How to Get Your Deck Ready For Warmer Weather

When the weather starts getting warmer, it’s time to get your deck ready! After all, it’s the perfect place to relax and get some fresh air with family and friends.  So here’s how to makes sure your deck is in tip-top shape for all your spring and summer plans.

Clean Off Any Debris

Fall and winter can leave behind plenty of backyard droppings on your deck.  Start by sweeping or blowing off any leaves, branches, and any other debris.  

Clean Any Furniture 

Scrub down and rinse off all your furniture items so that they are fresh and clean and ready to be enjoyed by you and your guests.  Put any cushions that can fit in your washing machine, power wash outdoor rugs, empty and clean any planters, and throw out anything that isn’t salvageable. 

Scrub the Deck Down

How you clean your deck depends on what your deck is made from.  Typically, power washing is your best option or scrub it down yourself with a long-handled scrub brush and a brand of deck cleaner.

Replace or Add New Furniture

If you need to get new furniture, make sure to get items that compliment your deck and your home.  Find pieces that are durable, comfortable, and fit your overall vision.  

Decorate!

Add pops of color and comfort to your deck space with outdoor pillows, rugs, and accessories.  Adding fresh plants adds a sense of freshness, vibrancy, and a nice natural scent.  If you plan on entertaining at night make sure to add some fun lights. 

If you need help getting your deck clean and ready for all your warm-weather plans, give Landmark Exteriors a call at (203) 838-3838.

Choosing the Right Siding Color For Your Home

Your house is your home, and making your home exterior look finished and attractive can be a challenge. Picking siding for your home can seem tricky, but the right color siding can make your home stand out and give it the curb appeal you’ve always wanted. Whether it’s blue or yellow, every home has a siding color that fits just right. Here are some tips on helping you find the perfect color siding for your home:

Look Around the Neighborhood

A significant first step on deciding a siding color is driving around your neighborhood and getting an idea of what looks you like or dislike. Also, consider your neighbors’ homes and determine if you want to match or stand out from the houses near you. 

Set the Tone For Your Home

Deciding the tone for your exterior is an essential next step. Decide whether you want to utilize warm tones like reds or yellows, or cool tones like blues and greens. Warm tones are more bright and energizing, while cool tones are more cozy and relaxed.  

Match Your Roof and Other Exterior Elements

You want your home to look finished and have all the exterior elements match. Make sure to consider the color of your roof, trim, windows, and other exterior features.  

Look at Plenty of Samples

Ask for siding samples or get some color swatches to test out how different colors look on your home. Look at your samples on different areas of your house and see how it looks next to all your other exterior elements.

Be Mindful of How Colors Look at Different Times of Day

Siding colors will look different depending on the lighting and time of day. So make sure to keep that in mind and look at your color samples under different lights or on the side of your house at different times of the day.  

If you need help deciding on what siding is perfect for your home and installation, give our siding contractors a call at (203) 838-3838 to learn more about how Landmark Exteriors can help you.

Why Choose Metal Roofing For Your Home

When deciding what roofing you want for your home, you want to consider quality, durability and look, among other factors. Metal roofing might be a great option if you’re looking to update your home. But, why choose metal roofing over different types of roofing such as asphalt or cedar? We have a few reasons below.

Lightweight 

Metal roofing is very lightweight and can often be applied directly over an existing roof, saving you the cost of tearing off your existing roof.  

Durability

Metal roofs can last up to 50 years when properly maintained. They are almost impenetrable and can resist rot, rust, and insects.

Great for Snow and Rain

The surfaces on metal roofing are hard and slippery, making it easy for rain and snow to slide right off. Metal roofing also conducts heat, which helps snow to melt faster.  

Fire Resistant

Because they are non-combustible, metal roofs are the most fire-resistant roof type and can often receive a Class A fire rating, depending on the materials in the decking underneath.

Saves Energy

Metal roofing reflects the sun which helps to keep your home cool in the hotter months and enabling you to save energy on cooling your home.  

Environmentally Friendly

Today, metal roofs are often composed of at least 50 percent recycled material and are 100 percent recyclable themselves. Metal roofs are perfect if you are environmentally conscious — only a small fraction of your roofing materials will end up in landfills one day. 


If you have any questions or want more information on metal roofing, let Landmark Exteriors help you. Give us a call at (203) 838-3838.

What You Need To Know Before Installing Solar Panels

Solar Panels on Roof of Home

Solar panels are a great addition to many homes. They promote clean energy flow and are very environmentally friendly. They are definitely a step in the right direction, but is your home ready for them? Unfortunately, it isn’t as simple as just installing the panels overnight. Here’s what you should know before getting solar panels:

Your Roof Needs To Be Ready

In order to hold the panels up, you’ll need a strong foundation! Your roofing will keep them snug, but is your roof ready? If your roof has any kind of damage, like shingle curling or leaks, then you should reconsider. It could be very dangerous to your house’s foundation if you were to get panels before inspecting your roof. Make sure you get the proper repairs so it’s in tip-top shape! 

Which Way Do Your Slopes Face

Solar panels need to face the sun in order to work, so make sure you do research on which way they should go. You have different slopes on your roof, each going in a different direction. Usually, it’s advised that you have your panels facing the south side of your house. This is because there will be direct sunlight in this area for most of the day! 

Connecting To The Grid

You will have to connect your solar panels to the grid– to power your home of course! A lot of questions come with this like: How much will this cost? When will it get hooked up? How do I get credited for the electricity? Solar-estimate.org states that “In Connecticut, The advantages of installing solar panels in Connecticut are that there are both state-based incentives and the federal tax credit available.” Prices vary from state to state, as well as electricity crediting laws. 

When it comes to roofing, we know our stuff. We’d be happy to help you update your home before installing solar panels. Contact us at (203)838-3838 to discuss your options!

Spring Cleaning: Roofing Edition

When we think of spring cleaning, we often think of the interior of our home.! However, besides vacuuming and dusting, do you know what your spring cleaning checklist is missing? That’s right, your roofing. Here are some ways to clean up your roof in time for spring: 

Clean Those Gutters

Fall and winter are not very kind to gutters. They get filled with leaves, grime, and ice throughout these seasons. Check to make sure your draining system is working properly and ready for the spring showers. 

Check For Mold

If you notice that some parts of your roof on the outside have strange, dark spots, you may be dealing with some mold growth. Little mold spots can be dealt with by using bleach solutions or mold specific sprays. However, if you notice there is way more than just a little spot, you’ll want to call a professional to help clean it. 

Examine Your Shingles

If you notice that some of the shingles are curling and cracking, they might need to be replaced. Damaged shingles could also mean a roof leak, which if ignored, can lead to interior water damage. 

Look At Your Interior

If a sneaky roof is already present, your interior will show some common signs.It’s here you’ll be able to check for water damage, leaks or mold. Often missed when not actively looking for it. If there are sudden water spots on your ceiling or a strange smell in the attic, it might be time to call a professional. 

At Landmarks Exteriors, our professionals are here for all your roofing needs! Large or small, we take care of everything from routine maintenance items to emergency roof repairs. Contact us today to see how we can help!

5 Tips For Inspecting Your Roof

inspecting your roof

When it rains, it pours. Not only this month but next month as well! You should make sure your roof is ready to take on these intense weather patterns, or else you might be facing some roofing issues in the near future. Here are some tips for checking to make sure your roof is ready for the April showers ahead: 

1. Safety First

First and foremost, you should make sure you are inspecting your roof safely! Do not climb on a ladder while alone. If you don’t feel you need to get close and personal to check, look from a window or use a set of binoculars. 

2. Check Shingles

If you notice any cracking, curling, or missing shingles, that is a sign that your roof is not ready to take on heavy rain. If ignored, over time, water can leak into the home and lead to water damage down the road. 

3. Gutter Strength

Your gutter is a pivotal part of your draining system. Their job is to channel the rainwater away from your home and into your drainage system. When broken or lacking the proper strength to do the job, water will pool around your foundation and lead to damage to your home’s foundation. 

4. Examine The Inside Of Your Home

When a roof leak is present, there might also be water damage. Look around your home for signs of water spots, leaks or damage. If any is present, you’ll want to get your roof fixed ASAP.

Last But Not Least, Call A Professional

Making an appointment with roofing specialists can help make sure you don’t miss anything during your inspection. A team of professionals can spot minor things that you might have missed and will provide you with the best solution for you and your home. 

Knowing you’re in good hands is essential when it comes to the quality of your roof. When searching for a roofing specialist, be sure to contact the best. Landmark Exteriors Inc is dedicated when it comes to ensuring quality roofing. Contact our team of roofing specialists: (203) 838-3838. 

Dangers of Insufficient Ventilation On Your Roof

Closeup of a roof vent on a house.

Proper roof and attic ventilation might not be something you think about often, but without it, you could be looking at several issues. The effects of poor aeration can cause damage to your roof and can make it hard to salvage what is left. With the right insulation in your attic and airflow, you can avoid these dangers. 

Roof Damage

Without improper ventilation, excessive heat and moisture can cause your roof to corrode. The shingles and underlayment support can start to crack and break off, and they are both essential to the structure of your roof.

Mold Build Up

Mold grows in places where it’s overly damp or wet, and that could end up being your roof and attic! Without the right room to breathe, these areas of your house may remain moist for long periods, and with excess moisture comes the danger of mold growth.

Rust

Mold isn’t the only thing you need to worry about in your attic; you’ll want to look for rusting, too!. When excess moisture is present, the components that hold your roof together can rust, leading to shingle loss. Not to mention when condensation builds up in your act, parts of your air vents, plumbing, and heating can all be at risk of rusting, too.  

Landmark Exteriors Home Care division provides an extensive list of services to keep your home in great shape. From roof maintenance to attic ventilation, we can help protect your home before it experiences any serious damages! Contact us today to set up an appointment. (203) 838-3838 

Why Does My Cedar Roof Curl?

When it comes to the roofing on your home, it’s essentially part of a lifeline that prevents the interior, your ceiling, walls and attic from getting wet. And for the most part, it does a great job! However when your shingles begin to get old and deteriorate, that might change. As they do get old, shingles made of material like cedar might begin to curl, which begs why they do that! Below are a few reasons why this happens, and what your options are. 

General Curling

Oddly enough, your roof curling is a natural process that might happen due to the sun’s ultraviolet rays, combined with the effects of rain and temperature changes. As these all happen, those shingles take a beating — and over time, can begin to fail. When those shingles are constantly exposed to different types of weather, it can lead to faster deterioration, which results in earlier signs of damage and quicker need for replacement. 

Some Fixes

Some fixes for a cedar roof can be having them pressure washing or performing spot treatment on small affected areas — however most of the time, this doesn’t always work. It’s important to make sure everything is thoroughly inspected to make sure you’re getting the best fix or solution to the issue you’re experiencing the first time. 

Replacement

If replacement is something you feel you need, the options for you are generally available as you need them. It’s important that when performing something like this, you’re choosing to go with a reputable company that can perform the repairs and replacement in a professional, cohesive and timely manner. After all, your roofing is extremely important and it’s nothing to short yourself on! 

Is a Stucco House a Good Choice?

For many people, the idea of redoing their home brings a bit of excitement, as it can mean a color change, a material change, and an overall different look completely for their home. What they’re usually unsure of in most cases, is what exactly to use in order to make those changes to their home. Stucco, a less known yet still popular choice, is something rising through the popularity ranks as of late — but is it really a good choice for your home?

What Stucco Is

Stucco is essentially a mixture of different ingredients, containing sand, cement, lime and water. Realistically, this is more of a finish coat than anything else, and adheres to a layer of material underneath it. Stucco is great because it’s a thinner, paintable finish that lays pretty flat when installed properly. 

Is It Worth It? 

There are a few advantages to stucco, and the best one is the lifespan associated with the addition of it. Stucco can last up to 50 years when properly maintained, which is great for people who are looking for a solution that will last a long time. Additionally, stucco is considered a cheap option because it’s low on material that would otherwise drive the cost up. The most of the cost associated is with the labor needed to install it properly. 

Is It For Me?

If you’re someone willing to give it a shot, there are a few things to consider. Stucco is difficult to repair, should damage occur. Additionally, it’s a hard thing to do on your own — and not built for every area! Most homes with stucco can be found in the southwest region of the states, but some do have it up here.

Ultimately, the decision you make is up to you, but if you’re interested in learning more about how Landmark exteriors can help you, Contact us today at (203) 838-3838 or online for a free consultation.

Signs of Winter Siding Damage

The last thing anyone wants to see at home this winter is damage — especially when it’s cold and full of inclement weather that would otherwise prevent repair or prevent you from wanting to go out and inspect/begin repairing yourself. Unfortunately it can happen to anyone in what seems like moments, and it’s imperative to make sure it’s handled as soon as possible. Below are a few things to look out for that can cause winter damage on your siding. 

Lamination

Wood siding often includes a layer of laminate on top of it. And while there to protect, it can wear down as it’s hit with water, snow, ice and other weather. Once it gets to the wood itself, it can cause warping, rot, peeling and more — which can look bad, and perform worse than it has.

Missing Siding

High winds and heavy ice during the winter can cause pretty brittle situations, and when this happens, your siding might literally fall off. If this is something you experience, you’re exposed to tons of different damage due to the climate, and that can be a huge issue for you to deal with when it worsens.

Cracking

As we’ve stated, brittle conditions can be difficult for any type of home siding, and plastic/vinyl is no stranger to issues that can arise. Due to the cold conditions and the extreme temperature shifts we sometimes see, a crack can form, expand and travel seemingly anywhere on the siding itself, which if left to do so, can cause serious damage.

Moisture

All of these types of damage bring on the eventual issue of moisture, which can lead to mold, mildew, more damage, water damage inside your building, and so much more. Instead of letting it go this far, promise to be vigilant and thoroughly inspect all areas for any signs of damage before they become too hard to handle.