When it is time to replace the siding on your home, there are many choices available to choose from. Siding options include wood, stone veneer, fiber cement, engineered wood siding and vinyl siding. Each of these choices has its own range of price options, as well as pros and cons. For example, while stone veneer siding is attractive and durable, it is also very expensive. Fiber cement siding costs less but usually requires periodic repainting. Wood and engineered wood siding needs regular maintenance as well as repainting.
Vinyl siding was introduced in the 1960’s, and in the beginning was not very well received. Since that time, improvements in quality, materials and production methods have helped to make it one of the premier choices for home and business siding. Vinyl’s resistance to extreme weather conditions makes it an especially popular in harsh climates. Below are some benefits of vinyl to consider when choosing which siding installation is right for your home:

Variety of Attractive Styles
Vinyl siding is available in many colours and textures, and is designed to fit various styles architecture. It is patterned to resemble wood siding and includes options such as soffits, fascia and corner boards. Vinyl siding is a very attractive low cost option that retains its appearance for many years, giving your home real curb appeal.

Inexpensive
While vinyl siding now offers high-end options, it is still less expensive than wood or stone siding. Vinyl has its own range of options, such as house wrapping and backing materials that will affect the longevity and efficiency of the siding.

Highly Durable and Low Maintenance
Vinyl siding does not rot, peel or warp. The colouring is part of the vinyl, so it does not require repainting or other tasks to keep it in shape and looking good. Maintenance usually consists of spraying dirt off with a garden hose once a year if needed. Much of the better vinyl siding available today includes water resistant insulation material behind the siding. This provides additional impact resistance, protection for external walls, and reduces noise from outside.
When considering your siding choices, take a look at your neighbour’s homes. Ask them about their siding, how well they are satisfied with it, and any maintenance problems they may be experiencing.
Urban Siding & Exteriors is a leader in reliable exterior services and high quality construction in Calgary. Contact us online or call (403) 354-4600 for a free estimate.

How Roof Installation Services Company Inspections Can Help You Maintain Your Roof

For many people shopping for a new home, the property’s roof is often an afterthought at best. Home shoppers look at the doors, windows, flooring and walls; but often give very little thought to what it is covering their heads, (unless it needs major repairs). Many people just want to know that the roof is going to do a good job of keeping out the elements. However, if problems do begin to arise, correcting them can be a frustrating process, not to mention expensive!
There are many factors that can influence your roof’s condition. Heavy precipitation, falling debris, high winds or human and animal interference can all play a part in compromising the integrity of your roof. In Calgary, where the winters are harsh, heavy snows and low temperatures typically increase the chance of damage to all of our roofs. Luckily, there are some relatively easy ways to keep your roof in good shape. Here are a few:

  • Carefully inspect the surface of your roof for any visible problems.
  • Prune any vegetation that makes contact with the roof. Even a small branch can cause problems over many months. If the branch rubs a shingle on your roof for too long, it will erode and weaken its structure.
  • Examine overhanging tree branches. If they look like they could fall within the next six months, cut them down or hire someone to cut them down.
  • Closely check the interior of your home for water spots indicating leaks or fracturing that may imply that the weight of your roof is settling in an unsafe way.
  • If you’re not sure what a roof problem looks like or if you have any doubts whatsoever, it’s best to call a company that provides roof installation services and get a professional inspection.
  • Hiring a professional is the right choice in most cases because you don’t want to miss something important.
  • In addition, it’s impossible to check for and repair hail damage to your own roof and hail damage is a very common problem that most of us have here in Calgary. Hiring a company to do a professional inspection will make sure that you address the small things before they get worst. Our inspectors are Haag Certified!

    While it may seem initially like paying this much attention to a roof that’s in reasonably good condition is a waste of time, taking the necessary precautions to keep your roof up can help you to avoid a much more troubling situation later on. Don’t wait until it’s too late!
    Contact us today!

    Spring Cleaning – Exterior Things Homeowners Need to Accomplish

    It might not feel like it quite yet, but spring–and the Spring Cleaning that comes with it–are right around the corner! Spring is a good opportunity for you to assess how your home’s exterior weathered the winter and to plan for maintenance and repairs. Taking the time to maintain your exterior now will save you a lot of money and headaches down the road.

  • Whether you’re cleaning your stairs or your exterior, it’s always best to start from the top. For safety’s sake, wait for a sunny day when your roof is dry and free from ice before you get up on the roof and inspect it for loose and damaged shingles. Repairing your roof before it goes through another year of wear and tear can prevent inconvenient and costly leaks later on.
  • Once you’re satisfied with the condition of your roof, it’s time to give those gutters a good cleaning! This task will prepare your home for the year ahead–or at least the months that will pass before it’s time to clean your gutters for the fall. If you had problems with ice damming in your gutters over the winter, now is the time to talk to a roofing professional about preventing that situation next year.
  • Next, check the eaves under your roof and make sure there are no soffits or other parts missing. Birds, raccoons, and other animals can get into your roof through gaps in the eaves and start nesting. Inspecting your eaves will help make sure you keep your local wildlife out of your insulation.
  • After making sure your roof and siding are in good condition, it’s time to see how your siding fared through the winter. Snow and slush typically leave most houses a little grimy, but a rinse with a pressure washer or handheld nozzle can do the job for most exterior walls. However, peeling paint or cracks in your siding are a sign of trouble to come, and you should repair those problems in order to keep your siding in good condition for the year ahead.
  • A winter’s accumulation of snow, slush, and dust can leave your home’s windows a little grimy. However, if you clean your windows before you clean your siding, you may end up having to do the job twice! This task will help brighten up your home’s interior as well as making the exterior sparkle.
  • Your exterior doors may be a little dingy from the winter as well. Cleaning them off as part of your spring cleaning routine, while relatively easy compared to gutter cleaning and siding inspection, can still make a big difference in the appearance of your home. Before you start, make sure you pick a cleaning method that is appropriate for your doors’ paint and materials.
  • The winter freeze-thaw cycle can be tough on sidewalks, patios, and driveways, especially if they are constructed of solid concrete. Although you’ll want warm weather for repairing a concrete surface, you should inspect your walkways and patios in early spring so that you can spot problems early and plan on repairing them.
  • Spring cleaning is more than just a way to make sure your house looks neat, clean, and well-maintained. It’s a way to keep your home structurally sound and spot minor problems before they turn into major ones. Paying attention to these tasks during your spring cleaning will make sure that your home is ready for whatever the weather brings in the year to come.
    We at Urban Siding & Exteriors pride ourselves on helping homeowners keep their homes in the best condition possible all year long. Feel free to contact us if you have questions about roof repair, ice damming, siding repair, or other maintenance concerns.

    When hail strikes, our Calgary restoration services can make your home look new again

    It’s been one of those years hasn’t it? There’s been a lot of hail, wind, and other severe weather, and it’s certainly done a number on many homes in Calgary. When it comes to dealing with home repairs because of calgary disasters like hail and wind, it’s important to choose a company that can provide you with restoration services that will surpass your expectations.

    What Kind of Damage has Your Home Suffered?
    Many homeowners aren’t really even sure what kind of damage their home has suffered once winter is over because they aren’t sure what to look for. Does your roof have shingles missing? Were your eavestroughs damaged because of hail? Has yoursiding suffered wear and tear? These are important questions you’ll want to answer right away. That way you’ll know which type of repairs you’re going to need. Of course, if you’re not sure how to check for damage, here at Urban Siding & Exteriors, we’re able to inspect your property for you.
    Choosing Only the Best Company for Restoration Services
    Maintaining your home in good repair has a lot of benefits to it. First of all, it keeps your home looking beautiful, which is what every homeowner wants. Perhaps even more importantly, it protects the value of your home. It also keeps you from having to spend larger amounts of money down the road. Many homeowners will put off repairs until they are absolutely necessary, which can result in more costly restoration services, and problems you might not have had if you had taken care of other issues right away.
    Here at Urban Siding & Exteriors, it’s our goal to ensure that your home looks good all year round. Even though winter weather might cause you problems, when your restoration services provider is the best in the industry, you can feel confident that those repairs will be taken care of quickly and efficiently.
    If you’d like more information about our Calgary restoration services, we would love to talk with you. Please contact us today.