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15 | Friday, May 13, 2016 | OAKVILLE BEAVER | www.insideHALTON.com HOME & GARDEN Smart home technology Relax in summer shades to work with your smartphone to ensure that your home is always at the temperature you want when you arrive home, it gives the added incentive of utilizing more energy ef cient temperatures when the home is empty. Available at Speers Flooring, this easy to use technology doesn't require programming as it connects to your WiFi with a simple set up. Its SmartGeo feature works by using the location service that is built into smartphones to learning your routines and the most ef cient settings for your home. By utilizing geofencing technology to control your heating automatically, heating usage can be reduced by as much as 25 per cent. The Warmup 4ie WiFi Thermostat can be installed under tiles and hardwood, and can be used in any room of the house. For information on The Warmup, visit www.speers ooring.com or call 905-8458562. Open Monday to Wednesday and Friday from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., Thursday from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Saturday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Speers Flooring staff have the product and installation knowledge to assist you with all of your ooring needs. As soon as it's warm enough to leave the house without a jacket, we can't wait to spend every spare second outdoors. But before heading out to enjoy the sun, it's important to remember that everyone, especially kids, need to take breaks in the shade, even if they're just playing in the backyard. "As a parent, you become more aware of sun protection with your kids," says Chris Palmer, Canada's favourite handyman and DIY expert. "They run around and are having so much fun, they don't notice that they may be overheating. So building a space that incorporates shade is very important to me. Creating a sheltered space allows families to enjoy their time outdoors and ultimately gives them more use of the space." Whether you're building a pergola or a privacy screen, there are several bene ts of a shade structure that help to optimize any outdoor space for summer living. Stay cool. While the air temperature is technically the same in the shade, it can feel up to 10 degrees cooler out of the sun. Regardless of whether you're working with a backyard or a balcony, adding some low-maintenance greenery can maximize your cool while adding some visual appeal. "You can even plant trailing vines that'll grow up and contribute to your Continued on page 16 By Vanessa Lupton With spring underway and summer approaching, it's the perfect time to consider updating the ooring in your home. In addition to picking out the type of ooring you want to adorn your home with, consider adding under oor heating, a feature you are bound to enjoy once the cooler temperatures roll around. The Warmup 4ie WiFi Thermostat is the latest in smart home technology. Designed weed and feed your lawn 1. Kensington Advantage 6 Visits + 13 treatments eVery 4-5 weeks $ 399 REG $499 Kensington Lawns K Both Plans include: · Assessments · Safe organic slow release fertilizers $ 3 Visits + 9 · Weed Control Pulling & Fiesta treatments Offer ends · Aeration · Over seeding & enriched REG $320 may 24/16 spring, summer & fall compost/top dressing Voted One of Oakville's BEST Lawn Care Companies! Save $100 2. Basic Plan 220 Professional lawn care naturally - for a thick, green and healthy lawn! Planet association of ontario 905-802-0158 Licensed by Ministry of the Environment Big Savings on Manufacturer's Rebate on TORLYS Quick-Step® Laminates, Luxury Vinyl, Engineered Hardwood & Cork Flooring.* Up to $0.50/sq. ft. Now Until May 31st. *Products excluded from rebate program: Marquee Floors by TORLYS and Select Strip hardwood products, accessories/mouldings, underlay, discontinued and overstock products. HARDWOOD - LAMINATE - VINYL - STONE - TILE - CORK