LANDMARK EXTERIORS

The Best Siding For Your Connecticut Home

When you choose new siding for your home, it’s important how it will stand up against the winter storms we’re accustomed to here in Connecticut. Many homeowners make decisions about their home’s exterior based on aesthetic purposes only —  and, they don’t know what kind of siding to choose or what material serves as the best. Here’s what you need to know before you make a decision.

Types of Siding Materials

When it comes to siding there’s a lot of materials to choose from:

Wood

Wood is a classic choice for sliding materials. It doesn’t always serve as the best kind of siding material as it doesn’t protect much from the cold weather and can be expensive. One thing to take into account is that wood can warp and expand in winter conditions.

Cedar-Life

Our exclusive product is part polymer and highly refined paraffin oil. The key ingredient in Cedar-Life products is a high-solid penetrative coating for extending the service life of the cedar. It restores the moisture content, helps it to stay flexible, and is designed to enhance its structural integrity and appearance.

Vinyl

Vinyl is an alternative to wood as it has a similar appearance but is cheaper in terms of costs and doesn’t require much maintenance.

Brick or Stone

This type of material is durable in cold weather and resistant to harsher climates. In cold weather, brick and stone siding is energy efficient and can store heat.

Fiber Cement

This material is a composite made out of a blend of sand, cement, and cellulose. It’s similar to wood in appearance yet is cheaper than vinyl.

When it comes to choosing a material, Cedar-Life and brick or stone siding are some of the best choices. Not only is brick or stone relatively low in cost, but the material also requires little maintenance, and retains its heat. 

Cedar-Life delays the onset or return of mildew and algae and will improve the structural integrity of the roof or siding. If you have any questions about upgrading your roof or need a repair, contact our team of siding contractors today at (203) 838-3838.

The holidays are over, and now you’re faced with putting away decorations until next year. You may be tempted to get the chore done as quickly as possible. However, when it comes to removing Christmas lights and decorations from your home, you should consider your safety and the care of your home’s exterior. 

Here are some tips to guide you through the process.

Tips for Taking Down Holiday Lights Safely

• Unplug lights and decorations before removal.
• Choose a ladder that provides a secure foundation and height. Be sure to have someone to help you keep the ladder steady.
• Do not pull on a light strand when removing them. This may damage your lights as well as your exterior.
• Take your time and thoughtfully remove each light strand and decoration.
• Avoid the removal of lights and decorations during wet or icy conditions.
• If you must walk on your roof to remove your lights and other decorations, tread carefully and wear appropriate shoes.
• Store your decorations properly in a dry space to avoid damage.

Planning a careful removal of your Christmas lights and decorations will extend the life of your decorations as well as protect your roof and exterior from damage.

If you find after the holidays that you lack the time or tools for light and decoration removal, please contact Landmark Exteriors. We offer services to help you take down your lights and decorations safely. We also offer quality roofing, gutter, and siding repair as well as a variety of exterior services for all seasons.

Caring For Your Cedar-Life Roof

Cedarwood is long-lasting and proves to provide the best return on investment for many homeowners. While cedar roofing typically lasts over 10 years, you should still take steps to maintain your home’s exterior.

How Powerful Is Cedar-Life Compared To Traditional Roofing?

When using cedar instead of standard roofing methods, you’re delivering natural insulation to your home. As a result, you’ll be excited to see your energy bill decrease. 

Another benefit cedar roofs have over traditional roofing is sturdiness. Cedar roofs are designed to stand strong against powerful winds and can be incredibly durable when it comes to hail, thunderstorms, and other types of weather mother nature will throw at it. 

When ice falls and lands on your home, your cedar roof can withstand the icy blow. Cedar roofing can withstand 2 inches of fallen hail racing at 71 mph. Your Cedar-Life roof will keep your homestead protected. 

Benefits of Cedar Shingles

Traditional roofing materials tend to split after exposure to heat, the sun, and harsh winter weather. Over time, you’ll notice that most minor damage caused by winter storms will decrease due to natural weathering. Therefore, old layers of your cedar shingles will shed over time, leaving your exterior looking new.

Hiring a Professional to Care For Your Cedar

Cedar-Life, a division of Landmark Exteriors, is a leader in cedar roof and siding preservation. Our proprietary process cleans and preserves cedar, delaying the harmful effects of sun, rain, and snow.

 If the elements have already damaged your cedar, we can restore and rejuvenate it in no time. Cedar-Life delays the onset or return of mildew and algae and will improve the structural integrity of the roof or siding.

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 siding installers: (203) 838-3838. 

3 Tips For Hiring Professional Snow Removal

Getting rid of snow on your property is no fun, but it’s something that’s got to get done one way or another. There are many reasons you cannot leave snow on your property, from damage to your home to liability laws and more. The good news is that there are professional services that will take care of your snow fast and easily, and you won’t even have to lift a finger. Let’s take a look at three benefits of hiring a professional snow removal service.

1. Complying with Liability Laws

If you’re thinking you can’t be sued by someone who slips on the sidewalk in front of your home or business, guess again. Some cities even have strict laws stating that you must keep the sidewalk in front of your property safe at all times. Prevent getting sued or fined; hiring the pros is the best way to get rid of the snow without worrying.

2. Avoid Property Damage

One of the biggest problems with snow is the fact that it can damage concrete on your property very easily. This is because the tiny particles get into the cracks and pores in the concrete, melt, then refreeze when the temperature drops again. This causes the ice to expand and create even bigger cracks and pits in your concrete. Ignore this for long enough, and you’ll need to repave. Our professional home care experts at Landmark Exteriors can get rid of the snow, and save you the trouble.

3. Seasonal Service

Have you ever shoveled your driveway only to find that you need to do it again a week later? Frustrating doesn’t even begin to describe this. Instead of stressing yourself out, you should be thinking about getting seasonal snow removal services. As the name implies, when you hire a snow removal company on a seasonal basis, they will get rid of the snow on a scheduled basis. This will keep you worry-free all winter.

Additional Services

Hiring our professionals at Landmark Exteriors to get rid of snow is the smart thing to do, but what if you’ve already suffered damage to your property? As it turns out, this won’t be an issue. You see, Landmark Exteriors doesn’t only specialize in snow removal, they also take care of roofing, gutter installation/replacement, and siding repair. If snow has damaged your property, give us a call, and we’ll get things taken care of for you. To book an appointment, contact us today.

Heating bills can be expensive, but there are many affordable ways to keep your home warm during the winter. Here are a few tips to keep you comfortable all season:

Keeping the Heat Circulating During Winter Months

Trapping the warmth your heating system generates is vital to keep your family cozy and warm. You may also want to monitor your thermostat to ensure the heater isn’t running when the house is empty. Some ways to fix these problems include:

Using a Programmable Thermostat

Programmable thermostats are extremely useful. You can design them to automatically turn off while your family is at work or school. You can set it up to turn on an hour before you come home. This will ensure you don’t have to feel cold when you enter the house later in the day.

Installing Storm Windows

Many people like storm windows because they improve the value of a house. They’re also very good at trapping heat. Storm windows keep air from escaping the living space. The hot air continues to circulate within the home, so the heater turns off sooner. This reduces the total amount of energy needed to keep the house warm.

Securing Your Roof

You should consider finding a similar solution for your roof. Securing your roofing is extremely important because heat rises. Warm air eventually rises toward the home’s attic. Securing your roofing can stop the heat from slowly leeching out of cracks. 

If your roof is old, then you may want to have it replaced to seal the heat in. The heat will eventually dissipate, but this process is much slower if it’s harder for it to escape into the atmosphere. You may want to replace your roof’s insulation. The insulation is designed to stop heat from escaping during winter months, but the insulation wears away over time. 

Heat can also escape through small holes in the roof. Professionals may be able to seal these holes using caulk. Replacing the roof is also an option. Roofs made from composition or wood should ideally be replaced every few decades.

Landmark Exteriors can assess your roofing issue. Our qualified professionals will be able to examine the roof and determine the best course of action. Contact us today to schedule an appointment.

If you’re searching for family-friendly holiday events to kick off your holiday season, you don’t need to look far! There are plenty of local festivals, holiday strolls, shows, and visits from Santa Claus himself that are not far away from home. Here are some of our favorite events of the season: 

Fantasy of Lights

The 2019 season of Fantasy of Lights is in full swing! The mile-long journey contains 60 animated displays, which all have been upgraded to LED bulbs making them more energy-efficient, brighter, more colorful, and vibrant than ever before. 

When: November 15 — December 31, 5:00 PM – 9:00 PM

Where: Lighthouse Point Park

Greenwich Reindeer Festival

Don’t miss one of the best local holiday festivals of the season at Sam Bridge Nursery! Take a photo with Santa, enjoy sweet treats, and take a few rides on the train or carousel.

When: November 29th – December 24th

Photos with Santa:

Monday – Friday 12 pm – 6 pm

Saturdays 9 am – 6 pm

Christmas Eve 9 am – 3 pm

Carousel and Train Rides: 

Wednesdays 3 pm – 6 pm

Thursdays & Fridays 12 pm – 6 pm

Saturdays 9 am – 6 pm

Christmas Eve 9 am – 3 pm

Reindeer and Christmas Shop: 

Monday – Saturday 8:30 – 6:00

Where: Chabad of Stamford – 770 High Ridge Road Stamford, CT

Ridgefield Holiday Stroll

Join the town of Ridgefield for their 20th annual Holiday Stroll, completed with horse-drawn carriages, live music, strolling carolers, ice sculpting, toy soldiers, local store promotions just in time for holiday shopping, and much more!

When: December 6, 5 pm — 10 pm and December 7 beginning at 9 am

Where: Norwalk Concert Hall, 125 East Ave. Norwalk, CT 06851

Wonder of Winter FREE Christmas Concert

Enjoy traditional songs performed by local children and members of the community. 

When: December 7, 7:30 PM

Where: Downtown Ridgefield, Connecticut

Jingle Jam

Take the kids for a morning of crafts, holiday jingles, and fun!

When: Dec 7, 10:00 AM – 11:30 AM

Where: 203 Liberty Square, 203 Liberty Square, Norwalk, CT 06855, USA

$20/1st child, $15/2nd child, $10/3rd child.

From our family to yours, we hope you have a happy and merry holiday season!

Give Your Home a Good Cleaning

From your dining room to your bathrooms, make sure that all the main living spaces in your home are clean and ready for your friends and family. Doing a large cleaning a few days before Thanksgiving and then a smaller cleaning the day-of is the best way to make sure your home is as pristine as possible.

Clean Out the Fridge

Don’t stop the cleaning at the living room! Your fridge is about to have a large, large bird sitting in it waiting to be cooked — which means you need a lot of space! Clean up any items that can be tossed away, and move other items around in order to create room for platters, your turkey, and other dishes.

Prep Dishes Early

From desserts to side dishes, don’t leave all the cooking for the last moment. If you can make anything ahead of time, especially items that are served cold, get to prepping! Be sure to also give yourself plenty of time to defrost that turkey.

Take Help When It’s Offered

Just because you’re hosting Thanksgiving, doesn’t mean that you have to do all of the work. If your house guests or family members offer their help — don’t turn it down! There’s plenty of chopping, table-setting, and dish-washing to do (you can even volunteer your kids as tribute).

Tidy Up the Porch

Your porch is the first impression your house guests will have of your hosting skills, so don’t disappoint! This means adding some last-minute fall decor to the porch such as a wreath or a few lights.

Prepare Your Exterior For the Holidays

Whether it’s a loose shingle or damaged siding, our experts at Landmark Exteriors have the skills to get your home’s exterior looking fresh for the holiday season. Give us a call today to book an appointment. (203) 838-3838  From all of us at Landmark Exteriors, we hope you have a happy and healthy Thanksgiving with your family!

Remodeling projects can be some of the most expensive investments you will make in your lifetime; second only to the purchase of your own home and a new car. Added to that price is the top quality materials that should be used on your roof to protect it for years to come. Here’s how to choose the best roof for your home.

Choosing Your Roofing Materials

Asphalt Roofing

Asphalt roofing rolls use small flat pitches, angled and rolled out in strips across the roof. Asphalt roofing is fairly easy to install and can be cost-effective for a lot of people doing it themselves. It is not a terrific material for home roofs and works better for non-home spaces such as garages and sheds. Asphalt roofing lasts for up to 10 years and requires the buyer to keep it clear of moss and other debris on the roof.

A 2,000 square foot house will average $2.25 per square foot, with a total average cost of $4,500 for the entire home.

Built-Up Roofing

Built-up roofing (BUR) alternates roofing materials, fiberglass, and tar. Built-up roofing is good for roofs that are flat with little angle. Built-up roofs can last up to 30 years if they are kept repaired and in good condition.

BUR roofs cost about $4.00 per square foot with a 2,000-foot house close to $8,000 to do. This roof is not good for a roof with an extreme slope.

Composite Asphalt Shingle Roof

The composite roof has organic materials mixed with asphalt and chips or graduals of ceramic or slate. It is a low-cost roof that has a relatively long life. The composite roof averages up to 40 even 50 years if well cared for.

Costing around $5.00 a section, a 2,000 square foot house will cost $11,000 to put on.

Wood Shingle Roof

Wood shingles are not easy to install for the average person and are more of a fire hazard in some regions. Made of Cedar or yellow pine, the can provide a good insulating layer to any home. The average wood shingle roof will last up to 30 years if the roof cared for overtime. High maintenance roofing can enable the roof to last 50 years.

Wood shingles are more expensive than other types of materials and, depending on the type of wood, can cost up to $11.00 per square foot; with a 2,200 square foot home costing $19,800 to complete.

Making Your Decision

The better the quality the roofing materials is the more it will cost to replace. Choosing roofing materials based only on price will not last nearly as long. A good quality roof should last 20 to 30 years. A roof of lesser quality can expect to last maybe 8 years.

At Landmark Exteriors, we’re the experts in choosing the right roof for your home. Our Cedar-Life roofing materials are the best in Connecticut. Cedar-Life delays the onset or return of mildew and algae and will improve the structural integrity of the roof or siding.  To book a consult or for any questions, please call us. (203) 838-3838

How to Keep the Pests Out this Season

Winter weather in Connecticut typically means we’re spending more time inside of our homes than outside — unless we’re building a snowman or shoveling our driveway. This means that we don’t typically pay as much attention to the outside of our homes than we would in the spring and summer. During these few months, we may let our home’s exterior go without necessary maintenance.

Late fall and winter is the best time for pests to seek shelter inside your home through any openings they can find. Luckily, there are some quick steps you can take to protect your home until warm weather comes again.

Pests That Make Your House Their Home

Wildlife should remain outside in the wild and not in your home. However, the following critters can find their way into your home:

• Rodents (mice and rats)
• Insects (yellow jackets, bees, ants, flies)
• Fall bugs (stink bugs, ladybugs, box elders)

Where there’s a will, there’s a way. These animals can find their way into your home through any of these openings:

• In your walls.
• Cracks and gaps in your exterior.
• Holes in your roof, closets, pantries, or attic.

Fall Pest Maintenance Tips

If pests make their way into your home, they can cause a lot of damage. Beyond forming a colony in your home, they can also chew wires, harm your property, leave droppings, and nest in your insulation. If you do notice an insect or rodent infestation, you will need to call a professional exterminator immediately. 

Prevent any pest problems this season by performing the following home maintenance:

• Check your home for gaps or holes (especially near pipes and utilities).
• Pull out old plants that could attract bugs.
• Store firewood at least 20 feet from your exterior.
• Check fall decorations before bringing them in the house (straw piles and scarecrows).

The best way to protect your home and focus on celebrating all that the holiday season has to offer is by calling your professional home care company to give your home a good double-check. At Landmark Exteriors, we can help get your home ready for winter early, so you can prevent any problems or emergencies when temperatures drop. Contact us today to schedule an appointment.

Prepare for Your Roof for Winter

At Landmark Exteriors, we know that winters in Connecticut can be harsh and long. Not only will your snow boots take a beating, but so will your roof. With winter approaching quickly, now is an excellent time to go over the many ways the winter weather can affect the strength and structure of your home’s roof.

Wind Damage

Winter storms generally are accompanied by gusty winds. Strong winds can damage the roof by ripping shingles off. Ice and snow lying on the roof weaken the shingles, causing them to become loose and brittle. High wind can also knock branches from trees onto the roof or cause low hanging branches to bang the roof in the wind. These branches can easily remove shingles and puncture holes in your home’s structure.

Snow And Water Damage

If you live in an area where it snows consistently during the winter months, the snow can build up for days onto the roof. Snow becomes very heavy over time and can cause the roof to cave in completely. Snow also melts, and depending on the shape of the roof could be problematic as well. Water from melted snow could drain and seep into cracks of the roof and under shingles causing mold and rotting.

Proper Winter Roof Maintenance

Before winter begins, it is always a good idea to trim any low hanging tree branches away from your roof. Gutters should also be inspected to make sure they are clear and can drain melting snow adequately. You can easily hire a professional roofing company to inspect the gutters and look over the roof for any loose shingles or weak spots and have them repaired before more significant issues develop. 

After a bad winter storm season, your roof should be inspected thoroughly again to make sure no damage occurred. Prepare your roof for winter now and enjoy all the season has to offer instead of worrying about repairs. 

Landmark Exteriors Home Care division provides an extensive list of services to keep your home in great shape. From roof maintenance to gutter and siding repair, we can help prep your home for winter now before snow hits! Contact us today to set up an appointment. (203) 838-3838