Erie Construction Co., Erie Construction Mid West
Month: October, 2012
Metal Roofing Gains Popularity
| October 29, 2012 | 11:26 AM | Advantages of a Metal Roof | No comments

Hands down, asphalt roof shingles are the most popular option when it comes to residential roofing. However, aside from being the most inexpensive, this material has numerous disadvantages. Some of them include thermal protection, durability, and damage from heat and wind. They offer very little thermal protection. Asphalt roof shingles will absorb heat from the sun and transfer it into your home. On cool nights, they will transfer more heat from your home. You will need to make sure your attic space is well-ventilated to the outside to help with this problem. Asphalt roof shingles not only transfer solar heat into your home, they can become damaged by the heat.  They may also start to sag if they are put on a steep roof. If your attic is poorly ventilated, they will also bake from underneath.

Wind can also give you problems.  Strong winds can uplift or tear them off easily. Tree branches blowing in the wind can also easily damage your asphalt roof shingles.

Moisture presents another disadvantage of asphalt roof shingles. If you live in a rainy area, you may have mildew problems because of the excess moisture. Your asphalt roof shingles may also start to rot if they are located in damp, shady areas of your roof.

One of the final disadvantages of asphalt roof shingles is their durability. Asphalt roof shingles will only last 20 years at the most. After that, you will have to install a new layer of shingles. While asphalt is still the most common material for residential roofing, metal roofs are picking up steam. Many homeowners, are making the investment because they know they won’t have to replace their roof again, Metal roofing is also three times as durable as asphalt. Erie Construction of Evansville, Indiana is a leader in the roofing industry and can show you why many are opting to ditch asphalt and go metal.

Act like a Buyer when Fixing up Your House
| October 22, 2012 | 11:23 AM | Home Design | No comments

Whether you plan on selling your home, or just want to keep it in tip top shape, you need to act like a buyer. That means walking around your house and taking some notes. Home improvement experts say, there are things that we all live with, and turn a blind eye to. Stop doing that, and take on one project a month. When you walk around “see things” a potential buyers would point out. It doesn’t mean you have to shell out thousands and thousands of dollars and fix everything this week.

First things first, give your house a good cleaning, from top to bottom. This will show you what really needs attention. Get rid of clutter. Discard things you haven’t used in several months. Wash ceilings, walls, woodwork, windows, and floors. Clean grout in your tiled floors, walls, and countertops. Steam clean carpeting, and repair anything that is broken. Replace broken light fixtures, patch holes or cracks, fix or replace worn or broken window shades or blinds, patch or replace screens in windows, and replace cracked or broken windows. If your home is in good shape already, this won’t take you very long. If it isn’t, you may need to spend a few months tackling these projects.

Local real estate experts say, exteriors are just as important. If your landscaping is overgrown or doesn’t exist, you need to up your curb appeal. There are so many homes on the market right now, which means you have a lot of competition. If a potential buyer doesn’t like what they see on the outside they will not come inside. Residential roofing is also very important. If your roof is old, faded, and the shingles are lifting up, you should consider replacing it. Realtors say, nothing turns a buyer off more than an old roof that they will have to replace. Erie Construction of Evansville, Indiana is a leader in the industry and can answer all of your questions. We would love to come out and give you a fast, free, and no pressure estimate.

Home Improvement Projects you Can’t Afford to Ignore
| October 15, 2012 | 11:14 AM | Uncategorized | No comments

Planning home improvements that pay you back at the time of sale requires a strategic vision. However, there are certain projects that will get buyers in your home and will provide a good ROI, or return on investment. Curb appeal is the first step in a successful home sale, and installing a beautiful, high quality front door is a simple home improvement project that delivers impact both in buyer drive-bys and online listings. A new entry door will also help lower home energy costs and stand up to weather extremes.

Next up, building a deck is one of the least-expensive ways to extend your living space. Composite decking is a great low-maintenance option, and even building a deck from pressure-treated woodcan bring a return on investment of up to 80 percent at the time of sale. Another area that will really get you a nice ROI is beautiful siding. This is a great way to really score some curb appeal and takes major home improvement worries off a potential buyer’s list. If you have an old and unattractive kitchen or bathrooms, you really need to put your time, energy and money sprucing these spaces up. New sinks, cabinets, and windows will definitely help. Don’t forget, paint, is the cheapest way to transform a room.

Lastly, if you have an old, asphalt roof you may as well place a sign in your front yard that says you have rats. Nothing turns off a potential buyer more than old, falling apart residential roofing. Erie Construction of Evansville, Indiana is a leader in the roofing industry. Let us show you several affordable options that will not only give you curb appeal, but will get your house sold. Plus, a new roof will also get you a pretty decent ROI. Lastly, you’ll get the foot traffic you would not have if you left your roof as is

No One Wants a Home without Curb Appeal
| October 9, 2012 | 11:06 AM | Metal Roof | No comments

If you truly want to have the sharpest house on the block you need to make sure your home exudes curb appeal. In this real estate market there is no shortage of homes for sale and that means your home better stand out. A handsome front facade ranks right up there with a solid foundation and good bones.

Local real estate experts say when buyers are out looking if they don‘t like the front of the house they will move on to the next. It‘s definitely not all about the interior. Sure, that has to be nice but the exterior is what draws the buyers in. Think about the details. Cheery blooms, a crisp white fence, and eye-catching shutters create a welcome sight for you and your family, but it also gives you curb appeal.

If you truly are after curb appeal pay attention to your walkway. Winding through garden beds or going straight to the street, a brick or stone path can make the stroll to your door look and feel like an event. Landscaping is also key. We’re not just talking about a few shrubs. Go for dimension, and variation. This adds vibrant color and multilevel focal points that create a winning first impression of your home from the sidewalk. Make sure you keep your grass mowed and edged. Lastly, residential roofing is so important when it comes to curb appeal. Nothing screams, move on, than old, faded, asphalt shingles that need to be replaced! Let Erie Construction of Evansville, Indiana show you the last roof you’ll ever need. Many of our customers say, they’re house is now the envy of the block!

It all Starts with your Exterior
| October 2, 2012 | 11:04 AM | Metal Roof | No comments

Whether you’re looking to sell or just want to keep your home looking sharp, give your exterior some extra attention. Home improvement experts recommend walking around the outside of your home, giving it a critical inspection. Look especially for warped, damaged or loose boards, popped or missing nails and peeling paint.

Next, decide whether you’ll be repainting your home in its existing colors or using new colors. Replace any warped or damaged boards. Re-nail any popped or missing nails. Now let’s talk about your windows. Use caulk to seal around windows. With properly sealed windows you should notice a savings in your heating and cooling bills.

Now, you’re ready to prime your home. Whatever you do, do not skip this step. Primers seal porous surfaces and level uneven areas to give your final coat a more uniform look. Make sure you choose a high-quality 3″ to 4″ paintbrush with nylon bristles.

Finally, you’re now ready to paint your home. Paint, using broad, steady strokes with your paintbrush. When you’re painting is complete, take a step back and admire your work. Look for areas that still look drab. Local realtors say, an old roof with faded shingles turns potential buyers off in a big way. If it’s time to replace your roof, consider going green with a metal roof. It will not only save you energy, but it will probably be the last roof you’ll ever need. Erie Construction of Evansville, Indiana is a leader in the industry and can show you why metal is the hottest roofing material on the market today!