Costco Connection - July 2005

Cons: Quality varies greatly, depending on tional or medical.” Henke believes in homes Points manufacturer. Tends to be noisy. Though with a high degree of “visitability,” a term that to more durable than wood, may scratch or dent. describes houses that are accessible to anyone who may want a home that’s easy to get Ceramic tile around in. ponder Pros: Wide variety of styles, patterns, colors, True, most remodeling jobs are an expen- textures and sizes available. Can achieve dif-sive proposition, but Henke claims that low- ferent looks and feels through installation cost, simple options can go a long way toward making life on the home front less of an obsta- Before you buy ^{techniques. Moisture} ^{resistant. Easy} ^to ^clean.Extremely durable. cle course. “For example, the solar lights sold at Costco are great for illuminatingentrances,” ^new ^flooring^Cons:^Grout ^lines ^can ^stain ^{if not} ^properlyinstalled. Costly to change design or color she says. “Those are things that you may not scheme. Usually requires professional installa-necessarily think of as a home-modification INSTALLING NEW FLOORING is one of tion. Should be resealed regularly. Cost varies device, but they are.” the most dynamic ways to transform the look greatly, depending on the type of tile. Ultimately, homeowners should decide if and feel of a home, but it’s also one of the their home is where they want to spend the more costly home-décor decisions consum- Vinyl rest of their lives. If it is, the next step might be ers make. According to the World Floor Cov- Pros: Wide variety of styles, patterns, colors to talk to a CAPS-certified designer, architect, ering Association ( www.wfca.org), the type of and sizes. Water resistant. Tends to be quiet contractor or, in some cases, an occupational flooring you choose determines not only the and comfortable. Easy to clean; affordable. therapist, all of whom can outline home mood of a room, but how practical it will be. Cons: Not terribly durable, depending on modifications that will ease the transition into Since most types of flooring are relatively manufacturer and grade. Usually requires long-term retirement. permanent, the flooring you install should be professional installation.

CANYON PEAK PREMIUM BAMBOO FLOORING

After all, Miedema says, “Your home tailored to the people who use it. Here are some shouldn’t just be senior friendly, it should be pros and cons of five popular flooring types. Carpet friendlyacrossthe board.” C Pros: Many colors and textures available.

Hardwood Warm, extremely comfortable and quiet. Easy
Dave Carty is a Montana-based writer who Pros: Will usually last a lifetime. Easy to clean. to replace.
lives in a home he built himself more than a Coordinates well with almost any décor. Usu- Cons: Requires frequent vacuuming and
dozen years ago. ally easy to repair when necessary. should be professionally cleaned every 12 to
Cons: May scratch or dent. Easily damaged by 18 months. Cleaning may require restretch-
moisture (not recommended for bathrooms); ing.—Will Fifield
color can fade over time. Requires profes-
sional installation. Costly.

Low-cost

modifications

STAIR-FREE ENTRYWAYS, curb-free showers and open floor plans are projects that take time and money. But there are plenty of inexpensive things you can do to make your home retirement friendly.

The Certified Aging-in-Place Specialists (CAPS) interviewed for this story suggest several quick fixes, some of which are available at Costco.

• Lighting under kitchen cabinets to provide better illumination for cooking chores.

• Nonslip padding under throw rugs to keep them from slipping out from underfoot.

• Sandpaper-textured tape applied to stairs to prevent slips.

• Night lights to prevent bumps in the night. “Look for assistive devices,” says Maria

Henke, CAPS consultant. “There are light-switch adapters that make them easier to grip. And if your doors are too narrow, you can expand them with an offset hinge. We also suggest lever-style door handles (easier to grasp) and, if you really need them, remote-control locks for doors.”

Finally, perhaps the most popular suggestion among the experts, is grab bars. These bars in the bathroom, shower and bedroom will make getting in, up and out easier for those who need a little boost.—DC

Laminate

Pros: Realistically simulates wood and other natural materials. Extremely durable. Easy to clean. Can usually be installed throughout home. Easier for homeowners to install, depending on general home-improvement skill level. One of the more affordable floor-

The Costco Connection You’ll find quality laminate flooring and a special-order carpet program with a wide variety of carpeting types at selected Costco warehouses. Costco.com carries a radiant floor heating system and bamboo flooring, as well as two colors of modular garage flooring.

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Deirdre Bondarev Furniture Buyer

As for quality, this Monte Carlo brown 100 percent top-grain leather chair is made of the highest-grade leather available in the market. Its solid wood-reinforced frame will afford you a lifetime of comfort while retaining its great looks and charm. Don’t be deceived by its compact size; this chair feels like a cigar-type chair.

FINDING THE RIGHT furniture for your home can be challenging. It involves balancing factors such as décor, compatibility, function, comfort, price—and, of course, vary-ing tastes.