Picking the Right Flooring, Roofing, Insulation, & Decking the First Time!
Our team answers homeowner questions every weekend on WCCO 830 AM from 9:00 am-10:00 am. Have your most pressing home improvement questions answered by calling 651-989-9226 or texting 81807. Here’s the must-know information our COO, Andy Lindus, shared on 12.22.18.
Bathroom Remodeling
One of the biggest choices a homeowner must make when remodeling their bathroom is the flooring. It’s wise to seek out a material that is water resistant and non-slippery. Ceramic tile often wins favor with homeowners because of the endless design choices. Longevity of the material also makes it an appealing option. In many cases, the installation of a heated bathroom floor makes sense from a comfort and home value standpoint.
Roofing & Insulation
One of the show’s first callers was the owner of a home built in 2000. Above the three car garage are two rooms that are unbearably cold in the winter and sweltering in the summer. In order to the remedy the situation without installing a new roof, spray foam insulation could be installed. Given the choice between open cell or closed cell spray foam insulation, we find most homeowners are happier with a closed cell approach. Although the initial investment is higher for closed cell foam insulation, the level of comfort is higher due to higher R-value. An added perk is that closed cell spray foam insulation does an exemplary job of warding off mold and mildew. It’s worth noting that open cell spray foam insulation can easily be damaged by moisture and should primarily be used a sound barrier. Homeowners opting to have spray foam insulation installed should be advised that evacuating the home for 24 hours is best practice in order to remain safe from the fumes created by installation. In this caller’s situation, an even better solution is residential metal roofing, as the material remains much cooler in the summer months. This is due to meal roofing’s low emissivity and high reflectivity.
Learn How Home Performance Testing Can Help You Create a More Energy Efficient Home:
In addition to being unsightly, algae growth on asphalt roofs can lower the material’s lifespan. Once algae has been removed, zinc strips installed at the roof’s peak can act as a preventative measure to prevent regrowth through an oxidation process. However, homeowners in need of roof replacement are wise to consider Timberline Ultra HD® Shingles from GAF. They’re manufactured with StainGuard Plus™ Time-Release Technology. Even better, they are warrantied to ward off algae growth for 20 years. These shingles work particularly well on homes surrounded by mature oak trees.
Composite Decking
When planning a composite deck building project, it’s wise to take time to fully evaluate the material you’ll be using. Features to consider include warranty, aesthetics, and how the product ages. In our composite deck construction projects, the top two materials our clients choose are AZEK® and Zuri® Premium Decking by Royal®. Both are highly rated in terms of longevity, lack of maintenance, and beauty over time. Both AZEK® and Zuri® offer the ultimate peace of mind because they are accompanied with iron-clad industry warranties. A minor drawback of Zuri® decking is that it can be become slippery when it comes in contact with frost. Zuri® may appear dirtier than other decks because the surface does not absorb mud or dirt. Lumberyards often excel over big box stores in offering reliable decking materials.
Get a Behind the Scenes Look at a Zuri® Decking Project:
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