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Author: Maureen

How Can Homeowners In The Brooklyn, NY Area Save Energy In The Winter?

Posted on by Maureen

One of the top priorities for many homeowners is making sure their home is energy efficient, especially during the winter months. There are several aspects of a home that can significantly impact its energy efficiency, the most notable and consequential being windows, doors, and insulation.

Energy Efficiency in Windows

Windows are a major source of heat loss in a home during the winter, as they allow warm air to escape and cold air to enter. To improve energy efficiency, it’s very important to choose windows that are engineered to prevent heat loss by inhibiting air leakage and having multiple Low-E coatings, which help to reflect heat back into a room while keeping out unwanted heat in the summer. It might also be a good idea in certain situations to use window treatments, such as blinds or drapes, to help further insulate the windows in a home and even muffle out unwanted noises from outside.

Energy Efficiency in Doors

Like windows, doors can be a major source of heat loss in a home. A door can upgrade a home’s energy efficiency. It’s essential to choose from a selection of doors that have a core of high-density foam and magnetic weather stripping around the frame to help stop air leakage and ensure the best thermal performance against cold temperatures. An energy-efficient door would also include a bottom sweep that fits compactly over a sill or threshold, in order to best prevent drafts or the cold air that can enter through the bottom of a door.

Energy Efficiency in Insulation

Insulation is another effective way to help improve a home’s energy efficiency, as it helps to keep warm air inside and the cold air outside. A layer of insulation should underlie any new siding installation, ensuring protection against leaks and a level of thermal efficiency measured by the insulation’s thickness or R-value. There are many different types of insulation that can be applied to different parts of a home, such as spray foam insulation which can be applied to the interior walls and in an attic area to maintain indoor temperature. It’s important to choose the right type of insulation for your home and to make sure it’s installed properly to best maximize its effectiveness.

Windows, doors, and insulation are all key factors to consider when designing an energy-efficient home. By choosing energy-efficient products and having them professionally installed, you can significantly reduce heat loss and keep your home warmer and more comfortable during the winter months. Additionally, you can save on energy costs by not having to heat your home as often.

As a Brooklyn, NY home improvement company with the objective of making the most of the investments our customers make in their homes, we incorporate the most energy-efficient products in all of our projects. TopLine Home Improvement is a team of professionals that specializes in the installation of the highest quality window, door, siding, and roofing products. Schedule a free quote and learn more about what we can do for your home and how we can help you save energy. Call: 718-769-4555.

How to Make Your Home More Energy Efficient

Posted on by Maureen

Optimizing a home’s overall energy efficiency can involve multiple home projects. The impact that different parts of a home have, like the quality of a roof and windows, determines its true energy efficiency or carbon footprint. A number of home improvements can be completed in order to reduce a home’s energy consumption, such as replacing windows and doors with more energy efficient alternatives. So where do you start?

A Roof’s Contribution to Energy Efficiency

A roofing system is among the most important aspects of a home. It keeps a home and those inside protected from the elements while playing an important role when it comes to energy efficiency. One way to improve the energy efficiency of a home is by installing a lighter colored asphalt shingle.

Shingles with a lighter color, such as Owens Corning’s Shasta White which carries the ENERGY STAR® label, prevent the transmittance of heat radiance into a home by reflecting UV rays and not absorbing too much heat. This stops excessive heat from building up underneath a roof, which in turn would affect the temperature inside a home. Properly installed and functional vented soffit bordering a roof is essential for the release of any potential heat that has accrued. On the other hand, a liquid silver coating can be layered on top of a flat roof surface in order to insulate against and reflect excess heat.

Windows and Energy Efficiency

Windows play a considerable role in determining what a home’s true energy consumption is. Windows that are manufactured with inferior components, glass packages or were improperly installed are likely to place a strain on a home’s heating and cooling functions. This results from air infiltration, otherwise known as drafts, and the loss of either cold or warm air through the frame and or glass of a window. All of which will increase both utility costs and the carbon footprint of a home.

By investing in energy efficient windows with good structural integrity, the interior of a home will be more comfortable year-round while helping to diminish utility related expenses. Good windows will also protect against excessive sunlight and noise. Overall, investing in quality windows with professional installation very much pays off in the long run.

The TopLine Home Improvement Difference

If you’re looking to enhance your home’s energy performance, look no further than TopLine Home Improvement. We specialize in making homes not only more beautiful but energy efficient. Our custom-made virgin vinyl Okna replacement windows exceed ENERGY STAR® requirements. These windows have customizable features and are crafted with only the highest-quality materials for energy savings and an exceptional life span. Our pitched and flat roofing options are affordable and are of the highest quality, keeping your home dry, protected and insulated from the Northeastern weather. We’d be happy to have the opportunity to serve you. For a free estimate, contact TopLine today at (718) 769-4555.

Is Your Roof Leaking? 5 Reasons for a Leaking Roof

Posted on by Maureen

There are multiple potential causes for why a roof may become compromised by leaks. Below you’ll find a few common reasons:

Damaged or Broken Shingles

Broken shingles should be easy to spot. Since the shingles used for a roof are of the same color, spotting missing or impaired shingles shouldn’t be too difficult. Be on the lookout for pieces of broken shingles and or parts of a roof which are exposed.

Cracked or Weakened Flashing

When shingles become impaired, water can seep behind flashing. Flashing is a piece of metal installed underneath shingles and joints to prevent water from entering vulnerable areas of a roof such as low points or the edges of vents and skylights. Flashing can become defective over time, with the tar substance used to secure it splitting or decaying due to icy winters and sweltering summers. In this case, flashing material can be penetrated by rainwater and or melted ice which will cause mold growth and or leaks.

Ice Dam Formation

Ice dams are formed when the buildup of heat inside a home melts snow on a roof. Changes in temperature and air pressure cause melted snow to refreeze once it gets to the edge of a roof. This can compromise the structural integrity of a home if the accrued ice dams are heavy enough. Additionally, water that pools in the ice dam can gradually seep behind shingles and potentially into a home.

Unsealed valleys

Water can also pool where two parts of a roof merge at a low point, otherwise known as a “valley.” If this valley isn’t sealed correctly, rainwater and melted ice can enter into a home. Also, as mentioned, different sealants can wear out and crack, leaving a home vulnerable to leakage.

Structurally Compromised Skylights

When noticing moisture around a skylight, it may mean that the skylight itself is compromised, or it can indicate issues with the flashing surrounding the skylight. This is a warning sign that the skylight itself may be impaired and or that a leak can come about around the skylight.

These issues are routinely identified and corrected by our team of experienced roofing professionals at TopLine Home Improvement. For the most reputable name in home improvement in Brooklyn, Staten Island, and Queens, look no further than TopLine. We offer free roof inspections and estimates and can provide anything from minor repairs to a whole new roof. Call today at (718) 769-4555.

Why Consider Window Replacement?

Posted on by Maureen

Many people understand window replacement to be a means of improving the appearance of a home while brightening up rooms. However, thanks to advancements in window manufacturing and materials, there are additional advantages to replacing windows that homeowners may not be aware of. Here are a few examples:

Energy Efficiency

Older, inefficient windows put a strain on a home’s heating and cooling functions. This is caused by a home using more energy in order to balance indoor air temperature as a result of drafts and air loss through the frame and glass of a window. Replacing windows with a more energy-efficient option made of either uPVC or fiberglass with high performance glass can help save money on utility bills while improving indoor comfort.

Home Value

Home improvement projects add value to a home. While some initiatives may be pricey, replacing windows with a high-quality alternative has great potential to favorably increase the value of a property. Windows with transferable lifetime warranties also help a homeowner when looking to sell their property.

Security

Updating windows can give peace of mind that they lock effectively. Modern reinforced cam locks and composite reinforced rails reduce the likelihood a window can be pried open or exploited during forced entry.

Less Noise

Everyone can benefit from some more peace and quiet at home. Polycarbonate or non-metallic window spacers, the material that insulates the glass to the frame of a window, will favorably reduce the conduction of outside noise. Also, triple-pane glass windows will further help in preventing noise from coming in.

Improved Functionality

Dated windows can become difficult to operate, lock and clean as a result of dust or dirt build up inside a window, warping or abuse. Newer balance systems, which control the sashes of a window, as well as sash tilt-in features make for a smoother operating window that’s easy to maintain.

Our experienced staff at TopLine Home Improvement can help you find the right windows for your home! Don’t hesitate to contact us to find out more about what we can offer you.

Contact us today and let's talk about your next home improvement project!