New Fiber Cement Siding Blog

Since Fiber cement siding is such a new concecpt to New England homeowners, we've decided to lauch a separate blog dedicated exclusively to fiber cement siding.  We'll continue to load a wealth of information including project highlights and photos onto the blog over the coming months and years.  If you're interested in learning more about fiber cement siding for your home, please contact us for a some information or a free estimate.

 

Our new fiber cement siding blog is located at:

HardieplankBoston.com

 

Window Types and Styles

Many people are unaware of all the window styles available to homeowners.  Read a description of each below as well as a Typical Application.

Window Styles

Outline	Name	Description	Typical Applications
	Awning	Windows that are hinged at the top that swing out for ventilation.	Bathrooms, Combine w/Large windows
	Single/Double Hung	A window with two sashes where one or both sashes slide vertically.	Bedrooms, Family Rooms, Kitchens, Dens
	Horizontal Slider or Rolling window	A window with two sashes where one or both sashes slide horizontally.	Bedrooms, Family Rooms, Kitchens, Dens, Combinations
	Casement	A window or windows hinged on one side that open as far as 90 degrees to the building using a crank.	Bathrooms, Bedrooms, Living Rooms, Combine w/Large windows
	Direct-Set Geometrics	These are fixed windows. Since they have no moving parts, they can be tailored to meet just about any desired geometric shape.	Entry Ways, Living Rooms, Combine w/Large windows
	Circle Top	As the name describes, these windows typically have a flat bottom and a circular or arched top. These are typically used in combination with another window or door.	Entry Ways, Living Rooms, Combine with doors or large windows

 

Examples of Combinations

Outline	Name	Description
	Angled Bay	A single large, fixed center window with 2 windows at 30, 45, or 90 degrees to the building. Side windows are typically vertical sliders or casement.
	Bow	Four or more windows configured to form a radius. Typically made of either vertical sliders or casement windows.
	Picture Combination	A single large, fixed center window with 2 adjacent side windows. Side windows may be either horizontal or vertical sliders or casement.
	2-Wide	Two vertical slider windows installed side-by-side. This is a basic building block for a "wall of windows".
	3-Wide with transoms	Three vertical slider windows installed side-by-side with awnings or fixed transoms across the tops.
	2-Wide with transom	Two casement windows installed side-by-side with an awning or fixed transom across the tops.
	Cathedral	Two casement windows with a half cloverleaf top circle
	Three wide with awnings	Three fixed windows with awnings on the bottom.

Making Sure You Get Your $1500 Tax Credit for Windows or Doors

By now you've heard about the Federal Tax Credit for 30%

off energy efficient improvements for up to $1500.  The question is do you know how to maximize it?

Here is a quick check list to help you make sure you do not miss out on the tax credit for windows and doors:

• Does the window or door being installed qualify for the tax credit?
• Can the installer order the materials before December 31st 2010?
• Are there any other incentives from the manufacturer or dealer/installer?

1. Does the window or door qualify for the tax credit?

Be careful, In many cases you'll find the answer is NO. Verify that the the U-factor and SHGC is less than or equal to .30. In other cases you'll find the manufacturer has used easy and low-quality measures to increase the insulating value of the window or door in order to get it to a point of meeting the federal standards for U-value and SHGC. Such methods include filling air space with foam, adding extra layers of dark Low-E, and adding cheap weatherstripping.  An excellent question to ask the dealer or installer is "Did the product being installed meet the Tax Credit qualifications before the qualifications even existed?" Obtain a detailed scope of work for the products being used, and ask how you can receive verification from the manufacturer of their products compliance with the Tax Credit standards.

2.  Can the installer order the materials before December 31st 2010

We anticipate a unprecedented volume of window orders over the final 4 months of 2010.  This means many companies' installation capacity will be overwhelmed and order will get overlooked.  Make sure you have verification that the windows or doors will be ordered before December 31st.

3.  Are there any other incentives from the manufacturer or dealer / installer?

Since many of the large manufacturers are trying to cash in on the rush of window and door orders, they are passing on additional incentives to the dealers, contractors, and installers.  Make sure you understand all the discounts that are available and when they expire.  As always, make sure any details discussed are in writing.

These 3 things should help you maximize your tax credit.  Feel free to contact us here with any specific questions. 

 

Rubber Roofing for Low Slope Roofs in MA, NH, RI

When it comes to roof leaks in New England, flatter roofs generally have more problems.  Flatter roofs on areas such as porches, dormers, additions, and commercial buildings deal with slower drainage, more water pooling, and more wind driven rain issues.  All of these can lead to roof leakage and serious damage. 

We are constantly asked by home and business owners, what we recommend for lower slope roofs in our service area (Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and Southern New Hampshire).  The answer is almost exclusively EPDM Rubber Roofing systems such as those made by RPI® or Genflex®.  EPDM is designed not to easily deteriorate.  it withstands damage from ozone, UV, heat, frost, and other environmental factors that typically have a damaging effect on flat roof products such as rolled asphalt, tar and sheet metal. 

Besides being very resistant to the elements, the major benefit of rubber roofing is the ability to minimize seams.  EPDM comes in various different sizes that can be installed on all types of roof surfaces.  Wherever seams are necessary, as long as they are properly sealed, they will perform as good as the rest of the membrane.

If you are having issues with a low-pitch roof area, or are concerned about it Contact Us to give you a no pressure estimate.

Check out our Rubber Roofing Section for more info about our low-slope roofing systems.

 

Hopkinton, MA - One of the Top Places to Live

According to Money Magaize the small town of Hopkinton, MA is one of the top 100 places to live in the United States.  Hopkinton is an area we complete a whole lot of projects. Hopkinton is a neighboring town of Ashland where our office is located.  Over the years we've met hundreds of home and business owners in Hopkinton and had the privilege of completing various projects of all scales.  Most famous as the starting spot for the Boston Marathon, Hopkinton is a quiet, but accessible community nicely located near the junction of 495 and the Mass Pike. Some notable projects United has had the privilege to work on are roof replacement and painting at the Korean Presbyterian Church (formerly First Congregational Church of Hopkinton) right across from the Hopkinton Common and Marathon starting line. We've recently installed dozens of new windows at the old High School building on Main Street near the top of the hill.

We've added some photos and descriptions of various roofing projects we've been involved in to this new page on our website:

http://www.unitedhomeexperts.com/roofing-contractors-hopkinton-massachusetts

We also recently added a page dedicated to the MetroWest region in general.  We complete a lot of roofing projects in the Metrowest area.  Check some of them out here:

http://www.unitedhomeexperts.com/roofing-contractors-metrowest-mass

 

De-icing Heat Cable Installation on Roofs: Pros and Cons

Have you ever seen these black cables on the lower edge of a roof and wondered what they were for? If you live in our territory (Massachusetts, Rhode Island, or Southern New Hampshire), you're no stranger to ice dams, roof icicles and other winter roof issues.  You've most likely lived in a house at some point that has issues with ice build-up or winter roof leaks from ice and snow.

The black cables are referred to as de-icing cables, roof cables, heat coils or ice lines.  The purpose they serve is to raise the temperature of the problem area above freezing temperatures in order to keep ice and snow from building up in the gutters, on lower roof edges and in roof valleys. 

Are De-icing Cables a Good Solution?

You may have seen these de-icing systems on roofs and wondered if they work. They answer is maybe.  Often times homeowners try to use these types of de-icing systems to compensate for another more serious roof problem such as deteriorating shingles, insufficient attic insulation or ventilation, or insufficient ice and water shield. It's far more common that homeowners with an older roof are trying to get 1 or 2 last years out of it before having to replace it.  With roofing, we always say air on the side of caution!  The people who have experienced serious roof leaks are the ones who take this advice seriously.  It will cost you thousands of dollars more to remedy the damage from a serious roof leak, then it will to have it replaced before the problem presents itself.

What Does United Recommend?

We've installed these de-icing systems in the past with mixed success.  It's our policy to solve peoples problems to the best of our ability not just band-aid the issue and let them deal with it (and pay for it) in the future.  Although we'll probably install more of these systems this winter in emergency situations, we always do so with the understanding that the roof has other issues that need to be resolved as soon as the weather permits. 

If you live in our territory and are experiencing a winter roof emergency, contact us to discuss temporary and long-term solutions.

 

What % of Insurance Claims Are From Hail, Ice Dams, & Wind?

According to the Consumer Products Safety Commission wind, hail and ice add up to about 32% of the insurance claims made by homeowners.  This number is especially staggering since many sections of the U.S. don't see frequent hail storms, and other sections don't have climates that produce ice dams.  Add another 14.3% for water damage and it's clear that a majority of home insurance claims are caused by weather and climate factors.

Property Peril
Fire	33.1%
Wind Damage	18.3%
Water Damage	14.3%
Hail Damage	11.6%
Theft	3.6%
Freezing	2.0%
Lightning	2.0%
Other Property Losses	9.6%

The most commonly damaged areas of homes are the roof, siding, foundation, windows, and gutters.  As you would expect the exterior shell of your home is the first layer of protection against the elements.  When the strength of Mother Nature overpowers the durability of your home everyone loses.  You have to pay expensive insurance premiums and rarely get the proper amount of coverage to restore your home to proper working condition.

It's more important then ever to have the following:

A properly functioning roofing system with hurricane force wind nailing, sufficient amounts of ice and water shield and flashing, and high grade shingles properly installed.

Well maintained and properly installed siding that is wind resistant and durable enough to take the impact of flying debris.

Windows that have a high DP rating, meaning they can withstand the force of high winds and the impact of debris.

Roof Replacement in Massachusetts: 4 Keys to a Leak-Proof Roof

Roofers in Massachusetts have their work cut out for them.  Every season presents it's own weather conditions that make it difficult to keep a leak proof roof.  Here are 4 of the essential things that all responsible roofing contractor in massachusetts will provide without question.

 #1:  Don't skimp on High Quality Ice and Water Shield:

Ice Dams are a big problem in New England.  Most roofers will install some amount  of low-grade ice and water shield.  But the questions are:  How much ice and water shield are they using?  And what quality is it? We recommend using a minimum of 6 ft. Certainteed Winterguard from the eaves, and 3 feet from the gable ends. A full 3 ft. roll should be used in all valleys. We do this on all our roofing replacements in massachusetts, rhode Island and New Hampshire. 

 

#2: Use a quality shingle with a substatial weight per square (100 square ft.):

That durability and longevity of a roofing shingle is primarily determined by the amount of asphalt and aggregate it's made from.  More material means more weight, so the heavier a shingle is the better quality it is (in general).  Many of the roofing shingles that are sold on the shelves of the big box stores aren't even labeled with a weight per square.  Stay away from these roofing products.  Landmark Architectural shingles range between 250-340 lbs per square.  There are even shingles available that weigh more than 400 lbs. per square.

 #3: Make sure your gutters are clean and fuctioning properly:

Most winter roof leaks in Massachusetts are due to ice build up in the gutters and on the roof which can often be caused by leaf filled gutters that cannot drain properly.  However, even a new, clean gutter can get ice damming.  If you have an ice damn problem, consider installing deicing lines as a temporary solultion, but also contact a roofing installer to repair or replace your roof.

 #4: Care:

The bottom line is even experienced roofing installers in MA will leave you with issues if they don't put the proper effort and care into installing your roof. At first glance there may not be a noticeable difference between a properly installed roof and a poorly installed roof because so much of what determines the quality and durability of a roof is underneath the shingle.

These are just a few of the necessary steps to having a long-lasting leak proof roof.  Contact us today if you'd like to discuss a roof replacement project.

Replacement Contractor Article about Fiber Cement in New England

I was recently asked by Jim Cory from Replacement Contractor Magazine to comment on the growth of fiber cement siding in New England, specifically Massachusetts, Rhode Island and New Hampshire.  Here's the article:

High Fiber

by Jim Cory

Demand for fiber cement set to grow at twice the rate of the replacement siding marketBy Jim Cory

Bob Birner, vice president of Amazing Siding, a home improvement company headquartered in Houston, calls Texas "the Holy Land" of fiber-cement siding. Five years ago, he estimates, 5% of the company's siding jobs were fiber cement. Now, he says, "it's the majority of our siding business." Amazing Siding, with branches in other states as well, also sells an acrylic siding product and composite windows.

Onward and Upward

A report on the U.S. siding market issued earlier this year by the Freedonia Group suggests that by 2017 fiber-cement sales will increase to $2.065 million, with a 14% market share, and use of fiber-cement siding "will expand 7.7% annually" in improvement and repair applications. Up to now, much of that growth has been regional, focused in the South and Southwest. Freedonia suggests stronger future growth in the Northeast and Midwest. Peter Martino, marketing manager and project consultant for United Home Experts, in Boston, says that before his company took on the product in 2002, it was "rare" to see a fiber-cement replacement job in Massa­-chusetts. But, he says, in the last three or four years, "it's become increasingly widespread as a siding option." So widespread that United Home Experts, on its website, estimates that fiber-cement siding "is approaching a market share of 10% in Massachusetts and other parts of New England."

Slow Market

This year the overall siding market is slower, and contractors have noticed that consumers who have money to invest in the exterior of their home prefer to spend those dollars on windows or a new roof. At Weatherguard Systems, a Wisconsin company that sells gutter protection, windows, and siding, 2009 has been a lean year in the siding department. "We've done one job in vinyl and five or six in fiber cement," company president Jared Murray says. Residential siding customers, Murray has noticed, are those who have "saved and want to upgrade." Last year siding jobs at the company were 60% vinyl, 40% fiber cement.

In the past, home improvement companies tended to offer consumers one product or another. Today many companies carry several products, an arrangement that Birner compares to auto dealerships that carry products from multiple manufacturers. Exterior Home Improvement, in Indianapolis, for instance, offers insulated-vinyl, fiber-cement, or a wood-vinyl composite siding. For companies with fiber cement as a core product, quality installation is the appeal. At United Home Experts, where 80% of jobs are fiber cement, reps show prospects pictures of the company's fiber-cement jobs versus the less-than-stellar installs of others.

Birner guesses that 5% to 7% of Amazing Siding's fiber-cement projects in Houston involve rescuing botched do-it-yourself projects. Typically, the homeowner starts, then realizes what's involved and calls Birner's company to come over and begin again from scratch.

Article Source

Burn Baby Burn? Which Siding is Fire Proof?

As houses continue to be built closer together, this question is becoming more and more important.  James Hardie Fiber Cement siding is in fact flame proof.  With enough heat, anything can be damaged, but fiber cement will not carry a flame or ignite in contact with fire.  Many insurance companies give reductions on home owners insurance for this type of siding.  Fiber Cement is fairly new to New England, but we've been installing it for about 10 years.  Fire resistance is just one of the many benefits of Hardiplank.  It looks just like wood, but with much less maintenance required.  Check out this video from James Hardie which compares which is more fire resistant: Cedar, Fiber Cement, or Vinyl.