Repairing a leaking gutter will cost you a few hundred dollars. The cost of replacing broken or leaking guttering may run a bit higher. However, the structural damage from broken guttering can be downright expensive. Gutter leaks cause major leaks in your home, and cracks in the foundation and walls. Your siding may start to rot, affecting the beauty of your home. […]
Roofs are big, easy investments. Your home needs one roof. But with gutters how many downspouts do you need? Should you just have your gutter installer copy what you already have, even if you occasionally get overflowing gutters? Or should you hire hydraulic engineers and rocket scientists? Is there a middle ground? […]
What is unobtainium made of? Nothing; unobtainium does not exist except in the fevered dreams of engineers and Hollywood scriptwriters. What is fiber cement siding made of? Ah! That we can answer, since it only has five ingredients. […]
No one product suits everyone. Which siding — fiber cement or vinyl — is right for your home? Only you can decide on the right siding, but having a little background knowledge can help. […]
How long does fiber cement siding last? Will it outlast vinyl, wood, or metal siding? Will it need constant attention, cleaning, and repainting? As you consider new siding for your Des Moines-area home, many questions naturally arise. Let’s focus first on fiber cement siding’s astounding longevity. […]
So much of life seems driven by choices: plastic versus paper; regular vs. high octane; roof replacement vs. repair. Many municipalities ban plastic bags, taking that decision out of your hands. Most cars can operate well on regular (and less expensive!) gasoline. But with roof repair versus complete roof replacement, you need an expert’s input. […]
When you bought your Des Moines-area home, you did not receive a little owner’s manual with a chapter called “Why Roof Maintenance is Important.” Pity, because your roof’s health is key to your home’s health. We can think of at least five reasons roof maintenance matters. […]
Your roofer’s written estimate for roof replacement costs may seem like a flimsy piece of paper, but the document requires a lot of building. Today, you can get a sense of how to estimate roof replacement cost for yourself, with these eight features. […]
Houses go together with the talents and tools of many trades, from framing carpenters to trim and finish carpenters to plumbers and roofers. New homes, built stick by stick or from prebuilt sections, go together fast — a matter of days for all the framing. Then trim and finish carpenters start adding details like doors, moldings, and cabinets. When the time is right to replace those original doors, are they easily installed? Are doors easy to fit? […]
Our ancestors knew a lot more about the sky than most of us today. However, a little ancient knowledge can save you some money and literally brighten your home. When you consider replacement windows, which windows should you prioritize? […]
