Metal roofs are definitely gaining in popularity. Not just for buildings, but in homes as well. Probably the two biggest reasons many are jumping on the metal roof bandwagon is that metal roofs are extremely durable, and they save energy.

The truth is that a metal roof will actually reduce your cooling bills in those hot summer months because it reflects the radiant heat from the sun. Shingles tend to absorb radiant heat and that can actually make your house hotter in the summer.

While metal roofs do cost a little more than a traditional roof, you will save more money over time.  It will end up costing you much less over the years as you won’t have to worry about it wearing out as quickly. Metal roofs usually come with a 50 year warranty on repairs and labor if you have it installed by a professional metal roof installation company. You will notice that a metal roof is much easier to patch if you get any leaks, which is very uncommon. Shingles will tend to tear off the roof in strong winds and allow water to leak into your home; whereas metal roofing tends to stay in place much better.

There are some people that can get a government tax credit if they have a metal roof installed. This could be the deciding factor for most homeowners. Whatever reason you have for installing a metal roof, you will soon find out that your decision had merit. With easier maintenance and a longer lifespan, a metal roof is a good solid investment for your home.

Every time I go to the grocery store I find myself spending a fortune on cleaning products! Experts say stop wasting your money and learn to be a little greener. After all, why spend a fortune on cleaning products that introduce toxic chemicals into your living space? You can use simple ingredients, such as baking soda, lemons, and vinegar to make effective cleaners that work in every room of your house. Besides being a snap to make, homemade cleaners cost mere pennies!

• Baking Soda. The cleaning powers of baking soda reach far beyond it’s role as a fridge deodorizer. Baking soda works as a non-abrasive scouring cleaner on counter-tops and ovens, and in bathtubs and sinks. It also rids clothes of perspiration odors when used in conjunction with laundry detergent in the washer.
• The next time you do laundry, try adding 1/2 cup of baking soda to a cup to your load.
• Before you vacuum, sprinkle baking soda on your carpet as a deodorizer.
• Lemon Juice. The acid in lemon juice neutralizes hard water deposits, dissolves buildup and dirt on wood, and tarnish on silver.
• White vinegar can be used in place of lemon juice. The infamous strong smell dissipates as the vinegar dries.
• If you need a quick All Purpose Surface Cleaner: Mix together equal parts white vinegar and salt. Scrub surfaces with a natural cleaning cloth.
• Cookware Cleaner: Coarse salt does wonders for scouring copper pans and ceramic baking dishes.
• Disinfectant: Mix 1/2 cup of borax powder with 1 gallon of hot water. Add a few drops of fragrant essential oil such as thyme, rosemary, or lavender. Store the mixture in a labeled spray bottle.

Follow these tips and your home will smell great and you’ll save a lot of money!

Does your old, out of date bathroom need a makeover? If your ready to give your bathroom a makeover but don’t want to shell out a bunch of money, we’ve got some great ideas! If your budget is about $150, you can do a lot! Go out and buy paint, vanity hardware, towel and toilet paper storage, and accessories.

First take a look at the bones of your space. Molding, flooring and plumbing tend to be quite expensive to replace, so try to live with them. A bath with innate personality (yes your funky tile) will be showcased best by the addition of subtle accessories. A basic bath, with lets say, a black and white pattern or a simple limestone, requires more eye-popping accessories such as apple green or red walls.

Your sink faucet is another area you can easily update without breaking the bank. For a more consistent look, choose a faucet ($120 to $500) in the same metal that was used for the cabinet hardware It’s easy to overspend on sinks and toilets, so try and spend modestly on the toilet ($190 to $400) and splurge on your sink area.

Wallpaper is making a comeback in a big way. Bold prints, ethnically inspired designs and an array of grass cloths make wallpaper a bathroom luxury that far surpasses even the best paint job. However, the labor can get costly, so try to hang it yourself (if you are handy) or find a friend in the business who is willing to install it for $15 to $20 a roll. Good luck and remember, a beautiful bathroom doesn’t have to cost a fortune!

Summer is right around the corner which means that high energy bills are coming too! Contrary to what many people believe, cooling down a hot room does not solely rely on your air conditioner. Here are a few easy ideas for you to use the next time you start to bake in the summer heat.

For many homeowners, their energy bills are typically the costliest of their ongoing monthly expenses. The first step to reducing this bill is to find out how energy efficient your home is. Evaluating home energy efficiency is the key to understanding where the problems lie in your home.

• One of the keys for lowering your home heating and cooling bills is having the proper duct work in place. If you don’t currently have any, then it is time to install some.
• Another tip is paint. How a room is painted is going to affect the temperature of that room. Try to paint in the colder end of the color spectrum which includes the various shades of blue, green, black, white or grey.
• Installing dark colored shades or curtains, and keeping them closed during the hottest portions of the day is going to cool off the room significantly.
• If you have to be around the house throughout the day, then try using a fan. A few well placed fans throughout the house, usually near the doorways and windows is going to help create a breeze throughout the entire house. This helps to reduce the temperature in that oven of a room, since heat likes to radiate, cooling off other rooms is going to help create an area for the heat to escape to.

The bathroom is the new den, man cave, or mom cave! More and more, people are going to the bathroom to relax and even luxuriate after a day in the rush-rush world. Homeowners are upgrading the rooms, outfitting them with everything from soaking tubs to heated floors. But peace and quiet aren’t the only motivating factors. An upgraded bathroom helps sell a home and is a great investment.

One trend that is becoming big when remodeling a bathroom, is the shower. In small bathrooms, homeowners are tearing out the tub to expand the shower. Not only is the stall getting larger, it’s getting more airy, with much more glass. They want to feel like they’re going into a spa. Homeowners want to feel like they are on vacation all year round.

Noisy jacuzzi’s are also being replaced by soaking tubs. These jet-less tubs are often deep, insulated tubs. Notably missing: the huge amount of decking that typically surrounded many tubs installed in nicer homes in the ’80s and ’90s. Top designers say the master bathrooms are more than just bathrooms, they’re becoming sanctuaries. People want master bathrooms to be brighter and more sun-filled than before.

That means adding windows and even skylights to a bathroom. Another big trend in the bathroom scene is steam. People are discovering how wonderful it is to come home at the end of the day and de-stress.