Tag Archive for: home remodel

What You Should Know When Considering Roof Replacement

In the spring, the sun comes out, the snow melts…and many homeowners start to worry about their roof. If winter was unkind to your roof, you may be considering roof replacement.

Roof replacement seems like a big undertaking, but it’s not as bad as you may think. Better yet, roof replacement adds to the look, comfort, and value of your home. It’s an investment, but one that quickly pays for itself in surprising ways. For almost all homeowners, the cost is the biggest concern when considering roof replacement, but the truth is, the benefits of a great roof often outweigh the cost.

Is it time to replace? And if so, what you should expect in the process? Here’s what you need to know about roof replacement.

Image shows a large white home with grey roofing

The Number One Reason Roofs Fail

Obviously, the roof on your home is necessary for your protection and to keep out the weather elements, but most homeowners often overlook factors in their roof’s ventilation performance (or the lack thereof). We often forget how important ventilation is in our homes. When you have living, breathing families on the inside, they’re producing heat, moisture, and air. Not only is the roof keeping the air and bad weather out of your home, but it’s also holding in the air and heat.

Often the roofing problems we see come down to ventilation issues. If you think about the function of a roof, the cool air should enter from the eaves into the ventilation (the grids on the underside of your eaves). The air should be exhausted in an equal amount at the ridge of the roof. The hot air should escape from the top. When warm air doesn’t escape and becomes trapped, it gets very hot, causing the shingles to curl and eventually break.

Another indicator of a ventilation problem with your roof is the appearance of icicles underneath the gutter line. This is a sign your attic is too hot. Your home is melting the ice and snow underneath the top, forming an ice dam. That moisture seeps into and under the shingles, causing major problems like leaking, damage to the ceiling or insulation, and mold.

Some companies might simply tell you the problem can be fixed by patching with shingles, but that’s not a sustainable, long-term solution. In the long run, a patch job will end up costing you, the homeowner, a lot more money because it doesn’t address the underlying issue.

Instead, a trained professional should do proper measurements to factor in the amount of exhaust, heat, and ventilation. Not only do these factors contribute to the life of your roof, but they ensure your warranty stays valid as well. Putting new shingles on a damaged roof may invalidate your warranty and cause bigger problems in the future. Think of it as a band-aid to an injury.


 

To learn more about the importance of roofing ventilation, don’t miss our video.

 

 


Is It Time to Consider Roof Replacement?

Is it time to start considering roof replacement? While ventilation-related concerns aren’t the only area to examine, they’re a big determining factor. Other roofing-related concerns to look at include:

  • Roof staining and discoloration indicate water damage.
  • The state of the flashing. Is it loose, detached, or cracking?
  • The state of the gutters. Are they clogged, leading to water seepage and other issues? Are they properly attached and working?
  • The interior ceiling of the home. Look for any water damage, leaking, or signs of roof failure.

When considering roof replacement, it’s easy to focus on price, but it’s also important to ensure your new roof will address ventilation or the root cause of your roofing issues. When our Weather Tight experts assess your roofing needs, they always look at the underlying factors like the ventilation system, the state of the flashing, the gutters, and the interior of your home.

Your free in-home roof assessment and estimate begin with a satellite image of your roof, giving our experts the dimensions, pitches, and protrusions they need to consider. This helps them to gather exact measurements for their report. Our consultants will go inside your attic, given that they have ample availability to do so, to examine the area that’s supposed to be ventilated. They’ll take a look at the state of your insulation, the ventilation system, and areas like the roof deck for moisture, damage, and breakage.

There are many factors indicating when roof replacement is needed. Your Weather Tight expert will walk you through many of the considerations. If you decide to compare, it’s important that any expert walks you through all your options and explains the process.

A great roof replacement assessment will consider and cover all these factors:

  • Is the old roof being torn off, or is the new roof material being layered over the top?
  • What type of underlayment is being used?
  • How is the roof being installed, and what is the process?
  • What brands or products are used?
  • How are the nails placed, and how many were used?
  • Was the ventilation assessed, and how is it being considered in your new roof plan?

Whatever your choice for roof replacement, we’ll help you explore your best options. Our Weather Tight team works carefully to protect your home, so replacing your roof is a relatively painless process. There will be some noise, dust, debris, and vibration, particularly in the attic, but most customers report the process was faster and easier than they imagined.

Our Weather Tight experts are happy to discuss your options and do a free assessment and demonstration on your current roof. If you’re considering roof replacement, let us help improve the look, energy efficiency, and comfort of your home today!


Post images 1 & 2 licensed for use via Pxhere.

Everything You Need to Know About Buying Replacement Windows

Are you looking at your home’s windows and asking the age-old question: to replace or not to replace? If you’re considering buying replacement windows for your home, you may have a lot of questions.

While buying replacement windows may seem like a large investment up front, it’s often a wise decision that saves you money in the long run. Buying replacement windows is a purchase that quickly pays you back by increasing your home’s value as well as your comfort and the quality of life inside your home, not to mention the savings on your energy bill.

If you’re considering buying replacement windows, here’s what you need to know to determine if the time is right. When you’re ready, Weather Tight’s friendly product experts will help you choose the best replacement windows to suit the look of your home (as well as your budget).

Is It Time for Buying Replacement Windows?

Image shows an interior with two white double hung windows

There are a few areas to consider if you’re thinking of buying replacement windows for your home. The first step is to check out the condition of your current windows.

To assess the condition of your windows, take a look at the following:

1. The Windows Themselves

First and foremost, look at the windows in your home. Are there cracks? Do they leak? Does a great deal of moisture accumulate in between the panes (different from the natural phenomenon of window condensation, which is generally harmless)? If your windows are broken, very old, in poor condition, or the glass is damaged, it’s definitely time to invest in replacement windows. New windows will improve the value, livability, and look of your home.

2. The Condition of the Pane

Next, examine the window pane. Is the paint on the window sill flaking off? Does the wood appear cracked? Has the stain faded? These are telltale signs your windows are no longer properly keeping heat inside your home in the winter and outside your home in the summer. While cracking wood and paint is often seen in older homes, it’s not uncommon to see poor window pane conditions in houses built in the last 20 years. Why? Because the materials used in many mass construction projects and planned communities are often not the highest quality.

3. Hardware and Casement

The next area of your window to examine is the inside casement and hardware. Is the window difficult to open? Does it stick or does it feature a crank that’s challenging to maneuver? Not only are hardware and casement issues frustrating to deal with, but they contribute to safety and security issues as well. It’s important windows open and close easily to let in fresh air and for ease of cleaning. It’s also imperative windows lock tightly when you need them to.

4. Air Loss

Do you have air leaks around your window? Use a simple damp hand test around the window to see if you’re getting air loss. Simply wet your hand and hold it near the perimeter of the window. If you feel any cool air, it’s a big sign you’re experiencing air infiltration and air leakage.

5. Your Heating Bill

Another sign of faulty windows is a high energy bill. It’s difficult to tell if your bill has simply slowly risen over the years due to increasing energy costs or if it’s related to air leakage, but when you invest in quality replacement windows, your energy bill will almost certainly go down.

6. Your In-Home Comfort

Do you wear socks in your home all the time? Do you put plastic on your windows in the winter? Do you need a blanket whenever you’re enjoying movies on the couch? These little inconveniences may seem small, but they add up to less satisfaction and comfort in your home. Your home should be a place you relax and feel comfortable without reaching for a sweater.

7. The Curb Appeal of Your Home

Does the look of your windows enhance your home’s curb appeal? Even if you don’t plan to sell your home or move, new windows are an excellent investment to increase the value and look of your house. Nothing brightens up a house like fresh, new windows, especially when Weather Tight will ensure your replacement windows blend seamlessly with your home.

Ready to Buy Replacement Windows? You Have Plenty of Options

There are many replacement window options out there, but it’s Weather Tights’ dedication to customer service and the Wisconsin community that’s made us Wisconsin’s Most Recommended Home Remodeler. Our replacement windows are backed by a lifetime transferable warranty to give you peace of mind in your investment.

If you’re ready to replace your windows and give your home a facelift, Weather Tight is ready to help. We offer a free in-home assessment where we’ll look at the performance of your current windows and discuss the possibilities as well as options, so you can make an educated decision regarding this household purchase.

As you look into buying replacement windows, you’ll find you have many choices. With Weather Tight, every window is custom manufactured to fit the look and style of your home. An expert will work with you to come up with a plan for your home and design your windows around your needs.

Get to Know Weather Tight Replacement Windows

Image shows a large interior window with text that reads "Windows, Double Hung, Bay, Bow, Casement, Slider, Garden"

At Weather Tight, we offer beautiful energy-efficient replacement windows with endless options for customization to fit the look and style of your home. Using patented designs from Restorations, our replacement windows offer minimal frames to enhance your view by up to 30%!

For durability and reliability, there’s no better window pane material than vinyl. The amazing aspect of vinyl is it’s both strong and flexible. Replacement windows of the past often included heavy, bulky frames to hold the panes of thick glass in place. Now with modern technology, windows are lightweight, and frames no longer need to be bulky. With fusion welding, each piece of vinyl is fused together, creating a frame that won’t leak or wear out. This ensures high performance and reliability for the life of your window.

The frames are also insulated with environmentally-friendly, CFC-free polyurethane, making them the most energy efficient windows on the market. Our airtight windows protect against the worst of weather and keep your home dry, temperature controlled, and comfortable (not to mention the savings on your energy bill).

While function is important, of course, customers are often concerned about the aesthetics of window replacement as well. After all, you want windows to fit the look and feel of your home. If you’re only replacing some of your windows or including exterior updates, you want windows to blend in and match the rest of your home design.

Weather Tight windows are available in a variety of different color combinations and woodgrains to ensure each window matches your homes exterior and blends seamlessly with the look of your house. Choose from window options including double hung, full frame, sliding, casement, bow, and bay windows. We also can work with condo & homeowner associations to color match your window needs.

Thanks to the energy efficient triple-pane glass in our sliding and casement windows, Weather Tight vinyl replacement windows offer the best air infiltration rates available. Our windows offer convenience, easy cleaning, and updated hardware for improved security. Select windows with specialty tempered safety glass or glass to prevent UV rays from fading furniture and carpets. Thermal pane windows are filled with noble argon gas, which improves thermal efficiency and lasts for many years.

Are there windows in your home you’re not so fond of? The options for customization are endless. We can resize your windows, change the type of window, and ensure the trim fits perfectly with the look of your home. There are also many ways to reduce the cost of window replacement. In the long run, it’s a sound investment in the value, security, and enjoyment of your home.

So, if you’re considering buying replacement windows, there’s no better time to explore your options. Reach out to one of our friendly Weather Tight customer service representatives today to schedule your free consultation. You’ll be glad you did!