If you’re a homeowner deciding on the materials for your exterior construction, stucco can be a wise choice. Stucco is a waterproof and durable building material, and if you’re looking for a unique appearance, there are stucco painting contractors who will paint or stain the stucco for you. Stucco is also a popular choice because its resilience makes it resistant to most weather conditions. In some climates, that resilience makes it a better choice than plaster – since plaster results in a softer surface, and would be more vulnerable to the elements.
If you choose stucco for your exterior, it’s essential to search among local home exterior services to find a stucco specialist for your project. You may be interested to learn that stucco can’t be applied directly to some exteriors, so proper research beforehand is necessary. With some exteriors, a perforated metal sheet called a lath must be placed on the wall before stucco is applied.
Stucco can give your home a very impressive appearance. Despite its strength, stucco can sometimes crack or crumble with age. Most stucco contractors could also be used in the future when you’re looking for stucco repair companies.
The exterior of our homes tends to take a beating during the winter months. The extreme cold temperatures keep us from doing outdoor maintenance and cleaning. It may also prove difficult to make exterior repairs. Over months, this lack of care builds up. Once spring arrives, we may have many important exterior projects to complete. This spring, ensure that your home is maintained and that you have taken care of all of the following maintenance tasks.
Roofing inspection
The roof usually suffers the majority of its wear and tear during the winter months. There may be large accumulations of snow present on the roof, sometimes for many days or weeks. Mix in the heavy snow with damaging ice, and it is possible that your roof needs repairs. The spring weather gives you a safe climate for climbing the roof and manually inspecting it yourself. If you are not comfortable with climbing onto your roof or are not knowledgeable enough to identify needed roof repairs, consider using the services of a roofing company.
A roofing company can provide you with repair recommendations. They may also suggest replacement, when too many repairs are needed. If the roof is not too badly damaged, you may be able to have a new roof installed over your existing roof. However, this will reduce the amount of time until you will need another full roof replacement. Roofing experts estimate that the life of your new roof will be cut by as much as 20% if it is installed on top of the existing roof. Consult with your local roofing company for your best roofing products options.
Exterior siding
Many states are exposed to heavy winter conditions that include high winds. The high winds of winter can damage the exterior of the house. Most minor damages can easily be repaired, without having to replace the entire siding. However, if you put it off for too long or the exterior material becomes too badly damaged, a full replacement may be needed. A siding contractor can evaluate your current siding and give you estimation on how long it should last.
Some types of exterior material can be easily repaired by the homeowner, saving you cost and time. Vinyl siding is a time efficient choice for a homeowner because it is low maintenance and it does not require painting. For this reason, you are likely to see a lot of homes in your area that contain vinyl siding materials.
Doors
Your doors are also an important part in keeping harsh weather conditions outdoors. Heavy winds may reduce the sealant of your doors. Over time, the springs and hinges may wear down, making them harder to open and close effectively. Although your doors probably do not require replacement very often, replacing them when needed will keep your home cool in the summer and warm in the winter. Door replacements and even patio door replacements are simple projects that can be completed within a day or two.
Windows
Your windows are similar to your doors, except that there are many more of them. Windows are also made out of glass and when a crack occurs, it can allow exterior temperatures and weather into the house. If you choose to have new window installation, you will benefit from the upgraded efficiency windows of today. Single pane glass windows, which are present in most homes built before the mid 1900s, are hugely energy inefficient and allow heating and cooling dollars to fly out the window and noise to cascade in. Replace your windows with a higher efficiency rating and you will see a decrease in energy bills and noise.
It is likely that you did little work to your exterior home during the long winter months. It can actually be dangerous to attempt work when temperatures are freezing and there are inches of snow and ice on the ground. However, as soon as the weather warms up, it is important to get to work. Hire a roofing company for a full roof inspection, check the condition of your windows and doors, and correct any exterior siding conditions.
