Category: Home Improvement

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Home Improvement

Benefits of Metal When Roofing Loudoun County

Any homeowner will attest that replacing a roof is one of the most tedious, expensive, and perhaps frustrating parts of owning a home. It is tedious, expensive, and frustrating because asphalt shingles don’t last longer than fifteen to twenty years—at most. Because of this, roof replacement is a battle homeowners must fight often. This is even more true, and a more irritating part of homeownership, if you live in an area that is battered by high winds, storms, hurricanes, or all three. Roofing Loudoun County can be the boon of owning a home—that is, unless you opt for residential metal roofing.

Used often for sheds and commercial applications, more and more homeowners are opting to try metal materials when roofing Loudoun County. Instead of the usual wood and asphalt shingle options, metal is becoming more popular. And it’s no wonder–the benefits are not only cost effective, but will make a home safer, and more comfortable. Metal roofs can be a great choice for more than just homes. Businesses, historic buildings, and barns can also reap the benefits of this construction choice.

When roofing Loudoun County, metal will provide your home with a long-lasting, energy efficient, watertight and fire resistant roof without sacrificing the visual appeal of your roof.

Roofing Loudoun County: Roof Options

Choosing a metal roof has a lot to offer to Loudoun County, Virginia, specifically. Located just northwest of the Washington, D.C. metro area, it has at one point or another been home to historic personalities such as President James Monroe, Madeleine Albright, and World War II General George Marshall.

Loudoun has grown significantly from a primarily rural county to one with an increasingly more suburban atmosphere. Homes here typically receive a pretty average amount of rainfall and wind for a temperate climate. Loudoun can occasionally be subject to the violence of particularly strong hurricanes that make their way further north. In addition, Loudoun County has a strong equine industry, with many farms and stables that would benefit, if they aren’t already benefiting, from metal roofs.

The county is also a very historic area, having been a great contributor to the Continental Army during the American Revolution. It boasts over 90 buildings on the National Historic Register. Historic buildings can benefit exceptionally well from this roofing, as they are typically fragile and require as much support and protection as they can get.

Options for Metal Roofing Virginia

Like most aspects of home improvement, metal roofs come in a variety of colors, styles, and metals to fit your needs and design preferences. A few popular options for roofing Loudoun County include:

  • Scalloped, terracotta panels for a Mediterranean, Spanish look
  • Steel roof panels constructed to look like asphalt shingles. These are great for those who want the look of asphalt with the benefits of this roofing
  • Copper in either roofing shingles or slate roofing
  • Steel coated roofing that can be colored to look like wood roofing

Benefits of Metal

Residential metal materials offer many benefits to homeowners. Many view a metal roof as a large investment, but in reality, it is extremely cost efficient. Some of the benefits of choosing metal when roofing Loudoun County include:

  • Longevity and Durability
  • Energy Efficiency
  • Water Tight
  • Fire Resistant

Longevity and Durability

One of the greatest benefits of this roofing compared to regular wood roofing with asphalt shingles is the unique longevity and durability of metal roofs when roofing Loudoun County. Most wood and asphalt roofing jobs last, at most, two decades—and ideally, your home will last longer than that. Standing seam metal roofing is not prone to the damage and wear that wood and asphalt shingles are, making their life span at least fifty years! If you don’t want to worry about replacing your roof any time soon, metal roofing should be at the top of your list of construction options.

For historical building applications, this type of roofing Loudoun County provides durability. It also provides the assurance that roof repairs won’t be necessary in the near future. Metal roofs will be sure to last as long as the home will last.

Energy Efficiency

For the homeowner looking to save big on energy costs, choosing metal when roofing Loudoun County is the ideal roofing choice. Because these roofing surfaces are reflective, they do not absorb the heat of the sun but instead reflect it. This will keep your home cool in the summer, but also warm in the winter as it a great insulator. It also won’t develop air leaks during the cold winter months. This roofing allows homeowners to save significantly on heating and air conditioning costs each year.

For equestrian applications, roofing Loudoun County with metal roofs make all the differences in a stable especially during the hot summer months. As with homeowners, it also saves business owners a great deal of money each year on heating and air conditioning.

Watertight and Fire Resistant

A metal roof also better protects your home from the elements. In the event of rain or snow, metal is watertight, so you won’t be at the mercy of a leaky or drafty roof. More importantly, a metal roof is lighter than a usual wood and asphalt roof. This removes concerns of large amounts of snowfall making your roof dangerously heavy.

Perhaps the best quality of residential metal for roofing is that they are fire resistant. Few things are as devastating as a house fire, and a metal roof will ensure that roofing Loudoun County does not contribute to the ignition or growth of flames. This is especially valuable in equine applications where hay and other flammable materials are stored near the roof in lofts. Metal materials, just as any other roofing material, can also be grounded if there is any concern about the possibility of lightning strikes.

For historic building applications, metal ensures preservation in that the building will receive protection from leaks, wind damage, and fire damage.

Conclusion

Metal roofing has a great deal to offer the homes, business, and historic landmarks of Loudoun County, and elsewhere. With many options to choose from in regard to color, style, and metal, this type of roofing will not only provide you with a long-lasting, durable roof, but it will also enable you to save significantly on energy bills by keeping your home cool in the summer and warm in the winter.

When roofing Loudoun County, metal is a good choice as it provides an extra layer of protection to your home, be it from the weather, like rain, snow, and wind, or from disasters like fires and hurricanes. Regardless of your design preferences or preservation goals, metal roofs offers homeowners, above all, a beautiful roof—and peace of mind.

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Home Improvement Blog

Benefits of a Sustainable Roof

The idea of having a green, sustainable roof and home is something that more people than ever are interested in. After all, humans are causing damage to the Earth faster than it can repair itself, and we don’t want to end up without a planet to live on, do we?

An element of the house that it is easy to overlook in this aspect is the roof. Yet, you might be surprised to find that there are a number of easy and interesting ways of getting a sustainable roof that helps you to live an eco-friendly life.

What Is a Sustainable Roof?

To start on this subject, we need to consider what a sustainable roof is in the first place. The truth is that there is no one definition on what this sort of roof should look like.

This is because it can be sustainable to help the planet in a number of ways. The approach that is best for each property really depends upon many factors. These include the current state of the property and the climate near the house location.

The following are a few of the best approaches and their benefits that you can implement to create a sustainable roof.

The Green Roof and Its Benefits

One of the most exciting ways to get a sustainable green roof is through adding a green, living element to it with grass, plants, and even trees. The green roof idea is something that has a long and interesting history throughout the centuries in different countries.

It has recently become more popular, though, as modern techniques and technologies mean that properties with grass and plants on their roofs are now becoming far more common all over the world. From quaint houses to big factories and office buildings, this is a type of roof that adds to the character and looks of a building.

A big advantage to this type of roof is that it stops excess rainwater from simply running off. It can also help to keep the property warm in a natural way, lowering heating costs. It also helps native plants to flourish even in the middle of a big city. Of course, it can also help the Earth to produce more of the vital oxygen that we all need in order to survive.

The Solar Roof and Its Benefits

Another approach that it is worth considering is adding a solar roof. Basically, this means fitting solar panels on your roof that provide the property with clean, renewable energy.

Using this type of roof means that there is usually no need for the use of other types of energy. This is great news for homeowners, and the planet’s resources. In some cases, solar panels produce enough energy for the homeowner to sell some of it back to their grid. This provides people around them with cleaner energy at home too.

As for the people who live in the home, they should find that over time the solar panels pay for themselves and then eventually lead to money savings as they carry on giving free, green energy day after day.

The White Roof and Its Benefits

You may be surprised to see that white roofs are also rated as being among the most sustainable and environmentally friendly types of roof around. This is because a white colored roof will reflect far more of the sunlight than a dark colored one would.

The importance of this is that it keeps the property cool. On the one hand, this means that the owners don’t need to use air conditioning during a hot summer. It also means the town or city they live in gets a helping hand in the battle against global warming and urban hotspots or heat islands.

As with any other type of eco-friendly approach taken at home, it is easy to think that it makes little difference to the planet overall. Yet, if we all moved to a more sustainable type of roofing, then it is clear to see the huge benefits this would bring. Not only does this roof help the environment, but it is easy to implement as well. It’s as easy as choosing to paint your roof a lighter color.  Making this type of change is a sensible thing to do.

The Blue Roof and Its Benefits

Not everyone is aware that a blue roof is another option for getting more of an eco-friendly house. This kind of roof is one that is cleverly designed to capture and store rainfall or other water.

There are different kinds of blue roofs around and each of them has its own list of benefits. For example, they can be used to lower the impact of rainfall runoff, to store water for irrigation or to keep the building cool.

There has been a lot of work done in this area in recent years, with some terrific results. Typically, the water that is stored will be slowly released, which is good for the environment. This can lower the strain on sewers and rivers during periods of heavy rain.

The Benefits of a Roof in a Good State of Repair

Finally, no matter what type of roof a home has, you should keep it maintained. Keeping it in a good state of repair is something that is beneficial for both the homeowner and the environment. For example, if the roof is damaged then far too much heat could be escaping from it. This means that the homeowners need to crank the heating up higher and in the end will consume more energy.

By replacing damaged tiles or getting an aged roof replaced, any home can become instantly warmer and more energy efficient. This is great news for the people who live in it and also for the planet that we live on.

Conclusion

There are now numerous ways to make a roof greener and more sustainable. By taking some time to think about the options you should be able to find the perfect option for your sustainable roof.

Even just taking some simple steps to keep your existing roof in excellent condition will make sure that you are making an effort to help the planet. Start making your plans today.

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Blog Home Improvement

Improving Your Home with Simple and Fun Projects

Many homeowners underappreciate their own home improvement capabilities. They are sometimes afraid to try because they believe the projects are too time consuming and complicated. Rather than hand off these tasks to home improvement contractors, you can make your home look better and take pride in your craftsmanship by taking on these simple and fun DIY ways of improving your home.

Laying Tile or Carpeting

One of the simplest ways of improving your home that homeowners readily hire contractors for involves laying new flooring. Putting down new flooring in your home is not that difficult and can be done successfully if you pay attention to some basic precautions.

The first step involves preparing your floor for the new materials. After you have pulled up the old flooring, you should scrape off the remaining glue and then sweep or wipe off the subflooring to ensure it is smooth and ready to be primed. You should then prime it with the recommended adhesive for the material that you are laying.

Many home improvement stores and big box retailers sell flooring that comes with its own adhesive backing. Before you lay the material, however, you should determine a starting point so that you will be able to refer to it when laying out the rest of the pattern. It may suit you to start from the center of the floor and work your way out toward the wall so the finished project looks uniform.

Textured Painting

Another fun DIY project involves adding textured paint to your walls or cabinetry. To add texture to your paint project, you should use sponges, brushes, or paper that has its own unique texture and surface.

You should then paint the walls, cabinets, or other surfaces as normal with your favorite colors. Allow the paint to semi-dry before blotching the surface with the sponge, brush, or other textured item that you chose for this project.

The texture will imprint itself in the sticky, semi-dry paint and remain in place after the paint dries completely. It is important that you avoid rubbing off entire sections of paint with the sponge or other item that you are using to texture the surface.

Hanging Border or Wallpaper

If you do not want to paint your walls, you may instead decide to hang wallpaper or border. This project is simple because most wallpapers and borders come with their own adhesive backing today. You no longer have to mix paste with which to hang it.

However, you do have to pay attention to the pattern of the paper or border so that you create a seamless look. If you fail to match the pattern of the wallpaper or border with the section that you already hung on the wall, you will end up with a project that looks jumbled and tacky.

Before you hang the paper or border, you should lay out each section on the floor or a large table. This step allows you to match up patterns so that you will not notice seams once the project is finished.

Improving your home by yourself is fun and less expensive than hiring contractors. You get to personalize your home and utilize your own styles and creativity. These DIY projects may inspire you to have confidence in your own capabilities.

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Blog Home Improvement

Summer Home Renovations: It’s The Right Time to Rejuvenate Your House

With summer already underway, it is time to prepare your home for a fun-filled vacation. More importantly, summertime is the best time to begin home improvement projects before the wind and rain of wintertime. While the sun is out, work on these summer home renovations to get your home back in shape.

Time to Power Wash

When the sun is out, it is time to bust out the power washer. Give your home exterior and walkways a high-power wash to get rid of grime and build up. If you plan on painting your house, you will want to use a power wash beforehand so that the paint can adhere to the walls properly. This is one of the most simple summer home renovations, because you are just cleaning and maintaining your current exterior.

Repair Your Windows

Whether you need an air conditioner during the summertime or have a large wintertime heating bill, sealed windows can help. Caulking the seals around windows and doors will help you to save on your energy bills. This simple project only requires a caulking gun, caulk and a putty knife. If you have never caulked anything before, try practicing on a spare piece of lumber first. You need to have a steady hand and consistent pressure when you squeeze out the caulk. If your windows are beyond repair, you can easily replace them during the summer.

Consider Metal Roofing Options

A new roof can help to boost your home’s value and increase the energy efficiency of the home. Metal roofs tend to last longer than asphalt shingles and require minimal maintenance. Whether you want a metal roof or something else, you will want to install it during the summer. Later on, you will need your roof to keep out the elements. Right now is the best time to install a new roof for the best energy efficiency and a higher home value. For in-depth projects, hire a metal roofing contractor to inspect the roof, identify problems and fix it.

Install a New Deck

One of the most popular summer home renovations includes creating the perfect outdoor area. If you were thinking about getting a porch or a deck for barbecues, right now is an excellent time to do it. Decks are extremely easy to install, and they can be made in just a few days or less. If you already have a deck, it is fairly easy to fix and replace new boards. A deck can increase the value of your home, so it is a worthwhile investment to make. More importantly, it improves your outdoor living space for the perfect summertime meals, picnics and barbecues.

Buy a Ceiling Fan

Hot days and rising temperatures mean that you need a new way to stay cool. Air conditioning units are effective, but they can add hundreds of dollars to your electricity bill. For a cost-efficient alternative, consider installing a ceiling fan. The entire project takes less than a day to complete, and a ceiling fan will allow you to stay cool while lowering your electricity bill.

While springtime is actually better for landscaping, you can still get landscaping done during the summertime. You can use this time of year for additional home projects like painting the house or installing ceiling fans. Use the next few months wisely. These summer home renovations will grant you an unforgettable summer, and your home will be in excellent shape for wintertime.

 

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Home Improvement Blog

Four Home Projects to Get Ready for the Summer

Once the weather begins to warm up and the last of the winter storms have blown through, many families will take a fresh look at home projects and upgrades. Whether you would like to increase the value of your property or simply make your home more comfortable, here is a look at four great spring projects that you can start working on immediately.

Re-Caulk Doors and Windows

Even if you caulked your doors and windows last fall, changing temperatures and humidity levels will eventually damage this material and lead to efficiency problems. Doors and windows that are improperly sealed could be costing you hundreds of dollars a year in increased energy bills. Caulking these areas of your home can be carried out in just a few hours. It’s one of the best home projects to finish up before the first heat wave.

Exterior Paint

There is no better time to give the outside of your home a fresh coat of paint. In addition to having temperate weather, you might also be able to undo some of the damage that was caused by winter storms. When it comes to painting a home, prepping the surface will give you more durable and attractive results. This includes removing cracked paint and lightly sanding the surface.

Replace Your Roof

A traditional asphalt roof has a life expectancy of just 12 to 20 years. This depends on how well it is maintained and the local weather. Homeowners who are looking to increase the value of their property might want to consider upgrading to a metal roof which has a life expectancy of nearly 70 years. In addition to having a longer lifespan, metal roofs can also reduce energy bills by as much as 25 percent. This is one of the larger home projects to tackle. However, it will not only improve the durability of your home, but the aesthetics as well.

Schedule HVAC Maintenance

When it comes to residential HVAC systems, a little maintenance goes a long way. Homeowners themselves can often carry out some basic maintenance tasks such as switching out filters and cleaning debris away from the outdoor condenser. Professional HVAC technicians can take this project a step further and inspect the ducts, electrical wiring, and fluid levels.

These four spring home projects will perfectly prepare your home for summer.

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Blog Home Improvement

How to Plan a Home Renovation

If you are thinking about having a home renovation done in the near future, you will want to develop a reasonable plan for getting the work done. Below are some of the main points homeowners should keep in mind when preparing to have their homes wholly or partially renovated.

Establish a renovation plan

Although it may be tempting to remodel your entire home, or several rooms, practical concerns might limit what you can reasonably hope to accomplish in a given time frame. To create your home renovation plan, start with the area that needs the most attention. This could be an aging bathroom, out-of-date kitchen, or a decaying roof. Or you can choose a project that will render more usable living space. This could be remodeling the basement for extra storage space or for a family room. If the project goes smoothly, you can perhaps plan another one soon.

Select a qualified builder

When you have a plan, start looking for a suitable contractor or builder. Contact the chamber of commerce, ask friends and coworkers for referrals, or check online local listings. Contact at least two or three. Make sure you request photos of previous work as well as references you can contact. If they pan out, ask for a detailed quote for the home renovation you have in mind. Compare credentials, availability, and pricing to make your final selection.

Designate an affordable budget

A home renovation can be exciting and lead you to spend more than you originally intended. For example, when updating the living room by removing a wall, you may decide new windows and flooring are needed along with track lighting. You will also want to consider the cost of quality materials. It’s easy to spend more than planned, so work on a renovation budget that you can live with. Regardless of if you are paying at the end of the project or over several months and years on a home improvement loan, you want to stick to budget. Ask your contractor for a quote so that you can plan your budget.

Plan your home renovation project so that you won’t be caught by surprise or be tempted to overspend when the work gets underway. A little extra thought now can save time and money later.

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Blog Home Improvement

How to Choose a Roof Contractor

A roof contractor is not one of the professionals you can choose simply by comparing bids and time frames. There are several other important factors that come into play before you make your decision. Finding the perfect roof contractor is not easy, it takes time and effort, here are some tips for getting the best roofer for you and your home.

Beware the Newcomer

Just as with any contractor, you should never accept an offer to do work from someone who comes to your door offering to help with repairs. Even if a potential roofer has an office and you seek him or her out, you might want to look for a professional with at least five years’ experience.

Check for Reviews

You can ask around for feedback on any candidate’s work, and some might have reviews from previous clients on their websites. Take a look for complaints with the contractors licensing board and the Better Business Bureau. If you see a home near you that is getting repairs done, ask the owners who they liked their provider’s work. Reviews are a great way to gain insight into your roof contractor. This is because if they do a good job, people will gladly tell you about it. Most people do not hold back when giving reviews of projects.

Gauge Communication

If you ask a roof contractor for a bid and then you don’t see them for two weeks, you should look elsewhere. Roof repairs can have a major impact on your living situation, and you do not want to work with someone who is poor at communicating or answering your questions in a timely manner. Also, choose someone who treats your concerns and ideas seriously.

Legal Issues

Don’t hire a roof contractor who does not put the work proposal in writing. If he or she can’t provide proof of insurance, find someone else. Cost is not the most important consideration when choosing service provider, but you still must be able to clearly understand what the ultimate cost is likely to be before you hire anyone officially.

Taking the time to research and meet any potential roof contractors is a vital step in making repairs to your roof. By taking the process seriously, you are more likely to be happy with the roofing contractor you choose.

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Blog Home Improvement

Decorate Your Room With These 4 Tips

Looking to spruce up your room a bit? Everyone has different tastes and likes different styles but these four tips will make every room just a little bit better. A room really doesn’t feel like your space until you add these four things to decorate your room.

Decorate your walls

Plain walls are like empty canvases waiting to be painted. Decorate your room with some art will give your room that extra spark. Add some art that means something to you or something that represents your style. Here are a few ideas of how to complete your room with art and other accessories:

  • Hang photos of family and friends
  • Create your own paintings or drawings to display
  • Hang a tapestry across your wall
  • Add a decal wall quote
  • Paint one wall in your room
  • Add some shelves to your wall

Lighting

When decorating a room, we tend to forget about lighting. Lighting is such a small fix that can make the biggest difference. There are different types of lighting (ambient, task, and accent) and using an array of different types can make for the perfect lighting combination. Here are a few ideas of how to decorate your room with lighting:

  • Add some candle around the room – candles can be displayed in so many different ways!
  • Use strings of Christmas lights

Add texture

Adding texture to a room can give it warmth and depth. Here are a few ideas of how to decorate your room with texture:

  • Add an interesting rug or fluffy blanket
  • Add a pattern to a wall
  • Include some wicker baskets
  • Use molding to add texture

Add something you love

After all, it is YOUR room so why not add a little personal touch? Here are a few ideas of how to decorate your room with something you love:

  • Display a souvenir from an awesome vacation
  • Frame a photo of your best friends or family
  • Make art out of your hobby (hang ballet shoes, create a bookshelf, keep your guitar out)
  • Create a goals board

 

Click HERE for the full article on Apartment Therapy.

 

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Home Improvement Barns

Improving Your Home with New Roof Installation

Many homeowners desire to increase the value, energy efficiency, and safety of their homes. You might think that the best place to start would be in the kitchen and bathroom, although you might be surprised when you take a look at the top of your home. A new roof installation may be the best home improvement project for you. This is because a roof keeps you, and your family safe. It is important to have a structurally sound roof. It also adds aesthetic value to your home. Below are three reasons to consider a new roof installation.

A Deteriorated Roof Lowers the Value of Your Home

An old roof can be unsafe and is an eyesore. A worn down roof can easily allow moisture into your home, causing significant water damage. Additionally, cracks or holes in your roof can let in vermin or pests that can infest your home. Before any of this happens, contact a professional to inspect your roof. A professional will be able to identify wear and damage that can be repaired before it becomes a problem. You can even take advantage of new roof installation of a metal roof. Standing seam metal roofing is highly durable and resists wear. Getting an updated roof can help you avoid constant, expensive repairs while increasing the value of your home.

Installing an Energy Efficient Roof Can Lower Your Energy Bills

An older, dark-colored roof absorbs solar radiation, causing more heat retention in your home during the hot months of the year. This increased heat enters your home and can cost you in air conditioning. Investing in new “cool,” energy efficient roofing materials like light colored shingles or metal roofing can lower your electrical bill. A new roof installation of light-tinted shingles or metal roofing helps to reflect the heat away from your home.

Make Your Home Look More Sleek and Stylish

A new roof installation can make your home’s curb appeal increase dramatically. Newer metal roofing options have a sleek, modern look that can set your home apart from others in your area. Additionally, you can easily customize new metal roofing materials with many options of finishes that best suit your home’s design.

When you are considering a new home improvement project, look into installing a quality new roof one your home. A new roof can increase your home’s value, curb appeal, and energy efficiency.

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Blog Home Improvement

Top 3 Summer DIY Roofing Projects To Try

As the temperatures warm up, many people find themselves outside working on their homes. There are plenty of projects to conquer in the yard and on the exterior of the home. Have you ever considered looking what DIY roofing projects you can try? While some projects are best left to the professionals, there are a few things that you can do on your own that can make your roof last longer and do its job even better. Below are three summer DIY roofing projects to vamp up your roof.

General Cleanup

After a long winter, your roof can become dirty and cluttered with branches, leaves and debris. Leaving those items on the top of your house can be dangerous. This has the potential of such material falling to the ground below. Take the time to pick up everything that has collected since last summer and get rid of it as you go. You may also want to take this time to clear out your gutters, removing dead leaves and debris that could cause water to back up and begin leaking through the roof. Gutter cleaning is an important aspect of DIY roofing projects, as it ensures the durability of your roof.

Shingle Replacement

If you have had any shingles blow off since your last inspection, now is the time to get some new ones nailed down. Missing shingles can leave your roof exposed to the elements. This can lead to issues inside your home, including energy loss and leakage. If you do not feel comfortable doing this particular project, you can call a professional roofing contractor who can do the job for you.

Install a Skylight

If you are a little bit handy, you may be able to tackle this DIY roofing project. If not, consider calling in the pros to come and do it for you. Either way, installing a skylight into your room can add some much-needed light into any room. It is often as simple as cutting a hole into your roof and using a prefabricated kit that comes with full instructions. Remember, do not try this on your own if you do not feel comfortable.

Your roof is the first line of defense for your home, so taking care of it is essential. The summer season is one of the best times to get out and check off some DIY roofing projects!

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