The HOA has once again negotiated additional discounts above and beyond the 10% exclusive provider agreement on mailboxes, mailbox posts, and the correct size and font for the address label for the boxes. During the week of April 28 through May the 2nd, all orders placed with Ottos will receive an extra 5% discount. Ottos is willing to do this for it helps them better schedule their production and installations. We encourage all in need of their products to take advantage of the extra discounts. To see the spec on the mailbox guide, you can consult our website under the Property Owners Resources tab. Here is the link: www.fairfieldfarms.org/mailbox-guide

Build a raised foundation

 

Construct your shed on a solid foundation that’s a minimum of two inches off the ground. If any part of the floor is in ground contact, it will rot, provide easy access to rodents, and probably won’t stay straight because the earth has a habit of shifting and eroding after heavy rains.

Square the floor and walls

Don’t be tempted to get sloppy when you square up the floor and walls of your shed. An out-of-square start will haunt you through the rest of the project, from doors and windows to trim and roofing.

For a concrete slab, measure diagonally across the opposite corners of the form boards. Then adjust the forms until the diagonal measurements are equal. Do the same for a wood platform floor.

When constructing walls, measure each one diagonally from opposite diagonal corners and make sure the diagonals are the same length. Square the wall as needed before you stand it up and nail it in place.

 

Keep the framing straight

 

Double-check your framing often while building it to ensure it stays straight. Torres does this constantly, and all it takes is a little string.

Starting at the floor, stretch a string along the concrete forms or rim joist and make adjustments to straighten any deviations. Then do the same thing at the top of the walls, and finally when you set the roof trusses or ridge.

Here’s a trick: Attach small blocks of scrap 1/2-in. plywood to either end of a top plate and stretch a line between them, so there’s a space between the line and the plate. Then, use a third scrap of the same plywood as a gauge to check the distance between the line and the lumber. Use braces or something similar to adjust the top plate until the gauge just fits. Now your plates will be perfectly straight.

Use roof trusses

Don’t do what I did and build your gable roof rafter-by-rafter if you have a helper. Whether you order them from the lumberyard or make them yourself, trusses make building a shed roof much easier. Generally, you’ll need one truss every two feet. Connect the framing for site-built trusses with plywood gussets glued and screwed to the joints.

If you decide to build your own roof trusses, the best place to assemble them is right on the shed floor. But you have to do it before you build the walls. Here’s the best method: Snap chalk lines on the floor to outline the truss parts. Then, use the chalk lines to guide cutting the truss patterns and assembling the trusses.

Consider making the trusses long enough to add overhangs to the ends of your shed. They’re more work and require some extra material, but they’ll provide some protection from rain and snow, which translates to less painting and maintenance. Plus, overhangs just look better and give you a place to add decorative brackets. They’re well worth the extra effort.

 

Buy straight lumber

 

In a perfect world, all studs, joists and rafters would be straight. But since they aren’t, take the time to pick the best ones to use, especially the studs at corners and door and window openings.

Sight down the length of the studs and set aside the perfectly straight ones. While you’re at it, also set aside studs that are really crooked. If you have your lumber delivered rather than picking through the pile at the lumberyard yourself, you can cut these up to use as cripples or blocking. You may find other uses for short pieces later on.

 

Install siding before you raise the walls

 

Take advantage of your helper(s) in another way: If you’re using sheet siding, save time by installing it while the walls are still on the ground. Of course, they’ll be heavier to lift, but the siding helps keep the walls square, and you won’t have to worry about lifting siding panels into place and nailing them later.

Make sure to straighten the wall plates and square the wall by measuring diagonally before you nail on the siding. This is easier to do on a wood shed floor because you can tack the plates to the floor to hold the wall straight and square while you install the siding.

My go-to choice for shed siding is T1-11 plywood. You can also buy the same type of siding made from OSB, but the last time I looked, the cost was pretty much the same, and OSB siding is harder to find.

 

Dress things up with trim

 

Whether grooved or plain, sheet siding offers a fast and economical way to cover shed walls, but by itself, it can look pretty plain. Adding wide corner boards, wide window and door casing, and maybe a horizontal band at the base and top adds tons of class to a utilitarian-looking shed.

Use real wood as a last resort if you’re going to paint the trim. Other materials hold paint better and won’t rot. Here are some products to consider:

·         PVC: You can paint it or leave it unpainted — but don’t use dark colors, or the plastic will melt. Torres cuts and shapes it with regular wood tools.

·         Fiber cement: It’s less expensive than PVC, but you must paint it to protect it from moisture. Have more than one carbide-tipped blade on hand for cutting it — blades dull quickly because it contains concrete granules.

·         Engineered wood-fiber trim: Similar to MDF, this product is designed for outdoor use. You can get it textured or untextured, and it handles pretty much like wood.

 

Install trim more efficiently

 

You don’t need to buy an expensive nailer for exterior trim. An inexpensive cordless 18-gauge brad nailer can do the job almost as fast.

Since those skinny brads don’t have enough holding power to keep large trim in place permanently, you must first lay on a couple of generous beads of construction adhesive. Then tack the trim into place, using just enough brads to hold it while the adhesive hardens. Unlike thicker nails, brads rarely split the trim, and you’ll have only a few tiny holes to fill.

 

Pre-cut metal roofing panels

 

Save time and energy by covering the roof with metal roofing panels. You can cut them with a circular saw and a carbide blade, but it’ll save you a lot of work if you order the panels the exact length you need. Plus, you’ll have a greater color selection if you order the roofing rather than buy off-the-shelf panels.

Remember to order in advance, since it usually takes several weeks for the roofing to arrive. Also, ensure the overhangs are the right size so the panels slightly overhang the fascia.

 

Build economical hanging doors

 

Get the same look as expensive frame-and-panel doors for a fraction of the cost by simply laminating two layers of inexpensive 3/4-in.-thick boards together to make a frame, covering the frame with panels or tongue-and-groove boards and hanging the resulting doors from an overhead track.

For strength, plan to build the front and back layers, so the corners overlap each other. Then, to accommodate inset panels, make the front pieces a little wider to create a lip for the panels to rest against. Hold the plywood or tongue-and-groove boards in place with stops nailed on the back. You can assemble the two frames with pocket screws before gluing and screwing them together, but it’s not necessary. After the glue dries, plane or sand the edges to hide the layers.

Don’t bother buying heavy galvanized hardware made for farm buildings to hang the doors. It’s overkill. Buy heavy-duty closet door hardware instead. It’s not meant for outdoor use, but holds up well when protected by an overhang. And if the roller bearings get corroded, replacing the entire hanger mechanism is simple.

 

Save money on windows

 

A shed is a great place to use recycled windows that you might have lying around, or you can find at building materials recycling centers like Habitat for Humanity’s Restore. I used repurposed materials for the Red Room, and they are perfect!

If you prefer to buy new, utilitarian barn sash windows are perfect. Basically, you order the sash — the movable part with glass — and build a simple frame to hold it. Add a few hinges and hold-open hardware, and you’ll have an inexpensive, nice-looking window. If you want a screen, you’ll have to build a separate frame and staple screening to it.

Consider skylights as an alternative or an addition to windows. They let in a flood of light and leave wall space free for hanging storage and shelving. Skylights made for houses are pricey, but there’s an inexpensive alternative.

Plastic dome skylights start at about $45 and are easy to install. Just cut a hole in the roof sheathing, nail the skylight into place and shingle around it. Plastic skylights aren’t exactly attractive, so place them on the side of the roof that’s the least visible.

Rent scaffolding for shed roof construction

Working from ladders is more dangerous than working from scaffolding. Plus, constantly moving ladders around takes time.

When constructing the roof, consider renting a set of scaffolding with wheels. You’ll be amazed at how much easier it is to work from and set your tools and materials on a stable platform. You can rent a 5-ft.-tall section of scaffold with three planks and wheels for $100 to $200 per week.

 

Add a tool nook

 

If you aren’t building your shed primarily for tool storage, consider adding a shallow tool locker on the side or back of the shed. It offers quick, easy access to lawn and garden gear.

To build this tool locker, place an interior wall 12 inches from the back of the shed. Then cover the studs with pegboard and install a pair of steel pre-hung doors ($110 each) inside out (so they swing outward). Homemade or sliding doors would work well too.

article on pruning trees and shrubs

Inflation has affected all of us and the operating budget of the HOA.  The current fee structure was established in 2017.  As you might guess,  expenses are considerably higher today than in 2017.  An increase in dues is being considered  The current board is looking at every detail to hold off on raising the annual dues to match today’s inflation going into 2023.  One area of focus is the printing, copying, postage, and mailing expense. Snail mail is the most expensive method of keeping the neighborhood informed and has been our primary method.  We need your help in lowering this budget item.  Email and text have almost no cost but we have less than one third of emails registered on the Fairfield Farms Property Owners Association website.  We would like to get all 240 homes registered.  With that in mind,  those that have registered and save the HOA money should share in that savings. Thank you in advance for helping us keep costs down

 

The neighborhood was developed without street lights.  Your  yard light became our street lights.  They can enhance your nighttime activities and offer security for your property year-round. The recommended lumens range for your yard light is 1100 to 1600.  Here is a chart showing wattage comparison among types. White light is offers the most illumination.  Place your colored lights in your garage carriage or porch lights.  Be sure to have the yard light  lit during the longest days of the year. Many neighbors have explored replacing hard wired lights with solar lights.  This is a great replacement provided your model has enough battery life to make it through the whole night during the winter.

 

·         Lawns are about 30 degrees cooler than asphalt driveways.

·         One acre of grass produces more oxygen than one acre of rainforest, and a 2,500 sf lawn produces enough oxygen for a family of four.

·         Grass helps absorb water as opposed to hard, non-porous surfaces; thereby, reducing run off and protecting our groundwater by filtering out contaminants.

·         Grass helps prevent soil erosion.

·         Grass improves the soil with organic matter.

·         Healthy, well-maintained lawns can add to a property’s curb appeal and overall value.

·         Lawns, in conjunction with trees and shrubs around the home, can help reduce temperatures by as much as 20 degrees.

·         Because lawns are cooler and softer than concrete and asphalt surfaces, kids and dogs are naturally drawn to them, and the cushioning effect helps reduce the potential for injuries.

·         Lawns can improve air quality by trapping dust and other small air particles.

·         Lawns take in carbon dioxide; thereby, reducing overall CO2 in the atmosphere.

·         Lawns help reduce noise levels by absorbing, deflecting, reflecting and refracting.

·         Healthy, well-maintained lawns create inviting views that can affect people positively through a sense of peace and harmony.  Green spaces, like lawns, have the power to heal, decrease stress and disease, increase memory and cognitive functions.  Simply put, healthy lawns are good for your overall health.

 

 

 

Your central forced air and heating systems rely on clean, fresh filters to deliver quality air inside your home. Ideally, filters are changed monthly. However, you should change them every season at a minimum.

According to Home Depot, “Air filter replacement is important because it can extend furnace life, reduce energy bills and improve indoor air quality. Changing the air filter on a regular basis can improve your indoor air quality and help your HVAC system run more efficiently.”

Some homeowners replace smoke detector batteries during daylight savings twice a year, but replacing them with the change of each season is another option. Depending on the size of your home, you can stagger the replacements, tackling the upstairs twice a year and the downstairs on the other half. Beyond replacing the batteries every season, it’s also essential to test the alarms monthly to ensure they are working correctly.

Don’t forget the fun part of a new season – decorating your home! It’s time to get out your fall decor, add the colorful wreath to the door, and stock up on your favorite scented candles. 

Skip the clutter and trinkets, and instead, focus on evoking all of the senses around your home. Add texture and color with throw pillows and blankets, find a new fall playlist to turn on in the mornings, and swap out some photos with your favorite fall memories. 

Gutter maintenance is an ongoing task during the fall season. Falling leaves and sticks are likely to clog up your gutters and can lead to water damage indoors or leaks in your basement from water puddling around the base of your home. 

Raking leaves is one of the most practical fall activities to prepare your lawn for winter. Get the whole family involved on a warm weekend afternoon and make it fun, keeping your kids healthy through moving their bodies! Bring in your outdoor furniture, giving it a good cleaning before storing it away. 

Put away water hoses that can be damaged from freezing temperatures and cut back your shrubs and greenery to prepare them for winter. The more of these outdoor tasks you tackle now, the less work you’ll have to do as the cold weather hits. 

Starting a quarterly newsletter and we are looking for content suggestions

*** UPDATE: 4/5/2020 ***
The request to transfer the common land on Fairview Parkway to Julia Utter was not approved by 75% of Fairfield Farms property owners.  This means the land will not have road access from Fairview Parkway nor will it be a part of our association.