Thinking About Replacing Your Home Windows?

Posted on August 14, 2012 by admin

As a homeowner, home maintenance projects are endless. Even the newest of homes require regular upkeep. Furthermore, as your exterior battles the natural elements on a daily and yearly basis, the need for new home improvements is necessary.

Replacing your windows could be the best investment you make to your home, while lowering your utility bills. If you live in a harsh cold climate, the warm spring months are the best time to replace your existing home windows. On the other hand, if your climate is hot and humid in the summer months, during the Spring is the best time to replace your existing home windows to avoid swollen wood and fluctuations in moisture.

Here are a few factors to consider before replacing your windows:

-Warm or Cool Spots: Warm or cold spots on the inside of the window mean your home is not being properly insulated.

-Drafts: Do the candle test. Begin by lighting a candle and tracing it around the perimeter of the window. As you trace around the window the candle should not flicker. If it does, you have a draft.

-Peeling Paint: Moisture, exposure to UV Rays, and extreme temperature changes all cause expansion and contraction, resulting in peeling paint, and windows not closing properly.

-Soft Window Frames: Using a flat blade screwdriver, tap the window frame. If the screwdriver can be easily pushed into the wood, there is decay.

-Frost and Ice: If your windows frost or ice over in cold weather, there is poor insulation.

-Smooth Operation: Your windows should open and close without sticking, and stay open without a prop.

-Exterior Noise: Old single-pane windows have poor insulation. Upgrading to new windows can help in sound reduction.

-Don’t See The Light: Have one person stand outside and shine a flashlight around the window frame. The person inside should not see the light travel around the edges. If they do, there is caulk or seal failure, leading to energy loss.

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What Makes A Metal Roof Energy Efficient

Posted on July 20, 2012 by admin

The materials and finishes used in metal roofs work to reflect heat that would otherwise be absorbed into a home, which would then need to be cooled.  Not only does an energy efficient metal roof system keep your home cooler during warm summer months, it also reduces your carbon footprint which makes your home and our planet a better place to live in.

How can installing a metal roof in your home reduce your carbon footprint?

Today’s aluminum metal roofing is coated with a PVDF resin known as Kynar 500. Depending on the metal color you choose, the roof can reflect from 25 to 97% of the heat gain that would normally be absorbed into the house. Metal roofs maintain these reflective characteristics for decades. The roof is typically the least energy efficient element of the building exterior, and the use of Kynar 500 coated premium aluminum metal roofing can make a huge contribution to the energy efficiency of the total house.

A few manufacturers of aluminum roofs use recycled aluminum from industrial scrap, while others use post-consumer recycled aluminum beverage cans. Post-consumer recycled aluminum is great for the environment, saves energy and reduces your home’s carbon footprint for the next 100 years. Homeowners also enjoy superior durability, performance, a variety of colors and styles to choose from.

Metal Roofing NJ is a premier metal roofing and metal porch roofing company for all types of residential and commercial metal roofing services. The company has a highly efficient team of technicians and representatives who provide excellent quality residential metal roofing. If you are interested in learning more, call today and we will be happy to show you the difference a metal roof could make for your home or business.

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Is A Metal Roof Right For Your Home

Posted on June 30, 2012 by admin

Homeowners often question whether a metal roof is right for their home. The fact is that metal roofs can be a great addition to just about any home. The key consideration in making a decision is what the homeowner’s goals are with placing a new roof.

Here are the goals that normally will prompt a homeowner to buy a metal roof:

-The homeowner intends to stay in the home through at least one re-roofing cycle. Because residential roofing prices double about every ten years, the financial benefits of metal roofing really kick in once the homeowner has gone through one re-roofing cycle.

-The homeowner cares about the style and value of their home. Installing a metal roof will help keep a fresh look over the long term, make your home more beautiful, and also more valuable.

-The homeowner wants to do the right thing for the environment. The recycled content, sustainability, recyclability, and energy efficiency offered by metal roofing is unmatched by other materials.

-The home is located in an area prone to weather extremes. Metal roofing has a great track record and specific benefits such as low weight and interlocking panels make it very lasting in severe weather areas. If you live in an area prone to high winds, hurricanes, hail, blazing sun, ice, snow, earthquakes, or firestorms, metal roofing can offer abundant protection.

-A beautiful and unique metal rooff is a way to increase the character of one’s home.

-The home is older and you prefer to keep the old roof in place. The low weight of a metal roof can preserve the life of your home, and encourages its installation over old shingles, allowing homeowners to invest their money in a better roof rather than old roof removal and disposal.

 

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Coatings For Leaky Metal Roofs

Posted on May 31, 2012 by admin

Replacing a roof can be a difficult, expensive, and time consuming process. Metal roofs provide an economical solution since they are more durable than traditional shingled roofs and can be repaired fairly easily. Leaking metal roofs can be coated with a sealant that will stop the leak and prevent future drips.

One disadvantage to metal roofs is the fact that they expand and contract with the changing temperatures. Metal expands during extreme cold temperatures and retracts during the warmer temperatures. In addition, the holes around the roofing nails tend to change in size and often become the source of leaks for metal roofs. The best coatings for metal roofs need to be able to work for the continual expansion and contraction of the roof.

Elasomerics

Elasomerics are one of the most effective coatings for metal roofs. They are coatings characterized as a liquid rubber. The liquid rubber can be spread out over a metal roof and provide an effective sealant, while at the same time protecting the surface of the roof from environmental elements. It allows for the expansion and contraction of the metal roof, while providing a buffer against falling objects, such as hail.

Asphalt

Reflective asphalt is another reliable covering for a metal roof also used to repair a leaky roof. However, asphalt works best if you are going to cover the entire roof. Reflective asphalt deflects the sun’s rays, keeping the home from heating up quickly. It also provides an effective seal and protective coating in the same way the elasomerics coatings do.

Latex and Polyurethane

Latex and polyurethane are also used to repair a leaky roof. Polyurethane is used more often when industrial oils or chemicals are present. Latex is not as durable as asphalt or elasomerics but it provides the added benefit of being pigmented to change the color of the roof, if desired.

 

 

 

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What Are The Best Colors For Metal Roofing?

Posted on April 22, 2012 by admin

Modern metal roofs are made to last with no color fading, rusting, or chalking if the right paints and protective finishes are used. The best metal roofing includes warranties and guarantees for the materials used, including the paint and color. Color choices may vary slightly between the different styles of metal roofing, standing seam, panel, and look-alikes. One of the major features of metal roofing is that it can come in virtually an unlimited number of color choices. Now, keep in mind a particular color might be expensive if no one has made that combination before or stocks it regularly, but there are a number of color choices available as stock colors that are readily available in most metals.

In addition to the wide variety of solid colors, there are also a number of two-tone colors that can add a lot of interest to a roof. These multi-tone roofs are relatively new and the number of choices in such finishes is expanding daily as more manufacturers discover ways of accomplishing this technique with more and better results.

There are also a wide variety of smooth and textured finishes available on metal roofing. The natural or bare metal roofs, including copper, zinc, steel, aluminum and a few other even more exotic metals that provide a unique and distinctive color that sets it apart.

Another important fact to consider when choosing a color is that the lighter colors are more reflective of heat than the darker metal roofs. This can be very useful when controlling solar heat transfer to a roof deck and attic. A white metal roof is one of the new Energy Star reflective coatings that are the coolest possible roof coverings available. This type of roof can be 50 to 60 degrees cooler compared to a dark shingle roof. Other Energy Star roof colors can include a variety of contemporary brown shades, brick reds and ivy greens.

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The Cool Pigment Technology

Posted on March 18, 2012 by admin

Whether on a building or a home, the roof plays a major role in the absorption of heat from sunlight—this is known as solar radiation. Heat can either be reflected into the atmosphere, or absorbed through conduction into the building. When sunlight is absorbed it will heat the roof’s surface, and the more solar radiation absorbed, the greater the need to release the heat.

Emissivity is the measurement of the roof’s ability to shed absorbed heat.

The overall roof’s design such as type, color, and elevation will determine how the heat is reflected, and the absorbed heat is released. The goal of cool coating technology is to be able to reflect solar radiation and shed what heat is absorbed away from the surface of a building or home.

Coatings colored with conventional pigments absorb infrared radiation. By replacing the conventional pigments with cool pigments there is less infrared radiation absorption. Cool coatings lower roof surface temperatures, reduce the need for cooling energy in conditioned buildings, and make unconditioned buildings more comfortable.

Cool pigments work by absorbing and reflecting different parts of the sun’s wavelength spectrum based on their chemistry. They selectively absorb visible light, and what light it reflects appears to the human eye as color. Nearly 40% of the sun’s energy occurs in the visible light range (400 to 700 nm), more than 50% of the sun’s energy is in the non-visible infrared region (700-2500nm). It’s the infrared (IR) that is largely responsible for heat build-up.

The two types of pigments used in coatings are organic and inorganic. Organic pigments offer very vivid and bright colors but are not as opaque as inorganic pigments. Inorganic pigments known as Complex Inorganic Color Pigments (CICP) are used on metal roofing. The pigments within this group display high IR-reflectivity for a given visible color.

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The Benefits Of Rainwater Harvesting

Posted on February 6, 2012 by admin

Even though we live in an advanced world, there are still many people who rely on nature for their fundamental needs. Rainwater harvesting is the accumulation and storage of rainwater for reuse. Harvesters collect rainwater from the rooftops of commercial and residential buildings. It can also be collected from the ground. It has been used as water for livestock, water for irrigation, as well as other typical uses. The rainwater from the roof is good quality and requires no treatment.  Just as good is the fact that rainwater collection systems are easy to install and operate.

The rainwater collected from the roofs of houses and local institutions can make an important contribution to the availability of drinking water, and also supplement the subsoil water level and increase urban greenery. Storm water harvesting is water collected from the ground, from areas that are prepared for this purpose.

Roof rainwater may not be potable and may require treatment before consumption. The rainwater that rushes from your roof may carry pollutants, such as mercury from coal burning buildings, or bird feces. Although some rooftop materials may produce rainwater that would be harmful to human health it can be useful in flushing toilets, washing clothes, watering the garden, and washing cars, etc. Overflow from rainwater harvesting tank systems can be used to refill aquifers in a process called groundwater recharge.

There are several types of systems to harvest rainwater, ranging from very simple home systems to complex industrial systems. The rate at which water can be collected from either system is dependent on the plan area of the system, its efficiency, and the intensity of rainfall. The rainwater harvesting system channels rainwater from a roof into storage via an arrangement of gutters and pipes. Roof gutters need to be large enough to carry peak flows. Storage tanks should be covered to prevent mosquito breeding, reduce evaporation losses, contamination and algal growth.

Many are considering rainwater harvesting for various reasons even though the average household obtains their water supply through their local water company. For instance, rainwater harvesting may be the only available water source in their remote areas. Some areas may be facing water restrictions due to a low supply of municipal water, while others just prefer the natural elements of water compared to the municipal water containing chlorine, fluoride, and ammonia. Also, some homeowners just want to control their home’s foundation from having excessive moisture levels around it, and others just use harvesting as a method to reduce their water bills.

As you can see, rainwater harvesting systems not only enhance daily life, but are also very beneficial and drastically help communities reduce demand on the water supply as well as run-off, erosion, and contamination of surface water.

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Galvalume Metal Roofing

Posted on January 10, 2012 by admin

Galvalume is an aluminum-zinc coated steel that provides extra corrosion protection. It has been used for over 25 years in industrial and residential roofing projects. It offers the best qualities of aluminum-coated (aluminized) and zinc-coated (galvanized) steels. Galvalume offers optimal value, benefits, and protection for your home. It is extremely popular due to its versatility, ease of use, and long-term performance.

The many benefits of Galvalume include:

.It has barrier corrosion resistance and heat resistance. It is 55% aluminum-45% zinc alloy coated sheet steel making it unable to crack, rust, and peel with exposure to sun, wind, rain, and varying types of weather.

. A steel roof is the most fire safe roof. It is classified as a noncombustible roofing material.

.Provides a sturdy, long lasting and protective covering, which last longer than ordinary metal roof panels, and traditional roofing materials such as asphalt shingles.

.Are projected to last 30 to 40 years before any major repairs may be needed, making it a great investment for your home.

.The roof panels are good reflectors of sunlight and heat. It keeps external hot air in the summer months from entering your home and also reflects internal heat from your home back inside in the winter months. A homeowner can save up to 42% on energy bills!

.The roofing panels are strong and lightweight. They weigh less than one-third the weight of asphalt/fiberglass shingles and are as much as 75% lighter than clay, concrete, or slate.

.It can be retrofitted over your current nonmetallic roof, saving you time and money.

Galvalume now covers buildings in all kinds of climates and environments throughout the United States, Canada, Mexico, Europe, Asia, and Australia. Galvalume is also used in standing seam roofing, tubing for fences, computer cases, greenhouses, steel buildings and much more.

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Your Last Painting Experience

Posted on November 16, 2011 by admin

James Hardie ColorPlus Technology is a state-of-the-art finishing system that provides exceptional color consistency on every siding product in a wide range of colors. In addition, James Hardie siding is warranted not to rot, warp, or be damaged by hail or winds up to 150 mph. There is no control over the weather, but that does not mean you have no control over the siding you choose. James Hardie offers fiber-cement siding
that resists severe climates and damage by precipitation. That means you can rest assured knowing the weather outside is not affecting your siding.

Alternative siding products allow moisture to promote rot.  If you have wood siding, rain, snow and humidity are all hazardous to your home.  Moisture can also have an adverse effect on a home with vinyl siding. Since it’s not tightly nailed, but rather hung loosely
to allow for expansion and contraction, moisture can build behind panels potentially
penetrating the structure of your home.

The good news is that James Hardie Siding is made of fiber cement so it does not undergo the same degree of expansion and contraction that wood-based and vinyl
sidings do. James Hardie Siding holds onto paint three to four times longer than wood siding, reducing your overall maintenance costs. It is a fully engineered complete coating system that is environmentally controlled, and saves you approximately $5000 over 8 years.

Many homeowners forget to consider the costs and concerns associated with painting the siding that they choose.  Wood siding eventually cracks and warps with even the highest-quality paints. So it begs to be scraped, sanded, primed, and repainted every 3-5 years, sometimes sooner. This type of maintenance is hard work and takes a long time, so hiring a painter each time would be extremely expensive. Consider siding for your home and think about the benefits that James Hardie siding will offer you in the long-run.

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1 Reason Why Metal Roofing Is Important In Hot Climates

Posted on August 30, 2011 by admin

Metal roofing is especially important and enjoys strong popularity in warm climates because towering temperatures and intense sun are especially damaging to roofing materials prompting homeowners to seek out more durable, long-lasting, and energy proficient alternatives such as metal.

So, therefore, let’s explore one reason among many as to why having a metal roof can be valuable to you, and also why it is extremely popular in hot climates:

• Durability

One of the main reasons metal roofing works so well is because it is durable. In all climates, roofs are often subject to severe winds and damaging rains; but in hot climates, it also endures intense heat and an extremely high amount of sunlight. Most of the time, heat and sun cause most roofing materials to break down rapidly—they dry out, fissure, coil, and crumble. As this happens, their lives are shortened and they become more susceptible to leaks and wind damage.

But metal doesn’t do that—it is virtually impermeable to heat and sun.

A special attribute in regards to metal roofing being so durable in hot climates is color retention. Many older paint technologies perform well but the sun is their enemy. Landowners who are seeking a painted metal roof can find products which have PVDF coatings. These high quality coatings, known often though not exclusively by the trade names of Kynar 500 and Hylar 5000, are highly fade and chalk resistant and out-perform other paint systems. Their durability comes from the PVDF resin which, based upon the mineral fluorite, creates a very tight molecular structure to hold the pigment in place, not allowing it to chalk. Additionally, these coatings use only inorganic pigments for their color–pigments known for being highly fade resistant.

So, one of the main reasons why you should consider a metal roof if you live in a warm climate is because it is durable and it will retain the color in which you have had it constructed with.

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