Ridge Vent Comparison

Watch A Video Comparing the Most Popular Ridge VentsBenovitz after cropped close up

Before installing a ridge vent onto your roof it is important to do your research.  3 things to consider are:

  1. How Well A Ridge Vent Actually Vents
  2. How Weather Resistant is A Ridge Vent
  3. How Durable is Ridge Vent

Shingle Vent II has been tested as being the best investment for improving your home. In comparative tests with Cobra Vent, Roll Vent, Cor-a-Vent, VentSure, Highpoint, and RidgeMaster unbaffled ridge vents, the Shingle-Vent II with its external baffle is consistently proven to be the most reliable ridge vent. The external baffle of the Shingle-Vent II permits air to come out of both sides of the ridge vent, while the unbaffled vents do not. The Shingle-Vent II thus releases more air than unbaffled vents. The Shingle-Vent II harnesses the wind outside to ventilate the attic and pump out air. In test comparisons with the different unbaffled vents, each test demonstrates how the Shingle-Vent II ventilates attic air the most effectively. In addition to being a better ventilation system, the Shingle Vent II also protects your attic from water infiltration. The external baffle of Shingle-Vent II protects your attic from rain that leaks through other ridge vents. In tests comparing VentSure ridge, Roll Vent, and Ridge Master ridge vents with Shingle Vent II, the first three leaked 2-4 gallons of water, while the latter did not permit any water to infiltrate into the attic.

Ventilation efficiency and weather resistance are two extremely important qualities to consider when you are choosing a ridge vent. A more weather resistant and higher quality ventilation system will decrease mold and decrease the chance of any other moisture problems that may damage your house because it decreases the amount of moisture in your attic overall. It will also decrease the heat that gets trapped in your attic. With a lower amount of trapped heat, there is a decreased chance of ice dams because ice won’t freeze, then thaw and build up again. In the summer, decreased heat also means decreased energy bills because your house is easier to cool. These are just a few reasons why it is so important to consider ridge vents with better ventilation and better weather resistance.

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Radiant Barrier for Siding

This video does an excellent job explaining how your home gains and retains heat in the summer and how you lose heat in the winter.  When doing a siding project with United Home Experts we’ll give you unique product options to help minimize heat loss in the winter and heat gain in the summer. For more information about your siding options download a free siding guide here.

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What is the True Cost of an Inferior Heating or Air Conditioning System Installation?

(Or why spending a little more and getting the right job is the true bargain!)

Money BagTimes are tough right now and sadly, our economy doesn’t show tremendous signs of improvement just yet.

  • So… do we blame people for wanting to get their money’s worth? Absolutely not!
  • Do we think that consumers might make the wrong decisions when gathering prices for larger ticket home improvements? Unfortunately, we do!

Many homeowners feel that

  1. The best price is the cheapest price.
  2. Quality doesn’t count.
  3. Shortcuts are acceptable.
  4. It won’t be their problem, they’re moving anyway!

Often homeowners wait and replace heating systems just prior to listing their home for sale with a realtor because they feel a new furnace or boiler will help seal the deal. And, it very well may…but why a homeowner would want to reap the benefit of comfort and possible lower energy costs is a question for which we’ve yet been able to find an answer.

Here are a few tips we feel are important and should be considered when embarking on a heating system replacement and choosing the right heating contractor:

  • Get references from family, friends and neighbors who have successfully completed the process and ask them ‘If you had to do it over again, would you choose the same heating company?’
    • If the answer is yes, this may well be a good, strong recommendation
  • Ask for licensing information from the contractor…
    • Homeowners are often surprised at this suggestion. They often feel a replacement system wouldn’t merit these requirements as you’re replacing the item with an exact or like model.
      • Aha…all the more reason to choose your contractor wisely. The average homeowner doesn’t know to ask that his or her house be properly sized.
      • Don’t assume the sizing or the existing equipment is correct.  It may be undersized and therefore never heat your home properly or worst yet, oversized so that  your house will never be comfortable and your energy costs will  be exorbitant
  • Make certain your contractor will take out required permits and make provisions for building department and code official inspections
    • Often homeowners are fearful that this process will result in higher real estate taxes, when in actuality it’s for your protection
    • At some point should you sell your home, this lack of permit and inspection will cause trouble that can easily be avoided by doing the right thing
  • Ask for a Certificate of Insurance…
    • Again, adequate coverage is an assumption many homeowners make. Be wise.
  • Don’t be afraid to ask questions…
    • Be sure to share problems or the dissatisfaction that you might have with your existing system. Sharing these details may resolve previous issues and create a more comfortable environment for you and your family
  • Respect the contractors’ time and expertise

Unfortunately real estate experts have created a ‘formula’ to help their potential clients feel at ease in listing or selling their homes. Often they suggest getting multiple estimates and choosing the middle or least costly. When asked why, they are unable to respond. This creates frustration in the marketplace. Your local heating contractor wants to be able to make a presentation to showcase his/her expertise. You wouldn’t choose medical care in such a casual manner, would you?

The old adage, you get what you pay for comes to mind.
Quality work commands a higher associated cost.

Lower quality work often brings forth multiple problems making the lower price an imaginary price.

Problems that rear their heads after a low cost installation has been completed may find your contractor nowhere to be found.

Did you get the “BEST” price?

More importantly, did you get the “RIGHT” installation?

Bonnie Bornstein Fertel is co-owner of Bornstein Sons, Inc., along with her husband, Richard Fertel. Bornstein Sons is a 3rd Generation Family owned and operated business providing Heating, Air Conditioning, Plumbing, Solar and Electrical repair, maintenance and installation services in northern and north central New Jersey.

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How to Create Curb Appeal

Thank you to Anne Marie DiMatteo for contributing this article to our blog! If you live in the Boston area check out Moodscapes LLC at: http://www.moodscapesdesign.com/

A Clemson University study found that landscaping could result in more than a 100% return on investment. The return on investment is contingent upon the quality of the landscape design and installation project and company. It’s important that you find the right landscape designer for your project and use only high-quality materials. One hundred $10 plants purchased at the local hardware store doesn’t have the same value as ten $100 plants purchased by a professional from a local garden nursery.

Whether you are planning on selling your home or just impressing family and friends, curb appeal is their first impression.

3 Important Factors for Enhancing Curb Appeal

1. Pathway- Create an inviting front entrance by choosing colorful and fragrant plants that welcome everyone into the house. An easy to follow path with quality and well maintained brick or stone increases functionality of the front yard. The pathway below was created to navigate guests along a curved walkway to the front porch that was surrounded with fragrant and colorful plants.

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2. Privacy- Plan out the placement of larger trees and shrubs in the front yard in order to get the most shade and privacy from them. Large trees and shrubs can also reduce the noise level from traffic and neighbors. The evergreen border below is an easy to look at natural, sustainable fence.

privacyscreeningkisen-resized-600

3. Paint- A fresh coat of paint on the front door, shutters, and house will always attract more people into a home. If you are trying to sell your house this season, it is especially important to fix all chipping paint (inside and outside) before the house goes on the market.

If you are not looking to hire a professional landscape designer this season, and just want to freshen up your existing landscape we have a few helpful tips. Simple ways to increase curb appeal are through maintenace of garden beds, grass, tres and shrubs.

  • Weeding and mulching existing garden beds as well as keeping grass groomed appropriately is comforting to others, especially neighbors.
  • It is also important to prune and trim all trees and shrubs accordingly for a healthy and sustainable landscape and garden.

If you are considering hiring a professional landscape designer, the first step is to set up a consultation. Meeting with a local professional, will result in optimal usage of your yard, money and time. Make sure to tell the professional about any future plans of selling your home so he or she can choose the best plants and design to optimize your money and increase property value.

To better understand the landscape design process, download our free guide that takes you through all the steps of hiring a professional landscape designer to help you decide if its right for you.

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Window Comparison

This chart compares Wood Windows such as Ultimate Windows from Marvin, Vinyl Windows such as Generations windows from Simonton, and Fiberglass Windows Such as Integrity Windows from Marvin.  United Home Experts is a certified installer of all these windows.  You may request a free window quote here.

Wood
Windows		Vinyl
Windows		Fiberglass
Windows
Doesn’t Need Painting / Staining / Treatingcheckmarkcheckmark
Can Be Painted (if desired)checkmarkcheckmark
Rate of Expansion / Contraction (causing gaps)Worst Best
Available with tilt-in sashes for cleaningcheckmarkcheckmarkcheckmark
Thinest Frames / More Glasscheckmark
Highest Level of Beautycheckmark
Initial Cost$$$$$$$$$
Lifetime Cost$$$$$$$$$$$
Initial Beauty 1-10 (Estimated Homeowner Response)1058
Lifetime Beauty 1-10 (Estimated Homeowner Response)848
 # of Factory Exterior Color Options1955
 # of Factory Interior Wood / Color Options552
Insulation ValueGoodGoodGood
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Home Show at the Rhode Island Convention Center

Rhode Island Home Show : Providence, RI

Location:

One Sabin St. Providence, Rhode Island 02903

Dates and time:

Thursday, March 29: 3 pm – 9 pm

Friday, March 30: 3 pm – 9 pm

Saturday, March 31: 10 am – 9 pm

Sunday, April 1: 10 am – 6 pm

Admission:

Adult: $10.00

Senior, 65+: $8.00

Children under 15: free

Directions:

From the North:

I-95 South to exit 22A.  Follow signs to convention center.  Take first right after light.  Take next right, onto Exchange St.  Bear right between hotel and convention center, after next light.  You will arrive at the garage.

From the South:

I-95 North to exit 22A.  Follow signs to convention center.  Take first right after light.  Take next right, onto Exchange St.  Bear right between hotel and convention center, after next light.  You will arrive at the garage.

From the East:

Go I-195 West until it merges with I-95.  Take exit 22A.  I-95 North to exit 22A.  Follow signs to convention center.  Take first right after light.  Take next right, onto Exchange St.  Bear right between hotel and convention center, after next light.  You will arrive at the garage.

From the West:

Go route 6 East to the onramp for route 6 east and I-195 South.  Stay on road until it ends, stay left.  Go to Dean St. exit.  Stay left for when you reach the light.  Turn left onto Dean St. then take your first right onto West Exchange St.  Convention Center Garage ahead.

Parking:

Convention center has a garage.

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10 Great Ideas For Kitchen Cabinets

Interior cabinet organization is a must for every new kitchen. In addition to reducing clutter, having your items easy to find, will help make cooking more enjoyable.  Items should be stored in the first or last point of use,  being easily removed with out having to remove other items first.

Here are 10 of the most requested kitchen cabinet storage ideas:

1. Shallow Depth PantryPAntry

If there is a refrigerator at the end of a cabinetry run, a 9″ deep pantry mounted sideways is a better use of space than the typical 3/4″ end panel.  This pantry features a magnetic white board, pencil holder, coat hooks and a charging station.

charging2.  Electronic Charging Stations

Cell phones have become a standard feature for everyone – young and old  alike.  On the market are various types of chargers for a desk.  This model fits inside a cabinet, along with the keys and backpacks, to help prevent themfrom being forgotten on the morning rush out the door.

3.  Tray Dividers – Although not a new item, it is still a necessity for every kitchen.  These can be used for cutting boards in a basetrays cabinet next to the prep sink, or for cookie sheets above the tall ovens.

base spice4. Base & Wall Pullouts – Typically 3″ or 6″ wide, these spice/oil cabinets fit perfect in the small spaces that can occur in a kitchen plan.  The ideal location is right next to the cook top or range.

5.  Dry Food Storage  – The best use of this cabinet is full depth, full extension rollouts.  While some food pantrycompanies make door racks for smaller items, such as cans, they often can’t open all the way, due to adjacent cabinetry. Keep this simple by adding height adjustable rollouts and place all the dry goods in 1 location.

super6.  Super Cabinet – at 36″ wide, with the rollouts and door racks, all small and hand held appliances can be neatly organized in one spot.

7.  Recycle Bins – Compactors have fallen out of fashion with my clients.  Recycle bins arerecycle constantly being requested, with a minimum of two.  While the large city issued bins are typically stored in the garage, who wants to walk there very time there is a container to dispose?  An 18″ cabinet can handle 2 – 36 quart containers.

tiered cutlery8.  Tiered Cutlery Divider – Every day flatware and cooking utensils can be easily separated and kept handy to the eating area with this solution.  Especially useful for a kitchen with only the minimum of 7 drawers total.

9. Cookbook Recipe Organizer  – Keep your commonly used cookbooks free from flour with this cabinet storagecookbook and under cabinet rack.  All baking ingredients can easily be kept on these shelves.

spce10.  Spice Drawer – keeps all the smaller bottles and tins in one location.  Not an ideal solution if you purchase larger bottles, or buy in bulk.  Best location is in the prep area.

What are your favorite kitchen features?  Any special storage solutions that you are looking for?

Whether you are a gourmet cook, foodie or survivalist, you need a kitchen that works for you, your family and your home.  Creating a kitchen is a very personal experience. With an interior design background, and 15 years kitchen designexperience, Edeisa Kitchen & Bath Studio will provide detailed design solutions to compliment the style of your home. Whether you are working with an architect for an addition or within your existing space, we strive for the most appropriate layout. At Edesia we create and develop your plans, computer generated or hand drawn, elevations and details that will bring your dream kitchen into reality. Take advantage of our free consultation & estimate with competitive pricing. We service a 25 mile radius around Boston MA.

Edesia is the Roman goddess of feasting. We’ll get you cooking.

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Nashoba Valley Home and Garden Show Boxborough MA

2012 Nashoba Valley Home and Garden Show

Location:

Holiday Inn Boxborough : 242 Adams Place.  Boxborough, Massachusetts 01719

Dates:

Saturday, March 3rd 2012: 10 am – 6 pm

Sunday, March 4th 2012: 10 am – 5 pm

Directions:

From Providence, RI:

Go North west on US-1 ramp towards Post rd, turn right onto Post rd.  Merge ont RI-37, then merge onto route 95 via exit 4B, merge onto route 495 via exit 6B, then take exit 2B to route 111 and turn left.  Hotel is on the right.

From Logan International Airport:

Go on the Massachusetts Turnpike,route 90 West, heading towards 495 North.  Take exit 28, turn left at traffic light.

Admission:

Adults: $6.00

Seniors 60+: $5.00

Kids 16 and under: free

Miscellaneous Information:

Number of booths: 100

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Cost of House Painting

Painting your house is a great way to give it a bit more character.  If you have been thinking about changing the color and style of your house, you might be wondering how expensive it is.  So, how much does it cost to paint your house?paintbrush-pallet_94495

While the amount can vary, you can expect the cost to paint you home to fall somewhere between these values:

Table of Estiamted Painting Costs, in USD

Basic Painting

Normal painting

Fancy, complex painting

Small
Home

$2,000 – $4,000$3,000 – $6,000$5,000 – $12,000+*

Medium
Home

$3,000 – $7,000$5,000 – $10,000$9,000 – $18,000+*

Large
Home

$6,000 – $12,000$5,000 – $18,000$16,000 -$30,000+*

Huge home

$10,000 – $30,000$15,000 – $45,000$25,000 – $70-000+*

What’s in cost of house painting?

For a seemingly simple task, there is a lot that goes into the cost of painting.  A few things that go into the price of a painting job:

  • Type of product being used (latex paint, semi-transparent, solid stain etc.)
  • How tall the house is
  • Whether the house is mostly flat or has complex, curving or narrow spaces
  • The material you are painting on (wood, metal, masonry)
  • How easy it is to access all the surfaces of your home
  • How much prep work is involved
  • whether there are taxes, regulations, small business expenses, etc that boost the cost of owning a painting business

Is painting cheaper than siding?

Siding is usually more expensive than painting your home.  While painting can be done for only a few thousand, you shouldn’t expect to get any siding for less than $9,000.00.  Large homes can easily cost tens of thousands to side with paneling.

As an example, let’s take a medium-sized home with a little prep work.  Siding would cost $16,000-$24,000.  Painting a comparable house would cost $5,000-$10,000.  Of course, the price does depend on the complexity of the job.  If there is lots of damage to the structure of the home that needs to be prepared for painting, that drives the cost up. In that case it might be a little cheaper to just side the house.  But rotten wood is one of the few times that siding might be considered cheaper than painting a home.

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Firm Warnings From an Experienced Massachusetts Roofing Contractor

When choosing a roofing company in Massachusetts it is unbelievably important to do your due diligence. Roofing companies are notorious for shortcuts and various “cost saving” corners they will cut to save money on their bottom line.

Roofers Personal Warranties Are Useless

I would recommend always hiring a roofing contractor that has a warranty backed by the manufacturer.  I firmly believe that companies who do not have warranties backed by the manufacturer provide a useless warranty.  If I had a dollar for every roofing company that has gone out of business in Massachusetts in the last ten years, I would be a rich man. If a company goes out of business, what good is their warranty?  If a manufacturer is willing to stand behind the installer, you can be sure that they are laying down your roof properly.

Shortcut Artists are CriminalsSAMSUNG DIGITAL CAMERA

I feel that a roofing company taking short cuts on your roof is no better than a criminal.  This is because they are promising you one thing, knowing full well that you will not typically see what is under the shingles and will cut corners to save a buck.

Roof Layovers Are a Bad Idea

One common shortcut that happens every day in Massachusetts is a layover of the existing roof.  Layovers do not solve any problems and will usually last a quarter of the time as correctly installed roof.

Skipping the Underlayment

Another common shortcut with roofers in Massachusetts is not placing underlayment on the roof decking.  To go along with this theme is roofers that will skimp out on underlayment or use cheaper alternatives for underlay.  The underlayment is an essential component of a proper roof system.  The proper underlay adds the extra protection your roof needs between the shingles and roof decking.

Roof Ventilation is Key

Ventilation is also a common shortcut for roofers in Massachusetts.  Some roofers will under ventilate, use incorrect ventilation, or use cheaper ventilating products.  When ventilation is not installed correctly, it can cause your house to generate too much heat and moisture.  This can cause the wood on your roof to buckle and form mold.  Improper ventilation is also a major cause of ice dams on a roof.

Roofing Contractor Recommendations

I recommend asking potential roofers lots of questions; ask for referrals, proof of insurance, and request a full scope of their intended work.  A roof is a very large investment and I would hate to see any customer get3 ripped off by a company taking short cuts.

Andy Egdahl is a Roofing Specialist for United Home Experts.

Comments

This is not good advice! In most cases the manufacturer’s warranty does not conver the leading causes of roof leaks – which happens to be contractor errors.
Rather than basing the decision on a warranty, I would suggest consumers do their part to ensure they are hiring a professional who will do the job correctly to begin with. If the roofer does his job correctly you won’t need any warranty.

Posted @ Tuesday, February 21, 2012 1:32 PM by John
John, thanks for your comment. Let me clarify the first paragraph. There is a big difference between a roofing shingle warranty (which as you noted is virtually useless) and a roofing system warranty. There ARE in fact roofing system warranties that are backed by the manufacturer which include coverage for labor and workmanship (as you noted that’s most important). These warranties are not available to just anyone but are reserved for a select group of contractors who have gone through the necessary training and are enrolled in the necessary programs. Currently we can offer a full coverage roofing warranty that includes shingles, underlayments, flashing, labor, and workmanship.

Posted @ Tuesday, February 21, 2012 2:02 PM by Peter Martino
I do understand what you are saying but I would encourage all homeowners to thoughly read the warranty so they know what they are getting (and not getting). In some cases the manufacturer’s workmanship warranty will not cover costly items like disposal and metal work. Other warranties claim to only the cost of repairing or replaceing the defective shingle – and not any of the much needed system components. If the roofer does his job correctly, there is no need for this warranty – which does represent a cost to the homeowner. It’s my recommendation that rather than selling your customers on the fact that the manufacturer will back you up in the event that you screw up, why don’t you sell them on how you eliminate the risk of something going wrong to begin with.

Posted @ Thursday, February 23, 2012 10:12 AM by John
John, these are all excellent points and we agree 100%. The only problem is that every roofer that a homeowner meets with is telling them how great they are, and you know as well as I–that many roofers are absolute hacks and most go out of business in less than 2 years. Our approach is explain the intricacies of the installation AND back up our promises with a top notch warranty from a top-notch manufacturer.

Posted @ Thursday, February 23, 2012 11:09 AM by Peter Martino
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