[pmbinnj]

YES!!! We are closing on our new house in a couple of weeks and we have some ideas about what we’d like to do to make this new home “ours”. Thoughts are to make the following changes so we’d like to hear suggestions about whom to contact (or who not to use) and any ideas you have based on your experiences. Since we will only be down in TV for a short time in September, we want to arrange for as many appointments as we can. Hoping to get everything done before returning later in the year so any advice you have is much appreciated.
1) Add solar tubes (kitchen? Laundry area? Closet?) and a solar attic fan.
2) Have plantation shutters installed on windows (uncertain about covering the sliding glass doors).
3) Get plans and quotes to enclose part of the lanai with windows and make it climate controlled.
4) Add a “water feature” (fountain) to the lanai
5) Paint the concrete drive and walkway
Thanks for any suggestions you can offer. Looking forward to being Villagers very shortly!

[SouthOfTheBorder]

We waited for 6 months or so (after move in) before we started making changes inside and out. Turned out to be the best decision for us as we changed our minds many times regarding what we "thought" we originally wanted for adding our own personality to our new home. Waiting also provided the opportunity to see in person what others have done.

We are so glad we didn't act on some of our first ideas.

It is an exciting time but for us slowing down some decisions worked out great.

Don

[dewilson58]

Originally Posted by SouthOfTheBorder

We waited for 6 months or so (after move in) before we started making changes inside and out. Turned out to be the best decision for us as we changed our minds many times regarding what we "thought" we originally wanted for adding our own personality to our new home. Waiting also provided the opportunity to see in person what others have done.

We are so glad we didn't act on some of our first ideas.

It is an exciting time but for us slowing down some decisions worked out great.

Don

Agree

Solar Tubes......people like them, I just hate putting a hole in my roof.......over time, !^it happens.

[asianthree]

24 hour blinds and wait on the rest.. No hurry you have plenty of time to change your mind

[HMLRHT1]

Solar tubes work great! We have 4 of them. They work great in rooms with no windows and add more light to the kitchen area. I have two solar fans but if I knew then what I know now I would not have gotten them. They are a waste of money. Research them on the internet. Stay away from the company web sites. Read the independent reviews. We have not seen any reduction in a/c usage or electricity usage since getting them.

[tuccillo]

I would recommend that you not install an attic fan. This has been researched and shown to not save energy.

Originally Posted by pmbinnj

YES!!! We are closing on our new house in a couple of weeks and we have some ideas about what we’d like to do to make this new home “ours”. Thoughts are to make the following changes so we’d like to hear suggestions about whom to contact (or who not to use) and any ideas you have based on your experiences. Since we will only be down in TV for a short time in September, we want to arrange for as many appointments as we can. Hoping to get everything done before returning later in the year so any advice you have is much appreciated.
1) Add solar tubes (kitchen? Laundry area? Closet?) and a solar attic fan.
2) Have plantation shutters installed on windows (uncertain about covering the sliding glass doors).
3) Get plans and quotes to enclose part of the lanai with windows and make it climate controlled.
4) Add a “water feature” (fountain) to the lanai
5) Paint the concrete drive and walkway
Thanks for any suggestions you can offer. Looking forward to being Villagers very shortly!

[Kahuna32162]

OK, we have been here for 6 months.

Solar tubes installed (2)
Attic stairs installed (great added storage space)
Tile floor installed in 2 bedrooms - no more carpet
Linai rebuilt with with all glass sliders
Landscaping updated
Kitchen countertops replaced
Kitchen backsplash installed

I think you find that your new home will be a project to make your own. Take your time and don't try to do everything the first month.....you're going to be here for a long time! BTW, relay on the recomendations you find on TOTV, they will rarely steer you wrong.

[Gordon82]

Originally Posted by tuccillo

I would recommend that you not install an attic fan. This has been researched and shown to not save energy.

What about insulation over the lanai and garage? And insulation for the garage door?

[Ruthtomnorma3]

Originally Posted by SouthOfTheBorder

We waited for 6 months or so (after move in) before we started making changes inside and out. Turned out to be the best decision for us as we changed our minds many times regarding what we "thought" we originally wanted for adding our own personality to our new home. Waiting also provided the opportunity to see in person what others have done.

We are so glad we didn't act on some of our first ideas.

It is an exciting time but for us slowing down some decisions worked out great.

Don

Agree whole heartily .....take time to "feel" the personality of "your" home.
We bought furniture and rushed into some landscape projects.....

[George Bieniaszek]

I agree with some of the previous posters that said to take your time and enjoy your new home and The Villages. The fun part is the planning of a project and changing your ideas a couple of times before you commit time and money into it.

But to answer some of your questions, Solar Guys for the soar tubes and attic fan. I also used them to put a reflective film on my east-facing windows to cut down the heat coming into the house. I used Florida Deck to paint my driveway. I have west-facing garage doors on my CYV and went to Lowes and got a bunch of 4x8 sheets of Styrofoam panels (3/4' thick) and insulated the doors. WOW what a difference and it is an easy 3-4 hour DIY project, on a cool day.

[TheSolarGuys]

We can help you out with the Solatube's and Attic Fans. Once you get settled in you can visit us at our local showroom just 5 miles north of The Villages on Hwy. 441. In the meantime you can review our company and product information on our website at www.TheSolarGuys.com

[sammy8duck]

We spent $3,000 at the Solar Guys, $1,700 for 3 solar tubes and $1,300 for 2 attic ventilators. The solar tubes let in natural light which is appealing to many people. If you just want economical attractive lighting led lights are an alternative. Hayes Electric installed an LED light over our bathtub for $140 and did a great job. The ventilators appear to be a complete waste of money. When I went into the attic I could feel no effect. When I complained to the solar guys they said that is how they work. You won't feel air moving like an electric attic fan. About a month after I complained I received an email from the Solar Guys for a special to those who had already purchased a ventilator to upgrade it to double the capacity for $399 each. I think if you want something to ventilate the attic an electric attic fan is the way to go.

[GeoGeo]

I would get the solar tubes. I didn't like the idea of more holes in the roof, but they do light things up. Forget the attic fans....we have two and see no difference. You might ask around about the painted concrete....we don't have it, but know people who do. They think it is a pain in the neck. They have to re-seal ever so often. And they get black marks on it from car tires and it fades over time. Beautiful, but I know some people think it was not worth it. Don't overdo and try to get everything accomplished at once. Give it time.

[TNLAKEPANDA]

Originally Posted by Gordon82

What about insulation over the lanai and garage? And insulation for the garage door?

We insulated the attic over the garage and also the garage doors. Not happy with the door insulation. It is not near as good as OEM insulated doors! Our lanai is open... we do not want to be all glassed in living in FL.

[JMEZARIC3]

Originally Posted by pmbinnj

YES!!! We are closing on our new house in a couple of weeks and we have some ideas about what we’d like to do to make this new home “ours”. Thoughts are to make the following changes so we’d like to hear suggestions about whom to contact (or who not to use) and any ideas you have based on your experiences. Since we will only be down in TV for a short time in September, we want to arrange for as many appointments as we can. Hoping to get everything done before returning later in the year so any advice you have is much appreciated.
1) Add solar tubes (kitchen? Laundry area? Closet?) and a solar attic fan.
2) Have plantation shutters installed on windows (uncertain about covering the sliding glass doors).
3) Get plans and quotes to enclose part of the lanai with windows and make it climate controlled.
4) Add a “water feature” (fountain) to the lanai
5) Paint the concrete drive and walkway
Thanks for any suggestions you can offer. Looking forward to being Villagers very shortly!

Wait a few months before any major upgrades.Talk to your new friends about contractors,check reviews here on TOTV.We planned to add solar tubes to our Patio Villa's dark kitchen.But found out the tubes do not work at night!.Decided to upgrade the kitchen lights and add wattage.Much cheaper than tubes and it works at night.But I must say the solar tubes do work great during the day but I could not justified the expense.I put the money saved towards a bigger and better HDTV.
Roof mounted attic fans are a waste of money.All the homes in TV seem to be properly vented.A roof mounted fan will only draw outside air into the attic from the nearest ridge vent and then recycle that air outside.I noticed most of these fans are installed next to ridge vents.