Category: Roofing

How To Improve Home Attic Efficiency

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There are several ways to reduce the amount of heat that builds up on a homes attic during the summertime and escapes during the wintertime. By reducing the extreme temperatures in a house, the homeowner will save money on utility bills and reduce their impact on the environment. This is especially important for homes in the Katy, Texas area. Unlike other parts of the country, the south has a warmer climate more months of the year. Relative humidity is also higher in Katy than other parts of the country and even the state. Finding the best solutions for reducing energy costs, making the home more comfortable and doing it affordably are all important factors for homeowners. These methods can be used by themselves or together to reduce the amount of heat trapped in Katy attics.

Radiant Heat Barriers A radiant heat barrier is sprayed on the interior of a homes attic either on the ceiling and eaves or on the floor, depending on the layout and design of the house. The energy contained in the suns rays that hit the roof and penetrates is called radiant heat. This is what makes attics so hot in the summer. When the suns radiant heat is reflected by spray-on barriers, up to 81 percent of the heat will go back up into the air and atmosphere, rather than penetrating the home.

According to statistics, between 9 a.m. and 9 p.m., the temperature of an attic in the Katy area runs more than 20 degrees higher than the outdoor temperature. When the outdoor air is 95 degrees F at 3 p.m., the average attic temperature is 125 degrees F. With under insulation and a radiant heat barrier in Katy, the average attic temperature at 3 p.m. is about 82 degrees F.

Insulation Fiberglass insulation prevents outdoor air from entering the attic and the air indoors from escaping. It typically has a life span of 30 to 40 years and is fire resistant. Using blown-in attic insulation in Katy allows the upper air to be separated from the air in the living space below. With reliable insulation, a home can be more energy efficient by not allowing the hotter air to mix with the comfortable living space area below in the summertime.

Roofing Vents Air vents on the roof and in the attic prevent the temperature from becoming stagnant. Circulation prevents higher heat. Vents are strategically placed in the homes roof to reduce heat build-up and help save on energy bills. Unlike drafts left from gaps in the roof structure, vents provide covered exits and fans to assist with circulation while protecting the home from moisture damage.

Folding Chairs and Tables Versatile Furniture

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Folding chairs and folding tables are perhaps the most versatile pieces of furniture you can own. This article describes many applications for folding chairs and tables including common uses for folding chair accessories. Even though you folding chairs and tables aren’t what first come to mind when you hear the word ‘furniture’, they have rightfully earned their place in the home, office, convention center, church, school, and practically any other dwelling.

When most people think of furniture, their thoughts turn to the contents of an average furniture store sofas, tables, arm chairs, cabinets, dressers, beds, and lamps. What doesn’t come to mind are the most versatile pieces of furniture folding chairs and tables.

The idea behind folding chairs and folding tables is simple, they are inexpensive, yet after you buy them you may find that they have many more uses than, say, your dining room table. The obvious benefit of folding tables and chairs is their ability to collapse for easy storage. However, having folding chairs and tables handy means you can instantly add seating for guests during the holidays. When your car is not in the garage (and let’s face it, when is it in there?), you can unfold your folding tables and chairs for extra workspace for virtually any household project painting, building small crafts, working with bicycle or small engine parts, building model airplanes, refinishing kitchen cabinets, and the uses don’t stop there.

In addition to being handy around the house, folding chairs and tables make great office companions as well. You never know when you might need temporary help to work through a busy period. It doesn’t make much sense to buy expensive office furniture for someone who will only be working for a couple of weeks. On the other hand, you could just unfold your folding table and set up a folding chair and viola instant work space!

Churches and schools are also great places to use folding chairs and folding tables. A school can make use of the gymnasium as a temporary theatre for a pageant or play by setting up rows of folding chairs. In this case, they may want to use ganging clamps to tie the chairs together in rows so they can’t be rearranged by the guests. This will also ensure than nobody will thoughtlessly block the fire exits by sitting in the aisle. Church weddings also require lots of temporary seating, and folding chairs and tables are an excellent choice. In that case, you may want to consider using table skirts to make them look more like regular furniture. You can hide the legs and framework of the folding tables and chairs using table skirts and chair covers which will make them look great for those all important wedding shots.

Folding chairs and tables come in a wide variety of materials and colors and are available for use indoors or outdoors. This makes it easy to choose the correct folding chairs and tables for the task. For your summer barbeque, you may want temporary patio seating for your guests. There are blow-molded plastic folding chairs and tables that are well suited for outdoor applications such as these. For the office or anywhere else you may be sitting for long periods, you may instead wish to choose folding chairs with padding and a contoured back and seat. Padded folding chairs are typically used only for indoor seating applications.

For large-scale applications of folding tables and chairs, there are folding chair trucks and folding table trucks available. These trucks are made of heavy gauge steel and can usually store 1 to several dozen folding chairs and up to a couple of dozen folding tables. After they are loaded, you can simply cart your folding chairs and tables into storage.

So you see, even though you don’t think of folding chairs and tables when you think of furniture, they are perhaps the most versatile furniture you can own. With so many uses, there is virtually no excuse not to have a couple of extra sets of folding chairs and tables ready to take on whatever your life can throw their way.

This article is (c) copyright 2010 by Shad Storhaug. You may republish this article on your web site or blog as long as you keep both the article body and this bio intact including the copyright notice and all hyperlinks.

Affordable Roofing Around Ontario Canada

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Quality is at issue as well, but an affordable roofing company is hard to find. In or around the Ontario Canada area, there is a roofing firm called Chouinard Brothers that fills the bill nicely.

Established in 1972, Chouinard Brothers believes in supplying great work at affordable, not cheap, prices. This is what they do on a daily basis. They even have financing options for the major jobs that need to be done here and there. Whatever your roofing needs are, Chouinard Brothers can do the job and do it right.

A range of services from flat roof services to pitched roof services and weatherproofing ensures that they can cover your needs completely. While roofing is the center of this discussion, Chouinard Brothers does a host of other affordable types of jobs as well.

Chouinard Brothers can install windows , too. Aside from being affordable, new windows can also reduce your energy bills.All windows are manufactured of the highest quality materials and installed by professional workmen. Add in disposal of the old windows and job site cleanup and the value just keeps building.

When it comes to your roof, you need a good company doing the work. Chouinard Brothers is fully insured, licensed and bonded. This ensures that all work is done to exceptional standards and is done properly. You can feel comfortable with Chouinard Brothers roofing services because they offer a written guarantee for 10 years on workmanship and installation. That is unheard of on the construction industry.

That written guarantee on installation work is on top of the manufacturer’s warranty on the materials. So you have the materials guarantee PLUS the installation work guarantee. What more do you really need to be sure that your work is going to be done right?

Chouinard Brothers is located in Markham Ontario. The company serves the entire area surrounding Ontario and the greater Quebec area. Chouinard Brothers is an affordable roofing company that you can trust to do your work right the first time. Just give them an opportunity and they will impress you.

A well maintained roof is important to protect your home and protect and enhance your investment in your home.

Chouinard Bros. trained and experienced staff use quality products from Canada’s most respected manufacturers to assure your satisfaction. We also have our own Sheet Metal Shop for custom manufacture.

1.we are fully insured

2.we supply all roofing materials

3.we remove and dispose of your old roof (using our wheeled trailers , not bins on skids)

4.we clean-up the site

5.we give a 10-year written guarantee

6.we have a staffed Service Department to respond to repair needs

Our offices and showroom are open all year round to assist you. Our crews also work year round to provide emergency and other customer services.

We are very proud of our reputation as a leading residential roofing company – a reputation we earn providing quality roofing services to Canada’s top builders, and to homeowners like you.

Call Michelle for a quote on your next job and see what Chouinard Brothers can do for you and your family.

Learn to Measure Your Roof and Save Money!

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As a homeowner, it is important to know how much a contractor may charge for the repair or replacement of the roof of a home. An owner should know how to measure the size of the roof as well as the length of the valleys, dormers, and ridge vents to compare against any estimates that are received.

Armed with the knowledge about basic measurements, a homeowner can approximate the amount of material needed for the replacing of a roof. That knowledge can save a homeowner from the result of a miscalculation as anyone can make mistakes when calculating an estimate, even expert contractors. Knowing this simple calculation result, a homeowner can correct a contractor on the spot if there are any major discrepancies on the square footage of the roofing area.

Basic Mathematics

When measuring the roof, the result is expressed in squares. In geometry, one square is equivalent to one hundred square feet (1 = 100 square feet). So, to determine the area of a triangle, this simple geometrical equation must be remembered: area is equivalent to the length of the base times the height of the triangle in feet divided by two. The equation should look like this; (b x h)/2. For example, 40-foot (h) x 40-foot (b) divided by 2 is 40 x 40 divided by 2 equals 800 sq. feet or 8 squares.

In order to get the correct estimated measurement of the house-top, one needs to have an aerial view or rough sketch of the roof and divide it into different sections.

Step 1: Measuring Overall Area

One must first draw a diagram of the house-top. A person must get a 100-foot measuring tape, a pencil, some paper and an assistant. The assistant will hold the tip of the measuring tape while the homeowner checks and records the measurements. The sketch should include the ridge, valleys, dormers, vents, chimneys and pipes. Begin at one corner on a side and measure the dimension of the exterior walls, measuring both width and length. Most roofs have an area that extends out to cover and protect exterior walls and side known as overhangs. The overhang must be measured and added to the completed dimensions. Then the measurement should be transposed onto the diagram.

Step 2: Measuring the Pitch

The pitch is basically the steepness of a roof and is measured by determining the rise in inches per every 12 inches of horizontal length. To arrive at a multiplier that will figure into the calculations, pitch can be divided into 3 categories: low, medium and high. Low pitch is a roof that can easily be walked and the multiplier would be 1.15 to 1.25. Medium would be a rise of 5 to 9 feet for every 12 inches and would result in a multiplier of 1.25 to 1.4. The high or steep slope category covers a rise that is greater than 9 feet for every 12 inches and gives a multiplier of 1.7 and higher.

Step 3: Final Computation

After getting the dimensions, roof pitch and multiplier, the size of a homes house-top can be calculated. Take the computed overall area in square feet and multiply it by the pitch multiplier. For example, the ground dimension is equivalent to 1,104 square feet and the roof pitch is low at 1.15. The resulting equation should look like: 1,104 x 1.15 = 1,270 sq. feet. Therefore, the estimated amount of material needed for the roof is 12.7 squares. It can also be calculated by looking at the original square footage of 1,104 or 11 squares x 1.15 = 12.65. Either calculation represents the estimated squares needed for the replacement job.

Knowing how to measure a roof can give a homeowner the ability to make sure any estimate given by a contractor is very accurate and this can calculate into a large monetary savings. So learn the right way to measure that house-top and translate that information into accurate replacement cost!

Tips for Finding a Reliable Roof Installation Company

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Your roof is one of the biggest investments youll make as a homeowner. Therefore, youll want to spend some time researching roof installation companies to make sure youre not only getting a good deal, but also good service. Replacing your roof soon? Follow these tips for finding a reliable roof installation company.

Always look for reference

Do not hire a roof installation company that you came across accidentally or someone stopping by your home saying “you have damage on your roof”. Even if you saw their ad in a respected publication, always look for references from friends, colleagues or family members for a firsthand account of the quality of service the company provides. If you cant find any good references, check for additional information online from sites that allow customers to post feedback about a company. If you ask the company for references from past clients, make sure you get their addresses so you can inspect quality of their work yourself.

Learn about their quality of service

While price might initially seem like the most important factor of choosing a roofer, youll often find that the quality of customer service is most important by the time the job is done. Ask reference about the promptness with which the company addresses complaints, answers questions and gives estimates. Also, make sure the company is extremely responsive in the initial stages of the process. If they dont listen to you while theyre trying to earn your money, how will they respond after they already have it?

Business accreditation

Make sure that the company and its workmen are all licensed and “certified” with credentials by the roofing manufacturers for roofing services in your state. With a job as important as a roof installation, you may also want to check out the companys business stability and make sure the company is in good standing with and A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau. Feel free to ask questions over the phone. Does the company run background checks on all of its employees? What type of insurance do they have? If you cover all your bases before hiring a company, youll have a stronger case if things turn out poorly.

Your roof is too important of a thing to leave to chance. While finding a great roofer may not be as easy as finding a great restaurant or hotel, you should be able to find a great option by doing a little bit of research. Talk to everyone you know, consult the Internet and interview the roofer thoroughly to make sure everything goes as smoothly as possible.

Stylish Designs of Living Room Furniture

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Most people are very careful about the way their design and style their living room. This is the face of their whole house, and the form which presents itself to the outside world. A look at the living room is the first impression that guests will have of your house, and you certainly want it to be good. This is why the colours and decor of the living room are carefully chosen, as is every piece of furniture that is placed in it. Living room furniture has plenty attached to it. For one, it should not be too dated and look completely out of style. There are some pieces which have an antique value associated with it. Barring these, it is important that your living room furniture is with the times and looks contemporary.

When you select a look for your living room furniture, make sure you have an idea of how you want your room to look. Some rooms are rather small and would need fewer pieces. You could modify the furniture to make do for a smaller sofa with a lowered seating capacity. If your living room is larger, you will need to have to put in more than just the basics. Here, you can actually play with space, colours and textures and enjoy the experience of moving things around till they meet with your satisfaction.

The smaller pieces of living room furniture may seem less important, but they, in fact, complete the look and also give your living room character. When you look for smaller artefacts, ensure that they either blend in completely, or have an interesting angle to your room. Either of the two impacts can be extremely interesting and can bring in new dimensions to your living room.

Some people find the process of doing up their living room quite daunting. With constraints of space and options, you will sometimes feel that the place you have does not do justice to all the things that you want to put in to your living room. However, keep your mind open and look at the various options available to you. The market today allows for plenty of styles and designs, and you are sure to find the perfect match for your bedroom, even though you may not be able to find what you thought of. Ultimately, you will find that you have a living room which looks better than you imagined it to be, and this will be a space you are proud to own.

Roof Warranty So You Can Have Peace of Mind for Any Roofing Job

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The roof is a very critical part of your Maryland home, and paying top dollar for its repair or replacement makes it a sizeable investment that you need to protect. One of the best ways to care for this investment is to make sure you get a warranty for the job. A warranty means that you wont have to pay this money again in case your roof fails within the warranty period.

There are two types of roof warranties: one for material and another for labor. A roof material warranty is provided by the manufacturer, while a labor warranty is provided by the contractor. The average warranty period for roof materials is between 20 to 30 years. For labor, warranty for faulty workmanship is around five years. If you encounter a roof warranty thats way beyond these time frames, then you should ask that it be extended straight away.

The goal of a warranty is to ensure quality roof installation that provides long-term performance. But relying on warranty alone is not enough. You have your own set of responsibilities to ensure that your roof remains problem-free; make periodic checks and clean off any debris. This allows you to see the condition of your roof.

Reputable roofing contractors will discuss roof warranty when you inquire about a roofing job or get an estimate. If the roof contractor did not mention warranty prior to the job, dont assume that its included because that is not always the case. Ask him about it so you can be assured that you have warranty for both materials and labor.

One of the most critical things you need to check on your roof warranty is the terms of acceptance. This defines the date when the warranty takes effect, which should be upon the completion of the job and not at the start of it. Most roofing MD manufacturers and contractors will send an inspector to check that the roof job is finished to confirm activation of the warranty.

A warranty is only as good as the roofing Maryland manufacturers and contractors that offer it. Some unscrupulous storm chaser roofing contractors descend upon a community after a storm, repair or replace roofs cheaply, never to be seen again. Make sure you check on them before they start work on your roof.

It is important to find a reliable roof company for your roofing needs. It may cost more, but a company that has been around for many years and with a good track record is always worth your every penny. For a list of Maryland roofing companies, please visit angieslist.com.

SkimOils TheTankMSD

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If a vessel has an installed toilet, technically referred to as a marine sanitation device (MSD), it must be equipped with one of three types of MSDs. The MSDs (Type I, Type II, Type III) are designed to meet different needs and effluent level requirements. Since portable toilets can be moved on and off a vessel, they are not considered installed toilets; therefore, vessels that have portable toilets are not subject to MSDs regulations.

The Sewage Treatment Device (Standard Vessel Length) Type I, is a flow-through device (maceration and disinfection) for vessels less than 65 feet in length. The effluent produced must not have a fecal coliform bacteria count greater than 1000 per 100 milliliters and have no visible floating solids. Type I MSDs rely on maceration and disinfection for treatment of the waste prior to its discharge into the water.

Type II Flow-through devices are for vessels greater than 65 feet in length. The effluent produced must not have a fecal coliform bacteria count greater than 200 per 100 milliliters and suspended solids not greater than 150 milligrams per liter. Type II MSDs are similar to the Type I, however, the Type II devices provide an advanced micro-biological treatment and discharges wastes with lower fecal coliform counts and reduced suspended solids. It operates as/like a septic system.

Type III Holding tank for any length vessels. Type lll MSDs are designed to prevent the discharge of untreated sewage by holding these wastes. They are not treatment systems but simple holding tanks that receive sewage flushed from the marine head, that is deposited into this tank containing deodorizers and other chemicals. The contents of the holding tank are stored until it can be properly disposed of at shore-side pump out facilities. These are the stinky systems.

Skimoil, Inc.s TheTankMSD Type II Marine Sanitation Device is a compact, tough and well-balanced biological aerobic (bacteria and air) sewage treatment system. Liquid and solid wastes are removed and digested from the water by bacteria naturally contained in sewage.

TheTankMSD consists of three treatment stages: aeration, clarification, and disinfection. In the aeration chamber (stage 1), the bacteria grow and multiply using the sewage as their food supply. This action reduces the quantity and size of the solid matter. In the clarification chamber (stage 2), the bacterial floc is separated from the treated solid matter. The treated water is clear and free from solids, however, the liquid must be disinfected prior to discharge overboard to kill any disease-causing bacteria. Disinfection is accomplished in the clarification chamber (stage 3). Flow through these stages is caused by direct displacement. When new sewage flows into the aeration chamber, an equal volume flows through the clarification chamber. This volume, in turn, displaces an equal volume from the clarification chamber into the disinfection chamber, and overboard. No internal sewage pumps are necessary.

Skimoil, Inc.s TheTankMSD Marine Sanitation Device is a very efficient, low profile/compact MSD system, designed specifically for easy retrofit / refit into small spaces, for processing sanitary wastes from workboat crew sizes from 2-30 persons (56-220 gpd). This USCG/IMO certified Type II MSD also meets EPA regulations. Skimoil, Inc.s compact and tough TheTankMSD MSD system , has no moving parts and few requirements for maintenance; if maintenance or repairs become necessary, no special tools are required. With low 110V power/utility consumption and built in chlorinator, TheTankMSD is a tough, very well built, reasonably priced Type ll MSD designed to fit in small and even tight spots. It operates with fresh or salt water. Odor and excess sludge are not a problem with a well-balanced MSD system. Aerobic bacteria are not the smelly ones.

Skimoil, Inc.s TheTankMSD systems, TTM #400 TTM #1200 TTM # 1600 can be one of the best choices for efficiency /simplicity and economy when it comes to refitting or new installations of MSDs / Marine Sanitation Devices.

Each of Skimoils TheTankMSD system comes with starter kit of bacteria and nutrients bundle for quick startup at full capacity. TheTankMSD is built like a tank and is a solid simple system SSS.

For more information about marine sanitation devices by SkimOil Inc., please call (314) 579-9755, email at or see online at : www.TheTankMSD.com