The Citizen, 2015-10-29, Page 14PAGE 14. THE CITIZEN, THURSDAY, OCTOBER 29, 2015.
Good siding can transform a home, last for years
MS –Few home improvements
can transform a home more than the
installation of new siding. Replacing
siding can be a costly venture, but
the right siding will maintain its
appeal for years to come.
Updated siding can improve a
home’s energy value by enabling
owners to save on heating and
cooling costs. A new design and
colour also can improve a home’s
property value and set it apart from
neighbouring properties. According
to the Professional Builder’s Home
Exteriors Survey, exterior design and
materials used are a top priority for
new home buyers.
Project costs depend on the size of
the home as well as which siding
material homeowners choose.
Considering new siding is a major
renovation, it pays to get the job
done right.
• Choose a qualified contractor:
It is important for consumers to do
their research when it comes to
siding materials and contractors.
A contractor who takes shortcuts
or improperly installs the siding may
void a manufacturer’s warranty.
Always ask family members and
friends for recommendations before
choosing a contractor, and check out
each prospective contractor’s work
for yourself. Interview more than
one contractor and compare both
their costs and what they offer. Ask
plenty of questions of the
contractors, and avoid those who try
hard-sell methods. Questionable
contractors may try strategies like a
promise of a considerable discount if
you “act now” or scare tactics that
your home is unsafe in its present
condition.
Be sure the contractor carries
general liability insurance as well as
workers’ compensation insurance for
their subcontractors. Ask for a
licence number as well and verify its
accuracy.
• Select a durable material:
Siding comes in all types of
materials – from wood to plastic to
fibre cement - but vinyl is among the
most popular due to cost and
availability.
Research how well particular
brands of siding stand up to
conditions and which are the least
likely to crack, warp or discolour.
Find this information from online
reviews or through consumer
advocacy groups. Also remember,
vinyl and other synthetic materials
have improved and can now mimic
the look of many other materials for
a fraction of the cost.
• Calculate how much you need:
Before you price out siding with
contractors, estimate how much you
will need for your house. Consumer
Reports suggests multiplying the
height times the width of each
rectangular section of your house in
feet, going by what you can measure
from the ground, to determine their
areas. Multiply the approximate
height and width of gables and other
triangular surfaces and divide each
total by two. Then add all the totals.
To allow for waste, don’t subtract for
doors, windows or other areas that
won’t be covered. Finally, divide the
total square footage by 100 to
estimate how many squares of siding
you will need. A square represents
100 square feet. Knowing how much
you need can save you money.
Vinyl siding can completely
transform the look of a home and
make it more energy efficient.
Consumers who do their homework
will get the best value for their
investments.
272 HURON ST., CLINTON • 519-482-9414
www.grovestv.com
300 SUNCOAST DR. E., GODERICH • 519-524-6064
From kitchen to family room
to laundry room to bedroom, we have the
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We also prewire for
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The latest innovations.
The latest technology.
The ultimate comfort
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NEW APPLIANCES AND MATTRESSES
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November 19th-
December 2nd!
A simple, dramatic change
While potentially expensive, siding provides a simple way to drastically change how a home
looks and protect it from the ravages of weather for years to come. (MS photo)
Wet leaves can
prove dangerous
MS –Leaves cascading down
from trees indicate the arrival of
autumn. However, colourful and
awe-inspiring autumn leaves can be
a hazard if left to lie on the ground
too long.
Fallen leaves form a dense
insulator to protect trees’ roots and
prevent competing plants from
growing. Decomposing leaves also
provide nutrients for the tree. But
wet leaves can be a safety hazard
and leaves left on the lawn through
the winter can pose a threat to the
grass.
These are just a couple of reasons
why so much effort is placed on leaf
clean-up in the fall. Here are some
creative ways to recycle leaves that
fall from your trees in the weeks to
come.
• Mulch:Shredded leaves can
make for a great amendment to
fertilizer for garden beds and even
the lawn. Leaves lying on the grass
can be mulched into small pieces
with a mulching mower so they
don’t choke the blades of grass.
Leaves also can be broken down
with a string trimmer, a leaf blower
that has a vacuum function or a
commercial shredder/chipper. Add
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