Posts Tagged ‘Winter’

30 year roofing vs 30 year impact resistant roofing

Thirty years is the general life expectancy of a shingle, however the “30 year” name does not guarantee that they will last thirty years. 30 years is the life expectancy in ideal climates and conditions. Climates with high temperature shifts or a lot of sun have a lower life expectancy than climates with steady temperatures and a bit more shade. Generally the life of a 30 year shingle is around 15-20 years, for no climate is exactly what is needed to get the full 30 years. 30 year shingles often have warranties attached to them and depending on the company the warranties vary from 5 years to 20 years. 30 year impact resistant shingles vary in strength from class 1 to class 4. The type of class determines the material and the resistance of the shingle. Generally class 4 is the highest level of protection making the shingle less susceptible to hail damage or damage from other storms or weather debris. 30 year impact resistant shingles are beneficial in climates that receive a lot of storms such as hail. However the price difference between standard 30 year roofing and impact resistant 30 year roofing is substantial. On roof shingles, there are small rocks that can be knocked out of place in the case of a storm. If the stones are knocked out of place, the shingle becomes more susceptible to damage regardless if they are impact resistant or not. So the question being 30 year impact resistant roofing vs 30 year standard roofing roofing, which is worth it? The answer depends on the climate you live in, depending on the amount of hail or wind you get spending the extra money on a shingle that may get shredded or ripped off within a couple of years may not be worth it. In some climates where the weather is fairly mild with occasional storms impact resistant roofing may be a viable option for your home.

What siding is best for your climate?

Each siding type has its pros and cons, finding the perfect siding is a rewarding process. To determine what siding is best depends a lot on the geographic location of the home. Each region of the US has completely different weather patterns and you can’t always use the pretty siding that your friend has in California when you live in Colorado. It is important that each area has the proper choice for the weather patterns. Matching the architecture of the area is also important and siding can aid that process quite a bit.

Vinyl siding is the least expensive of all siding types and comes in many colors and styles which is a selling point to most homeowners. Although it is a great product, vinyl siding is not as durable as some other metal sidings, so after large storms they have to be maintained. Vinyl siding is a lovely choice for places that are generally stable in weather, for they work well in hot or colder climates.

Stucco siding is generally found in places with dry climates. Because of the material, the siding isn’t greatly affected by the heat. Generally stucco siding has a great lifespan when maintained properly. Arizona is a great example of a place with a lot of stucco siding. It matches the style of architecture and meets the needs of the climate. Similar to stucco siding, stone or brick siding is generally found in really hot locations for they cool off quickly and in turn keeps the interior of the building cool.

Wood siding is a very traditional choice for homes, and with regular upkeep they have a very long lifespan. They come in all types of grains and grades as well as size, color, and shape. They have a traditional and classic look that makes a home look classy and aged even if it is a new build. People tend to steer away from wood siding if they live in a very humid or rainy area because the siding can warp and change shape.

Steel siding is the most popular in tropical climates because it has the ability to withstand the harsh winds and pressures of monsoons or hurricanes. It has the durability to hold up well to snow storms as well, which for some geographical areas is a noticeable issue for homes.

Fiber cement siding is a popular choice on the coasts of the US, for they can stand up to the moisture and the salt water. It is very sturdy but flexible enough to not crack or chip so the maintenance is very low.

Insulating a garage… Is it worth it?

Is Insulating a Garage Worth the Cost?

Insulating a garage is a bit pricey and homeowners don’t love to spend the money to insulate a room where you park your car. Although most people don’t spend tons of time in their garage, insulating it has a significant effect. Especially in climates that are very cold such as Colorado winters. When temperatures reach into the negatives during the heart of winter, having an insulated home is important to homeowners. People spend lots of money heating their homes to make it comfortable and warm to live in.

Insulating the garage may not seem like much, but when the door opens and shuts the cold air comes in and makes the interior of the home colder. Often laundry and storage is in the garage, so having a cold garage makes wintertime chores miserable. Adding insulation also makes the rooms above and around the garage a little warmer. Generally the room directly above the garage is the coldest room in the house. So spending the money to insulate the garage can be justified by saving money on heating bills. Especially if the room above the garage is a bed room it may be beneficial to insulate it.

This also can benefit homeowners in the summer, because the AC bill will be lower, and the house will stay at a more comfortable temperature. If you spend a lot of time in your garage fixing cars, bikes, or playing games it may be worth insulating and heating your garage. It is usable recreation space that could be made comfortable with some minor fixes. If the garage is just the car’s home, still consider the positives of insulating and consider what rooms are around the garage that need to be warmed.

There was a major storm but my roof looks fine… Do I still need someone to look at it?

What To Do After There Was a Major Storm

It is always smart to have someone take a look at your home after there was a major storm, there may be more damage than you can see with the naked eye. Hail, snow, wind, and rain can all harm a roof in varying ways. Depending on the severity of the storm, it could do anything from remove shingles to knock some pieces loose or do nothing at all. Giving the wide range of potential damages, it is beneficial to have someone look at your home even if you can’t see any damages. Poor roofing can lead to cracks and leaks which is an expensive fix for a homeowner.

Storms especially hail can cause damage to the sealing strips. Homeowners can save money by having a professional look at their home after a storm because it is much easier to replace bits and pieces throughout the lifespan of the home than have to replace the whole thing because of some damages. Generally a roof lasts a certain amount of time based on the geographic area where the house is located. That lifespan ranging anywhere from 10-30+ years depending on the type of roofing you have. Being prompt with the roof repairs can make that life expectancy increase and the value of the home remain sound.

Benefits of vinyl windows

Most homeowners choose vinyl windows for their homes, and for a good reason too. Vinyl windows have tons of great benefits for the everyday home. Upgrading your homes windows shouldn’t cost a small fortune and with vinyl windows you can get the quality you want for a reasonable price. They come in almost any style, shape or size you could come up with. Vinyl windows have many other great features such as noise reduction, homeowner’s heating and cooling costs are lowered, and they are very low maintenance. Vinyl windows don’t require any painting or scraping so they are very convenient to the busy homeowner. Most cleaning can be done from inside the house, depending on the style of window you chose. Exterior maintenance is slim to none, and cleaning them is just as easy. Overall, the uses and benefits of vinyl windows makes them a top choice for homeowners.

What window is the best choice for the climate you live in

Windows: Best Choice for the Climate Based on Region

The US varies in climates and temperatures throughout so you have to pick a window that will stand up to certain weather patterns or heat waves and be the best choice for the climate you are in.

In the Northwest, windows are exposed to a lot of moisture so the materials need to be able to withstand the precipitation. Vinyl, composite, and wood-resin are the most common for this geographical location. Wood windows are generally not a good choice for the area, the moisture causes the wood to warp or penetrate the wood and cause it to deteriorate faster.

The Southwest is a sunny spot in the US, and windows are an important choice depending on the sun exposure. Based on the climate, most types of windows can be used. Sunlight is the biggest factor in that area, so it is important to have solar heat resistance on the panes of glass. Having cheap glass can cause negative effects on heating and cooling bills, for the sun is able to come through and heat up the home.

In the Midwest, a different factor to take into consideration would be wind and twisters. For that general reason, homeowners tend to favor insulated double hung windows and casement windows, for they generally hold up well to strong winds. The highest demand of windows in the northeast are double hung windows. Wood frames are a very common choice in the area for the timeless and traditional look.

In the Southeast, the biggest choice homeowners consider is the heat. Windows can be a great energy saver in locations that are greatly exposed to sunlight. Double pane windows with low-e glass are the most common choice. It reduces the amount of sun exposure so heating and cooling costs are lower. Depending on the area of the Southeast, homeowners need to worry about storms and hurricanes. Homeowners tend to choose aluminum windows based on the strength and durability to withstand tropic storms.

Whatever climate you live in, it is important to choose the correct style and material to highlight your home and endure the weather. Choose correctly and get the best choice for the climate you are in.

How to weatherproof your home for a Colorado winter

Colorado residents know how harsh winters can be and you are always told to plan ahead. That advice should be used for everything from storing canned food and emergency candles to weatherproofing the exterior of your home. Weatherproofing sounds like a daunting task, but there are many things you can do to help prevent damages to your home when a big storm hits. Having your roofing, siding, and windows in good repair before the winter kicks up is always beneficial, but there are some basic things you can do that only take a few minutes to check on.

Make sure to drain any exterior water hose spouts so they don’t freeze.
Blow out your sprinkler pipes.
Make sure your gutters are clear of debris, secure to the roof and in good repair.
Check that interior and exterior pipes are in good repair and are properly insulated.
Cover your air conditioning unit (optional, but prevents leaves and other debris from entering that could cause damage).
Service your heater and furnace.
Make sure your furnace filter is clean.
Check for loose tree branches around gutters, windows and house entrances.
Check the conditions of storm doors and windows as well as shutters.
Insulate your home to prevent cold air from entering.

These are all basic things that can make your winter less stressful, and help your spring to start off right. Taking these precautions before the weather gets cold can prevent busted pipes, tree damage, gutter damage, icy paths, and many other typical cold weather inconveniences and hazards.

Posts Tagged ‘Winter’

30 year roofing vs 30 year impact resistant roofing

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What siding is best for your climate?

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Insulating a garage… Is it worth it?

Is Insulating a Garage Worth the Cost?

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There was a major storm but my roof looks fine… Do I still need someone to look at it?

What To Do After There Was a Major Storm

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Benefits of vinyl windows

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What window is the best choice for the climate you live in

Windows: Best Choice for the Climate Based on Region

Read More...

How to weatherproof your home for a Colorado winter

Read More...

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