Spotless & Seamless Exteriors Blog

Choosing the Right Contractor

Updating your home is an exciting decision, as well as an expensive one. When the details of your updates have been finalized, it’s important to know the work is being done by a trusted professional. Many don’t know where to start when looking for a contractor, especially one you know will be qualified and efficient. Read our blog to learn how to find the right home exterior contractor for you.

Do Your Homework

Residing your home is no small feat. To narrow down the contractor search, it’s important to ask the right questions to ensure quality work by trusted professionals.

  • Where are you located? Ideally, you want to find a contractor that has an office nearby. Should any issues arise, your trusted professional is a quick phone call away.
  • How long has your company been in business? Choosing an already established company will ensure quality work. This is a great time to ask to see photos of past siding jobs and assess online reviews.
  • What is your workmanship warranty? Roofing contractors will typically offer their own warranty on workmanship. Most workmanship warranties offered by roofing contractors last at least one year. Protect your assets with a workmanship warranty.

GAF (General Aniline & Film) Certified

At Spotless & Seamless we are proud to be GAF-certified contractors. When you choose a GAF factory-certified roofing contractor, you’ll be working with the best in the business. Only 2% of roofing contractors in North America are GAF Master Elite®, a certification we renew each year. In addition, every GAF-certified contractor offers exceptional protection with the GAF Lifetime Roofing System. When you choose to work with Spotless & Seamless, the value added to your home will be done by only the most knowledgeable and professional contractors in the area.

If you’re looking for qualified help to reside your home, call on Spotless & Seamless. We are your top Twin Cities contractor for home exteriors needs. Contact us today for a free estimate!


The Key to Instant ROI: Seamless Steel Siding

A first impression is telling, even for your home! Make sure you nail your home’s first impression with Spotless & Seamless steel siding. Despite popular belief, steel siding is not only for industrial buildings. With a variety of textures and colors available, you can customize the seamless siding to your taste while protecting your home from the severe elements.

DOES STEEL SIDING INCREASE THE VALUE OF YOUR HOME?

Yes! When it comes time to reside your home, look at it as an investment. Steel siding may cost more upfront, but with seamless siding, your home will be protected against moisture and chances of rot, saving you money down the road! Vinyl siding is also susceptible to damage from high winds and hail, while seamless steel siding can withstand severe weather while still maintaining its color and integrity. When you invest in our siding, less maintenance will follow along with a very high return on investment (ROI) once your home is sold. Steel siding has one of the highest ROI averaging 86% across the US. Northern parts of the country have even a higher average of around 95%. 

IMMEDIATE BENEFITS OF STEEL SIDING

Steel siding guarantees value to your home when it is time to sell but installing steel siding also has a list of direct benefits!

  • Minimal Maintenance: Steel siding does not require extensive upkeep or expensive cleaning services to stay in great shape. You can simply rely on your garden hose to spray it down when it is looking dirty.
  • High Durability: Severe elements will not alter steel like it will with other siding materials. Steel can withstand sharp temperature changes, high winds, and hail. Steel siding’s durability outshines all competitors and will keep your home looking great for years to come.
  • Eco-Friendly: Steel is the most recycled material on the planet. When steel siding is paired with insulation, it can be a great way to lower a homeowner’s energy costs over time.

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!


Upgrade Your Exterior Doors for Energy Savings

When considering home improvement projects that increase energy efficiency and lower utility bills, most homeowners think replacement windows or insulation. But upgrading your exterior doors is an easy, cost-effective way to save energy and money while creating a comfortable, healthier indoor environment. Read on to learn how:

Air Leakage

Old, ill-fitting, or uninsulated entry or patio doors can contribute to air leakage during the winter and summer months. Unwanted outside air enters your home and inside air escapes through cracks, gaps, and openings you may not even know exist. Air leakage can also cause moisture issues. This can result in dangerous mold growth and poor indoor air quality. Weatherstripping or caulking the gaps can help reduce air leaks and energy loss, but new energy-efficient exterior doors are designed for a better fit and increased insulation, and can eliminate drafts.

Types of Energy-Efficient Doors

An energy-efficient door acts as a seal between the outside and inside temperatures of your home. This prevents an unwanted heat exchange, which could save you money. There are many options available when looking to upgrade your doors:

Fiberglass

Fiberglass is one of the most energy-efficient materials available today. It’s highly durable, weather-resistant, and relatively low maintenance. In addition, fiberglass doors won’t crack, shrink, or warp, giving them a longer lifespan than other materials such as wood. In general, fiberglass doors are moderately priced, so replacing your existing door with a fiberglass one is a good investment that will pay for itself in energy savings down the road.

Vinyl

Vinyl is another material that’s durable, weather-resistant, and energy efficient. A vinyl door provides good thermal insulation, which prevents air from entering or escaping your house during the hot and cold months. Premium vinyl resists deterioration, corrosion, and insect infestation.

Steel

Like a refrigerator door, most steel doors use magnetic weatherstripping that forms an airtight seal to prevent air from escaping or entering your home. Steel doors often have tighter-fitting frames and a higher R-value than other materials. This results in better insulation for your home. Moreover, steel doors are generally less expensive compared to fiberglass or vinyl.

Wood

A widely popular option, doors made from wood are the least energy efficient of all the materials. Wood tends to be a poor insulator of heat and can even absorb heat in the warmer months. Most wood doors have a polyurethane foam core that increases its energy efficiency, but only nominally. While wood is an attractive option relative to curb appeal, there are better alternatives for energy savings available.

Glass

Glass doors are poor insulators and tend to lose more heat than other types of doors. However, most manufacturers install low-emissivity coatings on glass, which control the heat transfer better but tend to cost more. There are do-it-yourself low-e coating kits available to apply at home. These films are relatively low-cost and may last up to 15 years without peeling, a good alternative for the budget-conscious homeowner.

Upgrading your exterior doors could lead to significant energy savings. Selecting the right door for your home’s exterior is a big decision. Before you buy, it’s advisable to check NFRC performance ratings to find the right door for your lifestyle and budget.

Let the experts at Spotless & Seamless Exteriors help make choosing a door a little easier. We are a Twin Cities home exteriors contractor offering a wide selection of doors from Waudena Millwork. Materials include high-quality steel, fiberglass aluminum, vinyl, wood, and others designed for high-functionality and performance all year round. Contact us today.



5 Common Types of Replacement Windows for Your Home

types of replacement windows

Homeowners decide to replace windows for a variety of reasons, including increased home security, weather resistance, energy efficiency, and style. We’ve outlined the five common types of replacement windows you should consider.
Three main factors that distinguish window styles are

  1. the window sash, or the frame that holds the glass panes,
  2. how the window opens and closes, and
  3. how the window projects from or is set into the wall.

Read on to discover the unique benefits each style offers your home.

Double-hung windows

Double-hung windows feature two panels of glass, each encased in a square or rectangular sash. Both sashes slide vertically to open and close and can be tilted inward or outward so you can easily wash the inside and outside of the window. Designed with Ply Gem Low-E glass, our double-hung windows are durable, versatile, and energy efficient.

Bay and bow windows

Available in double-hung or casement styles, bay and bow windows project outside the wall or corner of your home, adding a unique architectural element. A bay window is a deep shell of three glass panes, with one large center unit and two flanking it at a 35- to 45-degree outward angle from the wall. A bow window usually has four or five windows with less framing, creating a shallower, expansive shell that allows more natural light and adds elegance to any room. Bay and bow windows open up space for a cozy, cushioned window seat or a focal, sunlit shelf.

Sliding windows

Sliding windows feature two glass panels with one fixed and one gliding sash resting on an aluminum frame. The gliding sash opens sideways to overlap with the other along a track. Customizable and available in almost any size, sliding windows offer an unobstructed view of the outdoors and feature simple locks for a tight seal and increased home security.

Garden windows

Common over sinks or in kitchen areas, garden windows are constructed of glass panels that project from the exterior wall in a box-like shape, offering you a peripheral view of the outdoors. The side windows can be opened and closed easily to ventilate. The top window allows natural light to stream into your home, creating a natural mini greenhouse for plants or an eye-catching display case. Constructed of vinyl sashes, our garden windows require minimal maintenance and feature a weather-tight seal.

Casement and awning windows

Casement and awning windows are glass panels permanently set in the window frame that can be cranked open for adjustable ventilation. Casement windows are left- or right-hinged windows that crank outward to open, much like a door on a hinge. Awning windows are hinged from the top and crank open from the bottom. Casement and awning windows close tightly and securely, allow maximum air movement when opened, and are often paired with an inside screen.

If you’re looking for Twin Cities window replacement, look to Spotless & Seamless Exteriors. We are a Minnesota seamless steel siding contractor, but we also install windows and doors throughout the state. We offer Ply Gem windows known for their style, durability, and energy efficiency. Contact your Minneapolis/St. Paul window replacement contractor today to learn more.