Homeownership brings welcome relief from rent and gives people a place to call their own. The many components of homes can break down without warning and cause stress. Thankfully, there are warranties available to combat repair costs and give homeowners peace of mind. 

What Are the Benefits of AC Warranties?

AC systems last 10 to 20 years but can break down at any time. Older systems are especially vulnerable to breakdowns and repair issues. Homeowners need to be aware of their options for warranties. With warranty protection for your AC, you will have greater peace of mind. Consider the following benefits of these warranties. 

• One significant benefit of home warranties is a reduction in repair costs. When homeowners have warranty coverage, they only need to pay a small service fee. The warranty covers the rest of the cost of repairs, giving homeowners a break on their expenses. 
• Homeowners do not have to own new systems and appliances to get warranty coverage. AC systems can be covered regardless of their age or the type of system. 
• AC warranty protection ensures homeowners can obtain quick repairs when issues arise. Waiting for repairs because of the cost can lead to breakdowns and damages that become increasingly expensive. 
• Homeowners with AC warranties worry less about their home systems. Worrying about the cost of repairs can become a constant source of stress. 

Purchasing an AC warranty protects a homeowner’s investment. These optional service plans go beyond the short warranties offered by manufacturers. Homeowners can renew this coverage for the life of their AC systems. 

What Does an AC Warranty Cover?

A home’s HVAC system is critical for comfort all year. Most homeowners would consider AC systems essential. Without an AC system, homes become increasingly uncomfortable. 

AC warranties are important for keeping systems operating efficiently. The following are some of the coverage areas for these warranties. 

• Air handlers
• All vital AC parts
• Ductwork

Before selecting an air conditioner home warranty, homeowners must learn about their options. Research allows homeowners to discover the options and determine which type of home warranty will bring the greatest peace of mind. 

How to Choose an AC Warranty

Choosing an AC warranty is one of the most essential things homeowners can do to protect their systems. The following tips should make finding a home warranty easier and less daunting. 

• Research the options and ask for written estimates before selecting a company. Compare the costs and area of coverage to determine which will offer the best level of protection. Do not skimp on coverage. 
• Vet the company carefully before deciding on a warranty. Read customer reviews and learn as much as possible about the services offered by the company. If there are many poor reviews, homeowners should keep looking. Never settle for a company that offers poor customer service. 
• Get everything in writing. Read the fine print so there are no surprises when it comes time to file a claim. Ensure the company offers an easy approach to filing a claim. 

Discover Additional Information About Home Warranties

Home warranties cover the major systems of homes, including appliances, HVAC systems, electric systems, and plumbing. These warranties offer great peace of mind for homeowners worried about paying for repairs. Start the research process now to find the perfect AC warranty to keep your air conditioning system working efficiently. 

You might have heard about how a view of water can add value to your home. Experts say that a water view from a home can add as much as 15 to 80% in value to a home.

But not every home can have picturesque views of the ocean or calm lake waters. Maybe you live in an area where there isn’t an abundance of natural water features. Maybe you can’t afford waterfront property.

Here’s a little secret that can change your home. Add water to your home with a fountain. It might not offer the sounds of crashing waves in the background, yet there are so many reasons to love and enjoy a home fountain.

You might be surprised at the plethora of options you have and even ways to integrate a water feature, like a fountain, into your home.

If you’re interested in adding the lovely bubbling of flowing water sounds to your home, keep reading for some design inspiration you should consider when adding a fountain.

1. Location, Location, Location

You’ve heard the old adage about location, location, location when it comes to real estate. Meaning where a home, or ahem, a fountain, is located can change its value.

One of your first considerations when it comes to adding a fountain is to decide on its location. Of course, that likely means deciding right off the bat if you’re going for an indoor water feature or an outdoor one.

Once you pass that hurdle, then you need to consider the best location. Of course, there are other factors that will impact location, like size, for example.

The nice option when adding a fountain as a water feature is the nearly endless options this provides for you. You can do anything from a small tabletop fountain to a built-in feature fountain, with so many options in between and that would work both inside and outside, too.

2. Sizing Matters

Once you’ve decided on your desired location, then you can begin to consider other design elements. One of those considerations is size.

What size fountain are you hoping for? How much space do you have to accommodate the fountain?

With so many options to choose from in the world of fountains, both indoor and outdoor spaces, it can help to think about what you want from your fountain.

As you consider the size, are you hoping to get a gentle trickling of water sound from your fountain? Are you hoping for a larger-than-life statement kind of fountain?

Some of the size considerations will connect back to the location. Obviously, if you’re hoping to place the fountain on a bedside table or a dining room credenza, then smaller will be the direction.

On the other hand, if you have a wall set aside for your fountain or a large foyer that’s begging for something statement worthy, you probably want the size to be larger and even grander.

3. Consider Go Up with Your Water Feature

You’ve probably seen plenty of fountains both inside and outside that are either small and table-top or larger but built from the ground up.

As you consider the previous topics of size and location, keep in mind another option for your fountain placement. You might be surprised to know there are fountains built specifically to hang on the wall.

The options for wall fountain designs are as diverse and unique as fountains for a tabletop.

There are several interesting considerations for wall fountains. First, they come in a variety of styles, using many different materials. Second, their design for the wall can change the impact of the water sounds you get from them.

Also worth noting is that, in many cases, a wall fountain in your home acts as a focal point and a piece of art at the same time.

4. The Water Aesthetic, Match It with Your Design Style

Just as fountains come in many sizes, they also come in many styles. While you might hope your fountain will act as art and become a statement maker in your home, you also should want it to vibe with your design aesthetic.

When you make a quick choice, and it doesn’t fit with your home’s design style, the fountain can end up fighting for visual interest instead of adding to it.

Consider the kinds of materials your home features. Consider what style of furniture you own. Do you prefer traditional looks or pieces with a more modern flare? Does minimalist fit your home’s look? Work to find a fountain that’s cohesive with your home’s style, so it enhances instead of detracts.

5. Outdoor Water: Ponds and Fountains

While the focus of many of the design tips might feel like they’re for interior choices, don’t forget a fountain outside can be just as lovely. It can provide you with unique views of water in your home.

Consider ways you might integrate an outdoor water feature, like a fountain or pond. Some people will choose to make the water feature a part of their landscape design. The water feels like it belongs naturally within the other landscape elements.

You might also choose to make an outdoor fountain a centerpiece of your outdoor living space. So many people are focusing on outdoor living spaces, including kitchens and seating areas for entertaining. Think about how you could add a fountain to those areas.

6. Safety Matters

As you consider all of the fun details related to the location, size, and style of your fountain, don’t forget some practical considerations too.

You might want to think carefully about the size and location of your fountain if you live with small children or have them over frequently. You don’t want to create a safety hazard with your fountain.

You also need to consider if you’ll have any special plumbing requirements for your fountain. Some fountains require running water, while others cycle water.

It’s also good to consider professional installation considering you’ll need both water and electricity for your fountain to function.

Add Water for Soothing, Calm Sounds and Visual Pizzazz

While adding a fountain to your home may not give you ocean views, it can provide lovely water sounds and impactful visual appeal. The simple truth is that, thinking back to being a kid, water moving in a fountain is fun. You should bring that to your home.

This is one surefire home improvement project you’ll enjoy for years to come. For other home improvement ideas, be sure to visit our home improvement tab often.

There is no doubt that when it comes to your roof, you should give careful consideration to choosing the right type of roofing shingles materials. If a leaky roof or broken roof interrupts your day, you will often spend hours in order to fix the problem. It is best to choose a quality shingle covering to avoid these incidents from occurring. In order for you to find the best type of this specific material, first you are going have look at which factors are important and common in comparison with other types of roofs. After understanding what makes each one different and how they react differently under stressful conditions, it will be easy for you to understand which option is best for your needs. Here are some of the most common roofing shingles, which you need to know about before you go out in search of them.

Asphalt Shingles

The most popular choice for covering roofs, this type of material is most suitable if the roof is mostly exposed to the elements. For instance, when you look at the Technonicol website, you will uncover that, asphalt roofing shingles requires little or no maintenance because they are made from asphalt which makes it highly resistant to the damage caused by hail stones, ice and other weather conditions that can affect the integrity of roofs. It is capable of withstanding strong winds and rain which makes it a good option if your property is located in an area that has severe weather conditions during the winter. Most homeowners prefer this type of material because as long as they are able to maintain it, they are confident that they will have a leak-free roof covering in their home for years to come.

EPDM Rubber Roof Tiles

EPDM rubber is known to be the most popular material used to cover various materials. It can be used in areas that are exposed to extreme temperatures and weather conditions because it does not conduct heat but at the same time it does not easily absorb water. It is highly resistant to pressure and chemicals which makes it suitable for covering roofing systems of all types, including steel roofs, concrete or asphalt. You can find this type of roofing shingle in different colors and designs like ribbed, diamond or stepped patterns which will fit any architectural design that you want to use in your home or business.

Concrete Roof Tiles

This is the most common type of roof tiles used around the world. It comes in different colors and designs that are made either by hand or in a mold, but most of them have a smooth finish as well as holes or grooves that make it suitable to drain water when they get poured with rain or snow. They can be installed over any type of roofing, but they are ideal over concrete roofs because they match the texture and color of the material used for covering these roofs.

Synthetic Slate Roofing Shingles

Synthetic slate roofing shingles are made from fiberglass, which is blended with a cement binder. These shingles come in different shapes and sizes that can be used to cover large areas of your home such as the roof, porch or patio without covering any other materials. The synthetic material used in this type of shingle is lightweight which means that they can be easily transported to the job site without any difficulties. It is highly resistant to heat, moisture and weather conditions including acid rain and salt spray which makes it a suitable choice for use in different parts of your house or building.

Slate Roofs

This is a popular type of roof covering that looks like large sheets of gray stone, but actually it is not. Slate can be used to cover any type of property as long as it is made from natural rock that is suitable for this purpose. The stone does not allow water penetration when it gets wet unlike most types of other roof materials. As for maintenance purposes, this type will require little or no attention until the time comes when its durability diminishes and you need to replace it with a new one.

Metal Roofing Shingles

Made from metal, these shingles function as one of the best and most suitable roof for all purposes. It requires a minimum amount of maintenance which includes cleaning with water and brushing it off occasionally to remove any moss, mold or other dirt that accumulates on its surface. Extreme weather conditions can affect its durability, but at the same time it will last for a long period of time before you need to replace it.

Tips How to Determine the Best Types of Roofing Shingles

When considering how to replace a roof, you will want to take into account the various types of roofing shingles available. The best type of shingle will depend on your specific needs and budget but below are tips for determining what type is best for you.

 Curb Appeal

If your only concern is making your house more attractive, then consider choosing an asphalt roof because it is affordable, offers good coverage and has an appearance that ranges from unnoticeable to high-end (with some exceptions). When considering your curb appeal, you’ll want to think about how you want your home to look and feel. You can’t make a strong first impression with a chipped and peeling asphalt roof. You may also want to consider shingles that will help direct the eye from an unattractive wall down to the driveway or sidewalk. The type of shingles you choose will impact their appeal in the way that features are perceived and viewed.

Energy Efficiency

When considering energy-friendly shingles, consider your local climate and weather. For example, if you live in an area where large trees are always present and shed their leaves throughout the year or if you live in a high-wind area, then it would be advantageous to find a type of shingle that can help reduce the amount of heat loss from your home and reduce the amount of air circulation.

Durability

Roofing shingles are rated for durability by the number of square feet covered per bundle, which can range from about 150 to over 300 feet. Typically, the higher the number of square feet, the tougher and longer lasting the shingle will be. For instance, a shingle that is rated for durability covering 200 square feet will be more durable than one covering 150 square feet. This all depends on what type of roof you have and what kind of weather it goes through in any given year.

In addition to square footage, determine whether or not you want a colored or black roofing shingle. Black roofing shingles are less expensive and typically last longer than colored shingles. However, if you choose a colored shingle, your roof will look more visually appealing and be more resistant to fading over time.

Fire Safety Ratings

In addition to durability ratings, most roofing companies also have fire or thermal ratings for the different types of shingles they sell. The rating is in regards to how long it takes before the shingle ignites as a result of direct flame contact – so the faster it burns up the better. You can find this rating on the box that is shipped with your new roof or at the store or website where you purchase them.

Warranty

A 25-year manufacturer’s warranty is typical for roofing shingles; however, some manufacturers may offer longer or shorter warranties depending on their products and the type of material it’s made from. Read the fine print on your warranty before making the final purchase because it can determine whether or not you need to replace your shingles in a few years. It’s also important to consult a contractor before installing new shingles in case you need to replace worn shingles with certain types of roofs that are more difficult to repair.

Roofing shingles are an essential part of the roof. The type of roofing you decide on will determine how long your roof will last and how much money you’ll spend in the future. You need to choose wisely to avoid issues that may arise in the future, such as leaks during heavy rainfall or ice dams affecting your home’s interior. You should also find out what type of homes your neighbors have or ask an expert before making any final decisions.