Chances are, your roof is probably the last thing on your mind. With all the daily hustle and bustle, it’s easy to lose sight of the most important exterior essentials that safeguard your entire interior space.  Most asphalt roof systems are designed to protect your home for 15 years, but the National Roofing Contractors Association (NRCA) recommends you inspect your roof regularly two times a year during the spring and fall.

Here are some expert inspection tips and suggestions on what to do to keep your roof in better shape.

1. Homebuyer’s beware. Inspecting a roof  before your closing date is vital.  Getting a professional roof inspection before that home is officially yours will save you a lot of time and costly repairs.
2. Trim troublesome trees.  When admiring your home and surrounding landscape, it’s important not to overlook overhanging branches that can scratch and gouge your roof materials. To prevent damaging or puncturing your shingles, trim back and remove any branches getting close to your roof.
3. Gutter cleaning.  Remove leaves and other debris. In addition to bothersome branches, leaves and other elements can clog your gutter system and cause water to backup into the attic, living areas or behind the fascia boards. To ensure your drainage system is flowing, it’s recommended that you clean your roof at least twice per year and be on the lookout for sagging gutters or damaged drain components.
4. Ensure the roof is built to breathe.  Improper ventilation, heat and moisture can cause sheathing and rafting to rot and buckle and insulation to lose effectiveness, causing you roofing system to be ineffective.

If all of these roofing issues is overwhelming to you, a metal roof is a great alternative to traditional asphalt. It lasts 50+ years and is the strongest, low maintenance roof available. Erie Construction of Evansville, Indiana is a trusted leader in the industry and can show you why metal roofing is fast becoming the most popular roofing option available.

We all know we are still in a depressed real estate market.  It’s a buyers market. Great time to buy a house but not a great time to sell a house. My realtor friend, Debbie tells me that buyers are spoiled nowadays. They want to essentially move their toothbrush in and call it a day. That means your home better be in tip top shape. If not, buyers will move on to the next house and not think anything of it. Ok, so now let’s talk about deal breakers. Debbie says there are three big ones. Foundation issues, roofing issues, and outdated bathrooms are the “big three” that she sees most. A bad kitchen isn’t a good thing either. The most common though, is a bad roof. Not a good thing to have when desperate to sell your home.

When it comes to residential roofing, most roofs are replaced, or at least repaired, every ten years. If that number doesn’t sit well with you, you should consider a roofing material other than asphalt. Most asphalt shingle roofs have a lifespan of 15 to 20 years but slate, aluminum, steel, and clay roofs all have life spans of 50-plus years, some lasting up to 200! Because of this, many homeowners are making the move to metal roofing.  Realtors say, buyers know metal roofing will last a longer time and are attracted to homes with these types of roofs. Put it this way, if you have a problem roof, you will not get asking price for your house. If you do get an offer, (you may not) expect one that is at least twenty thousand dollars under your asking price!

Metal roofing is fast becoming popular for not only commercial but residential as well.  It’s durable, fire retardant and almost maintenance-free. Metal roofing is also very energy efficient because it reflects heat and blocks its transfer into the attic. Research shows that metal absorbed 34 percent less heat than asphalt shingles, and homeowners switching to metal reported saving up to 20 percent on their energy bills. This is a great feature in both the scorching hot summer months as well as the cold winter months.  Erie Construction of Evansville, Indiana is a trusted leader in the industry and would love to come out and give you a free estimate. We will show you why metal is picking up steam as the “go to” product in the roofing industry.

Let’s face it, roofs are pretty boring, and most of the time they just sit and do nothing. You probably don’t notice them. Unless of course you have a problem. A leak. Traditional asphalt roofs have a shelf life of typically 10-15 years. After that, you will either need to replace it or have some extensive repair work done.  Most experts will advise that you just replace the whole thing after so many years have gone by because repairs will really only act like a band aid and temporarily fix the problem.

If the idea of having to replace your roof after just 10-15 years makes you cringe, you should consider a metal roof. While asphalt roofs quickly diminish in value as they age, metal roofs provide the following lasting benefits:

• Proven performance expectation of 50+ years
• Beautiful styles to match any home or neighborhood
• Interlocking panels for maximum wind resistance
• Fire resistance
• Energy efficiency by keeping homes cooler
• Low weight to help preserve structural integrity and life

Erie Construction of Evansville, Indiana is a trusted leader in the industry. We would love to spend an hour with you and show you why many are ditching asphalt and investing in a metal roof. The toughest, most durable material in roofing today.

According to a survey conducted by RE/MAX the majority of homeowners would rather remodel than relocate. Most homeowners say their primary reason for renovating is their genuine love for their home, but the desire to enhance future resale value runs a close second. Many homeowners are smart and understand that it is a buyers market out there. That means, great news if you need a house but not so great news if you have one to sell. So, many are opting to “stay put” and make a few home improvement investments.

Let’s talk about a few smart ones that will definitely  increase your resale value and ultimately, help sell your home, one day! First up, kitchens and bathrooms are big! If you have problems in these important rooms, fix them! They are definitely up there when it comes to buyer turn offs. New energy efficient vinyl siding and new windows will also go extremely far with buyers. Plus, you will recoup a great deal of your investment back.

Another area that can really turn buyers off and kill a sale is a bad roof. Whether you are buying or selling a home, a good roof can help you and a bad roof can hurt you.  A great kitchen is important but basics such as the foundation and roof need to also be in tip top shape. If you have loose shingles or other problems you need to make the investment and fix your roof. Keep in mind that while a traditional asphalt roof will last you an average of 10-15 years, a metal roof is probably the last roof you’ll ever need! More and more homeowners are going this route because they like the fact that they won’t have to worry about their roof no matter how crazy the weather is. Erie Construction of Evansville, Indiana is a trusted leader in the industry and can show you why metal roofing is becoming the new “go to” roof for homeowners and business owners!

When done wisely with experienced contractors, home remodeling can add increased value to a home. So, before you start knocking walls down, make sure you do a little research and make sure you are making a smart home investment. Although, in our current real estate market, it is difficult to please every potential buyer, it is possible to please the majority.

A good rule of thumb to follow is that curb appeal, de-cluttering, and fresh paint are a must. Local realtors say that nothing turns off potential buyers more than the “big three.” Problematic and outdated kitchens, bathrooms, and aging roofs.

Another area that needs attention is the master bedroom.  Remodeling a master suite can add on average $120,000 to the price of a home.  A kitchen — $70,000, a bathroom — $32,000, and a basement — $46,000.

Now, let’s talk about your roof. In this market, potential buyers want to move right in, not have to think about getting their roof replaced.  Who wants to move in and have a leaky roof? No one. Realtors say if you do get an offer prepare for it to be significantly lower than your asking price. The reality is that most buyers will just move on to another home (so many on the market) that are move in ready.

If you are in the market for a new roof doing a little research will definitely pay off. For starters, a traditional asphalt roof has a shelf life of about 10-15 years. A metal roof will out last that by three times! Plus, metal withstands any weather condition with ease. Erie Construction of Evansville, Indiana is a trusted leader in the industry and would love to show you why many are confidently making the switch to metal.