Utilizing natural light, while still maintaining privacy, need not be a design stumbling block in the home. Once relegated largely to commercial applications, the ease of installing clear block systems as residential windows and walls can be as smooth as glass, says Roger Murphy, president of Hy-Lite, a U.S. Block Windows Company in Pensacola, Florida, and a leading manufacturer of acrylic and glass-block systems since 1988.

"A modern design aesthetic in today's homes lends itself well to the use of acrylic and glass blocks," Murphy said. "Today, people are thinking outside the box, using these block systems in unconventional ways -- not just as windows."

Glass and acrylic blocks are prized for providing varying degrees of privacy and light transmission at the same time. In the past, the use of glass blocks in homes was largely limited to basement windows. Now, glass blocks and their acrylic counterparts are illuminating every room in the house.

Homeowners might become glassy-eyed when discussing design options, since glass and acrylic blocks come in a myriad of different colors, types and textures, but there are differences between the two products, Murphy says.

"There is much more design freedom when dealing with acrylic blocks, as opposed to glass ones," he said. "The most obvious difference is that glass-block design shapes are limited to right angles. Acrylic blocks have greater design flexibility because we can achieve architectural shapes such as arches, ovals, octagons and triangles in the factory."

Glass blocks can measure up to 4 inches thick or be twice as deep as a single-pane window. Traditionally, glass blocks were individually mortared together like bricks, resulting in a heavy, permanent and immovable fixture.

Today, preassembled glass-block windows are available in a wide variety of ready-to-install sizes. Hy-Lite manufactures pre-framed 2-inch-thick glass blocks that are incorporated into a substrate, which protects the blocks from cracking. Murphy says glass-block systems are also heavier than acrylic ones, so you will need to install them on a firm foundation to ensure your home can support the additional weight.

Conversely, acrylic-block windows can be used in both fixed and operable applications, as they are up to 70 percent lighter than traditional glass-block windows, Murphy says. Awning, casement and basement hopper-style windows are some of the most popular window styles that both open and close.

Because acrylic is a transparent thermoplastic made of synthetic resins, these blocks are easier to manipulate during the manufacturing process. In addition to different sizes and shapes, acrylic blocks can be easily colored or tinted to block the sun's rays. Extra insulating layers added during the manufacturing process can make acrylic blocks one-third more energy efficient than traditional glass-block windows, Murphy says.

"For our products, a block assembly of about a 47-inch square is just under $715 for glass block and just over $600 for acrylic," Murphy said. "Of course, you can find architectural salvage glass blocks, but you will need to factor in the time and labor of mortaring them into place."

Although glass and acrylic blocks are technically transparent, different surface patterns -- waved, ribbed, stippled, dimpled or gridded -- all distort views and refract light. Privacy patterns in the blocks eliminate the need for window treatments and are especially popular in bathrooms. They are ideal as not only exterior windows, but also as room dividers, kitchen backsplashes, shower enclosures and part of stairway railings.

-- In the entryway, sidelights made of glass or acrylic block make for a warm welcome, while not compromising the security of the space.

-- In an open floor plan, a glass- or acrylic-block wall or partition defines and separates spaces in a light and bright way.

-- In the kitchen, glass- or acrylic-block sections inserted between the countertop and the wall cabinets are a bright idea for a backsplash, while an island need not be unchartered territory when framed by blocks.

-- In the shower, glass or acrylic blocks are as durable and low-maintenance as ceramic tile, while providing varying degrees of privacy in which sunlight -- and water -- can stream.

-- On the stairway, glass or acrylic blocks can be a contemporary take on conventional spindles without compromising safety, while brightening up an otherwise shadowy stairwell.

Murphy says the use of glass or acrylic blocks in a home can flood the inside with outside light. "The use of glass or acrylic blocks allows homeowners to go more natural," he said. "Not only are they able to enjoy more natural light, they have the privacy to do so."

Let the Sun Shine In:

For more information, call 1-888-256-2599 or go to: www.hy-lite.com.

(For editorial questions, please contact Clint Hooker at chooker@amuniversal.com.)

Bathroom design need not be flushed when seeking the best plan for a powder room's privy. "People don't really think about the design of a toilet, until it comes time to replace the old one," says Chuck York, a vice president with Mansfield Plumbing Products in Perrysville, Ohio. Founded in 1929, Mansfield manufactures more than 1 million toilets a year, distributing them to 1,500 retail outlets in the United States and Canada.

The time to "talk toilets" is more relevant than ever, especially when it comes to the topic of water conservation in the home. "An old toilet will use up to 3.5 gallons per flush, compared to today's high-efficiency toilet, which uses 1.28 gallons per flush or less," York says. "Not only will a family save on water bills, having a high-efficiency toilet is a necessity, especially in places like California, which are experiencing a severe drought."

But using less water doesn't mean consumers need to poo-poo the loo's performance. Toilets earning a WaterSense label are certified to be at least 20 percent more efficient without sacrificing performance. WaterSense is a program that, in conjunction with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, seeks to protect the water supply by offering its seal of approval on water-efficient products.

The design of a high-efficiency toilet uses less water by forcing it through the front of the bowl. Most toilets operate on a gravity-flush system, but a pressure-assist flush mechanism can be installed inside the tank to move more material with less water. Mansfield's QuantumOne line of pressure-assist, high-efficiency toilets have attained the industry's premium ratings by achieving high performance and efficiency standards, using only 1 gallon of water per flush.

Installing a high-efficiency toilet saves dollars and makes sense for conservation. Using a water conservation calculator, a family of five can potentially save more than 20,000 gallons of water a year using a high-efficiency 1.28 gallon-per-flush toilet, instead of an older water-laden lavatory. This also translates into savings on water bills. "When considering swapping out an older toilet for a high-efficiency one, make sure to check with your water municipality," York says. "Often, there are local rebate programs through water districts that reward homeowners for efforts in water conservation."

Keep it Clean

The design of a toilet features the tank -- where the water is stored -- and the bowl. According to York, toilets can range up to $500 and up, depending on style aesthetics.

Contemporary toilets appeal to modern-day design, and are available in one-piece or two-piece options, including tank and bowl, which come ready for assembly. Featuring clean lines, the outside of a toilet has become easier to clean with a concealed trapway at its base. "Some toilet designs have less nooks and crannies, which makes them easier to keep hygienic," York says. "Also, toilets with a rimless bowl design eliminate cleaning issues in those hard-to-reach areas in toilets with a traditional rim on the bowl."

Mansfield manufactures Cascade -- a high-efficiency, rimless toilet featuring a mechanical design that creates a strong swirling action, which clears the bowl. Today's toilets have different locations for the flushing handle -- or button -- which can be on the front, side or top of the tank, along with variations to the bowl, which can be round or elongated.

When it comes to color and construction, York says most want to keep their toilets bright white porcelain. "The days of the avocado green or harvest gold toilet are long gone," he says. "Customers aren't only discerning about the look of a toilet, they also want it to sit at the right height."

The standard toilet height is anywhere from 14 3/4 to 15 1/2 inches from floor to the top of the toilet seat. Taller toilets sit higher at 16 to 17 1/4 inches, which provides more comfortable access for users, according to York.

"Even though it's just a matter of 2 inches or so on the toilet height, it makes a world of difference," he says. "As people age, it's more difficult to get up and down from a standard toilet. Taller toilets are easier to use for many people, including those who are taller themselves or have physical challenges."

While popular in international markets, American bathrooms don't usually include bidets, says York. But no matter your "throne" selection, York advises hiring a professional plumber to install a new toilet.

"Before you buy a new toilet, make sure you know how far the drain in the floor is from the wall. Usually, it's 1-foot standard, but make sure a new toilet will fit the space," he says. "Whenever you deal with water, it's always good to hire a professional, because it can become a mess real quick, if you don't know what you're doing."

For those families that battle over the toilet seat being left up, York says many manufacturers make models that lower the toilet seat gently with a single touch.

"Mansfield Plumbing calls it 'Smart Close' technology," York says. "A new high-efficiency toilet with an easy-close seat can help create harmony in a family and bliss in the bathroom."

Water Closet Conservation

To see how much water (and money) you can potentially save with a high-efficiency toilet, access the Water Savings Calculator at MansfieldPlumbing.com under the Resources & Specifications tab.

(For editorial questions, please contact Clint Hooker at chooker@amuniversal.com.)

Give your home the spa treatment by creating a room for grooming. A non-commercial home salon can be a personal oasis where one can be pampered without leaving the house.

As individualized as each person's hairstyle, a home salon should also have its own sense of style, says Los Angeles-based stylist and WEN hair care product developer Chaz Dean.

"I have a natural philosophy and holistic approach to life, and believe that should be reflected in how you take care of yourself," Dean says. "When people are able to have a stylist come into their home as part of their beauty regimen, people don't have to rush, are more comfortable and it can truly be a time to relax and recharge yourself."

Dean has been a stylist for more than 20 years and is known for his celebrity clientele. His Hollywood studio, which bears his name, has a cozy, contemporary charm located within three renovated 1920s Craftsman bungalows, all surrounded by an ivy-covered fence. Dean understands his studio location's allure, as these homey structures emulate a tranquil energy.

"Everyone deserves to be pampered," he says. "Having a home salon isn't just for celebrities."

From older individuals who enjoy the creature comforts of home to working professionals who want to cut down on their drive-time to get a haircut, different demographics are seeing the beauty of creating a salon in the home. But before outfitting a home salon, Dean says to have a plan in place, otherwise there is the potential for the space to become a cosmetological catch-all.

"Know what beauty regimens you want to have done in your home salon and start there," Dean says. "Whether it's a regularly-scheduled haircut or manicure, have the space outfitted for your specific needs."

A home salon doesn't have to be large to be functional, but you need to find a space to cosmetically claim as your own. Whether it's a partitioned portion of the laundry room, an under-used spare bathroom or an addition to the master-suite, a home salon should feel light and bright, says Dean.

"Natural sunlight is conducive to a salon space, especially when dealing with hair color and makeup," he says. "When the weather is beautiful outside, I also love to invite that into the salon by opening windows for fresh air."

If you don't have access to a window or natural light, install both overhead and task lighting fixtures to illuminate the space, as well as ventilation fans. A mirror is also a must, and often a fully-lit version is part of any salon station.

It's also a bright idea to put time into selecting the proper light bulbs for home salon fixtures. Based on the color rendering index (or CRI), look for bulbs that have CRI ratings of 75, or better. With daylight rated at 100 CRI, some fluorescent lights might only score a 50 CRI. However, compact fluorescents, color corrected fluorescent tubes, incandescent and halogen bulbs can all have CRI ratings that are 75 and greater.

A salon's style starts from the ground up and Dean prefers hardwoods underfoot. "Hardwood floors give the space a natural feel and, as a stylist, they are more forgiving to stand on than ceramic or stone tiles," he says. "Regardless of what is on the floor, it should not include a rug or carpeting, as you need easy cleanup in a salon."

A watershed moment of inspiration can also be found in a home salon's sink or cleansing basin. For a one-stop sitting, invest in a single barber-style chair that will recline for a wash into a basin on which the neck can rest, and then will spin around and sit up-right for a styling.

"In my first studio in Bel Air, I bought gently used equipment from a failed salon," Dean says. "If people are installing a personal home salon, check on-line for commercial salons that are going out-of-business and selling their wares."

Dean says the upholstery in a chair is an easy cosmetic upgrade, but make sure the hydraulics - - for raising and lowering the chair - - are sound before purchasing. "You want a treated fabric that doesn't have a nap, so cut hair and stains don't stick to the chair," he says. "Again, you want easy cleanup."

Personal style can make a statement in the station of your home salon. Whether it's contemporary or classic in style, a home salon station can mimic the curves of French Provincial or the straight lines of the modern movement. Regardless of the architectural style of your home salon station, it should include a lighted mirror and storage for towels and beauty products. "You want your salon to be clean and organized," Dean says. "If it's not, the space can move from a serene environment into a stressful one."

Although Dean doesn't have a personal home salon within his house, he's considering building one for his own use. "There's the saying that beauty is only skin-deep, but true beauty comes from within and from being at peace," he says. "Comfort is key when talking about a home salon and you want to invite peace and tranquility into the space."

Source:

A Zen-like Zone -- ChazDean.com

(For editorial questions, please contact Universal Uclick at -uueditorial@amuniversal.com)