Replacement Windows Video

Take a look at this well done video from our friends at Weathertight in Wisconsin. It explains their process of installing replacement windows and also discusses things to consider when deciding if replacement windows are right for your home.

The decision to replace windows on a home is one of the biggest investments a homeowner will make. You may think that your windows are good enough or can get you by a few more years. Take a few moments to watch this short video on why you may want to replace your decent looking older windows.

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Importance of Roof Ventilation

Now that the importance of ventilation has been established this article will talk about the common types of attic ventilation.

Gable Vents–

These are openings in the gable (peaks at the ends of the house) which are usually rectangular in shape but can also be triangle, oval or other such shape.  This method provides for cross ventilation but only moves air in the upper portion of the attic.  This is how many homes were built prior to the use of ridge vents.  What many customers and contractor aren’t aware of is if a house has properly installed lower ventilation and upper ventilation then gable vents are actually counter- productive as they interfere with the convection action.

Roof-Ridge-Vents

Ridge vents-

A ridge vent is a cut down the center of the roof at the peak, which exposes the rafters of the roof and allows for the escape of air.  The opening is then sheltered with a baffeled cover which prevents water and critters from getting in.  Finally it is capped with roofing shingles to blend in with the rest of the roof.

Soffit Vents-Roof-Soffit-Vents

These are openings which are cut into the soffit (overhang) allowing for the intake of exterior air up into the attic space.  It is very important to make sure that attic insulation is not blocking the outer wall and stuffed all the way down into the rafters, as the opening will be blocked and airflow will not be achieved.  If the air space is blocked this can be remedied by installing what are called “baffles”.  Baffles are simply Styrofoam pieces that are stuffed down in the rafters on the outer wall of the attic keeping the insulation pulled back allowing a channel for the airflow.

Roof-ConvectionConvection-

The best designed ventilation systems have what is called “convection” with lower intake of air and upper outflow of air.  Cooler, dryer outside air will enter the soffit vent near the attic floor which in turn forces the existing heat and moisture filled air out through the ridge vent placed high on the roof peak.

Unique Challenges-

Some houses are constructed in such ways that different types of ventilation, such as power venting and static vents, are required.  United Home Experts is skilled in handling these unique challenges.  Contact us today for a free no obligation roofing estimate.

For information about how much roofing costs read this article: “How Much Does A New Roof Cost?“

Or to learn more about proper roofing installation, download our free guide:

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Shriners Home Show 2012 – Wilmington, MA

Suburban Boston Home Show 2012

Location: Aleppo Shriners 99 Fordham Road Wilmington, MA 01887-0578

Show Hours:

Friday, February 10, 11:00am – 10:00pm
Saturday, February 11, 10:00am – 10:00pm
Sunday, February 12, 10:00am – 6:00pm

Directions:

Shriners Auditorium is conveniently located off I-93 in Wilmington, MA.
Coming north or south, take Exit 39
Bear right at end of ramp onto Concord Street
Take first left at Fordham Road lights
Follow to end, and you will see signs to auditorium and parking areas.

Home Show FAQs:

What is the cost to attend?
Admission is FREE.

Is parking available?
Yes, parking is available at no charge.

Where can I buy tickets?
Admission is FREE, tickets are not being sold for this show.

Can I purchase products at the show?
Yes, many exhibitors sell their products or contract for services on-site at the show, often at a discount. Ask individual exhibitors for details.

Are discount admission coupons available?
No, admission is FREE for this show.

Are food and refreshments available?
Yes, there is a concession during show hours where snacks and beverages can be purchased.

Does the facility have wheelchair access?
Yes, but the facility does not have wheelchairs available for public use.

Can I bring a stroller?
Yes, strollers are welcome in all areas of the show floor.

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The Best Venting Ridge Vent

This video demonstrates how Shingle-Vent II is the better ventilating system in comparison with several different styles of ridge vents. The University of Florida tested the consistent reliability of Shingle Vent II by building a special test house with two separate attic chambers built exactly alike. One attic chamber has the Shingle Vent II installed, while the other attic chamber has an unbaffled vent. Inside the attic chamber with Shingle-Vent II, they placed an orange smoke stick. In an identical position in the other attic chamber, they placed a yellow smoke stick of identical length and smoke volume. The orange and yellow colored smoke allows you to see how each vent operates. The external baffle permits smoke to come out of both sides of the ridge vent, while the unbaffled vent does not. As a result, the external baffle vent of the Shingle-Vent II evacuates more smoke than the unbaffled vent.

Camera’s inside the attic spaces also show how the Shingle-Vent II helps to evacuate the air. The Shingle-Vent II harnesses the wind to ventilate the attic, pumping the air out, and clearing out the spoke quicker. As the video demonstrates, several different unbaffled vents were tested alongside the Shingle-Vent II, and each test demonstrates how much more effectively the Shingle-Vent II ventilates the attic. From the vent with the external baffles, the Shingle-Vent II, smoke came out equally from both sides of the ridge vent and attic spaces cleared quicker, even under different wind conditions.

In considering ridge vents, you may be wondering why a better ventilating ridge vent is important. Better ventilating ridge vents release moisture and therefore decrease mold problems. Lower heat in your attic as a result of a better ventilating ridge vent means ice won’t freeze, then thaw and build up ice dams. Thus a better ventilating ridge vent will reduce ice dams overall. Lower heat in your attic during the summer makes your house easier to cool and can therefore lower energy bills. These are just a few factors that are important to consider when choosing a ridge vent that will improve the quality of your home.

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Glossary of Roofing Terminology

roof_knowledge_12roof_knowledge_13

Deck/Sheathing:
The wood product-usually rough lumber or plywood -to which the roofing shingles are installed. These boards are fastened to the rafters of the roof.
Dormer:
A small structure projecting from a sloped roof, usually with one or more windows.  There are many types of dormers including gable dormers and shed dormers.
Drip edge:
A flashing (usually metal) applied around the roof edges to help water coming off the roof drain properly.  Drip edge tries to direct water to “drip” to the ground or surface below rather than run down the fascia or siding.
Eave:
The horizontal lower edge of sloped roof usually attached to the rafter tails (ends of roof rafters).
Fascia:
A flat board, band or face located at the outer edge of the roof.  This term is sometimes uses interchangeably with “Eave”.
Felt/underlayment:
A sheet of asphalt-saturated material–either paper or fiberglass (often called “tar paper”) used as a layer of protection between the shingles and sheathing.
Flashing:
Pieces of metal used to prevent the seepage of water around any intersection or projection in a roof, such as vent pipes, chimneys, valleys, and the joints at vertical walls.
Fire rating:
The Underwriters Laboratories (UL) system for classifying the fire-resistance of various materials. Roofing materials are “Class A,” “B” or “C,” with “A” materials having the highest resistance to fire originating outside the structure.
Louvers:
Slatted devices installed in the gable or soffit (the underside of the eaves) to ventilate the space below the roof deck and equalize air temperature and moisture.
Oriented-strand board/OSB:
Roof deck panels (4’ x 8’) made of narrow bits of wood, laid down lengthwise and crosswise in layers, held together with a resin “glue.” Often used as a substitute for plywood sheets.
Penetrations:
Vents, pipes, stacks, chimneys-anything that sticks up through the roof deck.
Rafters:
The supporting framing to which the roof deck is attached.
Rake:
The inclined edge of a roof over a wall.
Ridge:
The top edge of two intersecting sloping roof surfaces.
Slope:
Measured by rise in inches for each 12 inches of horizontal run: A roof with a 4-in-12 slope rises 4 inches for every foot.
Square:
The common measurement for roof area-100 square feet (10’ x 10’)
Truss:
The engineered components which have supplemented rafters in many newer houses. They are designed for specific applications and cannot be cut or altered in any way.
Valley:
The angle formed at the intersection of two sloping roof surfaces.
Vapor Retarder:
A material designed to restrict the passage of water vapor through a roof or wall.
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Increasing Your Property Value… With Lawn Care?

Thanks to Shawn K. from Weed Pro in Ohio for this awesome blog post!  I bet if you think about you’ll agree, we subconsciously evaluate a home in part by the health of the lawn.

What’s it Worth to You?

We all know that improving your home’s roof, siding, and windows can have an immediate impact on the value of your home.  But lawn_caredid you know that improving the look and color of your lawn has an impact too?

More than likely, the last place that anyone looks to increase there home’s value is to improve his or her lawn and landscape.  However, a well-manicured lawn and landscape, according to some real estate agents, can raise your property’s value by over 5%.  At those rates, improving your lawn and landscape is an easy way to improve your investment in your home.

Lawn care is even more important when selling your home.  Not only does a beautiful landscape increase your home’s value, but it also serves as the first impression to potential buyers when approaching your home. A lawn overridden by weeds and dead brush can automatically give a negative perception of the house, even before seeing what the inside has to offer.

Tips for Improving that Lawn

 

  1. Test your soil.   A good-looking lawn starts with understanding what kind of food your lawn needs to grow strong and healthy.  Most home improvement stores sell soil-testing kits, and all good professional lawn care companies provide testing at no charge.
  2. Feed Me!  Fertilizing your lawn is not as easy as it may sound.  Like your body, it needs certain nutrients.  After receiving the results of your soil test, you’ll know exactly what your lawn needs, and can layout a proper “nutrition” plan to keep it green!
  3. Preemergents are you friends!  The best way to get rid of weeds and crabgrass is to prevent them from growing early in the year with fertilizers that contain preemergents.
  4. Spot treat your weeds.  Ever here the term, “they are growing like a weed?”  Well, it’s true.  Even if you put down preemergent and follow up with “weed & feed” fertilizers, weeds will pop up in between treatments.  The best way to hand this is to buy a bottle of selective spot weed killer and take care of them as they pop up.

Follow these simple steps and you’ll have a weed-free, beautiful lawn that will have the neighbors in awe!

Shaun Kanary is with Weed Pro, an Ohio lawn care company based in Cleveland, Ohio.  To read more tips and tricks, visit their lawn care website.

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How Much Does Fiber Cement Siding Cost?

For a detailed comparison of the cost of different types of siding read this article: How Much Does Siding Cost?

There are several factors a contractor will consider when establishing an estimate for fiber cement siding. A siding contractor with experience will begin by taking into consideration the type of siding you have chosen. You may have decided on fiber cement siding, but there are many colors and styles, such as horizontal and vertical boards or shingles. Then you may also want to choose between a smooth or rough texture, as well as a stone look versus a wood look.

Once you have decided on the color and style of fiber cement siding, the contractor will take into account the square footage and 1-70146aa4765b423d8c2df97de04adb4aheight of your house. The contractor will also examine the number of siding surfaces and the complexity of your home structure, as well as the state of the existing walls and whether any demolition of current siding is necessary. This may be needed if walls have not be maintained well, or if there is any kind of water or weather damage that has occurred. In this kind of situation, the fiber cement siding job may require other repair work and therefore additional costs. These are just a few elements of a fiber cement siding job that a respected contractor will consider, and there are many other components that will also come into play.

You may have considered all of these aspects of a fiber cement siding job, but there are other additional expenses that accrue as a result of necessary permits depending on what your city or town requires. These may include a building permit, a street permit, and even a dumpster permit. The dumpster itself will increase the overall cost of the fiber cement siding job, as will overage fees for the weight of the siding scraps.

There are so many details to a fiber cement siding job that an experienced contractor will know exactly what needs to be considered for an accurate estimate. An expert contractor can help you take into consideration all the different elements for a professional and thorough fiber cement siding job.

Get A Price On
New Siding

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Signs A Roof is Bad

Replacing your roof is not a flashy home improvement project so most people delay it too long. Sometimes that means they’ll sustain serious damage to the interior of their home.  Expensive roof repairs might include:

  • wood rot replacement,
  • plaster and drywall repair
  • painting
  • mold removal
  • insulation replacement
  • and electric damage repair

Here’s a list of signs to look for when determining if your roof is bad and needs repair/replacement.

  • Stains on Interior Ceilings & Walls

Possible Cause: Inadequate or faulty shingle underlayment allowing leakage, or inadequate ventilation.

ceiling stains

  • Missing, Cracked or Curling Shingles

Possible Cause: Low grade shingles or shingles that have exceeded their expected life.

 roof shingle replacement

  •  Roof Shingle Deterioration, Cracking, and Cupping

Possible Cause: Built up heat due to poor attic ventilation.

 roof leak

  • Peeling, Bubbling, or Blistering Exterior Paint

Possible Causes:  Poor attic ventilation trapping moisture in the house.

 peeling paint

  •  Dark, “Dirty-Looking” Areas on Your Roof

Possible causes: Environmental pollutants; lichen, algae, fungus or other environmental growth; loss of granules because of low quality shingles or shingles that have exceeded their expected life.

 algae on roof

We have homeowners contact us on a regular basis with emergency roof problems that could have been avoided if they just paid attention to the signs. Please don’t hesitate to contact us if you think your roof may need to be replaced. Contact Us For a Free Estimate by calling 1-888-724-6865 or filling out the form below.

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Tankless Water Heater Installation

Here’s a great article from our friends at emergency Response Plumbing and Heating in Rhode Island.tankless water heater installation

Benefits Going with a High Efficiency Water Heater!

As a homeowner, you are always looking to save money any time you remodel. One popular option you might be considering is an energy-efficient water heater. Often referred to as tankless heaters, these systems give you more flexibility in home design and construction.

So what is it about these water heaters that’s making them so darn popular? With water heating costs averaging about 30 percent of a home’s energy costs, more energy-efficient systems have the potential to save you some serious cash.

  • Endless hot water. Because these ‘tankless’ systems heat water on demand, you never have to worry about those long showers. And,since there’s no water-filled tank continually heating, these systems are running more efficiently.
  • Technology. Energy-efficient heaters utilize computer chips to regulate water flow and energy usage.
  • Flexible installation. By design, these water heaters take up much less space and are easier to place closer to interior bathrooms.
  • Less leaks. Hard water minerals and sediment collect at the bottom of water tanks; tankless systems eliminate this problem all together. Really, you don’t want hot water leaking throughout your home.

If you are considering a remodel and want to investigate energy-efficient water heaters, contact your local professional plumber. Their working knowledge of the latest energy-saving water heaters is an invaluable asset and can help save you even more money.

Give Us a Call 401-825-7775 and Ask the Plumber any questions or concerns you may have! It’s FREE!

Sincerely, Emergency Response Plumbing, Heating and Air Conditioning We Serve All of Rhode Island!

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The Best Fiber Cement Siding Contractors in MA, NH, & RI

United Home Experts /United Painting Company Inc. is well known as the best fiber cement siding contractor in New England.  We are a recommended Installer, preferred by many homeowners and builders in MA, NH, RI and CT. Fiber cement, also known as cement fiber products require specific training in their unique procedures and guidelines for proper installation. Our craftsmen will ensure your warranties are honored should you ever need it.

Why Fiber Cement for Your New England Home?after

Fiber cement siding is great product for New England because New England is home to many traditional homes.  Fiber cement has the look and feel of wood siding but without all the expensive and tedious maintenance.

If you’re looking to work with a highly rated fiber cement siding contractor in New England you may request a free siding estimate here

If you’re not sure what to do next, you may also download a free siding comparison which has helpful information about the best siding products and helps you decide if Fiber cement is the best siding for your New England home.

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