Signs That Your Roof Needs to be Replaced

Are you wondering if you need a new roof and are looking for signs of needing a new roof? Roofs are one of those parts of the house that are the most exposed to heat, freezing temperatures, and heavy rain. Just like all other man-made things, roofs can reach the end of their useful life within a certain time period. Replacing your roof can be daunting as it can be quite expensive as it might not be affordable for everyone. However, if you want to ensure proper protection for your house, then it is important you look out for signs your roof needs to be replaced. 

  1. Missing Shingles 

Missing shingles are never a good sign because they indicate that you have an older roof that needs to be replaced. Missing shingles can cause water leaks into the house, damage your property value, and lead to excess moisture in the house. Even if you have a few shingles missing at some point, you should immediately consider repairing them all together because it is a sign that the shingles are getting weak. If you delay the repair work unnecessarily, then it won’t take much time for the shingles to fall apart one by one. 

  1. Water Leaks 

Have you been noticing some excessive water leaks in your house for a few days and are worried about what might be causing it? Well, the culprit behind it might be your roof. If you are looking for signs of needing a new roof, then you have got one. Dealing with water leaks can be a huge hassle for you as they can lead to mold and pest infestation if they aren’t treated over time. As soon as you get to know that there is water damage due to heavy rainfall, melted ice, or any other reason, make sure you work on your roof repair because it will not happen on its own. 

  1. Increased Energy Bills 

It is essential to look out for signs your roof needs to be replaced before it gets too late and costly for you. If your heating or cooling system isn’t working properly as it used to be or there is a sudden increase in the energy bills, then the reason behind that might be a broken or old roof. It is not necessary that only your roof is the reason for the energy bills as your open windows or doors might also be the reason along with the roof issue. 

  1. Sagging Roof 

Do you think your roof has a curved or a wavy appearance and isn’t straight as it was supposed to be? A sagging roof is a quite popular issue in roofs that are old and haven’t been replaced in a long time. As soon as you see a sagging roof, you should immediately know that a new roof needs to be installed. A saggy roof usually happens due to several water leaks, poor installation, wear and tear with age, and excessive weight of snow in the winters. 

  1. Dark Streaks Or Spots 

Have you ever seen black streaks or some spots on your roof and are unsure about what they exactly are? The dark streaks formed on the roof are due to hard algae, and with time the algae thickens into a hard coating. The algae feeds on the limestone that is present on the shingles on the roof, and it leads to a loss of shingles and stability in the roof. If your roof doesn’t have many dark streaks, then you will be able to get rid of them. However, if the situation has become worse, then installing a new roof will be the only option. 

  1. Moss Growth 

Moss is known to grow on surfaces that are cool and moist and don’t have much exposure to sunlight. While moss growth on your roof might seem harmless, you should know that it holds moisture and can cause damage to the roof over time. When moss growth is left untreated, and you let it grow, then it can cause your roof to weaken as the days pass by. As the moss grows thicker and becomes stronger, it gets between the cracks of the shingles and causes water leaks and moisture growth. 

  1. Worn Out And Torn 

If your roof isn’t creating any problems for you right now, there isn’t any guarantee that you won’t face any issues in the future. If you want to avoid spending a lot of money later on, replace your roof if you think it has worn out and torn. Also, if you haven’t replaced your roof for more than 15 to 20 years, that is also a sign that you should get done with installing a new roof on time. 

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How Windows Effect Energy Bill

Windows are not only for letting in air and light or keeping out harsh elements. Did you know that the right windows can considerably reduce your energy bills, while also helping the environment? You can save a lot on energy bills by simple windows replacement. Some of homeowners don’t think that windows cost a lot of money in terms of waste of energy resources. With proper windows installed here on Cape Cod, you can see a great difference in your energy bill within just one month. If you stay here during winters seasons like I do, you can see how your energy bill rapidly increases. Same during hot summer days – air conditioning requirements and bills will naturally go up. This is how windows effect your energy bills. Having windows that are energy efficient can thus considerably bring down the heat that is coming into your home or prevent heat from going out of the home. Both of these ways would keep you either cooler or warmer and bring down your energy bills via your heating or air conditioning. If your home is subject to a lot of drafts, you are losing out on a lot of energy. Having windows replacement Cape Cod, you can rectify this situation instantly. Energy Star estimated that you can save between $118 and $348 every year just by a new windows installed. If they let out too much heat, they can cost you anywhere between 10% or 25% of your monthly bills for heating. During summer, this means that your air conditioner should do double duty to cool up all the hot air that is coming in from windows that are letting in more sunlight. By windows install Cape Cod, you can reduce the bills of your air conditioning units too as well as perhaps reduce the duration of your heating and air conditioning as well. Windows that are single paned can be replaced with double paned windows that have glass that is high performance, which have coatings that are spectrally selective as well as low-e. During winter, windows that are gas filled and e-coated can considerably reduce excess loss of heat. For summer house, you would need to choose windows to reduce the heat that comes into the home, such as those that have coating that are spectrally selective. Windows that are energy efficient can also be fixed with reflective film or sun control that can further reduce the amount of heat that is let in. If windows replacement Cape Cod is done on south-facing windows for homes in warmer climate, this is even more effective. New windows installation on Cape Cod can also make your home look even more beautiful and elegant.

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Asphalt vs. Red Cedar roofs

When building your home, you want to make sure every aspect is perfect. Therefore, it’s so important to choose the right roofing. If you’ve narrowed it down to asphalt or red cedar, then hopefully this article sheds some light on the right decision. I will be comparing the two roofing material and you can make up your own mind on which is best. Red cedar roof is regarded as one of the best materials for roofing by homeowners. It is one of the oldest roofing materials and has been in use for hundreds of years. Even as new materials get made every year, homeowners still stick with traditional red cedar wood. Below I have compared the pros and cons of red cedar wood and the newer asphalt roofing methods. Pros of red cedar Red cedar contributes to improved air circulation within the entire house. The roofing lets the house breathe and doesn’t trap moisture in the house which can lead to damp. Preventing damp and mold within the house is one of the defining elements and most appealing factors of red cedar roofs. Red cedar roofs also act as strong support and maintain the durability and structure of the house. Their resilience is what makes so many homeowners favor this material. It’s are also protective against bugs and the natural elements. In addition, material can endure the worst of the weather. Over the years, the color matures to create a stunning deep red hue. This is another factor that makes red cedar so appealing. One of the main factors is also the accessibility and ease of which red cedar can be installed on your home, requiring no expertise or specialized tools.   Cons of red cedar One of the downsides to red cedar is that it is prone to rot. And once one area begins to rot, there is a chance that a whole roof will need replacing. Red cedar doesn’t do well with constant wetting and it can be difficult to remove a targeted area. Considering this fact, red cedar may not be the most ideal material for houses located at the waterfront. The cost of repairing or replacing the red cedar can be a high one. They are also prone to mildew and mold. Another negative of red cedar is that it is much more flammable than asphalt for example. Many areas don’t allow the use of red cedar to prevent fires spreading, but not on Cape Cod.   Pros of asphalt The most desirable quality of asphalt for many homeowners is its affordability and low price to install and purchase. They come in a variety of designs and colors and unlike red cedar, are fire resistant. Many homeowners use asphalt to reduce the risk of fire in certain areas. They are also much easier and cheaper to install and have low maintenance needs. Cons of asphalt One of the biggest cons of asphalt is the likelihood that it will grow algae. This is much less likely with red cedar. The algae aren’t damaging to the material but ruins the overall aesthetic and is undesirable to most homebuyers. Anti-algae coatings and protection are available but at a costly price.

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House remodeling on Cape Cod

Increasing the value of your house can only be possible when you remodel it. Remodeling helps in maintaining the value and aesthetic beauty of your home. But it is rather unfortunate that a lot of homeowners are not aware of the importance of house remodeling. This article will highlight some important reasons why your home needs remodeling as well as the advantages thereof. According to experts in the industry, remodeling your house once a year will help you to sustain that pleasure that you experience in your home. Any house that has not been refurbished for years can instigate boredom, anxiety, and depression. This is why anyone who can afford the inexpensive services of remodeling contractor on Cape Cod should remodel their house on a regular basis. There is no need in complete rebuild of room or two, small things matter too – sometimes it’s enough to just move furniture around, make a bar-insert in the kitchen, break down a wall separating kitchen and living room or make a window between kitchen and living room. Always keep this in mind – small things matter. We always recommend to start from the kitchen as this area is the one where we spend most of the time (surprise!). This is the primary reason why a remodeling contractor Cape Cod will start work from the kitchen instead of any other area in the house keeping living room at the second most popular place. At times, repainting your kitchen can take care of this problem. But if you aim to do a complete makeover, then changing the structure of your kitchen will suffice. For this, you may need to contact a Cape Cod building company to help you get new ideas, consult regarding your ideas and handle all the logistics. This will give you the added self-assurance that your house is in the best hands and you will enjoy the results of the makeover. Changing the lighting of your home is also vital as it can have an overall positive impact on the ambiance of your home and enhance its beauty. Keep in mind that lighting has color too! You can add more warm/yellow or cold/white light to your room. Multicolor LED strips are getting popular nowadays and with remote control you can change light color as you wish to. In conclusion, there is no doubt that remodeling your house will involve some costs. There is no need to spend 5 figure digits on renovations each year, there are plenty of nice ideas out there that are budget friendly. The ones we love are houzz.com and pinterest.com. Millions of people share their ideas on these sites. If you find an idea you like but can’t bring to life – don’t hesitate to call us, we’re here to help! Wish you happy renovations!

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Vinyl vs White cedar siding

When choosing the right material for your siding, it can be difficult to find the best one. It can be even more difficult to get an unbiased opinion. That’s why we have created this comparison of vinyl and white cedar siding to help you decide which is best for your home. White cedar siding One of the most attractive assets of white cedar is the fact that it is a natural product. Many homeowners are looking for natural products that look timeless and traditional. White cedar is great for insulating your home, which saves you valuable energy costs over time especially in winter. It is also great for absorbing sound and acts as a great sound barrier, making the home more peaceful and immune to the outside noise. Because of these factors, white cedar adds value to your home, should you consider eventually selling it. You can provide extra protection when pre-staining the white cedar due to its smooth quality. You can evenly coat the sides and edges. This also protects against the weather elements and premature finish failure. It also prevents adhesion and moisture problems by not letting any become trapped within the house. The longevity of the protection on the house saves time and money in the long run.   Vinyl siding One of the appealing aspects of vinyl compared to white cedar is that it is a cheaper siding option. The extra costs can build however when adding all the trim accessories. One of the most common issues people have with vinyl siding is that it simply doesn’t look as good as white cedar and other cedar sidings. Many complain that it lacks the aesthetic quality of natural looking materials as well as the craftsmanship that goes side by side with that. It can give the appearance of blending into the neighbourhood and looking very plain and uniform. Unfortunately, vinyl isn’t as durable as white cedar. The siding can fade, crack and even buckle over a long period of time. This means the vinyl needs replacing more frequently than cedar sidings. However, not just one area can be targeted and replaced – the whole siding will need replacing. Cedar siding on the other hands gives you multiple colour options so it doesn’t’ just blend in and look conventional. It is also much easier to repair than vinyl siding. Overall it appears that white cedar is more popular for good reason. Sometimes stretching the budget, a little bit further when renovating or improving on your home in Massachusetts can mean you save money and time in the long term. When siding your home it is important to consider how much you can afford but also how much you can potentially save if you choose an option like white cedar which brings with it reduced energy costs in the future. And last but not least, don’t forget that cedar is a natural product, which means that it’s green and eco friendly.

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