Century Home Improvements

6 Considerations When Shopping for Replacement Windows

Wed, 11 Jun 2025 14:02:23 GMT

When it comes to window home improvements, it’s important to weigh features and options wisely.

Aside from determining which brand to use, what contractor to hire, and what type of products will best meet your needs, you will also have to factor in issues such as energy efficiency and frame type. Here’s a handy list of things to consider when purchasing these light-liberating and cold-repelling items:

#1 How Long Will the Windows Last?

You should only invest in replacement windows one time in your life. Many of these products are only made to last for 10 to 20 years. Make sure you understand how long your windows will actually last so you can avoid making a costly expenditure in your golden years.

#2 Warranty

Be careful about window warranties especially words like “Lifetime Warranty,” since the fine print probably actually refers to the life of the product, not your life. Make sure this distinction is spelled out clearly in writing.

#3 Frames

There are many frame types: wood, vinyl, fiberglass, aluminum, covered wood frames, and composite frames. Most love the look of wood, but wood can also shrink, rot, and warp. Wood is also expensive. You might have to opt for something more economical. Watch out for aluminum frames. Aluminum conducts heat, which means in the chill and harsh months, your overworked heater might run ceaselessly to make up for the heat loss.

#4 Energy Efficiency

Many fear their utility bills in the winter for good reasons, and energy costs do not seem to show any signs of decreasing in the near future. Hence, energy efficient windows make a lot of sense . Make sure you understand how the type of frame, number of glass panes, the kind of coating (and number of coatings) will affect your windows. The style of filling between the panes (Argon gas and Krypton gas are good energy saving fillings) and how your security locking system will also interact with other product elements to help or hinder your energy savings in icier seasons.Be sure to know the product’s U-factor, which tells you how well they will trap heat. The lower the U-factor rating, the more efficiently your purchase will save off the chilly fingers of winter.

#5 Security Locks

Most window locking systems are so primitive that a vaguely skilled intruder can master them. Check your security locks and make sure they are sturdy. Granted, if someone really wants to break into your home, they will surely find a way. However, your safety and peace-of-mind will increase knowing you are not giving thieves an open invitation.

#6 Window Types

Be sure to consider the merits of each window type. For example, certain window types cannot hold an air conditioner, while others have tilting panels, which makes for easier cleaning. Some of the vast styles of windows include: double hung, casement, awning, picture, bay/bow, and garden.

An important investment like replacement windows involves a lot of variables and depends on good information. Find a contractor that you can trust to help you understand the finer points, but also invest some time in learning more about these key features so you can find the best solution to your specific home and family needs.

If you’re ready to start your search, call one of the window specialists at Century Home Improvements and ask for your FREE consultation .

Annual Roof Inspection

Tue, 10 Jun 2025 16:24:06 GMT

A Quick Roof Inspection during the Beginning of Summer to Prevent
Expensive Repairs Later

Now that summer is upon us, many of us are going on vacation, cleaning up all the clutter, sending the kids off to summer camp, and most importantly making sure our roof is in good condition for the summer months ahead. During the summer months, a home’s roof can be exposed to intense sun, humidity, torrential rains and even the possibility of hail. Wet weather in Pennsylvania is more likely during June through September, and constant rainstorms can further deteriorate a roof.

Roof Inspections

One of the most important things a Homeowner can do to extend the life of a roof is to perform an annual roof inspection . This might sound like a complicated task, but it is fairly simple, and a very basic roof inspection can even be done from the ground.

A roof inspection should be performed annually. Please keep in mind we don’t recommend climbing onto your roof unless you are experienced and comfortable with using a ladder. If you are not comfortable with inspecting your roof, leave it up to the professionals, who will carefully perform thorough inspections and look for defects in your roof.

A very basic roof inspection can be done from the ground using binoculars. Look for signs of trouble such as holes, loose shingles and other red flag warnings, such as algae and piles of leaves. Algae growth occurs more often in humid climates during the summer months when humidity levels increase. Algae growth appears as a dark greenish stain and areas of moisture. You want to keep an eye for loose or missing shingles and note the places you spot them. Missing or loose shingles are a clear indication of roofing problems.

Don’t Forget The Gutters

Next, you want to look at your gutters . At this point, you would need a ladder and this is where the inspection gets trickier; thus we only recommend a Professional roof inspector climbing onto your roof. Homeowners walking on the roof can cause the roof to be damaged and there is always an unfortunate chance for slipping or falling. Your professional roof inspector will look for anything that might be blocking the flow of water and clear them by removing debris from the gutter. In severe cases of downspout clogging, a more careful cleaning would have to be performed. While on the roof, the inspector will have a closer look for out of place shingles. If the shingles are in bad shape, the inspector will recommend having them replaced; the last thing you want is wet rotten wood.

The next step would be to look for roof debris. Roof debris can cause all kinds of problems and prevent rain from going down the right path. You’ll be surprised at the amount of roof debris that your roof can accumulate. All forms of roof debris should be removed to prevent roof leaks, nesting, interior water leaks and even fire. And finally, if you have an attic your roof inspector will look for signs of wood damage and areas of leakage.

Remember, if you are not comfortable climbing a ladder to inspect your roof or you have identified some signs of roof damage while performing these basic roof inspection steps, call a trusted professional roofing contractor. If you find any of the warning signs mentioned, it doesn’t necessarily mean you need to replace your roof, but a basic repair may suffice. Taking the time to do a thorough inspection on your roof can save you lots of money in the long run.

Century Spouting is the leading home improvement company in the roofing inspection & installation areas,
call today for your free estimate!

Winterizing Your Home

Tue, 10 Jun 2025 16:22:15 GMT

Although it’s been a pretty warm fall in southeastern Pennsylvania, the cool nights are a reminder that cold weather is not too far off. Maybe you’ve already started thinking about this and prepping your home for winter. Or maybe you’ve been enjoying the warm weather, deliberately ignoring the coming cool weather.

For maximum benefits, you could replace your windows with more energy-efficient ones to eliminate leaks to offset high heating costs.

However, if you are looking for some easier ways to save a little money on heating costs this winter, we’ve got some ideas for you.

Purchase some caulk and expanding foam and seal cracks and air leaks around windows, doors, in your attic, basement and more. Maybe just one or two leaks aren’t so bad, but add up all the leaks in your home and it can equal some major inefficiency.
Turn on your furnace now and make sure it’s working properly. The last thing you want is your furnace to break in the middle of frigid January weather. Just doing a basic audit is an extra cost, but it’s worth having a professional ensure that it’s working at maximum potential.
Figure out what rooms get little traffic or use in your home and simply shut the vents and doors. Containing the heat in the parts of your home that you actually use will save your costs.
Swap your thermostat for a programmable one – but don’t forget to program it! Studies have shown that programmable thermostats don’t typically save you money…but that’s because humans forget to program them. Set it to lower (or higher in the summer) temperatures during the night or if no one is home during the day. Restrict the higher temperatures for when you’re actually home.
Do you have a fireplace? Use it for family nights and keep the thermostat a little cooler than normal for the rest of the home. Make sure that you are keeping the vents closed when not in use to avoid letting cool air in that way.
Can’t afford to replace all of your windows right now? That’s ok. You can replace a few at a time, or save up for it and cover them with plastic in the meantime. It’s not pretty, but it does a great job insulating them. While you’re at it, make sure you are changing your screens to storm windows to save even more.
Run your ceiling fans in reverse. Not many people realize this is even possible, but it helps push the warm air back down to circulate the room again.
Turn down your water heater. Most are set to a high 140 degrees, but few people need water that hot. Moving it down to 120 degrees can save a bit of cash in heating costs.

Hopefully these tips will help you as you prep your home for the cold winter months. Start now to make sure you have your heating bill under control so you can save that extra cash for the upcoming Holidays.

Century Spouting is the leading home improvement company in the window & doors replacement area, call today for your free estimate !

6 Heating Fixes for Your Sunroom This Winter

Tue, 10 Jun 2025 16:20:19 GMT

It won’t be long before all the trees are bare and you rush from your warm house to your warm car to your warm office to avoid the harsh winter weather. Soon enough you’ll be missing the warm sun and maybe even feeling a little of that seasonal depression that a lack of Vitamin D causes (you can get Vitamin D supplements to help, we recommend Vitamin D3).

If you have a sunroom or conservatory , now is the perfect time to use it. Don’t let it be a 3-season room when some simple heating could give it some extra functionality. If you haven’t used your sunroom in the winter because it wasn’t heated — there are still some things you can do to change that.

You’re in luck if your sunroom has double-paned glass — or insulated glass — because it will let in a lot less cold air. Even if it doesn’t, you can still heat the room. It just won’t be as energy efficient.

There are invasive and extensive projects you can do — and there are quick fixes to get you through the season. Here’s a guide to both.

Extensive Projects

Extend the existing ductwork into the sunroom. This probably should have been done when the sunroom was first installed , but one is typically able to do it after the fact.
Install electric baseboards if extending ductwork is not possible. This can be very energy efficient if done properly.
Install a ventless fireplace. Not only does it look nice and create a cozy ambiance, but it also will do a great job heating a small space.

Quick Fixes

Bring in a space heater or two and heat the room only when you are using it.
Is the floor tile or wood? Adding a thick carpet with a carpet pad underneath it can do a world of difference in keeping the room insulated.
Try a portable fireplace that does not require installation. This could be a patio heater brought inside, a wood stove, or an electric fireplace.

Hopefully one of these solutions will increase the usability of your sunroom this winter. Not only will you have extra space to relax, but you will be able to enjoy the sunshine without freezing to death in the snow.

Century Spouting is the leading home improvement company in the sunroom installation areas, call today for your free estimate!

Five Summer Home Improvement Projects

Tue, 10 Jun 2025 16:10:07 GMT

Go Well Beyond Summer with These 5 Home Improvement Projects

If this winter and so-called “spring” have proven anything to Pennsylvania homeowners, it’s that you can never over-prepare your house for harsh weather.

Some homeowners saw six-foot long icicles dangling over their heads from their spouting with bases as wide as a foot. Other homeowners saw soft spots in their roof buckle and even cave thanks to the heavy, wet snow made all the heavier by several thick coatings of ice. If that weren’t enough, the wet spring may have exposed issues with warped siding, rotting windowsills and doorframes, and the structural integrity of your deck.

The good news is that summer is the time to take care of these problems, and if repaired correctly, additional headaches can be avoided for many years.

Here are five summer improvement projects that will last throughout the coming year and well beyond:

1. Insulate and ventilate your attic space. Perhaps the most important step you can take to keep those massive icicles from hanging like the Sword of Damocles over your family is insulating the attic and ventilating the attic space. Any heat loss from the main house needs to be cooled in the attic space. Proper insulation installment will ensure heat stays in your home, rather than warming your roof. Once your roof is properly insulated, snow and ice can no longer turn to water, and can no longer create the ice dams in your spouting that cause the formation of icicles. New roofing materials are designed to accomplish that needed result. Attics that are either not insulated or insulated poorly are the primary cause of the kind of icicles we saw this winter.

2. Repair or replace your roof. If your roof buckled over the winter, chances are good that a single spot is not the only area of concern. Roofing correction is dangerous work, so it may be best to contact a professional. Professional roofing contractors can examine your rooftop and determine whether the situation calls for repair or complete replacement. Professionals can also help you determine whether asphalt, slate, rubber, or metal roofing is the best type for your home’s style and protection.

3. Reframe or replace your windows. Those dark spots on your windowsills and the soft spots beneath your windows’ exterior frame could mean big and expensive problems down the road if not fixed soon. Dry rot is most often to blame and is actually a fungus caused by moisture intrusion. The best prevention for this type of problem is window casement repair, or in extreme circumstances, replacement windows . Modern replacement windows use new materials to prevent dry rot and can actually save you money, because they elevate your home’s heating and cooling efficiency.

4. Address warped or buckling siding. One of the most common causes of warped or buckled vinyl siding is improper installation. Unfortunately, once it begins to buckle, most siding cannot be repaired, and full or partial replacement is necessary. Century’s professionals can offer you a wide variety of quality products and ensure your siding is hung properly, giving you peace of mind for many years.

5. Fix your deck. Ignoring structural issues with your deck may not only be expensive, it can be dangerous. Your deck is one of your home’s most popular spots during nice weather, so ensuring it is safe for your family and friends is of paramount importance. Incorrect decking hardware, improper installation and moisture penetration can combine to create hazardous deck conditions.

Contact a Century Spouting professional to isolate the problem and determine your best options.

Keep Your Door Looking Great

Tue, 10 Jun 2025 16:08:16 GMT

If you do not maintain the finish on a door it will only have so much life. Road grit (Dust, dirt and pollen) and acid rain can work its way into the clear coat on the door and make paints and materials on it more vulnerable — which in turn leads to no protection. Below is how you can clean your door to keep it in good shape and to avoid any scratches. Be sure to check with the manufacturer for recommendations on how to clean the door. Most manufacturers will say to wash the door with soapy water and to rinse well.

Items Needed

Car wash soap
Bucket
Water
Soft Bristle Brush
Car Wax
Cloth or Rag

Steps

Step 1: Pour soap into the bucket and fill with water from the hose
Step 2: Scrub the door with the soft bristle brush using the soap and water mixture
Step 3: Hose off the soap using a light spray
Do not use a power washer as the doors seals are not made to withstand 250 psi and could push water where it does not belong.
Step 4: Let air dry or use a cloth to dry the door before applying the wax
Step 5: Once the door is completely dry apply the car wax to the door using a cloth or rag

Helpful Tips When Cleaning Your Door

Use any auto wax that is safe to use with clear coat finishes on cars. Avoid applying excessive wax to the door as it may tend to yellow if too much is applied. Be sure to rinse all metal and rubber parts of the door. Avoid using power washers; doors/frames are made out of wood and are not made to withstand high pressures. Wood will absorb water which can cause it to swell, resulting in the paint or aluminum to give.

When Is It Time To Replace Vinyl Siding?

Tue, 10 Jun 2025 16:06:31 GMT

Replacing vinyl siding can be a difficult decision, and quite often gets put off until it’s too late.

Knowing when it’s time to replace your siding is important to preventing interior damage to walls, floors and ceilings. If you see these common problems, chances are better than good that your siding’s time has come.

Warping or Buckling: Warped or buckled siding needs to be replaced, but it doesn’t always mean all of it needs to go. In some cases, warping or buckling can be indicative of incorrectly hung siding. In this case, only a portion of the siding should be re-hung. If you see warping or buckling in more than one area, or see it in conjunction with cracked or loose siding, this is a sure sign a full replacement is necessary.
Fading: If you’ve recently moved into a new home, and the color of your siding is gray or white, check beneath its layers or look at areas that are not as exposed to ensure it wasn’t a darker color at one time. Vinyl siding is designed to hold its color for its entire life cycle. If it has faded, this is a strong indicator that it needs to be replaced.
Mold and Mildew: While this may not always mean it’s time to replace your siding, it should serve as a red flag to take a closer look.
Bubbling: The whole reason people hang vinyl siding on the exterior of their home is to prevent moisture from penetrating and doing damage.
Holes: Holes can have a variety of causes. They can be created by flying debris, vandalism, or age that results in brittleness. Holes in one area may not be a cause for alarm, but they can indicate a need to replace that section. Any sort of holes can allow water damage to occur.

Each of these signs might indicate a serious problem exists, but the only way to be sure is by having one of Century Spouting’s siding experts come and take a look.

5 Questions To Ask Before A Home Remodel

Tue, 10 Jun 2025 16:05:07 GMT

5 Questions To Ask Before Deciding To Remodel Your Home

Remodeling your home doesn’t have to be stressful. Here are five important questions every homeowner should ask before jumping into a renovation project.

Do you have a plan? You should have some idea of the scope of your project and why you are doing it. Are you preparing your home for a resale or for the long haul? This will affect your budget and the materials that you choose. You should also have an idea of the areas of your home that you want to remodel. This is the fun part! Research online, identify what you want changed and why, and break those changes into phases so you can ease the financial burden and the clutter. Living with a long renovation project can be frustrating and taxing. Make sure you are mentally prepared.
How will you pay for it? Having a rough estimate of what your renovation will cost is just as important as knowing where the money to pay for it will come from. Do you tap into savings? Do you borrow equity in your house? Breaking big projects into phases can help alleviate the financial strain, but knowing what you want done and the limits of your resources is critical to a successful renovation.
Can you handle unexpected costs? Through the course of your remodeling project the contractor may discover issues that could result in expensive problems if they go unresolved. Repairs and efficiency upgrades will all be cheaper while your project is underway than if another contractor has to come in later and pull everything apart once again.
Do you know what your municipality will allow? At the very least, your project may call for a building permit from your municipality while work is underway. If your project will significantly alter the look or size of your home, or if it could possibly enrich on an adjacent property, you may red to obtain a local variance or waiver to avoid fines and other headaches.
Do you know who you want to do the work? Hiring the right contractors to tackle your project can be the difference between enjoying your remodeled home for years to come or having it be one of the most expensive regrets of your life. Take your time and choose a contractor who understands what it takes to deliver quality service at a reasonable price.

The renovation experts at Century Home Improvements have decades of experience in home repair and remodeling, and they are known throughout Lancaster County for the quality of their work. Let us help you plan this important next step for your home.

Give us a call today!

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Shed Debris and Allow Water To Flow Freely Into Gutters: How Gutter Helmet Helps Your Home & Your Life

Tue, 10 Jun 2025 16:03:27 GMT

Shed Debris and Allow Water To Flow Freely Into Gutters: How Gutter Helmet Helps Your Home & Your Life

Gutters can be a necessary evil: they can be hard to reach and difficult to clean, but without them, water can infiltrate your home and destroy its foundation.

In fact, even with gutters, water can be a nuisance for homeowners. Clogs created by debris, nuts, and seeds not only can lead to water damage in your home, but they can lead to the formation of pools that serve as breeding grounds for mosquitoes and other pests. If not adequately maintained, gutters can go from being essential to being a headache.

Fortunately, Gutter Helmet can put an end to the endless cycle of maintenance. When installed by a spouting specialist from Century Home Improvements, Gutter Helmet prevents the clogs that cause problems. Designed to shed debris and allow water to flow freely into gutters, Gutter Helmet is a marvel of modern engineering .

They start with a PermaLife™ paint finish that prevents wear and tear from the elements. A textured, nose-forward design helps facilitate the surface tension that keeps water holding the sides and cascading toward the downspouts. Gutter Helmet’s precise design aligns it perfectly with the gutter to ensure water gets in but debris, leaves and animals stay out.

While the physics and engineering provide the functional elements that so many customers find worthwhile, Gutter Helmet’s most important benefit might just be the peace of mind it offers homeowners. In a fast-paced society like ours, with busy days an even busier lives, having one less thing to worry about may very well be the biggest benefit of all.

Don’t delay! Contact your Century Home Improvements Gutter Helmet Specialist today to learn more.

Four Home Improvement Projects To Do Over The Winter Months

Tue, 10 Jun 2025 16:00:51 GMT

Four Home Improvement Projects To Do Over The Winter Months

Maybe it’s cold outside, but that doesn’t mean you have to put aside your home improvement plans.

Winter is the perfect time to improve your home’s energy efficiency and beauty, and believe it or not, it can be done without exposing you and your family to the elements.

Consider these options to make your home more comfortable, efficient, and enjoyable:

Save energy by replacing windows . Reducing monthly utility bills starts with efficiency, and windows can be notorious energy wasters. Century Home Improvements has a wide selection of replacement windows that keep your house warmer in the winter and cooler in the summer. These solutions can also cut off the harsh UV rays that damage and fade curtains and furniture. Double or triple pane glass options filled with krypton or argon gas can improve energy efficiency by up to 40 percent over standard replacement windows.
Close the doors on drafts. When you replace your old front door or add a new storm door, you not only save money, but you create a more comfortable climate for you and your family. New energy efficient entrance doors and storm doors seal your home from the elements and come in a wide variety of styles from basic to elegant. Century offers high quality, energy efficient doors that provide years of service and home protection.
Get classy with color filled glass windows or doors. Century offers color filled glass designs to fit your personality and style, allowing your window or door to become a centerpiece in your home. Inspirations™ Art Glass by ProVia looks like stained glass but is more energy efficient and affordable than real stained glass. Inspirations™ Art Glass can transform a simple window or door into a work of art. Century can even install Energy-Star rated ComforTech DLA-UV glass to ensure your home remains energy efficient. Not only are they beautiful, these windows have an enhanced double glaze, high performing Low-E coating for increased UV protection and are filled with argon gas for better insulation. They come in a variety of styles, shapes and colors to match the aesthetics of your home.

Add a touch of elegance with French doors. Replace that old sliding glass door with a set of French doors leading to your deck or garden space or class up room-separating archways leading to your living or sitting areas with new interior French doors. Besides offering a timeless sophistication to your home, interior French doors can be equipped with soundproofing material to reduce noise from one room to another and create quiet spaces.

Cold weather doesn’t have to put a damper on your home improvement ambitions. Talk about your ideas with one of Century’s experienced team of design consultants. Winter is a great time to call us for a FREE estimate.

Seamless Gutters vs. Regular Gutters

Tue, 10 Jun 2025 15:58:24 GMT

What’s the difference between seamless gutters and regular gutters?

Seamless gutters are critical to ensuring the integrity of your home’s foundation, and they can prevent water from entering your windows, walls, and doors, among other benefits.

If you’re looking to replace your old, leaking gutters and install a new spouting system with seamless gutters, it helps to understand the difference between seamless gutters and regular gutters. Here are five reasons our gutter and spouting experts recommend seamless gutters over regular gutters.

Better leak prevention. Rainwater is contained in the gutters, and seams in the gutters present an opportunity for leaks. Even with the best sealants, seamed gutters can and will eventually leak. Seamless gutters, on the other hand, only have joints at the corners and downspout areas, and no seams mean no leaks into your windows, doors, or basement. A seamless gutter system protects your home better than any of the alternatives.
Less Maintenance. Over time, debris, such as leaf stems, seeds, and twigs can get caught in the seams and joints of sectional gutters and create dams of material that can go unnoticed until they begin to cause major problems. With a seamless gutter system, debris doesn’t get caught in the seams. Water flows freely and goes where it is supposed to, out through the downspout, so you’ll also spend less time cleaning your gutters. Plus, because Century Home Improvements secures your gutters with the best available hanger system, your gutters are tight to the face boards, preventing pests and wildlife from getting into crevices and creating further headaches.
Customization. Century Home Improvements carries a full range of standard 5 inch K-style, 6 inch K-style, and half round seamless aluminum gutters. These solutions come in a wide variety of colors that won’t ever require painting because of the baked enamel finish. Finally, seamless gutters mean that there are virtually no seams, ensuring a natural, custom fit for your home. All seamless gutter systems are made onsite to fit your home by Century’s experienced gutter crews.
Curb Appeal. Describing just what a difference a seamless gutter system can make to the aesthetics of your home is difficult. When you see it though, you’ll wonder why you didn’t have it installed sooner. The absence of seams makes your house appear much cleaner and streamlined, and the lack of fasteners and joints also add to their appeal.
Longevity. The materials used in its composition, as well as its treated exterior, help seamless gutters resist corrosion and wear from the elements for far longer periods than other gutter systems. In fact, Century’s seamless gutter systems come with a 40-year warranty protection plan that will give you peace of mind for years to come.

How Awnings Can Save You Money All Year Long

Tue, 10 Jun 2025 15:56:55 GMT

How Awnings Can Save You Money All Year Long

These are not your grandfather’s awnings.

As a teenager I dreaded the day when my grandfather would call asking me to help him remove the awning from his house in advance of winter. I’d stand on his rickety wood step ladder unbolting the eternally long screw that held the cumbersome awning in place. The memory makes my back hurt. Then in the spring, I was up on the ladder again, putting the awning back in place.

The only consolation was the beef stew my grandmother would make as my reward.

That was then. Awnings today are more durable and utilize smart technology to keep your energy costs down by up to 25%. Best of all, you can leave them up year round.

The shade provided by an awning in the warmer months can reduce temperature on your patio by up to 20 degrees while lowering temperatures in adjacent rooms. That means less stress on your air conditioning by preventing the sunlight from heating the house.

Permanent awnings also:

Expand your living space and provide you with a shady refuge during the spring and summer. After a long winter like this one, imagine how nice it will feel to enjoy a beautiful central Pennsylvania summer day.
Protect your patio furniture from the sunlight that can fade or crack your furniture.
Protect you and your family from harmful UV rays.
Come in a variety of colors and designs to complement your home décor.
Add measurable value to your home.

In the winter, permanent awnings can be retracted to let the sunlight warm your home naturally. A retractable awning allows the sun’s heat to penetrate the room and heat it naturally, thereby reducing heat costs. Retractable awnings eliminate the need for expensive removal and reinstallation.

Century also carries awnings with an optional wind sensor, which will automatically retract the awning when the wind gathers strength.

Century Home Improvements carries a wide variety of awnings to meet your needs and can assist you in selecting the best patio cover for your home or business.

Five Exterior Home Improvements That Add The Most Value To Your Home

Tue, 10 Jun 2025 15:55:43 GMT

5 Exterior Home Improvements That Add The Most Value To Your Home

Selling a home doesn’t always begin when you plant the sign in your front yard. It can begin years earlier with a few well thought-out improvements.

In fact, some of the best home improvement projects are the ones that will make you question whether you want to sell at all.

Regardless of whether you’re in the market to sell, here are five sure-fire ways to get the most return for your remodeling investment.

Entry Door Replacement. Perhaps the most lasting impression you’ll have of your home is the entry door. Real estate professionals continue to rank steel entry doors as providing the most reliable return on your home improvement investment. Quality exterior doors not only enhance the character of your home, they can ensure its efficiency as well.
Wood Deck. There’s just something comforting about the idea of relaxing on your deck on a cool summer evening. This is why adding a wood deck can provide tremendous investment returns. Not only does it increase the value of your home considerably, it can also greatly enhance its “saleability,” one of the intangible qualities Realtors® consider essential to enticing a buyer.
New Siding. Replacing your home’s siding might seem expensive, but it pales in comparison to not doing it when it is necessary. Not only does it greatly improve the look of your home, it’s value increases exponentially when you consider how it protects your home from the elements and reduces energy costs when installed correctly.
Replacement Windows. The investment return on replacement windows begins long before you begin the process of selling your home. Even while it’s on the market, replacement windows are recouping costs and paying for themselves. For drafty homes with poorly insulated windows or dry-rotted sills, replacement windows can save a bundle in heating and cooling costs. The technology used in replacement windows these days is pretty remarkable. Krypton and argon gas-filled glass with double or triple pane options provide maximum insulation and are up to 40 percent more efficient than standard windows.

Whether you plan to sell your home soon or in the next few years, talk to a Century Home Improvements design consultant about getting a FREE estimate today!

5 Questions to Ask When Looking for a Home Improvement Contractor

Tue, 10 Jun 2025 15:54:49 GMT

Five Questions to Ask When Looking for a Home Improvement Contractor

One of your most expensive assets is your home, which means investing in it can be both costly and stressful.

So, when it comes to improving your home and getting the most value for your money, finding a contractor who can deliver quality products and great service in a reasonable timeframe is essential. Getting the work done right the first time can mean the difference between shelling out thousands of dollars or shelling out tens of thousands of dollars.

Here are five questions to ask when searching for a quality contractor:

#1 Are they established?

You will want to find a home improvement enterprise with at least five to 10 years of experience doing the type of work you want done in the area where you want it done. Established contractors will have a network of subcontractors and suppliers you can contact to ask questions about the contractor’s reliability and quality. For peace of mind, make sure your contractor is established.

#2 Are they reputable?

Ask family and friends if they can recommend any good contractors, and then make it your business to find out about the organization’s reputation for satisfied–or unsatisfied–customers. One good way to gain insight into your contractor’s dependability and integrity is to ask for references. References can tell you if the work was completed on time and on budget.

#3 Are they candid?

A contractor who has no problem itemizing your bid will make it easier to comparison shop. Good contractors should have no problem with this request if they are confident in the quality of their work and are willing to answer questions about their bids. Itemization also makes it easier for you to cut project costs if necessary, weigh all your options, and compare apples to apples.

#4 Are they professional?

A professional contractor is an insured contractor. Any professional contractor will have personal liability, worker’s compensation protection, and property damage coverage. He or she also will voluntarily provide you with documentation demonstrating that the policies are in effect and up to date.

A professional contractor is also a licensed contractor. Licensed contractors can produce a wallet card proving they are licensed to do the type of work you want done. You can also look up a contractors license number online (typically found on a state website) to verify they are licensed for their trade.

A professional contractor will also provide you with a contract. Questions to think about when looking over the contract include:

How will change orders be handled?

A change order is a written authorization to make a change or addition to the project outlined in the original contract. Since these orders can change the project’s cost, scope and completion time, you will want to make sure the manner in which change orders are to be handled is clear.

What are the warranties?

The warranties of the contract should provide detailed information about the coverage of materials and workmanship, and who — the contractor, distributor, or manufacturer — is covering them.

#5 Are they user friendly

Finally, you need to work with an organization that is user-friendly. Did the contractor allow a payment schedule? Did the contractor actually listen to you and take detailed notes? Will the contractor take care of any necessary permits that may be required for your job? The cost of a job is important, but having a user-friendly and helpful contractor will save you a lot of headaches and money down the road — even if you have to spend a little bit extra for the peace of mind.

5 Improvements That Will Increase the Resale Value of Your Investment Property

Tue, 10 Jun 2025 15:50:45 GMT

Although curb appeal is the most important factor when selling your investment property, it often loses its luster when it comes to a negotiating price.

In addition to sprucing up exterior landscaping and making cosmetic repairs, investment property owners might want to consider these five improvement projects to maximize the return on their investment (ROI):

#1 Siding Replacement

Average Resale ROI: 95.5% to 103.6%

Those looking to sell their investment properties for a profit should look no further than the building’s siding. If it is even close to disrepair, siding can drain a property of its curb appeal very quickly. The good news is that replacement siding can greatly increase not only the look of a home but also its value. Vinyl siding provides an average resale investment return of 95.5 percent of its cost. That number rises to 103.6 percent when fiber cement siding is hung, which means you can actually recoup your investment and then some if you opt for this alternative!

#2 Steel Entry Door

Average Resale ROI: 101.8%

Most real estate agents will tell you that the entryway of your property is the focal point of the buyer experience. Walking into a home and leaving it typically occurs through the main entry door and improving this area is the best way to leave a lasting impression on a prospective buyer. Steel entry doors won’t crack or bow, they’re energy efficient and they’re more secure than wooden doors. A new steel door is an attractive feature for a prospective homeowner and it offers a great return on your investment as a seller.

#3 Replacement Windows

Average Resale ROI: 89.6%

The impact of replacement windows is immediate. Not only are they eye-catching to house hunters, they can also insulate and provide energy savings while the home sits on the market. As an investor, you might find yourself resisting the urge to splurge on top of the line window replacements, but don’t! High quality replacement windows are often less expensive than you think, and you’ll get most of your money back at settlement.

#4 Wood Deck

Average Resale ROI: 87.4%

Pressure treated wood decks may not jump out on a listing, but they sure do during an open house. In fact, for corner properties, wood decks can also bump up curb appeal. With an 87.4 percent average investment return, adding a wood deck should be near the top of your list of improvements. Don’t forget to decorate it with attractive planters and lighting. These little details will help provide big returns at closing.

#5 Family Room or Sun Room Addition

Average Resale ROI: 83%

For investment properties that are big on land but short on square footage, a family room or sunroom addition can add tremendous value to the bottom line of a sales sheet. Although not as lucrative a return as some of the other items on this list, it’s important to remember those are just averages. For smaller homes, an addition can make all the difference.

If you’re looking to add improvements to your investment property this spring, contact one of Century Home Improvements certified improvement specialists today.

5 Tips to Save Money and Get the Most From Your Contractor

Tue, 10 Jun 2025 15:49:04 GMT

Many homeowners discover too late that simply hiring a contractor to do a job is not all that’s required to get good work and save money.

Here are five tips to help you understand your role during an improvement project, keep costs down and learn how to maximize the relationship with your contractor:

Communicate. This is perhaps the most important element to developing a solid working relationship with a contractor. Actively listen to what your contractor has to say before the work begins, and make sure you understand the scope of the project. Communicating effectively will ensure that everyone is on the same page and that your improvements are done to your liking.
Be available. Sometimes, during the course of a home improvement project, unforeseen problems arise. These can include the discovery of structural damage, pest infestations, or foundation issues. If your contractor cannot get in touch with you, the project can get delayed or create additional cost overruns. Be available when your contractor needs you, and you will become a critical part of the solution.
Make timely decisions. One of the biggest nightmares in home improvement projects is the dreaded “allowance.” Allowances are unspecified cost items that are important to the job, but which haven’t been identified. Common allowances include superficial or decorative items that have not yet been chosen by the customer at time of bidding. Most honest contractors will include a reasonable budget allowance in their bid to ensure that the final bill does not shock you. However, your contractor can only go by what you’ve told him, so if you are unclear about what you want or how much something costs, make a decision and find out. You should make decisions in a timely manner to allow your contractor to start in a reasonable amount of time. If not it can cause delays and push back when your project will be completed. You can prevent allowances from becoming problems by shopping for the items in question yourself and forwarding that information to the contractor. That way, the contractor will know with specificity what items are to be included and whether or not they should purchase them.
Make timely payments. Exterior home improvement projects have enough delays already: weather, environmental impediments and unforeseen issues can all push a job past its deadline. When a customer misses an installment payment, the contractor cannot pay his team and materials cannot be purchased. This only serves to needlessly delay the project, and it can be a source of frustration to everyone.
Be a good customer. All of the preceding tips add up to a good customer, but there are other important elements as well. Designating an area for your contractor and staying out of the way as much as possible is important, as is being courteous and accommodating within reason. While we probably won’t accept your offer of a cold drink or snack (we bring our own food and beverages), a kind gesture is always appreciated. We take great pride in the quality of our work regardless of the customers, your courtesy and kindness go a long way toward lifting our morale and keeping us motivated to do an outstanding job for you!

Century Home Improvements wants you to get the most out of your relationship with us. If you’ve been considering a home improvement project, contact one of our design consultants today to get your FREE estimate.

6 Reasons to Add a Patio Cover to Your Home

Tue, 10 Jun 2025 15:45:09 GMT

Adding a patio to your home is always a great idea, but people who build them quickly discover that something is missing.

For some reason, they often find their new outdoor recreation area doesn’t look quite… right. Other times, they might find their new patio simply isn’t used very often. This might be due to a particularly harsh cold season, or because the patio is exposed to bright sunny skies, which heat the area to an unstable state.

These situations can make people question the overall value of such a limited, mostly seasonal investment. Fortunately, there is a solution.

Many times the missing piece to this perplexing patio puzzle is that the outdoor, man-made environment simply lacks concealment. Here are six reasons to add a patio cover to your home :

#1 Elegance

Aesthetics are important to any home, especially if the owners are hoping to re-sell the property at some point. Nothing can add elegance to an otherwise dull outdoor environment like the right patio cover. Some choose to blend the cover into the house’s existing design and materials, while others opt to handsomely offset the outside location with different raw materials creating a gazebo effect.

#2 Comfort

In those hot months, a top can make your patio up to 10 degrees cooler, which will be key to everyone’s comfort if you are planning on using the location as a summer barbecue and recreation area. Also, an overhead fan can be added to the ceiling to provide refreshing top-down air currents to cool if even further.

#3 Entertainment

Don’t forget that once you add your enhancement to your patio, the kids can camp out under it. A TV and MP3 player might even add additional comfort. If the kids will be using the patio a lot — maybe even all summer long — you might want to consider putting a gaming console out there, too, so kids can play games and watch movies.

#4 Value

As noted above, if you ever plan on selling your property, you can greatly increase the value — and stability — of your home by adding a beautiful patio cover to the location. Home seekers with kids will find the area especially inviting if you stress all the merriment that has unfolded there with your own kids.

#5 Space

By simply adding a roof to your patio, you have just increased the space of your home. If you decide to, you can even fortify and insulate the location so it can be a year-round play area (if you have kids) or work area (if you need a home office). Just because a covered patio starts out as an outdoor area, its purpose and value to the property can change.

#6 Nature

Finally, one of the most pleasurable and relaxing benefits of having a patio cover is the way it puts you, your family, and your guests in touch with nature. If you live on the edge of a wooded area, or are located near a stream or creek, night times spent on your deck amid the soothing choruses of insects and the belching cacophony of frogs can help you escape into the comforting arena of nature.

If you’re ready to add an elegant patio cover to your home, contact one of Century Home Improvements design consultants for a free estimate .

8 Steps to Recover from a Bad Contractor Experience

Tue, 10 Jun 2025 15:41:06 GMT

There are few things more nightmarish than suffering the horrors of a bad contractor experience.

You do have some recourse, but the options can be time-consuming and stressful. If, for example, you used a licensed team, you can go to the agency that issued the license and see if they can mediate the situation. Alternatively, you can file complaints through contractor boards on Angie’s List, using their resolution process. However, these options will require assembling time lines, producing photographs, and digging up all your contracts and receipts.

If the company was bonded, you can also seek reimbursement from the agent that issued that bond. A bond should protect you and your home from shoddy work, project abandonment, any damage to your property, and any unpaid supply or labor charges.

You can also pursue recourse through small claims courts. Just be mindful that small claims courts have caps on how much money you can recover (in Pennsylvania, for example, the limit is $8,000), as well as a statute of limitations (in PA, your right to file a claim expires after two years). So, if you want to receive full relief, you might have to take the expensive action of hiring a lawyer to have your case heard in a higher court.

You should be aware of the mechanic’s lien for the project. If one of the subcontractors on the job is not paid by the main contractor, they could put a lien on the property and take you to court to get payment.

If you have suffered a bad home improvement experience, and have finally resolved the situation, you may be leery about moving on.

Follow these steps to make sure your next experience is a good one:

Research, Research, Research. When preparing to once again take the plunge into the contractor market, make sure you do your research and thoroughly check out the businesses you are considering for the job. Don’t take the contractor’s website testimonials on faith. Call references. Check out finished work. You can avoid a lot of headaches before you even start the bid requesting process.

Don’t Take the First or Cheapest Bid. Speaking of bids, make sure you analyze the proposals you receive to find out what’s behind the numbers. Don’t be afraid to question why a bid is so low (or so high). Are the materials subpar? Is unnecessary work being included? Make sure the bids are itemized, so you can compare labor rates, materials, and permit costs.
Have a Contract. Yes, even if your best friend from school is a contractor and agrees to do the work, make sure to get everything in writing by way of a legitimate contract. If your high school buddy says you requested changes that increased the costs of the project, you’ll find it quite difficult to prove you didn’t if you don’t have a written agreement in place.
Keep Things Professional. Don’t get too buddy buddy with your hired help. Be objective, so you can push back when you need to and speak up when you’re unhappy with the work.
Take Pictures. This time, make sure you have pictures up front of what you want, and get your quote based on the provided pictures. In most cases, a consultant will be sent to your house to discuss project details and to take photos. The consultant will discuss your options and explain products as well as providing in depth details on the contract of the project. That way the company and yourself knows what to expect before the contractor even begins the project. Also, make sure you take pictures of the work as it’s being done. This will help mitigate any questions about what was done and by whom if trouble should arise at the end of the contract.
Discuss Clean Up. Make sure cleanup is included in the quote. Scuffed walls, damaged property, and stray materials should all be covered.
Keep Your Eyes Wide Open. Check the work site daily and see if it corresponds to the progress reports you are getting. Flag anything that looks amiss with Post-It notes.
Withhold Final Payment Until You Walk the Finished Location with the Contractor . Make sure you and the general contractor do a final walk-through before the last payment is made. Also, go through the location yourself first, so you are more objective and don’t overlook any small details or imperfections.

A Handy End-of-Summer Home Maintenance Checklist

Tue, 10 Jun 2025 15:38:06 GMT

Every season can take a toll on your home’s exterior, but the summer heat can be particularly destructive. When the dog days of summer give way to the cool breeze of fall, be sure to take some time to give your property a once-over and make the necessary repairs as needed.

Here’s a handy checklist of items to review before winter’s frigid fingers grab hold of your home:

Clean your gutters and check spouting for clogs. Gutter debris can create tremendous problems if not cleaned regularly. Removing brambles, seeds and leaves from your spouting system in the fall ensures you won’t have to worry about ice dams and falling icicles over the winter. If possible, run a hose through your gutters and spouting to check the system’s integrity. Replace leaky areas or call a professional to make necessary repairs. This is also a great opportunity to consider having seamless gutters installed or replacing your spouting system if necessary. You might even want to consider putting gutter guards onto new or existing gutters to help debris from clogging them.

Clean your windows and repair gaps. Cleaning your windows is a great way to inspect them, as well. Make sure there are no window gaps where hot or cold air can escape, and make minor caulking repairs as needed. You may find repairing or sealing gaps simply isn’t enough. If that is the case, consider having replacement windows installed before it gets cold.

Protect your deck. Remove debris buildup on your deck, clean your deck boards thoroughly and apply a sealant stain after removing your deck furniture. Check for curling, loose joints and fittings, and inspect the deck’s overall stability. If your deck is off your second floor, have a professional inspect the reliability of the joists and posts underneath.

Check siding. Buckling siding, blistering paint or other surface anomalies can be indicative of bigger problems. They can also escape the casual glance, so inspect your siding thoroughly. Holes can mean insect infestations, fading can mean it’s time to upgrade, and mold or mildew can indicate water damage. If you need your siding repaired or replaced , don’t want until it’s too cold.

Inspect your roof and soffits. Inspecting your roof doesn’t just mean climbing up and taking a look. Go beyond a visual inspection, by checking your roof for soft spots and testing the integrity of the shingles. Loose shingles should be replaced, and soft spots should be scrutinized more closely. Curling or brittle shingles , shingles falling off, or stones in the gutter or downspouts are some other signs that your roof needs to be replaced. Check your soffits (the overhangs between your siding and roofline) for discoloration, which could mean you have a leak. Likewise, check your attic for any ceiling stains that might also spell trouble.

Add or replace weather-stripping on exterior doors. The weather seals around doors can disintegrate over time, leaving gaps that can expose you and your family to cold or hot air. This can result in higher utility bills and even allow insects an entryway into your home. Attaching new weather-stripping is a fast and efficient way to mitigate the problems created by worn-out weather seals.

Clean, prepare and store your awnings. Before retracting or removing your awnings for the season, brush off dust and debris, hose them down and clean them with a solution of soap an water using a soft-bristle brush. Allow your awnings to dry completely in the sunlight, then – if they are to be removed – store them in a dry area with plenty of ventilation. If they are retractable, remove the hanging valance, cover it and store it in a dry area.

Hose off and clean out your outdoor garbage bins. Animals and rodents have a strong sense of smell, and colder weather can create desperation among certain species. Mice, particularly, have a heightened sense of smell and a wide, varied diet. Cleaning your outdoor garbage bins and removing any temptations can ensure critters don’t set up camp nearby and cause problems in other areas of your home.

Finding the Best Roof Type for Your Home

Tue, 10 Jun 2025 15:35:11 GMT

Choosing the right roofing materials can make or break the exterior of your home. The type of shingle that is best suited for your home can depend on various circumstances — as they say in real estate “Location, location, location!” Temperature change and the frequency of precipitation are just two qualities that influence the type of shingle you choose.

Here, we explore the design and durability of various types of shingles to help you choose which type works best for your humble abode.

Asphalt Shingles
Asphalt shingles are one of the most common types of roofing material chosen by homeowners for a number of reasons:

- DIY handymen and contractors alike find these shingles easier to install, getting the job done efficiently and in a timely manner.

- Asphalt shingles are more reasonably priced, appealing to homeowners with tighter budgets.

- Asphalt shingles come in many different styles and colors, with some even made to look like slate roofing or wood shake.

Apart from their many benefits, asphalt shingles are not the most durable roofing material. If you live in an area that experiences rapid temperature change, these shingles may not be your best option. They’re also more susceptible to damage by heavy winds, hail, and other weather-related mood swings.

Metal Roofing
If you live in a particularly windy area or are in close proximity to a location where wildfires are not uncommon, you may want to consider making a difference with metal roofing.

- Various forms of metal roofing materials — aluminum, copper, steal, and zinc alloy — means there are plenty of choices.

- Some metal roofing materials, such as steel, can be purchased with a painted finish or a zinc coating to give your home a more customized look.

Metal roofing isn’t for everyone, though. Many people feel it gives off too much of a commercialized appearance, as many strip malls and other commercial buildings are decked in these particular materials.

Wood Shakes and Shingles
If you’re looking to do something different, check out the pros of investing in wood shakes or shingles:

- Wood shakes and shingles radiate an aesthetically pleasing vibe, gibing your home a more natural look than others in the neighborhood.

- The lifespan of wood shingles can range from 30 to close to 50 years.

Wood shakes and shingles may be particularly pleasing to the eye, but they are significantly less fire-resistant than most roofing choices, not to mention the higher cost of materials and installation.

Polymer Roofing
Taking advantage of plastic composite roofing is an excellent way to contribute to the recycling process, since it’s created from plastics that cannot be completely broken down. Here are just a handful of the benefits of polymer roofing:

- Its smooth surface means no granules to clutter your gutters, unlike asphalt shingles.

- It has about double the lifespan of wood shakes.

- Polymer roofing materials are much lighter than other roofing materials, so they are easier to handle and install.

- Recycled plastics are available that imitate the look of tile, slate, and other more expensive roofing materials.

Although polymer roofing may seem expensive at the start, homeowners should also consider the lifespan of this particular type of roofing.

With its low maintenance and stronger durability, polymer roofing is a wise investment if you plan to remain in your home for
decades to come.

Clay Tile
Clay tile shingles can be a curse or a blessing, depending on the structure of your home. With an all-natural feel, these tiles can bring a southwestern or colonial Spanish feel to your home’s exterior.

- Clay tile is made from natural materials.

- These tiles are more practical for fire-resistance.

However, not all buildings are structurally sound to support the weight of clay tile shingles. They are also very fragile and rather pricey, so before deciding on this material for your roof, you should consult a professional.

Concrete Tiles
Concrete tile roofing is a lesser-known, more affordable alternative to clay tile roofing with many of its own benefits:

- Concrete tiles are more affordable, because the materials are more common.

- They require very little maintenance

- Concrete tile roofing is known to have a longer lifespan than other types of roofing.

Like clay tiles, however, concrete tiles are also fragile and significantly heavier than other types of roofing materials.

Slate Roofing
Slate is one of the oldest roofing materials on the market, especially prominent in the New England states.

- Slate gives a classic look to a new home.

- Its high durability allows a properly installed roof to withstand leakage for close to 50 years.

- Its all-natural makeup makes slate tile flame-resistant.

However, slate roofing can be rather expensive, depending on the location. It’s also very fragile, so like clay tile, installation can be particularly difficult.

Choosing a roofing material isn’t as simple as choosing the color of your bathroom — it’s a process that requires a serious budget and climate consideration. Since there are many options to choose from, it’s important to invest in a roof that is durable and appealing for your particular location.

The Exterior Siding Buyer’s Guide

Tue, 10 Jun 2025 14:53:29 GMT

When it comes to choosing the type of exterior siding that’s right for your humble abode, there are countless factors to consider. From material and installation costs to durability, it can be a rather tedious process.

Fixing up the exterior of your home shouldn’t be an unwelcome task. This list of various types of siding along with their pros and cons should help ease your mind during your hunt for the perfect outdoor solution.

Brick
Made popular in America over 200 years ago, brick still hasn’t lost its appeal. Brick buildings often emit a classic sense of superiority. People are attracted to brick for many reasons, these being just two:

1. Durability . Bricks have a historical connotation attached to them. Many brick buildings constructed during colonial times are still in use today. The external structure of a brick home is more likely to survive house fires, because the clay-and-shale-formed blocks have already withstood heat of nearly 2000 degrees Fahrenheit when fired in a kiln. Brick can also outlast many other forms of exterior siding in terms of experiencing poor weather conditions – high winds, heavy rain, snow, etc.
2. Visual Appeal . As time progresses, more and more options are available for house hunters interested in brick homes.

But brick isn’t always what it’s cracked up to be. Here are just a few disadvantages of brick home exterior.

1. Maintenance . It’s difficult to match repairs to the original structure, especially when a single brick needs to be replaced. In addition, water often penetrates brick veneers, so professional installation is a must to avoid leaks.
2. Installation and Cost . Brick is more labor-intensive to install, which is why it takes longer and costs significantly more than other types of exterior siding. Your home may also be colder in the winter and warmer in the summer from lack of insulation.

Wood Siding
Wood siding comes in clapboards, shakes, and shingles. If you’re looking to create a cozy cottage appeal, these are a few reasons to turn to wood siding:

1. Durability . If properly maintained, wood siding can last anywhere from 10 to nearly 100 years.
2. Visual Appeal . Couples interested in the Cape Cod style or even a homey cottage in the woods will find this type of exterior siding particularly pleasing to the eye. There are multiple stains and siding options, so you have a variety of colors to choose from.

Then again, wood siding isn’t the greatest for any location:

1. Maintenance . Wood siding requires regular upkeep in order to maintain its visual appeal. Maintenance can include re-staining or painting the wood to prevent severe weather damage.
2. Pests . With wood siding, your home is also at higher risk for infestations of mice and insects.
3. Cost . Although cheaper than brick, this siding may be costly depending on the amount of repairs due to bad weather conditions or pest invasions.

Vinyl Siding
Vinyl siding is popular among homeowners today for many reasons:

1. Budget-Friendly . Materials for vinyl siding projects are less costly than most other types of exterior siding materials and installation fees.
2. V isual Appeal . Vinyl siding comes in all colors and textures, allowing for a unique, customizable home. Be the cool kids on the block in a vinyl-sided house.
3. Low-Maintenance . What homeowner doesn’t like to hear that phrase? Vinyl siding doesn’t twist or warp, and you don’t have to be as concerned about insects as with wood siding. There’s no need to paint it, either for protection or decor, because it comes in such a wide array of colors.

Despite its appeal, vinyl siding has its drawbacks. It tends to flap or rattle in high winds and can crack when hit with extreme force, so it’s not the most logical choice for homeowners in areas that regularly experience heavy storms.

Fiber Cement Siding
Like vinyl siding, fiber cement siding is also popular for these reasons:

1. Budget-Friendly . Though not cheap, it provides a great look at a reasonable cost for homeowners.
2. Visual Appeal . Fiber cement siding is an excellent alternative if you’re going for the look and feel of stucco, masonry, or wood on a tighter budget. There are countless options available.
3. Low-Maintenance . Again, with this type of siding, there’s very little regular upkeep required.
4. Weatherproof and Termite-Resistant . With fiber cement siding, you don’t need to worry about insect infestations, and your exterior siding is nonflammable.

Need help in making the final decision on the perfect exterior siding for your home? Century Home Improvements offers assistance in choosing the siding for your home and will gladly install anything from wood siding, like classic cedar shake to aluminum trim that has the power to extend your wooden windows and doors.

Five Tips for Preparing Your Deck for Winter

Tue, 10 Jun 2025 14:48:52 GMT

As the social hub of your summer universe, your deck is where you go to get away from it all. But it’s more than that. It’s where friends come to kick back, where family comes to bask in your barbecue mastery, and where you go when it’s finally time to relax.

With your deck serving as the nucleus of your summer diversions, it’s imperative that you prepare it for winter correctly. It will need to remain sturdy and attractive, so it can serve as the center of your entertainment operations again next year. Here are five steps to keeping it in tip-top condition even if your winters are harsh:

#1 Clean Up the Debris

Sweep away all the leaves that have fallen on your deck. Grime and foliage have a tendency to roost in your deck cracks, which can then create standing water. Keep the deck ventilated to avoid moisture-damaging build-up.

#2 Scrub Away Mildew

If you don’t eliminate all the mildew from your deck before winter, it will create unattractive damage. You don’t have to go out and purchase fancy solvents to eliminate this threat from your deck. A simple combination of household bleach and dishwashing fluid will do the trick. Bleach will kill just about anything, and mildew is no exception. Dish detergent will emulsify the menace and make it easy to wipe away. If the mildew is especially fierce on your deck, use brushes to eradicate it.

#3 Remove Decorative Items

While pots and planters will add character to your deck in the summer, they may cause staining if left out all winter. The simplest way to avoid this is to remove them completely or just shuffle them about the deck periodically. Or, you can put the planters on cedar slabs. The extra space that the cedar creates will aid in water evaporation. Putting cedar stand offs underneath anything else on the deck–boom box stands, tables, and suchlike–will keep your deck handsome and healthy.

#4 Deck Use in Winter

If your deck has a hot tub and you plan to use it during the winter, make sure to keep your deck safe by removing the snow. To avoid damaging the deck with scratches, be sure to use a plastic shovel instead of a metal one. Also, shovel in the direction of the deck boards’ grain to avoid inadvertently generating unseemly blemishes.

#5 An Advanced Tip for Deck Enthusiasts

Some folks will also want to put a fancy water-repellant finish on their decks as an added measure of protection from the harsh winter elements. Consult with a professional if you want to take this extra step. Some finishes are designed to stop rain, sleet, snow and ice from penetrating your deck’s wood surface. These products minimize water damage such as splitting or warping. They are also available in various colors and opacity levels, so finding one to fit your deck’s specific character will not be a problem.

Five Signs It’s Time to Replace Your Windows

Tue, 10 Jun 2025 14:46:34 GMT

Replacing your windows is not an annual necessity. Nor does it need to happen every five years, since the average lifespan of a window is approximately 15 to 20 years.

However, if you recognize a window in your home is exhibiting any of these signs, you may want to consider replacing it sooner rather than later.

#1 Your Home Feels Drafty

When windows let cold air in during the winter, you can bet they are also letting warm air out, destroying the energy efficiency of your home and causing your heating or electric bill to skyrocket. Placing your hand in front of a window will help you find out if it’s time to find a replacement window .

#2 The Window is Difficult to Open and/or Close

You shouldn’t have to put up a fight with your window when you want to open it on a sunny summer day or close it when the skies darken before a storm. To avoid increasing any back or joint problems you may have, and to avoid such a struggle that would cause you to fall through the screen, get your window replaced .

#3 The Window Won’t Stay Open

You fought with your window until it finally surrendered and opened, but now the bugger is sliding down or even slammed shut. Do you find yourself propping open the window, sticking something in it to ensure it doesn’t slide shut? This is an incredibly dangerous safety hazard, especially if your home has curious little youngsters pitter-pattering about. Don’t put your children in danger. Replace that dysfunctional window before someone gets rushed to the emergency room for broken fingers or a concussion.

#4 You Can’t Lock Your Window

The inability to lock a window poses multiple threats. It makes your home easier to enter for intruders, putting your prized possessions and family at risk; and although the window is closed, if the lock is not secured, cool air will escape in the summer and warm air in the winter. Just like the first example, this will negatively affect your electric and/or heating bill. If the lock is broken, consider repairing your window. If repairing doesn’t work, you need to get the window replaced.

#5 Condensation Forms on the Inside of Your Window

Your window is shut and locked, but you wake up in the mornings to repeatedly find that condensation has formed on the window glass inside your home. This is a strong indicator that your window—or the windowpane—needs to be replaced. The constant collection of condensation can cause mold growth on the window frame, which can cause health problems for residents and guests in your home.

Don’t risk voiding warranties on new windows by taking the DIY replacement route—get professionals like those at Century Home Improvements to do the job. Hiring home improvement professionals to replace faulty windows save you both time and money.

The experienced window installers at Century will ensure your windows are properly mounted to provide your home with the safety and energy efficiency you and your loved ones deserve.

Your Year-Round Home Maintenance Checklist

Tue, 10 Jun 2025 14:43:25 GMT

Home maintenance is crucial for preserving the life of your home.

Not only does regular maintenance help keep you and your family comfortable, safe and secure, it also prevents you from having to spend excessively on projects that have been put off for too long. Here’s a year-round home maintenance checklist identifying what should be performed and when:

Spring: Be Prepared for Anything. Use the spring months to assess and address any damage done to your home by cold weather , while also preparing for the issues that can arise from the menacing heat.

Clean your gutters. Twigs, leaves, and debris can weigh down your gutters and also cause rain to form puddles that draw mosquitoes and other unwanted insects. If your gutters are too high, hire a professional to clean them or consider a gutter helmet system from Century Home Improvements .

Check windows for replacement. Before it rains, check to see if your windows need replaced . Replacing old, decaying windows and sills can also help improve your home’s energy efficiency. If there is condensation between your glass panes or if your windows are hard to open or close you should consider replacing them.

Hire a professional to check and clean your AC unit. Your outdoor air conditioning unit should be checked annually for any damage done over the winter or any problems that can lead to poor performance.

Summer: Beat the Heat Before It Peaks
Like cold weather, summer’s intense heat and heavy rains can wreak havoc on a home. Use the summer to mitigate potential problems .

Examine your roof. If melting snow or heavy rain has created wet spots or discolorations in your ceiling or walls, summertime may be the right time to replace your roof. Identify potential problem areas by looking for soft spots or loose shingles. If integrity issues are isolated to a specific area, a full replacement may not be necessary.

Clean your exterior walls. This is a great way to keep the outside of your home looking clean and vibrant. It also prevents the buildup of mold and mildew, which can damage your siding and lead to water damage. A great solution for cleaning siding is mixing 2 cups bleach and 1 cup auto detergent into a bucket of water. Use a soft-bristled brush to apply the solution to the siding.

Clean and care for your deck. Inspect your deck’s connecting joists for wear and tear, apply a waterproofing stain or sealant to rails and floor boards, and seal cracks with polyurethane caulk. If a joist is loose or cracks are prevalent throughout your deck, call a professional.

Fall: Avoid Winter Worries
The hardships that can strike during the blustery winter months – frozen pipes, chimney fire or invasive wildlife – can lead to major problems. Fall is the best time to address them.

Clean your chimney. This removes creosote buildup that may otherwise cause a chimney fire when you’re attempting to keep warm in the late fall and well into the winter.

Insulate your pipes. Check to make sure pipes along places that may be exposed to particularly cooler conditions – against exterior walls, in the attics, in the basement, etc. – are well insulated to reduce the risk of freezing pipes in the winter.

Drain and store your garden hose. To keep your hose in working condition and prevent holes, detach it from its outdoor connection and position it in such a way that all water drains out. Then be sure to store it where it won’t be damaged by winter weather. While you’re at it, this might be a good time to inspect and replace interior and exterior faucet washers.

Clean your gutters (again). Keeping your gutters free of debris should be a regular practice.

Winter: Maintain and Improve Energy Efficiency
Frigid outdoor temperatures give you the opportunity to conduct thorough inspections and put indoor improvement plans into action.

Check your attic. Not your mousetraps (though you should do that too), but be sure it’s well insulated and well ventilated so the interior of your home stays warms in the winter and cool in the summer. Not only will this step aid in your home’s overall temperature efficiency, it will also regulate your roof temperature and prevent ice dams from building in your gutters and creating icicles.

Weatherproof doors and windows. Inspect door and window trim and keep an eye out for finish failure. For doors, even out the gaps and reset and shim the hinges, if necessary. The way your door fits its frame will determine its energy efficiency. For windows, apply caulk around the interior and exterior of the window trim, secure loose sashes with vinyl v-channel weather-stripping in the sash channels, and seal any gaps greater than 1/8 of an inch.

Clean drains. Keeping your drains free of clogs and flushing them with hot water will prevent frozen pipes.

Change furnace filters. Replacing air filters should be done every three months, but especially during the winter to allow your furnace to operate at maximum efficiency and prevent energy loss.

Inspect and block ground-level entry points. Walk around your home and do a visual ground-level inspection of your home’s foundation. Look for potential entry areas where wildlife can enter and builds nests in your home. Blocking or repairing these areas can prevent major headaches.

The folks at Century Home Improvements want to ensure your safety and comfort all year round. They provide free on-site estimates and handle everything from roofing and siding to windows and wood decks. From repairing to remodeling, Century Home Improvements is there when you need them — any time of the year.

Attic Condensation or Roof Leak? What You Need to Know

Tue, 10 Jun 2025 14:30:23 GMT

While a leaking roof can be a major headache for homeowners, all too often wetness problems are something much more sinister: attic condensation.

Left unattended, roof leaks can do extensive damage to the interior of your home. They can damage ceilings and attics, lead to mold and mildew issues, and compromised structural integrity. And yet, despite these problems, roof leaks are quite easy to fix once they’re identified, especially if you conduct annual roof inspections .

And therein lies the major problem with attic condensation. Not everyone understands it, and most people will confuse the signs of condensation with a leaking roof. First, here are a few reasons why condensation should be a major concern for homeowners:

During winter, condensation can reduce the effectiveness of your attic insulation by keeping it moist and damp
Over time, condensation can cause damage to roofing supports, such as rafters and trusses
The causes of attic condensation can also result in ice buildup on the edges of your roof, which can lead to significant water damage to the interior of your home

The Cause of Attic Moisture Problems

The primary cause of attic moisture problems results from warm air escaping from the heated portion of a house into the unheated attic space. The water vapor held in the warmer air from the heated part of the home condenses to form liquid water on cold attic surfaces.

There are two ways homeowners can combat attic condensation before it becomes a problem:

Reduce Excess Moisture

One of the easiest ways to deal with moisture problems in the attic is to manage the moisture buildup in the living area of your house. Pay attention to these areas of your home:

Clothes Dryers. Be sure that your dryer’s exhaust fan is vented to the outdoors, not the attic.
Firewood. Though firewood appears dry, it often contains significant amounts of water that will evaporate into the house as it dries.
Humidifiers. In a well-insulated and winterized home, the use of humidifiers is not necessary. They will produce excess moisture.
Unvented Heaters. If you are going to use a kerosene or gas space heater, get one that is vented to the outdoors. If you do have an unvented heating unit, open a window when the unit is in operation to allow moisture to escape from the home.

Provide Ample Ventilation

Perhaps the best way to prevent attic condensation is to ensure:

Exhaust Fans. Make sure that exhaust fans are vented to the outdoors, not to the attic, overhangs, or crawl-spaces.
Fan Operation. Just because you have a fan that operates, doesn’t mean it’s working properly. Duct work can often become clogged, which can result in blocked air flow.
Bathrooms. Most building codes mandate a fan in any bathroom that does not contain a window. This is to ensure moisture is moved out of the house through vents. Even if your bathroom has a window, however, you should consider installing a fan since keeping a window open during cold weather is less than ideal. In any case, fans in bathrooms should remain on during showering and for at least 15 minutes afterward.

Call a Pro

Although there is quite a bit that homeowners can do to mitigate attic condensation, professional roofing contractors can address some of the more complicated aspects of securing your home against moisture infiltration.

Add, repair or replace soffits and fascia boards. Soffits and fascia boards are designed to prevent and alleviate attic condensation. Soffits are the planks fitted to the underside of your home’s overhanging eaves. They are often made of vinyl and have small openings that let your attic breathe. Fascia boards are fitted over the end of your home’s rafters or trusses and serve as a barrier between your roofline and inclement weather. During installation, your roofing contractor should also help you identify, locate and seal all air leaks coming from the living area of your home.
Insulation inspection. Professional roofers know what to look for when it comes to attic insulation. They can help determine whether new insulation is necessary due to moisture problems and whether it was installed properly in the first place. Inadequate or improperly installed insulation can cause not only attic condensation, but also ice damming that can lead to a hose of other issues.

If you’ve noticed wetness problems in your attic, don’t automatically assume it’s a roof leak. Call one of the roofing specialists at Century Home Improvements , who can properly diagnose the problem and offer long-lasting, cost-effective solutions.

5 Signs That It’s Time to Replace Your Gutters

Tue, 10 Jun 2025 13:54:04 GMT

The purpose of installing gutters and downspouts is to direct rainwater and melting snow away from your home’s foundation. Keeping these areas clean may initially seem like a hassle, but maintaining a free-flowing system will avert potential water problems, including basement floods and roof leaks.

Gutters that are regularly and properly maintained can last anywhere between 20 and 40 years , depending on the materials used, but it’s still important to know the signs that indicate it’s time to replace them.

Cracks or rust spots appear. Cracks and rust spots are indicators that water is not draining properly through your gutters, and improper drainage will cause water to pool around the foundation of your home. While some cracks may be caulked, if there are several cracks or large holes from rust spots, you should consider replacement as soon as possible.
Mold, mildew, and rot are signs that water is collecting in your house. These signs can occur in your basement, along your siding and shutters, or even in the attic, depending on where the water is pooling and leaking through. If your gutters are not dealt with quickly, the growth of mold or mildew or the spread of rotting wood can cause extensive damage to your home. Keep an eye out for peeling paint or water marks on your in your home, as these are sure signs that water is getting in.
Gutters are sagging or pulling away from the house. It is possible fasteners have broken off, but, more importantly, it may be that the seams they are anchored to are rotting away. The weight of leaves and silt may also be pulling your gutters away from your house, exposing the seams of your house to precipitation and increasing the risk of wood rot and other dangers. If any of these are the case, consider hiring a professional to fix or replace the system as soon as possible.
Water is pooling in your gutters. Your gutters are designed to channel water around your roof and away from your home, but if water remains stagnant in them, then they are not functioning properly. This also means that when it rains, water may overflow and seep into the ground around your home, risking damage to your home’s foundation and a flooded basement.
Seams are coming apart. Most gutter systems are sectional, and over time the seams may start to come apart due to wear and tear or because they have not been properly cleaned of debris. Mending the seams may not always be the answer or may increase your problems if done poorly. If the seams are still breaking loose, it’s time to get your gutters replaced and consider installing seamless gutters.

When it comes time to choose new gutters, you’ll have a variety of material options, including aluminum, copper, galvanized steel, stainless steel, and vinyl. Galvanized steel and aluminum are the most popular materials, although aluminum has the edge because it never rusts. Vinyl gutters also have their advantages because they are easy to cut and assemble, but they can also become brittle in colder temperatures and over time.

While gutters may be a small addition to your home, they are a huge part of keeping rain away from your foundation and keeping your home in good working order. When you begin to notice any of these or other issues, give Century Home Improvements a call for your maintenance and replacement needs.

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Backyard Updates to Make the Most Out of Barbeque Season

Tue, 10 Jun 2025 13:52:36 GMT

With summer well underway, it’s time to make sure your backyard is in tip-top shape to host barbecues and get-togethers with family and friends. And while you may have perfected your burger recipe, your backyard setup could probably still use some work. Make sure your home is safe and inviting for visitors by attending to these three core items for a party-ready backyard.

Spruce Up Your Deck

At nearly any barbeque, the deck is where most of the action is happening. You have the grill master tending to patties and hot dogs, while guests mingle and look out on your landscaping. A proper deck will have plenty of room for both seating and milling about so your guests can chat and eat. You can also add an extra touch with railing details or a unique finish to add dimension to your decking. However, it can also be a hazardous location if the decking hasn’t been properly maintained. Splinters will be the least of your worries if a loose deck leads to a guest falling and injuring themselves. Be especially careful if your deck goes around a pool. Wet boards can cause passersby to slip and fall. If your deck hasn’t been updated in awhile, make sure you take the time to check for any potential damage that could end up ruining your party.

Consider Installing Awnings

Installing an awning can be a great way to provide extra protection to partygoers who might be a little sun intolerant. However, if your guests have a little too much shade, a retractable awning can easily be adjusted. Another added bonus of installing an awning is it can prevent the sun from shining into your home, keeping indoor temperatures down and causing your air condition to not have to work as hard. If you’re concerned about a gust of wind breaking your investment, you can have a wind sensor installed that will make the awning retract. This way your guests will be comfortable no matter the weather.

Make in Investment in a Sunroom

For those who want to be close to nature, but are trying to avoid too much sun or being eaten by bugs, sunrooms are the perfect answer . You can still enjoy burgers and hot dogs fresh off the grill, but stay cool in a controlled atmosphere. Sunrooms aren’t just limited to one season. In the summer, your sunroom will shade the interior of your home by blocking sunrays and effectively keeping your sunroom cool. In turn, during the winter a sunroom provides your home with an extra barrier and prevents against cold air directly entering your home.

No matter how your backyard is set up, you should make the investment to ensure that your backyard is both beautiful and safe for any entertaining you plan on doing this summer and beyond.

How To Prevent Icicles on your Home

Tue, 10 Jun 2025 13:45:34 GMT

Those large, glistening icicles hanging from rooftops can create beautiful winter scenes, but their beauty belies their message: Your house has some breathing or ventilation issues.

Icicles are formed when ice dams occur along the eaves of your roof. Ice dams are caused from the under layer of snow that starts to melt when heat leaks from your attic. When those drips of snow move down and meet the cold air along the eaves of your roof, they form a dam of ice. As snow continues to melt, those drips are added to the ice dam and can become some perilous-looking icicles.

Not only are they a threat overhead, but the ice dam feeding them also can cause water to back up under shingles or cause leaks in ceilings or walls.

Gutter guards will not create or prevent Ice problems. Free flowing gutters will prevent standing water from freezing but in most conditions water will freeze as soon as a heat source is removed.

In all cases, these recommendations should be followed to minimize ice buildup on roof, in gutters, on gutter cover or on the outside of gutters.

Here are some steps to preventing icicles from forming.

Improve attic insulation. Insulate your attic to the proper level (refer to manufacturer’s recommended amount). Proper insulation will allow your attic to be the same temperature as the outside air and will help maintain a better temperature inside your home. Ridge vents and soffit vents allow air to circulate, which keeps the air temperature inside your attic at a balanced level to help prevent ice dams from forming.
Seal leaks around fireplace flues, chimneys, and air-outtake vents. If you have warm air leaking from your heat source, such as your chimney or flue, that heat is going to warm the underside of your roof and that’s what you’re trying to avoid. Kitchen vents or dryer vents will do the same — and they’ll add detrimental moisture in your attic — so be sure those vents exhaust to the outdoors and not into your attic.
Make sure your attic is well-ventilated. You have to insulate your attic well, but don’t cover the soffit vents or ridge vents created to allow cool air into your attic.
Clean gutters before and between snowfall.* Keeping your gutters free of debris will help prevent ice dams from building up. When you prevent ice dams, you prevent icicles.
Use a roof rake to remove snow a few feet from the eaves.* this is a special rake designed to remove snow from roof edges while you remain standing on the ground. It is only to help prevent the buildup of ice dams and should be used cautiously so as not to damage roof shingles or gutters.

Heat from the sun also plays a role in snow melting off your roof, so some icicle formations can’t be eliminated. Century Home Improvements can give you the proper roof and attic treatments necessary to avoid those large, damaging icicles and maintain safety overhead.

*NOTE: if your roof or gutters are too high, do not attempt to scale or inspect them yourself; this can be dangerous and even deadly. Call a professional.

Protecting your house with a Gutter Helmet

Tue, 10 Jun 2025 13:42:54 GMT

As any homeowner in Pennsylvania is well aware, sometimes the weather can wreak havoc on your home and pose a bit of a problem. Fortunately, Century Home Improvements has your back in all weather and conditions.

That’s right; we have got you covered regardless of rain, snow, sleet, hail, or anything else mother nature throws our way. With our patented Gutter Helmet technology, your gutters keep everything out. Not just water, not just leaves, but everything! That means you’ll have peace of mind year-round. How exactly are we able to keep you warm, dry, and comfortable year-round?

Firstly, Gutter Helmet has been proven to handle 22 inches of rain an hour, more than twice the amount ever recorded, without overflowing. We all know that when it rains in Pennsylvania, it pours. Wouldn’t it be nice to have the peace of mind of knowing your home is protected in any weather conditions?

And now that Fall is right around the corner, what happens when all the leaves start to pile up in your gutters? Normally, you would have to climb up your ladder and shovel the leaves out to keep your gutter clear of debris and flowing smoothly. But because Gutter Helmet is the most effective product on the market and prevents leaves, seeds, branches, and any organic matter from clogging up gutters, you can stay safely on the ground.

What happens in the winter when it gets cold and all the rain starts to freeze? Ordinarily, you might be in a bit of trouble. But with Gutter Helmet, you can kick your feet up and relax, because you won’t have any more ice dams. Your gutters won’t have any water to retain, and thus you won’t need to worry for a second. Ice damage is no joke , and in Pennsylvania, it’s a real concern. Fortunately, we’ve got you covered.

With all that said, let’s find out more about Gutter Helmet and a few of the many products Century Home Improvements offers to keep you covered all year.

Gutter Helmet : The patented, nose-forward design allows only water to flow seamlessly through your gutters. No sticks, leaves, branches, or junk in your gutters ever again. Gutter Helmet has been proven to handle even an extreme flow of water, you all but eliminate the chances of water damage to your home. Plus, it’s proven to last, and with a variety of colors available, it will always look great with your home.

Snaplock Gutter System : The SnapLock gutter system is designed to protect your home by attaching the gutters to the fascia of your home without the gutters themselves ever having to be drilled through. The SnapLock System is installed first with the screws being placed through the system rather than the gutter. Then the gutter is snapped into the system and is ready to be used. The SnapLock Gutter System is free floating, which allows for natural expansion and contraction as the weather changes.

Roofing : That’s right! We do more than just gutters. We have the best quality roofing products , the most style choices, and the most professional, well-trained installers. From troubleshooting to installing a brand-new roof, Century Home Improvements have a reputation of excellence. Have a leaky roof? We can diagnose and treat the problem.

In addition to the products mentioned above, we also offer Siding and Trim , Windows , Exterior Doors , Decks , Awnings and Patio Covers, and Sunrooms . We literally have the outside of your home covered! Trust Century Home Improvements to keep you covered, rain or shine.

Five Reasons to Install Gutter Helmet on Your Home

Tue, 10 Jun 2025 13:41:52 GMT

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5 Reasons Why Fall is the Best Time to Replace Your Windows and Doors

Tue, 10 Jun 2025 13:35:59 GMT

#1 The Weather is Perfect

Fall in Pennsylvania is the perfect time for homeowners to consider replacing windows and doors. With the removal of old windows and the installation of new ones, homeowners don’t want to worry about inconvenient weather issues like spring storms and summer heat. In the fall, temperatures are usually just right, not too hot or too cold and you don’t have to worry about storms, giving homeowners the chance to replace old, worn-out windows with new energy efficient windows .
Mosquitos, ants, and other unwanted bugs are going to find their way into your home when you are having your windows and doors swapped out in the spring and summer. If you decide to have your replacement windows and doors installed in the fall, you are much less likely to have any issues with insects.

#2 Weather Proofing

Winter weather in Pennsylvania almost always includes long periods of extreme cold along with snow and ice. Having old, worn, or broken windows or ill-fitting, drafty doors can create many headaches and expensive energy bills for homeowners. Prepping for winter should include making sure your home is well-insulated and as energy efficient as possible. You can achieve this by replacing your old windows and doors .

#3 Save Money

Pennsylvania homeowners want to save as much money as possible during the winter months. Drafty windows and doors equal heat loss and cold air which will increase your heating bill. The best way to save money is by replacing these problem areas with new windows and doors in the fall. Keep the heat in and the cold air out!

#4 Perfect Temperature for Sealing

The caulk used to seal your new windows and doors can be sensitive to temperature. For most brands, the ideal warmth for the caulk to set is between 40 and 80 degrees Fahrenheit. This allows for the best adhesion. Also in winter, building materials shrink and in summer they expand. Installing new windows at these temperature extremes could impact the stability of the caulk and result in seal failure.

#5 Holiday Ready

Fall is the beginning of the holiday season with Thanksgiving and Christmas right around the corner. Your guests will love the curb appeal your new energy-efficient door will give your home when they step out of their cars. Once inside your guests will be greeted with the beautiful views of Pennsylvania through your new, energy-efficient and updated windows. You, too, can have new windows and doors installed before the holidays with up to 10% off by calling Century Home Improvements before November 8th.

If you think new windows and doors would be right for your home, give Century Home Improvements a call. We will send out one of our professional and experienced estimators to assess your needs and help you decide on top-quality windows and doors that will work best for your home.

Why Choose Century Home Improvements

Tue, 10 Jun 2025 13:32:45 GMT

Although there seem to be many options and “jacks-of-all-trades” out there, when it comes to remodeling, upgrading, or even just fixing or replacing something on your home, you want a contractor who is qualified and trustworthy.

Below are the core values that Century Home Improvements strive to work by each and every day. We consistently offer our clients services that come with convenience, high quality and trust making us the qualified and trustworthy home improvements company you’re looking for.

OFFICE MANAGEMENT: Besides providing outstanding fieldwork, Century Home Improvements also completes the management of our projects with the utmost professionalism. Detailed estimates, proposals, and coordination are essential to a successful project. Our department managers are well experienced as is our office staff and bookkeepers.
COST: Century Home Improvements strives to assure our clients’ real value for their dollar at a profit sufficient to provide for the well-being of our employees. Our detailed proposals ensure clients that there won’t be any hidden cost and they know exactly what they are getting.
QUALITY: We pride ourselves on having a strong dedication to the belief that a quality product is its own best form of advertising. Our employees are the best in the area ensuring that the quality product has a quality installation. The quality of our work continues long after the close of the project.
SCHEDULE: When Century Home Improvements starts a project, we commit ourselves to get it done in the timeliest manner as possible. We use the latest tools, techniques, and technology to do the job more efficiently.

Century Home Improvements has earned an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau and is a trusted leader in exterior home improvements in Central Pennsylvania because of our core values. If that doesn’t have you convinced, just ask any of our past 150,000 clients!

Five Benefits of Installing a Retractable Awning

Tue, 10 Jun 2025 13:30:21 GMT

1. Reduces Cooling Bills in Your Home

Awnings limit direct sunlight and therefore help you save on energy bills. Having an awning can decrease your AC bills by 20% during the summer. Awnings can also shade your outdoor AC unit in the summer to keep it cooler for energy efficiency.

2. Protects Furniture and Flooring from Sun Damage Inside Your Home

Installing awnings can protect your indoor and outdoor space from the weather, prolonging the longevity of your outdoor furniture by preventing exposure to direct sun, snow, and rainfall that can cause deterioration and discoloration. Awnings can also help prevent the UV rays from coming in through your windows, damaging your indoor furniture or flooring that may be getting exposure.

3. Reduces the Surface Temperature of Your Deck or Outdoor Space

One study found that in direct sunlight, composite decks can reach temperatures from 34° to 76° F hotter than the surrounding air. So, on an 80° day, that could mean a deck surface temperature reaches more than 150°. By installing an awning over your deck space, you can keep the surface temperature down allowing you and your pets to safely walk on and enjoy your outdoor space.

4. Reduces the Air Temperature of Your Outside Space

In the summer, you may want to invite your friends over or let your kids play outdoors, but are worried about the effects of prolonged sun exposure! Adding a retractable awning to your outdoor space can help increase your comfort by decreasing the temperature by 20 degrees and decreasing the number of UV rays beating down on you. You can enjoy warm weather or rainy days under the protection of an awning. It opens up a whole new space for outdoor living.

5. Warms Your Home in The Winter

During the winter you can keep your retractable awning closed allowing more sunlight inside your home. This will help increase the temperature inside your home and keep your heating bill down.

Why Choose Century Home Improvements as Your Awning Dealer?

Other awning dealers install the awning to the side of your home, which can cause damage over the years from water, vibrations, and the weight of the awning. Century Home Improvements goes the extra mile by securing a 2×8 header board to your wall framing to reinforce the side of your house. We then seal it off with siding to protect it from water and make it blend in with the awning then install the brackets to this 2×8 board.

What Brand Awnings Does Century Home Improvements Sell and Install?

Century Home Improvements technicians are experienced in selling and installing retractable awnings from Sunsetter, Craftbilt, Sunesta and Durasol.

Roofing Issues that Require a Qualified Roofing Contractor

Fri, 06 Jun 2025 19:48:50 GMT

Having a professional inspect your roof for signs of deterioration is the best way to know if your roof needs to be repaired or replaced. We have compiled a list of roofing problems that would necessitate hiring a qualified roofing contractor like Century Home Improvements.

Structural damage – If an object such as a large branch falls on your roof, it could cause serious damage. If not addressed, such structural damage can extend beyond the surface of the roof and result in bigger roofing issues. A professional can assess the situation and fix the damage to ensure your roof is in good shape

Defective flashing – Flashing is the material that is installed around chimneys, skylights, in roof valleys and areas where two roof surfaces meet and is used to prevent leaks. Leaks around these areas are a sign that flashing is incorrectly installed, damaged, or outdated. A professional can inspect your roof and repair it to prevent the problem from becoming worse.

Improper ventilation – Generally, roofs should have strategically-placed vents to allow for a free flow of air in the attic. This helps to regulate moisture and minimize the risk of health problems while keeping pests away. If you notice leaks, rodents, or unexplained high energy bills, a professional can help to establish whether there is a problem with the roof ventilation.

Loose or missing shingles – Strong winds, overhanging branches that scrape the roof, poor ventilation and shrinking of the underlying roof membrane are just some of the many reasons shingles become loose or go missing. If you notice areas with missing shingles, you should call an expert before it is too late.

Malfunctioning gutters and downspouts – If there are pools of stagnant water on your roof, there is a chance your gutters and downspouts are not working well. Since this can cause water damage as well as other serious consequences, you should get an expert to inspect them for breakage or clogging.

Leaking roof – A leaking roof is one of the most common signs of roofing problems and one that can wreak havoc if not addressed. Since there are many causes of leaks, only a qualified contractor will help to prevent costly repairs and extend the life of your roof.

Faulty installation – Another reason you should consider calling a qualified roofing contractor is faulty installation. This problem will not only lead to roofing problems in the future but may also present serious safety risks.

Century’s roofing contractors will advise you on the best methods to ensure a long-lasting roof over your home or business. Our vast experience includes all lines of asphalt roofing, rubber roofing, metal, aluminum, copper roofing and slate.

Century services your account to ensure your satisfaction!

Five Tips on How to Prepare Your Roof For Fall & Winter

Fri, 06 Jun 2025 19:47:44 GMT

Getting your home ready for the winter months is not difficult but does require a bit of forward-thinking. Like all other parts of the house, the roof requires regular inspection and maintenance to make sure that it can withstand rough weather during cold months and operate at optimal performance. Follow these five steps to help prepare and strengthen your roof for fall and the winter seasons and remember to use safety precautions.

1. Clean Debris

Your roof accumulates dirt, dust, and debris throughout the year. The types of debris include seeds, grass, twigs, leaves and small branches from tress. If left on top of the roof during fall and winter season, this debris will start collecting moisture and over time, will put your house at risk for mold and algae growth and rotting. To clean up the debris, safely use a ladder to climb up the roof and use a broom or an air blower.

2. Clean Gutters

Leaves typically accumulate in gutters which can clog the most vital path for your roof to safely drain. Neglecting to remove leaves in the gutter before fall and winter seasons could cause clogs in the downspouts, which eventually causes the rainwater to overflow your roof and allow water under shingles causing moisture damage. The extra weight from the wet leaves could also cause damage to the gutters by bending them . Take extra time cleaning out the gutters of your roof as leaves tend to stick more in the corners and crevices.

3. Check for Attic Air Flow

Proper ventilation in the attic plays a crucial role in keeping your roof in its utmost condition. A poorly ventilated attic could shorten the life of the roof as the effect is essentially cooking your roof from the inside and outside. Check your attic insulation and replace or add extra insulation if it looks crumbly or frayed. If you see bald patches, make sure to cover them up and install new insulation.

4. Remove Overhanging Branches

Make sure that any branches overhanging your roof have been removed, especially if your house is surrounded by trees or has trees nearby. During fall, the leaves from the branches may start falling off to the roof and accumulates, causing damages to the gutters and the roof itself.

5. Have a Professional Inspection

Call for a roofing professional to inspect your roof for any roof damage like cracked, frayed, curled and missing shingles. They have the appropriate tools and expertise to do the assessment and if required, repair or replace your roof.

These steps will ensure that your roof is ready for the different conditions the fall and winter seasons can bring. Knowing that your roof is in good condition will give you the peace of mind when the bad weather hits. It will be worth your time and effort.

If you need help with any of the steps or if you feel your roof needs to be replaced before the winter months, our team here at Century Home Improvements is ready to help! Call us at 717-616-2272 or fill out our online contact form .

How Easy to Clean is Gutter Helmet?

Fri, 06 Jun 2025 19:45:14 GMT

Check out the video below to see how
Gutter Helmet Makes Cleaning a Breeze!

Five Tips for Maintaining Your Roof

Fri, 06 Jun 2025 19:41:21 GMT

Winter reminds us of the importance of having a reliable, safe roof. Between snow, ice, heavy wind, hail, tree limbs, and everything else mother nature has in her arsenal, your roof takes a pounding, year after year. Fortunately for you, there are some things you can do to lift the burden and ensure the roof over your head is rock-solid for years to come. Here’s some advice from the roofing experts at Century Home Improvements!

5.) Keep your gutters clean

This one may go overlooked, but keeping your gutters free-flowing and devoid of debris means water can roll right off your roof to be diverted away from your house. Likewise, if there are lots of trees on your property, take the time to trim away the foliage before it falls into your gutter. If your gutters always seem to be blocked, contact us to learn about how Gutter Helmet can help you!

4.) Invest in regular maintenance

Like many things, roof damage is often caught too late. It’s a good idea to visually inspect your shingles yearly, especially after inclement weather. Discovering damaged shingles quickly may mean the difference between a roof repair and a complete roof replacement. Regular roof maintenance not only keeps your roof looking good, but it keeps it safer and healthier in the long run. You should be on the lookout not only for damaged shingles, but drooping, sagging, missing or exposed fasteners, loose or missing flashing, and even sagging or damaged gutters.

3.) Make sure your home is properly insulated

Visually inspect your attic or top floor of your home to make sure the insulation is adequate. Improper insulation can cause cold and moisture to more easily leak into your home. At the same time, make sure your vents are allowing the right amount of air to circulate in and out of your home.

2.) Avoid power-washing your shingles

It may seem like a good way to clear yucky buildup from your roof shingles, but it’s also a good way to loosen the granules from the roof’s top coating, weakening your roof and drastically reducing both its efficiency and lifespan. Plus, any damage you do might not be covered by your warranty. Instead, trust a professional roof cleaning business or remove debris, moss, and anything else by hand. Because of the risks involved, we recommend trusting a professional.

1.) Give us a call!

Your satisfaction is our main priority, and that means making sure your home is always covered with a reliable roof. If you’re thinking about a new roof, we’ve got you covered! Trust the reliable, proven experts at Century Home Improvements to keep you and your family safe and secure! Contact us today for a free estimate !

Ask a Century Roofing Contractor: Roof Inspection

Fri, 06 Jun 2025 19:38:53 GMT

Roof Inspection Tips for Homeowners

Spring is a popular time for homeowners to get outdoors and do a roof inspection to determine how well their home’s roof has fared over the winter months and if they need to do any spring roof maintenance . During this time of year, our roofing contractors at Century Home Improvements strongly encourage all homeowners to conduct a basic roof inspection. A simple walkaround can go a long way toward ensuring you get the longest life from your roof and can help you correct any small problems before they become big ones. Here’s what to look for during your spring roof inspection.

Outside Roof Inspection

Shingle condition

If you have a shingled roof, check for shingles that appear buckled or curled . Buckling and curling are typically caused by intense heat over time, and shingles in this condition can lead to leaks. Buckled or curled shingles are also more susceptible to wind and weather damage.

Flashing

Pay attention to areas of your roof that include objects such as vent pipes, skylights, and satellite dishes as well as sections of the roof that butt up against the chimney or meet walls. These areas of your roof must be properly sealed and flashed so that rainwater is properly diverted around or away from them.

Drooping or sagging

Stand back from your home far enough to view the entire slope of the roof and check for any areas that appear to be drooping or sagging, as this can indicate a weak point in the roof. Drooping or sagging don’t necessarily mean your roof needs to be replaced, but they are conditions that need to be addressed before they turn into bigger problems.

Moss or other vegetation

Moss or other accumulation of vegetation on your roof is usually a sign that water is accumulating in that area instead of running off. Over time, pooling or standing water can weaken that area of your roof, and the root systems of the vegetation that is growing there can also damage your shingles and the roofing substrate and lead to leaks.

Inside Roof Inspection

If your home has an accessible attic, you can also inspect your roof from inside your home. Here’s what to look for.

Water stains and wet areas

Look up at the rafters and underside of your roof to check for wet areas or water stains, and alert your roofing contractor to any areas that appear to be damp. Signs of water don’t necessarily mean you need a new roof. Often they can simply be signs of damaged shingles or worn out flashing. Whatever the cause, you’ll want to have your roofing contractor find the source of leak and repair it before more serious leaking and water damage occur.

Wet or sunken insulation

Water leaks aren’t always readily apparent on the underside of the roof, especially if the water is entering and falling straight down. Look at the insulation in your attic and note any water stains on the paper side of rolled insulation and any sunken areas in blown-in insulation.

Daylight

When looking at the underside of your roof, you should not see any daylight shining through. If you do see daylight, you’ll also see evidence of water entry, and these issues need to be corrected as quickly as possible.

If you’re not comfortable conducting a roof inspection on your own, a Century Home Improvements roofing contractor can conduct it for you and also provide you with an estimate for any repairs that are needed or for roof replacement.

Click below to request an estimate online or to schedule an immediate appointment, call us at 717-616-2272.

Ask a Century Roofing Contractor: Roofing Material

Fri, 06 Jun 2025 19:35:29 GMT

Which roofing material is the best choice for my new roof?

Choosing a roofing material for your new roof is just one of several important decisions you’ll need to make, which is why it’s important to work with an experienced roofing contractor who can help guide these decisions from start to finish.

One decision you’ll need to make is selecting the material for your new roof. Homeowners often opt to replace their roofs with the same roofing material, but there are other options to consider if you’re ready to make a change.

Here’s an overview of the materials our roofing contractors prefer to use along with some features and benefits you may not have previously considered.

Asphalt

Asphalt, specifically asphalt shingles, is the most popular roofing material in the United States.

The popularity of asphalt shingles is attributed to their ability to effectively waterproof your roof while also being relatively inexpensive and easy to install.

Asphalt also comes in a variety of colors and styles, which gives homeowners a great deal of flexibility in creating the aesthetic appearance they want.

Asphalt can be made to look like cedar shake, slate, tile, and wood but comes at a lower cost and requires no maintenance.

Rubber

Rubber is a long-lasting, durable, and efficient roofing material for both residential and commercial roofing.

Roofing contractors recommend rubber because it can be installed with few or no seams, making it significantly less susceptible to leaks and deterioration.

Rubber is also UV-resistant and can last 50 years or more.

Compared to asphalt shingles, rubber is more expensive, but it lasts at least twice as long and is more energy efficient.

Metal

Our roofing contractors offer three metal options: copper, painted steel, and aluminum.

These metal roofing materials are popular because they can last for up to 70 years, and they are extremely durable and can withstand wind gusts up to 140 mph.

Metal materials are also energy-efficient and environmentally friendly, and they typically come with lengthy warranties of up to 35 years.

Metal roofing materials are more expensive than asphalt or rubber, but they offer a distinct aesthetic that lasts a lifetime.

Slate

Slate is one of the longest-lasting roofing materials and can perform for up to 100 years.

Slate provides a distinctive appearance that is complemented by its ability to repel mold growth.

Slate is also fire-resistant, and it has a low water absorption that protects it from frost and ice damage.

Slate is more costly than other roofing materials, and it is often chosen for its unique appearance and to protect the resale value of the home.

Choosing a roofing material that offers the right aesthetic and the right performance for your home and budget can be an intimidating task. Our licensed, experienced roofing contractors can help you choose the best material while also guiding you every step of the way through your roofing project. If you’re ready to get your roofing project started, give us a call or request an estimate today .

Planning for Retractable Awning Installation

Fri, 06 Jun 2025 19:33:41 GMT

Step 1: Request an estimate.

Century Home Improvements has decades of experience installing retractable awnings for homes and businesses. Our expertise allows us to deliver estimates quickly and accurately, and our estimates are good for 90 days. Our customers choose us for the quality of our retractable awning products , our fast, efficient installation, and our competitive pricing. We invite you to compare our offerings and pricing to other awning contractors. We’re sure you’ll immediately see the difference.

Step 2: Choose an installer.

Choosing an awning installer based on who has the lowest price can end up costing you more in the long run if the quality of your awning is poor or the installation isn’t done correctly. It can also result in damage to your home. Ask your friends or neighbors to recommend an installer or check out online reviews to make sure you’re choosing a reputable installer that stands behind their work.

Step 3: Select your options.

When you choose Century Home Improvements for your retractable awning installation, one of our awning experts will meet with you to gather all of the necessary information to create a seamless, stress-free installation experience. First, we’ll work with you to select the awning material and the color or pattern you want to complement your outdoor space. Our material options allow you to control how much sun, light penetration, and air movement you want from your retractable awning material, based on the type of material you choose. Your awning expert can review all of the options with you before you make your selection. For additional inspiration check out our Awning Gallery .

Next, if you didn’t already do so during the estimating stage, at this point you’ll also decide if you want a manual hand crank or a motor to extend and retract your new awning. You can also opt to add a wind sensor to your awning that will sense wind speed and automatically retract your awning in high wind and gusty conditions. This option is only available with a motorized awning. Because the wind sensor is an optional feature, if it was not included in your original estimate, it will result in an increase in the cost of your project. Your awning expert can discuss the wind sensor option with you and provide an amended estimate for your approval before beginning installation.

Step 4: Measure, plan, measure.

Once you’ve identified the location for your new retractable awning and how far you would like your awning to extend (coverage area), your awning expert will inspect the area and take several measurements to ensure proper placement, fit, and coverage prior to your installation. Our attention to detail, preplanning, and measuring ensure we have all of the necessary materials, tools, and hardware ready to go on installation day, and we’ll also discuss any actions you may need to take to prepare the installation site, such as removing furniture or tending to pets.

Step 5: Install.

By installation day, much of the work has already been done to prepare your retractable awning for installation. Your installers will arrive at your home with everything they need to install your new retractable awning quickly and professionally. Installation is typically completed within a few hours, and your installer will walk you through everything you need to know about your new retractable awning before they leave the site.

Step 6: After-installation support

Century Home Improvements stands behind every awning we install, and we’re here to help with any questions you may have following the installation of your retractable awning. We know you’ll enjoy your retractable awning for years to come, and we’re happy to support you anytime.

Start creating your unique outdoor space today with a retractable awning .

Take the next step to creating your ideal outdoor living space and call Century Home Improvements today or request an estimate online .

Signs Your Gutter Needs Cleaned in the Spring

Fri, 06 Jun 2025 19:31:17 GMT

Neglected to have your gutters cleaned this spring?
You’re not alone.

The unseasonably warm autumn of 2021 meant more time enjoying the outdoors and a longer-than-usual amount of time to wrap up home projects that get our homes ready for harsh, winter weather.

Except for one: Gutter cleaning.

When summer hangs on, like it did last year, so do the leaves. Warmer-than-usual autumns interfere with the natural process of trees receiving the signal (from cold weather) to drop their leaves (a process known as abscission).

By the time it got cold enough for the leaves to really come down in central Pennsylvania, many of us simply did not get around to the important seasonal task of checking our roofs and cleaning out our gutters.

That will spell trouble this spring.

If you did not clean your gutters in the fall, it’s an absolute must that you prioritize your gutters in the spring. A clogged gutter today is a nuisance. A clogged gutter left unattended is the source of major expenses.

Signs Your Gutter Needs Cleaned in the Spring

Winter weather will expose the condition of your gutters pretty readily. Here are some signs:

Sagging
Sagging gutters are a clear sign there is a problem regardless of the season. What does sagging mean? Too much weight! Leaves and debris are not only clogging the gutters and preventing them from moving water away from your house, as intended. They are also causing your gutters to pull away from your home.
Ice dams
An ice dam is a large chunk of ice that forms on the edge of your roof, often where the roof meets the gutter. Ice dams wreak all kinds of havoc on your roof, buckling shingles and allowing water to back up behind fascia boards. Ice dams can also cause gutters to tear away from your house.
Icicles
Insulation and ventilation issues can cause icicles but more commonly, icicles result from gutters filled with debris.

When spring arrives, you’ll have two more clear signs that your gutters are clogged: Plants sprouting and birds nesting. Don’t wait til then to address the problem. Call Century Home Improvemen t or contact us to schedule an appointment today .

Resources:

https://organicplantcarellc.com/why-trees-hold-dead-leaves-in-winter/

Pa’s warm fall, rainy summer might be impacting autumn foliage. Public News Service. (n.d.).

https://www.publicnewsservice.org/2021-10-14/climate-change-air-quality/pas-warm-fall-rainy-summer-might-be-impacting-autumn-foliage/a76116-1

Your Roof in Winter: What Mother Nature is Telling You

Fri, 06 Jun 2025 19:22:29 GMT

Your Roof in Winter: What Mother Nature is Telling You

How much do you think about your roof in winter? Probably not much.

We’ve had those crazy winters where it snows so much we worry about the weight of the snow on our roofs. But that’s the exception, not the norm.

Winter weather actually provides homeowners with important clues about a roof’s condition. In fact, some of the signs that a roof is aging and needs attention are easier to see in the winter season than any other time of year.

What is Mother Nature telling us? Here are some things to look for.

1. Roofing Granule Loss

Yes, it is normal for your roof to shed granules. In fact, this occurs even with new roofs. But, an increase in granule loss, which you can often see better after a winter storm that includes high winds, is a sign that your roof is aging.

Recommendation: After a winter wind storm, head outside to look for signs of granule loss. If you see granules around your home, conduct a visual inspection of the roof (from the ground or a ladder but NEVER use a ladder in wet, snowy, or icy or other winter conditions). If you see large areas of bald spots, it may be time to call a central Pennsylvania roofing professional who can come to your home and tell you exactly how well your roof is aging.

2. Leaks

While it may be normal to see some roof granules outside, it is not normal to see water spots inside on your ceiling or walls. Even the smallest water spot can suggest that your roof is aging and in need of professional attention.

Just because you don’t have water stains on an interior surface such as a ceiling or a wall doesn’t mean you don’t have trouble brewing. It is wise to inspect your roof from the attic at least once a year. If there are water spots, wet insulation, or condensation in your attic, call a professional for an assessment.

3. Buckling or Curling Shingles

There are many causes for buckling or curling shingles including sub-par initial installation and poor ventilation, but buckling or curling shingles can also indicate age on a roof.

A curling shingle, which is a shingle that has a slight upward curl on a lower, outer corner, is definitely cause for concern because it means your roof is being exposed to the elements. Harsh winter conditions including high winds can not only cause curling but can contribute to the eventual breakdown of a roof by increasing exposure of the sub-roofing materials to moisture and ice.

A word about ponding water

Does ponding water occur in the winter months? In central Pennsylvania it does, particularly when we have winters where temperatures are above average for long periods of time. In fact, you may be more likely to see ponding water in these conditions, when winter weather delivers a bit of snow or ice followed by a rise in temperatures resulting in ponding.

Ponding water is common on a flat or low-slope roof. But just because it is common doesn’t mean it is acceptable. Ponding water is defined as water that sits in a defined section of your roof for more than 48 hours. Ponding water will rapidly age your roof and should not be ignored.

Conduct a visual inspection of low-slope sections of your roof, from the ground, throughout the winter months if it is a winter in which temperatures are rising and falling. If there are sections of your roof with ponding water for more than 48 hours, contact a roofing professional for a formal assessment before things get worse.

Your roof can reduce energy costs

Winter is a good time to pay close attention to your roof. A new roof can reduce energy costs by up to 30%. Consulting with a professional roofer before the summer heat arrives can help you get ahead of high cooling costs and start saving faster.

Call Century Home Improvements today for a free, no obligation roofing inspection .

5 Hidden Benefits of Exterior Home Improvements

Fri, 06 Jun 2025 19:02:28 GMT

The Hidden Benefits of Making Exterior Home Improvements

Curb appeal is one of the most obvious benefits of exterior home improvements, but it may not be the most important one.

In fact, some of the best reasons to embark on an exterior renovation project have nothing to do with how much better your home will look when it’s done. Here are five benefits you may not have considered:

1. Cost Savings

This is the one most people talk about when weighing the benefits of an exterior project. Besides the often-discussed energy savings that most outside home improvements deliver, certain projects can also save you money on other costs, such as interior moisture damage and pest infestations. On projects like siding replacement , for example, hidden structural problems can be exposed and remediated before they cost you a fortune.

2. Less maintenance

Time is an often overlooked benefit when it comes to hiring a contractor to conduct a home repair or improvement. For bigger projects, this benefit becomes even greater. Thanks to the diminished amount of time you’ll spend maintaining new fixtures like windows , gutters , siding or a deck , you’ll have more time to spend with your friends and family. How can you put a price on that?

3. Resale value

Although curb appeal plays an important role in the value of your home, key improvements to your home’s front entry door , new replacement windows and a wood deck or sunroom addition provide tremendous investment returns when it comes to sell your home. Certain upgrades, like fiber cement siding , can actually return more than your investment at closing.

4. Comfort

Like more time with your friends and family, comfort can be difficult to quantify, but easy to appreciate. In addition to the added energy savings many exterior improvements provide, newer fixtures can provide better insulation to your home and reduce the seepage of cold or hot air, making the temperature in your living areas much more comfortable and easier to control.

5. Safety and security

You may not realize it, but those new windows you had installed are actually tougher to jimmy than your old dry-rotted ones. When you upgrade your old wooden door to a new steel entry door, home invaders are unlikely to even try to kick it in, and it may deter them completely. If your home is well maintained, well lit and features strong new fixtures, burglars may just mosey on to the next target rather than take such a giant risk.

If you’ve been considering an outside renovation or home improvement project, now is the time to start planning. Contact one of our design consultants today to get your FREE estimate.

Curling Shingles: What You Should Know

Fri, 06 Jun 2025 19:00:25 GMT

Curling Shingles

One curling shingle might not seem like a big deal, but multiple curling shingles? It’s time to take a closer look at your roof….and fast.

First of all, can we flatten a curling shingle and be on our merry way? Sure. Just lift the curling edge, sweep away the debris underneath (be sure to use a dry paint brush!), apply some roofing cement, press it down and…voila! Problem fixed.

The question is, should we flatten a curling shingle and keep on truckin’ like everything is fine and dandy with our roof?

The answer is: It depends.

One or two curled shingles is no (immediate) cause for concern. We add the caveat “immediate” because over time, a curled shingle will expose the roof to water which will contribute to the breakdown and aging of a roof. It’s also important to know that curling shingles do not mean that your roofer did a bad installation job. While this may be the case, it’s also very likely that the shingle is curling because the shingle itself is faulty or the shingle material is of low quality.

Multiple curled shingles, whether in clusters or popping up all over the roof, are a sign of trouble.

Curled shingles lead to roof leaks. The whole purpose of a shingle is to create a barrier between the elements and your roof. When a shingle curls, your roof is exposed to wind and rain, resulting in a faster-than-normal deterioration of one of the most expensive parts of your home (the national average cost to replace a roof is $8,300!).

So, one or two curled shingles won’t have a significant short-term impact on your roof but concentrated areas of curled shingles or smatterings of curled shingles over the entire roof (or much of it), are absolutely a sign of bad things to come.

Whether the quantity of curled shingles is one or many, this problem needs to be addressed. Here are actions you can consider:

Fix the curled shingles on your own*
There are plenty of resources online that can give you tips on how to fix the problem on your own. We always recommend hiring a professional for safety reasons, but fixing a curled shingle is something that some homeowners choose to do on their own.
Get a no-obligation assessment from a central PA roofer.
Be safe, not sorry. Call a roofer and ask them to come out and inspect your roof – inside and out – to determine the severity of the problem. You can call as many as three roofers to be sure you get an unbiased assessment.

While DIY is an option, a professional roofer like Century Home Improvements, has the tools, the talent, and the time to identify problems that the untrained eye might not see. This includes condensation and other small signs of leaks and water damage due to exposure that indicate your roof is in more trouble than you might realize. An early assessment can actually save you time and hassle by identifying small fixes rather than entire roof replacements .

One tip we share with all our clients is this: Inspect your roof seasonally . It’s important to know what your roof looks like when it’s healthy. That way, when something does look out of place, you will be able to spot it quickly. Curled shingles are something every homeowner should be looking for each season and especially after high wind storms.

For more information about curled shingles or roof inspections, call Century Home Improvements or request a free in-home estimate .

*Century Home Improvement is not responsible for any errors, damages, or injuries resulting from any DIY tip.

Resources:

https://www.forbes.com/advisor/home-improvement/cost-to-replace-roof/

Guide to Buying Replacement Windows

Fri, 06 Jun 2025 18:57:04 GMT

Quick Guide to Buying Replacement Windows

Replacing old and drafty windows with new energy efficient windows can pay off in the long run. Use this guide to buying replacement windows to help you figure out which window options will work best for you.

Windows are extremely important when it comes to your home’s design. Not only do they effect the interior and exterior look, but they also play a huge role in your home’s energy efficiency. High quality windows will cost you more, but over time they can offer a substantial payback in terms of the look of your home and energy savings.

When looking for new windows, the very first thing to look for is an energy efficient label. Energy efficient windows can reduce heat transfer by as much as 65 percent. Another thing to keep an eye out for is two or three-paned windows, more panes offer improved insulation. Modern glass windows also feature low-e coating which reduces the direct sun rays by 13 percent. Low-e glass can reduce your monthly energy costs by minimizing heat in the summer and containing heat in the winter.

Materials

Windows are generally made out of 6 different materials; wood, wood clad, aluminum, vinyl, fiberglass composite, and composite. Let’s take a look into the differences between them:

Wood: Sold in a variety of shapes and sizes, wood windows can enjoy a long life if maintained. They also rank high on the R-value, which is used to measure thermal resistance.

Wood clad: Vinyl and aluminum-clad wood offers the aesthetic look of wood on the interior and improved weather resistance on the exterior.

Aluminum: Very strong and durable, aluminum windows are less expensive than wood windows. The downsides are they are less stylish compared to wood windows and and don’t perform as well. Aluminum is also prone to condensation, which can lead to mold.

Vinyl: Long lasting and low maintenance . Vinyl cost less than wood, but it cannot be painted. Vinyl window are available in a wide range of colors and hues though.

Fiberglass composite: Another option that has the appearance of wood but less maintenance. Fiberglass can withstand extreme conditions, they don’t warp or sag in heat. They also don’t shrink in the cold.

Composite: Made from combining plastic and organic materials, composite windows are strong and energy efficient.

Designs

There are a variety of window designs . The most common are double-hung or single-hung, casement, sliding, awning, hopper, arched, bow, and bay. Let’s break them down:

Double-hung window or single-hung window: Both feature two sashes in a single frame, but a double-hung window offers sashes that slide up and down.

Casement window: These windows are hinged like a door. The window usually opens from the side.

Sliding window: These windows operate horizontally along a plastic or metal track. They have two sashes that can both be opened and closed.

Awning window: These windows open outward from a top hinge. Usually have one panel or glass and appear with another window style.

Hopper Window: These windows are usually used for basement ventilation. Hoppers are bottom hinged and top-opening.

Arched window: Arch-topped windows are typically fixed in place but there are also operable styles.

Bow window: These windows are made up of several same-sized glass panels that are assembled into a gentle curve. A bow window projects outward from the wall.

Bay Window: Another protruding window construction. Bays combine two angled side windows with one larger central window.

Selection

You should choose a window that suits the architectural style of your home. Opt for a size in proportion with the structure. You know you bought the right window when you achieve both symmetry and balance. Failure results in an exterior that never really looks right. At any showroom, professionals should be able to help you make decisions in choosing the right window for your home’s architecture and budget.

When it comes to installing windows it’s best to hire a professional , that way you can be sure your window fits properly. Choosing a quality energy efficient window will generally run between $500 to $1,200 for each window, depending on the style.

Wrapping It Up

Choosing a quality energy efficient window can be an expensive investment, but in the long run you’ll see a dramatic improvement in the looks and a drastic drop in the bills. Find a showroom to check out your options and get opinions. You should hire a professional to install your windows that way you know they will fit correctly.

Century Spouting is the leading home improvement company in the window replacement & installation areas, call today for your free estimate!

Storm-Proof Your Home Before the Rainy Season

Fri, 06 Jun 2025 18:13:14 GMT

Save Money by Storm-Proofing Your Home Ahead of the Rainy Season

You might not consider Pennsylvania particularly vulnerable to the heavy winds and rains that often characterize late summer and early fall in North America, but over the years, the Keystone State has weathered its share of fierce thunderstorms during these months.

Since it is quite difficult to predict when the next major weather event will occur—or where—it may be wise to take steps now to gird your home against late summer gales and heavy fall storms.

The best way to prepare your home for the Mid-Atlantic region’s rainy season is to do everything you can to direct water away from it and make sure those runoff channels are solid. Your focus should be on three primary areas: your rooftop , your gutters and your downspouts .

Roofs on older homes are the most vulnerable to wind damage and moisture intrusion, but even newer roofs can have trouble spots. Take time over the summer to inspect your roof* and look for obvious areas of weakness such as warped or missing shingles or popped roofing nail heads. If you have an attic, see if you can see any daylight where the walls meet the roof. These are all indications of problems that could result in serious damage in the face of high winds and heavy rain. Century Spouting’s professional roofers can assist you with determining what steps to take to boost the integrity of your roof.

When it comes to water runoff, one of the most important steps you can take to prevent wind and rain damage is to keep your gutters clear and clean. Seedpods, leaves and other debris will cause gutters to back up and overflow. If you don’t remove the debris, it can block water drainage and lead to damaged or leaky ceilings.

While you’re inspecting your gutters*, take a few moments to check where they connect to your downspouts. If they are loose or detached, make sure to secure them. Loose downspouts can easily blow away in high winds and create as much damage as blocked gutters. Century Spouting’s Seamless Spouting system is a great way to prevent leaks and breaks, while also adding to the beauty of your home.

Finally, extend your downspouts to keep water away from your home and to prevent moisture from infiltrating your basement and foundation. Oversaturation of the ground surrounding your home can cause significant unseen problems that may not be caught until it is too late to do anything about them.

When you have completed these tasks, give your insurance agent a call. Many homeowners’ insurance companies offer premium discounts or rebate programs for people who take steps to prepare their homes for hurricane season.

Century Spouting’s professional roofing and spouting contractors can provide you with many more tips on how to prevent damage during hurricane season. So don’t delay— contact one of our representatives today .

*NOTE: if your roof or gutters are too high, do not attempt to scale or inspect them yourself; this can be dangerous and even deadly. Call a professional.

Five Reasons to Invest in a Storm Door for Your Home

Fri, 06 Jun 2025 18:11:47 GMT

Why Invest in a Storm Door for Your Home?

Storm doors are excellent investments for your home, and their benefits last all year long. These are just five reasons to ask a professional to install a storm door on your home.

#1 Cost-Effective Replacement Alternative for Your Exterior Door

If your exterior door isn’t as young as it used to be—the weather stripping is worn, the door is faded from so much sun exposure, etc.—instead of replacing the door altogether, invest in a storm door . Adding a storm door to your home is easier on your budget than replacing your exterior door altogether.

#2 Preserve the Lifespan of Your Exterior Door

When you add a storm doo r to your home, you are taking the next step in preserving the appearance and functionality of your exterior door. The storm door serves as a shield against the battle of the elements—wind, rain, hail, snow—throughout the year, keeping your primary door intact longer and helping you save money in the long run.

#3 Let in the Light…Without the Bugs

A storm door makes an excellent addition to your home if you enjoy regular healthy doses of sunshine, especially in the spring and summer months. And natural light is full of benefits for you and your loved ones. The more you rely on sunlight, the less electricity you will use, which decreases monthly costs so you can save money for more family trips to the movies or dining out. Natural light also has a positive effect on mood, as well.

Adding a storm door with a window screen allows for better air circulation throughout your home, as well. You also won’t need to worry about bees, mosquitos, or other pesky winged insects that would otherwise invade your home and stir up your life if you left your main door open without a screen door.

Note: Glass storm doors can be detrimental to your main door if that part of your home is exposed to more than a few hours of sunlight a day. The glass will trap heat, which could damage the main door.

#4 Add Style to Your Home Exterior

Worried a storm door will detract from the appeal of your home exterior? No need. There are plenty to choose from! Storm doors come in all sorts of styles . Some have full glass fronts, displaying the whole of your main door, while others only have window panes. Some storm doors have pockets for homeowners to store the screens in the winter. Many storm doors are multi-functional and stylish.

#5 Add Extra Security

Most storm doors have a lock that can only be controlled from the inside of the home, so adding a storm door to the exterior of your house provides you with one more layer of protection. It may be a small step to improving the safety of your home and its inhabitants, but it’s a step in the right direction.

Hiring professionals to install your new storm door will ensure it is secure and properly functioning, and you will reduce the risk of voiding whatever warranty comes with your product.

The door specialists at Century Home Improvements can help you pick the storm door that’s best for your home and even install it, so you don’t have to lift a finger. Give us a call today.

Two Major Factors to Consider When It Comes to Your Home’s Downspouts

Fri, 06 Jun 2025 18:09:12 GMT

Two Major Factors to Consider When It Comes to Your Home’s Downspouts

The gutter system and downspouts of your home are the keys to the long term integrity of your home’s entire structure. When a gutter gets clogged, water will overflow during rainstorms, causing home erosion, rust, and other problems.

Downspouts are particularly important to your home because they direct water AWAY from the house. Newer homes usually have downspouts with underground drainpipes connected to them. Older homes, on the other hand, generally carry the water away from the house by means of an elbow, extension, and splash block system. Here are some key things to consider to avoid any downspout-related disasters.

Downspout Placement

Gutters should surround the perimeter of your home along the edge of the roof. Downspouts, on the other hand, don’t surround the entirety of your home and can’t be placed just anywhere. When they and your gutters are strategically placed around your home, rain water will flow smoothly , contributing to maintaining a dry and solid foundation.

The contents of clogged gutters and downspouts can weigh them down, increasing the probability of gutters detaching from your home. Not only is this a safety hazard, but misplaced gutters and downspouts often lead to wood rot due to exposed fascia, siding damage, and other harm to the exterior of your home.

And, just like the clogged gutter scenario, the consequences for your home and family can be severe. Having professionals install your spouting can actually save you thousands of dollars. In extreme cases, the damage inflicted on your home due to improperly installed spouting can run anywhere from $10,000 to $100,000. Would you rather hire a professional to install your spouting or pay for potentially avoidable repairs?

Downspout Drainage

Whether your house is young or old, properly designed downspout drainage helps preserve your home’s foundation and structure, giving you more time to enjoy the pleasures of life on the inside.

If you live in an older home with downspouts that feature elbows, extensions, and splash blocks, the drainage must be directed at least six feet away from your home. If your downspout does not release water at least six feet from your home, water runoff will create cracks in the foundation as well as crawlspace and/or basement flooding.

Regardless of the age of your home, runoff and water can do damage to both its exterior and interior. Water in your basement comes with its own dangers—it can lead to mildew and mold that may threaten the health of your loved ones, making your home a less welcoming environment.

Standing water, or water resting in your clogged spouting, creates ideal breeding grounds for mosquitos and other unwanted insects. With an insect infestation, you’re forced to give up cookouts and other exciting spring and summer outdoor get-togethers.

Siding replacement, roof repair , and other pains can be avoided by proper spouting installation. To ensure you receive the absolute best gutter and downspout solution for your home, it is always best to lean on the skills and experience of a professional contractor. Century Home Improvements is here to help with all your spouting needs . Give us a call or fill out the form to request a free on-site estimate.

5 Tax Refund Projects to Improve Your Home

Fri, 06 Jun 2025 18:06:38 GMT

5 Tax Refund Projects to Improve Your Home

Here are 5 tax refund projects to consider when you receive your federal tax refund this year. They include improvements for energy efficiency, curb appeal, sale-ability, and creating new spaces for you and your family to enjoy.

#1 Replace the front door

Replacing the front door of your home with a steel or fiberglass door not only adds curb appeal but added security. Get rid of old drafty doors with a new front door that can improve the insulation in your home.

#2 Add a deck

A deck is a highly desirable amenity . They are the perfect place to gather with friends or family during the warmer months. If you already have a deck, there are a few ways to spruce it up to get a longer life out of it. Check for loose boards, refinish it, or add new furniture or grill. Spruce up the landscaping around the deck to give it better curb appeal.

#3 Remodel the kitchen

The general rule of thumb is to spend 25% of the home’s value on a new kitchen. Update old appliances, replace cabinets, put in new counter tops to make the kitchen have a more modern look. Remodeling a kitchen is also a great way to attract buyers. If it looks outdated, potential buyers might not make an offer.

#4 Replace your older appliances

Modernize and add value to your home with new appliances. Save money on energy bills with energy efficient home appliances such as a dishwasher, washer, dryer, fridge, and oven.

#5 Replace windows

Cut down on heating and cooling bills with new windows . There are a variety of windows out there that can accommodate to your taste and your budget.

How Gutter Helmet® Works

Fri, 06 Jun 2025 18:04:34 GMT

How Gutter Helmet® works.

Gutter Helmet works by causing debris that would normally enter into your gutters to fall to the ground instead. The nose-forward design is engineered to allow the inflow of water while simultaneously preventing the entry of leaves, sticks, and other debris.

Gutter Helmet is one of the most effective products on the market for preventing leaves, seeds, branches, and other organic matter from accumulating in gutters and blocking water flow. Built to withstand wind speeds of up to 130 miles per hour, Gutter Helmet stays put and protects your home from the mold and mildew, landscape erosion, and cracked foundations that are often the result of clogged gutters. Gutter Helmet is also made to handle twice the amount of rain (22 inches per hour) ever recorded by the National Weather Service.

Gutter Helmet is specially designed to blend seamlessly into your roof line and offers 11 colors to choose from. Our professional technicians can install Gutter Helmet over new or existing gutters , and you can choose a style and color that complements the appearance of your home.

Gutter Helmet® Features & Benefits

Gutter Helmet is the only gutter protection system on the market that offers all of the following:

Triple Lifetime Warranty.
Patented nose-forward design.
Textured and ribbed surface.
PermaLife™ finish.
Heavy-duty mounting brackets.

And if you’ve ever had to muck out a clogged gutter, you already know one of the biggest real-world benefits of having Gutter Helmet installed: you’ll never have to do the job yourself!

Gutter Helmet® Installation

Century Home Improvements is a Gutter Helmet factory-trained and certified dealer. Every installation includes a careful assessment of your roof , gutters and fascia boards as well as gutter tune-up and realignment.

Learn more about how Gutter Helmet works and Gutter Helmet

Tips for Cleaning Your Siding

Fri, 06 Jun 2025 18:01:57 GMT

Now that warmer weather is upon us, it’s time to start checking things off that “to-do” list. Like most homeowners, you may be cleaning up the yard, mulching your garden, and painting a few shutters or lampposts. With all of the harsh weather we’ve experienced throughout the year, it is important to include the task of cleaning your siding on this season’s list of projects.

What You Should Do

For overlapping siding, use a soft-bristle brush with a long handle to get rid of any moss build up. You can mix your own cleaning solution by combining two cups of bleach with one cup of auto detergent in a bucket of water. For a more gentle cleaning solution, try a mixture of 70% water and 30% bleach. Remember to rinse siding before and after you scrub it with your solution. This will help maximize the effectiveness of your cleaning efforts.

If you have any plants near your siding, we recommend covering them to prevent any damage to your flowers, shrubs, etc. You may also want to turn off any nearby electrical equipment before you begin cleaning.

It is best to work from the top down for this task. While cleaning your siding, you will be scrubbing and rinsing one section at a time so that the solution does not dry and harden onto the surface. By working from the top down, you avoid rinsing dirt onto clean portions of siding, so you don’t end up cleaning the same area twice.

What to Avoid

Some cleaning products are too harsh to use on your siding and can actually damage its surface. We recommend that you avoid using solutions that contain organic solvents. Some common examples of products that contain these solvents include undiluted chlorine bleach, nail polish remover, and liquid grease removers.

It is important to clean your siding with a brush that is sturdy but not harsh enough to damage the siding’s surface. Abrasive scrub brushes and materials like steel wool should be avoided for this project.

Pressure washers may offer convenience, but they can also damage your siding and cause water to pass through its underside, creating the potential for mildew to accumulate behind your siding.

Cleaning your siding once a year doesn’t just add curb appeal, it also extends the life of your siding. So before the heat and humidity of summer set in, make sure your siding is prepared.

Century Spouting offers a full spectrum of home improvement services and guarantees high quality products and excellent service. Check out our Angie’s List page for more information !

7 Reasons to Consider Adding a Retractable Awning to Your Outdoor Living Space

Fri, 06 Jun 2025 17:59:04 GMT

As people spend more time at home, homeowners are exploring more ways and more spaces to entertain family and friends outdoors. One of the biggest challenges to planning outdoor activities is always the weather, but retractable awnings offer a lot more than just shelter from the rain. To show you all of the great benefits of retractable awnings, we asked our team of awning experts to share what they think are some advantages to adding a retractable awning to your home.

#1 The ultimate sunblock

In the summer sun, decks and patios can be brutal without the relief and protection provided by some shade. A retractable awning can help to cool down your outdoor space by as much as 20 degrees, and it allows you to enjoy its sublocking protection without having to slather on sunscreen.

#2 No more rain dates

A retractable awning allows you to be outdoors on your deck or patio virtually anytime, even when it’s raining. The rooflike surface repels water and directs it away from your outdoor space, so you can plan and enjoy outdoor activities without the worry of getting rained out.

#3 Makes your home feel bigger

Homeowners love the added space provided by an outdoor deck or patio, and complementing that space with a retractable awning makes it feel even more like an extension of the home. It also makes it easier to plan outdoor events and activities with a larger number of guests without having to worry about the weather.

#4 Saves energy indoors

Windows and doors that receive the shade created by a retractable awning help to control the temperature inside the home. In the hot summer months, retractable awnings can help to lower the indoor temperature by shading areas that would otherwise receive direct sunlight. Conversely, in the winter months, the awning can be retracted to allow the sunlight in to help heat the home. So, no matter what season of the year, retractable awnings can help you lower your energy costs.

#5 Protects outdoor furniture

When creating a comfortable deck or patio space , homeowners often invest in higher quality furniture beyond just lawn chairs. A retractable awning can help make your new outdoor furniture last longer by protecting it from daily sun exposure. It can also help to keep your furniture clean by blocking leaves, twigs, and other debris from collecting on surfaces and staining fabrics.

#6 Wind? No worries.

Retractable awnings give you complete control of your awning on windy days, as you can simply return them to their retracted position on days when winds are high or gusty. Retractable awnings can also be equipped with an optional wind sensor that will automatically retract the awning when winds are high.

#7 Outdoor movies anytime

One increasingly popular benefit of a retractable awning is creating a shady space to watch movies outdoors. Whether you have a movie screen or a flat white sheet for projecting your favorite movies onto, a retractable awning can provide the shade you need for outdoor viewing.

Start creating your unique outdoor space today .

Take the next step to creating your ideal outdoor living space and call Century Home Improvements today or request an estimate online .

We install quality products from these reputable manufacturers: SunSetter® Awnings , CraftBuilt® , and Sunesta® .

Leaking Gutters and How To Fix Them

Fri, 06 Jun 2025 17:06:45 GMT

Leaking Gutters & What You Can Do About It

April showers bring May flowers, and they can also expose leaking gutters on your home. If your gutters are leaking, it’s because rainwater is not flowing correctly through your gutter system and away from your home. The good news is that with proper maintenance, the chances of your gutters leaking are greatly reduced. Here are some common causes of gutter leaks and what you can do to prevent these conditions in your home’s gutter system.

Aging Gutters

Leaks commonly occur in gutters because of their age. Older gutters typically come in sections and are either screwed or sealed together. Over time, the sealants break down and the screws fall out or come loose, allowing water to leak through the seams.

The Fix: One option is to remove the old sealant and replace it with a sealer that is specified for gutters. This will close up the leaks and prolong the life of your gutters. The other option is to replace your gutters and have new seamless gutters installed. To decide which option is best and most affordable for your home and budget, contact a professional to assess the condition and make an expert recommendation.

Improperly Sloped Gutters

Why This Causes Leaking: Gutters require a gentle slope to efficiently move water to the downspout. If the slope isn’t right or your gutters are sagging, the water will pool. This pooling causes gutters to corrode and rust and causes sealants to fail, resulting in leaking gutters.

The Fix: Have a professional gutter installer check the slope of your gutters and adjust as necessary.

Loose Gutters

Why This Causes Leaking: If your gutters are pulling away or falling off your home, it may look like you have a leak, but the real issue is that the water is running off your roof and in between the gutters and the roof’s edge.

The Fix: Reattach the gutters and install a stronger fastener if needed. In some cases, roof-to-gutter flashing may be required, but this option will only work if the fascia board to which it connects isn’t rotten or weak. Checking your fasteners should be part of your annual home maintenance. It can also be performed as part of a routine roof inspection conducted by a professional roofing contractor.

Clogged Gutters

Why This Causes Leaking: Although clogged gutters aren’t always leaking gutters, they are a big reason gutters end up with leaks. A gutter is not meant to handle the weight of wet debris and standing water. The excess weight can cause seams to fail, and gutters to sag and pull away from the home—all of which lead to what appears to be a leaking gutter.

The Fix: Safely clean out your gutters twice a year or hire professionals to maintain your gutters. Also, installing a gutter guard system, like Gutter Helmet , will keep your gutters flowing freely without the need to climb a ladder.

For more information or assistance with your leaking gutters, visit our Gutters and Spouting page or call 717-616-2272.

Spring Roofing Maintenance Checklist

Fri, 06 Jun 2025 17:01:24 GMT

Spring Roofing Maintenance Checklist

Extreme winter conditions often prevent homeowners from performing the necessary maintenance to keep their homes and yards in perfect working order. Not only that, but high winds, snow and hail can cause damage that needs to be inspected and repaired once the weather begins to warm. Spring is an ideal time to handle these maintenance chores and get your property ready for the summer months ahead. Here is a checklist of spring maintenance tasks to get you started.

Check the Roof

The most integral part of any home is the roof. Unfortunately, it is also the part most susceptible to unexpected damage. Every homeowner should check the roof for damage in the spring, just to make sure the harsh winter months haven’t left broken shingles or leaky holes destined to grow worse with time. While thorough roof inspections and repairs are best left to specialists , a cautious homeowner can do some preliminary work on their own. Look for any areas of discoloration, any missing shingles, curled shingles, heavy loss of stone coating and mold growth.

Clean the Gutters

Gutters do much more than keep you from getting soaked when you pass under the eaves of your house. By redirecting the flow of runoff away from the foundation of the house, gutters are one of the most important elements of proper home maintenance . When they are clogged up and unable to work properly, however, they may as well not be there at all. Each time the wind blows, the potential for debris to fill your gutters increases. The only way to insure that gutters are free flowing 100% of the time is with the installation of Gutter Helmet . Gutter Helmet is the industry standard gutter protection attempt to duplicate. The other method is to make sure you clean gutters out whenever leaves, twigs or seed pods plug the including springtime. You can also use this time to make sure the gutters themselves are undamaged.

Lawn Maintenance

Lawn maintenance is a year-round job, but it is especially important in the spring. With just a little work now, you can save yourself from several headaches later in the year. Start by raking up any leaves and debris left there by the winter storms. This is also a good time to fertilize the lawn, though many experts recommend using only a light feeding in the spring in conjunction with a heavier one in the fall.

Replace Your Filters

Homeowners can hardly go wrong with a regular A/C filter changing schedule, but if you haven’t done it in a while, you may as well make it a part of your spring maintenance checklist. When a filter gets clogged with dust and dirt, it forces your air conditioning system to work that much harder. This will wear out your HVAC system much more quickly and lead to more expensive electricity bills in the meantime.

General Maintenance

Depending on where you live and the nature of your property, your prioritized tasks will differ substantially from others. Focus on finding the maintenance chores most important to you and your family and get them done before the hot summer rolls around and steals your motivation.

Century Spouting is the leading home improvement company in the spouting & gutters and roofing repairs & installation areas, call today for your free estimate!

Triple Cove Crown Gutter Profile

Fri, 06 Jun 2025 16:57:56 GMT

Triple Cove Crown Gutter Profile Offers Contemporary Style

With Profile Gutter Systems from Century Home Improvements, homeowners now have more choices for enhancing exterior design elements and adding curb appeal with distinctive and attractive gutter profile options. One of the latest additions to the gutter profiles offered by Century is the Triple Cove Crown profile, which is quickly becoming a popular alternative to the traditional one-step or two-step style gutter. The Triple Cove Crown is a seamless gutter available in a 6-inch size, and it is offered in 25 standard colors plus special order colors , making it an even more unique and contemporary architectural element when compared to traditional white gutters.

Like other K-style gutters, the Triple Cove Crown features a flat bottom and back, so it offers the same effective water management and performance as its traditional counterparts. What makes the Cove style unique is the profile on the front of the gutter, which is more ornate than the standard “stepped” gutter profile styles that have been ubiquitous for so long. When this profile design is blended with other exterior design elements, such as architectural roof shingles and siding, the effect is like adding crown molding to complete a fully coordinated and finished look that adds to the aesthetic of your home.

Advantages of Seamless Gutters

Triple Cove Crown gutters are seamless gutters , which means they are formed in long, continuous pieces to eliminate as many seams as possible in the construction of your gutter system. Fewer seams mean the system has fewer points that can leak or collect debris, which makes for a better-performing and longer-lasting gutter system. Your gutter installation team forms the gutters on site using aluminum material and molding equipment to produce the desired profile in the required lengths for your home. Aluminum is the most common material used for gutters because it is lightweight, durable and cost-effective, and with proper installation and care, aluminum gutters can last for more than 20 years.

To see examples of gutter systems and styles from Century Home Improvements, visit our Gutter Installation and Replacement Gallery . To schedule an appointment for a consultation and free estimate, call us at 717-616-2272, or use the estimate request form and we will get back to you as quickly as possible.

Announcing An Ownership Change at Century Home Improvements

Fri, 06 Jun 2025 16:54:30 GMT

Thomas (Tod) Dohl is Now President and Owner of Century Spouting Co. Inc.

We are pleased to announce that Century Spouting Co. has had a change of ownership. After over a year of planning and preparation, on May 6 th Tod Dohl purchased the company from Marshall Nowak, the previous owner. Tod has been a manager with Century for 7 years, and has played a key role in helping Century to grow and meet the needs of its customers. We are excited to continue serving our customers with Tod in his new role as President/Owner of Century Spouting Co. Inc.

Tod is a veteran of the US Army Reserves and has worked in all aspects of residential and commercial construction for the last 28 years of his career. He comes from a family of carpenters and home builders, and is excited to carry on this tradition with Century Home Improvements.

Most importantly to you, the customer, is that this transition will not impact the services you have contracted us to do. Your contract price and any deposit that you have made are secure and unchanged. Century Home Improvements will continue to make certain that we maintain the reputation and good standing that we have managed to build over the past 46 years. Century will continue to offer the same quality products and top-notch services that have made us your “No Worries Contractor”.

Tod’s dedication to you is that we will continue to operate Century in accordance with our mission statement, “To provide our customers with the best products and professional service possible. To contribute to our neighbors and community through service and engagement.”

If you have any questions or concerns about your project please feel free to contact us and we will be happy to talk to you personally.

Thank you for choosing Century Home Improvements as your No Worries Contractor.

Ask a Century Roofing Contractor: Roof Replacement

Fri, 06 Jun 2025 16:38:57 GMT

How will you know when it’s time to replace your roof?

Deciding when it’s time for roof replacement can be a difficult decision, and it’s one that nearly every homeowner is faced with at least once while living in their home.

To make this decision, it’s important to be prepared with all the right information to ensure you don’t replace your roof too soon or wait too long and risk significant deterioration or more costly roof failure. To help you know when it’s time for roof replacement, our Century roofing contractors have put together a checklist of questions to answer before starting this project.

What material is your roof made of?

Asphalt shingles are the most common roofing material in the United States, but your roof may also be made of rubber, copper, painted steel, aluminum, or slate. Knowing which material your roof is made of will help you assess how long it is supposed to last. This information is especially helpful if you don’t have installation records or a warranty for your current roof.

What is the age of your roof?

When you purchased your home, the age of your roof was likely included in the seller’s disclosure. Look in your home’s sale documents to find this information. If it’s not there, you can make an educated guess based on how long you have been living in your home as well as the visible condition of your roof. You may also be able to find this information in your home inspection report if you had one conducted before purchasing your home. Both the material and the age of your roof can help you decide whether to repair a roof problem or
invest in roof replacement.

Do you have a warranty and is the warranty still active?

If your current roof is still under warranty, you may be able to have your roof repaired or replaced at no cost to you, depending on the terms of the warranty. If you’re unsure of what your warranty covers, you can call a Century roofing contractor to assess the condition of your roof and review the warranty with you. You can also contact your original roofing contractor to help you make this determination.

Is there damage to your roof or is your roof failing?

If you’ve had catastrophic damage to your roof caused by a downed tree, a weather event, or other unexpected accident, you’ll need to work with your homeowner’s insurance and go through the proper channels to have your home evaluated for roof repair or roof replacement. For all other roof conditions, such as leaks, missing shingles, sagging, and buckling, you can first do a visual inspection to assess the nature and severity of the damage and then contact a roofing contractor to further assist you in deciding whether the damage can be repaired or if your roof should be replaced.

Because repairing and roof replacement can be a costly decision, it’s important to work with an experienced roofing contractor that you trust to help you assess your roof and make the right choice . Our roofing contractors are always here to help, and we can provide a free estimate for roof repairs or replacement that is good for 90 days.

Why Summer is the Best Time to Renew Your Roof

Fri, 06 Jun 2025 16:33:25 GMT

Summer Offers the Ideal Conditions for Roof Replacement

When your roof is in desperate need of repair or replacement the soonest you can get it done is best, no matter the season. If you have the luxury of picking an ideal time, summer is perfect for your roof repair or replacement . Below we discuss 3 reasons why summer is the best time for your roof repair or replacement.

Other than the occasional thunderstorm, summer weather in the East Coast, specifically Pennsylvania, is often very predictable. This allows roofers to conduct your repair or replacement without your home getting sabotages by storm damage while it’s most vulnerable.
Depending on when you schedule your appointment in the summer, you most likely will be able to secure a good price for your roofer’s services. In the spring, most roofer companies are in to their “busy season” and prices are likely to be higher around that time. If you wait until summer or even late summer, roofers want to continue to stay busy and are eager to clean our products so you are more likely to see sales or discounts.
Another good reason to choose summer for your roof replacement has to do with the type of roof that you choose. For example, if you choose traditional asphalt shingles, you need to have temperatures that stay evenly in mid-to-high range temperatures for an extended length of time; the lowest the temperatures can get during this adjustment period is roughly 40 degrees Fahrenheit. The temperature is unlikely to drop below that threshold in the months after summer, making it an ideal time for you to replace your home’s roof.

All things considered, there are many valid reasons why summer is the most popular time for homeowners to have their roofs replaced. The bottom line; plan ahead. The best way to take care of your home and roof is to replace it when it needs to be replaced , not after. Plan ahead to get the project done at a good time before it’s too busy or too cold. Don’t hesitate to talk to a trustworthy roofing company like Century Home Improvements and see what time of the year they recommend for you.

Fall is the Perfect Time to Check Your Roof

Fri, 06 Jun 2025 16:30:35 GMT

Is your roof on your fall home maintenance checklist?

Did you know that 1% of the value of your home should be set aside annually to cover the costs of emergency home repairs (Williams, 2022). Of course, there are variables that impact how much you should set aside, such as size and age of home, but at least it’s a goal for many homeowners who don’t want to be caught off guard by high costs associated with unexpected repairs. Emergency home repairs account for 51% of all home repairs costs (iProperty) and the average homeowner spends just over $3100 per year on maintenance and repairs (iProperty).

Roof repairs are among the top 10 most expensive unexpected costs. “The cost of roof repairs is highly dependent on the construction material as well as the extent of the repairs (iProperty)”. Roofing materials are rising by as much as 20% (Roofcalc.com).

That means it’s time to get out there and check your roof . Here are some tips for homeowners who want to conduct a thorough – and safe – visual roof inspection.

Pro Tip – Homeowners often ask us if it is necessary to get on a ladder in order to inspect the roof. Our answer? No! Grab a pair of binoculars and conduct a visual roof inspection with two feet planted safely on the ground!

Exterior: know what you are looking for: Before you begin your visual roof inspection, know the signs of a roof in distress. These include missing or torn shingles, shingle granules on the ground, sagging or broken gutters , moss growth, exposed nail heads, and any bowing in any portion of the roof – even the smallest degree.

Pro Tip – We recently had a homeowner ask us about using a drone to conduct a visual roof inspection. Our answer? If you have one, why not! This is a great option if your roof is too steep, you do not want to use a ladder, or are just not confident in conducting a visual inspection from the ground floor alone. If you have a drone, live in an area where it’s acceptable to fly one, and want to gain a bird’s eye view of your roof, go for it!

2. Interior: know what you are looking for: Water stains on the ceiling and walls are the most prominent internal signs that a roof is failing that you will notice when conducting an interior inspection. But you also want to consider that increases in moisture inside your home (which can manifest as moisture droplets on walls, windows, and floors) can also be a sign that your roof needs professional attention.

Pro Tip – Ready to call a roofer about your findings? Take a photo and then make that phone call! We find that customers are better able to describe the problem they’ve unearthed when they are able to reference the issue during our initial call. But more importantly, having that initial photo allows you – and us – to see if the problem is quickly progressing. This is especially true of interior signs of roof failure and water stains!

3. Pay close attention to silent signs of roof failure: Most of us know that when we inspect a roof, we should look for cracked or buckled shingles . And, many homeowners can easily identify moss. But, algae is much more difficult to identify. In fact, we find that homeowners are far more willing to dismiss the signs of algae as something that is a normal part of a roof’s aging process.
Algae appears as dark spots on shingles or streaks on your roof. Most homeowners think these streaks or spots are dirt. Nine times out of 10, it’s actually algae, a silent killer that will accelerate the deterioration of your roof.

Pro Tip – Don’t reach for your hose … or power washer … just yet. Once you realize you have algae on your roof it’s tempting to take care of it yourself. Stop! Call a roofer and ask for a roof inspection before you do anything. We’ve had homeowners wash away evidence of a failing roof when in reality, a professional assessment was needed. It may be more cost-effective for a roofer to make a spot repair on your roof to address the algae-affected area than to replace an entire roof if the problem is allowed to fester … or if bigger problems are lurking elsewhere!

4. Gutters need inspections too! If you’re taking time to inspect your roof, it makes sense to consider the health of your gutters as well. Weeds and grass and mini-trees growing out of a gutter are an obvious sign there’s a problem (we’ve all seen gutters like this, right???!!!). Sagging or bowing gutters, gutters that sit at a downward slanting angle (away from the house toward the yard), cracks and missing hardware are easy-to-see signs that your gutters need attention. And don’t forget to make a point to check for water pooling around your home the next time it rains.

Pro Tip – Don’t forget to check your plumbing vent boot. The pipe that helps vent moisture from your home is an often overlooked but very important part of a roof inspection. Look for cracks, missing nails, broken shingles – any sign that there is stress on the base of your plumbing vent boot.

Remember: An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. With the cost of gas, utilities, and groceries on the rise, the last thing you want is to pay for expensive, unexpected home repairs. Save yourself a little money today by conducting a visual roof inspection.

Most expensive home repairs. iPropertyManagement.com.
Why Roofing Prices Keep Going up in 2022. Why Roofing Prices Keep Going Up In 2022 | RoofCalc.org
Williams, T. (2022, March 8). Rule of thumb: How much to budget for home maintenance. The Balance.

Is It Time To Replace My Siding?

Fri, 06 Jun 2025 16:23:59 GMT

Is It Time To Replace My Siding?

It’s a question we hear frequently….how do I know if it’s time to replace my siding?

You hear the crackling….you see the buckling….you turn a blind eye to the signs of mold forming here and there on your siding. So what, right? It’ll be fine.

No.

Siding protects your home from the elements . It’s as important as your roof when it comes to preventing structural damage from wind and rain, and it provides a critical barrier to large-scale pest invasions. Water damage to your home’s interior is the most significant and expensive consequence to neglecting your siding. Why allow the repair bills to stack into the thousands when a simple, bi-annual practice of inspecting your siding can allow you to address small problems before they balloon into large ones?

Replacement Siding Signs

What are some signs that it’s time to replace your siding? Some of them are crystal clear. Others? Not so much. It’s important to know all the signs and to schedule a visual siding inspection of your home each fall and spring. The best time to do it? Right now! Call (717) 616-2272

Sagging Siding

Sagging siding sounds innocent, but it’s not. Sagging siding is loose siding. This can be caused by myriad problems from poor installation (too loose or too tight), proximity to a heat source (like a grill), or improper water tightness in your home leading to moisture that weakens the siding’s integrity, causing it to loosen and sag.

Sagging siding can be more difficult to spot than missing or cracked siding, so we recommend using binoculars if inspecting from the ground or hiring a professional to take a close look at your entire house for you.

Cracks …. And Crackling

Cracked siding is often the result of impact. Maybe your kids are playing a little too fast and loose with that basketball or you’ve just weathered an early autumn hurricane with high winds. Any hard object that makes contact with your home has the potential to crack your siding. In our experience, cracked siding is the type of damage homeowners are most likely to overlook because it can appear as though only the top surface of the siding is damaged.

The truth is, cracked siding still exposes your home to the potential for damage from moisture and pests. It can also be the easiest and least expensive way to head off major problems in the future. If you call a professional early, the damaged area can be fixed, preventing a larger replacement project later.

As for crackling, that sound your home makes when the sun hits it and the siding begins to creak and pop, while that might seem like a comforting, normal sound, it can also indicate a problem. The snap, crackle, pop of your siding suggests either movement of your home and subsequent shifting of your siding or that the siding was installed too tightly or too loosely. Either way, call a professional for a formal assessment.

Dry Rot

If you have dry rot, do not delay, call a professional to inspect your siding and make a recommendation on next steps. Dry rot is a serious sign of trouble and if not remedied quickly will lead to long-term problems and expensive repairs.

What is dry rot? Dry rot occurs when moisture is allowed to repeatedly reach wooden structural elements of your home, like fascia, trim or the actual siding panels that help form your home’s framework. Dry rot leads to fungus which eats away at the wood. The result can be dangerous structural instability in your home.

Missing pieces of siding or ill-fitting siding can create conditions under which dry rot occurs. It’s easier to spot missing pieces of siding than it is to know if your siding was improperly installed and is considered to be “ill-fitting.” Signs of ill-fitting or carelessly installed siding include dips or rises in the siding from row to row (this means that it is not considered level). Missing end pieces or custom-fit pieces around doors and windows can also indicate improper installation. When inspecting your siding, pay careful attention to these details and if you spot them, scan for potential issues that lie under the surface…like the dreaded dry rot.

It’s time to inspect your siding!

What are you waiting for? It’s time to get out there and inspect your siding. If you’ve taken the time to visually inspect your roof, you need to pay as much attention to inspecting your siding. If you have any questions at all, call a professional to help you assess your home’s overall condition. If you’re in need of new siding , check out our Exterior Siding Buyer’s Guide .

When Bad Weather Strikes, Watch Out for Roofing Scams

Fri, 06 Jun 2025 16:21:40 GMT

When Bad Weather Strikes, Watch Out for Roofing Scams

How to spot “storm chasers” and roof repair rip-offs

Heavy snow, large hail, high winds, torrential rains — when Central PA is hit with bad weather, we know that roofing repairs will soon follow. Unfortunately, sometimes our bad weather can also bring bad roofing contractors who look for opportunities to take advantage of homeowners in their time of need.

Reputable roofing contractors like us call these bad actors “storm chasers” because they move in and target areas that have been affected by severe weather like hail and wind damage. Storm chasers are known for performing shoddy repair work and then quickly disappearing, along with your hard-earned money.

Think you might have been the victim of a storm chaser for a recent post-storm roof repair? Here are some telltale signs that can signal you may have been duped.

Arriving unannounced. Storm chasers are always on the move, so they tend to show up suddenly in a neighborhood right after bad weather. Sometimes they’ll distribute flyers in the area. Other times, a salesperson may walk right up and knock on your door.
Free inspection, with a catch. Trustworthy roofing contractors will frequently provide a free inspection to assess the condition of your roof, but most of us won’t do so unsolicited, and we certainly won’t just show up and knock on your door. So, beware the offer of an unsolicited free inspection, as this can just be a tactic to get someone on your roof to find problems that may not be there.
High-pressure sales tactics. Storm chasers will often push you to sign a contract immediately to qualify for a soon-to-expire discount, or they’ll insist on starting the repair work right away. This is part of their strategy to get in, get out, and disappear as quickly as possible before you have time to ask too many questions.
Requesting full payment up front. It’s not unusual for a roofing contractor to request a partial deposit before beginning a repair job, but it is highly suspicious to demand full payment before the work has even started. Putting all the money in a stranger’s hands before you see the quality of the work just isn’t a good idea.
Lack of references and reviews. Customer references and positive reviews are key components of establishing trust with a new client. Storm chasers noticeably leave these out of the conversation because their reviews are bad and their references don’t exist.

Three Ways To Protect Yourself From Storm Chasers

Not all storm chasers are easy to spot, so it’s also important to be armed with the right information to ensure you are dealing with a reputable roofing contractor for your repairs. By following these easy steps, you’ll quickly know if you’re talking to a legitimate contractor and protect yourself from being targeted by a storm chaser.

1. Ask for the roofing contractor’s HIC number.

In Pennsylvania, contractors who earn more than $5,000 per year from home improvement work are required to register and obtain a home improvement contractor (HIC) number. You can use this number to confirm that the contractor in question is legally operating in PA and has verified proof of insurance. HIC verification is simple with the Home Improvement Contractor Registration Search tool available on the Pennsylvania Attorney General’s website.

2. Check the contractor’s online reviews and request references.

A reputable, well-established roofing contractor that does good work will have online reviews and references of past customers that attest to their work quality. Consider the source of the reviews, the specificity of the feedback, and the overall balance of positive and negative comments. Additionally, reaching out directly to provided references can provide insights into a contractor’s capabilities and work ethic.

3. Never agree to pay the full amount upfront before the work has started.

Full upfront payment is generally considered bad business, and in the case of the storm chaser, it gives them the opportunity to walk off with your money without doing any work at all. Trustworthy roofing contractors will typically request a partial down payment prior to beginning work, or they will wait until the work is complete to provide an invoice. They will also provide a contract that details the work they intend to perform.

Taking these steps is a simple way to protect yourself against fraud and ensure that you’re hiring a qualified professional to perform your roof repairs.

Did a Storm Chaser Repair Your Roof? Don’t Worry!

If you’re worried that your roof was repaired by a storm chaser and you’re concerned about the quality of the repair work, give us a call! We’re always happy to send one of our roofing experts to your home to have a look and determine if your repairs were done right. Call 717-616-2272

What is a Sunroom?

Fri, 06 Jun 2025 16:15:32 GMT

What Exactly is a Sunroom?

As the name implies a sunroom attempts to bring in as much natural light into a space as possible. This type of room can serve various functions; it can be a space for your plants, an extension to your existing house, or a cozy spot to relish the sunrise and sunset
regardless of the climate.

Adding a sunroom to your home not only enhances its value but also creates a distinctive and welcoming
living area that everyone can enjoy.

Where to Add a Sunroom

Sunrooms can be added to any home, although they are typically created from decks, patios, or porches in the backyard. Factors like location, desired light, privacy concerns, and available space all influence where to place a sunroom as well.

Typical Locations

In our experience we have seen that most people tend to want to add their sunroom on one side of the house or in the back of the house. We typically build sunrooms on the east or south side of a house as we are in the northern hemisphere.

This is a common practice because of the positioning of the sun in this region. The orientation of the sunrooms allows for maximum sunlight exposure throughout the day. This design choice also helps create a warm and inviting space for occupants to enjoy.

An eastern facing sunroom tends to get tons of early morning sun, perfect for those early risers who want to sip their coffee as the sun rises while still being comfortable enough to sit under the harsher afternoon peak.

On the other hand, sunrooms facing the south will enjoy a balanced spread of sunlight during the day. This is an excellent choice for individuals who desire their sunroom to be brimming with plants and a pleasant area that effortlessly merges the indoor and outdoor spaces into a cohesive whole.

Other Considerations

Beyond just putting your sunroom somewhere, you should take into mind a few other concerns when deciding where to build a sunroom.

As alluded to in the above sections, questions of the amount of light wanted are of particular importance. Do you or your family want a room that always has light in it or a room that serves as a space only to be used in the mornings or enjoyed in the evenings?

Another factor to consider when thinking about adding a sunroom to your home is the total available space needed. This point is perhaps the most important because if your home and yard isn’t spacious enough to accommodate a sunroom addition then the idea of having a sunroom is moot.

Finally the last consideration is privacy. Where do you want your sunroom to be? Do you want to have the sunroom facing out front to catch the best light? Would you rather add the room to one side of your house tucked away, or perhaps you want the room to serve as a private getaway that blends into the lush greenery of your backyard?

Types of Sunrooms

Usually a sunroom is a glassed-in area with large windows that is attached to the house proper, but not hooked to the house’s AC or HVAC system, matching more closely to the temperature outside. That’s not to say that one cannot have a sunroom that is connected to your home’s HVAC or AC system.

Three Season Sunroom

Typically, if you would prefer to enjoy your sunroom without the extra effort (or don’t want a more expensive AC or heating bill) we suggest that you go with a three season sunroom.

Judging by the name, it’s easy to guess that this type of sunroom is mainly used to enjoy spring, summer, and fall as the winter season will make the room too cold to properly enjoy.

However, a sunroom can be enjoyed all year round if given proper window treatments, such as using energy efficient glass panels to keep the room insulated during the colder months.

Four Season Sunroom

Conversely, a four season sunroom is typically hooked up to your home’s heating and AC system and allows you to enjoy the space no matter what season or what the outside temperature is.

Sunroom Ideas for Decor

Part of the fun of having a sunroom is getting to decorate it in a way that matches your particular aesthetic vision. These elements can be boiled down to a few options that play a rather significant role; things like material, the type of furniture, and even the type of windows used.

Color Scheme

Like most interior design projects, it helps to center the area or space by choosing a color scheme that not only complements the rest of the house but can stand out on its own.

After all, you should want to spend a lot of time in your room you love. Because the sunroom will naturally receive lots of light, opting for off-whites, neutral grays, or soft whites are safe choices.

However, if you’re a bit more bold and want your sunroom to truly impress, lean into decorating using bright blues, deep purples, bright oranges, rich greens, and even pale yellows for the room.

Furniture

Another major question for when adding a sunroom to your home should be “what function will this room serve?”

Will the sunroom be a dining space? Then obviously it will need a dining table and accompanying chairs. Or will your sunroom be a relaxed living room? If so, a comfy couch and chairs with a nice accent rug with a modern coffee table may be the way to go.

Or perhaps the sunroom will serve a variety of purposes so it’s best to have multifunctional furniture that can be adapted and suit your needs.

Greenery

A great way to brighten ( pardon the pun ) up your sunroom is to add some greenery to it. Including potted plants and flowers goes a long way in making your living space feel inviting and cozy. Adding plants can serve to better highlight the original function of a sunroom; the merging of the outside with the inside.

Differences to Other Outdoor Spaces

The sunroom is not the only type of room that blends the outside and inside into a holistic space, there are other types of rooms and spaces that are similar to a sunroom but differ in unique ways.

Screen Room

A screen room is like a sunroom, but with mesh screens instead of glass windows. A screen room lets the outside temperature in while keeping bugs out. Screen rooms sometimes act as communal rooms, but that’s often not the express intent of a screen room.

Attached Greenhouse

An attached greenhouse is like a sunroom but only for plants. These rooms tend to be smaller as well. They are also intended to receive plenty of sunlight and are arranged specifically for growing plants. The room may also have different humidity and temperature levels than the rest of the house.

Solarium

While the terms “sunroom” and “solarium” may be used interchangeably, the words themselves actually describe two distinct room types. The difference between them is a subtle, but crucial one. A sunroom’s roof is typically made from traditional roofing materials, while a solarium’s roof is also made of large glass roof panels, or what’s called skylight windows to allow as much sunlight into the room as possible.

Indoor Patio

An indoor patio does share similar DNA with both a screen room and a sun room, but differs in that an indoor patio isn’t necessarily a new addition to your home , but rather a pre-existing area that was converted from a primarily outdoor space to an indoor one.

The windows of this space can either be glass or screen, but the primary differentiating factor is that the space itself was pre-existing and not an addition to the house.

Sunroom Cost and Pricing

Adding and designing a sunroom can vary in cost depending on factors like time, materials, and location. However, you can call us for a free estimate to get started!

Conclusion

A sunroom is a flexible and beneficial extension to any residence, offering a room bathed in natural sunlight and a natural link to the outside environment. Whether it’s for unwinding, hosting guests, or appreciating nature, enhancing the overall quality of your life.

A Handy End-of-Summer Home Maintenance Checklist

Thu, 05 Jun 2025 13:43:28 GMT

Here’s a handy checklist of items to review before winter’s frigid fingers grab hold of your home:

Century Home Improvements

6 Considerations When Shopping for Replacement Windows

#1 How Long Will the Windows Last?

#2 Warranty

#3 Frames

#4 Energy Efficiency

#5 Security Locks

#6 Window Types

Annual Roof Inspection

A Quick Roof Inspection during the Beginning of Summer to Prevent Expensive Repairs Later

Roof Inspections

Don’t Forget The Gutters

Winterizing Your Home

6 Heating Fixes for Your Sunroom This Winter

Extensive Projects

Quick Fixes

Five Summer Home Improvement Projects

Go Well Beyond Summer with These 5 Home Improvement Projects

Keep Your Door Looking Great

Items Needed

Steps

When Is It Time To Replace Vinyl Siding?

5 Questions To Ask Before A Home Remodel

5 Questions To Ask Before Deciding To Remodel Your Home

Shed Debris and Allow Water To Flow Freely Into Gutters: How Gutter Helmet Helps Your Home & Your Life

Shed Debris and Allow Water To Flow Freely Into Gutters: How Gutter Helmet Helps Your Home & Your Life

Four Home Improvement Projects To Do Over The Winter Months

Four Home Improvement Projects To Do Over The Winter Months

Seamless Gutters vs. Regular Gutters

What’s the difference between seamless gutters and regular gutters?

How Awnings Can Save You Money All Year Long

How Awnings Can Save You Money All Year Long

Five Exterior Home Improvements That Add The Most Value To Your Home

5 Exterior Home Improvements That Add The Most Value To Your Home

5 Questions to Ask When Looking for a Home Improvement Contractor

Five Questions to Ask When Looking for a Home Improvement Contractor

#1 Are they established?

#2 Are they reputable?

#3 Are they candid?

#4 Are they professional?

#5 Are they user friendly

5 Improvements That Will Increase the Resale Value of Your Investment Property

#1 Siding Replacement

#2 Steel Entry Door

#3 Replacement Windows

#4 Wood Deck

#5 Family Room or Sun Room Addition

5 Tips to Save Money and Get the Most From Your Contractor

6 Reasons to Add a Patio Cover to Your Home

Adding a patio to your home is always a great idea, but people who build them quickly discover that something is missing.

#1 Elegance

#2 Comfort

#3 Entertainment

#4 Value

#5 Space

#6 Nature

8 Steps to Recover from a Bad Contractor Experience

A Handy End-of-Summer Home Maintenance Checklist

Finding the Best Roof Type for Your Home

The Exterior Siding Buyer’s Guide

Five Tips for Preparing Your Deck for Winter

#1 Clean Up the Debris

#2 Scrub Away Mildew

#3 Remove Decorative Items

#4 Deck Use in Winter

#5 An Advanced Tip for Deck Enthusiasts

Five Signs It’s Time to Replace Your Windows

#1 Your Home Feels Drafty

#2 The Window is Difficult to Open and/or Close

#3 The Window Won’t Stay Open

#4 You Can’t Lock Your Window

#5 Condensation Forms on the Inside of Your Window

Your Year-Round Home Maintenance Checklist

Attic Condensation or Roof Leak? What You Need to Know

The Cause of Attic Moisture Problems

Reduce Excess Moisture

Provide Ample Ventilation

Call a Pro

5 Signs That It’s Time to Replace Your Gutters

Backyard Updates to Make the Most Out of Barbeque Season

A Quick Roof Inspection during the Beginning of Summer to Prevent
Expensive Repairs Later

Check out the video below to see how
Gutter Helmet Makes Cleaning a Breeze!

Neglected to have your gutters cleaned this spring?
You’re not alone.