Another scorching summer has taken its toll on your home and pocketbook. Don't look for any relief this winter. Energy bills are expected to rise along with the high cost related to maintaining your home's exterior. Fortunately, there are two improvements to your home that will give back your vacation and the money to have one.
Vinyl Is Final
Today, most vinyl siding will last as long as you own your home. Manufacturers have perfected the polymers and resins that make up vinyl siding. Unlike paint, which will start to deteriorate from the weather almost immediately, vinyl will give your home a "freshly painted look" for years and years to come. Most leading manufacturers offer lifetime warranties on vinyl, while painted surfaces need to be repainted every three years. The stigma attached to vinyl -- that it's a cheap "trailer product" -- is a thing of the past. New technologies have made vinyl as appealing to the eye as it is to the wallet.
The fact that vinyl has been perfected doesn't mean it is without flaws. The industry in general knows it has three main challenges: Installation problems, fake look and unsightly seams.
With that in mind, avoid making a common but critical mistake when choosing a vinyl siding -- assuming all vinyl siding and contractors are equal. The job that costs you the least initially could end up costing a lot more if you're not careful.
Finally, the biggest challenge is those "unsightly seams." While technology has improved all other aspects of vinyl, until recently, seams were a necessary evil. New Seamless Vinyl comes in extended sections compared to 12-foot box siding. This new product gives your home a seamless appearance with virtually no maintenance.
Seamless Vinyl is also 40 percent thicker than contractor-grade vinyl and doesn't use traditional "J Channel." Brick homeowners can also benefit by having those hard-to-get-to eaves and overhangs covered with decorative fascia and soft vinyl.
Choosing the Right Company
While vinyl lasts forever, the same can't be said for contractors that sell vinyl. Avoid using "jackleg" contractors; they may very well be long gone if and when problems arise. Choose a reputable contractor who has a showroom and office, not one whoworks out of their truck When choosing a "lifetime product," it is equally important to deal with a company that will be around as long as you are. It will cost a few dollars more, but most things worth having done.
Single or Double Pane Glass
Think your energy bills are coming down anytime soon? Think again. Not with the country in the middle of an energy crisis and no relief in sight. Before you run out and downsize your home, experts recommend you look at your windows. To be more precise, look at the type of windows you have. The U.S. Department of Energy reports: "More energy is lost through windows in America than the annual amount of oil that flows through the Alaska pipeline."
The largest culprits for energy loss in your home are your windows. As much as 60 percent of all heating and cooling loss goes right through your glass. That doesn't even take into consideration air filtration. Most homes have either single or double pane wood or aluminum windows. These windows may have been sufficient 25 years ago but are as outdated as an 8-track tape player.
Replacement windows are individually engineered to far exceed industry standards for energy efficiency, quality and value -- and provide energy savings all year long. The Ameriglass? Insulated Glass System combined Low-E squared with True Dual Seal and warm edge technologies to create superior energy efficiency and long term durability. The system also blocks out 84 percent of damaging ultraviolet rays; seals out winter cold and summer heat, and offers maximum condensation resistance with reduced sound transmission.
No, it won't keep Superman out but it will eliminate most all heating and cooling loss. It's 10 times denser and is completely safe.
Modern replacement windows are made of vinyl and require no painting; they tilt in for easy cleaning. Also, avoid windows with metal spacer bars between the panes of glass, as they are prone to seal failure, causing the window to fog up. Added security and dust reduction within the home are also great benefits of replacement windows.
The Top Five Things You Should Know...
1. Thickness and length of vinyl greatly varies. The longer the panel the more expansion and contraction, 12 foot maximum length. Choose a panel 0.042-0.046 mill thickness, any thicker and seams will stand out.
2. Smooth textured vinyl has additives that absorb stains and harder to clean. Choose woodgrain or slightly textured panel.
3. When possible, choose a siding that has the insulation fused to the panel, this gives the siding more strength and durability.
4. Look for the ENERGY STAR rating on both Siding and Windows.
5. When possible, choose a window that does not have metal spacer between the glass as metal is high conductive.
