The weather in Colorado is so unpredictable that you cannot even bet on it in the back-alley casinos of Las Vegas. In early December 2009 whiteout blizzards shut down Front Range highways and schools as temperatures plunged below zero. In early December 2010 residents enjoyed a 69-degree Friday with only a marginal chance of snow in the 10-day forecast.
Although part of the allure for ski-country living, this climate variability takes its toll on the exterior of a home. From one day to the next, a 30-degree shift is not uncommon. The materials on the outside are constantly in flux — expanding, shifting and contracting. Tom Higgins, president and founder of Superior Products Home Improvements in Littleton, has spent his career helping homeowners find the right exterior for any budget, while protecting their home against the elements.
Higgins points out that in Colorado a combination of strong ultraviolet rays, rapid temperature swings, high winds and a daily freeze-thaw cycle does the most harm to siding. This creates rotting, warping, splitting and curling, which are strong clues that it is time to upgrade. Luckily, with quality materials and proper installation, siding will last up to 25 years.
As a general rule of thumb, Higgins starts with a home’s value to determine what kind of siding makes the most sense. Homes valued under $250,000 typically use vinyl siding. Homes between $250,000 and $300,000 are appropriate for fiber cement and vinyl, while homes that cost more than $300,000 often use fiber cement or stucco.
Another consideration is how long an owner plans to stay in the home. “If you’re not planning to stay in a home for many years to come, it’s best to choose siding that will enhance its resale value,” explains Higgins. “In this case, fiber cement or stucco provides the best enhancements to a home’s resale value.
However, the local homeowners association may dictate what siding will be used. “Some HOAs in higher-end neighborhoods forbid the use of vinyl siding,” says Higgins. “It’s best to check with your HOA to determine specific materials that are recommended and which are not allowed.”
Each individual exterior finish – vinyl, stucco or cement – stands up to the forces of nature differently. Vinyl can handle winds up to 190 mph, but can sustain considerable damage in a hail storm. Stucco, on the other hand, has a high tolerance to wind and hail. But it is fiber cement that can truly weather Colorado’s meanest storms in style. Second in strength only to brick and stone, fiber cement does not have a tendency to expand and contract during temperature swings and it stands up to hail and high winds.
Nevertheless, without expert installation, any new exterior will fail. In the case of vinyl, it can shift up to a quarter of an inch in one day. If the contractor doesn’t take this into account, the exterior may not be fully protected. Or in the case of stucco, it cannot cure in colder temperatures. If the contractor wants to do the job in the cold months, look for someone else.
“Reputable contractors will go the extra mile to make sure everything is going as planned,” says Higgins. “Fly-by-night contractors with little to no credentials don’t provide as much information.”
Once Higgins has put his clients’ mind at ease, the new exterior can take shape. Warped boards or cracked stucco gives way to a stylish new way for your home to survive the high-altitude elements that Colorado’s outdoor enthusiasts enjoy so much.
Casey Cisneros is a Lyons freelance writer.
SIDEBAR:
Don’t let rare roof replacements wreak havoc
We always take for granted a roof over our heads until it fails and we discover that everything underneath is at risk.
Welcome to the discovery process of roofing. Materials, sometimes-onerous homeowner association rules and other details pop up that no one has thought about for decades.
When local news channels report on the latest weather event (isn’t everything an event now?), our roofs will take the brunt of the storm. Because wind, rain, snow, ice and hail are expected throughout the different seasons, Colorado provides the ultimate tests for roofs.
When it’s time for a replacement, it’s necessary to do some homework before allowing someone to spend several days at your home. In Denver’s western suburbs, for example, added protection is required to prevent ice and water build up that can wreak havoc on the eaves. If the additional layers of material are not added, ice dams can form, forcing water back into the home. In a worst-case scenario, drywall, decking and rafters are damaged by water seeping in and the result is a much larger remodeling project. In cities or counties that require the additional protection, materials and labor costs increase.
Michael Ambrose Hoffman of Ambrose Exterior Solutions said it’s important to communicate as much information as possible to homeowners before the work begins. “We’ll go through every detail of the roof,” he said.
Because roofing problems are so infrequent, Hoffman said there are usually details his clients have overlooked, such as, homeowner associations. Some are very specific about the types, colors and weights of replacement roofing.
Hoffman said his team will check out other roofs in the neighborhood to get direction on roofing possibilities. The employees must also know the city and county codes to stay within guidelines.
Once the legal issues are resolved, Hoffman said aesthetics are an important piece of the puzzle. Flashing choices, touch-up painting and the color of the tiles or shingles can top off a quality project.
Although most roofs are replaced between April and October, Hoffman said there are needs, such as minor repairs, throughout the year.
Consumers also should be sure that a solid warrant is provided in case problems occur years after a roof is installed.
Hoffman, who has been roofing for more than 10 years, said roofers should have some credentials, including certifications for the type of roof they are providing and even more importantly, referrals. “These are key things that people should be looking for,” he said, adding that liability insurance, workers compensation and licenses should be provided upfront to the homeowner.
Posted on 20 March 2011
Strategically placed, quality lighting has always been important, he notes. Technology has helped contractors provide better and varied options. In many cases, a variety of lighting is used in one bathroom: Incandescent, fluorescent and LED bulbs might light up the main area while a heating lamp can keep the shower or bath area warm.
