How much water do you use? When you think of that question, you probably think of things like drinking water and showers. But there’s so much more to think about when it comes to your total water usage.

To help you out, The Green Guide from National Geographic provides a handy water usage calculator. It starts with the basics, like how many people live in your house and when it was built, and moves on to more personal questions like the number of showers you take and if flush the toilet after every usage.

And there’s a lot in the way of food that goes into water: specifically the amount of water that animals drink (if you are a vegetarian, you may well get a lower total water usage). Beyond that there’s appliances and shopping. Whew! It’s a lot to make you think, and by the end, you’ll be able to figure out your main water usage areas. If you’re ready to take the next step, The Green Guide will help you pledge to lower your water usage.

Knowledge is power, so go to the Water Footprint Calculator and learn!

Photo courtesy of Tanya Puntti on Flickr.

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Why wouldn’t you want to get the absolute most out of the time, energy and money you put into your remodeling project? A couple of articles we’ve read recently offer some tips on “getting the most” out of the work: maximizing square footage and maximizing style.

The CalFinder Blog has a nice write-up on some simple tips for getting the most square footage out of your home. Doing things like “build up, not out” will help you squeeze every bit of usable space possible out of your home. In this era of upgrading current homes rather than buying new ones, that’s an asset.

Charles & Hudson explains how architectural details — sometimes as small as some simple trim work — are what really makes a room or a home sing. They say, “As you plan your next DIY or renovation project, consider enhancing your space with an architectural detail that adds maximum visual impact without breaking your DIY budget.” Sounds like a plan, doesn’t it?

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Hello fellow Minnesotans! If you are coming to the fair (or making a trip from out of state to attend the Great Minnesota Get Together), make sure to stop by the Marvin booth. We’re located in the Grandstand, on the upper level southwest quadrant.

Come see us! We have lots of great products from Marvin Windows and Doors, Integrity Windows and Doors and Infinity Replacement Windows. It’s a chance to check out some of our most popular offerings and chat with our retailers about window replacement and the soon-ending energy tax credit.

And in the spirit of the Fair, here are a couple other things we love to do while there:

• Anything on a stick: Pronto Pups, mac and cheese, alligator, cotton candy and deep fried Snickers.
• All you can drink Minnesota milk: just $1!
• The Mighty Midway: go on these wild rides BEFORE consuming deep fried Snickers.
• CHS Miracle of Birth Center: baby animals, what could be cuter?
• Concerts: not to be missed! This year’s lineup includes A Prairie Home Companion, Tim McGraw and KISS.

So grab your family and friends and head down to the Fair for some food, fun and Marvin! The Minnesota State Fair runs through Labor Day and more info can be found at www.mnstatefair.org.

Photo courtesy of the Minnesota State Fair.

If you’re starting to dabble in gardening, or even if you’ve been a tried-and-true green thumb for some time now, perhaps you’ve been intrigued but unsure about the whole idea of composting. After all, you can just buy fertilizer at the store, so why spend all the time and energy composting?

Well, there’s more to it than just making your own garden fertilizer. The EPA says:

Did You Know That Compost Can…

• Suppress plant diseases and pests.
• Reduce or eliminate the need for chemical fertilizers.
• Promote higher yields of agricultural crops.
• Facilitate reforestation, wetlands restoration, and habitat revitalization efforts by amending contaminated, compacted, and marginal soils.
• Cost-effectively remediate soils contaminated by hazardous waste.
• Remove solids, oil, grease, and heavy metals from stormwater runoff.
• Capture and destroy 99.6 percent of industrial volatile organic chemicals (VOCs) in contaminated air.
• Provide cost savings of at least 50 percent over conventional soil, water, and air pollution remediation technologies, where applicable.

It’s not just about your garden; composting can be just plain good for the environment. But for many people, having the great garden soil additive is the big draw. So, courtesy of our friend P. Allen Smith, here are some great starter tips on composting for yourself:

Wood, stucco, brick…just some of the regular materials that regular houses are made of. Of course, shelter and home can come in any number of forms. MSN Real Estate recently listed a few. Here are our favorites; would you consider living in any of these?

Converted churches: Soaring ceilings and gorgeous light (see this church tower conversion as well).

Airplanes: According to MSN, the owner of this airplane/home bought it for $2000, moved it for $4000 and renovated it for $24,000. Not too bad!

Shipping containers: Save the “living in a box” jokes. These homes, made out of old freight boxes, are stylish and comfortable.

Photos courtesy of MSN Real Estate.

High-Tech Bins Will Fine People for Not Recycling
Inhabitat
Cleveland has a new solution for reluctant recyclers: “The city’s officials plan to implement a smart recycling bin program city-wide that will fine residents up to $100 for not recycling. The smart bins will eventually cover all 150,000 households and will monitor how many times residents take their recycling bins to the curb. If it is noted that a household isn’t bringing their recyclables out, their regular trash will be sorted through and if more than 10% recyclables are found, they’ll be fined.”

Don’t It Yourself
Curbly
Not every DIY project has a fairytale ending. For anyone who’s relied upon bubble gum and duct tape for a quick fix, these photos are for you.

5 Factors in Kitchen Pricing
Kitchen + Bath Business
Wonder why the final costs of a kitchen remodeling project often differ so greatly from the initial estimate? Here’s a breakdown of where your money goes once the project launches.

5 Ways to Make Colors Pop
Curbly
Here’s some helpful hints from the folks at GE on how to make the colors your home come alive.

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We’ve talked about bamboo before and its multiple uses–flooring, building, even clothing! And now: sinks. Yes, you can have a beautiful bamboo sink in your kitchen.

Charles and Hudson recently blogged about the rising usage of bamboo sinks. According to Charles and Hudson, the sinks have a laminated coating, so they can be used like any other sink. Plus they come in the option of over-and under-mounted.

What do you think? Is this a stylish green alternative? Or is the idea of a wood (actually, technically grass) sink just too weird?

Image courtesy of Charles and Hudson

Most homes don’t come with an instruction manual. Whether this is your first or your fifth, a new construction or a fixer-upper, there are a few things worth taking note of. As a rule of thumb, all simple repairs should be handled as soon as you find them, and before they turn into very costly undertakings. Here are some tips every homeowner should be armed with.

Start with the shell – The outside of the house is important for more than just looks:

• The roofing should be solid, with no missing, curling or damaged shingles. If replacement is the answer, opt for a complete tear-off. Though more costly, it adds more value to your home at resale.
• Paint that has faded or is chipping should be scraped, sanded, primed and painted with a high quality exterior.
• Windows and doors should be devoid of holes and gaps that could be letting water in, and valuable heat and AC out.
• Take a look from across the street and assess your curb appeal.  Some potted plants, window boxes, a new mail box even some new address numbers can certainly spruce things up.

Inside, focus first on safety:

• If your electrical panel still uses fuses, consider upgrading to a safer, more efficient breaker system.
• Plumbing can be tricky, since often you don’t know there’s a problem until you see it. Leaks of all sizes should be fixed immediately.
• Clear slow-moving drains but avoid chemical agents, opting instead for a plunger. Plungers come in a variety of sizes and styles for toilets, sinks and tubs.

Little things on the inside – A well-maintained home doesn’t just look good; it’s worth more money:

• Paint regularly and don’t be afraid to experiment with color — it’s not permanent.
• Handles and knobs on doors and cabinets should be tight and feel solid. These are also easy to change, and can improve the look of a kitchen or bath in mere moments.
• Toilets should operate normally and without “handle jiggling.” A toilet repair kit costs about $15 and is very easy to install.

Home maintenance checklist – Don’t forget the items on this list:

Twice a year:

• Change the batteries in your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors.
• Clean the vent from your dryer to avoid a potential fire.

Once a month:

• Change your furnace filters to enhance air quality in the home and extend the life of the furnace.
• Spot-check windows and doors to ensure they aren’t letting precious air in — or out.
• Inspect exposed electrical cords for damage.

Once a year:

• Have your furnace serviced and cleaned by a licensed professional.
• Drain your tanked water heater to improve performance and extend its life.

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The end of the Energy Tax Credit is coming soon and homeowners need to act fast to take advantage! The tax credit expires on December 31, 2010.  As part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, this federal tax credit allows for energy efficient home improvements to receive a $1,500 tax credit. The tax credit is based on 30 percent of the cost of the product cost of the energy efficient product, up to $1,500. For example, a purchase price totaling $5,000 of qualifying products will receive the maximum tax credit of $1,500.

Windows and doors are a great way to use this tax credit! In addition to a great new look, new windows and doors are often made of energy efficient materials that can save money on heating and cooling bills.

Marvin Windows and Doors has numerous products that qualify for the tax credit, including our new Ultimate Casement with a unique wash mode. This beautiful yet tough window comes in a variety of styles, sizes and options to meet the needs of any home. And Marvin’s large product portfolio means that you can find any number of windows and doors to satisfy your design and energy needs.

Act fast and contact your local Marvin retailer to take advantage of this tax credit before it expires!

Now that the fire pit has become a standard for backyard recreation, consumers are benefiting from a burgeoning range of choices. When it comes to entertaining guests, nothing beats the warm glow of a fire on a cool summer night. The question is which fire pit is right for your home?

Homeowners can settle for a simple portable fire pit that wheels away when the winter months come, or turn it into a full-on landscaping project. Either way, when done right, a fire pit creates a perfect centerpiece for your backyard.

Here are some fire pit concepts that will leave you reaching for the chocolate, marshmallows and graham crackers:

I love the woodpile and storage system. This is a great layout for sprucing up a corner space. The stone benches are a great touch, too, but be considerate of the distance from the fire. The nice thing about non-stationary seating is you can move forward and back as necessary. If you’ve got a large backyard to fill, consider an isolated fire pit area away from the home.

Gas fire pits generally allow for more unique design options. Another upside is avoiding the mess of firewood altogether. This design, with its simple, clean lines, works well with an understated back porch. Gas fire pits are generally easier to contain, so go gas if you’ve got awnings and trees to consider.

The range of options may seem overwhelming, but a fire pit is more than just an accessory – it’s an opportunity.

A fire pit area looks best when it appears to be a natural extension of the house. If you’re already considering a landscaping project, a fire pit can help shape the design and create an inviting common space. Just be sure to provide ample space around the fire for passersby.

Photos courtesy of Eichler Homes, Patio Planet, and Ask the Landscape Guy