Category Archives: Exterior

Everything You Need to Know About Single-Ply Roofing

single ply roofing

A roof is a basic necessity for a human being and having that roof sturdy makes it worth it. And in today’s fast-paced economy, it is difficult to maintain the decent shape of your house or your commercial building. Be it your own home or your office building, you need too keep it healthy and roofs after a certain point do become an issue that needs to be managed.

Also, when you are choosing a roof for your house, you need to make sure that it stands tall in the worst scenarios like heavy snow or hailstorms, or flash floods or harmful sun rays etc. And here, the single ply roofing comes into the picture that will help you with a long-term plan, also that fits according to your needs and financial budgeting.

What is Single-Ply Roofing?

Before you proceed to any decision, it is vital for you to know about single-ply roofing. Basically, these are flexible membranes or sheets made up of rubber and other synthetics and are generally installed in a single layer. The single-ply is used for the houses or buildings that are low-slopped. Because of its extremely flexible nature, they unaffected with the harmful UV rays as well.

These roofs are mostly white-finished or black in color and are glued and installed straight over the lining material over the roof. If you go for the single-ply roofing, you need not worry about your roof for the next many years as they are superior from traditional roofing materials like tar paper.

Types of Single-Ply Roofing Membranes

Thermoplastic Polyolefin (TPO)

Thermoplastic Polyolefin is one of the most demanded products when it comes to the commercial roofing. Because of its economical cost and heat-weldable membranes, the durability is more than enough. This type of roofing is easy to weld in order to have more detailing. And since it is reflective, it helps in toning down the air conditioning costs. You can find TPO roofing in grey, green, blue, red, tan, and white colors, white being the most popular choice.

Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC)

If you are a person who believes in eco-friendly living, then PVC becomes the apt choice for you. This single-ply roofing is full of benefits plus cost-effective. The material is completely recyclable and it can become the right choice for you if you are thinking to have an environmentally safe and sound roof above your head.

Because of its cooling nature, the PVC single-ply very well fits into the warmer climates. If you own a restaurant, this is just the right thing for you. You can find this single-ply in the thickness of 50, 60, and 80 mils. It is also available in white color.

Metal Roofing

If you are an old school person and want that vintage charm for your facility, the Metal-Roofing can be your first choice. It not only has a long-lasting benefit but also it looks appealing from outside, and not to forget about how low maintenance it is! The one thing you need to make sure is that it required a lot of intricacy while installing and also comes in many styles and colors.

Why you should opt for Single-Ply Roofing

Cost-Effective Nature and Easy Installation

The best thing about these Single-Ply roofing is that is highly economical as compared to the traditional roofing systems and very easy to install. After removing the old roof, the insulation layers are set up and then they are covered by the cover board. And then the membrane is either ballasted or mechanically fastened in order to attach it to the cover board.

Flexible and lightweight nature

Since single-ply roofing is flexible, there is a lot of scope for unique designs. Due to its flexible nature, the roofs stay like it in the long term as well. Even though it has many layers, you can choose how much thick membrane you want for your roof. Because of its lightweight nature, your house or building is not burdened with the roof’s weight.

Therefore, if you are looking out for roof options, then Single-Ply roofing is currently acing the game everywhere because of its highly durable and cost-effective quality. You can decide for your home or facility once you know the exact needs.

Why Must You Use Residential Roofing Company for Your Home?

Residential Roofing – Hire a Committed Company

As far as the nature of work is concerned, both the commercial and residential roofing is the same. The main intention of both tasks is to shield the occupants and the objects from the threat of intimidating weather conditions. Nevertheless, there are some significant differences. Residential roofing must be a bit more alluring than commercial roofing. In general, house-owners opt for slate, asphalt, tiles, metal shingles, or cedar shake shingles. That said, when the residence is in places like Albuquerque, one must take double care while performing roofing works due to the climatic peculiarities of the region. For perfect residential roofing Albuquerque, one must make use of the professional expertise of expert roofing companies.

Unlike commercial roofing, which requires various functional systems such as a proper ventilation arrangement, smokestacks, etc., the installation of residential roofing is more or less easier. Even then, you must hire the expertise of experienced roofing companies in Albuquerque for doing your residence roofing. Such a company will have a special knack for making the roofing highly matching, as regards the building and the encircling environment. You can find numerous residential roofing Albuquerque companies by a short search through the internet. However, you will have to apply prudence while selecting a particular company. Here, you must count the experience, the social reputation, the qualification of the employees, and the pricing.

Why Must You Use Residential Roofing Company for Your Home?

• When the company management possesses the relevant know-how, as regards the residential roofing and exactly in line with the latest technology, they will be able to comprehend easily the roofing requirements of their clients. Hence, they can arrange the precisely needed roofing solution that will go well with your practical necessity. They will have the expertise to stick to the set budget, which will save you from unwanted extra spending. Moreover, you will be able to manage the roofing task within the prescribed time.

• A roofing company that has experience in residential roofing will be able to bring in innovation to the work they do, and this will make your residence all the more captivating. Hence, you must ensure the experience and expertise of the roofing company before picking a specific one. Whether the building is an old one or new construction, a practiced company will be able to do perfect roofing.

• Yet another benefit of hiring a specialized residential roofing contractor is that you will not have to hunt for a roof maintenance company. Such a professional roofing agency will have separate departments for maintenance. You can buy a viable maintenance contract from this department. Besides, if you hire the same company for both installation and maintenance works, it will be easy for them to manage the tasks. This arrangement will be handy for you also, as the entailed costs will be comparatively less.

• The company employees would be well-behaved because of the periodic comprehensive training provided by the company management. They will be cordial while interacting with the clients, which is essential while performing residential works. So, you won’t get an unfriendly feel. For sure, this mutual respect will make the roofing work all the more perfect.

Residential Roofing

The typical weather conditions that prevail in Albuquerque necessitate sturdy roofing for buildings. For getting the residential roofing Albuquerque right, it’s always practical to hire the services of an experienced roofing company that specializes in residential roofing. It’s rather easy to find such a company in our time; you will just have to search through the internet. Though you will be able to find a plethora of residential roofing Albuquerque companies, you must check and compare the different available options and choose the best one. You must make sure that the company has an office in a nearby place; you can visit the place to get any clarifications or to sort out any related problems. There are some other practically relevant points that you should ensure while employing a residential roofing Albuquerque. The company must have an official license and must be insured. Both these factors are highly significant, and you must not overlook.

Ten Unique Ideas for Garden Gifts

Consumers are really spoilt for choices when it comes to buying gardening tools and products. You can now find many innovative products in the market to make any gardener happy. But the best gifts for gardeners are ones that can add value to their garden or help advance their hobby.

Consider these 10 gift ideas the next time you need to buy unique gifts for gardeners.

1. Tool Seat –

Not all gardeners want to lug around heavy tools belted across their waists or even carry them unorganized in a metal tin or basket. A tool seat can be the ideal gift for them. The detachable and washable tool bag is fitted on a chair-like steel frame, which is easier to carry.

2. Deep Root Watering Devices –

There are watering devices and then there are deep root watering devices. The latter are innovative tools to water the plants optimally and efficiently. But why settle for hose-like metal deep watering tools when you can buy such devices in beautiful shapes and patterns? Look for flower-shaped colorful deep root watering tool that can delight any gardener with their utility and decorative characteristics.

3. Recycled Metal Planters –

Many artists are now making unique planters with recycled materials. Buy animal-shaped metal planters that can be used in both indoor and outdoor gardens. These planters can beautify any garden in an instant.

4. Potting Station –

For gardeners lacking space for potting their plants, a dedicated table for the task is just the ideal gift idea. Look for potting stations made with waterproof materials and one that is east to clean as well. It can also be a nice gift for gardeners who like to keep their gardens organized.

5. LED Planters –

Planters with LEDs are perfect for those with indoor gardens. You can even buy stackable models for gardening enthusiasts facing space crunch. These LEDs help plants receive the necessary light for their optimal growth. Buy such planters made with lightweight recyclable materials such as aluminum for durability and enhanced look.

6. Waterproof Garden Shoes –

Wouldn’t it be nice to wear waterproof gardening boots that also look good? If you know the shoe size of the gardener then rubber mud boots is a gift idea you can consider for them. There are a number of possibilities here such as ankle boots that are also ideal to wear in the snow or even unisex clogs. Garden boots are easy to clean and comfortable to wear. The person receiving a beautiful pair of garden boots is sure to love them.

7. Kneeling Pad –

A kneeling pad can be one of the best gifts for gardeners. It is ideal for protecting the delicate knees from unnecessary strain while working on the plants. You can buy one made with a foam pad that also absorbs shocks. If you want to increase the utility factor of this unique gift then opt for a kneeling pad that also becomes a padded bench when flipped. Buy a pad with rust-resistant metal frame for gardeners who put in a lot of work in their garden.

8. Gathering Apron –

A take on the wicker baskets, a gathering apron is a hands-free gardening product for those who need to tackle fruit or herb harvest in their garden. Buy a washable product in a sturdy material.

9. Bug-Repellant Hat –

How about gifting a hat that protects the wearer from the sun and the bugs? Isn’t a winning gift formula for the gardeners? Many unique materials have been developed in the last few decades and this type of gardening hats are made from one that contains properties to repel bugs.

10. Origami Bird Feeders –

Now, what’s a garden without the beautiful chirping sounds of birds? Apart from the traditional woods, you can now buy bird feeders in ceramic, wood, and even glass. But how about an origami-style resting stop for our winged friends that can look stylish in any garden? These are not made with paper but with metal. These are flat and folded when sold and the gardeners can put them together easily. Such bird feeders are sturdy but lightweight.

Things to Consider While Buying Rustic Bathroom Vanity Cabinets

There is no rule that bathroom furniture has to be boring and just serve the purpose of having compartments. We all spend a considerable amount of our lives in bathrooms yet ignore the aesthetics of this place. A cabinet is very much essential in a bathroom to store all our cosmetics and toiletries. If you are thinking of improving the interiors of your bathroom, the cabinet is the right place to start with. The cabinet can be turned into an amazing décor item if you are willing to put in some effort. If you are thinking how a cabinet can serve as a décor item, you have not heard of rustic bathroom vanity cabinets then!

Any furniture that is made of rustic wood is known as rustic furniture and bathroom cabinets too are made out of rustic furniture. Rustic themes retain the authentic texture and appearance of the wood they are made of instead of being painted upon. All the imperfections including scars, lines, dark spots, nail marks etc. are left behind to make the cabinet look used, weathered and distressed. The old and rusty look adds a lot of depth to the furniture and makes it seem that the cabinet is used by generations together. The raw textures and the bold, faded colors only get better with time as the wood ages.

You certainly don’t want to crowd your bathroom with unnecessary décor items and reduce the moving space inside. Hence, a chic rustic bathroom vanity cabinet is what you need to create the perfect bathroom ambience and efficiently utilize the available space. If you are willing to buy one, here’s a list of things you need to consider before buying.

Things to Consider While Buying Rustic Bathroom Vanity Cabinets

1. Type of Wood

The most important parameter that you need to consider while buying any furniture that is rustic in nature. The type of wood used contributes immensely towards the look and feel of any furniture and there are specific types of rustic furniture. For your rustic cabinet you can choose one of the following types- eastern white pine, lodge pole pine, western red cedar, northern white cedar, barn wood, reclaimed teak wood, hickory, walnut, aspen and white oak. All these types are solid wood that offers durability and naturally add a rustic feel to the cabinet. While buying ensure that you ask your vendor the wood types that are available and choose the one that is best for you.

2. Type of Finish

This is another important aspect to consider while buying a rustic bathroom vanity cabinet. It is ultimately the finish that will decide the appearance of the furniture and you have to ensure that it looks rustic in this case. Don’t dwell too much on perfection and allow the scars, dark spots and knots to be visible if you want a genuine rustic appearance. There is an array of choice when it comes to finish types and you can choose one of the following- stain finish, varnish, outdoor spar varnish, indoor satin varnish, water based stain, oil based stain, polyurethane, lacquer etc. Finishes not only add to the beauty of the furniture but also protect them from damage. Given that the rustic bathroom vanity cabinet gets exposed to a lot of moisture, a finish and a protective coating can avoid damage to the wood.

3. Size and Shape

It is no surprise that bathrooms always have space constraints and including a furniture like a bathroom cabinet eats up the available space too. Hence, you need to be very careful while ordering and study your bathroom space well in advance. Analyze the space that is available and have a fair idea about the space the cabinet is going to occupy. You don’t want the rustic bathroom vanity cabinet to be blocking the door or blocking the only moving space in the bathroom. Also have clear idea about the number of compartments you would need and whether or not you need a sink attached with it. If you can only accommodate a narrow space, you can go for upright vanity cabinets. If you don’t like constant opening and closing of doors, you can go for open vanity cabinets.

Tips for Choosing Custom Furniture for Your Home

Each person is unique in their tastes, and the best platform to express these individual likes and dislikes is by using the living space or the home. Turning a house into a home by treating it as a personal canvas that depicts the personality of the person occupying the living space is done best when supported by custom made or modified furniture. The best custom furniture designed with specific requirements, results in imparting a unique effect that cannot be achieved by purchasing regular mass produced furniture.

Designing the home of your dreams is easy if you are willing to put in the necessary time and effort to chalk up a plan and stick to it before hunting down the right manufacturers and dealers to procure the furniture needed to bring life into your ideas. These tips are aimed at the novice home designer to help create a living space that is in equal parts comfortable and functional with the added bonus of being an extension of your being.

Plan it out

Prepare the design plan for each room beforehand so that when out shopping for furniture or when describing your requirements to a furniture designer, you are able to provide precise measurements. Recognize the spatial constraints of your living space and determine the size and shape of furniture articles that you will require so that the space is utilized in the best way possible.

Lifestyle restrictions

Pick furniture pieces that suit your particular lifestyle, choosing furniture for a bachelor’s apartment and for a home of someone that has children needs to be done in different ways to suit the differences in needs. Furniture pieces that are custom made are generally expensive, so pay attention to durability and functionality when purchasing as it may not be possible to replace it easily once made. Make sure that furniture pieces are decided upon after their functionality and suitability have been evaluated effectively.

Choose a manufacturer

Custom furniture is ideally crafted to suit user specifications and they act as an effective medium for a homeowner to communicate their likes and dislikes and design choices. To build the coffee table that you see in your head based on your descriptions, a good designer will have to possess a design ideology that is similar to yours, otherwise you will end up with pieces of furniture that do not match with the theme followed in the rest of the house. Go through the portfolio of their previous work and make sure that their style choices match your own. If possible, get in touch with customers that have purchased their work earlier so that you can determine how well the product lasts and its resilience to wear and tear.

Avoid trends

This is of course, the whole point of choosing custom furniture but avoid the temptation to follow trends. The focus when choosing designer furniture should be on functionality, utility and true depiction of your style rather than following what is “in” at the moment. Do not be deterred by pieces that are supposedly not the trend at the moment if they suit the idea in your mind that you have for your home as long as they are well made and sturdy. Invest in quality and not flashy products.

Fulfill basic requirements

Decide on pieces that bring your dream home to life but at the same time serve the basic functionalities expected of it. A living room should have comfortable seating, a coffee table and one or more side tables and counters as needed, similarly, bedroom furniture should include at least a bed and one or more wardrobes and side tables. The functionality that the room serves should be the primary concern that needs to be addressed while picking out furniture for the room.

A home that represents the homeowner is not difficult to achieve, if the dedication to create the perfect living space and the tenacity to find the ideal furniture that will together build it exists. A home that truly represents the person living in it is not difficult to create, and is truly rewarding to go back to each time after a hard day at work. It welcomes you like nowhere else at it was created with your every need in mind.

Grace the Exteriors with Unique Lighting Designs from Norwell Lighting

Colonial Revival architecture has remained an enduring facet of home decor in America. The influence of the style is apparent from furniture catalogues and decor stores even today. The style began as a nostalgic evocation of the early simple style of houses in early America of the 18th Century, particularly from the towns and harbors of New England. Gradually the style has become the default decor scheme, with trends of modernism coming and going. One of the firms that has kept innovating in this niche is Norwell Lighting, based out of East Taunton, Massachusetts. The firm itself is no new entrant, with a history of 75 years in the lighting space. The outdoor lighting range from Norwell Lighting and Northeast Lantern has come in for particular praise. There is great interest in their Colonial style pieces made with authentic materials and stylized finishes.

The characteristics of the Colonial style are clean lines and gentle curves with minimal flourishes. Exterior lighting fixtures in this style are best used in individual homes where the surrounding decorative scheme can be easily tweaked to allow it to fit in.

Outdoor Sconces

Norwell Lighting’s outdoor sconces are shaped like lanterns of yore. The range is divided into collections like American Heritage, Budapest, Cottage, Compton, Copper, Lexington, New Orleans, Olde Colony and Vidalia. The firm’s onion lights deserve a special mention as they are based on the lamps that whalers of New England would carry on their hunting trips. Budapest collection is based on European influences from the turn of the 19th century with retro industrial lines and galvanized steel finish. The Mariner range evokes portholes of luxury ships with their round glass and protective bands. The Seafarer range is designed to resemble old oil wick lanterns on passenger ships before the advent of electricity. Compton is another European influenced retro-style collection of exclusive chrome fittings. Minimalistic designs are also available, such as the Olde Colony range. These fittings use a wider glass area to bring in a modern touch to the straight lines of Colonial design. American Heritage is made of solid brass and uses retro elements like a reflector and candelabra electric bulbs with soldered grille metalwork.

Post Mounted Fixtures

Post mounted fixtures offered by Norwell Lighting include American Heritage, Lexington, Beacon, Copper, Cottage and Vidalia. Cottage and Vidalia are onion light fixtures with features like clear and seeded glass. These fixtures are best paired with an extensive garden and period style bulbs to create the feeling of nostalgia they are renowned for.

Onion lights are the most popular facet of Colonial lighting fixtures. These lamps were first used by whalers and seamen based out of the whaling towns of Massachusetts in New England. The original onion lights were heavy affairs, lit by whale oil. They were designed to have a measure of portability and could also be hung from the wall or rested on a level surface. A round glass orb was used for maximum light throw. As the glass industry advanced to thinner and lighter designs, protective rings were added to the onion lights so the glass would not crack on impact.

Design and Materials Used in Onion Lights

Onion lights were originally designed for throwing light in all directions, which was especially useful on the open sea on whaling expeditions. Modern designs use clear or frosted glass. The lights had a heavy stand so the lamp could be rested on a table or the ground and would not easily topple over. The stand also served as the oil holder for the lamp wick. A round hole on the top of the lamp served to help hand the light off a chain or a wooden peg. While the earliest designs used tin, brass came to be adopted widely because of its durability and corrosion resistance. However years of use and salt air of the coast ensured the lamps would acquire a beautiful patina of age over the years. Of course, these days, onion lights are powered by electricity. The finish on the fixtures can also be customized, with special artificial schemes resembling patina to match the decor and effect that buyers are looking for. The wooden peg has been replaced by a fixed curved iron piece connected the lamp to a matching plate or a chain for mounting to the ceiling. While some firms have switched to steel for these lamps, the best manufacturers still use handcrafted brass for authenticity.