The weather outside isn’t exactly frightful just yet. You can still decorate your home’s exterior for the holidays without the fear of Jack Frost nipping at your extremities. From twinkling lights to festive wreaths, here are some ideas to help protect yourself and your home while you safely deck the halls.

Lights

Before you add the shimmering flair of holiday lights, make sure any strings and cords are free from defects. Discard if you find any fraying or other damage that could cause electrical issues. Additionally, check that any lights or extension cords are labeled for outdoor use.

Mounting outdoor lights can be tricky but doesn’t have to be. You want to make sure the lights are well supported without causing damage to the protective insulation around the strand or to your home’s exterior.

If possible, avoid attaching lights with nails, staples, or screws. These fastening tools can damage your siding or fascia and can be especially harmful to shingles. Holes in shingles present entry points for moisture, which can present issues with mold and the roof’s structural integrity.

Instead, try using plastic clips to secure the strands to your home. Available in a variety of styles, these holders slip onto the gutters, shingles, or eaves and hold the lights in place without worry of damage to the siding or roof.

Ladders

The best way to hang lights is by using a ladder but be sure to do so safely. Watch for and avoid overhead power lines. Also, make sure the rungs are clean and dry, and wear nonslip shoes. Keep from standing on your toes. Both feet should be flat on the rungs to help maintain your balance.

The ladder should stretch about three feet beyond your roof, so that you’re not overreaching when attaching the lights. Take note of the warning labels and refrain from standing higher than the second rung from the top.

If you’re using an extension ladder, remember to set the base of the ladder out one foot for every four feet of distance from the ground to the roof or other contact point. With an extension ladder, keep from climbing past the fourth rung from the top.

Wreaths

A wreath can add a festive touch to your home’s entrance. Easily hang one without damaging the front door by using:

• A self-adhesive hook. Multi-purpose mounting tools like Command™ Brand strips can be affixed and removed with ease.
• A wreath hanger. One of those fancy (or plain) over-the-door hangers allows for perfect wreath placement without the need for a hammer and nail.
• A clear hook. If you want your holiday wreath to hang distraction-free, try a clear adhesive or suction cup hook.
• A ribbon. Loop any ribbon of your choice through the back of the wreath form. Then suspend the wreath at the desired length and attach the ribbon to the top of the door frame with thumb tacks.

However you choose to decorate this season, remember to have fun and protect yourself and your home while you safely deck the halls. If you notice any issues with your home’s siding or roofing, your Twin Cities home exteriors professionals at Spotless & Seamless are here to help. Contact us with any questions or concerns.

When keeping up on home maintenance, some things are more obvious than others. You probably look through most windows and open the front door or service access on the regular. But don’t forget about your home’s other door. The passageway to the patio, garden, or backyard area deserves attention, too. Here are some things to think about regarding patio door upkeep.

General Care

Keep your patio doors looking their best by regularly cleaning the glass. Dirt and grime become more difficult to remove the longer they’re on the surface.

Also, pay attention to the tracks. Lubricate and clean them as needed to keep the door opening smoothly and prevent rust build up. This is especially important because most patio doors open to outdoor recreation areas where dirt is more easily tracked in.

Check the jamb for any screws that may be loose. Secure them back in place but be careful that you don’t overtighten.

Keep an Eye Open

Like many things, patio doors can wear out or sustain damage. Watch for warning signs and consider repairing or replacing your home’s other door if you notice:

• Trouble operating. If the door sticks or is otherwise difficult to open or close, it may be warped and in need of replacement.
• Drafts or visual gaps. Check for adequate weather stripping to keep warm air inside and critters outside.
• Damage. Dings and scrapes are usually simple fixes, but structural damage to the door’s frame or glass could cause bigger issues.
• Moisture. An ineffective seal can allow rainwater, melting snow, or other moisture to get into your home.

If your patio door needs replacing, or even if you simply want to upgrade to a new look, the home exteriors experts at Spotless & Seamless can help. A new sliding or hinged patio door can add functionality, efficiency, and beauty to your home. Contact us today to learn about replacement options as you think about patio door upkeep.

Spotless & Seamless Exteriors, a Maple Grove siding contractor, is the exclusive Twin Cities provider of United States Seamless^® Steel Siding products.

What is Seamless Steel Siding?

Maintenance-free seamless steel siding is the most durable exterior siding product available today. Made from multiple layers of finish adhered to a galvanized steel core, the weather-resistant siding delivers a consistent color application and the texture and grain of wood.

The siding is manufactured on-site, custom-fit to the exact length of your home. This eliminates unsightly seams and splices for a smooth, beautiful look. Unlike vinyl siding, steel is non-toxic, fire-resistant, and can be recycled.

Spotless & Seamless Exteriors offers a wide variety of color and profile choices for an exterior that best suits your personal style, including these exclusive U.S. Seamless collections:

• Platinum Collection – An inspiring color palette to fit any style.
• Mountain Cedar Collection – The look of real stained cedar in seamless steel.
• Northwoods Collection – A rustic log cabin look without the time-consuming up-keep of real wood.

Why Choose Seamless Steel Siding?

There are many benefits to choosing seamless steel siding, whether you are remodeling or building a new home, including:

• Various color and style choices for siding, accent siding, soffit, fascia, and trim accessories.
• Stain-resistant, maintenance-free finish.
• Exclusive finish technology that protects against excessive fading and chalking and improves your home’s energy efficiency.
• Limited lifetime warranty against fading and chalking.
• The beautiful look of wood with the strength of steel, year after year.
• Added home value.

Why Choose Spotless & Seamless Exteriors?

Spotless & Seamless Exteriors is your local siding contractor. We live and work in the Twin Cities, and we understand the needs of homeowners in the area. Whether you are building a new home, have recently experienced storm or hail damage and need repair, or it’s time to refresh the look and feel of your home’s exterior, count on the steel siding experts of Spotless & Seamless Exteriors. We have the knowledge and experience to help with any of your home exterior remodeling needs, from seamless steel siding and gutters to roofing, windows, and doors.

Combine the beauty of genuine wood with the durability and convenience of maintenance-free seamless steel siding. Contact Minnesota siding contractor Spotless & Seamless Exteriors to learn more.

Spotless & Seamless Exteriors, Inc. Earns Esteemed 2016 Angie’s List Super Service Award

Award reflects SSE’s consistently high level of customer service

Spotless & Seamless Exteriors, Inc. has once again earned the home service industry’s coveted Angie’s List Super Service Award. The award reflects an exemplary year of customer service to members of the local services marketplace site in 2016.

This achievement is particularly significant as Angie’s List experienced unprecedented member growth in 2016. More than 1.6 million consumers joined Angie’s List after the company added a new, free membership tier.

“Companies that can meet higher demands without missing a beat in their exemplary performance standards truly do stand apart from their peers,” said Angie’s List Founder Angie Hicks.

Angie’s List Super Service Award 2016 winners have met strict eligibility requirements. These requirements include an “A” rating in overall grade, recent grade, and review period grade. Winners must also be in good standing with Angie’s List, pass a background check, and abide by Angie’s List operational guidelines.

Angie’s List updates service company ratings daily as consumers submit new, verified reviews. Members grade companies on an A through F scale in areas ranging from price to professionalism to punctuality.

Spotless & Seamless Exteriors, Inc., a family-owned company founded in 2002, is proud to be recognized once again with an Angie’s List Super Service Award for outstanding levels of quality and service in the exterior remodeling industry. Experienced SSE professionals offer unparalleled workmanship and careful attention to detail, taking pride in every step of the process.

Spotless & Seamless Exteriors provides a wide range of products and services, including seamless siding, roofing, windows and doors installation and replacement, and gutters, serving homeowners throughout Minneapolis, St. Paul, and the surrounding Twin Cities metro area.

Read Angie’s List consumer reviews of Spotless & Seamless Exteriors here. Learn more about Spotless & Seamless Exteriors at www.nomoreseams.com or call 763.428.1111.