Does your roof have issues with streaking?  Streaking? Yup, streaking! This is when there's darkening or black scarring on the roofing shingles. The manufacturer of Atlas Roofing products have found a solution for this issues with their innovative roofing line. They use enhanced copper granules in the formulation of their asphalt roofing shingles. Steaking can affect the aesthetic of your home and in addition this product deters algae/roof moss.  Atlas Roofing products offer a line of residential products, commercial products, and much more when it comes building products.

Product Highlight:

Atlas Pinnacle - 110/130 mph wind warranty, limited lifetime product warranty, 15 year non-prorated warranty on labor/product when using their "signature select system."

Atlas Stormmaster - 150 mph wind warranty* and items included with Atlas Pinnacle.

Where can you find their shingles? Low tier items are featured at local big box stores and their standard/premium options are stocked at most local building supply stores such as Prairie State Exteriors, Midway Building Supply, and more local businesses. 

If you have more questions you can reach out on our Facebook at Total Roofing & Construction Services, Inc. or our website at trc-inc.com

The most common home improvement project completed by you the homeowner is: Painting! In today's episode we discuss the best places to purchase paint, what to consider before buying the paint, and what areas you're updating. There's over 100+ painting manufacturers and the most common ones are featured at the big box stores of Home Depot, Menard's, and Lowe's. However, we strongly advise you visiting the local Sherwin-Williams branch and asking questions regarding paints! 

The biggest tip you can take away is how do you value your time? Do you usually stay home and watch a Netflix movie? If so you most likely can paint that bedroom in the same amount of time. Does your home have a 2.5 story vaulted ceiling? If so, it may be safer to hire a pro and cheaper due to time constraints. 

The quality of the paint does have a time and place in your home. Cheaper is not always better when considering the location of the hallway's, kitchens, or kid's room. Being aware of the room's you want to update is key to selecting the right type of paint. Consult with the local paint representative wherever you go. For instance bathrooms and kitchens have more moisture/emit gasses, so they'll be different types of paints recommended.

Did you know solar panels have been around since the 1850's? We didn't, but we've heard about the latest and greatest solar product's in the last 30 years. In today's episode of TRC:365 we discuss question's you need to ask yourself regarding your home. These short questions and conditions will allow you to have a much clearer view if Solar is worth it for you. DO NOT buy the hype of your home value will increase by so-so % with solar panel's, but let's save that %% of money by making the right decision. 

Here's a list of websites we mentioned in today's episodes are www.sunnumber.com, GAF Energy, and Total Roofing's if you need a contractor to review your home's roofing system.  We understand that Illinois has released many advantageous tax credits to benefit your utilities cost, but how old's your roofing system? Where do you live? Are you building your home? These are questions you must ask and be familiar with before signing any type of contract. 

The average solar system cost is between $20,000 to $40,000 plus potentially a new roofing system ($12,000)! This is a serious renovation and you should not base it off the "green movement" or "but I have low monthly payments." If you have more questions feel free to reach out to us at our website or via social media. 

A great product is featured as the photo below. This is the GAF Decotech solar system. This solar system gets installed alongside the roofing GAF roofing system at the same time and is covered by the same warranty as the roof. You can learn more at GAF.com

We recently experienced severe weather throughout the Chicago-land, northwest Indiana, and Kentucky area, which mean's you may encounter a high volume of storm chasers or local contractor's stopping by. We discuss a few of the best practices when dealing with door to door solicitation and the insurance restoration. 1. Understand the power of the door. The door separates you from signing any document you are not prepared for or understand.

 Do you know most insurance agencies allow 1 to 2 years to file a claim, unless you have serious damage or noticeable issues that require immediate restoration.  2. Understand it is common for most contractor's to provide free estimates or inspections without requiring a signed contract's/form such as an "AOC." We advise signing these if you understand the entire document and/or comfortable with the contractor. 

The biggest bit of advice is trust your gut. As in any activity or service you hire, you should be confident in your decision. If you're not comfortable in home improvement or insurance claims seek counsel from a trusted family/friend. We understand a free roof/siding is exciting with the growing costs for such items, but don't be blind. 

Key remarks:

A deductible is still the homeowner' responsibility and additional knowledge of the product's don't only extend to the contractor's. Try seeking more information on various product lines they're (contractor's) recommend and why? If you are in the position to receive a complete insurance restoration then let's install the product's we trust or would want on our homes for the next 30+ years.  A great way to start is to review the Owens Corning line of building materials and more importantly their trusted, vetted "preferred contractor" program to install them!

Curious what local building suppliers are and what they offer? If so, give them a call! Don't rely on the big 3 of the home improvement industry for all your advice and seek additional counsel. These local suppliers often work with local contractor's and have established relationships with the larger contractors, which can help you in the discovery stages.  Stop in and find out more about building products your curious about today!

In addition, if you already have a contractor ask what supply houses they use and follow up with the supply house. Ask if they have any outstanding balances or issues with ordering product. This is equivalent to asking for references from someone looking for employment!. 

It's Phillip Cooper with Total Roofing & Construction and today we dive into service product packaging. It's common for you to see a good, better, best system offer from all contractor's, however how do you as a homeowner cut through the red tape? We break down each category for you to see which one makes sense.

We don't believe the best package is always necessarly the "best" one for you, when the good one will be sufficient for your problem.  So if you are looking to sell your home, rent a property, or curious about the difference this podcast is for you.

Hello it's Phillip Cooper with Total Roofing & Construction with episode #4 of TRC:365. Today we will discuss the most common financing programs to utilize for homeowners, business owners, or property investors. Our top three financing avenues are cash, home equity loans, home equity line of credit, 0% credit cards, and family/friends. 

We recommend you have a discovery stage of what's important to you and if this project is truly a "need" for you. After we review the want's or needs we can itemized our avenues of funding. The average cost of a home improvement project is $5,000 to $12,000 (WHICH IS A LOT OF MONEY). So if you can begin saving for this, great, but if not this is likely the cost you are looking at.  Another great question to ask yourself is how long will you be living in this house. 

Do you love buying that extended warranty? Sometimes it's worth it and sometimes it's not. We review the 3 most important items for you the property owner or homeowner with warranties.

 #1 Discovery of service and what exactly do you need. If you select the wrong service or issue you've already misspent your money. During the discovery stage, discuss what's important to you (color, durability, issue itself, etc.). Now that you know what you need or want, let's get 3 contractor's out to the property. Before signing a contract lets review #2 Workmanship warranty & #3 product warranty. 

Ask questions about both. Do these align with my goals and want's found in the discovery stage. If you are moving in 4 years does the 40 year warranty help you? The biggest bit of advice is reaching a local contractor to understand the area's mean price, warranties, and product's that are common. These type of business providers are built on strong workmanship and warranties that are worth the paper there on. 

Welcome to TRC:365! I'm Phillip Cooper with Total Roofing and Construction. We are discussing the 3 items you should have or know about in your policy.  The 1st items to know is what type of insurance policy you have, is it a RCV replacement cost value or ACV actual cash value? RCV covers the replacement cost value minus your deductible and ACV is replacement cost minus deprecative minus deductible. The second item is the deductible. Realize what type of deductible you have exactly. Do you have a set amount, is it a percentage of your policy, or are you not aware of it? Contact your agent and find out today.  The 3rd item is Law and Ordinance Clause. This allows you to be covered for items that are enforced by local municipalities or governing bodies such as building departments. If you're home is older and has out of date building products this endorsement can protect you on the cost to upgrade.  

Welcome to TRC:365! Hello I'm Phillip Cooper with Total Roofing and Construction Services, Inc. and thanks for checking out our first podcast. We are starting our podcast to share our tips, experience within the home improvement industry. Our goal is to share our daily stories with real-time customers in the Chicagoland area and issues they've faced. Winter in the home discusses the two building products that you can investigate such as "insulation" and "windows." 

These 2 items are central to heat loss during the recent polar vortex and winter months. Check if you have a minimum of R-49 Insulation. If you are not comfortable reviewing this please call a local contractor. Take photos and document the condition of your attic cavity. Upon reviewing your attic, take a glance at your windows. Do you notice drifts or cold air near the windows? Are they old, wood, or do they even open? Look for noticeable air entry points. If you do have minor wind infiltration, then consider plastic sheathing or foam board covering (Local home improvement store), this will assist with heat loss.

This weekend inspect: Attic insulation & Window condition.