In the past, the most popular building materials used in home construction for finishing the exterior were brick or wood siding. Today, there are other options which perform as well (or better) than brick and wood. Cement fiber siding such as James Hardie siding is one of the many types of extremely durable and beautiful siding options which has gained national attention. The advantage of cement fiber board is not only that it possesses the look of actual wood siding, it will also stand up to the elements just as well as cement. In fact it is quite likely that once the existing siding has been replaced with cement fiber siding, the home owner will be outlived by the siding and may never need to replace any portion of it.
The second major component of a house is the roof. Roofing is an integral part of the entire house that maintains its energy efficiency and contributes to the comfort and security of the home. Without a solid and durable roof above, the interior contents of the home are subjected to the elements outside of it, much like a home without good siding. Most roofing materials come with some measure of warranty, but unless they were installed by a certified contractor, this warranty may not be valid. Depending upon the manufacturer and quality of the roofing material, it is common to have warranties ranging from 15, 20, or 30 years. It is important that the roofing contractor installs the new roof according to the manufacturer’s directions, or this warranty could be voided.
The most commonly installed type of roofing material has traditionally been asphalt shingles. While there are many other choices, asphalt shingles are very affordable and work well in all kinds of weather. Your roof is an entire system. It is composed of several parts that should catch and channel water away from the house and its foundation, so that water will not erode any part of it. Unless the roof is viewed as part of this system, an inexperienced roofer can make some big mistakes. Joints may not be installed properly, shingles may not overlap the way they should, and some of the features that help prevent wind from getting under them may be compromised. Only a properly trained technician should be installing a new roof, and even then your roofing contractor should very knowledgeable about the particular product being installed. Each product hasits own elements to make it work as designed.
Siding and roofing are your home’s first line of defense against the elements. Your home is a major investment, so before you replace your siding and/or your roof, make sure you have an experienced professional contractor who can get it done right the first time. Call Iron River Construction at 952-442-1762. Licensed and insured MN siding and roofing contractors.
