Tag: home improvement

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Blog Residential Roofing

What to Consider During A Roof Remodel

Normally, when people prepare for a remodel they don’t necessarily consider a roof remodel. They think of designing either a bathroom, a kitchen, a redesigned living space or all of these rooms. They focus on colors and style, materials and function.  It can be a stressful process at times, but it is almost also universally fun to remake your home into what you’ve always dreamed. Sometimes, though, homeowners have to turn their attention to more utilitarian remodels. These don’t necessarily change the aesthetics of the house. However, they are important to its longevity and resale value all the same. The biggest of these types of projects is, arguably, the roof remodel.

Redoing your roof is not a glamorous project, but it is essential – the roof of your home must not be ignored. A well-maintained roof preserves the integrity of your home, both structurally and, ultimately, aesthetically. Without a roof, your home will literally and figuratively collapse around you.  There are, therefore, some important considerations when preparing for your big roof remodel. We have explained a few of these below.

Research Your Roofing Contractor Thoroughly

Considering that your roof comprises approximately 40% of the exterior of your home, the roof remodel and replacement is a significant investment in your home. It can greatly impact its resale value. Therefore, you want to make sure that you hire someone who is qualified, has experience, and comes highly recommended.

Research your roofers carefully. Often, getting recommendations from friends and family can help kick-start your search. Make sure that you go to visit other jobs the roofer has done. You should also talk to previous clients, and look for online reviews. If your state requires a certification, ask to see it (and any other credentials the contractor may have!). Most importantly, verify that your roofing contractor is insured.  If she or he is not, and they damage your property – or worse, themselves – you could be liable to pay for the damages.

Consider Adding Vents to Your Roof

Since your roof is directly over your attic, you may want to consider adding a vent or ventilation system to your attic through your roof at some point. Keeping your attic dry and well-ventilated can preserve anything you’ve stored in it, and ensure that your roof has a long life. It will prevent moisture from accumulating under and along your roof, which will in turn prevent mold. Mold and moisture can drastically reduce the life of your roof – and of your home. Mold remediation can be exceedingly expensive as well. It can also affect the health of the people living near it.

Some areas or states include ventilation in modern ventilation codes, but the National Roofing Contractors Association recommends a minimum of one square foot of ventilation for every 150 square feet of attic space.

Research Roofing Materials to Find the Best Fit

While nearly 80% of roofs are finished with asphalt shingles, they are by far not the only roofing option. You can choose any number of roofing materials to add to the character and feel of your home. Asphalt shingles, of course, are relatively inexpensive and are easy to obtain and work with. They also have a fairly long life, meaning that you get a lot for your money.

However, there are other choices as well, of varying expense and durability. Some other common types of roofing are slate and tile shingles, metal roofing, and flat roofs (which require a great deal of maintenance!). Wood shakes, cedar shingles, and living roofs are other options as well. Each type of roof has its owns pros and cons, its own cost and benefits. Make sure you research each type carefully before making a final decision.

Consider If You’d Like Skylights or a Covered Patio or Porch

While you are remodeling your roof, you should consider if you would like any other changes done to your home that will impact your roof. For instance, if you are considering adding skylights to one or several rooms in your house, it may behoove you to do those as you are redoing your roof, to prevent future work or disruptions.

Another home improvement you may want to consider including in your roof remodel is the addition of a covered porch or patio. It will be easier to build this roof at the same time of your roof remodel. Instead of having roofs built at two different times, perhaps by two different people, you can do it all at once.

Be Involved!

The most important consideration for your roof remodel is to always stay involved in the process.  Research your contractor, and communicate with her or him frequently and clearly.  Research roofing materials and discuss them with your contractor. This way, you both feel comfortable with the product, plans and the result. Try to find a vantage point from which you can view the roof remodeling process. When it is completed, make sure the work is done to your specifications and that nothing was overlooked. And then, most importantly, give your contractor reviews for their great work. This way, others may reap the benefits that you enjoyed.

While a roof may not be a glamorous renovation to make to your home, it is, in the end, a necessary and useful one. If you are, for instance, planning on selling your home a new roof can be a key marketing point. If you aren’t selling your home, then you will still need a quality, new roof to keep the structure of your home and your belongings safe and well-maintained.

Treat your roof remodel as you would any other: with diligence, enthusiasm, and a keen eye for detail.  Maintaining your roof will open the door to other, more fun renovations in the future, under the security and safety of a strong, new roof. Keeping these five considerations in mind will make sure that your roof renovation is completed perfectly and your home stays safe and beautiful for many years to come!

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Blog Residential Roofing

Summer Renovation: 5 Ways to Brighten Your Home

Summer is a time of year when we love to let the sun stream into our homes and brighten it. Yet, this is also when you are most likely to become painfully aware of any dark and uninviting parts your house.

Therefore, it is the perfect time to think about making a summer renovation that gives you a brighter and more welcoming home from now on. Which of the following alterations will give you the kind of house that you love coming home to?

Add Skylights

Perhaps the most effective way of breathing new life into a dark and unfriendly property is by adding skylights to the roof. This will instantly change the aspect of the interior by allowing light to flood in from above.

If your roof has been suffering from a lack of maintenance lately then this is a fine way of upgrading your roof while you are getting some repairs carried out. You will be delighted to see the way that it transforms your home into a brighter space to live in.

Of course, this is the sort of summer renovation work that the some of us are happy to leave to the experts. If you are looking for simpler tips that you can carry out on your own then there are plenty of these online for you to discover and try out.

There are different ways of adding skylights, so it is worth looking into your options. Will you add them to an attic bedroom or will you find a way of letting glorious sunlight flood your living room?

Install More Windows

Do you feel that it is a lack of windows that stops your home from being light and spacious? Even when the sun is blazing down outside, if you have few windows then you won’t get to see much of it indoors.

When it comes to adding windows to a property it is vital that it is done properly. First of all, this means making sure that no structural damage is done to the house when you add the windows.

In addition, you will also want to position them in order to receive the maximum benefit. You’ll want to choose a look that ensures that the overall character of the property is maintained. Because of this, we recommended speaking to architect about this project.

You might want to look at the option of bay or bow windows. These styles offer clever ways of letting in even more light. They also give you more space indoors at the same time.

Add Patio Doors or French Doors

If you have solid doors with little or no glass in them, it restricts the amount of sunlight that makes it into the house. This is a simple summer renovation to make in order to increase the brightness of your home.

If you have a kitchen that leads out into a garden or patio, it is the perfect place to add patio doors or French doors. This will give you a wonderfully summery feel indoors. It also connects the indoor space to the outdoor space perfectly.

This might also be exactly what you need in order to encourage you to spend more time outdoors. For example, you might find that cooking indoors and then going outside to eat becomes an easy and fun thing to start doing.

In terms of reasonably simple renovations that are highly effective in letting in more sunlight, this is hard to beat.

Make It More Open Plan

Could a switch to more of an open plan design perhaps give you the bright and sunny interior that you crave at this time of year? It could be that too many walls and doors are stopping the light from reaching the places where you most need it.

This is the type of summer renovation that can also make a home more enjoyable to live in. An open plan house lets you find new uses for different spaces and a fun new way of living.

This job could be relatively simple or it could be a lot more complicated. You certainly don’t want to risk removing a supporting wall while doing this. Getting some expert advice and guidance is probably a good idea.

This may give you the impulse and inspiration needed to try out a completely new style too. Would an open plan look perhaps go perfectly with a modern style?  Does it make coming home each day a genuine pleasure once again?

Add a Conservatory

Does anything feel more like summer then the sensation of sitting in a warm conservatory, relaxing and surrounded by plants? Adding a conservatory is a classic way of getting a brighter and more pleasant place to live. It is the perfect summer renovation that you can use year-round.

There are numerous models to choose from, to fit your budget and your style. This isn’t as expensive as you might think and it can bring a lot of joy to your life. It is a place to eat, to read or just to take it easy.

A good idea is to add a conservatory that joins on to your dining room. In this way you can get a bright and spacious place to eat and to enjoy some of the finest moments of the year. This will also help to ensure that you have a warm and sunny place all year round. You might even decide to grow some vegetables in there.

Whichever of these ideas you try out, the magnificent feeling of soaking up some fun at home is something that it is well worth putting some time and effort into. Get a summer renovation right and it will probably be one of the best decisions that you ever make.

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Blog Standing Seam Metal Roofs

Metal Roofing Fairfax County: Why You Should Choose Metal

A 1920s Bungalow house in Australia

At some point in the life of your home you’re going to need to replace your roof. When that time comes, it’s important for you to know that you have choices for roofing Fairfax County, other than traditional asphalt. Clay, concrete, wood, shake, and even slate are all reliable and gorgeous, but if you want a truly unique look that will make your home stand out you should give serious consideration to metal roofing Fairfax County.  It’s not easy to choose the perfect roofing material for your house, but these advantages of metal roofs make them an attractive option for roofing projects.

Benefits of Metal Roofing Fairfax County

Looks

Metal materials include zinc, aluminum, copper, and even timeless and trustworthy stainless steel, giving you quite a number of style and color choices that make matching your new roof to your overall decor and landscape a cinch. They’re similar in appearance to tiles, shingles, and shakes, and won’t look out of place or unusual (unless that’s the desired effect). Metal tiles also come in vertical panels and designs that beautifully mimic natural materials, (like wood tiles) based on the color and texture. Metal roofing Fairfax County seamlessly ties in the historical aesthetic of the city into any building or house.

Life Span

The life span of a metal roof is one of its biggest benefits. It’s especially important to younger homeowners who may not want to worry about a roof again in only 20 or 30 years. Depending on the style and design, your geographic location, and your exposure to weather, the average metal roof will last anywhere from 40 to 75 years.

This longevity is a major advantage over other roofing styles. Asphalt tends to last anywhere from 20 to 25 years. Expect clay and concrete to last about 40 to 50 years. Wood or shake shingles last just 25 to 30 years. Synthetic roofing materials are warrantied for an average of 50 years, but the quality and reliability isn’t as time-tested as the other materials out there.

Ease of Care

Caring for a metal roof is incredibly easy. While these materials are durable, proper maintenance will ensure your roof lasts for decades. To properly care for your roof:

  • Do not stand on the roof unless absolutely necessary, even then taking care to walk across joists and purlins. Metal tiles are more likely to dent under heavy weights.
  • Use a broom or leaf blower to move leaves and other debris off of the surface of the roof.
  • Annually clean your roof with a hose and roof cleaner to avoid the build-up of tree sap and other growth from the environment.
  • Occasionally survey the roof to make sure all screws are tightened.
  • Occasionally inspect the sealants. Most will last the lifetime of the roof but some may need to be replaced every 20 years or so.

Lovely Sound

A common misconception is that metal materials are noisier than others. No roof is going to be 100 percent quiet, but some are better at controlling outside noises than others. A sheathing is installed beneath the metal panels, shielding you from regular, louder noises. Many people claim their homes are slightly quieter after the installation of a metal roof, with the sounds of normal tree-debris and rain or hail being dulled more than usual. Of course, others believe the sound of a gentle rain hitting metal as opposed to asphalt is actually quite soothing and more enjoyable to listen to. Because rain is a common occurrence in Virginia, there are many benefits of choosing this material when metal roofing Fairfax County.

Flame Proof

The roof of your home is the most vulnerable to fire, no matter what material it is made of. Most roofing materials are rated on an A-B-C rating system. Asphalt shingles tend to have Class A ratings as they are the most fire resistant. Wood shingles are usually Class C because they are more flammable.

Your metal panels in and of themselves are fireproof because of the materials. That said, you will still want to make sure the materials installed under the panels are Class A. Metal does tend to heat faster, so experts will install quality materials beneath to ensure a lower, slower rate of combustion.

Easy to Install

Metal roofing is relatively easy to install, making the project a little bit faster than a typical roofing project. Talk to a professional about your existing shingle roof before the project starts. In some cases the metal can go on right over top of existing asphalt shingles, saving even more time. In other cases we’ll need to remove the asphalt first. If your home is older, it’s better and safer to remove the old roof first. This ensures that the panels underneath can be checked and replaced if needed. Metal roofing Fairfax County experts will seamlessly install your metal roof for a beautiful, sleek finish.

Repels Water and Snow

Metal materials repel water and snow better than any of the others on the market today. Water simply rolls off the metal towards your gutters, with zero chance of absorption into the tiles themselves. The heat of the sun keeps the temperature of your roof warmer in the winter. This makes it harder for snow and ice to accumulate. What snow and ice does stick will also melt away faster.

Durability

A metal roof can withstand Mother Nature’s wrath far more efficiently than shingles or slate. You’re less likely to end up with water damage or missing shingles after a heavy wind storm. This means less cost associated with regular repairs and a significant reduction in leaking.  These roofs are also more durable from the sun. Because they are typically 15-20% cooler than other roofing materials, metal roofing Fairfax County greatly benefits from metal materials.

The Virginia climate can be brutal on the roof of your house, but using this material for your next project for metal roofing Fairfax County helps counter the weather.  These roofs have a myriad of benefits ranging from long-term maintenance and replacement cost to savings on your heating and air conditioning throughout the year. Have a metal roof installed and you may never have to replace your roof again in your lifetime.

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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

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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Residential Roofing Blog

4 Things to Consider When Choosing a Roof

Are you in the process of choosing a roof for your home?  This is an important investment that can add value to your investment and increase your home’s curb appeal. Since installing a roof is a more expensive home renovation than adding new paint to your walls, it is important to choose the right one. Here are four things to consider when you are looking for the ideal roof.

Climate

It is especially important to choose roofing materials that work with the climate where you live. For example, in hotter area, a lot of houses have tile roofs. This material is great at shielding the heat from the inside of your home. In a colder area, you may not need this type of roof. You may prefer shingles or slate. The climate will greatly affect your decisions in choosing a roof. Make sure you speak to a local roofing contractor who is knowledgeable in this to help you determine which is right for you.

Style of Roof

Certain roofing materials work better on specific styles of roofs. If you have a steeper roof, then metal might be a good option for your home. If your roof has low slope, this type of material might be more difficult to install. You may prefer another material like asphalt. Depending on your roof style, you will be choosing a roof that matches.

The Exterior of Your Home

It is also important to evaluate the exterior of your home when you are investing in a new roof. Ideally, the roof should coordinate with the look and feel or your home. If your home is a Spanish style, then clay tiles may look best. If your home has a lot of brick, then shingles, slate, or asphalt may be better options.

Budget

Your budget is usually a big guide to help you when choosing a roof. Some pieces of material are more expensive than others. If you do not want to run out of money with only half of the roof installed, make sure that you research prices to determine what you can afford. Also, keep in mind that it can be worth it to spend more money on this upgrade.

Once you consider these four things, shopping for the right roof should be simple. Contact a contractor today for help.

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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.

Categories
Blog Residential Roofing

Three Important Home Improvement Projects

Keeping your house well-maintained can increase personal satisfaction. It can also prevent expensive damage and boost curb appeal in the event you want to sell it later. Taking good care of roofs and gutters, replacing them if needed, and installing “snowguard systems” are three home improvement projects that yield great benefits.

Roofs

The roof is one of the most important features of a house. It shields it from the elements and maintains the structural integrity. Replacing missing or damaged shingles can help keep your roof in optimal condition and extend its life. If a roof is in very bad shape, replacing it may be the best option you have. There are a number of different types of roofs; metal, rubber and slate are some of the most popular options. Metal ones are particularly durable and attractive. Speaking with a roofing expert is one of the best ways to understand all the options available.

Gutters

An essential component of roofing systems are the gutters and keeping them operating properly is critical. If they misdirect rain water or melted snow towards a home more problems may result than if there are no gutters at all. Gutter systems that are not functioning correctly can channel water at a roof or cause water to build up around a home’s foundation, which can be very problematic. This can result in expensive long term damage. Gutter systems come in many colors and finishes and can be a stylish home accent or designed to discreetly blend in.

Snowguard Systems

Built up snow and ice are well-known enemies of homes. They can easily back up gutters, fall on people and shrubs,and also damage patios, concrete and brick work. Protecting occupants and visitors, as well as home features,from snow and ice by installing snow guard systems can help prevent accidents and structural problems.

These three types of home improvement projects can all assist in protecting the biggest investment you will probably ever make and help increase its value.

Categories
Blog Residential Roofing

Choosing The Right Insulation

Choosing the right insulation can be the most important step in making your home and roof energy-efficient and more comfortable, so you will need to take that very seriously. It will keep your home cooler in summer, warmer in winter and may also save your home from condensation if done right. You should aim to learn more about it however before you make a choice.

The Differences In Insulation R-Values

Different insulations have different R-values. What is R-value you say? Well put simply, the R-value that is used to rate its ability to withstand heat transfer. This keeps temperatures stable with its properties. Let’s begin with some of the most commonly used insulation types:

Different Types

Fiberglass Insulation

One of the most used types, a traditional choice that happens to be what most people picture in their heads when it comes to insulation. Fiberglass comes in a variety of sizes and thickness, ranging from an R-rating of R-13 to R-38, depending on said factors and how its used in construction efforts.

Molded Expanded Polystyrene

It is very close in structure to foam boards, making it an extremely easy type of insulation you can work with. This insulation can be cut, trimmed and more to fit whatever needs you may have as well as most surfaces. This kind of insulation comes in sizes of 1-2 inches of thickness, varying in their R-rating between R-4 to R-8. Their light weight and ease of use is what makes them one of the preferred choices around the world.

Extruded  Polystyrene

It is a type of insulation which looks pretty much the same way as the previous example, used in much the same manner. There is a major difference between them however, as the R-rating of both materials is slightly different due to their construction. It ranges in thickness from 1-2 inches again, with R-ratings of R-5 to R-10.

Polyurethane and Polyisocyanurate

These are two types of insulation which look much like foam board. The difference between them and polystyrene is that they are much less rigid, as a result making them a more flexible choice that works better on a number of surfaces. Its thickness is usually around an inch, having an R-rating between R-7 and R-8.

Cellulose

A more eco-friendly solution, its made of newspapers, discarded paper products and so forth. This can be either sprayed on in layers or applied in other ways. It has an R-rating between 3.4 and 3.8 and its usually applied in 1-inch thickness increments.

Reflective Insulation

This type of insulation aims to reflect the heat back toward its source, being made up of layers of reflective materials such as cardboard and aluminum foil or bubble wrap made of aluminum foil. Its possible to reflect up to 97% of the heat radiated by objects. This gives it an R-rating between R-1.1 and R-18, depending on the materials and construction.

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