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.

The Frog Blog: The lighter side of being a roofer…

By Dave Locklear
Owner, Arrowstar Roofing & Construction

Not that this has anything to do with roofing, but last week we started the process of re-opening our family’s swimming pool for the summer.

With months of no chlorine and foreign debris floating in the pool, it was a painstaking job to say the least!

With rain falling 20 out of 21 days, frogs seemed to have taken over our pool. The croaking at night was becoming unbelievable.

We started adding chlorine and shock. No effect. Nothing seemed to keep these new family members from their concrete-and-tile oasis… and from taking over the Locklear family’s pool!

For a while, the frogs would jump in without realizing they couldn’t get out. We felt it our duty to rescue them with the skimmer net to save their lives, but time and again they jumped right back in.

One night while standing by the pool, my wife said, “Look Honey, that frog is letting that other frog piggy-back rided on his back! He’s trying to save his life by getting him out of the pool!”

We both started thinking about what we had witnessed, amazed at experiencing this rare occurrence of nature and full ready to give the bottom frog a ‘Valor of Bravery’ award.

The next day my wife recounted the brave, life-saving story to her sister, who in turn told her brother-in-law.

He had a good hearty laugh.

“They’re were mating!” he said.

I like my wife’s and my version better, though. Don’t you?

Property owners urged to be ‘Patient’, says Oklahoma City roofing contractor

Arrowstar Roofing & Construction - Oklahoma Tornado and Storm Damage Experts

By David W. Locklear
Owner, Arrowstar Roofing & Construction

Due to the recent extreme wind and hail in various sections of the Metropolitan Oklahoma City area, Arrowstar Roofing would like to remind property owners to be patient in getting roof estimates from local contractors.

Our city has be inundated with out-of-town and ‘fly-by-night’ roofing companies, some from as far East as New Jersey.

These companies specialize in hailstorms around the United States. Some have unlimited advertising dollars, and many even rent local offices to provide more local legitimacy.

It’s important to deal locally, particularly when severe weather has residents in their most vulnerable, emotional states.

Key giveaways for spotting these ‘hail jumpers’ include out-of-state license plates on their vehicles, companies you’ve never heard of or companies in ‘close partnership’ with more local corporations, and – obviously – estimators’ accents that don’t quite seem to be Oklahoma native.

Most out-of-state companies will give from 3 to 5 year warranties, just like local companies. However, an important fact to remember is… when another hailstorm hits elsewhere in our great nation… these fly-by-nights will likely be gone upon hearing that first Weather Channel report.

What’s the downside to all this? You’re left with a worthless warranty… and often times a job that has used substandard (or used) materials or unqualified labor.

Remember to never pay more than one third to half of the total estimate as deposit prior to the work being started. Another good tip is to check area telephone books… a technique that allows you to assess whether or not the corporation has an established presence in the state of Oklahoma. Fly-by-night roofers almost never have Yellow Page or Business Directory ads.

Beware of Storm Damage Roofers

By Dave Locklear, Owner
Arrowstar Roofing & Construction

Arrowstar Roofing would like to remind home and business owners to beware of ‘fly-by-night’ or door-to-door roofing companies. These companies travel to hail storms around the country and present themselves as being a local company. Most will do a substandard job with their only intention being to get your money as fast as possible, then moving on to the next storm.

Some ‘fly-by-night’ roofing companies do acceptable work, however, if you have a leak or warranty issue 2 to 3 months down the road, the company can rarely be found as they have moved on to another location.

One giveaway of ‘fly-by-night’ salesmanis that they usually have an out-of-state phone number or an out-of-state tag. However, this may not always be the case as some large storm-chasing companies have the means to furnish their salesman with local phones as soon as they hit town.

Oklahoma is a key state for ‘fly-by-night’ companies because we do not require roofing companies to be licensed. Even though local companies have lobbied our state legislature to make roofing licensing mandatory just like plumbers, electricians and heating and air companies, the fact remains that Oklahoma has yet to act in this important matter. The sad part is, roof licensing in Oklahoma would eliminate homeowners from being taken advantage of.

Remember that Arrowstar Roofing is a family owned and operated company, with a continuous lifelong commitment to quality roofing in Oklahoma since 1942.

Tornado Damage Strikes Oklahoma: Don’t let sever roof damage deteriorate your structure further

Arrowstar Roofing & Construction - Oklahoma Tornado and Storm Damage Experts

With recent catastrophic weather events lambasting our state, Arrowstar Roofing & Construction offers its heartfelt condolences to those individuals in the Lone Grove, Oklahoma area that have lost their entire livelihoods. We will keep them in our prayers… particularly those that have suffered tragic life looses with friends and family members..

We also realize that significant damage has struck the Yukon, Edmond and Northwest Oklahoma City. The thought of losing one’s home can be earth-shattering.

Please let us assure you that Arrowstar is fully committed to assisting Oklahoma residents during these difficult times.

In addition to emergency repairs, Arrowstar also offers complete commercial and residential roof replacement, repair and maintenance in the state of Oklahoma… particularly in the greater OKC Metro area. We’ve had over 30 years experience dealing with tragic acts of mother nature, and are fully committed to handling your needs in a quick, professional manner.

From hot tar, tar and gravel, TPO/PVC, EPDM, all types of shingling and more roofing options, we are more than happy to get your job done as soon as possible in a professional manner, using only experienced journeymen roofers.

Arrowstar offers free estimates, written warranties on all reasonable jobs, and is fully insured for your protection.

Don’t allow your roof to deteriorate further after this week’s catastrophic storms.

For a free estimate, or for more information on how we can assist you in this time of need, please log on to www.arrowstarroofing.com now.

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.