What You Should Know Before You Buy Vinyl Siding

June 9th, 2011

It’s time to paint your house again. So naturally, before you hire a painter, it’s time to think about vinyl siding. If you have been considering vinyl siding for your next home improvement, there are some things you should know.

At Regal Home Improvement, we are your local Richmond expert in vinyl siding. We have some tips for you when it comes time to shopping around for vinyl siding for your home:

  • Select the color and style of your vinyl siding carefully. You will live with it for a long time.
  • It is not a good time to be cheap when buying vinyl siding. Cheap vinyl siding is thin and it does not hold up well to extreme temperatures. Invest in good quality vinyl siding; it makes a difference.
  • Vinyl siding comes in a large variety of thicknesses, material compositions and locking systems. Because there are so many different decisions to make, rely on the advice of an expert.
  • Check the warranty on your vinyl siding. Does it come with a warranty on both the product and the installation? Remember to ask this question.
  • Hire a reputable contractor to install your vinyl siding. This is not a do-it-yourself project.
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Sherwood Custom Replacement Windows

June 8th, 2011

At Regal Home Improvement, we understand that people do not want to sacrifice beauty for efficiency when it comes to making improvements to their home. That is why we offer several lines of replacement windows that cater to different customers’ styles and budgets.

Our Sherwood Custom Wood Replacement Window line is the best of the best. It seamlessly combines the warmth of beautifully crafted wood with the advanced technology of vinyl. The result is a high performance replacement window with classic styling.

Features and Benefits of Sherwood Custom Wood Replacement Windows:

Premium Hardwood Interior is available in one of our pre-finished options or ready for your paint or stain.

Offers the traditional style of a classic wood window.

The multi-chambered frame protects wood from exposure to moisture.

Recessed locks & flush mount tilt latches allows for easy cleaning of your windows.

Sloped sill provides efficient water management directing water away from the window.

Constant force balance system offers a smooth, quiet, adjustment-free operation.

If you want to improve the energy efficiency of your home while staying true to its classic design, consider Sherwood Custom Wood Replacement Window. Whether you live in an historic home or not, you will appreciate the craftsmanship of this superior window. Contact Regal Home Improvement about replacement windows for your home.

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Adding Decorative Trim To Your Home

June 6th, 2011

Do you live in a neighborhood where all the houses look alike? What does it take to set your house apart from the others? Sometimes it is the little details that make a difference. Window boxes, a manicured lawn or even a bit of decorative trim to accent a dormer can make your home unique.

If you are considering vinyl siding as part of your home improvement project, you can still create a unique style with all the details of old world charm. Alcoa offers a line of vinyl trim that offers architectural detail in a high quality vinyl product. Choose from dentil mouldings and cedar-look accent panels as part of Alcoa’s designer line. There are lots of ways to make your house stand out in the neighborhood, and with vinyl siding, you have the luxury of reduced maintenance.

Regal Home Improvement is proud to be an Alcoa Master Contractor and offer our customers this exceptional product. Contact us for details on installing vinyl siding on your home.

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Top Reasons To Replace Your Windows

May 31st, 2011

If the windows in your home are 10 years old or older, you can benefit from installing replacement windows. Replacement windows can lower your energy bill and also improve the look of your home. If you keep thinking about it, but don’t ever do anything about, then you should really read this. The experts at Regal Home Improvement say that if you can answer yes to these four questions, then you should consider replacement windows for your home:

Do your old windows have drafts and leaks?
Have your old windows become difficult to open and close?
Is your home outdated and your windows ugly?
Is your heating and cooling bill too high?

If you answered yes to any of these questions, then you could benefit from replacement windows. In fact, here are some great reasons to install replacement windows:

New windows will definitely lower your energy bills.
New windows offer the benefit of improved energy efficiency.
Instantly improve the curb appeal of your home.
New windows will improve the value of your home.
There is virtually no painting with new replacement windows.
Washing windows is a breeze with the tilt in features on new windows.
Save money by filing for the federal tax credit available on qualifying windows.

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Be Safe Using Your Grill This Summer

May 30th, 2011

Welcome to summer! Memorial Day is the official start of summer and grilling season. Remember that safety is key when using your grill. People know that a grill can pose a serious fire hazard if not used properly, but nobody ever really thinks it will happen to them. Regal Home Improvement offers some safety tips for grilling this summer.

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission recommends keeping your grill at least 10 feet away from your house or any building. Grills can cause your wood home to catch fire if left too close. If you have vinyl siding on your home, a grill can melt the vinyl siding if it is too close. Do not operate a grill on a porch, garage, breezeway, carport, or under a surface that can catch fire.

If you have been thinking about building a deck or re-designing your current deck, call Regal Home Improvement. Remember to use caution when grilling outside your home and enjoy your summer!

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Preparing For The Summer Heat

May 27th, 2011

Are you ready for summer? Is your house ready for summer? Preparing your home for Richmond’s summer heat can increase the energy efficiency of your home as well as save you money. If you think you have already done everything you can to improve your home’s energy efficiency, have you considered installing Radiaflect™ Reflective Attic Insulation?

Radiaflect is a reflective attic insulation that is designed to supplement your existing insulation, not replace it. In addition to saving you money and keeping your home cooler this summer, it can reduce energy loss in your home throughout the entire year.

Radiaflect is made in the USA and comes with a lifetime warranty. This product also qualifies for the federal tax credit. How does it work? Radiaflect reflective attic insulation cuts radiant transfer by 97%, which keeps your home cooler in the summer and warmer in the winter.

Regal Home Improvement can give you a free quote on installing this product in your home as well as answer any questions you have about installation and energy savings. Radiaflect Reflective Insulation will enhance the value of your home as well as lower your heating and cooling costs. Call Regal Home Improvement today and get ready for summer.

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Enjoy A Screened Porch This Summer

May 25th, 2011

Generations of people have enjoyed the luxury of sitting on their screened porch and enjoying Virginia’s cool Southern breezes. If you don’t already have a screened porch, you should consider one. You can enjoy the cool evening breeze without the hassle of insects buzzing all around you.

Regal Home Improvement can design and build a screened porch for you. We can create a design that will match the style and character of your home. Don’t worry, we will take care of all the details from exterior trim to roof pitch to electrical outlets.

Other details include ceiling fans, outdoor fireplaces, and even a deck transitioning your living space from inside to outside. Let us create your perfect outdoor oasis. Call Regal Home Improvement today for a free quote. We are your expert for home improvements.

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Get Ready For Summer – Clean Your Deck

May 18th, 2011

Summer is here. If you haven’t cleaned off your deck and gotten it ready for summer, it is time. Algae, mildew, dirt, and water stains can give your deck that weather-worn look. Cleaning your deck on a regular basis can keep it looking new and it is an easy do-it-yourself project. Regal Home Improvement has tips for you on cleaning your deck:

Tools Needed:

Hand scrub brush or stiff bristle broom
Garden hose with a garden sprayer
Deck cleaner (see below)
Bucket
Gloves
Goggles

The best cleaning agent to use for cleaning your deck is water mixed with oxygen bleach. This product kills mildew and algae, but does not remove the natural wood color or harm plants. Do not confuse this with chlorine bleach. Chlorine bleach removes the natural color from wood and it is toxic to the surrounding vegetation. Deck cleaners are another option.

To get started, sweep the dirt off the deck surface and scrape the buildup from between the floorboards. Scrub using a stiff bristle brush and your cleaning agent. It is a good idea to use your goggles and gloves for protection. Once you have finished scrubbing the entire surface, use the garden spray nozzle to rinse the deck and wash away debris from cracks and crevices. Let the deck dry completely.

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Summer Home Improvements to Consider

May 16th, 2011

Each spring as the temperatures start to rise, homeowners start to think this might be the year to build that new deck or install that long-dreamed about pool. Millions of Americans plan each year to invest in home improvements. While the amount of money they plan to spend varies greatly from one homeowner to another, all homeowners should ask themselves the same question: what are the reasons to improve your home and what is the return on your investment? Take a look at five of the biggest outdoor remodeling projects homeowners consider every summer:

Pool: During the first hot week of summer, don’t we all wish we could install a pool? Don’t think that you are going to get your money back on the price of installing a pool. Installation and maintenance are very expensive and it is questionable whether they increase your home’s value. The only reason to install a pool is for your personal enjoyment.

Deck: If your home doesn’t have a deck, you are missing out. According to Remodeling Magazine’s 2010-11 Cost. vs. Value Report, and the National Association of Realtors, a deck of any kind is one of the best investments a homeowner can make. It will improve the value of your home and you should recoup somewhere between 66% and 73% of its cost in resale value depending on the style and materials used.

Patio: Just because you don’t have the space for a deck, don’t overlook the value of a patio. For some homeowners, a deck isn’t really a good option, but a patio makes complete sense. Patios are a simple way to expand outdoor living space and compared to decks, they’re fairly inexpensive to install.

Outdoor Kitchen: An outdoor kitchen when part of a deck or patio, creates more of an outdoor living space and can add value to your home. It is currently one of the most popular outdoor improvements to make.

Gazebo: A gazebo can create a nice focal point and a lovely sitting spot in your yard. If you have the place for one, it can become a great reading room, a sitting area within the garden or a place to gather for summer parties.

All of the home improvements mentioned create ways to spend more time outdoors and away from the television. They offer ways for families and friends to spend quality time together. While well planned home improvements can increase the value of your home, one of the best reasons to make home improvements is to add value to the lifestyle of the owners. Let Regal Home Improvement help you add value to your home and improve your quality of life this summer.

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Child Safety and Windows

May 11th, 2011

At Regal Home Improvement, we know that after a long cold winter there is nothing better than opening your windows to let in a cool, spring breeze. According to the Home Safety Council, there are tens of thousands of injuries that occur at home each year, and open windows are just one of the culprits. Families with young children and pets should take precautions to ensure their loved ones are safe around windows.

As homeowners begin opening their windows for ventilation for the first time in months, it’s a great time to be reminded of a few window safety tips around the house:

Keep your double-hung replacement windows ventilated at the top to reduce the danger of children falling out of open windows.

Be careful with screens in your windows. Window screens are designed to keep insects out, but will not prevent a toddler or pet from falling through an open window. Never leave a child alone in a room with the windows open.

Keep larger furniture away from windows. Children have been known to fall out of the window after climbing upon furniture or jumping on the bed.

Install ventilation latches as a safety feature that will limit the initial opening of the window to less than four-inches. This will prevent young children from opening windows. An adult can disengage the safety feature to open the window further.

Keep all window blind cords up out of reach of children as they can cause strangulation.

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