Wednesday, January 29, 2014

Creating A Nicer View Of Your Yard

Not everyone is able to report that the view outside of their living room window is amazing and beautiful. There may be times when you really do not like what you see when you look out your window. Yes, you have the option to leave your window closed but that really takes away from your freedom.

So, what can you do in order to create a nicer view?

Plant some flowers. If you have a favorite flower then you might want to find some of them at the local greenhouse. Take them to the location that you are struggling with and plant them. You will find that once you clean some things up and bring some color into the area you will be much happier.

Put flower boxes on your window and plant flowers in them. If you plant flowers that grow a little bit larger, they may help mask the view when you look outside of your window. They will also make your house look nicer from the outside as well.

Think about stained glass windows. You can select the style and design that you want so you know that you will always be happy with the end result. If you cannot afford to have real stained glass windows created by a manufacturer then you may be able to purchase do it yourself kits that can help you.

Purchase a window tinting kit. This can help decrease some of the heat that is coming into your home in the summer time as well. Just make sure that you are taking your time when you put it on the windows because you do not want to have air bubbles in it.

Creating a nicer view to your yard will also help you create curb appeal to your home. So not only will you enjoy your view more, but so will your neighbors. Not to mention that by adding the above features, you also increase the value of your home when it comes time to sell.

Tuesday, January 14, 2014

Cedar Shake Roofing Pros And Cons

There are many variations that can be found in cedar shingles such as: color, width, thickness or wood cut. Because of this no two shake roofs will ever look the same.

 Wood as residential roofing materials offers some energy benefits. It helps to insulate the attic while allowing the house to breathe by circulating the air under the small opening under the rows of felt where the shingles are laid.

 It is important to note, however, that a cedar shake roof does demand proper maintenance and repair . When the proper attention is not given to the roof it will simply not last. Here, mold, insects and rot can become problems. Old shake roofs cannot be recycled, thus making the overall life cycle of this type of roof quite costly.

 Shake roofs require much attention and care because the appearance must be properly maintained. Doing this requires regular cleaning. Also, most wood shake roofs are unrated by fire safety codes. Many use wipe or spray on fire retardants which offer minimal protection and only last a few years. Pressure treated shakes, however, include fire retardant substances in their materials and actually do meet national fire safety standards. This also extends the life of the roof.

 Cedar shingles are dwindling in popularity because of the fire risks associated with them. In spite of this, cedar shingles possess a royal look that other residential roofing materials do not.

 The installation of wood shingles is a more complicated process than installing composite shingles and the quality of the finished roof will depend greatly on the experience of the roofing contractor and caliber of shakes used. The best shakes come from the heartwood of large old cedar trees. Because of this, much care should be taken when shakes are selected due to the variance in quality from different shake mills.

 All in all, shake roofs can be quite beautiful and elegant in appearance. Though they do present some definite risks and require regular maintenance, they can be an option if you are searching for residential roofing materials with a unique look or if you just prefer cedar shingles. If you choose a type already treated with a fire retardant and are willing to put in the time it takes to properly care for this type of roof, cedar shingles may be the right choice for you and your home.

 The roof of your home doesn't just protect you from the outside weather. It makes a great impact on the look and feel of your home. The first thing to take into consideration when choosing a roofing company, is finding a contractor who is able to provide you with knowledge about the different options available to you. You need to be able to trust your contractor to provide you with information that will help you make the best choice far as looks, durability, and weather resistance goes.

 When Selecting your roofing company, make sure the installers are certified and have the proper knowledge for installing a roof. Too often homeowners are disappointed with the outcome of their home improvement project because they did not bother to make sure the installers of the company they choose are trained properly. The most reputable roofing contractors can provide you with proof of installation certification. Beware of those who are unable to provide you with proper certifications.

 Elite Roofing & Home Improvements, LLC provides detailed information about shingles, cedar shingles, fiberglass shingles and more. Elite Roofing & Home Improvements, LLC is affiliated with the National Roofing Contractors Association.