Is Energy Efficiency Really Important?

Fads come and go, from diets to home remodeling, you never know what is coming down the pike next. A big catch phrase over the last decade or so has been energy efficiency. When it comes right down to it, just how important is it to invest time and money into creating an energy efficient home? Is it worth it to call a Knoxville roofing contractor to discuss solar shingles? Would a Nashville windows specialist be able to assist you in lowering your utility bills?
   


Health

Evidence is mounting that shows a more energy efficient home could actually be beneficial to your health. Mold, dust mites, combustion materials and radon are all concerns in a non-energy efficient home. When you have sealed up the cracks and replaced inefficient siding, windows or roofs you limit the entry points in your home for rodents, insects, dust and even pollen. These are all definitely good reasons to consider remodeling or updating your home to a more energy efficient level.

Affordability

When contractors invest time in creating an energy, efficient home, they increase the number of buyers who can afford the property. If you are spending less on heating and cooling it, stands to reason, you can afford a bigger mortgage, which usually translates into a bigger and better home. A well built home equipped with energy efficient appliances will be an attractive option to a larger number of potential buyers. In addition, this can help communities by allowing lower income families the ability to purchase a nice home while still having some disposable income.

Environmental Issues

Did you know the majority of the electricity is created by burning fossil fuels? These are non-renewable resources and while you may not think, one person could change a lot, but as the energy efficiency boon continues to spread, we will see a reduction in the consumption of these precious resources. Currently there is a lot of effort being made to discover and develop renewable sources of energy, but until then every little bit helps.

Conclusion

Is working with a Nashville contractor or other local contractor to create a more energy efficient household really important? When you look at all the evidence, it is clear, that energy efficiency is important for many reasons up to and including health, environment and monetary savings. Whether you are trying to create a greener environment, save money or simply remodel your home so it is attractive to potential buyers, energy efficiency should be at the top of your list.

Replacing Windows to Improve Energy Efficiency

Do you live in the Knoxville Tennessee area and are wondering what you can do to improve energy efficiency in your home? Windows are a primary area for energy loss and even if you cannot afford total replacement, there are things you can do to minimize the loss. Here are a few tips for weatherizing your windows to improve energy efficiency and save money.

Weather Stripping

Depending on what type of window you are dealing with, you may be able to cut out a lot of energy loss by applying weather stripping. These are thin foam sheets backed with an adhesive that can be cut and formed to the edge you are covering, which is typically the bottom edge of the window or inside the window frame where the window meets the sash. This type of weatherization is fairly easily done and unless you have, hundreds of windows will not require the assistance of a Knoxville window contractor.

Caulking

Windows with several smaller panes are common in older homes and doors. Each window is generally held in place by caulking and sometimes wooden trim. Problems arise as your home ages and the caulk begins to chip away or shrink. Caulking can also help fill any stationary cracks or holes in and around your window. Before applying new caulking it is important to thoroughly clean the affected area, sometimes this means scraping peeling paint as well. Once the area is free of debris or loose paint clean the area with soapy water and allow it to dry completely before applying new caulk.

Plastic Sheeting

There are situations where even your best efforts fail to completely seal a window, and if you are not quite ready to hire a Knoxville window contractor, you still need a way to stop the energy loss. Plastic sheeting is a great temporary solution, especially during the cold winter months. Home improvement stores and even big box retailers usually carry the equipment you will need which includes staple gun, staples, plastic and perhaps weather stripping. A really nice alternative is clear as glass plastic, it is applied with double-sided tape and you then use a hair dryer to pull the plastic taut. The end result is plastic so clear you cannot even tell it is there.

Replacement Options

If you are in a situation where the only answer is replacement or you are just ready to modernize the home, there are several great energy efficient products on the market. This is a big project, but one that will make the biggest difference in the value of your home and its energy efficiency. Work with a local Knoxville window contractor to determine the best replacement options for your needs, home design and wallet!

Final Thoughts

You would never go to an open window and through your hard-earned money into the wind, yet that is exactly what you are doing when you have energy losses. There are many ways you can address the issue, both temporary and permanent fixes, so why live with energy loss anymore? When you are ready to remodel, remember the only thing worse than needing replacement windows is having new windows improperly installed. Call a Knoxville window contractor today for more information.

Ways to Increase the Value of Your Home

The kitchen

This is, and remains as always, the heart of the home. It is important to remember when remodeling a kitchen to keep it within the same style as the rest of the home. In other words, if you have a cottage style home, then do not install an ultra modern stainless steel kitchen. It will just not work. So, while updating is necessary, conformity to existing architecture is a must. The kitchen should be in keeping with the rest of the house. The experts maintain that you can get back between 60 and 120 % on what you invested in your revamped kitchen as long as you have not gone over the top! In other words, don’t over capitalize on one room in the house. Keep it simple and clean.

Install energy saving appliances. Granite counter tops are long lasting and heat and stain resistant. They also come in a variety of colors. You don’t necessarily have to replace cupboards. Using existing carcasses and just redoing the doors and putting on new handles can have a magical effect on any tired kitchen.

The bathroom

Letting a contractor upgrade a bathroom is a very good way of adding value to your home. If you have a very small bathroom you may even contemplate removing the bath completely and only having a shower. This will create more space and save on your water bill. Adding a second bathroom if you only have one is another excellent way to enhance the value of your home. Finding the space to do this is not that difficult. Look for that space that never gets used, such as under the stairs or large cupboards that are not being utilized. Bathroom fittings need not be expensive. Look out for sales and reduced items that may have been used as floor models. White is a good color to stick to as it does not limit you to the type of tiles you are going to use, and in the future tired tiles can always be replaced.

Adding windows that are energy efficient

Drafty old single pane windows are a thing of the past. Not only will replacing these with energy efficient windows done by a windows contractor save you money, but it will enhance your value by leaps and bounds. New home owners are very keen on greening their homes and will be very impressed if the home already sports these features.

Create an enticing outdoor space

Build a deck. The cost of this all depends on what kind of material you use and what size deck you are installing. A contractor would be a good way to go in getting advice on which materials are best used in the installation of the deck and where to place it. More and more people are staying at home to relax rather than going on vacation. If you can create a special place in which to do this, you can only increase the value of your home. Here is the example of home Improvements project (www.weathertamer.com/home-improvement-projects)

Getting the Wow Factor in Curb Appeal

If you cross the road and stand on the other side and look back at your home, does it appeal to you? Does it catch your eye and invite you in to see what further lovely surprises perhaps lurk inside? You need to see your home through the eyes of a stranger; no sentiment, just facts. Here are some small ways in which you can go about increasing the curb appeal of your property.

The driveway

Get rid of all the overgrown greens that have been there for years. You keep telling yourself that they will by some miracle of nature transform at some stage into a glorious specimen which will be the envy of your neighbors. It is not going to happen! Take them out and let in the light. If your driveway has a border with no edging, it looks shabby. This is very easily rectified by placing a few bricks on their side. Use a level when laying the bricks as this will ensure the best finish. The best way is to dig a hole of roughly the same depth as your brick, plus at least another 2 inches. Then, using fine white sand to line the hole, place your brick on top. Once all your bricks are in place you can mix some masonry cement and wash this over your bricks to make sure they stay put.

The garden

Placing pretty pots in places where it is difficult for grass or shrubs to grow and filling them with a variety of flowering plants is most effective. Add charm to your garden by placing vegetables and herbs between non-edible plants. This creates a country feel and also provides you with your own vegetables and herbs to enjoy. It also encourages the right kind of insects and butterflies into your garden.

The front entrance

If your front door is looking old and shabby it is perhaps time to seek the services of an efficient and well known Tennessee contractor to assist you in acquiring and fitting a new one. The front door is important as it needs to be a good strong door for security purposes as well as a well sealing door so as not to allow in unwanted drafts. If your door is still fine, then perhaps jazzing it up with a fresh coat of paint and adding a nice brass knocker will all add to the interest of your home.

The windows, the fascia board, the flashing, the roofing

There are many excellent Tennessee roofing contractors available in order to make sure you have the best quality of service. It is important to keep an eye on windows to make sure they are all sealed properly. If they need a varnish or a lick of paint, a good sanding down first is required. Make sure your fascia boards are all looking neat and tidy. Check the roof for loose tiles, loose shingles or loose sheeting.

An Easy Guide to Successful Window Maintenance

An unsealed window can end up costing you a lot of money in wasted energy bills. Window maintenance is therefore necessary in order to save you costly repairs.

Doing a 6 monthly maintenance check on your windows is the best. Should you notice any flaking paint or varnish, give them a touch up. You can even paint UPVC windows. There is a paint available for just about any surface these days and the color charts are considerable. However, once you start painting window frames, you have to keep painting them or they can become very unsightly.

To make sure you get the best life span out of your wooden window frames, it is best to varnish them every six months. Should you notice any signs of rotting in your frames, treat these immediately. Most Nashville windows contractors can replace a section of the frame if needs be without having to replace the entire window frame, thus keeping the costs to a minimum. Replacing aluminum frames can be a costly exercise. Discuss with your Nashville contractor the best option for your home, Click here for more information


Hinges are an important part of the maintenance of your windows. Applying a lubricant such as a Teflon spray can increase their life expectancy. Doing this every couple of weeks will ensure that you will not need to replace them for a long time. It also means your windows will open and close with ease.

Check for drafts coming in through window frames. Installing draught excluder strips to the join of the window to the frame will keep warm air from leaking out of the windows and making your home drafty.

Maintaining your windows will also increase the security of your home. Most burglars gain entrance to a home through windows that are broken and do not close properly. By constantly maintaining your windows you can make sure that you are not an easy target.

Sliding windows can begin to rattle from wear and tear. To prevent this from happening all you need to do is replace the felt strip inside the door. This will not only stop any annoying rattling but will also put an end to any leaks or drafts.

While maintenance can be a chore it is always better in the long run to keep your hand on things before they get out of control. Following the above simple tips can save you money and time.

What would you do with a Sunroom?

As a homeowner, you have probably looked around your property more than once and asked yourself what you could do to improve functionality and possibly resale value. Many people consider a pool the ultimate home accessory, but quickly find it is actually considered one of the worst investments from a purely financial perspective. Sunrooms on the other hand, provide a way to give your home a unique vibe while increasing the square footage and giving you a beautiful view of the outdoors. The question is, however, should you add one to your home?

Over Improving

Who would think you could over improve your property? Before you begin calling Nashville windows contractors or general contractors about adding a sunroom, you need to do a little reconnaissance. What is the average size of a home in your neighborhood? How does your current square footage compare? If you make your home the most expensive domicile on the block, you run the risk of losing most of your investment in the addition.

Uses
 
What would you do with a sunroom? Do you have a bit of a green thumb or are you rarely home enough to water the one plant you have? This is an important question to ask, would you get any use out of a sunroom? These types of rooms are very versatile and if you choose an insulated four-season sunroom, it can be enjoyed year round. Some possibilities include:

•    Artistic- do you paint? If you need just the right light for your artistic endeavors, this could be the perfect addition for you.
•    Reading Area- are you always searching for a calm, quiet and yet well-lit area to read?
•    Greenhouse- sunrooms are a great place for your indoor plants to flourish year round.
•    Sitting Area- for some people a sunroom is simply a place to sit and enjoy the outdoors and company.

Investment 

How much will your sunroom cost? Without an appraisal by a professional Nashville contractor, it is impossible to give an accurate figure. Pricing depends on a number of variables including, but not limited to:

• Insulation- Do you want a four-season sunroom?
• Current Construction- How difficult will it be to construct the additional room?
• Flooring- What type of flooring will you use?
• Materials- aluminum, wood or vinyl?
• Size- Larger sunrooms, of course, cost more to construct

Final Thoughts

Adding a sunroom to your home can have personal as well as financial benefits, but only a licensed Nashville contractor can give you a complete picture of what it will cost and if it is worth the investment in your area. Many people opt to call in a professional appraiser to get a better idea about potential return on investment. Of course, if you simply want an indoor/outdoor place to call your own, hang the price and call a contractor today!

Nashville Contractors Stress Importance of Gutters

You have heard the old saying, if it ain't broke don’t fix it? This is the prevailing attitude when it comes to gutters on your home. Most people pay little if any attention to them unless they overflow at the front door! This could be a costly mistake for several reasons and your Nashville contractors want you to understand the importance of solid, properly functioning gutters for your home.

Water

Water is a fact of life, and it is the one element you try desperately to protect your home from at all costs. Inside the home, you would never tolerate leaking water pipes, because eventually wood will rot and mold will grow. You should have this same attitude with the gutters on your house, if they leak or do not operate properly, you are not getting the protection from the elements you desperately need.

Gutter Function

Gutters and rainspouts have a specific function and that is to channel rainwater to a safe area away from your home. When installed and maintained properly water will flow around your roof in the gutter system to exit at a predetermined area where the water can further be channeled away from your home. Why is this so important?

•    Attic- leaking gutters can allow water to stand or seep into your attic for days or even months before you notice anything. At this point, your insulation is likely saturated and water could have made its way into your interior walls.

•    Siding- even if water does not make it inside your home, bad gutters can allow rainwater to get behind your siding. This can lead to mold, wood rot, termites and extensive damage to the exterior of your home.

•    Landscaping- do you take particular joy in your yard? Imagine what pounding rain could do to your well thought out landscaping!

•    Basement- have you noticed large amounts of water standing around the perimeter of your hour? Water that is not properly diverted can seep through the soil and into basements, garages and more.

Gutter Replacement

When do you call Nashville contractors to discuss gutter replacement? There are several signs that replacement or repair are in order. The next time it rains, take a tour around your house and look for leaks, separated joints, sagging gutters or water stains on vinyl gutters. Properly maintained gutters can last a long, long time but once they are worn out or damaged there is little option but replacement. Thankfully, in most cases, gutter replacement is one of the cheaper home repairs you can have done.

Conclusion

You should clean your gutters out at least once per year. Leaves, debris and squirrels can pack your gutters full causing water to overflow. Some Nashville contractors may suggest gutter covers, which will cost you more initially but can make your gutters practically maintenance free.

Vinyl Siding Isn’t What it used to Be

Your home is your castle and for many people the single largest investment they will ever make. This means keeping your home in good repair is usually at the top of your to do list, and it might be time to reconsider vinyl siding. If you had sworn off the possibility of vinyl because of the many horror stories you have heard, you will be happy to know there is a new insulated vinyl siding that offers better performance and can match nearly any architectural design.

Insulated Difference

Traditional vinyl siding, or what is known in professional circles as hollow back siding, became very popular thanks to affordability and easy maintenance. Across the country, homeowners began updating their home exteriors with vinyl. It was not long before the negative side of vinyl siding reared its head, buckling, warping and more.

Insulated vinyl siding is the new kid on the block, so to speak, and takes the versatility of vinyl and adds a layer of firm insulation boarding. In a side-by-side comparison, you will quickly see a major difference between the two products in rigidity. When held out in front of your traditional vinyl will bend easily while insulated products remain stiff. Other benefits over traditional vinyl:

• Added insulation
• Covers irregularities in your wall
• Increased sound barrier to outside noise
• Impact resistant
• Less risk of dents or bending
• Better wood like appearance
• Wide variety of styles and colors

Choosing a Contractor

Do you need to find a good Tennessee contractor to install your insulated vinyl siding, or give you more information about your options? What are some basic criteria for choosing a Nashville or Knoxville contractor? The first thing you want to examine is their experience, how long have they been in business overall and how long have they worked with this particular product? The Better Business Bureau and references are your best source of information on both these accounts.

Talk to references and if possible drive by and view the finished project. (This will not always be an option, especially in large urban areas where people value privacy)When you talk to previous customers, ask pointed questions about the quality of the work, adherence to budget and schedule and whether they would recommend them to others.

Never succumb to high-pressure sales tactics that demand an answer, Today! Reputable contractors have secured their product lines and pricing which means a one-time only special price should be subject to suspicion.

Conclusion

Insulated vinyl siding offers a number of benefits when compared to traditional vinyl. Couple a better product with a good Tennessee contractor and you have a recipe for a beautifully finished home. By taking care of your home, you ensure it functionality and potential resale value, so it might be time to give vinyl a second glance.

Upkeep Tips From Your Knoxville Contractor For Wooden Decking

The wooden deck is a beautiful addition to any home. But your deck is only as strong and long-lived as the quality of the upkeep that it receives. Starting with quality materials is a great base, as your Knoxville contractor will tell you. If you don't take care of those materials, they will succumb to the elements. Rot can set in during a single bad rain storm through a simple crack in the wood, so you must be prepared.


As your Knoxville contractor, have seen some pretty beat up decks in our day. When you start with a wooden building material, you must remember to take proper care of it. Failure to do so will result in cracking and splintering, creating dangerous situations to walk on or to use for everyday situations. As your Nashville windows and roofing provider, we have to stress that the same maintenance that goes in to other parts of your home must be taken for your wooden decking.


Even if your wood is weather treated, you should take steps to give it extra protection. A solid weather sealant is the best option for your weather abused wooden decking. This should be applied promptly after the deck is constructed, and kept in good condition thereafter. This sealant will protect the wood of your decks against the majority of the weathering that it will encounter.


Once the wood has begun to splinter and crack it is generally too late to try and save it. Home owners try various methods, such as applying thick coats of paint to try to cover the cracks, but the water damage has already begun at this point. The only thing the paint will do is make the decking too hot to walk on in the sun, and visibly hide damage until the board is so weak and rotted from within that it falls apart beneath you.


As your Knoxville contractor, we urge protecting the wooden components of your decking properly from the beginning. Even if you only stain the wood with traditional wood stains, you are still giving it more of a chance against the elements than it would have otherwise. It is this protection that will make your investment last and give your family an area that they can enjoy for years to come.


When your deck has simply had too much stress on it, and needs to be replaced, we suggest doing so as promptly as possible. Once those boards start cracking and rotting, there is little that you can do except replace the porch. For your own family's safety, have the deck or patio fixed as soon as is possible. Letting the wood continue to warp and rot away under your feet is only asking for a disaster. Avoid potential lawsuits and accidents on your property by inspecting the wooden planks of your existing deck or patio today.

Planned Sunroom Installation For An Entertaining Parlor

Before the decision to have a sunroom installed on your property is made, American home owners commonly want to have a justified reason for the sunroom's finished use. When considering the list of purposes that your finished sunroom might serve, don't forget to keep the entertaining parlor in mind! As your Nashville windows specialists, know all about the need to give your sunroom a purpose other than simply being a sunny spot to enjoy in your home.

Before you consider your sunroom installation, you need to think about how often you entertain guests, and how nice the option of an entertaining parlor would be. The sunroom itself would be a wide area, either attached to the home or detached and sitting on your property, where you could entertain guests by the dozens.

When you let your Nashville windows experts know that you want an entertainment parlor, the very design of the sunroom will reflect your decision. A wide, open area will be constructed, with bright, sunny windows and ceiling panels to let in plenty of light for your guests to see by. You could also include an opening area that can be slid back and held open, a sliding panel style door, which would lead into an outside entertainment area. This would permit the party to take place both outside and inside at once.

Your Nashville windows experts have seen plenty of entertainment parlor sunrooms before. For your family's personal use, this wide area will provide plenty of natural light for reading and relaxation. Add in a few comfortable chairs and a table or two, and your children can do their homework by the sun's natural illumination, helping to keep the family's electrical bill down.

In its natural state, your sunroom will provide your everyday guests with a sunny, bright place to sit and talk for a while. An exterior entrance can even allow you to bypass the home if it is terribly messy, allowing your guest to walk through your garden and into the relaxing sunroom area. Here, you can serve cold drinks from a small included kitchen or bar area, and relax in the sunlight with your company.

For the larger entertainment needs, the sheer size of the sunroom comes into play. Since your Nashville windows experts knew your plans for the sunroom from the start, it won't be difficult to transform your regular sitting area into a party zone. Simply move the chairs to the side of the room and position the tables so that the food is served on them at one end of the sunroom. Instantly, your sunroom installation takes on a dual purpose that your party guests will love.

Finally, for enjoying those starry evenings, or just for staying dry when it rains on your party plans, your sunroom will serve your guests well by making sure that it's never too stormy to party at your house.

Energy Efficient Gardening Answers From Your Tennessee Contractor

If you are the type of homeowner who enjoys gardening, then you know all about how keeping those crops watered can be murder on your water bills. As your Tennessee contractor, we have an answer for you to consider that is not only drought friendly, but also energy efficient: installing rain barrels on your property.

The rain barrel is often thought of as a problem waiting to happen, with stagnant water becoming a breeding ground for all sorts of flying pests. Modern rain barrels are not these open topped water collection places that people think of. As your Tennessee contractor, it have seen all types of rain barrels, and highly recommend their use on your property as a way to not only keep your water costs down, but to recycle your rainwater for good use at the same time.

Your Nashville contractor will be happy to show you how these rain barrels can be added directly into your current gutter system without a drop of rain wasted. But before installation can begin, you must understand the basic modern rain barrel unit.

These units commonly come with tight fitting lids that secure directly to your gutter system. In this way, they keep pests and other problems from gaining access to your water supply. They likewise prevent evaporation because of the tight seal they provide. The common unit has a spigot or other common place where a hose can be attached. Although not under pressure as we would understand it, the water will flow from the rain barrel to your garden area, so long as it isn't up too steep of a hill.

The more advanced units contain an emergency overflow valve inside, so excess water will continue to flow into the water runoff system that your rainwater flowed into initially. This will prevent leaks from too much water being present in the barrel.

Now that you understand the rain barrel design, you can see how you could cut down on your water usage and protect the environment by letting your home's gutter system collect the garden water for you to use. Your Tennessee contractor can install these units easily enough, including trimming your existing gutter down pipe to the proper size for the rain barrel system you have purchased. They can also seal the lid and the emergency overflow properly to prevent excessive evaporation.

If you believe that the rain barrel system is an upgrade that your home could make wise use of, then order the rain barrel and give your Tennessee contractor a call! Your Contractor are the one to take care of the entire installation process for you, or just check over your seals and make certain you are set up for the most energy efficient use possible. We are always eager to see our customers make improvements for themselves, and any improvement that helps the environment is worth its weight in gold.

Summon Your Nashville Contractor For Existing Porch Add-Ons

Building on to your home is a series of ever progressing upgrades that take place over time. As your family grows, so does your home, with new kitchens and bedrooms added on to the original design as they are needed. For millions of families across America, this expansion often includes building a porch or a deck on to the exterior of the home. A wonderful place where the family can relax and enjoy the outdoors, these structures usually begin life as a simple platform, exposed to the elements.


At some point, the family gets the idea to build a cover onto the already existing porch structure. Whether you want to cover the entire deck, or just arrange for a roofed over portion to use in rainy weather, it is a wise idea to summon your Nashville contractor when making such an alteration to an already existing porch or deck.


The reason for this is simple: As your Knoxville roofing experts can tell you, roof structures tend to hold up far more securely when they are braced with a single supporting unit from the floor all the way to the ceiling. Simply nailing a couple of two by fours onto the outside of the deck railing isn't going to cut it when it comes to extending beams for roof support. Your existing deck is going to require major modifications and safety installations if it is going to hold up the finished roofing for any amount of time.

If you attempt to make such modifications without professional assistance, you run the risk of having your entire deck roofing collapse around you from lack of proper support. Your Knoxville roofing experts will be more than happy to help you install the roofing over your existing deck, while implementing all of the appropriate safety measures that your situation calls for.


If you bring your Nashville contractor from from the very beginning, you may be able to build a roof onto your existing porch without requiring any major modifications or rebuilding efforts. However, if you start making modifications without having an expert's assistance, you may very well muck things up to the point where your entire deck needs to come down.


Calling in the professionals to help with this add-on construction is the safest way to go about covering your deck or porch with a roof. To make sure that all of the necessary precautions are in place, and all of the bracing and extensions are done correctly, have your professionals help you from the very concept of the idea. They can help you learn what supports and braces you need in order to do the job yourself if you insist, or your Knoxville roofing expert can do the entire job for you, including matching your home's existing shingles. For the best results and the best safety possible, relying on expert opinions and assistance for your extension needs.

Tips From Your Knoxville Contractor On How To Spot Gutter Trouble

If you're like most Americans, you don't fancy the idea of dangling off a ladder two stories in the air unless you really have to. The reason why the average homeowner doesn't realize that their gutters are in trouble until they're falling off the house is because they don't understand the classic warning signs that a gutter system needs maintenance. Here is a brief guide from your Knoxville contractor to help you know when you need to clean out your gutters.


Visiting Wildlife


When you look up at your gutters and notice that you have animal visitors hanging around, don't think of it as a cute situation. As your Chattanooga roofing experts will tell you, animals that have made their homes inside your gutters mean that they have brought their home with them. This means your gutters are full of nests of twigs, piles of seeds and nuts, and possible offspring. Look for birds, squirrels, frogs, lizards, opossums, raccoons, mice, rats, and snakes in your gutter system. Evidence of their presence should be dealt with immediately.


Greenhouse Gardens


There are many places that your home should have plants growing around to share their beauty, but your gutters are not one of these locations. As your Knoxville contractor will tell you, seeing sprouts or seedlings peeking up from within your gutter is an immediate sign of trouble. If those plants are growing, it means that there is enough build-up of dirt and debris for them to take root in. As we all know, roots and homes don't mix well.


Erosion Lines


Around the base of your home, the landscaping should be nice and smooth. If you begin to notice visible erosion lines that mirror the lower-most level of your gutter system, then those gutters aren't hauling the water away like they should. As your Chattanooga roofing team will explain, these erosion lines are coming from where water is routinely escaping your clogged gutters and dripping onto the ground below. If it's been going on long enough to cause noticeable erosion lines on the ground, you have a serious problem in the gutters above.


Waterfall Spectacles


The next time you have a good rainstorm, grab an umbrella (unless it's lightning!) and take a stroll around your home. Look for any waterfalls coming from your gutter system. These occur around seams where different gutters meet, and are a classic sign of trouble, as your Knoxville contractor will tell you. Either there is a crack in the gutter at this location, something is blocking the water flow completely, or the gutter simply isn't up to the task at hand. Note these waterfall spots and have them inspected once the rain ends.

By keeping your eyes open for these four common warning signs, you can know when your home's gutter system is failing. Heed these warnings, and have your gutters cleaned and inspected before the system fails on you completely.

Tips From Your Tennessee Roofing For How To Spot Potential Roof Damage

In order to know when your roof needs to be repaired, you must know how to spot signs of weathering and weather damage on your shingles. Making the occasional visual inspection from the ground will alert you to potential problems on the parts of the roof that you can see, but monitoring those sections of the roof that you can't see from street level can make the job even trickier. Here's how to know when to call your Chattanooga roofing expert in to have a closer look.

Obvious Damage

There are occasionally times when you simply know that damage has occurred on your roof. Your Tennessee roofing professional should be called in for repairs without hesitation in the event that your area experiences extreme weather. When hailstones reach golf ball size, they are causing damage every time they impact your roof. If a large tree branch comes down on a section of your home, or a large chunk of debris blows in and lands on your shingles, you should assume that there has been damage and have it repaired immediately.

Fall Foliage

Those trees that provide shade around your home are beautiful, but the leaves that they drop on your roof are a potential source of damage. Unless you keep these leaves off your roof by removing them forcibly, they will begin to rot where they lay. This will result in sources of rot being introduced to the shingle surface, which can cause breaches in the water proofing that the shingles depend on. If you have leaves that have completely rotted away, and can clearly see the outlines they left behind, then you should summon your Chattanooga roofing expert to have a look.


Visible Mold

Mold is great, when it's on rocks and the sides of trees. When you can see spots of mold on your roof, you need to call in your Tennessee roofing specialist immediately. Where there is mold, there is moisture, and enough of a breach in your roof's defenses for the mold to have taken root to begin with. Although some homeowners consider mold on the roof to add an air of charm, it should be viewed as a dangerous situation and dealt with promptly to prevent further damage.


Interior Leaks

You hope to spot trouble on your roof before it comes to interior leaks, but sometimes the unexpected happens. When you wake to the rhythmic dripping of water on your carpet, grab a bucket and settle in for the long haul. Hope that this rainstorm doesn't last for the next three straight days, and summon your Chattanooga roofing specialist immediately. The problem with a leak is that where the water enters your home may not be anywhere near where the roof is letting the water in. Having the roof searched promptly is the only way to prevent this small leak from becoming a catastrophic roof failure.

5 Ways Installing Vinyl Replacement Windows Can Increase Your Home's Value

Homeowners everywhere are concerned about the value of their property. This value is determined from many different sources, including the condition of the home and the land around it. One of the easiest ways to improve your property value is by updating your windows to modern vinyl replacement windows.

Here are 5 reasons this simple and relatively inexpensive improvement can help your property value increase.

Curb Appeal
While your home may have been built with wooden or aluminum windows, your Knoxville windows specialist will be the first to comment on their appearance versus the modern window style. These older window styles are often set deep in their settings and have been damaged by the elements over the years. They rarely match the rest of the house in appearance, and become the proverbial sore thumb to your home's value.

Weather Damage

Non-vinyl windows have multiple weak points, all of which have been exposed to the elements since the day the window was first installed. For wooden windows, it is rare that the wood has been treated appropriately throughout its life. This wood needs to be oiled and varnished on a regular basis in order to prevent warping and weather damage. Aluminum windows have a bad habit of developing rust spots in the tracks, which often prevent the window from being opened properly. Installing vinyl replacement windows will deal with any existing weather damage in the process.

Proper Insulation

As any home inspector will point out when trying to sell your home, older style windows are rarely properly insulated. Whether single or double paned, these older window styles allow cold and hot air to pass directly through them with little resistance. Your Knoxville windows team will show you how upgrading the windows around your home can not only improve your home's value, but save on your heating and cooling costs as well!

Consistent Appearance

Older windows, even old vinyl ones, rarely had the correct color options available to make your windows stand out or blend in like your home's appearance needs them to. Whether you want your windows to make a statement, or to become a hardly noticed part of your home's appearance, modern vinyl replacement windows will provide you with the colors and styles that you need to get everything looking just the way you want it.

Draft Problems

Older windows commonly suffer from minute changes in the home's structure over time. As the ground beneath the home shifts, an ongoing process in all corners of the globe, the windows come out of their proper setting ever so slightly. This results in hairline cracks around the window that, although not visible, allow air to seep through them and play havoc with your cooling costs. Allowing your Knoxville windows specialists to replace your windows with modern versions will seal these hairline cracks over and provide your home with the protection it needs.

7 Reasons For Sunroom Installation On Your Property

For those home owners who are considering having upgrades made to their property, the sunroom is an option that is all too easily overlooked. Whether you are thinking of having sunroom installation performed as an attached fixture of your home or a freestanding unit, your Tennessee contractor will be able to provide you with the information you need about this choice. For now, though, here are 7 ways that a new sunroom could be used on your property this spring.


1) Entertaining Guests - Having a sunroom installed by your Knoxville contractor team can give you a perfectly enclosed portion of an outdoor patio. With windows that open and wide entry ways, enclosing half of your normal entertainment area in a sunroom would provide you with options when the weather turns sour during a gathering.

2) Intimate Arrangements - A small, cozy sunroom installation on your property can give you and your loved ones a quiet place to retreat to in order to gather your sense of personal space again. Perfect for enjoying your morning coffee, watching over your koi pond, or meditating, these comfortable areas can likewise host a guest or two while keeping them out of your home.

3) Staging Area - The sunroom that is attached to your home by your Knoxville contractor can provide your family with that extra space that is needed to keep those items that shouldn't be in the home corralled. From muddy boots to wet jackets, the sunroom lined with shelves and pegs can help these items to dry, as well keep them from being strung all over your home.

4) House Plant Area - Those plants that you don't take outside, the ones that you have had since the days you were single, have always needed more light. If you're a lover of house plants, the sunroom that your Tennessee contractor plans out for you can give your plants all the light they could ever want.

5) Garden Protection - Tired of having your entire garden pummeled into nothingness by a single severe storm? A freestanding sunroom with raised garden beds along the walls can double as a greenhouse and a getaway for your family. Including opening windows will keep your plants from getting too hot or evaporating their moisture content too quickly.

6) All Weather Swimming - If you own an in-ground pool or a hot tub, you know how much the weather affects your ability to enjoy your investment. By building a sunroom over this area, you will be able to enjoy it year round. Through temperature control, you can enjoy your pool in the middle of winter!

7) Family Retreat - A sunroom installation on the side or back of your house can be turned into a brightly lit family room. Add a few couches, your favorite books and magazines, and a television, and your family will have a new gathering place that provides a warm, friendly atmosphere.

Benefits of Vinyl Replacement Windows

There are many benefits to vinyl replacement windows. They may be exactly what you have been looking for to beautify your home. They are functional, energy saving and attractive so it isn’t any wonder that they are very popular in homes today. What’s more, many homeowners with older homes are replacing their older, traditional wood or aluminum windows with vinyl replacement windows.

Vinyl replacement windows will increase your home’s value. Their stylish looks and versatile selection will add beauty and charm to any home. They allow you to enjoy the view of your yard and surrounding area while cutting down on the noise unlike many traditional windows. You can enjoy your home better without the bother of outside noise.

These windows are also very energy efficient. They have outstanding insulating qualities, keeping the cool air in during the warm months and the warm air in during the cooler months. The double insulated glass works to keep temperatures stable within the home, saving you as much as 25% on your heating and cooling bill. With rising energy costs, this could be the best benefit of vinyl replacement windows. If you have older style windows on your home, it is well worth it to replace them with these windows even for the reduction in your electric bill alone.

What’s more, vinyl windows are durable and very easy to maintain. To clean all you need is a wet cloth with some mild soap. The rigid grade vinyl makes it sturdy regardless of the climate. The insulation and construction also prevents condensation. Because it is made of vinyl, there is no need for scraping, applying putty or painting. In fact, there is no real maintenance required at all. And, because there is no wood, like with most traditional windows, there is no need to worry about termites. You can protect your investment, your home, by a simple installation of vinyl windows.

Vinyl windows also stand up much better in wet or humid weather. They do not shrink or swell when there is a lot of moisture in the air. Unlike traditional windows, vinyl replacement windows always operate smoothly regardless of whether it is hot, cold or rainy. Plus, they do not rust, pit or corrode.

Your home is your investment so you want to take good care of it. It doesn’t matter if you are planning to sell soon or if that is a possibility way down the road. The time to begin taking care of your home is now. Better to be proactive and prevent certain types of damage than to have to correct the damage later. And who doesn’t want to save money on their electric bill anyway?