Here at WMB CONSTRUCTION we pride ourselves in on time quality work here in the Hudson Valley, NY. For all your needs we are here for you! Based out of Monroe, NY; we are your one stop construction company. With that being said, yor home has many needs; roof, siding, kitchen, bathroom, patios, drainage, garage door, finished basement, egress window, anderson windows, pella windows, decks, remodeling, painting, flooring, staining.......etc!
We perform all phases of construction and home remodeling all over Orange County, NY Most of our work is close based due to word of mouth recomendations with repeat customers. We like establishing trust within our customers that lasts a lifetime.
Here in the northeast we can experience some pretty brutal winters that can leave our homes at high risk if you don't have a good roof. The strongest part of your home may be the foundation but without a adequate roof, your home is worthless! Crippling snowstorms are very common in our area and the weight load of snow on our roofs can result in collaspe of your roof, as we have just seen in Buffalo, NY
Another common problem is ice damming. Ice damming occurs when heat loss from your home due to inadequate insulation melts snow and it freezes when it reaches the soffit of your home. As ice forms water backs up under the shingles causing major water damage to the interior of your home.
A poor roof can leave a home with very little value due to the damage it can do. Sometimes the damage can go unnoticed for years until it is too late! Rot and mildew can run rampant if issues aren't corrected quickly and efficiently!
What are the risks of a poor roof?:
Interior water damage
Rotten wood
Dry rot
Mold/mildew
Health problems
Allergies
Termites
Carpenter ants
Roof collapse
With a new roof replacement you want to do it right. New architectural shingles on the market are rated for 30 yrs. Thats a long time but if not installed correctly, roof will fail!!!
Remodeling a home can be a very costly venture. Homeowners looking to add value to their homes may try to add upgrades or renovate entire sections of their homes to make them more marketable. Not all home upgrades and renovations are worth spending your hard-earned money on, though. Here is a look at five ways to make your home renovation worth the money and effort you put into it.
Your roof is the main component of your home. Without a good roof your house will remain worthless. A new roof is always a great investment because no bank ever wants to get involved in loaning money for a home that isn't protected. A poor roof can also increase your chances for mold and mildew build up due to leaking water that can cause health ailments and thousands in damage.
Signs that you need a new roof:
Algae growth on shingles
Damaged flashing
Buckling of sheathing under shingles
Curling of shingles
Blistering of shingles
Missing shingles
Ceiling spots inside of your home
Missing granules on shingles
Evidence of rotting
Your bathroom isone of the most frequented rooms in your home. It is the room where you freshen up everyday and take care of your personal hygiene. Bathroom remodels have been known to return 30-40% on your initial investment when you sell. Nobody wants to move into a home knowing that the bathroom is in need of complete renovation and will in most cases pay more for the home with a good finished bathroom remodel.
Signs that you might need a bathroom remodel:
Visual evidence of mold and mildew build up
Soft spots on floor/and or walls(may indicate rot which could be serious if not addressed)
Leaking water
Musty smell
Grout missing in many areas
Your Kitchen is the most frequented room in your home. It brings family together and is the heart of every home. The kitchen is usually the first room you see in a house, so with that being said, it is the most important. I have seen returns as high a 50% on real nice kitchen remodels. The first thing you want to do when selling is knock your buyer off their feet and you can do this with a good quality kitchen.
Signs you might need a new kitchen:
Soft spots on floors
Cabinets are delaminating
Cabinets are faded
Circuit breakers keep tripping when you plug in appliances
Mold and mildew build up
Decks are always a great benefit to any home. Outdoor living and entertaining is on a rise and each year the demand keeps rising for these projects. It creates a personal oaisis and tranquility right in your backyard. It is a guaranteed investment that you and your family can enjoy for years and still have return at the end.
Signs you might need a new deck:
Deck surface is splintering
Deck bounces or sways when walking on it
Railings are loose and wobbly
Finished basementsare key to any home. Unfinished it adds no square footage or value to your home. A nice finished basement will most likely have any male interested in purchasing your home know it has beautiful hideaway known as "The Man Cave"! But besides that it creates a great area for entertaining or even just a playroom for the kids. The ideas can become endless when designing your basement. You can add a bathroom, bar, play areas, pool table, etc.!!! A definate asset to your home. Right off the bat when listing your home your square footage will increase by 600-1000 which equals big gains.
Why you might want to remodel your basement:
Added square footage
Added value
Creates entertaining/playing area
When performing any remodel it is important to pay attention to detail and quality! The sight of a poor install can have adverse affects on your return. While all these recommended projects can be costly, I advise customers to set up a five to ten year plan to save and complete these projects for your enjoyment and to increase the value of your largest investment, your home!
Even after 25 years, fiberglass remains the most advanced material for entryways — able to satisfy both today’s and tomorrow’s homeowners by giving them the look of wood doors and the strength of steel doors, without the compromises of either. In fact, fiberglass doors offer just what homeowners want* — the optimum combination of security, energy efficiency, performance and aesthetics. Therma-Tru not only pioneered the fiberglass door category but we continue to lead the industry.
Benefits of wood doors:
Beautiful wood grain
High end look
Warm feel and touch
Scratches easily fixed
Benefits of steel doors:
Lower maintenance
No cracking or bowing
Less exspensive
Energy efficient
Good insulating value
Secure
Benefits of fiberglass doors:
Lowest maintenace
Resists cracking and denting
Offers smooth or wood grain finishes
Won't rot, deteriorate or rust
Can be painted or stained
Energy efficient
Won't warp, bow or twist
Five times the insulating value of wood
Secure
Therma-Tru offers decorative glass options:
Increase curb appeal and the perceived value of your home
Allow more light into your home
Reflect your personal style
Are offered in impact rated glass options to increase security and protection from severe weather
After looking at all three door choices, fiberglass seems to be the best choice all around. Wood still has the best appearance and steel is right in the middle with economy and insulating values. When remodeling your home with a new door upgrade the options can be endless. Therma-Tru has thousands of different choices and configurations to choose from. Call WMB Construction today for your next door installation!
Your roof is the main component of your home. Let's face it, without a good roof, your home would be unlivable. A poor roof can generate many problems within a home; mold, mildew, allergens, rot, termites, carpenter ants, etc.!!! Most of these issues can go unknown for years until it is too late!!! We tell all of our customers that preventive maintaince is key to a healthy roof and home where ever you live. Years of unknown damage can cost thousands extra in the long run!!!
Benifits of a new roof installation:
Ice shield installed to take away from ice damming problems in the winter.
Aluminum drip edge installed to prevent capillary action of water coming back into your home.
Ridge vent installed to increase ventilation=longer roof life.
Remove any rot from roof deck.
Peace in mind
How do you know your roof is in need of replacement:
Here in the northeast we experience some pretty gruelling winters that put our homes roof to the biggest test. What is under your roof shingles makes a huge difference.
Proper use of Ice & Water Barrier Products, plus insulation and ventilation, help prevent - a major culprit when it comes to roof leaks.
What is an ice dam? A ridge of ice that forms at the edge of a roof and prevents melting snow from draining off the roof.
What causes an ice dam? Ice dams form when indoor heating rises through the ceiling into the attic and warms the roof surface.
How do they form? Snow on the heated part of the roof melts and flows down until it meets the part of the roof that is below 32 degrees. At that point, the water freezes into an ice dam.
How do ice dams lead to water damage? Water backs up behind the dam and, as it sits on the roof, works its way under the roof covering and flows into the attic. From there it can seep through insulation, ceilings, walls and other areas where it can cause damage.
How do you prevent an ice dam? Keeping a consistent attic temperature can help prevent ice dams. Insulation and ventilation are key components of maintaining the proper conditions in the attic and on the roof deck.
Proper roof ventilation systems:
Soffit vents
Gable vents
Ridge vents
Attic fans
Why Owens Corning?
Since 1977, Owens Corning has been a leading manufacturer of shingles and accessories for the residential roofing market. Though best known for our PINK® Fiberglas insulation, Owens Corning is also a leader in the roofing market.
In fact, according to a Hanley-Wood Publishing survey of 3,400 U.S. builders, Owens Corning Roofing products were voted "the most recognizable brand in the market."
Since Owens Corning invented glass fiber during the 1970s, it has become the material standard for shingles, and is used by most shingle manufacturers. The fiberglass composition of roof shingles plays an important role in protecting homes from moisture and other weather-related elements.
We take great pride in our roofing shingles and accessories and we believe that we have a great deal of responsibility to homeowners. That's why we make sure every Owens Corning shingle meets your high expectations.
Every shingle we make combines consistent quality with long-lasting beauty and maximum protection. Performance is at the heart of every Owens Corning roofing product.
Every Owens Corning shingle line features:
Fiberglas® mat that adds weather protection, greater fire resistance and longer life.
Weathering-grade asphalt that holds the granules on the shingle and protects the roof from water.
Colorful mineral granules that help reflect the sun's rays while adding beauty and style to the roof.
Heat-activated adhesive strip that bonds shingles into a single, watertight unit.
Class A Fire Rating, the highest available for residential applications.
Wind Resistance Rating for winds and gusts up to 110 mph depending on the shingle style selected.
Limited product warranties ranging from 20 to 50 years, depending on shingle style.
Here in the Northeast we can experience some pretty grueling weather during the winter months. With snow storm after snow storm the accumulating totals keep increasing. Take two feet of snow on your roof, add freezing rain and temperatures that keep rising and falling and you have the perfect ingredients for a mid-winter disaster. That creaking and groaning you may be hearing is not your husband/wife but your roof buckling under tons of winter weather. Roofs built with a pitch can withstand much more weight than flat roofs. Now not to panic, your roof should not be falling any time soon and there isn't much you can do about it. Some people try to shovel the snow and break up ice damming on their roofs but I don't recommend it. It is a very dangerous practice and most of the time you will create more damage to your shingles, leaving you with more headaches when the snow melts.
A few tips if you decide to clear the snow off your roof:
Don't try to remove snow alone. In case you slip somebody can help.
If you use a metal rake or metal ladder, stay clear of power lines.
Shovel snow down the roof and not up preventing damage to the shingles.
In the fall months you should be preparing for winter ahead of time. Precautions can be taken to prevent ice damming on your roof. The biggest concern with winter snow on roofs is the damage from ice damming. The penetration of water into your home can create all sorts of damages from electrical shorts to mold and mildew issues.
How to prepare your roof for winter:
Clean your gutters.
Install heated electrical lines on your roof designed for melting off ice dams.
Install ridge vents to prevent heat build up in attics.
Install new roof with ice dam underlayment.
Make sure you have adequate insulation in your attic.
Installing a new roof with ice dam installed is your best bet in preventing ice damming from occurring.
With a new roof you gain all of these ice fighting features:
Ice dam material installed on roof decking.
Aluminum drip edge to prevent capillary action.
Ridge vent to prevent attic heat build-up.
30 year architectural shingles with higher wind ratings and added durability.
GAF is the corporation that started the Timberline shingle line. The architectural shingle was invented to supersede the original three tab shingles. The new shingles brought extended warranties, higher wind ratings and a more aesthetically pleasing look to your home. Timberline shingles mimic the appearance of a natural wood shake roof at half the price and double the durability than wood a wood roof.
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You can easily notice the depth of architectural shingles when compared to the three tab shingle. The highest life expectancy for a three tab roof is 25 yrs. (very few carry 30 yr.) The lowest life expectancy for an architectural shingle is 30 yrs. and goes up to 50yrs. The roof is your homes most important asset. Without a proper functioning roof the rest of your home will be destroyed.
When a new roof installation is performed, it is very important to know what is installed under your shingles. Aluminum drip edge is a very important part of your roof and very commonly disregarded. Aluminum drip edge prevents capillary action which keeps water from penetrating your home and directs the water into the gutter.
Ice and water shield applications are a major part of a new roof. Ice damming is a common problem across the United States in areas with snowy conditions. Ice dam material should be applied on lower sections of your roof, valleys, chimneys, vent pipes, skylights, etc...
Ventilation is also a big player in maintaining the longevity of your roof. Constantly keeping air movement in your attic reduces chances of ice damming, lowers heating/cooling costs and keeps mold/mildew from forming.
Key ventilation for your attic/roof:
Ridge vents
Soffit vents
Gable vents
Attic fans
Conclusion is that GAF offers a complete line of products to sustain a fully functional roof and with all systems in order, you should expect full performance from your new roof.
I am in my own personal home right now in Monroe, NY and it is 5 below zero. It is January and the weather is very unpredictable this time of year. Besides snow, the temperature has been lower than the regular average raising my heating costs above normal. To much of my surprise, I realized that I have been heating my attic instead of my home. The insulation originally installed was an R value of R-13 instead of an R-38. A difference of 13 inches of insulation! Now that is an enormous amount of heat transfer loss within my home!
After realizing that the R-value of my home has been outdated by 30 yrs., I found myself at the lumber yard purchasing R-38 unfaced fiberglass insulation to add on top of my existing insulation. I have now installed it and thanks to Owens Corning, my home is warmer than ever and my heating bills have decreased. Instead of heating my attic, I now heat my living area.
Insulation is the cheapest way to lower your heating costs.
What to look for when determining inadequate insulation:
R-38 is 16" thick and is the current building code for new construction. Most older homes only have 3 inches. Adding 16 inches to three inches will increase your R-value beyond industry standards which means even more savings.
Look for cold drafts and areas of possible heat loss.
Make sure your original insulation has vapor barrier.(you can check this by making sure the insulation has a paper backing that faces towards your living area.)
If you own an older home, Pre. 1940, you probably have wool insulation. Wool insulation was good in its time but very insufficient by todays standards.
Lets face it, heating costs have been on a rise forcing us to think greener! Whether you have oil, gas or electric heat, you have been feeling the impact of heating costs. Think about today and tomorrow to try to reserve our natural resources! Also keep in mind that added insulation keeps your home cooler in the summer.
Here in the northeast we experience a great deal of ice damming on the roof of our homes during the winter season. A leaking roof, especially during the winter time, is a complete hassle to deal with. Ice damming occurs when heat transfer through your attic begins to melt the snow on your roof. As melted snow makes it over the unheated soffit area it begins to refreeze causing a water back up under your shingles and into your home. The process usaully could take a few days or weeks to occur depending on outside temperature and the R-value of your attic insulation.
Ice damming can all be prevented with ice dam material that is applied to the roof deck before shingles are applied. It prevents water from penetrating your roof deck and seals around the nails used to fasten your shingles. Ice dam material is applied on the lower edge of your roof and three feet up(sometimes doubled to six feet). It should also be applied in valleys and around chimneys and skylights. In some areas building departments have made it code to install ice dam with your new roof. It is the cheapest and most effective way to eliminate the chances of ice damming. If you experience ice damming the best course of action is to leave it be and correct the problem when it warms. If you try to break the ice on the roof you will 99 percent of the time do more damage to the roof shingles and not to mention a dangerous practice.
