Are You Neglecting Your Eavestrough?

If you think about it, perhaps you will admit that you haven’t really taken your eavestrough system in Toronto seriously enough. The eavestrough system is an integrated part of your home protection system. If you neglect any part of this important drainage system, you could find yourself standing ankle deep, or worse, in dirty water in your basement.

What are the components of your rain drainage system?

The drainage system, most frequently constructed in aluminum, consists of downpipes, leaf guard, fascia, soffit and clean eavestrough. Together they are designed to efficiently drain rain water away and keep it far from your home’s foundations. As a second feature well maintained drainage systems ensure that your attic is kept cool and dry.

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Choosing a professional installer

The first important decision is to focus on companies who can both install and maintain your drainage system. Take time to understand what they do and make up a short list of companies who fit your requirements, based on their service offering. Having established that you are in their catchment area, invite a representative to come to visit your property and give you their recommendations, provide an estimate for the work that they consider necessary. One of the advantages of listening to representatives proposals for cleaning, repairing or installing new soffit, eavestrough and sidings is that you will learn more. Become more knowledgeable and perhaps change your ideas about what you could consider doing.

Good advice is available

If you have had problems with your drainage system overflowing or leaking you should recount the story to the representative. It may be necessary for the incline of the gutters to be increased, or even more downpipes to be installed to clear the rainwater more rapidly. Another subject that may interest you is to replace your aluminum soffit with copper alternatives, these are becoming increasingly popular in Canada and it may be well to take a look at the options these offer you.

It is a smart move to ask to go and see an installation that the company has completed if you decide that your drainage system needs replacement. There is no better way to find out how professional and efficient the company that you are interested in actually is. You should also investigate what the company will propose to you for post installation maintenance. In particular will they give you a good deal for gutter and drain cleaning before the winter sets in? If this is the case, this should encourage you to use their services if a competitor does not provide this service.

Just how vital are the eavestroughs?

Ask the roofing experts and they will tell you without hesitation, the eavestroughs are vital components and should always be in tip top condition. What the eavestroughs do is to collect the rain water from the roof and transfer it as efficiently and rapidly to the downspouts, away from your home. Correctly designed and installed, this system deals with the flow of water from the roof of your home to the ground of the property. Clearly this is an important function that needs to be done properly, so you should expect no errors by the installers and call them straight back in if you suffer water overflows or leaks after installation.

Many homeowners who have recently bought their new homes will find that the previous occupants never maintained their eavestroughs correctly. In order to avoid the risk of water damage to your walls it will be necessary to call in the professional installers to replace the old system and replace it with a new structure.

Many homeowners are not familiar with the many different variables that are connected to their eavestroughs. For this reason, it is recommended that you call in a professional installer to come and provide you with their experience and services.

What are the telltale signs of problems?

There are a number of signs to look out for that can tell you that problems are developing and will need attention. Check the gutters after it has been raining; look out for sitting water in the gutters that has not drained away. Now check the leaf and debris filters and check that they are clear. If they are clear then you have a problem with the gutters themselves. Other signs of problems are spotting rust near the edges of the eavestroughs and near the bolts as well as wash back in your gutters during heavy thunderstorms or cloud bursts.

Replacement is not always necessary

Rain gutters can be considered to be very troublesome pieces of outdoor hardware. They can clog, leak, sag and bend. Cleaning out fallen leaves and general debris can be annoying and a dirty work to carry out. You can turn to professional maintenance companies to come and help you. The one thing that you always need to keep in mind is prevention is better than cure and regular maintenance of a well installed system will help you and your wallet!

What Type Of Material Should You Consider For Your Gutter?

Gutters are extremely important portions of your building structure. It is where rainwater passes through, just so it will not build up in your roof. Being the important structure that it is, it pays to have a well maintained gutter in your home. Remember that when choosing the type of material for the construction of your gutter, the first thing to be considered is its durability. It should be made of something that can withstand the test of time. To give you a bird’s eye view as to the type of material for your gutter, here are your options:

Wood

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Wooden gutters are rarely installed now because it is much more expensive when compared to other types of gutters. In fact, prices range from $12 to $20 per linear foot. You can say that is quite cheap but you have to consider that aside from that, wooden gutters also require a lot of maintenance prior to and after installation.

Copper

This material is rust-free because of its natural patina. It can last long that is why many people have used such a material for constructing their gutters. Price ranges from $15 to $20 per linear foot so prepare some cash if you want to have copper.

Vinyl

This is easy to cut to the size that you want and you can even do it yourself. It is also rust and rot-free. They come in various colors and this gives you the option to choose which hue matches your house. However, it is not that lasting because they get brittle when exposed to extreme cold, heat or with age. If you live in a tropical area, this type may be good for you. It is less expensive with its price of $3 to $5 per linear foot.

Galvanised steel

If heavy precipitation is your concern, then this is for you. It can hold up against weather elements and can last forever provided you have it treated prior to installation so that it will not rust easily. Otherwise, you will end up spending money for an investment that is not worth it.

Aluminum

This is the most commonly used material for gutters because it is rust-free. Although it is not as strong as steel or copper, it can endure extreme weather changes. If you decide to use aluminum gutters, choose primary aluminum as this is more likely to have a consistent quality compared to a secondary type.

Other things to remember when choosing your gutter materials

These are not only the considerations in choosing your gutter materials. You should also pay attention to its structure. It could be seamless or traditional. Seamless gutters come in one piece but do not be misled by the idea that they do not have seams because they do. These are at the ends of the gutter and at the corners. Leaks may start from any of these areas. It is an advantage to have this type because it does not require too much cleaning and birds have no way to go in. The only disadvantage of this gutter is the cost and you need to hire a professional gutter installer.

On the other hand, traditional gutters come in sections. Damaged segments can be easily replaced without taking off the whole thing. The drawback for this type is it requires to be cleaned often. Its in-between seams should be cleaned of debris regularly for this may result to the formation of rust and sediments.

Gutter size should also be a factor in choosing. This greatly depends on the climate of the area where you reside. If you live in an area with heavy precipitate, have a bigger or wider gutter. A house built in an area with many trees needs a wider gutter to avoid clogging of leaves.

Factors that matter when building gutters

Apart from materials, its different types and sizes, it also pays to consider the design of the gutter before building one. Amongst designs to choose from are k-style gutters which has a decorative shape that makes them look like crown mouldings. These gutter designs are available in a wide array of option that you can choose from. Half-round gutter versions are also available. These ones are made of half-round tubes and are most popular in historic or traditional homes.

Gutters in Toronto come in different shapes and sizes with different materials that can be used for construction. Each type of material used in gutter construction differs from those of others – this is one thing to take note of. With these different materials come pros and cons too. It can involve sturdiness and cost which are obviously vital to making a purchase. You have to weigh in also on all other factors that are crucial with the investment. The bottom line is you must pick one material that you think will work for your needs in the best way possible.

What You Should Know About Soffit and Fascia Repair

As a homeowner, it is important to know the composition of your house and the materials used in its construction. Not only that, it is also essential to have at least a bit of idea on how repairs are done. This is to enable you to make discussions with a handyman without being misled. It makes sense to do some researches.

In connection with this, the roof, particularly soffit and fascia repair, will be tackled. As an overview, soffit and fascia will be defined as to its location and use. The soffit is tucked under the fascia board and it is the part that you see from ground level. This can be constructed in such a way that air is allowed to circulate under the roof area. The fascia, on the other hand, is a long, straight board that runs along the lower edge of the roof. It is directly attached to the trusses.

Structural damage of soffits and fascia can be done by birds, animals and insects. It can also be hastened by amateurish jobs. Rot also plays a role in its deterioration process. But more often, these structures can be damaged by a faulty gutter that can result to water leakage. With these damages in mind, there are plenty of things you should know about when it comes to soffit and fascia repair.

Signs that indicate you need soffit and fascia repair

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You must get your eyes on these indicating signs that your soffit and fascia need to be repaired. Amongst them are leaking gutters, water spots on your walls, water leaking or overflowing behind gutters and the presence of rotten or sagging wood found near the roof’s eaves. When you have seen this, there is reason enough to worry and make sure that the problem will be solved at once.

From the ground, you may think that the soffit and fascia just need a simple repainting. This is the notion of almost every homeowner but considering the fact the these items also need to be attended to, you must try to get a ladder and pry as to what the real concerns are because a simple repainting may not be the only key to your problem. Do some investigation because this may not be the only cause of concern.

There is a corresponding cost that comes with the repair

You cannot disregard the cost as this will be the basis if you’ll have it repaired or replaced. Here is a rough estimate of how much it would cost you if you opt to have it replaced. For a simple 1-storey home, it would cost you $600-$2000 for wood or vinyl and $800-$6000 or more for aluminum.

If you plan to have a do-it -yourself job, consider the following cost plus the effort of needing to climb a ladder to get those materials in place. Pressure-treated wood or vinyl soffits and fascias may cost around $1-$5 per linear foot. This is cheaper when compared to aluminum which may cost from $2.50-$15 or more per linear foot. However, you have to consider the fact that aluminum is a more durable option which explains the expense that comes with it.

You must also take a look at the entire soffit and fascia layout

If a small segment shows any sign of damage, most likely the other portions will go through the same course as with the principle of wear and tear. Remember that soffit and fascia repair involves cutting out the damaged part and sizing boards and beams to match the remaining portions. It also entails a lot of work because the added fixture has to be painted and remodelled according to the style of the house. The task also includes application of sealant.

Soffit and fascia repair can require a lot of effort

Now that you have an idea how tedious the task is, you may finally decide to hire some men to do it. As a tip, avoid anyone who quotes a price that seems too good to be true. Either it will be a substandard work or the guys will run away with your money. Always rely on an expert’s job and when we say expert that is someone who knows what he is doing from inspecting the portions that need repair to helping you assess the real cost that goes with it.

In view of this, you must always hire a reliable contractor that can perform the repairs in the best way possible. It is easy for one to say they are the best when it comes to repairs pertaining to soffit and fascia in Toronto. At the end of the day, however, you will have the last say on whether you should hire them or not. You can also raise any concern with your selected contractors if you are unsure about how the project will go.

Gutters Have A Role In Safeguarding Your Home!

Spending a lot of time thinking about gutters does not solve any related problem that you may face. Instead, it weighs down on you and burdens you each day. Costly home repair bills are some of the things that many homeowners try to evade. Nonetheless, if you do not comprehend the core essence of gutters in your home you will not be in a position to fix any problem that rises early enough before there is extensive damage.

Home sidings need protection from rainwater because rainwater damages it. Gutters come into use by funneling off rainwater from the roof. As a result, home foundation, windows, doors and walls do not get damages from rainwater. The level of damage will be high when there is clogging in the gutters not to mention leakages and breakages. This is very true because they cause gutters to function poorly. Rainwater ends up collecting on the ground near the foundation. Here are some of the ways through which the gutter keeps your home safe.

Flooding at home and the basement

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When it rains heavily, ample water collects to the ground. Poor drainage at home is likely to worsen things because more water will collect close to the home and at the very point of foundation. Too much water culminate into floods that may end at home and the basement particularly. If water gets to the basement and you have valuable things there, it will cause damages beyond repair. Well-installed gutters prevent water from collecting at the basement and around the foundation of a home. It minimizes the possibilities of damaged property.

Cracked and weak foundation

Foundation is the core part of any building and even more essentially a home. In that regard, it has to be strong and highly durable. However, there are factors that may affect it and trigger high rate of deterioration over the course of time. Too much rain for instance, affects the foundation of a home when it collects at the foundation. It slowly weakens it and eventually causes it to crack. Failure to take initiative to deal with the problem may spell big future problems. A gutter that functions to its best keeps the foundation free from rainwater as it channels it to the right drainage system.

No infestations and infections

A good number of insects particularly mosquitoes make use of stagnant as a breeding ground. With time, they increase in number and cause all manner of infectious diseases. Some of the illnesses caused by them may be terminal in some cases. The gutter ensures that mosquitoes and other insects that take advantage of stagnant water get no breeding ground. By rightly draining water from the rain through the proper channels, the chances of having high infection rate goes down tremendously and the home becomes a safe place to live.

Less molds

Molds particularly flourish when the gutters overflow with water. It creates a suitable environment for them to thrive in the basements and crawlspaces. Good gutters do not easily overflow with water. In that case, the chances of having molds that thrive and spread like fire in the basement and crawlspaces become minimal. Debris and leaves that fall from trees and get carried by the wind ending up in the gutter are the key things that cause clogging if left for a long time. Occasionally, it is fair enough to clear the gutters in case there is any debris or leaves that may result in clogging and blockages. Clear gutters ensure water flow and put an end to flourishing molds.

Erosion and paint damage

The foundation of your home does well for a long time when it has top soil that keeps it intact. Water flowing uncontrollably from poor gutter washes away the topsoil and leaves the foundation at a greater risk. Moreover, the water that drips off the leaking gutters ends up on the walls of a home causing great damage. It washes off part of the wall paint leaving it with unsightly look. To paint the wall again will require some money, which is another unnecessary cost. Perfect gutters fitted into the roof system ensure that you do not incur any cost due to damaged paint or eroded top soil that leaves your foundation vulnerable.

Rotting and rusting

Exterior building products that are mainly made of iron are more likely to rot and rust when exposed to water and air. Water that trickles through the leaks of spoilt gutters find their way to these product and cause damages that are costly to repair.

Most undoubtedly, gutters play a unique role in keeping the home a good place to live while protecting the beauty of soffits and fascia. They drain water and keep the home habitable even in cold season. Regular cleaning and maintenance of the gutters will go a long way to help you cut down unnecessary costs and keep your home in a good condition.

Keeping The Eavestrough Clean And Maintaining It

Water from the rain may cause extensive damage to your home. It explains a lot why the most vital thing to look for in a new home, after ticking the top five must-haves of a home, is the eavestrough. Essentially, it protects your home from water damage in two ways. It harvests the water and stores it in reservoir tanks or drains it away into the main drainage system. Cleaning and maintaining the eaves trough is well worth your efforts as it helps solving the issue of potential home insurance claim. The entire cleaning process may be a dirty one but the perks are promising. It merely entails the following.

What you need to start cleaning

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These are simply the things that you are going to need to clean and maintain the eavestrough. First, you need an extendable ladder. Depending on the size of your home, find a ladder that perfectly suits the activity. Safety needs to be on your mind when selecting the ladder. This means the ladder has to get you safely and easily to the eavestrough without scaring the wits out of you. Ladders with standoff stabilizers are ideally good for the activity.

Next, you need cleaning attire that you do not in the least mind getting dirty. The shirt needs to be long-sleeved. Rubber gloves come in handy for getting rid of leaves that have been in the eavestrough for quite some time. Ensure that the gloves are made of heavy-duty rubber for better results.

Thirdly, you need a bucket with you or a tarp below your work area particularly on the ground. As you go about cleaning, debris usually comes off falling. The bucket or tarp is suitable for catching all the falling debris. If you have a garden, you may make use of the collection of leaves and debris as a mulch to fertilize the soil and make your plants flourish.

A perfect eavestrough scoop will do when doing the cleaning. If you do not have one at your home, just check with your local hardware and get it. Alternatively, a plastic shovel mostly used by kids for playing may fit well for the job. As long as they fit deep into the gutter as you clean, you are better off with either of them.

Cleaning the eavestrough

The cleaning part is simple if you have all the items that you require for cleaning. Ensure that with you is a helper to keep the ladder stable as well as passing the items that you will need in the cleaning process. The best point to start is at one end of the eavestrough. This enables you to scoop off the dirt into the bucket and pass it down to your helper once it is full. Systematic movement around the eavestrough is the only thing that will help you get rid of a large amount of debris within a short time. Work from these focal points ensuring you leave no dirt behind.

Some parts are going to require more attention from you. For instance, the downspout is the part that takes the rainwater all the way down to the ground. As such, examine it keenly and get rid of any debris. If there is a blockage, clear it up. Blockages may cause an overflow even in a clean eavestrough and cause water to pour over the side hence damaging your home. As you clean, ensure you leave no debris and leaves behind in the downspout. Keeping it free from these two will let water flow well without causing any damage to the house.

After you are through with cleaning the eavestrough, let your helper pass a hosepipe and turn the water on. Running the water on the eavestrough removes tiny bits of dirt that may remain even after the previous cleaning. Moreover, it is an effective way of detecting any leak that may be there so you can patch it up.

Doing the repair

Once the cleaning activity is over, you need to shift gears to the worn-out parts that need repair. Over the years, the eavestrough tend to wear and develop leaks. When going about the repair, look out for cracked caulking or holes along the seam. If you find any cracks, you will have to fix them by using a good technological way. Bead silicon sealing is a good method for dealing with leaks present in the eavestrough. After identifying the leaking part, prep it and then apply the bead silicon sealing. For the next one year, you problem will be gone.

Depending on the length of time that your eavestrough stayed without cleaning, the task may have been a dirty one but worth the while. The good thing is that you will not have to worry about home damage again until a year is over save for planning a major repair or replacement of eavestrough. You can do the cleaning on a quarterly basis to ensure your eavestrough is clean throughout the year.

Getting To Know The Right Soffit, Fascia and Siding Materials

Soffit and fascia are key elements that play quite a remarkable role in defining the look and function of a home. Soffits refer to the part that covers the under-hangs of the roof and gables. In addition, it keeps all animals that may intrude at bay. For intake ventilation purposes in the attic, it rightly suffices as a handy tool. Fascia mostly made of aluminum plays the crucial role of cladding that is covering bare wood. By so doing, it seals the ends of eaves creating a perfect room for the installation of eavestrough. To make your home look stunningly good, you need to pay attention to such details. When picking soffit and fascia for your home, keep the following in mind at all times.

Material build-up

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Look at the material used to complete soffit and fascia and make certain that it is aluminum. Though there is a wide range of colors that mostly enhance the visual appearance of soffit and fascias, the most important thing is to consider the material. Aluminum does not rust and wear easily. This property makes it ideal for soffit and fascias and hence defines how your home looks. You do not want rusts seen all over your roof because of poor choice of material use. Soffit and fascia made and completed by aluminum is just what your home needs. Talking to your manufacturer about the type of soffit and fascia for your home also helps you decide whether you want custom-made soffit and fascia or what the manufacturer has at the time.

Hard access areas

Some parts of the soffit and fascia are hard to access. Mostly, wood soffits and fascias may require risky access or painting. Finding those that give you nothing to worry about concerning these hard-to-access areas is the best thing to do. It will minimize the need to access these parts for any reason such as damages. Good ones does not deteriorate easily particularly at the mentioned parts. Protecting these parts will go a long way to make them last long and minimize risk accessing and painting, which comes with extra cost.

Low maintenance

Ensure that the siding materials are available in a number of forms namely aluminum, vinyl and cement. These three will help a great a deal in the provision of low maintenance. Furthermore, it enhances durability meaning you will not have to worry maintenance costs over the course of time. You can acquire the materials in a wide variety of colors and styles depending on your home theme. Another added advantage is that they are waterproof. Feel free to ask any questions when talking to a contractor or a manufacturer in case you want to know more about specific things within your preferences.

Insulation

The type of roof determines the kind of temperature you may generally have at home. Ideal soffits and fascias need to be good elements of vapor retarders. They particularly come in handy for exterior insulation. Test the insulation of the soffit and fascia first before grabbing one.

Wraps at the corner and trims

Soffits require a channel wrap at the outside corner where they meet the roof edge head not to mention the inside where a better part of the eaves meets the home edges. Measuring the linear edges of these elements is a vital step, as it will help you in determining the right size of soffits and fascias when you present the measurements to a manufacturer accordingly. Corners help quite a lot with tying installation together particularly at the outermost parts of the soffit (the region where the roof edges meet).

Wraps and trims in custom

It is not necessary for all your soffits and fascias to conform to the manufacturers’ custom design. So long as you have most of the carpentry tools, making something of your own lies under the limits of your personal budget and creative mind. You can use woods and consequently run planks with a new material or a good recycled lumber. Rustic looks comes out when you choose to use metal sheets as your material. In addition, you may consider other options such as painting in patterns or drawings. The drawing mainly applies for the fascia boards for creative look. Optionally, the wooden materials cut and shaped into different styles still make the soffits and fascia look great.

Choosing the right soffit and fascia will give you the much confidence you need when you look at your home at the end of the day especially after the hustle and bustle of making the roof look better. As much as you want the roof to look good, keep in mind that selecting quality soffits and fascias will guarantee you more home safety and less cost. When this comes first, your home’s roof will be one of the great roofs of perfect homes.

4 Quick Fixes That Will Solve Most Of Your Gutter Problems

Gutters can be quite problematic sometimes, especially if the homeowner hasn’t inspected them in the last years. They can clog, they can develop leaks and cracks and they can pose a serious of problems that are quite expensive to repair. Luckily, if you take good care of your gutters from time to time, you can avoid major problems and save a lot of money in the long run. Here are a couple of common fixes to some of the most popular gutter issues you might encounter during your lifetime.

Use gutter sealant to fix leaky gutters

Thanks to bad weather conditions and different types of debris such as small tree branches, pebbles and so on, gutters can develop cracks and leaks with the passing of time. However, you shouldn’t be worried that you need to completely replace your gutters because of this. You can simply buy gutter sealant which can be found at most hardware stores and costs a couple of dollars. This sealant is perfect for covering small holes and cracks in your gutters.

If you have to deal with larger cracks then you might to use a patch in order to fix your gutters. Patching kits can also be found at hardware stores and they are inexpensive. You can use them to make a patch from metal flashing and repair your gutters, so that they don’t leak anymore.

Check the inclination of your gutters

Well-installed gutters tend to be inclined towards the downspouts of your house, so that gravity can attract water down the drain when it accumulates in the gutters. The rule of thumb is to have a slope of about half an inch for each ten or eleven feet of gutter. In order to see if your gutters are properly pitched, make sure that you wait until it rains and then climb on a ladder to see if there is standing water in the gutters. If it is then your gutters do not feature the correct slope.

If you want to pitch the gutters by yourself then you can bend the hanger downwards or upwards, depending on the case, in order to create a small slope. Hopefully this will solve your problem, otherwise you might need to bend a little bit more, so that water drains properly. If you have seamless gutters then make sure that you call the guys who installed the gutters and speak with them about this problem.

Replace hangers or fasteners if gutters sag or pull away from the house

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Another common problem homeowners encounter consist of sagging gutters or gutters which tend to pull away from the house. Well, in most cases the culprits for these issues are the hangers or the fasteners which are responsible for securing the gutters to the fascia. For example, the hangers might have been deteriorated with the passing of time or the fasteners might have been pulled out from the house walls. To fix this, all that you have to do is to buy several brand new hangers from a hardware store and a couple of fasteners. These items are very cheap and you can replace them by yourself when you have a free afternoon.

Clean the gutters at least once every year to prevent major problems

Perhaps the most common problem consists of clogged gutters and this can be a serious one. It is highly recommended to clean your gutters at least once every year or maybe twice if you have a lot of trees nearby. Basically, leaves, bird feathers or tree branches can clog your gutters quicker and that’s why you should clean them more often. When it comes to gutter cleaning, you can either outsource this job to a professional company for a fair price or you can do it by yourself.

In order to clean the gutters on your own, you need a stable ladder and a pair of protective gloves as well as protective goggles. In some cases, wasps or even small birds or rats can jump out from the clogged gutters and you need to be protected all the times. After you cleaned your gutters, make sure that you use the garden hose in order to flush everything out and see if water drains properly.

To prevent further clogging, you might want to invest in protective meshes which are placed above the gutters and which prevent leaves, tree branches and other types of debris from accumulating into your gutters and cause blockages in the long run. These products are not that expensive and if you install them, you won’t need to clean your gutters that often.

Hopefully these 4 simple fixes will be useful for you, but if you encounter a serious problem with your gutters, make sure that you give us a call. We have a lot of experience when it comes to installing and repairing gutters, and our services come at reasonable prices!

Here Are 6 Exquisite Exterior Siding Options Available For Your Property!

Adding exterior siding to your property is highly recommended these days as this is the best way to improve the aesthetics of your house, increase its value and insulate it properly, so that in the future you don’t waste a lot of money on your energy bill. Also, the good news is that there are many siding materials available for you to choose from these days. In order to make a fully-informed decision, here are more details about the most popular exterior siding materials you can find on the market.

Vinyl siding

Vinyl is one of the best materials to go for if you don’t have a big budget to spend on home improvements, yet you want a quality product that can pass the test of time. Vinyl siding comes at affordable prices and it is available in many colors, giving you the opportunity to completely transform the exterior design of your house. Additionally, this siding option is very easy to maintain and it can last for a decent amount of time, so it is worth taking it into consideration. Additionally, if you are a DIY type of guy, vinyl siding is perfect for you as you don’t need advanced tools or a lot of time in order to install it on your house.

Brick siding

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Genuine brick comes in different sizes and textures these days, but it can be quite expensive to install. However, brick veneer is more affordable and it is perfect for you if you want to give your property a warm and attractive look. Brick veneer can also increase the lifespan of your property if it is installed correctly and it can protect it against bad weather conditions and other damaging agents.

When the professionals install brick veneer, they will also install a waterproof membrane under it in order to prevent water from infiltrating and causing damage to the house. Although installing brick veneer is a little bit time-consuming, it will increase the value of your property and make it look gorgeous.

Stone veneer siding

In a similar fashion, you might want to take into consideration installing stone veneer on the exterior of your property. This material is lightweight and less expensive than genuine stone, so it can be installed quicker, easier and for less money. Also, especially if the stone veneer siding is properly maintained and cleaned on a regular basis, it can last for a lifetime.

Another great advantage of stone veneer siding is that it comes in a variety of styles, colors and textures, giving you the opportunity to raise the curb appeal of your house without paying a fortune for this.

Stucco siding

This siding option is also very popular and commonly encountered in Mediterranean houses. Stucco is usually made from building sand, cement, limestone and water if it is properly installed and maintained from time to time, it can last for decades without problems. Before installing stucco, the professionals will a waterproof membrane and a galvanized-metal screening in order to protect the walls of the house and support the stucco which will be placed above it. Lastly, stucco comes at affordable prices, so it is within every homeowner’s budget reach.

Wood siding

On the other hand, if you are attracted by the warmness and rich texture of wood then you might be happy to know that you can also use this material as exterior siding for your property. Although this siding option is a little bit more expensive, it will give a traditional and welcoming look to your house and it can even last for a hundred years, if it is maintained regularly. When it comes to maintenance, you might have to chalk and paint wood siding in order to prevent weather damage.

Additionally, some manufacturers treat the wood siding in order to be more resistant to pest attacks as well as fires. If you want to sleep better at nights, you are strongly encouraged to go for such quality wood siding in the future.

Fibre-cement siding

The last one in our list is fibre-cement siding, an increasingly popular siding option that comes at a reasonable price these days. This siding option doesn’t require a lot of maintenance and best of all, it is fire-resistant. Therefore, you have the assurance that your house will not be affected if a leaf catches fire by accident in your yard during a hot summer day. Similarly, fibre-cement siding is termite-resistant as well. Needless to say, fibre-cement siding comes in a plethora of designs, textures, colors and finishes and you should take advantage of this in order to give your property that beautiful and attractive look you have always wanted.

Another good siding option would be aluminum siding and if you are interested about its benefits and features, make sure that you give us a call. We have a lot of experience when it comes to exterior siding and we can help you make the best choice.

7 Reasons Why Aluminum Siding Is Gold For Your Property

If you are thinking about insulating and covering the exterior walls of your property, you have many options at your disposal. For example, you can go for vinyl siding, wood siding as well as aluminum siding. These days, more and more homeowners are attracted by aluminum siding and the benefits it brings. If you haven’t installed aluminum siding on your house before, here are 7 great reasons to do it now.

You can get aluminum siding without breaking the bank

As you can probably imagine, different types of siding materials come at various prices and if you don’t have a very big budget at your disposal, you might want to opt for aluminum siding. This siding material is less expensive than other materials available on the market and it can be installed with little to no effort by the professionals. Other siding materials can cost up to 80% more than aluminum siding and they require more time for the installation process to be complete.

You can update your aluminum siding if you want to give your house a fresh look

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In a similar fashion, aluminum is a siding material that can be painted if you want to improve the way your house looks or you are tired of a particular color. This is not possible for other types of siding materials. Additionally, you might be happy to know that aluminum siding can be replaced in sections if you want to update the looks of your property and make it more attractive at some point in the future.

Aluminum siding can last for almost a lifetime

One of the biggest advantages of aluminum siding is the simple fact that it can last for at least 40 years, especially if it is properly maintained, at it is very resistant to wear and tear, in comparison with other siding materials which cannot last nearly as much. Additionally, any small damages like corrosion signs or scratches can be fixed with little to no effort by sanding and painting that particular area. Any dents that might be found on your aluminum siding can also be repaired easily and cheaply.

If for some reason you have a particular area of aluminum siding which is badly damaged then you can simply replace the aluminum section as mentioned before. As a result, your property will look gorgeous again and you don’t have to spend a lot of money or waste a lot of time in order to achieve this.

Aluminum siding can be an excellent insulator

You might be happy to know that your energy bill can be drastically reduced if you improve the insulation of your property. Luckily, aluminum siding can protect your house against heat loss because it offers better insulation, in comparison with other siding materials. Therefore, during hot summer days, the coolness in your house will not be lost and you won’t have to use the air conditioning unit that often, saving a lot of money in the long run. Similarly, during freezing winter nights, your aluminum siding will prevent heat from escaping, making the property warmer, safer and more comfortable for you and your family members.

You can install aluminum siding on your own if you love DIY projects

If you have some free time and you like being with a hammer in your hand from time to time then you might be happy to know that aluminum siding can be installed by yourself without much effort. All that you need are a few tools which are not that expensive and can be rented from a local hardware store and a free weekend. However, if you want to reap all the benefits aluminum siding provides, make sure that you let the professionals install it for you, just to have more peace of mind.

Usually it takes only one day to install aluminum siding

Thanks to the fact that this siding material is so flexible and lightweight, it doesn’t require a lot of time in order to be installed. In fact, the professionals can install your aluminum siding in just one day, especially if your property is not that big.

Aluminum siding gives your house a modern and elegant look

This material is increasingly popular these days because it looks clean, modern and very elegant. That is why you see mobile phones and tablets that feature certain elements made from aluminum as well as many vehicle wheels made from aluminum alloys. If you install aluminum siding, your property will become more eye-catching and it will feature a modern and stylish look which will increase its value, so that when you sell or rent your house, you can confidently ask for more money.

If you want to install aluminum siding in the upcoming days, make sure that you give us a call and take advantage of our professional services. We install top quality aluminum siding that comes in various colors and we charge a fair price for our services.

7 Probably Problems That Can Be Caused By Damaged And Unclogged Gutters

The gutters are some of the most important elements of a house, but in most cases homeowners forget about them and they don’t clean them properly or repair them when they are damaged. This can be detrimental in the long run as clogged gutters can pose a plethora of problems. It is important to inspect the gutters of your house several times a year and clean/repair them regularly, otherwise you might stumble upon one of the following problems.

Foundation damage

This can be one of the most serious and expensive to fix type of problem clogged gutters can cause. Basically, if the gutters are blocked, water cannot pass through and it is not channeled correctly into a safe direction, away from the property. The water will simply fall all over the place, keeping the foundation moist and causing huge deterioration in the long run.

In most cases, foundation damage caused by clogged gutters cannot be seen until it is too late and fixing the foundation can cost a fortune, not to mention that the value of the property will also decrease. To prevent this, make sure that you take a look at your gutters at least several times a year and you will have more peace of mind.

Landscape damage

In a similar fashion, when rainwater falls all over the place, chances are that it will be spilled on flower beds, small trees, shrubs and other plants you might have around your house. In the most unfortunate cases, it can even be spilled on you when you expect the least and that is why it is paramount to clean the gutters regularly.

Gutters can fall on the ground if they become too heavy

When gutters are much clogged, they tend to be filled with debris, leaves, small tree branches and so on. When this debris combines with water, the gutters can become quite heavy and especially if they are slightly damaged, they will eventually collapse and fall on the ground. This is quite dangerous if someone in your family or maybe you might be under the gutters when this happens.

Wasps and rats can create nests in your gutters

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Homeowners who don’t clean their gutters on a regular basis give different types of pests like wasps and rodents a chance to create colonies and establish nests inside them. This is a very bad thing as rodents can spread a lot of diseases and illnesses, not to mention that they will damage the gutters further in the long run. Similarly, wasps can be a real danger as they can sting you or your family members and their poison might trigger an allergic reaction to someone who is sensitive to these insects. Therefore, if you want to protect your family members and live in a safe property, make sure that you unclog the gutters on a regular basis and keep them as clean as possible.

You cannot harvest rainwater

A lot of homeowners rely on the gutters in order to harvest the rainwater and this is a good thing as rainwater can be used with multiple purposes later on such as watering plants, washing the car, washing the walkways, the garage door, etc. However, if the gutters are damaged and they feature cracks and leaks, the rainwater harvesting process will not be as efficient as possible and this is a pity since using rainwater on a regular basis for daily tasks can significantly reduce your water bill in the long run.

Small plants and even grass can grow on your gutters

If the gutters are very dirty and seriously clogged, it won’t be long until you might see small plants and grass growing from them. This happened to a lot of homeowners who were negligent about their gutters throughout the entire year. Needless to say, plants and grass growing from gutters can considerably reduce the curb appeal of your property and decrease its value, not to mention that passersby who will see this will immediately believe that the homeowner is a careless person.

Clogged gutters can cause water infiltration in the spring

During winter months, ice might be formed in gutters which are not cleaned properly because the water cannot be drained correctly. As a result, when the spring comes and ice starts to melt, it will have no clear path to drain away from the house and it will eventually leak into the property, causing further damage and problems which are not that cheap to fix. If the gutters are cleaned, melting ice can easily be directed away from the house, protecting the roof as well as the entire property.

If you have gutters which are not in a good condition and you want to replace them for an affordable price, make sure that you explore our website and you give us a call. We offer top quality gutters which can last for a long period of time and come in a choice of colors as well.