Pest Problems Around Roofs

Pest Problems around Roofs 

The roofs and attics of homes provide very appealing opportunities for unwanted pests to take up residence, and establish themselves as nuisances until major steps must be taken for their removal. Once entrenched, these pests can cause some serious damage to their new environment, and that can cost you a ton of money, in addition to what it would cost to have them removed. Here are some of the ways that undesirable pests can impact your roof and attic areas.

Bird droppings 

If local birds decide that your roof is an ideal stopping place, you may find that your roof becomes covered with droppings. These droppings can be highly acidic, given the fact that much of a bird’s diet consists of substances high in acid. If you don’t clean these droppings off regularly, you’re likely to sustain damage to the shingles and sheathing.

Fungus and dropping from bats 

You might think you have an airtight roofing system, but bats are capable of squeezing through an opening no bigger than 3/8″ wide, and nesting in your attic. If a group of them sets up there, you could have bat droppings in the attic, and there’s also a possibility that they could spread a fungus which is present in the droppings. This fungus can become airborne and travel throughout the rooms of your home, and when inhaled, it can install a life-threatening infection in the lungs.

Squirrel nests 

Squirrels are notorious for chewing through roof shingles and setting up shop in attics. You’ll probably become aware of an infestation pretty quickly, because their urine is particularly pungent, and is unmistakable. If they do go unnoticed, this urine can build up and weaken or destroy wood in your attic, and then you’ll have a bigger problem.

Roof rats chewing on wires  

When roof rats burrow into your home through the roof, they leave holes large enough for rain and snow to enter the house, and begin to weaken the superstructure. These pests will also chew through insulation, pipes, and wiring, and all of these can be problematic. Roof rats have been known to cause electrical fires by chewing through the wiring in an attic or elsewhere in the home. In some cases, the rats have been killed by chewing electrical wires, but that presents a different problem – the smell of dead rats.

Termites eating through wood 

Termites may be the single most damaging kind of pest that can invade your home. These vermin will eat through wood voraciously, causing major damage to your home’s structure, as well as to deck areas or any other sections made of wood. Unless you make a point of checking for them regularly, termites can do a great deal of damage before they’re even detected.

Advantages of Metal Roofing

Metal roofing offers a distinctive look with plenty of options to suit your style and household needs. Beyond these basics, customers have many more great reasons for choosing a metal roof.

Metal Roof Benefits for High Altitude Homes and Businesses

High altitude living requires more than boiling eggs longer than you would at sea level. The weather can be rough, with high winds, lightning storms, and forest fires are a risk. At high elevations, the sun is more intense and can be hard on many kinds of roofing. A durable metal roof can be the perfect solution.

Metal roof installation brings multiple advantages for local homeowners and businesspeople, including:

• Beauty: Your metal roof can create a streamlined, classic appearance, yet its color, powder-coating, texture, and style options make it very versatile. Depending upon the architectural style of your home or business location, a metal roof can fit right in. It can enhance an industrial vibe, rustic look, or modern appearance. On a more ornate home, metal roofing can also create impressive curb appeal.
• Strength and weather resistance: Metal roofing can be made from aluminum, copper, stainless steel, zinc, and more. Interlocking panels, properly installed, make metal roofing especially wind-resistant. Roofing is installed in a weather-tight manner to avoid leaks and also resists abrasion and impact.
• Lightweight: A metal roof is half as heavy as asphalt shingles.
• Low noise: When properly installed, metal roofs are surprisingly quiet–even in a rainstorm. An insulating sheathing material is placed between the metal roof and the existing roof surface.
• Low-maintenance: Most metal roofs are practically carefree, requiring little to no maintenance.
• Safety: Metal roofing is fire resistant, which is especially helpful in forested areas at high altitudes. Metal roofs don’t attract lightning–but if the roof does get struck, it’s less likely to catch fire than other roofing materials. Snow guards can prevent rooftop snow from sliding onto people or property below roof edges.
• Eco-friendly: Metal roofs contain up to 95% recycled metal and are themselves recyclable.
• Budget-friendly: Metal roofs help you save money by reflecting solar (radiant) heat, which could lower your cooling costs by up to 25%. Metal roofing can last 50+ years. Metal roofing often lasts 3X as long as asphalt shingles, delaying future roof replacement costs.
• And more.

Where to Get Metal Roofing with Expert Installation

If you’re interested in a new metal roof, remember that skilled installation matters. Our expert roofers can provide flawless metal roofing installation, tailored to your preferences, style, and the unique needs of your home or building. Contact us today.

Metal Roofs Billings MT

Classic roof shakes are timeless. It is a beautiful, classic roofing material, that looks classy on any home. Roof shakes usually provide that classic architectural appearance. But, wood roof shakes require maintenance, and as a material it is susceptible to rot, mold and even insects. Steel roofs, from DECRA Roofing Systems can provide the look of the wood shake, but without all of the hassle of actually roofing a house with wood shakes. The roofing materials are steel, which, obviously are not nearly as susceptible to the maladies of the wood roof. So, if your looking for that classic, timeless look, here’s a few reason why a steel roof might be the best option for your home.

Metal Roofs Billings MT

Metal roofs have been used for hundreds of years—even lead was used a roofing material at one point, if you can believe it. Thomas Jefferson’s Monticello had a metal roof. Metal roofs are a durable choice. It will withstand most anything mother nature throws at it, and it does all of this while being maintenance free. There’s no need to replace broken or rotted shakes as you would with wood materials. And, a metal roof is by nature, fire retardant. Also, if you are concerned with energy conservation—it’s becoming an important topic today—metal roofs are very energy efficient. Homeowners who switched from common asphalt shingles to metal had a considerable savings on their energy bills. Also, metal roofs have a long lifespan, and, while a metal roof does have a higher up-front cost compared to other common roofing materials such as an asphalt shingle, it’s lifespan is usually much longer.

Decra products

Decra products come in either a shake or shingle style. The shake XD has the appearance of classic architectural beauty of a roof shake—and it’s even available in several color options—although it’s made from steel. The Decra shingle has the look of a heavy-weight architectural shingle, although it’s much lighter in weight. It has the look of having thick cut edges which reveal a deep shadow line. There are several color options for the Decra shingle.

Please contact us today for all of your roofing needs!

Choosing The Right Roofing

Some things to know about your green-roofing options

If you want to reduce your impact on the earth and minimize the carbon-footprint that you leave behind, consider green-roofing options. Whether you are refurbishing or building, implement a roofing-material that is eco-friendly and energy-efficient whenever possible. These options will also provide a roof that can protect your home and function for many years to come.

Some things homeowners should know about green-roofing options include:

Living roofs. A living roof is an ideal way to replace the vegetation footprint absorbed by the area taken up by your home, and will provide vegetables, produce, and foliage to enjoy. These roofs are heavy, and most homeowners will find that they need to reinforce and add support to their home’s structure before implementing. These are a great prospect for large, flat-roofs.

Before choosing this option, make sure that you are aware of the following related to living roofs:

• Living roofs will attract wildlife; plan on the upkeep from these visitors to your property.
• You can’t plant it and forget it; living roofs require maintenance- just as a garden does.
• Consult with the experts to ensure the plants that you grow don’t have intricate root systems that can interfere or damage the home over time. For instance, trees are not ideal for living roofs.

Recycled roofing. Recycled materials are eco-friendly and cost-efficient. These might be found via the shingles that you use or the timbers that you salvage.

Tile roofs. Tile roofs reflect heat and maintain energy inside the home, which could result in seeing utility savings on monthly bills. Tiles are recyclable and will last for hundreds of years. Tile roofs are heavy, however, and typically involve professional handling and installation for best results.

Wooden roofing. Cedar and wood shakes are recyclable and eco-friendly. They reflect less heat, and due to the uneven surface, don’t necessarily maintain energy inside the home. To optimize their potential, paint the shingles white before installation. Since wood is not fire-resistant, it also makes sense to plan on treating wood roofing with some sort of fire-retardant, as recommended by roofing manufacturers and professionals.

Reduce the carbon-footprint left by your home with an eco-friendly, green roof. Talk to roofing contractors and professionals to find out the most viable solution for your distinct property, as well as to learn of other options that may be suited to your structure. Let these suggestions inspire you to find a way to utilize recyclable and living options that give back to the world around you.

Contact Lynnrich today for all of your roofing needs.

Benefits of Steel Siding

Obviously steel siding is a durable material, much more so than, say, vinyl siding, which can be dented or cracked easily (remember Superman was the man of steel). Steel siding doesn’t fade like vinyl, nor also does it need to be replaced as frequently.

Steel Siding

Steel siding is an environmentally responsible building material, because of the way it’s installed, with very little to no waste, and also because one day the materials can be recycled easily (although, with such a durable, dependable product, it will be a lot of years before anyone would consider having to replace it).

But, who needs steel siding? Who would benefit most from it? Steel siding has such a beautiful and luxurious appearance, it must be way, way too expensive for most people, right?

Who needs steel siding?

Everyone can use a product like steel siding. Any home, from the most expensive chalet to the tiniest modular, can benefit from such a terrific material. It’s because of its strength that steel siding is such a quality option for most people: it’s going to protect you and the ones you love from the elements for a long, long time. Also, it’s going to stay beautiful, helping to keep up both your home’s curb appeal and its value. Your home’s going to have that extra special touch, that perfect combination of quality and beauty.

It looks so beautiful. It must be really expensive

Steel siding is more expensive in up-front cost than, say, vinyl siding, but with the upfront cost you’re getting something vinyl cannot offer: quality, durability, dependability, and longevity. Steel siding is going to outlast vinyl, it’s going to better protect your home from the elements; hail and wind won’t have as big of an impact thereby possibly negating the costs of repair or replacement every time a storm happens. If you have any questions as to the cost, contact Lynnrich Siding and request and estimate for your home.  If you’re in the process of remodeling you may also find it beneficial to check out the other products Lynnrich offers such as windows, doors, and soffit, to name a few.

Window Replacement Billings MT

Montana’s climate is unpredictable, with the possibility of temperatures varying between ninety degrees one day to just above freezing the next. And, while the nuances in the weather are one reason that many Montana residents love their home state, knowing that the weather is entirely unpredictable is a concern for the homeowner who is in the process of building a brand new home.

The windows throughout the home, for instance, are responsible for protecting and insulating the homeowner from the elements, and the homeowner involved in a new build has the opportunity to choose the windows that will work best for their lifestyle and the overall efficiency of the home.

While the look of the windows will represent the style of the homeowner and the volume of the windows throughout the home will contribute to the amount of light being allowed in the home, understanding the windows insulating capabilities is also a very important aspect when deciding which windows are appropriate for the Montana climate.

Window Replacement Billings MT

Windows are rated for their insulation capabilities by a value called the U-Factor. The U-factor is a number that represents the combined insulating factor of the window frame, the glaze on the glass panes, and the spacer that separates the glass panes. The lower the number of the U-Factor, the more efficient the windows.

For climates like Montana, windows should have a U-Factor of .30 and below, and many of today’s highly efficient double pane windows will perform to these standards. Some triple paned windows have a U-Factor of .15 and below, and are some of the most efficient windows ever built.

Also, widows have a number that determines the amount of solar heat gain, and this number is defined by the abbreviation SHGC. And, while the efficiency of the windows in the Montana climate should be at or below .30, the SHGC should be greater than 0.6 to maximize the possible solar heat gain on the colder wintry days. Also, it is important to consider where the windows are placed because the efficiency needs for the home are different in accordance with the daily angle of the sun.

Contact Lynnrich today for all of your window replacement needs!

 

Winter Roofing Care Tips

Icicles hanging from the roof can appear beautiful, like a nostalgic image of winter. But icicles, especially an abundance of icicles are also a sign of a poorly ventilated roof. And an ice dam on the roof can be a big problem. Ice dams can damage the roof shingles, the siding, the soffit, tear out the gutters, even drip down water into your home, drip water into the walls, through electrical wiring, etc.—it’s a big problem. But, there are ways to fix an ice dam, having quality venting at the eaves, and properly insulate the attic spaces. Lynnrich Siding offers several products which work in combination with a properly insulated home to ensure that there will virtually never be an ice dam on your roof. And Here’s how to make sure that an ice dam never appears on your roof.

Ventilation

While the products at Lynnrich are wonderful to look at, and add real beauty to the outside of your home, the soffit/fascia/gutters systems are also designed to move water away from your home properly, and also to properly vent the ridge line of the house, where it’s possible for hot and cold zones to meet. An ice dams develops when the warm air inside the home heats the underside of the roof, causing the melt to then trickles down the roof to the cold eaves, where it then freezes; the water continues to melt, freeze, backs up beneath the shingles, leaking the melt up and beneath the shingles and down into the home. Soffit vents circulate cold air beneath the entire underside of the roof, thereby keeping the roof at a constant temperature.

Insulation

In addition to the soffit/fascia/gutters systems Lynnrich offers, you can also add insulation to the areas of the attic that most need it. Ice dams are also a sign of an improperly vented attic. Adding proper insulation keeps the heat retained within the home where it belongs.

If you have any other questions about ice dams, or how Lynnrich’s products will protect your home from the elements, while also contributing greatly to your home’s curb-appeal, call Lynnrich today.

 

Energy Efficient Soffit and Fascia

What do new or clean soffit vents and fascia have to do with energy efficiency?  After all, don’t soffits allow air to flow freely into a home’s attic?  In the wintertime isn’t this counterproductive?

The answer is no, and it may surprise some as to why: keeping an attic cold is important, because when the attic’s cold, there’s less of a chance of an ice jam, and this constant circulation of air in from the soffit, in combination with the use of proper insulation, keeps these areas of the home well-vented, and circulating properly.

Heat trapped in the attic can cause a moisture buildup, or a warm pad on the underside of the roof where snow melts and refreezes, causing an ice dam.  Also, in the summer, this free exchange of cold air allows the heat trapped within the house to vent out.

So soffit and fascia play a crucial part in the energy efficiency of any home, and also help keep the home from being damaged by mother nature.  It’s a tie-in between the roof and the siding.  Then why is it that soffits are so often overlooked as a vital component on a home?

Lynnrich Siding carries soffit and gutters which are entirely seamless, integrating into the design of the home.  Older gutter systems rely on a spike and ferrule method to hang in place, and often this has in invasive look on a modern home’s design.

Lynnrich’s gutters are manufactured on site, meaning that they are built as custom as is possible.  Also, the spike and ferrule method of hanging rain gutters, often leaves gutters looking sagged after a few years of use, but a seamless rain gutter is hung on the home with a much greater support, which virtually all but eliminates sagging.

This makes a soffit, fascia, & gutter system from Lynnrich all but maintenance free!  Also, Lynrrich carries a full color assortment for both soffit and fascia and rain gutters to match any home’s exterior.  If you have never noticed the sleek designs of our soffit-fascia-gutter systems, take a look at the photo gallery on our site for ideas.

Contact us today for all of your soffit, fascia & gutter needs.

Are Energy Star Windows Worth It?

If you have any questions about Energy Star Windows for your home, call Lynnrich Siding today.

Seal Drafts to Save Money

Seal drafts to save money, we’ve all heard this. Almost everyone’s home has a draft; it doesn’t matter if the home is newly-built or if it has been standing since our state’s inception, there are likely air gaps around windows, doors, electrical outlets, attic hatches, dryer vents, etc. And these air gaps can be a problem for even the most efficient furnace this winter. But there are a few simple methods to close up these air gaps. Here’s how…

Weather stripping is hands-down one of the simplest and most inexpensive methods to seal air gaps around doors and windows. Around the perimeter of a door, check for strips of light. If you can see light, then there’s an air gap.

Check the exterior weatherstripping first, because oftentimes it’s the culprit. Weatherstripping can age and break down. And if it appears broken down, it’s fairly simple to replace. Simply remove the old by pulling it free from its track and, assuming the old piece was the perfect length, lay the old piece alongside the new, mark the length, and then cut the new piece to size.

Then simply put the new piece into the track and, again, check for any sign of light. If light appears at the bottom of the door, your door sweep may be misaligned with the door. Some door sweeps can be corrected, and if your door sweep will not allow adjustment, consider replacing the old door sweep for one that can be adjusted.

When you have all the windows and doors sealed, then consider hanging heavier, insulated curtains. Insulated curtains will do a lot to keep out the chill. Yes, insulated curtains are more expensive, but they are going to increase the efficiency of your furnace, and those savings will eventually recoup the initial cost.

And remember, with the cold weather upon us, it’s time to replace your furnace’s filter and have your furnace cleaned and serviced for the winter season. You don’t want to have your furnace go out on a cold night this winter. If you have any questions, or would like to replace your windows and not have to worry about weather stripping, contact Lynnrich today!