We have a flat roof on our garage that’s been leaking.  The roofing is at least 15 -20 years old.  It was tarred by the previous owners to try to fix the leaks.  We even tried tarring it as a temporary fix.  That only moved the leak to over parts of the roof.  Flat roofs are difficult to keep from having problems.

I had a few roofers and contractors in to discuss how to fix the problem.  They all agreed that we needed a new roof (you can tell from the photo above).  They differed on how to fix the problem. 

One contractor suggested using GAF Liberty roofing.  It’s an asphalt mix made especially for low sloping roofs.  In the end I decided our roof was too flat for this option.

Another contractor recommended a rubber roofing the comes in 4 feet wide rolls.  Some varieties of this needs to be torched to seal the seams.  I didn’t want a torch to be used on our roof and was worried about all of those seams leaking in the future.

The last contractor recommended using a large rubber sheet to put on the roof.  This made the most sense to me in terms of staving off future leaks.  Also, that contractor installed the same material on the flat roof on his daughter’s house (she’s our neighbor).  That’s a good recommendation for me!  This rubber has only a couple of seams with a cement adhesive.

There is another area on the house that has a low slope (but not as flat).  This roof you can see from the ground, so they put the Liberty roofing there and matched the color to the regular roof. 

You can see in the image above how the Liberty roof in the foreground matches the regular roof in the background.

Talk to a few roofers to see what they recommend for your roof.  Often you get a better idea which is the best choice for you after you hear all the options.

You can use a program like Photoshop to try out different combinations for your house.  I wanted to see how a specific color would look and how it would look covering up the bricks.  (I feel like the bricks give it an old house look and I want it to look more updated.)

My son held a sample up to the house.  (Please note that my camera distorted the color a bit.  It was a cloudy day.)

I used the clone stamp in Photoshop to paint the siding on the house where I wanted to side it.  Eventually, once I added large swathes of siding on the house, I copied and pasted bigger pieces.  I added the cornices above the upper windows from another photo I had of another house.  I also painted the foundation a different color using the paint tools.

It’s not a perfect representation, but in an hour, I was able to come up with this photo to get a general idea of how the house will look covering the bricks and using this color siding.

UPDATE

Several people have asked if we can perform a service like this for them.  The answer is yes!  If you’re interested in seeing a preview of major work on your house before you commit, please write us at info@shortandlongofit.com .  We’ll send you information as to pricing and procedure.  [For a project like the one above, we’ll charge $100 (via Paypal).  You’ll need to send us a photo of your house and a photo of a sample of the siding.  But please write first, since available slots are limited.]

We had to replace our roof.  According to my contractor, the major brands are similar in quality: Certainteed and GAF Timberline seem to be comparable.  He said Tamko is heavier.  That’s important if you’re starting surface isn’t smooth, like when you’re going over another roof instead of stripping the old one off.  (Though I noticed that CertainTeed had a lawsuit against it.)

Colors are tricky.  If you’re very precise about color – BEWARE!  The samples you see in the store and the brochures can be different from what you’re going to get.  If this is very important to you, I’d recommend asking for a sheet of roofing to see what the current batches look like.  Also, roofs can fade over time.

The photo below shows the roof we got versus the sample in the book.  The sample is much brighter.  (The middle one is supposed to be the same color as the shingles.  It’s Cetainteed Weathered Wood.)

Our roof has less brown in it than the sample.  It has more grays and burgundies. 

Another point to consider when you choose a roof color is how variegated it is and whether you want a more consistent look or if you like contrasting shingles.

For some definitely not G-Rated ideas about redoing your bathroom read Steaming Up the Bathroom on CalFinder.

O la la!.

If you’d like to include a custom wind cellar or wine rack as part of your renovation project, you can find everything you need at Grotto.

They feature the cabinets themselves, and also refrigeration and accessories.

Kitchen and Bath Warehouse sells the supplies you’ll need for projects in those areas.  They also have a blog and a collection of articles with helpful advice.

(ARA) - Showering is about so much more than just getting clean. Especially in stressful economic times, the bathroom can be a sanctuary — the one private spot in the house where we are free to be totally ourselves, singing loudly and off-key in the shower and indulging ourselves with lather, rinse and repeat.

The average American adult spends 8 to 10 minutes in the shower every day, according to several surveys on the topic. Upgrading your shower can help elevate those minutes from soothing to sensational. Plus, bathroom improvements are a proven way to increase your home’s value.

So what are some hot trends and easy ways to make the most of your shower time? Here are a few ideas:

Showerhead secrets

If you’re still showering under the same old showerhead that provides only a mediocre spray and coverage, it’s time to try something new. From single- and multi-setting massaging showerheads to rainfall options and bodysprays that pour a soothing sprinkle overhead, today’s showerheads create a wide variety of experiences. Check out your local home improvement store or kitchen and bath showroom to get an idea of the options available.

Adding a handshower — either to replace an old one or to enhance an existing shower — is another easy, cost-effective option for punching up your shower experience. Long valued for their flexibility — handshowers are a great way to keep kids, pets and the shower itself clean — the handshower is also getting a smart upgrade with products like Kohler’s new, affordable Flipside handshower.

While traditional handshowers have featured just one sprayface, the Flipside offers four sprayfaces that rotate. Each sprayface provides a different experience in an easy-to-hold and use handshower, including a traditional spray for maximum water coverage, a denser and enveloping downpour, a drenching spray and an invigorating massage spray. Visit www.kohler.com to learn more.

Dress up doors

Most of us probably don’t think about our shower doors much until it’s time to clean them. If your shower door sports scratched acrylic, lime build up and dirty, corroded door tracks, you can boost the look of your shower — not to mention your mood — by installing a new door.

Beauty and practicality are the watchwords of modern shower doors. Manufacturers like Sterling have given these necessary items a touch of class and elegance, blended with a healthy dose of functionality. The manufacturer offers 17 different decorative shower doors, from frosted with a viewing portal to a style that evokes the designs of Frank Lloyd Wright. A quick way to add a finishing touch to your shower area, the doors include easy-to-clean features like CleanCoat, which helps the door shed dirt and soap buildup, and a unique bottom track system that features smooth tracks that lack the crevices where grime builds up in traditional shower door tracks. What’s more, some models, like Sterling’s Finesse line, install in as little as 15 minutes with just an Allen wrench. To learn more, visit www.SterlingPlumbing.com.

You’re surrounded

Finally, if you just can’t bear the chipped pink ceramic tile straight out of the 50s, or the rust-stained porcelain tub that was old when your grandparents were young, a bath/shower surround can be a quick, easy way to put a fresh, modern face on your shower.

A bath/shower surround incorporates three walls, the bathtub and shower doors into a single, seamless unit that is easy to install and maintain. Installing a surround is frequently less costly and quicker than creating one piecemeal with separate tub, shower walls and doors.

For those really looking for ease of installation, consider the Sterling Accord bath/shower. It’s affordable and fast to install with an innovative click-together, caulkless wall system that saves time and money.

Courtesy of ARAcontent

I have found some tips and help finding contractors for your renovation. Here is the website.

Silestone Quartz Countertops, as the name suggests, sells quartz countertops. There are many different styles of countertops available, so you are likely to find one that matches your kitchen.

If you are designing your bathroom, you need to consider the lighting. lightingbathroomfixtures.com/ gives tips about lighting the bathroom. The downside is that there are no images, so if you want to see what something looks like, you will have to do a Google image search yourself.