While many homeowners are happy with the idea of having a generic space to lounge outdoors during the summer, having a deck that doesn’t reflect your space can lead to hard to maintain areas in your yard or even a loss of usable deck space. On the other hand, if you decide to work with a team to design a custom deck that is uniquely suited to your property, you also gain control over a lot of other factors that can make your deck a more enjoyable outdoor space when it’s all said and done.

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Your siding is one of the biggest factors in curb appeal. Whether you have a small cottage on a lake or an expansive farmhouse, the color, pattern and material choices for your siding can make a big impact in your curb appeal and overall home value. Discover why so many homeowners are choosing vinyl siding for an affordable, durable and valuable addition to their home.

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Vinyl Siding – Adding Value to Your Home

Your siding is one of the biggest factors in curb appeal. Whether you have a small cottage on a lake or an expansive farmhouse, the color, pattern and material choices for your siding can make a big impact in your curb appeal and overall home value. Discover why so many homeowners are choosing vinyl siding for an affordable, durable and valuable addition to their home.

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The roof over your home protects you, your family, and your belongings, and that makes your home’s roof one of the most important purchases you will make in your lifetime. Since your roof shields your home from blistering sunrays, torrential rains, harsh winds, and sometimes even howling blizzards, that umbrella of protection can become worn from all the abuse it receives. When your home needs some residential roofing TLC, call a professional for the following reasons.

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Your roof suffers a lot from the weather. From the hot sun to high winds, your residential roof may need repairs more often than you think. At the very least, regular inspections by a residential roofing contractor are imperative. The health of your roof is important to the health of your home. Regular inspections are cost-effective because they can prevent further damage. You never want to ignore even minor damages to the roof.

Early Damage Is Easy to Repair

Most roofs have asphalt shingles. These are extremely easy to repair! If the damage is mild, a roofing expert can fix your roof for cheap. In some cases, you may need a replacement, but this is typically only when you wait on getting the damage fixed. In some cases, it may be due to the age of the roof, but roofs can last between 15 and 40 years.

Water Leaks Spread Quickly

Many factors age a roof. From the hot sun to downpours, there is a lot that may cause shingles to become brittle or damaged. These damages lead to roof leaks. Residential roofing contractors suggest that you have leaks taken care of right away. Not only does water damage grow quickly and become worse with very little time to pass, but the cracks and damages that lead to leaks can only grow if you don’t have it fixed right away. If you don’t prevent and fight against an aging roof, you’ll have to replace it faster.

When it comes to your roof, it can undergo a lot of damage. Roofs are extremely durable but they can be susceptible to damage. If you don’t have regular roof inspections, you could be setting yourself up for a costly bill in the future. Minor damages are easy for residential roofing contractors to fix; they cost less to repair and once fixed you can rest easy. If you let those damages slide, however, they’ll grow and become harder and more costly to fix.

Don’t let your home become a statistic. Heavy snowfall has caused thousands of roofs to collapse due to the extreme weight. If your area experiences any amount of snow, consider using these strategies to prevent snow buildup from damaging your roof. Find out how professional snow removal can keep your roof intact through even the worst winter storms.

How Much Can Your Roof Support?

It’s important to understand how much snow and ice your roof can safely support. Homes around the country are all built with their climate in mind, so the exact amount can vary dramatically. It’s best to have a local roofing contractor inspect your roof to determine your roof’s weight threshold. Once that’s done, you’ll have a better idea when your roof is reaching dangerous accumulation.

Ice Prevention

Snow weighs less than ice, so ice buildup can be an even greater threat. Roofs that accumulate a lot of ice may be improperly insulated or vented. When this happens, your roof traps warm air from your home. This air heats the snow enough to melt it, which is quickly cooled again to form ice. Roofing contractors can help you determine any hotspots in your roof, and then quickly install vents or additional insulation to prevent ice buildup before it happens.

Snow removal

Once snow has already accumulated near dangerous levels, you’ll want a professional to have it removed. Using a snow rake, the snow and ice is pushed off your roof to reduce the weight and risk of collapse.

The technique seems simple enough, but is surprisingly dangerous. Large amounts of snow and ice can easily become dislodged at once, leaving individuals on the roof vulnerable to slipping and individuals on the ground at risk of falling piles of ice and snow. The best protection is hiring an expert who has experience removing snow safely. Contact a local roofing contractor today to keep your roof safe and intact.

Choosing the perfect siding for your home can feel overwhelming. It’s difficult to balance price, quality and durability while comparing and contrasting each type. If you’re looking for a balanced, yet affordable siding that helps insulate your home, consider choosing insulated vinyl siding. Here are a few great reasons why this material is a popular option.

Energy Efficiency

Standard vinyl siding is made from PVC, or polyvinyl chloride. This material is durable, paintable and affordable, which makes it a popular option for homes all around the nation. However, standard vinyl siding doesn’t come with any insulation. This could cause your home to lose energy efficiency through thermal bridging. Thermal bridging occurs when your uninsulated framing and sheathing leak heat to your uninsulated siding.

Insulated vinyl siding, on the other hand, has stiff EPS, or polystyrene insulation glued to the back of it. While it may not make a dramatic difference, the additional R-2.7 to R-2 insulation can help you save money on your heating and cooling bills.

Stability

Another great reason to choose insulated siding is the increased stability. Standard vinyl siding is very flexible and can be bent or rattle on windy days. The additional thickness of insulation keeps your siding firm. With professional installation, insulated vinyl offers a durable, uniform look to your exterior.

Of course, this additional stability and insulation does come at a price. This type of vinyl siding is typically more expensive than standard vinyl. Ask for price estimates from a local contractor to determine the exact amount of additional cost that’s involved when choosing this siding.

Choosing the Best Siding

Of course, there are many other types of siding that offer their own pros and cons. If you’re ready to replace your siding or looking to build a new building, contact a local contractor to determine the best siding for your area. You’ll be able to receive estimates on insulated vinyl siding, and discuss your options with a professional who understands the unique local weather patterns.

Metal roofing can cost more than other materials, but a metal roof can last for the lifetime of a structure with minimal maintenance. It is best to approach this method of roof replacement as an investment. If you are weighing the costs and benefits of a metal roof, you might consider whether the extended life and decrease in maintenance is worth a larger expenditure up front.

Start by considering the type of metal. Aluminum is one of the most affordable options, but you might also select copper, galvanized steel, stainless steel, or even traditional zinc. All of these options can be durable and long-lasting. If you would like a metal roof that is not laid out in sheets, you might consider metal shake, which can resemble wood, or metal roofing with another finish.

If you are concerned about the ecological impact of roof replacement, you may want to ask a professional roofer about a recyclable natural metal roof. When it comes to energy efficiency, most metal roofs can be substantially more efficient than conventional roofing. There is also substantially less waste involved given that it is unlikely that you will need to entirely replace a metal roof. This roofing material is not subject to break, burn, crack, curl, peel, rot, or warp. Upkeep can be as simple as brushing the roof down when debris collects. It is still a good idea to make sure that proper drainage is available to maintain the condition of any roofing material.

As you calculate the value of metal roofing, you might want to factor in the in the lengthy warranties that frequently accompany these roofing materials. You should be able to rely on a metal roof installed by roof replacement professionals. Depending on your existing roof, you may be able to have a metal roof installed over the original roof to further limit labor and lower the price.

Thinking of getting a new roof for the home, but not sure which material to go with because there are lots of options? Metal roofing is something that was once considered a roofing material for commercial properties simply because it was quite plain and simple. It wasn’t as aesthetically pleasing as some of the other material on the market, which is one of the reasons homeowners often selected those other options. However, many changes have been made over the past several years, and the metal roof materials are now a lot more stylish than ever before.

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