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Scientists have finally recreated the initial steps of HIV infection in a test tube, offering an incredibly zoomed-in view of the virus in action.

The amazing images show a cone-shaped shell of geometric tiles, called the capsid, that sits at the virus's center and contains its genetic material, known as RNA. Before infiltrating a cell, the capsid is surrounded by an envelope of fatty molecules; this envelope fuses to the host cell to let the capsid inside, where it then carries the RNA to the cell's nucleus. On the way, the RNA replicates, and once inside the nucleus, it invades the host's DNA.

By granting a closer look at this replication process, the new study highlights that the capsid itself plays a critical role in infection and that specific criteria must be met for the virus to interweave its genome with the host cell's.

Knowing how to recreate the initial steps of HIV infection "means we have many more tools for dissecting the process of replication," said study author Wesley Sundquist, a distinguished professor of biochemistry at University of Utah Health. In particular, the study, published Oct. 8 in the journal Science, describes a cell-free system that can be used to study how HIV invades the host genome such a system could "revolutionize HIV experiments in many labs," Leo James, a group leader at the MRC Laboratory of Molecular Biology, who was not involved in the study, told Live Science in an email.

"To have accomplished all this is a real tour de force," James said. Beyond basic research, the system could also help explain how experimental drugs that target the capsid work to limit HIV replication, Sundquist said in a statement.

Related: 12 amazing images in medicine

Although the test tube experiments capture aspects of HIV infection in superb detail, they cannot recreate every step in the process, Sundquist noted. Infection typically starts when the outer membrane of the virus fuses with the membrane of a host cell, allowing the capsid and its innards to sneak inside. But with a cell-free system, the authors had to bypass this initial step.

They instead used a compound found in bee venom, called melittin, to "permeabilize" the viral membrane and release the capsid held within.

The HIV capsid has tiny pores in it, and normally, as a virus particle floats through a human cell's cytoplasm, it picks up the cellular building blocks of DNA, called deoxynucleotide triphosphates, that are already there, according to a 2017 report in the journal Nature. As it travels to the nucleus, the virus particle uses those building blocks to make copies of full strands of DNA, thanks to a special enzyme housed inside the capsid. This is how the virus copies its genetic material to later insert into the host genome. How the virus "knows" when to start this so-called reverse transcription is still somewhat mysterious, but studies hint that biochemical properties of the host cell act as cues for the reaction to begin.

But a test tube doesn't automatically have DNA building blocks in solution, so to jumpstart reverse transcription, the authors added them. "This method has been around for a while, but it's tricky to get the reaction to go until completion," James noted. But the study authors managed to get reverse transcription running smoothly; to do so, they learned that the capsid must stay mostly intact throughout the process.

Related: Going viral: 6 new findings about viruses

"The capsid has to be largely intact, and it has to be of the proper stability or flexibility, to support reverse transcription," meaning the capsid must be bound tightly enough to not fall apart during reverse transcription, but able to open up when the capsid enters the nucleus, in order to unleash its copied DNA, Sundquist said. Fortunately, scientists recently discovered a way to keep the capsid just stable enough.

Study author Owen Pornillos, an associate professor of molecular physiology and biological physics at the University of Virginia, and his colleagues found that a compound called IP6 binds to the capsid's tiled surface, they reported in 2018 in the journal Nature. IP6 carries a negative charge, while each tile carries a positive charge on the side that points in toward the center of the capsid; since opposites attract, when IP6 binds to the capsid, it helps pull the tiles into a tighter, more stable arrangement.

"Before the discovery of IP6, someone would remove the [viral] envelope in vitro and everything would fall apart and they could not see anything," said Joo Mamede, an assistant professor in the Department of Microbial Pathogens and Immunity at Rush University, who was not involved in the study.

IP6 is "quite abundant" in cells, so in their test tube experiments, the authors added similar concentrations of the compound as would be found in cells, Sundquist said. "That was really the trick," he added. "Until we knew it, we were working with capsids that were far too unstable."

Using computer models of molecules and an electron microscope, the authors could literally see that the 240 tiles making up the capsid held their lattice-like structure stable throughout reverse transcription. As the DNA strands grew larger, their ends sometimes poked through tiny gaps in the lattice weave, the authors noted, and sometimes singular tiles could be seen dislodging while the rest of the capsid stayed intact.

The capsid may need to stay stable to keep the RNA and transcribing enzyme close to each other, said Christopher Aiken, a professor of pathology, microbiology and immunology at Vanderbilt University, who was not involved in the study. The enzyme tends to fall off the RNA during transcription, so "by keeping the enzyme contained, it can rebind the template and continue DNA synthesis," Aiken told Live Science in an email.

With reverse transcription complete, the authors then moved on to the next step in infection: integration, where the viral DNA infiltrates the host genome. They introduced DNA strands known as plasmids into their test tubes, to serve as proxies for the DNA in a human nucleus, but integration would not begin without an additional ingredient. Only "whole cell extracts," a mix of proteins and molecules drawn from cells, would allow the viral DNA to pervade the plasmids.

In the future, the team hopes to pinpoint precisely which ingredients in the cell extracts trigger integration, Sundquist said. "It's likely to be more than one thing," he noted. One challenge is that, in test tube experiments, "it's always difficult to know if you're missing something," he said.

Related: The 12 deadliest viruses on Earth

One limitation of the study is that it can't perfectly recreate cellular conditions, James said.

"Any in vitro system, however powerful, can only be used to test the components we know about and can add into the reaction," James said. For instance, in actual cells, the capsid must travel to the cell nucleus, where the DNA is held, and then slip through portals known as the nuclear pores. There may be unknown factors that alter the capsid during this journey, Sundquist noted.

That said, the new cell-free system could help reveal the identity of those unknown factors, Mamede added. Scientists can now make observations in a cell-free environment and then check to see if the same behavior appears in actual cells, he said.

In addition, the system could be useful in drug development. "You can test [new drugs] more readily with one of these simplified systems than with a cell," Mamede told Live Science. "This way, you can see mechanistically what it's really doing to the virus."

The pharmaceutical company Gilead Sciences currently has a new drug in human trials that targets the HIV capsid specifically, according to ClinicalTrials.gov. Based on early data, the drug appears to alter the capsid at various points of infection, including during reverse transcription. Sundquist said that the cell-free study underscores that the capsid is a "critical component" of HIV infection, and that corrupting the capsid can limit the virus's ability to multiply.

Originally published on Live Science.

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Scientists zoom in on HIV inside a test tube, find critical steps in infection - Live Science

Fall is made for road trips and Pennsylvania is full of great destinations.

The Keystone State is home to countless adorable small towns, but time is limited and you can only see so many before all the leaves have fallen and winter has set in. To that end, weve crafted a list of 15 of the best small towns in the state, pulling largely from a list of the greatest small towns that we did back in 2017.

This list is entirely subjective, so feel free to disagree! Heres how we made it. We opted to only look at towns that had populations of less than 10,000 people. COVID also means that some small towns that are usually bustling with activity are a little quieter right now. We ranked higher those that still had most of their attractions open for socially distanced fun. Also, fall is all about the leaves. So each one on our list should offer some great fall views, whether its in the town itself or nearby.

With that in mind, heres our list of the 15 best small towns in Pennsylvania.

Named after its founders daughter, Zelienople came into being in 1802. Its your quintessential small town, it has a bustling downtown with stately red-brick buildings. Zelienoples slogan is a modern place with old fashioned grace. Come with a full wallet that youre okay with emptying, as there are plenty of coffee shops, boutiques and restaurants to patronize, including Herb Brittners Smokehouse, home to some of the best beef jerky around.

The porch of the Summerdale Cottage in Mt. Gretna. Sunday August 14, 2016.Daniel Zampogna, PennLiveHAR

Originally meant to be a summer retreat for Methodists in the late 1800s, Mt. Gretna today is a quaint small town. While Mt. Gretna is known as a summer destination, its just as beautiful in the fall. Plan on walking around for a few hours just marveling the unique architecture of the various cottage homes. Head down to the Mt. Gretna Roller Rink which plays live organ music as you skate on Saturday nights in the fall.

READ MORE: Highlights of the Mount Gretna Tour of Homes and Gardens

You dont have to be a Bucknell University student to enjoy all that Lewisburg has to offer. Head downtown for numerous small shops, restaurants and art galleries. Catch a film at the Campus Theatre, a restored Art Deco movie theater. Due to the pandemic, its open for rentals of groups of less than 22 people. Fans of the written word will want to walk down Poetry Path, which winds throughout historic downtown with poem markers throughout.

Punxsutawney Phil waves to cars on Mahoning Street on Groundhog's Day eve in Punxsutawney, Pa. 02/01/2013 Sean Simmers | ssimmers@pennlive.com THE PATRIOT-NEWSTHE PATRIOT-NEWS

Its always Groundhog Day in Punxsutawney.

Throughout the downtown area youll run across painted groundhog figures. Check out the Punxsutawney Weather Discovery Center (which has its own hall of fame) for a chance to learn about the science behind extreme weather. Then you can meet the weather prognosticator himself at his home in the town library.

READ MORE: The love story between a town and a groundhog and 9 underrated places to visit near Punxsutawney

Just 40 minutes outside of Pittsburgh lies this adorable town, which was once a summer retreat for Rudyard Kipling in 1889. Head to 3rd St. to check out all the small shops and many of the towns restaurants. Pop by on Saturday mornings from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. to explore the Beaver Farmers Market and enjoy fresh produce from the area. Fans of history will want to check out the Beaver Area Heritage Campus which includes a museum, 1802 log house and a restored 1897 Pittsburgh and Lake Erie Railroad station.

This adorable town sits in the midst of the Allegheny Clarion River Valley and offers excellent fall foliage views. Its also a must-visit for golf fans: the American Golf Hall of Fame resides at the Foxburg Country Club, which is also the oldest continuously used golf course in the United States (it was established in 1887). While youre in town, treat yourself to a handmade confection at Divani Chocolatier or a glass at the Foxburg Wine Cellars, which has more than 30 different varieties of wine in stock including the high alcohol Wineshine. Then prepare to enjoy the great outdoors by hiking along the Allegheny River Trail.

The Old Sled Works is the cant-miss stop in Duncannon. This antique mall has penny arcade games, an operational soda fountain and a whole slew of oddities. It also hosts the occasional auto show. Taste some wine at the Buddy Boy Winery and Vineyard while youre in town, which is known for its sweeter varieties. Then prepare for a hike; the Appalachian Trail passes through here and youll want to see the great view of the Susquehanna River from the trails Hawk Rock (pictured) yourself.

READ MORE: 10 of the best hikes in Pennsylvania to enjoy this spring, from great views to beautiful waterfalls

If you arent a fan of artist Andrew Wyeth and his father N.C. Wyeth before you visit Chadds Ford, you will be after. They both called Chadds Ford home and their work is highlighted at the Brandywine River Museum of Art, where you can actually tour their studios. Their work is also on display at the Christian C. Sanderson Museum, which is also the home of numerous artifacts from the Revolutionary War, Civil War, World War I and II. The Sanderson Museum is open by appointment only because of the pandemic, so be sure to request entry at least 48 hours before you want to visit. Grab your pumpkins and other produce from SIW Vegetables (pictured). Make sure you pencil in time to visit the Chaddsford Winery, and then a few hours (at least) at the nearby Longwood Gardens. Just note that youll need to grab a ticket in advance of a Longwood Gardens visit.

Lititz has won the title of America's Coolest Small Town in an online contest by Budget Travel. Shops along East Main Street in Lititz.02/20/2013Dan Gleiter | dgleiter@pennlive.comPENNLIVE.COM

Voted Americas Coolest Small Town by Budget Travel in 2013, Lititz is a must-visit for small town fans. Stroll through Lititz Springs Park to feed the ducks and enjoy natures beauty. Head over to Bulls Head Public House and immediately feel like youve been transported to England. It was also named one of the best beer bars in the country by CraftBeer.com. Be sure to give yourself plenty of time to wander along Main St. and see all the quirky and fun shops. And, before you leave, be sure to twist your own pretzel at Julius Sturgis Pretzel Bakery.

Fonthill Castle, in Doylestown, was built between 1908 and 1912, by archaeologist and tilemaker Henry Chapman Mercer, who also designed it. Julia Hatmaker, jhatmaker@pennlive.comHAR

Love castles? Doylestown is the place for you (supposing youd rather forego crossing the Atlantic). There are two in the area: Fonthill Castle (which mixes Byzantine architecture with gothic and medieval) and the Mercer Museum (home to 50,000 historical artifacts). Both were built by archaeologist Henry Mercer and are a feast for the eyes. Both castles are open to the public, although there are admission fees. You can learn more about Mercer and his Moravian tile business at the Moravian Pottery and Tile Works, a living history site. It is open by appointment only and limited to just six visitors because of the pandemic. Theres also the 1842 Pine Valley Covered Bridge to see, Doylestown Cemetery walking tours to go on and the National Shrine of Our Lady of Czestochowa to visit.

READ MORE: A castle for the new world is a treasure in Doylestown, Pa and Pa.'s Mercer Museum of junk gives insight into American history

Named one of the best small towns in the country by Country Living, Ligonier was a natural fit for our own list. Its downtown area is filled with great shops and restaurants, including the Ligonier Creamery. In the middle of the historic downtown sits a gazebo, a perfect place for hanging out with friends or, in the summer, hearing live music. Back when it was just a fort, it was a key spot in the French and Indian War. Fort Ligonier today is a museum that boasts living history demonstrations and re-enactments.

Wellsboro, Pa. is less than ten miles from the Grand Canyon of Pennsylvania.Mark Pynes | mpynes@pennlive.com

This historic town is lit in the evening by old-fashioned street lamps. The downtown is filled with little shops and places to eat. Be sure to at least step inside the Penn-Wells Hotel, which was built in 1869. Bid the town farewell to explore the gorgeous Grand Canyon of Pennsylvania, aka Pine Creek Gorge. It doesnt get better than this hilly landscape to see the changing leaves.

READ MORE: Wellsboro: Todays top fall foliage spot in Pennsylvania and 7 reasons to visit the Pennsylvania Grand Canyon

Come to New Hope prepared to shop. The town is great for antique lovers, with many stores offering up numerous vintage pieces. Theres also a thriving art community here too, so be sure to check out the various galleries. History lovers will want to go on one of the towns ghost tours or take a ride on the New Hope Railroad. Its also just a half hour drives away from the famous Ringing Rocks County Park, where you the rings sing when hit with a hammer.

READ MORE: Bucks Countys 10 must-visit spots: Ringing Rocks, Sesame Place, New Hope and more

Downtown Jim Thorpe, Pa., -- sometimes called "The Switzerland of America" - is a storybook pretty mix of turn-of-the-century charm with modern-day hipness. (Photo courtesy poconomountains.org) SJNSJN

Jim Thorpe is a treasure hidden snugly in the Lehigh Gorge. Originally founded as Mauch Chunk in 1818, it was renamed Jim Thorpe in 1954 after the famous athlete, whose remains are still there. The towns location makes it perfect for seeing the leaves change, and its plethora of little boutiques and restaurants makes it a perfect place to spend a day. No trip to Jim Thorpe, however, is complete without a trip on the Lehigh Gorge Scenic Railway.

A statue of Abraham Lincoln stands in front of the Wills House in the square in Gettysburg. Mark Pynes | mpynes@pennlive.com

Take a stroll through history at Gettysburg. Theres the Gettysburg National Military Park, where you can walk on the battlefield and see monuments to the fallen soldiers. Or head towards the Gettysburg National Cemetery to see where Abraham Lincoln delivered the famous Gettysburg Address. The haunted Sachs Covered Bridge is decidedly worth seeing as well, even if just for a photo. In terms of non-Civil War things to do, head over the Land of Little Horses to pet adorable miniature horses or pop by Mr. Eds Elephant Museum and Candy Emporium to see the wide variety of elephant statues. You can also tour the Eisenhower Homestead to see where President Dwight Eisenhower would vacation. And of course be sure to check out one of the towns many ghost tours.

READ MORE: What to do in Gettysburg other than visit the battlefield: 12 non-Civil War attractions to check out

This story has been adapted from our 2017 list of the 35 best small towns in the state for a fall day trip.

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Pa.'s 15 best small towns, ranked, for the perfect fall day trip - pennlive.com

Q. I live in a designated historic district with strict limits on the type of windows allowed. Many windows in my house are losing the edging around the panes. Can this be repaired, or do I have to replace the windows?

Baltimore

A. The edging you refer to is glazing, a putty-type product that goes on squishy but dries in a way that seals the glass, holds it in place, and sheds water when it rains. Glazing can definitely be replaced. You do not need to replace the windows.

The big question, though, is what level of restoration you want and can afford.

The Window Preservation Alliance, which focuses on preserving old windows, has a directory that lists restoration companies across the country.

These companies do a lot more than just install new glazing. Mylo Celsy, the owner of Corners Historic Restoration in Baltimore, said her crew typically removes the sash the movable sections of a window and takes them to the companys shop. There, the crew strips the layers of old paint, which often contain lead, and removes the old glazing. If the glass isnt cracked, they remove it and set it aside for reuse. If parts of the wood have decayed, they repair or replace the pieces, as needed. Then they reinstall the glass and add new glazing. If the old windows had a rope-and-pulley system to keep the open sash from crashing down, they replace the ropes with new brass chains, which are more durable. And when they reinstall the sash, they add weatherstripping. The windows are totally weatherized, and they open and close easily, Celsy said.

Its a lot of work, so of course its not cheap. Restoring a window this way typically costs at least $1,200 and can go higher, depending on the window, Celsy said.

If you cant afford that, there are other options. If youre handy, you can do it yourself for just the cost of new glazing and some primer paint. There are two basic types of window glazing: oil-based, such as Dap 33 Window Glazing ($4.27 for an 8 oz. tub at The Home Depot) and water-based, such as Dap Latex Window Glazing ($6.20 for a 10.1 oz. tube at The Home Depot). The differences go beyond whether you need to clean up tools with mineral spirits (as you do for the oil-based product) or water (which works with the latex product).

Oil-based glazing, the traditional option, is thick enough to roll into a rope, which makes it easier to tool to a smooth finish than the more gooey latex version, which comes in a tube that fits into a caulk gun. However, if youre just trying to fill in gaps, the latex product is the way to go, said a Dap customer service representative. For good results with the oil-based glazing, its important to follow the whole recommended process, which starts by painting the recess for the glass with oil-based primer, he said. Thats impossible to do with a patch job; it requires taking out the glass.

The latex product, though, can be used to fill gaps. First, remove any sections of the glazing that are cracked and loose. To help with this, use a stiff putty knife or the flat end of a painters 5-in-1 or 6-in-1 tool ($6.48 at The Home Depot). Be careful not to catch the knife on the glazing points, little metal tabs that sit over the glass and press into the wood and that were needed to hold the glass against the frame while the original glazing cured. When all the loose glazing is out, clean the area and let the wood dry. Then, if you even suspect that the old window paint is oil-based, brush on primer (it can be either oil-based or water-based) over the bare areas. When that dries, squeeze out the latex window glazing, using the applicator nozzle to help get a reasonably smooth bead. Follow up by tooling the glazing at an angle that matches the angle of the remaining original glazing.

Tooling the glazing is the tricky part. You might want to watch one or more YouTube videos first; type latex window glazing into the search box. The traditional tool for tooling is a putty knife. Another option is a 2-in-1 glazier tool ($5.98 at The Home Depot). It has a flat blade on one end and an angled blade on the other that automatically creates the desired angle. The angled blade has an opening that ejects excess glazing, reducing the chance of it sticking to the smooth surface youre trying to create.

Latex glazing does not need to be painted, but unless your windows are white, you will want to paint the glazing to match the color. Typically, the glazing is dry and stiff enough to paint after three to seven days, depending on the weather. You can paint right over it without spreading primer paint first.

If youre not interested in doing the repairs yourself, you may want to hire a company that tackles a variety of home repair projects. Some house-painting companies also do this kind of repair, although typically as part of a painting job.

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Read more:
You can repair windows, but your eyes may glaze over at the cost - Boston.com

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp has been urged to sign David Raya (Picture: Getty)

Darren Bent has urged Liverpool to sign Brentford goalkeeper David Raya to replace back-up goalkeeper Adrian.

Reds No. 1 Alisson is currently sidelined with a shoulder injury and his deputy, Adrian, made another mistake during last weekends incredible 7-2 defeat to Aston Villa.

While the summer transfer window closed last week, domestic deals can still be completed up until October 16.

Former England striker Bent believes Premier League champions Liverpool need to address their goalkeeping situation and says they should target Raya.

The 25-year-old has impressed for Championship club Brentford over the past 18 months, with his performances attracting interest from Arsenal before they signed Alex Runarsson as Bernd Lenos deputy.

Bent told Football Insider: For me, I think it is an issue that they [Liverpool] need to address.But where can you find a backup goalkeeper now?

We are talking about the Premier League champions so it shouldnt be that hard but where do you get a goalkeeper that is going to be happy coming into the team to play for six weeks until Alisson comes back and then youre back on the bench.

It has to be a concern because they have seen first-hand what happens when you dont have an adequate backup goalkeeper.

The only one who I can think of as a potentially good back-up goalkeeper is David Raya, maybe him. At the highest level now you cant just rely on your one goalkeeper.

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The days of Brad Friedel or David James where you can go so long without getting an injury, seasons without getting an injury, seem to be a thing of the past.

I think you need two very good goalkeepers now. They need to find one whose close to Alisson, hes never going to be as good as Alisson.

Meanwhile, Liverpool have also been urged to address their goalkeeping situation by signing Jack Butland from Stoke City.

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For more stories like this, check our sport page.

MORE: Man Utd slammed over desperate deadline day signings by Liverpool legend

MORE: Gin Wijnaldum rates new Liverpool signings Thiago, Jota and Tsimikas

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Liverpool urged to sign former Arsenal transfer target David Raya by Darren Bent - Metro.co.uk

Everton are in talks to sign a new goalkeeper after Jordan Pickfords latest mistake.

According to Gianluca Di Marzio, the Toffees are keen on both Robin Olsen and Sergio Romero, with discussions taking place for the Roma and Manchester United glovesmen.

Getty Images - Getty

Olsen, 30, is expected to leave Roma before the 11pm transfer deadline having spent last season on loan with their Serie A rivals Cagliari, while Man United are prepared to cash in on Romero as he fell to third choice in the pecking order earlier this year when Dean Henderson returned to Old Trafford from his loan spell at Sheffield United.

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has preferred David de Gea as his No.1 with Henderson as back-up, with Lee Grant also on Manchester Uniteds books as a homegrown third option.

Both keepers are now being eyed by high-flying Everton, with manager Carlo Ancelotti keen on adding a new gloveman before the transfer window slams shut.

Despite the Toffees perfect start to the season which sees them top of the Premier League with a 100 per cent record, questions are still being asked of Pickford in goal.

Despite being a talented shot-stopper Pickford remains one of the most mistake-ridden keepers around and he made another error last Saturday as Everton beat Brighton, dropping the ball at the feet of Neal Maupay who willingly converted from close range.

Getty Images - Getty

Pickford has now made the joint-most errors leading to goals since the start of last season, making five mistakes along with Newcastles Martin Dubravka.

Thats more than Chelseas Kepa Arrizabalaga, who has come under serious scrutiny for his mistakes in recent months despite making just two errors leading to goals.

Read more:
Everton in talks to sign Jordan Pickford replacement with two goalkeepers targeted including Manchester - talkSPORT.com

Don Magruder| For the Daily Commercial

One of the first things noticed on a house is the roof. Chances are that the average age of older roofs in Lake and Sumter Counties is about 20 years. In other areas of the country, the lifespans of roofs are much longer.

However, in Florida, a combination of harsh tropical weather and unreasonable replacement standards set by insurance companies who want to minimize hurricane exposure is forcing homeowners to replace roofs sooner. Roof replacements are rare events for most homeowners and a lot has probably changed since the last time the roof was replaced on your older home.

Because of changes in technology, building codesand material offerings, homeowners should be wary about paying a roofing contractor to install the same roof with the same method used 20 years ago. Here are the five big changes in roofing since your older roof was originally installed.

The first big change is the quality of roofing shingles. Twenty years ago, 3-tab strip shingles were used by many builders and these shingles as compared to todays architectural style shingles are thinner and have less wind tolerance. Todays architectural shingles are thicker, have higher wind resistanceand are designed to camouflage imperfections in the roof.

The new lines of architectural shingles offer a huge variety of colors and shadowing to enhance your homes curb appeal. When replacing your roof, do not settle for the same old shingle style and color on your roof look at the different options available nowadays.

Shingle warranties have also changed. Twenty years ago, shingle warranties were for 20 years and the warranty typically only covered materials after the first year. Today, manufacturers offer limited lifetime warranties with very affordable upgrades to offer full replacements later in time. Before you commit to a shingle, be sure you understand the warranty and ask your roofing contractor if you can upgrade to a full long-term warranty.

The next change is underlayment. Twenty years ago, 90 percent of the roofs were constructed with 15-pound felt as an underlayment with better homes using 30-pound felt. Yes, 30-pound felt is double the thickness.

The big problem with rolled felt is its failure if the shingles are blown off during a windstorm. Felt paper will tear and rip in the wind if there are not any shingles on top of it. Roofing contractors are now using a synthetic felt, which does not tear if it is exposed to the weather elements. Synthetic felt is the most popular underlayment because a roll is lighter and covers more square footage, which cuts down on the amount of time to install it and accidents associated with it.

The most popular underlayment is peel and stick, which adheres to the decking and will remain in place and protect the deck even if the shingles are blown off. It is a great product that seals nail holes and provides a real moisture barrier for your home.

Not as glamourous but just as important in roofing are the nails and fasteners. In the past, most roof failures have been attributed to poor installation, especially in the area of fasteners. Staples used in the early 1990s were blamed for many failed roofs during Hurricane Andrew. Today, building codes require more nails per shingle and longer nails along with wind mitigation for decking. In most cases, if a shingle fails it is because of the use of incorrect fasteners.

The final big change is the use of metal roofing. Twenty years ago, the majority of residential roofs were constructed with asphalt shingles. Today, a growing percentage are being constructed with metal roofing.

With hidden fastening systems and a multitude of colors, metal roofing is a good alternative. Plus, this type of roof offers a much longer warranty and thus far has not faced the scrutiny from insurance companies as that of their asphalt counterparts. Before you re-roof your home, check into metal roofing it might be worth the extra investment.

As a bonus tip, whenever you re-roof your home, replace all drip edge and valley metals. Some roofing contractors like to cut this corner; however, metal flashing on a roof after 20 years should be replaced due to rusting and pitting. Always ensure your re-roof quote covers everything, including new flashing.

If you are lucky, you will only have to replace a roof once or twice in your adult lifespan. If you do, investigate all the options before you buy.

Don Magruder is the CEO of RoMac Building Supply and host of Around the House, which can be seen at AroundtheHouse.TV.

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Not your father's roof: Five big changes in recent years - Daily Commercial

As the Milwaukee Brewers get ready for opening day, the Miller Park maintenance crew is busy making sure the retractable roof is in proper working order.

Members of the board that oversees Miller Park approved a plan Tuesday to spend $1.8 million to upgrade the system that controls the ballpark's retractable roof.

Members of the Southeast Wisconsin Professional Baseball Park District board's finance and operations committeesvoted unanimously to spend the money to upgrade the system as part of the 2021 maintenance and improvement plan for the ballpark.

The roof panels are moved by a complex system of motors and drives that haulit along a track.

Much of the controls for the system as well as various parts of the drive system have become obsolete and have reached their usable life after 20 years, said Kristi Kreklow, associate director of the district.

The drive system for Miller Park's retractable roof is being replaced.(Photo: Michael Sears, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel)

The systemwill be upgraded to include the newest technology and hardware and will take about 18 months to complete.

In 2018, workers removedand inspected one of the 10 'bogies' that haul the roof panels into place. The bogie was making unusual noises but was deemed not to be faulty in the $900,000 project.

The spending for the latest project is coming from what's known as the district's segregated reserve fund to which the district and the Milwaukee Brewers each make contributions.

Upgrading the roof's drive and control system has been planned and is not a surprise. Original plans for the stadium called for the systems to be replaced once they turned 20 years old.

The expectation is that the upgrade, once complete, will last another 20 years, said Mike Duckett, executive director of the district.

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Board members also voted Tuesday to spend $1.3 million to replace the ballpark's fire detection system.

The roof control system and the fire detection system upgrades are the biggest ticket items that the board members considered on Tuesday.

The fire detection system also is 20 years old, Duckett said, and replacing it was alsopart of the long-term plan for the upkeep of the ballpark.

The ballpark has about 1.2 million square feet of finished space that the fire detection system covers, Kreklow said.

Thefire detection system was put to use in July 2014 after a middle-of-the-night fire broke out in a restaurant area in the left field areaof the ballpark. The system triggered the ballpark's sprinkler system and alerted Milwaukee firefighters, who responded and extinguished the blaze.

The funds for the upgrades will come, in part, from proceeds of a 0.1% sales tax levied in Milwaukee, Waukesha, Washington, Ozaukee and Racine counties. That sales tax, collected since 1996,was stopped in March. The funds were placed into an escrow account and are being used to maintain the stadium.

The state law that created thetaxallows the proceeds to be used only for costs related to the ballpark.

Among other spending items, members of the board also voted tospend $130,000 on a female locker room after the first female coach in Major League Baseball, Alyssa Nakken, began coaching this year for the San Francisco Giants.

San Francisco Giants first base coach Alyssa Nakken jogs to first base during the second inning of an exhibition baseball game against the Oakland Athletics in San Francisco, Tuesday, July 21, 2020.(Photo: Associated Press)

Meanwhile, the process of converting the lights that illuminate the playing field to LEDs has begun. The new LED lighting system has been delivered to the ballpark and installation will take place this off-season.

The new lights are expected to be ready for Opening Day 2021. The project has qualified for a $90,000 Focus on Energy rebate due to the energy savings that the new LEDswill provide, according to the stadium district. That money will be used tohelp offset the project cost.

The Milwaukee Brewers ballpark will be renamed American Family Field, beginning on Jan. 1, 2021, when American Family Insurance takes over the naming rights.

Thousands of signs must be changed at the ballpark, which has been known as Miller Park since it opened.

State law prevents the stadium district from incurring any expenses related to the name change, Kreklow said.

The Brewers pay a $1.2 million annual rental fee to the stadium district, and board members are expecting the ball club to ask for some form of rent forgiveness as a result of the pandemic-shortened MLB season in which fans were not allowed to attend games.

During the teleconference meeting on Tuesday, board members asked whether rent forgiveness or deferral was allowed under the lease agreement with the team.

While there is no specific clause in the lease that mentions a pandemic, there are other portions of the lease that likely address such a situation and would allow some sort of rent forgiveness or deferral, Duckett said.

Board members said they would take up the issue when and if the Brewers formally request it.

Contact Joe Taschler at (414) 224-2554or jtaschler@gannett.com. Followhimon Twitter at @JoeTaschler orFacebook atfacebook.com/joe.taschler.1.

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Drive system on Miller Park roof to be replaced as part of planned ballpark maintenance, board members decide - Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

How to install metal roofing: Pros and cons, costs and a DIY-replacement

When someone is seeking advice on how to do roofing, which type of material is the most cost-efficient and which strategy to choose (DIY or hiring experts), it means that they have already stepped on the path of replacing a roofing system. Today, there is an array of roof types, and each of them has its advantages and drawbacks. When considering metal roofing as the most optimal type for a house, then its better to be ready to discover its strengths and weaknesses. Weighing all pros and cons of its installation, its possible to make a wise home renovation choice. The opetions are zinc, copper, aluminium and steel roofs.

Advantages of metal roofing

Investing in a new project you may be surprised at how much does metal roofing cost, as even if the price is the same or even higher than in shingle roof, you will get an excellent ROI in the long-run, as due to the reflective qualities of metal, it is more energy-efficient material that promotes the reduction of energy bills. And even if shingles roofs offer options for a variety of styles to meet the design expectations of homeowners, metal tends to be more impact resistant, durable, and eco-friendly. Also, the benefits of metal roofing types include:

Metal roofs sound to be like perfect material. However, before investing in Norfolk roofing installation services, it is still recommended to take into account some of its disadvantages. First of all, it will be a source of extra noise during rain or hail. Some explain this drawback by the lightness of the material, others think that poor installation can cause lots of annoying noises. The second option is more likely to happen, as in case of a professional approach and choosing the optimal thermal insulation material, extraneous sounds, as a rule, are not heard. Also, due to certain chemical properties, the iron roof still oxidizes over time, therefore it must be treated with certain anti-corrosion compounds or paint. Regular preventive maintenance to enlarge its lifespan and ensure ideal protection of your home from elements is required.

How to install metal roofing safely?

If you want to learn how to install metal roofing on your own, its important to be ready to pick the right metal option, to ensure correct measurement, to find suppliers of quality materials, remove old roof structure, take care of ventilation. Also, its important not forget about flashing to direct water and excessive moisture away from the roof to avoid leakage and damages. If you forget to include important components into the plan, you will fail to implement a DIY method. Its quite a complicated task that requires skills, knowledge, time, and resources. Also, its important to keep in mind safety considerations, as lots of Americans ignore security tips and often get injured while replacing or repairing this exterior element. Thus, make a smarter decision and hire experts like UBrothersConstruction to ensure great outcomes and hassle-free project execution.

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How to install metal roofing: Pros and cons, costs and a DIY-replacement - The Upcoming

HAMPTON U.S. Army veteran Charles Emmons has a new roof over his head, thanks to Total Roof Solutions, an Owens Corning Platinum Roofing Contractor, as part of the Owens Corning Roof Deployment Project.

Through a partnership with Purple Heart Homes, Emmons was selected and approved as the recipient for the roof replacement.

The Owens Corning Roof Deployment Project is a nationwide effort to show gratitude and honor the veterans who served our country and the families who support them. Since the inception of this program in 2016, more than 225 military members have received new roofs.

For more information on the Roof Deployment Project, or to learn more about how you can get involved, please contact us at roofdeployment@owenscorning.com.

Now, more than ever, the world needs trustworthy reportingbut good journalism isnt free.Please support us by subscribing or making a contribution today.

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Hampton veteran receives new roof installed by Total Roof Solutions - Henry Herald

Q: I have a 10-year-old Ford E250 van and the roof is starting to rust. I took it to a body shop and they told me this was going to be a big job. They werent really interested in trying to fix it.

I love this big van, it carries people, stuff and tows my boat with ease. Any alternative ideas that might work?

A: Rust repair is all about the preparation. Could a good body shop sand, repair, prime and paint the roof of your van? Im sure they can. The problem is unless they routinely do restoration work many body shops would rather repair crash damage.

One possibility that I have seen work is painting the roof with the same material that is used for pickup truck bed-liners. The roof will have a slight pebble finish. Since you cant see the top of the roof, it wouldnt matter. The spray-on bedliner is a fairly low cost and virtually permanent repair.

Q: I'm moving to a house on a hill, and I am considering snow tires after I got stuck near my house in a freak snowstorm last year. According to a consumer magazine, though snow tires do better in snow and ice than all-season tires, they do much worse than all-seasons in wet braking.

Since a lot of the snow I'd be driving in would be salted, and since rain seems more common in winter now with global warning, would you bother? I drive a 2009 Toyota Prius and it is my only car.

A: If the type of driving takes you out before the snowplows and the hill you live on is slippery, then there is nothing better than four winter tires.

All-season tires are a compromise, they have to work year-round. Although, with most drivers they tend to be okay in deep snow or very cold temperatures, they are not quite as good.

The publication is correct that dedicated winter tires are not quite as good in wet weather, but my experience is they are still quite good.

If this was my Prius, I would install four winter tires near the end of November and take them off mid-April.

Q: For my next winter car, I want to move in the direction of electric but read that electric cars are considerably less efficient in cold weather.

Would you consider a front-wheel drive electric car with winter tires such as a Hyundai Kona over a typical all-wheel-drive with a gasoline engine for driving in the Northeast?

There are few all-wheel-drive electrics, but I see plug-in hybrid vehicles as placeholders albeit a step in the right direction.

Lastly, how long before we see fluoride-based batteries replace the current options in cars?

A: Battery development is constantly changing. In just the 30 years or so that I have been involved with electric vehicle, batteries were the biggest issue. In fact, from the turn of the last century until the 1990s, batteries for electric cars didnt change that much.

Today, it is the combination of new battery designs coupled with sophisticated battery management systems which is making some of the biggest improvements in electric vehicles.

One of the latest near-future battery developments comes from a company called Nanotech Energy that is using graphene-based energy storage, rather than Lithium-Ion.

Electric vehicles are getting better all the time with many offering range in excess of 250 miles. The Hyundai Kona, Kia Niro, Tesla Model-Y and the Chevrolet Bolt are all god choices.

John Paul is the AAA Northeast Car Doctor. He has more than 40 years of experience in the automobile industry and is an ASE-Certified Master Technician. Write to John Paul, The Car Doctor, at 110 Royal Little Drive, Providence, RI 02904. Or email jpaul@aaanortheast.com and put "Car Doctor" in the subject field. Follow him on Twitter @johnfpaul or on Facebook.

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Car Doctor: Solution for rusted roof - The Providence Journal