Copper Roof Pros and Cons

Choosing the best roofing material for your home is no easy task. There are many important factors to consider including price, maintenance, safety, and look.

More and more homeowners each year are more selective when choosing a roof to match the rest of the house’s aesthetics, and one of the more popular choices is copper. With more than just good looks, this metals shiny, pristine finish, copper offers many benefits when considering a roof’s function.

Your roof is there to protect the rest of your home. Here’s why you may want to consider choosing copper for your roof:

Pros of Copper Roofing

Copper is truly a unique choice for roofing on your home, but there are plenty of other advantages to this roofing material:

  • Aesthetic appeal – Copper roofs are genuinely one of a kind and will set you apart from all other homes. Their bright, shiny, smooth appearance offers timeless beauty and can elevate historic homes or accentuate the modern feel for a contemporary house.
  • Minimal maintenance – Roof maintenance can be costly and time-consuming. Still, unlike other roofing materials, copper will not rust or corrode or require any additional re-painting and coating during its lifespan.
  • Long-lasting – Copper is considered the longest lasting roofing material and will remain looking impeccable for centuries!
  • Safety in severe weather conditions – Snow, wind, rain, heat, and more severe weather can cause a lot of damage to a roof. Copper roofing is an excellent choice as it can withstand these harsh conditions better than most other materials.
  • Fire-resistant – Copper roofing will never catch fire and can even help stop a fire from spreading.
  • Lightweight – Consider copper roofing if you are looking for a lightweight material that will not put pressure on the structure of your home.
  • Increased home value – Planning on selling your home soon? A copper roof will undoubtedly increase your home’s resale value and helps offer a competitive advantage over similar properties.
  • A sustainable material – Copper is an excellent choice if you are looking for a material that is more environmentally-friendly since copper is easily reused or recycled.

Cons of Copper Roofing

While there are many amazing benefits to copper roofing, there are a few cons that you should be sure to consider when making your roofing material decisions:

  • Price – Being a premium roofing material does come with the expected premium price tag. Copper roofs are certainly one of, if not the most, expensive roofing materials to choose from and is an investment.
  • Noise – Especially if the roof is installed over an open frame, the metal does not buffer noise as well as other materials.
  • Occasional repairs – Though maintenance and repairs are not needed frequently, it is possible that in a case of sudden weather changes, that the fasteners can become loose from the copper expanding and contracting and require repair.

Copper Roof Installation in Connecticut

Ready to get a copper roof, or is another option better for you? The roofers at Landmark Exteriors can install any roofing material you want and help with any repairs. Give us a call at (203) 838-3838 to learn more.

Tips for Safely Cleaning Your Gutters

Owning a home can feel like a never-ending list of chores and to-dos. And with every season comes a new list of priorities to consider. 

When the autumn weather starts to turn the outdoor leaves, and they slowly begin to fall, many of these to-dos involve cleaning up—one of the major ones being your gutters. Though you might be spending most of your weekends raking and bagging these leaves off your lawn, now is the time to ensure they are removed from your gutters too. 

However, like any other household project, you’ll want to keep some safety measures in mind, especially if you don’t plan to hire a professional for the job. 

So, before you get out the ladder and begin your season cleaning, you’ll want to keep these three gutter tips in mind: 

1. Remember Proper Ladder Safety 

No matter what the task at hand is, when you take out your household ladder to use, you should always inspect it for any damage. Look for any dents, loose parts, and sturdiness. A wooden ladder should be avoided, as they are often challenging to balance.

Before you start, inspect the surrounding area, make sure you have a dry, steady surface to place it on, and consider always having a spotter or someone nearby if an emergency arises. 

Chances are, the leaves you’re cleaning from the gutters are sitting on the ground around your home, too. If it recently rained, these wet leaves can create the perfect environment for a careless ladder slip. So, make sure that you inspect your surroundings and take all safety precautions before your climb. 

2. Consider Protective Gear

Leaves might not be the only debris living up in your gutters; a good pair of gloves will help ensure your hands stay dry and unharmed through the process. Consider wearing your spring and summer garden gloves to get the job done.

Proper footwear is also a must. In some cases, you might need to take a few steps on the roof, making rubber-soled slip-proof shoes the best and safest option. Not to mention, it can also help your feet stay sturdy as you climb the ladder. 

3. Look for Signs of Damage 

As you begin declogging your gutters, keep a close eye on the shape they are in, and check for any damage. Look for any leaks in the seams, and if there is any standing water, your gutters might not be adequately sloped. Check that they are securely attached and schedule a repair before winter hits. 

Gutter System Install in Norwalk, CT

If you notice any damage during your seasonal gutter cleaning, the team at Landmark Exteriors is here to help. From professional gutter cleaning to custom systems, Give us a call at (203) 838-3838 or contact us to see how we can keep the exterior perfect for the season to come. 

Tips for Raking Up Leaves

It’s about that time of the year; time to get out your rakes! Fall can be one of the most exciting and beautiful seasons, but it can often be overshadowed by the overbearing chore that is raking. Raking up all the fall leaves can be time-consuming, challenging, and put a real strain on your body, but we want to help!

We want you to spend more time enjoying the outdoors with friends and family, so here are some useful tips to make raking less of a hassle: 

Health And Safety Come First

Raking can be a real workout and strain your body, so make sure not to overexert yourself with this laborious task. A few ways to take care of yourself include wearing gloves to protect your hands, wearing a mask if you suffer from allergies, staying hydrated, taking frequent breaks, and not doing more work than you can handle; it’s not worth pushing yourself too hard and getting hurt.

Divide Your Lawn Into Sections

Make a plan and consider dividing your property into sections before you start. Take on one area at a time, and if you have a large lawn, don’t do it all in one day.  

Use a Tarp

Rather than bending over every few minutes to pick up leaves and strain your back while doing so, take out a tarp and rake the leaves onto it. Grab the tarp and drag all the leaves into the area you want to collect them.

Rake With The Wind And Downhill

Raking is already a tough job; don’t make it more difficult than it needs to be. Leaves are light and can easily blow in the wind. Make sure to rake with the wind, so they don’t blow away from you, and rake downhill to let gravity help out too.

Pull The Leaves Toward You

Don’t twist or turn as your rake. Be conscious to pull the leaves toward you and stand more straight. You want to be careful not to bend your back over too much. Your muscles will thank you later.

Stomp On The Leaves Before You Step Away

Don’t let the wind ruin your hard work! If you need to take a break or step away from your leaf piles before collecting them, walk and step all over them to prevent them from blowing away.

Utilize Your Lawnmower

If your lawnmower has an attachment that can shred leaves and collect the clippings, use it! This will cut down heavily the amount of raking you need to do, which will be a lifesaver for your back. Collecting the leaves will also be a breeze since the clippings will go right in the bag attached to your mower.

Happy raking!

Home Exterior Care in Norwalk, CT

Spend your autumn season focusing on family fun and not taking care of your property. The experts at Landmark Exteriors are here to help your home’s exterior look and perform its best this fall season and all year long! Give us a call at (203) 838-3838 to learn more.

Family Fun Fall Activities

Colder weather may be quickly approaching, but that doesn’t mean the fun has to stop! Autumn is a wonderful season filled with many exciting activities to do as a family. The colors of the leaves are changing and Halloween is nearing; it’s time to get started on enjoying all that fall has to offer!

Give these family fun activities a try this fall season: 

Visit an Apple Orchard

Apples are in season, and you can’t go wrong with this delicious and nutritious fruit. Take a family trip to a nearby apple orchard to get some fresh air and pick out or buy some fresh apples. The perfect fall family fun day!

Pumpkin Picking

You can’t have autumn without some pumpkins! Visit a Connecticut farm or your local store to pick out a variety of pumpkins and gourds. Use them to decorate your home or maybe even cook with. 

Pumpkin Carving

Now that you have gone pumpkin picking, why not have some fun and test your carving skills? Clean out your pumpkins, get the proper tools, pick out your best design, and carefully, of course, begin your carving. Don’t forget some candles to show off your beautifully carved pumpkin to the neighborhood.  

If making jack-o-lanterns isn’t your forte, try painting your pumpkins instead!

Go Picnicking

While the nights are getting chilly quick, the weather during the day is perfect for a relaxing outdoor picnic. Head to a local park with your packed autumn treats, snacks, and drinks for some outdoor enjoyment. And who doesn’t love a good meal with family?

Go on a Nature Hike

Autumn is filled with so many beautiful surprises to find in nature, starting with the color-changing leaves. Take a family hike on one of the many trails throughout Connecticut to enjoy some leaf-peeping, bird watching, fresh air, and exercise. 

Bake a Fall Treat

Autumn is filled with so many wonderful flavors and foods to eat. Enjoy a day of baking some yummy fall treats as a family! There are so many wonderful and delicious treats to indulge and enjoy making together in the kitchen from apple, pecan, or pumpkin pie to caramel apples and pumpkin cookies.  

Roast Marshmallows

Enjoy some warm time by your fireplace or fire pit on those chilly autumn nights. Grab all the marshmallows you can get your hands on and have some fun roasting them over the flames. Don’t forget the chocolate and graham crackers to make the perfect s’ more!  

Home Exterior Care in Connecticut

Spend your autumn season focusing on family fun and not problems with your home. The experts at Landmark Exteriors are here to help your home’s exterior look and perform its best this fall season and all year long! Give us a call at (203) 838-3838 to learn more.