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.

Tennessee Contractor Poses The Big Roofing Questions

It has become evident to you that a new roof is needed on your home or business. The constant leaks, and having to run about with buckets and trash cans to keep the water off your floors every time that it rains is a dead giveaway that something is seriously wrong over your head. But now you are faced with a very important choice from your Tennessee roofing specialist: metal, or shingles?

Both of these options have their upsides and their downsides, and both have similar installation costs. Your Tennessee contractor will be the first to tell you that this is a very important decision, and that the outcome will affect both the value and the livability of your home for the next several decades. Here is a guide to help you decide which Tennessee roofing material you should settle on.

Metal Roofing

The metal roofing is a relative newcomer to the stage, as your Tennessee contractor will tell you. The modern metal roof has little in common with its ancestor. These are brightly colored versions of many common metals, including different types of steel, tin, and even titanium, that are applied over your existing roof structure. They come in different patterns as well. If you like the look of shingles, but you're tired of playing find the missing piece to the shingle puzzle after every good storm, your Tennessee roofing specialists will probably recommend switching to a strong metal roofing substance instead.

Metal roofing is good for reflecting the sun's heat away from your house, but still holds radiant heat within so that you can save on your energy costs. The bright colors that it comes in won't fade over time, meaning that a replacement panel you install 16 years from now will be the same color of Caribbean Blue that you put on your roof today. It will hold a weather resistant seal for the same life span as a shingle roof, and provides far fewer seams where water could sneak in. Importantly though, the harder types of metal will stay in place when assaulted with hail stones or strong winds.


Shingle Roofing

Modern shingle roofing has also come a long way since you had your current roof installed on your home. Your Tennessee contractor will be able to tell you all about the modern designs, including its durability and resistance to strong winds up, up to 80 mph for some brands.

Tennessee roofing options for shingles come in a variety of colors as well, so you can be picky in having them match your house or make a statement against it. The shingle design means that your home will have the more traditional curb appeal that people are expecting when they view a home. Modern shingles are designed to hold more heat in the home, providing you with a 60% better energy performance than your old shingles offered, which will translate into savings on your energy bill.

Knoxville Roofing Options to give your home and Edge

In many homes your roof is one of if not the most important piece to your house. After wearing down roofs will tend to leak which can amount to huge problems within your home as well as house structure that comes in contact with the water. On the appearance side of things, an old outdated roof can weigh down the look of your home no matter what upgrades you do on the house. The most common types of Knoxville roofs being installed are still the long time running shingle roof, and coming up on its tail would be metal roofing.

Shingle Roofing

Shingle roofing has always been the number one choice to most because it tends to be extremely durable. Many companies are now using a high performance shingle that is 150% harder to tear then the average shingle, and performs at a 63% higher rate across all temperatures. Shingles are very wind resistant and with some independent tests they have been rated with up to 110 miles per hour. Lastly shingle roofing looks very traditional which many people like, and the color tends to hold for a long period of time.

Metal Roofing

Having a Knoxville Roofing Company install metal roofing is a newer option to most but does have its benefits as well. Metal roofing systems are constructed from completely recycled materials that will naturally reflect the sun’s heat and provide solar radiant heat, making makes this one of the most environmentally friendly products in the marketplace.

On the design side of things metal roofs tend to be more versatile with different options, colors, and patterns. Many people like to have a different home then their neighbors, and metal roofing is one of the easiest options to let your home stand out.

Both of these options are very similar in performance, it’s just a matter of your taste, and if you want to go traditional, or in a new direction. Contact a Knoxville roofing company and discuss what roofing style you think would fit your home. The Knoxville Contractor may also present some new ideas due to location, or house style. Replace that outdated or leaky roof, and treat your house to what it deserves!

What’s Right with Vinyl Replacement Windows

Many homeowners and builders are putting the spotlight on the benefits of vinyl replacement windows and for good reasons, too. These replacement windows provide the best value for your money in comparison with other traditional materials like wood. Let’s take a look at what’s right with these replacement windows so that you can seriously consider these products.

Triple Layers of Insulation

Vinyl windows are triple-glazed windows. Such property means that homeowners can enjoy higher savings on their utility bills particularly in terms of heating and cooling expenses. Basically, triple-glazed windows are better at keeping in the heat indoors during the winter months and keeping in the cold indoors during the summer months. You can then enjoy substantial savings on your utility bills.

Yes, double-glazed windows are also good options but with triple-glazed windows like vinyl replacement windows, why settle for anything less? You need not even worry about the cost because the price difference between both types of windows is negligible.

Ease of Maintenance

And then there’s the fact that these replacement windows require little maintenance other than the occasional wiping with a window cleaner. You may also use a mixture of gentle detergent and water to clean the windows. You also need not worry about painting over the material. Skip on the scraping, sanding and painting because these replacement windows are made from plastic; a simple wipe on, wipe off operation is all that’s necessary to keep these windows in tiptop shape.

Fantastic Choices

Don’t dismiss vinyl replacement windows in the style department just because these are made from plastic. You have so many choices in colors, sizes and styles that it may well take a Tennessee contractor an hour or two just discussing the pros and cons of each option.

Examples include:

• Sash vinyl windows closely mimic the wooden window sashes but with lovelier, sharper and cleaner lines.

• Bow vinyl windows make limited spaces look larger.

You need not even worry about matching the colors of these replacement windows with the exterior colors of your house. You have virtually all the colors of the rainbow at your fingertips – just tell your hired Tennessee contractor what you want to achieve in terms of style and he will find it for you.

Reasonable Prices

Considering all of the abovementioned benefits of vinyl replacement windows, cost should be of last on the factors to be considered in their installation. But because keeping to a budget is important, it must be said that these replacement windows provide the best value for your money.

Keep in mind that these windows can be fitted to fit into existing window frames. Such level of customization can mean prices ranging from $300 to $600 per pane depending on the size, style and color of the windows. If you think that these are still expensive prices, think of the savings on the energy bill as a way to recoup the purchase costs. Indeed, vinyl replacement windows are the right choice for your home. Just make sure that you will hire an experienced general contractor to do the job just to ensure that these windows will be installed the right way.