What to Consider When Thinking About Sunroom Installation in Chicago

A sunroom, sun porch, sun lounge or sun parlor is a small room installed on the side of a home. It is designed to make it easy for homeowners to enjoy the outdoors while being protected from hostile outside elements, such as wind, rain, insects and cold or hot weather. It is sometimes referred to as a conservatory, patio room, Florida room, garden room, or solarium. The room is usually constructed of wood, vinyl, or breeze block. If you are thinking of installing one in your home, the following guidelines can help you get the most out of your investment.
 

Understand the Difference Between a 3 Season Sunroom and 4 Season Sunroom
 

A 3 season solarium is constructed to be used in the summer months, which can vary from a duration of 4 to 8 months. This means that you will not be able to use this type of a sunroom during the winter season. A 4 season sunroom is designed to be used in both winter and summer months. In other words, it can be used year-round because it can be heated and cooled.
 

Windows
 

Almost 90% of a sunroom is made of glass. When planning to install a sunroom, you will need lots of huge windows. So, the material, shape, color and price will play a huge role in the project. There are tons of windows available to choose from, and you will want to make an informed decision. Today, double and triple pane glass windows are available to help regulate heat during summer and cold during winter months.
 

Materials
 

It is extremely important to choose the right material that you want your sunroom to be constructed from. This decision will not only determine how your sunroom addition will look, but how much money and time you’ll need for maintenance purposes. Vinyl windows are less expensive, beautiful and need no maintenance. Wood windows are extremely attractive, offer a vintage touch, can be painted to match the home, but they require a great deal of maintenance. Aluminum is strong, light, can be painted into different attractive colors, and it is energy inefficient and requires maintenance.
 

Location
 

This is perhaps the most important factor to consider when constructing a sunroom. Deciding on the right location for your conservatory should be the first step when planning an addition. In the southern climate, a northern exposure will be appropriate. In the north, however, a southern exposure will be needed. Eastern exposure will be best, especially if you want to enjoy the morning sunlight.


 

The Benefits and Value of Replacement Siding in Chicago

The exterior of your home is very important. Everyone feels more comfortable living in a well-cared for home and getting replacement siding can help maximize your home’s exterior appeal. Old siding can become unattractive, and worst of all, it may allow the elements to slowly bring your home to complete ruin. The good news, however, is that installing or replacing aging siding can increase your home’s curb appeal, repair any hidden structural flaws, and improve your home's energy efficiency.
 

Curb appeal
 

Aged siding is often faded with a less pulsating color than it initially had. It usually has a generally dirty and unpleasant appearance which makes it nearly impossible to keep looking sparkling clean. This doesn’t always means it’s neglected by the homeowners, but it is a problem that affects almost all homes. New siding can dramatically improve the external appearance of your home. Passersby and neighbors will spend a lot of time admiring your home. New siding comes in many different styles, materials, and colors.
 

Prevent structural damage
 

Timeworn siding can frequently allow leaks around your home’s windows, possibly causing serious structural damage to your house. At times, the signs of this damage becomes easily visible, and it even may include you spotting actual water flowing along the windowsill. However, sometimes the damage is not quite so obvious, and you may only notice small cracks in the drywall. Structural damage can occur in the form of floor rot, deteriorated studs, or weakening plywood. Installing new siding will help restore the original state of your home. Replacing your old, deteriorated siding will ensure you do not spend a fortune in home repairs later on down the road.
 

Maintenance
 

Another benefit with replacement siding is that is doesn’t require a lot of maintenance. Whether you choose vinyl, wood, or shake and shingles siding, you won’t need to worry about maintenance issues. What you will need to keep an eye on is wood siding as you will want to repaint or treat it to keep away termites and other wood-destroying pests. Vinyl is arguably the best siding material since it needs zero maintenance. Vinyl is energy efficient and it is very durable.
 

Energy efficiency
 

Do you care about energy efficiency? Almost every homeowner in Chicago will tell you yes. Siding can offer you a great opportunity to improve your home’s energy efficiency. New siding is often insulated and insulated siding increases the R-Value of a home; the higher the R-value, the better.

How to Choose a Replacement Window for Your Chicago Home

A home without beautiful windows will be lifeless and dull. Your home needs a window for light, fresh air, insulation, and more. But it’s vitally important to have the best window installed in your house. About 20 to 25% of a home’s heating and cooling bill is due to heat loss through the windows, according to the U.S. Department of Energy. Thus, you need to be very careful when choosing replacement windows. There are many aspects to be kept in mind. So to get the most out of your replacement windows for your home, you need to know certain key things, and here are some of them.
 

Materials
 

Replacement windows come in wood, clad wood, aluminum, vinyl, and fiberglass. Each has its own features and performs differently. Vinyl, also known as polyvinyl chloride plastic, is one of the most popular materials for replacement windows. The material is less expensive which makes it more attractive, but the minimal choice of colors makes it less versatile. Aluminum is strong and less heavy, but not very efficient. Wood windows remain the top choice for replacement. Wood is naturally beautiful and can be painted into different colors to match many home styles. However, unlike vinyl, wood require lots of maintenance.
 

Low-E Glass
 

Low-E Glass (low-remittance) coatings are thin, nearly invisible, metallic oxide films placed on a glazing surface in order to minimize the U-factor by preventing heat transfer or heat flow. Coating the glass surface of a window with a Low-E Glass material and depositing coatings between the glass layers suppress heat flow through the window. Choosing Low-E Glass will help to keep your home cooler in the summer and warmer in the winter.   
 

Gas Fills
 

Between the panes of double or triple paned replacement windows, an inert gas such as Krypton or Argon is placed in to improve its thermal performance. Krypton or Argon is used because the two are denser than normal air. They are harmless, have higher resistances to heat transfer than typical air, thus they are good for lowering the window’s U-Factor.
 

Single, Double and Triple Paned Windows
 

Most replacement windows come in three styles: single, double, or triple pane glass windows. A single pane window is typically less expensive, but it offers little or no insulation. Double and triple pane replacement windows have layers of glass between the panes to minimize heat loss through the window.
 

Other Factors
 

Other aspects may include cost, maintenance required, solar heat gain coefficient, and air leakage. The cost of a replacement window will depend on the design, material, and size of the window.
      

 

Tips for Hiring a Professional Roofer in Chicago

You may need a roofer to perform various types of jobs, like replacing a roof, installing a roof, or repairing a damaged roof. You need someone who is experienced and has a license. You need someone who is capable of performing complex roofing tasks and abides by the state codes. Any small mistake in hiring a roofer can lead to serious consequences, whether it is a waste of your hard earned money or time, or a shoddy job that fails to live up to your expectations, or even simply a careless job that puts your home at risk. Here are a few essential factors to consider when hiring a roofing contractor.
 

Attention to detail: If your potential roofer shows attention to details, such as professional conduct, wearing proper attire, and answering your calls, then he is worthy of hiring. Hire a roofer who has your best interest at heart and will help you get value for your money.
 

Experience: Experience is one of the key factors that should not be disregarded. The roofer should have a lot of experience handling roofing issues of all kinds. Be cautious of inexperienced contractors, as they may not deliver proper work. You want a good deal and you may get disappointed when you don’t get it. Thus, do a background-check on the roofer; review his track records, and relationship with workers and clients.
 

Knowledgeable: You do not want to spend money on someone who isn’t well-informed about the latest trends in the roofing industry, such as styles, materials, etc. The roofer should know how to utilize the latest technology to check and fix problems that match your needs.
 

Prices and Quoting: Pricing is the single most important aspect, and one need to consider in any investment or purchase. And this applies when choosing roofing contractors, as well. However, what is more important is getting a reliable and accurate price estimate from your potential roofer. You must know in advance how much you need to pay so that you can prepare your budget.
 

Insurance: Make sure the roofer has a valid roofing insurance. This will ensure that you are protected against all kinds of risks. Also, you will be assured that this is a genuine roofer who understands what he is doing.
 

References: Getting the best of the best roofing contractor can be challenging. To find the best roofer in town, you should try to talk to your coworkers, neighbors, family, friends and other trusted connections to get the names of top roofers in the area. Additionally, to ensure you are getting the best roofer and the best price quote possible, get several bids from at least three different roofing contractors. This will help to make better comparisons in order to choose the right contractor.
 

Warranties: Although it isn’t a necessity, it is vitally important to hire a contractor who offers a warranty on their roofing products.