“The industry is always evolving,” says Dan McCord, owner and president of Colorado Concept Lighting. “But in a way, the bathroom stays constant.”

Strategically placed, quality lighting has always been important, he notes. Technology has helped contractors provide better and varied options. In many cases, a variety of lighting is used in one bathroom: Incandescent, fluorescent and LED bulbs might light up the main area while a heating lamp can keep the shower or bath area warm.

McCord has received some interesting requests during his long tenure in the lighting field, including the 14 different fixtures, which featured bookcase lighting, desk lighting and under-the-counter lighting that shined through an onyx surface.

Another client had thought ahead to Christmas and wanted to make sure she had plenty of outlets to accommodate her powder room decorations.

“We’re also seeing more and more people actually having kitchen cabinet guys make bathroom cabinetry,” McCord says, adding that it serves as high-quality furniture used for storage. Then, lights are added to put the focus on family photos, perfume bottles or knick-knacks. “We’ve provided lighting for artwork in bathrooms.”

However, McCord is quick to point out that the most basic needs are sometimes overlooked in the bathroom – eye-level lights to help illuminate the face while looking in the mirror, as well as lights over the sink and countertop. “You need both,” McCord said. “Most clients will take my word for it, but there are a few I have to come back and add one or the other.”

Once the basics are in place, then homeowners can make a statement by adding sconces, canned lights, chandeliers and dimmers all around.

The following are the 2010 winners.

Project of the Year
Knudson Gloss Architects, with its first-place “Additions” entry.

Whole House — $1 million plus
TKP Architects and Landmark Traditions, 1st place
R.D. Simmermon and Co., DHR Architecture and Interior Intuitions, 2nd place

Whole House — $500,000 to $1 million
Knudson Gloss Architects, 1st place
Creative Remodeling, 2nd place
Visual Impax, 3rd place

Whole House — $250,000 to $500,000
Domani Homes, 1st place
Creative Remodeling and Elizabeth Metz, 2nd place
MQ Architecture and Design, 3rd place

Whole House — Under $250,000
True North Builders, 1st place

Basements, Luxury
Basements and Beyond, 1st place
Finished Basement Company, 2nd place
Basements and Beyond, 3rd place

Basements, Standard
Finished Basement Company, 1st place
Finished Basement Company, 2nd place
Basements and Beyond, 3rd place

Basements, Basic
Finished Basement Company, 1st place
Finished Basement Company, 2nd place

Kitchens, Luxury
Creative Remodeling, 1st place
Visual Impax, 2nd place
Kitchen Evolutions, 3rd place

Kitchens, Standard
Bulthaup by Kitchen Distributors, 1st place
GRC Builders and Builder’s Kitchen Center, 2nd place
Doug Walter Architects and Michael Collins Fine Home Building, 3rd place

Kitchens, Basic
Domani Homes, 1st place
A La Carte Design, 2nd place
Bulthaup by Kitchen Distributors, 3rd place

Bath, Luxury
H&H Builders and MQ Architecture and Design, 1st place
Creative Remodeling, 2nd place
Visual Impax, 3rd place

Bath, Standard
Kitchen Evolutions, 1st place

Bath, Basic
GRC Builders, 1st place
Basements and Beyond, 2nd place
A La Carte Design, 3rd place

Additions
Knudson Gloss Architects, 1st place
True North Construction, 2nd place
H & H Builders and MQ Architecture and Design, 3rd place

Exterior Remodel
Knudson Gloss Architects, 1st place
Thomas Carr Architect, 2nd place

Exterior Facelift
Prairie Manor Design and Hardcastle Co. Builders, 1st place
Superior Products Home Improvement, 2nd place

Details
Nest Architecture, R.D. Simmermon and Co., 1st place
True North Builders, 2nd place

Interior Remodel
MQ Architecture and Design and Cottonwood Custom Builders, 1st place
Build It! And Blue Stone Works, 2nd place

Green Remodel
R.D. Simmermon and Co. and Virginia DuBrucq, 1st place
Superior Products Home Improvement, 2nd place

Historic
Doug Walter Architects, 1st place
Colorado Kitchen Designs, 2nd place

Insurance Restoration
Anne Grice Interiors, 1st place

Interior Design
Castles Interiors, 1st place

Specialty Project
True North Builders, 1st place

Photo cutline:
GRC Builders in Littleton worked with the Builder’s Kitchen Center to remodel this kitchen and win second place in the annual Colorado Awards for Remodeling Excellence. Photo by Ron Ruscio Photography.

Although part of the allure for ski-country living, this climate variability takes its toll on the exterior of a home. From one day to the next, a 30-degree shift is not uncommon. The materials on the outside are constantly in flux — expanding, shifting and contracting. Tom Higgins, president and founder of Superior Products Home Improvements in Littleton, has spent his career helping homeowners find the right exterior for any budget, while protecting their home against the elements.

Higgins points out that in Colorado a combination of strong ultraviolet rays, rapid temperature swings, high winds and a daily freeze-thaw cycle does the most harm to siding. This creates rotting, warping, splitting and curling, which are strong clues that it is time to upgrade. Luckily, with quality materials and proper installation, siding will last up to 25 years.

As a general rule of thumb, Higgins starts with a home’s value to determine what kind of siding makes the most sense. Homes valued under $250,000 typically use vinyl siding. Homes between $250,000 and $300,000 are appropriate for fiber cement and vinyl, while homes that cost more than $300,000 often use fiber cement or stucco.

Another consideration is how long an owner plans to stay in the home. “If you’re not planning to stay in a home for many years to come, it’s best to choose siding that will enhance its resale value,” explains Higgins.  “In this case, fiber cement or stucco provides the best enhancements to a home’s resale value.

However, the local homeowners association may dictate what siding will be used. “Some HOAs in higher-end neighborhoods forbid the use of vinyl siding,” says Higgins.  “It’s best to check with your HOA to determine specific materials that are recommended and which are not allowed.”

Each individual exterior finish – vinyl, stucco or cement – stands up to the forces of nature differently. Vinyl can handle winds up to 190 mph, but can sustain considerable damage in a hail storm. Stucco, on the other hand, has a high tolerance to wind and hail. But it is fiber cement that can truly weather Colorado’s meanest storms in style. Second in strength only to brick and stone, fiber cement does not have a tendency to expand and contract during temperature swings and it stands up to hail and high winds.

Nevertheless, without expert installation, any new exterior will fail. In the case of vinyl, it can shift up to a quarter of an inch in one day. If the contractor doesn’t take this into account, the exterior may not be fully protected. Or in the case of stucco, it cannot cure in colder temperatures. If the contractor wants to do the job in the cold months, look for someone else.

“Reputable contractors will go the extra mile to make sure everything is going as planned,” says Higgins. “Fly-by-night contractors with little to no credentials don’t provide as much information.”

Once Higgins has put his clients’ mind at ease, the new exterior can take shape. Warped boards or cracked stucco gives way to a stylish new way for your home to survive the high-altitude elements that Colorado’s outdoor enthusiasts enjoy so much.

Casey Cisneros is a Lyons freelance writer.

SIDEBAR:
Don’t let rare roof replacements wreak havoc

We always take for granted a roof over our heads until it fails and we discover that everything underneath is at risk.

Welcome to the discovery process of roofing. Materials, sometimes-onerous homeowner association rules and other details pop up that no one has thought about for decades.

When local news channels report on the latest weather event (isn’t everything an event now?), our roofs will take the brunt of the storm. Because wind, rain, snow, ice and hail are expected throughout the different seasons, Colorado provides the ultimate tests for roofs.

When it’s time for a replacement, it’s necessary to do some homework before allowing someone to spend several days at your home. In Denver’s western suburbs, for example, added protection is required to prevent ice and water build up that can wreak havoc on the eaves. If the additional layers of material are not added, ice dams can form, forcing water back into the home. In a worst-case scenario, drywall, decking and rafters are damaged by water seeping in and the result is a much larger remodeling project. In cities or counties that require the additional protection, materials and labor costs increase.

Michael Ambrose Hoffman of Ambrose Exterior Solutions said it’s important to communicate as much information as possible to homeowners before the work begins. “We’ll go through every detail of the roof,” he said.
Because roofing problems are so infrequent, Hoffman said there are usually details his clients have overlooked, such as, homeowner associations. Some are very specific about the types, colors and weights of replacement roofing.

Hoffman said his team will check out other roofs in the neighborhood to get direction on roofing possibilities. The employees must also know the city and county codes to stay within guidelines.

Once the legal issues are resolved, Hoffman said aesthetics are an important piece of the puzzle. Flashing choices, touch-up painting and the color of the tiles or shingles can top off a quality project.

Although most roofs are replaced between April and October, Hoffman said there are needs, such as minor repairs, throughout the year.

Consumers also should be sure that a solid warrant is provided in case problems occur years after a roof is installed.

Hoffman, who has been roofing for more than 10 years, said roofers should have some credentials, including certifications for the type of roof they are providing and even more importantly, referrals. “These are key things that people should be looking for,” he said, adding that liability insurance, workers compensation and licenses should be provided upfront to the homeowner.

Creativity is the name of the game, especially in the outdoors, where this year’s whim and fancy can be scrapped and recreated next spring.

Here are ideas from the Associated Landscape Contractors of Colorado (ALCC). Each year, its members identify the top landscape and garden trends. This year’s trends involve keeping things local – from the food you grow in your garden to the entertaining you do in your backyard.

1. Eat locally – out of your own backyard. The momentum for kitchen gardening that started a couple years ago is even stronger as more plants and ways to grow them are available. Plant vegetables throughout your landscape as long as their needs for water and sun are compatible.

2. Insert Your Address Here – is your most affordable vacation destination. With the current economy, many folks are choosing the cozy comforts of home over expensive getaways. Enjoy the tranquility of an Asian garden or the formality of an English estate. Turn your backyard into your own stay-cation. With Colorado’s 300-plus days of sunshine, outdoor living areas can be enjoyed all year as places to kick back, entertain, enjoy and escape.

3. Greening up your landscape. Earth-friendly landscape design and maintenance are stronger than ever. Homeowners want less area to water and maintain and are installing sprinkler systems that operate only when water is needed.

4. For annual color, vast, opulent displays are long gone. For trends in container gardening, look for strategically placed annual flowers for maximum pop. Also look for flower varieties in new combinations that are planted in attention-grabbing containers.

5. Water features are now for everyone. Once a luxury, it is common practice for homeowners to request water features. Coveted for their practicality as much as their aesthetic qualities, water features buffer street traffic, provide ambience and can feature plants that only grow in water – like water lilies. With proper design and installation, they also serve as a water conserving element.

6. Whether it’s your wardrobe or your yard, fashion basics never go out of style. Lush grass that is well maintained through aeration, fertilizer and regular mowing is a timeless standard, as are neatly pruned trees and shrubs.  A colorful palette of flowers and foliage — like any good accessory — makes an eye-catching statement.

7. Light it up. Night lighting that highlights your house and landscape is one of the fastest-growing landscape innovations. Not only does it look great, but it increases home security. And new fluorescent and LED lighting options mean using less electricity. LEDs even come in multiple colors, adding variety.

8. Save money by doing it right the first time. Homeowners who are watching dollars closely are wary of quick, cheap fixes that are short lived. Find the right professional contractor for the job and use durable products that enhance property values, provide ease of maintenance and save money.

9. ‘Curb appeal’ gives your home a competitive sales advantage. According to a home sale study in the Journal of Environmental Horticulture, high-quality landscaping increased home sales prices anywhere from 5.7 to 10.8 percent. Research shows that every $1 spent on landscape returns $1.35. Smart sellers know first impressions are crucial and the best way to improve the first impression is to improve its curb appeal.

10. Gardening with a purpose. Whether planting a kitchen garden to harvest varieties of herbs, creating a meditation garden or designing a yard to attract more wildlife or to be more user-friendly to the family dog, gardening with a purpose is here to stay.

11. Mother Nature’s AC is A-OK. Trees are nature’s canopies for providing shade. An investment in trees provides many returns, including cooling our homes, reducing summer energy costs and improving landscape aesthetics and curb appeal. Before planting a shade tree, be sure to pick one that grows best in Colorado’s arid climate and check that you have enough space as the tree matures – including space for roots.

With more than 700 members across the state, the Associated Landscape Contractors of Colorado is the premier organization for Colorado’s landscape contractors. ALCC has been at the forefront for more than 40 years of helping the landscape industry address Colorado’s unique climate. To find a landscape professional or subscribe to ALCC’s lawn and garden “tip of the week,” visit www.alcc.com.

Photo cutline:
Lindgren Landscape & Irrigation created this gorgeous setting at a Windsor home, providing comfortable outdoor space day or night. Photo by Steve Glass of Glass Photography.

It was hard to believe that new flooring became the deciding factor that convinced somebody to finally make an offer on the house. Even though the old carpet and hardwood looked stain-free on the real estate website, the new flooring apparently made the house eye-catching.

“Many times, old floors just last too long. People become used to the appearance and dinginess as time goes on and they can just as easily keep living on them,” explains Gary Kulhanek, owner of Star Flooring & Design in Boulder. “When floors are finally replaced, it often amazes customers how much difference a new bright floor and its updated color, pattern and design can do for them and their home environment.”
There are some easily identifiable signs that floors need to be replaced. If there are any curled edges, loose spots, buckles, stains, deep gouges, scratches, or very dated patterns and colors, it is time to have a conversation with a flooring professional about your options.

“Generally, we first try to get a feel for the type of look the customer is after and what their situation is,” says Kulhanek, who has more than 45 years of experience in the industry. “We also want to consider how many people will be living in the home. What are their ages? Will there also be pets, and how long do they plan on living there.”

While some big-box chain stores boast bottom-line prices, there may be some unanticipated costs down the road if you’re forced to work with someone other than an experienced craftsman. Plan to work with someone who understands the floor plan at your home and can anticipate the foot and paw traffic the flooring may experience in years to follow.

“Price is always an important factor,” explains Kulhanek. “Flooring is generally a long-term investment and if a customer is down to a couple of choices and the more expensive one is much better for them, it only translates to a small difference over the long run.”

Some homeowners plan to replace the flooring, as well as upgrade by using better materials. For them, Kulhanek has options that are durable, sustainable and comfortable. Heated stone and ceramic tile flooring are currently popular in bathrooms.

“I have seen lots of nice stone floors in bathrooms, but a nice travertine or porcelain floor, electrically heated, is like a whole different floor,” says Kulhanek. “It’s very comfortable to walk on and you’ll be happy you added heat to it for many years to come.”

Replacing or upgrading is immediately satisfying and continuously rewarding. Who wouldn’t be happy to step out of the shower on a snowy winter day and have their feet welcomed by warm tiles?

Casey Cisneros is a Lyons freelance writer.

Bev Moriarty, an interior designer in Highlands Ranch, said warm grays and greens are very popular, and are often accented with rich yellow or eggplant tones. She said wallpaper is still making a slow comeback, but bold wallpaper designs will become a bigger trend in the next couple of years.

Christina Kittelstad of Spiral Design Color Consulting in Lakewood said vibrant greens and violet tones are also being used as accents, and ceilings are a new site for bright accent colors. “It really puts the final touch on a room and can be such a welcome surprise in certain spaces such as recessed ceilings in dining rooms, master bedrooms, porches or nurseries,” she said. “To create a cozier space on high ceilings, use a warm darker color and to lift a low ceiling, paint a lighter, brighter color.”

Kittelstad said such accents won’t hurt resale value, either. “Contrary to popular belief, when used correctly and in small doses, color increases curb appeal and potential buyers take notice,” Kittelstad said.

A few of the hottest new paint brands are Devine Color and Mythic Paint. Devine Color replaces printed color reproductions with handmade artists’ palettes, and the company can mail mini-paint pouches for color testing. Mythic has zero toxins and no odor.

Chalkboard paint also remains popular, both for children’s rooms and large wall calendars for families to list tasks and stay organized.

Despite the expansion of new hardwoods, cork and other flooring surfaces, travertine and other natural stones are still popular for countertops and flooring. However, homeowners also are attracted to less expensive porcelain tiles that mimic the look of natural stone.

Granite is still the much-loved standard for kitchen countertops, according to Case Remodeling, an award-winning national remodeling franchise company. However, new materials are gaining ground, including copper, quartzite and pyrolave, a pricey enameled lava.

Dark cherry and other wood colors are in fashion for cabinets, along with a return to painted finishes.

In bathrooms, freestanding tubs are making a comeback, and large, jetted tubs are not selling as well as in recent years. They require more water, a full bathroom remodel and possibly even a new water heater.

On the other hand, high-tech showers are among the most popular design trends, according to Case. Top-shelf shower upgrades include individually adjustable shower jets lining walls and ceilings; steam baths; sound panels and matching light displays; and customizable shower stalls that can be programmed for each family member. Top-mount vessel sinks are also a big bathroom trend.

Case Remodeling experts are also designing more functional and adjustable lighting combinations in the kitchen. Combining softer ambient lighting with targeted task lighting provides a more comfortable and attractive setting than a set of harsh, white fluorescent tubes in the ceiling.

Moriarty said small halogen lights are popular, particularly focused task lighting. Some homeowners are still reluctant to switch to compact fluorescent light bulbs, but they can still save some energy by switching from traditional incandescent bulbs to halogen.

Steve Graham is a Fort Collins freelance writer.

Photo:
Jeffrey K. Abrams Architect P.C. in Boulder worked with Champion Construction to remodel this entire Golden residence. To meet the needs of the homeowners, the house was transformed from a walkout ranch into a luxurious Country French home. Photos by Don Senia Murray of Don Murray Photography.

Caruso is one of several dedicated kitchen showrooms in the Denver area. Instead of looking for the cheapest product or the latest modern trend, homeowners are increasingly looking to such specialty outlets for durable appliances and simple, elegant designs.

According to a manufacturer survey by Kitchen and Bath Design News, customers are looking for values in the current market, but are willing to pay more for high-quality products that last. Kitchen upgrades are now about doing more with the same space — more convenient, functional appliances, and cabinetry with more creative storage space.

Specialty stores offer a range of appliance sizes to fit existing spaces, rather than designing kitchens around standard appliances. This also makes a standard fridge or other appliance look like a customized, built-in model.

Simple stainless steel appliances will stand the test of time, and can match other similar appliances even if they are not the same brand or product line. Energy-saving appliances are also popular because they offer on-going savings through lower utility bills. According to a recent National Association of Home Builders survey, 75 percent of homeowners would spend more to go green, but only if they can expect a solid return on investment.

A panel of kitchen design experts at the International Builder’s Show this year said smaller and more accessible appliances are the new trend. Homeowners are no longer paying to expand kitchens and add oversized appliances. Smaller fridges are replacing the oversized, industrial-size fridges installed during the housing boom. Also, drawer-style dishwashers and counter-level microwaves are more accessible and convenient for children, disabled or elderly residents. The standard microwave and hood combination over the stove is going out of fashion as it can be inconvenient and even dangerous for kids to use.

For cabinetry, classic and simple styles are more popular than trendy, ornamental looks, according to the manufacturer survey. Less millwork and customization makes basic cabinetry cheaper, and the style will last for many years.

Jacque Parry, a designer at Showplace Kitchens in Parker, said her customers are focusing on storage and functionality. In this economy, most people are remodeling an existing space rather than buying new homes or creating expensive additions. Pull-out storage shelves and other added organization features are popular, allowing customers to fit more in a smaller kitchen space.

Foutz said her customers are shifting toward dark woods, including cocoa brown and espresso finishes.

Maple is possibly the most popular color in cabinetry, but bamboo and lyptus are also popular sustainable options. Showplace Kitchens carries lyptus, a fast-growing eucalyptus variety. It looks similar to mahogany and is as hard as maple, but it matures in 15 years rather than the 70 or 80 years often needed to grow the other woods.

Foutz said she carries some sustainably harvested woods, but customers’ interest typically wanes when they see the extra cost. Unlike energy-saving appliances, sustainable woods don’t bring obvious long-term financial benefits.

Long-term payoffs and durability are the keys to today’s kitchen remodels, and specialty showrooms are the best source for high-quality appliances and fixtures that fit your home and lifestyle.

Steve Graham is a freelance writer from Fort Collins.

Garages

With 400 feet of space in the average two-car garage and up to 750 feet in a three-car garage, most homeowners can create storage that fits their individual needs. The handyman and the gardener might need benches and pegboard, while the active sports enthusiasts might need cabinetry, shelves and suspended hooks.

Bedrooms

Third bedrooms – once popular for collecting anything and everything – are now being converted to offices in record numbers. “We’ve done three offices in the last three weeks,” reports Marty Wehr, owner of Closet & Storage Concepts.

Wehr said the increasing number of telecommuters has reshaped the third bedroom, where a workstation might be set up to accommodate a laptop and stacking trays. Large desks have lost favor to smaller units that are easier to rearrange.

Wehr said homeowners are looking for new ways to store their items. “Some want cabinets below and bookcases above,” he noted.

Closets

Wehr said the “old rod and shelf’ system isn’t adequate to meet the needs in today’s closets. In newer homes and condos, tall ceilings in the closets allow for additional cabinets. “If there are tall ceilings in the closets, we go vertical and maybe put in one wall of cabinets,” Wehr said.

Photo credis: Photos provided by Global Garage and Out of Sight Closets & Garages

His observation stuck with me because everything about our Colorado climate is like the precipitation — there is rarely an average year and nothing is predictable. Every new season brings either feast or famine, droughts or floods, scorching hot summers or early September winters. And when it comes to fall garden preparation, there are certain important considerations that relate to the unpredictable seasons.

Dave Graham, president of Phase One Landscaping in Denver, tries to anticipate the special seasonal needs of his clients’ gardens when fall rolls around each year.

“The main challenge is that we never really know when fall is here, or when winter has arrived,” explains Graham. “Many trees will lose their leaves, while others are holding on.”

No one with a garden wants to throw the towel in too early, but putting off fall yard work until the last minute can also be frustrating. Some even wait until the following spring, but doing so creates lost opportunities and possibly even some consequences for the home landscape.

“Fall preparation is important for the health of the plant material, to avoid spring diseases, and provide a tidy look to your site and garden for the winter,” says Graham.

Many landscaping companies, such as Phase One, are happy to help their clients with the end-of-season cleanup and prep work. However, for homeowners who find solace and enjoyment working in their yards, Graham has a list of tasks that will ensure a healthy, robust lawn and

garden the following year.

One thing that most people have been pre-conditioned to do in the fall is rake up the fallen leaves. Not only does this keep the lawn looking clean and kempt, but it also takes away a place for pests and plant diseases to hibernate over the winter.

The soil must be turned over in vegetable gardens at the end of the season. This will help remaining organic matter break down over the winter, enriching the soil with nitrogen and other organic nutrients.

In native sod lawns, it is important to plant your warm season grass seed, such as blue granma or buffalo grass, in the late fall so that it can benefit from the snow cover and early spring precipitation. The lawn should also have a “winterizer” fertilizer applied and be aerated.

Wrapping the trunks of young ornamental trees will prevent sunscald. This is necessary for deciduous trees that have a thin layer of bark, such as locusts, fruit trees and ashes. Also taper down the use of fertilizers on trees and shrubs in the fall so that they can go into dormancy.

Lay down mulch around roses and other tender perennial plants that have to be dug up and moved to a frost-protected location.

Some benefits of fall garden preparation can be more immediate. Graham emphasized that even with early freezes, the gardening season doesn’t have to end.  “These conditions create a situation where if we protect our annuals and irrigation systems against overnight freezes, we can enjoy a very extended summer season,” said Graham.

If the cold, wet unpredictable spring of 2010 is any indicator of the fall that will ensue, Graham and other landscaping pros will be in great demand.

Casey Cisneros is a freelance writer from Lyons.

First photo provided by Phase One Landscapes

Insulation, radiant heat flooring and LED lights can all make your home more comfortable and inviting while using less energy.

Insulate and seal your house

Fiberglass insulation was certainly around in Carter’s time, but various alternative products and methods were not yet in widespread use. Wool, soy-based polyurethane, and recycled newspaper and cotton are all now used to keep out the winter cold and summer heat, and help regulate temperatures throughout the house. Insulating and sealing air gaps can keep cold drafts from bothering your dinner guests, and help you avoid overheating the living room just to keep the kids’ bedroom warm enough for sleeping.

Bestway Insulation of Broomfield specializes in re-insulation. The company typically lifts pieces of siding or drills small holes in brick walls, then compresses fiberglass insulation and blows in new cellulose insulation.

Debbie Weingardt of Bestway said her company first re-insulated with cellulose during the Carter administration to reduce noise levels inside homes near the airport. The homeowners soon realized unexpected savings on their energy bills.

They didn’t sacrifice comfort either. After an early spring re-insulation, Weingardt said the homeowner turned off the furnace on Wednesday, and the family didn’t notice until Sunday. Well-placed additional insulation can help boost comfort in rooms that seem to always remain cold in winter.

Gaps around recessed lights and vent pipes, for example, can be sealed with closed-cell polyurethane insulation. At an R-value of nearly 7 per square inch, it is perhaps the most efficient insulation product on the market. Closed-cell polyurethane is good for sealing gaps, but prohibitively expensive for most whole-house insulation jobs.

Get an energy audit that includes a blower door test and infrared imaging to find air leaks and poorly insulated areas in the home. Also consider caulking and weather-stripping around windows and doors, and installing energy-efficient windows.

Radiant floor heating

Once the house is well sealed and insulated, consider upgrading your heating system for more efficiency and comfort with radiant floor heating systems. The most efficient systems run hot water through pipes to directly warm floors and radiate heat into your house.

The concept has been around since ancient Rome, when baths were heated through underground chambers. The modern version took off in the early 1990s, which is when Dave Strong launched Radiant Floors, Inc., in Aurora. He co-owns the business with his son Derek.

Derek Strong said comfort is the top reason his customers seek out radiant flooring, but energy efficiency is a major side benefit. Radiant floor heating is comfortable because heat rises evenly from warm flooring. The system is silent and it keeps from drying out interior air. It also keeps household air cleaner by not blowing dust and other particles from ducts and throughout the house.

Derek said the upfront cost of a radiant flooring system with a 95 percent efficient boiler is about double the cost of a new forced-air heating system. However, the payback in utility bill savings for radiant heat systems can be as little as five years.

Radiant floor systems can be set to the same temperature throughout the house or designed with zoning valves to optimize comfort in each room. Heated electric coils or air tubes can also be used for radiant floor systems, but they are not as cost-effective or practical for most homes.

Radiant floor heating is most effective with ceramic tile and concrete subfloors, which conduct and retain heat well. Carpets, wood, linoleum and other floor coverings can reduce the efficiency of radiant heat flooring. Wood subfloors also are not ideal, but plenty of alternatives exist for such situations.

Light up comfort

Finally, with warm floors below, add warm, rich lighting above. The right lighting can make any room more comfortable and inviting. However, the most efficient lights are not always the most beautiful. One consistent complaint about compact fluorescent light bulbs is the harsh white light. Though CFL manufacturers have eliminated the flicker of old bulbs and improved the color, many still consider the bulbs less warm than traditional incandescent bulbs.

The efficient, comfortable alternative is light-emitting diode, or LED, lighting. The bulbs, which are really an array of tiny semiconductors, use 75 percent less energy than incandescent bulbs. They are rated to last at least 25,000 hours, and do not

contain mercury.

LEDs can produce all colors of the spectrum, are dimmable and provide focused, directional light. However, LEDs are still significantly more expensive than incandescent bulbs or CFLs.

Steve Graham is a freelance writer from Fort Collins