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Advances in white solar reflective elastomeric roof coating over the course of the past 15 years have resulted in a long-lasting roofing system that is also energy-efficient. These roof coatings offer three key benefits – sustainability, durability and energy efficient solar reflectivity. In combination, these three benefits provide homeowners with value, protection and reduced energy costs.

Reflective roof coatings act like mirrors, reflecting the sun’s radiant energy back into space. When initially applied, solar reflective roof coatings can provide a solar reflectance of up to 80%, which means that only 20% of the sun’s energy is being absorbed as heat.

Conventional built up asphalt roofing typically reflects only about 25% of sunlight. This is because it is typically covered with a gray mineral and a black substrate which allows considerable heat absorption.

The reflectivity of white elastomeric roof coatings can reduce the surface temperature when applied over flat built up asphalt roof surfaces. The reduction in roof temperature associated with white elastomeric roof coatings equate to lower cooling costs to homeowners.

In comparison to white elastomeric solar reflective roofing systems, the installation of built up asphalt roofs is an energy consuming process that results in a roof which has a relatively short service life of 8-10 years.

It is estimated that 7% to 10% of landfills are made up of roofing waste due to the fact that asphalt roofing requires frequent replacement.

With proper installation and maintenance, all that is required to extend the life of a white solar reflective roof coating is annual cleaning and an additional coating application as per the manufacturers recommendations.

As solar reflective roof coating systems only require supplemental coats to extend their lifespan once the initial system has been installed, they help reduce the amount of waste that goes to landfills associated with traditional roofing tear-off.

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This article was written by a builder, who has over 35 years experience. He has earned a strong reputation for quality craftsmanship, combined with excellent customer service, in delivering his luxury Las Cruces homes for sale.

When it comes to roofing materials, roofing felt is to shingles what an underlayment is to asphalt flooring, serving as a moisture barrier between the bare wood of the roof and the shingles, adding an extra protection of waterproofing. Made of fiberglass or polyester fleece impregnated with tar or some other bituminous material, roofing felt serves to protect the roof from weather conditions.

Install roofing felt is just as important as installing the shingles, and due to the weight of the materials and handling methods, it not an easy job. Especially considering it should be installed in warmer weather to create a better bond at seams, it can be not only a heavy materials job, but also a hot job.

To install roofing felt on an existing roof, it is best to tear off the old roof before beginning, and is a necessity on a new roof. When replacing shingles on an old roof, and all the old material has been removed, verify there are no nails sticking up that could damage the roofing felt. Rolls of felt are typically 36” wide and are available from 30-feet to 100-foot lengths, and some types have a light grit on one side to keep it from sticking together in storage.

Installation Technique For Roofing Felt

Begin by laying the first layer at the eave of the roof, leaving about a one-inch drip edge over the gutter, from one end to the other. It is best if this can be a single piece but if a seam is necessary, the overlap should be four to six inches. At both edges, depending on whether it is the end of the roof or at a wall, the roofing felt should still be about two-inches longer than needed to serve as a drip edge or to go under metal flashing at a wall.

The second roll should overlap the first piece by at least six inches and if a seam is necessary, it should not be at the same spot as the seam in the first row. Seams should be at least two feet apart. If using re-roofing felt with grit on one side, install the grit-side up and use cold tar sealer in the overlap of the two rows.

When cuts to the roll are made, never make them on top of the previous layer of felt. Mark the spot on the roll for the cut, and then place a cutting board under it to protect the existing surface from the sharp knife. This provides a clean cut and will not bring the knife into contact with the new roofing felt being installed. Continue adding layers to the remainder of the roof surface and when you reach the peak, allow the roofing felt to lie over the top as a first layer on the peak.

When you are trying to figure out how to install metal roofing, you are probably going to want to take several days to figure out a good process of how to do this before you start. You might find out that if you don’t figure out how to install metal roofing before you begin the process, you will make many mistakes and have to go back to fix things before you are finished. So, think it through, write down the steps, and make sure you have plenty of help before you start.

First Steps

The first steps in how to install metal new roofing include figuring out exactly how much of the metal roofing you are going to need. This requires you to measure the area of your roof, but be sure that you are not measuring the flat area if you want the roof to tilt because then you will need more of the metal roofing and you won’t be able to figure out how to install metal roofing if the amount of roofing you have is smaller than the size of the roof.

The best thing that you can do is measure the roof that you already have, and if you intend on increasing the pitch, figure this into your calculations.

The next thing that you need to do as you embark on the journey of how to install metal roofing is to get the metal roofing. You are going to need to talk to the roofing store ahead of time, or special order it, or find some way that you can get the metal roofing that you need, because you can’t expect the store to have it all for you right away.

After you purchase the metal roofing the next stage of how to install metal roofing is something that is often overlooked. Here, you are going to want to lay out the roofing on the ground and examine it to make sure there are no cracks or holes. If there are, you need to take it back to the store, because even a small hole or crack can lead to trouble.

Installation

Next, it is time to go ahead and try to install the roofing. When it comes to this part of how to install metal roofing you are going to want to get help from others, because you have to be sure that the roofing is put on straight and that you aren’t making any mistakes. You will also need help in making sure that the roofing gets fastened correctly as well.

Most people who don’t work in the construction trades don’t spend any time at all thinking about their house.  They leave it in the morning to go to work and then return home to it after work. Generally thinking, unless something needs to be painted, people easily neglect items that need to be fixed or repaired.  One area of the house that’s easy to monitor and doesn’t have to be looked at all of the time is the roof.  Roofing materials can degrade over time and when there has been a wind storm, tiles can be torn away form the rest of the roofing materials.

Depending on where people live, roofing materials vary by regions.  In California, especially in the south, Mexican influences have made clay tiles a popular choice.  They won’t burn and they stay in place during the “Santa Ana” winds that frequent the south.In the northern states that get snow and winds, those Mexican tiles wouldn’t work because they aren’t made to hold snow.  In fact, many homes in the north have high wind rated interlocking roof materials.  If a homeowner isn’t sure what to do about a roof, they can either call a roofing services contractor (roofer) or go to one of the large home warehouses and ask the sales people.

More On Roofing Materials

Regardless of what part of the country people live in, a roof will need some attention whether it is to replace it or repair damage after a storm.  Try to get in the habit of looking at the roof periodically as well as after any major storm.  The roof is one area of a house that if not fixed or replaced can add trouble to the home by leaking water into the home itself.  These extra problems add to the overall cost.  So fixing the roof right away is the prudent thing to do.

One way to save money on repair is to ask the roofing company if they will lay new roofing materials on top of the existing roof.  This saves time on labor and labor is the most expensive part of any construction project.  If the roof is going to be replaced there are many choices for the home owner to consider.  This would be the right time to put on the roofing materials that a person has always admired.  The prices for new roofing materials can range from inexpensive to very expensive.  The roofing a person likes is usually the one that can’t be afforded.  It just works out that way.Take care of the roof over the house and it will give years of protection in return.

Many people fall into the trap of thinking that there’s not much they can do when it comes to designing a bedroom.After moving the bed and furniture, what is there you can really do?  Follow these helpful tips and you will have a good idea of how to plan your bedroom.

The best way to start is by evaluating the space that you have in terms of the size and shape of the actual room.The best way of doing this is to simply empty the room of all it's furniture completely.By emptying the room of all contents this will help you to evaluate the condition of the walls, floor, windows, doors and trim.

Whether you are giving the bedroom a complete makeover or you're just applying a fresh coat of paint and some new curtains, it is obvious that your job will be made easier when there isn't lots of furniture to work around.

The next logical step is to draw a room plan.There isn't any need to make a millimetre accurate diagram at this stage - a simple sketch will help you put ideas for arrangements down on paper so that you can see what works and what doesn't.

As it is the largest piece of furniture to go into your room, you should place the bed first and then plan around it.From there you will be much easier to see what space is available for the furniture you have left.A very useful and accurate way of planning and designing your bedroom is by buying one of the many CAD design packages that you can find in shops or online.They provide a very effective means of enabling you to visualising your ideas before you go moving heavy furniture about.  They are also often used for kitchen design and bathroom design so if you are planning on making significant improvements to your home, it is a cheap investment that is definitely worth your consideration.

Example of hidden deck fastner installation

Few people realize that it's not just about maintaining your deck after it's built that circumvents your deck from splitting, splintering, cupping, or rotting.  It's also about building your deck with the correct materials.

Galvanized Nails, have been a deck builders favorite over the last 50 years to keep the boards attached to the structure.As a matter of fact, builders have used nails like this for decades and thought very little about other alternatives.Stainless steel hidden deck fasteners are becoming more popular and even have power tools, as of April 2009, to help simplify their installation.

Out of all the fasteners on the market TigerClaw by far, is the most popular.  You see, TigerClaw Fasteners were created by a contractor frustrated with the expense and intensive labor of other hidden fastening systems. Every box includes a free installation block. With this, these fasteners will install faster and easier than other comparable fasteners. With all work done from the top, you can save more on labor costs than compared with other hidden fastener installations.

Strength and durability are assured since they are built from heavy gauge stainless steel. TigerClaw hidden deck fasteners offer resilient hold-down power for both synthetic decking materials & wood. They allow the natural qualities of the wood to be preserved and reduce splitting, splintering, cupping and rotting.

The concept of a nail free deck surface is one that is also aesthetically pleasing. With many new composites and clear-grained wood decking available, defacing a smooth, even deck surface with unwanted rows of screws or nails is becoming increasingly unwanted.

Even though a growing number of contractors are aware of hidden deck fasteners, the vast majority aren't familiar with them. This article's objective is to raise consumer awareness about hidden deck fasteners and their benefits.

With these hidden deck fasteners, you can create an improved, longer lasting, & safer deck at an affordable price.  Their’s even an easy TigerClaw estimator tool to help you figure out how much these fasteners would cost to use on your deck.What's preventing you from choosing hidden deck fasteners over nails now?

When building a deck to last, here are 8 other things to keep in mind:

Use naturally decay-resistant or treated lumber for wooden decks and other outdoor structures. Don't let untreated wood posts or lumber sit directly on concrete.
* Clean joints between deck boards or between a deck and a building so debris and dirt won't retain moisture.
* Wwater run-off, including downspouts, should be steered away from the deck
* Plants in clay pots sitting on the deck or porch can cause moisture pooling; likewise, plants and shrubs planted close can contribute to moisture and water buildup on and around your deck. Make sure that instruemnts you use for watering (hoses, sprinklers, etc..) not spray the deck.
* Ensure that the underside of the porch breathes properly, it is critical to maintain airflow. This space should not be completely enclosed as to prevent moisture buildup.
* Don't let fall leaves, barbeque grill covers, etc…. layout on your deck for extended periods.This promotes moisture & it's best friend mold to develop underneath.
* Add stains and sealers before the deck looks like it’s needing it.  Create a schedule once a year where you add the sealer so it's consistently apllied before the wood starts looking dried out.  These can treat the wood and keep moisture from leading to rot
* If you have a 2nd story deck over a ground floor deck, make sure you get an underdeck drainage system to prevent additional wear to the bottom deck.With underdeck drainage installed, your primary floor deck can behave like a unenclosed sunroom on rainy days. The bottom floor can now also be used as an extra storage room.

I'm sure these ideas help you keep your wooden deck beautiful for many years to come. We look forward to your feedback.

Do you know what you should look for in an electrician? You are the homeowner and are responsible for all your house electrical repairs. Those who live with you, along with yourself, need to be protected. The following electrician checklist should help provide you with valuable information about how to hire an electrician.

1. Get the recommendations from neighbors and close friends. They’ll be able to tell you who was great, and who was not so great. Someone is far more likely to remember poor quality service, but they will still remember those who did a great job.
2. Ask the electrician for a detailed quote. This is a good way to get to know each one, and see how competitive they are. The more quotes you have, the easier it will be to hire an electrician. Because an electrician offers a cheap quote, doesn't mean they will do the best job. The same idea applies even with the more expensive quotes.
3. Review their references. Find others who have utilized their services. Any electrician with nothing to hide will provide these. Don’t forget to be critical of what people say - they may be friends or relatives. It is always an important point to consider before hiring an electrician.
4. Make sure to inquire about their guarantees. Find out if the electrician is willing to come back if a problem recurs or persists.
5. Are they professional looking? When you are hiring an electrician, the electrican presentation will be a major factor. See if they have a company logo or professional business card. All of these factors may clue you into the reputability if the contractor you are employing.
6. Remember to talk permits when you are hiring an electrician. A good electrical contractor will not begin any job without discussing their permits. In the current economic climate, some people may be willing to do work which they are not licensed to complete. A good electrician will not make this offer and they will help you understand that their permit is your insurance should there be a problem.
7. Properly specify the job. This is particularly important when selecting an electrician through the tender and quote system. You will not be able to compare quotes unless each electrician is quoting on the same items.

Remember, you have to make a decision based on questioning and observation. You get what you pay for! Save even more money with some simple energy saving tips.

Need to hire a professional? 1800AnyTyme offers professional electricians backed by their better-than-risk-free 110% Satisfaction Guarantee! Ee will do it again at no additional cost - as well as offer you a discount or compensation for not doing the work properly the first time, if for any reason the job is not done properly or if you aren’t fully satisfied with the quality of work performed by their electricians! Find a local San Diego electrician near you and get a free service call.