Energy Master

Understanding the Rising Costs of Asphalt Roofing

January 16, 2013
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No one can deny that asphalt-based shingles have gone up dramatically in price over the last decade and the reason is all tied to the cost of oil. Asphalt shingles are made from the sludge left over after refining crude oil into gasoline. When gas rose to prices topping $4 per gallon, refineries saw that…

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Screws, Nails, Spikes and Hangers – A Guide to Long Lasting Gutters

January 7, 2013
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When choosing a gutter company, homeowners should be sure to ask questions about how their gutters will be attached to their homes. You should understand that one size does not fit all. The climate you live in will help you decide whether you need screws for your gutters or whether nails or spikes will be…

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Downspout Gauge is as important as Gutter Gauge

January 3, 2013
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Downspouts are one of the major parts of their gutter project that homeowners neglect. Even those who do a fair amount of research rarely understand that there are differences in the gauge of their downspouts. Unfortunately, most contractors will neglect to inform their customers what gauge they are using because of thinner, inferior products. Some…

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Gutter Protection Ratings

November 15, 2012
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Doing research on a gutter protection system on the internet without understanding strengths and limitations is like asking someone if they like food that grows on trees. If the answer is yes, you will get something that has a good chance of being round, but that’s about it. The climate you live in should drive…

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Insulation Provides Low Cost Efficiency

November 14, 2012
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Any expert knows, insulation gives your home the biggest efficiency bang for the buck. Over the past few years, insulation standards have changed. In the northern zone, Energy Star now recommends that you have a full R-60 of insulation in your attic. The proper amount of insulation can not only save you money on your…

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Choose a Light Colored Roof to Save Energy

October 17, 2012
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Q: As an apartment-dweller in SoCal (or anywhere): I’m curious as to how a tenant could effectively persuade/encourage her landlord to upgrade the property to be energy efficient — using a company such as yours? A: Needs are definitely different in Southern California than they are in Wisconsin. For instance, you often see times of…

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Safeguards Available If You Fear Downpayments for Home Improvements

September 27, 2012
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Occasionally I run into a customer who is afraid of giving a downpayment for work that they want done. They may have been burned in the past or just don’t trust themselves enough to have adequately checked out a business. If, for any reason, you do not trust the person who is trying to sell…

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Ventilation is Key to a Good Roof

September 5, 2012
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Without proper ventilation you can easily turn a 30 year shingle into a 15 year shingle. I’ve seen decent quality architectural shingles curl and crack because the installer didn’t provide proper ventilation. Ventilation requires intake and exhaust. Think of proper attic ventilation like a chimney. A chimney has an opening at the top and an…

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Is it a problem if it rains on the day of my roofing installation?

May 4, 2012
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Many customers have the same concern — will moisture on the day of an installation, affect the job? The answer is it depends on the materials that are being used for deck protection. For many years roofing companies had only one option — tar paper. Unfortunately, the organic elements of tar paper require a perfectly…

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Don’t Waste Money on a Door at the Big Box Stores

June 18, 2011
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Did you ever hear the saying, “buy cheap, buy twice?” That saying is very important when considering purchasing a door. I get calls all the time from customers who thought they were saving money by buying from a big home improvement store only to be frustrated when it comes time to get their doors or…

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