The weather is becoming increasingly turbulent even in previously calm climate zones and these changes can be best addressed by using special roofing and siding materials that can withstand impact, such as impact resistant shingles  – here are some of the most important benefits of using these great products:

• Superior strength – impact resistant shingles are made using special technologies that allow them to withstand not only the impact of objects falling on the roof, such as hail stone or tree branches, but also winds up to 150 miles per hour fast and very heavy storms as well;
• Easy installation – impact resistant shingles are stronger and more durable than standard products, but they are just as quick and easy to install and can be easily matched by one of the Lansing siding companies that does roofing too;
• Cost efficiency – these special shingles might require a more substantial initial investment, but homeowners will get enhanced durability for their money, which means that overall ownership costs are equal or even lower than the costs of installing standard shingles;
• Endless color variations – using impact resistant shingles does not mean that you have to sacrifice beauty to strength. IR shingles come in very wide, seemingly endless hues and textured shingles are also available for those looking for a dramatic looking roof.

Article Source over here: The Benefits of Investing Into Impact Resistant Shingles

The roof is the topmost covering layer on any house, but it is more than just a layer of protection – it is also a design component that defines the overall style of the house, the component that can make the building attractive or ruin its appearance altogether. If you are in the process of roof design, here are a few ideas about how to incorporate attractive design elements into your new roof:

• Use color and texture – shades of red and brown are the most common colors used on roofs, but nowadays there are so many color and texture options available that you can create the right appearance picking a hue that matches the overall design of your home. You can choose a shade of green, blue, beige or even black and you can pack even more punch with shiny tiles;
• Avoid roof valleys – roof designs that don’t incorporate valleys are more stable, less prone to leaks and they are also more pleasing to look at;
• Use a consistent sloping angle – reducing the slope angle halfway down from the top destabilizes the roof structure and it also takes away visual appeal, so have a Lansing roofing company share their expertise, to have clean shapes all over the roof.

First Seen here: Easy Ways for Incorporating Design into Your New Roof

Rooftop gardens are becoming increasingly popular these days – the flat roofs on modern buildings have lots of space that can be easily transformed into an attractive, environment-friendly green space that is a pleasure to spend time in. Here are a few things that you should know about roof gardens before you start designing your own green area on the top of your home:

• Don’t forget that you will need water – before you start thinking about the plants to use up there, think about how you are going to get water to the rooftop. You can use barrels, but they are uncomfortable to use, you can run a hose to your plants or you can use drip irrigation;
• Storage for your tools – gardening is an activity that requires you to use lots of different tools, so try to figure out a solution for storing your tool on the roof;
• Sun exposure – the plants in your roof garden will be exposed to harsh sunshine all summer long, so make sure you pick varieties that can live up to the challenge;
• Heat and wind are also stronger up there – you may need some kind of fencing to protect your plants against strong winds and you will also need to come up with some sort of shading solution to keep your plants alive.

As you think about a rooftop garden, check with http://hankinshomescapes.com/ to see what other options there may be to protect your investments.

First Posted right here: Things To Know About Roof Gardens

The humid subtropical climate that dominates the state of Michigan is largely influenced by the huge body of warm water in the Gulf of Mexico. With annual precipitation averaging around 40-60 inches and temperatures staying warm almost the entire year, the roofs on local buildings require as much protection as they can get against water damage. Here is what you, as a responsible Michigan homeowner should do or have recommended Lansing roofers do to protect your roof against the combined effects of water and heat:

• Check for leaks – only intact roofs can be waterproofed effectively, so the first to do is to check for leaks and to fix them if any is found;
• Roofing insulation – applying a suitable insulation solution to the underside of the roof will prevent not only water damage, but heat penetration as well and it provides temporary protection in case the surface of the roof gets damaged by a storm;
• Sealing the attic – attic insulation is essential for preventing the transfer of heat and moisture to your home;
• Waterproof coating – there are lots of waterproofing products available today that can be applied on the surface of the topmost layer of the roofing material. An adequately chosen waterproof coating will seal the roof surface and act as a water repellent.

First Posted over here: Is Weatherproofing Your Roof Necessary in Michigan?

The roof is the most exposed component of a building; it has to withstand various weather conditions every day: rain, hail, wind, snow and ultraviolet radiation. Sometimes these conditions are extreme and may affect the performance of a roof, which typically relies on adequate design, materials and installation.

Roof maintenance is important and must not be overlooked. When a Lansing roofing company is contracted to perform maintenance operations, there are specific parts of the roof that receive more attention; they are inspected closely because they are more vulnerable, thus more susceptible to damage. These include:

• Flashings

Flashings are used around various roof penetrations and where roof valleys join or disappear through the roof. These areas are very stressed due to various factors: UV degradation, thermal or differential movement etc., thus most leaks originate here.

• Gutters and downspouts

The drainage system of a roof is another vulnerable area, considering that it can get blocked by leaves, twigs and other debris. Sometimes, gutters and downspouts can also be damaged by powerful storms and, anytime they fail to fulfill their purpose (collecting rainwater from the roof and safely directing it away) there is a high risk roof damage and water infiltration.

First Seen right here: Which Parts Of The Roof Are Often damaged?

Many people think about insulation as a one season solution to keep their homes warm. However, it is not just about this; it is about maintaining adequate thermal comfort during all seasons. Insulation is just as essential in the hot season as it is in the cold season, and here is why:

During the hot season, people tend to keep the windows open more often, therefore buildings lose much more air to the outside than we realize, not to mention that the heat comes in quickly. In areas where summer comes with very high temperatures, people rely on air conditioners and other electric cooling systems. They provide the desired comfort, but they also increase the energy consumption, which translates into higher bills. Adding proper insulation to your home means investing in a project that is going to pay for itself soon. Walls and attic insulation reduces air transfer between the interior and the exterior of a building, making it work like a thermos: your home will stay warmer when the temperatures outside are lower and cooler when the temperatures outside are higher.

The installations costs are often paid through energy savings.

Adequate insulation is what makes a home energy efficient, and this is an attribute that works on every season. Have your home inspected by an insulation Lansing MI expert to make sure the insulation in your home is sufficient.

First Posted on: How Insulation Is Necessary During Summer

Increasing the longevity of your roof is all about maintenance, the concept that keeps away large expenses for replacing a roof. Roof maintenance should be regular, performed every season and after severe weather manifestations. Twice a year, you should also allow a specialist with Hankins Homescapes inspect your roof more thoroughly and perform required maintenance operations that you are not able to do alone.

Here are some maintenance tips to extend the life of a roof:

1. Regular inspections have the purpose to reveal inchoate problems. Always be prompt when it comes to repairing them, otherwise they will only get worse, causing disruption and high repairing costs.
2. Keep your roof clean. This includes some rather simple operations that every homeowner can do regularly: keeping the entire roof perimeter (gutters included) free of debris and preventing vegetation that tends to grow on the roof, having the potential to break down the roofing materials.
3. Keep a regular eye on the most vulnerable parts of the roof (chimneys, skylights and other penetrations), just to make sure that they are sealed properly and there is no water infiltration.
4. Check the attic for signs of damage caused by animals. Mice, raccoons and squirrels often look for shelter in attics, causing not just a lot of mess but also serious damage. Take all the necessary measures to keep them away.

Originally Posted over here: How To Increase The Longevity Of Your Roof

There are many ways to increase the curb appeal of a home and adding new siding is definitely one of them. New siding does not have to be expensive, because there are now affordable and very reliable materials such as vinyl that not only provide great protection, but also mimic successfully other siding materials and come in a large color palette; these attributes make them suitable for almost any building.

Siding represent a visible exterior element, which has the power to provide a fresh look to a home, cleaner and better defined. It largely contributes to that first impression, so it can be also used to attract homebuyers; the investment is not so big and it will surely be recouped.

New siding installed by a Lansing siding contractor with experience can be used to cover up something that does not look so nice, such as uneven walls, and provide a finished aspect, or simply to add protection. Siding panels manufactures these days are thicker and more resistant then they used to be, standing against various weather conditions and protecting the walls. They can also be combined with insulation to increase the energy efficiency of a building.

For an increased curb appeal, make sure to choose the right color combination that matches the other large visible exterior elements: the roof and the walls.

First Seen on: New Siding Increases Curb Appeal