It seems hard to believe, but by the end of March, the sun will set at 7:39 p.m. After a crazy year and a winter with plenty of weather-related ups and downs, we can all use a little more air and light in our lives. Because of the COVID pandemic, Americans are also more focused than ever on air quality and ventilation. The good news is today’s gorgeous and efficient skylights not only drench your … [Read more...]

There’s no other way to put it: construction costs are going through the roof. This February, lumber prices in the US hit a record high--double what they were at the end of last year. As contractors around the country are scrambling to keep up with rising prices and delays, consumers also feel the pinch. But trusted roofing contractors around the country are working to offer clients quality and … [Read more...]

Got water damage in your roof? Here’s something you may not know: it’s not always water coming in from the outside. Sometimes the problem comes from inside your home. Warm, moist air gets into your attic and roof. It meets up with the cold air outside--and boom! You have a condensation problem. Prevent damage by controlling hot air and moisture flow in your attic with your roofing contractor’s … [Read more...]

In Northern Virginia, we all love a good snowfall. Many of us have memories of historic snow events in recent years--including the Snowpocalypse triple whammy of 2009/2010 and Snowzilla in 2016. Big storms are exciting but also create challenges. Winter can be tough on your roof. The combination of snow buildup and the melt/refreeze cycle creates wear and tear and the potential for leaks--or … [Read more...]

What would you say if we told you vinyl siding is classy and cool? A few decades ago, vinyl got an unfortunate reputation as a cheap material, prone to cracking and sagging. But things have changed in recent years. Today’s vinyl siding is not your grandmother’s ugly synthetic stuff. Thanks to dramatic improvements in materials and new installation techniques, vinyl siding is now upscale and … [Read more...]

As the old saying goes, behind every challenge, there’s an opportunity. Dealing with an HOA can be frustrating. But keep in mind, HOA guidelines are there for a reason. The goal is to keep neighborhoods looking neat and well cared for, a concept most of us can get behind. We all want a community with plenty of curb appeal. HOAs help make that happen. Believe it or not, when it comes to your home’s … [Read more...]

There’s nothing quite as exciting as finding your dream home. But when you think you’ve found “the one,” you want to make sure there aren’t any unexpected problems that could throw a wrench in the process. That’s why the home inspection process is essential. You hire a qualified home inspector to check out the nooks and crannies of your home. On the same level, it pays to hire an independent … [Read more...]

Change is part of life. Families grow, kids leave the nest and we all get older every day. As our lives evolve, so do our housing needs. When we reach certain thresholds, we may wonder whether we should shop for a new house or upgrade our current home. Should we move or improve? Many factors come into play, and they’re almost always associated with life stages. As we approach retirement, our needs … [Read more...]

Summer is the most wonderful of seasons, but it can be a little weird where the weather is concerned. You’re enjoying your yard one minute, and then a crazy summer storm sweeps through. And then there’s hail. How on earth do we get chunks of ice on the roof in the middle of summer? A short blast can do way too much damage to our homes and cars. But what is hail? And how can we prevent and identify … [Read more...]