LANDMARK EXTERIORS

The Fourth of July is filled with cook outs, cold drinks, and loved ones. And, the holiday wouldn’t be complete without fireworks at the end of the night! But, according to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), more fires are reported on Independence Day than any other day of the year — and half of those fires are caused by fireworks!

How To Protect Your Home From Fourth Of July Fireworks:

Trim your trees. While fireworks may burn off rather quickly, it doesn’t take long for something to catch on fire. One of the more likely culprits? Your tree branches. Hire a professional to trim your trees and remove any branches from your roof to reduce the chance of any fires.

Clear out your gutters. Your gutters are essential for collecting rainwater, but it’s also a place where dry matter (i.e. leaves, pine needles, branches) collect and become a fire hazard. Make sure you’re keeping up with your yearly maintenance and keeping your gutters cleaned at all times.

Talk to your neighbors. It’s important to respect your property, and the others around you. So, take the extra step to speak with your neighbors about their party plans. Besides, connecting with your neighbors means more help if a problem arises.

Inspect your roof. On top of cleaning your roof and gutter system of any branches, leaves, and other debris, a professional can also inspect your roof for signs of damage. Any holes, loose shingles, or old tar paper should be repaired immediately.

Need a professional to check out your homes roofing or siding system before the holiday? We’ve got you covered at Landmark Exteriors and our Home Care division! For 20 years, Landmark Exteriors has designed, created, and installed one-of-a-kind roofs for homeowners in Fairfield and Westchester counties, as well as on Long Island. To learn more about our services, check out our website or speak with one of our professionals at 203.838.3838.

Every season comes a new list of maintenance tasks for your home. And with summer around the corner, you’ll want to make sure your home is all prepped and ready for you to enjoy some fun in the sun.

Check detectors. It’s important to check your home’s smoke and carbon monoxide detectors to make sure they’re working properly.

Inspect air conditioners. It’s about to be the busiest time of the year for your AC, so if you haven’t already, make sure you’re prepping your unit properly.

Enjoy a dry spell. Set up an outdoor clothesline to dry your laundry in the sun — you’ll end up saving money and energy by skipping the dryer.

Clean your outdoor grill. For gas grills, turn the heat up to high and let the grill cook with the lid closed for about an hour. Allow the grill to cool and give it a deep cleaning with a grill brush. For charcoal grills, empty the grill of any ashy residue. Then, clean it inside and out with hot water and dishwashing soap.

Channel your inner leak detective. Check your hoses and exterior faucets for leaks — even a tiny drip can add up to a large amount of waste.

Primp your plants. If you have visible foliage from spring bulbs, clean them up to maintain a tidy look. If your perennials and annuals leaves are still green, leave them be; they’re busy nourishing their bulbs to bloom again next year.

Don’t wait until something becomes a problem before you take action. A leaky roof. Clogged gutters. Damaged siding. Landmark Exteriors can help you with all of that, and more! If you’re in Fairfield County CT or the surrounding areas, our team at the Home Care division has you covered! For more information about Landmark Exteriors or to sign up for our preventative maintenance plans, give us a call at 203.838.3838.

Trying to find plans for Memorial Day weekend? Luckily, Connecticut is full of fun picnics, parades, and parties, to show our patriotism. Here are a few of the favorites from the professionals at Landmark Exteriors.

Mystic Seaport’s Salute to Summer – Join Mystic Seaport in celebrating the heroes of our country and the unofficial start of the summer season. There will be crafts, music, and even some old-fashioned carnival games. Also, don’t forget to make time for the Planetarium show.

Date: May 27th & 28th

Time: 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.

Location: Mystic Seaport

Seymour Remembers 2017 Memorial Day Parade – This parade will commemorate the 100th anniversary of World War I with a whole day of fun, including bands, music, contents, and more.

Date: May 28th

Time: 11:30 a.m.

Location: Daniel Wasson Field parking lot

The Derby-Shelton Parade – This parade started around 1868, making it one of the oldest Memorial Day parades in Connecticut.

Date: May 29th

Time: 9 a.m.

Location: Shelton High School

Memorial Day BBQ Buffet – Enjoy live music from Brandt Taylor and delicious BBQ food this weekend at Infinity Bistro. All active military and veterans get 50% off.

Date: May 29th

Time: 11:30 a.m. – 3 p.m.

Location: Daniel Wasson Field parking lot

We hope you enjoy your Memorial Day weekend!

If you’re looking for a dedicated, experienced, and dependable roofing contractor, look no further than Landmark Exteriors! To learn more about our services, check out our website or speak with one of our professionals at 203.838.3838.

Connecticut is currently in the grips of one of the longest-running droughts on record for the state. With the focus on water-efficiency, maintenance for your roof might have been moved to the back burner. However, there are three main reasons why it’s necessary to still check your roof during a drought.

Fire Risk. The most important reason to get your roof inspected during a drought is to ensure that your property is not at risk for any possible fires. This is the perfect time for you to upgrade your roofing or siding material to a product with a better fire protection rating.

Extra UV damage. More days without rain means more days without cloud coverage. This high level of UV ray exposure increases the chance of damage to your roofing materials. However, Cedar-Life products block the sun, protecting the natural color of your roof for years to come. Contact Landmark Exteriors Cedar-Life division for more information.

Preventing future leaks. It will rain eventually, and when it does, the last thing you want is for water to be leaking through your roof and damaging your property. By getting your roof inspected and repaired during a drought, you will minimize your chances of any leaks, caused by your dried-out roofing materials.

We’re all guilty of it – waiting until something becomes a problem before we take action. A leaky roof. Clogged gutters. Damaged siding. If you’re in Fairfield County CT or the surrounding areas, our team at the Home Care division has you covered! For more information about Landmark Exteriors or to sign up for our preventative maintenance plans, give us a call at 203.838.3838.

This blog has been updated: May 9, 2019

This Sunday, it’s all about the moms in our lives — grandmothers and great-grandmothers included! And Connecticut is the perfect place to help you celebrate the day with them.

Take mom for a meal. Get your mom out of the kitchen, and treat her to a Mother’s Day meal. Restaurants in Connecticut are helping you celebrate by offering prix fixe menus, special a la carte items, buffets, and more.

Enjoy the great outdoors. If your mother is a fitness junkie, take her on a hike — she can celebrate her special day while still getting her steps in! There are plenty of trails to explore in Connecticut, including Southford Falls, Bear Mountain, and Spruce Brook Ravine to name a few.

Sip on a drink — or two. There are plenty of wineries or breweries in Connecticut, and luckily, many of them are hosting budget-friendly special events for your loved ones. Litchfield Distillery is offering tours and free tastings of whiskey, bourbon, gin, and vodka. The vineyards will have live music, picnic options (for pre-order only), painting classes, and more.

Plan a day trip. Take your mom on a relaxing cruise along the Connecticut River in Haddam or to the Fairfield Dogwood Festival (featuring flowering dogwood trees, music, and food). Check out Connecticut’s event calendar for your full list of options.

We hope you enjoy your Mother’s Day celebrations!

If you’re looking for a dedicated, experienced, and dependable roofing contractor, look no further than Landmark Exteriors! To learn more about our services, check out our website or speak with one of our professionals at 203.838.3838.

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.

They say April showers bring May flowers, but the rainy season can also bring on costly home repairs. While there’s no need to be fearful of a little rain, the last thing you want to deal with is a leaky roof or a flooded basement. Here are a few preventative measures you can take to help keep your property out of danger.

Step #1: Roof Inspection
Rain plus warmer weather is the perfect combination for leaky roofs, so it’s important to schedule a full inspection. A professional roofing contractor will check your entire roofing system, not just the visual appearance of your shingles. Even if you find out that your roof is in good condition, it’s better to be safe than sorry.

Step #2: Gutter and Downspout Cleaning
The purpose of gutters is to collect water, while downspouts funnel it away from the foundation of your home. However, they can’t effectively perform their job if they’re clogged with debris. Give your gutter system a good cleaning and trim any trees hanging over your roof, which can clog your gutter system with branches and leaves.

Step #3: Examine Your Siding
Snow, ice, wind, and freezing temperatures can all take a toll on the siding of your home. Before the rainy season officially begins, check your siding for any cracks, holes, or other signs of damage.

Step #4: Seal Windows
Keep the moisture outside of your home by securing your windows. Not only will this help keep you dry, it will also improve your energy efficiency. When your windows are properly protecting your home from the elements, you can more easily and efficiently heat and cool your home.

We’re all guilty of it – waiting until something becomes a problem before we take action. A leaky roof. Clogged gutters. Damaged siding. If you’re in Fairfield County CT or the surrounding areas, our team at the Home Care division has you covered! For more information about Landmark Exteriors or to sign up for our preventative maintenance plans, give us a call at 203.838.3838.