Home Service Updates
Our take on Hardie Plank Siding and general home service news.
3 Outdoor End-of-Summer Home Improvement Projects via American Home Shield
3 Outdoor End-of-Summer Home Improvement ProjectsAs summer turns to fall, the brisk weather provides the perfect conditions to start tackling outdoor home improvement projects and prepare for the winter ahead. This is a great time to refresh your home's outdoor space...
A Checklist: When It’s Time to Replace Your Siding
1. Visible Damage: Check for visible signs of damage such as cracks, warping, or rotting in the siding material. 2. Fading or Discoloration: If the siding has significant fading or discoloration, it may indicate wear and tear, and replacement might be necessary. 3....
Maximizing Your Home’s Value: ROI of James Hardie Siding Installation
Choosing the right siding for your home is a significant decision that goes beyond aesthetics. Homeowners seek materials that not only enhance curb appeal but also provide long-term value. James Hardie siding has gained widespread popularity, not just for its...
The ROI of Siding Replacement: Maximizing Your Home’s Value
Investing in your home is not just about aesthetics; it's also a strategic financial decision. One significant upgrade that often pays off, in the long run, is replacing your house siding with James Hardie fiber cement siding. Let's explore the return on investment...
Enhance Your Texas Home’s Durability and Style with James Hardie Siding
When it comes to protecting your Texas home from the diverse and often challenging weather conditions, investing in high-quality siding is paramount. James Hardie siding has emerged as a top choice for homeowners, combining durability, aesthetic appeal, and resistance...
Unveiling the Superiority of James Hardie Siding: A Homeowner’s Guide
When it comes to protecting and enhancing the exterior of your home, James Hardie siding stands out as a top-tier choice. Renowned for its durability, aesthetic appeal, and long-lasting performance, James Hardie siding offers a myriad of benefits that make it a...
Hardie® Plank Siding Done Right!
See how we helped one homeowner recover from a Hardie® Plank Siding disaster
Advanced Home Exteriors Given James Hardie Guild Quality Service Award
The James Hardie Corporation has contracted with GuildQuality, which is one of the largest customer service survey companies in the country, to provide third-party follow up with recent customers of James Hardie Certified Preferred Remodelers (such as Advanced Home...
James Hardie Hardie® Plank Lap Siding Earns the Good Housekeeping Seal
James Hardie Building Products, world leader in fiber cement siding and backerboard, today announced its James Hardie® siding earned the Good Housekeeping Seal. The Seal is a sought-after mark of quality and is granted after a product's rigorous evaluation by the Good...
Replacement Windows (Part I): I saw a large display of windows at the hardware store. How are they different from what you sell?
There are actually quite a few differences, so maybe this is a good time to do a series of articles on the important basics that anyone who is considering window replacement should know before they start shopping around. There are two categories of windows available...
Windows (Part 2): Beware of the “bait & switch” of “New Construction” windows instead of “Replacement”
As we explained in Part One, if you want to replace windows in an existing home, and if you want it done right, you need “replacement” windows. The information in Part One is essential for you to know because unfortunately, there are some dishonest window dealers who...
Windows (Part 3) — Beware of deceptive advertising and sales tactics, such as the ones described here
If you shop around for windows there are a couple of other windows advertising catch-phrases you’ll run across that are deliberately deceptive: (1) “Our windows stand up to hurricane-force winds.” The implication is that these windows are safe in a hurricane, or even...
I’m getting quotes to install Hardie siding. Why is there such a difference in each company’s price?
Answering this question is often awkward because its hard not to sound self-serving, but I’ll give it my best shot. The simple answer is that in most cases the salesman is making a guess as to how much you’re willing to pay. If he sees you as someone who is on a...
Some of the contractors want a big deposit up front before the work begins. Should I agree?
The short answer is JUST SAY NO... most of the time. Here’s the issue: for the average minor construction job (like siding or roof replacement) or other common general remodeling or repair jobs that take only a few days to complete, there is NO good reason for a...
Rotting Siding (Part 1): Some of my old siding is beginning to rot… how long do I have before I need to replace it?
To answer your question, it is important to understand exactly what is on your house. If your siding is rotting, your siding is either wood or a faux-wood pressboard siding. In Houston, homes built in the 1970s and later almost always had pressboard siding in the...
Rotting Siding (Part 2): The economy is bad and my budget is tight, so can I replace ONLY the rotten siding and leave the rest?
This is a question we get a lot. The simple answer is yes, you can.... it's your house and technically you can do whatever you want. Any of us can face tight financial circumstances where it is not feasible to replace all of the siding, but that doesn't change the...
Rotting Siding (Part 3): You want to see something REALLY gross? This is what inaction can do….
In this business, one of the more interesting results of removing old siding from walls all the way down to the studs is that we see a lot of really nasty stuff. For example, on occasion we run into huge nests of snakes, ants, termites, bees, etc., as well as the...
When I have siding or a roof or windows replaced, does it matter who I hire to install it?
In most cases, the answer is an absolute and unequivocal YES... it certainly does matter... and for good reasons. Don’t get me wrong... if you want to try to do it yourself, or if you want to hire some inexperienced handyman to save a few bucks, then you are welcome...
New York Times mentions Advanced Home Exteriors… Read the Article!
The following article was published in the New York Times on March 10, 2011 in the "Business Day: Markets" section. Their comments on Advanced Home Exteriors are in the third paragraph. New Contractor Program Created to Meet Smaller Businesses' Needs CHICAGO, March...
“DANGER, Will Robinson!!” In the Residential Remodeling Industry, You Get What You Pay For
Here's an experience that many of us have gone through. One day someone comes to you looking for advice. Maybe this is one of your children.... or another family member... or a close friend. He or she has an important decision to make and they are considering...