How Long Does Vinyl Siding Last?

Posted by admin on December 19, 2017

What is Vinyl Siding?

Vinyl siding has been at the forefront of home siding for the past few decades. Created in the 1950’s to compete with aluminum siding, it originally did not have too many benefits, but over the course of about 10 years, this siding developed extremely fast into what we know it as today. Now, it is one of the most frequently used siding options in the United States. It is used so frequently that about 1/3 of homes use it. Being available in many colors, as well as having a high durability really puts vinyl out on top, in regard to home siding preferences.

What are the Benefits?

Vinyl siding offers many benefits, including the following:

Little Maintenance: since vinyl is so durable and weather resistant, there is little to no maintenance, except maybe to clean off some manmade stains or remove debris/dirt from snow during the winter.
Weather Resistance: Snow, rain, and sleet are no match for vinyl siding.
Inexpensive: Compared to many other options, this material is quite inexpensive, and truly is the best bang for your buck.

How Long does it Last?

As one of the most long-lasting materials on the market, vinyl siding can last about 60 years, with absolutely no interference. This means that if you have this siding, and do nothing to clean it or maintain it, it will last upwards of 60 years. On the other hand, if you do clean it every once in a while, and make sure there is no growth, vinyl siding can last 100 years or more.

If you need new siding for your home or need a professional to look at your siding to help determine when you will need new home vinyl siding, feel free to contact us by filling out our contact form or by calling us at 781-899-6353.

How to Handle Ice Dams on your Roof

Posted by admin on December 11, 2017

Ice dams can be a huge pain during the wintertime, especially during the New England winters. With snow on its way, it is important to be able to identify, remove and ultimately prevent ice dams, with the help of someone experienced with roofing.

So, What is an Ice Dam?

An ice dam is a hump of ice that forms at the edge of a roof during the winter. It forms by starting as a layer of snow. During the warmer hours of the day, or due to bad insulation in a home, the snow underneath heats up and creates a pool of water. This pool of water ultimately runs down the roof and then refreezes when it reaches the colder roof’s edge, which forms a mound of ice near where your gutter should be. This ice dam can cause a lot of damage, to the interior and exterior of the home, as well as the gutters and downspout.

Damage of Ice Dams

Ice dams can cause many issues, as mentioned above. These include wet and stained ceiling walls, as well as peeling paint and internal rot to the structure of your home. If one falls off of the side of your roof, there is a chance that it could take the gutters and downspouts with it, while also destroying anything that it hits on its way down, including people, pets, and landscaping.

How to Remove Ice Dams

Removing ice dams is a bit of a failsafe, as they should always be avoided at all costs, but there are a few things you can do to fix the problem once it is in front of you, but you should always consult with a roofing specialist, as this can be very dangerous.

Remove by breaking it off with a blunt mallet
Melt it with a calcium chloride ice melter
Clear all gutters and downspouts

How to Prevent Ice Dams

Ventilation of home
Avoid warm air leaking into attic
Insulate all living spaces
Scrape snow from roof

If you need new roofing or need a professional to look at your roofing, feel free to contact us by filling out our contact form or by calling us at 781-899-6353.

How To Avoid Water Damage On Your Roof

Posted by admin on December 4, 2017

Water damage can be detrimental to your roof. It can be caused by a huge array of things, from rain, to hail, to snow, there are so many things that could cause this. These events are naturally occurring and there is no way to prevent water damage from occurring, but there are a few steps you can take to avoid severe water damage costing a lot of money in the future. Let’s look at some of these things.

Shingles: Missing shingles can cause you lots of problems in the future. By replacing them individually, you save yourself the hassle of replacing your entire roof, when you could have put it off a few more years. Acting fast can be a real lifesaver. Making sure you recognize and are constantly giving your roof a quick glance can make your life easier in the long run.

Pools of Water: Seeing pools of water can be a sign that your roof is about to incur some water damage. Making sure that these are taken care of and cleaned up before they have a chance to sink in is huge and can save you lots of money in the short and long term.

Gutters: Making sure your gutters are cleaned and properly taken care of can be a huge help, as it does not allow for the water to build up and cause issues.

Attic: The attic ceiling will most likely be the first sign that your roof has water damage. By monitoring this area, you can have a better sense of what you are getting yourself into, as well as how much damage there actually is. Keeping this room well-ventilated can be very helpful when trying to avoid water damage.

Snow: Like water pooling, it is important to remove any ice dam buildup during heavy snow seasons. In New England, we typically experience a lot of this, and therefore it is a good reminder.

If you need new roofing, or need a professional to look at your roofing, feel free to contact us by filling out our contact form or by calling us at 781-899-6353.

Elements of a Great Window

Posted by admin on November 27, 2017

Choosing great new windows can be a difficult and slightly scary new process for you. It can also be a bit difficult to determine what truly makes up a great window. As a matter of fact, there are quite a few things that make up the perfect window and that is what we have outlined for you below.

Frame: Having a great, strong frame is perfect for a home, as it will hold up in even the worst of weather. This being said, the weather in New England can be quite violently changing, from humidity and heat one day, to wind and snow a week later. Rain comes at a random time, and because of all of these reasons, it is important to make sure that the frame, which acts as a base, is perfect for your home.
Air Infiltration: When getting new windows, it is important to make sure they have weather stripping. This holds up to dirt and dust extremely well and ensures that your home is safe from weather.
Glass: Making sure that the glass is efficient is extremely important. This being said, a clear glass needs a good protective coat to ensure it is as efficient as possible.
Ratings: Checking the ratings is important because sometimes it is beneficial to know other’s experiences with the same product.
Value: You will want to check to see how the product performs in the long run. If you are making this kind of investment, you will want to know what the value of the windows truly is.

At Three Sons Window & Door, we offer some of the best window services in all of New England. If you need new windows or need a professional to take a look at your windows, feel free to contact us by filling out our contact form or by calling us at 781-899-6353.

Benefits of Replacing Windows

Posted by admin on November 20, 2017

Replacing windows can be a huge decision that you will have to make as a homeowner. While it can be expensive, there are many benefits that replacing windows include, and over time, in the long-term, this investment can really go a long way. Let’s take a look at some of these benefits.

Lower Energy Costs: By replacing your windows, the quality of the material is typically much better, and because of this, the amount of air getting into and out of the house decreases due to a better seal technology. This being said, a better seal on the window means that you are saving money because the temperature will not be fluctuating due to drafts from the area. Heat will stay inside of the home during the winter time and air conditioning will stay in the home during summer months.

UV Protection: Natural light can be important to a room because it is natural and costs nothing in regard to electricity. However, the rays can be harmful to you, as well as the interior of your home. Many new windows now have the ability to block most of these rays, which protects your skin, as well as makes sure that your interior does not fade.

Maintenance: New windows require a significant amount less maintenance than old windows. This is because the technology is better, and therefore, you will not have to deal with broken pieces, drafts, etc.

Noise Reduction: Due to the seal of new windows, as mentioned above, most newer windows allow for less noise to come into the house. This will give you peace of mind, as well as help to keep the noise in your home to a minimum.

Home Value: By installing new windows to your home, you are looking for a higher home value. If you are looking to sell your house in the next few years, adding new windows may be a valuable project to take on, as it can pay off when you sell the house.

If you need new windows or need a professional to take a look at your windows, feel free to contact us by filling out our contact form or by calling us at 781-899-6353.