Spring is the ideal time to clean the windows in your home. Homeowners tend to especially neglect the exterior-facing side of the windows, often holding off on cleaning until the weather clears. Well, spring is the ideal weather for window maintenance. This is also the time of year to check if your windows have glass failure.

Glass Failure Explained

Even after cleaning both the interior and exterior side of the window, you may still notice the surface appears foggy. No matter how many times you spray on the Windex, the glass won’t regain its crystal-clear quality.

The problem is not the cleaner or rag; the glass has simply failed. Glass failure occurs when air and moisture manage to penetrate the thermal seal between the glass panes. This causes the foggy look. In addition to the faded effect, you may also notice dry water spots.

Windows with the greatest sun exposure are especially vulnerable. These windows experience more temperature fluctuations, causing constant expansion and contraction that loosens the seal. Older windows are also more prone because the seals are reinforced with caulk, which can disintegrate with age. Continue Reading →

A hole in a siding is more than an eyesore. It also creates functional problems because holes invite moisture and insects. Depending on the extent of the gap, you may be able to repair a vinyl hole siding on your own. We’ll explain how to do this.

Vinyl Siding Repair: A Step-By-Step Guide

The process is fairly simple. All you need is caulk in the same or similar color as the siding. If you can’t find caulk of the same color, then use paintable caulk. You can paint over this using latex paint of the same color as the siding.

To begin, follow this process:

1.       Use a mild dish detergent and a soft cloth to clean the area around the hole.

2.       Use a caulking gun to fill the hole with caulk. Fill the hole as much as you can; you should even slightly overfill it.

3.       Use a rigid plastic card or scraping tool to remove the excess caulk.

4.       Allow time for the caulk to dry according to manufacturer recommendations.

Additional tip: we recommend investing in an inexpensive zip tool, which you can purchase at your local hardware store. This nifty accessory enables you to easily fill in caulk below and behind the hole. Continue Reading →

You typically expect to find mold in the bathroom, basement, or on siding. Did you know, though, that mold also grows on window frames? Homeowners are rarely aware of window mold due to the lack of visible signs. We’ll show you how to detect, prevent, and eliminate it.

Signs of Window Mold

Window mold typically manifests at the bottom of the window, right at the joint between the glass and sash frame. Even if the mold is right in the center of the window, you might not notice it, or you might mistake it for typical stains. The mold may not even be visible at all because the color matches the hue of the glass.

Window Mold Prevention

Prevent window mold the same way you prevent mold elsewhere. This means prevent the accumulation of water. Windows accumulate moisture due to a leak or condensation. Older windows are more susceptible to both issues. We suggest replacement windows that leak or are prone to condensation, because new windows are far better at preventing water seepage and air infiltration. Continue Reading →

The Pacific Northwest is home to countless species of bugs. One such critter is the boxelder. These bugs like to hang around residences, and especially on the siding. We’ll explain why boxelders live on siding and whether this is a cause for alarm.

What Are Boxelders bugs?

Adult boxelder bugs are about half an inch in length. You can identify them by their black wings with reddish stripes. As suggested in their name, these pests feed off of seed pods from the boxelder tree.

Do you have a boxelder tree in your yard? If so, you can expect boxelder bugs to be close by. While they may take refuge inside the tree, they may also establish camp in crevices in your siding. You may not really see them in winter, but expect them to surface come spring. Continue Reading →

Siding has such a big visual impact on a home’s exterior. Choices abound with regards to siding selection. Lap siding is one option that is gaining a lot of popularity. We’ll go over the three primary styles of lap siding and explain how they contribute to your property’s curb appeal.

Horizontal Dutch Lap Siding

This is the most common variety and is also known as clapboard siding. The planks are slightly thicker at the bottom than they are at the top. They overlap from the top downward. Many homeowners appreciate the look, though the overlap is actually designed for creating a watertight seal to prevent water seepage.

Horizontal lap siding is actually a mainstay in country and beach homes. Keep this in mind if you’re aiming for a non-contemporary design. Continue Reading →

In our April post, we discussed the difference between bay and bow windows. The variety extends beyond those two options. This time, we want you to learn whether bay or garden windows are right for you. Both styles would be an excellent addition to a home renovation.

Bayor Garden Windows: The Choice

Bay and garden windows are similar in appearance. Homeowners who are familiar with the two terms often use them interchangeably. However, the two have a structural difference. Both protrude outward, creating a window seat or space for décor. The angle, though, differs.

Bay Window

Bay windows consist of a center fixed window with smaller windows on the side. The side windows are usually casement, double-hung, or another openable window style. Carpenters install windows outward at a 90-degree, square-shaped angle. Continue Reading →

When it comes to home improvement projects, homeowners often give precedence to factors like aesthetics and comfort. Don’t forget, though, that there’s also a financial component that you must take into consideration. Most residents and business owners don’t realize that windows and siding replacement have a high ROI, or return on investment.

The Report at a Glance

According to the 2015 Cost Vs Value Report, windows and siding have among the highest ROI in the Pacific Coast states when it comes to remodeling projects. Vinyl window replacement has a 90.5% ROI. Wood windows, while more expensive, have a slightly higher ROI at 95.4%. This is slightly higher compared to the national average ROI of 72.9% and 78.8% respectively. Continue Reading →

Sturdy, high-quality windows are important. However, this doesn’t mean you shouldn’t give equal attention to the mesh window screens. The screens have far more benefits than just keeping out houseflies and the occasional wasp.

4 Reasons Window Screens Are Important

1. Curb Appeal

A ripped window screen makes the house look unmaintained. Most real estate agents urge home sellers to replace any ripped screens. Replacing window screens is easily affordable and improves exterior appeal. This goes hand-in-hand with siding replacement, which we also recommend before putting your home on the market. Continue Reading →

Choosing a siding style (e.g. vinyl, steel, fiber cement) is the hard part. Once you’ve made a decision, you can proceed to the fun part: selecting a home siding color. We believe color selection should complement the immediate surroundings.

Complement the Roof Color

What color is your roof? If it’s dark, then we recommend a lighter home siding color for some contrast and balance. You can also choose a tone-on-tone color scheme, where you select a palette a shade or two lighter than the roof color.

Aside from the roof, you can also look at some of the smaller components, such as the shutters or trim around the windows. You can go neutral on the siding and use an accent color for these smaller areas.

Look at the Landscape

Do colorful shrubbery, trees, and flowers dot your lawn? If your landscape incorporates all the colors of the rainbow, then we recommend a neutral color for the siding. A bright or bold siding color combined with a colorful lawn could overwhelm the eyes. Continue Reading →

Steel siding is the red-headed stepchild of siding. We believe this is simply due to homeowners’ not being aware of steel siding as an option. Vinyl and wood siding, after all, are far more common. We believe it’s our obligation to give steel siding some love by outlining its many benefits.

Benefits of Steel Siding

Steel siding is beneficial for one simple reason: it’s super tough and durable. Metal is much more resistant to dents, bumps, and dings. This includes resistance to insects. Of course, rusting is always an issue, though you can easily prevent this with a coat of protective paint. Some homeowners even actually prefer a bit of rusting because it gives off a rustic barn-style appearance.

Appearance

Some homeowners think of the texture of stainless steel appliances when it comes to steel siding. People think, therefore, that steel is too industrial in appearance. However, with today’s technology, steel siding can easily mimic the texture of wood, stone, or other natural materials. Continue Reading →