Month: April 2017

Selling your home is more than just hanging up a “for sale” sign in your front yard. If you want to generate a better ROI (return on investment), there are some home renovation projects you should consider first.

Here are three places you should start to sink some money into:

1.Clean up your kitchen.
Despite popular belief, the kitchen is still king – it tops the list of ideal home features for potential millennial homeowners. Even minor kitchen remodels can return 92.9 percent at resale. So don’t be discouraged if your budget is low, even applying a fresh coat of paint to the walls or cabinets, or simply changing the lighting fixtures can breathe new life into the room.

2. Create a ‘smart house.’
Millennials will pay three to five percent more for a home with the right high-tech features. Products like lights, doors, locks, security systems, and programmable thermostats can all increase your homes value and interest. But at the same time, you want to avoid making your home an ‘energy hog.’ Energy efficient homes are second only to a safe community when it comes to aspects that influence a purchase decision.

3. Freshen up the front.
You really want to convey a sense of welcome, and since the exterior of your home is first thing potential buyers will see, it’s important to keep things looking fresh. Making improvements on your homes siding, roofing, and landscape means your home is low maintenance, which is an important issue for cost-conscious buyers. Make sure you replace any broken shingles, power wash your windows and siding, and install plenty of outdoor lighting.

Need a roof repair or installation? We’ve got you covered at Landmark Exteriors and our Home Care division! We offer only top-quality roofing materials to provide our customers with durable, weather-resistant, and guaranteed roofing solutions. Our experienced and well-trained professionals are experts at installing repairing and are ready to take on your next home renovation project! To speak with our professional staff about a new roofing installation, give us a call at 203.838.3838, or visit us on the web.

How do I choose the right roofing contractor?

When it comes to your roof, finding the right expert for the job can be as strenuous as a “DIY” home repair. How will you ever be able to find someone who’s trustworthy, honest, and professional? Keep these tips in mind when you’re on your search for a roofing specialist and you’ll be sure to protect your home and your wallet in the process.

 1. Choose a local contractor. If you hire someone from your local community, you prevent the chance of breaking any local rules and regulations. If something does happen to go awry, you can rest assured knowing help is just minutes away.

 2. Ask about their license/insurance. Make sure the contractor you’re hiring shows you their license and insurance certificate – and don’t forget to confirm that they’re valid! This way, if something were to happen, you’ll be covered.

 3. Research BBB ratings. Stay away from contractors who aren’t featured on BBB.org. Through reviews from real customers, the Better Business Bureau helps you find businesses, brands, and charities that you can trust.

 4. Discuss their available materials. A great roofing contractor has a good relationship with their suppliers, which means you’ll have various options to choose from. From shingle, cedar, tile, and clay, Landmark Exteriors offers extensive design and color choices for your home.

 5. Communication is key. Did they return your calls? Did they send over the documentation you requested? When you have questions or concerns, it’s imperative that your roofing contractor doesn’t leave you in the dark.

Have questions about your roof? We’ve got your answers. At Landmark Exteriors, we offer only the top-quality roofing materials to provide our customers with durable, weather-resistant, guaranteed roofing solutions. Our experienced and well-trained installation professionals are experts at installing and are ready to take on your next home renovation project! To speak with our professional staff about a new roofing installation, give us a call at 203.838.3838 or visit us on the web.

Is your mind in the gutter? Well, for most homeowners, it should be! Gutters provide a critical function in your home (they channel and redirect water away from your property). And, if cared for correctly, they can protect you and your home for years to come.

Benefits of gutters…
Gutter systems funnel water away from your home, which protects your siding, windows, doors, and foundation. Properly installend and maintained gutters can also preent or mitigate:

•Home flooding
•Cracked/damaged foundations
•Mold
•Paint damage
•Rotting/rusting
•Damage
•Infestations (insects breed in standing water)
•Erosion (if water is not correctly diverted away from your home, topsoil will erode, leaving your foundation unprotected)

Warning signs of damaged gutters…
•Cracking
•Peeling
•Mildew
•Water marks
•Sagging

Keep up with gutter maintenance…
Determining your homes gutter maintenance schedule depends on a few factors, including the proximity of trees to the roof line, the type of trees (deciduous vs. evergreen), and the slope of the roof. Even if your home isn’t surrounded by trees, your gutters still need to be cleaned.

•Call a professional to repair or replace all leaking or sagging gutter systems.
•Make sure your downspouts are taking water far enough away from your house.
•Clean gutters of any dirt, debris, leaves, and branches (gutters should be cleaned twice a year – in the early spring and late fall).

Landmark Exteriors will custom design the perfect gutter system for your homes needs. We will work to ensure that your gutter system allows for proper drainage while remaining architecturally appealing. Meanwhile, our Landmark Exteriors Home Care division can help maintain your gutters with regular cleanings. To speak with one of our professional staff members, give us a call at 203.838.3838.

While having a roof over our heads is a basic necessity, that doesn’t mean it can’t also be beautiful. Roofs will always need to be leak-proof, sturdy, and lined with a gutter system, however, these famous buildings take roofing design to a whole other level.

Here are five famous examples of roofs that provide much more than function and security:

The Sydney Opera House – Sydney, Australia
The Sydney Opera House is known as one of the greatest architectural works of the 20th century. The curvaceous, shell-like design of this roof is what makes this building so unique and iconic. Each of the ‘shells’ are precast concrete panels, covered by over one million glossy, white and matte tiles.

St. Stephens Cathedral – Vienna, Austria
This roof is covered by 230,000 multicolored, glazed tiles. In addition to the geometric patterns, these tiles also form images, including a coat of arms and a two-headed eagle. And because the roof is so steep, it only needs rainwater to wash it clean.

St. Basil’s Cathedral – Moscow, Russia
St. Basil’s Cathedral, also known as Pokrovsky Cathedral, has had several makeovers over the years. But since 1947, this famous landmark has remained the same – featuring eight domed spires, designed with colorful hues and intricate patterns.

The Grand Palace – Bangkok, Thailand
Spanning over 200,000 square meters, The Grand Palace is clearly not known for its modesty. One of the most famous elements is the roof of the throne hall (also known as The ‘Golden Roof’). Each tile is filled with symbolism from Thai culture and history.

Fukuoka Prefectural International Hall – Fukuoka, Japan
This architectural wonder sets itself apart with its ‘green’ rooftop. The green-terraced roof can be explored like a park with walking paths, gardens, and reflection pools.

 

Need a roof repair or installation? We’ve got you covered at Landmark Exteriors and our Home Care division! We offer only top-quality roofing materials to provide our customers with durable, weather-resistant, and guaranteed roofing solutions. Our experienced and well-trained professionals are experts at installing repairing and are ready to take on your next home renovation project! To speak with our professional staff about a new roofing installation, give us a call at 203.838.3838, or visit us on the web.