LANDMARK EXTERIORS

If you want to give you home a sophisticated and beautiful exterior, consider installing slate roofing! They may have a higher upfront cost compared to other roofing materials, but we’re here to explain why slate roofing is the most bank for your buck.

What are the advantages of slate roofs?

Slate roofs last 50-100 years, making the durability and longevity of this material its most appealing factor. Also, the variety of color options to choose from! However, the cost of slate varies on the color preference. Like granite, different colors come from different locations (i.e. New York, Spain, England, and Brazil).

Are there different types of slate roofing?

Synthetic – Synthetic slate roof shingles are made of 100% recycled rubber and plastic, one of the major incentives for people who are environmentally conscious. They’re also lighter and come in a variety of colors and sizes, mimicking real slate.

Metal – Metal slate roofs’ longevity and low costs are a few major advantages to this material. Also, if you live in a colder climate, metal roofs are able to shed snow more easily.

Who should be installing slate roofs?

Homeowners stand back! Installing and repairing slate roofs (or any other roof) is something that should only be handled by a professional. And when it comes to slate roofs, a structural engineer will even need to be involved as well. Your slate roof can easily be damaged, especially if you don’t use the proper tools and technique!

To learn more about a cedar roof installation, turn to Landmark Exteriors. We proudly serve homeowners in Fairfield and Westchester counties, as well as Long Island. Our process is thorough and valuable. Visit our website to learn more.

Your roof is made up of wood, cement, shingles, and a long list of complicated trade terms (we get it). But, since your roof protects you day in and day out, it’s important to be educated on a few important parts of the system.

Deck – The structural base for the roof (usually made of wood or plywood).

Dormer – A structure with a window that projects vertically through the slope of the roof.

Eave – The eaves are the lower edges of the roof that overhang the home’s exterior walls.

Metal drip edge – A narrow strip of non corrosive metal used at the rake to facilitate water runoff.

Rake – The outer edge of the roof from the eave to the ridge.

Rafters – Part of the frame of your home. They are the underlying structure that’s holding your roof up.

Decking – The decking goes on top of the rafters and acts as a solid surface for the rest of your roof.

Underlayment – On top of the decking is a felt underlayment. The underlayment protects the decking and rafters from moisture.

Valley – The intersection of two sloping roofs that join at an angle to provide water runoff.

Now that you know the different parts of your roofing system, it’s easier to note when there’s a problem that needs to be fixed. We’ve got you covered at Landmark Exteriors and our Home Care division! We offer only top-quality roofing materials to provide our customers with durable, weather-resistant, and guaranteed roofing solutions. Our experienced and well-trained professionals are experts at installing repairing and are ready to take on your next home renovation project! To speak with our professional staff about a new roofing installation, give us a call at 203.838.3838, or visit us on the web.

Why do certified roofing contractors matter? It’s almost like the game, Who Wants To Be A Millionaire. When your roof is on the line, and you decide to ‘phone a friend,’ the last thing you want is for them to not be educated on the subject. Avoid the headache and protect your costly assets by using this as a guide to help you find a qualified worker in the field.

Your roofer understands your type of roof system.
There are a variety of roofing systems on the market. How each are installed and repaired differ greatly. With that being said, you want to choose a contractor who’s certified to work with your specific roof so you can rest assured that they know the proper methods and materials.

You’ll comply with all warranty requirements.
If your roof is still under warranty, it’s important to hire a contractor who’s certified by your systems material manufacturer. If you hire someone who does a repair on your roof who isn’t, you risk the chance of no coverage if another problem arises in the future.

Your roofer is up-to-date on industry trends and manufacturer best practices.
If your contractor has difficulty answering most of your questions, that’s a bad sign. Contractors have to go through factory training to educate themselves on installing, maintaining, and repairing all of the products in the market. And in order to retain that certification, they have to continue their education throughout their career. So, make sure you’re checking up on the businesses certifications online before you hire!

Landmark Exteriors prides itself on its high level of experience and craftsmanship. Our commitment to quality means we won’t cut corners, so we understand the importance of certification in the field. For 20 years, Landmark Exteriors has designed, created, and installed unique cedar, slate, tile, and copper roofing for homeowners in Fairfield and Westchester counties, as well as Long Island. To speak with our professional staff about a new roofing installation, give us a call at 203.838.3838, or visit us on the web.

When you think of a historic building or home, you may think old and trouble. But, what’s historic is actually worth saving. Here are four reasons why preserving historic buildings are so important.

1. Old buildings have natural value.
Buildings of a specific time period, namely pre-World War II, tend to be built with higher-quality materials — heart pine and rare wood from old forests than no longer exist. Prewar buildings sometimes even have better structures, due to the different building structures from years ago.

2. You could be saving a building with serious value.
For instance, a decade ago,the Daylight Building in Knoxville went on the market. During renovations they found drop-ceilings made with heart-pine wood, a large clerestory, and a facade lined with bright copper.

3. Old buildings attract people.
Maybe it’s the style, or the materials it’s made of, but older buildings are always topic of conversation for homeowners.

4. Old buildings are a reminder of our culture.
Historic buildings are famous for tourists and even longtime residents. To be able to witness history brings a sense of permanency and heritage to a community.

Want to preserve your home? The first step is keeping up with your home’s maintenance! Need a roof repair or installation? We’ve got you covered at Landmark Exteriors and our Home Care division! We offer only top-quality roofing materials to provide our customers with durable, weather-resistant, and guaranteed roofing solutions. Our experienced and well-trained professionals are experts at installing repairing and are ready to take on your next home renovation project! To speak with our professional staff about a new roofing installation, give us a call at 203.838.3838, or visit us on the web.

Fourth of July weekend is finally here! How are you planning on celebrating America’s birthday? If you need a few ideas, Connecticut has plenty of patriotic events scheduled — here are our top four for the weekend!

Reds, Whites, and Barbecue – Staehly Farm Winery & Tree Farm
Staehly Farm Winery and All Fired Up are partnering up to bring you great food and local wines this Independence Day weekend. You’ll even enjoy a lineup of some great live music!
Date: July 1 – 3
Time: 12 p.m.

3-D Fireworks – Quassy Amusement & Waterpark
This fireworks display over Lake Quassapaug is not one to be missed. But seriously, for those who attend, no matter where you sit, you’ll be able to enjoy the view!
Date: July 4
Time: 10:30 p.m.

Independence Day Celebration – Mystic Seaport
Celebrate America’s birthday circa 1876. You’ll enjoy boat races, an old-fashioned spelling bee, picnics, live music, and delicious ice cream (that you’ll help churn yourself!).
Date: July 4
Time: 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.

Talcott Mountain Music Festival – Simsbury Meadows Performing Arts Center
This music festival includes all of the fan-favorite patriotic melodies! And it also ends with a fireworks show, of course!
Date: June 30
Time: 7:30 p.m.

We hope you enjoy your Fourth of July weekend!

If you’re looking for a dedicated, experienced, and dependable roofing contractor, look no further than Landmark Exteriors! To learn more about our services, check out our website or speak with one of our professionals at 203.838.3838.

The Fourth of July is filled with cook outs, cold drinks, and loved ones. And, the holiday wouldn’t be complete without fireworks at the end of the night! But, according to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), more fires are reported on Independence Day than any other day of the year — and half of those fires are caused by fireworks!

How To Protect Your Home From Fourth Of July Fireworks:

Trim your trees. While fireworks may burn off rather quickly, it doesn’t take long for something to catch on fire. One of the more likely culprits? Your tree branches. Hire a professional to trim your trees and remove any branches from your roof to reduce the chance of any fires.

Clear out your gutters. Your gutters are essential for collecting rainwater, but it’s also a place where dry matter (i.e. leaves, pine needles, branches) collect and become a fire hazard. Make sure you’re keeping up with your yearly maintenance and keeping your gutters cleaned at all times.

Talk to your neighbors. It’s important to respect your property, and the others around you. So, take the extra step to speak with your neighbors about their party plans. Besides, connecting with your neighbors means more help if a problem arises.

Inspect your roof. On top of cleaning your roof and gutter system of any branches, leaves, and other debris, a professional can also inspect your roof for signs of damage. Any holes, loose shingles, or old tar paper should be repaired immediately.

Need a professional to check out your homes roofing or siding system before the holiday? We’ve got you covered at Landmark Exteriors and our Home Care division! For 20 years, Landmark Exteriors has designed, created, and installed one-of-a-kind roofs for homeowners in Fairfield and Westchester counties, as well as on Long Island. To learn more about our services, check out our website or speak with one of our professionals at 203.838.3838.

Every season comes a new list of maintenance tasks for your home. And with summer around the corner, you’ll want to make sure your home is all prepped and ready for you to enjoy some fun in the sun.

Check detectors. It’s important to check your home’s smoke and carbon monoxide detectors to make sure they’re working properly.

Inspect air conditioners. It’s about to be the busiest time of the year for your AC, so if you haven’t already, make sure you’re prepping your unit properly.

Enjoy a dry spell. Set up an outdoor clothesline to dry your laundry in the sun — you’ll end up saving money and energy by skipping the dryer.

Clean your outdoor grill. For gas grills, turn the heat up to high and let the grill cook with the lid closed for about an hour. Allow the grill to cool and give it a deep cleaning with a grill brush. For charcoal grills, empty the grill of any ashy residue. Then, clean it inside and out with hot water and dishwashing soap.

Channel your inner leak detective. Check your hoses and exterior faucets for leaks — even a tiny drip can add up to a large amount of waste.

Primp your plants. If you have visible foliage from spring bulbs, clean them up to maintain a tidy look. If your perennials and annuals leaves are still green, leave them be; they’re busy nourishing their bulbs to bloom again next year.

Don’t wait until something becomes a problem before you take action. A leaky roof. Clogged gutters. Damaged siding. Landmark Exteriors can help you with all of that, and more! If you’re in Fairfield County CT or the surrounding areas, our team at the Home Care division has you covered! For more information about Landmark Exteriors or to sign up for our preventative maintenance plans, give us a call at 203.838.3838.

Trying to find plans for Memorial Day weekend? Luckily, Connecticut is full of fun picnics, parades, and parties, to show our patriotism. Here are a few of the favorites from the professionals at Landmark Exteriors.

Mystic Seaport’s Salute to Summer – Join Mystic Seaport in celebrating the heroes of our country and the unofficial start of the summer season. There will be crafts, music, and even some old-fashioned carnival games. Also, don’t forget to make time for the Planetarium show.

Date: May 27th & 28th

Time: 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.

Location: Mystic Seaport

Seymour Remembers 2017 Memorial Day Parade – This parade will commemorate the 100th anniversary of World War I with a whole day of fun, including bands, music, contents, and more.

Date: May 28th

Time: 11:30 a.m.

Location: Daniel Wasson Field parking lot

The Derby-Shelton Parade – This parade started around 1868, making it one of the oldest Memorial Day parades in Connecticut.

Date: May 29th

Time: 9 a.m.

Location: Shelton High School

Memorial Day BBQ Buffet – Enjoy live music from Brandt Taylor and delicious BBQ food this weekend at Infinity Bistro. All active military and veterans get 50% off.

Date: May 29th

Time: 11:30 a.m. – 3 p.m.

Location: Daniel Wasson Field parking lot

We hope you enjoy your Memorial Day weekend!

If you’re looking for a dedicated, experienced, and dependable roofing contractor, look no further than Landmark Exteriors! To learn more about our services, check out our website or speak with one of our professionals at 203.838.3838.

Connecticut is currently in the grips of one of the longest-running droughts on record for the state. With the focus on water-efficiency, maintenance for your roof might have been moved to the back burner. However, there are three main reasons why it’s necessary to still check your roof during a drought.

Fire Risk. The most important reason to get your roof inspected during a drought is to ensure that your property is not at risk for any possible fires. This is the perfect time for you to upgrade your roofing or siding material to a product with a better fire protection rating.

Extra UV damage. More days without rain means more days without cloud coverage. This high level of UV ray exposure increases the chance of damage to your roofing materials. However, Cedar-Life products block the sun, protecting the natural color of your roof for years to come. Contact Landmark Exteriors Cedar-Life division for more information.

Preventing future leaks. It will rain eventually, and when it does, the last thing you want is for water to be leaking through your roof and damaging your property. By getting your roof inspected and repaired during a drought, you will minimize your chances of any leaks, caused by your dried-out roofing materials.

We’re all guilty of it – waiting until something becomes a problem before we take action. A leaky roof. Clogged gutters. Damaged siding. If you’re in Fairfield County CT or the surrounding areas, our team at the Home Care division has you covered! For more information about Landmark Exteriors or to sign up for our preventative maintenance plans, give us a call at 203.838.3838.

This blog has been updated: May 9, 2019

This Sunday, it’s all about the moms in our lives — grandmothers and great-grandmothers included! And Connecticut is the perfect place to help you celebrate the day with them.

Take mom for a meal. Get your mom out of the kitchen, and treat her to a Mother’s Day meal. Restaurants in Connecticut are helping you celebrate by offering prix fixe menus, special a la carte items, buffets, and more.

Enjoy the great outdoors. If your mother is a fitness junkie, take her on a hike — she can celebrate her special day while still getting her steps in! There are plenty of trails to explore in Connecticut, including Southford Falls, Bear Mountain, and Spruce Brook Ravine to name a few.

Sip on a drink — or two. There are plenty of wineries or breweries in Connecticut, and luckily, many of them are hosting budget-friendly special events for your loved ones. Litchfield Distillery is offering tours and free tastings of whiskey, bourbon, gin, and vodka. The vineyards will have live music, picnic options (for pre-order only), painting classes, and more.

Plan a day trip. Take your mom on a relaxing cruise along the Connecticut River in Haddam or to the Fairfield Dogwood Festival (featuring flowering dogwood trees, music, and food). Check out Connecticut’s event calendar for your full list of options.

We hope you enjoy your Mother’s Day celebrations!

If you’re looking for a dedicated, experienced, and dependable roofing contractor, look no further than Landmark Exteriors! To learn more about our services, check out our website or speak with one of our professionals at 203.838.3838.