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Green Flooring and Its Benefits

These days, going green is important. If you are planning any renovations to your home, it is important to find flooring and other home products that are sustainable and made in an environmentally friendly manner. Green flooring reduces the chemical exposure and harm to your home after installation. Choosing green products is also an easy way to increase the value of your home and make it more desirable should you decide to sell.

Sustainable

Green flooring products are often made out of sustainable materials. Sustainable materials are usually able to be replenished, meaning that there is not necessarily a finite amount. Although part of the material is used up in making your product, more of the material can be grown to fulfill other needs down the road.

How Green Flooring Is Made

Even the process by which these products are made need to be green, meaning there is little impact on the environment during the manufacturing process. Many products are made out of recycled materials and are recyclable themselves.

Less Chemical Exposure at Installation

Engineered flooring products can be beautiful, but they often come laden with chemicals that leave distinct smells around your home. They may also require the use of glue and other products that fill your home with volatile organic compounds, or VOCs. VOCs can be found in the finish of some hardwood floors. Choosing green materials lowers your exposure to chemicals like VOCs.

Less Harm to Your Home

When you think of green flooring products, you might only think of the pieces of your floor that get installed in your home. You also want to consider the products used to keep your new flooring clean. Many harsh chemical products are not suitable for cleaning your green flooring. They can also be hazardous to the health of everyone in your home. Consider using more natural cleaners, which can be better for your floors anyway. Consult the instructions for care from your flooring manufacturer for more help.

Your Choice

While you do not have to choose green flooring products, there are many benefits to doing so. Consider all of your options carefully the next time you are looking for new flooring.

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Home Improvement Blog

Pick Home Renovation Ideas That Add Value to Your Home

There are several things you can do to improve the appearance of your home, but it is usually nice to pick home renovation ideas that will also increase the value of your house. While most home renovations improve the value of a house, some provide more return on the investment. If you want to maximize your home renovation, then the following four projects are great options to choose from.

Kitchen Makeover

A kitchen makeover is usually a great option if you want to boost the value of your home. Renovating a kitchen is a great way to increase its usefulness and improve its visual appearance. Most people spend a lot of time in the kitchen, so they want one that looks nice when they are buying a home.

New Roof

If you are looking to improve your curb appeal, a new roof might be good home renovation ideas to choose. This is a particularly good option if you live in an older home. A roof upgrade can improve the overall quality of your home and help it look better from the outside. Even better, there are several different styles of roofing materials so you can choose one that fits with your home.

Flooring

Many of today’s homebuyers are concerned about flooring. They like homes with tile or hardwood floors because they are more aesthetically pleasing. Too much carpet sometimes makes a home look smaller and less custom. If your home does not have upgraded flooring, you might want to choose this renovation. You will love how it visually improves the inside of your home and increases its value.

Paint

Finally, a simple and effective way to add value to your home is with paint. A fresh coat of paint can help your home look newer. Just be sure to choose a neutral hue.

Have fun with these different types of home renovation ideas, and enjoy the process. You will love results and the value that is added to your home.

 

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Home Improvement Blog

2015 Trends for Home Flooring

Just like with fashion, every year brings with it a new trend in home flooring and design. Hardwood home flooring has been in for a while now, but there are certain color and material trends that appear to be dominating the 2015 scene. If you are looking to keep your home up-to-date, you will want to go dark, wide, vintage and domestic.

Hardwood Floors Are Still In

While carpet still has its place in the home, hardwood home flooring has dominated home improvement trends for years. They are generally easier to keep clean than carpets, and they look beautiful, to boot. Carpets are still a popular choice for areas of the home such as bedrooms. Living and dining areas, however, tend to use hardwood floors. Consumers in particular seem to be looking for environmentally friendly options.

Dark

Whatever color of hardwood floors you are thinking of installing, the biggest 2015 trend is to go dark with a satin finish. Black is particularly popular, although gray and whitewashed wood are also a suitable choice for the year. Black floors can help make other accents in your home, such as your cupboards and furniture, really pop.

Wide

The size of the planks used in your flooring directly affects its appearance. There are a variety of options to choose from, but going with wide planks appears to be popular this year. Going with 5-inch planks is one ideal choice, although it is common to find options 7-inches and wider.

Vintage

If you are going with hardwood floors anyway, you might as well attempt the vintage trend of 2015. Obtaining flooring with a reclaimed or stressed look can easily add personality to your home. There is only a set amount of real reclaimed wood, and it is quite expensive given its high demand. You can achieve a desirable appearance for your home at a lower price with manufactured vintage wood.

Domestic

Staying in the good old USA to purchase your products is becoming increasingly popular, and wood flooring is no exception. For even better prices, select flooring options that are native to your area. Just make sure the wood was harvested and processed in the US. This also opens the opportunity to choose green flooring from the U.S. as well.

Stay on Trend

If you want your home to reflect the latest trends, keep these areas in mind when selecting your new flooring.

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Residential Roofing Blog

5 Ways to Improve Your Home Exterior

Too often, people overlook their home exterior when they are decorating. Sure it is important to spend time creating a beautiful indoor environment; however, the way your home
looks on the outside makes a big impact. A home exterior that looks amazing has a wonderful curb appeal. If you need to up your curb appeal, then consider the following five ways to improve the exterior of your home.

Update Your Roof

Many people are updating the roof of their homes so that it looks more modern and current. This outdoor renovation is a great idea if your home is older. You can also update your roof to change the look and style of your home.

Paint Your Door

Next, consider painting your front door. Perhaps the color has faded or maybe your home could use a fun pop of color. Either way, this is an easy project that many people can do themselves. If you do not want to do it yourself, it should not cost too much to hire a painter.

Add Window Boxes

To make your windows look better, you might want to add window boxes. You can plant beautiful flowers in these boxes that can help your home look more visually attractive. Flowers are a great way to add color to a home, and many are easy to maintain if they are placed in the boxes.

Maintain Your Yard

If you want the outside of your home to look good, it is important to maintain your yard. Make sure to water your plants regularly and get rid of any weeds. Also, trim the bushes and grass often so that they do not look overgrown.

Hang a Wreath

Finally, hang a wreath on your door so that your house looks a little more decorative and inviting to the people who pass by. Improving your home exterior is a great way to add value to your investment, and it might make you happier to come home everyday.
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Metal Roofing Blog

The Top Five Benefits of Metal Roofs

Nothing is more important to the integrity of your home or business than its roof. When it comes to choosing or upgrading this important exterior element, metal roofs can be ideal in any number of situations. Adding value to your property while providing long-lasting protection, the benefits of a metal roof are plentiful and absolute.

Drum Roll Please

While the advantages of installing metal roofs vary by home or business, the following are the top-five universal elements or characteristics that apply to almost any situation:

  • Durability
  • Longevity
  • Inherent strength
  • Versatility
  • Adaptability

Based on the nature of their makeup, metal roofs are inherently strong and durable, meaning they typically last longer than other types of roofs on the market today. In fact, properly installed and maintained, a metal roof will last as long as a house. Not only that, but you use them for almost any architectural design or structure. From modern abodes to turn-of-the-century houses.Indeed, the benefits of a metal roof transcend any building genre.

Packed with Features

In addition to the aforementioned characteristics, other important advantages of a metal roof include its fire-resistant qualities, effective UV-absorption capabilities to keep buildings cooler and its lightweight properties, the latter of which improves the overall structural integrity of its host building. These characteristics combined make for a safer structure overall and even add value to your property.

Efficient and Eco-Friendly

Not only are metal roofs practical, they are also environmentally friendly—a little known, but important feature of the product. Metal is one of the world’s most recycled resources, and many roofs are made through refurbishing materials. After its life as a roofing material, many homeowners recycle the material again. This means it is a truly sustainable product.

Regardless of which benefits of a metal roof you choose, its efficient and effective properties make it a suitable and fitting choice for myriad residential and commercial applications.

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Blog Residential Roofing

The Many Different Types of Roofs on the Market Today

The old adage, “Not all things are created equal,” certainly applies to roofs as well. Indeed, with the varied and vast architectural styles in both urban and suburban areas in the United States and around the world. The types of roofs on the market today run the gamut from modern to old school to cutting edge. Regardless, they all serve a common important function: that is, to provide fundamental protection for your home.

The Top Five Types of Roofs

Despite the diversity of roofs out there, there are some types of roofs that are more common than others. The most popular roofs on the market today include the following:

  • Asphalt or shingle roofs
  • Metal roofs
  • Wood roofs
  • Tile and cement roofs
  • Slate roofs

Installation of any one of these types of roofs depends on a number of factors, including climate, economics and aesthetics. For example, tile and cement roofs are often used in areas that are prone to extreme heat because of their inherent ability to deflect and absorb UV rays efficiently, thereby keeping houses cooler. Asphalt or shingle roofs are easy to install. They are often more affordable than other types of roofing materials, which makes them a popular choice among homeowners. Finally, metal roofs, which are also effective in deflecting UV-light, are durable and have long lives, making them an increasingly popular option.

Roofs of the Future

In addition to the aforementioned options, roofs that are increasingly being utilized today, particularly in urban areas, are eco friendly “green” roofs. These roofs work by providing a partial or complete coverage of vegetation on the roofing agent of a building (often metal), which acts as an insulating agent for the building. These types of roofs also absorb rainwater more efficiently and are aesthetically pleasing to neighbors and homeowners.

From green roofs to asphalt or shingle roofs to metal roofs, there are myriad options when it comes to roofing. In selecting which type is best for your situation, the key is to determine your needs. Do your research before committing to a product.

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Blog Residential Roofing

Things to Consider When Deciding on a Roof

Deciding on a roof can be difficult, as your roof adds the finishing touch of beauty to your home. In addition, the choice of roof you choose can affect your energy costs and comfort level, as well. Last but not least, a well-chosen roof can add to the value of your home.

Roofing Considerations

Before deciding on a roof type, there are several factors that you should consider, since certain materials work better in certain situations than in others. A few important factors are:

  • Location
  • Pitch of the roof
  • Structure at the house

The location of your home will determine the best type of roofing materials. For instance, in a hot desert setting, you might choose a Mission style tile roof, or one made of metal. Both of these examples provide a cooling effect and are fire resistant.

The pitch of your roof, in simple terms the degree of slant, also affects the type of building material that can be used. A metal roof, for instance, does not work well on a flat surface.

The structure of the house is important inasmuch as some roofing materials are very heavy, such as slate. It is important to know that the foundation of your home will be able to withstand the weight of the roofing material you choose.

Budget Considerations

Roofing materials can vary widely in cost, with asphalt shingles on the lowest end and slate at the highest end of the range. When deciding on a roof type, it’s important to keep this in mind. In addition to budget considerations, you will also want to match the roof to the style of your home.

Mission style housing looks great with Spanish tile roofs. These homes are usually found on the West Coast and in the Midwest and reflect Spanish influences. The tile roofs are specifically engineered for the area where they are located and include an inherent design for cooling. They are, however, heavy and expensive.

Metal roofs can be designed to suit almost any architecture, and have very clean lines. They offer benefits such as lasting for 35 years without needing to be painted. However, they are more costly to have installed initially, and require a specific pitch to work well. All of these are considerations to think of before deciding on a roof.

Rely on the Expertise of Your Roofing Contractor

The roofing contractors in your local area are in the best position to advise you on the type of roofing materials that are best suited for your local area. If you have your heart set on a particular type of roofing material, you should located contractor who specializes roofs of that type. Ask if you can see a portfolio of his work or perhaps visit some of the houses where he has installed the type of roof you desire. Do your research and you can likely look forward to many years of enjoyment with your new roof.

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Metal Roofing Blog

Metal Standing Seam Roofs Are Gaining in Popularity

Are you considering adding a new roof to your home? Or perhaps you are building a new home. In either case, you might want to consider joining the ranks of people switching to metal standing seam roofs. With a history going back to antiquity, metal standing seam roofs are a prime example of everything old is new again. And, they have a lot going for them, too. With their energy efficiency, lightweight load and ability to handle extreme weather, this old/new choice is back in the mainstream.

Advantages of Metal Standing Seam Roofs

One of the biggest advantages of standing seam metal roofing is the exceptionally long life. These pre-painted beauties can last from 35-50 years before needing to be painted. This means your house will continue looking good long after the other homes in your neighborhood are starting to show their ages.

  • Energy efficient
  • Environmentally conscious – up to 95 percent recycled content
  • Can withstand high winds
  • Lightweight
  • Fire resistant
  • Aesthetically pleasing

Where They Work Best

Although metal roofs can be found across the nation, they are especially good for areas subject to extremes of weather such as hurricanes, heavy snowfall, desert heat and sun, firestorms and high winds. Since they handle high winds so well, they are ideal for homes in coastal areas.

In a desert setting, Energy-Star rated metal roofs can really make a difference. They are 15-20 percent cooler than other roofing materials available in the market. Also, they are fire-resistant, making them a good choice in dry areas that are prone to brush fires.

What to Consider Before Installing a Metal Roof

People choosing to install a metal roof may value environmental concerns and aesthetics over price considerations. Although metal roofs are beautiful and can add value to your home (most offer a transferable warranty), they are initially more expensive to install. Another consideration is the pitch of your roof. Metal roofs work best at a pitch of 3:12 or greater.

Choose a Contractor Who Specializes in Metal Roofing

One of the most important things you can do in your research is to choose a roofing contractor with expertise in the installation of metal roofs. Ask the potential contractor if he has a portfolio of metal roofs that you can see. Taking these few small steps can insure that you will get the metal roof that is a perfect match for your home.

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Metal Roofing Blog

What Every Homeowner Should Know About Metal Roofing Systems

There are plenty of options for roofing materials these days. Every homeowner has a choice to make when it comes to building a new roof or replacing an existing one. While you may have only ever had asphalt roofing (it is, after all, the most popular roofing material in the U.S.) there are several reasons you should consider metal roofing systems instead. There are still many questions about metal roofing systems, and we’ll go over them below.

Benefits of Metal Roofing Systems

1: It Offers Plenty of Style

If the thought of “metal roofing” conjures images of an industrial building, you should know that today’s metal roofing systems are actually nothing like the industrial designs of old. It comes in a wide variety of colors and styles that will match any home. They can even be designed to mimic the appearance of other roofing materials such as tile. Even standing seam metal roofs provide a classic architectural appearance for any dwelling.

2: It Is Eco-Friendly

U.S. households dispose of an estimated 11 million tons of asphalt shingles every year, and the vast majority end up in landfills, which is bad for the environment. Metal roofing systems, on the other hand, are 100 percent recyclable. Even when your roof reaches the end of its useful life you can repurpose the materials for something else. In addition, metal is lightweight and uses less fuel in transit to your home. It is extremely energy efficient so it can lower your monthly air conditioning bills. It does this by reflecting heat away from the house. This helps with maintaining more constant temperatures indoors during both hot and cold months.

3: It Offers Great Long-Term Value

While metal roofing systems might cost more up front than asphalt shingles, its long lifespan and energy savings can actually save you money in the long run. Metal roofing often lasts about two to three times longer than other materials so you won’t have the roofing cost of replacement as often, and besides regular inspections, it requires very little maintenance over the course of its life.

When it comes time to replace your roof, consider all the advantages that metal roofing systems can offer over other alternatives. Talk to a roofing contractor today about how a metal roof can benefit the planet and your wallet.

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Residential Roofing Blog

3 Ways Metal Roofing Prices Can Actually Save You Money

As a homeowner you want a roof that will last, but you also want a roof that can save you some money along the way. There are so many options to choose from these days, and metal roofing has surged in popularity in recent years because it provides both beauty and eco-friendly energy efficiency. Many people think that metal roofing prices are too expensive compared to other materials. What they don’t understand is that metal roofs save money in the long run, and in different areas. Here are three ways metal roofing prices can actually save you money long-term.

Reflects Solar Heat

With solar energy you get both light and heat—heat that is quickly absorbed by dark-colored roof shingles. People who live in hot climates already know that wearing lighter colors can keep you cool in the summer better than dark colors. A roof is no different. While traditional dark asphalt roofing can get as hot as 180 degrees or more on a summer day, metal roofing in lighter colors reflects that heat, reducing cooling costs as much as 40 percent. It also has environmental benefits. Cool roofs help reduce surface temperatures in your community, mitigating the “heat island effect” in populated areas.

Reduces Energy Loss

Air that escapes through your attic might not seem like a big deal. However, it can cost you a lot in the long run. A more energy efficient metal roof helps to keep warm or cold air from getting out through the attic. In the end, this reduces your energy bills and keeps your home at a more steady temperature.

Longevity

The average metal roof can last as long as 50 years or more with proper maintenance. This means you will not be replacing your roof as often (if you ever have to replace it again). Because of this, metal roofing prices practically pay themselves off in maintenance and replacement costs. Not only will this save you money, it also helps reduce landfill waste. A metal roof can be recycled at the end of its useful life so it promotes sustainability.

A metal roof has many benefits, including cost savings, energy efficiency, reduced transportation costs, light weight to fit on any home, and the ability to recycle it when it is done. With all these benefits it is hard to see why anyone would choose another roofing material, even with the initial metal roofing prices.

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