Posted by Peter Martino on Wed, Jun 30, 2010 @ 07:35 PM
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
Posted by Peter Martino on Fri, Nov 13, 2009 @ 09:51 AM
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.
Posted by Peter Martino on Fri, Sep 25, 2009 @ 03:28 PM
Here's the home show schedule for the Boston and Providence areas for the fall 2009 season. If you are planning to have any home improvements done this season, don't wait to talk to contractors at these shows. All the reputable ones will be booked up for the season. Contact us today for a no-pressure estimate on your Siding, Roofing, Windows, or Painting project.
Click here or call 1-888-724-6865
The Fall Boston Home Show
September 18- 20, 2009
Bayside Expo Center
200 Mount Vernon Street
Columbia Point
Boston, MA 02125
The Suburban Boston Home Show
Shiners Auditorium
Wilmington, MA
Friday, October 2, 11am - 10pm
Saturday, October 3, 10am - 10pm
Sunday, October 4, 10am - 6pm
Central Mass Fall Worcester Home Show
October 23rd - 25th, 2009
DCU Center
Worcester, MA
Friday Oct 23rd 5:00pm to 9:00pm
Saturday Oct 24th 10:00am to 8:00pm
Sunday Oct 25th 11:00am to 5:00pm
Fall Rhode Island Home Show
Fall Rhode Island Home Show
Rhode Island Convention Center
Providence, RI
Saturday November 7th 10am - 9pm
Sunday November 8th 10am - 6pm
Posted by Peter Martino on Fri, Jul 03, 2009 @ 03:19 PM
In the past ten years fiber cement siding has made leaps and bounds in the residential remodeling and new construction markets in New England. Market share for the siding is approaching 10% according to 
manufacturers and the Portland Cement Association. This may not seem like a large share but given the fact that the siding product was virtually unknown in New England just ten years ago, the progress is significant.
James Hardie® Hardiplank® is the most widely used and most popular product. However companies like Certainteed® and GAF® are happy to ride the coat tails of Hardie in this rapidly growing industry. Although some people are hesitant to use fiber cement siding because of a perceived short track record within the U.S. The product has actually been used in the U.S for close to 30 years and versions of the siding (some containing asbestos) actually date back almost 100 years. But don't worry, fiber cement no longer contains harmful materials. It's mostly made of portland cement and cellulose fibers.
Although no siding product is perfect, fiber cement seems to offer homeowners in Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and New Hampshire the beauty of wood they desire without all of the maintenance. The proof is that there are 1000's of houses in New England that have fiber cement. You'll find the product on very high-end homes in communities like Newton, Weston, Wayland, Brighton, Hull, Newport, East Providence, Nashua NH, and many more.
Contact us for more information or a no pressure estimate
Posted by Peter Martino on Fri, Jan 30, 2009 @ 07:09 PM
For years real estate agents and property professionals have been telling sellers to put more money into their kitchens and baths because it would give them the biggest return on their investment. It may have been true in the past but what does today's data tell us? There is a chance you may not have even heard of this product yet thousands of your neighbors in New England are benefiting from it.
According to Realtor.org/Realtor Magazine, in 2008 Major Kitchen remodels did make the top ten list on their annual Cost vs. Value report but the number one improvement you can make to your house and receive the biggest return on your investment is upscale fiber cement siding. Homeowners nationally received a return of almost 87% on every dollar spent. This does not include the aesthetic value, and immeasurable value of having a low-maintenance exterior. You may be asking yourself, "What is Fiber Cement Siding?" Don't be embarrassed. If you are living in New England, you have not been exposed to this product as frequently as the rest of the nation. However, thousands of your neighbors locally are replacing their failing vinyl, aluminum and wood siding with fiber cement siding. The two most known manufacturers are James Hardie® and Certainteed® Weatherboards®.
Homeowners simply love this product! Here are just a few of the benefits of fiber cement siding when installed properly by a professionally trained and certified contractor:
- It does not rot
- The coating will not peel
- Termites cannot eat through it
- Woodpeckers won't peck at it
- You receive a 50-year product warranty
- It is an environmentally friendly green product made partially with recycled materials
With today's financial uncertainty, the best thing homeowners can do is make sure their homes are well kept and updated. Fiber cement siding replacement is a great way to improve the value of your house whether you are planning on selling or if you plan on holding on to the property for the next 30 years.