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Metal Accents on Cupolas, Porches, Porticos, Bay Windows and Additions Have you ever considered giving the exterior of your home a little flair? Have you ever considered adding an architectural accent to your roof? Home improvement is one thing, but home accentuation is another. In this case, a metal accent roof does both. One of the biggest adds when installing a metal roof, even if it is a small area, is enhanced curb appeal. A metal accents roof can transform the exterior look of our home while protecting the interior. Porches The most common accent metal roof for new construction of late has been specified for the porch roof. Whether it is a modern farmhouse, or a contemporary three-season porch, the use of metal accents goes a long way in adding charm or boldness to any residential structure. These roofs can be done in aluminum, in over thirty color choices, or the natural look of copper or zinc. Porticos Perhaps you want to make a statement at the entry of the home? A metal-clad

What you don’t know can definitely hurt you when it comes to metal roofing.  Metal roofs are fast becoming a popular choice of homeowners here in MA, RI, CT, and NH. No doubt about it. In 1999, the residential market for metal was about 3% of roofs installed. Today that number is around 16%. That represents the fastest growing segment of the residential roofing industry. Benefits of Metal Roofs It all makes perfect sense, especially here in New England. Metal roofs eliminate most of the ice dam issues associated with winter weather. They keep a house much cooler in the summer. They eliminate the problem of moss, algae, and black streaks on the roof, typically attributed to asphalt shingles. They protect a home in fire-prone and high wind areas and they add a wicked amount of curb appeal to just about any style house. What’s there not to like about all that? Base Metal for Roofs So, what is it that you don’t know that’s going to hurt you? That’s the question. Here is at least part of th

Consider Essential Criteria Whenever anyone is making a decision on what kind of roof to purchase for their home, I always encourage them to establish their Criteria. What are the “must-haves” for them when it comes to a new roof? As part of that, I guide them through a discussion that looks at things that other homeowners over the years have told me were important to their roof decision, and they can decide whether those things are important to them. Some of the things we discuss include life expectancy, maintenance requirements, energy efficiency, cost, low weight, wind resistance, fire safety, hail resistance, beauty, added home value, and environmental impact. What I try to do is help them narrow things down to maybe 5 – 7 Essential Criteria – things they must accomplish with their new roof. Then we look at their roofing options and determine what product will best meet those Criteria. As we go through the product options, we invariably end up at one or two products that seem to fi

Why would anyone want a metal roof on their home anyway? If you start looking around, you’re bound to see more and more of these roofs getting installed on homes, even in your own neighborhood. Is there a good reason why metal roofs are the fastest growing segment of the residential roofing market? Well, there must be. In fact, here are the reasons why you wouldn’t want a metal roof on your home. They could last 100 years or more if you choose an aluminum roof for your home. You might get tired of seeing the same roof on your house for the next 100 + years. That could be boring. Would rather change my roof every 15-17 years. (That’s the average life of an asphalt roof.) That way, I can have a new color if I want that too. Not to mention the environmental impact on the landfills. Oh, I forgot about that. Metal roofs, especially aluminum metal roofs, keep a home much, much cooler in the summer and slightly warmer in the winter. Who wants to save money on energy bills? I love to hear that

You are probably asking yourself if it makes sense or is necessary to invite someone over to your house and invite them in to provide a detailed estimate and answer your many questions. Why take the risk of an in-person appointment while potentially exposing yourself to the COVID-19 virus? Believe it or not, we have sold many metal roofs in the past while never even having met the homeowners in person. Thankfully, technology allows us to get a fairly accurate preliminary estimate in most cases with aerial imaging software. Further, if you want an answer to any question you might have regarding your new metal roof, we have it readily available on our comprehensive website. Just ask us, and we will point you to it. The reason why in-home estimates happen today is because that is the way it has always been done. Things change, and while we would prefer to meet with you face-to-face, right now that may not be the best way to provide you with what you need during COVID-19. If you are in the

Spring is all about the Lamb, and nothing beats these delicious quick and easy lamb chops for a special event or just because you want a GREAT meal. This is one of my favorite meals. 1 rack of lamb, cut and evenly divided into 8 rib chops (Tip: By the way, Trader Joes has the best deal on New Zealand spring rack of lamb) *Disclosure: I do not own stock in Trader Joes. Serves 2 Prep time 15 minutes. Cooking time about 5-8 minutes At least 6 hours before you cook them, season liberally with salt, pepper, garlic, rosemary, thyme, and parsley. You can use fresh herbs or dried, adjusting for taste. I would use a tablespoon of freshly chopped of each if dried, a heaping teaspoon of each. Add 2 Tbs of olive oil and ½ cup of wine. (I use a good pinot noir, save the rest for the meal) Place all in a plastic bag and refrigerate. Place the bag in a bowl and rotate the bag every now and then to evenly marinate. To cook: Heat up a stainless-steel pan or cast iron (medium to high heat) and remove th

Understanding Base Metals to Make the Best Roof Choice for Your Home You may think of metal roofs as all the same, but just as there is a wide variety of designs, styles and colors to choose from, the metal roofing category itself actually encompasses a range of different alloy types–all of which have different characteristics, costs and advantages. That’s why it’s important to understand your options, and what to expect when it comes to choosing a new metal roof for your home.  Here’s an overview of the four main types of metal roofing materials to help guide you on how to make the best choice for your home. 1. Steel for Metal Roofs Steel is a strong, durable, but NOT a choice for residential applications. Why? Because it rusts. Steel is also more affordable, so unsuspecting homeowners fall into the trap of price and buy a roof that doesn’t belong on a house. Thanks to advancements in quality coating systems, steel comes in a huge array of different high-performance colors. However, o

Winter is coming. No matter where you live, that means it’s time to tackle some essential roof care and maintenance. Whether you have asphalt, tile or metal roofing, don’t put off roof care. Surprise cold snaps and sub-zero temperatures—such as what homeowners in areas like Texas experienced last year—can come on suddenly and catch unsuspecting homeowners off-guard. There’s no doubt that cold weather, snow, ice, wind and rain can take a toll on any roof. Maintenance and repair now can help avoid costly damage, leaks and more expensive repairs.  The key to protecting your home during harsh winter conditions is to make sure your roof is structurally sound and well-insulated.  If your roof does need replacing, winter conditions demonstrate why it’s so important to use strong, long-lasting materials like quality metal roofing. Properly installed metal roofs perform reliably no matter what Mother Nature throws at it. This includes preventing serious ice damming issues and other wintertime h

For as long as there have been dwellings, there have been roofs. However, the evolution of roofing didn’t end when tile roofing was invented. In fact, although tile is still a common and popular roofing material in parts of the world, it’s not ideal in MA, RI, CT, and NH. Throughout these  states, homes typically have one of three types of roofing: Asphalt shingles Slate Metal Over the past decades, only slate roofing remains largely unchanged. Both asphalt and metal roofing have evolved into better roofing materials.  The Evolution of Metal Roofing Close your eyes and picture a structure with a metal roof. I’m going to guess you either pictured an old barn with a rusty roof or a large commercial building with a bright silver metal roof. Although both those images are accurate, even today, they’re not the only images you should picture. More homeowners in New England are choosing metal roofing because they look better, have more options and last longer than ever before. This is largely

If you’re simply comparing quotes with asphalt and metal roof prices, you’re going to notice that the initial metal roofing cost is higher than the initial asphalt shingle cost. What we advise many of our customers to do is look beyond the roof replacement at what an asphalt roof costs when compared to what a metal roof costs for your home over its lifetime. Here’s what we regularly share with homeowners. A Roof Always Costs More than Just the Installation & Materials Think about the last car you purchased. You didn’t look just at the sticker price. You also evaluated the brand’s reputation for longevity, its repair history, and overall maintenance needs. If you drive a lot, you also look at fuel economy. Some buyers even talk to their insurance agent about insurance costs of a certain make or model prior to purchasing. Maybe you even thought about its resale value. Your roof is similar. It has costs associated with it beyond just the initial purchase. Maintenance & Repair – Me