House need some help? Try these quick fixes

Summer is a great time to knock out some of those home projects you've been waiting to tackle, like renewing the kitchen, painting the outside of your house, or cleaning the garage. And the list goes on. But how do you do it if you're in a hurry and on a budget? “Today” fix-it contributor Lou Manfredini shares some suggestions for easy, cheap home renovation projects:

Renew the old patio or deck with wood flooring
If you have an old patio, balcony, roof deck or a basement floor that has seen better days and want a real solution that’s easy, you have to check out EZYDECK®. This Australian import is made from Jarrah wood, which comes from managed forestry Down Under. These wood tiles clip together, kind of like laminate flooring, but they're made of real wood over a synthetic base. The wood is separated and attached to an elevated base, which allows water to drain away, and the look is terrific. You can renew your patio or deck — or even place this right on the lawn —and be done in a matter of hours. All of it can be shipped directly to your home. 
www.ezydeck.net; $8 to $12 per foot.

Install a new fence  
Almost 10 years ago, I installed a white vinyl fence to the rear of our home. We have since sold the house, but the fence still looks brand-new. Since then, many different manufacturers have come into play, many of whom actually make plumbing pipes. One such maker offers a vinyl fence in a box. Five styles can be shipped in a knockdown box directly to your home at a cost of about $100 a section. The installation is a snap. You’ll need to eat a good breakfast for all the post-holes you'll dig, but once those are done, you drop in the posts and the next day you assemble the panels. The vinyl retains its color and will not fade or crack.  If it does get dirty, you just hose it off.
www.genovaproducts.com

New lights to brighten up your house outside
Talk to any real estate professional, and they'll tell you curb appeal is the first step to a good looking, welcoming home. And while a new paint job, shutters, or even some flowers can do the trick, the quickest way to change the look is with new outdoor lighting, especially outdoor coach lights by the front door. In the past the really good looking stuff cost a fortune, but now changes in the way these lights are made has brought the costs way down and the style way up. For about $100 you can purchase and install a die cast aluminum fixture that looks great and will last. Remember, before doing any electrical work on your home you must first turn off the breaker, but in many cases you just need to connect two wires to power up your new light. If your electrical boxes are equipped with a ground wire that must be connected as well. To see a great selection of outdoor lighting, check out: www.kichler.com.

"Mr. Fix-It" Lou Manfredini is a regular contributor to "Today." He welcomes questions and comments, which can be sent to www.hammerandnail.com .

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