Archive for November, 2008
Metal roofing
When people think of metal roofing they think of the corrugated “tin barn” look. But using metal roofs has come a long way. Today metal roofing includes a variety of styles and materials so that the roof has style and visual appeal, while still retaining durability, longevity, fire resistance and easy maintenance.
Metal roofs are made from a variety of metals. These include the traditional aluminum and steel, as well as copper and a variety of alloys. Modern metal roofs can be formed into shapes that imitate Spanish tiles, wood shakes, and even slate. They can be given a variety of finishes such as granulated stone topcoats to complete a realistic imitation of almost any other material.
There are some negatives to a metal roof. One consideration is the cost, with a typical square running from $150 to $600. Another is the necessity of professional installation and maintenance, again adding to the overall cost of a metal roof. But even with these negatives many people feel that metal roofs have benefits that make them worthwhile. Speaking of cost, a properly installed and maintained metal roof can last as long as the house. That means, over a typical home’s expected life, the cost of a metal roof is low compared to the cost of other roofing materials that might require replacement after 15 to 20 years.
Metal roofs are lightweight, fifty to one hundred fifty pounds per square compared to seven hundred fifty pounds per square foot for tile or 900 pounds per square foot for concrete tile. Metal roofs can be installed right over existing roofs without installing additional support. Metal roofs withstand high winds, snow slides off them, and they are resistant to mildew, insects and rot.
Pitch is another important factor with roofs. Many materials require a steep pitch to ensure water flows off the roof so that the roof won’t leak. The pitch for a metal roof can be more shallow, with a typical recommended minimum being 3-in-12, which is three inches of height for every horizontal foot. Consider the benefit of a less steep roof next time you have to climb onto it to clean the gutters, or retrieve a ball or Frisbee thrown there by a child.
Just as with other home projects that require a professional, the best way to find a metal roof contractor is through word of mouth. Talk to friends and neighbors, or look for metal roofs around the neighborhood and ask the home owners for the name of their contractor. The Internet is a good source for pre-screened metal roofing contractors, as are architects who design homes with metal roofs. The National Roofing Contractors Association can also help. Their number is 1-800-USA-ROOF.
A cat on a hot tin roof may not be a good thing. But if you want a long lasting roof for your home, consider that traditional wood and shingles are good, but metal is better.
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Michigan roofing
Most people don’t realize that Michigan is one of the most aggressive areas when it comes to roofing technology. Part of the reason may be the temperature and weather extremes in Michigan. When it comes to Michigan roofing, if it works in Michigan it works. That may be one reason Michigan was the site for the first rubber roof installation way back in 1980. That roof is still going strong nearly thirty years later, and rubber roofs are taking off all over the United States.
The MRCA or Michigan Roofing Contractors Association, is one of the top information sources for Michigan roofing. This groups includes many chapters which are the ARCWM, Associated Roofing Contractors of Western Michigan; the Flint PRO, Professional Roofing Organization; JLWRCA, Jackson, Livingston, Washtenaw Roofing Contractors Association; LRCA, Lansing Roofing Contractors Association; RIPF, Roofing Industry Promotion Fund; SVRCA, Saginaw Valley Roofing Contractor Association; and the SMRCA, Southeastern Michigan Roofing Contractors Association. The MRCA maintains lists of roofing contractors and consultants, has information on roofing, and holds yearly meetings to keep its members updated on the latest in roofing techniques and technologies.
Michigan is one of the leading areas when it comes to the use of metal roofing materials. This includes not only the older tin barn roof style, but modern styles that mimic the look of other roofing materials. Michigan’s cold, snow filled winters and hot summers test not only the shrinking and expanding ability of metal roofs, but their ability to shed water and snow. But never walk barefoot on a metal roof.
One local Michigan roofing company is Hansons, a family owned company that prides itself on customer service and treating customers like family. Hansons not only honors the manufacturer warranties on all its product, they add their own additional warranties. These include a 10 year guarantee all the way up to a 30 year fully transferable guarantee.
Green roofing is becoming a more popular subject, and Michigan State University leads the way in researching green roofing. Green roofing is growing plants on a roof to replace the lost plants when the structure was built. Soil, plants and even trees are elements of green roofing. Research continues to determine the benefit of green roofing to the environment, the benefit of green roofing to a roof and a structure, and any negative impacts a green roof may have on a structure.
I’m rubber you’re metal, we’re both part of the wild world of Michigan Roofing.
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Flooring installation
Hardwood flooring installation can be an arduous and time consuming task, but if you feel comfortable giving it a try, you may potentially end up saving quite a considerable amount of money. Properly installed hardwoods can last for several years, even under wet and humid circumstances, such as in a bathroom. With a little planning and a step by step plan, as well as plenty of time, hardwood flooring installation can be accomplished without exorbitant professional services.
Moisture causes the most damage to hardwood flooring. Moisture can eventually lead to the warping and cracking of the surface as it expands and contracts. This does not imply, however, that hardwood flooring cannot be used in humid circumstances. Hardwood flooring simply requires a little preventive care in order to function well under these conditions. Installing hardwood with an asphalt felt should provide a guarantee against rotting and warping of the hardwood. Take 15 pound asphalt felt, and put it over the subfloor in overlapping sections. The felt should be secured with a staple gun.
Leave a little gap, around half an inch, between the asphalt felt and the wall. A baseboard or base shoe will be secured in these smaller spaces between the flooring and the wall. The initial three boards of the flooring should be put down by hand. Board lengths are usually random, so segments of the flooring should be placed as a test before nailing down. When the first boards are placed, the remainder can be placed with a flooring nailer. This will make it simpler to do a good job of laying out the flooring.
When the new flooring results in an uneven surface, you can use a reducer to create a level meeting point. When getting ready to put down a hardwood floor, be certain to safely store the wood. Placing the wood outside where it can get damp will lead to warped and cracked flooring that cannot be installed properly. If the flooring must be stored outdoors, be sure to protect it with a waterproof tarp. This can prevent any moisture from causing permanent damage. Do not transport wood flooring in an open bed when weather conditions could give rise to rain or high humidity.
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Halo lighting
Incandescent lighting has been the standard for a long time, but it has always been the cause of energy waste and maintenance costs. Incandescent light sources are short lived and provide at best low lighting. Replacement expense can add up over the years, in addition to the cost of replacing incandescent bulbs as they burn out. This problem is improved with fluorescent lighting, but the same issues persist. Maintenance, replacement, and energy expenses are usually much higher than that found with LED or halo lighting.
Consumers can potentially save hundreds or even thousands each year by converting to halo lighting. Halo lighting provides warm and bright light for several years, without the need for replacement. Energy consumption is also much lower with halo lighting. Incandescent lights in particular need a great deal of power to operate, driving up energy expenses over time. The issue is the same with fluorescent lighting. By switching to halo, or LED, lighting the consumer can cut down drastically on their expenses.
Halo lighting is the key to rescuing both the environment and your wallet.
The push toward halo lighting in the past decade has come from both desire to rescue the environment, and to lower staggering utility costs.
Halo lighting technology can make both possible, especially when done on a large scale. The conversion of an entire home’s lighting system to halo lighting can truly save thousands. Converting an entire business to halo lighting can save a great deal more.
Halo lighting usually boasts a lifetime of more than 50,000 hours, blowing away both incandescent and fluorescent lighting in this regard. The utility cost incurred over that stretch is also far lower. Manufacturers such as HaloLTG.com sell their products with an extensive 3 year warranty. This makes it practically risk free making the switch from standard lighting to halo lighting.
Manufacturers like Cooper Lighting make halo lighting available in a number of stylish and accessible forms. Cooper has a full line of art glass products, with enough of a range to fit in any environment.
Go with halo lighting soon and begin saving money on those utility bills. Although start up costs in switching to halo lighting may be steep, it should not prevent the conversion. The money saved over time will more than make up for the initial cost. Cooper products also come with a 3 warranty.
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Hampton Bay lighting
Lighting is a very important part in the design of any home or business setting. Without the best lighting, even the most well designed spaces can appear poorly decorated or small. Conversely, with great lighting, a space can really shine. The best lighting stresses the beauty of the furniture and the spaciousness of the room. As a critical component in any home setup, lighting should not be forgotten. Standard lighting does little more than create a dim glow. Spend some effort designing the lighting of a building, and you will have a far better and more aesthetically sound space.
There are several techniques for upgrading the lighting of a building. Track lighting has become very popular over the last few decades, and has appeared in a variety of homes and businesses since the 1970s. Recent improvements in track lighting have made this solution even more powerful. Track lighting today has many amazing features, especially when more flexible products such as “free” tracks, are taken into account. A free track allows the designer to shuffle light fixtures around the track easily, without any fixed points that the fixtures must be connected at to function. The low voltage power supply in a free track is constant, allowing lights to be placed at any point.
Bare wire lighting is an even more creative product frequently seen in areas with stylish lighting, such as a museum. Bare wire lighting uses low voltage fixtures that move seamlessly on an exposed length of electrical wire. Because the wiring transmits just 12 volts, it can be safely touched. Lights on a bare wire can be adjusted quite easily, and some even offer remote control.
Recessed lighting is another crucial tool in the arsenal of the ambitious designer. Recessed lighting can provide just the correct blend of shadow and light for a home or business. Installation can be costly, but recessed lighting is very much worth the investment for the great tone that it can produce. Even the usually ugly appearance of fluorescent lighting can be made better with decorative fluorescent solutions.
Hampton Bay lighting makes all of these products cost effective and easy to find. As a premier lighting company, Hampton Bay has a large stock of quality products, with everything from chandeliers to track lighting. Hampton Bay offers a extensive selection, and can serve as one stop shopping for any home or business designer.
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Discount flooring
Discount flooring is a great way to quickly improve the value of a home that needs renovation. Although discount flooring used to mean substandard materials that looked poor, there are materials available lately that maintain both aesthetic appeal and durability. Hardwood flooring and expensive carpeting are no longer necessary to achieve a great look in the home or in a commercial setting. There are a number of manufacturers out there today that can supply quality flooring at a very low price.
For some of the greatest flooring on the market, look to suppliers that can provide vinyl flooring. Vinyl flooring is easily one of the best and most affordable flooring solutions out on the market today. Both very affordable and flexible, vinyl flooring can work in almost all environments while providing a great looking surface. Vinyl flooring has been in use in the commercial sector for several years because of its affordability and quality. Floors with a great deal of traffic demand a tough surface that won’t suffer under frequent abrasions. Vinyl flooring provides the quality and durability required to survive tough commercial environments.
Vinyl flooring is also very resistant to stains and water damage. Pressure sealed against water damage, vinyl flooring keeps water out both from spills and from the sub floor. The pressure sealed flooring will not absorb stains either, and as long as the spill is taken care of quickly, it will leave no trace. When vinyl flooring begins to lose its finish, it can be easily restored with a buffing or refinishing of the surface. This is an extremely simple surface to care for, and does not require the high level of maintenance seen with hardwoods.
Wood flooring can add a great deal of value to a home, but it is also expensive and high maintenance. Wood flooring has a tendency to warp with water damage and moisture exposure. The flooring is also susceptible to expansion and contraction over the years, eventually leading to cracks in the surface.
Vinyl flooring does not have these upkeep issues, and with its interlocking tile system, damaged tiles can be very simply removed and replaced.
Carpet can sometimes be a viable alternative, but it is also prone to suffering damage over time. Moisture and stains tend to be absorbed into the carpet, causing the surface to become dingy. Carpets can also be damaged by abrasion as time passes, becoming frayed and torn in places.
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Hubbell Lighting
Hubbell Lighting is a well regarded brand in the lighting industry, providing quality solutions for both residential and commercial venues. In the residential world, Hubbell Lighting has a broad spectrum of solutions to sell, including track lighting systems. In the commercial arena, Hubbell has tough industrial systems designed for hazardous areas, as well as emergency and exit lighting. Out of the wide Hubbell line up of solutions, consumers should be able to locate a solution that perfectly suits their individual requirements. Hubbell works from South Carolina, and proudly sells their solutions over the entire world.
Aside from its wide spectrum of commercial products, Hubbell has worked with the residential market for more than a century. Hubbell downlighting and track lighting is of the greatest quality, and can satisfy all the requirements that modern designers can imagine. Track lighting is a wonderful product when bringing a new modern atmosphere into a home. In these circumstances, it is crucial to have track lighting that really suits the tone of the home. Hubbell track lighting solutions offer the variety and power needed to meet these needs.
Track lighting can be found in several varieties, each suited to a particular home decorating task. Hubbell Lighting offers all of these systems, with each solution geared toward a particular application. Normal track lighting offers a cost effective means to give a home stylish low voltage lighting that produces an effective tone. Free track lighting gives the ability to pinpoint lights at any segment along the track, giving the decorator more power. Wired track lighting gives the best in flexibility, allowing decorators to anchor lights to any segment they wish themselves, without any need for time consuming installation that needs tools.
Wire based track lighting is usually seen in high traffic areas, such as in museums or other areas where the lighting level is very important. Some of these wire systems are powerful enough to support remote controlled light fixtures. Downlighting is also critical for high quality lighting setups. Downlighting can be found in incandescent, fluorescent, and LED forms. While incandescent and fluorescent lights may be less expensive, the LED systems last much longer and are more affordable when it comes to utility expenses.
Hubbell Lighting offers all of these variations and more, with a guarantee of quality and warranty to back it up.
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Residential metal roofing
According to the National Roofing Contractor’s Association residential metal roofing has become much more popular over the last decade. Is it that the corrugated tin barn look has come into style, or did pixies and elves with metal roof stocks skew the results? No. The market now includes new types of metal roofs that look great while being durable, light weight, and fire-resistant. Formerly only popular for business and industrial buildings, metal roofs have found a new home…on houses.
There are other advantages to metal roofs. In addition to those already mentioned, metal roofs are quick to install and great at reflecting the heat from the sun. It’s a common misconception that because it’s hot on a metal roof it will be hot under the roof. But that heat is reflected away from the home. If it’s hotter on top, it’s cooler down below the roof.
Metal roofs are made mostly from aluminum and steel, but alloys such as copper are also used. While the new metal roofs can mimic the look of other traditional residential roofing materials, some popular styles retain a decidedly commercial look found by architects to give home clean lines.
Surely it’s not all peaches and cream for metal roofs. Metal roofs do have drawbacks which each homeowner must evaluate in relation to the advantages. At about $150-$600 per 100 square feet, a metal roof is expensive. But this expense can be recovered if the homeowner remains in the home for a long time, and metal roofs help save money by minimizing the need for maintenance of the supporting structure. In a rain storm having a metal roof can be a little like living inside a drum. A metal roof can be much louder than other types of roofs. Using sound deadening insulation can help minimize the extra noise of a metal roof. Metal roofs, particularly aluminum and copper materials, are soft and prone to denting from hail stones. Some metal roofs, however, are guaranteed against denting. Metal roofs can also be slippery when wet, something to keep in mind for gutter cleaning, inspection, or other maintenance that requires walking on the roof. Some metal finishes can chip and peel, although again they’re generally guaranteed for many years against such marring.
A quick note on lightning for residential metal roofing is, don’t be afraid. Metal roofs don’t attract lightning even though metal conducts electricity. Metal roofs can also be grounded for extra protection.
When you wish upon a star, and residential metal roofing is where you are, look up at the shining light, and be happy your choice was right.
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Gym flooring
Gym flooring must be resilient enough to remain rigid under great pressure and tough to withstand the demands of heavy weight and high impact seen every day in sports facilities. Gym flooring should be able to absorb an impact, while also remaining rigid enough to remain stable under heavy loads. This is a tall order for any flooring product, but there are many rubber flooring products manufactured specifically to fit these needs. The best gym flooring will keep a level surface, but also absorb noise and remain flexible.
Commercial Mats and Rubber is a well known name in gym flooring, with several models suitable for all sports purposes. Commercial Mats and Rubber’s Diamond Mega Plate tiles are engineered to work in tough conditions and absorb noise, while also remaining rigid under very large loads. Better yet, Diamond Mega Plates are solid 4×4 tiles that fit together easily, requiring no toxic glue or chemicals in order to install. The Diamond Mega Plates interlock together rigidly without any need for glue. The rubber used in the construction of the Diamond Mega Plates is engineered to withstand heavy loads, and will not tear or fray under these loads.
Commercial Mats and Rubber’s Best Flex Flooring is another great option for gym flooring. The Best Flex flooring is engineered to support very heavy weight without ripping or tearing. The product is also available in a wide variety of colors and textures. Just like the Diamond Mega Plate, the Best Flex flooring fits together without need for glue, and simply locks together. In addition to its toughness, both flooring types are given a great traction surface that prevents slipping. This makes Best Flex perfect for gyms, where flooring products must be safe and durable.
For those on a tighter budget, Commercial Mats and Rubber sell the Gym Dandy flooring solution. Gym Dandy provides an anti-slip surface that is easy to clean and fire retardant, but also easier on the wallet. Commercial Rubber is running a sale at the moment on colored texture tiles, making them a more affordable option for some buyers. The overstock sale makes 3/8″ interlocking fleck color tiles available for $10.99 per tile before shipping. The tiles are easy to install and need no toxic or flammable adhesives. This provides a safe and reliable surface that is also environmentally friendly.
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Lithonia Lighting
Lighting is very significant in any residential or commercial design, and Lithonia Lighting offers a very comprehensive range of solutions that can help to meet any requirements. Lithonia Lighting works with both indoor and outdoor lighting, with everything needed to fully light both residential indoor and outdoor environments. With an extensive catalog of great products, Lithonia Lighting can help designers get started today building their lighting solution. It can be hard to create the greatest lighting solutions, but the product spectrum sold at Lithonia Lighting makes it much easier.
Lithonia Lighting has a far reaching selection of outdoor lighting systems that work great to meet almost any commercial needs. The Geometric line of area and site lighting is incredibly adaptable, easy to use, and powerful. Lithonia Lighting Geometric systems offer bright area lighting that is controlled with optical sensors, making it great for business environments. Lithonia Lighting also has a selection of emergency lights that are ideal for designers attempting to meet building codes. In addition to these powerful systems, Lithonia also offers a broad range of track lighting, residential recess lighting, and down lighting.
Best of all, these indoor lighting systems are available in a variety of shapes. Incandescent, fluorescent, and LED products are all available at Lithonia Lighting. While incandescent lighting grants affordability, both fluorescent and LED solutions are longer lasting and more reliable. Lithonia Lighting has an extensive selection of decorative fluorescent lighting, making these usually less than attractive lighting systems fit in with any kind of decor.
LED lighting is the wave of the future, and offers far longer reliability and utility savings. Utility savings while using LED lighting can be highly cost effective, potentially saving users several hundred dollars. This only scales up with large residential and business users. LED lights are known to last at least 50,000 hours, putting them at the top of the pack when compared to much less energy efficient incandescent or even fluorescent lighting.
Lithonia Lighting sells a wide range of flexible solutions when it comes to integrating fluorescent and LED lighting both indoors and outdoors. Typically relegated to less attractive fixtures, fluorescent and LED lighting at Lithonia are given excellent treatment, available in a wide variety of decorative styles. With Lithonia Lighting, both utility and style are very important. Their creative outdoor and indoor lighting products assist designers realize their every goal and requirement.
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