When giving the exterior of your home a makeover, your siding can make all the difference in the world. With an abundance of attractive options, you can choose a style that tastefully enhances your home's personality and harmonizes with your roof like a dear old friend.

While the house is stripped of it's outer garments, be sure to add a radiant barrier house wrap if you want to take a big bite out of your energy bills while the opportunity is hot. Below are five excellent siding materials to consider.

Topics: siding, vinyl siding, steel siding

As storms tear up Iowa neighborhoods, homes can suffer damage due to hail, rain, high winds, lightning, and falling trees or debris. During a storm, your first priorities should be to make sure that your family is safe and secure and notify the authorities if you have downed power lines or other dangerous conditions on your property. Once it’s safe, you need to investigate the damage as soon as possible and report it to your insurance company. Although this process can be nerve racking, knowing what to expect can relieve some of the stress.

Topics: roofing, siding, Windows, steel roofing

 

If you're building a new home or renovating your existing residence, house wrap is an important part of creating an energy efficient home. You may have seen the covering on new construction homes in the area. But what is that stuff, and how does it help reduce your energy use and save you money? 

 

Topics: siding, house wrap, insulation, energy efficient, energy efficiency

 

 

Your house can take a beating in the Iowa weather from the high winds, rain, and damage caused by lightning and spring hail storms. You probably understand that inclement weather and debris can damage your roof, but did you know that your siding might also be at risk?

 

Topics: siding, green siding, steel siding, vinyl siding, energy efficiency, home maintenance

 

Your home’s siding doesn’t last forever. Well-performing siding helps ensure that your house stays in the best condition possible, keeping the cold out and the warmth in during the winter and vice versa during the summer. It helps prevent water from infiltrating your home and improves your energy efficiency. Plus, it helps your house keep looking great from the outside. What are the signs that it’s time to replace your siding?

 

 

Topics: siding, energy efficient, energy efficiency, vinyl siding, steel siding

Did you know that just like your skin, your home can suffer from UV damage? The harmful effects of the sun’s rays cause discoloration, weathering, and cracking that’s just as detrimental to your home as to your body. It can hasten the effects of aging and reduce your home’s attractiveness. Even if you can’t see the damage on the outside, UV degradation can worsen the expansion and contraction of wood siding, window frames, and shutters and weaken the structure of vinyl siding. But there’s good news: sunscreen can help protect both your face and your place.

Topics: siding, green siding, energy efficient, energy efficiency, vinyl siding

Spring is the season for thunderstorms, which can involve rain, hail, or even lightning. Do you know what to do if your house gets struck by lightning?

 

Topics: shingles, roofing, siding, Windows

When the weather forecast calls for high winds, tornadoes, and other severe weather, it’s important to know how to protect your home and family. You should take steps to protect yourself and your investments before a storm and know how to best respond if your property sustains damage.

Topics: shingles, roofing, siding, storm doors, steel roofing, steel siding, ankeny window replacement

As discussed in our last post, many homes, especially those built at the turn of the twentieth century, have siding or roof shingles that contain asbestos. Asbestos has many good qualities, including being durable and fireproof. It also poses many significant health hazards. Is it necessary to remove your asbestos-containing roofing shingles or fiber cement siding to protect your family’s health?

 

Topics: shingles, roofing, siding, vinyl siding

Spring will be here before we know it, and many homeowners are beginning to gather ideas and make plans for upcoming remodeling or home improvement projects. Below you will find some of the top home improvement projects for 2015 and their average return on investment across the United States.

Topics: roofing, siding, efficient windows