With metal roofing, the main body of the roof consists of paneling that may be ribbed, crimped, or otherwise molded for decorative effect and added structural integrity. There are even metal shingle options that are designed to resemble slate, cedar shake, or lapped siding. One thing that all these styles have in common is that they require various trim pieces to finish the roof.

Each trim component is designed for a different section of the roof. Valley pieces are installed wherever two downward sloping roof panels meet at an inward angle. Where a sloping panel meets a horizontal segment, transition trim is used. These components along with ridge caps, gambrel flashing, gable trim, and eave pieces are all pre-formed at the angles required for the residential application in question.

Many homeowners also choose to have the fascia provided in metal so that the overall style of the roof blends well with the siding. Fascia and soffits may be specified in a single piece to reduce the risk of leaks and make maintenance easier. The seams where metal meets metal are possible entry points for moisture, so the fewer separate pieces used, the better. Most contractors purchase roofing trim in 10’ segments, but there are a few manufacturers who can provide longer pieces upon request.

Marble is a popular selection among homeowners who are remodeling and upgrading a kitchen. Whether used for full countertops or just a center island or wet bar, this material is a very glamorous accent. It can blend with metal, tile, and wood with equal ease. The enormous variety of colors and patterns make it a favorite with interior designers. Chefs love the smooth surface for food prep – especially for bread and pastry dough.

Marble Requires Special Treatment

However, kitchens are an area of the home where marble must be treated with special care. Because of the porous nature of this type of stone, it is susceptible to staining and cracking. These countertops should be resealed with a stone care product specifically formulated for marble to keep out moisture. You should also be aware that marble is soft enough to be easily scratched and reacts to even weak acids like vinegar and lemon juice by eroding.

Rolling out tortillas or pie crust on the marble counter is fine, but using it as a cutting board will leave marks. You will also have to be careful to wipe up any spills immediately and always protect the stone surface from hot pots and pans. Use filtered water to clean the counters daily (hard water contains minerals that can cause unsightly buildup). Borax can be used for gentle scrubbing if needed.

Some stone vendors suggest using marble that is not polished to make any accumulated damage less noticeable. However, many end users prefer the shiny look of polished marble despite the greater care that must be taken to keep it in good condition.

If you are having your home’s old wooden siding replaced with vinyl, the question of what to do about the fascia and soffits is bound to come up. The fascia is the trim that is located just under the edge of the roof and caps the ends of the rafters. It can be just plain lengths of wood or it can be ornate. The gutters are often attached directly to the fascia. The soffits cover the area on the underside of the eave overhang. They usually contain vents to the attic and are designed to keep birds and other animals from entering the attic space.

These components are often weather damaged and in need of repair and a fresh coat of paint. Since they are in close contact with the gutter system, any leaks or overflowing water can cause extensive damage. All maintenance work required in these areas should be done before the new siding is installed. Of course, this is a lot of work and not something many homeowners look forward to doing.

Fortunately, siding installation companies offer vinyl versions of these critical components. If the contractor can replace all the exterior wood with vinyl, this eliminates the need for constant maintenance. Unlike wood, vinyl doesn’t rot away, mold, or get attacked by insects. Of course, if your original quote did not include the soffits and fascia, you may not be happy with the increase in the total price. This is one reason to always get an all inclusive quote up front so there are no surprises later.

If there’s one industry that pulls no punches in calling out the competition on perceived design flaws, it’s gutter guard vendors. The various manufacturers and distributors love to talk about how their own product works great and rarely (if ever) gets clogged. Then, they go on to point out all the customer complaints about competing products. Here’s a sampling of some of the claims made by Leafless in Seattle about typical reverse curve gutter guard designs and why they don’t work as well as they should:

The surface tension of the flowing water is supposed to guide it over the leading edge of the reverse curve and into the gutter trough. Debris should slide off the edge and onto the ground. However, it is sometimes possible for flexible, waterlogged leaves, pine needles, and catkins to enter into the gutter along with the water flow. Dirt and grit may also enter and create sludge in the gutters.

In addition, nesting insects such as wasps can creep in through the gap where the water is supposed to enter the gutter. If they take up residence inside, it can be very difficult to eliminate them. Although some guards make allowances for the need to clean the system regularly, others make the trough very difficult to access.

According to the folks at Leafless, their system avoids all these issues because it is literally impossible for any animal, vegetable, or mineral to enter the gutter through their fine steel mesh. This claim is backed by a money back warranty if the system ever clogs, so maybe there’s something to it!

Stainless steel is one of the most popular materials for high-end kitchen appliances for a number of reasons. It is one of the best surfaces to choose if you want low maintenance. Stainless steel is resistant to corrosion/discoloration and will not rust. It retains its original appearance for many years if cared for properly. Water, mild dish soap, or glass cleaner can be used to keep this metal clean and shiny.

A quick wipe down with a moist cloth will take care of smudges and fingerprints. Unlike wood and plastic which are porous, stainless steel can be sanitized very effectively to remove bacteria – just stay away from chlorine based disinfectants as they may damage the metal surface.

Beyond Appliances

Although most commonly used for refrigerators, stovetops, and sinks, stainless steel can also be incorporated into kitchens in other ways. A seamless backsplash and countertop combination offers a sleek, easy to clean worksurface for a modern kitchen. The sink basin and counter can actually be made of a single piece of metal too – eliminating seams where food and grime tend to accumulate.

Because steel is a very neutral color, it can blend with many different color schemes. If you go with a lot of stainless steel in your interior design, be sure to add some bright hues on the walls or cabinets to keep your kitchen from looking to cold and sterile.

If your current windows are not under warranty and a pane breaks or cracks, you will have to get it replaced on your own dime. It’s a good idea to do this as soon as possible. Not only is a broken window unsightly, it poses a security hazard. Having a window that is visibly cracked or patched with tape sends a message to burglars that home protection is not a priority for you.

Always wear cut resistant gloves and safety goggles when handling the broken glass and the replacement pane. If you must break the old window pane further to remove it, apply pressure from the inside of your home to push the pane out onto your lawn. Lay down a sheet or a large piece of cardboard to catch the broken pieces and make cleanup easier.

Metal & Vinyl versus Wood

The ease with which you can replace a window pane depends on the sash material. Modern vinyl and aluminum frames often allow you to simply slip a new piece of glass in place and secure it with clips. The sash may also be designed with a groove or rubber seal to help keep the glass from shifting.

A wooden sash is a little more challenging to work with. You will need to scrape off the old putty prior to installing a new pane. Apply fresh putty to the inside of the sash generously but evenly to form a sticky rope that will hold the replacement window pane. Insert the pane and push in metal glazier points at 4” intervals to help hold the glass in place. Add more putty, pressing it in firmly to form a seal all the way around the edge of the window and wiping it smooth. Allow the putty to dry; then paint it to match the sash.

Copper sinks, a staple in many older homes, are also a popular choice for modern kitchens since they add visual interest. This metal is noted for its changeable finish. A sink made of copper will start out with a bright orange/pink sheen. Unlike a roof that is exposed to the elements, a sink that is used regularly will not end up with a green patina. Instead, the original color changes over time to a variegated, burnished brown. This effect blends well with high end countertop materials such as marble and granite. Copper also offers a natural counterpoint to hardwood floors and cabinets.

Potential Issues with Copper

Homeowners who purchase a copper sink without doing their research first may end up being disappointed. Copper is prone to developing unsightly oxidized areas from prolonged exposure to acidic substances such as coffee. The metal can be made to retain its original appearance by frequent polishing and waxing, but many people find that this is too much work. Since this metal melts at low temperatures, hot pots and pans should be kept out of the sink until they are cool enough to touch. Copper is very soft and will get scratched over time – no matter how careful you are.

A thin gauge copper basin may become distorted or dented. It will also need to be insulated to keep rattling and clanking to a minimum as you wash your dishes. Thicker gauge copper sinks don’t have either of those problems. Paying more for high quality products that are certified as being made of pure copper is the safest choice since some cheaper imported copper sinks contain lead.

Not all sunrooms have to be attached to an existing home. Some conservatories are built as standalone units instead. This approach has advantages and disadvantages depending on where you live and how large/complex you want the structure to be. Here are some things to consider when you are planning a standalone sunroom:

When a sunroom is not attached to your house, you have a great deal of leeway in its size, shape, and placement. However, it’s a good idea not to get carried away. The larger the room, the more expensive it will be to build. High quality glass isn’t cheap! A covered deck, pergola, or small gazebo can serve as the base around which to build a cost-effective sunroom.

A detached sunroom will need its own heating and cooling system unless you only plan to use it in temperate weather. Locating this structure in a breezeway so you can open up a few screened windows for fresh air can help reduce the need for an air conditioner. In some climates an electric fan may be all that is needed to keep the room comfortable – especially if it is properly insulated.

Building a sunroom where it will receive partial shade for several hours a day from a nearby tree is another option for keeping things cool. Just don’t build it too close under the tree or falling branches may cause damage in a storm.

Many homeowners who are interested in stone siding but don’t want to pay full price end up purchasing faux products to achieve the desired look. However, going with a molded cement or composite product is not the only option. There are plenty of quarries that cut all types of stone into thin veneer pieces for easy installation. Stone veneer is much lighter than stone that is cut at standard thickness. Since you are paying for less material, the pricing is also more affordable.

The visual and tactile effect of natural stone veneer is undetectable from that of full thickness stone. Most new homes aren’t built with actual stone walls – the rock is added as a layer of siding over a wood frame, insulation, and drywall. So, it makes sense to go with a thin layer of stone siding. All you will see is the exterior surface anyway.

Natural stone veneer siding is available in many materials including:

• Limestone
• Sandstone
• Granite

The stones will vary in color depending on what quarry they come from. Many colors are often mixed in a single veneer to create a mosaic effect. The stones are cut in rectangles, squares, or non-geometric shapes of different sizes and fitted together like a jigsaw puzzle. Different sealers or grout may be used to add more visual interest to the veneer. As a rule, these products are low maintenance and stand up well to the elements. Some thin stone veneer distributors even offer a lifetime warranty on their products.

HardiePlank is one of the most recognized names in the fiber cement siding industry. Their products are reportedly installed on over 4 million homes in the U.S. While HardiePlank is somewhat more expensive than vinyl, it is comparable in price to hardboard siding and less costly than brick or synthetic stucco. The company advertises that it carries siding that is suitable for all climates, but the handling requirements and product specifications do vary by zone.

A 30 year warranty is offered for the HardiePlank lap siding. However, this warranty can be voided by improper installation. This is one of the main drawbacks of using fiber cement siding – improper handling by inexperienced contractors is a fairly common complaint.

Keeping the product dry prior to and during installation is very important. So is making sure the boards are fully supported during transportation so they don’t bend and crack. Some homeowners report having their warranty voided because the delivery company unloaded the siding from the pallet onto their property. The pallet should be left in place and the planks removed one by one across the top (not vertically down each stack) to prevent damage.

Using the correct equipment for cutting and following the manufacturer’s instructions for nailing are important steps in ensuring satisfactory performance. Proper safety precautions must also be followed to prevent inhalation of cement fiber dust when power tools are used. The general view seems to be that this product is:

• Fragile and very heavy – making handling a challenge
• Difficult to cut without specialized equipment
• Not a job for a crew that lacks skill and experience with putting up HardiePlank
• Easy to paint, resistant to weathering, long lasting, and well worth the money if installed correctly

Are you in the market for a new kitchen sink? One of the first choices you will need to make is the number and size of basins.

Doubles

Traditional kitchens feature a double sink with basins of equal sizes. This arrangement is ideal for washing dishes by hand. You can soak the dishes on one side in soapy water to soften food residue. The other side of the sink is left free for scrubbing and rinsing the dishes before they are put in a draining rack. If you are one of those people who just gives dishes a quick rinse before popping them in the dishwasher, you don’t necessarily need a double basin sink. However, it does still provide a convenient place to soak pots and pans if they get gunk baked on.

Corner sinks are readily available in double basin varieties. A square basin is located on each side of the faucet catty-corner to one another. The faucet and temperature controls are located between the two sinks. Double sinks may also feature different sizes or elevations for each basin.

Singles

The advantage of a single basin is that it provides plenty of room for food prep. This is an excellent sink design for serious cooks. There is lots of room to rinse vegetables. Combine a single basin sink with a high arc faucet and you can place even the largest stock pot directly in the sink to fill it with water. In contrast, with a two basin sink, you have to use the pull out sprayer to fill large pieces of cookware. So, thinking about how you use your sink over the period of a typical month can help you decide which style to choose.

Bathrooms are one of the most frequently remodeled rooms in most homes. A bathroom makeover offers a quick way to update even the oldest house and make it appear more contemporary. High quality fixtures combined with up-to-date décor ensure a great result. One choice that’s hot in interior design for an ultra modern look is a monochrome color palette. Instead of using contrasting or complimentary colors, consider sticking with just a few closely related shades of the same hue.

A sparkling white bathroom with porcelain tiles and fixtures and gold detailing offers classic beauty. For a slightly warmer feel, mix ivory, cream, or eggshell with light, mottled beige marble or granite. Select pale, dove gray with charcoal trim for a soothing ambiance. Or, you can take a bolder approach with an array of pale blues or greens. Mirrored glass tiles and chrome can act as sleek, sparkly accents to a darker color such as crimson.

If you want a subdued look that isn’t monochrome, pair white and black elements in a guest bathroom. The key to making any of these styles work is paying attention to detail. Everything from your toothbrush holder to the color of the bar soap should stay “on theme”.  Make sure there is plenty of storage space available to hide any items that don’t fit in. This makes the entire room look less cluttered.