Improving Curb Appeal While Protecting Your Home’s Value

Reposted Courtesy of the North American Precis Syndicate:

(NAPSI)-A roof does more than just keep the elements out. As one of the first things potential homebuyers see, it plays a large part in creating curb appeal.

The National Roofing Contractors Association recommends homeowners conduct seasonal roof inspections and be aware of their material options in case their roofs ever require repair or replacement. Each spring and fall, homeowners should clear debris from their gutters, check roof shingles for damage, inspect the areas around chimneys and pipes, and check walls and ceilings inside the home for water damage.

Shingles that are buckled, curled, blistered or missing an excessive amount of granules are likely at the end of their lives. So if it’s time to replace them, it is a good idea to consider such options as weather-resistant and environmentally friendly roofing shingles. Many roofing materials are engineered for impact resistance, and, as a result, homeowners who have them installed may be eligible for insurance premium reductions.

Choosing The Right Shingle

Shingle style plays a significant role in the overall look of a home, with the typical aesthetics of a roof affecting up to 40 percent of a home’s curb appeal. Vibrant and new shingle colors provide homeowners more and better roofing selections. Bold hues allow homeowners to coordinate eye-catching roofing with their siding or exterior accessories. For example, Landmark Solaris shingles from CertainTeed come in a variety of rich hues. Plus, these shingles can add a little green to the home-both environmentally and financially. Featuring roofing granules that reflect solar energy and radiate heat far better than traditional asphalt roofing shingles, they are ENERGY STAR certified, which helps earn homeowners valuable tax credits during tax season. During the summer months, these shingles can reduce the temperature of a roof, thereby reducing energy usage and utility bills.

Another option from CertainTeed is Symphony, a charming new slate-style roofing product that comes in three blends: Colonial Gray, a luxurious mixture of subtle gray; Capital Blend, a rich combination of gray, plum and green; and Evergreen, an eye-catching combination of green shades. This beautifully engineered polymer composite roofing product mimics the look and feel of traditional natural slate, yet is lighter and more durable and costs a fraction of the price. Plus, Symphony is an ENERGY STAR-rated product, and its contractor friendly design and lightweight material make it easy to install. For more about improving curb appeal and energy efficiency through roofing shingles, visit www.certainteed.com.

Seasonal roof inspections can help ensure that your home looks great and is properly protected against bad weather.

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Arrowstar Roofing & Construction are proud installers of CertainTeed residential products. For more information, or to request a free estimate, please call us locally at 405-365-6577 or visit us online at ArrowstarRoofing.com.

“Green Roofs” help students make the grade

Though we strongly advocate eco-friendly roofing systems, Arrowstar Roofing & Construction strongly advises against attempting to plant a large garden atop your roof due to the potential of severe structural damage if work is not performed correctly. However, we found this article interesting (to say the least) from a roofing standpoint, and it does make a few good points. Enjoy!

NAPSI – From starting school-wide recycling plans to cleaning up area parks, today’s students get high marks when it comes to helping the environment. Now a new program may help their grades go through the roof.

The initiative teaches students in grades 6 to 8 about green roofs—a roof that replaces traditional roofing with a living environment of plants and soil.

Among the benefits they offer, green roofs remove pollutants from storm water and reduce the amount of water that flows into sewer systems. The plants also store excess carbon from the atmosphere, lower radiant heat in the summer and create habitats for local wildlife. Additionally, green roofs provide extra insulation to buildings and last two or three times longer than traditional roofs.

The American Society of Landscape Architects (ASLA) runs the program, called “The Roof Is Growing!” It provides a lesson plan, workbook and an online interactive program designed to engage students on how green roofs cool cities, clean the air, create habitats and control storm water.

Funded by a grant from the National Endowment for the Arts, the initiative is meant to inspire young students to think creatively and use their imaginations as future landscape architects or on any path they choose.

Of course, there are ways by which parents can get kids thinking green at home, too. Try these tips:

Make It Fun

Let your child decorate the recycling bins you have at home as you explain to her what items can and can’t be recycled. You might even arrange for you and your child to tour the area recycling facility.

Take A Walk

Take your child for a walk in the woods to help him gain a greater appreciation of nature. If he has a favorite animal or habitat (deserts, jungles, etc.), encourage him to learn more at the library, at school and online.

Lead By Example

Be sure to recycle and take steps to protect the environment on your own. Setting a good example at home can help build Earth-friendly habits in kids that last a lifetime.

For more information, visit www.asla.org/greenroof.

A new program teaches students about the environmental benefits of a “green roof.”

Brought to you by
Arrowstar Roofing & Construction

Cutting Home Energy Costs: Tips for Oklahoma Homeowners

While not necessarily a roofing article, we found the following at a great content service that is of definite interest for all Central Oklahoma owners looking to get their dwelling ready for winter. Enjoy!

If you’re looking to cut back on energy consumption, make sustainable choices and save up to 20 percent a year in heating costs, think about air sealing your home.

As temperatures rise and fall, homes tend to expand and contract, creating gaps that leave an incomplete “building envelope.” Air sealing is simply closing those holes and gaps. Sealing this envelope means you use less energy to heat your home while reducing your carbon footprint derived from energy-intense HVAC systems.

CHECKING FOR AIR LEAKS

A quick and easy do-it-yourself home energy audit includes:

• Inspecting where two different materials meet. Examine all door and window frames.
• Shutting doors and windows on a piece of paper. If you can pull the paper out without tearing it, you have a leak.
• Examining electrical and gas service entrances, outdoor water faucets and where dryer vents or cable lines pass through foundation walls.
• Holding an incense stick in front of windows, doors and where exterior meets interior. Drifting smoke indicates an area that needs to be sealed or insulated.

SEALING AIR LEAKS

Once you determine where the leaks are located, you need the proper sealant to do the job. DAP’s Dynaflex 230 or Alex Ultra 230 sealants work well for sealing smaller gaps both indoors and out. They’re permanently flexible, making them excellent sealants to handle joint movement. They’re also latex-based, paintable, low odor, low VOC-content and clean up easily with water.

A foam sealant can be used for larger holes and gaps, except around heat sources such as chimneys and stoves, which require a specialty sealant.

Use it in a variety of locations including around windows, doors, pipes and vents. It’s designed to not over expand, so windows or sockets won’t pop out. Plus, it’s tool-able, and cleans up easily with water.

As temperatures change, homes expand and contract, creating gaps. Certain sealants are designed to seal those gaps, both indoors and out.

Brought to you by
Arrowstar Roofing & Construction.