Tips for Getting Your Deck or Patio Ready for Spring

The snow is melting, the birds are singing, and the flowers are starting to bloom. It can only mean one thing: spring is finally here! And that means it’s time to start thinking about getting your deck ready for all of the outdoor entertaining you’ll be doing this season. In this blog, you will find a list of tips for you to follow so that your deck is in perfect condition all season long!

Power Wash Your Deck for Deep-Cleaning

One of the first things you’ll want to do is give your deck a good cleaning. You can do this by power washing it or by scrubbing it down with soapy water and a stiff brush. Be sure to pay special attention to any areas that seem to be collecting dirt or debris.

Inspect the Deck for Damage

After you’ve cleaned and swept the deck, it’s time to inspect it for any damage. This includes things like cracks in the wood, loose nails, and splinters. If you find any damage, be sure to make any repairs right away to prevent further, more permanent damage.

Sand Down Your Deck to Prepare for Staining

If you plan on staining your deck this spring, now is the time to do it! Start by sanding down the entire surface of the deck to rough it up a bit. This will help the stain to adhere better and last longer.

Stain or Seal Your Deck

Once you’ve sanded down your deck, it’s time to either stain or seal it. If you choose to stain your deck, be sure to select a color that will complement your home’s exterior and furniture. And if you decide to seal your deck, be sure to do so with a high-quality sealer that will protect the wood from the elements. Be sure to wait 24 hours before applying the first and second coat to allow the sealer to dry completely.

Clean Your Outdoor Furniture and Accessories

After you’ve taken care of your deck, it’s time to turn your attention to your outdoor furniture and accessories. Start by giving them a good cleaning with soapy water and a soft brush. If they’re looking a little worse for wear, consider sanding them down and applying a fresh coat of paint or stain.

Contact Three Songs Window & Door for Deck Installation Services in Waltham, MA

After you’ve followed all of these tips, your deck will be ready for spring! Enjoy entertaining and dining outdoors with family and friends on your beautiful deck! If you are looking to install a new deck this spring, be sure to contact Three Sons Window & Door in Waltham, MA for a quote. We would be happy to help you create the perfect outdoor space for your home! For more information, visit our website or give us a call at 781-899-6353.

asphalt roof replacement

Benefits of Replacing Your Roof

A properly installed roof has a lifespan of 25-30 years lifespan, which means that most homeowners often don’t pass through the replacement process. Replacing an old roof is much more critical and vital because an updated, sturdy roof protects the home and its inhabitants. It acts as a barrier from extreme weather conditions and keeps moisture from entering your home to prevent molds and other potentially dangerous substances.

Admittedly, installing a new roof is expensive. However, it comes with many benefits and can also have as much as 100% ROI (return on investment).

The Benefits of Replacing Your Roof:

So what will be your gain if you invest in re-roofing now rather than putting it off? What are the benefits of installing a new roof?

 

  • New Roofs Offer a Good ROI:

 

One of the most significant advantages of a new roof is the return on investment that comes with it. If you want to sell your home, you’ll likely recoup most if not all of the roofing expenses. However, potential buyers will typically go for a home that does not need too much structural work, so installing a new roof enables you to sell your home at a much higher price and make your home more appealing to prospects. Most people are always attracted to a home that will not require a lot of money from them immediately after moving in. A new roof can also help you prove to potential buyers that you have maintained and protected your home from situations like water damage.

 

  • Greater Energy Savings:

 

If your roof is getting closer to the end of its lifespan, it probably won’t be doing a great job in keeping heat away from your home anymore. Besides, older shingles being resistant to places and gaps where they can leak in weren’t designed in such a way to repel heat from your home. They were more likely to absorb heat and transfer it into your home.

The newest shingles are designed to do more than keep your house dry in fact, there are lots of options available in the market presently designed to repel heat. Besides the newly-improved way today’s shingles are manufactured, their design and color can lower energy costs. The less heat entering the home, the less the HVAC system must work to keep the home at a relaxed, comfortable temperature.

 

  • Safety:

 

Your home’s roof isn’t just designed to repel water; it also protects your home from wind, debris, and falling trees. But as the roof ages, it becomes structurally unfit and unable to withstand all of the conditions it’s designed to defend. Even if you can’t notice the weakening from the outside, a roof that is getting closer to the end of its lifespan is in danger of collapsing when you most need it. Being proactive and replacing your old roof will go a long way towards keeping the home sound structurally and fit to withstand any conditions, mainly if you stay in an area prone to extreme weather.

 

  • Healthy Living:

 

One of the biggest concerns with aging roofs is that they cannot always repel water away from the house, allowing moisture and water to creep inside. It doesn’t matter if it’s a slow leak; moisture and water can build up over time, resulting in mold and mildew, which might cause potential health problems for family members. Even individuals who aren’t allergic to molds can experience problems with their nose, lungs, eyes and throat if there is a presence of mold in the home.

Contact Three Sons Today

If your roof is approaching the end of its lifespan, don’t wait until it begins to crumble or start leaking. The best way to protect your home and family is by being proactive about a roof replacement.

Three Sons provides roof replacements and installations using some roofing materials from some of the industry’s best roofing manufacturers, including CertainTeed, GAF, and Tamko. Contact us today to learn more.

deck in the snow

How To Prepare Your Deck for the Winter

With the arrival of cold weather, there will be a lot of moisture and wetness. These aren’t great for natural wood, particularly outdoors with many snow contacts. Your deck is one of these places. It’s essential to prepare your deck for cold weather, especially if you’re in an area with harsh weather conditions. This will prolong the lifespan of your deck and save you effort, time,  and money in the future.

Here are some tips on how to maintain and protect your deck during winter:

  • Thoroughly Clean the Deck:

In protection from the cold weather, you should thoroughly clean your deck surface of ice and snow. This goes beyond the regular everyday cleaning done in the summer months. To ensure your deck is in the best shape, ensure you employ deep cleansing, mainly if it’s a wood deck. By doing this, you get rid of dust, dirt, debris, and every other thing that might have accumulated overtime on the decks.

In addition, make sure to scrub the surface of your deck with a bleach-free wood cleaner and a hard-bristled brush to remove mold and mildew. Because moisture may be hard on wood, failing to do so can make it easier for your deck to decay and be wrecked during the colder months.

  • Inspect and Fix Deck:

After cleaning, inspect the deck surface to check for signs of splinters, water damage, holes that can harbor snow or rot. Establish a general inspection and make sure you are thorough after identifying all problems that may cause damage, get to work, and fix them immediately. The work done on the wood decks will be evident when the winter months pass, and it will honestly pay off in the future.

  • Seal and Finish your Deck:

Of all the different ways you can adequately prepare and protect your deck for winter, the one you should never overlook is sealing and finishing. Sealing is one of the important maintenance that should be done at least every 2-3 years to protect your deck lumber from snow, ice, and rain. An excellent finishing to protect your deck’s lumber from these elements is a water-resistant seal.

To ensure snow, hail, water, or sleet won’t cause damage to your deck, seal the wood up with a stain that penetrates the wood, ensuring the moisture doesn’t even gain access while allowing the wood to breathe.

  • Sweep off the Snow:

Maintain your deck’s ideal state by shoveling and sweeping everything off its surface to avoid any further damage. Do not let it accumulate, as it might make it more challenging to handle maintenance. Sweep off with a brush or shovel along the wood’s grain with a plastic shovel after a significant downpour. A plastic shovel is recommended to avoid accidental peeling or scratches of the deck’s finishing.

Contact Three Sons

It’s not always an easy task to improve and maintain the home, but in the end, it’s always worth it. Adhere to these tips to keep your deck in great shape all year round; it will be in top shape throughout the winter months and still look fabulous in the spring. 

If you are interested in having a new deck or porch installed in your home, please contact Three Sons. Our talented and experienced craftsmen offer complete deck/porch construction and installation using some of the industry’s best manufacturers for deck materials including Trex and Azek by TimberTech.

siding

5 Advantages of Fiber Cement Siding

If you are a homeowner or business owner looking for new exterior siding, Three Sons Window and Door offers fiber cement siding. Fiber cement siding is growing in popularity throughout the country because of the wide range of benefits it comes with. Learn more about why you should choose fiber cement siding to protect your home and improve curb appeal.

Durable

One of the most enticing benefits of fiber cement siding is that it’s exceptionally durable. Fiber cement siding will protect your home or your business from almost any extreme weather condition while being fire resistant, water resistant, and pest resistant. Because of its strength, fiber cement siding also has an extremely long life span of around 50 years and will not rot, crack or fade like other popular siding materials.

Many Style Options

Vinyl siding is such a popular siding material for homeowners across the country because of the wide selection of colors and style options. However, fiber cement siding also comes in a wide array of colors, styles, and textures. Unlike vinyl or wood siding, the colors of fiber cement siding do not fade over time. Homeowners can pick the style they like to improve curb appeal while simultaneously protecting their homes.

Low Maintenance

Fiber cement siding is practically maintenance free. Other siding options, such as vinyl siding needs to be washed and cleaned regularly to keep its appearance up, but fiber cement siding does not need to be.

Energy Efficient

Because of the high-quality and strong materials that fiber cement siding is made from works as an excellent insulator. This allows for homeowners to spend time trying to keep their home temperature controlled and less money on energy bills.

Sustainable

Another benefit of Fiber Cement siding is that it is made from a combination of cement and recycled wood fibers. This makes this siding option much more sustainable and environment-friendly than other siding materials. This way, you can protect your home without having to worry about polluting the environment.

Contact Three Sons Window and Door

James Hardie is one of the industry’s best manufacturers of siding materials which is why Three Sons Windows and Doors offer installation of James Hardie Fiber cement siding. We offer our customers to best to ensure that they are 100% satisfied for years to come. Check out our other siding options or request a free quote today!

icicles on a roof

Winter Roofing To-Do List

Insulation

New England winters are known for being bitter cold, which is why you want to make sure that your home is properly insulated below freezing temperatures. Before winter comes, it is so important for homeowners to check their current insulation. If you find when checking your insulation that it is damaged by water, missing, loose, or damaged in any other way, you should replace it. Insulation will keep a home temperature controlled and will keep that freezing cold air outside. 

 

Clean Gutter

Cleaning out gutters is one of the most important tasks on this winter to-do list. During the autumn months, leaves, acorns, pine cones, and other debris will get trapped and build up in your gutters. If this debris isn’t cleaned out properly, you can find damages to many parts of your home, including your roof, the foundation of your home, and your yard. When gutters are clogged with debris, they are unable to disburse water properly, causing water to damage other key parts of your home.

 

Roof Replacement

It is always important to get your roof replaced when it needs to but even more critical to do before the winter months. If your roof replacement is overdue in the winter months, you are risking the integrity of your home. Water will leak in throughout cracks in your roofing system, which will damage your ceiling, attic, and overall structure of the house, which will cost fortunes. So how do you know if your roof needs to be replaced? Keep an eye out for broken, missing, or damaged shingles or water damage on your ceiling because these are some of the key signs it is time for a replacement. For more signs that your roof needs to be replaced, click here.

 

Cut Overhanging Tree Limbs

If your home is surrounded by trees that have branches hanging over your house, it is a smart idea to cut back those overhanging limbs before the snow begins to fall. Snow can become very heavy on tree branches causing them to hang lower, and sometimes the pressure is too much, causing them to break. To keep your home safe from the impact of falling tree limbs, cut them back.

 

Contact Three Sons Window and Door

If you are in the Greater Boston Area and are looking for expert roof replacements before winter, please contact Three Sons Window and Door. Our experienced contractors provide roof inspections and consultations to ensure your home is adequately protected for the winter months. Request a free estimate today.