Suburban Blog

Certainteed Vinyl Siding: "When Only The Best Will Do"

     With over 25 years experience in the Vinyl Siding industry, Suburban Windows & Siding is proud to carry the "Certainteed Monogram" line of Vinyl Siding. For over 100 years Certainteed has been the national leader in building products and in 2007, Certainteed was selected as the #1 vinyl siding overall by building professionals.The "Monogram" line from Certainteed has a comprehensive system of value-added features that work together to deliver the ultimate in beauty and performance, both for remodeling and new construction. Here are some of the features that are most important to any homeowner interested in Vinyl Siding:

•  Self-Aligning CertiLock: Snaps together with an audible "click" to ensure a secure fit and more consistent installation.

• The "TrueTexture" is from a rough cedar finish molded from real cedar boards.
• The Color Leader: Monogram offers the industry's widest color selection.

• Widest Low-gloss Color Selection in the Industry.

• PermaColor System: Color performance, impact resistance and durability are assured with an exclusive blend of Certavin resin, superior micro-ingredients, and state-of-the-art pigment chemistry.

• Heavy Duty ".046" Thickness: For added strength, durability, and greater impact resistance.

• Monogram has an option for longer length panels that can significantly reduce seams.

• Decorative Trim: Vinyl Carpentry & Restoration Millwork provide an authentic, real wood look for your trim.
  
  
  
  For more information about Vinyl Siding,Certainteed, or the Monogram line of vinyl siding, please click here.  

Home Improvements: Cost vs. Value Report 2010

     The annual Cost vs. Value report for the Home Improvement industry has come out from Remodeling Magazine and the Window and Siding categories have remained stable in the top 10 since 2005. Over the past 5 years, exterior replacement projects such as Siding, Roofing and Windows have continued to rise through the charts in this report. This change in Cost vs. Value for these projects is due to the growing importance of "Curb Appeal" in the housing market. Homeowners have been retaining their investments over time for exterior replacement projects (see below) when it has come time to sell. Another reason why exterior replacements have climbed up the ladder in Cost vs. Value is because they are generally cheaper than other home improvement projects. This report is done on a national level, but broken down for specific counties like Hartford and New Haven. Here is a look at an excerpt from the Hartford County Report:

            Project                           Cost Recouped
Vinyl Siding Replacement                86.0 %
Vinyl Window Replacement              82.3 %
Entry Door Replacement                117.0 %
Roof Replacement                           67.4 %
Sunroom Addition                              49.8 %
Home Office Remodeling                      47.8 %
Basement Remodeling                         64.0 %
Family Room Addition                          62.3 %
Garage Addition                                 61.0 %
MasterSuite Addtion                           63.4 % 

             (The Remodeling Magazine Cost vs. Value Report 2009-2010)

 

 

The Benefits of Vinyl Siding Your Home

      Vinyl Siding was first introduced in the late 1950's as a substitute for Aluminum Siding. At first, the vinyl siding reputation was damaged in the home improvement industry because of a lack of quality. Just like other inventions, the chemistry and installation of the vinyl siding was continuously tested and improved to meet the standard of contractors who wanted to use it. Now, vinyl siding has a 30% share on the US siding market, with no end in sight for it's popularity. This vinyl siding phenomenon over the past 60 years is credited to a few major advantages that vinyl siding has over any other siding.

      The first advantage is that vinyl siding has become a very inexpensive home improvement compared to other siding options that are available today. Another advantage of vinyl siding is the energy efficiency of the product. If any part of the siding was damaged from severe weather, it is very easy to repair it and still maintain the original form. However, the most popular reason why homeowner's have chosen vinyl siding is the reduced maintenance for their family over time. 

       Suburban Windows & Siding is proud to announce our acceptance into the Certainteed 5-Star Contractor Program from our Vinyl-Siding manufacturer, Certainteed. In order to become a 5-Star Contractor we had to complete our Restoration Millwork Master Craftsmen Test and our Vinyl Siding Master Craftsmen Test. For more information, click the link above. 

 

Vinyl Shakes Look Like Real Wood

Happy Thanksgiving to all from the HouseGuru,  I hope everyone has a wonderful day.  It's amazing how far Vinyl Siding has come.  Suburban Windows and Siding is just finishing up another beautiful home in New Britain.  One of the things I love about the city of New Britain is all the old Colonial homes and English Tutors.  New Britain has such a diverse array of architecture dating back to the 17 and 1800s.  Old victorians and English Tutors are my favorites.  I just had the pleasure of residing an English Tutor and a beautiful old colonial right next door to each other.  For those of you who know the area across from Stanly Quarter Park, there are many old Tutors and colonials . 

    I wanted to make sure I kept that original Tutor look and feel so i suggested to the home owner to have us paint the stucco part and trim the boards in brown vinyl coated aluminum to make them maintenance free while maintaining the originallook. 

  The peaks were old ceder shakes that were not taking the paint very well and the 86 year old homeowners wife would not let him climb up there to paint it anymore, I must say I can't blame her.  We installed the ceder Impression Vinyl Shakes by Certainteed on the peaks and the house looks as authentic as the day it was built.  If your in New Britain on Stanly street across from the park you will see the Suburban Windows sign in front of the house so you can check it out. 

The 3 Types of Window and Siding Companies

      There are basically three types of companies for the replacement window, vinyl siding and specialty home improvement business. Depending on who you talk to will determine the cost of your project. You can get a quote on the exact same products from two different company types and the estimate will vary drastically!

Contractor #1:  This a company that is run by a tradesman who usually will subcontract from bigger contractors and do some jobs on the side. They might run an ad in the local classifieds. This poor guy has to estimate his jobs, run an office, and try to do the work as well. The problem is that to run a professional business there has to be a business infrastructure that can service and communicate with their customers. A bookkeeper and a sales person to estimate jobs as well as someone to keep up on new technology and product development. If the owner of the company gets sick or wants a vacation their customers have to wait. It's also hard to produce the jobs with limited help and many times they will jump back and forth between jobs to try and keep people happy, taking much longer to complete the job.

Contractor #2:  Is a professional Home Improvement Contractor who has experienced work crews and office staff as well as production and service people. This contractor is up on the best quality products and installation systems, he carries proper insurances, markets locally and is known in the community. This type of contractor will give you more value your money and the owner of the company will be involved in the estimating and supervision of the project. Your job will be completed in a professional and timely manor using quality materials at a reasonable price. You will not be required to sit through a long sales pitch that will end with high pressure sales tactics to try and get you to sign a contract that night. Instead you will be treated with respect, given information, references and your estimate in writing with absolutely NO pressure. I can't think of a better way to do business,can you? This is the type of company Suburban Windows & Siding operates.

Contractor #3:  Is the most expensive, this company is a sales and marketing company that sells Replacement Windows and Vinyl Siding. As a result, this company model does a large volume of business and has a huge overhead. Advertising budgets and sales commissions can exceed $50,000 a month. The primary business here is to generate leads for the sales force and sell as much work as possible, regardless of the ability to properly execute and service the jobs. Many of these companies come and go due to "burning out" and cultivating a poor reputation. You can easily spot these guys! They are the ones spending the most on expensive TV commercials, fancy mailers, big newspaper ads, and calling you on the phone. Telemarketing is a business within a business, and its a very sophisticated form of lead generation that costs huge money to sustain, but can return a large volume of prospects and jobs. The hope here is to catch you off guard, since you weren't shopping for Siding or Windows there is a better chance to get you to sign a contract that night, they will also insist that both husband and wife be present for the presentation for this purpose. This is the main goal of the sales and marketing contractor, so to avoid making a bad decision NEVER sign a contract the first sales call, instead evaluate and check out the company and get other bids. Yes I told you to get other bids and make an INFORMED decision before you buy, this way you will feel more comfortable with your choice and get the best VALUE for your money.

 

Quick Tips For Winterizing Your Home

Autumn is the best time to start any project that will prepare your home for the cold winter months ahead of us. Here at Suburban, we have put together a few cost-effective ways to prepare your home for the cold weather by increasing your heating efficiency:

1. Add humidifiers to the living areas in your home where you spend most of your time. Adding a humidifier will make the air in your room feel warmer in the winter. 
2. Close off any unused parts of your house that do not need heat ventilation.
3. Check the weather stripping around your windows and doors. The biggest loss of heat in your home will result from any window or door that has air leaking through it. Take a look at the advantages of Heat Mirror windows, they are the most advanced and energy efficient replacement window available.
4. Consider replacing your thermostat with a programmable thermostat that will reduce your energy bill tremendously over the winter.
5. Check to see if your attic and/or basement has insulation. If not, consider doing this because it will greatly reduce your energy efficiency.

Are You Juggling Your Energy Bills?

 I thought this  Video Clip was pretty cool and wanted to share it with our readers. It's an entertaining way to demonstrate how your household bills can get out of control. Did you know that the Average American uses 20 times the amount of oil/per year than any other citizen in the world. Take a walk around your house with our Energy Conservation Checklist (located below this article) and look for ways you can reduce next month's energy bill!  Subscribe to our HouseGuru blog for interesting and useful information on saving energy and living green. Even know we specialize in Replacement Windows and Vinyl Siding we are dedicated to helping homeowners save money and live more comfortably.  

 Enjoy the video and have a great day !

 Your friends at Suburban Windows & Siding

 

Tax Rebate for Energy Efficient Improvements.

If you haven't heard the full story, on February 17 the Obama Administration signed the American Recovery and Reinvestment Tax Act allowing up to $1500 in tax rebates for Energy Star windows, doors, and skylights. We think this program will be very helpful over the next year for anyone looking to make home improvements and save some money. In addition to this rebate, you will notice a reduction in your household energy expenses for years to come. As of June 1st, in order for windows and doors to pass through this program, they must have a NFRC label. The NFRC stands for the National Fenestration Rating Council, which is the only federal institution that determines the official performance of windows, doors, and skylights in saving energy. Make sure to hold onto your manufacture certification, it will provide some relief next April!

Vinyl Siding Do’s and Dont’s

Vinyl siding is another of my buyer beware building products. It comes in a variety of thickness, warranty and color. My advice is never purchase any vinyl siding if the back is a different color than the front. You won't have a through and through color for fading and performance with that product. Thickness is one of the key factors in looking for a good vinyl siding. You need to ask a qualified salesman if the thickness stated is the true thickness on the product and not one area of measurement. The regulating body that sets the standards lowered the requirements years ago where a .038 product can be passed off as a .040 product. This doesn't seem ethical but it happens with a lot of building products. A good thickness to look for is .042 and .044 gauge. If you get too thick a siding it looks bad at the lap joints. Usually brighter colors are a lot thicker to withstand warping, during expansion and contraction in the hot and cold. Also purchase a well known brand that you've heard of nationwide. Too many times big stores have siding made for them to their specifications (even length) to offer the low price image. When they lose the price they drop the siding and you can't find more for additions or repairs. Price your siding by the "square" (100 sq ft) and not the piece when shopping. Other than these basic points a qualified salesperson can show you advantages between name brands offering different nailing hems and lap joints.

Hello my fellow Home owners

Welcome to HouseGuru , today is june 10th and this is my first blog post . This is my favorite time of year , it's warm out and the suns shining . Its stays light out till 8:30 and everything is green . I also love it because it's when us home owners get the bug to do some improvements . After all that is also my business .

Some of the more popular projects are things that affect the outsideof your home . Decks and sun rooms add nice areas to hang out in and relax . You may have grown tired of painting your house and want the fresh new look and maintenance freedom of vinyl siding and replacement windows or your roof may have had it's best days and needs to get repaired before winter comes .

I just finished a nice project for a couple in West Hartford . My company suburban windows & siding cut an opening in the back of there house and installed a beautiful french door and built a 16×20 deck all in composite decking and vinyl railings . Composite decking is great , it's a vinyl product that looks like wood , comes in different colors never need staining and won't splinter .