Aloha everyone, My name is Sheryl and I am a long time friend of
Betsy. She has told me about this list and I finally joined and have
been reading the incoming emails.
I bought my first house three years ago and have done an extensive
remodel, renovation or improvement, call it what you like. My house
is a 1920 bungalow style house on post and peer construction which is
quite common here in Hawaii. I have 9 foot ceilings, an unusually
shaped lot and a one car stone garage. I have a large Mango tree that
provides shade for all who visit to sit under. The house needed some
tender loving care as the previous owners were going to remodel but
decided to obviously sell instead. I picked my contractor who
fortunately I picked someone I like working with. I then began doing
research on products for the house. The contractor is great at the
building but wasn't so great at making recommendations for products
so I did extensive research from windows to paint. I'll share
information about two things I love. the "feather river" exterior
door from Home Depot I have as my front door is wonderful. The door
itself is fiberglass with an oval shaped glass insert . I spent hours
and hours looking for a door. The front of my house has a west
exposure and the sun would be harsh on a wood door. Many fiberglass
doors I looked at were cheap feeling with a hollow space between the
outer door and the core. The door matches the time period of my house
which is important to me. It is energy star rated so get about a
$300.00 tax credit. My contractor couldn't even tell if this is
wood or not that is how wood like it looks and feels. The door is
worth all the time it took to find just the right one. The second
product I want to tell you about is "cool wall exterior paint" which
cost about $10.00 more per gallon than other paints. Keeping the
exterior walls cooler keeps the interior of the house cooler and IT
WORKS. When you touch the exterior of the house it doesn't even feel
Luke warm it has a much cooler surface than paint otherwise would.
For tropical and warm climates like Hawaii it seems perfect. The
research showed that it helps with keeping the house cooler by
keeping out radiant heat. One of the reflective components in the
paint is recycled glass. The paint is rich and thick and smells
different than other paints. Of course you can't block all the heat
but cutting down helps. My bedroom is also on the west side of the
house which was hot. I can now sleep comfortably and removed the
window air conditioner. The "cool wall paint" new windows and my
solar attic fan all help in the cooler house process. I still can
enjoy the fresh air while feeling comfortable. I next will plant
grass and have found a grass that takes "little care." Will tell you
more about that after I know more.
Thanks for all the great posts and information. Aloha have a great
day. Sheryl
