Questions to Ask a Window Installer

Posted on August 9, 2012 by admin

If you are planning on working with a window contractor and don’t know where to begin just remember it all starts with good communication. Working with window contractors usually requires that you know something about the job, so you may want to do a little research early on before meeting with the installer. From the basics of framing through double layer jobs and glass types, understanding precisely what your home is getting can be a source of comfort.

Not only can a simple window installation completely change the look of your home it can also add value, security, comfort and can be an energy-efficient method to saving money throughout the year. Installed correctly, high quality windows pay for themselves over time.

The questions below address important aspects of the window replacement process that you will want to know the answers to before beginning the project. It is important to ask as many questions as you need to make you feel that you understand and are comfortable with what the installer is proposing.

-Tell me about your entire installation day process.

-What warranty do you offer on your installation work?

-Can you show me a current copy of your liability insurance?

-What is your plan if there is sheet rock, stucco, or brick damage during installation?

-Are you going to be on site for the installation? If not, who is my contact point?

-What will the interior trim look like on my windows when they are finished?

-What will the exterior trim look like on my windows when they are finished?

-Do you haul off all of the old windows, trim, and job site trash?

-Does your proposal include painting the interior trim?

- How much visible glass will I lose with the replacement windows?

-Will my current window treatments work with the new windows?

Don’t be afraid to ask a window installer these questions. You will be glad you did.

 

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Tips On Maintaining Your Attic

Posted on July 13, 2012 by admin

Your attic is an ideal place to store items not in use, but it also has an effect on how energy is used throughout the home. It is important to perform yearly attic maintenance to ensure the attic’s condition provides a safe living environment for you and your family, and also helps to keep heating and cooling costs down throughout the year.

Insulation

Appropriate insulation in your attic helps to keep heating costs down in the winter and cooling costs down in the summer. Insulation acts as a barrier from outdoor elements, which helps air from escaping through cracks in the walls or window surrounds. Take the time once a year to inspect the walls and windows for possible signs of worn down or damaged insulation to determine if air is escaping from the home. Damaged insulation can cause rain or snow to enter into the attic, freeze, and cause further water damage to the interior of the home.

Fans

Fans within the attic help to improve airflow and ventilation. Has mentioned previously cracks in the walls or windows decrease energy efficiency, but a blocked vent or fan in the attic also increases heating and cooling costs. A blocked fan can cause the attic to get too hot in winter, which in turn may cause homes in snowy regions to create ice dams, while a hot attic in the summer months causes an air conditioner to work harder to cool the home down. Make sure to check the vents and fans each year to remove any bird nests, branches or other debris from blocking the vent grills or fan blades.

Pests

Holes or gaps around the roof or windows, is an invitation for rodents to find a way into the attic to damage insulation or electrical wiring. In the event that an animal gets into the attic, call your local animal control to safely remove the animal. Also remove wasp nests to prevent a wasp infestation in the attic or around outside windows.

Structure Inspection

In addition, inspect the structural materials in the attic for signs of warping, stain or damage. Water damage causes wood and drywall to rot, and is costly to repair if it is not fixed in a timely manner. Also check the ceiling, walls, and floors for signs of sagging, and properly cover all electrical outlets or boxes within the attic to prevent a fire.

 

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Tips Before Replacing Your Windows

Posted on June 30, 2012 by admin

If your windows no longer enhance the appearance of your home, filter noise, or guard you from the outdoor elements there is no better time to update your windows. Replacement or repaired windows can save you money on energy costs and increase your home’s value. Here are some tips to keep in mind as you decide if replacing your windows is right for you.

Remember that replacing windows is an expensive project that includes not only the price of the windows but also the cost of expert installation to ensure that the windows perform as promised.

Replace Or Repair?

There are two types of replacements. If the original framing is sound and square, you can have a  replacement window installed into the original opening while also replacing the sashes, side jambs and trim. On the other hand, if the original frame is rotted you must install a new window, which can cost 50% to 100% more than a replacement window. Replacing multiple windows will cost you less per window than installing just one or two.

If you have old windows you love and the frames are sound, you could repair them, by striping off the old paint and repainting or staining them. You can also add new storm windows with low-emittance (low-E) coatings, which reduce the sun’s heating and fading effects.

Calculate Your Savings

You will recover much of your investment in replacing or repairing windows when you sell your home. Make sure to match the style and quality of the new windows you choose to your homes style.

However, before you install new windows you want to seal a leaky house and insulate it. It could cost several thousand dollars, but it may be more cost-effective. To evaluate your options, a home-energy audit is a smart idea.

Choose The Right Window

Before you begin your shopping for the right window here are some terms to know:

-Double-hung windows open from the top and bottom.

-Casements open with a crank, which makes them easy to operate.

-Double pane windows are two pieces of glass that may have an inert gas between them that insulates better than air.

-Mullions or vertical and horizontal dividers, give windows a traditional look.

-Tilt-out windows let you clean the exterior from the inside.

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Stone Coated Steel Roofing

Posted on May 31, 2012 by admin

The unique stone coated steel roof was originally developed by Decra. For over 50 years they have been developing, manufacturing and improving stone coated steel roofing tiles. The Decra stone coated steel roof offers strength, durability, and a greater variety and customization of textures, shapes and colors than other manufacturers. It also offers richness and beauty to enhance your home’s appearance.

Steel can be created in any size and shape making it the perfect medium in creating that unique tile structure you are searching for. It can be made to look like traditional roofing materials such as asphalt shingles, clay, concrete tiles or wood. The best part is the tiles are lightweight, durable, hold up under foot traffic and are resistant to freezing and thawing. They also require little to no maintenance. When installed they are connected horizontally instead of vertically to help prevent leaking and storm damage.

Another great benefit of choosing stone coated steel is that it is environmentally friendly. Decra products contain up to 25% recycled steel. They also have a long life cycle of 50 years or more. Furthermore, stone coated steel is energy efficient saving you money on your energy bills.

If you are concerned about safety, Decra may be a good solution for you. Decra products are made of noncombustible material such as steel. They have a fire rating of Class A, and provide a limited, transferable 50-year warranty which covers manufacturer defects and excessive granule loss. It also provides a warranty covering 120mph wind-uplift. In addition, Decra carries the highest UL impact resistance rating of Class 4.

If you are looking for a roofing company to give you the best in roofing products available, turn to Main Line Contractor. We are recognized as one of the nation’s top 500 Home Remodelers with an outstanding track record.

 

 

 

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Signs You Need A New Roof

Posted on April 22, 2012 by admin

It’s not often that we look at our roof. We run in and out of the house and take the kids back and forth while only glancing up at the roofline occasionally as we back out of the driveway. It is important to inspect your roof regularly, take care of the little fixes as needed to prevent costly repairs down the road, and to keep the rain out of your home.

Here is a check list that will help you to determine if it’s time for a new roof. If your roof is showing any of these signs, contact a professional to evaluate your roof and decide if the problem with your roof is shingle, flashing, or weather related.

Missing Roof Shingles

If there are dislodged shingles or shingles that have been blown off the roof surface, this is an indication that your roof’s asphalt shingle is losing its tar seal. Once the tar strip loses its seal not much can be done with the old shingle. Temporary tar sealing will work short term but is not guaranteed to fix the problem permanently. You can replace the missing tab shingles, but you need to be careful because mixing new asphalt shingles with much older and worn out asphalt shingles may cause other problems.

Missing Granular on Roofing Shingles

Asphalt based shingles have a granular covering to protect the tar surface and give the shingle its attractive appearance. Over time, the granular surface of the asphalt shingle loosens and wears off. Once the granular surface has worn from the asphalt shingle base, the shingles must be replaced.

Curling Roof Shingles

Curling is caused by poor ventilation or a dried out asphalt shingle base. Once the curling process starts, nothing can stop it. The curled pieces will eventually break off causing the roof to leak. Once the roof reaches this stage, it is important not to walk on it to avoid dislodging the other curled pieces.

Blistered Roofing Shingles

At this point the shingles are cracked, bubbled looking, and in most cases, dislodged from their seal and original roof placement. This is another instance where everyone should remain off the roofing surface in order avoid further damage to the existing shingles.

Multiple Layers of Shingles

It was common practice to install an asphalt shingle roof over an existing asphalt shingle roof, but now roofing contractors will not even consider installing shingle on shingle roofing. Doing so will void your shingle warranty and cause the first layer of shingles to cook the layer or layers of shingles installed over top of them costing the consumer thousands in the end.

Growth on Shingles

The growth of brown or black algae on your asphalt shingles will not hurt your shingle’s performance. You can remove the algae by using a bleach solution; however, bleach does remove granular so it is not highly recommended.

Flashing and Caulking Damage

Most flashing products are made of aluminum, copper, or tin, the latter being the most susceptible to water damage. Most flashing problems are repairable; however, caulking will not fix all of your roof flashing problems. Most flashing problems are caused by incorrect installation, or are from the flashing being dislodged due to ice, water, or wind. Caulking is used primarily as a mast to cover the flashing problem.

Roof Buckling

One of the main causes of roof buckling is poor roof ventilation. When heat and moisture are trapped in an attic space, it causes severe damage to the roof truss system as well as the roof sheathing deck.

Water Damage and Rotting Roof Wood

Finding the signs of water damaged areas is key in evaluating a roof. Low spots in the roof surfaces or funnel areas, sagging, or out of place lines of site are just some of the determining factors in spotting damaged areas.

Water Marks / Interior and Exterior

A water mark on the ceiling of your home or in the soffit area off your roofing overhang indicates a water infiltration problem, but it does not necessarily mean you need an entirely new roof. Contact a professional to assess the route of the problem.

The technology of asphalt shingle roofing has changed considerably over the past 10 to 20 years. If there are any issues with your roof make sure to contact a professional roofing contractor who strictly abides by the current manufacturers specifications to ensure that your new roof will last and be maintenance free for a very long time.

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Solar Light Tubes

Posted on March 18, 2012 by admin

Solar Skylight Tubes are the best and most efficient way to light your home.  Not only does natural sunlight enhance the beauty of your home, but also makes your home more energy efficient, there is natural, healthy and free sunlight all day. You no longer need to rely on harsh florescent lights in your home. With solar light tubes, you can enjoy all the beauty of natural light in every room of your home using the latest technology in reflective tubes to capture light.

Solar skylight tubes are a great addition to any home or office.  They can also be used in warehouses and other buildings. Here are few places where solar tubes are most used.

.Smaller rooms such as bathrooms, closets or laundry rooms. They are rooms in every home that tend to have one light and no windows. A solar skylight tube will bring natural light into these enclosed rooms and brighten them all day, even on cloudy days, and eliminate the need to depend solely on harsh lighting.

.Indoor gardens that need natural light. Most plants thrive in natural light and find typical indoor lighting too harsh.

.Large rooms that tend to be dark even with traditional lighting. You can bring natural light into any room eliminating the need to depend on traditional lighting alone.

.The kitchen is always a place that requires multiple lights. You can turn off some of the lights and use natural light in its place.  This will not only cut down on electricity but also create a warm welcoming environment for any home.

.Home offices using solar skylight tubes can make a huge difference.  Computer screen glare from traditional lighting or even from the windows may make it hard to use the computer, but solar skylight tubs lessen the glare on computers and also allow a softer natural light to brighten the whole room without the heat that comes in through windows.

Additional Benefits of Solar Tube Lighting Include:

.Helps support energy conservation and reduce carbon emissions from power.

.Transfers high performance natural light without heat gain or loss.

.Tubular skylights cost much less than traditional curb or box skylights.

.Provide beautiful un-tinted light to the interior of any type of room.

.No regular maintenance is required.

.Solar tube lighting significantly reduces power bills.

.Lessens and reduces the load on your HVAC system.

 

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5 Advantages of Using Ultrex Fiberglass Windows

Posted on February 15, 2012 by admin

The advantages of Ultrex fiberglass windows are unlimited. They are strong, stable, durable, and virtually indestructible. It is the best building material in the market. There are no other window materials that match up to Ultrex. Made from pultruded fiberglass, Ultrex outperforms vinyl and roll-form aluminum. Their windows and doors are the most maintenance-free, hassle-free, and worry-free on the market.

Other great Ultrex advantages include:

.8x stronger than vinyl.
.9x less heat expansion and contraction than vinyl.
.Non-conductive and non-corrosive.
.The patented finishing process resists fading and cracking.
.10-year manufacturing warranty/20-year glass seal warranty.

Ultrex is as strong as steel and is eight times stronger than vinyl. It is so tough that diamond-edged blades must be used to cut it to size. The patented performance strength comes from the fiberglass pultrusion process.

The rigid structure of Ultrex ensures there is a true and perfect fit that lasts. Even after years of use, the windows will continue to slide, crank, raise, and lower as if they were installed yesterday. There is less expansion than vinyl. As we all know, the more a material expands and contracts, the more susceptible it is to distortion, streaking, cracking, and warping. Due to its resistance to thermal expansion, Ultrex has fewer problems and virtually no maintenance required.

The patented finishing process outlasts the competition; resisting fading that can plague other composite materials. The thick acrylic finish bonds directly to the surface to prevent dings, mars, and scratches. The mechanically bonded finish is up to 3x thicker than competitive finishes, and its superior UV resistance allows Integrity.

The Ultrex patented coating system is AAMA 623-10 certified and is listed on the exclusive AAMA Verified Components List for 623-10, 624-10 and 625-10 — a claim that other competitors can’t match.

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The Camelot Shingle

Posted on January 14, 2012 by admin

Shingles are one of the most important features of a safe and sturdy home. Not having the right one can lead to leaks, in turn producing unwanted rot and mold. That is why it is essential to choose durable, dependable, and long-lasting roof shingles. They come in a variety of colors, styles, and compositions.

The Camelot Shingle is a very affordable top-of-the-line luxury shingle that only costs a fraction of what expensive slate or wood shakes cost. Its unique design consists of color blends with a thick appearance to create a great curb appeal. These shingles are heavyweight construction composed of 400 pounds per square. With its double Dura Grip adhesive it reduces the chances of a shingle blowing off, and is also guaranteed to withstand winds of up to 130 mph. These shingles are also 60% thicker than many asphalt shingles. With its ultra-high performance Micro Weave® core it provides better protection and performance layer for layer.

Camelot Shingles are breathtaking, beautiful, and the perfect addition to the value of your home. It also comes with a Stain Guard protection to assure that the uniqueness of the shingle never gets algae and mold. Another benefit of these shingles is the quick installation that comes with them. Because they are large in size it saves on labor time. Have some piece of mind knowing that the Camelot Shingle has obtained the highest possible rating, Class A fire listing for safety from Underwriters Laboratories

For a unique and distinctive design, the Camelot Shingles will impress. These shingles by far will add the perfect finishing touch to your home.

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Reflective Insulation vs. Fiberglass Insulation

Posted on December 13, 2011 by admin

Fiberglass insulation and Reflective Insulation are just two of the many insulation options that exist, and each has its benefits and disadvantages. Reflective insulation, also known as radiant barrier, is a metallic foil material usually aluminum designed  to block radiant heat transfer across open spaces. Fiberglass insulation is a  man-made construction material used to limit thermal changes, as well as sound  transmission in buildings. It is composed of bundles of very thin strands of  glass, which has a high surface area-to-weight ratio that makes it a  lightweight, cost-effective, and practical option for both residential and commercial applications.

Advantages of Reflective Insulation

·     Provides a barrier to heat through the ceiling in the summer.

·     Reduces the loss of heat from your home in the winter.

·     Light weight, very strong, and easy to install.

·        Moisture-proof  – will not allow moisture to pass through in either direction.

·     Eliminates condensation within the ceiling and walls when properly installed as a vapor       barrier.

·     Unaffected by humidity with lower moisture transfer and absorption – no mildew, mold, or fungus growth.

·     Easier to install than fiberglass – can be stapled, nailed, glued, or sewn.

·     Not a nesting material for rodents, birds, or insects.

·     Non  Toxic & Asthma Safe.

Advantages of Fiberglass Insulation

·     Fiberglass insulation is cheap and widely available.

·     It also reduces the cost of heating and cooling a home.

·     Do-it-yourselfers can easily install it in the attic between rafters.

·     It comes in various sizes and thicknesses.

·     Fiberglass insulation absorbs noise.

Disadvantages of  Reflective Insulation

·     Reflective insulation is electrically conductive, so make sure it doesn’t touch any electric wires in your home.

·     It’s more expensive than fiberglass.

·     Reflective insulation should only be installed by a trained professional to ensure that it         maintains the utmost effectiveness.

·     Requires a perfectly reflective surface to do its job, it must remain free from dust, dirt, and debris.

Disadvantages of Fiberglass Insulation

·     Fiberglass insulation is messy and itchy. Although you can install it yourself, prepare to get dirty and wear gloves as well as eye protection.

·     If water leaks through your wall with no drainage, fiberglass insulation may absorb the moisture and cause sags and gaps in the wall.

·     The sags and gaps can allow heat in your house to escape making your heating costs higher.

·      Once fiberglass insulation has been ignited, it may burn fast and could emit toxic gases.

 

 





 

 

 

 

 

Posted in Fiberglass, Insulation, Moisture Proof, Radiaflect, Radiant Barrier, Reflective Insulation | Tagged , , , | Comments Off

Renovating your home with slateline shingles

Posted on April 14, 2011 by admin

People have different reasons when they decide to renovate their house; some gets frustrated with roof leakage and some just want to beautify their house and give a complete new and sophisticated appeal to their precious house. Roof shingles have been in use for years and have become more popular with every passing year. Earlier, the most popular form of shingles were Wood shingles but it in recent years people avoid Roof shingles because it is easily prone to fire and have severe effects of extreme weather. Wooden shingles were easy to install and were cheap to install. With change in technology came the new sophisticated trend in Roof shingles and none have become more popular than Slateline shingles. Slateline shingles are extremely attractive and affordable at the same time. It comes in different designs and colors that make your house more beautiful and attractive.

The advantages of renovating your house is a very wise and thoughtful decision because compared to the other shingles slateline shingles are more durable and can even last for 30 years. Slate shingles is extremely low water absorbent and is much more durable. They can resist callous weather and can withstand strong winds and rainfall; it is even fire resistant. Once you step into the market you can find slate shingles of different colors and styles. It is always suggested that you search it on the internet about the latest design in shingles and the cost of installing it. One must not forget that there is always the other side of the coin, if slate shingle are not maintained properly then it may become vulnerable to insects and can eventually rot. Since, slate is nothing but a form of rock it is installed by professional experts as it is a lot heavier than other roofing material.

Slate shingles do come at an expensive price but it is like an investment. As mentioned earlier it is much more durable and compatible to the climate changes and lasts for a longer period of time. It is fire resistant as well as absorbs less water and gives you the peace of mind that you and your family are safe which is not the case when you have wooden or tile shingles. It is better to check and confirm with your family and friends who have recently installed slateline shingle to renovate their house so that you can decide your budget and the quality of slateline shingle you prefer. Remember nothing is more important than the safety of your loved ones.

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