4 Unique Bookstores in the DFW Area

If you are a book lover, you know there is nothing like the classic charm of local bookstores. They bring a warm and friendly atmosphere that makes you want to curl up with a good book and stay for hours on end. Lucky for you, the DFW area holds quite a few literary gems that will give you a wonderful experience and leave you coming back for more.

Here are 4 unique bookstores in the DFW area that you must visit.

books for sale in a DFW bookstore

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How to Improve Curb Appeal for Your Home

Curb appeal is extremely important when it comes to the appearance of your home. It can give your neighbors or a potential buyer a good impression with a warm welcome or quite the opposite. While updating the look of your home can be expensive, it does not have to be! So how can you enhance the curb appeal of your home without breaking the bank?

Here are a few simple ways to increase your home’s curb appeal.

a house following this guide on how to improve curb appeal

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3 Incredibly Romantic Restaurants Near Plano, TX

Whether you are planning an amazing first date, anniversary dinner, or possibly even a proposal, you can never go wrong with a lovely dinner at a romantic restaurant. We have compiled a list of a few romantic restaurants for you to visit the next time you are stepping out on the town with that special someone.

Here are some incredibly romantic restaurants near Plano, TX.

a couple having dinner at a romantic restaurant in plano tx

The Capital Grille

From the moment you step into The Capital Grille, the experience is one of comfortable elegance. African mahogany paneling and Art Deco chandeliers provide a warm, stately setting for their nationally renowned dry-aged steaks, fresh seafood, and acclaimed world-class wines. With service as gracious as it is attentive, you will always leave with an amazing experience. It is The Capital Grille’s sole desire is that everything that arrives at your table delights you. They use only the finest, freshest ingredients, masterfully prepared in recipes designed to engage all of your senses. When you visit, you must try one of their dry aged steaks. Long before their steaks meet the grill, they are meticulously dry aged for more than 18 days to achieve incomparable flavor and texture. Then, each steak is hand-carved by an in-house butcher. An intensive process that most certainly makes your meal worth it. Visit them at 7300 Dallas Pkwy.

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Different Types of Roofing Materials

Choosing the right roofing material for your home can be quite a stressful task, especially when there are so many options to choose from. You could be asking yourself “where do I start?” Luckily, you have the roofing experts here at Eagle Roofing and Construction to help you identify the best roofing material for your home!

Here is some information on a few different types of roofing materials.

different roofing materials

Asphalt Shingles

Asphalt roof shingles are a classic American invention that are used for waterproofing a roof or wall. They are often the least expensive quality roofing option. Architect Magazine states that asphalt shingles grew to be more popular in the 1910s with the goal of eliminating the use of wooden shingles. In the 1980s, there were many improvements that were made to asphalt shingles that introduced quality asphalt roofing products that made the appearance more impressive. Manufacturers called these shingles architectural roofing shingles. They were also referred to as laminated or dimensional shingles. Architectural asphalt shingles are among the highest-quality roofing products made.

Metal Roofing

One of the best investments a homeowner or building owner can make is to install a metal roof. It will increase the value of the property by providing durability, energy efficiency, and beauty.

A high-quality metal roof will likely be the last roof investment you will ever need for your home or business. Metal roofing typically requires minimal upkeep as it is resistant to damage. It can withstand extreme weather conditions, including heavy snow loads, hailstorms, and wildfires. Residential and commercial metal roofs come in a wide variety of design styles, types, and colors.

Metal Shingles/Shakes

There are steel or aluminum shingles or shakes for homeowners who want the advantages of a metal roof, but do not like the look of a standing seam metal roof. They are made from stamped metal and finished with either a high-quality baked-on coating or mineral granules. Metal shingles can be produced to look like traditional asphalt shingles, wooden shakes, or even clay tiles. If appearance is one of the main concerns when it comes to revamping your roof, then metal shingles or shakes are an excellent choice!

Slate Shingles

A slate roof is one of the top roofing options for homeowners who want nothing less than the best. True slate roofing is created from thin sheets of real stone. Installing slate is an extremely specialized skill and can cost anywhere from $30 to $75 per square foot according to Home Guide. But with slate roofing often lasting 75 to 200 years, it is likely the only roof you will ever need to worry about installing for your home or business.

Clay Tile

Clay tiles are made from earthen clays and are molded into rolled or interlocking shapes, then they are fired for solidity. Clay tile is characteristically a reddish-orange color and often left unglazed, but it can also be glazed and fired to form ceramic roofing tiles. Clay tile is a very great roofing material for hot climates or where salt air is present, which is why these roofs are seen so often in southern coastal regions or desert regions. Clay tile is incredibly durable, sustainable, and have a unique appeal.  Your roof is the hardest-working part of your house, so it is important to carefully choose the right material for your needs. As always, you can call the roofing experts here at Eagle Roofing and Construction for more information on what roofing material is right for you and your home!

Best Food Trucks in Plano, TX

Whether it is the long wait times, lack of variety, or overpriced dishes, we have all experienced one struggle or another when it comes to dining at a restaurant. The next time you are wanting to grab a meal, you should try the current revolution of the food industry- food trucks!

a meal being served at a food truck in Plano, Texas

Here are some of the best food trucks to try in the Plano area.

Mike’s Chicken Shack

Mike’s Chicken Shack is an Asian Fusion food truck that puts a tasty twist on some Asian food favorites. If you have never treated yourself to some delicious Asian fried chicken, then you need to make your way to Mike’s Chicken Shack pronto! They have juicy, tender drumsticks that are marinated with a delicious ginger sauce and cooked with a light batter that is always fried to a crunchy perfection. Or try a Chicken Boa Bun made with their ginger marinated chicken thighs topped with hoisin sauce and green onions on their house-made steamed bun. Mike’s Chicken Shack frequently updates their location on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter so you always know where to find them around the Plano area.

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The Evolution of Roofing Through History

The purpose and structural integrity of a shelter’s roof is of the utmost importance, as it provides its inhabitants with a basic need – protection from nature’s elements. However, when did roofing become more than just protection and evolve into a means of architectural art and design?

a red roof

Here are a few ways roofing styles have evolved throughout history.

The Beginnings of Roofing

According to Build Direct, roofing designs and trends through history dates back as early as 3000 B.C. when Chinese civilizations used handmade clay roof tiles and the Roman and Greek civilizations employed slate and tile during the first century. Later, thatched roofing and wooden shingles became popular materials for roofing designs in Western Europe.

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5 of the Top Sushi Bars in Plano, TX

Sushi is a Japanese dish that is typically made with rice, seafood, and vegetables. Whether you love sushi and eat it on a regular basis or want to try it for the first time, there are plenty of amazing sushi bars in Plano, TX that you should visit.

a board of fresh sushi from a plano sushi bar

Here are 5 of the top sushi bars in Plano!

Densetsu

The first sushi bar on the list is Densetsu. They offer delicious traditional sushi with a relaxing atmosphere. You can go in and grab a table or sit at the bar where the chefs will prepare the sushi right in front of you. They have tons of great options to choose from including Jay’s Favorite Roll. It is a delicious combination of spicy salmon and tuna prepared with avocado, tomato, and smelt egg mixed with a sweet and spicy sauce and topped with crispy onions and eel sauce. Densetsu also offers baked rolls if you are looking for a cooked sushi option. Add a bowl of their miso soup and you will have the perfect meal! Densetsu is located at 4152 West Spring Creek Parkway.

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How Exactly Does a Roof Protect Your Home?

The roof over your head protects you and your loved ones as well as all your valuable items. However, there are many other important components of your home that are also protected by your roof.

a small wooden house with a roof protecting the house

Here are a few different ways that your roof protects your home.

Protecting the Attic

The first component of your home that your roof protects is the attic. It protects this area from the wind, rain, and all other elements. A roof has vents that allows air to move through your attic and out from the house. This keeps your attic from retaining moisture from the rest of the home and allows that moisture to vent to the outside. Roofing vents also help regulate the temperate of your roof. This can be helpful in the winter when you might experience snow or ice. The vents help push out the warm air from the attic, so it does not get too hot. This is important because if it were to get too hot, the snow on your roof would melt and turn to ice when it reaches your gutters. That ice can push up from the gutter and go under the shingles which could severely damage your attic.

Protecting the Foundation

The foundation and the roof are two completely different parts of a home; however, they are still connected. One of the jobs that your roof does is to act as a large drainage system for water. The roof can collect a huge amount of water at one time, especially during an intense storm. Your roof protects your home from this water by directing it away from the house. If the roof did not function this way, the soil surrounding your home would be highly saturated with water and become mud. That would allow the soil close to the foundation to become wet as well. Any cracks that are present in the foundation would become vulnerable areas where the water could leak in and potentially erode it.  The Department of Natural Resources states that very few basements are truly waterproof, at least not in the sense that they can remain dry while surrounded with water-saturated soil materials. To stay dry, your basement needs the drainage system that your roof can provide to help move water away from your home.

Protecting the Siding

Without protection, your siding can get worn down by the rain and fade in the sun. Your roof can protect your siding from breaking down over time or cracking. The overhang that your roof produces helps shelter the siding from the elements so it can last longer. It also holds any fallen debris that can come down during a storm. The roof and its associated drainage systems also prevent water from sliding down the side of your home, where it would deteriorate the siding and cause it to grow fungus, mold, and moss.

Those are just a few ways that your roof can help protect your home. It is always a good idea to make sure that your roof is well taken care of so the rest of your home can be taken care of too. Make sure to call us here at Eagle Roofing and Construction when it is time for your next roof inspection so we can help make sure your home stays protected!

Cool Facts About Plano’s History You Probably Did Not Know

Most people know Plano for the city’s shops, their variety of restaurants, and the historic charm of their downtown area. What you might not know is how Plano came to be what it is today.

Here are some cools facts that you probably did not know about Plano’s history.

How it Started

The community of Plano originated in the early 1840’s according to the Texas State Historical Association. Most of the early pioneers migrated from Kentucky and Tennessee as small groups of settlers found their way to Collin County’s blackland prairie.

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How Does a Roof Affect the Value of Your Home?

Believe it or not, your roof has a big impact on the value of your home. When it comes to real estate appraisals, there are many factors that are taken into consideration and your roof is a big part of that.

Here is how your roof affects the value of your home.

Keeping Up with Maintenance

a new roof increasing the value of a home for sale

When it comes to owning a home, it is crucial to keep up with the maintenance of the property. A benchmark in real estate is to make sure you are up to date with any improvements or upgrades in your neighborhood. However, it is equally important not to exceed them. If you decided to update your home with a roofing material that is high quality like copper, while the rest of the neighborhood decides to use asphalt shingles, you will have a difficult time regaining the expense of the roof in resale value. Also, when you choose a low-quality roofing material while the rest of the neighborhood uses a roofing material of higher quality, your property value is likely to decrease in comparison.

Another factor to take into consideration is the general upkeep of the neighborhood. If your roof is poorly maintained and looks unkempt while the rest of the neighborhood has new or well-kept roofs, that can bring down the property value of your home while possibly depleting the value of your neighbors’ homes as well.

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