Believe it or not, once you decide on wood siding over vinyl, aluminum, fiber cement or various other choices, you still have a few more choices to make.  One of the largest choices is the type of wood siding you would like on your home. There are several choices, each with their own benefits as well as look, which is why it is important to know the difference so you can pick the siding that is right for you.

Vertical Wood Siding Choices

Plank – This siding is installed vertically. Each board is installed right up to the board next to it without overlapping.  This is a good choice for homeowners that like a fluid, flat look to the exterior of their home.  Plank wood siding can also be installed in a tongue and groove pattern as well as channel groove style for a little more texture and style to your home.

Shingles – Similar to the shingles on your roof, wood shingles offer a textured look to the exterior sides of your home.  Installed vertically, the wood shingles overlap each other for a textured look.  An alternative to wood shingles is wood shakes which are basically the same but they are a bit thicker than shingles and offer more texture and aesthetic appeal.

Horizontal Wood Siding Choices

Clapboard – One of the more common types of wood siding, clapboard is installed horizontally, which each board overlapping the other to give it a rustic look that is similar to that you would see on a farm.  Clapboard is a great way to give your modern home a rustic, historical look.

Bevel – This type of siding is also installed horizontally.  The difference in bevel siding is that both sides of the wood have different thicknesses.  This type of siding is popular because of its ability to shed water, preserving the beauty of your wood siding for a longer period of time.

Horizontal or Vertical

Plywood – Plywood siding is wood veneers that are glued together.  This cost efficient choice for wood siding is typically installed vertically for a very uniform, attractive look, but can be installed horizontally as well if you prefer that look for your home.

This is probably a question many of you ask yourself, especially in the autumn when you spend hours up on a ladder fishing leaves and other debris out of your gutters.  While there is no fool proof answer to this question, having the right information about gutter guards can better help you make an informed decision about whether or not your home needs gutter guards.

What do Gutter Guards Do?

Gutter guards are meant to protect your gutters from excess debris such as leaves and twigs accumulating in them and blocking the water from flowing away freely away from your home.  What they are not is a magic solution that allows you the freedom of never climbing a ladder again to clean out your gutters.  You will still have to clean them out periodically; the difference is that the frequency will be decreased and the job will be easier with gutter guards.

Is there More than one Type of Gutter Guard?

Plain and simple – yes, there are a large variety of gutter guards for you to choose from.  Knowing the benefits of each will help you determine which one is right for your home.

Reverse Curve – With its side slots and solid cover, this gutter guard encourages leaves and debris to the fall to the ground rather than accumulate in the gutter

Mesh Guards – These guards are made for homeowners that collect rainwater to water their gardens and landscaping.  A mesh screen is attached to the roof shingles and covers the gutter so that no debris, not even small grains of sand can enter the gutter, giving you pure rainwater to use at a later time.

Nylon – These gutter guards do not require the attachment to shingles, they are made to fit into your gutters and are good for preventing snow and ice accumulation in your gutters.

Bottle Brush – Just as the names suggests, this type of gutter guard is a bristled brush that lies upright in your gutter and causes leaves and other debris to stick to the bristles, not clogging your gutter while the water flows out freely.

Foam – Placed right in your gutter, foam gutter guards are made of a polyurethane substance that stop the accumulation of anything in your gutters, allowing water to flow freely through them.

Today, homeowners have many more choices when it comes to replacing the gutters on their home.  If you are thinking about doing any renovating on the exterior of your home, thought should be given to the type of gutters that you use.  Aluminum gutters are a great choice because of their durability, ability to shape them as well as the ability to paint them any color to match your home.  When you choose aluminum gutters you will need to decide between traditional or seamless gutters.

The Difference Between Traditional and Seamless Gutters

Traditional gutters are the gutters that have been around for many years, have seams and therefore have the potential to leak.  Pre-made in standard lengths, traditional gutters are attached end to end until the desired length is reached to direct the rainwater away from your home.  The seams of traditional gutters are actually the joints where each pieces meets the other.

Seamless gutters on the other hand are made of one piece of aluminum that is bent to fit the needs of your home.  Custom sized to fit your home exactly, you will only find seams in seamless gutters at the corners, which are necessary to bend the gutters as well as at the downspout.  The major benefit of seamless gutters over seamless gutters is the reduced amount of seams in the gutter, which greatly reduces the risk for leaking.  Seamless gutters offer greater aesthetic appeal for your home as well – possibly increasing its value and definitely increasing its curb appeal.

What to Think About with Gutters

The primary purpose of your gutters is to force the rainwater, melted snow and any other water source away from your home, especially the foundation.  If water is allowed to penetrate the foundation or siding, over a period of time you will begin to have mold, mildew, rotting and increase the potential for rodents and termite damage.

In general seamless gutters are stronger than traditional gutters, which means they can withstand more weight.  Believe it or not, rainwater gets heavy over time – putting pressure on your gutter system.  Traditional gutters have more weak spots with each seam, making your gutters weaker with each heavy snowfall or heavy rain.

One thing that is the same whether you choose traditional or seamless gutters is the necessity for proper installation.  Even the best gutter system that is installed improperly becomes just as weak as the least effective gutter system.

Spring is just about upon us, which means you will want to start having your windows open, letting the fresh air into your home and musky, winter air out. Nothing is more frustrating than going to open your window on that gorgeous day and being unable to open your window because it is stuck. There are a variety of reasons that windows stick resulting in various different methods to get those stuck windows open.

Why do Windows Stick?

Paint – This is the most common reason that windows stick. When paint gets in between the sash and the frame, the window will dry shut.
Dirt buildup – Everyday grime that is not periodically cleaned can seal your window shut.
Humidity – Depending on the material of your windows, humidity can cause your windows to expand, which makes them stick in the jamb.

How to Unstick your Windows

There are several methods that you can use to unstick your windows:

• Break the paint seal – If there is an obvious paint seal, you can break the seal with a utility knife. If there are no obvious paint seals, but you suspect that is your culprit, use something thin such as a piece of paper, slid all the way around the window until you find the spot that the paper does not easily slide through. Use the putty knife in this area to break the paint seal. If a putty knife does not do the trick, you can use a scraper or any other sharp knife that will cut through the seal without harming the window.
• Use a pry bar – If you cannot break the seal with a putty knife, you can go to the exterior of your home and gently try to pry the window open with a pry bar.
• Use a hammer – This might seem like a scary method to use around your window, but with careful precision, you will break the seal around your window without breaking your window! Use a block of wood that is wrapped in cloth and hold it against the window sash. Before striking the wood with the hammer, make sure that you are exerting pressure towards the sash not towards the glass. Gently move the wood block around the window sash until you have hammered around the entire window and loosened the seal.

When you do get the window pried open, take the opportunity to vacuum any dirt

Your windows are the culprit of at least 30% of the energy loss in your home.  If you do not have properly insulated or installed windows, you run the risk of using more energy than your house actually requires – increasing your utility bills unnecessarily.  If it is time for you to look for replacement windows, dual pane windows are definitely worth taking a look at.

What are Dual Pane Windows?

Just as the name suggests, dual pane windows have two panes that are separated only by a small vacuum of air.  This air is also pumped with an inert gas such as argon which is denser than air, making it even tougher for heat to penetrate that barrier.  This means that during the summer the hot air will not enter your home through the windows and the warm air inside your home in the winter will not leave your home.

What are the Benefits of Dual Pane Windows?

·    Energy Efficiency – Dual pane windows allow you to keep your home warm in the winter and cool in the summer by preventing the air from inside your home from leaking out as well as the air outside from leaking in.

·    Long Life – Dual pane windows typically have a longer life than single pane windows.  This means you will not have to replace the windows as often, saving you even more money in the long run.

·    Low-E Coating – Most dual pane windows also have a Low-E layer which helps to reflect the heat off of the window.  This helps your home by reflecting the hot heat off of the barrier in the summer as well as reflecting the interior heat off of your window in the winter.

·    Privacy – Since there is a larger barrier for sound to break through with dual pane windows, you will enjoy more privacy in your home.  There will be less noise heard outside your home as well as inside your home, which is especially nice if you live in a busy neighborhood.

·    Reduced Moisture – When dual pane windows are properly installed, they resist moisture which leads to mildew and rot in your home.

If it is time for you to look at replacement windows, dual pane windows are an excellent choice because of their energy efficiency, long life and privacy.  Look for dual pane windows in wood, vinyl or fiberglass; these materials will also contribute to the energy efficiency of your home.

You might not give your gutters much thought, but they are actually a large part of the appearance of the exterior of your home.  When you are making changes to the exterior of your home, it is important to understand the different types of gutters available so that you choose the gutters that increase your home’s curb appeal as well as functionality.

What Materials are Gutters Available In?

Gutters are available in aluminum, galvanized steel, copper and wood.  The most common material is aluminum because it does not rust, making them more cost efficient than other gutter types that have to be replaced more frequently.  Aluminum gutters are not as strong as other gutter types however and are very susceptible to damage from harsh weather conditions.  Vinyl is also a popular material for gutters because it also has the ability to resist rot and they have the added benefit of being able to be installed by homeowners because they are easy to cut and install, helping to decrease the cost of replacing gutters.  One downside to vinyl gutters is their ability to warp in extremely hot or cold temperatures.

Even though vinyl and aluminum gutters are the most popular, galvanized steel gutters are also a viable choice.  Galvanized steel is very durable because of its extra layer that is added to it making it an extremely durable choice even in harsh weather conditions.    Copper gutters also have the benefit of being extremely durable and able to withstand almost any weather conditions.  They are also maintenance free and come in a wide variety of styles and colors, making it easy to match the décor of the exterior of your home.

What are the Types of Gutters Available?

There are two types of gutters available, sectional and seamless.

Sectional gutters are the standard gutters that are the most common.  Easy to install yourself, they are cost efficient and easy to maintain.  They come in pre-cut lengths and simply fit together to make them the length that your home requires.  Sectional gutters are also available for professional installation.  These varieties are typically more durable and have more styles available.

Seamless gutters are as the name suggests seamless, which makes them one long continuous piece.  Seamless gutters need to be professionally installed which can greatly increase their cost.  However, the major benefit of seamless gutters is the decreased leaking that you will experience with the lack of seams.  This means less maintenance and replacements which can end up costing you less in the long run.

It is essential to properly clean engineered wood siding periodically not only to keep it looking beautiful but also to ensure its durability.  Engineered wood siding that is not cleaned is prone to mold and mildew damage that will shorten the life of your siding.

There are a few simple precautions to take before cleaning your engineered wood siding:

• Shut off any electricity
• Close your windows
• Do not directly spray doors and windows
• Protect fragile shrubbery and flowers with plastic

Once you have prepared your area for cleaning – it is time to wash your engineered wood siding.  This is a several step process that involves rinsing, pre-treating, washing and sanding if absolutely necessary.

• Rinse – As a very first step, you want to rinse your home to get rid of any surface dirt and grime.  It is important to remember to spray from the top and work down so that the dirt flows down to the ground rather than up higher on your house.
• Pre-Treat – When you pre-treat your home, you are helping to rid your home of mold and mildew.  This can be done with either chlorine bleach or vinegar, both of which are safe and eco-friendly options to clean your home.  Mix 3 parts water to 1 part EITHER vinegar or bleach.  You can then fill a spray bottle with the solution or put it in a bucket and use a soft-bristled brush to scrub your home with the solution.  For difficult areas, you can leave the solution on the area for 30 minutes before rinsing.
• Rinse – Rinse the vinegar or bleach solution off of your home.
• Wash – Washing your home simply requires warm water and a mild detergent.  Mix the solution in a bucket and using a large brush such as a floor brush scrub your home from top to bottom.  Make sure to not leave the detergent on your home for any length of time, rinse it right away.
• Sanding – Any areas that still have mold or mildew can be sanded down with a piece of sand paper dipped into your washing solution.  Take care not to sand too hard – only enough to remove the stain.  Stop periodically and rinse the debris away to see if the stain has been removed.
• Rinse – Your last step is to rinse your entire home from top to bottom again to make sure all soap residue and debris has been removed from your home.

If you have ever had an over cluttered gutter, you know how detrimental it can be to your home.  But have you ever given thought to how your downspouts are negatively affecting your home?  Downspouts that are not properly angled allow the water to run back to the base of your home.  Enough water could eventually cause the ground around the foundation or even your foundation to erode.  Even homeowners that are very meticulous about how they angle their downspout can have problems.  Downspouts are not very heavy, so the slightest wind or detrimental weather can misplace the downspout without you even realizing it.

Saving your Foundation

The best solution to ensure that you avoid any water damage to your foundation is to bury your downspout.  This is an even better choice than putting a tail on your downspout, which can sometimes pose a tripping threat, especially to children since downspout tails can be in excess of 12 inches long.  When you bury the downspout, take care to not bury it too close to the house and ensure that it is angled away from the home so the water does not have a chance to come flowing back to your home.

Eco-Friendly Decision

When you bury your downspout, you have the ability to repurpose the water in other areas of your home.  You can direct the water to empty out into an area that you regularly water, saving you both time and money since you will not have to run your own water.

Aesthetic Reasons

When you bury your downspout it also helps to increase the aesthetic appeal of your home.  If you have a lot of water coming out of the downspout, it can make certain areas of your yard very wet and muddy.  By being able to choose where your downspout empties out, you can control which area of your lawn ends up getting soaked.  A downspout can also be unsightly.  When you bury the downspout, it is out of sight, giving your landscaping gorgeous appeal once again.

Burying the Downspout

If you decide to bury your downspout, make sure you do it correctly or your efforts will backfire on you.  Dig a trench that is at least 18 inches deep with the end of the sloping trench measuring at least 30 inches.  The entire trench should measure at least 15 inches wide.  This will ensure that the water overflow will effectively leave your gutters.

Fiber cement siding is a viable choice for homeowners that love the look of wood or vinyl siding but do not like the maintenance or disadvantages that wood and vinyl siding carries.

What is Fiber Cement Siding?

Fiber cement siding is a mixture of cement, fibers and sand.  These materials combine to make a siding that is durable, does not rot or decay and can withstand harsh weather elements.

What are the Benefits of Fiber Cement Siding?

The benefits of fiber cement siding are numerous:

• Low maintenance – Fiber cement siding does not require yearly maintenance and it holds paint very well, which means you will not have to have your siding repainted often as is the case with wood siding
• Withstands weather elements – Fiber cement siding does not swell or contract, which means it can withstand harsh winters or very hot summers without doing any damage to your siding.
• Resists rot, mold and mildew – Since fiber cement siding is made from mostly concrete, it resists rot, mold and mildew which helps to keep your home safe as well as reduce your maintenance costs.  Even if you live in a very rainy area, you do not have to worry about fiber cement siding rotting.
• No risk of termites – Wood siding presents a major risk for termite damage which can be detrimental to the structure of your home.  With fiber cement siding there is no risk of termites, keeping your home safe from structural damage.
• Aesthetically pleasing – The beauty of fiber cement siding is its ability to look like any other siding type.  Available in a wide variety of colors and textures, fiber cement siding allows you to achieve the look of vinyl or wood siding but with more durability.
• Long lasting materials – Many manufacturers of fiber cement siding offer guarantees of around 50 years for fiber cement siding since it is made of such durable materials that look new much longer than other materials.
• Resists dents and scratches – There is no worry about scratches or dents with fiber cement siding such as you would have to worry about with vinyl or aluminum siding.
• No risk of fire – Certain types of siding such as wood or vinyl are at high risk for burning, especially when a barbeque grill or other hot surface is too close to the home.  Fiber cement siding is completely fire proof.

Tile roofs are most known for their use in the southern states where the climates are warm and the sun is scorching.  Research has shown that tile roofs do well in any climate however and can be a beneficial choice for homes all over the country.

What are Tile Roofs?

Tile roofs are made from either clay, concrete or sand-cast.  Any of these materials will outlast the typical asphalt roof because of their ability to withstand the elements of any weather.  Most of the manufacturers for tile roofs guarantee them for 50 years, but many have been known to last even longer.

Benefits of Tile Roofs

There are many benefits that tile roofs contain including their ability to withstand harsh environmental elements from harsh wind, rain or hail.  Tile roofs are also fire proof and resist rot, mold and mildew.  The ability of tile roofs to keep homes cooler also gives them the benefit of being energy efficient, therefore reducing your utility bills.  Tile roofs can also be installed in any climate, the method of installation has to be tweaked slightly depending on the environment it will be in, but it is possible to successfully have a tile roof in most climates.

Aesthetics of Roof Tiles

In recent years, roof tiles have come a long way.  It used to be that roof tiles had the southwestern look, with most homes using the red clay for their tile roof.  Today, roof tiles can be made to resemble most any roof type including cedar shakes, which can give your home a very sophisticated roof while giving it longevity and durability for many years to come.

Cons of Roof Tiles

As with any other decision you can make for your home, roof tiles have cons as well.  The largest con is the hefty price that accompanies roof tiles, but because of its longevity, the high price up front will pay off in the long run.  Roof tiles are also heavy, which means it is imperative to have them professionally installed to ensure their safety as well as their longevity.  Any repairs that need to be done to roof tiles should also be done by a professional since roof tiles are not meant to be walked on and professionals know exactly how to repair them without causing any further damage.