Home Revitalization Tips from the Pros

By Ann Wood

Fall on the Outer Banks is also known as “Locals’ Summer.” Fall weather brings warm temperatures with cool breezes for relaxing on the deck with friends, and warm water for relishing beach days without the crowds and long summer hours at work. Vacationers, too, are discovering the beauty of fall, and taking advantage of lower prices for accommodations. Putting off winterization and closing up your outside areas to extend your season is beneficial to both you and your guests. Read through these helpful articles provided by local businesses to learn what they recommend you do to extend your season, prepare for next season, and protect your property for winter.

Transform Your Rec Room into a Holiday Entertainment Haven

Now that your summer visitors have come and gone, it’s time to prepare to entertain your holiday guests!

Making your rec space as comfortable and inviting as your other areas for entertainment can help make your home the go-to spot for all of your friends and family this holiday season. Adding functional cabinetry and handy appliances to your rec room to create a bar area will give you and your guests the relaxing retreat you need after a big meal or gathering.

Custom inserts to house all of your bar accoutrement, stylish open shelving to show off your glassware, and a spacious seating area all come together to create a functional and beautiful space. Top it off with a beverage center for all of your favorite wines and spirits and you have a recipe to successfully host this holiday season!

Cozy Kitchens Group
921 W. Kitty Hawk Road, Kitty Hawk, 252-261-2696
CozyK.com; facebook.com/cozykitchens;@cozykitchensgroup
Photos by Cozy Kitchens Group

NC Building Code requires that the contractor remove siding and trim until sound plywood is located. Any plywood with signs of rot needs to be removed and the framing behind it needs to be inspected.

Prevent Costly Wood Rot: Key Areas to Inspect in Your OBX Home

Wood rot in homes and buildings on the OBX is a common problem caused when bacteria and fungi grow in a damp environment, and unfortunately it can be costly and time consuming to remediate. If you know what to look for, you can catch the rot early enough to avoid major structural damage.

Here are some common areas to check for water intrusion:
Roof to wall flashing. Look for any degradation in your siding at the step flashing or flashing separating from your chimney, dormers, or gable returns. Look for damage where multiple roof lines come together or tie back into the house.

Deck Flashing. If the flashing is deteriorated you should be able to see it by looking from below the deck. Galvanized flashing, once commonly used on the OBX, will deteriorate over time.

Window/Door Flashing and Trim. Your windows and doors should have a flashing above the head trim. Exterior trim needs to be caulked and painted regularly.

Door Sill Pans. Sill pans are necessary to allow water to weep out beneath the door. They are important enough that every door manufacturer requires them.

Wood in contact with soil. Wood components used on your home should be at least 6 inches away from soil.

Once sheathing rot is discovered and repairs have begun, your contractor is required to remove siding and trim until either sound plywood is located or rotten plywood is also removed and the framing inspected. If you see signs of rot it is critical that you address the problem as soon as possible to avoid further expense.

Beach Painting/Beach Construction
1496 Colington Road, Kill Devil Hills; 252-441-8224
BeachPainting.com; facebook.com/beachpainting
Photo provided by Beach Painting Contractors

Add Comfort, Color and Style to Your Outdoor Living Spaces

Reflect on your pool area and consider whether you have enough comfortable lounge chairs for your guests. Durable and quick-dry sling chaise loungers are a way to add color and comfort and include a splash of color without requiring cushions.

Tall poly lumber (HDPE) chairs are a comfortable way to hang at the poolside, giving you a height advantage to watch over the little swimmers. Enjoy even the hottest summer days with heavy duty umbrellas featuring awning grade fabric affording 95% coverage from those dangerous UV rays.

Your deck, patio and porch areas can be converted into extended living areas with the right decor. Poly furniture (HDPE) is durable and comfortable, and important in our harsh environment. A one-time purchase offers a lifetime of use requiring little to no maintenance, and it doesn’t rust like seasonal furniture you might find at value stores. Popular choices include deep seat cushioned sofas and loveseats, traditional and Adirondack chairs. Match your style and décor or custom order poly furniture to match your composite decking and handrails.

With these easy changes, you’ll be proud to entertain, enjoy your outdoor spaces, and fully embrace outdoor living!

Carolina Casual Furniture
9085 Caratoke Hwy. Point Harbor; 252-491-2545
CarolinaCasual.com
facebook.com/carolina.casual; @ carolinacasualfurniture
Photos courtesy of Carolina Casual Furniture

Clean the Drain Lines on Your A/C Unit

Many people don’t know there is a condensation drain connected to their air conditioner, where it’s located (hint: it’s often a white PVC pipe leading from your air handling unit to the outdoors), or that spring is the best time to flush it out.

This is something that’s easy to overlook, according to Brian Parks, owner of Coastal Elements Heating & Cooling in Kill Devil Hills, but just a few minutes spring cleaning the drain could save your A/C in mid-summer. “For people getting ready for the spring and summer, it’s condensation drain line blockage prevention,” says Parks. “Clogged drain lines are one of the simplest things to fix, however they can cause the most unnecessary service calls and equipment downtime if not properly maintained.”

Spring is the perfect time for this task because in most cases, as we come out of winter, the condensation line has gone unused for several months. This can result in any remaining water in the line becoming stagnate and congealed, explains Parks. He recommends getting on a preventative maintenance service program so that drain lines get cleaned on a regular basis by a pro. It’s one of the best ways to ensure your A/C runs smoothly when you need it most.

Coastal Elements Heating and Cooling
252-548-4202

Hurricane Rolling Shutters Provide Peace of Mind When You Need It Most

When the next storm approaches, don’t board up. Roll up. Hurricane rolling shutters are designed for extreme durability and safety during storms. They can be easily rolled down over windows to shield against high winds and debris, and then retracted when not needed.

Each rolling shutter is made to your exact specifications and can be installed to protect your sliders, doors and windows to give you peace of mind that all vulnerable points are covered.

Benefits of hurricane rolling shutters:
• Block the sun, wind, and rain
• Excellent for indoor and outdoor security
• Tested and approved in all markets
• Durable powder coated paint finish
• Small box at top
• Insurance discounts
• Easy, safe and economical
• UV protection and heat reduction
• Extreme weather resistance

Rolling Shutters can be manual or motorized with a manual override. When motorized they can be controlled by a switch on the wall or remote control. Have your storm plan in place so you are prepared when the next storm threatens your home. Contact us to talk about your Hurricane Protection needs, whether service of your existing rolling shutters or installation of new Hurricane Wind Rated Roll Shutters for your Outer Banks home.

FullTilt Blinds & Shutters
509 W. Fresh Pond, Kill Devil Hills; 252-220-5732; FullTiltBlinds.com; facebook.com/fulltiltblinds
Photos by Jonathan Daniels

Are You and Your Guests Looking for the Best Sleep of Your Lives?

Invest in new mattresses for the 2025 rental season. An old or uncomfortable mattress is one of the most often mentioned complaints in guest reviews. Reasons to consider buying a new mattress:

• A new mattress is a thoughtful amenity you can offer your guests.
• A new mattress offers support your body needs to sleep comfortably.
• Old mattresses have dust mites and dander that contribute to allergies.
• A sagging, damaged, torn mattress is not doing its job.
• Without quality sleep, your body can’t rejuvenate.
• A new mattress will improve your quality of sleep.
• At Outer Banks Furniture, we have two complete lines of “fully tufted” beds from Mattress Grove and Paramount Sleep. Full tufting minimizes body depressions and keeps the layers together adding life to the mattress and years to the warranty. All our beds are in stock and ready for immediate, free delivery.
• Give yourself and your guests the gift of a good night’s sleep this year.

Outer Banks Furniture
5301 N. Croatan Highway, Kitty Hawk | 252-715-3450
obxfurniture.com | facebook.com/outerbanks.furniture
Photo supplied by Outer Banks Furniture

Mundane But Important: Invest in Scheduled Maintenance

Take it from a heating and air conditioning expert on the Outer Banks: regular maintenance can help reduce or eliminate emergency service calls, help prevent unexpected breakdowns, and extend the life of many of your home systems, including your HVAC. “We are all so busy these days, being pulled in a dozen different directions every day, it’s easy to overlook the mundane tasks of home maintenance,” says Brian McDonald, owner of One Hour Heating & Air Conditioning in Kill Devil Hills. “Once the vacation rental season is over, we all have a chance to take a breath and catch up on neglected maintenance.

Confirm your HVAC service provider has you on the schedule for your fall/winter maintenance visit.” Replacing air filters is the most important thing most homeowners neglect, says McDonald, adding that inspecting your heat pump outdoor unit for damage, rinsing heat pumps to remove salt and dust from the outdoor coil, and clearing the condensate drain for the AC system of any buildup are also key. For easy service access, “Make sure any bushes or landscaping that grew up during the spring and summer are at least 24 inches from the outdoor unit,” he reminds homeowners.

One Hour Heating & Air Conditioning
701 W Fresh Pond Drive, Kill Devil Hills
252-591-5438
onehourheatandair.com/outer-banks
Photo from One Hour Heating & Air Conditioning

Invest In Your Outdoor Spaces This Fall

Do you suffer from “deck-envy?” Do you long for a place to entertain your friends outdoors this summer? Perhaps you have an aging wooden deck that requires constant maintenance, prompting you to seek a new, low-maintenance alternative. With the abundance of new decking options available, finding inspiration for replacing your deck is simple. Gone are the days of painting pickets! Instead, spend your time unwinding in your brand-new outdoor living space.

So, how do you begin? First, reach out to an exterior renovation specialist like Simpleside Construction. They will discuss options with you, such as what material to use for your deck. Consider a composite material, such as TimberTech. Composite deck boards feature new cool-to-the-touch technology (better for bare feet!), are more fire-resistant than wood, and have a genuine wood appearance. They are sustainably made as well. To complement a composite deck material, opt for a low-maintenance railing solution such as composite, vinyl, or PVC for your deck, ensuring a visually striking appearance and eliminating the need for ongoing maintenance, promising a hassle-free future for decades to come.

Is it time to update your siding? You can also choose a composite material like Everlast or an engineered wood product like LP SmartSide for your siding to make a lasting impression. These products are designed for beauty and durability. More resilient and durable than other materials, which is important in our harsh environment, these materials are available in a variety of colors and styles, including horizontal lap and vertical board and batten.

Quick Tip from the Pro to make a big impact on the lifespan of your outside spaces: install gutters. This will help channel water away from your siding and deck, safeguarding your most valuable investment. Gutters effectively redirect water from the roof, preventing excessive moisture from accumulating on your siding or decking.

Simpleside Construction
252-564-8509 | SimplesideOBX.com | Photos by Simpleside Construction

Understand the Best Storage Techniques for Your Outdoor Furniture

Fall and winter outdoor furniture storage protocols really depend on the kind you have. According to the team at Nags Head Hammocks, which has stores in Kill Devil Hills, Duck and Corolla, hammocks and stands from the company are fine to keep outside year-round, although storing them inside during the colder months will give them a longer lifespan.

Hardwood furniture should be oiled before winter, advises Ryan Williams, general manager of Nags Head Hammocks, and swings should be taken down, so they don’t blow around in heavy winds.

Durawood Poly furniture and swings are becoming more popular every year because they are virtually maintenance-free and manufactured by Nags Head Hammocks right here in North Carolina. These pieces can even stay out in the rain and snow – in fact, “don’t cover them in the winter – it creates a humid environment, “ says Williams.

Williams does advise homeowners to take precautions during winter storms and wind events. Lighter swings and hammocks should be brought indoors, and heavier swings should be taken down. Hardwood and Durawood furniture should be turned over and/or pushed against a railing so that it doesn’t slide and scratch your decking.

Nags Head Hammocks
1801 Croatan Hwy., Kill Devil Hills
1212 Duck Rd, Duck | 799 Sunset Blvd., Corolla
252-295-0405 | NagsHeadHammocks.com
facebook.com/nagsheadhammocks; @nagsheadhammocks
Photo courtesy of Nags Head Hammocks

Take advantage of warm fall weather and a slower season to plan for the next rental season and to prepare your property for the harsh winter months. Wear and tear on rental homes adds up over the years, and it might be time to refresh furnishings, touch up paint and consider adding amenities to make your home more marketable to rental guests. Outer Banks’ businesses, like the ones represented on these pages, are ready to help!

Author: Ann Wood