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Category: Roofing & Siding

The Benefits of Growing a Green Roof

by , April 25th, 2013
Green Roofs - Stone House

Photo: Flickr / Jennifer Juniper mom

Thinking of re-roofing your home? So-called green roofs proffer many benefits for the environment and your community—even your wallet.

While they have been used for years in the United Kingdom and other parts of Europe, green roofs have only recently begun to gain popularity in the U.S. In fact, the number of living roofs nationally grew a whopping 115 percent in 2011, according to a study by Green Roofs for Healthy Cities, an advocacy organization.

What exactly is a green roof, anyway? According to the American Association of Landscape Architects, a green roof is a lightweight, living system of soil, compost, and plants.

Slideshow: 12 Unconventional Homes Inspired by Nature

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The Basics: Clay and Concrete Roofing Tiles

by , April 18th, 2013
Tile Roofs - Reclaimed Clay

Reclaimed Clay Tile Roofing. Photo: performanceroofingcompany.com

Tile roofs come in many styles, and each has its own preferred applications and intrinsic beauty. An exotic sense of romance is associated in particular with clay roof tiles, which commonly appear on Southwest-style and Mediterranean-inspired homes.

In addition to their beauty, tile roofs are extremely durable, lasting for centuries in some cases. Whether made of fired clay or concrete, individual tiles are often molded in a barrel shape, and reinforcing their strength is tile roofing’s interlocking mode of installation.

Related: Debunking 5 Metal Roof Myths

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The Basics: Wood Shingles and Shakes

by , April 8th, 2013
Wood Shingles and Shingles - Shakes

Photo: peakperformanceroofing.com

There are two types of wood roofing—shingles and shakes. Neither boasts the practicality of a modern roofing material like asphalt shingles, but it’s difficult to deny traditional wood’s aesthetic appeal. In fact, many other roofing products try to simulate look of wood shingles and shakes. Made from cedar, spruce, or treated pine, wood roofing is especially appropriate for older homes and those based upon historical styles.

Related: Debunking 5 Metal Roof Myths

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How To: Clean Vinyl Siding

by , March 26th, 2013
How to Clean Vinyl Siding - Green

Photo: thehouseofcolor.net

Vinyl siding is a durable, versatile, and resilient building material, but it does require some routine care and cleaning.

The growing popularity of vinyl siding is indisputable. Indeed, U.S. Census Bureau statistics indicate that vinyl siding has been the leading exterior cladding in the U.S. since 1995. Its popularity shows no sign of waning; in 2011, 33% of new single-family homes sold in the U.S. were sided in the material.

Because it is an exterior product, vinyl siding can accumulate a host of dirt, grime, and stains on account of things like pollen, bird and insect droppings, spider webs and rust. In shady, moist areas, mold and mildew can grow, and vinyl is also vulnerable to discoloring effects from insecticides, herbicides, and fertilizers. In addition, vinyl siding’s finish may be marred by a number of commonly used household maintenance products, including caulking, driveway sealant, tar, motor oil and paint.

Slideshow: How To: Clean EVERYTHING

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The Basics: Composite Roof Shingles

by , March 26th, 2013
Composite Shingles - Slate

EcoStar's Midnight Majestic Composition Slate Roofing

Coming up with alternatives for traditional shingle materials has proved a steep and slippery slope for a surprising number of manufacturers. Class-action lawsuits have showered down as so-called “lifetime” roofing products with names like Hardishake, Maxishake, and Permatek have prematurely failed.

Related: Composite Roof Shingles: The Great Pretenders

“The impetus for the development of many of these products was the ban on the use of asbestos fibers,” says Rick Damato, a 38-year industry veteran and editorial director of Roofing Contractor magazine. “Manufacturers substituted other fibers and they just didn’t perform as well.”

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Top Tips for Weaving a Veneer Brick Wall

by , February 21st, 2013
Veneer Brick Walls - Backyard

Photo: McNear Brick

Brick has a timeless appearance and requires little maintenance, making it a popular material for a variety of applications. Once a structural component, brick nowadays is more commonly used as a veneer, with concrete blocks, poured concrete, or wood laying under it.

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Bob Vila Radio: Rain Barrels

by , January 25th, 2013

Did you know that a good rainstorm can send hundreds of gallons of water cascading off your roof? That water could come in handy during drier days, when you wish you had that overflow back. You can, if you invest in a rain barrel or two.

Rain Barrels

Photo: lynnhavenrivernow.org

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Listen to BOB VILA ON RAIN BARRELS or read the text below:

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Bob Vila Radio: Unclogging Gutters

by , October 17th, 2012

When clogged gutters overflow, they can get so heavy that they pull the gutters loose and rot your home’s trim and siding. In cold climates, they can eventually cause ice dams on the roof that force water inside the house. Even if your gutter doesn’t fill to overflowing each season, leaving decaying debris in there is an invitation to carpenter ants and mosquitos.

Clogged Gutters

Photo: davisw.wordpress.com

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Listen to BOB VILA ON UNCLOGGING GUTTERS, or read the text below:

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The Word on Weather Vanes

by , October 11th, 2012
Weather Vanes - Detail

Photo: wikimedia.org

Each morning after I get up, I pour myself a cup of tea and turn on The Weather Channel to get prepared for the day. Long before televised weather forecasts were routine, people did their own short-range forecasting of the weather. One of the simplest tools they used was the weather vane.

Weather vanes date back to the time of the Ancient Greeks and Romans. In modern times, they are mostly used as architectural ornament, but they have always provided a means for showing the direction of the wind. With careful and consistent observation, a weather vane can help indicate a storm is coming, or that a cold snap is on the way.

Slideshow: 11 Weather Vanes to Point You in the Right Direction

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Bob Vila Radio: Roofing Options

by , September 16th, 2012

Whether you like the classic look of slate or the long life of metal, when it’s time for a new roof, there’s something for everyone.

Roofing Options

Photo: savannahroofandgutter.com; daviddarling.info; roof101.com

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