We still have a while before the temperatures drop enough for you to turn on the furnace and bundle up, but why not get ahead of the winter prepping game? Start with our end of summer home exterior maintenance checklist, and you’ll be good to go before the leaves even begin to fall.

Review

First, survey your home for damage and general wear and tear:

• Inspect siding, roofs, gutters, windows, and doors for cracks, peeling, and missing materials.
• Check for broken flashing seals around vents and chimneys on the roof.
• Look for sagging or disconnected gutter sections along the roof edges.
• Examine the ground along your home’s foundation for broken fasteners or roof granules.

Instead of climbing a ladder for a DIY remedy, trust a professional home exterior remodeling contractor to patch up your roof, fix broken gutters, and repair siding if you notice any problems when you inspect your home this fall.  

Reclaim

Don’t let your roof and gutters become victims of foliage, dead or alive. Overhanging branches can scrape up and wear out your shingles or break off in a storm and puncture the roof. Needles from shedding pine trees can build up on the roof and retain moisture, hindering your home’s drainage system. Remove accumulating dead foliage and trim back low-hanging branches to prevent roof damage.

Your gutters and downspouts can become clogged with leaves, roofing grit, feathers, trash, pinecones, needles, acorns, and more. Debris will weigh the gutters down and cause water to pool and overflow, settling near your home’s foundation. Consider LEAFAWAY® gutter protection from your Minnesota clog-free gutter professionals, so you never have to worry about cleaning your gutters again.

Reapply

Caulk is a waterproof filler used to seal joints in and around shutters, rail systems, window panels and frames, and doors. Every homeowner should repair dry and cracked or loose caulk to eliminate air leaks and prevent water damage. If you can fit a nickel in between the gaps of the siding and window or door frames, you should reapply caulk.

Other openings, such as gaps between movable building components, may require weatherstripping. Check your door thresholds and window sides and sashes to see if the rubber or metal is damaged. Replace missing or worn weatherstripping around windows and doors to keep the elements out and the conditioned air in.

Replace

Home improvements are a big—yet worthwhile—investment. According to the United States Department of Energy, the average American spends $200 to $400 every year on wasted energy that is lost through drafts, air leaks, and outdated HVAC systems. Properly installed energy efficient windows and doors can reduce heat and cooling loss. Contact your Minneapolis/St. Paul window replacement contractor to install new ones and lower your energy bills.

A roof, siding, and gutter replacement could increase resell value, boost your home’s curb appeal, and maximize energy efficiency. Seamless steel siding is one of the most weather-resistant, low maintenance, and environmentally friendly materials in the home siding industry. Check with Spotless & Seamless Exteriors, your local steel siding contractor, to see what styles and colors are available. Review our blog about when to consider a new roof or replace gutters if you are having trouble making a decision.

Spotless & Seamless Exteriors can handle any of your home exterior remodeling needs. Contact us for a free estimate.

We all know that we shouldn’t judge a book by its cover. But most of us judge a home by its curb appeal—the attractiveness of a home’s exterior, as viewed from the street. Even though the outside of a home doesn’t sum up what’s on the inside, the material you choose to cover your home can affect the HVAC system and the safety of your interior walls from the elements. The right siding for your home can enhance its curb appeal, save you money, and shorten your ever-growing list of home maintenance chores. Learn why we recommend seamless steel siding.

The purpose of siding

At the very least, the exterior of a home—the siding—should protect its occupants, foundational structure, and ventilation systems from the elements. There are numerous factors you should consider when choosing exterior materials:

• Water resistance
• Ease of installation
• Energy efficiency
• Aesthetics
• Versatility
• Durability

Different types of siding

Homeowners can choose from a variety of siding materials, the most common being vinyl, brick, stone, stucco, fiber cement, wood, and stainless steel. Each varies in cost, durability, style, energy efficiency, and required maintenance.

Vinyl – By far the most widely-used exterior of modern homes, vinyl siding is made in panels or shingles, resulting in visible seams. The siding can melt in fires, be pulled off by the wind, or crack in cold temperatures.

Brick – Environmentally friendly and noncombustible, brick siding is the most expensive of the home cladding materials. Mortar may need to be replaced to seal out moisture, and because brick is porous, it can crumble without proper water drainage.

Stone – Unlike brick, stone is non-porous, making it moisture resistant. Stone is a completely natural, virtually indestructible material, but stone cladding is expensive to install. If improperly applied, the mortar can crack.

Stucco – Made of Portland cement, sand, lime, and water, stucco can be shaped and textured to cover curves in architecture and completely seal corners. Stucco application requires multiple layers and can crack if the foundation shifts.

Fiber cement – Made with cement, sand, and cellulose fibers, fiber cement looks like wood but lasts longer and requires less maintenance. Fiber cement can be difficult and expensive to install.

Wood – Wood presents a variety of style options, including logs, panels, or bevel siding made from pine, spruce, fir, cedar, or redwood. Wood can crack, split, warp, rot in excessive moisture, and burn quickly in the event of a fire. If painted, the color will fade or peel over time.

Seamless Steel Siding

Steel siding is an ultra-durable option, ideal for protection against snow, sleet, frost, rain, and wind. Spotless & Seamless steel siding is applied to the home without ugly seams, maintains its look indefinitely, and can be painted or recycled. It doesn’t absorb moisture or feed insects. Steel siding can be expensive, but unlike aluminum, steel retains its color and does not dent easily. Some textures resemble wood.

The best siding will protect your home from the extreme cold of winter, summer humidity, and unpredictable storms. At Spotless & Seamless Exteriors, your local steel siding contractor, we believe you can guard your home against the elements, save money on maintenance in the long run, and add to its curb appeal. That’s why we specialize in installing seamless steel siding for Minnesota homeowners to enjoy for years to come. View some of our metal siding projects.

Contact your Maple Grove siding contractor today to learn more.