Posts

Downspout Gauge is as important as Gutter Gauge

January 3, 2013
Posted in

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…

Read More

Gutter Protection Ratings

November 15, 2012
Posted in

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…

Read More

Insulation Provides Low Cost Efficiency

November 14, 2012
Posted in

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…

Read More

Choose a Light Colored Roof to Save Energy

October 17, 2012
Posted in , ,

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…

Read More

Safeguards Available If You Fear Downpayments for Home Improvements

September 27, 2012
Posted in

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…

Read More

Ventilation is Key to a Good Roof

September 5, 2012
Posted in

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…

Read More

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

May 4, 2012
Posted in

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…

Read More

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

June 18, 2011
Posted in , ,

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…

Read More

Homeowner Tips for Roofing — Be Prepared

June 11, 2011
Posted in

Deciding to get your roof replaced is no small decision these days. With the cost of shingles more than doubling in the last several years, replacing your roof can be a major commitment to your home. So what do you need to do? What should you expect from your contractor and what are realistic expectations?…

Read More

Assess your needs & be informed when buying windows

May 18, 2011
Posted in

It’s that time of year – the time when people start to think about replacing their windows. There are many manufacturers out there and even more installation companies. A savvy homeowner will make an informed choice. Needs Analysis: The first step in choosing to buy new windows is to identify what your needs are. Yes,…

Read More