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Consider Your Climate for Your Vinyl Installation Project

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Weather Climate

Weather matters when installing vinyl siding

Just as you would choose clothes to protect yourself against the harsh weather outside, you should consider your climate for your vinyl installation project.

Beyond the brink for extreme weather

If you live in a colder climate, you may want to choose a higher gauge siding, of .44 or higher, so it doesn’t expand and contract as much in extreme cold-weather conditions. Higher gauges (or thickness) also help in extreme heats, keeping your home’s exterior from cracking.

If you reside in an area that experiences high winds, consider a vinyl siding that has been tested and approved for heavy wind conditions. One option may be the Durabuilt 440 Series Double 4″ Traditional Lap Vinyl Siding available at Lowes for $9.44 per square, which comes in 13 colors.

If your home is located in a warmer climate, you may want to consider a siding that can withstand extensive sun exposure and won’t easily fade. Technically advanced vinyl siding, such as Generations Thermal Core Siding, is formulated of quality ingredients and manufactured within close tolerances within state-of-the-art, quality-controlled facilities. As a result, the siding will withstand virtually any and all kinds of harsh weather or seasonal extremes.

The cost of weather resistance

While a higher gauge usually means more expensive siding, it is not the only factor for cost. Siding can cost as little as $0.45 per square foot if you do it yourself, or around $5-7 per square foot if you hire a professional to install the vinyl siding. Expect to pay in the high end of the $5.30 – $6.48 per square foot range for a licensed, bonded and insured contractor and for complex or rush projects. Hire carefully, only after verifying prior work quality. Consider the long term savings of hiring a professional who guarantees their work, verses your own time, materials and missteps of doing it yourself.

Trendy looks for a new house makeover

Because vinyl siding doesn’t require the maintenance of wood and gives you a larger field of options than brick, vinyl siding installation is on the rise. Even some older homes that are made of brick or wood are converting to vinyl siding, which, in some cases, can improve the value of the house. However, siding choices now come in a larger variety than ever before. The colors alone come in a large wheel of choices from earth to eccentric tones, but they also comes in stucco, wood, stone, brick, and fiber cement options.

You can also choose to have the siding installed vertically, for a different look. Of course, the option can cost between $2 to $10 more per square foot, depending on what you want.

If your home is subject to a moderate climate, an unusually wet environment, frigid winds or hot, humid conditions, properly hung vinyl siding will continue to maintain its good looks and handsome design no matter what the weather. Whether you choose to hire a professional or to tackle your vinyls siding installation project yourself, pick a siding that is right for the climate in which you live!

Old Magazines Recycled Into Useful Household Items

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magazinesHave you ever wondered what to do with your old magazines when the pile of glossies on your nightstand gets too tall? Here are some useful tips that will not only recycle your magazines, but actually transform them into other useful items:

  • Store any type of cords with a magazine made cord holder. Step one: Roll up one of your used magazines and secure it with tape. Step two:  Wrap your extension cord, those annoying Christmas tree lights, or any type of cord for that matter, around it to keep it from tangling.
  • Use your discarded magazines as a protective liner for your liner. Line your Koi pond or that patio garden. Before adding a liner, place a thick layer of magazine pages over the surface of the excavated area to keep rocks and roots from puncturing the liner. (Newspaper works, too.)
  • Create an impromptu “bathroom lift” for your young ones to reach the sink. Get a box, approximately the same size as your magazines. Stack the magazines in the cardboard box and then seal it up with heavy packing tape. Paste images from the magazine all over the outside for some decoration.
  • Keep glass paint-free. Who needs tape? Before painting window muntins, wet the edges of magazine pages and press them onto the panes, edges against the muntins. After painting, the paper peels off easily.
  • Make boot trees. Ever get tired of the folded crease in your designer boots? Roll them up and use them as boot liners to keep the shape of your cowboy or dress boots. Maybe use the boots as storage of those rolled cords (see first suggestion) – if space and storage are issues.
  • Protect work surfaces. Line your worktable and the floor beneath it with magazine pages for easy cleanup after a messy job.
  • Wrap a present. Why pay for gift wrap? Recycle colorful pages from old magazines instead.
  • Line your drawers. Use heavyweight magazine pages to keep drawer bottoms clean.
  • Use as a trivet. Slide a magazine under a hot pot or dish to protect your tabletop.
  • Use them for artwork. Purchase an inexpensive frame from your local crafts store and line it with magazine images of your favorite items and then hang your new masterpiece!
  • Elevate a plant. Potted plant too short for a planter? Pile magazines at the bottom of the planter, and put the pot on top.

If you have any additional suggestions for ways to recycle and re-use your old magazines, please comment!

Better Way Home Improvement

Springtime De Winterization Tips for Your Home

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Ice On A Roof

I know that most reading this post today will disagree by virtue of the cold temperatures, but springtime is here in New England!  This article is to provide all Massachusetts homeowners with some springtime de winterization tips for your home.

Most residents of New England go through the process of winterizing their homes. However, once the winter ends, did you know that you should also “de-winterize” it as well? You may have inspected your roof and gutter systems, made sure your heating system was up to par and that your home was well insulated to handle the weather and keep your pipes from freezing. Now that spring is upon us, it is just as important to do many of those things all over again, with the addition of a few other necessary precautions.

As we all know, springtime brings more rain than sunshine. Begin scouring your yard for any signs of defect. Assess gutter, drains and spouts for any issues that can lead into plumbing leaks or damages as well as toxic mold growth. Fallen leaves, twigs, branches, snow dirt, and other debris can clog gutters and drains causing water to back flow.

Be sure to do a once over on your roof after every winter.  You roof takes quite a beating in the winter months.  Look for cracks, erosion, or any signs of ice damage to the shingles.  Any damages could end up causing leaks, or worse, continue to degrade to the point of causing wood rot and even larger roof problems.

It is equally important to check the siding of you home, especially in areas surrounding your doors and windows.  The cold air causes the wood to compress over the winter creating gaps, and opportunities for water and snow to seep in.  Look for any signs of potential water staining and immediately repair the trim to avoid long term damage and wood rot – the largest welcome mat for insect infestation.

As a Worcester Massachusetts home improvement company who specializes in vinyl, gutters, windows and door installation, Better Way Home Improvement is available to assist you with the process of inspecting and repairing any damage left behind by the harsh New England Winter.  Contact us for more information.

Better Way Home Improvement, Oxford MA
A Local Vinyl Siding, Gutters, Windows, and Door Installation Company