Existing on the market since ancient times, the classic materials such as stone and brick have long been the choice of those who wanted to build a home. However, life has evolved and people invented new building materials to meet the increased need for thermal comfort and low energy consumption. Today, options are increasingly various.

An example in this regard is autoclaved cellular concrete, also known as autoclaved aerated concrete, or simply porous concrete. It is a modern building material, which has already been used for over 80 years in both residential and commercial construction. The advantages of this building material are numerous (excellent thermal insulation, fire resistance, durability), which make it more and more popular for single and multi-family homes.

Autoclaved cellular concrete is environmentally friendly, lightweight and it has the fire-resistance of brick. It is made from natural materials: sand, lime, cement and water. Other qualities include excellent thermal and acoustic insulation and ability to regulate the level of indoor humidity and avoid mold formation.

Unlike other masonry materials, autoclaved cellular concrete can eliminate the need for additional insulating products, considering that it has the lowest thermal conductivity values, among masonry materials.  The building restoration experts with New England Masonry and Restoration are a great source of product knowledge.

Getting your roof ready for spring means, first of all, cleaning debris and checking for broken or missing tiles, as well as for damaged or clogged gutters. Cleaning the roof and making small repairs after the winter season will increase its lifetime and lift some worries from your shoulders.

Any accumulation of leaves and pine needles, which is significant enough to retain moisture on the roof, needs to be removed. Such debris do not only retain moisture but also prevents water from flowing down the roof, by blocking the gutters.

How to fix this problem: use a plastic rake, a sweeping brush with a tilted tail or air blowers. In general, pressure washers are too strong for most roofing types and water makes the roof slippery and dangerous. Always remember to reduce the pressure, in order to avoid damaging the roof.

You can prevent debris accumulation by toileting the trees that have branches hanging over the roof.

Another problem is the moss formation on the tiles. The moss has shallow roots and requires a constant source of moisture to survive, – and we all know that the moisture and the roof are not compatible. Luckily, it can be easily removed with a long tail brush, or simply washed away with a garden hose.

To prevent moss build-up, install zinc strips along the ridge. The rain that drips over zinc forms zinc oxide, which will flow over the moss and kill it. Copper strips are also efficient and durable.  To have one of the best professionals in roofing come out and take care of your home’s roof, call on http://www.nemasonry.com/new-england-roofing.

Leaf guards are great modern solutions to prevent gutter damage and clogging – made from aluminum, vinyl, mesh or wire, these guards are installed on or inside the gutters to prevent the accumulation of debris, such as twigs or leaves inside the gutter pipes and overflowing gutters. According to roofers here are a few of the benefits of having them on top of your gutters:

• Gutter guards prevent not only the gutters, but the entire home – clogging is dangerous not only for the gutter, but for the wall that the gutter is in contact with, they can prevent you from having to call a masonry restoration Connecticut contractor later down the road. Gutters that cannot direct water away from the building can cause lots of damage, including basement flooding and insect attacks, so keeping the gutter debris-free is essential for preserving the health of the entire building.
• Reduced gutter maintenance – normally, gutters need to be inspected and cleaned at least twice a year, once after winter and once before winter. With leaf guards, gutter pipes become much easier to clean and the interval the gutter can go without cleaning is also extended.
• More security during the winter as well – leaf guards prevent the accumulation of ice inside the gutter pipes, so they make sure water doesn’t get trapped in your gutters.

If you have made up your mind to install a shingle roof on your home, but you are overwhelmed by the choice of shingle manufacturers, here are a few pointers that can help you identify good shingle makers:

• Warranty – the longer the warranty offered on the shingles, the higher the quality of the products, so make sure you find out exactly how much warranty you get with your shingles and on what conditions.
• Shingle quality – warranty is not the only parameter that determines quality, so try to find out as much as you can about the product you want to use. Read the posts published by roofers on forums, check the product descriptions offered by the manufacturer and find out as much as you can about technical aspects.
• Customer service – it is very important to choose a manufacturer that you can rely on for product-related information, so try to find out about the manufacturer’s customer service policy as well.
• Delivery – roofing shingles are lightweight, but even so, they are not easy to handle, unless you are a commercial roofing Connecticut that knows how to deliver, especially if your order is large. Find out about the manufacturer’s delivery policy before you order your products – some companies offer free delivery for orders that exceed a certain volume, so find out whether your order qualifies.

Choosing the insurance company that gives you exactly what you need and for the amount you can afford to pay in premiums is not easy, so here are a few tips that could help you choose the insurance carrier that meets your requirements and expectations:

• The coverage provided – many insurers offer a large portfolio of products, but most companies specialize in certain types of coverage and have only recently added the product that you are looking for. Try to find out how experienced the insurer is in providing the type of policy that you need.
• Insurer profile – the next step in determining the quality of an insurance company is by looking at their financial situation, their licenses, certificates and their track record of complaints and rejected claims. For instance, you want an insurance company that knows and communicates well with the local commercial roofing CT company that ensures your roof is safe.  There are lots of review websites where you can find out about these aspects and you can also rely on forums where individuals share their experiences.
• Getting help – if you feel overwhelmed by the process of identifying the insurer that is the best for you, you can turn to an insurance broker who will present you several options and will help you select the best insurer as well as the best policy.