Cleaning Vinyl Siding Made Easy

Vinyl siding is one of the easiest ways to go if you want an exterior that is easy to clean. Cleaning vinyl siding often includes little more than a pressure washer or a soapy bucket of water and elbow grease. Choosing which cleaning method is really up to the individual homeowner, though most agree that the soapy water and elbow grease method is the best way to go.  Either way, cleaning vinyl siding is a breeze.

Which method is best for my home?

When choosing the method of how to clean your vinyl siding, you really need only look at two options.  One is pressure washing the vinyl, and the other is by hand.  The vinyl siding really determines which one you should go with.  If the vinyl is well done, and the corners, creases and seams of the vinyl are done properly, you can likely clean using a pressure washer. If you have many creases and poorly done corners, you need to do it by hand.  The reason for this is because a pressure washer will usually be powerful enough to get into the creases of the siding and wet the wooden parts underneath, if your homes exterior walls doesn’t have a protective vapor barrier between the siding and the walls sheathing.  This can lead to mold and other serious problems.  You have to be careful either way you are cleaning vinyl siding, because even a water hose can shoot water behind the siding if you are careless.

How do I clean my vinyl siding with a pressure washer?

The key to cleaning vinyl siding with a pressure washer is to use the right solution.  The commercial vinyl siding cleaners are great, but household dishwashing liquid mixed with water is just as good.  Regardless, you want to make certain you are not using bleach.  Bleach is loaded with toxins that will kill your plants, shrubs and trees quickly when the water seeps into the ground, and also can eat away at the protective coating layers of your vinyl siding. Oxygen bleach is better if you must use bleach on bad stains or mildew.

Begin by spraying the vinyl siding in sections of 2 to 4 feet at a downward motion, never, I repeat never spray upwards at your siding, you’ll risk water seeping in through behind the siding.  Do not move on to another section of vinyl siding until you rinse the current one.  This will leave ugly patches if the solution dries before rinsing.  You will clean your siding from bottom to top, taking careful precautions to spray at 45 degree downward angle. Also, you want to avoid direct spray from the pressure washer, direct spray can seep into the cracks and crevices easily.  Shoot away from the edges of windows and doors to avoid seepage as well.

How do I clean my vinyl siding by hand?

This is considered the safest way to clean vinyl siding because it is the least intrusive on the crevices and seams.  You can set your water hose to the low setting so you are not using a direct spray on the vinyl.  While this is good, it does mean that you will be cleaning vinyl siding the old fashioned way – by hand.  No worries though – vinyl siding is super easy to get clean.  Get that soap filled bucket (the same as used with the pressure washer above) and a nice extend-arm soft brush and get busy!

Cleaning by hand is similar in most ways to pressure washing. You will wet the section, work from bottom to top, and then rinse at a 45 degree angle. You can use a ladder and traditional soft brush, but an extend-arm is much easier when cleaning vinyl siding. Take special care around windows, doors and seams and you will be just fine.

Regardless of your method of cleaning vinyl siding, you will find that it is easy as can be.  No other form of housing material comes close, and that is one of the many reasons that vinyl siding is so popular.

If you’re considering investing into new siding for your home this article will go over the benefits of choosing cedar shake siding. This type of siding has less maintenance involved with maintaining a high quality appearance when you compare it to wood house sidings. Cedar shake siding is a very cost effective way to give your home a rustic appearance. Also cedar has strong resistances to insect damage, weathering, rot, and warping.



Appearance

This type of siding is just one of many types that are available to the buying public today. You can always distinguish this type of siding because it is made up of cut pieces of cedar. When you install the siding on your home, the shingles are laid down in an overlapping pattern giving a great rustic visual appeal. The one single drawback of this type of siding would be that it can be slightly labor intensive to install.

Benefits and Durability of Cedar Shingle Siding

Warping is one of the main enemies of any type of wood product, especially one in constant contact with the outdoor elements. However, cedar is renown for its ability to resist warping even when its used in severe weather climates. For this reason many homeowners in the Atlantic northeastern region of the United States of America choose to use cedar shake siding on their homes. Nearly all siding contractors are also aware of this, and they tend to promote this type of siding for its many benefits and protection against salt spray along the shorelines of Cape Cod, MA..

Shrinkage can also cause headaches to other types of wooden products, however cedar is also far more resistance to this issue than other types of wood. When other wooden siding shrinks it causes gaps to form in the siding of the home, which doesn’t look good visually. Also these gaps cause the exterior of your home to become exposed and this can lead to many headaches down the road. If you live in a wet climate, shrinkage can be a big issue, so this is just another reason to choose cedar shake siding.

Many different types of insects also like to feast on wood. However, the cedar tree naturally produces an oil that is infused into its wood. This oil acts a natural insect repellent and many wood eating bugs won’t even come near a home covered in cedar shake siding. This helps keep your home bug free, but also you won’t need to worry about termites or other nasty critters eating away at your home. The cedar oil present in the siding also keeps the wood lubricated and it resists wood rot a lot more than other types of siding do. Many homeowners also use cedarwood in places like spa’s which are constantly exposed to humid conditions because of this.

Quality

When you are in the market for cedar shake siding, you need to be aware of the different ways to identify great product. This way you can stay away from a lower quality cut that is going to give you problems. Most companies and suppliers use a grading system to identify the best products. Grade A cedar, or, #1 choice cedar is generally considered the best cut, but at the same time it can be quite expensive. Grade B cedar, or often called #2 cedar is often used in siding applications because of the balance between cost and performance. Anything lower than that usually is not used for siding.

In addition to grading, you also need to visually inspect the wood itself. Cedar has several key features that you should use to identify a good cut. The main two are the clarity and knots of the cedar shingle. Grade A cedar shake siding is usually smooth, and has a uniform visual appearance with little to no imperfections or knots. Grade B cedar will generally have more noticeable visual issues and a little knotting, but it will generally maintain a smooth feeling to the hand.

In conclusion, cedar shake siding can be a great addition to any home. It will increase the value of your home, keep wood eating bugs away, and give your home a visually appealing rustic look. While it may cost more and be more labor intensive to get it installed, if you want one of the best sidings available, you simply cannot go wrong with cedar.



Why Vinyl Replacement Windows?

Choosing vinyl replacement windows for your next home improvement is an easy decision to make. Vinyl replacement windows are made from PVC, polyvinyl chloride, a plastic that is commonly found in most, if not all vinyl replacement windows. These types of windows are the most common type of window installed today, whether be it new construction or house remodeling for it’s pricing, reliability, and low-maintenance requirements.



Maintenance Free

There really isn’t much maintenance involved in vinyl replacement windows aside from normal window washing. Since these windows are made from vinyl, the need to worry about rot, mold, termites, sanding and painting are eliminated with vinyl window replacements. Also, since the vinyl is factory colored throughout, makes it very hard to notice scratches and dings go unnoticeable. So, all-in-all, your buying a window replacement that is low maintenance and highly energy efficient in reducing your heating and cooling bills and keep home maintenance costs down.

How to choose the best vinyl replacement window?

While technology has taken great strides, it is still important to do your research on the different brands out there. There’s still a few things that should stand out to you. Here’s a good starters list of things you should look out for in your search for a vinyl window replacement.

Low-E glass — Low-E glass is a process where the window manufacture uses a silver like coating over the glass, and works as a mirror reflecting heat back towards the direction it came from. Low-E also protects the interior of your home’s carpeting, drapes, furniture from fading.

What is Argon filled gas? When considering replacing your windows, you might want to consider choosing replacement windows incased with argon gas. Argon gas is more dense than oxygen and therefore, reduces the heat transfer rate in your home – increasing your energy savings!

What is a R-Value ? R-values are ratings based on the energy performance a window should have. When shopping for a vinyl or wood replacement window, the higher the number, the more insulation that window will have – increasing energy savings!

What is a U-Value? U-values are similar to R-values, with two major differences: The first difference is U-values are ratings for the entire replacement window unit itself, whereas R-values are ratings for specific materials of the window itself. Second, you want to look for the lowest U-Value of a window for enhanced energy savings performance.

So basically, R-Values are ratings for how much heat is retained, and U-Values are ratings for how heat is lost…



How about an actual point of view from a siding contractor and not from some marketing company? I’ll give you my siding professional opinion here with the pros, cons, and prices of Hardie board siding to see how it looks under scrutiny.



Hardie Board Siding: The Pros

• Longevity — When it comes to exterior hardy plank siding, James Hardie Industries offers one of the best warranties on the market, a 50-year limited transferable warranty. When a company offers a huge warranty as that, it’s hard to say no to their siding options. So how can they offer a big warranty? It’s simple really, Hardie plank siding is completely rot and insect resistant, and can even withstand the corrosive salt spray near the coastlines.

• Appearance— Another great quality of Hardie board siding is that it can be made to look like any type of wood house siding out on the market. You can have the look of cedar shingle siding, clapboard siding, etc.. The siding color options are unlimited to your tastes and these colors are usually warrantied to up to 15 years on the finish.

• Fire Resistance— James Hardie Building Products, states that fiber cement siding “is comprised of more than 90% sand and cement, making it inherently resistant to flames.” Watch this video below to see how well Hardie plank siding compares to vinyl siding and wood house siding — I’ll let you decide the rest!

• Storm Resistance— As a siding contractor in Massachusetts, I’ve witnessed some harsh weather, be it the brutal winters, Nor’easters, hot humid summers, fiber cement siding has proven its ability to withstand the brutal punishment mother nature tends to throw at her..

Okay, so let’s discuss the Cons of Hardie board siding..

So what’s not to like about this type of house siding? Well, as a siding contractor and installer, I’ll tell you that a couple things come to mind due to experience in siding installation. First, installation of Hardie plank siding is much more labor intensive because of its weight when compared to other types of siding. Second, nothing is maintenance-free! Hardie plank siding does require painting every 10-15 years.

• High Installation and Labor Costs— Due to its composition, fiber cement siding requires more time to install and resources required for proper installation. When compared to vinyl siding, fiber cement siding out weights its comparison by three times.

• Maintenance— Just because Hardie board siding comes backed by a 50- year warranty, doesn’t mean it will look the same as it did the day you installed it. The baked on finishes sold by most lumber yards are only guaranteed for 15 years. Please note, the siding will most likely outlive you, but it does require a paint job every 10-15 years – that’s better than wood siding, every 7-10 years.

The Cost

The one thing that still boggles my mind as a siding contractor and installer, the prices of fiber cement siding! It’s still way to high in price to justify not using and other type of siding. I mean sure, fiber cement siding has a lot of great qualities, but so doesn’t any other type of siding. Having fiber cement siding installed on your home when comparing prices to vinyl siding, you’re looking to pay almost double!

So in my honest opinion, the quality finish in fiber cement siding looks great, but the high cost in installation and siding prices need to come down, so if you’re willing to pay the high premium, go for it, it’s still a great product..

Vinyl siding has risen in popularity due to home improvement contractors and home-owners for many reasons and here’s why. The biggest reason has to do with vinyl siding prices and most importantly, durability.  Vinyl siding cost have remained the cheapest siding option due to its manufacturing process speed, and for the high demand of vinyl siding. Not only for that reason, but for the many vinyl siding colors available to choose from. When you combine the vinyl siding cost, colors, durability, and low-maintenance, it’s know wonder why many new and older homes are having vinyl siding installed.

How much does Vinyl Siding Cost?

The cost of vinyl siding can vary from supplier to supplier, so, to answer this question can be a little tricky. There’s no “one size fits all” scenario here, only ballpark figures. Having said that, when you’re out shopping for vinyl siding prices, you must consider that vinyl siding cost will be solely dependent upon the quality, thickness, manufacture, insulated backed siding, or not insulated, colors, siding installation prices, etc..

For ballpark siding prices, you can expect to pay anywhere from $4 – $8 per linear foot to have a siding company do the installation for you. However, if you’re looking for real cheap vinyl siding prices, you can expect to pay $1 -$2 per linear foot, but expect to do the siding installation yourself, keep in mind that this would be for cheap vinyl siding and not something many siding contractors will recommend you to install.



How to calculate the total vinyl siding cost for your home

Since we’ve already discussed what you can expect to pay for vinyl siding price $4 – $8 per linear foot, let’s figure out how much this will cost you when it comes time to have vinyl siding installed. As a siding contractor in Massachusetts, we give siding prices by the “square” but I’ll explain that later. What you want to do to figure out is the total area coverage of your homes exterior walls, by adding ( width ) x2 +  ( length ) x2   x( height ) equals..

For a better more clearer example, try this:

Let’s say your house is a one level ranch that is 60′ feet in length and 10′ feet in height and 20′ feet in width, take those numbers and calculate like so, (60 + 60 + 20 + 20) x 10= 1,600 total linear feet..

Now, let’s take the total linear exterior foot coverage and calculate your total vinyl siding cost based on the ballpark numbers above…

1,600 x $4 – $8 per square foot would equal $6,400 – or – 12,800, this wouldn’t include extras or any unforeseen problems that might arise during the siding installation process. But, just as any other type of house remodeling project, there are almost always something unexpected that can’t bee seen until the old siding has been removed.

Going back to the part when I stated siding contractors use terms like “SQUARE” what do I mean by that? Instead of saying your home has 1,600 linear feet, we say your home needs 16 square of siding. A square to a siding company, is basically ( 10′ by 10′ square foot area of siding equals 1 square or 100′ linear feet squared) it’s a shorter version of the math we did above.

What to Look for in Vinyl Siding

To have the best possible outcome and most importantly, a professional grade A curb appeal, one must start with the vinyl siding quality. We’ve all heard “you get what you pay for” well this principal holds true for the quality of vinyl siding you choose. So, how do we choose which vinyl siding is low, to mid, to high quality grade vinyl siding? The first thing you’ll want to look for is the thickness of the vinyl siding. Vinyl siding usually comes in thicknesses of .035 to .055 inches thick, and the more high quality top vinyl siding brands have a thickness ranging between .040 to .048 inches. A rule of thumb would be, the thicker the better when it comes to vinyl siding and that holds true to the Northeast where we can see high winds from nor’easters in the winter. Other more important things to consider is proper siding installation. Having the thickest vinyl siding panel won’t stop the wind from blowing the siding off in a storm if it isn’t installed correctly! You want to be sure of proper nail spacing, vinyl panel spacing, temperature of the day you install your siding, etc.. If you feel you can handle this job yourself, you can save a lot of money of the total vinyl siding cost of installation.



Vinyl Siding Prices and “Extras”

Take into consideration that the above example on vinyl siding prices doesn’t include “extras.” What are extras? You should expect to pay more for certain vinyl siding colors, trim packages, insulated vinyl siding, corner-board details, shutters, etc.. Trim details are different for every house, so we have to custom bend aluminum or use azek trim boards to give you the complete low maintenance package.  And when it comes to vinyl siding colors, make sure you buy a product that is has a true color through out or extruded for sun protection. One of the biggest faults of vinyl siding is fading, when vinyl siding colors are exposed to sunlight. Buy a vinyl siding brand that has UV protection that will keep your new siding from fading over time — When it comes to vinyl siding colors, this is one extra that is definitely worth the extra cost.

For any reason one should feel uncertain about installing vinyl siding on their home, one should contact a professional siding company.

Let’s explore all of the possibilities of house siding options and what they could do for you and your next siding replacement.


Cedar Shingle Siding

Cedar shingles, or “shakes” as they’re called in the siding contractor world are a New England style tradition along the coastlines from Cape-cod, to Manchester “by the sea” Massachusetts.

In its natural unfinished state, it has a wonderful looking textured tactile grain, combined with warm light brown and deep brown colors. Cedar siding also remains subtly aromatic, and the appealing fragrance of cedar adds another benefit to the ever so popular wood.

Cedar shingle siding also contains natural oils that help protect the wood against rot, decay, and insects. Cedar siding is also a stable type of wood that never buckles or curls. When properly maintained, cedar siding will last for years to come and will age gracefully.

Wood Clapboard Siding

Wood clapboard siding had been a traditional favorite among Massachusetts colonial style homes, and still remain a favored choice in fine homes. Clapboard siding comes in a variety of wood species from cedar, spruce, redwood, cypress and pine. If maintained properly, clapboard siding can last a lifetime with the proper staining or painting. Many colonial homes from the bygone era still hold its original beauty today.

Fiber Cement Siding

Fiber cement house siding has been growing in popularity in recent years, due to its appearance and durability. Fiber cement siding has the look of real wood, without the high maintenance of wood house siding. This type of house siding is relatively strong, fire resistant and insect proof and commonly has a great warranty attached with it.

A favorable fiber cement manufacture would be Hardie-plank siding, there siding prices are reasonable and warranties are great!


Vinyl Siding

Vinyl siding is a wonderful choice for home-owners that are looking for low-maintenance while increasing their homes energy efficiency. Over the years, vinyl siding has become very popular because of its ability to resist rot, lower energy costs, resist the brutal New England weather, and increased re-sale value. Not only for those reason, but of its affordability when compared to other home siding options.

Vinyl house siding also comes in a wide array of options, ranging from the looks of cedar shakes, to the looks of traditional clapboard siding. Vinyl siding also has a lot of color options too, with the colors being baked through the vinyl instead of applied. What that means is the color stays true over a long period of time, resisting the signs of scratches or small imperfections.

Aluminum Siding

Aluminum siding has been seen by many as out-of-date option, although some siding and home improvement contractors still offer this type of siding for its many benefits to urban areas; others like aluminum standing seam metal siding for its contemporary and aesthetically pleasing looks. You can expect aluminum metal siding to last more than 40 years to the life of your home with very minimal care and maintenance. Repairing metal siding can also be a simple task, by unsnapping the metal locking clips and prying up the nailing flange, you can easily repair a damaged metal panel.


Choosing the right siding contractor for your home

Your home is your biggest investment that you will make in your lifetime, so by choosing the right siding contractor for your home can be a daunting task. Well, I’ll try to make it easy for you in choosing the right siding company that will treat your home as if it where theirs!

• When you’re in the process of choosing a siding company, verify that the contractor has a “certificate of Insurance” ( this will protect you from any damages on your property) ALSO, ask to see a current “worker’s compensation certificate” ( this will protect their employees in-case of injuries, and protect you the homeowner from law-suites)..
• Ask for references, most siding contractors will be proud to showcase their lastest projects. Try to get atleast a couple of verifiable past clients to speak with.
• Be sure to check for the appropriate state licensing needed to pull permits on your behalf. These license’s should include a “Contractor’s supervisors license” (CSL) Also a Home improvement contractors licence ( H.I.C)..  Verify that their licenses are current and in good standings with the state..
• What type of written warranty will they offer you?
• Above all, choose a home improvement contractor in which you feel comfortable with and is willing to walk you through the whole exterior house siding process without hesitation – Good communication is key to a successful project!

Common Home Siding Questions

What should I do about the loose siding or siding falling off my house?

The decision to repair or replace your worn out house siding can become a daunting task. You could either call a siding contractor to evaluate your homes siding or you can assess the damage yourself and make the attempt to repair your siding. In your assessment, you want to locate problem areas and also figure out what might be causing the problems in the first place.

When is the best time of year to install house siding?

Most siding companies install siding all year long and if you’re looking for good deals, fall and winter are usually the best time to have your siding installed on your home; most siding companies can compensate for temperature adjustments required with some types of siding, including vinyl house siding.

How long does it take to install siding?

Every project requires a different approach and solution before work commences, this involves choosing the right equipment and materials to solve and produce the best outcome for your homes exterior siding project. As a siding contractor in Massachusetts our team of siding professionals know exactly what it takes to get the job done correctly, and most importantly, to your up most satisfaction! We’re constantly on the look out for the new and improved vinyl siding products that can provide you with the best looking and long-lasting exterior house siding in the neighborhood. Our time frames on siding installation can usually run between 2-4wks depending on size and difficulty of your house.

Is it okay to add vinyl siding over existing siding?

It most certainly is okay if there isn’t any signs of rot, mold or termite damage on your home existing siding. But, from a contractor’s point of view, it’s always best to remove your old siding before installing new wood or vinyl siding.

What siding colors and choices do I have and what will it look like?

If you’re curious on how a certain type of siding will look on your home, test drive our interactive house siding designer for an interactive look and feel. Choose a house that fits your home style and architecture — and begin designing!

For a professional house siding contractor estimate call us today at 781-856-2001 or fill out our easy contact form

Home and Garden

With rising heating and cooling costs for our homes and with no sign of relief in the future, it’s no wonder why many homeowners are always continuously looking for cost effective ways to reduce the energy efficiency of their homes. Now, having this in mind, one of the most cost effective and long-lasting ways to do this is by replacing your old drafty worn out windows, with new vinyl replacement windows. Having vinyl replacement windows installed in your home, will help considerably in producing the maximum benefit of reducing your homes heating and cooling bills. To

I know replacing your windows may sound costly, but it really isn’t! In fact, one of the biggest advantages to having vinyl replacement windows installed in your home is their low cost. A typical window installation here in Massachusetts, can run you between 300-550.00 installed, plus the cost of the window itself. Most of these windows can save you up to 40% in your homes heating and cooling bills. So for example, the average cost to replace windows for a typical home is roughly 7,000 to 8,500 including the cost of the windows with window installation. With these numbers in mind, let’s do some math..

8,500 x .40 =3,400.00 right? 3,400 dollars will be your savings in your heating and cooling bills over a period of time.  So how long will it take to recoup the cost of replacing your windows? Let’s see, here in New England where we can have some crazy cold weather, our heating and cooling costs can range from 300 – 500 monthly, depending on the size of your home. So let’s take the amount of replacement windows savings and calculate the time it would take to recoup the replacement windows cost..

500.00 x .40 =200.00 right? 200.00 x12 =2,400 per year in savings, not too shabby huh? But, we want to know when we will recoup the final cost? So let’s take the 2,400 number in annual replacement windows savings and see what we come up with.

2,400 x 3.5 = 8,400 ! So you see, you can recoup the cost of replacing your windows in roughly three and half years. That doesn’t seem to long to wait! And in the mean time, you’ll see savings of 2,400 dollars per year! I know what I could do with an extra 2,400 bucks…

But how do you know that it’s time to replace your windows?

As a replacement window contractor in Massachusetts, I know many ways I can determine when it’s time to replace your windows, and what will give your home the best looking, and highest performance for a replacement window. There are many tell tale signs that are visible from the interior and exterior view of your windows frame. Many of which are:

• Failed seals around your windows, creating a steamed look to your window, or a foggy look;
• Lack of insulation around the window;
• Caulking around the windows interior and exterior cracking and pulling apart;
• Single pane glass, having single pane glass is a dead give away. If you have single pane glass windows, it’s time to replace them –enough said!

I realize that it can be hard trying to choose what type of replacement window to choose from, I’ll do my best to make your vinyl replacement choice an easy one. Replacement windows do come in a wide variety of colors and styles, as well as pricing, so take into consideration the style and decor of your home. Having a replacement window contractor install these windows for you can take away the daunting task of shopping around for a window. In most cases, your windows can be installed in a single day, in return you won’t have window installers at your home for weeks.
Below are a few top rated replacement window manufactures, because of their energy efficiency and ease of maintenance and durability. More and more homeowners are choosing these vinyl windows brands when it comes to comparing replacement windows in their homes. Vinyl replacement windows are proving to be the top choice in the window replacement market today – for clearly obvious reasons.

We will start off with Harvey replacement windows

Harvey Vinyl Replacement Windows

Harvey vinyl replacement windows are known for their high unsurpassed performance. Having Harvey windows installed in your home and like many that I’ve done in the past as a window contractor, have offered reliability, energy efficiency and beauty. Harvey’s windows feature quality window craftsmanship, multi-chamber construction, 100% virgin vinyl that will offer a true through and though everlasting white color, that if scratched, wouldn’t be visible. Harvey replacement windows also offers the top of the line block and tackle balances, that never need adjustment and the convenience of tilt-in sashes for easy cleaning and maintenance.

Classic Vinyl Double Hung Windows

The Harvey classic double hung windows offers the homeowner with a wide variety of colors, styles, options, and performance to choose from. The classic double hung window is what you see in many homes across New England, whether it’s a ranch, cottage, or a historical victorian home, a double hung window from Harvey is a great choice.

The classic double hung window comes with a sleek clean look with welded seems for superior window frame performance, with an unmatched air tight seal to keep wind and water where it belongs –outside!

• Factory calibrated block & tackle sash balances never need adjustment or lubrication
• Locking half screen with non-glare charcoal aluminum wire
• Insulated double hung windows with 7/8″ PPG Intercept® warm edge spacer system provides 10% warmer indoor glass temperature
• Interlock at meeting rail and double weather stripping for a triple seal
• Ventilation limit latches keep top or bottom sash partially open
• ENERGY STAR® qualified with optional Low-E/Argon glazing
• Available in an acoustical double hung window to reduce unwanted noise

Marvin Replacement Windows
Marvin replacement windows makes an aluminum clad and wood interior window, that offers low-maintenance and high quality frame materials. Marvin replacement windows are made with strong and secure side rails and frames. They offer fair prices for their window lines in my opinion. They also carry the “ultimate double hung window” which is their new product line, and one of my favorites as well.
At (MBM) Construction, we recommend Marvin wood interiors for the following reasons:

• Marvin windows are solid. Marvin windows are more stable and heavy duty than most other window manufactures. Their frames are built well to exceed most expectations and uses.
• Marvin windows are sleek and attractive, They come with a sleek decorative bead molding that surrounds the glass, giving their profile a smooth and clean appearance.
• The snap in grid system has a spring loaded pin that seats itself in the bead molding of the sashes. The snap in grids are reasonably priced and gives a sleek look to your window. Other options are divided lite mullins ( grids that give the appearance of divided panes of glass) they are available in many styles and variations to your liking.
• The exterior of  Marvin replacement windows also come in a unique variety of colors, 19 aluminum colors to be exact. The interior wood of the window, comes in a generous variety of wood species: Mahogany, Douglas fir, pine – primed or not primed.
• Marvin now offers a hidden tilt feature that enhances usability from their previous model — I like this feature a lot. It comes available in half or full screen models.

Andersen 200 Series Replacement Windows
Andersen Windows Double Hung Windows are a great way to add value and visual appeal to your home. Andersen Windows Double Hung Windows are functional with great design to give you the best of both worlds. Andersen Windows Double Hung Windows are a great investment. You’ll want to make sure you are choosing the right replacement windows for your home and your budget.
Narroline Double Hung Window
Andersen Windows Narroline Double Hung Windows are a great way to add value and visual appeal to your home. We have provided you with a list of some of the benefits of Andersen Windows 200 Series Narroline Double Hung Windows.

• Neat and trim line design.
• Larger glass area lets in more light.
• Andersen Windows Narroline Double Hung Windows feature natural wood interiors.
• Attractive low maintenance Perma-Shield® exteriors.
• Low-E or dual-pane insulating glass for optimum temperature control.
• High-tech weather-stripping.
• Wide range of sizes.
• Variety of grilles & insect screen options.
• Andersen Windows come with a renowned limited warranty.
• One of the largest service networks in the industry.

Tilt Wash Double Hung Windows
Andersen Windows Tilt-Wash Double Hung Windows are functional with great design to give you the best of both worlds. We have provided you with a list of some of the benefits of Andersen Windows 200 Series Tilt-Wash Double Hung Windows.

• Solid, dependable and efficient. Convenient tilt-in cleaning.
• Andersen Windows Tilt-Wash Double Hung Windows feature natural wood interiors.
• Attractive low maintenance Perma-Shield® exteriors.
• Andersen Windows Tilt-Wash Double Hung Windows come with either low-e or dual-pane insulating glass for optimum temperature control.
• High-tech weatherstripping.
• Wide range of sizes.
• Variety of grilles & insect screen options.
• Andersen Windows come with a renowned limited warranty.
• One of the largest service networks in the industry.

The federal tax credit of up to 1,500 in energy efficiency

All of these window manufacture’s listed above sell windows that meet and exceed the requirements to receive your federal tax credit rebate of up to 1,500.
To get your $1,500 tax credit, you need to shop smart. Many windows and doors out there don’t meet the new requirements—even some high-end brands you’ve heard of. A lot of companies haven’t processed or don’t even know about the new tax credit. There’s a lot of confusion about this right now—you don’t want to be left empty-handed.
Here’s what you need to do: Make sure that any replacement window or door you buy has a U-Factor and SHGC of .30 or less. If the window company won’t show you the NFRC sticker certifying the ratings, walk away. If you’re unsure or suspicious, visit the NFRC at www.nfrc.org. You can verify ratings in the product directory or contact them directly.

If you are looking for a professional Massachusetts replacement windows company, then please call us today at 781-856-2001 or complete our “>online request form.

Let’s start with curb appeal. Curb appeal is the first thing anyone takes notice of when driving pass your home, and it’s the first thing you see as the home owner each and every day as you leave and come home. Having a beautiful look to your home’s exterior can give you the sense of pride and envy of the neighborhood and accomplishment. Now, wouldn’t be great to have that everlasting look without the headaches and worries of maintaining your the exterior of your home?

Well, there’s good news! Not only has vinyl siding paved the way in how we can transform the beauty of our home’s exterior siding into everlasting beauty, they’ve increased the color choices and all around durability. So, what makes vinyl siding a good choice for me? Vinyl siding never needs any painting –big long term savings there! Vinyl siding now comes in an array of colors, styles, textures, and in just about anyone’s style and architecture. So what kind of maintenance requirements are there? Because nothing is maintenance free! The only vinyl siding maintenance required would be simply hose your siding once every year! Sounds real expensive and daunting huh? Didn’t think so..

By choosing to have vinyl siding installed on your home, is an excellent way to increase the value of your home, boasting about the low-maintenance exterior to potential home buyers and home appraisers. Not only just increasing the value of your home and curb appeal, but you’re eliminating the possibilities of having termite and water damage. Vinyl siding also will protect the exterior of your home by not having the same problems as wood siding has to temperature and ever changing weather conditions. Vinyl siding has a good reputation for durability and appearance, that’s what makes this a great choice in money savings in the long run.

If you are looking for a professional Massachusetts vinyl siding company, then please  complete our online request form.

What types of vinyl siding manufactures are there?

As a home improvement contractor in Massachusetts, I’ll list the top choices in my opinion for superior vinyl siding products. When you decide that you would like to have vinyl siding installed on your home, they’re many decisions you’ll be faced with. Having a reputable siding contractor to assist you in your decision making, will make this project go along much smoother. The first thing you’ll want to do is, choose the siding that will be right for your homes exterior. Also, remember to take into consideration the architectural style of your home and of course, the color.

Below are my top choices in vinyl siding manufactures:

Alcoa – One of the largest manufacturers of aluminum and vinyl siding and other aluminum products.

Alcoa takes out all of the stress in choosing vinyl siding by offering four vinyl siding categories to choose from. These categories include: Super premium vinyl siding, premium, standard, and economy vinyl siding. Alcoa goes out of there way to ensure that customers understand the differences between these categories in vinyl siding on their website. On their website, they’ll break down to you in easy to understand terms going into great details about colors, styles and durability, as well as functionality and affordability.

Alcoa also provides an easy to follow guide displaying different types of vinyl siding accents used to bring out the best look exterior of your home. Various styles include: various moldings, window casings, corner posts and more. Furthermore, is their interactive design center in which you can play around with various designs to see how your future project can come together.

You can find out more information about Alcoa vinyl siding and more by visiting their website at www.alcoa.com/

If you are looking for a professional Massachusetts vinyl siding company, then please  complete our online request form.

Certainteed Vinyl Siding

CertainTeed’s manufacturing company produces an array of vinyl siding styles, colors, and finishes to fit anyone’s preference in exterior looks. The Wolverine line that CertainTeed offers, has the most impressive variety of products for its brand, and claims to the have the biggest color choices in the industry.

Monogram 46

Monogram series can offer you that true “New England look” without breaking the bank! Monogram series can give you an eye pleasing natural cedar look, without the cedar price.. You can create a home that you can be proud of. The Monogram series comes with a designer palette of over 30 vinyl siding and trim colors to choose from.

Cedar Impressions

Having vinyl cedar shake impressions installed on your home gives you that beach shoreline feel, or cottage look. Each of the cedar impressions are designed to give you the look and feel of freshly sawn wood. Furthermore, with the distinctive patterns of randomly sized boards, will give you the authentic look you’re after.

CedarBoards

Dressing up your home in CedarBoards insulated vinyl siding, is like wrapping a blanket around your home. Inside you’ll enjoy a quieter more comfortable home in the winter, and outside, you’ll enjoy the virtually low-maintenance Cedarboards vinyl siding has to offer. CedarBoards vinyl siding will give you the natural look of wood, with quality choices in colors.

CertainTeed � Provides a wide variety of vinyl and fiber cement siding materials. They have a huge selection of colors and styles on their website  www.certainteed.com with informative pages and ways to see how their vinyl siding will look on your home.

If you are looking for a professional Massachusetts vinyl siding company, then please  complete our online request form.

Vinyl Siding Colors

When vinyl siding first hit the mainstream market, there wasn’t a whole lot of color choices to choose from. But, with new innovation and new technology for vinyl siding, there are more vinyl siding colors to choose from than ever before.

Choosing the right vinyl siding color can be a daunting task, with the many options out there. The best way to decide is to have a look around your neighborhood and see what others have used. If you live in a country setting, try to base your color choices on the lighter side to compliment the greenery. If you have a colonial style home like the many here in Boston, you may want to choose colors of the grayish to blueish vinyl siding with black shutter and white trim. Ranch style homes can opt for more browns and tans with a white trim package. Everyone is different, so choose the vinyl siding color that best compliments you! Have a vinyl siding color chart with you and place against your home to play around with a few ideas.

Be sure to include your roofs shingle style and color when choosing your vinyl siding color, you don’t want to have blue siding on your home with a brown colored roof shingles.

I hope this article was informative, I know it can be a daunting task trying to figure out what type of vinyl siding to choose from, or what type of  vinyl siding colors are there. That’s why I made it a point to include the website’s of these vinyl siding manufactures to give you the opportunity to decide for yourself, including giving you my “Contractors opinion” to what I prefer to use in vinyl siding.

What I like most about these companies, is there flexibility in vinyl siding colors and styles, most importantly, their competitive pricing. They keep the costs of vinyl siding low, without compromising quality. Furthermore, it’s always good to have a vinyl house siding contractor to help you along in making the best decision for your homes exterior siding.

If you are looking for a professional Massachusetts vinyl siding company, then please  complete our online request form.

For a professional Walpole replacement window contractor, please call us at 781-856-2001 and schedule an estimate with us today!

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In these times of rising energy costs, many Walpole homeowners are looking at ways to save money on heating and cooling bills.  If you’re looking to cut back on energy costs and usage, replacing your older, leaky windows is actually one of the most efficient solutions! With the new federal tax credit rebate of up to 1,500 – makes this an even better time to upgrade your windows.

If your home currently still has old single pane windows, you shouldn’t be surprised to hear that they’re inefficient. Why? Because they are not insulated and typically aren’t treated with heat-reflecting or low-E coatings, this will allow a great deal of heat transfer in and out. Meaning whether you’re cooling or heating your home, some of your energy is escaping through the thin glass of your windows. Also, if your windows are broken or damaged, they’re probably leaking, regardless of whether they’re single or double paned.

To make your home more energy efficient, you need replacement windows. In fact, according to a Consumer Reports October 2007 article, double pane replacement windows can save you between 20% and 30% on energy costs annually (vs. single pane windows). You’ll want to select new windows with insulating features for the greatest energy savings; options include heat-reflecting film, double panes, low-E coatings, and argon gas filled windows. Many windows include more than one of these elements for superior energy retention. More than 50% of replacement windows in the U.S. are vinyl: these windows are relatively inexpensive and low-maintenance as well as frequently including energy efficient features.


Replacement windows are available in practically every size and style, from double-hung windows to picture windows, so no matter what type of windows you have in your home, a replacement is likely available. Custom sizes do tend to have higher price tags, but don’t forget that energy savings will eventually offset the cost of window replacement.

Ideally, you’ll want to replace all of the older windows in your home, but you’ll also see impressive energy savings by simply replacing damaged windows or even doors. You’d be amazed at how much warm air a cracked window or a door with crumbling weather stripping can let in or out!

Your windows and doors are more than just aesthetic elements of your home: they also protect you and your family from wind, precipitation, and storms. Quality, energy-efficient replacement windows are the best way to safeguard your family and decrease your energy costs at the same time. Contact us for a window replacement estimate  today to learn more about replacement window installation in your home!

For a professional Walpole replacement window contractor, please call us at 781-856-2001 and schedule an estimate with us today!

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For a professional Attleboro vinyl siding contractor, please call us at 781-856-2001 and schedule an estimate with us today!

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One of the most popular home improvements for Attleboro, Massachusetts has to be vinyl siding. Why? Because of its low-maintenance requirements and its long lasting durability in New England weather. Other benefits include, never having to paint or re-side your home again, never having to worry about insects, termites, rot, to name a few – ” it’s no wonder why Attleboro residents choose vinyl siding for their homes.”

Maintenance:

The maintenance required for vinyl siding is virtually minimal. Having said that, the only requirement for up keep is to simply spray your house down with a garden hose annually to keep it clean like the day it was installed. Not to hard right? That sure beats painting your house every 5-10 years – that can become very pricey!

Durability:


One of the main reasons why Attleboro homeowners and contractors choose vinyl siding, is because of its quality and long-lasting durability. Vinyl siding has come a long way in reliability since its arrival to the market in the 1960″s. Vinyl siding nowadays is much stronger than the previous versions of vinyl siding, and is less likely to crack or become dingy overtime.

Cost Effective:
Vinyl siding over the long term can pay itself back relatively quick. For example, in order to properly maintain your existing wood siding you need to paint it every 5-7 years, that can add up quick if you’re thinking long-term. Depending on the size and vinyl siding of choice, the initial cost of vinyl siding can vary. Other benefits include, reducing your homes heating/cooling bill by adding ridged-foam insulation as a backer.

Looks:

Vinyl siding comes in a wide array of options, ranging from the looks of cedar shakes, to the looks of traditional clapboard siding. Vinyl siding also has a lot of color options too, with the colors being baked through the vinyl instead of applied. What that means is the color stays true over a long period of time, resisting the signs of scratches or small imperfections.

Severe Weather Conditions:

Vinyl siding has been known to withstand most weather conditions. Vinyl siding has the ability to withstand high winds of up to 110 mph, and in some cases even higher without having any siding blow-off.

For a professional Attleboro vinyl siding contractor, please call us at 781-856-2001 and schedule an estimate with us today!

http://www.mbmcarpentry.com/contact-us