9 Things to consider when replacing your siding (4-6)

#4 : Can I live with 1 color for the rest of my time here?

Yes

Having met with thousands of homeowners we know there are those who can make a decision and be happy with it for decades. Everlast-siding-photoThis type of person can handle the life-long color choice when it comes to vinyl products.

No

There are those who like to flow with the latest trends in home design. This type should consider wood, Everlast or fiber-cement if they want to reserve the option to change the color scheme of their home in the future.

#5 : Am I picky about shingles vs. clapboards?

Yes

Currently both options are available in wood, vinyl, or fiber-cement, but not in Everlast. You have more options for size and style with wood or fiber cement than you do with vinyl.  If the size and style of your shingles and clapboards are non-negotiable, make sure you find out what’s available before wasting time getting quotes on a specific product.

No

In our experience, the vast majority of homeowners are open to something new and actually prefer to explore new styles and sizes.  If that’s you, make your product decision on other factors and then choose a style within that product line.

 

#6 : What’s the condition of my current siding and sheathing?

Having been involved in several hundred siding projects over the past several years, I know that there’s usually more going on under your existing siding than expected. There is often rot, and moisture damage that is undetectable from the surface, especially with Masonite and pressed-board type products. Some companies will convince you to install new vinyl siding right over the existing. But we always recommend stripping the surface to unveil potential problems.  On countless occasions we’ve saved homeowners from expensive future maintenance and complete wall rebuilding just by revealing undetected rot.

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9 Things to ask yourself when replacing your siding (1-3)

This is part 1 in a 3 part series about 9 questions to ask yourself when considering replacing your siding.  Customers have told us this resource has proven to be extremely helpful in their decision making process.

How long do I plan to live in this house?

A long time?

If you plan to be in your home for a long time, make a decision based on what you DO want not what a future owner MIGHT want. Choose the siding you and your family will enjoy for years to come. If you’d rather not be scraping and painting every 4-7 years, or hiring someone to do so, then wood siding is probably not the best choice and you should consider something that doesn’t require paint like Everlast Composite Siding or Vinyl. If you don’t want to make a permanent decision on color then you might want to avoid vinyl products which can’t be painted. Instead choose Fiber-cement siding or Everlast Composite Siding, which can both be painted.

Less than 5 years?

Those planning on moving within 5 years should consider what will help sell the house. A low-maintenance exterior is key. Most potential buyers understand and appreciate the initial cost of the property and the residual costs to come including future exterior maintenance.

Regardless of your decision, studies by Remodeler magazine show that your return on investment usually exceeds the initial cost, so consider this a value adding investment to your property.

How much maintenance am I willing to live with?

The real question here is what is important, ease-of-maintenance or traditional appeal?

Prefer traditional appeal over low-maintenance?

For some there is no substitute for real cedar clapboard or shingles, and the recurring maintenance and expense is worth the hassle. For that we recommend pre-primed CVG clapboard or Clear R&R Cedar shingles.  However, keep in mind these are the most expensive siding options especially when you factor in initial and future painting.

Would you like a good compromise: realistic looking, but also low maintenance?

In our experience, homeowners like the look and feel of wood, but are attracted to the ease of maintenance vinyl offers. The introduction and development of newer composite siding products such as Everlast Composite Siding, Cedar Style Vinyl Shingles, and Fiber Cement give homeowners the more traditional look they desire with much less maintenance down the road. PVC trim, such as Azek® or Trex®, are also a good compromise. Without close inspection most people cannot detect that these products aren’t wood.

Is my house in an area with high moisture?

peeling house paint

Moisture-laden properties and those where snow is in direct contact with siding for extended periods are more prone to have issues with wood rot and peeling paint. Consider the use of vinyl or Everlast Composite Siding over wood or fiber cement products which are both prone to damage in moist areas. Also, mildew can grow on all siding products, but vinyl and Everlast are easier to clean or power wash without damaging.

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Siding – How To Sell Your Home For Top Dollar

Another informative article written by Steve from Ontario Home Inspection Services. He also provided some great photos of sloppy siding work.

Siding – How To Sell Your Home For Top Dollar

Siding is one of those aspects of a home that can add to the look and efficiency of the home as well as provide the homeowner a degree of maintenance peace of mind. More importantly, well-maintained siding can add substantial value to your home.  If you are selling your home, ensuring that the siding is well maintained and in good repair is will help you to maintain your asking price and give the buyer little to negotiate with.

Your Siding is Falling Down

What if something happens to the siding?  What do you do when gusts of wind cause the siding to come apart?  What do you do if you have vegetation too close to the siding and it’s growth is causing the siding to come away from your home?

Bad-siding-1Gettin’ Around To It

Too often homeowners wait until it’s too late to fix.  Often the initial damage has caused even further damage because it was left too long before fixing.  For example, the siding trim has been removed exposing the siding.  This now allows for water to penetrate between the siding and the home’s envelope.  Or the siding has come away from the siding it’s attached to, again allowing for water or vermin to penetrate the home.

It’s important to review your entire home’s exterior a minimum of 2 times per year and address any issues you find at that time.  If an issue is found before or after your planned review, it should be fixed immediately.  Waiting until the weather gets better or until you have time, could be disastrous to your home.  In many cases, it’s water penetrating the home that will cause the most damage.

I inspected one home where the siding trim was removed away from the home.  This allowed for water to seep down the between Bad-siding-2the siding and the building’s envelope.  It was so bad that water actually penetrated into the home causing puddles on the interior floor!  The windows sills were completely saturated and needed replacing.

Unfortunately, the homeowner left this issue too long and it was in need of major repairs.

If you don’t know how to fix the issue, it’s important that you hire someone who does.  Had the repairs been done when the damage occurred, the homeowner would have saved thousands of dollars in further repairs to the overall structure.  Although it wasn’t detected at the time, there was also the possibility of mold growth behind the walls!  This would not have been detected during a routine home inspection as a home inspection is a non-invasive, visual snapshot of the home’s systems and functionality, at the time of the inspection.

Maintaining the exterior of your home doesn’t take a great deal of time if it’s planned properly and any issues found are addressed at that time.  Waiting to fix issues may only increase the cost of fixing the issue or cause further damage or get you less than your asking price.

Negotiating Tool

Home inspections help homeowners selling their home as well as home buyers recognize these issues and the potential outcomes in the event that the siding has not been well maintained or issues fixed in a timely manner.  Defects in the siding of a home may affect the overall selling price and give the home buyer a strong negotiating tool to get a better deal.

If you don’t have the proper knowledge or tools, have your siding professionally repaired.  It will save you thousands of dollars and help to maintain your asking price.

Stephen Faudemer
Ontario Home Inspection Services
www.ontariohomeinspectionservice.ca

 

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Get Ready For Cold Weather… Heating and Plumbing Tips

Glad to have this awesome information from our friends at Bornstein Sons Inc.  Enjoy!

Energy Efficiency….as energy prices continue to rise, this terminology has become more relevant and much more important

Get ready for cold weather - winterize your homeAs we enter heating season, let’s talk about how to make your home more energy efficient and some easy steps you can take before winter.

It seems Mother Nature doesn’t give us a ‘heads-up’ when the season changes…we often go from daily temperature in the high 60s to a plummet into the low 30s. That’s our warning that it’s time to shift gears and focus on ‘winter-mode’. Here are some tips:

  • Have your furnace, boiler or ductless system serviced by a heating professional. Studies show that properly maintained equipment operates more efficiently.
  • Be sure your windows and doors are properly caulked eliminating drafts.
  • Take advantage of your ceiling fan to circulate the warmth.
  • Be sure to change your disposable filter monthly to keep your air flow robust.
  • Consider upgrading your furnace or boiler to today’s high efficiency heating systems. You’ll save a minimum of 15% on energy costs depending on the age of your system. (NOTE: There are no high efficiency steam boilers unfortunately, but they are fantastic systems!)
  • Let the sun warm your home by opening drapers, blinds and shades to allow the sun in. (It makes sense when you think about your pet and the warm, sunny spot it retreats to.)
  • Winterize your outdoor plumbing. A professional should be consulted for this annual task. This way, you’re sure to avoid frozen pipes that will split in the spring.

Read this article for some more energy tips! And, here’s another on the True Cost of Inefficiency Stay warm!

Bonnie Bornstein Fertel is co-owner of Bornstein Sons, Inc., along with her husband, Richard Fertel. Bornstein Sons is a 3rd Generation Family owned and operated business providing Heating, Air Conditioning, Plumbing, Solar and Electrical repair, maintenance and installation services in Northern New Jersey.

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When is it Time to Replace Your Siding?

Frequently homeowners contact us wondering if their siding can be painted or if it’s in such disrepair that it should be replaced. As a company who offers both solutions, we’re often able to customize an unbiased recommendation based on each individual home, and the homeowners desire.

In this video, Tod and Todd of Weather Tight Corp in Milwaukee do a great job explaining when it’s time to replace your siding versus just painting it.

Weather Tight is one of the premier Siding Contractors in Milwaukee. This and other videos are viewable on their Siding Blog.

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3 Tips On How To Winterize Your Home

Winter home blog photoWhether you are a new homeowner, thinking of buying a home in Keswick Ontario or anywhere else, or have been in your home for years, you should know the 3 most important tips about getting your home ready for winter.  As the temperatures start to fall, your home will require maintenance to keep it in A-1 shape through the winter.

There is only one state in the United States where the temperatures have never dipped below zero. Hawaii.  In Canada, all of the Provinces will dip below zero.

Ontario Home Inspection Services Keswick Ontario recommends these 3 tips:

1) Get the Fireplace and Chimney Ready

  • Cap or screen the top of the chimney to keep out vermin and birds.
  • Have your chimney cleaned and inspected.
  • Store firewood in a dry place away from the exterior of your home.
  • Ensure the fireplace damper opens and closes.
  • Check the mortar between bricks and tuck-point, if necessary or call a professional bricklayer to assist.

2) Inspect the Exterior, Doors, and Windows

  • Inspect the exterior for crevice cracks and exposed entry points around pipes and seal them.
  • Use weatherstripping around doors to prevent cold air from entering the home and caulk all windows.
  • Replace cracked glass in windows and, if you end up replacing the entire window, prime and paint exposed wood.
  • If your home has a basement, consider protecting its window wells by covering them with plastic shields.
  • Replace any summer screens with glass replacements from storage. If you have storm windows, install them.

3) Inspect Roof, Gutters & Downspouts

  • If your weather temperatures fall below 32 degrees in the winter, adding extra insulation to the attic will prevent warm air from creeping to your roof and causing ice dams.
  • Check flashing around the chimney and along the roof edges to ensure water cannot enter the home.  Caulk if necessary.
  • Replace worn roof shingles or tiles.  Hire a roofing specialist if necessary.
  • Clean out the gutters and use a hose to spray water down the downspouts to clear away debris.
  • Install leaf guards on the gutters or extensions on the downspouts to direct water away from the home.

Ontario Home Inspection Services recommends this additional article on winterizing your home in Ontario.

 

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Proper Roofing Ventilation is Key

This video was put together by Weatertight Corp. a Roofing Contractor in WI.  The hosts Todd an Tod do an excellent job explaining the importance of roofing ventilation.

Proper Roofing ventilation is important in any climate – cold or warm.  The problems that can come with poor roofing installation are:

  • Mold
  • Deteriorating Insulation
  • Prematurly damaged roofing shingles
  • Ice Dams
  • Rotted soffits and fascia
  • Voided Roofing Warranty
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Paint Peeling Everywhere!

I recently responded to an email from a homeowner in Massachusetts (not a customer or ours) who was inquiring about “what x--pictures-booked jobs 2009-santos, westford c ws-before-picture 114causes paint to peel on his house?”

I thought this would be an excellent topic to address in a blog post:
My response was the following:
Mr. Homeowner,
It’s likely that you have 1 of 3 conditions:

  1. A really old paint job:  Even an excellent paint job will eventually peel in the moist New England climate.  In this case, my recommendation would be to not wait so long next time.  People often try to “stretch” the life of their paint job an extra year or 4, only to pay twice as much the next go-around.
  2. A moisture problem: moisture escaping from the wood and causing loss of paint adhesion.  Sometimes there are ways to correct or minimize this. The question is, what’s the source of the moisture?  Is it condensation from winter heat escaping through the walls? is it a leak? is it a moist climate?
  3. Mill-glaze: When wood clapboard is installed smooth-side out, the glazed surface of the wood will often reject adhesion from paint.  This problem will never be solved with paint and usually requires replacement of the affected areas.  Some painters will try to sand down the surface and re-paint, but our experience has been, this might help but the problem will persist.

In some cases these problems can be remedied, but there’s no way of telling without analyzing the specific situation. What many homeowners in this situation like about working with United is “one-stop-shopping”. If they need spot carpentry – we can do it.  If they need painting – we can do it.  If they need heavy prep work done – we can do it.  If they need sectional or full siding replacement – we can do it.
If you’d like an evaluation on your peeling paint issue visit our house painting page.  Or if your interested in knowing how much does it cost to paint a house, you may request a free quote below.

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Your Checklist To Successful Roof Installation

roof 2 (1)Thinking that it might be time to make some upgrades to your roof?  Before making the decision, give this article a read.

In it, we’ll discuss how you can inspect your roof for wear and tear and decide if it’s time to take action.  Once you’ve decided to move forward, we’ll provide you with some handy tips on what to look for in a contractor.

Part 1: How To Spot Potential Problem Areas On Your Roof

Step One: Inspect Your Shingles:

A good visual inspection of your shingles is always the first step in uncovering if you will need roof repairs.  Firstly, look for the obvious signs of wear and tear – missing shingles, or shingles that are cracked or blistered.

For asphalt shingles, take a look at their coating and see if it is beginning to wear.

Step Two: Inspect Your Attic:

Once you’ve taken a good look at the shingles, and the overall roof quality, it’s time to go inside and take a look in your attic.  Here you want to keep an eye out for water damage or leaks.  Look for dark spots on your wood – this is usually an indication of water damage.

Once you’ve identified water damage, be sure to assess the condition of the wood.  If the wood is still firm, it’s safe to say the damage is not recent, and there’s no cause for alarm.  If the wood is soft to the touch, then it has been damaged by the water and you have an issue that needs to be addressed.

Step Three: Get A Professional Inspection:

Once you’ve completed the first two steps, it’s decision time – did you see enough problem areas that you’d like to get a professional opinion?  If so, it’s time to bring in a contractor for inspection.

Part 2: Deciding On A Contractor

But where to start?  First of all, research local home improvement companies and contractors.  Look for companies / individuals who are well established in the business.  Ask potential contractors for references or addresses where you can take a look at past work.

Here are some questions you’ll want to ask:

  • How does disposal of the old roofing materials work?  Is there an extra cost for that?
  • Can I see samples of the materials you’ll be using?
  • What is your timeframe for completion?
  • Will we require permits to do these repairs?

Once you’ve focused on a favorite company, it’s time to “seal the deal”.  Make sure a contract is signed that defines every detail of your work together, including the specific materials the contractor will be using.

Once the work starts, be sure that you pay for the materials at the time they are delivered to the site.  If you can be home through the process, that’s even better, as you can make sure there aren’t any surprises while the work is underway.

With these handy tips, you’ll have a smooth road to repairing your roof!

Many homeowners are interested in finding out how much does a new roof cost. You may also find our free roofing guide helpful.

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How To Finance Your Home Renovations

With the economic turbulence of the last few years, many people have opted to improve the home they’re already living in, rather500 dollar bills than purchasing a new home.  Improvements to your home can mean huge increases in its value, along with less tangible gains of increased beauty and longevity.

If the home improvement path interests you, we’d like to tell you about a number of different financing methods that are potentially available to you.

Same As Cash Loan:

Many companies (including ours!) offer this type of loan in-house.  It allows you to get your home improvement project started with as little as a 10% downpayment.  Through the term of your Same As Cash Loan, the interest is deferred – so you’re given the time to take advantage of great home improvement rates (or move on urgently needed repairs) now, while being given time to shop around for the best rate possible.

Same As Cash Loans terms can range from 90 days to as long as 18 months.

Home Equity Line Of Credit Or Capital Improvement Financing:

Many people who have lived in their home for some time have built up substantial equity.  If you’d like to start getting some of that equity working for you by re-investing in your home (which in turn should lead to increased overall value), then a Home Equity Line Of Credit or Capital Improvement Financing are two great options for you.

Because of the collateral provided by your home, both of these approaches have competitive monthly repayments and good interest rates.  As rates are at historic lows overall (in the realm of 4% at the time of writing), many people have taken advantage of this climate to greatly increase the value of their property.

Unsecured Home Improvement Loan:

A traditional home equity line of credit or capital improvement financing requires you to make your home available as collateral.  If you are not comfortable taking that step, then an Unsecured Home Improvement Loan may be exactly what you’re looking for.

This type of loan allows you to secure funds to improve your home.  Though the interest rates tend to be higher, this approach is sometimes preferred due to its lesser risk.

Making the Decision:

In addition to what we have listed above, there are a number of more specific types of home improvement loan you can get, like the FHA 203K program and the FHA Title 1 program.  For more information, please contact a certified loan professional.

We hope this article has given you a good overview of the different types of financing available, and wish you the best in keeping your home looking great for the years to come.

 

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