Wood

Few building materials have the natural charm and beauty of wood clapboard and shingle siding. Prized for its warmth and workability, wood siding is the choice for a premium renovation project.

Wood siding comes in many species and grades. What you choose usually depends on how you plan to finish the siding. Using a clear sealer or semi-transparent stain highlights the grain, but you'll need to select more expensive grades of wood that are free of knots and other blemishes. Choose less-expensive grades for use with paint or opaque stains.

With dedicated maintenance, wood can last generations. Clear finishes should be reapplied every two years; semi-transparent stains every three years; and paints every five years. That kind of diligence adds up a complete refinishing job is $2,000 to $5,000.

Upside: Wood is easy to cut and shape, and can be installed by reasonably skilled DIYers. It's a great-looking material prized by architects, designers and homeowners for its natural beauty.

Downside: Better grades of wood can be pricey. Diligent maintenance adds to the overall cost. Retrofitting with wood siding requires removing existing siding materials.

Green meter: Wood siding is considered a highly sustainable material that breaks down easily in landfills. The best grades are made from old-growth timber. To relieve the pressure on old-growth forests, choose wood siding that's certified by the Forest Stewardship Council as being harvested from sustainable forests.

Cost: Clapboard siding: $5to $8 per square foot, installed. Expect to pay $14,000 to $23,000 to have wood siding professionally installed on an average two-story house.

Cost: Shingle siding: $6to $9 per square foot, installed.

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Buyer's Guide for Exterior Siding | DIY

As with most things in home improvement, the proper installation is critical to the performance and look of vinyl siding. Vinyl siding installation should be done by professional experts with the proper materials.

The Vinyl Siding Institute highly recommends that you have VSI Certified Installers to do your vinyl siding installation. A VSI Certified Installers are required to have a minimum of one year experience installing vinyl siding, successfully pass a required course and written exam. Joyce Factory Direct is proud to install your house vinyl siding with VSI Certified Installers.

Energy costs have been on a steady rise since we can remember. One of the best features of vinyl siding is one that cant be seen, a Dow housewrap system. This is just as it sounds, a blanket of installation to wrap your home in comfort. A housewrap can lower your energy bills by as much as 40%, saving you money and making your family more comfortable in the bitter cold Northern Ohio winters.

If you have ever attempted any home improvement project, you know that the key to getting it done correctly is the proper equipment and experience. As VSI Certified Installers you know that we have the experience. With experience, comes the knowledge of the proper equipment that is necessary to get the job done quickly and professionally.

Schedule your free estimate with the vinyl siding experts from Joyce Factory Direct. Either give us a call 866.535.2900 or fill out our online form today!

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Vinyl Siding Institute

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Vinyl Siding Installation is Critical to the Longevity and ...

Advanced Home Exteriors is your siding specialist in Richmond and the Tri Cities area. New siding gives you the piece of mind and protection knowing that you not only added strength, beauty, and durability to your home, but also a low maintenance and reliable product. Let our experts work with you to improve the look and energy efficiency of your home with new siding. We proudly offer vinyl and Hardie Plank siding.

From start to finish, you'll receive only the best customer service from us. We'll remain in close contact with you until all steps of the project are taken care of while providing informative answers to any questions you have. For each job we use premium materials, and if you need a replacement, we can help you select an option that suits your taste and budget.

Advanced Home Exteriors is a choice you can rely on to treat your home in the Richmond and Tri Cities area with care and respect. When you need to enlist the help of a trustworthy siding contractor that has the expertise and experience as well as affordable rates give us a call. We promise you'll be pleased!

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Siding Installation Contractor | Richmond, VA

This press release was orginally distributed by SBWire

Mount Ephraim, NJ -- (SBWIRE) -- 09/06/2017 -- Homeowners interested in changing the color of their home at an affordable rate are relying on New Window Factory Sales, Inc. to install vinyl siding on their homes. Vinyl siding in South Jersey offers improved protection for the home with little upkeep, and last for more than triple the amount of time as paint.

Residents who want to change the color of their home, for the most part, have two options to choose from: installing new siding or investing in a new coat of paint. At first glance, many homeowners assume that paint will be a less expensive option. While this may be true in regards to short-term costs, paint usually ends up being significantly more expensive than siding in the long run.

The best professional paint job lasts an average of eight years before it will begin to chip and fade; at this point, homeowners will have to reinvest in their paint again to keep their home looking presentable. On the other hand, vinyl siding will cost more upon installation but will last anywhere from 20 to 50 years according to manufacturer's claims. This means that even the best painting job will last less than half of the time as vinyl siding, along with requiring more maintenance as well.

Residents who are interested in learning more about vinyl siding and windows in South Jersey are encouraged to call New Window Factory Sales, Inc. at 856-546-1120 for a free quote or visit them online at http://newwindowfactory.com for more information.

About New Window Factory Sales, Inc.New Window Factory Sales, Inc. is a custom window manufacturer based out of Mount Ephraim, New Jersey on the Black Horse Pike. Their teams of experts have decades of experience in the fields of custom window building and installation, as well as expertise in a wide variety of exterior renovation options like siding and doors. They can be reached by phone at 856-389-4143. Interested parties can also reach them via e-mail or by filling out a contact form on their website.

For more information on this press release visit: http://www.sbwire.com/press-releases/new-window-factory-sales-inc-offers-an-affordable-alternative-to-painting-859399.htm

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New Window Factory Sales, Inc. Offers an Affordable Alternative to Painting - Digital Journal

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Philadelphia, PA -- (SBWIRE) -- 09/06/2017 -- Homeowners looking to repair their home's roof before the brute of hurricane season are relying on C.R. Thompson Roofing, one of the most-trusted roofers in Doylestown, PA since 1909. The local community has counted on C.R. Thompson Roofing to help make sure their home is ready to withstand any weather, whether it's a simple repair, or a complete new installation. The company's industry leading roofers are experienced in roofing, siding, copper restoration, and so much more.

While many parts of Pennsylvania and the rest of the country have already seen the devastating effects of this year's hurricane season, experts predict that rainfall counts are expected to drastically increase as summer comes to a close. The standard hurricane season, which began in June, and ends in November, leaves residents with plenty of time to schedule any roof repair or maintenance before winter comes.

Homeowners are advised to inspect their roofs to see if they are in good condition to survive severe weather. Any leaking or missing roof shingles in Philadelphia can cause more permanent and financially devastating damage to the home. C.R. Thompson Roofing also advises residents to have their gutters inspected, as overflowing can cause exterior damage.

C.R. Thompson Roofing provides Pennsylvania residents with affordable and professional options for roofing repairs and replacements. Those interested in learning more about this C.R. Thompson's services, or scheduling an appointment, are encouraged to visit them online at https://www.crthompsonroofing.com/.

About C.R. Thompson RoofingC.R. Thompson Roofing is a Philadelphia, Pennsylvania-based roofing company that serves home and commercial property owners in and around Philadelphia and South Jersey. The company can install and repair shingle roofs, slate roofs, rubber roofs, and many others. C.R. Thompson Roofing not only offers roofing services but can also install and repair siding and windows, perform brick pointing, clean gutters, and much more.

To learn more about this top-rated, family-owned and operated roofing company located in Philadelphia, please visit http://www.crthompsonroofing.com/.

For more information on this press release visit: http://www.sbwire.com/press-releases/cr-thompson-roofing-helps-residents-prepare-for-hurricane-season-859374.htm

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C.R. Thompson Roofing Helps Residents Prepare for Hurricane ... - Digital Journal

This press release was orginally distributed by SBWire

Mount Ephraim, NJ -- (SBWIRE) -- 09/05/2017 -- Residents looking to improve the look of their home and make their household more manageable are turning to New Window Factory Sales, Inc. for all of their vinyl siding needs in South Jersey. Vinyl siding has gained popularity in recent years thanks to its accommodating number of design choices, low-maintenance constitution, and resistance to fading and damage.

For homeowners that are fed up with dented aluminum and stained wooden siding, vinyl is a home-exterior blessing. Vinyl siding in Philadelphia offers a low-maintenance solution to traditional exterior materials because it doesn't require a significant amount of upkeep; homeowners can easily spray down the material during pollen season and remove environmental stains in the blink of an eye, due to a protective layer that many other siding materials do not have. Vinyl siding is the best option for homeowners who aren't interested in investing massive amounts of time and money into their siding.

In addition to being super low-maintenance, vinyl siding can also change the look and dynamic of an older home. The material comes in nearly every color imaginable, and newer designs allow homeowners to manipulate the texture and shape of the siding as well. One of the most popular choices at the moment is the scallop style, meant to imitate the look of the classic Victorian style.

Those interested in learning more about New Window Factory Sales, Inc., and what vinyl siding can do for their home, please visit the company's website today to schedule an appointment http://newwindowfactory.com/.

About New Window Factory Sales, Inc.New Window Factory Sales, Inc. is a custom window manufacturer based out of Mount Ephraim, New Jersey on the Black Horse Pike. Their teams of experts have decades of experience in the fields of custom window building and installation, as well as expertise in a wide variety of exterior renovation options like siding and doors. They can be reached by phone at 856-389-4143. Interested parties can also reach them via e-mail or by filling out a contact form on their website.

For more information on this press release visit: http://www.sbwire.com/press-releases/new-window-factory-sales-inc-provides-low-maintenance-vinyl-siding-857923.htm

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New Window Factory Sales, Inc. Provides Low-Maintenance Vinyl Siding - Digital Journal

ATTLEBORO, Mass. (AP) Built in 1842, East Attleborough Academy on Sanford Street in Attleboro is one of the oldest buildings in the city and probably the oldest the city owns.

For the last 16 years a group of dedicated volunteers, members of the Attleboro Historic Preservation Society, have been slowly and painstakingly restoring it.

Just last week the exterior of the former school building, which at one time also housed some city offices, was painted.

And like most of the work that takes place on the aging structure, which has been moved three times in its 175-year-life, the job was done through the good will and financial help of a local business.

AH Painting out of North Attleboro donated "a sizable" portion of the job, society member Betty Fuller said.

"We were so pleased to get that," she said.

Member Dick Potter said the colors, shades of blue and beige, are close to what the originals are thought to have been.

The building, he said, looks better than it has in decades.

"We've gotten an awful lot of compliments," Potter said.

Potter, a retired engineer, acts as the "clerk of the works" for the improvements that have been underway since the city leased the historic structure to the society 16 years ago for $1 a year.

The new paint is just frosting on the cake.

It took a lot of work and a lot of generous people to get the building to the point at which it could be painted.

Projects that preceded the paint job were a new roof, new wood siding, new porch decking, new granite steps and steel railings, and wheelchair ramp.

The interior got work, too. It has a new heating and fire alarm systems.

With the exterior complete, the focus will now be on the interior.

Members hope that one day in the not too distant future, it will serve as the society's meeting room and display area and look every bit as appealing as the exterior, but some serious structural issues have to be addressed first.

The main one is a sagging first floor.

Gary Demers, a society member, local historian and the owner of Demers Bros. Trucking, is the main driver in installing steel beams and posts that will secure the floor for decades to come.

Like others before him, Demers is donating much of the material and labor.

With estimates for the work at around $60,000, way more than the society can afford, Demers decided his company, which specializes in moving heavy material, could do the job itself.

Concrete footings have already been poured. Installation of the posts and beams comes next.

The new support system was designed professionally by local architect Steve Nelson who donated his expertise.

"When we're done we won't be concerned that the floor will collapse," Demers said. "It may be time consuming, but we're not doing it twice and we're not wasting a dime."

Demers said once the floor is fixed, it will be time to finish the interior which is a matter of installing wiring, plumbing and walls, all of which will go fast if the society can raise the cash.

"Then it's just a matter of money," he said.

Potter said it's a day to which he looks forward.

"I hope I live long enough to see it," he said. "It's a good old building."

___

Online: http://bit.ly/2wjqfHC

___

For more information: The Sun Chronicle, http://www.thesunchronicle.com

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Old building gets new lease on life - San Francisco Chronicle - San Francisco Chronicle

H. Armstrong Roberts/ClassicStock/Getty ImagesAdding a garage to your property is an excellent way to increase its value. A garage can be used to store vehicles or as a workshop, which is appealing to homebuyers. However, adding one requires a considerable investment of time and money.

The cost depends on whether you build a one-car or two-car garage, the materials used and the contractors fees. The first step isto understand the costs and draw up a realistic budget.

Homeowners in the United States spend an average of $24,588 to build a two-car garage. More elaborate structures could soar to $50,000, but in most cases the cost falls between $15,153 and $34,145. Garages offer approximately an 81 percent return on investment.

Before drafting a budget for the project, you need to consider how big you want your garage to be, where you intend to place it in relation to the house, and what kind of functionality you expect. At a minimum, answer the following questions:

From tearing down an existing structure to installing the electrical components in the new structure, building a garage incurs a number of costs that you need to factor into your budget.

Adding on a garage is expensive. A home equity loan can be a great way to pay for it.

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How much does it cost to build a new garage? - Bankrate.com

Hands On Oregon is ready to finish its Love Our Flag project at Conover Square.

HOO President Rick Ryland said Monday that the siding supplies are ordered, and installation should begin by the end of September.

After months attempting to work out the logistics for installing a solar wall, the committee agreed that the additional costs and regulations were not worth the supposed savings it was to generate, Ryland said. We could not order supplies until we knew if we needed absorbent steel or reflective steel. The color of that south wall will not need to be dark, since the solar wall is out. The color will be sandstone, very similar to the color of the stucco that was removed.

For the past year and a half, HOO members have been working with Conover Square owner Lou VanderWyst to repair the south wall of the century-plus-old former piano factory turned mall.

Moisture and age had caused the wall of the building to deteriorate and bow out.

VanderWyst had already shored up the inside of the wall with jacks and was doing what he could to deal with the problem.

However, money was tight, and he lacked the amount needed to make the extensive repairs.

HOO set to work in late December of 2015, removing the stucco from the walls outside and shoring up the studding, then insulating the wall and sheeting it.

The process has been slow at times, but obstacles have been overcome and donations have rolled in.

The plan includes a large mural of the American flag on the finished wall, along with the names of all the donors who have supported the project.

The flag will still be in the upper right corner and take up one quarter of the size of the wall.

It will look spectacular from the bridge, Ryland said. We need yet to fabricate the stars.

The cost of the material is $29,705.

Tip Top Roofing and Construction Company worked very closely with the supplier Pac-Clad on the order. They are ready to work as soon as the supplies arrive, he said.

ComEd said that we could not work in the summer because the electric lines are overloaded due mainly to air conditioning usage, Ryland said. We do not anticipate any problems with them rerouting electricity or moving the lines in the fall. The flag should fly by Thanksgiving.

He expressed appreciation for the help HOO has received on the project.

Without the help of our volunteers and the contributions of all, we wouldnt be this close to finishing. Thank you. A thousand times: thank you. Oregon is shining again, he said.

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Conover Square project is nearing completion | Ogle County News - Ogle County News

Kim Ring Telegram & Gazette Staff @kimringtg

MILLBURY - For more than a decade, frustrated neighbors have been asking the town to force the owners of 158 Wheelock Ave. to clean up the property.

Now the house has been reduced to a pile of rubble, after a raging fire ripped through the structure just before midnight Tuesday.

The blaze consumed the house and charred a second house nearby. Two other houses suffered heat damage, leaving the siding looking as though it was dripping off the walls. Fire Chief Richard Hamilton was treated for heat exhaustion and dehydration, and was recovering at home Wednesday morning. There were no other injuries.

The call for the fire came in at 11:50 p.m., and a dispatcher described the home to those responding as "boarded up" as they raced to the scene. They arrived to find the home engulfed in flames and replied to the dispatcher that they felt they were about to lose a second house to the blaze.

Neighbors could hear explosions, and the dispatcher radioed that she was being told the house had "blown up."

Stephen Herriage was among those who ran toward the fire, only to be turned back by the intense heat.

"It was so hot," Mr. Herriage said in an interview Wednesday morning. "You couldnt get near it ... but when the ladder truck got here, thats when they really were able to get a lot of water on it."

The fire came as no surprise to Debbie Gemme, whose family lives nearby.

"When I drove by here yesterday I was thinking, 'This house really is a fire hazard,' " she said. "When you drove by you could just see the addition they had built was full of stuff ... I was surprised that people could even live in this house."

Cars, mowers, a hot tub and an assortment of what some simply called "junk" have accumulated and the yard had become an eyesore.

A stack of files, 4 inches thick, details the struggle the town has had with homeowner Dawn Haigis. One of the earliest interactions is from 2006, when Ms. Haigis failed to meet a deadline to complete a cleanup at the property. More recently, the Fire Department paid a visit and issued a ticket after outside burning was reported by a neighbor.

For years the town and Ms. Haigis would wrangle over things including unregistered cars on the property.

"We would write tickets and they would get the cars registered," Town Manager David J. Marciello said. The same was true of building projects, which would be started without permits and when the town learned of the work, permits were sought, essentially buying more time, during which most of the work remained undone, he said.

Mr. Marciello has made a push for the cleanup of ill-kept properties in town,encouraging voters to adopt a state law, Chapter 40U, which would allow the town to request a court-appointed receiver who would assume responsibility for repairing and cleaning up properties that are in serious violation of health, building, sanitation and fire codes and have other problems. The fire, he said, is an example of why the law is needed.

Still, the process can take years, as evidenced by what's happened over a decade with the Wheelock Avenue property, he said.

"We can only use the tools we have available," he said. "And sometimes, it can take a long time."

In 2012, notes from a file in Town Hall indicate, officials were happy with a cleanup of the property. In November, a note in the file reads, "More maintenance has been done. Improved. Work in progress." The next note reads, "Case closed." But neighbors said the debris continued to pile up.

At one point, officials used in their investigation an aerial photograph showing debris piled around the house and near an in-ground swimming pool - something Ms. Haigis apparently sought a variance for after it was installed. Another document indicates that police were asked to increase patrols in the area to try to determine who might be dumping petroleum products into a nearby storm drain. A trail of the oily substance seemed to come from 158 Wheelock Ave. and the document notes that auto repairs were being done at the home.

One of the last interactions with Ms. Haigis before the fire was a letter she sent to the Board of Health and the building inspector detailing a punch list of items she planned to have completed by the end of June.

"1. Clean out material not needed. 2. Evaluate the house for deterioration. 3. Repair house trim/softets (sic). 4. Installing installation (sic). 5. Prepare house for vinyl siding," she wrote. But the projects had not been completed and she had been warned that the town planned to turn the matter over to the state attorney general this week, Mr. Marciello said.

On Wednesday,after the fire, the house lot was surrounded by temporary fencing and covered with plastic draping. The men doing the work taped themselves into plastic suits. Mr. Marciello said precautions were taken because the house was built during a time when asbestos might have been used.

During the fire, crews were hampered by wind and the intensity of the blaze. Propane tanks "off-gassing" nearby fed the fire, and Deputy Fire Chief David Rudge said multiple propane tanks along the side of the house exploded.

The three-alarm blaze brought firefighters from Uxbridge, Upton, Grafton, Sutton, Auburn, Shrewsbury, Westboro, Leicester and Oxford, who assisted either in battling the blaze or by covering the fire station while crews were working.

The state fire marshal's office and Assistant Fire Chief Robert Silva are trying to determine the cause of the fire.

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Millbury house, leveled by fire, was no stranger to town officials - Worcester Telegram