Martino Home Improvements Blog

Energy Savings Through Windows in Bloomfield Hills, MI

We've gotten a lot of calls for insulation lately. It seems like everyone in Oakland County Michigan is looking to save on their energy bills and keep their home warm this winter. Aside from insulating your home, you can save money and energy with the right windows. Window R-Values As mentioned before, R-value measures how well a construction material insulates. The higher the R-value, the better the material is. Conventional fiberglass battens usually have an R-value of 10.9. An average glass window has an R-value of one, which means that a lot of energy can pass through easily. It's been [...]

2022-09-28T14:28:21-04:00Categories: Windows|Tags: , |

Benefits of Blown-In Insulation in Royal Oak, MI

Right now it's all about insulation here in Oakland County Michigan. With the low temperatures, everyone's preparing themselves for the cold winter ahead. Here at Martino Home Improvements, we like to ensure that our customers get the most out of their insulation, which is why we go with blown-in insulation. There are many reasons why this type of insulation is better. Let us show you. 1. Creates A Tighter Fit Blown-in insulation gets into all the tight spots that other insulation materials can't reach. Everything gets sealed, not just the outer layer. This keeps more airflow out. 2. Keeps Moisture [...]

Ways to Winterize Your Windows in Royal Oak, MI

Oh dreaded winter. Are you sick of hearing about the oncoming snow and storms yet? We're a bit sick of talking about it, but we at Martino Home Improvements want to make sure that our customers are prepared. That's why we're going to go over tips for winterizing your home windows. These tips will help you save on your energy bills and protect your home. 1. Install Storm Windows Did you know that storm doors and windows can increase energy efficiency by 45%? That's what makes installing storm windows worth it. To do this you simply remove your screens, clean [...]

2022-09-28T14:30:11-04:00Categories: Windows|Tags: , |

How to Clear Snow from Your Roof in Michigan

We got a taste of snow already here in Oakland County, Michigan last week. It was a wake up call that winter is coming and with it snow, shoveling, and slippery sidewalks. Our roofers have installed a lot of new roofs recently and we'd like to see those roofs last. One way that you can help your roof is to clear the snow off of it in the winter. The extra weight isn't good for your roof, whether you have a new or old roof. You can try heating cables. These have to be professionally installed, but once they [...]

2022-09-28T14:31:06-04:00Categories: Roofing|Tags: |

Protecting Your Concrete from Michigan’s Snow

Happy Holidays from everyone at Martino Home Improvements After an unusually warm Thanksgiving, it may seem strange to talk about snow. But anyone who's lived in Oakland County Michigan knows that it can hit anytime. If you've lived here your whole life, you probably know how to handle snow and snow removal. However, you may not know that you are damaging the concrete around your home with de-icers and salt. Find out how and how to prevent it below. How De-Icers and Salt Ruin Concrete Concrete de-icer mixes with snow and ice to form a liquid brine that lowers [...]

2022-09-28T14:32:07-04:00Categories: Concrete|Tags: |

Does your Southfield Roof Need to be Replaced or Repaired?

A common mistake that we see here in Southfield, Michigan, is homeowners who call us in for a roof repair when they need a roof replacement and vice versa. It can be hard to tell when a roof just needs a fix and when it requires tearing down and rebuilding. Here are some ways to tell the difference. Age Your roof's age is a big factor in whether or not you can repair or replace it. Usually a good rule is that if your roof is 15 years old or less that it's cheaper to repair. If your roof is [...]

2022-09-28T14:33:11-04:00Categories: Roofing|Tags: , |

Pros and Cons of a Concrete Driveway in Livonia Michigan

While concrete is usually the number one choice for driveways here in Livonia, Michigan, they're not the only choice. You can go with pebble driveways or asphalt. However, since concrete is the popular choice, we'll go over the pros and cons of concrete driveways. Pros Long-Lasting Concrete usually doesn't crack for a long time after it's poured. In addition, potholes very rarely occur in concrete driveways. So, you can expect your concrete driveway to outlast all the other materials like asphalt and gravel. 30 years or more is a good estimate for concrete's life span. Temperature If you've ever touched [...]

2022-09-28T14:52:06-04:00Categories: Concrete|Tags: , |

Do You Have a Window Leak in the Detroit Metro Area?

With all the rain we've been getting here in Oakland County, Michigan you may be dealing with leaking windows. We've seen these leaks go undetected all the time and it can cause major damage. Here are 4 signs that your window is leaking. 1. Moisture Near Window Moisture near the window is the most obvious sign of a leaking window and puddles like the one shown above are a sign of a serious leak. If you experience puddles like this one, you should call a window contractor immediately. A leak this serious could be trouble when a big storm rolls in. [...]

2022-09-28T14:52:53-04:00Categories: Windows|Tags: , , , |

Is Your Bloomfield Hills Roof Ready for High Winds?

Right now, Oakland county is under a high wind advisory. These high winds can be destructive to your roof and cause extensive storm damage. So, with the hurricane backlash coming our way, Martino Home Improvements wants to know, is your roof ready for high winds? Is your roof clear of branches overhead? Tree branches hanging above your roof may look nice on a clear day, but during high winds they're a menace. It's important to clear the branches near your roof so that high winds don't send the branches into your roof. Has your roof been inspected recently? It's recommended [...]

2022-09-28T14:53:44-04:00Categories: Roofing|Tags: , |

Attic Ventilation Tips for Oakland County, Michigan

Improperly vented attics can cause major damage to your roof. Many homes in Oakland County, Michigan have high levels of moisture due to improper ventilation. To save your roof, we at Martino Home Improvements are going to go over 5 things that you need to know about attic ventilation. 1. Too Much Ventilation Is A Bad Thing The amount of attic ventilation that you need for your home is precise. To avoid insufficient ventilation and the moisture problems that can occur, some people overdue it on their ventilation. This is a major mistake as too much ventilation can be just [...]

2022-09-28T14:54:35-04:00Categories: Roofing|Tags: |