Q: I’m looking to convert one of my home’s most touched surfaces—the doorknob—to a more “hands-free” approach. Are there any options that get rid of the twist but still keep things secure?

A: You’re not alone! There’s strong interest in DIY projects that can change existing high-touch surfaces to lower touch, and the doorknob is a great place to start. A relatively new type of door handle called a Push Pull Rotate handle allows you to swap out your traditional doorknob with one that opens with a push of your elbow or bump of your hip, providing a way to keep your hands clear of frequently touched surfaces.

Depending on your preferences, Push Pull Rotate handles, knobs, and levers allow you to change the way you open your doors. They can be used traditionally by turning or rotating, but also bring the choice of pushing in or pulling out on the knob or lever to release the door latch. Push Pull Rotate handles work on just about any residential door that opens inward, providing a new level of versatility and convenience, whether you’re working to minimize contact or simply have your hands full with kids, bags, pets, groceries, or laundry.

Initially produced for the building trades for custom homes, Push Pull Rotate door locks are now available to do-it-yourselfers in retail stores (ACE Hardware) and online (including thehardwarehut.com, Wayfair, Home Depot, Lowes, and Houzz). The levers and handles are ADA compliant and have security features to deter thieves, including pick-resistance, bump-resistance, drill-resistance, and anti-pry shields.

Good for All Skill Levels

Installation is simple, straightforward, and just takes a Phillips screwdriver, making this an easy project for virtually all skill levels. Uninstall your existing knob, insert the new latch, then adjust the lock body for your door thickness. Insert the lock body and screw on the mounting plate, followed by the rose. Attach the inside knob and you’re set. The screws are concealed for a nice finished appearance.

A Touchy Subject

One thing to consider in replacing your front door hardware is the impact on overall design and aesthetic compatibility with what’s already on your home. While Push Pull Rotate is an innovative product, it avoids sterile design seen in many tech products with its multiple styles and finishes, and more than 100 combinations of entry, privacy, and passage knobs, levers, and handlesets. For home interior use, try locking privacy locks for bedrooms and bathrooms and interior non-locking passage locks for laundry rooms, pantries, and closets. There are even matching dummy knobs and levers available for closets and French doors.

Smart Home Savvy

Paired with a connected lock with geolocation abilities, you can leverage your smart home to take hands-free entry to the next level. With geolocation enabled on your connected lock, you can set up a routine where the smart deadbolt will unlock with a tap on your phone as you approach—just hip-check your Push Pull Rotate handle to enter. After you’re inside, you can lock the deadbolt via voice command using Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, or Siri (depending on the connected lock you use).

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Julie Ernest is a senior director at Hampton Products International, a member of the Master Builders Association of King and Snohomish Counties (MBAKS). If you have a home improvement, remodeling, or residential homebuilding question you’d like answered by one of MBAKS’ more than 2,600 members, write to homework@mbaks.com.

Q: Our old water heater is nearing the end of its life and seems to be leaking. We’re thinking about replacing it with a smaller tankless system, but the price tag is higher. Is it worth it?

A: You can tell it’s time to replace an older tank-based system if you’ve been running out of hot water during showers or have to wait forever to even get hot water. It’s not unheard of to experience leaking pipes and fixtures, poor water quality and mechanical issues toward the end of a tank’s life. Generally, tank-based water-heating systems should be replaced every 10–12 years.

If you find that you’re in the market for a new water heater, it might be time to go tankless. It may cost more upfront, but it will save you money in the long run. And there are other benefits to tankless water-heating systems, as well.

They perform better. Tankless heaters outperform tank-based systems in almost every way. A standard water heater that uses natural gas runs at 6%0–65% efficiency. That’s considerably less efficient than non-condensing tankless water heaters, which run at 85%–90%, or condensing tankless models, which run at 92%–96% efficiency. 

Tankless systems don’t heat as much water, but the water will stay hot as long as you need it. With a traditional water heater, a household of three can take three 7- to 10-minute showers before the water goes cold. With a tankless water heater, they can take whatever length they’d like, and no one will get left in the cold.

One of the best features of tankless units is modulating heating that increases or decreases based on demand. Most have multiple burners that will ramp up the heat as needed. For example, a bathroom faucet running by itself only needs to use one burner, while a shower and washing machine running concurrently will use three or four.

They save space. Not only do tankless systems offer hot water quickly and efficiently, but their smaller size means they can be installed on a wall. Tank-based systems are bulky and have to be installed on the floor. If you live in a smaller home, especially a townhome or condo, tankless systems are highly recommended.

They save money and energy. If you’re interested in reducing your environmental impact, going tankless is a no-brainer. Tankless systems require less energy, resulting in lower utility bills. They also pollute less and require fewer metal and plastic materials to manufacture.

Tankless heaters do have some downsides, such as requiring more complex maintenance and repairs than tank-based systems. But they come with 12-year warranties — double the standard six-year warranty for tank-based systems — which reduces long-term costs as the system ages.

If you’re unsure if you’re ready for a new water heater or if a tankless system is right for your home, contact a certified plumber to assess your current setup. They’ll be able to make a site visit, offer recommendations and install whichever system you decide to purchase.

Mike Morris is a certified residential plumber with South West Plumbing, a member of the Master Builders Association of King and Snohomish Counties (MBAKS). If you have a home improvement, remodeling or residential homebuilding question you’d like answered by one of MBAKS’s more than 2,600 members, write to homework@mbaks.com.

By Megan Pardi, Rainier Custom Homes

Q: When it comes to the interior design of your home, where do you begin your planning?

A: Can you envision what could be, like a transparent overlay set upon the picture of your current spaces? Don't feel bad if your visionary skills are stunted; most people have a hard time imagining how the transformation of a room layout can improve traffic flow and functionality, let alone learning how the use of color, pattern, texture, lighting, and furniture can better define and even anchor interior spaces for better living. Perhaps some element of your home is simply non-functional or outdated, to the point that you must make improvements.

Seeking out designer expertise and guidance can help you achieve a brilliant outcome with your home remodel! When your next custom project looms on the horizon, think through and consider the following counsel from three of Rainier Custom Homes' most active interior design partners:

Build an Idea Collage Board and Ask Why

Gwen: "During the initial meeting, I always ask my clients to do some homework by creating and sharing with me an idea book on Houzz or a board on Pinterest where they gather photos of style, color palettes, textures, feeling, etc.—what they like and do not like. I do prefer Houzz since it is easier to add comments."

Gail: "I always ask clients why they want to remodel. It is so easy to assume the reason, so it is most enlightening when you hear their actual response. Their answer gives me the initial basis upon which to proceed. I love it when clients pull together idea books in Houzz or create a Pinterest board and, of course, there are always the time-honored pages torn from a magazine. At the first meeting, we always build a list of the goals and objectives to guide us through the design process; it helps to keep from getting lost amongst all the selections and decisions."

A Great Designer Will Listen to and Show You

An affinity and fit between homeowner and project team is the biggest boon of any project! Yes, great design and project success is achieved with detailed planning, documentation, and execution. How much happier is the outcome when you resonate and connect with your design-build team and experience a trusting relationship?

Gwen: "I am very visual and a good listener. Once clients share with me their idea collage boards and I thoroughly review them, I have a perfect understanding of what they want."

Gail: "Technology now provides the ability to create 3D images that are pretty realistic. Renderings are invaluable in representing all the key aspects of good design while addressing the client's goals and objectives, space planning, focal points, colors, styling, perspectives, relationships, coordination, and creativity. A rendering is a fabulous tool to help validate whether that sparkly Art Deco chandelier you love in the catalog is appropriate for your space (or not).

Will an existing element continue to be a feature in your new design?

Is there a key feature, like a view window, fireplace, an important piece of furniture or artwork that you plan to maintain for the project?

Beverly: "I start with an area rug or the larger pieces if I'm doing furniture. If it is a remodel or new construction I start with the pieces such as flooring, cabinets, and countertops first and build from there based on the client's likes."

Gail: "Usually with a remodel project, the client wants a clean sweep—all new. If the home has a view, that drives many of the decisions for the room as the view becomes the main attraction. I always ask—what item(s) are you most interested in becoming the focal point—granite, cabinets, fixtures, art? Interestingly enough, many have not thought about this and we spend time chatting about ways to create focal points. Having too many focal points is a common mistake; people are drawn to what they like in each individual selection, but may not think about how all the selections look and interact together. We start by establishing a primary design element to ground the project and work from there to creatively support it."

This, That, or the Other: the Beauty of Threes

Designer consensus is that you should expect that interior designers will typically bring you two to three selections to determine your final options during the planning phase of your project. This rule of threes can help keep clients from being overwhelmed amidst countless choices.

Beverly: "I like to have everything selected and ready to order before project construction begins. This helps ensure that all material lead times are included within the project schedule and helps to minimize change orders during construction, which helps to keep the project within budget, too."

Project Endurance

Best advice for clients during the project?

Beverly: "Anticipate a lot of visitors to the project. Patience is the key along with trust that your project team is working to complete the job to your satisfaction."

Gwen: "Stay focused and continue to collaborate with the team. I always tell my clients that there is no ONE design solution to create a beautiful space. However, the solutions are more limited when it comes to creating a space that will answer their personal needs. Once we agree on one design, I like clients to stay focused on the design and stop looking for other things they may also like. I would also encourage them to speak out (earlier the better) if they have some doubts about certain aspects of the project. I like things to be spoken out among the team."

Best Outcomes

What makes a designer happy when a project ends?

Beverly: "Working with a great contractor, producing an amazing custom build or remodel, and working with the nicest clients with great taste is the perfect project!"

Beverly's portfolio

Gail: "A smooth, successful project is dependent upon the team the client has hired and the tools the team engages. The best outcomes are reached by finding the best team, which is the first and most important step. Expertise and project management capabilities in planning, services, organization, problem solving, and communication from start to finish are key!"

Gail's portfolio

Gwen: "Design-wise, the ideal outcome with a great project occurs when form follows function! I get great satisfaction when clients come to me several weeks or months later and say that their new spaces are beautiful and a perfect match to their lifestyle. And if during the conversations there is no "but" or "what if" it means that the all team did great!"

Gwen's portfolio