Everything in the Home

REGISTER-PAJARONIAN —

REGISTER-PAJARONIAN

By ERIK CHALHOUBOF THE REGISTER-PAJARONIAN

Mercury Metals’ motto, “If youcan draw it, we can build it,” de-scribes the shop perfectly.

“I open the door and it’s a new job everyday,” said Eugene Mil-burn, owner of Mercury Metals.

Milburn, who took ownership of the shop with his wife Cheryl inJanuary 2007, said the shop seesnearly every type of metal workproject possible, from home proj-ects such as countertops, sinks and spiral staircases, to commer-cial jobs such as food processorsand waste water facilities from Carmel to Santa Cruz. The shopalso does a lot of repair work, Milburn said, such as tractors.

“There’s nothing we haven’t done,” Milburn said.

Mercury Metals has a full ma-chine shop, with computer nu-merical control and manual mills. The shop also has a press brake,which serves as a 90-ton press, among other equipment.

Mercury Metals works in all types of metals, including alumi-num, stainless steel, copper andbrass.

The shop has 10 employees. Milburn’s daughter Brook works in the office and welds, and sonAndrew works in the machine shop and powder coats.

Mercury Metals recently begana powder coating business, Griz-zly Powder Coating, in Santa Cruz, to work alongside the met-als shop.

Any task that walks in the doorwill receive attention in a timelymanner, Milburn said, adding that Mercury Metals always puts its customers first.

Mercury Metals is located on 169-2 West Beach St. in Watson-ville. For information, call 768-8045. Grizzly Powder Coating is located on 397 Coral St. #B inSanta Cruz. For information, call 818-1593.

On the cover

Spiral staircase by Mercury Metals.

Mercury Metals in Watsonville works in all things metalVersatile shop builds variety ofmetal projects

Tarmo Hannula/Register-Pajaronian

Bill Nelson uses a 90-ton press brake to fold a piece of galvanized steel Monday at Mercury Metals.


Eugene Milburn, owner of Mercury Metals in Watsonville, demonstrates how to use a computer numerical controlled mill Monday.


Alex Solis uses a grinder to shape a small metal ring.


(ARA) — Even in a volatile economy, homeowners are mak-ing home upkeep a priority. While the number of projects annually had been on the de-cline in recent years, a study from BuildFax, a resource for building, remodeling and repair information, found remodeling activity was up in 2011 over 2010. Additional data shows homeowners are opting to in-vest in what matters most with projects that benefit their wal-lets, personal comfort and the environment.

Know the factsBefore buying anything, shop-

pers are taking time to learn

more about the products they put in their homes. For one in four consumers, knowing and understanding what makes up general household products is important. As options continue to increase, this attention to re-search is key to finding efficient products that offer maximum value. For instance, homeown-ers will find that a few newer home insulation products that help provide greater energy efficiency also boast new sus-tainable formulations. Owens Corning EcoTouch insulation is made from 99 percent natural materials, contains a minimum of 58 percent recycled content

and is verified formaldehyde free.

Energy-efficient essentialsAccording to the 2010 Home

Improvement Research Insti-tute Trends Program Report, reducing household energy usage and bills through energy-efficient improvements con-tinues to be the No. 1 reason homeowners make home im-provements. That same report also indicated six out of 10 consumers need help identify-ing what they can do to be more environmentally conscious.

“Now is the right time to make efficiency improvements around the home because homeowners

will see an immediate impact on their monthly utility bills, and will reap even greater ben-efits in the long term,” says Frank O’Brien-Bernini, chief sustainability officer at Owens Corning. “According to the U.S. Department of Energy, buildings use more energy in the United States than either transportation or industry, accounting for the consumption of 40 percent of our nation’s energy resources. On a more granular level, the primary use of energy in a home is for heating and cooling. In many homes, excessive energy is wasted through poorly sealed and insulated attics, walls and

ductwork — all problems that can be solved by handy do-it-yourselfers or through experi-enced contractors.”

The Home Improvement Re-search Institute reports roughly one in three homeowners plans to purchase more energy-efficient doors, windows or HVAC systems in the coming year. Sealing all openings around doors and win-dows can help homeowners make the most of their investment. Air ducts should also be inspected to ensure they are clean, are free ofleaks and holes and direct air to the right spaces.

Recycling 101While recycled content is

commonly focused on, recy-clable materials are also impor-tant. Often with home improve-ment projects, old materials are thrown out and replaced with the new. What many homeown-ers may not know is that many building materials and appli-ances are recyclable. Recycling is a better solution for the envi-ronment, and may be less costly than taking material to a landfill.

“There are more recyclable materials on and in a home than you might first assume. Millions of tons of shingles torn off from roofs end up in our country’s landfills each year. Fortunately, the technology now exists for all those shin-gles to be recycled instead,” says O’Brien-Bernini. “In 2009, Owens Corning Roofing and Asphalt, LLC formed an alli-ance with Heritage Environ-mental Services to create a Shingle Recycling Program with roofing contractors to make recycling convenient, cost-competitive and differen-tiating and have since recycled more than 90,000 tons of as-phalt shingles.”

Homeowners looking for more information about shingle recycling and other types of recycling can turn to Earth911.com, with whom Owens Corn-ing Roofing and Asphalt, LLC recently also formed an alli-ance. The site hosts the largest and most accurate recycling directory in North America and provides information about what materials can be recycled as well as lists of recyclers in local markets.

For more tips on efficient homeimprovements, visit www.Owen-sCorning.com.

Homeowners’ emphasis on energy efficiency grows

REGISTER-PAJARONIAN

(ARA) — With the housing market showing its first signs of improvement in years, many homeowners hope to attract interested buyers this spring. Replacing old or damaged ex-terior trim is a great way to freshen up your home today and make it stand out among others tomorrow.

After location and price, curb appeal is one of the top fac-tors for choosing a home. Curb appeal sells 49 percent of all homes, according to the Na-tional Association of Realtors. In fact, even before putting your home on the market, your real-tor often will recommend ways to make it look its very best from the street. The evaluation process starts as soon as buyers pull up.

“Exterior trim that is cracked, rotted, peeling or falling apart gives a bad first impression,” says Bob Merrill, president and CEO for Chicago-based CMI, which makes MiraTEC Treat-ed Exterior Composite Trim. “Homes with beautiful exterior trim have that wow factor that attracts buyers. Making a good

first impression can be the dif-ference between getting a signed contract and keeping the ‘For Sale’ sign in the yard.”

Inspect your trimSpring is an ideal time to

inspect your home’s exterior trim. Walk around your house and look at the trim around y o u r w i n d o w s a n d d o o r s , at the corners, and near the roofline. Warning signs of po-tential problems include peel-ing or blistering paint, green algae, warped boards, and spongy or soft spots. Check for termite damage too; they cause more damage to U.S. homes than fire, floods and storms combined.

If the trim is damaged be-yond repair, the only solution is replacement. Depending on your carpentry skills, replacing exterior trim can be a do-it-yourself project, but it is often best to hire a local contractor or remodeler. One option that has become a preferred choice among homebuilders and re-modelers is a treated exterior composite trim called MiraTEC. This engineered wood trim is

ideal for nonstructural applica-tions, such as roofline fascia, window and door trim, corner posts and porch trim.

Find the right trimAlthough traditional wood trim

often looks good when installed, it can split and swell, and is prone to knots and defects. Other mate-rials, like PVC and fiber cement trim, may be difficult to install and also have performance limi-tations.

With a clear cedar, wood-grain texture on one side and a contemporary smooth finish on the other, MiraTEC trim is ideal for many home styles from historic to modern. It looks and handles like wood, and is coated with a mildew-resistant primer, making it easy to paint. MiraTEC is very durable and it resists moisture, rot and termites.

Before you put your house onthe market, take a good look at your exterior trim. If it doesn’t look inviting at first glance, re-placing it now could help make your home stand out on the block. To learn more, visit www.miratec-trim.com.

Make your home stand out with new exterior trim

169-2 West Beach St., Watsonville [email protected]


(ARA) — As the weather contin-ues to warm, you might be thinking about some of the home improve-ment projects you put on the back burner during the winter. As you once again consult your to-do list, it’s the perfect time to think about a few small projects that can greatly enhance your home’s curb appeal.

Where does a smart homeowner start? The answer: Begin with afew small projects that are guar-anteed to greatly enhance your home’s curb appeal. Whether you’re preparing to sell your home, or are simply trying to protect your investment and make it easier on the eyes, there are a few common improvements that can give the exterior of your home a quick and easy facelift.

Start with the drivewayRepaving or reconstructing your

driveway entirely can be a time consuming and expensive task, but for most homeowners, this can be avoided with some annual maintenance. If you neglect your driveway, cracks can quickly grow into potholes, which can cause it to lose its aesthetic appeal and pose a safety concern. A few hours work each year can greatly extend the life of your driveway.

Sakrete U.S. Cold Patch is a reliable option for every type ofdriveway repair because it can beused during all seasons and hasa much longer shelf life — up to five years — than most pothole re-

pair products. Because it’s made without kerosene, there’s no odor or mess, yet it’s strong enough to win praise from road repair pro-fessionals and contractors alike.

Using a product like U.S. Cold

Patch is simple: You just sweep the area, pour in the patching mix-ture and roll over it with a car tire. However, it is important that you completely fill the affected area and tamp it well to prevent future

damage during freezing and thaw-ing. More information on repairing cracks and potholes can be found at www.uscoldpatch.com.

In addition to maintaining your driveway, here are a few other projects that can greatly contrib-ute to your home’s curb appeal:

-tures along the edges of your driveway. This adds a point of distinction between the pavement and your lawn, giving it a more inviting look.

winter wear. If it’s seen better days, consider replacing it. Oth-erwise landscaping around your mailbox can add extra appeal. If you live in a colder region, be sure to use resilient plants, as this area can take a beating from the snowplow.

and worn hardware on the front door, and consider a fresh coat of high-gloss paint on the door in a classy color, such as black.

to trim trees and other vegetation before they begin to sprout leaves. It’s easier on your plants, and it’s easy to identify branches that need to be trimmed.

Small, quick repairs have a big impact on your home’s curb appeal — and value

WATER STREET STEREO125 Hangar Way, Suite 140,

Watsonville, Ca 95076phone: 831.427.1604

email: [email protected]: waterstreetstereo.com

HARGIS HOMEIMPROVEMENTS All Phases of Remodeling and Repairs

www.hargishomeimprovements.com CA State Lic. #508203

HHIHHI

All phases of remodeling and

repairs. Improving Homes

and Lifestyles Since 1981. 722-6104

REGISTER-PAJARONIAN

(ARA) — Spring’s new growth and warm sunshine provide inspi-ration for renewal in our lives. It’s a time to pack away the sweatersand boots for lighter layers and brimmed hats. Homeowners should embrace this same mind-set — one where you pack awaythe heavy textures and colors ofwinter in favor of breezy fabricsand fun decor that inspire a freshfeeling in your house.

Break out of the winter gloomby making some simple changesto your home with bright, fresh decor. Here are the top trends in interior decorating that capture the optimistic feeling of spring-time, without having to spend alot of time or money.

1. Color your world happyTo uplift your mood and give

your home a new personality, color should be the first thing you address. Paint is an easy andaffordable way to dramatically change a living space. Spring’s hot color palette includes rich hues of blue and turquoise, vibrant pink and orange tones, and softgreens and neutrals. Visit your local Lowe’s for inspiration from the paint color studio that allows

do-it-yourselfers to identify the “hot” paint colors of the season and even pick up samples of each hue to try at home.

Feeling adventurous? Dabble in some vibrant shades inspired bythe flora and fauna in your region. Love the bright red of bloomingtulips? How about the rich blue of the sky at the noon hour? Try picking one thing and paint it that bold color - a single wall, a door,

or even a piece of furniture. Watch as the entire room suddenly comes to life.

2. Mix in light and fresh decor

Making small changes to yourhome’s decor is a great way to refresh the interior, and you don’t have to spend a ton of money. Window treatments are a great place to start - replace dense fab-rics with airy options that beg to blow in the warm breeze.

Next, store away existing rugs and replace with ones that feature bright colors or botanical designs. Dark accent pillows can be re-placed with fluffy, colorful options that add life to dated couches and chairs. Seasonal decor changes are simple and can be swapped out year after year.

3. Bring the feeling of “green” indoors

The buds and blooms of spring are a big reason it’s such an inspi-rational season, and houseplants are a great tool for awakening that sense of nature and bring-ing the outdoors inside. House-plants make any room look more luxurious, and they are natural air cleaners, awakening the senses

of spring’s fresh air. Good, low-maintenance indoor houseplants include the peace lily, spider plant and snake plant.

Interior decor can also reflect the natural feeling that indoor plants provide. Coordinate pieces that feature nature’s elements, such as a leaf motif on a lamp shade or a beach scene on a piece of wall art. These elements, while subtle, will work together to provide a seam-less update to any drab decor.

4. Cut the clutterOf course any home refresh

is not complete without some cleaning. Don’t let spring cleaning overwhelm you — start small and go through any clutter, sorting into piles to use, store, give away and throw away. A good dusting goes a long way too, so be sure to hit all the surfaces with a damp cloth. Shine up mirrors, which will reflect that beautiful spring sunshine to brighten and enlargethe feeling of the room.

To stay on top of your organiza-tion and home management, create a MyLowe’s profile at www.lowes.com/mylowes. While there, you can create a virtual version of your home for easy project planning.

You can add items you need or save ideas that inspire you to your profile for easy reference, making it simple to keep track of your to-do list. Mil-lions of people are currently using the program to make home project management simple.

Changing your home to reflect the seasons is easy with a few basic steps and a little creativity. Remember to embrace the feel-ing of spring, and the inspiration will come naturally.

Easy seasonal changes refresh and revive your home


(ARA) — Are you a first-time home buyer? An established homeowner? An empty nester? Whatever stage of life you’re in,it pays to make sure you have the right insurance — and you’renot paying for coverage you don’t need.

Homeowner pol ic ies can be customized to fit to your lifestyle, so you’re not auto-matically paying for coverage on home upgrades you don’t have, such as security systems, expensive jewelry or antique collections, says Charles Valin-otti, senior vice president with insurer QBE.

He says regardless of lifestyle stage, there’s one type of coverage

everyone should have — insur-ance to replace possessions in their homes. “If the home is de-stroyed, contents will be replaced at today’s value.”

Here’s a summary of other es-sential insurance coverage to fityour lifestyle:

When you’re new to home-buying

You’ve closed the deal on your biggest purchase yet and you need sufficient protection, even though you don’t have many belongings. You’ll need insurance for the structure of your home, as well as against common disasters, such as fire, severe storms, vandalism and theft. Extra liability insurance is a good idea in the event some-

one is hurt in your home.“Remember to add coverage as

you make improvements costing more than $5,000 or add TVs, computers, stereos and furniture to your home’s inventory,” says Valinotti.

When you’re an established homeowner

You’ve moved into a home that fits your family’s needs and is filled with belongings you’ve acquired — such as family heir-looms, artwork and expensive jewelry or rugs — that typically aren’t covered by a basic home-owner’s policy. Make a home in-ventory video to document your personal property and keep the video in a safe place away from

your home, like in a bank safety deposit box.

“Established homeowners should consider buying an insur-ance policy ‘floater’ or ‘rider’ to cover these special items,” Vali-notti says.

When you’re an empty nesterNot only have your children

moved out to work or attend school, you’ve scaled down your lifestyle. Valinotti suggests that now is the time to reassess the value of your home and your possessions. “If your children have taken their things with them, such as furniture, laptops or televisions, you may need less coverage than you did be-fore,” he says. Thinking about

starting a home business now that the kids are gone? If you work at home, you may need a supplemental liability policy that covers your work-related ac-tivities. If you decide that you’re finished with your homeowner responsibilities and want to rent an apartment or condominium, remember: You still need insur-ance coverage.

Valinotti recommends talking with your insurance agent about what protection is essential for your specific stage of life. “That way, you’ll be sure to have enough coverage to return to your current lifestyle should you experience a major loss,” he says.

Choose the right homeowner’s insurance for your lifestyle

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Everything in the Home

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