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Siding on your home now, and problems?!?
How can I tell if the siding needs replacement or just paint?
There are several major signs to determine whether you need siding replacement. First, check the type of your siding. Is it, LP Louisiana Pacific, T-111, Masonite Hardwood, EIFS or Exterior Insulation and Finish System (synthetic stucco), Stimson Forex, Weyerhauser Hardboard Siding, Stucco, Vinyl Siding (Crane, Royal Building Products, Wolverine) or “just siding”?
Appearance is everything: look for separation of seams, swollen boards, bad caulking, discoloration, the siding does not lay flat on the home, or it is old and tired. The paint usually does not hold to wood siding when it is old and needs replacement.
What is the purpose of James Hardie Siding and moisture effects?
Made from hard-wearing fiber cement, James Hardie products offer optimal life-cycle cost advantages. They will not burn, they are resistant to permanent water and termite damage, and when installed as directed, they are resistant to rotting and warping. This makes them virtually maintenance-free, and their durability means a significant reduction in repair costs associated with wear and tear. Remember, the purpose of James Hardie Siding Products is to provide both a durable and decorative cover. Moisture and rain will generally get under the outside layer and it is up to the quality of the contractor to seal the home properly which comes from several critical steps and products.
What can I reside over and what is torn off?
There are few surfaces that we recommend to reside over. The important part of the project is to ensure a quality install and more importantly, to discover and uncover the potential defects in products and workmanship from you current siding. If your siding needs replacement, a tear-off of existing siding reveals all of this and improves the function of your new siding.
What is dry rot, how is expensive is dry-rot repair?
Dry-rot usually occurs around corners, windows, doors, or wood that has been exposed to moisture for longer periods of time. Tear-off of existing siding normally reveals this problem. AA Side X Side Construction typically includes some time at an hourly rate plus materials in our bids to address this issue. These costs range from $75 to thousands because if there is a wide-spread problem it must be uncovered, discovered, and then fixed. At the time you receive your original estimate, this and other important points will be discussed prior beginning work on your home.
This fungus mostly causes decay in areas with restricted ventilation, high humidity and a moisture content of between 30-40%. However, dry rot can remain active in timber with as little as 20% moisture and can also attack dry timber. It can grow through the fabric of a building if conditions are suitable, by penetrating brickwork and masonry and behind plaster, decaying any timber in its path. Decaying timber develops "cuboidal" cracking and is usually overgrown by masses of grey-white mycelium. Plate-like fruiting bodies produce millions of rusty-red spores (seeds) as a reddish dust, and these spores spread the fungal infection to other areas.
Why is my caulking looking awful and wearing thin?
Decisions before you reside your home
Are there any concerns over design and materials?
It's hard enough keeping up with the Joneses, but how do you keep up with technology? Future-proofing your home isn't merely about the latest automation. In its more sustainable form, it's about employing long-lasting, durable building materials that won't need replacing or require regular time-consuming maintenance, but instead will do the job you expect of them and continue looking good long after your mortgage is paid off. Evaluating building materials on the basis of their durability is more economical in the long term than purchasing cheaper, but inferior, products. This is known as life cycle costing and is a key premise of future-proofing. There are many choices such as the size of your lap siding widths, the window trims, resurfacing fascia boards or not, down to the time line of your project. When you compare products know why one is better for your home that another even if they are both recommended. Prices and projects vary but your happiness and satisfaction should not.
Should my Siding be replaced before the home sale?
Money Magazine Singles Out Hardiplank® Siding As A Great Value
As part of its November 2005 story on 4 Great Home Makeovers, Money Magazine told its 1.9 million readers that Hardiplank® siding is a smart investment that delivers on durability. Think about it, if there is a question about the siding before a home sale a buyer may and will use this as a negotiating tools to lower the price significantly. It would make sense to make the appropriate repair or replace the siding to capture the highest price possible. The return on the your siding investment may pay off handsomely.
What types of moisture wraps?
People wear all types why not your home.
Caulking and the Northwest?
James Hardie has made several changes to their installation guidelines and recommendations in 2005. AA Side X Side Construction does not caulk the field joints like other contractors but prefers to use metal flashing between all joints to avoid ugly casulking that can and does fails if not properly applied with proper tolerance of HArdiplank lap siding. This is a time/labor intensive process but find most customers appreciate our attention to detail.
Have you seen my new trim lately? James Hardie XLD, now that is trim!
Different materials require different types of upkeep, beginning with one of the oldest building materials—wood. For Northwest living in cool and humid climates, wood presents special problems such as termites, mold, and widely known DRY-ROT. Outside the home, pressure washing can be used to keep mold off. In this respect, pressure washing is most important to a wood house, because while other building materials will not be destroyed by mold, wood can be. All rotted and soft surface wood should be replaced. AA Side X Side is proud to offer James Hardie XLD, MD and HLD trims to replace wood trims. AN ounce of prevention but it evens the playing field on cast it will perform and hold the paint similar to Hardiplank 2-3 times longer than wood. Why reside you home to avoid future painting if you then just need to paint the trim. Most contractors refuse or wish not to offer this in their bids since it requires imagination, special handling skills and added cost which all favor you not their bottom line: profit! http://www.jameshardie.com/homeowner/installation/harditrim_installation.php
Flashing doors and windows
1. Rain and moisture? Seal your home and its future
What to Expect from AA Side X Side Construction
Be sure communication is clear and you have a clear explanation of exactly what is and isn't covered on you final estimate upon signing. Ask if you are not sure and rest assured you thoughts are welcome. We would like to put everything in writing to your satisfaction.
Give yourself adequate time to contact homeowner association committees or we will help for your home project regarding paint colors, materials or design ideas.
Let us know. Tell us where the best place is for sanitation, garbage containers, materials and work times before the project begins.
Let us know of special needs of foliage, plants, outdoor furniture and pets.
Sometimes the contents of your interior walls are disturbed during the exterior tear off. Please keep this in mind and remove anything that may fall or be knocked over. We will notify you before this process takes place.
Make arragement with us for access to electrical boxes for power tools if they are located in garage or interior of your home. Sometimes the breaker needs to be reset when you are away. We are bonded so be sure you can rely on our honesty.
We can provide protection for grass and shrubs, so please discuss this before hand.
Please ask for a sample of siding to test your paint colors on. We do have a company that we trust and will happy to provide a painting estimate.
Our crews typically work 8 hour shifts. They a start around 8:30am and end around 5:00pm. If there are better times or longer times available let us know.
We are very flexible; so walk around your house every so often - we can change things conveniently to your satisfaction. Patience and planning lead us both to success.
Yes, material suppliers often send Washington Construction Liens via mail. Dont be alarmed as this a common practice. As noted in our contract, your house will remain free of liens until we are done. Please call us if you have any questions regarding this. Sit back and relax; this means the material are on their way.
Please keep in mind - unlike most contractors we use or prefer to use James Hardie Products to include trims, soffits, and panels instead of wood and special flashing without caulking which means the time for your siding project is usually longer than most companies since it take much more time and labor to do your project.
Best of all we stay in touch and I, Charles Berry, will be calling at least twice a week and visit the site personally on a regular basis. We are tuned to your needs, visions and solution to bring a smile to your house. Trust and integrity is what we expect from every job.
Cheers!
Estimate of work and delivering the promises
HSE guarantees!
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