, insures nygienicallyclean table and cooking ware that protects family health.

Improve your home with concrete! For driveways, sidewalks, retaining walls, and other permanent improvements use Ready-Mixed concrete. DECATUR READY-MIX CORP, furnishes accurately proportioned and mixed concrete when you want it—where you want it. Call 3-2561 for estimates and more information. Our Ready-Mixed Concrete is economical to use. Remember the num-ber—3-2561. DECATUR READY-MIX CORP. f ■. - PHONE 3-2561 E. OAK & FORNAX STS. PHONE 3-2561

THE DECATUB DAILY DEMOCRAT, DECATUR, INDIANA

Painting Hints For Handy-Man PAINTING EXTERIOR CONCRETE & MASONRY • Successful painting of exterior concrete and masonry surfaces depends on using a paint that resists the effects of the alkali present in these building products. Conventional oil-based paints are attacked by alkali and are not suitable. Paints that will give satisfactory service over materials containing cement, according to the National Paint, Varnish & Lacquer Association, are exterior latex paints meant for use on masonry, portland cement paints, reinforced masonry paints, solvent-thinned resin paints such as swimming pool paints, and transparent silicone coatings. Be sure, however, that you use dnly quality paint. Only quality paint has the lasting hiding power, retains its color brilliance, and is wear and weather resistant. To be sure that you are getting a quality product, ask a friend or neighbor who has enjoyed a satisfactory paint job on cement what brand he used, or consult your established, reputable paint dealer. Surface preparation generally consists of merely removing dirt and dust by vigorous brushing; solvent wiping will remove oil and grease. Metal objects, imbedded in these surfaces should be primed with a quality anti-corrosive metal primer. Patch or caulk all cracks and holes. Previously painted surfaces in good condition usually require only the removal of dirt and grease. Loose or peeling paint should be removed by wire brushing, as should light chalking. Excessive chalk should be bound with the special surface conditioning primers available at your paint dealer. Conventional oil-based paints can be used to repaint sound painted surfaces. Solvent-thinned paints must be applied only to dry surfaces. Latex paints can be applied to either wet or dry surfaces, while portland cement paints must be applied only to a wet surface and be kept wet while they are curing. Portland cement paints can not be applied over previously painted surfaces unless the earlfer paint was portland cement paint. If other paints are applied over portland cement paints, a surface conditioner is usually required to bind the chalk. In general, brick and stone construction should be treated the same way as concrete because the mortar will have the same alkaline characteristics as concrete. Concrete blocks generally require srprime coat that will fill their porous surfaces which can be obtained from your paint dealer. The solvent-thinned rubber-based paints are recommended for cinder and slag blocks because their acidity, iron contact and alkalinity must all be considered to prevent staining. Where it is desired to keep the color of the,material unchanged, transparent w’ater repellant silicone coatings are recommended. They must be applied liberally as per label instructions. For concrete floors, patios and walks, use rubber derivative floor paints, varnish vehicle floor paints or the hewer latex floor enamels. PAINTING GALVANIZED STEEL A primer with a long, hyphenated name holds the secret to successful painting of galvanized steel. Although there are other serviceable first coats, the recommendation of the National Paint. Varnish & Lacquer Association and steel industry is zinc dust-zinc oxide paint. The finish coat can be any exterior paint or enamel recommended by the manufacturer of the primer. Galvanized metal is painted for three reasons: for decorative purposes, to protect the steel after the galvanized coating has worn away, and for increased heat reflection. Wherever possible, galvanized

steel should be permitted to weather six months so that the coating applied to the sheets to protect them from being stained by moisture during shipping can oxidize away. If immediate painting is necessary, the sheet manufacturer should be consulted for recommended pre-painting treatment. Be sure, however, that you use only quality paint. Only quality paint has lasting hiding power, retains its color brilliance, and is wear and weather resistant. To be sure that you are getting a quality product, ask a friend or neighbor who has had a satisfactory paint job which brand he used or consult your established, reputable paint dealer. Brushing off any surface dirt or scale with a wire brush and removing any grease or oil films with mineral spirits or detergent and water is the only surface preparation required for weathered metal. The former practice of washing or etching the metal with various weak acids is no longer recommended. In fact, it is believed that such treatment may interfere with adhesion of the paint. It is important to stir the zinc dust-zinc oxide primer thoroughly because the zinc dust pigment is heavy and has a greater tendency to settle to the bottom than other pigments. After this primer has been applied to a dry surface and has dried hard, apply the proper top coat of quality exterior paint or enamel. If the metal is being painted only to prolong its life, the recommended procedure is to apply one coat of the zinc dust-zinc oxide paint by brush or spray when the original galvanized finish is about gone. A second coat probably will not be necessary for five to seven years. Be sure s to remove any rust that may have developed. Once the steel has lost its shiny surface, it also loses its heat reflecting power. Heat can build up to very high levels under metal roofing of this type in the sun. interfering with the growth and productivity of animals housed in the structure. Experiments have shown that painting such metal white can very substantially reduce under - roof temperatures. Here again, the primer is the zinc dustzinc oxide paint. The top coat Should be a moderately chalking exterior white paint. Keep Appliances Handy Adjustable shelves mounted on panel of Peg-Board can be used b store small appliances near the food preparation area or dinette. Phis predecorated Peg-Board, thich is available at lumber dealfes in plain colors and attractive wood and marble patterns, can be mounted on a lumber framework or incorporated into the kitchen’s decorative scheme during remodelfcg. The smooth plastic finish fen be kept clean with a damp Wiping.

for your'buttef rooms at fowdorf Ceiling Tile 1 s s iow lllCh. ~ 1 Family room, Swing room, haW way*, kitchen...the busiest) 'rooms should bo the first to got this smartest, easiest homo improvement! j Beautiful' **| homes./.the very beet for •topping * noise...' histall It Wourseif or wot rasommend papert oraftsmsn.* ' SOME IN this wook for samplea, estimates, and help Io planning! ARNOLD Lumber Co., Inc. "Your Complete Builders' Supply Department Store" WINCHESTER STREET AT ERIE R. R. CROSSING

Roofing Material Blameless v

Properly Applied Roofing Prevents Roof Leaks Caused By Ice Dams i

Don’t blame your roofing ma-’ i serial if your home suffered j damage from ice dams this winter. , Poor construction, not the roofing material, was at fault. Ice dams can’t cause leaks when asphalt shingles are properly dams are accumulations of i ice in roof gutters. They back water up under the improperly applied roofing material. As water drips into the house, it can damage walls and ceilings, cause rot that weakens structural timbers, saturate insulation, and even cause dangerous short circuits if it gets into the wiring. Proper asphalt shingle application, as recommended by manufacturers, calls for protecting thg eaves section of a roof by five layers of material. First to go on is a “metal drip edge, ' which is bent down over the edges of the roof deck boards. Next comes an “underlayment’’ of asphalt-saturated roofing felt This forms a waterproof layer over the entire surface of the deck. For low-slope roofs, two thicknesses of felt are used. Most important is the “eaves flashing strip.” For conventional roof slopes a continuous strip of heavy roll roofing is applied along the eaves on top of the drip edge and underlayment. It ihould extend from the edge of

Repairing Old Roof May Start New Leaks Repairing an old roof general- ■ ly is a waste of time, says An-1 drew C. Lang, authority on home maintenance. “Walking on an aged, weathered roof to make repairs here and there may open up new leaks," says Lang, “that will show up at the first rainstorm.’* That’s why roofers generally recommend applying a complete new roof of asphalt shingles directly over the old material. This is the most economical measure in the long run, since an asphalt shingle roof will give years of protection from all kinds of weather. RANGE FOLDS AWAY Ever hear of folding up a kitchen range? That’s just what you can do with some of the new electric cooking elements, designed to give extra counter space when they’re not in use. There’s hardly a housewife alive who can’t use more counter space, nd matter how big her kitchen,.

Vit-Rock AUTOMATIC ELECTRIC WATER HEATERS Slone-lined for perfect rust-free ■ protection! i I No> Restricted from any “Bad-Water” Areas. '< Matchless performance and dependability are yours to command in the ft all-new, all-electric COLEMAN Vit-Rock Water Heaters. Clean heating ... with safe, convenient, and completely silent electricity. No flues, no fumes! Coleman's revolutionary Vit-Rock Water Heater with its t'l I fl stonelined tank-absolutly will not corrode or rust. Water never touches ■ I '4 9 metal! No matter how destructive the water in your area may be, M cannot harm Vif - Roc,< - No leaky tanks! No rusty water. Instead-a I continuous flow of crystal clear hot water. J . I Exclusive ! BONDED 10-YEAR WARRANTY f Round Model * . I E eo g*AI This 8500 Bond backs our 10-year guarantee: Complete new heater if tank fails during first five | uEB| M years. In the succeeding five years, replacement _ I(rrT ß JL JL is made on a sliding scale based on years of service. ■ ’ * ROUND models •TABLE-TOP MODELS .fUEIW •STOWAWAY MODELS Bk <r ®nuc* s> 7 209 N. 13th St. Decatur, Indiana Phone 3-3316

JET.'® ~ B « Bi w * *• mH - fl w| i" ’ a s> iHr - I " ■ J:.. This frigid-looking mass is an ice dam, one of winter’s woes for home owners. Ice clogging gutters prevents normal run-off of water which can back up under roofing and leak into house, ice dams can’t cause trouble if asphalt shingles are properly applied.

the roof at least 12 inches beyond the interior wall line. For low-slope roofs, the two . thicknesses of felt should be cemented together from the ' eaves up to a point at least 24 . I inches beyond the interior wall : j line. The fourth layer is a “starter” :! strip of roll roofing 9 inches wide.

Get Ahead of the Heat Buy Air Conditioner Now i To Be Ready For Summer

Shopping for a room air conditioner in winter or early spring is a bit like trying to decide what you want for dinner after you’ve finished a hearty lunch. But there are some good reasons why families who want to enjoy a room air conditioner this summer and for many years to come should buy it now: 1. The unit will be in place and ready to begin serving on the first uncomfortably warm day. 2. Appliance dealers and department stores are receiving fresh new stocks of room air conditioners now. The wide choice of styles and sizes available make it easier for a family to find the unit to fit their needs exactly. 3. Planning to buy now gives home owners and apartment

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Sometimes, strip shingles laid with their tabs pointing up the roof are used. The fifth layer is the first course of regular shingles.. This layer forms part of the visible roof covering. All of the other layers lie underneath it, simply to give full protection against ice dams and wind-driven rain.

dwellers ample time to study their requirements for room cooling and to select the air conditioner that will give mem maximum comfort at the lowest operating cost. 4. Waiting until a heat wave strikes may mean making a hasty, unstudied decision. Today’s electric room air conditioners are finely-engineered instruments, designed to give years of trouble-free service. For this reason, its selection should hot be made in haste. Today, families are aided in selecting the right size room air conditioner for their needs by standards of the National Electrical Manufacturers Association, which provide that the unit’s cooling capacity (Btu’s per hour) be imprinted on the data plate. Btu ratings are the only accurate ones. >