Exterior Remodeling
Siding Installation done properly
Siding is a rain screen, not a seal. What is behind it is what keeps the house dry.
What this work involves
The weather barrier, the flashing at every opening and the drainage path behind the cladding are what actually manage water. Siding sheds most of it and the rest is supposed to drain out.
We pull the old siding rather than layering over it, because that is the only way to see the sheathing. Soft sheathing under old siding is common in this climate and it is the thing you actually want to find.
Window and door flashing gets redone as part of the job. Head flashing, sill pans and the sequence of laps are what stop water entering at openings, which is where it enters.
The sequence on a job like this
- Old siding removed and the sheathing inspected and repaired
- Weather barrier installed with correct laps and a drainage path
- Window and door openings flashed properly, including sill pans
- Siding, trim, corners and caulking at the right joints only
What we look at before quoting siding installation
Every siding installation job starts the same way: we look at what the new work has to sit on. Window and door flashing gets redone as part of the job. Head flashing, sill pans and the sequence of laps are what stop water entering at openings, which is where it enters.
Most cost overruns trace back to something that could have been spotted before work began. That is why we take our time at the walkthrough and ask the awkward questions then.
Worth knowing
The thing that usually goes wrong
Siding installed over the old layer. Nobody sees the sheathing, and caulking the laps traps water instead of letting it drain.
You can only see about a third of a finished remodel. The rest is behind drywall and under tile, and that hidden two thirds is what decides whether the visible third still looks right in ten years. It is also where corners get cut, because nobody is going to check.
Want Igor to take a look at your project? Call (678) 665-7771 or reach us online. The walkthrough costs nothing, and you will get an honest answer on scope.
Other exterior work
All of it is on the exterior remodeling services page.
Where we do this work
We stay close to home. The company is based in Roswell and takes work in six counties, Fulton, Cobb, Cherokee, Forsyth, Gwinnett and DeKalb. Marietta, GA, Woodstock, GA and Alpharetta, GA are three of the cities on our service areas page, next to thirty-nine others.
Have a look at the gallery for finished work, or call (678) 665-7771 and we will come out.
Where the money actually goes
You should know where your money is going, and we will show you in detail once we have walked the job. Until then, any figure we gave you would be made up.
The largest variable is almost always whether things move. Keeping the layout keeps the mechanical work small. Changing it means drains, vents, circuits and often framing.
Hidden conditions come next. Rot, old repairs and outdated wiring do not show up on a phone call, which is why we inspect what we can at the walkthrough and price the job afterward.
Working with a small shop
The practical difference between us and a large operation is who you are talking to. Igor is on the job, so questions get answered by the person who can actually answer them rather than relayed through an office.
Being small also caps how many jobs we run at the same time. If our schedule is full, you will hear that from us along with an honest start date, and we will not sign your project just to let it sit until a crew opens up.
The crew that starts your project finishes it. That continuity matters more than most people expect on work that runs for weeks.
What gets inspected
Anything structural, most mechanical work, and every addition. We pull the permits, schedule the inspections and are on site for them.
Contractors who work around permitting are avoiding scrutiny, and the scrutiny is the point. The details inspectors look hardest at are the ones that cause real failures.
It also protects you later. Unpermitted work surfaces at the worst possible moment, which is usually when you are selling or making a claim.
Looking after the work
A finished remodel is not maintenance free, but the list is short and most of it is easy.
Check the caulk in showers and around tubs now and then, since that joint flexes more than anything else in the room. Outside, keep gutters and drains clear. Clean filters and vents on anything mechanical.
We cover all of that before we leave, so none of it is yours to figure out alone. If anything gives you doubts later, we would much prefer hearing from you to finding out you have been living with it.
Questions people ask
Can you side over the old siding?
We do not. Layering over means nobody sees the sheathing, and soft sheathing under old siding is common in this climate. It is the thing you actually want to find.
What keeps water out?
The weather barrier and the flashing, not the siding. Siding sheds most of it; the rest is supposed to drain out behind, which is why caulking every lap is the wrong instinct.
How do I know if siding needs replacing or just paint?
If it is soft anywhere, or you have visible seam separation, paint is buying you a year. We can tell you which one you are looking at from a walkthrough.
What happens if you find something unexpected?
We stop and show you, the same day, with photos and our plan for fixing it. Nothing goes back behind drywall until you know what is there.
How long does a project like this take?
Longer than the TV shows suggest, and shorter than most people fear once it is planned properly. A bathroom generally runs a few weeks. A whole-house remodel runs months. After Igor sees the space you get an actual schedule, and you hear from us the moment anything pushes it.
Will we be able to live in the house during the work?
It depends on how much of the house is torn open at once. One room at a time, yes in most cases. For full remodels and larger additions, we talk it through honestly at the walkthrough.
Let us take a look at your siding installation project
Jobs go wrong in the parts you cannot see, which is why the walkthrough comes first. Igor will look at the space and give you a clear answer on scope before anything is torn out. Book it at (678) 665-7771 or through the contact page. The crew you meet stays on the job until the punch list is done.