Leaking roofs are more than just irritating. Unwanted moisture can lead to major problems with a home’s structure, such as mold or water damage. Fortunately, taking care of roof replacement is a straightforward process when you have the help of professionals.

Selecting the Right Roof for Your Home

If there’s one area where you want to invest in quality, it’s your roof. A solid roof is impervious to wind, rain, snow and ice, keeping your home’s interior in excellent condition. Besides investing in high-quality roofing materials, there are other factors to keep in mind:

• Local climate: Make sure your roof is prepared to handle everything your local weather can throw at it. If high winds, ice or hail are common, it makes sense to opt for heavier-gauge shingles that can take a beating.
• Energy efficiency: One way to cut down on your energy bill in sunny areas is to opt for white or reflective surface coatings. By reflecting sunlight, the home stays cooler and you spend less money on air conditioning each month.
• Architectural style: Certain roofing options are a natural fit for your home for aesthetic reasons. Spanish Colonial architecture wouldn’t be the same without its famous red clay tiles. Wood shakes add a warm, rustic tone to houses and last decades when properly installed and maintained.

Choosing a Professional Roofing Contractor

The other essential area for success in roof replacement is choosing an experienced, trustworthy contractor. Attempting to do this kind of job yourself rarely produces good results, since every nail and seam count for longevity. When looking for a contractor, prioritize these qualities:

• Local company
• Extensive experience
• Dedicated roofing contractor
• Website with clear information and positive customer reviews
• Reputation for excellent quality
• Licensed and insured professionals

There’s nothing wrong with comparing several estimates to make sure you get the roof you want at a good price. Just remember that a roof that lasts for 20–30 years is worth spending a little extra. Never sacrifice quality. A good roof replacement contractor will sit down with you and explain every detail, from completion dates to materials used.

Gutters around your home are the beautiful outlines that set the roof line off from everything below. They obviously perform a necessary function by giving the water that comes from your roof a place to go. Having a professional biannually maintain and monitor your gutters is an important part of home ownership. They are able to advise you as to the best gutter size and type, typical downspout requirements, and the laws and codes that must be followed when doing a repair or Gutter Replacement.

Gutter Sizes and Styles

It’s important to know which gutters will work best with your particular house. The materials available include vinyl, steel, and wood. Vinyl is light-weight and offers a multitude of color options. Although these are typically less money, they can tend to crack over time. Steel is sturdier but can crimp and rust after constant exposure to the elements. Pressure-treated wood is aesthetically pleasing and not expensive. Professional installers will know the correct size and best material option for your home.

Downspout Requirements

Often, with Gutter Replacement comes replacing the downspouts as well. Unless you have done extensive research on how much water volume your gutters have to route across your roof and down through the spouts to a drain, here’s where an expert is invaluable. Rain, snow, and even the amount of debris involved are important issues when deciding on the right size and type of downspouts to go with your gutters.

Local Codes and Requirements

Once you have decided on replacing your gutters, make your first step to check out the codes and requirements for your neighborhood and your home in particular. If you have a Home Owners Association or if your home is considered a historical landmark, there are certain requirements that must be met. Professionals will be able to help you decide what you are allowed to use.

Knowing your options and requirements makes Gutter Replacement easier. Relying on the experts gets it done right.

When it’s time to consider window replacement, it can seem like an overwhelming task. Often, the hardest part isn’t choosing a window but picking the right contractor to complete the work. Below are four tips to help you find the right fit.

Do the Research

Take the time to find the right contractor for the job. Asking trusted friends for recommendations is a good place to start but not the ending point. While the company might have worked well for them, a lot can change between projects. You can also get recommendations from local consumer protection agencies or other homeowner organizations that can provide names of reputable companies in your area. Once you get a recommendation, don’t stop there. It is recommended to research a minimum of three options.

Meet in Person

Once you have compiled a list of contractors, it’s important to call each contractor to ask questions. Considering the impact window replacement will have on your home and life, a smooth talker needs to back up their words. Any uncertainty on the contractor’s part should be met with hesitation. Once a few contractors have satisfactorily answered your questions, set up a time to meet them. Meeting face to face provides a better idea of who you will be working with and the type of communication you can expect from them.

Consider the Costs

While most people love to save money, an exceptionally low price may mean exceptionally low service. Contacting several contractors provides the added benefit of securing a ballpark idea of how much your project will cost. Any contractor that is significantly lower or higher may not be worth the time.

Get It in Writing

After choosing a contractor, get it in writing. Your window replacement contract should have every small detail of the project including payment schedule, liability, materials to be used, project start and end date, just to name a few. A contractor willing to sign a clear contract means they understand how important your renovation is.

For homeowners, an energy-efficient home has become a top priority. The rising costs of energy make it important to have a home that helps reduce those costly monthly bills. Insulated vinyl siding is one way to keep a home running efficiently.

Insulation for All Seasons

Whether living in a region that experiences all seasons or in an area prone to extreme heat, keeping a balanced temperature can be difficult. Extreme cold and heat can overwork furnaces and air conditioners, which can reduce their lifespan and waste energy. While standard home insulation makes a major impact, having an additional layer can ease the strain.

Instead of being hollow, insulated vinyl siding is more solid and features an added layer of foam. This keeps it from bending or rattling like standard siding. The additional material acts as a bridge that contours gaps, which strengthens trim and other edging materials. It not only works to help a home retain heat or cold, it also has the added benefit of providing a barrier for outside sounds.

No Gaps Means Less Hassle

Thermal resistant is a key element of insulated vinyl siding. It helps reduce heat flow in walls and increases drying capacity. This means that it will not absorb or hold moisture, main factors in the growth of mold and mildew. Besides keeping moisture from settling in a home, its material does not attract insects or other creatures. Since the foam fills gaps in the walls, it eliminates potential nesting areas.

Durability

Any type of added protection costs money, so it’s important to consider the longevity of an investment. This type of siding is constructed to be durable and absorb shock and impact from inclement weather such as hail and ice. Unlike wood, it is designed to resist cracking, splitting and warping. It is also able to withstand extreme temperatures while maintaining its aesthetic appeal.

Whether building or renovating, choosing the right vinyl siding is a big decision. Count on the experts to help you maximize your home’s energy potential.

Even if you take the time to clean and maintain your gutters, the sad truth is they’re not going to last forever. Eventually, you’ll have to pay for gutter replacement. But how do you know when it’s time?

1. Seam Separation

Seams are where two sections of gutter meet and are generally sealed with a caulking or silicone compound. Over time, these materials can degrade due to moisture and extreme temperatures, resulting in separation. If you notice your gutters coming apart, it’s probably time to replace – maybe with the seamless type this time around.

2. Rust Spots

If you have metal gutters, water can undermine their structural integrity. Scratches in paint from wind or other weather makes the underlying metal vulnerable to rust. Over time, these spots can become holes, leading to compromised sections or outright leaks.

3. Leaks

If you see water pouring out of a hole in your gutters, it’s definitely time for a replacement. Less-obvious signs of a leak include puddles in your yard or a flooded basement.

4. Peeling

Water can damage your house’s paint job, leading to bubbling or peeling. If you’re seeing multiple places on your home’s exterior that have compromised paint, you likely have several leaks and need a full gutter replacement.

5. Space Between Gutters and the Roofline

Over time, the fasteners holding gutters to the roof can become loose or damaged, which may result in gutters pulling away from your house. Water may then leak through the gap, flooding your yard or damaging your foundation. If you’ve had to fix this issue several times, you should start shopping around for replacements.

Effectively directing rainwater is essential to the health of your home. If it’s time for a gutter replacement, an industry professional can inform you on the many options available and ensure everything is installed properly. With regular maintence, your new gutters can last a good 20 years.

Failure to spot the signs of a deteriorating roof can result in extra work and extra costs and even an earlier than necessary new roof installation. A frequent check of the condition of a roof is a great idea. An even better idea is to have a qualified contractor come out annually to inspect the roof for the most common home roofing problems.

 

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You’ve done your homework and hired a reliable, licensed, and insured roofing contractor. You’ve agreed on an estimate and secured a permit. Here’s what to expect once workers are on top of your roof replacement project. Literally.

 

First, you don’t have to move the family to a hotel—unless you want to. If you do decide to make replacing your roof the reason for a staycation, make sure someone is readily available by phone, just in case the roofing company has questions or concerns once work begins.

 

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The windows of your home allow you to see what is going on around you, but they can also make your heating and cooling system work harder. A contractor who specializes in window replacement can replace your single-paned windows with double glazed windows to combat this problem.

 

Double glazed windows have two panes of glass that are separated by a pocket of air or gas. The whole apparatus is then sealed to prevent condensation between the panes. The glass is also coated with a special glaze that repels hot air and warms cold air. The gas between the panes is often an inert gas such as argon that, because of its higher density, provides better insulation than regular air.

 

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In today’s DIY culture, it’s not unusual for a homeowner to take on a project like windows and door replacement. And while replacing windows and doors throughout a house is a job best left to professionals, a homeowner can certainly handle a window here or there if they have the right knowledge. Here are a few tips when getting ready for DIY window and door replacement.

 

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Windows and doors can become damaged and worn down over time. However, knowing how to find the right windows and door replacement can be tricky. Consider various factors as you decide what windows and doors to replace and add to your home.

 

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