As part of our recent market analysis, we mentioned Remodeling Magazines Cost vs. Value report for 2013-2014. The top five national remodeling projects with the highest return on investment for this year are a new front door, a wood deck addition, adding an attic bedroom, garage door replacement and a minor kitchen remodel.

While these projects have a somewhat limited scope individually and are often part of a bigger remodeling project, each has the potential not only to add to the value of the home but also to enhance the experience of living in the home. In the next few columns, we will explore each project in greater detail. This week, lets talk about the front door.

If you have ever browsed the exterior door section of the home improvement stores, you will see there are a lot of options for front doors. This is just a sliver of the market. There are thousands of options with various styles, materials and colors.

To top it off and make the choice even more difficult, there are even more hardware options for door handles. Basically, there are a lot of great front doors and a lot of great houses, but they dont all go together. Choosing a door that doesnt work with your house diminishes the design of both. For example, if you install a lovely Craftsman door in a 1970s rambler, you will see a clash of styles. There is nothing wrong with either the door or the house, but the combination spoils them both.

Therefore, knowing and understanding the style of your house is crucial. Is your home traditional or modern? Is it a fairytale Tudor revival, classic craftsman bungalow, charming Cape Cod or California ranch? These are the common house styles in the Salt Lake valley and you see them often.

You may find that your home wasnt designed in one clear, distinct style. If that is the case, it most likely has elements of several different styles and you will need to decide which is predominant. Once you have determined the predominant style of your home, the next decision is whether to revive and enhance the door or change it into something else.

A front door will really set the tone and theme for your entire exterior style. Here is where we will say (as we do every week!) that you need to look at the big picture and PLAN AHEAD. Every upgrade or home improvement should reflect the dream the master plan for your house. It does not make sense to buy a new front door no matter how beautiful it is if it does not match your current or future house style.

There are three general approaches to selecting a front door that works with your house: You can do it yourself and research home styles and architectural styles on your own, you can trust the door salespeople to lead you in the right direction (but note these folks know a lot more about doors than residential architectural styles) or you can hire an independent residential architect or design professional.

Not only is the style of the door a consideration for this project, but the material the door is made out of must also be selected. Wood doors are beautiful works of art, but you must be willing to accept the consequences of the material. Wood is always moving expanding and contracting hour by hour depending on the temperature, sunlight and humidity it is experiencing. This volatility can lead to swelling, shrinking and even splitting. Of course, if your hearts desire is a beautifully stained door, wood is your obvious choice.

If you prefer a more stable material, fiberglass may be just the thing. These doors are manufactured to look as much like wood as possible, often featuring a simulated wood grain. However, if you think of a painted door made out of real wood, it has been planed and sanded to a smooth finish before it is painted. Go easy on the fake wood grain options.

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Renovation Solutions: Tips to selecting a new front door

Firefighters, home owner urge people to fireproof homes

By Emilee Eagar

April 24th, 2014 @ 10:16pm

MILLCREEK As Kirk Willey sifted through the blackened remains of his home, he searched for documents, pictures, film or anything else he can find.

Days after his home burned to the ground on April 16, officials said the fire that started at the back of the home is still under investigation.

But Willey believes he knows how it started.

"That oil we were using to finish the decks with, extremely flammable," he said.

Willey believes the rags used in the home improvement project spontaneously combusted.

From 2007 to 2011, U.S. municipal fire departments responded to about 160,910 fires each year that started after flammable or combustible liquids ignited, according to the National Fire Protection Association.

"I think there's a message here that needs to get out," Willey said.

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Firefighters, home owner urge people to fireproof homes

NEW YORK -- The Lego Movie this winter reawakened many people to the colorful plastic bricks they hadnt thought about since childhood. But a raft of people inside and outside the Danish company have been clued in to its pleasures for years, as a new movie gleefully and sometimes astonishingly documents.

The film, "Beyond the Brick," which premiered at the Tribeca Film Festival several days ago, is a playful if decidedly soft-lensed look at all things Lego. Directed by Daniel Junge and Kief Davidson and narrated by Jason Bateman, Brick looks at the subculture of Lego or perhaps, given how dominant it appears to have become, the culture of Lego.

As Brick demonstrates, hundreds of thousands of fans build and tinker in their homes, then commune over the Internet or at regular Brick Cons gatherings of like-minded souls who obsess over pieces and creations the way superhero fans immerse themselves in Comic-Con.

PHOTOS: Tribeca Film Festival 2014 | Scene

I was surprised most by at how Lego brings people together, said Davidson in an interview, which included Junge. When we first set out to make the movie, it seemed like something people do on their own. But it really is a way for people to connect.

Known for more serious fare (Junge won an Oscar for his doc Saving Face while Davidson was nominated for "Open Heart"), the filmmakers started this project after looking into a film on just one Lego convention before realizing there was a larger story to tell. They also, like many of its potential viewers, have been reconnecting to the colorful bricks via the young people in their lives.

They eventually reached out to the company, which, in the spirit that also had them open up to Hollywood with its first-ever feature, was willing to cooperate.

The directors' examination of the quirky company can be somewhat light. The movie does cover Lego Group's rough period -- foundering in the 1990s as it scaled back the building aspects of its product and had yet to discover wide-scale licensing deals but mostly emphasizes the creativity and open-sourced attitude that has made it the second-biggest toymaker in the world, with the company sometimes employing designs of its fans and even hiring a few. (The filmmakers, who hope the movie can strike a theatrical-release deal, said Lego gave them autonomy and had only minor factual notes after seeing a rough cut for the first time last month.)

VIDEO: Tribeca Film Festival 2014 trailers

But its the Lego devotees who form the movies spine: the AFOLs (Adult Fans of Lego) and others who obsess and build. (Lest one think its a geeks-only pursuit, the filmmakers also show some unlikely devotees, including Dwight Howard of the NBA's Houston Rockets.)

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Tribeca 2014: In 'Beyond the Brick,' Lego as cultural juggernaut

DEQ survey says city's accessory units have found a home

There arent a lot of grannies living in Portland granny flats.

And there arent a lot of mother-in-laws living in local mother-in-law suites, either.

But thats just fine with the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality, which recently completed the first comprehensive survey of accessory dwelling units, as they are officially known.

ADUs, as they are commonly called, are essentially small second homes built on lots with existing homes under certain conditions. Construction is exploding in Portland since the City Council waived development fees for them in 2010.

Despite the conventional wisdom that ADUs are being built for relatives, including aging ones, the DEQ survey found that only 17 percent of the people living in them in Portland are related to the owners. The majority 57 percent were strangers when they moved in.

Whats more, most ADUs 52 percent were built primarily to generate extra income from rent.

And thats all right, says Jordan Palmeri, a DEQ employee who works to reduce the environmentally harmful effects of homes by increasing their efficiency. According to Palmeri, research shows that the greatest benefits result from building small. The smaller the home, the fewer natural resources are consumed by its construction and the fewer greenhouse gases it emits.

Smaller homes have significant environmental benefits compared to other green building strategies. Building small is a very green thing to do, says Palmeri.

More than anything, Palmeri is impressed by the surveys finding that 79 percent of ADUs in Portland are occupied year-round. According to Palmeri, when the City Council first considered encouraging the construction of ADUs, some people worried they would end up being used as garages, workshops or entertainment rooms.

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This ain't granny's house anymore

JASPER, Ind.

Aremodeling project that turned into a rediscovery an Indiana couple foundlove letters dating back toWorld War I tucked away in theirattic.

"While renovating their house in Jasper, the couple found the letters in their attic insulation. The letters were written by a soldier preparing to fight in World War I."(ViaWISH)

The contractor Phil Mathies, hired to begin work upstairs, had pulled the letters out of the couple's attic while he rewired the room.WFIEreports the letters peeked Phil, his wife, and his sister's interest and, of course, they started reading them.

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"ClementBerger he had a sweetheart, Mary Borho, and he was writing her letters ... how he felt about her and he wanted to be with her."

Phil and his sister Barbara decided they had to find Clements' relatives. Since he was from Jasper, there was a small chance some of his family could still be living there.

The couple published some of the letters in their local paper. One read,"... you are closer than ever to me, for every day, I long for you more and more. Well darling its no use to write you of this for this is what I want and its you and you only and that thought will remain with me till the last."(ViaThe Herald)

And that small chance soon became a reality.Sisters Mary McCune and Nancy Teder are the soldier's nieces. They still live in Jasper and were extremely surprised to see the letters published in the paper.

"It was just an amazing find ... Those letters really convey what he lived in his life and how he felt about our aunt Mary."(Via WFIE)

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Couple finds love letters from WWI in attic

JASPER Love letters from a World War I soldier to his sweetheart have been found stuffed in the attic wall of a southern Indiana home.

An electrician pulled the yellowed letters from inside insulation while doing remodeling work in the Jasper home of Phil Mathies.

The letters dated July 1918 were from Clement Berger to his future wife, Mary Borho, while he was in training before being sent to Europe in World War I.

Phil Mathies' sister, Barbara Schrader, said Berger's letters showed how much he wanted to be home.

"It's just how he felt about her, and he wanted to be with her. But he knew he had his service to do," Schrader told WFIE-TV.

They were able to track down relatives of the couple who still live in Jasper, about 50 miles northeast of Evansville.

No one knows why the letters were hidden in the attic wall, but Nancy Teder said she was fascinated by the discovery of her uncle's writings.

"Those letters really convey what he lived in his life, and how he felt about our Aunt Mary," Teder said.

Mary and Clement married in 1920 and his letters are being given to their grandchildren for safekeeping.

"We have to thank Barb and Phil for taking care of them the way they did," Teder said. "It was just an amazing find."

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World War I love letters found in southern Indiana attic

JASPER, Ind. - Love letters from a World War I soldier to his sweetheart have been found stuffed in the attic wall of a southern Indiana home.

An electrician pulled the yellowed letters from inside insulation while doing remodeling work in the Jasper home of Phil Mathies.

The letters dated July 1918 were from Clement Berger to his future wife, Mary Borho, while he was in training before being sent to Europe in World War I.

Phil Mathies' sister, Barbara Schrader, said Berger's letters showed how much he wanted to be home.

"It's just how he felt about her, and he wanted to be with her. But he knew he had his service to do," Schrader told WFIE-TV .

They were able to track down relatives of the couple who still live in Jasper, about 50 miles northeast of Evansville.

No one knows why the letters were hidden in the attic wall, but Nancy Teder said she was fascinated by the discovery of her uncle's writings.

"Those letters really convey what he lived in his life, and how he felt about our Aunt Mary," Teder said.

Mary and Clement married in 1920 -- and his letters are being given to their grandchildren for safekeeping.

"We have to thank Barb and Phil for taking care of them the way they did," Teder said. "It was just an amazing find."

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WWI love letters found in southern Indiana attic

House fire causes $80K in damage, displaces Payson family

By Emiley Morgan

April 12th, 2014 @ 8:23pm

PAYSON A Payson family of five has been left without a home following a fire Saturday.

Fire officials were called to the home near State Street and 1400 South around 8:15 a.m., Terry Reilly, assistant emergency and medical services chief for Payson Fire and Rescue, said. A mother, father and three children were in the home when the father "smelled an electrical burn."

"When he went to investigate, he noticed smoke coming out of the heater vent," Reilly said. "He immediately had his family leave the home and called 911."

Two engines, one ladder truck and two ambulances responded from Payson with the help of an additional engine from Santaquin. Reilly said the fire appeared to have started in the basement and traveled up through the walls of the home and into the attic.

Due to some remodeling, firefighters had to cut holes into the siding and roof to battle the blaze. Reilly said, in total, it took around two hours to extinguish.

No one was injured in the fire, which caused a total of $80,000 in damage. Rich Woodruff. communications director for the American Red Cross said, the agency responded to provide food, shelter and clothing to the family.

Reilly said investigators were waiting to begin their investigation on the cause of the fire due to water that had built up in the basement. He said the incident was a reminder of the importance of smoke alarms.

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House fire causes $80K in damage, displaces Payson family

The fireplace becomes a nice focal point for this remodeling great room, a common remodeling project for Utah clients.

Trina Knudsen

Enlarge photo

With housing prices remaining steady, interest rates low and contractors back in full swing, this is a prime time for home remodeling.

The remodeling market is confident, and the economy is holding. The experts in the market analysis world say 2014 is a good year for the remodeling industry.

According to the Leading Indicator of Remodeling Activity, a report by the Remodeling Futures Program at the Joint Center for Housing Studies of Harvard University, 2014 already has had a good start and that momentum is expected to carry on throughout the year.

The projection shows double-digit gains this year over last year for the first quarter, and gains of just under 10 percent by the third quarter are expected. The study leaders attribute the growth to homeowners confidence in the housing market, which results from growth in home prices, housing starts and existing home sales. With that increased confidence, homeowners are now more likely to undertake home improvements they deferred during the Great Recession.

Housing experts project a slight slowing of the market by midyear because borrowing costs will start to creep back up. Right now, however, interest rates are still low and banks are loosening up funds. If you want to remodel, now is the time.

The National Association of Home Builders also reports increases from last year and predicts a good year for 2014. The Remodeling Market Index shows the highest reading since the first quarter of 2004 in remodelers activity and confidence in the market.

The experts at Remodeling Magazine agree and have another report to prove it. Every year, the magazine puts out its "Cost vs. Value" report assessing remodeling projects and determining the return on investment. For 2014, all 35 projects on the list added more value this year than last year, and this is the second consecutive year of increases after years of decline. This is another sign the housing and remodeling markets are on the mend. It feels good to see some good news about the remodeling industry!

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Renovation Solutions: 2014 expected to be a good year for remodeling

Garage doors may not be the first thing that comes to mind when you think of saving money and enhancing your homes curb appeal at the same time. But think again.

Chris Schwerdt of Heartland Door and Window, of Topeka, said a garage door insulated with polyurethane will help save you some costs of heating your home in the colder months, particularly if you have an attached garage.

It (polyurethane) makes your garage door stronger because it bonds to the door, he said. Its just going to keep that space that much warmer and help with the efficiency of the home.

Schwerdt said not to forget to that installing weather stripping around the garage door is important as well in making sure your garage is energy efficient, keeping the warm air in and cold air out.

While some garage door manufacturers will provide insulation kits for uninsulated doors, Schwerdt said, he suggests that you dont install insulation yourself on your garage door unless youre confident you know how to do it. He said if the insulation isnt installed correctly, wear and tear on the door springs and balance problems can occur.

In addition to energy efficiency, Schwerdt said garage doors can play an important part in creating a certain look or enhancing the curb appeal of your home.

If you have a really nice garage door, he said, that draws people in. You can get a lot of pop with a nice door.

There are a variety of garage designs, including looks that simulate carriage and barn doors, as well as steel doors that can have designs stamped on them. Schwerdt said while you may want to consider spending a little extra on a nice garage door that faces the street, you can probably save some money on a standard-looking door that faces the alley. He said it all depends on your tastes as a homeowner.

Schwerdt said a well-made, attractive garage door can also help in the resale value of your home. According to Remodeling Magazines 2014 Cost vs. Value report, a garage door replacement will cost an average of $1,535 with a 61-percent rate of return on the investment in the West North Central region of the U.S. which includes Kansas.

While Schwerdt said Heartland Door and Window doesnt provide services to insulate the rest of the garage, he said he will suggest to homeowners that they install insulation to maximize their energy efficiency.

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At Home Living: Garage Doors