By design

Block that door: Bringing more light through a door often means sacrificing privacy and security. Hy-Lite Products has found a solution in new acrylic block one-piece door inserts in 22-by-70-inch and 28-by-70-inch sizes to fit a variety of doors. Configurations of three to four blocks across by 11 blocks vertically are available preassembled in aluminum frames requiring no extra reinforcements to door jambs. Available in interior or exterior kits in frosted wave, clear wave, clear cross rib, green and frosted green wave patterns for slab and panel doors. Hy-Lite products are sold at Modern Builders Supply in Golf Manor, Beck Paint & Hardware in Walnut Hills, Contractor Yard of Cincinnati on Princeton-Glendale Road, Marsh Building Products in Fort Thomas, and 84 Lumber and Lowe's, both in Florence. Information at www.Hy-Lite.com.

In print

Home bible: If you're the curious kind, especially when it comes to identifying home styles, The Field Guide to American Houses is your new best friend. Virginia and Lee McAlester's guide (Knopf; $40 hardcover, $24.95 paperback) gives you a brief history lesson on American building styles plus photos of examples, roofline drawings, floor plans and structural details.

Earth smart

Pruning tips: Fall pruning is one of the easiest ways to control size, shape and growth of plants. And the colder months are the best times to prune some trees, according to Ace Hardware tipster Lou Manfredini. The exceptions are evergreens, which are best pruned in early summer, and fruit-bearing plants, best trimmed in late winter. Pruning tips:

• Prune away dead, broken or diseased portions of the plant.

• Cut flush to a main branch or trunk.

• Use a small saw or loppers to remove medium or large branches.

• Cover cuts of 11/2-inch diameter or more with protective wood compound.

• Prune weak plants heavily and vigorous plants lightly.

• Don't leave ragged cuts or stubs.

More at www.acehardware.com. Click on the Answers@Ace icon.

Wise buy

Roller edger: Rubbermaid's Premium TrimLine Edger is a spring-loaded edging shield that keeps paint off trim, ceilings and other adjacent surfaces, capturing excess paint in an overflow cavity. No tape needed. And the 3-inch roller fits into those tight spots. Two rollers, tray and instructions, $8.99 at Wal-Mart.

Contact Joy Kraft by phone: 768-8467; fax: 768-8330; e-mail: jkraft@enquirer.com.