Many homeowners look for a siding material that’s durable, accessible, and requires no maintenance. When we dive into the history of residential siding, we see how far our options have come. From handmade bricks to flimsy aluminum, siding has certainly transformed from a simpler time. Continue reading our blog and check out the history of residential siding and which options are best.

The Beginning of Stone and Wood Exteriors

Modern stone siding began to make its appearance in the late 1800s. As this trend caught on, it paved a path towards technological advances and the utilization of thin stone veneer. This trend took hold of the period because of its durability and accessibility.

About 100 years later, wood exteriors became popular in the early 1900s. Although wood has been used for hundreds of years with early settlers, builders turned towards wood exteriors again because of the availability of trees near the building location.

Stone and Wood Exteriors Today

Stone and wood exteriors are not as popular today because of the maintenance and regulations surrounding these materials. Homeowners tend to run into issues with building codes because of the stone weight and thickness. Wood also comes with issues such as pests, cracks in the material, and being targeted by woodpeckers.

The Beginning of Vinyl and Aluminum Exteriors

By the end of World War II, aluminum had become a popular residential exterior option because of the affordable pricing. Although this wasn’t a durable choice, many flocked towards this option because of the cost.

Following aluminum siding, came the vinyl craze. As the price of wood went up, homeowners grew tired of the high cost, continuous maintenance, and pest control requirements. Quickly, vinyl siding replaced both wood and aluminum exteriors.

Vinyl and Aluminum Exteriors Today

Vinyl and aluminum siding are still common choices today, but come with a few cons. Aluminum siding tends to dent and scratch easily, fade over time, and create annoying sounds. As the hot sun beats down on aluminum siding, you may hear a “pinging” sound as the metal expands.

Vinyl siding may be a popular and cost-effective siding choice, but it also may bring issues down the road. Vinyl siding is known to dent easily, fade in the sun, and cause issues when repairing. Many times, whole planks need to be replaced. Vinyl siding is also not recommended if you plan to sell your home, as it lowers the home’s value.

The Beginning of Seamless Steel Exteriors

Steel siding became commercially available in the 1940s. At first, homeowners were unimpressed by the metallic roof-like appearance, but as design and aesthetic became important to clients, manufacturers got to work on improvements. Soon, manufacturers began incorporating an embossed coating on the metal to vary the colors and designs available.

Seamless Steel Exteriors Today

Steel siding is a great low-maintenance siding choice. Our steel panels are cut to the exact length of the building, eliminating any seams. Removing seams from the outside of your building lowers energy bills, protects against moisture, and requires little to no maintenance. Steel siding is the most durable material option out on the market today and comes in many styles and sizes. While the upfront cost is higher, it’s a great investment. Steel siding can last for more than 50 years if it is taken care of.

If you are ready to upgrade your home to seamless siding, rest easy knowing we are your top Twin Cities contractor for home exteriors needs. Contact us today for a free estimate!

Those dark and stormy nights may seem fun in a story book or on the big screen. But for the unprepared homeowner, they can mean costly repairs. With storm season upon us, we’ve put together a few quick tips to help you get your home ready for the unexpected. Read on as we discuss how to prepare your home to stand up to the elements.

Clean Out Your Gutters

Your gutters carry rainwater away from the foundation. As such, they play a critical role in protecting your home from water damage. Clogged gutters can lead to water seeping into your basement and crawlspace. What’s more, if they get too heavy, those gutters can collapse. Consider installing a gutter protection system like LEAFAWAY®. You can then check this task off your list forever by keeping your gutters debris free all year long.

Trim Those Trees

If you have a lot of beautiful trees on your property, be sure to take care of them. Now is a good time to call in an arborist to see if any branches need to be removed. That way when the wind picks up, those branches won’t come through your windows or roof.

Get Your Roof in Top Shop

Speaking of roofs, no one wants to find out their roof needs a repair by discovering a leak in the middle of a heavy storm. The National Roofing Contractors Association recommends having your roof inspected twice a year. You’ll know if repairs are in order before your roof becomes a problem.

Upgrade Your Siding

Not all siding is created equal. This is especially true when it comes to withstanding high winds, hail damage, and the impact of falling branches. Our United States Seamless® Steel Siding provides superior strength and a finish that’s resistant to harsh weather.

If you’re looking for professional help to prepare your home to stand up to the elements this storm season, call on Spotless & Seamless. We are your top Twin Cities contractor for home exteriors needs. Contact us today for a free estimate!

Whether you’re building a new house or looking to make updates as a part of a renovation, one of the big choices you’ll face: Your home’s exterior. Steel siding has been a building staple for more than a hundred years. That type of history brings with it innovations and improvements, but it can also mean common misconceptions. We’ve put together some of the major steel siding misconceptions so you can make an informed decision for your home’s exterior.

Myth: Steel siding is high-maintenance, low durability.

Steel siding is not only resistant to rust, fading, and chalking, it’s also termite and fire resistant and can withstand high impact and hail damage. Because of its construction, steel provides protection from the elements by standing up against warping, rot, and moisture. Seamless steel siding also seals the home off from the elements to better protect your home’s framework.

Bonus? Steel is easy to clean. A quick rinse with a garden hose is all it takes.

Myth: Other materials are better for the environment.

For homeowners looking to make an eco-conscious choice, steel fits right in. As the most recycled material in the U.S., it’s an environmentally friendly exterior option. Our Platinum Seamless Siding takes that a step further, using an exclusive hybrid paint finish technology complete with infrared reflective pigments to help improve your home’s energy efficiency.

Myth: Steel siding is flat and boring.

Steel siding comes in a variety of profiles and colors, with endless design options. In fact, with today’s manufacturing, steel can look just like wood, without the upkeep and deterioration. There are even steel siding options that provide a log cabin feel. You can also get a range of decorative options for window cladding, door headers, gable accents, shutters, and more.

Choosing Seamless Steel Siding

If you’re ready to make the move to seamless steal siding, Spotless & Seamless is your top Twin Cities contractor for your home exteriors needs.

The experienced professionals at Spotless & Seamless are always here to offer solutions to liven up your home’s exterior, from seamless siding to roofing to windows & doors and more. Contact us today with questions or for a free estimate.

Your home is an investment. When building or making upgrades, you want to consider the best quality materials to assure the best possible result inside and out. Keep reading to learn about protecting your home’s exterior and three reasons to choose seamless when weighing your siding options.

What is seamless?

Seamless siding is specifically cut to the precise measurements of your home, so each panel is one continuous, seamless piece. This attractive option is one of the best siding choices – especially if it’s steel – for many reasons, including its performance and simplicity.

Durable and efficient

Minnesota climates can be extreme, but seamless steel siding is durable enough to hold up against the drastic fluctuations between hot and cold. In addition, this exterior covering is impervious to fading or chalking and resistant to pests, such as ants and termites.

Because it’s seamless, this multi-layered system helps prevents moisture from getting into your home and wreaking havoc on your indoor air quality or causing rot or structural damage. What’s more, the siding keeps drafts out, so your inside air stays comfortably cool in the summer and toasty warm in the winter. This will help save on energy costs as well.

Easy to maintain

Caring for your seamless steel siding is about as uncomplicated as it gets, because this product is virtually maintenance free. If the siding gets dirty, simply rinse it with a garden hose. Yes, it’s that easy.

And forget about putting on a new coat of paint. You won’t have to prime, stain, or seal anything – ever – because its fresh look will last for decades to come.

So many colors and styles

United States Seamless® Steel Siding comes in a variety of colors and finishes to match your personality, preference, or taste. Color options range from subtle earth tones to rich, dynamic hues. Also, select a basic finish or one that’s textured or woodgrain.

Small touches like vertical accents or a peak herringbone design can add dramatic flair to your home’s exterior and increase curb appeal.

The Twin Cities home exteriors professionals at Spotless & Seamless Siding have the answers to your questions when it comes to seamless siding. Still wondering whether to choose seamless? Contact our experts to learn more or to schedule a free estimate.

When summer weather turns too tropical or ominous, we retreat to the indoors for comfort and safety. Your home protects you from the elements, but how do you protect it? Here are a few tips for the general maintenance of your home’s exterior as well as some things to consider as you prepare for the elements of summer weather.

Roofing

As a homeowner, you should be aware of suggestions for regular roofing care. These include:

• Basic roof inspection. Pay attention to missing or curled shingles that could indicate damage or inefficiency. This is especially important if you notice more than one area with signs of deterioration.
• Check interior ceilings. Stains in the attic or on interior ceilings can reveal water leaking in from the roof.
• Remove loose debris. If you have trees close to your home, be sure to remove any twigs, branches, leaves, or seeds from your roofline. These items can clog gutters and eventually lead to roof or interior water damage.

If you notice significant or repeated damage after summer’s heavy rains, hail, or gusting winds, the roofing professionals at Spotless & Seamless can help. We can assess minor or major issues to determine your needs.

Siding

Depending on the type of siding, your summer projects may include minimal or excessive home maintenance.

Wood siding can warp or rot when exposed to moisture, and Minnesota summers are often wet and humid. Additionally, the hot sun causes paint to chip, peel, or fade. Wood siding should be treated every four to six years for optimal appeal and protection.

Some siding products are installed in overlapped sections, which creates visible splices. These, in addition to holes or cracks in wood siding, are entry points for moisture and pests. Extreme summer heat and sun can sometimes make vinyl susceptible to warping, chalking, or fading.

If your home needs new siding or if you’re drained by the upkeep for your home’s current siding, consider going maintenance free with United States Seamless® Steel Siding. Spotless & Seamless is an exclusive franchisee in the Twin Cities area, and our home exteriors experts can answer your questions prior to installation.

Your home’s roofing and siding are critical elements for its protection – and the protection of your family. Keep an eye on what’s happening outside to safeguard what’s inside. Stay on top of routine maintenance and small repairs to avoid costly fixes down the road. If you do run into issues with roofing or siding, contact Spotless & Seamless with questions or concerns or to schedule a free estimate.

With temperatures on the rise and summer on its way, you’re probably outside tending to chores around the yard. Another way to keep your property looking spiffy – and increase curb appeal – is to give your home an outer spruce-up. From a simple doorway upgrade to a full siding replacement, we have some tips on scoring style points with home exterior trends.

Front Door

Your home’s front door is an invitation that greets and welcomes your guests. Adding a new coat of paint or even a pop of color can make a visual statement or offer a warmhearted reception.

If you’re ready for a whole new look in the entryway, consider replacing the door with one that looks stunning and is more energy efficient. Let the sun in by choosing a door with multi-pane windows. Moreover, accenting the doorway with sidelights and transom windows will really make your exterior – and especially your interior – shine.

Go Dark

Go with dark colors and bring a new sophisticated look to your home.

Dark colors – like charcoal gray, navy blue, deep burgundy, hunter green, or even black – complement any style of home and have an ageless feel that adds to their popularity. Darker exterior colors can bring simplicity to a modern-era home. Likewise, they can make the conventional feel somewhat unconventional.

Stay Fresh… Forever

Give your home’s exterior the look of timeless beauty and the assurance of performance against the elements with new siding. United States Seamless® Steel Siding products come in a variety of designs and colors – including dark hues.

• Platinum Series™: More than beautiful, this energy efficient exterior outperforms vinyl, wood, or fiber cement products. For added value and durability, this unique siding alternative is enhanced with DuPont™ Teflon® surface protector.
• Mountain Cedar®: Offering the look of natural stained cedar, this product goes one step further and resists the elements better than its namesake. Engineered specifically to resist hail and extreme temperature changes, this option won’t deteriorate like real wood.
• Northwoods Collection™: Get that cozy, rustic look with this log cabin steel siding. Available in four natural wood colors, it won’t rot, splinter, corrode, or fade.

What’s more, seamless steel siding is maintenance free, which will save you time and energy over the decades.

No matter your style, color, or home exterior trend preference, the Twin Cities exteriors professionals at Spotless & Seamless can make the transition a simple one. Contact us to find out more about front door or siding options or to schedule a free consultation.

Singing birds, warmer temps, and longer days means spring is here – finally! Now is a great time to get outside and take inventory of any toll winter may have taken on your home’s exterior. If you’re unsure what to look for, we’ve put together some ideas to include on your home’s spring maintenance agenda. Keep reading to determine which projects you need to tackle.

Roofing

Your home’s roof is the main source of protection from the elements. Check for any broken or missing shingles and any damage from ice dams. Also, check the condition of the flashing around vents and chimneys. Make appropriate accommodations for repair as soon as possible. Delaying fixes could lead to water damage inside your home from forthcoming rain and storms.

Gutters

If your roofline has a gutter system, you know how valuable it is for protecting your home from water damage. Gutters catch and direct rainwater away from the foundation but not if they’re clogged. Make sure gutters and downspouts are free from leaves and other debris to ensure they’ll function properly. Also, check for loose or leaky gutters and tighten, repair, or replace them right away.

If you’re tired of cleaning your gutter system, ask us about the LEAFAWAY® gutter protection system.

Windows and Doors

Check weather seals around your home’s windows and doors. If they’re cracked or missing, replace them. Doing so will help protect your home from water damage. You will also save on air conditioning costs and keep that cooler air inside where you want it.

Opening windows at night helps keep your house cool while reducing your energy bill. Make sure your windows are summer-ready by cleaning dirty screens or patching any small holes.

Paint

Exterior paint dresses up your home’s curb appeal and gives it a protective barrier from wind and rain. Check for any areas of cracked or chipping paint and do touch-ups as needed. If your home’s exterior needs substantial fixes, consider maintenance-free Seamless® steel siding. Get the look you want and the protection you need.

Make sure your home’s exterior survived winter and is ready for summer. Create an agenda for spring maintenance and take care of any small issues before they become big problems. The Twin Cities home exteriors professionals at Spotless & Seamless Exteriors can handle any repairs or upgrades. Contact us for a free estimate.

Minnesota homeowners know that northern climates are tough on the home. In optimal weather conditions, most siding products perform well, but some just can’t withstand the frozen tundra. Read on to learn the effects of frigid temperatures on vinyl siding.

Temperature

Vinyl is a type of plastic, and as such, is sensitive to temperature changes. Vinyl siding can become brittle and is prone to cracking in low temperatures. The material contracts in cold environments and expands when the weather warms up. If your house siding is compromised during the winter months, you may have costly water damage come spring.

Seams

Vinyl siding panels overlap and interlock, resulting in more than 130 seams on the average home. Visible seams may present a gateway for moisture, which will eventually rot the walls of your home. When put to the test with wind, hail, and snow, vinyl won’t perform as well as other cladding materials.

Wind

Strong winds are tough on any home, but particularly on vinyl siding. Vinyl cladding is lightweight and could lift off and be ripped from the home. In addition, missing sections are hard to replace, particularly if the siding color has faded with age and from exposure to the elements.

A Better Alternative

Properly installed steel siding can put your mind at ease with its many benefits:

• Affordability
• Ease of installation
• Water resistance
• Energy efficiency
• Aesthetics
• Versatility
• Minimum maintenance

Trust the top choice in American-made seamless steel siding, United States Seamless®. With its limited lifetime warranty against fading or chalking, U.S. Seamless Siding will boost your home’s curb appeal and maintain its beautiful look for years to come. Steel siding is custom-fit to your home on-site, which means no ugly seams, splices, or joints.

Available in a range of beautiful styles to complement modern homes or cozy log cabins, United States Seamless® is second to none. Whether you choose Platinum Series™, Mountain Cedar®, or the NorthWoods Collection™, you can be sure of a strikingly attractive finish that will save you money on energy bills. Most U.S. Seamless styles and colors are available with coordinating accessories such as soffit, fascia, and seamless gutters.

Don’t let the effects of frigid temperatures on vinyl siding cause problems this winter. Spotless & Seamless Exteriors (SSE) is a Maple Grove siding contractor, offering United States Seamless® to homeowners throughout the Minneapolis-St. Paul metro area and suburbs. As your Twin Cities siding professionals, we take great pride in providing quality materials our installers would trust on their own homes. We have a heated trailer from which we cut custom-fit sections that will fit your home perfectly, allowing us to apply seamless steel throughout the winter months.

Contact us to learn more.

Most homeowners dread replacing their roof, but when the time comes for new shingles, there’s no avoiding the investment. We’ve put together some tips for when to consider a new roof and the key season for roof installation.

When

A typical asphalt roof lasts between 20 and 25 years. Metal roofs can last for 50 years or more. Once you make the decision to replace your roof or upgrade, you’ll need to schedule installation. Which season is best?

In the winter, roof sealant won’t adhere as easily, and some shingles can’t be installed in cold weather. Fall is often the busiest time for roofers, so consider scheduling a new roof installation between July and September to get ahead of the game. A roof protects a home from wind and rain, so the best time to rip off the shingles and lay new ones is in dry weather.

Why

When the need is immediate, the decision is easy. Most homeowners opt for a new roof after a storm that results in wind, hail, or structural damage. Other signs of aging may surface over time and warrant a replacement. You can replace a shingle here and there, but it may be wiser to install a whole new roof depending on its age and the extent of wear. Look out for the following red flags:

• Cupped or clawed shingles (when the edges and tabs are curled upward or downward).
• Cracks, tears, and bald spots where granules have fallen off the shingles.
• Beams of light coming through the boards in the attic.
• Moisture in the insulation.
• Stains and streaks on the ceiling.
• Drooping or sagging, which could be signs of rotten boards and trapped moisture.
• Roofing granules on the ground or accumulating near the downspout.

How

Look to Spotless & Seamless, your Twin Cities roofing contractor, the next time you need a replacement. Whether you prefer asphalt shingles or durable metal roofing, we’ve got you covered. We also provide seamless siding, windows and doors, and clog-free gutters.

If you’re not sure when to replace your roof, count on our professional team for an evaluation and an estimate. We’re a Maple Grove roofing contractor offering special financing, a referral program, and roofing repair in addition to installation. For metal roofing that Minneapolis and St. Paul homeowners trust to protect their homes, contact Spotless & Seamless Exteriors.

For the best in residential exterior remodeling, look to Twin Cities siding contractor Spotless & Seamless Exteriors. Not only are we experts in seamless steel siding, we provide a full range of exterior remodeling services, including roofing, windows and doors, gutters, and more. When the time comes to replace your worn or high-maintenance siding, as well as improve the appearance and value of your home, contact Spotless & Seamless Exteriors.

Spotless & Seamless Exteriors, a Maple Grove siding contractor serving the entire Twin Cities metro area, recently remodeled a home in North St. Paul, Minnesota.

North St. Paul Exterior Remodel

The home was a favorite for woodpeckers because of its cedar siding. This created many holes – as well as many issues and hard work for the homeowners. The siding professionals at Spotless & Seamless Exteriors installed new U.S. Seamless steel siding in the popular Traditional 6 ½-inch lap in Northwood, with Canyon Red accent color for the corners and trim.

So, what does this mean for these North St. Paul Homeowners? No more painting or staining. No more filling woodpecker holes with foam. And finally, no more worries or hard work, thanks to our Lifetime labor and material warranty, which includes fading, chalking, or peeling.

All this, plus a beautiful home – the look of wood without the work! Consequently, the homeowners couldn’t be more pleased with their new seamless steel siding from Minnesota siding contractor Spotless & Seamless Exteriors.

SSE is proud to be the Twin Cities area’s exclusive provider of United States Seamless® Steel Siding products, known for their timeless beauty, superior strength, and proven performance. The benefits of steel siding from Spotless & Seamless Exteriors include:

• Custom-fit siding manufactured on-site to any length.
• Smooth, beautiful look free from any splices or unsightly seams.
• Galvanized steel core and multiple layers for strength and performance.
• Look and texture of wood with consistent color and the best no-fade warranty in the industry.

Contact Minnesota siding contractor Spotless & Seamless Exteriors to learn more about maintenance-free seamless steel siding.