Your home is a significant investment so it’s imperative that you protect it in every way you can. One of the best ways to do that is to schedule important home improvement projects, but where do you start? There are likely several areas in your home that could benefit from an upgrade. This three-part blog series is here to discuss three of the best projects to pursue if your goal is to enhance the value, beauty and functionality of your home.
PART 1: Roofing Your roof plays a critical role in your home’s protection, comfort and beauty. Fortunately, it won’t take much effort to improve your roof if it’s already in good condition. A roof that is seemingly in good shape will only require an inspection. Should minor damage be discovered during the inspection, repairs will be needed as soon as possible.
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WHEN TO INSPECT YOUR ROOF? Ideally, you should schedule semi-annual inspections on your roof. Such inspections should include checking for any obvious signs of damage, including but not limited to the following: • Loose or missing shingles • Water stains on the ceiling, attic, and walls • Loose or missing flashing • Loose or detached gutters • Shingle granules in the gutters You should also perform a roof inspection after any major weather event. Strong winds, hail and heavy snow can damage your roof You need to have your roof professionally inspected after a storm to detect and address problems before they worsen and cause more headaches for you.
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ROOF REPLACEMENT: BENEFITS AND CONSIDERATIONS If an inspection reveals significant damage, a roof replacement may prove to be the more practical solution. It may cost more upfront but a replacement project bring a number of benefits, such as: Improved Aesthetics: A new roof A new roof will give your exterior a makeover and boost your home’s curb appeal
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Enhanced Energy Efficiency: Today’s roofing materials are designed to prevent passive heating by keeping excessive heat from the sun from being absorbed into the home. This helps maintain a comfortable indoor climate without over-burdening your HVAC system. The less energy your HVAC system consumes, the lower your energy bills will be. Increased Home Value: Replacing your roof adds beauty, protection and functionality to your home, thus improving the overall value of your home and making it more appealing to potential buyers should you ever decide to sell. Quick Tip: To make the most of what roof inspections, repairs, and replacement can offer, make sure you work with a reliable roofing contractor in your area.
In the next post, we’ll take a look at another part of the home you should focus on: gutters. Stay tuned!
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PART 2: Gutters You might be thinking that You might be thinking that your gutters aren’t that important. You could not be more wrong. Your gutters are responsible for directing water safely away from your property, thereby protecting your roof, foundation and landscape from serious water damage. WHAT HAPPENS IF YOU DON’T HAVE A RELIABLE GUTTER SYSTEM? To help you understand the importance of gutters, let’s look at what would happen if
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you didn’t have functional gutters installed One possible scenario is that rainwater would accumulate on the pavement below and find its way into your home’s foundation or basement. Pools of water can wreak havoc on foundations, causing structural instability that can make your home unsafe to live in. A poorly maintained gutter system can become clogged which can cause rainwater to seep into the roof’s supporting structures. Aside from weakening roof beams, overflowing water can also destroy your landscape and garden, creating an eyesore. HOW TO IMPROVE YOUR GUTTER SYSTEM First things first: if you don’t have gutters yet or your existing gutters are damaged beyond
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repair, then it’s high time you schedule an installation or replacement right away. For optimum leak protection, choose seamless gutters. Designed as continuous troughs, they only have joints at the corners, making them less susceptible to leaks. If you already have seamless gutters installed, you can improve them further by having them regularly cleaned to ensure leaves, twigs and other debris don’t accumulate and lead to clogs. You may also choose to install gutter improvements such as: • Screen gutter guards • Surface tension gutter guards • Wire mesh gutter guards • Gutter heaters
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Gutter guards, protect your gutters by preventing clogs that could cause severe damage to the gutter and the roofing structure. You should be aware that installing gutter guards require technical skill, so it’s best to hire a professional to do the job for you. Gutter heaters, on the other hand, are best used in climates that see a lot of snow. Aside from preventing snow from piling up inside the gutter, they also work in tandem with the home’s internal heating system to prevent the formation of ice dams.
In the next post, we’ll tell you all you need to know about siding replacement.Stay tuned!
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PART 3: Siding If you’re looking to improve your curb appeal you may want to consider replacing your siding. However, siding Not only will new siding boost your home’s aesthetic appeal, it will also improve your home’s protection from the elements and its energy efficiency. BENEFITS OF INSTALLING NEW SIDING Siding replacement offers several valuable benefits, including:
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Enhanced Curb Appeal: Old, worn down siding creates an eyesore. As siding ages, it often fades, making it look dirty even when it isn’t. This drags down your curb appeal, but siding replacement can solve the problem. Increased Energy Efficiency: When you replace your old siding with a new, betterinsulated siding, you are providing your home better protection against heat absorption in the summer and energy waste during winter by creating an airtight envelope around your property. This helps keep outdoor heat out and indoor heat in, reducing your reliance on your HVAC system and thus lowering your energy costs. Another advantage of replacing your siding is that it gives you a chance to discover and
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address hidden structural issues within your home. Siding protects your home from outdoor threats but it also hides internal wall structures from sight. With old siding removed, these internal structures can be inspected, allowing you to repair any underlying damage.
SIDING MATERIAL FACE-OFF: FIBER CEMENT VS VINYL The two most popular siding materials today are fiber cement and vinyl. Each offers unique advantages. Fiber Cement Siding: Fiber cement siding is composed of a mixture of sand, cement, wood pulp, and water. It
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offers the protection and durability of masonry, the beauty of wood, and low maintenance nature of vinyl. Vinyl Siding: Vinyl siding is a popular choice for homes located in warm or humid climates. It is the most affordable type of siding today, making it ideal for homeowners on a budget. It also durable and easy to maintain, making it a cost-effective choice.
Different properties have different needs, but knowing which projects to prioritize gives you the chance to make the most of home improvement. Should you wish to learn more about roofing jobs, gutter installation or siding replacement, don’t hesitate to give your local remodeling expert a call.
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Universal Roofing & Exteriors 5950 N Keystone Ave., Indianapolis, IN 46220
(317) 257-0779 www.universalrfg.com