Installing Vinyl Siding? Don’t Forget the Trim!

When you’re installing new vinyl siding to your home the first, and most important, thing to think about is the trim.  The trim is important in the functionality and look of your home. It is what holds the siding to the exterior of your home, allows it to expand and contract with temperature changes, and, when you’re finished installing the siding, covers up all the ugly ends of the panels.

You can also choose different styles of trim to fit the architectural style that you’re going for with your home.

There are a few different types of trim you’re going to need:

• Rakes: Sloping parts of your roof moldings that form the overhang.
• Fascias: Boards or panels that run along the horizontal edges of your roof.
• Soffits: Panels underneath the fascia that sit parallel to the ground.
• J-Channel: Used to hold the ends of the siding where pieces meet windows, doors, or walls.
• Undersill: Holds siding underneath the edge of windows. 

We recommend installing the highest trim first (the rakes, fascias, and soffits) and working your way down. After all of the trim is installed, the siding can finally go up!

Just as you can choose trim to match the style of your home, choosing the right siding is key to getting the look you’re aiming for in your home. Aspen Home Improvements offers a vast variety of vinyl siding options to fit any style home.

Offering both Mastic Home Exteriors siding as well as Norandex Polar Wall Plus siding, you’re sure to find the right siding in the right color for your home!

If you’re looking into replacing your Lancaster home’s siding, learn more about our siding services. We can help you decide what’s right for your house!

Easy Ways to Protect Your Home from Long-Term Wear and Tear

Rain. Snow. Wind. Sun. Salt.

It’s a wonder that some things last as long as they do with all the weather variances we face. If you haven’t already done so, now is the perfect time to start an annual maintenance program. The importance is obvious – to extend the life and protection of your home. You want to catch problems early or even before they occur! 

Protect your investment with these tips to add life and value to your home:

1. Invest in Good Roofing

           

The roof of your home is an easy aspect to neglect, but proper roofing and shingles can provide a lifetime of benefits. Aside from adding curb appeal, a sturdy roof can save you money in the long-run by preventing algae growth and providing protection from rain and hail. To learn more about how quality roofing can benefit you, read this bulletin from Aspen Home Improvements.

2. Test Your Water

While most homeowners test their water supply, it’s always a good idea to have your water tested for high mineral content. High concentrations of calcium and magnesium could corrode your plumbing and also be hazardous to your health. Installing a water softener could be a cheap and easy fix compared to replacing your plumbing. 

3. Use Energy-Efficient Windows

Once you install energy-efficient windows, you will never want to settle for less. These sturdy windows will not only last you a lifetime, but they will save you money on energy costs by keeping the heat of the summer from entering your home. An unexpected benefit of energy-efficient windows is that the insulation can also protect your furniture and carpet’s color from fading. Aspen Home Improvement offers a variety of Energy Star windows for your next renovation.

4. Don’t Neglect Your Gutters

No one likes to clean the gutters, but if they’re neglected long enough, your home could be vulnerable to water damage. Unkept gutters can lead to leaky roofs and basements, and repairing water damage could not only be costly, but time consuming as well.

5. Purchase Insulated Siding

Not only does it greatly enhance the outward appearance of a home, but properly insulated siding can be extremely cost effective while providing unparalleled resistance from the elements. The impact from intense storms and debris often shows in a short amount of time, and investing in good siding can provide a lifetime of protection. To learn more, visit the Aspen website to read all of the benefits of siding replacement.

Need help making repairs to your house? Let Aspen HomeImprovements help you! Contact us today to speak with our experts and schedule your free estimate. We serve customers over a large area of central and eastern Pennsylvania, including Lancaster, Harrisburg, York, Reading, Chester, and Berks County.

How To: Maintain Your Siding

Any homeowner knows that the home improvement process doesn’t stop after the renovation process is complete. Every project needs to be maintained every year so that your hard-earned money does not go to waste. Some renovations require more frequent maintenance than others, however, so it’s important to talk to your contractor about the best care practice.

Here at Aspen Home Improvements, there has been a high demand for siding replacements, so our team of professionals has been hard at work completing these projects around Central PA! All of these jobs have inspired us for Transformation Tuesday! Here is a recent siding replacement Before & After we did on a beautiful home in Nottingham, PA:

It was so rewarding to see how happy the homeowners were after they first got a glance at how glossy and polished their new home was!

To see more pictures from this project, click here. We love sharing our home improvement projects on Houzz – it’s like keeping a memory album of all the happy homeowners we have worked with over the years.

Have you recently completed a siding project?

Are you planning on replacing your siding soon? (First, contact us for a FREE estimate!)

Whether you have brand new siding or plan to renovate soon, it’s important to care for the exterior of your home. Luckily (and thankfully) siding is relatively easy to clean. Your siding accumulates a significant amount of dirt, grime, and mildew because it is exposed to the elements every day, which is why yearly maintenance is crucial.

Vinyl Siding Institute says that the best tools to use are a soft cloth or a long-handled, soft-bristle brush. You can use a cleaning solution made from 70% water and 30% vinegar for lighter stains. Or, for heavier stains, 1/3 cup powder laundry detergent, 2/3 cup powder household cleaner, 1 qt liquid bleach, and 1 gallon of water will work just fine!

• AVOID: undiluted chlorine bleach, liquid grease remover, nail polish remover, or furniture polish. These can scratch the surface of your siding!

You can use a pressure washer, even though most manufactures are warning homeowners to stay away from this method. If you find this method easier, just make sure you are spraying at eye level and straight ahead. Spraying at an angle may cause water to be forced behind the siding, causing further damage.

Keep your home looking like new with these maintenance tips! The effort is worth it. Not only will you prolong the life of your siding and save money, but a clean home also increases your curb appeal!

If you have any further questions about siding or siding maintenance, contact our team of experts today!

Frequently Asked Questions: Vinyl Siding

How does vinyl siding compare to other siding options?

When compared to other exterior options for your home, vinyl siding is the number one choice. Brick, wood, and stone have more frequent long-term maintenance needs and are more expensive to install/maintain. We offer a variety of siding options – insulated and non-insulated – in 35 standard colors and over 700 in Dreamcolors™. We carry products from Mastic Home Exteriors, which was voted the top 100 best new products by Professional Builder Magazine, and Norandex/Reynolds Polar Wall® Plus vinyl siding!

Is vinyl siding durable?

Yes! Our vinyl siding has been rigorously tested against high-force winds, various storm patterns, debris – and even effects from children! So come wind, rain, or shine, whatever force of nature acts upon your home doesn’t stand a chance against our dent-resistant, fade-resistant siding.

Does vinyl siding require a lot of maintenance?

For the sake of your wallet and sanity, vinyl siding requires little (if any) maintenance. It does not need to be coated in paint and, if, for some reason, it does need to be replaced from age, it isn’t a hassle. The only thing you can do to improve the look and prolong the life of your vinyl siding is to wash it at least once a year.

What is insulated siding?

The simple answer: it’s just like regular vinyl siding but with rigid foam that’s attached to the panel. One of the major benefits of insulated siding is that it is more energy efficient. It keeps the hot or cool air from escaping through your walls, which will lower your energy costs! Installing our insulated siding will start moving your home towards an eco-friendly, sustainable future!

How much does it cost to install siding?

The cost varies depending on style, color, and even the size of your home. Insulated siding will cost a little more to install (with an increase in long-term cost benefits), but we offer a variety of home financing options!

The countdown to spring is on! You're probably already thinking about your home improvement projects for this spring, so contact us now and we will be happy to answer any of your questions!

Aspen Home Improvements is growing!

Have you heard?

Aspen Home Improvements is coming to your area!

In addition to being located in Central and Eastern Pennsylvania, we’re excited to announce we’re going to be bringing our award-winning services to several new areas, including Hagerstown, MD and Martinsburg, WV.

We’ll continue to offer all of our services to these areas, including replacement windows, replacement doors, and replacement siding.

And what we’re most excited about is being able to offer something special to our new neighbors. If you’re located in any of these three areas, we’re extending an offer for free estimates for your home needs. This includes your replacement windows, replacement doors, replacement siding – you name it!

But don’t think we don’t love our current neighbors! For everyone in the Eastern and Central Pennsylvania region, we’re offering free estimates to you, too!

If you're a new or current neighbor and interested in receiving a free estimate for your home needs, just click on the button below to receive your free estimate - TODAY!

Is your siding ready for summer?

At Aspen Home Improvements, we focus a lot on windows and doors.

But did you know that we specialize in siding, too?

Siding is essential to the protection of your home. Siding helps protect your home from weather, moisture, pests, and everything in between. Siding also helps keep your home looking good while adding in a splash of personality.

So how do you know when it’s time for a replacement? Here are a few ways to tell if it’s time to replace one of the most important parts of your home – 

• Exterior Damage. Is your siding warped, rotting, cracked, etc.? If so, these are obvious signs it’s time to replace your siding.
• High heating and cooling bills. Good siding goes hand-in-hand with keeping your home properly insulated. If your energy bills are higher than normal, it could be a sign that your siding is not keeping your home properly insulated.
• Peeling paint/wallpaper. This could be a sign moisture is getting into your home, which could be caused by siding. Peeling paint or sagging wallpaper might not sound bad, but excess moisture in your home could cause a lot of damage to your interior walls.

Remember – these are just a few signs and there are many more potential indicators of siding that needs replaced. If you feel it’s time to replace your siding, contact our experts to discuss your options and request a free estimate for your home!