Whether you’re building a new home, or want to spruce up your existing house, siding can really make a difference. Choosing the right siding material will help you pull your home’s look together, and these days, there are an abundance of choices when it comes to exterior siding. Here are the most popular types of siding, along with the pros and cons of each. Vinyl Siding Versatile vinyl siding … [Read more...]
How to Decide on the Right Windows for Your Home
Building a new home or replacing your existing windows? Choosing your new or replacement windows is a big job. Beyond aesthetics, your windows need to help keep your home cool in the summer and warm in the winter. They also need to be easy to clean and cost-effective. Windows come in a wide variety of prices and styles, including awning windows, bow/bay windows, casement windows, single and … [Read more...]
Roof Leaking? It’s Probably the Flashing
If you see water stains on your ceiling near or above a fireplace, and you know your roof isn’t damaged, you may need to inspect your chimney flashing. Notorious for leaking, chimneys let water into your home in a variety of ways, the most common of which is through the metal flashings. What is Chimney Flashing? Flashings are the strips of metal that are placed along the front edge, corners and … [Read more...]
Preventing Roof Damage from Trees
Fall is here and that means windy autumn days and big storms. It’s a good time to check on the health of your property’s trees, especially those that are near your home. The National Storm Damage Center says that trees that are damaged by severe weather cause more than $1 billion in property damage in the United States each year. Fallen trees and broken branches damage structures, roofs, … [Read more...]
Tips for Filing a Roof Replacement Insurance Claim
Finding out that your roof needs to be replaced or repaired can be troubling for many homeowners. Dealing with insurance claims, talking to adjusters and making sure you get reimbursed for all covered damages is a daunting process. Many homeowners are simply unsure about how to file a claim, where the process can be problematic, what types of documentation they need, or what to expect. To a … [Read more...]
Replacement Windows Offer Benefits Beyond Beauty
Replacing your home’s windows can seem like a daunting proposition, but the benefits you gain can make a big difference. Besides boosting your home’s beauty, replacement windows offer many other benefits, like reduced energy costs, increased comfort and quiet, more natural light, better safety and easier cleaning. Over time, your windows need to be replaced, just like your appliances or roof … [Read more...]
Why Vinyl is Still the Most Popular Choice for Siding
Vinyl siding first made its way into the home building marketplace in the 1960s. Back then, it offered an attractive alternative to aluminum siding, which was prone to dents and dings. Its low-maintenance qualities, and its availability in a variety of pre-finished colors made vinyl a popular choice for lower-end homes. But as the decades rolled on, and manufacturers started offering more style … [Read more...]
Roof Run Off: How to Protect Your Home
When you have uncontrolled storm water runoff from your roof, it’s not just a serious threat to your home’s structure, it also contributes to one of the greatest threats to water quality in most of the industrialized world. Because storm water runoff doesn’t soak into the ground where it falls, it ends up going directly into sewers and waterways, carrying with it sediments and chemicals that clog … [Read more...]
How to Spot Roof Damage Before Leaks Appear
Finding a roof leak can be difficult because often the actual spot where the roof leaks is not always exactly where the water stains are appearing on your ceiling. Water can enter the roof at one point, and then run down to another before it starts to soak into the ceiling. It’s sometimes easy to spot obvious roof damage (shingles are missing or damaged, stains on ceilings or walls), but by then, … [Read more...]
Great Reasons to Install New Skylights
Many people think of skylights as a luxury addition to the home, but that’s not necessarily true anymore. Today’s skylights do much more than add natural light and architectural flair. They increase privacy, reduce energy use during the day, improve comfort, brighten up small rooms, make homes safer for older people (who need 60% more light to see properly), and add ventilation and fresh air to … [Read more...]
