News You Can Use From Leading Edge Homes

May 2015

          

   

 

 

If you have been putting off a home remodeling project because you didn't want your house disturbed while your kids are in school, now is the time to get started on the process. 

 

The school year will be over very soon and it typically takes 4 to 6 weeks from the time you agree to proceed with a project until a building permit is issued.

 

While many people think that we only build large room addition or whole house remodeling projects, this could not be further from the truth.  We routinely perform smaller jobs like window or door replacement, roofing repairs, "popcorn" ceiling texture removal, concrete slabs, and more.

 

Contact us now for a FREE construction consultation at 561-795-2551 no matter what size project you need completed.

 

 

Sincerely,

 

Todd Perry
Leading Edge Homes, Inc.

 

What's up in roofs?  Metal growing in popularity.   

 

Stone-coated metal roofing systems, such as those from Allmet and Gerard, offer Class A fire resistance, energy-savings, and great durability.

 

(BPT) - It's hard to believe, but the 2013-14 polar vortex wasn't all bad. Sure, it brought North America record cold and snow, in one of the worst winters ever. But the weather phenomenon's silver lining was in persuading many homeowners it was time to forever abandon their conventional roofs for something better. That "something" is the increasingly popular metal roof.

 

According to the St. Louis-based Metal Roofing Alliance (MRA), the residential metal roofing market has grown by double digits in the last five years. Residential roofing experts report metal roofing is winning converts based on its durability, fire-resistance, energy savings, value and natural good looks.

 

"People are getting tired of having to replace asphalt shingles every 10 to 12 years," says Brian Cosyns, president of Metal Roof Outlet in Courtland, Ont., which installs hundreds of metal roofing systems yearly. "People are becoming more and more educated on metal roofing, and are seeing the longevity of it ... after completing [a metal roofing] job, you've made a big difference in appearance, energy savings and the value of the home."

 

The MRA reports non-metal roofs last 17 years on average, but metal roofs can last a lifetime. Though higher in initial costs, they can boost homes' resale value. They can also cut homeowners' insurance premiums in some states by up to 35 percent.

 

Among factors underpinning the growth of metal roofs, few are more important than the roofing systems' fire-resistance, the alliance reports.

 

The product Cosyns' firm installs, Allmet Stone-Coated Metal Roofing, and another brand, Gerard Stone-Coated Metal Roofing Systems, both tout the benefits of their Class A Fire Ratings. This fire resistance adds to particularly high demand for these roofing systems in wildfire-prone areas of North America.

 

The extra durability that stone-coated metal roofing systems provide is identified as another factor in their increasing use. These systems don't rot, warp, crack or break. They are superior to conventional roofing systems in standing up to extreme weather with a 2.5 inch hailstone warranty, Class 4 impact rating, and 120 mile per hour wind warranty.

 

Metal roofs last two to three times longer than ordinary roofs, meaning they can last 40 to 60 years or longer, according to the MRA.

 

While conventional roofs in darker colors absorb the sun's rays, metal roofing actually reflects them. That decreases summertime cooling loads and also insulates against winter's cold, saving homeowners utility costs.

 

Metal roofing's aesthetics are realistic and mimic natural roofing products, experts say. Both Allmet and Gerard stone-coated metal roofing systems offer an array of styles, from natural clay tiles to wood shake, natural slate and asphalt-like shingles. "The shake resembles natural shake perfectly, and the tile resembles clay tile," Cosyns says of the Allmet roofs his firm installs throughout Ontario. 

It's going to blow: Must-know tips for homeowners replacing water heaters in 2015

 

(BPT) - Some 37 million residential water heaters gave up the ghost and were replaced over the past five years, according to estimates by the U.S. Department of Energy. While some things get better with age, water heaters aren't among them. In fact, the average life expectancy for a new water heater is 10 to 15 years, with the occasional stoic dinosaur making it two decades or more.

 

If your home's water heater is approaching - or has surpassed - the decade mark, you may be looking at replacing it in 2015. Whether you're proactive about it or you wait until the appliance fails completely, there are several things you should know about water heater technology, energy efficiency, cost savings and environmental impact.

 

* Being proactive pays - in more ways than one. Replacing an aging water heater is an investment, and you may be tempted to put it off until absolutely necessary. Replacing an old water heater before it stops working, however, has many advantages. When a water heater fails, it can leak and cause damage to your home and belongings, especially if your heater is housed in a finished basement, closet or attic. If you wait until you're completely without hot water to begin shopping for a new water heater, you may find yourself too hurried to comparison shop.

 

* Learn the different types of water heaters and compare costs. Two basic types of water heaters are available for residential use: conventional storage heaters that keep water hot in a storage tank, and tankless water heaters that directly heat water as you need it. A residential, electric-powered storage water heater usually costs as little as a few hundred dollars. Gas heaters generally cost more - some models are upward of $1,000 - but cheaper natural gas prices can offset the added cost in the long run. Tankless heaters are comparably priced, but often are more expensive to install - until recently. More on that later.

 

* A more energy-efficient water heater can save you money in the long-term. Heating water accounts for nearly 18 percent of the average home's overall energy use - the second largest energy expense - and costs a household $200 to $600 per year, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration. A newer, ENERGY STAR-rated water heater will consume less energy to heat water and reduce the amount you spend on utility bills. Energy-efficient options include solar powered, high-efficiency ENERGY STAR gas or electric storage heaters and tankless heaters.

 

* Tankless water heaters are more "doable" than ever before. Because they heat water only when you need it, rather than keeping it hot in a tank, tankless water heaters are more energy-efficient. Still, many homeowners have shied away from switching to a tankless heater because of installation costs. Existing water and gas lines used for storage heaters don't line up neatly and easily with most tankless water heaters, increasing labor costs. Tankless water heater manufacturer Noritz has introduced a unit - the Noritz EZTR40 Residential Tankless Water Heater - that solves the problem. Designed to replace a conventional 40-gallon water heater, the EZTR40 can use the vent, water connection and gas line already in place without moving anything to achieve a connection. The reduced labor means it costs less for homeowners to have the tankless water heater installed.

 

* Size matters, and it's about to matter even more. It's always been important to match the size of the water heater to the size of the home and the needs of its inhabitants. The National Appliance Energy Conservation Act (NAECA) - which goes into effect in April - will make size an even bigger consideration for homeowners replacing water heaters this year. Water heaters will have to meet a higher energy factor rating, which will require storage heaters to be larger. If your heater is in a tight spot, such as an attic accessed through pull-down stairs or in a utility closet, a larger storage heater might not fit in the available space. Tankless water heaters are smaller, and they may be a solution for those with space problems.

 

* DIY or DI-don't? What should you do? Installing a water heater isn't for novices, no matter what style of heater you choose. Errors can be costly, and the savings of DIY may end up costing more in the long run if you make a mistake. It pays to have a professional do the work - and with the ease of installation for the Noritz EZTR40, professional installation is more affordable than ever.

 

Did you know ...
            
  
According to Wikipedia...

The modern American holiday of Mother's Day was first celebrated in 1908, when Anna Jarvis held a memorial for her mother in Grafton, West Virginia. Her campaign to make "Mother's Day" a recognized holiday in the United States began in 1905, the year her beloved mother, Ann Reeves Jarvis, died. Anna's mission was to honor her own mother by continuing work she started and to set aside a day to honor mothers, "the person who has done more for you than anyone in the world". Anna's mother, Ann Jarvis, was a peace activist who cared for wounded soldiers on both sides of the Civil War and created Mother's Day Work Clubs to address public health issues.
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Featured Article
Do you know why so many homeowners are replacing their roof with a metal one?  Click on the "What's up in roofs?" article to discover why.
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