Roofs have definitely come a long way in the last few years. If you’ve driven around lately, you may have noticed that many people are choosing metal. Tired of replacing their roofs every thirty to forty years is a big reason why.

So you may ask, is metal roofing really a smart investment? Local builders say yes! Metal roofing is much stronger and more durable than asphalt shingle roofing. In a nut shell, a metal roof can last twice as long as most conventional roofs. Because metal roofing is so durable, it has long been the choice for many school, government, and industrial buildings.

Another benefit of a metal roof is that it is superior in all extreme weather conditions, including hail, sun exposure, and wind. Unlike shingles, metal roofing will not deteriorate due to sun exposure. High winds and/or a hail storm will destroy a composition roof, but a metal roof can handle wind speeds up to 140 MPH and is extremely hail resistant.

Lighter colored metal roofs reflect away much of the sun’s UV rays, which can help keep your house cooler and lower cooling costs. A metal roof can actually cut cooling costs by as much as 25% or more.

If you’re concerned with our environment, a metal roof is a great choice. Did you know that 20 billion pounds of asphalt shingles are dumped into U.S. landfills annually? The recycled content of steel in metal roofing is much higher than the recycled content in asphalt shingles. Also, due to the low weight of metal roofing (about half that of shingles), in many cases it can be installed directly over your existing roof, saving the environmental as well as financial costs associated with removal and disposal.

Metal roofing is a popular choice for so many reasons including:

• Long life expectancy
• Low maintenance
• Durability
• Lightweight to ease stress on your roof structure and framing
• Long term warranties
• Energy Efficiency – save money with reduced heating and cooling costs
• Increased resale value of your home
• Improved curb appeal of your home
• Metal roof colors to complement your home
• Increased protection from high winds, hurricanes, and fire
• Environmentally friendly building choice
• Made from recycled material and won’t contribute to our landfills
• Reduces energy consumption

If you’re dying to add some light into a room, skylights are a great tool. Everyone enjoys walking into a room with good natural lighting. The light of the sun seems to bring the outside in for a nice warm feeling.

It’s also quite beautiful when a morning sunbeam shines down into a living room through a skylight placed high up to emphasize the beauty of a room. It also makes a great impression when guests enter your home.

Just the same, a couple of skylights placed in bathrooms and master bedrooms seems to be all the rage these days both for added effect, and natural lighting. Skylights provide up to 30% more natural light than your existing windows, and they can make a small space seem larger.

A few decades back, adding skylights became extremely popular. Unfortunately, the problems resulting from poorly designed skylights started flooding in. Problems included, leaks, faded carpet and fabrics, heat loss, and condensation. Skylights seemed to open a can of worms maintenance-wise.

The good news is that today’s skylights aren’t what they used to be. They’re a ton better! Today’s modern skylights have addressed many of the faulty design problems that plagued earlier skylights. This has made skylights a popular choice in modern homes once again. With improved designs and factory-manufactured flashings, the improved weather-tight ability has, in most cases, made leaks a thing of the past.

Energy-efficient Low E glass has addressed the faded fabric and heat loss issue. Bottom line is that today’s skylights are loads better than the one’s years ago, and can really add a level of class and beauty to your home!

Many homes deal with water problems. It could be flooding your garden beds, or worse yet, it could actually ruin your foundation. Water in the basement, or crawlspace is a definite sign that you have a water problem. If left untreated, this can cause major problems that can easily add up to thousands of dollars in damage.

Old, leaky gutters could be the reason you are having problems with water. The sole purpose of a good gutter system is to direct water away from your home.

When gutters are not working and are clogged up, the water has no where to go, but into your crawlspace, landscaping, or your foundation. Experts say, a maintenance free gutter system is the way to go. Not only will you never have to worry about cleaning out your gutters, you will never have to worry that water is building up under your home.

If you do have a water problem, the first thing you need to do is determine where the water is coming from. You may have a line leak, or it may be coming in from the outside and you just need to extend your downspouts. One thing is for sure, a maintenance free gutter system is a great investment and will give you peace of mind.

It is not good to have water standing in your crawl space, and this should be resolved immediately. Sloping the ground near the crawl space so that the water flows away from your house is also a good idea to keep water away from your house.

Skylights are sometimes viewed as a luxury addition to the home, they can actually be a green home improvement. Think about it, a skylight is really just a window, so all the advantages of installing energy-efficient windows apply. That includes improving your home’s looks, lighting, energy efficiency, and overall comfort.

There are a few reasons that skylights are so popular in living a green lifestyle. The first is that, like any window, the right skylight has the potential to help increase energy efficiency in your home (and reduce energy costs), especially when it comes eliminating heat transfer and making the most of passive solar heating.

The other reason skylights are so green, is that they maximize natural lighting,

as well. Though they are not automatically an energy improvement; they must be placed strategically and be shaded in the summer to maximize energy savings. A skylight with southern exposure, will provide your home with valuable passive solar heating in the winter months, reducing home heating costs. A skylight on west-facing roofs will add to your cooling costs all summer long.

If you’re selling your home, or just want to improve your curb appeal, there are easy things you can do. The best way to really see what other people see when they look at your house is to take a picture of the outside of your home. If you have a digital camera, view the color versions first, then remove the color and look at it in black and white, because it’s easier to see problems when color isn’t around to affect our senses.

What is your first impression of the house and yard area? What are the best exterior features of the house or lot? How can you enhance them? Ok, now let’s be honest. What are the worst exterior features of your house or lot? How can you minimize or improve them?

Next, walk towards the house, looking around you as if it were your first visit. Is the approach clean and tidy? What could you do to make it more attractive? Sometimes it’s as simple as repairing a loose shutter or sprucing up your potted plants.

Local realtors say whether you plan on selling or not, there are things every homeowner should do to keep their home in tip top shape.

Simple ways to spruce up your home:

• Kill mold and mildew on the house, sidewalks, roof, or driveway.
• Stow away unnecessary garden implements and tools.
• Clean windows and gutters.
• Pressure wash dirty siding and dingy decks.
• Edge sidewalks and remove vegetation growing between concrete or bricks.
• Mow the lawn. Get rid of weeds.
• Rake and dispose of leaves, even if your lot is wooded.
• Trim tree limbs that are near or touching the home’s roof.

Don’t forget about your home when it gets dark outside. One quick way to improve evening curb appeal is with lighting.

Simple ways to add curb appeal at night:

• String low voltage lighting along your driveway, sidewalks, and near important landscaping elements.
• Add a decorative street lamp or an attractive light fixture to a front porch.
• Make sure lighting that’s visible through front doors and windows enhances the home’s appearance.

These are all relatively inexpensive way to increase your curb appeal. Whether you plan on selling or not, follow these tips and you’ll have the best looking house on the block!