An entry door replacement does not end with the installation. If you want to make the most of the investment, there are some things that you should consider after the project.

Inspection

Doors must be inspected at least once a year to make sure that they are working well. Check for physical signs of damage on the frames, jambs, thresholds, panels, and other components, as well as opening and closing mechanisms. Also check the condition of the caulking or sealant; broken or cracked caulking can lead to the premature failure of the doors. Check, too, whether your drainage system or sprinkler system is exposing your doors to possible water damage.

Maintenance

Some door materials require more maintenance than others, but it is nevertheless recommended to routinely check whether yours – regardless of the material – needs something done. Steel doors, for instance, may be coated with touch-up paint to maintain their look and prevent deterioration. Interior finishes and paint should be retouched whenever necessary to maintain their protective features.

Hiring a Professional

If you want the peace of mind that comes with knowing your doors are well-inspected and well-maintained, hiring a professional is the way to go. Door contractors possess specialized knowledge that is critical to spotting problems – especially if they are not so obvious to the untrained eye – and, more importantly, taking care of them before they get bigger.

A professional eye will also be able to guide you into choosing an entry door material and style that is a good fit for your home and your energy requirements. If you need, say, extra insulation, an installer or contractor can walk you through the ideal options. If you find that you need your door equipped for something well after it has been installed, a contractor can also help you make the necessary changes.

Lastly, a door professional can help you secure a good warranty program, especially if his or her company has a partnership with a trusted door manufacturer. So when your doors encounter issues after installation, your warranty will cover the expenses and technicalities required in its repair or replacement.

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Wood. Wood is still the preferred material of homeowners who want a stunning entry way. With its classic natural appeal, the material suits a wide range of architectural styles, too. Eco-conscious homeowners can also choose wooden doors that are certified by the Forest Stewardship Council or FSC.

Wood, however, is expensive. And the material requires repainting every so often to minimize the potential for warping and rotting.

Fiberglass. Many doors made from fiberglass are designed to mimic the look of real wood, only with more benefits. As a material, fiberglass does not expand or contract with temperature changes – which means extra energy savings for your home. Unlike wood, it is also less susceptible to warping and rotting from the heat. And it requires minimal maintenance, and can last up to 20 years.

The major downside of choosing fiberglass doors is the fact that they usually come in pre-cut sizes. Homes with smaller door jambs may find it hard to find an installer who can cut fiberglass into the desired size.

Steel. Steel has an impressive recoup value, so you know you are getting your money’s worth when you go with this material. Of all the current door options, steel also offers the most security against intruders. It is also the least expensive.

But steel does not last as long as wood and fiberglass doors do, especially if exposed to the elements. When it gets dented, too, it is expensive to repair.

So when choosing entry doors, always consider:

• Your budget
• Your home’s architectural style
• Your energy goals
• Your willingness to conduct maintenance; and
• Your climate zone

But that’s only half the battle. Choosing a door material comes with post-installation considerations that you should be aware of, if you want to cash in on the advantages of the investment. We discuss that further in the closing segment of our blog series.

The post Part Two: The Basics of Entry Door Replacement – What Are Your Replacement Door Options? appeared first on All States Home Improvement.

But how do you tell when, exactly, you need to get your door replaced? Check for these warning signs.

• Issues with opening and closing. When a door’s opening and closing functions are hampered by rusty old mechanisms, they can cause your door to get stuck. In some cases, this can be fixed by a minor adjustment. But if the issue is caused by warping, your door should be replaced. Especially common among wood core doors, warping can lead to air leakage or unwanted heat transfer. Plus it detracts from the beauty of the home.

• Physical signs of damage. Entry doors are exposed to the elements day in and day out, and they may wear over time. Dents, rust, and cracks look innocent enough, but when left untreated, they can lead to structural failure. They also reduce your home’s protection from the weather, negatively affect curb appeal, and lose you a lot of potential for savings on your utility bill.

• Broken components. Your entry doors are not only composed of the two (or more) main panels; they also feature accessories that contribute to their overall functionality. Broken or malfunctioning jambs, threshold, or frames have a negative impact on the performance of the doors. Check for signs of warping and rotting, especially if you live in a hot region.

If you ticked off any of the above signs, call a professional installer or contractor. The question is: which doors should you invest in? We’ll go through your options in the second installment of this blog series.

The post Part One: The Basics of Entry Door Replacement – When Do You Need A Door Replacement? appeared first on All States Home Improvement.

Do you prefer something other than the classic charm of lap and shingle siding? If that’s the case, then HardiePanel Vertical siding might be right up your alley. Made with the same high-performance material as other James Hardie siding, Hardie panel features smooth vertical lines. Some might think switching from a horizontal siding panel to a vertical one isn’t that big of a deal, but it does have some a few key benefits.

Perhaps one of the greatest strengths of vertical siding is its ability to channel water down more efficiently than other siding styles. This is invaluable during rainy season, where constant moisture in the siding can encourage fungus or mold to grow. In case something does grow on the siding, it will be easier to wash down. Another advantage of having vertical seams is the minimal amount of horizontal surfaces where dust can accumulate.

On the more aesthetic side of things, the lines of HardiePanel Vertical siding also gives the illusion of added height. For houses that have very low roof clearance, this can make their homes look taller than they appear. It is also perfect for homes that intend to bring more focus to the roof of the house.

In some cases, vertical siding also tends to last longer than horizontal siding. For example, some vinyl siding tends to “sag” at the middle after some time. This not only looks bad, but also opens up seams between panels above or below it and compromises your home’s weather protection. This rarely happens with vertical siding, even more so if it’s HardiePanel Vertical siding.

Like other James Hardie siding, HardiePanel vertical siding offers improved energy efficiency, as well as unparalleled resistance to wear and tear, moisture damage, fire, and pests. Because of this, you not only protect your house from bad weather, but also save thousands of dollars a year in repair and maintenance.

Have you figured out which type of James Hardie siding would be perfect for your home?

The post Part 3: Giving Your Home the James Hardie Siding Treatment appeared first on All States Home Improvement.

When it comes to siding styles, few can match the classic charm of a cedar shingle roof. However, keeping a home with siding of this type in perfect condition requires a great deal of maintenance, thanks to cedar’s vulnerability towards fire, water, and termites. That alone may be enough to make homeowners switch to another type of siding, but what if there’s a way to achieve the same classic look without the hassle associated with it? Enter HardieShingle Siding.

HardieShingle Siding is made of the same material that gave HardiePlank siding extremely durable – fiber cement. This mix of sand, cement, and cellulosic fibers has excellent structural support and offers unparalleled fire, water, and pest resistance.

You might be wondering how a cement-based material can match the aesthetic appeal of cedar shingles. HardieShingle siding undergoes dyeing and contouring to help achieve the natural look of wood siding. You can further customize the look of your home by painting over HardieShingle siding, but the initial wood finish is considered by many homeowners to be good enough for their homes.

Fiber cement shingles offer more than durability. It also offers cost-efficiency. While the initial cost may seem pricier than usual, keep in mind that you’ll have shingles that require way less maintenance and are expected to last longer than wooden shingles. This means you’ll save plenty of cash that would otherwise be spent on repairs and replacements in the end.

Aside from sparing you the hassle (and cost) of siding maintenance, HardieShingle also offers improved energy efficiency. Because fiber cement provides excellent protection against extreme temperature, your HVAC units will have an easier time regulating indoor air, which indirectly results in lower electric bills.

HardieShingle siding isn’t just good for your home; it’s also good for the environment. HardieShingle is recyclable and creates very little environmental impact. While it is not biodegradable like wood, it doesn’t release harmful toxins into the environment. Furthermore, it takes much fewer trees to cover your home with HardieShingle siding than with cedar shingles.

Are you looking for something that could add height to your home? Perhaps HardiePanel is the right choice for you; find out more about it in Part 3, coming soon!

The post Part 2: Giving Your Home the James Hardie Siding Treatment appeared first on All States Home Improvement.

Your home is supposed to provide you protection from outside elements, so it needs all the help it can get to make it able to stand up to whatever Mother Nature is going to throw at it. While that may seem obvious to many homeowners, many of them still end up taking the wrong approach towards improving their home’s weather resistance and put too much attention on the roof. You have to understand that weather attacks from all directions, including the sides of your house.

To keep your home’s flanks protected, you need your home’s siding to be able to withstand not just rain and snow, but also other factors such as wind, constant wear and tear caused by changing weather, and even its resistance against harsh sunlight. You can’t just buy any kind of siding panel, tack it on the sides of your house and call it a day; you’d need something that will guarantee excellent weather protection, such as HardiePlank lap siding.

Lap siding in its own is a very effective design that it has been used for hundreds of years. The overlapping panels ensure that water flowing down one panel safely glides down the surface of next one below it, not through the gaps between them. Because water isn’t stuck, lap siding isn’t as likely to suffer from mold formation.

HardiePlank panels are made of fiber cement, which is basically cement and sand reinforced with cellulosic fibers for extra structural strength. HardiePlank is less likely to break or crack like concrete, and is virtually immune to moisture and termite damage. To top it all off, HardiePlank fiber cement is termite resistant.

By combining good design with a high performance material, HardiePlank siding has very few, if any, vulnerabilities. This means you don’t have to check it as often as other siding options for signs of damage. Low maintenance requirements means low long-term costs, making HardiePlank lap siding not just long lasting, but also cost effective compared to other alternatives.

Do you feel like looking for another siding option? Part 2 of this 3-part blog series, coming soon, will focus on HardieShingle, James Hardie’s answer to wood shingles.

The post Part 1: Giving Your Home the James Hardie Siding Treatment appeared first on All States Home Improvement.