Exterior Design Styles That Look Great With Metal Roofing

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Metal roofing is an increasingly popular choice thanks to its superior longevity, impact-resistance and ease of maintenance. However, one downside of metal roofing for many homeowners is its aesthetic appearance. Although a metal roof can look disjointed or too industrial on some homes, many styles are in perfect harmony with the sheen and smoothness of metal. Here are four exterior design styles that look great with metal roofing.

Farmhouse

A common complaint about metal roofing is that it makes homes look like a barn, but you can make this rural aesthetic work in your home's favor if you own a farmhouse. Whether your farmhouse is a classic Victorian or American prairie style, a durable metal roof will complement it perfectly. Consider a weathered roof made from recycled metal to add extra rustic charm.

Mid-Century Modern

Most mid-century modern architecture is from the 1950s, and many of these homes are due for roofing repairs or replacements. If you're looking for an affordable, durable and attractive option, the clean, contemporary lines of mid-century modern design go great with a metal roof. The sleek lines and standing seams of a metal roof enhance the minimalist design of a mid-century modern home, while the available bright colors add a pop of fun.

Craftsman

The craftsman style is all about natural materials, and there is no better natural material for the roof of a craftsman home than metal. With a pitched roof and large covered porch as its dominant features, craftsman design is perfect for showing off the unique charm of a metal roof, and a long-lasting roof is even more important when the roof occupies so much space.

Mediterranean

Mediterranean architecture is beloved in warm, sunny climates all over the world. Traditionally, Mediterranean homes feature roofs made of tiles to reflect the sun's heat, but metal roofs are becoming a popular choice for both old and new Mediterranean architecture. Metal roofing retains all the cooling benefits of tile but lasts decades longer. Because metal and tile are both shiny and reflective, a metal roof doesn't look out of place on a Mediterranean home.

Do you want a durable and efficient metal roof without changing your home's exterior style? Don't worry. Metal roofing can complement almost any style if you choose the right type of roof for your home. Do research on hiring the best metal roofers to make sure the project is successful. You may have to pay a little more for certain metal roofing styles, but choosing a roof style to match your home is still less expensive than remodeling your home's entire exterior.

Reasons To Declutter Your Home This Winter

There are many reasons to declutter your home this winter. With more time inside due to the cold weather, now’s the perfect time to start a new decluttering and organizing project. Don’t believe us? Keep reading to check out all the reasons to declutter your home this winter.

Helps Reduce Stress

The holidays are a busy time of year for many; you don’t need the added stress of a cluttered house on top of it all. Take the time early to go through your belongings and sort through the clutter. Decluttering can also help your home feel larger, which is great for entertaining and hosting since many homeowners have family and friends over for the holidays. Help your home feel less cramped in time for the holidays, and take one more thing off your list by decluttering now.

Discover Donations

Another benefit of winter decluttering is all the potential items you can find and donate. Clothing, especially cold weather clothing, is one of the most useful things you can donate this winter. Why not go through your family’s coats, scarves, mittens, and clothes and set aside whatever you’ve outgrown or don’t need? More charities need donations during the winter than ever, and donating a little something extra will help give you the warm fuzzies this holiday season.

Make Spring-Cleaning Easier

One more reason to declutter your home this winter is to make next year’s spring-cleaning easier. Are you already stressing out over the idea of next year’s spring-cleaning? Why not break it up into winter- and spring-cleaning sessions? The more decluttering you do now, the fewer tasks you will have on your plate this coming year. The future you will thank you for planning ahead!

Now that you know all these benefits of a good winter decluttering session, what are you waiting for? Start decluttering now to spruce up your home just in time for the holidays.

How to Decide When It's Time to Replace Your Furnace

As the temperatures start to drop, it is important that you are prepared for the colder months. One way to do this is by making sure your furnace is in good condition. If you have noticed a decrease in efficiency or an increase in noise, then it's time to consider replacing your current furnace with a new one. This blog post will walk through some of the reasons why it might be time for you to replace your old system.

Rising Energy Bills

If you notice that your energy bills are starting to increase, it could be because your furnace is not functioning efficiently. Also, your furnace could be reaching the end of its life cycle and can no longer produce enough heat or use as much fuel as before; you should contact an HVAC professional to discuss replacement alternatives.

Excessive Rust, Soot, or Dirt Particles

If your furnace is not frequently maintained, then rust, soot, or dirt particles can accumulate. Once this happens, it will cause part of the heat exchanger to become obstructed. If you notice a buildup of these contaminants in your system, then replacement should be considered as soon as possible.

Home Humidity Problems

If you notice that the humidity in your home is off, then it could be a sign of trouble for your furnace. If moisture has begun to accumulate in or around your system, this will cause corrosion and reduce heat transfer efficiency.

Rooms Are Heating Unevenly

If you notice that some rooms are hotter or colder than others, this could indicate an issue with your current system. One way to test the efficiency of your furnace is by using a simple household thermometer. Place one on each floor of your house and compare them after 24 hours have passed. The average reading should be about the same across the board. If some register higher than others, this is a sign of inefficiency, and it's time to replace it.

Furnace Produces Unusual Noise

Noisy furnaces can be a sign of several problems. If you notice your furnace making strange noises such as an unusual humming or clanging, it could mean that something has become loose or broken inside the unit. You need to call an HVAC contractor and discuss furnace repair options.

If any of these problems sound familiar, then replacement might be necessary. Or, you can reach out to an HVAC professional to discuss repair options.

When Should You Hire a Professional Plumber or Do it Yourself?

When a water problem develops in your home, are you ready to handle it? Most homeowners can tackle the smaller issues of replacing a sink faucet or unplugging a backed-up drain. But sometimes even those tasks can be difficult to manage. Here are some ways to know if you need to schedule an assessment with a licensed plumber.

New Problem

Even if you are handy with making minor repairs to your home's plumbing fixtures, when an unfamiliar problem develops, you may not want to spend time trying to figure it out. By the time you watch online tutorials, your water leak with an unknown cause could be causing extensive damage. If you don't know how to handle the situation promptly, and it is damaging your home, it may be a good idea to call a professional plumber.

Major Appliances

Unclogging a toilet is often doable for many people. But when it comes to a leaky dishwasher or a malfunctioning hot water tank, few have the experience or training to repair it. Any appliance that uses water, even an ice-maker refrigerator, could develop a problem that requires expertise the typical homeowner doesn't have. A malfunctioning sauna tub or a garden fountain may also require the help of an expert plumber. Trying to fix a small issue could turn into a much bigger problem for someone who does not know much about plumbing.

Serious Damage

A burst water line in your basement or a flooded bathroom floor requires immediate attention. If you have an important meeting to attend or are not feeling well, even if you know how to address the issue, you might not be able to. Maybe you lack the tools or parts that are needed, which would take time to run out and buy them. The longer you wait on a major water problem in your home, the more expensive it will likely be to repair. There can also be collateral damage when furniture and household items are affected, which will cost money to replace.

Unmanageable Issue

Sometimes a seemingly simple plumbing issue becomes a nightmarish problem that you cannot solve despite previous experience with similar issues. You might give it your best shot, but if the problem persists, it's time to call a pro plumber. If you aren't sure who to contact, check with a professional service provider like Manta.com that recruits and screens contractors for various needs. Oftentimes, these types of resources will also have reviews that you can consider when choosing what professional

Plumbing problems can be a real headache. If you can't fix it readily, it might be worth the cost of paying an expert plumber to handle the problem for you.