Should You Have a Roof Evaluation in the Spring?
Due to the mild and comfortable temperatures of spring, many homeowners choose to tackle home maintenance tasks now. If you are just preparing your spring checklist, make sure to put roof inspection and evaluation among your first priorities. Local roofing contractor Polar Bear Exterior Solutions explains why scheduling a roof evaluation this spring is ideal.
How Do James Hardie® Products Perform in a House Fire?
Among the many advantages of James Hardie® fiber cement products are their long life span, exceptional durability and easy maintenance. In this post, Polar Bear Exterior Solutions talks about another outstanding feature of James Hardie products — fire resistance.
The Difference Between Window SHGC and U-Value
Windows should meet certain energy efficiency requirements, whether they are for a home or a business. Some of the major considerations that you have to make when selecting windows are their U-Value and Solar Heat Gain Coefficient (SHGC).
What Causes Your Windows to Become Foggy?
Much like a cold glass of iced tea on a hot summer day, condensation on your windows occurs when the inside and outside temperatures are vastly different. While it is mostly harmless, it can still be annoying, as it could obscure your lovely view of the outside. The good news is that there are easy ways you can minimize condensation or prevent it altogether. A trusted window and siding contractor shares how.
Why Do Internal Doors Expand and Swell?
Doors can be pretty temperamental. Depending on the time of year, they can expand and swell up causing them to stick. And because the average American home has seven or more internal doors, this problem can get really annoying fast. If you want to address this issue, you first need to understand what causes them to stick in the first place. So, in today’s blog post, your trusted door and window contractor explains why this happens and what you can do to fix it.
Should I Opt for a Tear-Off and Remove the Old Underlayment?
Roof replacement can become a necessity at a certain point. When that time finally arrives, you may be faced with the question of whether to remove the old underlayment or keep it in place. Generally, a total tear-off — which means replacing the entire roof system — is the best way to go.
How Too Much Moisture Can Damage Your Roof
It is no secret that your roof’s lifelong nemesis is water. Whether it’s a trickle or deluge, water can spell trouble for your roof, especially if there is moss or pine needle build up or if it is nearing the end of its service life. Remember a typical roof is replaced at about 18-22 years of age. But what about too much moisture and humidity? It may not be as pervasive as a rainstorm but too much moisture can surely cause damage to your roof and the rest of your home as surely as rainwater can. A trusted roofing contractor explains how.
Understanding Replacement Window Warranties
Whether it’s for your roofing or your windows, you’ll have to ensure they are covered by a manufacturer or the contractor who will install them for you when purchasing new systems and features for your home. This allows you to be assured that should anything happen, you’ll get the protection you need. As these arrangements can sometimes be complex and confusing, we will list a few of the window replacement warranty elements you can familiarize yourself with.
Common Door Problems During Winter
Winter has arrived, and so have the icing and frost-related problems within your home! The sheer cold of winter can easily affect the structural integrity and parts of your home, especially your doors which are constantly exposed to the snow and frigid wind outside. Though door building materials are usually resilient, cold can still affect a lot of things around and inside it, especially the parts that permit motion. What are some of the most common door problems during winter?
Common Roofing Myths
When it comes to roofing maintenance, there are many rumors, hearsay and myths that you should be wary of. Self-maintenance is an admirable sentiment, but not everything you hear about roofs is necessarily true or backed by facts and data. Unless you have actual professional experience on the matter, it is best to take these myths with a grain of salt. What are the most common roofing myths? Expert roofing contractor Polar Bear discusses these myths with you!
A Quick Guide on Choosing the Right Siding Colors
Changing the color of your siding will make a pretty big impact on your home’s exterior and can either significantly improve or seriously diminish your overall curb appeal. Needless to say, it is important to get it right. Choosing the right siding color can be an intimidating process but there’s no need for you to worry. In today’s post, a trusted siding contractor shares a few tips on how to pick the perfect one that’s right for you.
The Basics You Need to Know about Passive Ventilation
Passive ventilation, also called natural ventilation, makes use of natural forces to circulate air to and from an indoor space. It utilizes doors, windows, vents and other openings to bring fresh air into your home without the use of mechanical systems. It’s a strategy window and siding contractors often use to help you reduce your home’s carbon footprint and improve your indoor air quality. If your home is designed for passive ventilation, all you need to do is open or close a window as needed to improve the air you breathe. Here are the basics that you need to know.
Rafters vs. Trusses
Roofs are expected to be built on a sturdy structure to withstand strong weather conditions. In this post, Polar Bear’s window and roof experts will look into the two construction methods in roofing to help you with your next project.
Extending the Life of a Commercial Roof
As every roofer notes, your roofing system is required to be well-maintained to sustain its lifespan. Similar to residential types, your commercial roof must also be taken care of with the help of specific practices. Here are some of them:
Why Wood Doors Expand and What You Can Do To Prevent It
For the most part, wooden doors are great. They are durable, aesthetically pleasing, and can be painted any color you want. However, they are far from perfect as they do come with their own set of problems. One common problem many homeowners face is “sticky” doors. In today’s post, a door and awning contractor explains why this happens and shares a few tips on how this can be prevented.
3 Tips on How to Budget for a Roof Replacement Project
Replacing your old roof is a major home improvement undertaking, one that can cost a lot of time and money. Given the scale of the project, it is very important to plan well ahead of time to ensure that it goes as smoothly as possible. A huge part of the planning process has to do with setting aside enough funds to minimize the impact on your finances. With that in mind, here are a few budgeting tips from an expert roof and window contractor.
How Does Your Siding Improve Your Home’s Energy Efficiency?
Did you know that the average U.S. home uses around 10,766 kilowatt-hours per year? This is according to a recent report from the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA), but the exact amount still varies for each state. Fortunately, you can reduce your monthly energy expenditure by knowing what you should do and what you should avoid. Even investing in your home’s siding and exteriors serves not only to enhance its visual appeal but also improve its energy efficiency! Trusted siding and window contractor Polar Bear shares their insight:
Sliding Windows and the Benefits You’ll Gain
As you browse through our Polar Bear windows, you might have a few styles in mind. Each window type serves a different purpose in your home, so it helps to consider your needs and preferences to make a more informed decision. For instance, sliding windows are great for adding more natural light and ventilation to your home, and this is due to their simple design and ease of use. They also offer other benefits such as:
Why Energy-Efficient Windows Are the Way to Go
It’s no secret that quality energy-efficient replacement windows have a higher price tag than builders grade ones. However, when you consider their long-term benefits, you’ll see them less as an additional expense and more as an investment. In today’s post, local window and roofing contractor Polar Bear discusses why energy-efficient replacement windows are the way to go.
How Do James Hardie® Siding Products Perform Against a House Fire?
James Hardie® fiber cement products are renowned for their benefits, like durability, a long service life and low-maintenance requirements. In today’s post, local siding and window contractor Polar Bear discusses another important feature that’s not as often discussed — how siding can help improve your home’s fire resistance. Fire-Resistance Key Terms Siding must pass the standards set by building codes and certified laboratories in order to qualify as fire-resistant materials. To understand how fire resistance applies to siding and other building materials, the following are some of the important terms that will be frequently used as you compare siding products and their qualities: Combustible — A material can be considered combustible if it burns or ignites readily. Building materials like timber and certain types of polymer can be categorized as combustible. Non-combustible — A material can be considered non-combustible if it does not burn or ignite under tests that simulate conditions like direct exposure to flame and contact with embers. Ignition-resistant — A material can be considered ignition-resistant if it doesn’t ignite from prolonged exposure to open flame. During tests, exposure can last between 10 to 30 minutes. Fire-resistant — This term specifically applies to structures and whether they can contain a fire. In comparison, the term “ignition-resistant” applies to materials. James Hardie Products As a James Hardie Elite Preferred siding contractor, we at Polar Bear recommend their products to homeowners who are looking to boost their home’s fire-resistance. James Hardie products, including their best-selling HardiePlank®, are made of fiber cement, a combination of cement, wood fibers and fine silica sand. Fiber cement siding has similar characteristics as brick and stone, which is a definite improvement from most other siding products. It’s important to note that no material stays unaffected by the heat produced by house fires. However, ignition-resistant materials can help slow down the spread of fire, which would buy time for the home’s occupants to make their way to safety and prevent fire from spreading to neighboring properties. James Hardie products have a proven track record for ignition resistance that many insurance providers offer discounts to homeowners who have had such products installed. Polar Bear windows and siding options can help enhance your home’s exterior. Give us a call at (425) 290-5579 or fill out our contact form to schedule an appointment. We serve customers in Seattle and the surrounding communities.
The Importance of Working With a Local Roofer
As a homeowner, you put a lot of trust in your roofing company. You expect them to know everything from roof construction to local building codes to the best solution for your particular problem. Therefore, you must select a roofer that is reliable, honest and trustworthy.
Signs That It’s Time to Replace Your Home Siding
Regardless of the type of siding protecting your house, it will need regular maintenance and eventually need to be replaced. Breaking and cracking siding as it ages is a problem you will want to address before it affects other parts of your house. Once it lets in a leak or bugs, the time may have already passed to address it without paying for costly fixes.
Key Questions to Ask Before Getting a New Entry Door
New entry doors can help improve your home’s appearance, protect against the elements and provide energy efficiency. The right entry door does so much more than simply serve as a way to enter and exit your home.
Windows – A Natural Light Alternative
Natural lighting makes up about 10% of a home’s energy usage. So with more natural light in your home, your lights will be on for less time during the day, and you’ll reduce your energy consumption and electricity bills.