Just What is Vinyl Siding?
Simply put, vinyl siding is a material that covers the outside of your home. It is ostensibly a plastic material composed of 57% chlorine and 43% common salts and ethylene. Because vinyl siding installation is a rather inexpensive and painless process, it has become one of the most popular choices for covering the outside of a home, both among homeowners and builders. As of 2007, as many as 30 – 40% of new homes were being built with vinyl siding as the material of choice, and when one looks at all the advantages offered by this exciting new material, it’s easy to see why.

Why Should You Use Vinyl Siding?
Of course, just because something is new and exciting doesn’t mean it’s the best option. Why exactly should you choose a vinyl siding installation over another material?

Well, according to the experts at the Vinyl Siding Institute in Washington, DC, you should use vinyl siding because it essentially offers the best of all worlds as a building material. PVC is malleable enough to be sculpted and shaped with the kind of beautiful detail seen on wooden homes of old. These kinds of small architectural details tended to be overlooked in modern homes due to cost and time constraints until vinyl siding came along. In short, those who love an elegant, classical look to their homes need not worry. In fact, many users of vinyl siding claim that, from a few feet away, you can’t tell the difference between their siding and the wooden siding of their neighbors!

At the same time, however, PVC is a plastic – this means that it’s resistant to impact and is relatively non-porous, making it as sturdy and weather-resistant as a solid brick house would be. This also means that it’s easier to care for than a wooden or brick home. Accumulated dirt or debris can be easily washed off without worrying about wearing away the paint job.

The reason for that, of course, is that vinyl siding doesn’t have a paint job! Unlike wood or brick, where the outside of the material is covered in a thin layer of paint, vinyl siding is dyed during the mixing phase. This means that if it’s red, it’s not just painted red, it IS red, through and through. No more chipping, cracking, or peeling!

And if that doesn’t convince you, Remodeling Magazine reports that vinyl siding is said to have the lowest cost of installation of any construction material on the market!

Vinyl Siding Contractors – What to Look For
If you’ve decided that rather than deal with a vinyl siding installation yourself, you’re going to go with a siding contractor, you still need to make sure that you find the right person for the job. While there might be any number of qualified siding contractors out there, one way that you can be totally certain is by checking out the Better Business Bureau.

Long story short – vinyl siding is one of the best possible choices you can make when it comes to improving the look and value of your home. Easy to care for, inexpensive, and durable, vinyl siding combines all the value of other building materials in a single package that you just can’t go wrong with.

-Over time water can create mold, mildew, and stains sometimes in places you can’t see. Most molds are usually an easy thing to take care of; however it can cause people with allergies and asthma some complications.

-A gutter leak that finds its way into your home can damage wood, drywall, and even carpeting which can be costly for your family.

-A larger leak can inhibit rainwater from saturating your lawn and eventually causing a leak into your basement. This can cause foundation problems.

The important thing to remember is that as soon as you notice a leaky gutter, you should take the time to fix or replace it as soon as you can. If you need your gutters replaced, call Prairie Home Alliance at 800-209-9220 for a free consultation.

2. Check for Referrals-Ask your family and friends for recommendations. Word-of-mouth is very powerful, if a company has a history of ripping off consumers; chances are you’ll hear about it. If you know someone who has had a positive experience, most likely you’ll have the same experience.

3. Verify licenses & insurance-Licenses and insurance are a big deal in the home improvement industry. Companies who are legit will have no problem showing you their credentials. Be skeptical if a company refuses to show you. If one of their employees gets hurt at your house and they don’t have insurance, you could be responsible for their medical bills.

4. Ask for references-Quality home improvement contractors will be able to provide a list of references relatively quickly. Make sure to call these references and ask not only about the quality of work, but also the experience working with the company. For large purchases like roofing or siding stop by a home that they have completed the project to check on the quality of work.

5. Look for reviews online-Although online reviews can be manipulated by contractors, take the time to look for red flags. If multiple sites have negative reviews about a company, be very skeptical.

We are proud to announce…..

The Rick Burns Outstanding Service Award Recipient of 2010…

Ed White, Production Manager

>>  Most homes in the U.S. do not have enough insulation. An estimated 60% of homes do not meet the level of needed insulation to keep energy bills at their lowest. The odds are stacked against us, since more than half of all homes do not have proper attic insulation.

>>  Adequate insulation provides temperature control. Feel the ceiling in the top level of your home on any given afternoon. Can you feel a temperature difference? The difference can come from the sun beating down on your roof all day long, heating your attic. Oftentimes when the attic is not properly insulated, you can feel the temperature difference as you climb the stairs during the summertime. Adequate attic insulation can help keep the warmth in the attic and avoid unnecessary hot flashes every time you go upstairs.

>>  My home is more than 10 years old. Chances are, unless you have recently added insulation to your attic, the levels of insulation are lacking. Newer homes may or may not have the proper levels of insulation and should also be checked.

>>  How much insulation should I have? According to the U.S. Department of Energy, it’s all in the R value. (A number used to measure the resistance of heat flow a material has - the larger the number, the more resistant.) This number should be between 49 and 60 for attic insulation.

* Set your hot water temperature at the “normal” setting - no higher than 120 degrees F. This can cut your water heating costs by 10%.

* Get a humidifier to add moisture to the air. The air inside your home can be very dry. Moister air feels warmer, so a humidifier can help you feel comfortable even though your thermostat is set at a lower temperature.

* Purchase a timer to set the thermostat on your furnace. Set the temperature to 62-65 degrees while you are sleeping and at  work. Auto-set it to turn on 30 minutes before you rise or return home. The energy savings will help with your winter fuel bills.

* Dispose of older incandescent lights and buy new LED lights. Older incandescent lights can use up to 99 percent more energy than new LED lights.

* Make sure your heating vents aren’t blocked by furniture or drapes and the dampers are open. Vacuum out dust and pet hair from warm air registers and cold air returns so your furnace runs more efficiently.

Questions you need to ask include: What is the total price of the job? Does this include sales tax? Can I obtain financing through the contractor? When are the payments due? What is the interest rate? Does the price include removal of the old roof? Any hidden costs? Does this company carry workers’ compensation and liability insurance? What is their Better Business Bureau rating?

2. Going with your first quote-The process of calling, meeting, and evaluating roofing contractors can be a long process. Don’t allow yourself to take the shortcut and go with the first company that comes out. Make sure to get at least detailed 3 quotes and take the time to fully understand how each company is going to approach the project.

3. Not comparing apples to apples- When you receive your quotes make sure that the contractor puts in writing what brand and style of materials they will be using. Some contractors will use high quality long lasting materials while others will use inexpensive unreliable materials.

4. Choosing a company because they can start right away- It’s understandable that you want your roof project completed as soon as possible, but be careful. This is usually a red flag. If a company has no other work you should take a close look at why that is.

5. Falling for a deal that is too good to be true- Good respected contractors will not be offering half off deals for roofing. Most roofing contractors have very little wiggle room in their prices. Don’t be afraid to ask for a discount, but be leery of a deal that is too good to be true.

Energy Efficient Windows: Savings

1. 2009-2010 $1500 Tax Credit. The Government is offering a $1500 tax credit on qualifying windows. The credit is applied to your taxes and is 30% of the cost of the window not including installation. The windows need to be installed in the tax year to qualify for that year’s credit. Since ordering and installation can take 2 weeks or more, you should really act soon.

2. Save money on energy bills. Quality windows ensure that the home uses less gas to heat the home. This commonly results in a noticeable reduction in your monthly utility bills. Imagine the money that will be saved each month and at the end of the year! When you add up the savings, the new windows will essentially pay for themselves.

3. Old windows are dangerous. Cracked and broken become even more dangerous once winter arrives, as the glass becomes brittle and cold. If you have children in the home, they are in great danger if they play or sleep in a room with old windows. Further concerns are the drafts that old windows cause, as well as the potential illnesses these drafts can cause your family members.

4. Many old windows are made of dangerous materials. Old windows may contain lead paint, which is dangerous for children and adults alike. Upgrading not only reduces bills and increases the aesthetics of a home, but it may also protect your health.

5. Old windows are commonly single paned. Double paned windows lock out more moisture and cold than old, single paned windows. These old windows have a tendency to freeze open or shut, and they feel icy to the touch. In addition, they are known to develop frost on the inside of the window, increasing the chances of breakage, which causes damage to the home.

2. Check for Referrals-Ask your family and friends for recommendations. Word-of-mouth is very powerful, if a company has a history of ripping off consumers; chances are you’ll hear about it. If you know someone who has had a positive experience, most likely you’ll have the same experience.

3. Verify licenses & Insurance-Licenses and insurance are a big deal in the home improvement industry. Companies who are legit will have no problem showing you their credentials. Be skeptical if a company refuses to show you. If one of their employees gets hurt at your house and they don’t have insurance, you could be responsible for their medical bills.

4. Ask for references-Quality home improvement contractors will be able to provide a list of references relatively quickly. Make sure to call these references and ask not only about the quality of work, but also the experience working with the company. For large purchases like roofing or siding stop by a home that they have completed to check on the quality of work.

5. Look for reviews online-Although online reviews can be manipulated by contractors, take the time to look for red flags. If multiple sites have negative reviews about a company, be very skeptical.