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Which is better vinyl or aluminum gutters?

Any gutter service company will sell you whichever one you prefer, and vinyl is the less expensive between the two, making it the more popular choice. However, a reliable gutter service salesperson will explain the difference so that you understand the price difference. The lifespan of vinyl is much shorter than aluminum gutters. One reason that shortens their lifespan is vinyl is installed in sections, whereas aluminum gutters are machine cut on-site in a continuous, seamless strip by companies offering gutter services.

How do you install vinyl gutters?

Gutters can be installed by a homeowner, so can water lines to your home. For the best results that come with a guarantee and warranty, where you would hire a professional plumber to repair the main water line, hiring a professional offering gutter service is recommended. This is adding a feature to your home, a lifetime investment. By hiring somebody to install your gutter system that offers gutter service and repair, they will have the equipment, supplies, and tools to do the job correctly.

The basic steps to installing vinyl gutters yourself are:

1. Determine where the water needs to run off toward. 
2. Using a chalk line, mark the fascia board where the slope is.
3. Install downspout outlets on the edges of your house. 
4. Attach the gutter hangers on the fascia board along the chalk line. 
5. Secure gutter corners to the house where there won’t be any downspouts. 
6. Hang the sections of the gutters. 
7. Attach the downspout drainpipes to the house.
8. Fit gutter guards on.

Another benefit of having a professional gutter services install your gutters system is that they will know if the traditional gutter systems with downspouts that direct the water to run out at ground level will suffice. Or, if your home may need the downspout system that empties the rain into a drainage system that empties into the street and downhill, or if it needs to be connected to an underground sewer system.

What are the best gutters?

There are different materials and configurations of rain gutters to choose from today. Which is the best gutters is a matter of the personal budget and choice, and the climate and environment.

Vinyl

The most popular choice for several reasons:

• Ease of installing
• Rust resistant
• Inexpensive

The only limitation is they do not do well in cold climates because they will crack

Aluminum

Aluminum gutters are lightweight and rust-proof. They fare better in cold climates and you can paint them to match your home’s facade. The downside to these, they dent easily.

Stainless Steel

Stainless steel gutters are less popular than vinyl or aluminum because of the cost. However, they are sturdier and rust-resistant.

Other options in gutters are copper or wood, which are primarily used by those renovating a home or structure to its original appearance. They are a huge investment for basic household use.

Are gutter screens a good idea?

Gutter screens and gutter covers are similar, with the exception that the screens are made from the screen and the covers are a roof-like solid material. The gutter screens install easier by simply snapping into the gutter run. While gutter screens will stop large debris from getting into the gutter runs, they do not stop the small debris.

To recap the cons again gutter guards:

• The better ones are expensive
• They can block gutters and still cause ice dams to form.
• Gutter guards do not keep everything out

If you use gutter services, gutter guards will make it more expensive they can make it more costly to clean your gutters when necessary. 

Gutters are a definite improvement to your home, they will protect the foundation and the roof. With installing gutter guards or gutter screens to minimize the need to clean your gutters, it could be more of a hassle than a help. For all of your gutter installation needs in richardson, TX, dial 940-468-7300 today!

When you’re selling your home, you want to get the best price possible. Metal roofs can add as much as 1% to 6% in resale value to your home in comparison to asphalt shingle roofs. It’s also possible to recoup almost 86% of the costs of installing a metal roof when you sell your home.

If you are planning to sell your home and want to add greater value to it, consider a metal roof. Consult with the experts at JPAUL ROOFING AND CONSTRUCTION for metal roof installation in richardson, TX. Give us a call today at 940-468-7300 to find out more.

Metal roof installation on house

When weighing roofing options for your home, you may consider metal roof installation over shingles. Metal roofing is the second most popular option for roofs. Here are some reasons you might want to consider putting a metal roof on your house rather than shingles:

Metal roof installation vs shingles

• Both shingles and metal roofs come in a variety of styles and colors to fit any home, but metal roofs often perform best overall when it comes to durability. Metal roofs can last more than 40 years, while asphalt shingle roofs last about 20 to 25 years.
• Shingle roofing is cheaper upfront, but over time, the metal roof will be better because it will require less maintenance and last longer.
• Metal roofs are eco-friendly. They can be recycled over and over.
• Although shingle roofs are easier to install, metal roofs are often more precisely installed.
• Shingle roofs have one main advantage because they are easier to repair, but metal roofs are less likely to get damaged by severe weather such as wind or hail, and will need fewer repairs.

What are the disadvantages of a metal roof?

Although metal roofs have plenty of advantages over other types of roofs, they do have some disadvantages. Notably, as mentioned above, metal roof installation is much more expensive than other roofing types, but that cost is often made up in longevity. Metal roofs can also be noisy when there is heavy rain, but the noise can be reduced with extra insulation when installed. 

Metal roofing can be prone to expansion and contraction. Improperly installed metal roofs may not be able to “breathe” and the panels may end up becoming loose. Poor quality installation can also create problems with water accumulation that can cause serious damage. Additionally, if repairs are needed, it may be difficult to match the color. 

Can you put a metal roof over shingles?

If local building codes allow it, metal roofs can be installed over your home’s existing shingles. Metal roof installation over shingles, however, does have potential problems, including trapping water vapor. If water vapor gets trapped between the metal and shingles, the moisture can build up and cause mold growth or rot. This problem can be prevented  with a vented metal roof or by installing the roof over furring strips that raise the metal and create ventilation between the layers.

Metal roof installation with insulation

One disadvantage of metal roofing is the potential for the roof to be noisy when it rains or storms. That noise can be reduced by installing insulation behind the metal panels before metal roof installation. The insulation will also help with energy efficiency. One of the better types of insulation to use is foam batting.

Insulation is a valuable resource when it comes to your home’s energy efficiency and ventilation. If your insulation gets damaged by moisture or through some other means, or if you just want to upgrade your insulation, you’ll need an attic insulation removal service to remove your old insulation.

Is underlayment necessary for metal roof?

Typically, when it comes to metal roofs, underlayment isn’t normally part of structural metal roof installation. When it comes to architectural metal roof installation, underlayment is necessary. The underlayment will help protect against leaks. The most common type of underlayment is asphalt-saturated felt underlayment. Other types of underlayment include synthetic sheet underlayment and self-adhering membrane underlayment.

How much does it cost to install a metal roof?

Metal roof installation costs will vary depending on the size of the roof and other factors such as the type of metal used and labor costs. On average, a metal roof will cost about $16,500 to install for an average size roof of a 2,000-square-foot single-story home, but more expensive metals like copper or zinc could cost as much as $59,000 to install. Metals like aluminum or steel are much cheaper.

What’s the Best Paint for Exterior House?

When you are considering paint for exterior house painting, you might wonder, “What is the most durable paint?” There are two types of paints you can use for exterior house painting, which are oil-based (or solvent-based) and water-based (or latex paint). Oil-based paints are great because they are water-resistant, they are durable, they block out stains, and they adhere to walls better. They are a good paint if you have wood siding that bleeds easily, metal siding that rusts, or exterior walls that are stained. If you are wanting to paint exterior walls that already have oil-based paint on them, then you will need to re-paint those walls using oil-based paint.

One of the best things about water-based paints is that they expand and contract, so the paint won’t crack when it gets too hot or cold outside. Other great things about this type of paint is that they are easy to clean (all you need is soap and water), the paint is breathable, which means you don’t have to worry about the paint cracking or trapping moisture, and they won’t get ruined by certain weather conditions. If your existing wall was painted with an oil-based paint, you can paint over it with a water-based paint.

For exterior walls that come into contact with a lot of outside elements, water-based paints are probably the better option. If you aren’t looking to change your exterior for a long time and want it to last a long time, you can’t go wrong with oil-based paints. Choosing between the paints can be difficult, so it might be a good idea to contact a professional to see which one would work for your exterior house painting project.

House Painting Spray Vs. Roller

After choosing what type of paint would be best for your project, you’ll need to consider what method you want to use for house painting for outside. Two popular methods that are used are paint rolling and paint spraying. Lots of people ask, “Is it better to roll or spray exterior house paint?” when deciding between the two. To find out which one would be the best for your home, its a good idea to look at their benefits.

Paint Spraying Benefits

• Faster Method: With the sprayer, you are able to paint walls a lot quicker and can access areas like corners a whole lot easier.
• Smooth Finish: When the paint comes out of the sprayer, it forms an even mist that will cover the whole wall. This will create a more smooth finish.
• Less Paint: Because the sprayer can dispense an even amount of paint on the wall, you will use less paint when painting your walls.
• Won’t Leave Marks: Rollers and brushes can leave behind marks on the walls, but with paint sprayers you don’t have worry–you will always get an even application that won’t leave marks.

Paint Rolling Benefits

• Uniform Coating: When using a roller, you can be sure that the paint will be coated uniformly.
• Good for Smooth Areas: If your exterior walls are pretty smooth, using a roller is a good idea.
• Different Materials: It come in a wide range of materials so you can get different types of textures for your walls.
• Easy to Use: All you have to do is roll the roller in the paint and start painting–its very easy to use!

House Painting Vs. Siding

If you are considering painting versus siding for your exterior walls, there are a couple of things to consider. You need to consider the cost, the ease of installation, how long it takes to prepare the walls, and how durable each one is. The cost of house painting is less expensive than siding and it won’t take as long to paint versus installing siding. However, siding is really durable and it doesn’t take a lot to prepare the walls for this type of material. Choosing between the two can be tough, which is why you should talk to a professional who can help you make a decision.

Can I Paint My House Myself?

Signs You Have a Leak

• Water Stains: An obvious, though sometimes easily missed, sign of a roof leak is a water stain. This could be on the ceiling or somewhere towards the top of one of your interior walls. Pay attention for discoloration on your ceilings, but also look for spots that may be bubbling, peeling, or visibly damp. They are also indicators of a leaking roof. 
• Dripping: Another more obvious sign of a roof leak is the notorious drip. It could be due to a hole in the roof, but it could also be intermittent with freezing snow and ice. In either case, it’s important to have it checked and repaired as soon as possible. 
• Exterior Water Spots: More often than not, we look for leaks inside the home, but don’t forget to check the exterior as well. Take a look at the place just under the last layer of shingles. If you are seeing visible water spots and water damage, there is likely a leak.
• Growths: A very clear sign of a roof leak is growths. Mold and mildew grow where there is water, which means if your walls or your shingles are starting to sprout, you have a leak. On roofs, this can look like black spots. 
• Missing Shingles: Missing shingles or bald spots on your roof could be an indication of a roof leak. When the shingles on your roof become damaged or old, they are less effective at protecting the decking. More importantly, they are less effective at keeping water out. So when you see missing shingles, granules in your gutters, or other signs like this, call out to a roofing contractor. 

After a storm is the best time to schedule a roof inspection. While it may not seem like anything is actually wrong with your roof, there could be underlying or hard-to-see damages that a professional contractor can find. In some cases, it may not be the roof that is causing the leak, but rather rusted flashing or a damaged gutter. A roofing contractor with JPAUL ROOFING AND CONSTRUCTION can help find any possible damage and provide reliable roof leak repair services.

What Causes a Roof Leak

There are many things that can cause a roof leak. The most common culprit behind roof damage and roof leaks are usually wind and hail, but there are other factors as well. 

• Hail Damage: Here in Texas, possibly the number one cause of roof leaks is actually hail damage. Hail can pack a hefty punch, removing granules, breaking shingles, and just generally causing significant damage.
• Wind Damage: The wind can be just as impactful as something like hail. When gusts get up into the 70 and 80 mph range, your roof can suffer. Loose shingles can be blown off, others can be ripped and torn. 
• Old Age: The simple truth is, the older a roof is, the less effective it will be. Older shingles, seams, and flashing will not be able to withstand heavy winds, downpours, and excessive hail. 
• Improper Installation: One thing that may not always be acknowledged is the fact that a poorly installed roof can result in leaks. In fact, it can result in multiple leaks which would require the need for multiple, expensive repairs.

Though there can be several causes for a roof leak, there is really only one thing you can do when you do find a problem. Contact JPAUL ROOFING AND CONSTRUCTION for assistance. We can provide residential roof repairs as well as emergency services if the problem is severe.