House Exterior Home Improvements

Find useful information on exterior home renovations and improvement projects including decks, windows, foundation repairs, waterproofing, siding, roofing and much more. Looking for contractor? Use our Contractor Directory to find a local, top-rated landscape contractors, home improvement contractors and other service professionals.

Concrete	TOP

Concrete Contractors Concrete began as a mortar paste in the 1800's and went on to become the most formidable building product every developed, even more than wood. From the inception of Portland cement as a hydration agent concrete has evolved from foundation to high rises, and now pre-cast, reinforced concrete walls are being used for constructing homes. Called “tilt-up” technology the concrete walls can withstand hurricanes, earthquakes, vermin and rot.

	Important Concrete Mixing and Purchasing Factors This article on concrete gives homeowners insight to important factors concerning projects they might be planning. Also learn about cost factors as well as proper mixing guidelines for do-it-yourselfers.

Decks & Porches	TOP

Deck Building Any do-it-yourselfer can build a simple deck but a deck contractor is needed for multi-leveled decks and complex designs that may be used around a swimming pool. Deck materials have changed over the years with new products coming on the market, decking that is impervious to water, rot and insects. This include composite, vinyl and aluminum decking that are also textured to look like real wood.

	Building Decks by Design Decks add an extension of the living space for any home wherever it is located because decks can be built in any shape and out of a wide variety of materials.  Far from simple, square platform the new decks are structural marvels soaring as high as the roof and going off in many pleasing directions to encompass a wide variety of activities.

	Porch Design Porches have been found on the structures of mankind for eons allowing a sheltered area outside the dwelling. In America, porch designs originated in the French and Spanish colonies and melded with those of other immigrant societies including African slaves. The modern porch is more of a screened-in room addition to the home which can be either opened up or closed to the weather.

Doors & Windows	TOP

	Cost, Style and Appearance; all Factors when Planning Door Replacement This article offers homeowners useful guidance and things to consider when making door selection for replacement or new construction. Cost, style, and appearance are all points covered; basic steps for interior door or exterior door installation are also included.

	Efficiency Ratings and Cost - Two Important Factors for Window Replacement This article gives useful information on assessing existing windows, and considerations for window replacement. Information on efficiency ratings and basic installation is also included.

Driveways & Walkways	TOP

Paving Your Driveway Pays for Itself Up until asphalt was introduced to residential driveways concrete and pressed-concrete paving stones were the preferred method of surface. Hot mix asphalt paving became popular because it was flexible enough to withstand extremes in temperature where even a reinforced-concrete driveway would crack. For warmer climates a coating of gravel called chip seal makes the surface harder and reflects heat.

	Asphalt Paving & Asphalt Pavers - Preparation and Maintenance This 696-word article helps enlighten project owners; prepare to install asphalt paving or asphalt pavers, and lists cost and maintenance considerations for both.

	Paving Contractors Paving contractors can prepare a durable driveway surface faster and cheaper than the same area covered with concrete. Like Portland cement liquid asphalt cement acts as a binder to glue the aggregate of sand and crushed rock into a hard surface that can withstand the freeze/thaw cycles in the northern areas. It is not as porous as cement and sheds water and ice faster.

Foundation	TOP

	Excavating for Proper Drainage and Concrete Specifications; Key Factors for a Trouble-Free Home Foundation House foundation problems are best when avoided altogether. This informative article that highlights key factors to foundation installation success can prove invaluable to homeowners who are planning a home foundation project.

Garage & Carports	TOP

	Garage Storage The garage is one of the easiest areas to convert for storage space. A small garage can use narrow, steel shelving but for bigger garages a simple wooden shelving system made from strapping and studs can store more belongings and support greater weight at a fraction of the price.

	Carport Project VS New Garage Construction When it comes to new garage construction VS a quality carport, cost isn’t the only consideration. This informative 1,128-word article points out advantages to building a carport, as well as important things to consider while still in the planning stage.

	How to Build Cheap Garage Storage The garage is one of the easiest areas to convert for storage space. A small garage can use narrow, steel shelving but for bigger garages a simple wooden shelving system made from strapping and studs can store more belongings and support greater weight at a fraction of the price.

	Garage Door Repairs Often Require Only Minor Adjustments; Common Things to Look For This informative article gives homeowners insight on how to troubleshoot and repair common garage door problems. As well as valuable information about the different garage door types and manufacturer designs.

Masonry & Brick Work	TOP

	Masonry Contractors Masonry is one of the oldest forms of construction known to man and clay bricks strengthened with straw one of the first types of brick. A mason can take a pile of bricks and create a beautiful wall, fireplace or chimney that can transform a normal home into a mansion. In addition, masons can build with stone, concrete blocks and glass blocks.

	Masonry: A Complex Profession With Many Sub Specialties This 950-word article provides helpful information about the bricklaying; the masonry profession, and sub-specialty professions. Also included are handy tips for a successful DIY ceramic tile project.

Painting & Staining	TOP

Paint or Stain the Exterior of Your Home? The function of paint and stain on the exterior of a home is to both is to protect and beautify the structure. Many of these coatings have the added feature of shielding both the wood and the finish itself from the sun’s ultra violet rays. These rays can break down the pigment of non-protected paint so it’s important get the proper paint or stain for the job.

	Quality Exterior Paint Combined with Quality Preparation Equals Quality Results Exterior paint durability is greatly affected by the quality of surface preparation. This article explains the various problematic conditions that must be dealt with to properly prepare exterior painting surface for optimum results.

Roofing & Gutters	TOP

Roofing Types With the exception of structural integrity there is no one item of the home that is more important than the roofing system. Because a faulty roof directly impacts every other part of the home including the ability of the house to maintain its structural integrity. The big culprit is water, because it not only destroys the interior but promotes rot and insect infestation that will eventually cause the home’s structure to fail.

	Roof Designs Being the protective frame work of the home roofs were designed with respect to the conditions of the areas where the home was built and the use of the structure. The simple gable roof design is popular today but barn-style roof came into fashion for extra space in the upper story and hip roofs increased the strength of the roof against winds.

Roofing Contractor Rather than a do-it-yourself project roofing should be installed by roofing professionals. These specialists know the materials that will be the major part of the roofing system. A roofing contractor has the skills, tools and crew to install many types of roofing: clay tiles, pressed-concrete tiles, asphalt shingles, architectural shingles, wood shingles, aluminum roofing, metal roofing and slate.

	Asphalt Roofing Asphalt roofing is one of the most popular roof products on the market because it is both inexpensive to purchase the materials and the skill-level for installation does not have to be as high as that of metal sheathing and clay tile. New innovations such as laminate shingles, while adding beauty to the home, have increased the life of asphalt roofs.

	Residential Roofing This informative article on vinyl, linoleum, and carpeting offers useful information about the many aspects of vinyl and linoleum flooring selection. Also included are the pros and cons, as well as DIY installation tips for homeowners.

	Roofing Materials Depending on where you live there is a roofing material that is specialized for that area. From clay tile shingles in the southwest to cedar shakes and asphalt in the northwest each roofing style can handle one or many climates. However, roofing is a trade that requires a professional installation crew.

Clay Roofing Tiles Clay roofing tiles have been around since ancient Babylon and the early Chinese dynasties. The Spanish brought clay tiles to the America where they have been a mainstay in the roofing trade for hundreds of years. Clay roofing tile and cement tiles come in a wide variety of colors and shapes which can be suited to almost any style of home. They are beautiful, long-lasting and almost fade-proof.

	Installing a Roof can be Tricky - Consider Hiring a Roof Contractor This informative article explores the various roofing options for new construction or renovation projects. And points out why hiring an experienced roof contractor might be a wise choice for installing some roof types.

Siding	TOP

Siding Options Ever since man first built up mud and rocks to protect his family against the wind siding has been a necessary part of a home’s structure. Like the roof it keeps the interior walls from the elements and insects, both of which cause decay and a loss of structural integrity of the home. This article discusses the different siding options available and explains a little about its origins.

Stucco & Plaster	TOP

Stucco Contractors Stucco contractors are some of the busiest installers of exterior siding in the country. Stucco is hard, durable and can withstand heavy blows without breaking. EIFS, which stands for exterior insulation and finish systems, is a synthetic stucco that can be applied over top of foam insulation and is a favorite coating for commercial buildings and, like regular stucco, can be colored .

	Stucco – Still Popular in Modern Construction This insightful 912-word article provides homeowners with some basic facts about stucco and plaster. Also included is valuable information about innovative strawbale construction and its advantages.

	The Do's and Don'ts of Stucco A proper stucco job requires the right tools for the job and knowledge of how the process works, which is why most people leave it to the professionals. A stucco finish takes up to three coats which includes a good underlayment of waterproofing, if it is going over a wood base, and wire mesh to hold the scratch coat, or first, coat in place.

Waterproofing	TOP

	Waterproofing; Even New Construction Homes at High Risk for a Water Problem This informative 830-word article gives homeowners insight into effective waterproofing planning; ways to avoid water intrusion into the home, as well as ways to retrofit their home if a water problem does arise.

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