This is our new TV commercial to be aired starting September 12, 2011 on KFYR-TV. Special thanks to Sara Woods for help writing the script, to Eric Woods for help holding the teleprompter, and Philip Woods for help with lighting. Let us know what you think in the comments.

Replacing the siding on your home is a major investment in the beauty and resale value of your home. The right choice will save you time and headaches maintaining it; or should I say, not having to maintain it as much. That’s what the choices really boil down to; how long can you go, without having to spend time and money maintaining it.

Our weather here in the frozen north plays an important part in this decision as well. Because of the extreme heat and cold swings we can have in any year, paint and caulking are put to the extreme stress test. Most really can’t handle it. Paint and caulking crack, lift off the substrate and otherwise become useless for protecting the material underneath. Therefore, eliminating the need to paint should be high on our list of priorities, when making a siding choice.

So, here are the top four siding choices for North Dakota. If you’re from Florida, they may not help you; but, we’re not from Florida.

• Steel – For outright ruggedness and long life, you can’t beat steel siding. The finish for this product is durable and long lasting. In fact, the manufacturer has so much confidence in this product, that the finish is warranted 35 years against chalking and fading. Another 15 years of warranty is given on top of that against hail damage.
• Insulation Backed Vinyl – Vinyl is another non-paint siding; with the color being molded in. By adding a ribbed foam backing, it both increases insulation value and strength. Where you can push regular vinyl siding in with your finger, you can’t with insulation backed. Our vinyl siding is rated specifically for use in cold climates.
• Cement Board – As opposed to the other selections we’ve got on this list, cement board does need to be painted. However, the painting is more for appearance than it is for protection, as cement board won’t be damaged by exposure to the elements.
• Vinyl – Here we’re talking about your standard vinyl siding. Like the insulation backed vinyl, it’s made of materials that can withstand the cold. However, here we’re talking about one without the foam backing; so, it’s not as strong. Vinyl cannot be painted.

Any of these siding choices will outlast wood or engineered material clapboard siding, with considerably lower maintenance. Both steel and vinyl siding systems come with matching materials for your soffits and trim, allowing you to cover the whole house, while you’re siding. Cleaning them off with a garden hose from time to time will keep them fresh and the colors true.

If you hate contractors, you’re not alone. Most people don’t trust any kind of contractor, whether they’re general contractors, plumbers, electricians or even heating and cooling contractors. They’ve almost become number one on the list of people everyone loves to hate. In fact, the only people who beat out contractors for consumer complaints are auto dealers; you know, “Honest Al’s Used Cars.” I’m not sure where mechanics and dentists fall in this list, but they’ve got to be pretty high up there as well.

It seems that every time we have a hail storm I get a flock of people calling to ask if they need to have their roof replaced. It’s almost as if hail had a magical property of destroying roofs or something. While that isn’t so, these people’s concern isn’t really misplaced; hail can do a number on roofs.

Obviously, if you’ve got water coming into your home, your roof is going to have to be replaced, your question is answered. But water can be coming into your home, without you even knowing it. So, let’s start there, checking for water leaks. Go up in your attic with a strong flashlight. What you want to look for is places where the underside of your roof sheathing is water-stained. That’s the first sign of a leak, one that shows up long before water starts coming through your ceilings.

If you don’t find any water stains on the roof sheathing, that’s a good sign. But, it doesn’t mean that you don’t have any roof damage. So, the next step is to climb up on the
roof itself.

There’s two things you need to look for on the roof; the first is missing or broken shingles. Unless you have something like a slate roof or armor plating, there’s the possibility of it being broken by hail. With asphalt or fiberglass shingles, look for pieces of shingles missing. With shake or clay tile roofing, look for broken shingles.

We are happy to announce The Window & Door Store has teamed up with Metro Roof Products. This new relationship continues with TDWS’s commitment to supplying and installing only the best products available on the market today. Metro’s superior product features are the result of years of research and development on exclusive processes. Key differences are:

Metro STEEL — Highly corrosion-resistant AZ-50 Galvalume® steel coated with specially prepared & treated with proprietary primer to enhance Metro acrylic adhesion.

Metro BASECOAT — Proprietary special formulation developed by the world’s largest resin supplier to promote long-life performance in all climates.

Metro STONE CHIP — Finely graded, non-oiled, natural granite granules that enhance adhesion and provide

the tightest granite stone coat matrix on the market today.

Metro ACCESSORY DESIGN — SMARTvent stone-coated ventilator panels fully integrated into the roof field with no need for specialflashing. SMARTjack stone-coated 3-in-1 type vent pipe flashings with self-sealing rubber gasket and aluminum base. SMARTsleeve stone-coated and soon-to-be-released vent pipe sleeve cover to perfectly finish pipe penetrations. Eave Riser metals and Rake Channels that incorporate the unique “Locator-Lip” for easy positioning and installer error-free installation.

Metro WARRANTY — Every roof is backed with a 50-year limited warranty that has unlimited transferability to subsequent owners — a major plus in today’s housing market. We take pride in our products and it shows — everywhere a Metro roof stands!

Here’s a good blog article from Calfinder.com.

CLICK HERE to read article.

Hey everyone! Just a note to let you know we’ve added a great new feature to our website.

Want to see how certain color combinations will look together? This home color design tool will allow you to do just that. Products that can be edited include siding, roofing, brick, and trim.

Take it for a spin and let us know what you think!

Over 50 percent of windows purchased today are vinyl windows. Choosing a superior vinyl window can be difficult if you don’t know what to look for.It can prove even more frustrating if you purchase your vinyl windows and have them installed only to find that they’re poor quality, uneven and already fading in appearance.

There’s more to choosing and installing vinyl windows than meet the eye. What’s inside a window is more important than what’s on the outside since the internal structure determines a window’s longevity.

As a homeowner shopping for the best vinyl window, consider these factors in purchasing and making additional upgrades:

Vinyl: Look at a cutaway view of the window to identify the quality of the vinyl and the thickness of the window’s components. A thicker vinyl ensures rigidity and more overall resistance to weather damage.

Jambs: The vertical members of the window frame, thicker jambs provide better overall performance of the operating parts of the window called the “sash.” Building-grade windows have jambs from 2-7/16 to 3 inches thick, while premium grade windows offer 3-1/4 inch jambs.

Fusion-welded frames and sash: Maintaining a window’s square form helps ensure proper installation, in addition to creating a sharp look. Fusion-welded frames and sash can make a big difference here; windows that utilize a four-point welding system for the head, sill and two side jambs, and for the sash are sturdier and less likely to crack or break.

Chambers: These internal cavities within the frames and sash trap air, which insulates against heat and cold transfer through the window. Thick, multi-chambered frames and sash greatly improve structural performance by reducing the amount of seasonal expansion and contraction.  Building-grade vinyl windows generally have two to three internal chambers whereas premium grades have five, six or seven chambers offering superior energy efficiency. These higher end windows will also have polyurethane insulation in their frames.

Sloped sill: It’s not the thickness that matters here; instead, consider the degree of the slope of the window’s sill. Pockets seen on some vinyl brands will not keep water from collecting inside and outside of the window. A higher slope will allow for rainwater to hit the sash and flow downward, away from the window. This prevents water spots on the glass, and wear and tear on the vinyl.

Spacers: The material used to join two pieces of glass together to form a dual-pane (or insulated) window — a spacer’s material composition will affect air transfer. Aluminum spacers provide either a stuffy or chilly atmosphere depending on the season. Stainless steel and alloy spacers minimize the transfer of heat or cold through the window and minimize condensation on the windows, which is often caused by higher humidity levels in a home.

High performance glass: Vinyl windows, in general, are more energy efficient than wood windows. High performance glass gives homeowners even greater latitude to keep energy costs down. It also provides some of the best protection you can find against fading of home interiors caused by the sun’s rays.

More options are available in the vinyl window market. A window made up of thicker jambs, more internal chambers, and fusion-welded frames and sash ensures durability and performance for all seasons. High performance glass, warm-edge spacers and sloped sills will contribute to improved comfort and convenience in the home. If you can’t remember all that, just remember, you can’t judge a window by its cover.

Most homes built prior to 1990 have basement windows that are small and offer very little benefit. In the last 20 years, it has become a requirement for new homes to have windows meeting certain size minimums in all bedrooms including those in the basement. Egress windows, as they are called, offer many benefits. Here are a few:

1. Egress windows in a basement bedroom will allow the occupant to escape in the event of a fire or other emergency. The size is such that anyone can get through and the height from the floor makes it possible for most children to reach.

2. Larger windows in a basement living area will make the space more livable. Your family will enjoy spending time in a more light-filled area.

3. Your home will be more valuable. Two things characterize a bedroom: it must have a door, a closet, and an egress window. Imagine the increase in the value of your home if it went from a three bedroom to a four bedroom.

Cutting an existing basement window larger can be the best way to meet egress requirements. It seems like a major project, but companies that specialize in this will make the process seamless.

Check out this video to see how an egress window is installed.

Image courtesy of Bilco.