Can I Replace My Roof Myself?

Your home is one of your most important investments, and no house is ever complete without a roof. For your roof to continue to perform its function and continue to protect you from the elements, you have to carry out periodical checks to ensure it can still do its job. The checks can be carried out seasonally or quarterly to find any faults. Weather is one factor that can greatly deteriorate the quality of your roof. For example, storms and powerful winds can damage roof shingles and pull off some part of the roof. Sometimes a roof can become so bad that it will need to be replaced totally.

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‘Tis the Season- Protect Your Roof When Decorating This Christmas

For every homeowner, Christmas is a season to enjoy meals and create memories with loved ones. It is also a time to participate in competitive and enjoyable house decoration activities. When the Christmas spirit consumes you, the safety of your roof is perhaps the last thing you want to consider. However, your jolly season can turn into a disaster with a damaged roof or an unfortunate accident. While your decorations are essential to light up your house during Christmas, they are not worth the cost of fixing a broken roof or an unwarranted medical emergency. Here are a few precautions you should keep in mind before decorating this Christmas.

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Preparing for a New Roof Installation

Getting a new roof is a noteworthy investment. It adds fresh beauty to your home and you will no longer fret when the rain comes. The benefits of going ahead with a new roof installation are numerous. A good roofing company will leave no stone unturned, from taking off your old roof to ensuring your yard stays safe throughout the process. Yet, there are some things you will need to do on your own part for the job to go on smoothly. These will help you through the process:

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Ridge Vents vs. Roof Vents

Ventilation is an essential aspect of buildings. Free flow of air, particularly around the roof section, aids in temperature regulation. Warm air is continuously pushed out of the building by the cold air flowing in through the vents. Ridge and roof vents are some of the commonly used ventilation options.

What are ridge and roof vents?

Ridge vents are special kinds of vents commonly used on sloped roofs. The flue is placed strategically at the peak of the roof. The warm, humid air in the attic section of the roof is light as compared to the cold air in the environment. Therefore, it rises and escapes through the ridge vent. Ridge vents can run through the entire section of the roof. Apart from the vent, they can also come equipped with extra baffles, external weather filter, and an extra under eave venting provision to enhance ventilation. Ridge vents are common in areas with hot and humid conditions.

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Leaf Cleaning 101

There are numerous tasks that you have to do around your home every day. Among the most basic chores are mowing your lawn, washing your driveway and cleaning your garage. Cleaning these areas comes automatically because the dirt and debris here are easily visible.

While taking care of the most obvious areas, remember to clean the less visible surfaces – your roof and gutters. As your roof and gutters cover a wide area of your home, they deserve just as much attention as the surfaces on the ground.

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How to Choose the Color of Your Roof

Your roof is one of the most important structural aspects of your house. It keeps the snow, rain and woodland creatures out while also keeping the warmth in. But your roof also ties your whole home together. Choosing the right color palette for your roof is important, and ultimately your choice will be affected by numerous factors like your neighborhood home association rules, the climate in your area, the style of your home, and many other factors.

There are so many things that you need to think of when planning your new roof, including durability, the climate you live in, cost, color and ultimately, resale value. Did you know though, that all of these things can tie together in a lot of circumstances? The color of your roof can affect the amount of heat that penetrates your home, its curb appeal, and how long of a life you will get out of your roof. Unfortunately, this isn’t a very widely known fact about roofs. So, we’ll explain to you in a little more depth what goes into choosing the right color for your roof.

Siding and Roof Colors

We have all seen those homes where its different elements seem uncoordinated. Your roof ties your home’s external appearance together, so if you have a light pink home and choose to put a blue roof on, it could really throw off the style of your home. If you decide to sell your home while this color combination exists, you may lose out on potential offers due to the home not being aesthetically pleasing to others.

Your roof should accentuate your home. A general rule of thumb is that the roof should be a darker color than the siding.

For inspiration, take a drive through your neighborhood and look at everyone’s roof. What colors have been used by your neighbors? What do homes of a similar style to yours look like? What kind of roof are they using? This little tour of your area can definitely help you with ideas as to what is going to look best on your home.

Another thing that many don’t realize when it comes to shingles is that depending on where you live, the sun will give your roof a different hue. If you live further north you will notice a blue tint to your roof whereas in the south you will notice a reddish hue.

Temperature Control

The color of your roof can have a huge effect on energy consumption and the amount of radiant heat that penetrates your home during those hot summer months. If you have ever changed from a black shirt to a white one during the summer, then you already have some understanding of how this works.

Dark shingles absorb heat, which in colder climates is a definite plus. This can help keep your home warmer and will also assist with melting snow on your roof. But obviously, this isn’t ideal in hot climates. By using white or lighter colored shingles, you will cut down on the amount of heat that is absorbed, keeping the indoor temperature down.

If heat absorption is something that you are worried about when getting a new roof, there is the option of a “Cool Roof.” A cool roof provides a higher degree of solar reflectiveness, keeping the inside of your home cooler. These roofs have also been found to help reduce greenhouse gas emissions and air pollution due to the decreased needs for air conditioning units in hot areas.

The Architectural Style of Your Home

Not all roofs are created equal, and not all types will work for every home. Classic-style homes look better with classic tones for shingles, whereas with more contemporary-styled homes you can get away with more modern and trendy colors and styles.

An example of using your home as a guide to choosing a shingle style would be with homes made of brick. Bricks do not come in a uniform color. There are different hues and color patterns in every single brick you pick up. When choosing a new roof, play off the color in the bricks. Having shingles that complement the colors of your home will bring an all-around unity to your home’s appearance.

Homeowner’s Association Bylaws

If you live in an urban or suburban area, you may be at the mercy of your Homeowner’s Association when it comes to what color your roof will be. Sometimes there are no set-in-stone rules, but other times there are rules that 100% need to be followed or you risk some sort of action from the association. In order to avoid having to re-do your roof once again, it is worthwhile to check on these rules.

The Resale Value of Your Home

Although this was briefly mentioned above, it is worth saying again. Your roof will drastically affect the resale value of your home. The curb appeal of your home is the first impression to potential buyers, and unfortunately if something looks “off” about your home, it could affect how long your home sits on the market and what people are willing to pay. It is always advisable to go with something neutral that will last.

As you can see there are many factors that go into choosing the perfect roof color for your home, and that can make it an extremely difficult decision. Make a list of what you know for sure that you want out of a new roof and go from there. Investigate pricing, the benefits of certain materials, and colors, and call Brunette to come in to help you with the final decision. With our expertise, we will give you our best advice on what will work for you, your roof, and your home.

Wood repair and decking replacement

Wood repair and decking replacement

Looking for wood repair and decking replacement services? Read the blog to know more about decking replacement, truss & rafter repair, soffit & facia repair for your home. Contact Brunette Home Improvement today for the best roof repair and home remodeling services in Lansing, MI!

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Roof bidding process and what to expect

Roof bidding process and what to expect

Have you ever fixed up a new roof in Lansing? Do you know the complete process for roof and ficture bidding? Check out the roof bidding process explained by Brunette Home Improvement, a roofing consultant in Lansing. The process involves consultation, measuring and inspection, and a final proposal.

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Licensing, insurance, and permits for roofing

Licensing, insurance, and permits for roofing

Have you hired a licensed roofer? If you choose a roofing contractor who is not licensed and insured, you have less protection as a homeowner. Learn quick facts about licenses, insurance, and permits that you should consider each time before choosing a roofing contractor in MI.

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What to look for in a roofing proposal

What to look for in a roofing proposal

What makes you decide to go for a roofing proposal? Always make sure the main terms and all items being used are clearly stated in your proposal. This blog will let you understand common standards and guidelines that a professional roofing proposal applies.
 

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What to look for in a roofing contractor

What to look for in a roofing contractor

Which factors should you focus on before choosing a roofing contractor in Lansing? Do you have the experience to judge the marketing tactics that most of the roofing contractors use? Learn here about the checklist that you should refer to, before hiring a roofing contractor for your dream home.

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