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Blog Home Improvement

The Right Roofing Material for Your Home

Choosing the right roofing material for your new roof can be an intimidating prospect if you are not familiar with the benefits and drawbacks of your options. Consider the material’s cost, lifespan, durability, physical properties, and appearance, among other factors. Determine your budget and priorities before making your decision. Below are a list of types of roofing material to help you find the perfect roof.

Asphalt Shingles

The most commonly-used roofing material, asphalt shingles can be found on over 80 percent of residential roofs. They are inexpensive, feature good fire resistance, and are only moderately heavy. While they are recyclable, they are not technically eco-friendly in construction, and they are not the most durable material. They are available in various colors to suit many different looks.

Clay Tiles

A more expensive option versus asphalt, clay tiles offer great resistance to fire, are generally low-maintenance and long-lasting, and are made from natural materials. However, manufacturing is energy-intensive. This type of roofing material is heavier and may require framing for support, but does offer an attractive European-style look.

Concrete Tiles

Very similar properties to clay tiles, although considerably cheaper. Concrete is popular on roofs with steep or moderate sloping, offers excellent fire resistance, and can resemble wood shakes, slate, or clay tiles. This is another heavy material requiring reinforced roof framing for support.

Metal

A versatile option, metal ranges in cost from moderate to high (steel is more affordable than copper). It offers good resistance to wind and fire, and is lightweight. Metal roofing offers good durability, can be made of reused materials, and can be recycled at end of lifespan. It absorbs less heat than asphalt and can be is popular on lower or steeper sloping roofs.

Slate

This is an expensive material which requires specially-trained installation workers, and is applicable for steep slopes only. Slate roofing offers quality resistance to wind and fire, is long-lasting, and made from natural materials. However it is heavy and does require reinforced structural support.

Other Considerations

Weigh all factors when deciding on a roofing material. This includes the reputation of the installation company and the type of warranty they provide. Determine the most likely risks in your area, and the benefits you are seeking, whether for safety, appearance, or weather. The roof is a major element of your home from aesthetic and functional standpoints. Make sure to do your homework before you make a decision.

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Residential Roofing Blog

Busting Myths About Sheet Metal Roofing

Improving the look of your home can be as simple as adding a new roof. Instead of replacing your standard shingles, create an entirely new, modern look with sheet metal roofing. If you are hesitant to use the material, having heard some tales, learn the true story behind these five common myths.

Common Sheet Metal Roofing Myths

As with everything that begins to gain popularity, there are undoubtedly questions about it. There are many questions, and myths, surrounding sheet metal roofing. To gain a deeper understanding of this type of roofing material, we explain the four common myths about sheet metal roofing.

Myth #1: It will be too heavy.

This is a very common myth, because it seems to make sense. Despite being made of metal, which is typically considered a heavy material, roofing slats are not. They can weigh as much as 65 percent less than fiberglass, and 75 percent less than clay or slate. Because of this, sheet metal roofing is a great, light-weight option for your next roofing project.

Myth #2: It will be difficult to remove my old roofing.

Standing seam metal roofing installation can be quick work because the new materials can be installed right over your existing asphalt, fiberglass or composition shingles, providing there are no more than two layers. Instead of having to fully remove your old, existing roof, you can install a metal roof over shingles, or whichever material you used previously.

Myth #3: It will cost too much.

It is true that metal is more expensive initially than some other materials, but you need to factor in long-term costs of sheet metal roofing. Consider the following:

  • A copper or stainless steel roof can last for 50 years or more
  • It requires little to no maintenance
  • Asphalt shingles last an average of only 15 years
  • It will increase the chance of being hit by lightning.

While metal does conduct electricity, it does not attract it. If lighting does strike your rooftop, the material will disperse the current across it, just as it does when you are sitting in a car. Metal can actually be safer because it is not flammable.

Myth #4: I won’t be able to walk on it.

Never fear, you can still hang up Christmas lights with a metal topper. Check with the material manufacturer or professional installation company to learn how to properly walk on yours.

Make your roofing decision with confidence knowing there are plenty of benefits to installing sheet metal roofing. Take advantage of the chance to improve the look of your house, save money long term, and reduce possible fire damage by installing a metal roof on your home.

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Blog Metal Roofing

Top Three Reasons to Install Metal Roofing

Watching the rain fall gently on the trees and flowers can be a beautiful sight. When you have a leak due to old shingles, seeing that same water pouring into your foyer is not so sweet. When it is time to repair your roof or update the look of your old one, consider the top three reasons to install metal roofing on your home.

Why Install Metal Roofing?

Metal roofing is becoming more and more popular, and for good reason. The following are three reasons to install metal roofing next time you need a new roof.

Classic or modern: no need to choose.

Contemporary homes can accentuate their clean shapes and smooth finishes with metal roofing. The materials come in long, flat panels that attach vertically, creating fluid lines. The availability of different colors makes these an excellent choice for houses, apartment complexes and commercial buildings.

Colonial architecture can look stunning with metal roofing as well. Fabricated, shingle-style pieces can be made to look like slate, tile or wood shakes. The pieces are often given a coating, such as granulated-stone, so they look more realistic.

It lasts and lasts and lasts.

If you install metal roofing, they typically stay viable at least 50 years. This lifespan is much longer than the average 15-year lifespan of asphalt shingles. Materials like copper, stainless steel and zinc rarely require any maintenance, just a periodic washing with a hose. Other materials may require regular painting, but others are pre-painted and should not need much upkeep.

It can save you some cash.

Despite what your instincts may say, metal will not make your home hotter; it may even save you money. Metal reflects heat better than other materials, which means you can have lower air conditioning costs. Likewise, heating costs can be reduced in the winter when the roof reflects heat from its underside back onto the house.

Install metal roofing to add a unique look to your home, whether it has a modern style or a classic one. You can enjoy your new housetop all the more knowing you have a product that will stay attractive, and that you are saving money on utility costs.

 Piedmont Roofing offers metal roofing in Loudoun County, Fauquier County, Fairfax County,  Clarke County, and other surrounding cities.

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Blog Home Improvement

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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