Return on Investment, Your #1 Ace... Your Home

With the closing of 2013, we came across some information that shows what an advantage it is to make upgrades to your home. We are big believers in "Don't Move. Improve!, and here is a great example of why! Below are two charts that shows popular home improvement projects across the South East. In one column you will find the average job costs for such projects, as well as how much added value the homeowner's new upgrade added to their home. It is easy to see that the lowest % of return on their investment is 43% for a home office remodel, all the way to 92% for replacing an entry door with a steel model! 

With these numbers, here is proof that investing in yourself (your home), is a wise decision! And for another added plus... You get to enjoy these special upgrades the entire time you own the home! Upgrade projects are a Win Win!

Roofing Waste, Go Green and Recycle

11 million tons of roofing waste are sent to our landfills each year. This unnecessary dumping can easily be avoided by choosing contractors that care about our world and well being. 

The main component of roofing shingles is asphalt. With asphalt being the material used to build roads, we can reduce the amount of landfill destined shingles by recycling and turning them into new or repaired roadways. 

Shingles can be ground down so that the asphalt is turned into almost a powder like substance. After the refining process, the recycled shingles can be installed by pavers and used for years and years and years instead of lying in a landfill. 

With very few shingle recyclers around, it is difficult to find contractors that have the ability to recycle the tear off shingles during roofing projects. If we can make these small contributions step by step, little by little, this 11 million tons of waste can be diverted and put into something so very useful to millions. 

Go Green and Start Recycling Today!

Duckback Contractors

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Tile... A Quick, Cost Effective Face Life

Here at Duckback Contractors, we do not just offer roofing services. We offer a wide range of services, and for the Holiday season, we would like to expand a little on those other services. Today we are featuring tile.

The kitchen is one of the most important rooms in a home during the holidays. If you have been wanting to revamp your kitchen but have not found the time, or the cash, installing a new tile floor can give you that impressive pop that will transform drab to fab! Ceramic tile is not only cost efficient, but it looks like a million bucks! Ceramic tile is difficult to stain, and is very durable against cracks and chips. 

A tiled backsplash can also give your kitchen a grand effect. Do you have beautiful cabinetry that needs to be accented? Or have some outdated wallpaper that is looking its age? Or do you have a bland feel due to a solid paint color? A tiled backsplash can add dimension and an either subtle or dramatic effect when coordinating with the cabinets.

Here is another example of how a tiled backsplash with a different pattern can give a beautiful contrast to the counter tops and cabinets!

A home's kitchen is not the only room that can be transformed by converting to tile. This customer's bathroom was transformed into the bathroom fit for a queen by installing a beautiful colored tile laid in a diamond pattern and accented tastefully with a border. 

Unwinding in a warm bath is much more relaxing when the environment is aesthetically pleasing. Adding tile around your tub or shower can help with that!

Last but definitely not least, we offer the option to install the look of hardwood, but with the durability and price range of porcelain tile (porcelain is actually hand and hand price wise as ceramic). The impeccable Piedmont Estate building in Buckhead allowed us to install the wood look tile throughout their ballroom and bar. This is an amazing option when looking for the look of hardwood, but needing the durability to defend in high traffic and risky spill areas!

We are offering a holiday special starting as low as $4.00 per sq ft! 

Call us Today to Schedule Your Appointment! 770-374-6137

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Ventilation... Get Full Use of Your Roof's Life

Proper ventilation is pertinent to get the full life span out of your new roof, and why not save some money on your energy bills at the same time! 

Your roofing system is not complete unless you have the proper ventilation. In the hot months, the heat from the sun bakes the shingles. Shingles are made to withstand heat, but as the sun heats the roof it also heats the attic below the roof deck. Being heated from above and below, with high temperatures, deteriorates the shingles very quickly. As the temperature decreases in the evenings condensation develops and can get trapped within the shingles. This moisture will eventually cause blisters.

Here is an example of blisters :

These blisters are small areas where the granules have burst off of the shingles. Small holes, or any holes what so ever, are big dangers on a roof! 

Here are a couple ways to promote air flow on your roof and are also relatively cost efficient!

1) ridge vents

By installing a ridge vent you are allowing the hot air inside the attic to escape through the ridges. By allowing the hot air escape through the ridge, you have a better chance of keeping it out of the interior of your home. The result, not having to run your air condition quite as long and low, and at the same time allowing your shingles to breath!

2) solar panel attic fan

In combination with a ridge vent, a solar panel attic fan can save you some mega bucks! By being powered by the sun, the attic fan stirs the air inside the attic allowing the air to escape faster and more efficiently through the ridge vent. This produces a much cooler attic at no cost, not not cosuming and energy! Saving money is making money! By installing a solar panel attic fan on your roof, the temperature inside your attic can drop up to 40 degrees! In turn you will not have to run that air condition near as much as normal, giving the unit a longer life, as lowering that power bill! Again saving money is making money! Another advantage, the year you install the solar panel, you can use it towards your taxes in the form of credit! You can claim 30% of the total cost (including cost of the unit, installation labor, and sales tax up to $1,500.00) in tax credit! Depending on the unit will determine the cost, but a nice standard unit will cost you between $300 - $400! Not a bad investment when looking at how much it can save you! One last time, saving money is making money!

Both of these methods, especially when combined, will extend the life of your roof and keep you cooler! And what could be better than by keeping a little moola in your pocket at the same time!

Choosing a Roofing Contractor... What You Should Know

When choosing your contractor, it is extremely important to look at all of the qualities they have to offer. A homeowner should not base their decision on one factor. Here are some of those factors you should keep in mind when making your decision.

1) Insurance - Every contractor should carry the appropriate amount and type of insurance. In the roofing industry it is imperative for the contractor to carry both General Liability AND Workman's Compensation. When your contractor has both types of insurance, it protects you, the homeowner, from any mishaps that may arise during the job.

2) License - Is your contractor legally able to do the work to your home? Contractors without a license (county or state), should raise some eyebrows. A contractors entire business is based around their license and if they do not have one, that should say the rest about the business.

3) Price - It is not always best to take the lowest price you receive. Generally, if a price is considerably lower than all the others, you should ask questions as to why the price is low. A low price can either mean poor quality materials, workmanship, or the contractor may not have added in some of the costs which could end up leaving you in the dust. Example, we have heard of a LOT of contractors not replacing the pipe boots on a roof to save money. It is very sad but true!

4) Multiple Estimates - It is not always best to contact one contractor and go with what they say. Contact at least three to get a second and third opinion. 

5) Quality - Ask questions, and ask for pictures. If a contractor cannot give you answers, or if they cannot give you pictures of some of their work, think twice. We love to show our customers pictures of our past jobs so that they and everyone else can see the quality that we put in to every job.

6) Overall Feel - There are contractors that want to rush through the job. There are contractors that call and call until you give them an answer to their estimate. Both should be red flags. Trying to rush through the job can cause major problems. All roofing jobs have to go through a certain process and that process should not be over rushed. If the contractor goes with the flow of the re-roofing the job will end up much nicer, with better quality, and in the end, at a much better price to you. Example, a circle shape cannot fit into a square hole.

Refer your friends and family today to receive your specialized referral bonus just in time for Christmas Shopping! Visit www.duckbackcontractors.com/referrals.html

Choosing Your Roof. Are Contractors Giving You The Best Options?

When preparing an estimate for our customers who currently have 20 - 25 year 3 tab shingles, we ALWAYS make it a point to educate them on why Lifetime shingles are a much better option!

We have used, and highly recommend these leading manufacturer's shingles. You can find examples of each by visiting www.duckbackcontractors.com/materials.html to see all color swatches or by visiting www.duckbackcontractors.com/roofing.html to see completed examples.

Below is some information on our favorite products that stands out to us, and should stand out to you, when choosing the right shingle brand, style, and color for your new roof!

1) GAF - GAF has raised their life expectancy of their architectural shingles from 30 year to LIFETIME. This is great factor when replacing your roof. GAF was started in 1886, and continues to be among the top manufacturers of roofing products. 
                   a) Made to Withstand 130mph Winds
                   b) Class A Fire Rating
                   c) Advanced Protection - multiple layer shingle with non weathering                           asphalt, and dura grip seal strip
                   d) Algae Resistant
                   e) Generous Style and Color Choices

2) Owens Corning - Formed in the 1930s Owens Corning as maintained a wonderful reputation for producing quality roofing products. They too have also raised their life expectancy from 30 years to LIFETIME. 

                  a) Made to Withstand 130mph Winds

                  b) Class A Fire Rating

                  c) Algae Resistant

                  d) More Color Options than Most Manufacturer

3) IKO - Began production in 1951. By raising the life from 30 years to LIFETIME on their architectural shingles they have become a top competitor among roofing manufacturers.

                       a) Pricing is Better than Most

                       b) Made to Withstand 110mph Winds 

                       c) Class A Fire Rating

                       d) Much Heavier Shingle

4) CertainTeed - Centralizing in North America with over 130 manufacturing facilities in the United States and Canada. Like the others, they raised their life of their architectural shingles to LIFETIME.

                a) Class A Fire Rating

                b) Class 4 Impact Resistance

                c) Algae Resistant

                d) Made to Withstand 110mph Winds

                e) More Style Options than Most

Is It Time For A New Roof? Look For These Signs

Are you trying to decide if you need a new roof? Or does your roof need repair? Here are some common issues that can help you determine what you need to ask of your contractor...

1) Buckling - Buckled shingles are caused by improper ventilation. Built up hot air within the attic forces the shingles to bulge away from the roof. Improper ventilation can take years away from your roofs life, which in turn, means more money.

2) Algae - Those ugly black looking streaks or a "dirty" looking roof. This fungus is dangerous as it traps moisture underneath between it and the shingles. Trapped moisture is never a good thing as it is sitting water waiting to show itself on your ceilings.

3) Curling (or Cupping) - Another tell tell sign of poor ventilation. Curling is when the edges of the shingles look as if they are rolling up towards the top. Shingles take a lot of heat from the suns rays beaming down but when the temperature beneath them is to high they basically fry. When the edges curl, the seal strips begin to unseal, which allows for winds to easily blow the shingles off and makes it easier for water to find its way inside.

4) Damaged Flashing - Flashing seals around any projectile that are protruding the roof. If any flashing has holes, cracks or is in the least bit vulnerable, you are bound to see leaks. If you have faulty flashing and do not see any leaks, act fast, as they will rear their ugly heads very soon. Your roof is a highway for water, and these cracks, or holes, are the exit ramps to the roads straight inside your home.

5) Missing Shingles (wind damage) - Each shingle covers the nail heads to the shingle below it. When a shingle blows away or becomes missing, it exposes the nails (which are ultimately holes). Water can very easily find its way around the nail heads and straight into your home. Sometimes, when shingles blow away, they can take pieces of the felt paper with it, just like in the example. This person has exposed plywood and no protection against inclement weather.

6) Roof Rot - This "rot" is due to age. Wind damage can be mistaken for roof rot (or granule loss) due to wind blowing layers of the granules away. Asphalt shingles are made of densely compressed layers, and as a roof ages, those layers are slowly peeled away. As they become thinner and older, the shingles become more brittle and more prone to blow offs and leaks.

If you see any of these tell tell signs of a roof problem you should contact a specialist as soon as possible. Any and all of these common problems can quickly lead to serious damage to the decking, framing, and overall structure of your home. Staying cautious is always better than being careless, as catching a problem in the early stages can save you major bucks! We recommend having your roof inspected once a year or after severe weather, and of course if you notice something out of the ordinary you should act fast before your in deep water!

Refer your friends and family and for each completed project you will receive a free $100 specialized Visa gift card! 

www.duckbackcontractors.com/referrals.html