Contractor Tips Blog

Dec
3

Three Changes to Make Your Home Green

Are you dismayed every time you open your energy bill? Even if you are careful to monitor your heating and cooling, turn off all unused lights and do other energy-saving tricks, it may be your home that is wasting energy, not you. Older homes with single-paned windows, shingle siding and an older roof could be leaking energy at the seams. Upgrading any of these three areas of your home can make it greener and much more energy efficient.

Vinyl Siding

Not only does vinyl siding look great and offer low maintenance, it can also improve your energy efficiency. Another green aspect is that it does not need constant painting that adds more chemicals to the environment.

New roofing

An old roof can be a money pit for your home. Shingles need to be repaired, leaks can cause water and mold damage, and your heating bill can be literally going through the roof. A quality new roof is a great investment in your home, cutting down on repair and energy costs.

New Windows

If your windows are leaking in the cold or hot outside air, you are fighting a losing battle trying to keep the air in your home comfortable. Newer windows can make a large difference in your energy bills, often paying for themselves in just a few years.

On top of saving you money and being a green choice, new siding, roofing or windows can all add value to your home. Everyone appreciates a home that is green and energy efficient. If your homes needs any of these three major sources of energy loss, talk to your local home improvement company about upgrading your home for a greener future.

Posted on behalf of:
Atwood Home Builders
227 W 8th Ave
Homestead, PA 15120
(412) 638-1262

Apr
8

Stop Painting Your Home- Save Money With New Siding

Is it time to paint your home- again? This summer, instead of spending more money on another paint job, consider investing in new siding. There are several benefits to having vinyl siding added to your home that can add value to your home while making it more efficient.

Five Reasons to Choose Vinyl Siding

If you have wood shingles or old aluminum siding on your home, you are probably resigned to fact that you will need to paint or do repairs every few years. While both have their merits, neither can compare to the benefits that vinyl siding can offer. Before you spend another penny on maintaining your existing siding, consider these five benefits to owning vinyl siding:

  1. Low maintenance. Vinyl siding is easy to maintain. It cleans easy with mild soap and water, rarely needs paint and lasts for decades.
  2. Energy efficient. Vinyl insulates your home better than most other options, helping reduce energy bills in both winter and summer.
  3. Durable. Do you have dings in your old siding from the last hail storm? Vinyl siding is durable and will resist dents and dings.
  4. Aesthetics. Vinyl siding is beautiful, increasing the value and curb appeal of your home. There are many color and design options to choose from, making it a great choice for any home.
  5. Green living. For less impact on the environment, vinyl siding is an excellent choice. It is energy efficient, needs no paint or chemicals for maintenance and is recyclable, making it a green choice for your home.

If you are ready to give up calling the painter or repair man every few years for your siding, it is time to install new vinyl siding. Talk to your local home contractor about adding new siding to your home this summer.

Posted on behalf of:
Atwood Home Builders
227 W 8th Ave
Homestead, PA 15120
(412) 638-1262

Feb
2

Are Your Old Windows Costing You Money?

One of the biggest factors in reducing your home heating or cooling energy bills is your windows. Poorly insulated windows drain your home of your heated air in the winter, and the costly cooled air in the summer. Although it can be a big investment to replace your old windows, it may actually save you money if you choose energy-efficient windows for your home.

Choosing Energy-Efficient Windows

If you own older windows with poor insulation or made of lower-quality materials, you may be spending hundreds of extra dollars each year in energy costs. Single-paned windows were commonly installed in older homes, with very little to keep outside air at bay. New technology has been used to create energy efficient windows, which can make a noticeable difference in your energy costs. Some of the factors that impact new window energy efficiency include:

  • Dual-panes. Switching from single to dual-paned windows offers more insulation.
  • Gas-filled. Windows featuring a gas-filled barrier can improve the thermal performance.
  • Low-e coatings. Low-emissivity, or low-e, coatings on window glass can reduce energy loss by up to 50%.
  • Energy Star approval. Windows that have received the Energy Star rating are proven to help improve energy usage.

Energy efficient windows come in all the same styles and options as other windows, adding beauty as well as value to your home. The biggest difference can be noticed during the coldest or hottest months of the year, when you will see the most substantial impact on your energy bills.

To start saving money on energy costs while adding value to your home, talk to your local home improvement contractor about installing new energy efficient windows. It’s worth the investment to improve the indoor climate of your home, while saving money off your energy bills for many years to come.

Posted on behalf of:
Atwood Home Builders
227 W 8th Ave
Homestead, PA 15120
(412) 638-1262

Apr
8

Why Vinyl Siding?

The siding on any house is critical to protecting the structure of the home, as well as the occupants and their possessions from exposure to the weather.  Today, vinyl siding is the most popular siding product being used on homes all across the United States due of its low cost, appealing appearance and exceptional performance in all weather conditions. 

Depending upon the architecture of the home, as well as the budget of the homeowner, there are a wide variety of vinyl siding products available including horizontal siding in various sizes, exposures and appearances, as well as vertical siding and various shake products.  In addition, all of these products are available in a wide variety of textures and pre-finished factory colors, which make the product virtually maintenance free. 

Vinyl siding is used on new homes, as well as on existing homes, where the existing aluminum or wood siding needs to be replaced.  In many cases over the years, aluminum siding will become unattractive, due to dings and dents, as a result of hail, falling tree branches and wind blown debris.  In addition, people with children may see damage from baseballs and footballs hitting the house as well.  Often wood siding needs to be replaced as a result of wood rot and insect or termite damage, due to improper maintenance. 

In most cases replacement vinyl siding can be installed on most homes within a week, depending upon the size of the home.  During the installation process, the home will remain fully protected, because the installer will only remove as much siding per day as they can replace that day. Properly installed, vinyl siding will provide years of service at an affordable price. 

Posted on behalf of Atwood Home Builders

Jan
29

Benefits Of Using Vinyl Siding

If your home needs a face lift, one of the best ways to give it a new look is with vinyl siding. Whether you currently have old, worn out siding or just are tired of needing to paint your home every few years, vinyl siding is an affordable option that looks great, is easy to maintain and can protect your home through all types of weather. In addition, vinyl siding comes in a wide variety of designs and color options, making it perfect for almost any home. 

Why Use Vinyl Siding

Choosing vinyl siding over painting or other types of siding such as shingles or shakes comes down to a few factors: price, maintenance and curb appeal. 

  • Price. While shakes and shingles can look nice, they are much more expensive than vinyl. Also, while painting is definitely less expensive than re-siding a home, in a few years that paint will need to be re-applied so the cost savings can be negligible.
     
  • Maintenance. Vinyl siding is the easiest siding to maintain. It does not need to be treated like wood or other materials, and is very easy to clean.
     
  • Curb appeal. There is no doubt that a newly painted or shingled home can look wonderful, however, it can quickly lose that look once bad weather hits. Vinyl siding looks as good a few years down the road as it did when it was first added. 

It is estimated that almost a third of homes in the U.S. now have vinyl siding, no doubt for many of these simple reasons. It is a practical, affordable way to make your old home look new again, so contact a reputable vinyl siding professional today to discuss your options for exterior home surfacing with vinyl.

Posted on behalf of Atwood Home Builders

Jan
29

Is It Time For A New Roof For Your Home?

The roof of your home is one of the most important investments you can make when considering home improvements. Your roof protects the rest of your home, providing coverage from harsh elements and extreme weather conditions. When it comes time to replace your roof, you want to choose the type of roof that will best suit your needs for decades to come as well as fit into your budget. 

Choosing A Roof Type

There are several varieties of roofing materials, all which come with their own benefits. Since a new roof is a large investment, regardless of what type you choose, you will want to consider several factors before hiring a roofing contractor. Some of the factors to consider are: 

  • Weather conditions. Certain roof materials are better for holding up against extreme weather. For example, while aluminum roofs can be easy to maintain, they are also easily dented in hail storms. An aluminum roof may work well in many regions, but be a poor choice in areas where hailstorms are common.
     
  • Longevity. If you are planning to sell your home in a few years, you may not be as concerned with how long the roof will last. However, many higher quality roofs can have 20-year, 30-year and even lifetime guarantees which add to the value of your home.
     
  • Budget. Of course, budget is always a concern. An asphalt shingle roof will be much less expensive than a custom metal or slate roof. 

When choosing your new roof, while design and curb appeal are important, the main consideration should always be functionality. Your roof is a big investment, but it is protecting an even bigger asset; your home and your family.

Posted on behalf of Atwood Home Builders 

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