Monthly Archive:: March 2017

How to Increase the Energy Efficiency of Your Roof

Hot climates might have to worry about high energy costs in summer, but colder climates worry equally about the costs during harsh winter months. There are a few ways you can increase the energy efficiency of your roof. It saves on a huge power bill and helps out the environment at the same time.

“Cool” the Roof Down

Cooling down the roof is simply lightening the color in order to reflect light away from the surface. This is a very efficient way to naturally bring down the temperature of the home during the summer. Your air conditioner will not have to work as hard to cool the home interior. This is generally done with a paint product, or a white membrane of material for flat roofing Toronto. It needs to be applied by professional roofers to ensure it is done right. You can cut your cooling bill down significantly during the hottest months of the year.

Insulate the Attic

Colder climates need adequate insulation in attic areas, especially if these areas are used as bedrooms. It can get unbearably cold in the winter to stay in a non-insulated space just under the roof. The cold will literally hang in the air and drive the living down to other warmer areas of the home. Check with roofing contractors in your area about the best type of insulation to use for the local climate. Some areas are colder than others and may require thicker insulation for better results.

Choose Greener Materials When You Add a New Roof

You can go to a greener energy efficient product if it is time to change out the old roof for new. The biggest changes you will want to make are towards longer-lasting products that offer increased protection from ultraviolet rays of the sun. Choosing a brighter color will increase your energy efficiency without any extra effort. Get with a roofing expert that can help your choose the best product that will match your existing siding and eavestrough.

Use Methods to Draw Heat Into the Home in a Cooler Climate

Adding laminated aluminum barrier sheets beneath the roofing material is one way to push heat back into the home in a cold climate. This can drop your heating bills appreciably. It is a practical addition if you are adding a new roof. Using radiant and solar energy to help keep you and your family warm in the winter is a smart use of the free energy provided by the environment. The additional cost weighed against the savings in energy costs make it a wise investment.

Contact an expert roof repair specialist to help assess the best ways to affordably make your roof more energy efficient.

How to Find the Right Locksmith to Call for Specialized Needs

When you think about hiring a locksmith for help, you may think about emergency service requests. For example, it may be most common to call emergency locksmiths when you have lost your keys or when you have been locked out of your home or car. While key cutting and door opening may be common reasons why you may need assistance from a well-trained professional, there are times when highly specialized services are required. Not all professionals have the same level of training and experience, and you understandably want to choose an expert who can quickly and easily address your issues. By focusing on these steps, you can find the right expert to call for specialized assistance.

Read Online Bios
While some locksmiths do not have detailed online biographies that list their experiences, education and services, many do. Professional websites are a great starting point when looking for extra help with unique door locks, such as deadbolt locks or keyless entry locks. Keep in mind that those who have specialized skills will often proudly advertise this, and this makes it easier to find the right professional to call for assistance.

Call for More Information
While some locksmiths use a professional answering service to handle their incoming calls and to set up appointments, others will answer the phone themselves. This gives you the ability to inquire about special services, such as those related to a keypack lock, automatic door opener or other features. Communicating directly with the specialist can help you to better gauge his or her experience and specialization in a unique area, and this may be critical to your decision-making process.

Ask the Right Questions
Whether you are able to contact a locksmith by phone before scheduling a personal visit or you must wait until the professional arrives to ask questions, obtain an up-front estimate for the service. Avoid working with professionals who charge a travel fee before any work has been completed, and this is especially true if their arrival will be the first time when you can ask them questions. Ensure you ask specific questions about the feature that needs service. Avoid working with individuals who fumble with a response or who say they have to dig into the feature before answering your questions.

The last thing you want is to have an unskilled professional work on your high-end locking or security mechanisms. You do not want your features to be an educational experience for them or to be the subject of a trial-and-error experiment. You can more confidently hire a skilled professional to help with specialized lock and key needs when you focus on these steps initially. You could potentially find more information at Lock-Up Services Inc,which has additional resources available on their website.