In Raleigh, winter can be an unpredictable season. Routine winter gutter maintenance is vital to protect your gutters before the cold weather arrives. Snow and ice can damage your gutter system and roof. The team at Kingsford Home Improvements offers a wide range of gutter services, including:

• Gutter Installation
• Gutter Cleaning
• Gutter Guards
• Gutter Maintenance  

Our services are designed to keep your gutters in top condition all season. We can help you troubleshoot any issues and suggest the best action. Winter gutter maintenance is crucial. 

Gutter Inspection

Annual gutter inspection is essential, and inspecting your gutters after a significant storm will ensure they haven’t sustained damage. Inspections are crucial to keeping your gutter system operating correctly. If your gutter system has damage or performance issues, contact Kingsford, the professional home improvement company, for an in-depth gutter inspection, installation, or repair. 

Gutter Cleaning

It is vital to clean your gutters all year round to keep them free of debris. Clogged gutters can form ice jams in freezing temperatures which can cause severe damage to your gutters and roof. The professional at Kingsford Home Improvements can efficiently clean gutters to remove leaves and debris.

Gutter Guards

Gutter guards reduce the debris that can clog your gutters, prevent damage, and extend the life of your gutters.   

Kingsford’s gutter installation services near me can install gutter guards quickly and efficiently. The gutter guards lay flat on top of your gutters and have small holes that allow water to pass through to keep leaves and other debris out. Gutter guards come in various colors.  

Gutter Maintenance   

Gutters are vital to the structure of your home since they keep water away from the foundation. Gutters need regular maintenance to ensure they are functioning correctly. The professional gutter contractors near me in Raleigh, North Carolina, can inspect, clean, and repair your gutter system.

Schedule a free consultation with Kingsford today to discuss keeping your gutters in excellent working condition.

Having a new front door installation for your home can be a great idea. When you get a new front door for your home there are many benefits:

Improved Security

Newer doors are now made with stronger materials and better locks. The door frames are reinforced too. Depending on the type of door you choose there can be smart locks and or multi-point locking systems for extra protection. 

Improved Energy Efficiency 

New doors are now more energy-efficient. New doors can have insulated cores such as polyurethane or steel foam. This helps to maintain the indoor temperature of your home. This can help reduce monthly energy costs.  

Enhanced Curb Appeal

A new front door for your home can really improve the appearance. Getting a new front door is probably one of the easiest and most cost effective way to boost your home’s first impression.

Noise Reduction

New front doors that are solid-core and insulated really reduce the outside noise. This makes your home more quiet and comfortable. This is a great idea if you live nearby a heavy traffic area. 

Weather Protection

When you get a new door with modern sealants it will make a world of difference. This will prevent any drafts, water leaks and pests coming into your home. Finally, this reduces the risk of mold and or water damage.

Low Maintenance 

New Doors that are made of fiberglass, steel or composite doors are virtually maintenance free. These types of doors are not easy to warp, crack or rot. All of this offers you peace of mind.

Smart Featured Doors

Many of the newer doors are totally compatible with Smart Locks, Video Doorbells and other home security systems. This adds more convenience and your peace of mind.

Here at Kingsford Home Improvements we specialize in new front doors. We can help you get a great new front door for your home. We operate installing front doors in Durham, Raleigh and Chapel Hill areas.

Have you been thinking about a New Front Door Installation? If you would like to have a no obligation estimate for your home click here to set up a consultation!

The roof is your home’s first line of defense against the natural elements, and this is especially true if you live in Durham or Raleigh, North Carolina, which can see multiple seasons in a day.

Your roof safeguards your home from the outside weather, including rain, sun, and wind, and helps enhance home improvement and its value over time. 

The crowning glory of your home requires regular maintenance by skilled roofers to ensure that your family remains safe, warm, and dry all year round. But often, homeowners face a dilemma on whether to give their roofs new life by replacing or patching up existing ones. Some homeowners even feel that the money they shell out for an entirely new roof isn’t worth it, but this couldn’t be further from the truth. In this article, Kingsford, your trusted local roofing company in NC, will walk you through some critical benefits of installing a new roof.

Benefits of a New Roof

Improved Curb Appeal

People choose to put on a new roof when it’s badly damaged to improve its appearance. New roofs with architectural shingles are more attractive than their older counterparts. You can also enhance curb appeal by having your roof reshingled in a color that compliments exterior paint and landscaping around your home.

Adding to Resale Value

In addition to improving your home’s curb appeal, renewing your roof is also one of the best investments you can make if you plan to sell your house. Homeowners who have their roofs replaced before listing their homes enjoy an 80% close rate, unlike those with older roofs that only experience a 48% closing rate. According to Remodeling Magazine, buyers perceive houses with new roofs as better insulated and more energy-efficient. Additionally, it’s one less thing for a potential buyer to worry about in the future.

Energy Efficiency

A well-installed and properly maintained roof can keep your home cool in summers and warm in winters. Recent innovations in roofing technologies have seen the development of affordable products that can significantly reduce your energy bills as they reflect heat away from the house.

Added Strength

If installed by professionals, a new roof is also more substantial than an older one. Modern-day roofs are built using high-performance materials to hold up against intense weather conditions like hurricanes and ice storms without undergoing too much damage.

So, when you have a sturdy roof that can handle strong weather elements, your home is sure to be safe from all kinds of harm.

Improved Indoor Air Quality

A brand new roof is also an excellent insulator, which means your home’s air quality will remain high as it restricts air transfer from outside into your house. In addition, most modern roofs are built with materials that allow maximum ventilation and circulation specially designed to remove humidity efficiently during wet seasons.

Manufacturer’s Warranty

Most homeowners might not realize that the roofing materials they install on their homes come with warranties between 20 and 50 years. But in most cases, these warranties usually cover defects and damages caused by defective materials and manufacturer quality. The problem with this is that manufacturers only provide warranties for the original buyer of the product, which means that when you sell your home or it changes hands, all warranty claims become void.

With a new roof installed on your Durham property, you get the manufacturer’s warranty and a ‘Peace of Mind’ warranty that comes with knowing you’ve got state-of-the-art roofing materials installed on your home.

Cleaning Safety

One of the most often overlooked benefits of getting a new roof is the increased safety around your home. Older roofs have all sorts of hidden dangers such as:

• Loose shingles and tiles can cause a significant hazard.
• Dormer vents and ridges with sharp edges can lead to severe injuries if not handled carefully.
• Moss and algae grow around the gables of your home, which if left unattended for too long could end up causing severe damage to the roof.
• Gutters and downspouts have been damaged by wind or falling debris, making cleanup a significant headache.

All these problems are eliminated with a brand new roof, making it safe for the home improvement contractors or roof cleaners to carry out routine inspections and cleanups.

Limited Maintenance

While the manufacturer’s warranty covers your new roof, you must follow the recommended maintenance schedule and keep it in tip-top shape.

However, one of the best things about a new roof is that, unlike an older one, it rarely needs repairs and only needs to be inspected by the roofing contractor once every couple of years. So, instead of devoting hours and hours of your time every year to cleaning the exterior surfaces, you can use this time to focus on other important tasks around your home.

Newer Technology

Most homes only had a single layer of asphalt shingles as their roofs in the past. Today you can choose from various options, including metal roofing, high-tech ceramic coatings, and engineered wood products. The best part is that many of these new technologies are energy-efficient and environmentally friendly.

Suppose you’re planning to invest in a new roof for your Raleigh home. In that case, you can rest assured knowing that the materials and products will be compatible with your neighborhood and environmental conditions.

The fact that most of these projects include eco-friendly features such as:

• Solar panels
• Heat reflective surfaces to reduce energy bills
• Environmental friendly insulation materials to promote energy savings
• Asphalt shingles made from recycled materials
• Gutters and downspouts with 6 inches of insulation

These are the perfect replacement for old un-insulated versions, making them an environmentally friendly roofing solution that respects Mother Earth.

Add Features

Adding features such as skylights, solar panels, or more windows to your Raleigh home is an expensive project that can easily cost several thousand dollars. However, with a new roof, you also get the opportunity to install these features while incurring only minor additional costs.

One of the most popular additions is skylights, which have become very popular among homeowners because they allow natural light to enter the house, reducing energy consumption and making rooms appear more prominent.

A Brand New Look

Finally, the last benefit of getting a new roof is that you can give your home a whole new look with just one project. By choosing a new color for your roof, your house will look completely different and give your home a ‘brand new’ appearance.

When it comes to turning a drab-looking home into something that turns heads, a brand new roof is one of the best choices. All you have to do is decide which home improvement benefits interest you the most and contact a roofing contractor near me to get started.

Kingsford – Your Trusted Local Roofer in North Carolina

If you’re looking for the best deal on a brand new roof, give us a call, and we’ll be happy to provide you with an estimate. We offer quality new roof installation and roofing repair services to commercial and residential customers at affordable prices.

Everybody thinks about spring cleaning, but what about fall preparation? There are many things you should do to or check on your home to ensure it’s prepared for winter. Failing to prepare now could lead to costly repairs in the spring – or mid-winter emergencies.

From the experts at Kingsford Home Improvements in Durham, NC, here are 10 things you should do to prepare your home for winter.

Seal Your Driveway, Concrete Patio, and Walkways

All concrete eventually develops cracks. During the winter, water can seep into the cracks, freeze, and expand, worsening the cracks. Before cold weather hits, apply a concrete sealer to all flat exterior concrete surfaces.

Test Your Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Detectors

Most house fires happen during the winter, and with houses closed up tight, it’s also prime time for carbon monoxide poisoning. Make sure your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors are all functioning properly and have fresh batteries. Don’t have a carbon monoxide detector? Get one – it could save your family’s life.

Clean Your Gutters

Once most of the leaves have fallen off the trees, you need to clean out your gutters. Clogged gutters overflow and send water down the side of your home, where it contributes to the deterioration of your home’s exterior and foundation as well as causing water infiltration in your basement and under concrete porches and walkways.

Winterize You Sprinklers, Pool, and Outside Faucets

Water expands when it freezes, busting pipes and any other closed system. Get your sprinklers blown out, shut down your pool and prepare it for winter, and drain all outside faucets.

Seal, Caulk, and Paint Exterior Wood

The wood trim around your exterior doors and windows is simply 1” thick pine that can quickly deteriorate if you don’t protect it. Before winter hits each year, caulk and paint all your exterior trim. That can help you avoid the cost and hassle of having to replace it because it has rotted.

You should also check your deck to make sure it’s still protected. Pour some water on your deck, and if it soaks into the wood rather than beading up, it’s time to stain and seal your deck.

Check Your HVAC System

At the very least, you should change your filters. It’s better to have your entire system inspected by a professional. The average lifespan of an HVAC system is 12-15 years. Regular inspections and maintenance may help extend the life of your system. Besides, it’s better to discover heating problems before outdoor temperatures plummet and leave you in the cold.

Protect Your Attic From Critters

Squirrels, birds, and other small animals may try to get inside your home in the winter, so before the temperatures drop, check for any places they could get in. Trim trees so branches aren’t too close to your roof, make sure gable vents are intact, and check your soffit and fascia for holes animals could sneak through.

Prep Expensive Yard and Lawn Care Equipment

Gas can go bad, especially after freezing, so drain the gas from your mower and any other gas-powered equipment – you can pour it into your car’s gas tank rather than wasting it.

Do an Energy Audit

Check all your door seals – if you can see daylight around your door, cold air can get in. Use spray foam insulation around drafty outlets and light switches. It’s also a good idea to have a professional energy audit. The savings you see on your utility bills make it a good investment.

Prepare for Snow Removal

Make sure you have at least one good shovel before the first flakes fly so you don’t have to compete with your neighbors trying to buy the last shovel at the store. Stock up on salt for your sidewalks and sand or kitty litter for your car’s trunk. Start your snowblower and make sure it works.

Contact Kingsford Home Improvements

If, while preparing your home for winter, you discovered some repairs that are too big for you to handle yourself, contact Kingsford Home Improvements in Durham, NC today. We can help repair your roof, siding, deck, gutters, doors, and more. Our staff respects your home and privacy and will do everything possible to ensure our work doesn’t disrupt your lifestyle.

When it comes to home improvement projects, all we’re really doing is trying to create our dream homes while also adding to the curb appeal and increasing the financial investment of the property. However, we often find that homeowners get so caught up in trying to tackle multiple projects at once that they get overwhelmed with it all shortly after starting. 

Instead of piling onto every part of your home that you want to change, start by making a checklist and moving through it. If you’re concerned about your home’s aesthetics, a great and simple way to update the exterior is with new window shutters.

The shutters on your home currently can either make the house look very dated and old-fashioned or create a clashing appearance depending on the color of your vinyl siding. Whatever the reason may be for wanting to change them, Kingsford Home Improvements is here to walk you through the process from start to finish.

With a team of experts behind us, we’re equipped to help guide you in the right direction when it comes to choosing the right style and color for your home’s new window shutters, and we’re also here when you need us to install them for you.

Request A Consultation For New Window Shutters Today!

Window shutters, though a small project, can have massively positive effects on your home by improving its curb appeal, increasing the property value, and of course, adding an easy personalization to your unique house.

If you’re in need of new windows too before the colder months hit, we’re also here to help you choose new eco-friendly windows that keep the heat in and shut the cold out. What better way is there to complement your brand-new window shutters?
To learn more about your options, request a consultation today from Kingsford in Durham, NC. We can’t wait to upgrade your home!

Ahh, fall – the season of pumpkin spice, cozy sweaters, and binge-watching our favorite Halloween movies. At Kingsford Home Improvements, we love watching the weather change in the fall, but we also know that it’s an important time for homeowners to begin inspecting their homes for preventative maintenance needs.

After all, the leaves sure can look beautiful when they first fall, but after a few months, winter sets in and makes it glaringly obvious who took their fall inspections seriously and who did not.

Luckily, we’re here to give you a checklist of items that you should definitely examine before autumn fully hits. 

1. Roofs – Before too many leaves fall and begin to decay on your roof, make sure that the surface, as well as the gutters and downspouts, are free of moss and debris that can cause problems later on.
2. Yard – If you see signs of insects or animals around your yard, particularly close to your home or by your garages/crawlspaces, this could indicate that pests have an opportunity to get into your home – and perhaps are already setting up shop. Before the truly cold weather arrives and drives more of them indoors, you should call a professional to help restore your vinyl siding.
3. Doors & Windows – When a home has old doors or windows, it’s likely that you’ll lose any warm air coming from your heating system which will then drive up your electric bill. The time to replace windows and doors is before the cold weather hits, not during.
4. Patios – Many of our customers love using their patios well into the colder months, but if you don’t have coverage for yours, it could be a lost space for you during winter. Consider renovating your patio into a space that can be enjoyed all year round.
5. Deck – Rain, hail, and snow can wreak havoc on a deck, so if yours is looking a little worse for wear, it is better to have it taken care of before the end of autumn. Composite decking is a tougher material than wood because it can stand up to the elements and doesn’t require special care.

Keep Your Home Safe and Protected This Fall

If you are finding issues around your home that will need to be addressed before the winter, Kingsford can help you handle them in a timely and efficient manner. With a team of experts who are experienced in all aspects of home improvement, we will be by your side to help you determine what you need and implement it for you.

Don’t wait on preparing your home for fall – contact Kingsford Home Improvements today to speak to one of our team members.