Mark Miles asked:

Feb 17, 2014
What are the most energy efficient windows and what should I expect in savings on utility bills?
Apr 10, 2014

We suggest Simonton Vinyl Replacement windows to all our customers. They are very energy efficient and work flawlessly. I will show a customer a lot of the times how I can open the window with ease with my pinky finger. It's hard to say how much you will save on your energy bill. There are a lot of factors involved. If you currently have a well insulated home and low energy bill you probably won't save that much. If your home isn't that well insulated and large energy bills it will show up more there. I use the example of my grandfather alot. He replaced his windows with Simonton about 10-15 years ago. They have a small 3 bedroom ranch and were having utility bills of $3-400 a month. They replaced the windows and the bill came down to $100 a month. If you are having a hard time keeping your rooms cool in the summer and warm in the winter, you will see a drastic difference in your comfort level along with the power bill. Another reason we offer Simonton is the affordability. We typically install a 5050 replacement window turnkey around $400 per window. Of course there are reasons this can go up, but typical install is on average this price. I would suggest going to simonton.com and searching for an experienced installer in your area. Hope this helps! Good luck with your search. 

Feb 17, 2014
What are the advantages/disadvantages of having asphalt roof shingles applied over my existing roof?

Eric Consuegra answered:

Mar 12, 2014

Hey Michael,

Here's a quick guide to show your the pros and cons of having asphalt roof shingles applied over your existing roof: 

Pros:
-Reduced labor cost & reduced dump fees which brings the overall project cost down roughly 15% or so depending on the type of roof.
-2 Layers are the maximum number of layers allowed by code in most areas.
Cons:
-You cannot inspect all sheathing to verify a solid nailing surface.
-You also cannot change the underlayment or install ice and water shield / moisture guard to the eaves and valleys direct to plywood.
-Lastly, heat usually builds up between the layers and tends to suffocate the top layer causing pre-mature roof aging.  Ventillation plays a big role in a roof-over application. 
Generally speaking, I would say that roof-over application is not recommended due to cost vs. overall value.....especially if you are planning on staying in the home 10+ years. Hope this helps!
Eric Consuegra, Arocon Roofing and Construction, LLC
Feb 17, 2014
Is it time to replace my roof?

Eric Consuegra answered:

Mar 5, 2014
Every roof system is different and the length of time that the shingles last depends upon many factors such as ventilation, roof pitch, direct sunlight vs. shade etc.  In Maryland, a 20 year shingle typically lasts 15-17 years due to the extreme heat and extreme cold climate changes.  I would say that if the original shingles on the home were rated for 20 years, chances are it's ready for replacement.  When homeowners push the limits of the roof....they normally end up spending way more money for the replacement due to the plywood damage which results from waiting too long.
Eric, Arocon Roofing & Construction