Tag: Siding Installation

When Should You Replace Your Siding

Posted on | by nwfam
When Should You Replace Your Siding | Siding Replacement | New Windows for America

Siding is your home’s first line of defense against weather and pests; acting like an exterior windbreaker while insulating and protecting your home. When siding starts to fall apart, it becomes quite unsightly and invites pests and moisture leading to larger problems. Replacing your home’s siding may seem like a daunting and large project, but if using the right contractor, and the right products, and depending on how long you live in your home, chances are you probably only have to do it once. Unfortunately, your home’s siding won’t last forever. So how do you know when it is time to replace your siding?

Here are some signs to look for when you think you may need to do a siding replacement.

Excessive Maintenance

Taking care of your Colorado home’s siding will help prolong the life of your siding. Does it seem like you continually must repair spots on your home’s siding? Scheduling an inspection or maintenance check on your siding should be done once or twice a year, while the cleaning and maintenance are left up to the homeowner. This can be quite a time-consuming project, and you may want to consider having a siding that is more low maintenance to make better use of your time with other daily activities.

Extreme Color Fading or Peeling

Curb appeal is important to you and your neighborhood. Once the color on the siding begins to fade it can become quite unsightly. Do you find yourself having to paint your siding more frequently because it is peeling? In Colorado, we have 300+ days of sunshine per year, and that sun can be brutal on our homes. If you had sun-damaged siding and replaced or repainted it several times, and the damage returns quickly, this may mean a structural problem.  There are options for sun-resistant vinyl siding, and fiber cement siding available in a variety of colors that don’t require constant maintenance and will retain their color for many years.

Cracks & Gaps

Cracks and gaps can be quite unsightly but can also lead to inviting in moisture or pests. The integrity of the underlying wood structure may be comprised or worn down. Water damage from rain, snow, or pests may contribute to some of the siding becoming loose. Although these small areas can be repaired as a short-term solution, it is recommended to replace damaged siding as soon as possible to protect your home, as well as the appearance of your home.

Rotting & Warping

Does it look like your siding is warped, buckled, or starting to crumble? This could be a sign of rot which can spread across the exterior. To test for rot, insert a screwdriver gently under the boards and joints around the gutters and chimneys. Is the area soft, and easy to poke into? This could be a sign of rotting damage. There are many new brands of siding like cement board or siding made from a vinyl composition that do not naturally decay when exposed to long periods of moisture. 

Damage from Pests or Storms

Large-scale damage from storms or small damage from pests can present themselves as larger problems if not repaired or replaced. The damage could allow moisture to get into and under the siding which could reach your home’s structural framework or mold growth.

Higher Energy Bills

Rising costs of electricity and temperature swings may not be the only cause of your higher energy bills. Older siding does not insulate your home as well, making your furnace and air conditioner work harder to maintain the temperature in your home. Air leaks and drafts are common in defective or old siding. It may be time to replace your siding if you find you are paying more for heating and cooling bills.

Benefits of Replacing your Siding

Your home can look dramatically different with new siding, enhancing, and upgrading your home’s curb appeal, as well as increasing the value of your home. Installing and upgrading your siding could make a big difference in eliminating drafts, as well as saving on your energy bills in the winter and summer months. Ask the Team at New Windows for America about the different types of siding we offer, as well as siding that is rated by Energy Star for efficiency advantages.

Ready to Get Started on Your Siding Replacement Project?

If you are unsure if your home’s siding needs to be replaced, call the team at New Windows for America. We have 25+ years of experience with installing windows, and doors, including siding installation, specifically suited for our Colorado climate. We can help you figure out whether you can repair or need to replace your siding. New Windows for America offers some of the industry’s best brands, including James Hardie Siding, LP SmartSide, and Crane Performance Siding to name a few. We are happy to work with you on finding the best siding replacement for your Colorado home and can offer you a free estimate and determine if your siding needs to be replaced.

Contact our New Windows for America Team today with any siding questions you may have!

Click here for a FREE In-Home Estimate

Top 10 Spring Things to Check

Posted on | by nwfam
Spring Cleaning

Spring has sprung! The days are longer and the air is warmer. Time to put away the winter coats and break out the toolbox. Winter storms and temperatures can wreak havoc on a home and finding out where repairs may be necessary is vital. Some are cheap; others…not so much. In any case, it needs to be done. So get up off your duff, grab a pen and paper, and get ready to look at these Top 10 Spring Things to Check!

  1. Spring Cleaning. Your house has been shut up all winter; hermetically sealed against the cold winter storms. Now that spring is here, it’s time to open the windows and start dusting! Make a list of what need to go into storage and which rooms are in most dire need of cleaning.
  2. Change the Filter. This is a bi-annual job best done during the spring and fall. Clogged air filters in the furnace often cause the unit to work harder which means a higher energy bill.
  3. Air out the Attic. Leaks or condensation buildup in the attic are a great place for mold and mildew to start. By opening attic vents and letting a fan blow through, you dry out the stale, possible humid air and make it harder for spores to grow. This is also a fantastic time to look for those leaks and get them repaired.
  4. Test the top. While we’re on the subject on the roof, safely climb up and check for broken, worn, or buckled shingles. The summer heat will exacerbate any damage that’s already been done during the winter and increase the chances of a leak. While you’re up there, check the chimney as well.
  5. Gauge the Gutters. This one gets a whole section of its own since this can be a huge job. Yearly cleaning of the gutters will keep old detritus from compacting and composting; weighing down the bracers and creating sagging areas. It’s also another place to figure out how much graveling your shingles have lost.
  6. Scope the Sides. Since you started at the top, work your way down. Look for cracks and leaks around window frames and doorways. Are there breaks or damage to the siding? Maybe this is the year to slap a fresh coat of paint on.
  7. Brace the Bottom. The melting snow has a tendency to wash earth away from the foundation so you may need to replace it with new compacted soil to prevent basement leaks. Look at outdoor faucets as well for breaks or leaks in the wall around them.
  8. Look at the Lawn. Wander around your yard and find low spots where water may collect. It may be great for the grass in that area, but it also means that water is flowing away from other spots that won’t look as healthy later on in the season. De-winterize your lawn tools now as well. Change out old gas and clean the contacts so that you aren’t fighting to start the mower when the time does come to trim the grass.
  9. Check the Cooler. Whether you have forced air A/C or and evaporative cooler, this is the time to get them cleaned and cleared. Check the A/C condenser for any twigs or other fan blade damaging debris that might cause costly repairs. Open up the swamp cooler and clean the media to prevent that nasty musty smell the first few times you run it.
  10. Deck out the Deck. Let’s face it, with longer days, you’re going to be out here more and it needs to be nice. Look for damaged or warped boards that need to be replaced. Break out and hose off the patio furniture that has been buried at the back of the garage since late fall. Take the cover off of the grill and give the slats a scrape to clear off the dust that has collected.

Prepping for spring and summer isn’t really hard to do. It can be time consuming and may claim a few weekends. While inspecting your house, take a look at your windows, siding and doors. Do they need spring cleaning, or maybe even replacement? Contact New Windows for America for a FREE estimate! When you have completed this checklist, you will know that you can sit back, relax, and enjoy the summer.