If you think attic ladders are only good for climbing, you haven’t even scratched the surface of what they have to offer. Of course they are primarily functional (How else are you supposed to get into your roof-level storage areas?), but they also come with a wide variety of options that have improved the product’s…
Read MoreProper Attic Insulation: An Issue of Heating/Cooling Costs and Air Quality
Insulating systems are designed to control moisture, reduce the movement of heat, and ensure proper ventilation. Among the most important home insulators is in the attic. Whether you choose to add a barrier of foam, fiberglass, or a spray foam insulation, attic insulation will do wonders in helping control long term energy costs. The trick…
Read MoreRoof Insulation Captures Escaping Energy
When you turn on the furnace, your HVAC system is not the only thing keeping your house warm; proper insulation keeps this generated heat inside the home. Even though your walls, floors, and ceilings should all be equally padded, don’t forget that your roof is also responsible for maintaining temperature control. Like wearing a stocking…
Read MoreRidge Vents Can Help Let Off Some Steam
You probably only enter your attic when you need the occasional memento or when you retrieve your Christmas decorations. Therefore, you probably rarely get a sense of what goes on up there all year long. Since roofs are designed to keep out external forces, such as rain, snow, and wind, they are sealed weather-tight. Of…
Read MoreGable Vents: Let Your Attic Breathe
Gable vents are usually installed on the exterior wall of your attic in order to create proper air circulation during extreme climate conditions. In months of intense weather, the inside of your house can be regulated with heating and cooling systems. But since you don’t bother to heat your attic and hot air always rises,…
Read MoreInsulating an Attic
If you’re looking for your next home improvement project and want to do something sensible that has immediate returns on your investment, consider installing or upgrading your attic insulation. More than any other place in the home, quality insulation in the attic promises to give you the most benefits. Studies show that most homes will…
Read MoreAttic Fans Cool the Entire Home
During the hot summer months, attic temperatures can reach up to 160 degrees, and even though passive cooling systems, such as ridge vents, can certainly disperse the heat, more efficient ventilation can be attained through the use of attic fans. Though these fans can certainly cool down your attic, they have a much broader function:…
Read MoreGetting into Your Attic with Attic Stairs
Attics are one of the most common untapped living spaces in homes today. Attic renovations are a great idea to create that home office or extra bedroom in your home that you’ve always wanted. In order to get into this new living space, though, you need a dependable way to get in and out of…
Read MoreGetting to Know Attic Ventilation
Attic ventilation is one of the single most important aspects of your home when it comes maintaining high energy efficiency, besides its numerous other benefits. If you suspect you don’t have sufficient ventilation in your attic, or just want to upgrade the ventilation system you do have, talk to a roofing contractor or ventilation specialist…
Read MoreAre Dormers Right for Your Home? A Look at the Pros and Cons
Dormers — those windows you sometimes see sticking vertically from a slanted roof — can be a great way to add dimension, function and style to your home’s exterior. Of course, they can also be expensive and hard to install. Here’s a look at some of the pros and cons of dormers, as well as…
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