While the purpose of the bill was and will always be to lessen the blow of the recent economic downturn, one must look deeper to see the many advantages it provides to the common household through tax credits. Anyone who is planning to undertake home improvements should consult the details of the bill to see if the changes they are making qualify for tax credits.
One of the main focuses of the home improvement tax credit portion of the bill was to encourage people to change their roofing material from heat-absorbing, energy-wasting shake and shingle to a substance that reflects heat and reduces energy consumption, such as a reflective metal roof.
The advantage of a change to metal roofing is that it reduces the home’s consumption of energy by requiring less energy to cool the home in the summer, as the steel roof reflects heat instead of absorbing it. A second advantage comes with the fact that since the heat is immediately reflected back into the atmosphere it reduces the occurrence of smog and urban hot zones in populated areas.
Those who need to replace their roofs in the next few years should consider upgrading to a steel roof in 2009 to take advantage of the tax credit before it expires. Homeowners who add a metal roof that is ENERGY STAR qualified can get 10% of the cost refunded, up to $500. That’s a pretty significant savings.
To qualify for the tax credit the steel roof must be put into service between Jan 1 – Dec 31 2009, a manufacturer’s certification statement is required, along with IRS Form 5695. According to the bill the roof qualifies if it is: “…any steel roof…installed on a dwelling unit, but only if such roof has appropriate pigmented coatings or cooling granules which are specifically and primarily designed to reduce the heat gain of such dwelling unit”. So essentially you are looking for a coated steel roof which meets the ENERGY STAR program requirements.
Check with your Absolute Steel representative to see which of our metal roofing materials qualify and save some money!
While some may not consider 2009 to be the best year for major expenditures on a home, if your home is in need of a roof soon regardless you should think about upgrading your roof in the next year to take advantage of the tax credit savings. Not only will you save money on the roof itself, but every year your metal roof will give you back up to 40% in energy savings due to reduced cooling costs. You should also keep in mind that when you spend money on your house you are also helping to stimulate a lagging economy, and every little bit helps.
About the Author
Visit http://www.metalroofingsource.com to learn more on the money-saving Benefits of Metal Roofing.
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Dave Bingham, Company Manager at ConservatoryLand, discusses how homeowners are aspiring to create clutter-free conservatories and how the company’s latest innovation addresses this need, giving them a powerful new selling proposition.
“As the market for “no frills” conservatories becomes increasingly competitive, there are compelling reasons to offer new conservatory ideas. This is the reason we launched MOOD, a unique integrated conservatory speaker system that can be fitted as part of a new conservatory or retrofitted into an existing conservatory roof. The response so far from customers has been tremendous.
For homeowners MOOD represents an exciting new innovation that should capture their imaginations and make the idea of a conservatory even more appealing. Its basic premise is simple; it enables homeowners to fill their conservatory interior space with music rather than large bulky speakers. MOOD is the only integrated conservatory audio system in the market giving ConservatoryLand a clear advantage.
The idea behind the development of MOOD came from our research into trends in the market. Many homeowners, inspired by the possibility of de-cluttering, were looking for clever ways to make the best use of available space and because conservatories are used as family rooms, dining rooms and entertainment areas, anything that made this space work harder was desirable. Our findings also showed that because many families with young children have conservatories there is also a safety consideration when it comes to the purchase decision. Traditional speaker systems in conservatories often have trailing wires that can be a trip hazard. MOOD is unique in that the wires are integrated into the structure of the conservatory making them completely hidden from view. All you see with the MOOD system is the connection point in the wall and stylish speakers that blend seamlessly into the conservatory roof ring beam.
When we were designing MOOD we made sure that the speaker system worked with any player or amplifier that has a standard speaker cable output. This now means that it can be connected to a hi-fi, ipod, mp3 player, amplifier, TV or home entertainment system to provide high quality audio enabling homeowners to create the perfect ambience in their conservatory.
The new generation of conservatories will be very much attuned to the needs of the homeowner and will be designed to make the best use of available space. We know from first hand experience that homeowners are prepared to spend that little bit more on home improvements if it adds significantly to the enjoyment of their home or enhances the re-sale value of the property. We believe MOOD will find a resonance with home owners in both these areas.
Add value and trade up
Ask any property expert and they will always recommend de-cluttering a home to increase its appeal and value. Not only does it make the rooms look bigger but it also gives the impressions of style and taste – always a good area to focus on when trying to sell a house.
ConservatoryLand l is committed to continued product development and providing the products and conservatory accesories that today’s home owners want.
If you have seen the beauty a roof weather vane can offer to your home you may have thought about putting one on your own. But then came the problem how do you do it? It's not like rigging up a bunch of holiday lights, there's a heck of a lot of more work involved to putting roof weather vanes in place. But it's not out of the question.
Here are three ways to install roof weather vanes.
1. Copulas - If you want the full look of copulas and roof weather vanes you will need to first decide on the copula you want on top of your home. Many copulas can either be mounted to the top of your roof (to one of the joists) or attached to a board just above the roof. The important thing is to make sure this part is well mounted as it will be the piece responsible for holding everything in place.
2. Roof Mount – If you don't want the expense or work involved in adding a copula to your house, you may want to try this form of attaching roof weather vanes to your home. A roof mount will use a 'V' shaped bracket that will sit on your roof and be screwed into an anchor point. It's important to make sure this is installed right, so your weather vane will operate properly. Before you fasten it down, put the weather vane in it and check to see if it's level. Off-level roof weather vanes don't work properly. A lot of people like to eyeball this, but it's much smarter to use a real level to make sure. Better to do it once than have to keep climbing back up on the roof to make readjustments.
3. Side Mount – Don't want to play on the roof too much. This attachment will let you set up roof weather vanes while just on a ladder along the side of the house. A side mount attaches to the end caps of your house where the eaves meet. An L-shaped tube comes from a plate that is fastened to the house and you can install the roof weather vanes inside that bracket. Instead of being able to put the roof weather vanes in the middle of your roof, they will be relegated to the side of the house, but that also can make them more visible from the ground. This is especially true if you have a two-story or taller house where it's harder to see what's on the roof.
One final consideration in selecting roof weather vanes is to select one that matches your house and the roof in size. If you have a large home or a very tall house, you are going to need to look at larger roof weather vanes to avoid them looking too dinky on the top of the house. It may look great up close, but you need to think of how far away you will be when you're seeing it. Measure the size of the weather vane and stand at least 20-30 feet away to get an idea how it will look when you have it installed.
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It can cause the floorboards to become weak and warp. If your ceiling gets water damage to it, you will see a change in it like bowing and cracking. If there is bowing or cracking, you will have to replace the ceiling or parts of it depending on how big of an area the water damage has set into. Water damage can cause cave-ins or pieces of the ceiling to fall down everywhere. A leak can cost you hundreds of dollars in damages. You will know if you have a leaky roof because when it rains, water will be dripping down from it, and you can get a small flood in your house from it.
If it is not cleaned up, it can soak in the walls and in the cracks of the counter or the sinks, which can cause you an even bigger problem for your home and your health. It can make it dangerous for your family to live in because it can cause illnesses, sickness, and breathing problems like shortness of breath or asthma. When you have a leaky ceiling, the more it rains the more water will come through the ceiling and the more damage there will be. When you replace your ceiling, you might have to fix or replace the roof as well because it can happen again.
If you don't fix the roof, you will be wasting your money on the ceiling because you will have to replace it over and over due to the roof dripping water on it. Also the damage can be worse every time it happens because the damage has already set in, and it can rot the wood above the ceiling. When you own your own house, you need to have insurance for water damage and mold damage so if this should happen, you will be covered. But all homeowner's insurances are different so you have to make sure what you are covered for and if it covers all kinds of those damages.
About the Author
Aydan Corkern is a writer of many topics, visit some of her sites, like water damage baltimore and water damage miami.
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There are even more incentives now to convert your roof to metal, as the US Government is now offering tax credits to home owners who replace their roof with approved metal roofing material during 2009. Those who qualify can get back 10% of the cost of their roof in tax credits, to a maximum of $500. Be sure to ask your Absolute Steel representative which metal roofs qualify as Energy Star!
With a metal roof the heat from the sun is reflected, as opposed to dark asphalt shingles which absorb heat and then release it after the sun goes down. Energy Star roofing has an extra-reflective coating which makes it more energy efficient than regular metal roofing. With an Energy Star roof homeowner’s can expect to save up to 40% in their cooling costs.
When considering a change to metal roofing you also want to take into account the climate in which you live. A hotter climate means that you will want to ensure your metal roofing material is pre-painted or granular coated to ensure maximum heat reflection.
Installing a metal roof can help your home with a number of issues besides cooling costs. Increasing the energy efficiency in your home can also help with moisture on window panes, peeling paint and mold. Additionally, there is much less maintenance required on a metal roof than asphalt shingle roof, so you will spend much less time and money taking care of it.
If you currently have a large air conditioner you can save money by downgrading to a smaller model once your roof is installed as you won’t need as much cooling power as before. The fact that a metal roof keeps a more constant temperature means that your roof will last longer due to a reduction in thermal shock (cool rain hitting hot roof) which cuts down on stress and degradation on the roof.
Besides the money saving reasons, there is an important environmental reason why you should consider an Energy Star metal roof. In large urban areas there are now many occurrences of hot zones, where the dark asphalt roofs on homes are absorbing heat and release it back into the atmosphere at night. This phenomenon causes the temperature to be as many as 12 degrees higher than surrounding areas, causing increased smog and poor air quality. A metal roof can reduce this problem and make the air around you easier to breathe.
Whether you are environmental or just like to save money, an Energy Star approved metal roof can help you achieve both these tasks, and will help your home stay cooler in the summer months. At the same time you are reducing your fossil fuel consumption by using less energy to cool your home.
About the Author
Visit http://www.metalroofingsource.com to learn more on the Installation of Metal Roofing.
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While upfront you may pay slightly more for a metal roof over shake or shingle, the benefits of a metal roof far outweigh the difference. For one, your metal roof will last a lot longer than these other materials, so you are saving yourself from paying for a new roof over the next 40-50 years. Some appraisers are even adding about $1.25 per square foot to the appraised price of the home if it has a metal roof on it!
Since a metal roof will reflect heat in the summer there are additional savings when it gets hot. Metal roofs allow your home to stay cooler in hot weather, which can save you up to 40% in cooling costs. There is also little maintenance involved to keep a metal roof, so you won’t have to pay someone to come to your home and make repairs.
A metal roof is lightweight, and it will not crack, bend or warp like other building materials. Over many years your metal roof will stay looking great, while your neighbor’s asphalt roof begins to grow moss and crack around the edges. You can get a metal roof in nearly any color you like, and if you don’t like the standard sheet-type metal roof then try looking at the new types of patterns that are made to look like tiles or shingles.
If you live in an area where you get high winds, then a metal roof will save you money here as well. Metal roofs can withstand up to 120mph winds, so after a big storm you won’t be picking pieces of your roof out of the trees around your home. You can sit on the porch instead and watch everyone else repair their roofs.
Installing a metal roof also costs less. Normally a metal roof can be added to the home without removing the previous roofing material which will save on the cost of disposal and the time to take it off. One or two people can install the roof, and it doesn’t have to be done by a professional. As long as you can follow the instructions that come with the roofing material you should be fine.
Since metal roofing weighs less than shake or shingle, you will pay less to have it shipped to your home, and there will be little to no waste produced as the sheets should exactly fit your home. Once completed you will have a lovely new roof that will likely last longer than the time you will spend living in your home.
Metal roofs provide a great many advantages over shake and shingle roofs, so when it comes time for your home to get a facelift take a look at a metal roof and decide for yourself whether it suits your home and your budget.
About the Author
Visit http://www.metalroofingsource.com to learn more on the money-saving Benefits of Metal Roofing.
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You probably know that roofing slope is the amount of incline in a roof surface. It is usually expressed as a ratio of "rise over run". For example, a 5:12 slope rises 5 vertical inches for every 12 horizontal inches. It is easily determined with a level and measuring tape.
What you may not know is that roofing slope is the most important (yet frequently ignored) factor in making a roof safe, functional and affordable. Here are ten factors to consider...
1. Safety. Neither you, nor the workers you hire should have to risk life and limb to work on your roof. The steeper the roof, the more hazardous it is.
2. Degree of Difficulty. Your roof should be relatively simple to work on. I'm not saying it should be easy, but it shouldn't require scaffolding, mechanical lifts or mountain-climbing equipment.
3. Drainage. Your roof should not pond water as dead-flat roofs do. Ponding causes leaks and premature roof failure. Building codes, warranties and good roofing practice all require positive drainage. Tapered systems can correct slope deficiency, but they are labor-intensive and pricey.
4. Do-it-Yourself Friendly. If you desire (or finances dictate) that you do the roofing work yourself, your roof should accommodate you. Roofing slope that is too low or too steep are both troublesome for the handyman.
5. Curb-appeal. Roofs that are too steep tend to make a home look top-heavy. (Except for A-frames, which look great!) Roofs that are too low tend to make a home look boxy or bottom-heavy. Many manufactured homes have this problem.
6. Quantity of Material Required. The steeper the roof, the more framing, sheathing and roofing needed. For example a roof with a 12:12 slope uses 30% more material than a 5:12 slope.
7. Quantity of Labor Required. The steeper the roof, the more labor required. Not only is there more material to be installed, but it is much slower working on a steep roofing slope. A 12:12 can take twice as long per square to shingle as a 5:12. A near-vertical mansard can take four times as long.
8. Compatibility. Roofing systems are designed to function properly within a certain range of slope. Violating these requirements invites roof failure, and can void your warranty.
9. Special Requirements. Some systems require special considerations for marginal applications. Asphalt shingles for example, may require a two-ply underlayment on roofs less than 4:12.
10. Contractor Interest. The best roofers (which are the only kind you want) often have all the work they can handle. They can afford to pass on dangerous jobs. They don't want to risk injuries on steep roofs if they don't have to. If they bid a steep roof at all, you can expect high prices, because they probably don't really want the job.
For information on the optimal roofing slope, check out Chapter One of "Roofing Secrets: How to Avoid Leaks and Save thousands of Dollars!" by John C Bishop.
For details, go to: http://www.roofingsecrets.com
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=John_C._Bishop
The dictionary definition of a gambrel roof is a two sided roof which has a double slope on each side. The lower slope of the roof will have a steeper pitch than the higher slope, making the gambrel roof one of the most beautiful and most dramatic accents for virtually any type of home.
Of course it is vital to shop around when you are shopping for a new roof or a replacement roof, whether that new roof is to be a gambrel roof, a gable roof or any other type of popular roofing style. For those building a new home, it is important to shop around carefully, and to read as many home, building and architectural magazines as you can. Reading as widely as possible is the best way to get a great feel for the various styles of roofs on the market.
Whether you end up deciding that a gambrel roof is the perfect choice for your home, or you decide to choose another style, it is important to shop around for the best quality and value in roofing materials. Those building or remodeling a house have a great many choices, from tile roofs, concrete roofing, metal roofing, rubber roofing, wood shingles and traditional shingles. It is important to consider the advantages and the disadvantages of each type of roofing material, and to choose the type of roofing that represents the best combination of quality and value.
The price of the roof you install is of course an important consideration, but the final decision should not be based solely on the cost of the roof. The quality of the roof is of course the most important consideration, and a roof that will need to be replaced after only a few years will not be a bargain in the long run. It is essential to consider the reputation of the manufacturer, the warranty period and the skill of the roofing contractor, no matter what style of roof you decide to buy.
There is no doubt that a gambrel roof can be a fantastic choice for the new homeowner, or for the home remodeled. Remodeling a home is a great way to enhance its value, and adding a beautiful and dramatic roof is one of those rare home improvement projects that can actually pay for itself through the increased value and livability of the home.
About The Author:
Alphonso has been working in the home remodeling industry for last 5 years. Take advantage of his experience and written material on roofing ideas at his website at http://www.improve-home.com
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Sealers really are nothing more than a clear finish that has been altered to make it perform differently. What is added, or removed, from the finish determines what the sealer is and what it does. Primer, which is the sealer used with paints and pigmented lacquer, is basically paint or lacquer, that has an increased amount of pigment.
Roof Sealing
The sealant can be used for installation and maintenance of a roof made of shaped boarding or roof tile:
- in places of isolation joints between open-ended exit points and roof sheets;
- under ridgy planks and joints of a tent shape roof;
- under a snow shield on a roof;
- when installing the furring;
- at lap seams;
- at trough joints;
- at a joint of a trough and a drainpipe;
- at a trough end;
Sealers are capable of doing a lot more than simply stopping up the pores of cracks in any surface. They can be used as a barrier coats to seal in surface impurities like dirt, wax, silicon and natural oils and preventing them from leaking out of wood and through the finish. Sealers can act as bonding agents between two materials that may not normally adhere to one another.
Roof Sealers are bright white, reflective, elastomeric roofing solutions for roofs that are not yet ready to be torn off and are capable of being restored back to their original quality. EPDM, Modified Bitumen, Metal Roofs, Single-Ply, Polyurethane Foam, Smooth Built Up, or even Gravel Built-Up, we have a roof coating that can repair and restore your roof. Our roof coatings can even repair metal roofs to good as new condition.
Once water finds it's way in through the gap and under the roof sealing material it works it's way downwards and can be the cause of water leaks inside a building. The water causes further condensation which is unseen and causes the steel sheeting to corrode.
Elastomeric Roof Sealants
Elastomeric roof coating is a 100% acrylic, highly elastomeric, titanium fortified roof coating formulated to provide a high solids rubber-like membrane. Designed specifically for use on metal, polyurethane foam, EPDM, APP, masonry, asphalt and wood surfaces, this elastomeric roof coating product forms a highly reflective barrier resulting in significant energy savings! Dries bright white.
Boots, gloves, diving suits etc, have proven that rubber is the first impervious product that is totally waterproof. EPDM flexes and resists temperature changes, is totally resistant to atmospheric pollution, unaffected by UV light or ozone and extremely robust to puncture. Unlike bituminous substances it does not crack, peel or become brittle with age, which has been proven with its use in sub zero temperatures in the These facts make EPDM rubber flat roof membranes the best installing flat roof sealant to fix a flat roof structure. Ideal for flat roof contractors or do it yourself flat roof home restoration.
High-strength elastic roofing and sealing material consisting of at least one bonded fabric layer of organic material, optionally at least one further bonded fabric or bonded-fabric material layer of inorganic material, and a coating of bitumen on both sides, where the bonded fabric layer(s) is (are) impregnated with the bitumen, and where the bonded fabric of organic material has a certain area weight and a certain residual deformation after previous elongation. The bitumen coating optionally can be made elastic by the addition of modifiers with sufficiently low glass conversion points.
Other Roof Sealants
A number of other materials are used to provide an air barrier at different locations in the house. These include specialty gaskets and tapes, as well as sheet materials such as polyethylene, spun-bonded olefin, rigid insulation, drywall, plywood and sheet metal. Installation techniques are critical when using sheet materials as an air barrier. All edges, seams and penetrations in the sheets must be sealed.
Tips on Sealing Some of the Leakiest Areas
If you notice a draft through an outside wall electrical outlet, it must be sealed. (Some inside wall outlets can also provide leakage paths, so check them as well.) Turn off the power to the outlet by turning off the circuit breaker or removing the fuse. Check to make sure the power is disconnected by turning on a lamp.
You will obtain a better seal if you caulk the gasket before installation. Place child safety plugs in seldom-used outlets. Some foam pads come with a gasket that fits on the safety plug.
If you are installing an electrical outlet during a renovation, get a good seal by placing it in a special plastic box that is available from many hardware or electrical supply stores. Caulk the penetration for the wire, and seal the new air and vapour barrier to the edge of the box.
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Liquid Roof Coatings Liquid Roof
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If you're looking for flat roof repair information, you've come to the right place. The procedure varies with the type of roofing system, but here are the steps for the most common type where I live.
It is called "modified bitumen" (pronounced buy-TOO-men) and consists of a tough mat embedded in a special asphalt formula that includes elastic additives. That allows the material to expand and contract with temperature changes. The surface is covered with ceramic granules to provide solar protection.
Modified bitumen or "modified" as it is usually called, is especially popular on small residential jobs. That's because it doesn't require a hot asphalt kettle along with the inherent safety hazards and obnoxious fumes.
Modified can be installed several different ways, but one of the most common methods is with a propane torch. That is also the technique responsible for most of the leak problems with this system when the seams are not heated properly. If you overheat the material, too much asphalt flows away from the seam. Not enough heat results in cold seams that are not completely bonded. Either case creates seams that are vulnerable to water intrusion. If the roof ponds water and the roofer didn't install a protective mid-ply, leaks are nearly inevitable.
Fortunately, this is a fairly simple flat roof repair. You will need these materials:
Flashing cement. Be sure to get the MB (modified bitumen) variety, as the standard type is not 100% compatible.
Membrane. Either 4" or 6" is fine, but be sure to get fiberglass rather than cotton, as it lasts a lot longer.
Granules. For a small repair, you might find enough loose ones on the roof or in the gutter to reuse.
Start by CAREFULLY probing the seams with a small pen knife, looking for voids. Ideally, the seams should have about ½" of asphalt bleed-out. Any areas that don't are suspect.
The seams need to be both clean and dry to get a good flat roof repair. Spread a thin layer of flashing cement directly over the problem area, slightly wider than your membrane. Test the bond you are making by "tapping" the cement with your trowel. If it comes up, leaving bare patches of modified, the surface is still too wet or too dirty.
Next, keeping the membrane taunt, set it in the thin bed of flashing cement. Work it in with your trowel until the membrane is embedded tightly.
Then spread another layer of flashing cement over the membrane. Again, you don't need a lot. Just enough to cover the scrim is sufficient.
To complete your flat roof repair, broadcast granules into the fresh cement. That will dress up the repair and protect it from the sun.
For more flat roof repair tips, check out "Roofing Secrets: How to Avoid Leaks and Save thousands of Dollars!" by John C Bishop. The title of Chapter Four is "How to Fix (almost) any Leak for Under $20."
For details, go to: http://www.roofingsecrets.com
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Modern roofs are much more than coverings to keep out the elements; they are an investment and can be a costly expense if not well cared for. Roofs of the past let hot summer air and the winter cold into the uppermost regions of a facility or private home. As facility managers looks for ways to reduce overhead and maintenance costs, roofing is becoming a focal point for those who need to manage the health of their buildings as well as their energy costs.
Choose the Material for your Climate
There has been a marked increase in roofing manufacturers since 1970 till now there are about 500. New energy efficient roofs have taken the place of the old chemically based sheets of shingles. Not only do they save energy but they last anywhere from ten to forty years longer than their predecessors. With proper maintenance a new, energy efficient roof can protect a business for up to fifty years!
Not only do you have a wide variety of materials to choose from, there are many different roofing materials to serve different needs. Those in climates with long, hot summers might want to choose a new tile roof that draws hot air in at the eave level and expels it at the ridge, using hot air's natural cycle of rising to keep the building cool. Chemical roofs were once the norm but now roofs are more complex-cool roofs, metal roofs, even green roofs are becoming more common. Cool metal roofing would be more efficient for tropical climates and save up to forty percent on energy costs. Old asphalt roofs trapped heat whereas metal reflects it. These cool metal roofs can also reduce the temperature of a neighborhood by about twelve degrees!
How Modern Roofing Works
A roof that keeps hot air away from the building can save thousands on indoor climate control. The temperatures on a roof can reach 150-190 degrees and new energy saving materials can keep that heat away from the interior of the building. During the replacement cycle that all roofs have, replacing old school roofing with new energy saving materials and extras can save a significant amount of money. By keeping the hot air moving away from the roof, the air conditioning unit doesn't have to work as hard, extending its life and saving on maintenance costs.
Extras Will Save More than they Cost
Extras that can be added onto an existing roof, such as sky lights and vents, can also extend the life of a building. Tinted skylights will reflect harmful UV rays while making use of natural lighting while un-tinted skylights can allow in the warmth of the winter sun. Many facility managers are staggering both types of skylights and adding interior shields in order to take advantage of natural light in all seasons and solar warmth during the cold season.
Regular inspections, especially before or after severe weather incidents will extend the life of your roof while the cost of such inspections are actually investments in your roof's longevity and efficiency. Inspections can catch a few loose shingles or tiles before they turn into costly repairs.
Rialto Management Corp. manages properties in New York city. For more information about NYC building management or New York City building management please visit their website.
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The primary function of a roof is to provide protection from all the elements in any climate. The slope and rigidness of roof is used for shedding water and bearing any extra burden on it. But the types of roofs used on homes are nearly countless. They can be categorized by color, design, material and constricting structure. By design of construction roofs are of many types like hib, gable, shed and leon-to, etc. The types of roofs by shape used on homes are nearly endless. But mostly all these are traditional designs for roofs. Different designs for roofs are currently introduced by design professionals. They faced with opportunities to improve on existing building construction in the form of roof replacement and masonry restoration. Now, it is the duty of design professionals that how they can manage this opportunity to achieve sustainable design solutions.
But a great problem with the roofs after their construction is leakage, roofs require periodic repairing process. Repair process very widely depends upon the metal of roof. There are many resources on how to find and recover the leakage problem but most of the time, homeowners locate and face the same problem with them. So it is very necessary to repair the leaking roofs. But how we can solve and minimize this problem? Some times it is due to the use of construction material that is used in roofs. There are different materials are used for roof repairing that generate different results. Natural products like wood, iron, glass, LP gas are used as very important elements of construction material with some other products. For this purpose, there are many products like liquid rubber and roof leaks repair, very frequently used by the builders for construction. But it increases the expenditures and applying cost for building or repairing a house.
Every fiscal year marks inflation and the prices of having long term usage products changed in up direction. That’s why the prices of roofing material gradually increased with the passage of time. During 1997 the review of construction shows that near about $40 million spent for roof repair but cost included extensive amount of work and in 2002 great increments in prices is recorded. With proper maintenance and coating, a low slope roof can last significantly longer than its expected or predicted life. This will reduce the cost of the roof and reduce demand for raw materials like liquid roof, EPDM, EPDM coatings and liquid rubber, precious energy and other relevant roof repair resources. Liquid roof coatings can truly make "Sustainable Roofing" a reality and object of achieving sustainable improvements of the projects will be presented.
Roof Coatings are known as the price reducing techniques in roof repairing field. They surely minimize the actual cost and expenditures of roof repairing. Because it is a long term facility, that prevents the roof from leakage and damage after applying. Whenever you replace a previously snow or rain damaged roof, you must contact with the experienced person of this field. Because they are already aware from all these problems better than you and can solve this problem by applying liquid roof repair or liquid rubber in better way. That will give you satisfactory results in future and prevents from more expenditure for roof repairing.
But the sustainability of a building construction is mainly related to the use of the different materials in building components. The performance of those specific components may be different or same. Many builders’ experience points out that the weakest link is the interface between those various components of the building. For this purpose we need clear-cut criteria and methodologies to achieve the maximum perfect results of our objects in the field of construction. Many comparative analysis and standard test methods can help us to get the long term results.
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Liquid Rubber
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There are different types of roof problems, and it is best to be aware of them so you can avoid shortening the life span of the roof. Some typical roof problems are:
Not enough maintenance done. Failing to fix minor roof problems can lead to a bigger problems later on. Structural damage caused by any physical contact can also lead to more problems later on.
Climate and Weather. Extreme weather (hail, ice, snow, scorching heat) can expedite the deterioration of a roof. Strong winds can, of course, damage the roof as well.
Industrially polluted or salty air (as near the sea) and other atmospheric contaminants are also contributing factors.
Wrong design. A faulty design can lead to early problems. A weak or improperly attached roof can also collapse from weight.
Flashing problems. Flashings are used to make the roof watertight. Improper installation and weak flashing can make the roof leak and by the time it is discovered, water damage maybe extensive.
* How do I know if I need a new roof if I don't see any leaks?
Leaks are not the only reason for replacing a roof. Furthermore, if you wait until you begin seeing leaks, you may end up with more damage and a bigger problem than you had hoped. So, check your roof regularly for the following:
- Age of roof - Depending on the kind of roofing, a roof can last up to 20 years. If your roof is 15 years old, you should be watching for signs of needing repair.
- Missing or torn shingles - Damaged shingles expose the roof to water damage and rot. They also make it so that other shingles may be blown away in the wind. Old shingles may curl, split and lose their waterproofing effectiveness. These weakened shingles are more likely to be blown away by wind gusts.
- Rusted or missing flashing - Flashing is the metal that surrounds chimneys, skylights and vent pipes. It is also often found in the valleys of the roof where the roof sections meet. If it is rusted, damaged or missing, it could cause leaks.
- Gutters - Check gutters, downspouts and splash pans for damage or decay. Look for broken pieces of paint and scraps of roofing. This may be a sign that your roof needs some attention.
- Inside Walls - Watch for discolored plasterboard or cracked paint and peeling wallpaper indoors. This could be a sign of a leaky roof.
* What kind of preventive maintenance should I do for my roof?
Since roofs are constantly exposed to the elements, most roof damage results from weather and pollutants in the atmosphere. To save yourself big repair costs or even having to replace your roof before its time, you should perform a general inspection on your roof at least twice a year, checking for mildew, mold, rust, trapped water, and possible damage, and make minor repairs if necessary. That is the best preventive maintenance you can do.
Also, be sure to keep your roof clean. Remove any debris that may accumulate on it and clean out the roof gutters regularly. Also, repair any weather damage as soon as it occurs.
About The Author
http://www.articlecity.com/
It is important to realize that the roof is determined as an armament of a house and thus replacing your roof could be expensive and difficult. When you need to replace your roof, contacting a roofing company providing residential and commercial roofing services would be the right option for you. However, the introduction of online media has made it easy for you to search for a cheap and competent roof contractor who can handle the project with ease. Initially, he has to inspect your roof thoroughly and determine the kind of roof to be replaced by keeping in mind the specifications of the roof that is to be removed. The online contractor will offer you the coziness what you exactly got from the previous roof.
The best course of action is to replace your roof when you find some signs of roof problems, like cracked or missing shingles, peeling wallpaper, or loose seams. It is important for every homeowner to perform roof replacement after two decades or so if he or she wants a roof that can last long and withstand harsh weather and situations. However, online roofing service is like the icing on the cake as it is cost-effective and save your money while providing longevity to your roof.
What are you looking for? Visit a roofing company online and select a competent contractor to replace the roof of your home. Surely, you will get the best roof replacement solution at competitive prices that will keep your home safe and strong.
About the Author
Roof101 offers professional roofing contractors, each specializing in different roofing aspects, including allRoof Replacement and roof installation types. We offer a wide variety of Roof Installation services for both flat and sloped roofs.
Article Directory: http://www.articlerich.com
But if you have roof windows or skylights, it is much harder to work out what type of blind to order and how to find what you are looking for at the right price.
To start with, how do I find out what make my roof window is, and how do I calculate the size?
Consider these issues:
A roof window or skylight blind will not “hang” like a blind on a vertical window. This means that the blind has to be constrained either by siderails, wires, or by tension
A “normal” vertical window is placed on the inside of the window and is generally placed over the outer dimensions of the window frame. Normal windows open outwards and are usually hinged at the side or at the top (or are sliding sash windows) so they hardly ever interfere with the screening products behind them. Most roof window / skylights are pivoted in the middle, so you cannot use the same criteria. The blinds for these windows have to sit inside the opening sash to allow them to be opened at will.
Many of the options open to you in terms of curtain fabrics will not be open to you with roof windows / skylights, because it is a niche market and is not worth the bigger producers’ time in producing for them.
What type of blinds are available for roof windows and skylights?
There are typically 5 types of blind available for roof windows on the market today.
Blackout blinds
As the title suggests, these blinds will shut out 100% of the daylight, some of the noise (i.e. traffic, rain) and some of the heat. They are typically made to fit a specific window and come in a cartridge format, with aluminium side rails. You should be able to move the blackout blind into any position and it stay there on a decent blind.
TIP! Don’t buy a blind with plastic side rails, the (higher) heat that comes through a roof window will surely buckle it and discolour it.
These are by far the biggest selling roof window blinds in the marketplace.
Pleated Blinds (also called Plissé Blinds)
Pleated blinds are fabric blinds that are formed into folded (concertina style) pleats and which run on a string or wire. Because they work on the same principle as they do in vertical windows, these are commonly made for roof windows by small producers quite cheaply. But beware, because their flimsy construction and typically low quality cloths tend to lead to short lifetimes.
Roller Blinds
Roller blinds are definitely the cheapest of all the blinds for roof windows and skylights. Made very simply around a spring loaded barrel, these blinds rely on the tension of the barrel to stay tight inside the window.
They are typically held into place in the window by either wooden lists (side pieces) or by nailed in pegs/clips which secure the blind in typically 3 static positions.
Venetian Blinds
Good venetian blinds in roof windows are hard to come by, as they have to either run within a track or on a wire to function properly. Go for aluminium slats and definitely not plastic, for the roof window is typically subject to a lot more heat.
You should also be able to position the blind in any position and still manipulate the angle of the slat. Avoid a venetian blind which has a hanging down pole to adjust the slat angle – they just look stupid!
Awning Blinds
Awning blinds are very different, in that they sit outside the window and stop the heat/light/rain before it hits the window.
Generally available in a dark black mesh, they reduce the amount of heat hitting the window far more than any other blind, and are especially good where intense sunlight will overheat your attic room. Intense daylight can also discolour your carpet or flooring, so these are well worth considering in addition to any plans you may have for your blinds.
Where can I get my blinds from?
Well firstly you should consider that the purchase process for blinds for roof windows and skylights is unlike the process for buying vertical blinds, in that in general it is unnecessary to buy blinds and cut them to size or to have them made specially. This means they are an ideal internet purchase!
If you go to the local blind store and don’t have the make, size and type of your roof window you almost certainly will have to come home and find it, so be prepared!!
Here is a quick link to a good reference for how to find your window type and size – http://www.itzala.net/gb/shop/!cipc4.shop?cLnk=50114. There you can also see some easy installation guides which also apply to the leading brand manufacturers windows.
How much should I pay?
Well I guess the old adage “how long is a piece of string?” applies, but you should know that the major manufacturers charge top dollar, but they discount to resellers so you have to hunt around for the one giving the most discount (often on Ebay).
There are a few smaller manufacturers making blinds for the leading brands, but make sure you pick one with a well featured website with security that you can definitely trust.
In terms of colours, you will get most choice from the brand leading window manufacturer, but it appears that even with a wide range of choices, most of us prefer to have dark blue, beige or white blinds (I know I do…) so they are the ones you will get the cheapest.
Recommended site links
http://www.itzala.net - low cost but good quality supplier
http://www.contrio.net - supplier to the trade
http://www.velux.com/shop - the market leading brand
Questions? Contact mc@itzala.net
http://www.articlecity.com/
Everyone knows that roof stains are ugly, and detract from the value of your home. We know the stains allow heat to build up in the house, causing the airconditioner to run longer, making energy bills higher.
But, now, the insurance industry is concerned about the appearance of your roof!!
Your insurance company can inspect your home anytime, and frequently it is a driveby inspection. Condition of home is noted, how well painted, chipping paint AND ROOF CONDITION!
YES, Roof Condition.
Insurance Inspectors note the condition of the roof, and report it back to the insurance company who will may require that your clean the roof, or threaten cancellation of your policy! Of course, if they cancel you, the next insurance company may not insure your home for the same reason.
BUT WHY?
Insurance companies actions confirm for us that they believe roof stains will lead to further problems with the roof integrity, roof mold, and the eventual movement of that mold inside the home. All of these items are 'risks' for the insurance company, because they may result in a claim against the policy.
What to do? Clean your roof before an inspector sees it!
Home inspections can occur at any time, however the most frequent triggers include:
A Clean Roof makes contributes to neighborhood values, and good health.
Protect your family, roof, and insurance policy by including a Cleaner TODAY roof cleaner as part of annual maintenance.
You and your insurance company will appreciate it!
Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/home-and-family-articles/roof-stains-cause-insurance-policy-problems-48608.html
If you're looking for "installing roof" information, you've come to the right place. The first thing to determine is: When does it make sense to do it yourself... and when could it be a big mistake? There are two important factors for your consideration...
Installing Roof Yourself? - Factor #1: Safety
Some projects are inherently more dangerous than others. The main risk factors are the slope, the height and the condition of the roof surface. Slopes up to 6:12 are relatively easy to walk on and work on. Anything above that is increasingly difficult to do safely.
One-story roofs are safer than those that are two stories or more. And roof surfaces which are solid and offer sure footing, are much safer than rotted roof decks and slippery roofing. Asphalt shingles are usually pretty safe to walk on compared to metal, tile or wood shakes.
Be especially wary if your roof has multiple risk factors. For example, if your roof is steep, slippery and two or three stories high, it could be a big mistake trying to roof it yourself. Any money you save, will quickly evaporate if you end up in the hospital and unable to work for months due to an injury.
Installing Roof Yourself? - Factor #2: Complexity
A simple hip or gable roof with a few pipes and vents is a project many homeowners could handle. But a complicated design with numerous valleys, skylights, chimneys and other fussy flashing details is much more challenging for a do-it-yourselfer. Even pros who do this work every day have trouble getting these things right.
But if you take the time to learn the details, there's no reason you can't do a good job. What you lack in experience, you can more than make up for in dedication to the task at hand.
If you're going to do-it-yourself, there's a lot more "installing roof" information you need to know. To make the job easier and help you avoid big mistakes, go to: http://www.roofingsecrets.com
John C Bishop is the author of "Roofing Secrets: How to Avoid Leaks and Save Thousands of Dollars!"
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=John_C._Bishop
When you are laying down metal on top of a house, what are you doing? Or how about laying shingles down on top of a house? You are taking more time letting the sunbeam down on your sweaty back than you would be with putting foam roof insulation on the roof.
When you use metal for your room chances are the sun is beaming down on top of it which in terms makes it more hot in your house and even more harder to cool it down, this could make your electricity sky rocket in price. If you are considering saving money, in the long run you will be saving money with foam roof insulation because this will help your house from getting too hot.
Have you heard of or had the problem with a couple of months after a shingled roof was installed it starter leaking? With foam room insulation it can last a long time before it start leaking. Foam roof insulation has a long lifetime of about fifty years or more to it before you will have to replace it again. If your foam roof insulation does start to leak, then it will be easy for you to find the leak and fix it on your foam room insulation, because you will always see the water.
Foam roof insulation will take no time to install, all you do Is use a certain type of gun that heats up the former then you put it on your roof. If you have the time and money put on a foam room it is highly recommended because you will end up saving money in the long run, not just on the roof but on your monthly electric bill that you have to pay as well. When you do get a foam room insulation put onto your house you will not regret it.
Written by Antony Scher. Find the latest information on Roof Bond as well as Roof Insulation.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Antony_Scher
