Publication date: 03/02/2012

Plan now for exterior upgrades

 

With spring only a few weeks away, it is time to start thinking about projects for the outside of your home. And three areas that seem to be popular this time of year are roofs, siding and windows.

If you are looking at brands of replacement windows, you can check their ratings by going to the National Fenestration Rating Council website,www.nfrc.org. Some brands are Andersen, www.andersenwindows.com, Jeld-Wen, www.jeld-wen.com, Pella, www.pella.com, and Ply Gem,www.plygemwindows.com. In addition, there are Michigan-based window manufacturers such as Sunrise, www.sunrisewindows.com, Wallside,www.wallsidewindows.com and Weathergard,www.weathergardwindows.com.

When selecting a new roof, make sure you get shingles from a quality manufacturer like CertainTeed, www.certainteed.com, and GAF,www.gaf.com, that offer some of the best warranties in the business.

As far as siding, let's focus on vinyl. You can download resource guides and search for certified installers on the updated Vinyl Siding Institute website at www.vinylsiding.org.

If you are planning to do any of these projects, you better start your planning now! Big crowds at recent home shows suggest that contractors will be booked up quickly. This time of year, contractors don't say "no," as they are looking to fill their installation calendar.

"Right now, we can do a siding project within a week or so, but that time frame will get up to eight weeks during the peak summer periods," said Paul Temerowski of Mulligan Windows, Siding and Roofing, (888) 425-0071, www.mulliganwindow.com.

While getting the project done in a timely manner is one thing, so is the time it takes to get estimates and make a decision on the color and style you want.

Workmanship should play a key role in your decision-making process. Take the time to visit projects that an installing contractor gives you. You want the siding seams to lie flat and the design elements to enhance the curb appeal of your home.

Gary Kearns at Kearns Brothers, (888) 355-6700,www.kearnsbrothers.com, said that he is seeing more homeowners embarking on bigger projects this year, and they are also spending more time to ensure the exterior improvements they make are coordinated with the home's design and color scheme.

"With so many homes in our area built in the 1980s and 1990s, they are due for a lot of exterior improvements," Kearns said. "Since people have decided to stay in their homes, many are looking at blending the various improvements like a roof, siding or windows to redesign their home's exterior. If they are choosing between designer roof shingles and special colors and textures of siding, for example, that can take more time to make a final decision."

No matter what project you decide on, the sooner you start planning the better.

"Right now, even people with special order products can still get their windows or siding delivered within two to three weeks and start the project," Kearns said. "But when we get into April and May, it gets a lot busier, and a wet spring and summer can really become an issue."

When comparing windows, roofing and siding you can get a lot of information about the products on the manufacturer's websites, along with approved contractors in your area that install the products. Remember that it is important to work with contractors that have a showroom where you can visit, see and touch the actual products rather than just looking at miniature samples or brochures around your kitchen table.

As with any major project, get more than one estimate, check references and confirm that the contractor is both licensed and insured. Then ask the tough question: When will the project be done? In addition, call your city or township building department office to see if a permit is required before work starts.

Selecting a quality product is only the first step. It must be installed properly to perform well. Otherwise you will just have a poor performing, quality product.

If you would like to suggest a question for this column, emailaskglenn@masterhandyman.com. If you want to talk to Glenn Haege personally, call his “Handyman Show” on WJR-AM (760) at (866) ASK GLENN, (866) 275-4536, between noon and 2 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. The “Handyman Show” can be heard on more than 130 radio stations nationwide. 

Note: This article was accurate at the date of publication. However, information contained in it may have changed. If you plan to use the information contained herein for any purpose, verification of its continued accuracy is your responsibility.

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