We are getting ready to replace our existing siding on our home in the next month or so, and I have a few questions.

Before investing in such a costly undertaking, Id like a few questions answered.

Is double hem mounting the best way to go?

Should we have 1/2 inch foam and Tyvek moisture barrier in combination? If not, which is more energy efficient?

Should all door and window openings have flashing?

Should the color of the siding go all the way through?

What thickness should the siding be?

As you can tell, Im a bit confused. Thanks.

A 10-year-old vinyl siding job shouldnt necessarily need replacement, unless its been damaged in some way.

Sun can bleach some and even the reflection from close-by Low-E windows can concentrate the suns heat and can warp sections Ive seen that. Weed whackers chop holes out of corner boards, and storms hurling tree limbs and hail create damage that might warrant replacement.

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On the Level: The ins and outs of vinyl siding

The final agreement related to the construction of a team track rail siding project off West Main Street has been approved.

This week, Washington City Council members unanimously approved a supplemental agreement with Union Pacific Railroad for the construction of improvements, including installation of a manual switch.

The city will pay $406,964 to Union Pacific for the railroads portion of the project. The city previously deposited $75,000 with the railroad last September which was applied toward the signal design work. That leaves a balance of $331,964, according to the agreement.

Darren Lamb, community and economic development director, said that 27 percent of the cost will be paid out of a federal Economic Development Administration grant the city received for the project.

Meanwhile, the general contractor, Kolb Grading, St. Charles, is close to completing grading and site work for the project which will include a 1,900-foot team track and a secure building/office on a 4.4-acre lot adjacent to the Canam Steel plant.

The team track will provide a secure facility where local industries and businesses can load and unload products and materials onto railroad cars and trucks.

Lamb said that Kolb expected to complete site work by the end of April.

Kolb was awarded the contract on a bid of $3.25 million earlier this year. Total cost of the project, including engineering fees and other expenses, is expected to be close to $4 million.

The contractor has until Sept. 30, 2012, to complete the facility.

In addition to a $962,701 EDA grant approved for the project, the city will receive an estimated $2,052,810 community development block grant through the Missouri Department of Economic Development. The citys share of the project cost is $786,063.30.

Link:
Washington OKs Agreement With Union Pacific for Work on Team Track

The following information is from selected reports provided by the St. Charles County Sheriff's Department:

Stealing

A 16-foot, flat-bed trailer was reported stolen March 6 from a new home construction site in the 1500 block of Burnside Lane. The trailer, used for siding installation, was described as a 2004 M&M trailer with two tool racks and a single ladder rack on the sides. Value was placed at $4,000. [Map highlight 1]

The owner of a home in the 300 block of Meadow Brook Estates Lane reported March 6 that after having a 19-year-old female house sitter occupy his house while he was on vacation, he came home to find $1,100 in $100 bills and another $500 in assorted currency taken from the home. As it turned out, the house-sitter also brought in her 22-year-old boyfriend to stay at the house. [Map highlight 2]

The owner of a home in the 1700 block of Veterans Memorial Parkway reported March 9 that after inviting some friends over, he discovered that a Mossberg shotgun valued at $300, a Movado watch valued at $200, three cell phones valued at $200 and $460 in currency were missing. All items were recovered and returned to the owner. Even though deputies have a person of interest in the case, the victim refused to prosecute. [Map highlight 3]

A man who was asleep in his home in the 2500 block of Bates Road reported March 11 that someone entered his home, stole $200 in cash, several credit cards and his driver's license. There were no signs of forced entry. [Map highlight 4]

The owner of an unlocked vehicle parked in the 800 block of Brockwell Drive reported March 12 that someone entered the car and made off with a Kel-Tec .380-caliber automatic pistol valued at $500 and an iPod valued at $250. [Map highlight 5]

Thirteen sets of collectable silver dollars were reported stolen March 12 from a home in the 2600 block of Highway P. Value of the 260-coin collection was placed at $2,600. There was no sign of forced entry, and the victims were unsure when the coins were stolen. [Map highlight 6]

A trapeze bar, attached to a child's swing set, was reported stolen March 12 from the yard of a home in the 4000 block of Stonecroft Drive. Value was placed at $300. [Map highlight 7]

A woman who dropped a child off at KinderCare, 6016 Young Drive, reported March 13 that after leaving her unlocked car unattended for a few minutes, she returned to find her purse and its contents missing. Besides the purse, which was valued at $80, other items stolen included a wallet containing numerous credit cards and an iPhone. When the woman called to cancel the credit cards, she was told one had already been used at a BP gas station and an AutoZone store, both in Bridgeton. [Map highlight 8]

See more here:
Incident reports for St. Charles County

JEFFERSONVILLE One person has been arrested and three more are at-large after a Jeffersonville woman and her 2-year-old child were held at knifepoint and robbed in November.

Sondra Bethe, 36, was charged this week in Clark Circuit Court No. 4 with conspiracy to commit robbery and robbery [aiding], both class A felonies.

According to the probable-cause affidavit, Bethe went to a womans apartment and was allowed in, because the two knew each other. The woman didnt know Bethe had three men with her, until after she let her in and they followed. The affidavit said the men were asking the woman where the father of her child was, because they claimed he had robbed them. She said he didnt live with her, and she didnt know where he was.

The situation quickly escalated, court records show. The victim told police that one of the men held a knife to her throat and hit her. Another one hit her multiple times. Her boyfriend, who was also there, attempted to help, but was hit, so he ran to get help. After that, one of the men held the knife to the 2-year-old child, threatening to kill the woman and her child.

The woman was stabbed in the hand as she fought for the knife to protect her child. Her boyfriend returned with $80 and gave it to the men. The men also took the womans Medicaid and food stamp cards.

A neighbor, who called 911 after the victims boyfriend came to him for help, also got cut from the knife. Another neighbor also came to assist, at which point the men and Bethe left in a gray Saab with Kentucky plates, according to court records.

The woman was taken to the hospital and treated for various injuries. The woman had a stab wound to her hand, cuts on her arm, a missing tooth, and a busted lip and eye with extensive swelling. Her child was not injured.

According to the affidavit, Bethe was questioned in December about her involvement. Bethe told police that she had been walking back from the Lighthouse Restaurant & Lounge when the men forced her into the car and drove to the victims apartment. She said she left after they arrived and didnt witness anything.

Bethe is being held on $25,000 cash-only bond. Her trial has been set for August.

Jeffersonville Police Department Detective Todd Hollis said the case is still under investigation. If anyone has any information about this case, they are asked to call 812-218-TIPS (8477). Callers can remain anonymous.

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One arrested, three at-large for Jeffersonville robbery

NEW ALBANY A man who had been a contract employee for the New Albany High School band has been arrested for child seduction, according to Indiana State Police Sgt. Jerry Goodin.

Scottsburg resident Jacob M. Blanton, 25, has been arrested and charged with child seduction, a class D felony, which carries with it a potential sentence of six months to three years, according to a press release from Indiana State Police.

Goodin said Blanton had sexual relations with a female under the age of 18 in Floyd County. He couldnt state whether that person was a student; however, according to state code, to commit child seduction a person must be in a position of power or trust over the victim. Goodin said Blanton received that charge for having been a contract employee for the NAHS band at the time of the incident.

Blanton, who was also the former band director at Madison Consolidated High School, has previously been charged with child seduction. He is accused of having sexual relations with two girls, with one of them being a student at Madison Consolidated. According to the probable cause affidavit in that case, the sex acts with the student took place in the school. The other girl was a student at another high school where Blanton had formerly taught and also was involved in a regional band program headed by Blanton, the document said.

Blanton had been released from jail on $10,000 cash bail in November after entering a not-guilty plea in the Madison case. He was arrested again on the New Albany case Wednesday morning.

Goodin said ISP opened up the New Albany investigation in December. He said he was unsure when the alleged incident happened. The affidavit in the New Albany case was unavailable, due to the courthouse being closed for the evening.

According to court records online, a $10,000 court-cash bond has been posted in the New Albany case.

Multiple calls to various administration members at New Albany-Floyd County Consolidated School Corp. were made, but only one person was able to be reached. Deputy Superintendent Brad Snyder returned the message, saying he was out of town and didnt know the facts on this case.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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Former band director again arrested for child seduction

WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. A former New Washington High School student was killed early today in an accident in Winston-Salem, N.C.

Jillian Rose Charlet, 22, of Winston-Salem, died at the scene when Vince Sherman Williams Jr., 27, lost control of the car he was driving, a 2005 Honda Civic, police told the Winston-Salem Journal. The car then struck a utility pole.

Williams and Charlets roommate, Choloe Claudette Mores, 21, were taken to an area hospital with non-life threatening injuries.

Speed and alcohol are considered to be factors in the crash, police said. No charges have been filed and the investigation is continuing, according to the Winston-Salem Journal.

Charlet and Morse were seniors at Winston-Salem State University and were scheduled to graduate in May. Charlet was an accounting major and played on the basketball team for three years.

Morse is from Sumerduck, Va., and was majoring in management information systems. Williams was not a student at WSSU, according to the Journal.

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Former New Wash student killed in N.C. auto wreck

NEW ALBANY The Indiana Court of Appeals reversed a ruling that had backed Bradford Realtys claims that the New Albany Historic Preservation Commission didnt properly notify land owners of zoning restrictions.

Last year, Special Judge Daniel Moore ruled in favor of Bradford Realty owner Ron Craig, who was denied a Certificate of Appropriateness request by the HPC after he installed vinyl siding on the building without approval in 2008.

Bradford Realty sits in the Downtown Historic District at its 222 E. Fourth St. location. The business has occupied the spot since 1966. The HPC is charged with overseeing building upgrades and the materials used for repairs as a result of the declaration of the district in 2002.

Craig didnt notify the HPC of the repairs before work commenced, and his use of vinyl siding on the 1910 structure was later rejected by the board. He was ordered to remove the siding from the building, and a court case ensued.

Though a notice of the district was published in The Tribune in 2002, Moore ruled in July that the city and HPC failed to properly notify land owners in the boundary of the change in zoning.

Moore also ruled Craig was not required to seek approval from the HPC before installing the siding.

The HPC did not send information regarding the district and laws pertaining to property in the zone directly to land owners after the boundary was declared.

But in a 2-1 decision released Thursday, the court of appeals ruled Bradford Realty wasnt entitled to direct notice of the historic district, and that Craig was required to obtain a Certificate of Appropriateness before replacing original wood siding with vinyl siding.

In her supporting opinion, Judge Patricia Riley wrote the enacting of the historic district was prospective and general in nature and did not fall under due process requirements of the 14th Amendment.

The ordinance purports to regulate only future conduct to be consistent with the provisions of the historic preservation ordinance, Riley wrote in regards to the city legislation establishing the historic district.

See original here:
Court sides with New Albany historic group

Bethe Rykaczewski of Franklin Park says she likes the heavy siding she and her husband, Dave, put on their house because it is going to need some work.

But not in the negative sense, she says.

"Vinyl siding people will tell you about how you never have to do anything with it," she says. "But that is what I like about this: You can change it."

She is talking about fiber-cement siding, a mix of sand, cement and cellulose that is used to create a heavy, wood-like siding made in panels and shingle pattens in soft colors. But those colors easily can be changed with primer and paint, different from many other sidings.

Fiber-cement siding is finding popularity with "educated" consumers -- not because of house-smarts, but because they do a great deal of research on the product.

Brian Murphy, owner of EZ Home Exteriors in North Versailles, does 95 percent of his work selling vinyl product, he says. But he finds customers looking into fiber-cement siding are "educated" because of the research they do.

That research can be a hassle, jokes Paul Valint, owner of Unique Building Solutions in Harrison City, Westmoreland County. He talks of dealing with would-be clients who spend months, sometimes years studying the product, even though they already have decided on it.

Jim Spade of Ross says he probably presented that image when he was researching fiber-cement siding for his house. One dealer was less than enthusiastic about dealing with him.

"I guess they get tired of people who think they know it all," he says. "I might think I do, but I know I don't."

Valint and Legacy Remodeling in Dormont are the only two certified Western Pennsylvania installers of fiber-cement paneling made by its largest manufacturer, James Hardie Building Products of California. That means any job they do is audited by Hardie inspectors, which then validates its 30-year warranty. Vinyl often comes with a 15-year warranty, but generally lasts longer.

See the article here:
Fiber-cement siding seen as better house option

Published on: Friday, March 23, 2012

By Nicole Macon

Mold on the walls, a leaky roof, siding that has fallen off and lunch breaks taken in a repair bay that stores chemicals these are the conditions that employees of Seat Pleasants Public Works Building are met with every day.

Mayor Eugene Grant lead a delegation along with Seat Pleasant City Council President Kelly Porter and Public Works Director Johnny Thompson to Annapolis March 10 to request bond funding to improve working conditions for Public Works employees. The delegation attended two back-to-back bond hearings in the Maryland House of Delegates and in the state Senate.

This facility behind Seat Pleasants City Hall has had only minor repairs in its 42-year history to keep the building up to code using funds from state highway user fees and taxes from real estate assessments. With an 84-percent cut in state highway user fees and a 27-percent decline in real estate assessments, the city needs bond financing now more than ever in order to make any substantial improvements to the building.

You do the basic or minimum to make it up to code, but in order to get the building up to modern standards, we need bond funds, Grant said.

The Department of Public Works is requesting $500,000 in bond financing to remove such hazards as a leaky roof, mold growth, and old and inadequate installation, lights and pipes, as well as makeshift doors to the buildings three repair bays made from ply wood by the employees themselves.

The bond funds would also help modernize the building by adding an additional floor to create an office for the Public Works director as well as a rest area, a place for staff to eat their lunch, and an additional bathroom and showers for overnight workers to use. Grant said that during snowstorms workers would sleep in their vehicles parked in the repair bays when taking a rest from plowing snow off the streets.

Grant also wants to add an additional storage bay to store equipment and for workers to repair lawnmowers and change the tires of the vehicles used to haul trash and remove snow from the streets.

Since Public Works Director Johnny Thompson started his position four years ago, he had been pushing for upgrades. Since he started, the department has received a new street sweeper, a one ton pickup truck, a dump truck, and a versatile all-weather tractor, replacing equipment that was more than 10 years old.

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Seat Pleasant requests bonds to repair Public Works Building

"Orange Crush," artist Phillip Estlund's collage on found wood, depicts a post-flood image of a mangled home. Part of the structure has been lifted skyward, and much of the siding has been ripped off. The cracks and moldlike discoloration of the collage's wood base contributes to the dreariness of the scene. Adding some color, and perhaps hope, are brightly colored Florida oranges, with bright-green leaves still attached. The house appears to have landed on, but not crushed, the fruit, which is disproportionally large and suggestive of gifts Floridians ship to Northern relatives in order to brag, "I'm in a subtropical paradise while you're shoveling snow."

This 2007 collage is one of many works in "Subprime/Subtropics," Estlund's solo exhibition that opens Friday at the Art and Culture Center of Hollywood. The show, which also includes sculptures, prints, a diorama and a site-specific installation, explores the psychological and physical effects of natural and man-made disasters.

Many of the works depict structures that appear to have stood up to nature and lost the battle. But as the show's title suggests, Estlund is also concerned with another equally unforgiving entity: banks.

Boarded-up structures in varying states of disrepair became prevalent in Estlund's work shortly after the 2005 Atlantic hurricane season, the most active in recorded history.

"I had been using house iconography up until then, predominantly in collages having to do with architecture and nature," explains Estlund, who in 2001 moved fromWashington, D.C., to South Florida. "The hurricanes and the tenuous nature of structures considered solid reinforced that they're as subject to nature as anything is, and created for me a whole source of new materials."

His works came to include post-hurricane fencing material and aluminum blinds, which are presented as siding in sculptures such as "Reclaimed/Repossessed (A Derelict Nature)." The piece reveals a boarded-up and roofless structure covered in yellow-brown drop marks.

Estlund says the show has evolved since he first discussed it with Art and Culture Center curator Jane Hart. Last September, after "a bit of a dismal experience" in South Florida, Estlund downsized from a Lake Worth warehouse to a smaller West Palm Beach studio so he could live part-time in New York. Nine months away gave him a new perspective, which he plans to incorporate in site-specific murals and installations that will accompany his sculptures and collages about nature's penetration of domestic spaces.

"Home Invasion Series 1" shows a brick-walled room with a large, circular, black couch facing a fireplace. Rather than flames, large red tentacles reach from the opening, but no one is there to see them. "Nature Study," another collage, depicts people around a built-in swimming pool. All are intensely focused on writing or sketching and oblivious to the bright-green sea anemones emerging from the pool.

In these works and similar collages, nature is ever-present, and yet seemingly invisible to humans. At least until disaster strikes.

Colleen Dougher operates the South Florida arts blog Arterpillar.

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Art and Culture Center's 'Subprime/Subtropics' takes on hurricanes, banks