Does The Color Of Your Roofing Make A Difference?

In years past, you probably never thought much about the color of your roof. After all, before metal roofing and other materials came along, virtually every home had the same dark-brown or black asphalt shingle roof. However, times have changed, and today roofing materials come in almost all colors to match any home. But can the color of your roof really make a difference to your home in any substantial way? Here are some answers to this question.

Inside Temperature of Your Home

When it's summertime and the temperatures are climbing or a cold winter day or night where the temperature plummets, you want the inside of your home to be comfortable. If your roof is light-colored, it absorbs less heat, which in the summer means your A/C runs less and your electric bill is lower. But in the winter, this can mean your roof also absorbs less heat, forcing you to run the furnace or heaters more often.

Snow Melt

If you have a dark-colored roof that absorbs more heat, it stands to reason that the snow should melt off your roof much quicker than if the roof were light-colored. However, this isn't always true. For starters, winter days are generally shorter, meaning there is less sunlight for your dark roof to absorb. Also, when snow does get on the roof, the snow itself actually reflects sunlight away from the roof, meaning snow melts about the same regardless of roof color.

Added Value to Your Home

While homebuyers in the past did not pay much attention to a roof as long as it was in good condition, many buyers today are interested in getting a home that has a roof where the color blends in well with the rest of the home. Thus, if you are looking to sell your home in the near future, want to add value to your home, and set the stage for it to sell quicker, you may want to opt for a roof color that closely matches that of your home.

Durability

Finally, roof color does not seem to make any significant difference in terms of how long a roof lasts on a home. Instead, this is tied in directly to the type of roofing material used on the home, as well as it is installed properly.

Whether you're concerned about aesthetics, want to decrease your utility bill, or maybe are wanting to sell your home, spending a bit more time on selecting your roof color may make a much bigger difference than you imagined.

4 Bathroom Changes To Make For The New Year

Along with setting plenty of goals for yourself as 2022 approaches, you've also decided it's time to make some improvements around your home, especially regarding your bathroom. By doing so, you've joined plenty of other homeowners, as bathroom renovations are currently some of the hottest home improvement projects. Whether your bathroom is big or small, there are plenty of changes you can make that will give it a new look and style. If you're looking for some ideas, here are four suggestions to make your bathroom great in 2022.

Walk-in Shower

If you want convenience when taking a shower and also set the stage to allow you to stay in your home as you age, consider installing a walk-in shower. Giving your bathroom a seamless look, this will allow you to let your flooring continue throughout the bathroom. While it will let you age in place if you wish, a walk-in shower is also a strong selling feature to potential buyers should you someday decide to sell your home.

Get Efficient Fixtures

While you love taking a shower, you don't love all the water that's being used and the high water bills you pay each month. To put a stop to this, install showerheads that are energy-efficient and eco-friendly. An affordable change, you will start to notice the decline in your water bill immediately.

Prioritize Extra Storage Space

In any bathroom, there always seems to be the need for extra storage space. When you are considering bathroom remodeling, make extra storage space a top priority. If you really want to go all-in on your remodeling project, think about having vertical cabinets installed that go from floor to ceiling. Once you have these in place, you'll have plenty of room for extra towels, toiletries, and anything else you need.

Add a Water Closet

In most bathrooms, there is no separate space for the toilet, meaning it is right there alongside your sink and shower. However, many people are now opting to have their bathroom include a water closet, which is a private room that conceals the toilet. Along with adding more privacy to your bathroom, a water closet will also add value and elegance to your home.

Whether you only make one of these recommended changes to your bathroom or decide to give your bathroom a complete makeover in 2022, there's no doubt that once the remodeling is finished, you'll have a bathroom that is elegant, stylish, and has increased your home's value by a few thousand dollars.

How to Organize Your Desk

The personal or office desks may reflect the habits and personality of the owner. Some people like to keep their desks highly personalized and colorful. An organized desk may mean more comfort, higher productivity, and the best time management. It can also accommodate your inclinations and preferences.

When you want to avoid being overwhelmed by the clutter, disorderly files, and paperwork stacks, you must give some time to organizing your desk. There are also certain items and resources available that are affordable but are highly effective in keeping your workstation and desk efficient at all times.

The desk organizer activities may not be complicated. Below are some important tips and steps which you can use to organize your workspace and desk and be more efficient and productive.

Cleaning your Desk

For organizing your desk, you need to first clean it thoroughly. Organizing and cleaning are easy when there is nothing on the desk. Remove all the items from the desk and keep them on the floor or some other table. Once the desk is blank, dust, wipe, and clean the desk to remove all kinds of stains. You can also apply a polish so that the scratches are not visible. Also, clean your computer if you have one on your desk, at this time.

Now that you have cleaned your desk, you need to classify and organize the items that you removed from the desk. You need to put the items you want to throw away into one group, and the item that you intend to keep in another. Get rid of all the unimportant items and keep only the bare necessities. All the trash obtained during cleaning the desk should be disposed of as well. Do not forget to update your space by removing outdated calendars and other old items. However, you can always keep things with a sentimental value (like your old photos).

Reordering your Desk

When you reorder the desk, do not stress about putting the things in the same way. Imagine and think of new and more creative ways to stack up against your computer and other belongings of the desk.

Your desk may require certain new supplies like ink pens, paper, or staples among others. Apart from putting up a new and fresh calendar, you can also reload your desk with these essentials. Rearranging and reordering your desk this way ensures that you can preserve and improve productivity and eliminate clutter. The documents and the tools should be kept within reach, while the computer should be kept at the center of the disc.

You can also add some decorative touches to the desk to personalize it and to make it more attractive. The decorative items can be humorous coffee mugs, statues, framed pictures, and others. Also, place some inspirational messages and images that will keep you motivated at work.

Promoting Efficiency

You need to think wisely when you want to be more efficient. For instance, the essential items that you use often should be kept close enough, at arm's reach. These items can be typing papers, writing utensils, communication devices, notebooks, and other kinds of accessories including digital accessories. Likewise, pens and pencils should be kept in separate cups or pen holders. The stapler and the paper clips should be located near the printer. These are the creative ideas that will help you be more efficient.

Non-essential items that are not used frequently can be stacked in the drawers. If you are using several smaller items, you can also purchase the drawer organizer trays. These trays can easily fit the drawers of the desk and the compartments and can help you keep your items in a classified way. Paper trays can be used to keep the documents in a more sorted wave.

Organizing Desk Cables

There can be many tangled wires on the desk if you own and use many tech devices and gadgets. These wires may come from the printer, computer, phone, internet modem, and other kinds of devices that are plugged into some extension cable lead. Before you plug anything, make sure that the extension lead is fixed at the back of the table. All the lengthy wires should be shortened, which will help you prevent and reduce the mess. The wrap straps can be used for shortening the wires. You can also label the cables (at both of their ends) to know at any point which cable is for serving what purpose.

Conclusion

The tips given above can help you have a clean, organized, and productive workspace and desk that also looks motivating and inviting at all times. Having an efficient and organized desk is also easier nowadays with many resources (for instance the cable management box) available at a low and affordable cost.

Problems That Could Be Interfering With Your Garage Door Opener's Signal

Like many, maybe you have experienced that frustrating moment when the garage door opener fails to work. You change the battery on the opener and press the button, but the garage door still won't open. The problem may stem from the signal or receiver of the residential garage door opener. Here are potential causes to check out.

Moisture

Garage door sensors are remarkably resilient. They are not easily impacted or damaged by weather elements like rain or wind, especially since they are located inside the garage. However, if the garage door is left open for long periods of time in bad weather, the sensor might become fogged or misted. This can prevent the door opener signal from being received, so the garage door does not respond. If your opener stops working, check the sensor for signs of weather impact, such as snow drifting under the door to accumulate at the sensor.

Dust or Debris

Similarly, cumulative dust or debris from sand, sawdust shavings, or other common materials found in the garage may keep the sensor from recognizing the garage door opener signal. While this is not common, a substantial amount of debris resulting from woodworking, construction work, or other types of high-intensity activity can circulate air swiftly and strongly around the garage. Potentially, this movement could interfere with the sensor's ability to receive the door opener's signal.

Rodent and Insect Damage 

Another possible cause of a malfunctioning garage door opener signal sensor is when a rodent chews through the wire or gnaws on the sensior. Mice, rats, chipmunks, and squirrels have been known to chew through exposed wires or mechanical devices in a garage. Less commonly, insects can burrow into areas of the garage door near the sensor. The size of their nest may obscure the sensor's ability to accept the garage door opener's signal. Heavy cobwebs from spiders might disrupt the signal, although this scenario is less likely.

Displacement

Occasionally, a gentle but firm tap of the sensor from a kid's scooter or basketball can knock it off track. While you might not be able to see a difference in its position, the sensor could be moved just enough to keep it from receiving the door signal. Fortunately, some types of displacement are easy to fix. However, if adjusting it doesn’t fix it, residential garage door openers are relatively affordable if yours must be replaced.

Inspect your non-functioning garage door opener for problems like those indicated above. If you are still unsure of the cause, contact a garage door repair professional.