Replacing old windows is an excellent way to improve the looks of your home, to improve the thermal comfort inside the house and to reduce heating and cooling bills as well – here are a few tips to help you if you need new windows:

• Make accurate measurements to find out the exact size of your new windows – measure the space between the jambs to find out the width, measure the width of the window opening and the surrounding slot and also measure the depth both outside and inside the window. Make three measurements for each of the dimensions, on the top, in the middle and in the bottom and use the smallest measurement for ordering your window.
• Choose the glass – double or triple-pane windows with inert gas between the glass sheets are the best insulators.
• Look for Energy Star rated windows to make sure your new windows provide the airtightness and the efficiency that you are looking for.  You wouldn’t normally think of asking your local Topeka roofing contractors about windows, however they do a great job at it, and can give you great advice too.
• Frame material – wood, aluminum, vinyl and fiberglass are the most common frame materials. Wood is the most expensive, but the most attractive solution, vinyl is cheap and efficient, but it comes mostly in white only, fiberglass is versatile in terms of design and also affordable, while aluminum is attractive and durable, but it is a bit behind the others in terms of thermal insulation.

Article Source right here: Tips for Shopping for Replacement Windows

Metal roofing is a feature-rich roofing solution that is suitable for any climate and for any building – here are some of the most important benefits of metal roofing panels:

• Life expectancy – if installed properly, metal roofs last as long as the building they are installed on. The warranty offered by manufacturers vary between 20-50 years, but you can expect your metal roof to stay healthy for much longer.
• Weight – metal roofs are among the lightest solutions, suitable for buildings that could not hold up the weight of tiles.
• Easy installation – metal roofing materials come in large panels, which makes installation quick and easy, and the local Wichita roofing company can install them nicely.
• Versatility in terms of application – metal roofs are suitable for steep roofs as well as for flat roofs without developing leaks or other structural problems.
• Safety – the metal alloys used for making the panels are resistant to rusting, corrosion, impact and they stand strong whatever weather comes along, including hail, wind, snow, rain and harsh sunshine. Metal does not ignite either, which makes it the best material to be used on roofs in fire-prone areas.
• Conductivity – metal roofs offer great thermal insulation as well, reflecting strong solar radiation and reducing heat exchange between the home and the exterior without hindering ventilation.

First Posted on: The Reasons to Use Metal Roofing – Features that Will Convince You

Roof tiles are traditionally among the most expensive roofing materials, but installing tiles on your roof definitely gives you the most bang for your buck – here are the most important advantages to compensate for the high price:

• Attractive looks – roof tiles confer a distinctive appearance to any building. They are available in such a wide range of colors, shapes and sizes that you can easily find the variety that suits your tastes and the style of the home as well.
• Performance – tile roofs provide the insulation you need to make your home comfortable. With roof tiles, your home will be warm in winter and cool in summer.
• Fireproof and weather-proof solutions – roof tiles come with a class-A fire resistance rating and they resist the damage caused by hurricanes, earthquakes, strong winds, large quantities of snow and strong solar radiation as well.
• Durability – roofing tiles come with at least 50 years warranty, but you can see houses over a century old that have the initial and perfectly intact tile roof on, so you can expect your tile roof to stay strong and healthy for as long as the house lives. The Topeka roofing professionals are the best source of information when deciding which product to use on your home for your area.
• Low maintenance – it is recommended to inspect and clean the roof at least once a year, but that is about the only maintenance tile roofs need.

Originally Posted on: What Are the Advantages of Tile Roofs?

Composite roofing shingles are popular for many reasons – here are some to convince you that composite is the best material for your roof, too:

• Affordability – the budget you have for your roofing project is probably among the most important factors that determine the material to use on the roof. Composite shingles are suitable even if you are on a tight budget – they are known to be among the cheapest roofing materials, but they perform really well, so you will not need to worry about quality issues.
• Strength and resistance – composite shingles resist the strongest winds, heavy rain and snow as well. Composite material comes with great fire-resistant features as well and you can be sure that your shingles will not be damaged or faded by harsh sunshine either.
• Endurance – composite shingles are usually warranted for 15-30 years, but you can trust them to live much longer than that, the local Wichita roofing contractors with years of experience find them to be very endurable.
• Attractive appearance and variety – composite shingles come in all the colors and designs you can imagine, you can even find varieties that replicate wood or clay.
• Easy installation and maintenance – the installation of composite roofing materials does not require any special experience or tools and it is also a quick process. If you follow the installation instructions properly, you will get a strong and resistant roof that will not need any special maintenance, other than inspections every now and then and the replacement of damaged shingles, if any.

First Posted here: Why Use Composite Roofing Shingles?