Finding good siding contractors

If you are ready to upgrade your building, or complete a new building, then you will need to find good siding contractors. Many general contractors will also offer siding services. You only want to use a general contractor if they are already doing work on your site, that way they will manage the whole process. You can also look at listings for dedicated siding contractors, or look for roofing and siding contractors.

Why roofing and siding?
Roofing and siding usually go together because these two elements of your house form its entire protective shell. Roofers often do siding because it makes integrating the two systems easier. It is harder to have siding attached after a roof and vice versa; there is more risk of an area not being sealed properly. Contractors that are specialized in roofing and siding have the experience to be able to connect one after the other without an issue, even if the roof is older than the siding.

Surprise, finding reputable siding contractors is easy
Despite what the Internet would have you believe, most chicago roofing contractor are very reputable. When you think about it, it makes sense that you wouldn't last long in a business that is based in customer service and has a highly visible product. Don't worry about being taken by a scam artist. If you check them out before you commit to a contract, you won't have a problem with your siding contractors.

What you need to check before you make contact
You need to check the basics about licensing, insurance and whether or not there have been any complaints against a company before you contact them. If there have been complaints it is very important that you read them before dismissing the company as an option. All contractors are required to have a business license and insurance-don't work with anyone who is doing it on the side. Should something happen you will be the only one held liable.

Things to ask during the first conversation
When you first talk to potential siding contractors you want to know the who, what, why, where and when before you even get to the “how much” part. In fact, it is a good practice to detour the conversation if it turns to pricing before you have the information on what they propose to do. A good contractor will be able to give you an idea, but not an estimate until they come out and see the job.

What to look for in an estimate
The estimate should be guaranteed. Any changes to the work plan have to be approved by you before they are done and you have to build in a limit to what can be changed. You don't want to have the job half done and the siding contractors tell you the price has doubled because of an issue. In the estimate there should be a plan for finishing the job as described if the additional work is not approved.

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Stages of vinyl siding installation

There are a lot of reasons to choose vinyl siding installation over other types of siding. While the initial outlay may be more expensive, this material will last longer and look better for longer than any other. Maintenance is comprised of power washing and the occasional anti-fungal treatment. It can be a perfect way to reduce the amount of effort and stress taking care of your house can cause. It can also be the perfect choice if you are doing upgrades to improve the resale value of your home. This is an overview of the actual stages of vinyl siding installation so that you can be more of an informed consumer when interacting with your contractor.

The plan and the choice

Planning and choosing a vinyl siding installation would seem simple, but you must pay careful attention. Talk to your contractor about the options and styles available to you. There are more siding options available beside a horizontal plank design. Make sure you look at all of the styles and options before you contract for the installation. The contractor may surprise you by recommending a mix of materials. It is growing more common to see vinyl siding installed to showcase custom masonry work; this lets you get the best of both worlds, especially when it comes to the resale value.

The surface prep

Surface prep is next, which involves more than just having a wallboard to nail the vinyl siding on. Vinyl siding installation is done by attaching tracks or using pre-attached tracks to put sections of siding into place. The siding has to cover an exterior wall which may require a vapor barrier or thermal wrap by code. Your contractor can evaluate the surface and see if there is anything else needed. At a minimum, a moisture barrier is a must.

Trim

The end and opening trim pieces can be installed before or after the vinyl siding installation. Many companies prefer to put it on first-as it lets them see immediately if a vinyl piece is too short to be covered. For doors and window openings, an entire day may be spent cutting and fitting the trim around them. Corner trim is usually installed on the same day the wall is covered. Don't assume that the trim has to be the same color as the vinyl siding, you can play with accent colors to really give your home a new look.

Finish

The finish process for a vinyl siding installation is easier than any other type of siding installation. It mostly consists of a clean-up of waste and sometimes the contractor will precut waste pieces to leave behind as repair material in case you need it. One thing you should always do is keep a small piece of the siding. This can then be used as a color match piece when adding to the exterior decorations and landscaping of your home. 

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How to survive your roofing contractor

Everyone has a horror story about a contractor that did them wrong, while roofing contractors are often leading the list of miscreants. A lot of these stories are overblown, and if you look closely at the story details – the home owner is often the cause of the issue. The best way to prevent your experience with any Chicago roofing company from turning into a disaster is to learn what a contractor needs from you to do their job. If you can't give them what they need, they will have to come up with resources and solutions themselves that you may not like. Become the perfect client if you want the perfect contractor.

Step 1: Know what you need and can afford
Before you even begin to call around for estimates from Chicago roofing companies, have an idea of what you need and what you can afford. Any time you hear someone complaining that they were “sold” on a roof they didn't need and couldn't afford, the issue has to do with their not behaving like an educated consumer. It takes just a few clicks around to get an idea of pricing (with labor) and to find out about the different roofing types. You also need to become familiar with the type of roof your house can use with and without major installation. Take a good look at your budget to decide what you can afford and be upfront about it with the contractor. They may not be able to give you a new roof for free, but they can probably extend the life of your roof for what you can afford. That said, the roof is the only thing that determines the structural integrity of your home – don't get cheap with it.

Step 2: Make time for the roofing job

Remember that Chicago roofing companies have to manage a schedule of jobs. If you aren't flexible with the dates, then be prepared for unforeseen delays. You may have to take time out of your work to meet the contractor, but usually that isn't necessary. You also need to plan ahead and take care of any parking permits, as well as notifying the neighbors about the coming work. This will keep you on everyone's good side. Make sure you give yourself time before the job to get all of that in place and your job will go smoothly.

Step 3: Get the cleanup in writing

This step is recommended to both you and the contractor as the last phase of the roofing job – the cleanup, where most disputes occur. If you want the drive swept with magnets, get it in writing and put in how many times and how wide the swath. Be prepared to pay extra labor charges for additional clean-up procedures. It is also good practice to establish a check list based on your agreement to qualify the release of the final payment.

Step 4: Take care of your roof the way you are supposed to

Most new roofs that fail in their first five years don't fail because of an installation error, they fail because they are not properly maintained. Chicago has some serious weather swings, and you need to be proactive in taking care of your new roof if you want it to last. Take the time to get a recommended schedule of maintenance from your contractor. Some of the newer roof types do best with specific maintenance and treatments.


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The Best Siding Contractors to Service Your Home

There are times when people end up looking to the wrong people about the services that they need and the quality of the work as a result is affected. But this cannot be easily done for home installations. There are components in one’s house that needs to be stable in order for the whole structure to be able to withstand the harsh elements. One example of these components is the siding.

Plan Every Step Carefully

Not only does a siding boost up a house’s appearance, one of its functional uses is the added protection it provides to the whole structure by keeping out the elements. And before hiring reliable and competent siding contractors for your needs, there is a must to think about the details thoroughly.

What Kind Of Siding Are You Partial To?

Also, so some research on the type of sidings that you think will be best for your home. This house component is not limited to one type and in order to give your house that appealing charm and functional purpose, knowing about how sidings work is a must. Are you going for a wood siding? Perhaps metal sidings or insulated ones? There are also plastic and stone types.

Go For Consultations

One of the best ways to ensure that everything goes smooth while your siding is installed is to ask about your concerns. Sure, you might not know about some specific details but it never hurts to ask around. Check out some contractor’s website or your local contractor and inquire about the best type of siding that can be installed for your home. You’d be surprised at how helpful these sessions can be in the planning stage.

Look For the Best Contractor

Lastly, your siding installation can only be deemed adequate if you get the right contractor for the job. It’s not an easy task since these people have to make sure that your house components are safe and productive after it’s done. Therefore, unreliable contractors can only cause trouble in the long run because you will have to repeat some procedures over again when there is untimely deterioration. Take note that a siding is not merely for the sake of how your house looks. It does serve its purpose of providing some sort of protection so one can never be too careful about choosing the right kind of service.


So are you one of those who plan to have siding installed in your home? Remember these tips and everything might just go smoothly. Siding contractors, with the help of them you can improve your home.
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Chicago roofing and siding guide

What type of contractor do you need?

While you can find a general contractor to do your work, you really want a Chicago roofing and siding specialist. The reason for this is simple. Most of the general contractors will sub contract the siding and roof on new constructions. They do so because it is very particular work in which experience and skill rules. The roofing and siding connect to form the protective shell for your building. It is the most important aspect of your home and one you should keep in the hands of professionals for care.

What you need to do as a homeowner

As a homeowner, your first job is to know how much you can truly afford. While everyone loves getting a good price, you don't want to be cheap. You need to know what is in your budget, and get an idea of the ballpark range for jobs in your area. Don't go off a national average for a roof cost, each geographical area of the country will have different prices. What you are looking for is an estimate that stays within 10 percent of the local average – anything more, there could be an issue with material quality or labor. You will also be the one to take care of any parking permits and notifying your neighbors about the work.

How to tell if you need repair or replacement work

Most repair needs can be detected by looking for stains, drips, mossy growths and dried or missing caulk and sealant. If your roofing or siding has begun to crack, split, peel up or just plain fall off – you need to have a replacement installation and not a repair. A good Chicago roofing and siding company isn't going to do a repair on a roof that is failing, that would put their liability at risk. Be realistic about the work you need, and have it evaluated. A good way to determine the actual work needed is to spend the money to have a home inspector come out and look at your roofing and siding. This will tell you what you need to know about keeping the resale of your home.

Why roof repair almost always means siding work is on the way

If your roof needs repair or replacement, chances are your Chicago roofing and siding company is going to point out repairs or replacement needed with your siding too. This isn't because they are trying to sell you something, it’s because the roof and siding work together as a protective unit. If one part of the unit becomes damaged, then you can be sure that damage has begun on the other. When the integrity of a roof is compromised it means the elements are coming in and can also seep under the sheathing beneath the roof and siding.

Keeping your cost down

The best way to keep your cost down for any Chicago roofing or siding job is to not skimp on repairs or replacements.  Talk to the contractor about the type of maintenance your job needs to stay in good shape. Cleaning gutters, power washing siding, and seasonal touch ups on caulk and flashing are all a part of maintaining the exterior of your home so you can keep your roof and siding in good shape longer. Most major repairs are needed due to neglect, not the roof or siding wearing out. Just by taking a few moments to ask what you should do on a seasonal basis can help keep you from having to spend money on repairs that could have been avoided.

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Planning for the final finish on roofing and siding

If you are considering hiring a Chicago roofing and siding contractor, or doing the work yourself, you must account for the entire job – not just the installation. The final finish for roofing and siding is what will largely determine the lifespan of the material. You need to know a few ins and outs of the materials and types of finish before starting to ensure a good job.

What does the final finish look like?

The final finish on a roofing or siding project can vary greatly. For some types of siding, the final finish is trim and paint. For many types of roofs, it is just the cleanup and flashing. If you are installing a slate or terracotta roof, it may need to be sealed as well. The same may hold true for wood siding or shingles. If sealing and painting are in order, this can be a multi-day project that is dependent on the weather - temperature, humidity and sun exposure.

For some materials, the finish is the clean-up

Some of the nylon siding and many of the asphalt roofing types require only a cleanup for finishing. This doesn't simply mean a nail sweep, but can also include the final trim work and back filling. Many Chicago roofing company contractors will not do the final fill on the siding job; that is generally left to the landscaper or general contractor. If you reside in a home, they may even work around having to actually excavate. Make sure you know what the contractor's plans are first so you don't get left with a surprise trench to fill in later.

Making sure that painting and sealing is scheduled right

No matter what type of material you have selected to have your Chicago roofing and siding contractor install, it has to be painted or sealed. This is where a lot of jobs can go wrong. If you push a contractor to “wrap it up” you may wind up with material that will fail. If you are doing the work yourself, for successful application, you need to follow the directions closely and find out the climate adaptations to humidity and altitude unique to Chicago.

How much of the work should you do?

This is the real question for those who are on a tight budget. Many times, you can ask a Chicago roofing and siding contractor what work you can assume to lower your cost. They will most likely suggest the cleanup and staging - as the other aspects of the job are time consuming and technically demanding. For many types of siding, like fiber cement, you can do some of it yourself. Bear in mind what your insurance will cover before you start doing anything.

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Metal Roof Installation

While metal roofing can be slick, reflective, and fussy to install, the majority of metal roof projects aren’t as difficult as they may seem. Of course, metal roofing can be applied to any roof, but let’s focus on a very simple residential hipped roof.

•    All sides slope toward the ground. Two sides are triangular, while the other two sides are trapezoidal.

•    The standard residential home with metal roofing will generally have identical pitch or slope on all sides.


Must I Remove The Existing Roof?

•    Metal roofing can be installed over existing roofing, assuming the structure of the roof can sustain the weight. It adds a significant amount of weight and requires shoring of roof supports.

•    The most effective means to install a metal roof is to remove the old roof, structure new support, and begin again.

Begin at the Top

A practical tool now comes into play—the tape measure. Before you can order materials, you must know the length of needed coverage between eave and ridgepole, the piece of wood that runs from front to back and supports the rafters.

•    Picture the roof as a cross section in the shape of a triangle, longest side down. This is called a “truss,” and is also the “run distance.”

•    Now measure the leg of the triangle which runs from each end of the run distance to the ridgepole. This is the “rise distance.” In our case, the rise distance is the same on both sides.

•    From here,you can determine the square footage of your roof, and determine how much roofing material to order.

Adding to the Framework

Next comes the insulation layer. All roofs have moisture, therefore you want to block it from entering the sheathing.

The installation process begins at the edge. First, install edging around the entire roof overhang. This is done by nailing to the roof framework, and overhanging the edge of the gutter system.

Next, position the metal panels horizontally, square to the edge, and overhanging slightly. Once in place, secure the panels to the structure with washer-head screws (to keep out water) set a foot apart. It would be a good practice to snap a chalk line at each level to position the screws on the frame and create an attractive picture from the ground.

The Layout Process

Subsequent rows must overlap by at least an inch. In a particularly moist environment, silicone may be applied at the place of overlap; the pressure on the metal sheet will spread the silicone and create a seal.

Finally comes the flashing that covers the vertical joints. Where there is a ridge, that flashing can be bent to fit. Like the plates themselves, flashing pieces must overlap towards the bottom, for water flow.

On simple buildings where there is little concern for perfection, a DIY project is possible. For elaborate jobs with many joints, dormers, and varying roof styles, it is best to hire a metal roof installation.

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