Tuesday, August 31, 2010

What is Hardie Plank Siding?

What is Hardie Plank Siding?

A relatively new type of siding material, hardie plank is by far the most safe alternative siding option for homeowners looking to replace their wooden siding. It is a combination of natural and synthetic material. It is made from cellulose fibers and cement.

Advantages of Hardie Plank Siding

Fire Resistant:

When it comes to safety, this siding outranks traditional materials like wood. Although it is not entirely fire-proof, it is, nevertheless, a material that does not easily caught fire. During accidental fire incidence, a not so combustible material like hardie plank can buy a homeowner some precious time to respond to the accident.

Green Material:

Considering the current status of Mother Nature, most of us seriously consider a particular material before purchasing it. Is it green material? With hardie plank siding, the answer to that would be a big YES. Nature-loving homeowners need not worry about the source of this siding's cellulose fibers since it is entirely made from wood species that are not endangered. Also, this material does not contain toxic materials.

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Monday, August 30, 2010

Brick Siding for Your Brick Home?

Brick siding is the perfect way to save some money and get that great look. Building a home entirely of brick is probably one of the most expensive ways to build a home. The reality is most people simply can not afford to build their entire home out of it. They want that brick look, but building a home from the ground up from it may be just way out of reach.

Well take heart you can still have the same great look, without breaking the bank to do it. You can use brick siding on your home to add the look without having to build the entire house out of the material.

This siding is widely available, comes in a host of different colors, and is very easy to install.

There are a couple of options, the first option is the solid brick, and this type is not quite as practical or easy to use as the slice of brick type of siding. Using solid brick you are basically building the bricks up on the outside of a stick built home. This is a fine option but does sort of defeat the purpose of using brick siding.

The other option is more like a siding option. The brick is more of a veneer. The brick is very thin and comes in pre fabricated sheets. This is far easier to install than the other option. The sheets of brick siding are put in place the same way any siding would be.

The obvious benefit is the aesthetics. You get to have a brick like home without the expense of building your entire home out of bricks. This siding can be used on any type of home. It can be used on a pre fabricated or modular home, it can be used on a stick built home, and it can be used to dress up virtually any type of home.

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Wednesday, August 25, 2010

Why Vinyl Siding Instead of Aluminum?

You may be wondering why you'll want to put up new vinyl siding as compared to aluminum siding. There are a lot of good reasons to choose vinyl, but the final decision is yours. There are a lot of differences between aluminum siding and vinyl. Vinyl siding is manufactured from a continuous formed plastic material and usually has a thickness between.040 to.046 inches. Aluminum siding is a continuous formed material that is usually around.019 inches thick.

Vinyl siding is manufactured with a solid color, while aluminum siding in manufactured with a baked on enamel paint finish. Since vinyl siding has a manufactured solid color, the color will remain solid even when scratched.

Not so however with aluminum siding. The paint is baked on so if aluminum siding is scratched, the paint peels off and leaves a shiny bare metal finish exposed. The choice is yours, but your home will look newer and have a higher value when

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Saturday, August 21, 2010

Benefits of Roofing Inspections

Many homeowners conduct a formal or informal roofing inspection on an annual basis. Perhaps more than any other material used to build your home, the roof is subject to wear and tear and may be particularly bad if the weather has been extreme or destructive. When conducting an inspection, it is important to keep in mind what part of the country you live in, what sort of weather patterns your area experiences, how often your roof has been maintained or replaced in the past, and what kind of material it is.

Whether you hire an inspector or do-it-yourself, some things to look for when inspecting your roof include verifying integrity of flashings around chimneys and vents, looking for asphalt gravel in gutters or bare spots on shingles, checking for warping in wooden shingles, finding signs of pitting or rusting in metal roofs, and looking for brittle slate or clay tile shingles that are particularly susceptible to bad weather. Don't forget to look under eaves and around skylights for signs of water damage. Many roofing companies offer free inspections and can be contracted on an annual basis to come by your home and look for damage. Regular inspections can be worth their weight in gold and often save a lot of time and money in the long run.

If your roof inspection shows damage, the next question may be whether to replace or repair. While replacement is often expensive, older homes may actually save money when repair work is extensive. The biggest factor determining the cost of replacement or repair is roofing material. The most expensive materials are clay tiles and the least expensive are asphalt shingles. However, it is important to keep in mind your location in the country and particular weather patterns when choosing materials. The decision to repair or replace may arise much more often if you choose clay tiles in an area that receives a lot of ice storms.

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Friday, August 20, 2010

Vinyl Siding is Beautiful

Tired of that old run down looking house you've been living in? Why not upgrade your home to a new look and increase the value of your home in the process. You can have the home of your dreams and it's not as hard as you think. Your old home may be run down and the paint may be thirty years old and peeling off, but you can have the best looking house in your neighborhood.

How? Just give it a new face lift with colorful and easy to maintain vinyl siding. Vinyl siding comes in a variety of colors and you can choose the one thats right for you. Your 100 year old house can look new again and the cost won't put you in the poor farm either.

Vinyl siding can be applied over brick structures and it can also be applied over wood and concrete structures. Vinyl siding looks great and it's insulation qualities wrap the entire home in warmth and comfort. The entire project will be completed in a short amount of time if done by a reputable contractor of your choosing.

You can have your old home looking brand new and bright and shiny with new siding. Your entire home will match with the same bold colors you select and your window and door trim will match also. The value of your old home will sky rocket and if you ever decide to sell your home, you'll receive higher offers for it.

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Sunday, August 15, 2010

So Many Gutter Choices

If your side of your house or building ever leaks, you may want to put something on the side of it to help out with the problem. People put rain gutters here to help them with this problem, because a gutter prevents rain from seeping into your corners of the house. The idea behind what a gutter does that it collects all the rain that comes off of your roof and filters it into a corner of your building where the rain water can wash away. Most of these corners are in places where the water will not pool up, but just run off into a ditch.

There are many different types of gutters that the can be installed. One of the most popular choices that you will see is aluminum. Aluminum is relatively cheap and maintenance for installation is very efficient because the accessories are easy to set in place. Aluminum also comes in a variety of different colors, this is so it can match your house color and blend right in. They are normally placed on a slight angle so the rain that they do catch from the roof runs to a specific corner like stated earlier. You are also able to purchase a down spout that will have the water that comes out of the gutter come out farther away from your house.

Another type of gutter design that is starting to make a name for itself is copper. The copper kind give longer life expectancy and are leak proof. When using aluminum you may have to replace them in a year or two just because they will start to decompose if dirt, mud, and leaves start to sit in them. With copper, the gutters will last longer and will be able to prevent decomposing from happening. Copper is a little more difficult to install just because it is stronger and longer lasting. Copper also comes with a down spout and multiple different shaped elbow to help the installation process.

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Wednesday, August 11, 2010

Deciding on Shingles

When it comes to roofing and repairs, the main decision on any homeowner's mind has to be what kind of shingles to put up. This question can usually be decided by another factor, which is how long they plan to stay in the house. It's a lot like car painting in that respect. When you are painting a car simply to turn around a sell it, you can usually get away with using cheaper materials. When you're painting to keep, you want to invest in the best paint money can buy. The same holds true for shingles. If you are planning to stay in the house for a long time, you want to put up shingles that will last for the duration. If you're planning to sell in the near future, you can get away with cheaper supplies.

If you're only looking to stay in your home for a short period of time, you can get away with installing some short term shingles. These shingles are made from quality materials that will keep your roof looking nice and your home protected...but only for so long. It's best to go with roofing shingles that are guaranteed to last for at least 15 years. Looking at the shingles themselves, you'll find they are a bit thinner than longer lasting varieties. These types of shingles are best used in more moderate climates.

The best choice for homeowners who aren't sure how long they'll be staying in the house is a good mid-grade roofing shingle. These types are usually designed to last 20 years or so and are a little thicker than the short term types. If you've ever seen asphalt shingles, these are the types that fall into this midpoint. They cost a little more than the basic variety, but with that added cost comes a longer life. If you hire a professional company, they'll often recommend going with these mid-grade shingles.

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Tuesday, August 10, 2010

What to Consider Before You Install Rain Gutters

-If you have gutters in your home, inspect them carefully. Make sure that they are not damaged, and if you see any fault, replace them immediately. However, it is always advisable to opt for new gutters as these will save your money in the long run and also prevent frequent hassle.

-Another important thing is that you need to inspect the gutters on a rainy day to ensure that rain water is going directly into the gutter from the roof with no leakage anywhere. Next, make certain that the gutter has a slope so that rain water can flow down the spouts easily.

-Check the down spouts for blockages of any kind. It is essential that the rain water be directed at least two feet away from your house. If you see any water dripping, call a rain gutter installation expert immediately.

-Ensure that your rain gutter doesn't have any leaks. It is better to change old gutters with more efficient modern ones that are not only attractive but extremely leak resistant.

Are you concerned about the costs? Visit arealadvantageconstruction.com to compare gutter services that are

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Saturday, August 7, 2010

You Need the Pros for Your Roof

Replacing a roof is no easy job - even for a professional. So if you're thinking of doing the task yourself, explore a few reasons why hiring a professional roofing company or contractor is a better idea.

Safety
Installing a new house covering requires a certain amount of skill and expertise. However, since there are some people that would rather do it themselves, there are a number of issues that should be kept in mind. If you're new to installing a roof, you run the risk of seriously injuring yourself in the process. Certain safety gear is required, as well as it's important to adhere to particular codes and specifications.

Cost
Roofs can be expensive; not only to install one, but to also make sure it effectively protects you from the elements. A good one will keep your home cool in the summer and warm in the winter, which will help reduce electricity costs. If you're doing the work yourself, you're going to pay a lot more to install it since you don't have certain expertise. For instance, you'll most likely pay more money when purchasing supplies or materials since you wouldn't know when you're getting a good deal or being ripped off. A specialist will already know these things.

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Thursday, August 5, 2010

Gutters Protect Your Roof

If your roof doesn't funnel rain water properly, it can prove to be harmful for your roof. The foundation of your house and roof are extremely important. And these two areas are related in many respects. The foundation of your home keeps your house strong by supporting the upper structure. Similarly, the roof of your house protects the interior of your home from the elements of nature.

What are rain gutters and how do they work?

When rain water hits the roof it runs down a slope and falls to the edge. Rain gutters help by channeling this water along the roof's edge and directing it a safe distance away from your home. The same thing happens when snow melts in the winter. Rain gutters prevent the water from dripping around the home and help remove dirt from the slope of the roof. Gutters also give a finished look to the edge of the roof.

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Wednesday, August 4, 2010

More Reasons You Need a Roofing Contractor!

Time
Okay, let's just say that you've been able to buy the tools and supplies you needed and were able to get on the top of the house without injuring yourself. Since you don't really know what you're doing, you're going to spend a lot more time trying to figure things out as opposed to actually working. Roofing is an intricate job and one that can really be disastrous if you don't have the right skills. So don't be surprised if you end up tripling or quadrupling your work time by doing it yourself as opposed to hiring a roofing professional in the first place.

Quality
If you finished the project and got the covering on top of the house, it would be good to assess its appearance. Are there uneven gaps? Do you have leaks in the house? Is it as energy efficient as it could be? If you worked with a roofing professional, these are questions you wouldn't have to worry about answering. So keep quality in mind when considering doing work yourself.

The unexpected
As a novice, are you prepared for the unexpected? What if it rains during your project? Are you ready to handle leaks and problems that may occur? Also, many people don't consider there are other possibilities that can go wrong when attempting roofing work. It's not as simple as tearing off an old roof and slapping on a new one. Actually, there may be an incredible amount of old wood shingles that need to be removed first, or there could be decaying wood which will also need to be removed. It's important to know how to handle these situations to ensure your roof lasts as long as possible.

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Sunday, August 1, 2010

Maintain Your Gutters

Routine cleaning and maintaining your downspouts and gutters can not only lengthen their life, but also save you from unwanted troubles and expenses. Taking some time out to repair and maintain gutters and downspouts can greatly help to increase the life of your roof drainage system. Routine maintenance of roof gutters can help to save plenty money that would otherwise be spent on repairs.

To maintain the longevity of your gutters and downspouts, make sure you inspect them at least twice in a year. Carefully check them just before spring rains. You should also inspect them again during the fall when leaves and other debris may cause problems. Improper drainage causes accumulation of water at certain spots in the gutter, which ultimately builds up debris and accelerates rust.

As clogged downspouts and gutters can create big problems, it is important to thoroughly clean all the debris from downspouts and gutters at least twice in a year. If there are many trees close to your home, use whisk broom to clean the gutters. Rusting of gutters can also create major problems in the long run. However, with regular cleaning of gutters and setting proper setting of the pitch, you can slow down the rusting process.

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