LANDMARK EXTERIORS

While spring is the season that comes to most people’s minds when talking about planting or gardening, fall is another great time of year to redesign your home’s landscape. 

Don’t wait till the warmer weather arrives to make changes to your property. Fall is the perfect time to plant some beautiful trees you’ll be able to enjoy all year long. Roll up those sleeves, and get your planting started now!

Benefits of Fall Planting

Taking the time to plant new trees in the fall allows for extra growing time before the warmer seasons when you’ll want to enjoy the trees’ presence and beauty the most. The combination of the cooler temperatures and heavy rain totals throughout the fall season helps trees establish their roots well into the soil, allowing them to adjust and grow easier when the summer arrives. 

While many believe that most trees aren’t capable of handling harsh winters, that is for sure not the case. Trees go dormant, similar to an animal’s hibernation, in the winter months. This sleep-like state allows trees to slow down their growth and metabolism to survive. When the warmer weather returns, they leave this state and continue their development.

Types of Trees To Plant During The Fall Season

Consider planting these trees on your property this autumn for a new, beautiful addition to your landscape:

• Honey locust – These trees produce beautiful fall colors each year and grow to heights of around 30 feet. Common around New England, honey locust can be planted any time between the spring and fall and require much care, water, and sunlight to grow to its potential.
• Weeping willow – Elegant and classic, the weeping willow is a tree that impresses with its beautiful sweeping, bright, falling branches. Plant this tree during the fall as it can last through freezing temperatures, but be careful to avoid planting near pipes or septic systems since they have an aggressive root system.
• October glory red maple – This type of maple tree will indeed brighten up your property in the fall with its bright red leaves. This tree is also reasonably low-maintenance and can survive the harshest of winters.
• Thuja green giants – Known for their bulky green branches that make the perfect ready-made privacy fence, the thuja green giant tree is suited for planting all-year-round. Thuja trees are also easy to plant and not challenging to grow.
• Jane magnolia – If you’re already thinking spring, consider planting a jane magnolia tree that blooms beautiful, delicate flowers in the warmer seasons. This easy to grow, low-maintenance plant will live through the harsh winter, making it a perfect cold-weather tree to plant.
• Bloodgood Japanese maple – Unlike other maples, the bloodgood produces scarlet-colored foliage all year-round that will be sure to boost your curb appeal. As well, the roots are well-behaved, and they can grow in either full or partial sun.

Home Exterior Care in Norwalk, CT

Need help making your home and property look its best? 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.

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.

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. 

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.

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.

Picking a roofing company can be a hassle, but it doesn’t need to be. Knowing exactly what to ask and look for can make this process much easier and help ensure that you’re getting the best work done possible. 

Here are the most important questions to ask a roofing contractor before you hire them:

Are you a licensed roofing contractor?

Codes and licensing requirements vary from state to state. It’s good to ask and be certain that your roofers are licensed, their license is up to date, and they abide by all codes.

Do you carry general liability insurance?

Workman’s compensation insurance covers the employees while working on your roof. However, you still have to worry about potential damage to any part of your property that can occur during the installation. Don’t be afraid to ask them to verify that the roofing company has general liability insurance that will pay for repairs if part of your property is damaged in any way during the work process.

How will you protect my home’s exterior driveway and gutters from damage?

A lot of equipment, tools, and people are required when redoing a roof. On top of insurance, you can ask what exact measures the workers will take while working to protect your gutters, driveway, and house from damage.

Will you remove my old roof?

In some cases, roofers will make the call to shingle over the existing roof, leading to problems such as soft or rotten spots throughout the roof. If these issues aren’t resolved, severe damage can occur to your home. Make sure that your old roof is being completely removed before replacement.

What is your physical address and phone number?

Make sure your roofers have a physical location and local phone number before hiring them. It’s important to make sure that they are a legal operation, and if there are any problems, you can contact and locate them.

What is the warranty for my new roof?

Don’t forget to ask about your roofing material’s longevity and the warranty time for the roof. A properly installed roof with shingles should last at least 25 years.

Will you provide a written estimate?

Before you sign or agree to anything, make sure you have a detailed estimate in writing for all the different aspects of the job. You’ll want to be aware of any surprise costs when the work is finished.

Will there be someone on-site that I can speak with and ask questions?

It’s logical to have questions while the work is happening. Be prepared ahead of time and know who will be on-site that you can ask any questions you have.

Roof Installation in Connecticut

Hire a roofing company you can trust, is reliable, and will do an exceptional job, so you don’t have to worry. The experts at Landmark Exteriors can help you fix any problems or fully replace your roof without any hassle, and you’ll be more than pleased with the results. Give us a call at (203) 838-3838 to learn more.

Autumn is here, and there’s so much to look forward to such as pumpkins everywhere, Halloween decorations, spice-scented candles, and the leaves changing color! From red to yellow to orange to purple, there are so many gorgeous and vibrant colors that will be taking over the trees soon. Especially in beautiful Connecticut, it’s impossible not to be surrounded by the fantastic fall foliage.

But why exactly do the leaves change color this time of year? And why do they fall at all? Here’s the reason for this nature phenomenon: 

Why Do Leaves Fall During Autumn?

It takes a lot of energy and water for trees and plants to maintain healthy leaves, and this water and energy can be hard to come by as the temperatures drop. Winter is cold, dry, and there isn’t as much needed sun for healthy leaf conditions. 

Instead of struggling to hold on to their leaves, trees and plants drop them and seal the spots on the branches where the leaves were attached so that new ones can grow when there’s more sun, water, and optimal weather available.

Why Do Leaves Change Color in Autumn?

The pigment, chlorophyll, is what gives leaves their bright green color. Chlorophyll is essential for plants to make food from sunlight. Trees and plants make a lot of this chlorophyll during the warmer seasons, but as the temperatures start to drop and the sun is out for less time, they have to stop this production.

When autumn starts and the weather gets colder, trees and plants instead break down the chlorophyll into smaller molecules until it goes away entirely, and new pigments begin to show, like yellow and red. The colors will change just before the leaves fall off.

Home Exterior Care in Connecticut

The experts at Landmark Exteriors are here to help your home’s exterior look and perform its best this fall season! Give us a call at (203) 838-3838 to learn more.

Of course, the autumn wreaths, pumpkin spice candles, and Halloween decorations are important for celebrating the fall season’s arrival. But, is your home ready to handle the quickly changing weather? Chilly weather, falling leaves, and potentially damaging storms are on their way, so it’s best to be prepared and make sure your house is ready to handle it all.

Take a look at these helpful tips to ensure your home is fall-ready:

Clean and Cover-up Your Outdoor Furniture

Give your outdoor furniture a quick wipe down and clear off any debris that has fallen on them. Use tarps or furniture covers to place over them and protect them from the elements until you’re ready to take them out for spring. If needed and you have the available space, bring them indoors for ultimate protection.

Inspect and Repair Your Roof

Give your roof a quick look-over and search for any signs that it is damaged and needs to be fixed. Start by looking for curled, broken, or missing shingles, moss growth, or rust. Notice any of the mentioned issues or have concerns? Consider having your roof professionally inspected as soon as possible.

Clean Your Gutters

It is generally recommended to clean your gutters at least twice a year. Especially when fall starts, leaves will indeed find their way into your gutters and likely clog them up. Gutters work hard to remove rainwater and melting snow safely off your roof and away from your home, so it’s essential to be sure they are properly functioning.  

Take Care of Your Outdoor Water System

Be sure to drain and turn off all your outdoor faucets and sprinkler system. A frozen pipe could lead to a burst and some costly damage. Make sure to drain out and store away your hoses, so they’re ready for next year!

Inspect Your House For Drafts

Prevent heat loss by taking a walk throughout your entire house and looking for any areas where there could be air coming in from outside. Seal up gaps in doorways and windows and fill in any spaces missing proper insulation. Your energy bill will thank you!

Inspect Your Furnace, Water Heater, and Change Filters

Nothing works harder in the winter than your home’s heating system. Inspect your furnace and water heater and ensure they are properly functioning before the weather gets too cold, and have them fixed as soon as possible. Fall is also a great time to change out your dirty filters to make sure your home has fresh, clean air for all the time you’ll spend indoors. 

Prepare Your Fireplace

Who doesn’t love getting all cozy by the fireplace when the cold weather arrives? Though you might be getting the firewood together already, schedule an inspection and check that your chimney is clean and free of blockages. That way, when the first cold day hits, you’ll be all ready to go!

Check Safety Equipment

Another part of the fall season we look forward to is daylight savings, which is also the perfect time to make sure your home’s safety equipment is up to par! Replace batteries for your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors, checking expiration dates and replacing fire extinguishers if needed, stock up and be prepared for power outages, and review an emergency plan with your family. 

Home Exterior Care in Connecticut

The experts at Landmark Exteriors are here to help your home’s exterior look and perform its best! Give us a call at (203) 838-3838 to learn more.

Over the years, you’ve worked hard to ensure that your home is a happy and inviting place to live. Now that you’re looking to sell, the quality of your roof is something that shouldn’t be last on your list. 

Problems with the roofing can be a major deal-breaker for houses on the market and significantly affect the overall value and chances of selling. You’ll want to make sure your roof is adding value rather than decreasing it.

How a Roof Affects Your Home’s Value

While most homeowners are mostly concerned with the roof’s ability to protect you and their valuables underneath it, there are other functions the roof is designed to do for your home, such as insulation and protection from the elements, making it a crucial factor.

Home inspectors always pay careful attention to the quality of your roof as it does play a major role in the home’s overall value. A roof that needs to be fixed or replaced soon will negatively impact the property’s appraisal value and could potentially be considered a “fixer-upper” for home listings.

How a New Roof Can Improve Your Home’s Value

If you are planning to sell your house, make sure to look into the roof’s condition. Newer roofs add plenty of value and make a big difference in your payout. In general, a new roof can add between 15% and 40% value to your home! Here are the ways a new roof contributes to an increased home value:

• Function – A new roof ensures that the house will be properly protective over the rest of the home for years to come.
• Curb appeal – The look and attractiveness play a significant role as well in your home’s value and sale potential. An improved and good-looking roof can add to the overall appeal and interest more buyers.
• Fit into the neighborhood – Few people want a home that sticks out like a sore thumb from the surrounding houses. If you’ve chosen a roofing material that differs from the rest of the neighborhood, your resale value will likely decrease, especially if the houses are close to one another.
• Energy Efficiency – An old roof doesn’t offer the same value in regard to energy efficiency and insulation as a new roof does. 

Knowing what to look for as well can help you determine whether or not you should be looking to get your roof redone. Make sure to look for various signs and damages to your roof that means it needs to be inspected or replaced!

Roof Installation in Connecticut

The experts at Landmark Exteriors can help you fix any problems or fully replace your roof, so it has the highest value possible! Give us a call at (203) 838-3838 to learn more.

With colder weather and storm season approaching quickly, your roof will be what protects the rest of your house, so you’ll want to make sure it’s in tip-top shape! While roofs can last you decades at a time, damage can cause severe and costly problems for your home at any time.

Here are some signs to look for that will tell you that you need to have your roof looked at by a professional:

Curling or Missing Shingles

One of the telltale signs that your roof is deteriorating is if you notice shingles are starting to curl around the edges or shingles are missing and have fallen off your house. If you notice any patches of black asphalt exposed on the roof, it means that shingles are missing from that spot.

Excessive Granules

Another sign of shingles aging is when granules fall off. One way you can tell if this is happening is by checking the gutters and downspouts for small granules that have ended up there after falling off the shingles.

Missing or Cracked Tiles

If you have a tile roof, cracked or missing tiles are a sign that some renovations are needed. Cracked or missing tiles can lead to leaks and serious damage.

Ceiling Stains or Leaks

If you notice any stains on your ceiling, it could be a sign that a leak has sprung. The stain will likely be yellowish or brownish and should tell you that you need to have your roof looked at quickly.

Sounds of Wind From Inside

Another sign of an unstable roof would be the sound of the wind whistling from inside the house. This could mean shingles or tiles are missing, or there is a hole.

It’s Been a While…

If it has been a long time, more than 2 decades, since you’ve had your roof done, it’s time to get an inspection done. In that time, your roof has taken a lot of hits from weather, debris, and regular wear and tear. 

Roof Inspection in Connecticut

Are you noticing any of these problems? The experts at Landmark Exteriors can ensure that your roof is at its best and help you fix any problems. Give us a call at (203) 838-3838 to learn more.