Hiring a home renovation contractor can be a real nail-biter. Some homeowners get three bids — no matter the project — and go with the middle one. You don’t want a cheap job that will just need re-doing in a few years. But neither do you want to spend [...]
 New siding is one of the most important improvements you can make to your home. According to a cost-versus-value report from Remodeling magazine, 12 of the top 15 remodeling projects are exterior. Exterior appearance is critical to a home’s value. You could have the most beautiful, modern bathrooms on the block, but if your vinyl siding [...]
Stone veneer has become a popular choice among conscientious homeowners. Why? It’s beautiful, it’s cheaper than real stone and it’s a great investment. LOOKS LOVELY The look of stone is timeless, because stone itself is timeless. A house that incorporates stone into its exterior looks natural and strong. It [...]
 Installing soffit vents is one way to protect your home from excess moisture and rot. Many homes today are built so that they are practically airtight. Modern building materials allow for such snug construction — they make it almost as if you’re living in a bubble. We’re trained to think [...]
If your home is in the historic district, can you renovate the exterior to mesh with your particular tastes? Heck no! Many cities and towns, including Salt Lake City, have what is known as a historic district, where a governing body attempts to preserve buildings’ architectural styles and protect [...]
 When you think of rain gutters, you may not think of the Zika virus, but you should. Rain gutters that are not properly maintained can result in pools of standing water — a welcoming environment for mosquitoes. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, mosquitoes prefer to lay eggs in manmade objects. These [...]
 Vinyl siding is tough, but it’s not invincible. What, if anything, can damage vinyl siding, and what can you do to prevent it? EXTREME HEAT We’re not talking about the kind of heat you get on a sweltering day here on the Wasatch Front — if that were true, the vinyl would [...]
Seeing is believing. When you’re shopping for a new home exterior, a picture is not worth a thousand words. What you want is to be able to see and touch real, live samples of what you’re considering wrapping your house in. Sure, a salesperson could show you a book, [...]
 Can’t decide between stucco and stone for your home exterior? Why not have both?! This exciting trend is really gaining in popularity, especially here in the Intermountain West, where we have the open space for our homes to be our castles! Stone is a beautiful choice for a home exterior, but [...]
 If you are considering James Hardie fiber cement siding for your home, you want to make sure it’s installed properly. Home exterior cladding is a significant investment, and you want it to last. James Hardie provides a 30-year manufacturer’s warranty on all its products, but this warranty is void if the installation is not done properly, so you [...]
