Hi Lax There are definitely gaps to the enclosure. The whole thing sits on a rail system (ours has 3 parallel) and each module has to be able to telescope over each other therefore there has to be wiggle room. The company tries to compensate by using rubber flaps along the perimeter of each section but they certainly don't keep the cold out. Also, the building has an R-value of only 5... Our unit was manufactured 4 or so years ago and since then, they have greatly improved the technology of the overall unit so we've been told. But since we saved a HUGE chunk of change we don't mind dealing w/ a 9 month season instead of possibly 12! There is a guy here in CT who tried keeping his pool open 12 months the first year he installed the enclosure. His pool is only 12X24 yet it cost him TONS to keep the heat in. His enclosure sits b/ a large shed for one end wall and his house for the other. He installed a huge gas heater in the shed to blow hot air into the enclosure but found it to be too costly. Now he shuts down the day after Thanksgiving and re-opens April 1. He has a lot of sun year round which is a big help. You may not be able to actually heat year round w/ gas/heat pump w/o spending a fortune but if you have a lot of sun exposure you'll be amazed at how hot it gets inside due to the greenhouse effect. A woman in TX uses hers year round; she installed a large electric heater like those found at the entryway of Lowe's/Home Depot. Even in the winter when she gets some snow, she told me it was so warm due to the sun she had to turn off the heater and open the windows! Her enclosure is HUGE: the pool alone is 60' long! Wish we didn't have a tall tree line behind our house; lose our sun by the end of Oct. The trees belong to the backyard neighbor so I can't touch them... Keep us posted! Joanne

Sooooo, I am back. What a learning process this has been. But progress is being made and we are thrilled. Some updates to the plan........and of course up up updates to the budget. We have spent/committed $148,000 so far. I can give a breakdown of expenses if anyone is interested...we have had to delay the outdoor renovation for the time being. Here is the work we have accomplished (or are going to accomplish). All of this is included in the $148K except where noted. BATHS Rip out 3 and a half baths down to studs, remodel using Home Depot marble tiles in full baths (12 x 12 on floor, combination of 2x2, 6x6, and subway tile on walls. (to ceiling), Glass tile accents and borders. Slate floor in half bath. Kohler Archer tubs & toilets, etc. Restoration Gramercy Marble top vanity in two bathrooms, Restoration mirrors, Restoration Hardware lighting. Custom glass shower enclosure/door in master bath. Salvaged vintage sink and toilet in Full bath-YAY!, savings!. Kohler sink and toilet in half bath. KITCHEN Rip out entire kitchen (14 x 17) to studs. Install BR-11 Wenge floor 5 inch width.. Move plumbing and electric to accommodate new kitchen design. All Viking appliances: 36 inch stand alone freezer (floor model), 36 inch stand alone Fridge (floor model), 30 inch wall oven, 24 inch wall microwave with trim kit, Dishwasher, 36 inch cooktop. Shiloh inset shaker cabinets and center island painted polar white. Cabinets will consist of base cabinets, wall cabinets and additional set of glass cabinets above wall cabinets, to extend to ceiling. Minimal pull outs and special features (we couldn't afford any special features!!) Honed marble tops on counters and island, in either Imperial Danby or Carrara (budget reflects Carrara, but I love the milkyness of Danby). Elkay extra deep sink and moen faucet. Drawer pulls TBD (not budgeted yet). Rip out laundry room to create mud room (create cubbies. shelves, etc). install slate floors in mudroom. Take out all "stucco" walls and ceiling in den (down to studs). Replace with drywall and shaker molding. Remove carpet in 4 rooms over garage (1000 sq ft) and replace with Koka Oak ($5 sq foot). There is only a subfloor under carpet. Install base molding. Replace 8 windows with Anderson wood and vinyl windows. Removal of 11 hollow core doors (30 x 80) and replace with Jeldwen 5 panel shaker doors. Hardware TBD (not budgeted). Reconfigure of master Bedroom to Build walk in closet. Build walk in closet. Installation of Central Air to entire House. (time consuming and frustrating!!) Demolition of Basement walls/panelling to expose source of water coming in. Dig one side of foundation to reveal source of water getting in basement.....repair and replace dirt. Removal of wall paper from first and second floor. Sanding, Skim coat (2 coats) plaster, sanding again. I think that's all for right now. I am not doing any of the actual work, but I am exhausted nonetheless!!

As in the great racehorse Seattle Slew, but that always makes me think of the quantity, "a slew of" something, and it's usually not nice. And if you slough off something, you "sluff" it off, right? Anyway, I just call that park "the one behind where Dominick's used to be" to avoid pronouncing it at all. And edenchild, we spell plough "plow". Another difference! Vive la difference? :)

Is one side of the duplex to be your residence or is this intended as a rental investment? If you are keeping it as a duplex, two matching doors is a great idea. Add a full width 6' deep covered porch and full width front steps with a 6' deep full width ground level concrete slab landing ... all divided by a center railing. Then outline the sidewalk with bricks or pavers buried so only their tops are exposed. Consider creating a small private patio area on each side of the entry box for each tenant -- not concrete but a mix of pavers with grass in between them ... easily mowed. https://www.houzz.com/photos/outdoor-fire-pit-with-concrete-grass-pavers-modern-patio-orange-county-phvw-vp~20847724 You might consider beginning a green privacy hedge in front of the landing slab (leaving an opening at the sidewalk, of course) to add more privacy for the patio for each renter -- could be a good selling point for some. Consider a shrub (w/o briars) that keeps its leaves and looks good year round that will grow well in that geographic location. Would Aucuba bushes grow in your planting zone? Agree with another comment that painting all the exterior siding on the entire structure one color with one trim color would be a good idea. If the upstairs siding is still in good shape, consider using that neutral color and all white trim. Paint the downspouts that same color. While I like trees in the yard, I agree with a prior post: those trees are too close to the foundation. Would remove all the landscaping man made "things" -- those white border / outline pieces for the planting areas, etc. -- and focus, at least initially, on creating the perfect lawn all around the structure. If those are Forsythias (shrubs with yellow blooms), keep them but consider trimming them at the appropriate time to create a more dense shrub -- check out care instructions on line. You might consider moving any and all shrubs planted against the building away from the building and planting them elsewhere.